"He says he can bring…bring Aerith back."

Cloud averted his eyes from Tifa's face. He suddenly felt immense guilt. He knew he was probably hurting Tifa. He knew those words would go right through her like a blade. But, he had to tell her. She deserved to know the truth. He braced himself for her reaction.

"Bring…bring her…what? How is that possible, Cloud? How do you think that could even be possible!?"

She knew she was losing her patience with him. But, how could he be so blind? How could he not see that Aerith was gone? She was gone for good. Sephiroth had sliced her straight through with his Masamune-- they had all seen it with their own eyes. She wasn't coming back-- and certainly no one had the power to resurrect her.

It's not as if I don't wish she could be alive still, Cloud. I wish she was here all the time. Maybe then you wouldn't be so…indifferent.

Cloud's anger flared just slightly. Tifa should trust him! He was not one to fall for stupid tricks. Then again, why should anyone trust him? He was a damaged head case. He wasn't even good enough to save Aerith. Heck, he had almost killed Aerith himself. If he could just do this one thing… just make one thing right, maybe, just maybe, he could redeem himself slightly.

"He said that he could clone her. Then they could channel her spirit from the lifestream. Think about it, Tifa…if anyone has a strong enough spirit, it's Aerith."

Yes, Aerith definitely has a strong enough spirit to endure the transfer from the lifestream.

"But, don't you need her DNA? We don't exactly have her remains handy."

Instead they are lying in the bottom of a lake in the City of the Ancients. I hope he doesn't plan on returning there.

"I have a lock of her hair. I didn't expect anyone to know."

He had taken it before he let Aerith's body drift to the bottom of that serene lake two years ago. He always had it with him, stitched into the inside of his vest… next to his heart.

Tifa was surprised to hear this. She supposed it made sense though. She half-unconsciously placed her hand on Aerith's ribbon that was tied around her right arm. It was the only thing in the world she had of Aerith.

"Here…take her ribbon. She'll want it."

"So…you believe me now?"

"I trust you, Cloud. If there's someone who says they can bring her back and you believe them, then I do as well." She gave him a reassuring smile, but she wasn't sure if she was just trying to reassure herself.

She trusts me? Oh god, Tifa. Don't you realize that there is no reason you should trust me? I almost killed the whole planet. I have voices in my head…

Cloud's thoughts were interrupted when Tifa spoke. "Cloud, stop it. I trust you. Don't doubt yourself."

She had to let him know that she was really there for him. She was always going to be there for him. She just…wanted to be by his side.

No. That was asking too much. She realized that she would be content if he was happy. If that meant he had to go to the ends of the world to bring Aerith back… well, she was willing to place her trust in him- and let him go.

Tifa gently pulled Aerith's ribbon from her arm, took Cloud's hand and placed Aerith's pink ribbon firmly into it.

Don't leave me forever…please.

She enclosed his fingers around the ribbon with both of her hands- trying to hide how they were trembling- all the while avoiding his piercing gaze.

Don't break my heart too roughly.

Tifa gathered her courage and tilted her head up to look into Cloud's beautiful, glowing eyes.

I will always trust you, she told him with her eyes.

She expected to find eyes of indifference, or eyes of gratitude, or even caring eyes…

But, Cloud was looking at her with eyes that conveyed terrible sadness.

Why does it feel as if I am going to lose her for good?

Tifa restrained herself from throwing her arms around him. Cloud looked as if he had just lost Aerith all over again. She didn't want to say or do anything, but they might end up staying out there all night if she didn't.

"Cloud, um, good luck."

She further conveyed her message by moving to kiss him on his right cheek. In the end, she never made it.

Cloud's mako eyes followed her path and he moved slightly to meet her soft lips.

It wasn't a passionate kiss. It was hardly a kiss by any definition of the word. Instead, it was a gesture that said…

I trust you too.

"Goodbye, Tif."

I will come back. I promise.

And before Tifa could even react, Cloud turned and walked away in the opposite direction.

Tifa stood there, motionless. Then, she slowly opened her wine-colored eyes. She felt the blush on her face intensifying.

Why…why did he do that!

Cloud had caught her off guard- when her defenses were, well, nonexistent. He had taken advantage of her. He had tricked her. He had… kissed her. She didn't know what to think except…

Come back soon, Cloud.

As a tear slipped from her eye, Tifa blinked herself from her daze. She gathered herself and turned to walk back to 7th Heaven… alone.

But, with hope.

END CHAPTER II