Note: I know that the issues in this story between Tifa and Cloud are more than a little violent, but I will re-emphasize that my purpose in that is not to approve the behavior described, but to bring it to the light. More people in the world today need to realize that abuse is something to be talked about, not to be held inside. There's too much hate in the world as it is. I will also clarify that this is absolutely not based on personal experiences. I simply have a wandering imagination.
Also, if there are any readers out there who really like this story, leave reviews. For some odd reason, my stories seem to have the habit of having several hits on the opening chapters, but few on the later ones. Let's try to fix that. Every review helps.
Chapter 11- New Year's Eve Again
"Tifa, do you have any plans tonight?"
The question that had escaped Cloud's mouth totally caught Tifa off guard. "Why do you ask?"
….Because if your thinking of taking me back, forget it.
Cloud's eyes met Tifa's as he casually answered, "Because it's New Year's Eve. I'd like you to come with me to see the ball drop." Tifa brushed her hair back with one quick motion of her hand. Cloud could tell that his request would not be an easy one for her."
Tifa flashed a friendly smile, but responded, "I don't like what it represents, Cloud. You know what happened on New Year's Eve two years ago." "But Tifa, that was so long ago! You can't let something that happened two years ago ruin a holiday for you."
That's right. I haven't let it ruin 'a' holiday. After what you did to me, Cloud Strife, it ruins every holiday.
"Cloud, I know that I've let you keep to yourself for the past week, but I have some questions that I can't hold back any longer." "Okay, start asking."
Cloud sat down at the kitchen table, so Tifa did also. "Cloud, what happened on that night so long ago? You left as a dependable boyfriend, but you came back as a monster!" Cloud cast his gaze down onto the table, attempting to evade the question.
Aw, what's the matter, Cloud? Can't answer a simple question?
"Look me in the face, Cloud. Answer the question." Cloud did as he was told. "I had a special meeting to go to." Tifa frowned and replied, "That's vague, Cloud. What was the meeting about?" "It was about joining the Turks. They were trying to expand into a New Soldier division, and I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't interested. When I talked to Rufus, he said that he needed more members, so that the town of Midgar could have a more efficient hospital and a competent CSI team."
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere. But if the Turks are going to be filling public service positions, then I suppose that New Soldier is going to be kind of like the Turks are now, with their renegade missions and mindless violence." "Tifa, that's cruel."
….Partial Core meltdown in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….
Tifa jumped up from her chair and exclaimed, "No, Cloud! Do you want to know what cruel is? We're staying here tonight. I'll show you what it feels like to be me! Now answer this: Where have you been for the past year?"
(Silence)
Oh God, I think I just scared him. Cool.
Cloud nervously cleared his throat and replied, "Over the past twelve months, I have been in Wutai, training alongside of Vincent in order to gain entrance into New Soldier." "So basically, what you're saying is that while you should have been in prison, anger management, or something productive like that, you have continued to act out of violence." Cloud, always being the kind of person to state the truth, simply answered, "Yes. That's about right."
You make me sick, Cloud. You honestly do.
"Whatever. I'm fixing myself something to eat. In the meantime, you can watch this."
As Tifa disappeared into the kitchen, Cloud looked down at the DVD in his hand. It was labeled 'Video Evidence Against Cloud- Kitchen Camera- Feb. 14'. When he placed in into the DVD player in Tifa's bedroom, the horror of Cloud's past actions flashed across the screen.
It was a short tape, obviously because Tifa had cut all the unnecessary parts in order to fit it all on disc. Though the Seventh Heaven bar appeared black and white on screen, he remembered the moment in living color. He remembered coming through the door, late as usual, and seeing Tifa in the empty bar with a box of chocolates in her hand, stuffing her mouth with the bite-sized treats that had been given to her by Yuffie.
"Hey, Cloud!" The television exclaimed. "I found a piece in this box that was mint. You can have it if you want to." Then there was a violent smacking sound, along with a wave of chocolates that went flying into the air. Tifa was trembling as Cloud uttered, "That was incredibly stupid, Tifa! You know good and well that sweets go right to your thighs. Now be a good girl and go to your room." The sound of tears could be heard through the speakers as Tifa replied, "But…that's your room too."
Out of the corner of her eye, Cloud could see Tifa standing in the doorway with tears flowing down her face. She knew that tape like the back of her hand, and knew what was coming next.
"Fine. If you're going to be a brat about it, then let's go to the scale." Cloud and Tifa had moved off of the screen, but their voices could still be heard clearly. Back in the real world, Tifa had entered the room and used the remote control to raise the volume, so that Cloud would have no problem hearing the voices that had long become etched into Tifa's psyche.
The bedroom was filled with the audio sounds of "No, Cloud! Please, no! Not the scale! Please, don't take me to the scale!"…"180 pounds!? You've been a bad little girl, Tifa!"…"Please, Cloud! I'll do better, I promise! I can work out with Yuffie, or skip meals or something!"…"You know, that sounds like a good idea."…"So I can go?"…"Not by a long shot."
"Cloud, NO!!"…followed by the sound of belt hitting skin, and not on the behind.
When the video had ended, Tifa turned the lights back on. Cloud was bawling like a baby. "Tifa, I'm so sorry! I don't even know what to say. Is there any way that I can make it up to you?"
"There are two ways. First, tell me any information you have about Marlene's death. The other Turks are blaming Sephiroth. Can you prove that?"
Cloud brushed back his tears and answered, "Actually, I can disprove it. The night that Marlene died was my first night back in town. I read in the newspaper the next day that the murder weapon was Sephiroth's Masamune. But he had actually lost his sword the night before. I was with him, and we spent most of the night trying to find it. As far as I know, he never got it back."
Tifa was in obvious shock. "No way! How would Sephiroth be careless enough to lose something that big?" "That's what I thought at first. My only answer is at someone had to have stolen it. We went to a nightclub that evening together, and he had to leave it outside. Something that big would have a huge bullseye on it. Sephiroth was right. 'It's like putting a sign on it that says Come Steal Me.' He was so right."
"So let me get this straight. You're buddies with Sephiroth now? You're not making yourself seem any safer, do you know that? Anyway, do you know who might have done the crime?" "I have no idea, but seriously, if you're trying to be some kind of investigator or something, then why don't you join the Turks?"
I'll pretend that I didn't just hear that.
"Tifa, you said that there was a second way to make it up to you. What is it?"
Tifa smiled and replied, "Cloud, you have no idea how long I've wanted to say this. Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness."
Cloud kneeled on the floor and said, "Tifa, I am sorry. Please forgive me. I was stupid, and I promise that if given the chance, I can show that I have truly changed. I need your forgiveness."
"I don't have any."
"Yes, you do, Tifa. I know that I did some horrible things, but you're a nicer person than this." Cloud reached out to touch Tifa's hand, but she did not do the same.
Cloud Strife, if you ever… EVER…try to touch me on your own initiative, I so swear that I will permanently remove your manhood.
"Cloud, I just don't think I'm ready for this. I'll admit, I still have feelings for you, but I…I just…I'm trying to…"
"Suppress them?"
Demolish them.
"Suppress is such a strong word."