Disclaimer's been stated before, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed I see I've made fifty already, thank you everyone for reading this fic, for the time you took to read and review I present you with a really long chapter:
Chapter 7: Ruination
Cloud had left as soon as he had received Tifa's phone call, it's didn't seem desperate, so he was sure there wasn't any threat, but he still had a foreboding feeling that it wasn't good news, Fenrir sped through the barren wasteland leaving a trail of dust in it's path, soon he entered into Edge city and made his way straight for Seventh Heaven. Upon reaching the entrance to the bar, he was slightly surprised that it was closed, he had left early in the morning so he expected that Tifa would open it after he left, but apparently he was wrong. The sign on the door read CLOSED. A part of him was curious as to what Tifa would call him for, so he immediately got off his bye, put his sword on it's holster and entered into the bar. Denzel, Marlene and their friends had already left, his mako-infused eyes scanned the bar, it was empty, no customers, no children, no Vincent and no Tifa, worry began creeping into him, it was unusual for the bar to be left unattended, if Tifa had closed it, usually Vincent would be somewhere around or the children would be doing some mischief, one of his hands reached to the handle of his sword. He made his way past the empty bar and to the staircase in the corner, still ever vigilant to the slightest movement, as he ascended the stairs he could hear movement, it emanated from the room at top, at the end of the hallway, passing his room which lay halfway between the top and base of the stairs he entered into the hallway, he removed his hand from the handle, it didn't sound like a burglar but like a regular person, still wanting to make sure, he moved as silently as a cat towards and door, once he arrived he placed his hand on the brass doorknob and silently opened it.
Almost instantly as soon as movement of the door captured the attention of the room's occupant there was a deafening shriek that spilled out of the room and traveled through to the vacant bar.
"What do you think you're doing Cloud?" Tifa nearly screamed at him.
Cloud was still halfway in shock, as soon as he turned the door handle and sprung into the room, Tifa released a cry that would have shattered his ear-drums, since she was near her bead, she quickly scampered for her sheets, and brought it over her body, Cloud was still in a daze at what he saw, the mako rings around his pupils seemed to dilate even though his pupils didn't.
"Cloud get out!" Tifa ordered.
Regaining his composure almost as quickly as he entered the room he exited, he shut the door behind them, the image of Tifa, in her underwear still prevalent in his mind.
"Tifa, you said you wanted me to come home right away, is something the matter?" He asked in his usual calm voice but in his mind he was still seeing Tifa in the matching black underwear, he kept replaying the image over and over again.
A slight creek in the door opened, only enough for a small fraction of her body to be seen.
"Cloud I need you to watch the kids tonight," She stated.
The blue-eyed warrior was slightly surprised by her statement, and for several reasons, firstly it was how she said her statement, normally Tifa would ask him if she needed a favor, this she was putting it as a statement, not a request it started to bother him and secondly it was to watch both Denzel and Marlene, he knew how much she loved those children, and didn't trust them with anyone she didn't know, she also loved spending as much time as possible with them as well as tucking them into bed at night, it was also her first time making such a request, he needed an explanation.
"Is there any particular reason why?" He asked.
"I have a date with Vincent," She put coldly and immediately closed the door, "That's why I'm getting ready, "I have to leave by six, so you have to watch the children for the night."
The former Shin-ra employee didn't know how to respond, she was going on a date with another man and he was not comfortable with it.
"How long do you think you'll be gone?" He asked trying to mask his building rage.
"I don't know, I should be back some time after Denzel and Marlene's bedtime," She said, then opened the door slightly like she did earlier and looked at him before she spoke again, "Remember no later than nine o' clock."
Cloud simply nodded his head and left. Once he had left Tifa closed the door behind him, she felt like collapsing right there, her feet no longer held any strength and couldn't maintain her weight, so she fell soundlessly on the floor. As she sat there she brought her knees up to her chin, her arms hugging her legs tightly.
"Cloud I'm sorry, but I care for Vincent and he cares for me, he makes me feel special, I just need to feel like I'm loved, I'm sorry Cloud I know it's selfish of me but I must do this," She said to no-one.
Tifa's news didn't go over to well with Cloud, he didn't know why but it kept bothering him, they will be all alone, and it wasn't that he didn't trust them, they were both adults capable of make proper decisions, but would they be kissing like they were earlier, the blond-haired warrior didn't even want to entertain the thought, so he did what he always did when he was troubled, he secluded himself to his room, it was usually messy with delivery papers scattered but it didn't bother him he just lay on his bed struggling with the unfamiliar emotion within him.
It was six and the children had returned home after spending the day with their friends, Cloud also left the confines of his room while in there he had decided what he was going to do and had made two phone calls. Cloud was to caught up with preparing the children's supper he didn't even notice when Vincent entered the bar, he wore the same black suit he always wore minus, the golden gauntlet, red cape, headband and those freakish shoes he always wore, instead he wore black boots similar to what Cloud wore.
"Where's Tifa?" Vincent asked.
"She's upstairs, I'll go get her," Marlene answered before Cloud could.
Quickly she got off her stool and scampered up the stairs leaving the three males alone. There was an air of discomfort and Denzel was beginning to sense it, the silence was irritating, Cloud seeing the way the child kept shifting decided that having a conversation would help the situation.
"Where are the both of you going?" Cloud asked.
"To a restaurant a restaurant in Kalm," Vincent replied.
"Isn't that kinda dangerous?" Cloud asked.
"To travel there at night? No a safe route has been made with the combined efforts of the WRO and the reformed Shin-ra.
"I see," Cloud answered.
Before anyone could say anything else Tifa came down from the staircase, Cloud's jaw wanted to drop to the floor from what he saw, Tifa was drop-dead gorgeous, quite literally in every sense of the word. Her hair was loose like it always was, she wore a sleek black dress that stopped just short of her ankles, her back was exposed to waist, it had no straps, which made him wonder how the front was supported, it had two long slits on either side of the dress that made it's way from the base all the way up to her thighs, showing off her two slender, well sculpted legs, that was covered by the black stockings she wore, she also had on a pair of black high-heel shoes, around her neck was a necklace made of pearls. It was different from seeing her in her underwear earlier but yet so similar, Cloud could only imagine that she was wearing the same underwear he saw her in, it made his blood boil, but he did his best to hide his emotions.
Vincent was also taken back, Tifa was stunning, he knew she was beautiful, everyone that saw her knew that, the clothes she always wore despite it being for serving the bar, one could see it highlighting her dangerous curves, but this new dress she wore, that fitted her like a snake's skin made it seem like a clown suit she wore, all her features and femininity was highlighted, he didn't notice that both himself and Cloud were holding their breath.
"Shall we be going?" Tifa asked Vincent.
Snapping out of his daze Vincent went to Tifa's side and led her outside, before she left she turned and smiled at Cloud, "Don't wait up," She said before stepping out.
The blue-eyed swordsman followed them and stood in the doorway, he wanted to see the vehicle Vincent was taking Tifa in, he wasn't surprised to see it was a luxurious black sedan. His left eye twitched when he saw Vincent open the door for Tifa, she then spaced her hand in his and he led her in all the time she was smiling, Vincent then went to the other side, he got into the driver's side and drove off.
The sun had already gone down, most commercial shops were closed, the streetlights were beginning to come on and most people had already found their way home. Night was beginning to fall on Edge city. The atmosphere was cold with a light wind blowing, there weren't any clouds in the sky and it looked to be one of the peaceful nights that the people longed for.
About thirty minutes after Tifa and Vincent left, a brown van pulled up in front of Seventh Heaven and two people came out, one was a large bulky man the other a small slender girl.
Cloud and the children were finishing having their dinner, Cloud sat behind the counter while the two of them sat in front, usually Tifa would make the four of them sit at the dining table behind the bar but since it was the three of them Cloud decided that it was okay for them to stay in the bar, plus the children also preferred to eat in the bar. Cloud saw the door open and heard the bell that rung each time the door was opened.
"Yo spiky I'm here you can relax no Barret take care of everythin'," The large black man said.
"And so is the world's number 1 materia hunter Yuffie, with us by your side this mission will be a snap," The childish girl said enthusiastically.
"Will you two calm down, Barret I need you to watch the children, I'm gonna be gone for the night I need Yuffie to come with me," Cloud said.
"Daddy!" Marlene almost shouted as she got off the stool and jumped in Barret's arms, he responded by giving her a tight bear-hug, "Oww, Daddy I need to breathe."
Barret released his daughter, "Well what's spiky been feeding you, I hope you've been a good girl."
"Yes I have, I've been a very good girl," Marlene replied shaking her head up and down.
Barret turned back to Cloud, "So I get babysitting duty, not that I mind, but where are you two going?" the large man asked.
"We just need to check a place out, it's nothing serious, also I'd like if you keep this a secret from Tifa," Cloud said.
"I understand you don't want to worry her, don't worry I won't," Barret said.
"Alright finally, Yuffie get's to let loose again, this mission will be a snap," The upbeat hyperactive ninja said again.
Cloud and Yuffie got on Fenrir and drove off after saying their farewell's to Barret and the children.
"Alright, what do you kid's wanna do now?" Barret asked.
Marlene jumped up, "Let's go for ice-cream!"
"That sounds nice but will anywhere be open now?" He asked her.
"Yeah by the park, there's a place there that's stayed open till midnight," Denzel answered.
"Alright, Let's go then," Barret finished ushering the children outside.
Cloud and Yuffie sped through the empty streets of Edge, Cloud wanted to make up for lost time and wanted to reach there on time, he had a fairly good guess where the restaurant was, Yuffie was having a hard time on the motorcycle, the speed at which he was going at, made her feel unsafe.
"Cloud don't you think we're going to fast?" Yuffie questioned.
"We have to reach there before they do," Cloud answered, his eyes fixed on the road before him.
"Who?" Yuffie asked.
"Tifa and Vincent," Cloud answered.
Yuffie was lost in though for a moment, Tifa wasn't at the bar when she got there, and Cloud had left Barret with the kids and the two of them had gone on a mission Cloud said was very important, he also said he didn't want Tifa to know but if Tifa was already at their destination with Vincent, Yuffie was getting lost so the dark-haired ninja-girl decided ask Cloud.
"Cloud where are we going?" She asked.
"To a restaurant in Kalm," He replied.
"A restaurant, why?" She asked again.
"To make sure nothing happens," Cloud answered.
Yuffie had a hard time understanding what Cloud mean it was only when they arrived, she understood what he meant. She and Cloud were hiding behind some bushes staring through binoculars at Tifa and Vincent inside a very expensive looking restaurant.
Vincent and Tifa had arrived just on time for their reservation. Tifa noticed the placed looked very classy, with a live band playing music in the center of the platform, circular tables that seemed to spiral around the center platform where the band resided. There was a white tablecloth on each table and it wasn't very crowded. The waiter brought them to secluded table with only two chairs, Vincent pulled out Tifa's chair and took her hand and lead her into the seat. After she was seated he took his which was adjacent to her's. After they were seated they both made their orders.
Cloud watched through his binoculars the strange emotion he felt building up again, they had both ordered a three-course meal, and Tifa seemed to be having a good time. Cloud began to wonder how Vincent could afford all this on the salary he makes from working at the bar, he must have been planning this all along, the moon had finally come out of hiding, it's silver rays bathed the landscape with it's tranquil majesty but did little to quell the rage inside Cloud Strife, the rage kept building and building with each time he saw Tifa giggle to a comment Vincent made. Yuffie was beginning to get bored, she didn't understand why Cloud brought her or why she was even doing this, she only sighed and continued to look through the binoculars.
Vincent looked at Tifa, she seemed to be enjoying her time, it was what he wanted also to make her forget about Cloud, hearing her laughter was like hearing an angel's choir, it was a medicine for him a medicine which made him forget all about his gruesome past, the WEAPON infused into him, the experimentation and testing he had gone through, and the betrayals he endured, all of them washed away when he heard her laugh, her presence was having a soothing effect on him, it made him calm yet at the same time filled him with strength. Vincent also ordered a bottle of champagne halfway through the meal.
Tifa didn't object to anything he did, she couldn't remember the last time she felt this free, after the Meteor incident, she didn't make any choices to the life she now lead, Barret was the one who suggested they open the bar, and Cloud agreed despite she protested, they went ahead, even the mane of the bar, they said she would name it but instead it was Marlene who chose the name, then when Barret left he left Marlene with them, then it was Cloud who brought home Denzel, she only went ahead with everything, all the decisions they made for her, so this new freedom she was experiencing she enjoyed, she enjoyed spending time with Vincent but deep down, she could feel as if there was a thorn in her heart and it was only going deeper and deeper.
After dinner Vincent paid the bill and the two of them left, they decided to take a walk instead of going home right away. They walked on the boardwalk unknown that they were being followed. Tifa's and Vincent's arms were interloped as they walked along the boardwalk. The ruby-eyed maiden was having problems walking in her high heel shoes, she was not accustomed to it and it was feeling uncomfortable.
"Hey Vincent," Tifa said, "Let's go on the beach."
Without objection they did, Tifa took off her shoes and held them on her hand, but Vincent held them for her, she walked towards the ocean with the crimson-eyed man behind her. Tifa enjoyed the cool ocean breeze, the peaceful sounds of the waves crashing, it was all surreal to her, who spent all her time at the bar.
"Vincent?" Tifa asked.
The dark brooding man turned his attention to the beauty before him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked sincerely.
"Why me, of all the people on Gaia, why did you choose me?" she asked.
What seemed like a smile formed on his lips. Tifa was still facing the ocean and didn't turn back, "It's just like you said, of all the people on Gaia, you are not like them," He replied.
"I don't understand," She replied.
Suddenly she felt warm arms wrap themselves around her waist, she leant back on him for support while he rested his head on her shoulder, "You make me want to be a better person, when I'm with you nothing else matters, all that matters is that I'm with you, you make me forget all the trials and tribulations I've endured and give me hope in humanity and the future," Vincent explained.
Tifa turned around to face him, she looked up at him, despite have long bangs coming down in front his eyes, she could see his face clearly, and she could see he was smiling, it was odd because in all the times she saw him, she never saw him smile, he placed his hand beneath her chin and lifted it up towards him, he then lowered his face onto hers, both pairs of lips joined together in a passionate kiss, Vincent's lips soon began to suck to Tifa's one, he could still taste the champagne that they had on hers, his arms went around her waist and he pulled her closer to him, her hands went around his neck and she pushed herself up as the kiss deepened.
Meanwhile two figures were looking out through their binoculars on a pier, Cloud lowered his, he felt as if he had the wind knocked out of him, as if he had been defeated.
"Cone on Yuffie, let's go," Cloud said, his tone was different, as if he was defeated by Sephiroth.
To Be Continued...
Well there's chapter 7, can you feel the Clotiness yet? no? oh that's sad. When will Cloud realize his feeling for Tifa and will Tifa accept them or will it be to late? stay tuned to find out.
Oh yeah again thanks for all the input, the more you review, the more you make me want to write so keep reviewing and I'll keep writing, because sometimes I really need some motivation.
Till Next Time...