Our Destiny, Chapter 5
CLOUDS POV:
Spending time with Cid had been a much needed event. He had missed his friends that had the same struggles with Sephiroth that he did. Yuffie, Vincent, Barret, Red XII, and even Cait Sith. He missed all of them deeply. Even though he couldn't have them all in one place he could at least have one. Even if it was Cid. Throughout most of the evening he sat in Cids living room listening to him tell stories of all these new gadgets he had come up with and his drunken adventures. His favorite one so far was when Cid lost a bet at a chocobo race and got drunk in his anger then woke up the next morning butt naked in an old woman's flower garden just outside of town. The woman had beaten him so senseless that he had to limp all the way back home to find some clothes.
"If all of this happened then…why do you insist to keep drinking?" said Cloud looking down at his unopened beer bottle Cid had brought him.
"You gotta live it up! Never settle for anything less than a good time. Besides…us drunks have the best stories right?" Cid added.
Shaking his head Cloud couldn't help but laugh. He knew Cid was right. He did have a lot more stories to tell than Cloud did. Then again…Cloud didn't do much with his life right now. That was his own fault of course…stress and sorrow had taken a good deal out of him. He wasn't trying to live life to its fullest right now…he just simply wanted to live. Still even with that in mind he decided not to drink Cids beer after all. The two men chatted a little more when suddenly there was a soft knock on the door.
"Awe who the hell is that this late?" Cid said making his way over to the door.
Cloud simply just sat back and watched but when Cid opened the door his eyes shot wide open. There at the door was Rachel Vale. She was wearing a different outfit than when he had seen here earlier that day. It was a simple white lacy dress that cut off at her knee. Even considering how simple it was something seemed very elegant about it which seemed to take both he and Cid off guard. Cid simply stood there and didn't say anything…he almost seemed frozen in place. Rachel noticed this of course and let out a small giggle.
"Good evening Cid." she said as she gracefully made her way around him and stood right in front of Cloud.
Cloud gave her a surprised expression and glanced in Cids direction for some answers. He seemed just as taken aback as Cloud and he shrugged and closed the door that she had just come through.
"I'm sorry to just barge in like this but…I saw your bike outside and I wanted to come see you. After all you were so sweet this afternoon" She said in a playful tone.
Cloud swallowed a lump in his throat and then replied "Thank you Miss. Vale."
"Oh please don't call me that. Call me Rachel. It makes me feel so old when people call me Miss." She said with a giggle. "Anyway, I came over here to ask you if you would like to go on a little walk with me. Rocket Town is beautiful this time a night and I would hate to enjoy it all by myself. What do you say?" She asked with an obviously flirtatious expression on her face.
Cloud was surprised but her sudden boldness. They had only met each other briefly earlier that day and even then it was only for a moment. "Well she did kiss your cheek though." He thought to himself. This was a girl that he could tell knew exactly what she wanted and perused it. He looked over in Cids direction once again to see if he could get his opinions on the matter but Cloud regretted it the minute he did. All Cid seemed to be doing was laughing silently and making perverted gestures. He was no help. Looking back up at Rachel he sighed a little bit and then he shrugged.
"Sure, why not? Sounds fun." he said softly.
Rachel was obviously pleased by this and said "Wonderful! Come on! I have the perfect place to go."
Before he had a chance to react Rachel had grabbed his hand and had dragged him halfway across the room toward the door. She then looked back at Cid and waved playfully at him.
"Don't worry Cid. Ill try and have him back at a reasonable hour." she said laughing before completely pulling him outside and shutting the door behind her.
Once outside she released his hand and Cloud steadied himself once again. The cool air from the night wind was very refreshing and he couldn't help but close his eyes for a moment and relax. He soon began following Rachel to there evening destination and they began to chat back and forth. The conversation felt awkward to Cloud because they had just met but she obviously didn't feel that way. She spoke with confidence like she had known Cloud for years and they had been good friends. Although, Cloud felt she wanted something a little more than friendship with him. He didn't think he was ready for that…at least….he didn't think he was. There was only one way to find out.
They soon arrived at this tall hill just outside the area where every ones houses were. It was a small hill covered with soft grass and what Cloud thought was fascinating was the great view it gave of the night sky. They could see everything from where they were. "Tifa would love this place." he thought to himself. Shaking his head he cleared his thoughts. Why would Tifa suddenly pop into his mind again? Maybe it was his guilt for how he treated her this morning…he wasn't sure. He had been having a lot of random thoughts of her lately. It frightened him.
"Hello? Earth to Cloud? Hello?"
Suddenly he was pulled out of his thoughts once again by Rachels voice and he looked at her slightly embarrassed.
"I'm sorry. My mind is just busy today." He said taking a seat down next to her on the hill when he noticed she had already sat herself down.
"Its okay. I understand. You seem like a very deep guy anyway." she said with a giggle.
She looked back over at the sky and just stared at the stars for the longest time and sighed. Cloud was beginning to think she was bored and then she spoke again.
"You know, I've never brought anyone else here before you. Not after…well….not after my dad died at least. He used to bring me here as a child all the time and name all the stars in the sky with me. We never got too far though because I always fell asleep." taking a moment to sigh she continued, "I never got that chance to tell him goodbye. I've always felt alone without him here…but…I feel very comfortable with you for some reason." she admitted softly.
Surprised by her words Cloud said "Maybe its because I have felt the same as you. I've also experienced a death that took a toll on me. The only difference was though….it was my fault. She died because I couldn't protect her…I couldn't save her." he said in almost a whisper.
"Who are you talking about?" she asked.
"Her name was Aerith. She was killed by Sephiroth before I was able to defeat him."
"Sephiroth? The Sephiroth? He was the most evil….thing I had ever heard of. I'm so sorry about Aerith she didn't deserve her fate but…it wasn't your fault. Sometimes we cant stop a fate from happening." Rachel added.
Sighing Cloud responded "You sound just like Tifa. She's another friend of mine. Well, my best friend. We have known each other since we were kids. She's really the only reason I haven't gotten myself killed yet. She's been keeping me together since this whole thing happened. I don't show that enough though." he said feeling more guilt with every word he said.
Rachel seemed struck by his words for about Tifa. She didn't say anything for a while…like she was thinking about something very hard before she finally spoke again.
"Sounds like you really care about her." Rachel said in almost a disappointed tone.
Pausing for a moment he said "I…I don't know. I don't want to…Ill just get her killed like I did with Aerith."
"Aeriths death was not your fault…so there is no way you can harm this other girl. From what I've heard I can promise you she feels the same way about you. You should be with her right now…not sitting here with me." she said smiling slightly.
Cloud was shocked by her words. From the way she had been acting Cloud knew she liked him but here she was…telling him to go be with Tifa. Rachel was a kind person who had felt too much pain…he felt her pain. However, she was right…he couldn't just push everything aside anymore. He needed to go be with Tifa right now. Standing up quickly Cloud reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone. He and turned it off during the trip here but he turned it back on and was surprised to see he had missed calls….from Tifa.
"Rachel, your right. I do have to go. I cant hid this anymore." he said giving her a warm smile. "Thank you….for everything…" he added.
He grabbed Rachels hand gently and gave it a soft squeeze and she smiled and nodded as a response.
"Just don't forget me okay? Id still love to be your friend." She asked softly.
"Of course…you'll always be my friend." Cloud stated in return.
Saying his last goodbyes to Rachel he turned had began to take off in a run back to Cids house to get his bike and the rest of his things. He was going home tonight…maybe to not tell Tifa how he felt but…just to be with her. To apologize for the jerk he had been to her that morning and to start over again and make something better. He felt he didn't deserve her forgiveness and Rachel had opened his eyes to just how much he hadn't acknowledged Tifa for the things she did for him. He would make things better…no matter what the cost.
TIFAS POV:
Sleep had finally taken Tifa but it wasn't easy. She had tossed and turned most of the night because her thoughts were racing in every direction possible. She didn't understand how she could become this miserable over one event with Cloud and some girl. He wasn't hers so why did it matter? Tifa had always been an independent person, always able to take care of herself. She didn't need a man in her life. However, that didn't mean that she didn't want one. She didn't go searching for men though…there was only one who had her attention and only one she cared for. Cloud Strife.
Hours into the night passed but she didn't seem to notice because she was sleeping so hard. All her emotions had wore her down and she was exhausted. It wasn't until about 3:00 am that her sleep was disturbed by a noise downstairs. She heard the door open and footsteps enter the bar. At first she was slightly alarmed and sat up in bed quickly and listened. It was silent for a moment and then Tifa heard the door close and lock behind whoever walked in and footsteps coming up the stairs. Whoever, they were they weren't trying to hid the fact that they were there which she came to the conclusion that it was probably Cloud.
Sighing slightly she laid back on the bed and placed her covers over her head not caring to see Cloud at the moment. He would just head to bed anyway…it was his normal routine. "He is probably too tired from spending time with Rachel anyway." she thought bitterly too herself.
However, Tifa was taken by surprise when she heard a knock at her door and it open slightly. She didn't move at first because she was deciding if she even wanted to speak to him or not.
"Tifa? Are you awake?" Cloud asked in a soft voice.
She couldn't help it…just hearing his voice made her want to speak with him. Tifa sat up slowly and opened her eyes halfway and looked at Cloud. She gave him a small smile and laughed as she rubbed her eyes so they could adjust to the darkness in the room.
"Yes, I'm awake. Just barely though." she admitted with a laugh.
"Well it is late so I wouldn't expect any different." he responded laughing with her. There was a small pause between the two for a while before Cloud finally spoke again. "Hey, listen….about this morning…I'm really sorry. I have had a lot on my mind to say the least and…I was being stupid and irrational. I'm sorry." he said with a voice filled with guilt.
Tifa was surprised by his quick apology. She actually didn't even think she would get one from him. It was very unlike Cloud to admit his wrongs so quickly.
"Its alright…really. I'm fine." she said only half telling the truth.
"No Its not okay, I know that. I always do things like that too you when I feel we are getting too close." Cloud said.
"Too close?" Tifa asked in surprise.
There was a long pause from Cloud. As if he wasn't sure how to precede any further in this conversation. He had never been one with words but Tifa was very patient with him and waited for a response. Cloud had been standing at the doorway this entire time but he then shut the door behind him and he walked over and sat down to Tifa right next to where she was laying. She could feel her heart begin to pound…she loved having Cloud this close. It was exciting and she felt happy in his presence. She simply watched him as he sat next to her and it wasn't long before her gaze was returned with a warm one from Cloud.
"Your always there for me and we talk about everything…when we start getting close I get nervous and back away. I'm afraid for you…I'm afraid I wont be able to protect you. Everyone I have ever cared for has died and it was my fault. If I had been there…I could have saved them. I cant have that happen to you…I just cant. That's why…I act so weird." Cloud said in a soft voice.
Tifa was in shock. Cloud had never admitted feelings on his own before…something must have triggered it…but she wasn't sure what. Her heart began to ache for him. Cloud did care about her deeply in some degree, she was still unsure if it matched hers….especially considering his night out with Rachel. She decided not to think on that too much though.
"Cloud…" Tifa began trying to gather her words. "I have known you since we were kids…you were always there for me and have protected me. You have never let me down. I-I feel safe with you. I always have. You cant save everyone…but that doesn't mean you stop living because you fear the future. Enjoy the time you have with people you care about otherwise you will regret it and never be able to forgive yourself because you weren't there for them." she responded.
This seemed to make Cloud think very deeply for he became quiet. Tifa had to admit…other than when he smiled this was when he was the most attractive to her. He was such a deep person and he always could see the bigger picture of things. He had educated her on a lot of things…and she was a much better person for it. This man before her was the only person she knew who was beautiful on the inside just as much as he was the outside.
"Your right, completely right. Tifa…ill always be there for you. No matter what happens I promise you. I wont make this same mistake ever again." Cloud said in a soft determined tone.
Before Tifa could respond she felt Cloud touch her hand and begin to intertwine there fingers together. His thumb gently rubbed the top of her knuckles almost as if she was as fragile as glass. Waves of excitement and pleasure flooded through her and caused her to be able to speak. Cloud seemed to understand this for he continued and then spoke again.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked in a whisper then leaned his forehead against hers.
It was official, Tifa felt like she was about to have a heart attack. Her heart felt like it was swelling twice its natural size from all the small physical affection Cloud was giving her. She closed her eyes when she felt his forehead and then slowly began rubbing her nose against his. Everything felt wonderful…she had longed for this so long and she felt as though she could burst into tears at any moment. However, she couldn't even seem to speak right now so crying was probably out of the picture.
"Cloud…" was all she managed to get out.
"Forgive me?" Cloud said again only this time he began rubbing his lips along hers as if asking silent permission to kiss her.
The emotions Tifa had been trying to contain had officially felt like they had broken loose. She tried to kept her composure but the softness of Clouds lips sent desire through her like she had never felt before. All she wanted was Cloud…for Cloud to want her in return and after all these years she was finally having her wish. She no longer cared what happened with the girl Rachel, she didn't care about what happened that morning, she didn't care about anything but him in that moment.
"Tifa?" Cloud said not moving from his position.
"Your forgiven." Tifa said simply before pressing her lips against Clouds.
