(A/N) Hey! Not too many reviews but thanks to the few who did. Anyways I'm updating again (yay) and I'm hoping I'll continue to update regularly. The last chapter was a bit uneventful, but when I make a first chapter too eventful the fic ends up being short. That last chapter is sort of like a prolouge I suppose... Oh it was called That's what makes you a hero... in case you were wondering.

Disclaimer: If I owned FF7 there'd be scenes with Cloud or Vincent with his shirt off. Just because.

Chapter Two: Tears of Anguish

After days of journey...

Breaths of courage...

And a leap of faith...

I returned to Nibelhiem... only to walk into yet another trap... set to ensnare my last chance at being content...

As I approached the town, it was oddly silent. Why? The sun was shining brightly, birds singing songs of joy, what was wrong?

I ignored that detail and decided I was simply paranoid. I slowly walked closer and closer, what made me think Cloud would be there anyway? Was I really naive enough to think I'd guess right on the first try?

But the moment I set foot on the Nibelhiem grass, I knew that I'd find Cloud. It was engraved in my mind that I would. Maybe it was my childish mind, or simply my stubbornness... I was determined that he was there.

I walked down the path. Nobody was in sight. Something was incredibly wrong... but it didn't involve me, my mind told me to turn back, but my stubborn heart pressed onward.

I scanned the area, my hand shading my eyes, nothing seemed out of place. Yet I couldn't shake this feeling that...

A shifting in the bushes caught my attention. Close behind me something... or more like someone... was lurking.

My fists clenched I whirled around.

And there he stood... Cloud Strife. My racing heart slowed a bit, and my sweaty palms became less tense.

But then, something occured to me... "This is too easy..." I whispered.

"Heh," Cloud said unsheathing his sword "smart girl."

The cold malice in his voice... so unfamiliar sounding. "Cloud?"

"Yes girl?" he said almost mockingly.

"What... what's wrong with you?" I said accusingly.

"Why nothing of course..." he stepped closer. "I'm just here on business you know."

"Business?" I gulped. This was definitely suspicious.

"Yes I've been ordered to eliminate you." he said just a bit to casually.

"What?!" I shrieked.

He laughed menacingly "Yes, my mission is to destroy Tifa Lockheart, for she is a threat to the supreme one."

"What the hell..." who on earth would Cloud call... the supreme one?

He swung his sword at me, giving me little time to react. "Cloud!" I screamed "What are you doing?! Don't you remember who I am? I'm your friend!"

"I have no friends!" he yelled and swung his sword at me again, this time just barely missing my arm.

"Cloud, dammit, listen to me! Your my-"

He cut me off "Don't you understand you idiot?" he said harshly. "I don't remember anything about you or any of that sort of shit. In my mind now, I have no friends, no family, no attachments. My sole purpose is to fulfill the desires of the supreme one."

"Wha..." This was too much. No more memory... of me? And here I was thinking I was going to go off and declare my love for someone who doesn't even remember me any more.

Being lost in thought slowed my movements making his next swing slice my leg rather deep. I winced at the pain, and could feel the warm liquid dripping out of me. The crimson blood created a pool beneath me.

I took a deep breath to keep focus. I couldn't lose. I knew he was seriously. And now I was too. I was going to get him to remember me.

"Cloud you DO remember me deep down... you do." I said encouragingly, almost sounding pathetic.

"Quit being so-"

"Cloud I love you!" I exclaimed making him freeze just long enough for me to grab him by his wrists tightly, his hand released his sword, and it clanged to the ground.

"What... did you... say?" he said the words so coldly between his breaths.

"I love you and I know..." I felt so ridiculous saying those things but... "I know you love me too...I know in your heart you-" He shoved me down to the ground forcefully.

"I don't care about you..." he glared at me "you filthy bitch."

That was it. I couldn't take anymore... I couldn't stand to see my friend like this.

"I told you before," he said picking up his sword again "I don't remember you at all. Heh... I guess you weren't that important if I forgot you that easily huh?"

"C-Cloud... no...no! No! I won't believe that! I won't! It's not true!" my voice cracked as its volume raised. "Y-...you couldn't have..."

Tears began welling up in my eyes, though I tried my best to resist... I tried had to hold them back.. I had to be strong. I had to be that hero Marlene thought I was.

"Foolish girl." Cloud said coldly "Don't you realize I don't know you nor care for your well being at all? Just give up on trying to convince me of otherwise."

"N-no..." I said faintly.

I lost my bearing, and the tears rolled down my cheeks... my emotions overcoming my reasoning. I cried those tears of anguish that night. And I'm not proud of it.

(A/N) Awwe so sad... but pretty long for me! Anyways I've already got ideas for the next chapter so look for that soon. Heres an random excerpt from the next chapter that you can look forward to!

"I already told you..." I said breathing heavily "I won't take no for an answer. I WILL make you remember.. I WILL get you back to normal... I'll go through anything to bring you back... not just because I love you... but because you're my friend.. and I owe it to you... remember all those times you helped me? Think Cloud... I know you remember..." I smiled softly "I'll make you remember 'cuz I'm just too damn stubborn to give up."

See you later in Chapter Three: A Warm Heart in the Cold Night