Note: Thanks to G.P. Larue for correctly answering my question regarding my last chapter title. Yes, it does mean "Beginning of the end". This story only has about 5 chapters left, so let's work toward this ending together. You don't want to miss it. As of now, i do not have any plans for a sequel, but that's mostly because i'm about to experience FF7 overload. I can understand having sequels to shorter stories, but if i'm going to put 25+ chapters out there, you deserve an ending.
Also, some of you may not agree with or like the writing style of this chapter. Please, read the whole thing before you judge. Keep in mind that i do not write to please people. My writing is like an artform to me. That allows for a bit of abstract thought. Also, for those people who have to have their FanFiction conform to what the game is like, remember this: The entire point of fanfiction is to take a set of characters as far as you're willing to take them. The game is not something that i feel like i have to adhere to, because once upon a time, it started out as a fictional idea, just like this story is. For example, if SquareEnix says that Cloud is supposed to be nice, don't take it as gospel. It's just their opinion.
Chapter 21- Linear Regression
It was on July 4th that Tifa regressed.
The day started simply enough. It was all business as usual at the Seventh Heaven bar, even though Tifa had experienced a desire to stay home that night.
"Come on, Tifa! All of our friends are going to be watching the fireworks tonight."
"Why do we do that, anyway? We're not Americans."
"That's exactly why you need to come. If you miss the fireworks, then you've missed everything! But seriously, why don't you ever want to go anywhere?"
"Cloud, what do you expect me to do? It infuriates me to think that you could treat me like dirt, and then turn on the charm like it's some kind of switch!"
"You have a switch too, you know. One minute, you hate me, and the next, it's like nothing ever happened."
"For years, i've tried to forget everything, and it was so easy. I can forget about your evils, because you're a better man now. I can forget the days of my binge-eating, when i looked like a bloated whale, because i've lost all of that weight. But HAVE YOU EVER considered what it FEELS LIKE to still have all of these sexual urges and desires, and NOT BE ABLE to do ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!?"
"What do you want from me, Tifa? For cripes sake, let's just call it like it is! You're so screwed up in the head that this new Cloud will never be good enough. So go ahead and kick me out of your life, and then wait for me to come back. You know that's what will happen, and it scares you to know that i would come back, and we'd be eternally moving in circles. Is that what you want to do to me?"
"Cloud, if i did to you what i want to do, they'd put me in jail. But yes, i would want you. You're a man's man. I would still like to sleep with you, but know one thing: It will be the last sleep that you will ever know."
"Tifa, you're scaring me!"
"I always told myself that Cloud Strife was never scared. I always told myself that Cloud Strife could tell Tifa Lockheart to jump, and she wouldn't dare to ask how high. I guess that makes me a liar, don't it? But don't get me wrong. I love the ways that you can still love me. I love the way my soul wells up when you kiss me. I love the goofy look you get on your face when i let you touch my chest. Does it really have that much influence over you?"
"Well, of course. They're like two expansive mounds molded from a rare cream colored clay. Tifa Lockheart, you are the most beautiful woman that has ever lived, or ever will live."
Tifa began to blush as she asked, "Do you really think so?"
"I know so."
"Aww, that's so nice of you."
"You know, i think that if we just love each other again, things will work out alright."
"I guess, but Cloud, i need a definite answer: after being so dark, how did you change?"
"I had the same Mako problem that you did. We reacted differently to it, but all i needed to do was get some of it taken out."
"Okay, but what do you fear the most about 'us'?"
"I'm afraid that if all i have to do to set you off is just remind you of something that i've done, then you might fly off the handle and try to hurt me. What's your biggest fear?"
"The same thing."
It was on August 4th that Tifa regressed further.
"Wow, Yuffie! Your new house is beautiful!"
Indeed, it was. As Tifa took a look around, she noticed that Vincent and Yuffie's new home was styled very much like the Pagoda in Wutai. The atmosphere was extremely Japanese, and it reflected the young ninja's culture very well. In fact, she had even painted their bedroom green. Some habits die hard.
"Make yourself at home, Tifa. Man, i absolutely love this place! I swear, Teef, i've been in heaven for the past seven or eight months. I never realized how affectionate Vincent could be, especially now."
"I'm sure it must be difficult dealing with your emotions, since you can't...you know..."
Yuffie was a bit confused at first, but quickly figured out what Tifa was hinting at. Yuffie began to giggle, and then burst out in laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"Dang, girl! Who taught you about the birds and the bees? Being pregnant doesn't change anything! You can still do it, and in fact, i think it's even better then."
Tifa's mouth was agape, and she was blushing at the sound of the ninja's 'honesty'. "Yuffie, you're such a pervert!"
"Remember, Tifa. You don't really know me."
"And that's one reason why i came. Yuffie, as friendly as i and the rest of the gang have been to you, you've never truly opened up about your past."
"That's because i want to be like you, Tifa. I want to be able to put my life down in writing."
"You can. What's stopping you?"
"Well, for starters, it's probably more graphic than people care to know."
"How so?"
"I can't tell you, because then i'd have to kill you."
Yuffie laughed and continued, "I'm just joking. But seriously, ask me just three questions that i can answer."
"Okay. What kind of education do you have?"
"Absolutely none. The Wutai culture is not very kind to women. I had to teach myself how to read, write, and those kinds of things. Even then, the only way i could do that was to steal textbooks from the all-boys school."
"Gosh, i had no idea! You're a tough lady. Anyway, when was your first kiss?"
"I had my first kiss when i was 13. There was an exchange student from Korea named Li Sun Kao. Li and i had so much in common, especially since Li didn't qualify for the all-boys school."
"Why didn't he qualify?"
"Uh, Tifa...Li was a girl."
Tifa simply held her hand over her mouth, speechless.
"What, Teef? Li Sun Kao was my best friend in the world. I wasn't 'like that', if that's what you're wondering. But then again, if all it takes to be one is just the thoughts rather than actions, then i just don't know. I wasn't one way or the other. I wasn't both or neither. I was just a vessel of emotions."
"Wow. Okay, uh...why were you hiding in the forest all those years ago when we found you?"
"Because the forest was my home. It's as simple as that. And you're out of questions. Hey, do you want to stay for lunch? Vince is out doing something with the Turks, so he won't be with us."
"Yes, i'll stay, but why aren't you with Vincent?"
With a smile on her face, spread seemingly from ear to ear, Yuffie replied, "I've taken my maternity leave. I mean, look at me, Tifa. I'm just a little over six months along, and i already look like an overweight cow. The freaky thing is, i love it! Did you know that a lot of the old civilizations in the world thought that pregnant women were like the Goddesses of Earth?"
"Well, Yuffie, you definitely have that motherly glow. I wish i could have that."
"I know, and i promise that you can be its godmother."
Tifa whispered under her breath, "Like that's good enough."
"What was that, Tifa?"
"Oh, nothing. But you don't know what sex it is yet?"
"No, and i don't want to. I like surprises. Oh well. Let me fix lunch. How about something simple, like soup and sandwiches?"
"Sure, that sounds good."
As soon as Yuffie got up to fix lunch, Tifa was hit with a thought of envy. She stared at Yuffie, admiring her large pregnant belly as it poked through the small t-shirt she was wearing.
"You know, Tifa, i'm really surprised at how big i've gotten. I can barely even get my hands around it, and there's no chance that i can see my feet. You know, my doctor told me that i'm most likely having more than one. But i'm scared! Tifa, if i'm this huge now, i won't be able to get around in two months."
"Don't worry. I've seen pictures, and this is probably your biggest growth period, but pretty much the only growth left for you is downward."
"Hell, this thing will be between my knees if it keeps on, and you know that i'm not exaggerating."
"No, you're right. It is one of the biggest i've ever seen."
When lunch had been prepared, the two friends sat down at the table to eat. "Seriously, Tifa, i'm so big now, i feel like i'm sitting on it."
"Maybe you could use some bed rest."
"I know. That's what the doctor said."
"What!? And you're still up and around? Yuffie, you have a problem."
"What do you mean?"
"Admit it. You have a problem with listening and respecting authority."
"Fine. I won't deny it. I am a rebel. I really am. But you have a problem too."
"Huh?"
"You heard me right. You never touch your food anymore. Tifa, i think you have a problem with skipping meals. You look like a rail, and i know you had to have gone down a cup size, at least."
"No."
"Then why aren't you eating your sandwich?"
"Yuffie, it's none of your business! I'm just not hungry, so leave me the hell alone!!"
Yuffie recoiled at Tifa's sudden burst of anger, but she continued to press the issue.
"You never are hungry. Admit it. You have a problem with food. I admitted my problem, now you admit yours."
"Never. I refuse to be insulted like this."
"Fine, then i'll eat it."
When Yuffie walked around to the other side of the table and tried to take Tifa's sandwich, Tifa reached out and touched Yuffie's belly.
"Tifa, thanks, but no thanks. That makes me really uncomfortable."
No response.
"Tifa, please respect my personal space."
Tifa began to rub Yuffie's belly, rather forcefully. "Seriously, Teef! I'm beginning to feel a bit violated. Stop it, now!"
Tifa did not stop, but now had an extreme look of envy on her face. Instead of obeying Yuffie, Tifa came even closer, trying to kiss her belly.
"Tifa, listen to me! If i have to tell you one more time, i won't be responsible for what i do to you!"
Tifa looked up at Yuffie with a dark evil look on her face, but her eyes looked identical to the eyes of Aeris. Tifa clung to Yuffie tightly, and uttered a phrase through a hideous voice like the sound of a thousand demons, "I want this child for myself!"
"Tifa! I hate you!!" Yuffie slammed Tifa's head against the countertop. Tifa was instantly knocked unconscious. Yuffie sat in her room and cried until Vincent came home.
On September 4th, Tifa regressed all the way to rock bottom.
Here she was, standing on a thin wooden plank that bridges the gap between fear and everything that she ever wanted. The plank, and Tifa along with it, spins endlessly. It spins, has spun, and will spin. A voice pierces the air, "When i snap my fingers, you will wake up."
SNAP!
When Tifa came back to her senses, she was face to face with Sephiroth. However, she was not upset. Actually, she was at peace with everyone present. As Tifa looked around, she could see that she and all of her friends had gathered in Sephiroth's jail cell.
"What's going on? My head hurts."
Sephiroth replied, "I've placed you in a Hypnotic Trance."
"Why? And what day is today?"
Cloud responded, "After your surgery, i thought that you were still acting a little odd. I had Sephiroth try to 'clean out' your subconscious. It seems to have worked. Oh, and today's July 1st."
"What do you mean i was acting odd? I don't remember anything."
"Of course not. That's the flaw in Hypnotism."
"So nothing really happened? I just dreamed it all?"
Sephiroth answered, "That's right. You didn't tell Cloud that you wanted to kill him. You aren't demon possessed, or Aeris possessed for that matter, and there's no chance that Yuffie is ever going to be that big. It was simply a subconscious nightmare."
"But why did you think i needed this? And why would you come to Sephiroth for help."
Barret replied, "We're on to your sneaky ways, 'cause everytime we ax you a question, you never have an answer for what we axin'!"
"In layman's terms", Cid explained, "We suspected something, and you were too stubborn to admit it. We knew Sephiroth could get it out of you."
"Great, so now i'm your human guinea pig."
Sephiroth warmly corrected, "We did this because we care. But they're right. Even though it was all a nightmare, it was an indication of your true feelings. I think you have some confessing to do."
Tifa sat up and looked at Cloud, who looked happy about Sephiroth's successful skill at Hypnotism. "Cloud, i'm just a big jumbled up mess over you. I hate you for what you did, but i still love you too."
When Tifa turned her attention on the ever-smiling Yuffie, she could see that the ninja looked nothing like the one in her dream. This real, more anatomically-correct Yuffie had a belly that barely looked any bigger than a volleyball, if even that much.
"Yuffie, i confess...I am so jealous of you. I wish i could have kids."
"It's alright, Tifa. Maybe you and Cloud should look into adoption."
"Thank you, Yuffie. I'll definitely think about it. But everyone, i have one more confession to make...
...I'm anorexic."