Chapter 5
~ Silver and Seek ~
"Cloud!"
Marlene ran up to Cloud at his desk, holding something small and silver in her hand.
"I think Tifa left it on the edge of the bath. Can you give it to her? We're not allowed in the bar after ten o'clock."
He opened his hand to receive the small silver ring with his wolf emblem on it. Why was she always leaving things in the bathroom?
Marlene went back to her bedroom leaving Cloud alone in his office. He held the ring in his hand for a moment and then clasped his hand shut. Tifa was probably too busy downstairs to receive it so he decided to leave it on her bed-side table. Wondering into her bedroom he placed down the ring and found himself looking at it for a moment. He then let out a small sigh and retreated from the room. He pulled the door closed behind him.
The next morning she was very cheerful. She made his coffee as she always did, cooked his breakfast, gave him his lunch and told him to drive safely with her fantastic smile, but all the while he was distracted.
"Tifa, where's your ring?"
She looked at him blankly before looking down at her hand and blanching in the face.
"I must have left it somewhere," she said, trying to sound calm.
He was going to have a little fun.
"Oh, okay," was all he replied and he headed to the garage to be on his way.
It wasn't long before he heard the clattering of bottles at the bar as she frantically searched for the ring. With an amused shake of his head he rolled Fenrir out of the garage and set off to make his deliveries.
When he finally returned he was exhausted and had to take a deep breath of the stale garage air. He dismounted from his bike and strayed into the bar, thankful for the homely warmth. He then noticed Tifa standing like a statue in the middle of the room with her face in her hands.
"Um... Tifa?"
She looked up.
"Oh... Cloud. Good day?"
"Yeah."
He then noticed she was holding her hands behind her back. He eyed her suspiciously. Noticing this she began to move in the direction of the stairs. He still couldn't see her hands because they were now in front of her.
"Well, it's late. I'll see you tomorrow."
She began to take her exit.
He folded his arms, tilted his head to one side and asked, "Did you find it?"
She stopped her ascent and turned to meet his gaze. Her right hand was still out of view. She didn't say anything.
He unfolded his arms and couldn't help smiling.
"Did you check your room?"
"Yes," she said, looking confused.
"Did you check your bed-side table?"
She frowned at him and then sprang from her step, up the stairs and into her room. He followed. As he peered in her doorway he saw her pick up the ring in amazement.
"How did you know?"
"I put it there last night when Marlene found it."
She slipped the ring back on her finger and then looked up at him.
"I'm sorry, Cloud," she said honestly.
He shook his head.
"Don't be sorry. You searched for it all day." He paused. "In a way, it's important to you like you are to me."
Tifa's face contorted a little. He was confused at her reaction.
"Yeah," was all she replied and she gave him a forced smile.
It cut deep in his chest.
When she cleared her throat he realised it was time to leave. He stepped back into the hallway.
"Good night, Cloud." She shut the door behind him.
He remained outside her door until he heard the loud click of the latch falling into place. He had to pry his legs from their spot in front of her door to bring himself to his own room. He didn't feel right. He felt unsteady. It had been a long time since he'd seen her smile like that.