Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Square-Enix company but if I did grin it would be Cloudo, Hizzah!

A/N This is my first time truly writing a fanfic, Im just puttin' it out here for fun really. I'll probably continue even if I don't get reviews (doesn't mean I don't want em' though). Anyways, this chapter you are definitely going to be able to feel the emotional angst…oh Cloud

Chapter 2 : Broken by Mistakes

Tifa decided to take a well deserved nap after fixing lunch. This, of course, left Cloud with nothing but the lingering touch she'd given him.

"Where in the world did that come from?" He couldn't get it out of his mind. He just wanted to get her something nice, it was only flowers. The only other truly nice thing he bought Tifa was the ring. "Just a friendship ring", he told her, but he wanted it to be so much more.

Swoosh "What the heck!"

Denzel and Marlene ran down the stairs like speed demons. Both children were determined to get away since Tifa went into her room, hoping maybe she wouldn't find their little surprise.

"Hey ….stop it right there you two..." Cloud said sternly.

Denzel was frozen to the floor, and Marlene was holding on to his arm tightly. She whispered, "Do you think he knows?"

Denzel retorted, "NO CHANCE, he hasn't even gone upstairs yet today. "

Marlene broke arms with Denzel and slapped on an innocent girly face. Denzel still stood wondering why Cloud was just staring.

Cloud gave an ominous glare, and then he started to approach them. Even though he was short, he easily towered above the children. pause

"You two are getting far too grown up. When did this happen?"

Marlene and Denzel giggled, Cloud was back! They missed him when he left for so long. Marlene attached to his waist, "Hey Cloudo! Will you take us to town?"

"Sure, I have nothing better to do, you kids meet me outside, and I'll be there in a few minutes."

The excited children made their way outside. Cloud ascended the stairs towards Tifa's room, well….Tifa and HIS room now. He thought she might still be awake; he just wanted to tell her that they were leaving. He tiptoed his way beside the bed to see that she was gently sleeping. He loved the way her hair wrapped around her shoulders and he loved the way she drooled slightly, he was the only one that knew her little sleeping habit.



"Better leave her a note, wouldn't want her waking up and seeing that her whole family was gone."

Family…he loved that word. He silently opened the drawer for a pen and paper only to find a much bigger surprise. His heart sank, his face grimaced, and he knew it now….he knew that he would never be the one to hold her, or kiss her, or even snuggle with her. It wouldn't be him. It couldn't be him because she didn't want him. He knew that when he first bought the ring for Tifa she never took it off except for battles, and now…she would never wear it because she didn't want to.

"She probably hated me when I left for so long."

He just stared…….maybe this is why she was different towards him. He couldn't remember the last time he saw her with it on.

"Maybe…it just broke…or maybe, she never will love someone like me. I want to believe that I'm over thinking this but…….the evidence proves otherwise"

The kids were waiting for him. He quickly shoved the ring in his pocket and left the note.

Hey Tifa, I took Denzel and Marlene to town. Be back later. Love… (No, scratch that) Cloud.

He walked over to where she lay, he bent down as close as he could get and softly planted a kiss on her forehead. It was probably the only one he would ever get from her, but it was enough. He made his way down the stairs and outside, making sure he could hold back the tears.

"What kind of a man cries over something like this? Geez I need to get it together."

Tifa awoke finding Cloud's letter laying on the stand. She was glad that he decided to spend time with the children. Maybe if she was lucky, he would want to spend some time with her tonight. The dream she had felt so real. She dreamed that they were just children, about Denzel's and Marlene's age. And that they were playing in a field, but all of a sudden she blinked and he had grown up. She wondered how she missed it….both their so called 'lost time'. Once again they were in the golden field as teenagers, and she felt so tired. All she could do was lay there, and that's when IT happened. The kiss she felt gently planted on her forehead. Then….nothingness

"Ah! I shouldn't be thinking such thoughts. I mean Cloud just got back to spending time with us and I'm just getting used to him being here. It's too soon!"

"Oh Cloud, look at this one!" Shouted Marlene, she was gazing at the extravagantly decorated treats in the bakery window.

"Marlene, Denzel, I only have enough money for you guys to get something little, you both have 15 Gil each."

Marlene and Denzel smiled at one another, and then started whispering, and then more smiling.

"What are these two planning?"

More giggling pursued between the two children, until they both ran up each grabbing one of Cloud's hands. They continued to drag him until they arrived in front of rather shabby clothing shop. The store was just plain cheap. Cloud glanced around at many of the used clothes marked down to rock bottom prices.

Marlene smiled and held up her tiny finger, "Now Cloudo, we are gonna' pick you something special to wear and you gotta' promise no matter what it is you'll wear it!"

"Uh…as long as it's not another dress. ..NO FEMALE CLOTHING…"

Both children grinned and ran to the back of the store. Cloud walked up to a rack of hideous brightly colored clothes.

"OH great…they are probably going to pick me a clown suit to wear." He mumbled.

He started to remember the time when he had to wear that awful tight pink dress and bleach blonde wig to save Tifa. He would do it 20 times over if he had too though, if it was for her sake. He recapped just how jealous he was. That little fat man's grubby hands touching his girl, well…not exactly HIS girl, not anymore anyways.

"Nobody should ever touch her besides me! Oh geez", he blushed at the fact that his emotions got the better of him and he actually yelled out his anger. The shop owner gave a convicting glare.

"You ok there sonny?"

"Yes sorry, I was just thinking…out loud."

"Sounds like you gots yourself a jealousy issue goin' on."

"Well…not exactly."

"Eh?"

Cloud approached the man to talk. He was a chubby little fellow with dark brown hair and Cloud could tell he was wearing one of his own outfits probably strewn together from all regions of the store.



He began to tell his story to the shopkeeper trying to summarize the best he could, "Well here's how it goes. I love her ok? I grew up with her and everything. We live together and then I had to go to handle some business on my own, and now I lost my job and she hates me."

"Well that's no reason to hate a fellow. I lost plenty of jobs but I'm doing alright."

pause….Cloud actually began picturing himself in the same outfit as the shopkeeper….shiver

"Anyways, I was just thinking" he looked downward, "I don't want her to be with any other man."

"Well sounds like you should just flat out avoid her then."

"WHAT!"

"You heard me son, you shouldn't go upsettin' ladies when they don't want ya'. Believe you me that I know when to back off. You'd be better off finding a new job and movin' elsewhere." The shopkeeper scratched behind his ears and gave a deep yawn.

"Maybe he's right but..I just can't…or rather WON'T…but maybe I should try and avoid her for a bit. Just around the house, give her time to think things through."

Cloud pondered his thoughts until the children came running from behind the store.

"What are they carrying??" His eyes widened, "OH HOLY MATERIA…"

"CLOUDO! CLOUDO! It's perfect for you!" screamed Marlene.

The children dug deep enough to find a bright sunflower yellow pair of boxers with chocobo renderings.

Cloud's face buried into his hands, "Oh crap."

A/N: MWHAHAHAHA, I couldn't resist that. Don't ya'll hate that shopkeeper lol