A/N:Remember when I said 'Oh I'll update Friday!' ...yeah that was before I got 8 reviews for ch 7 :) Seriously, guys?? Thank you all sooo much for all the feedback. It totally makes this worth all the straight hours of typing.

And who are those lovely reviewers? Special Thanks to:

GaladrielofLorien, Kisdota- The Freak Gamer, darkangel24700, Heloeyes, mikkimakka, Skyhanhunter, LOstGirlz , and Breezestar

Haha, this just shows the amount of power reviews have for an author's updating...well at least for me. The last one was kind of a cliffhanger, and this one is too, sort of. Enjoy!

...I almost forgot the disclaimer again:

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to FF7. Not only would I be happier, I'd also have a PSP and make Square remake the thing already.


The call took Cloud completely by surprise. Why would Vincent call me? It had to be important. Maybe Gaia was in crisis again, maybe Rufus was up to no good. He wasn't really in the mood for saving the world for the third time, but knew it was necessary. Let's just hope Sephiroth isn't raised from the dead. A smaller piece of the First Tsurugi was resting on his back, preparing for an omnislash if needed.

Cloud left Fenrir at home, needing a walk. It was short enough, the square only being a couple minutes from the bar by foot. The October air was still mild, and Cloud was enjoying the serenity of it all. His head was still pounding from Yuffie's 'tour', but she had appeared extremely quiet when he had walked in on her and Tifa talking in the bar. They've been acting so strange…

He just rolled his eyes. Cloud never really understood girls too well anyway. He walked casually down the cracked roads, ignoring some of the stares he was receiving do to his sword and recognizable appearance. The sight of Vincent calmly next to the fountain made him laugh. Like I'm not noticeable…

The golden, claw-like gauntlet and red wearied cape were eye catchers in the monochromatic Edge. When Vincent saw Cloud approach, he immediately got up from his seated position and offered Cloud his uncovered hand. "Hello, Cloud. Thank you for meeting me here."

"No problem. It sounded like a big deal." He looked at the older man with reservations. Vincent's normally stoic crimson eyes appeared strained, worried. "…Is something wrong?" Was it possible that this is an emotional problem? Cloud almost smiled at the thought. Vincent would be the last person to ever ask for emotional advice.

And who would ever take emotional advice from me? Cloud smirked at the possibility.

"Why don't you sit, Cloud."

The offer brought something new to Cloud's attention. Wait, is he worried for me? He didn't see any reason why he would be. "Vincent, what's going on?" His blue eyes turned electric.

Vincent's back straightened, and he coughed harshly in his hand before continuing. "I have something important to tell you. Something that may hurt you."

Hurt me? Cloud's mind searched for a possible answer. Was it some type of betrayal? But Vincent wasn't like that, and if Vincent did do something bad, he would have locked himself up for another 30 years or so. "Just tell me." His voice was quick, decisive. Can't be worst than what I've already been through. Nothing could possibly be—

"I think Tifa has… feelings for me."

The grey surroundings turned pure white. Cloud's throat became rough, completely dry, like the sun was burning through him. He was hanging on the edge of a cliff, barely keeping himself alive. "…wh—what?" His voice shook.

"The other day when you were out with Yuffie…"

"Yuffie! Why did she drag me out?" Cloud became angry. Tifa…how could…did I loose her?

Vincent became strangely protective, "Don't blame Yuffie for this."

Did he just defend her? "Sorry." Cloud would have found Vincent's slight anger amusing, if it wasn't for the bomb he had just dropped. "…It's my fault. I was the one who left her."

"You see, that is what I find strange."

"Hm?" Vincent's statement made him slip, made the imaginary rock dig into his calloused palm. His other hand finally grasped the edge, as a minor detail hit him. "You said I think. You think Tifa's in love with you or do you know?" He tried to make his voice appear calm, but couldn't help the semi-harsh tone. Cloud was slowing pulling himself up, "What did she do?"

Vincent ignored Cloud's rampant questions, returning back to his original thought. "Even when you were living on the cold floor in Aerith's church, she believed in you."

She did…I'm such an idiot!

"I just do not see why she would change her mind. It is not like I have done anything."

It's not like I've done anything either. Stupid Cloud! How long did you expect her to wait? Did you think she was going to remain single forever? That maybe she's yearning for you ?—That she's only waiting for you to say it…no, to show it.

His heart was decaying. "I…how did you figure this out?"

"She was acting strangely. She was constantly asking me questions about my favorite things, acting really shy. It wasn't normal behavior, Cloud. It was the behavior of someone who's dealing with a crush." Vincent sighed at Cloud's distress, "But please realize I do not wish to pursue it."

You better not. Cloud may have needed to use omnislash after all. His head ached with the image of Tifa hugging Vincent, Tifa smiling that smile at the dark man's direction, Tifa flirting and asking Vincent all about his interests. Tifa…why would you— "Wait…she was asking you questions?"

Vincent was still sullen. "Yes, about what food and music I like."

It didn't match up. Tifa wasn't the flirty type. At the bar, men would constantly hit on her, much to Cloud's annoyance, but she would just smile and walk away. It wasn't like her to respond to her feelings that way. At least I don't think so.

For a moment, Cloud thought he was just being too optimistic. But since when am I ever optimistic? No, it just didn't make sense. Then why was she doing that?

Something snapped.

"…She was asking all of those questions while I was out with Yuffie?"

"Yes."

"And they were questions about you?"

The older man next to him seemed slightly annoyed with repeating himself. Vincent's smooth expression faltered, "…yes."

...Then maybe. He shook his head. Was he getting his hopes up? Just lay it out. See if Vincent thinks the same thing. "Tifa and Yuffie have been acting strangely."

"Have they?" The caped man narrowed his eyes with some pure interest.

"…and Tifa was asking you about your interests." His disjointed mind was putting itself together. "And Yuffie was asking me about what I look for in a girl." Cloud couldn't help the sudden smile, earning a look of uneasiness from the man next to him. "Seems strange. Especially since I know Yuffie could care less about what I look for in anything."

He wasn't sure if the red growing in Vincent's face was one of horror or joy. "Cloud..."

"Which could mean…" the words were flowing out of his mouth easily, the first time ever in his memory. "They were asking those things for each other. Like spying."

Vincent shook his head, "You're ridiculous."

I sure hope not. That would mean Tifa liked him.

Tifa liked him, not Vincent or anyone else. Or am I being delusional?

Vincent's head plopped onto one of his hands, deep in thought, "…Though I must admit, it does make more sense. I do not see why Yuffie would have such feelings for me, but I also do not think Tifa would abandon her feelings for you now."

Cloud loved the way he phrased it. It made it sound like she had feelings for him before. "We couldn't make them admit it though…if it's even true, I mean." He tried not to get his hopes up, but it was hard.

"Maybe we can." The glint in Vincent's eyes seemed strangely familiar. They were mischievous.

"How?"

The older man only smirked. Yuffie is rubbing off on him.

A/N: Chapter 8 = fin. I finished chapter 9, like minutes ago. And when I did that, I realized there might only be one other chapter left (gasp!). I like this story too much to stop, but I'm too excited to write the ending to extend it much more. And plus, I hate stories that drag on and on. That's just no fun.

Anyway, it's quite possible that ch 9 could be out by Friday and 10 out by Saturday. We'll see how it goes :)