Wasn't satisfied...so I revised it. Here you go...


Vincent walked into his unwanted guest's room with a shopping bag. He pulled out a pair of sealed, winter pajamas. He ripped the plastic off and tugged out the cardboard before handing it to his guest.

"Why must I wear these ridiculous pieces of clothing?" his companion complained.

"You'll feel rather uncomfortable sleeping in normal clothes," Vincent replied. "You aren't going to bed yet, so don't worry. If you're going to be here, you have to act the part."

The man mumbled in protest and fiddled with the buttons. Just then, a strong gust of wind came by and blew the window open. Snow flew into the room…along with something else. Vincent and his guest tensed under an ominous feeling coming from the wind.

"Did you feel that too or was it just me?" Vincent asked.

His guest dropped the pajama shirt onto the floor and rushed out of the bedroom. Vincent turned on his heels and followed him.

"Where are you going?" Vincent asked in concern.

"Out," the man replied.

Vincent watched as his companion ran down the stairs, walked through the storefront, and was gone.

--

As an avid appreciator of fine beverages, Cloud wouldn't dare throw away the rest of the tea. It would've been such a waste. He had meant the rest to be for Tifa and him, but judging by what had happened, it was a matter of mice and men. He though of refrigerating it, but the idea made him shudder.

Unwittingly, a knock came at the door, one that would solve his problem. Cloud was reluctant to open it, since he was not the master of the house. But the knock was persistent. Cloud cautiously opened the door, and the person waiting outside shocked him. It was that stranger. That man he had seen at the restaurant with Vincent.

"This is the teashop?" the stranger asked.

"Yes," Cloud replied. "What do you want?"

"Don't you feel it in the wind?" he asked.

"Feel what?"

The stranger roughly took his hand and pulled him outside. The wind blew furiously that night. It was speaking in a language that human ears couldn't possibly understand. But this man could hear it loud and clear. And so did Cloud.

"I'd get ready if I were you," he said.

"But why are you warning me?" Cloud asked. "Aren't you one of them?"

The stranger snorted and grinned mischievously.

"I've been branded as a traitor anyway…it's funny how loyalty can be altered…May I come inside?"

"Tifa might not like that."

"I'll be silent."

Cloud unwillingly let his informant into kitchen. The stranger dusted the snow out of his hair and saw the teapots on the counter.

"Is there tea in there?" the man asked.

"Yes."

"May I help myself?"

"You drink tea?" Cloud questioned.

"I'm trying to get into the habit," the stranger explained.

"Then knock yourself out."

The man snatched a stray teacup and randomly poured out of one of the teapots.

"Want any sugar?" Cloud asked politely.

"I don't like it."

The stranger sat down at the table to enjoy his tea. Cloud sat at the opposite side.

"What name are you going by in human world?" Cloud asked.

"My host decided to name me Sephiroth…he got it from some book…it's a plumb mouthful…"

Cloud wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"My feelings are mutual," Sephiroth replied. "But it seems I'm stuck with it. Just as much as I'm stuck here."

"So why are you here in the first place?" Cloud asked.

"Just poking around…does one need a reason to do everything?"

"I suppose not…"

Sephiroth sniffed at the tea and smiled. "My host has such…plain teas…"

"Vincent likes high grade teas," Cloud informed.

"Did this tea shopkeeper tell you that?" Sephiroth asked.

"No…I just know that he does…and I know you're not a threat to the village…"

Sephiroth frowned in response.

"Why are you telling me that?" he asked.

"You were about to ask me why I didn't attack you at the restaurant," Cloud answered.

"Touché."

Sephiroth looked curiously around the kitchen. The first kitchen he had seen was smaller, with a simpler oven and stove. The floor was tile instead of wood.

"Have you told that woman about yourself?" Sephiroth asked.

"Very little," Cloud answered. "But I haven't figured out how to explain it in human words…so I've…"

"You haven't broken through the surface yet…"

Cloud shook his head in anguish.

"You're wasting your time," Sephiroth replied snidely. "A human mind is a fragile, finite thing."

"I beg to differ," Cloud interrupted. "Only human bodies are finite…humans can really show you a thing or two if you give them a chance."

"I can't wait for that delight," Sephiroth replied dryly. "So… how are your injuries?"

"All gone," Cloud answered. "I'll bet they were happy to injure me though."

"Who?"

"Your kind…I'll bet they were happy that I was injured. I was bedridden for three days. I had this rather bad one at my shoulder…but I didn't mind."

"Why not?"

"Because I rather like pain."

Sephiroth grinned at the thought. He was beginning to feel rather comfortable in the kitchen.

"Yes," Cloud continued. "I like pain. I like pleasure too. I like wise men and fools. I like lots of things. Isn't that odd?"

"What does happiness have to do with it?" Sephiroth asked.

"With what?

"You said that my kind was happy to injure you."

Cloud buttoned his lip innocently and shrugged.

"You know what they say…when a man falls, his enemies rejoice."

"Doesn't your kind believe in forgiving your enemies?" Sephiroth asked.

Cloud shook his head vigorously. A slightly morbid smile appeared on his face.

"Not in this case," Cloud responded. "If I have an enemy, I slit his throat. Like this…"

Cloud raised his hand and made a violent hand movement in front of his neck. Sephiroth backed up all the way in his chair, nearly falling backwards. He clutched his neck in fear and amusement.

"How shocking!"

"Is it really?" Cloud asked.

"Well…I wouldn't want to be your enemy…"

"And luckily, you're not. More tea?"

"I'm beginning to like you."

--

Tifa woke up in the wee hours of the morning. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and she started counting the contours in ceiling out of boredom. Her restless feet led her out of her bedroom. She walked toward the stairs and leaned forward to see if any lights were on downstairs. None. Tifa concluded that Cloud must have gone to sleep. She tried to go back to her room, only to stop right in front of his room. The door was completely shut. It made her mad with loneliness.

"He's probably sound asleep," Tifa thought. "I didn't here him come up."

Tifa cursed her skittishness. Shera had been right all along: she needed a relationship.

She put her hands on the door and pressed her nose on it. She took a deep breath and pondered to herself.

"I wonder if it's warm beside him," she mused. "Do you think he'd wake up if I went inside and curled up in bed with him? What would I do if he did?"

Tifa blushed and tried to shake the thought out of her head. Not even on a cold day in hell!

"But maybe I could try it…"

Tifa forced herself back into her room. She whimpered all the way.

--

Cloud was up and awake before her again. Tifa already smelled so as she showered and dressed for the day. She had a mind to scold him again for messing with her teas, but she found herself not caring anymore.

At the end of the stairs, she could already hear clanking and bubbling water. Tifa didn't announce her presence; she walked right in and stared at him without a word. He didn't react. She took a deep breath and tried to say something, but Cloud beat her to it.

"It seems I've impulsively gone through your teas again," Cloud said. "You'll have to forgive me."

"Oh no!" Tifa replied. "I…"

"And I'm sorry for what I did last night," Cloud interrupted. "Boundaries are quite new to me."

"But Cloud…"

"But that's no excuse…"

Tifa felt early morning grumpiness stir within her.

"It won't happen again."

Inside her mind, Tifa was screaming in exasperation. She simmered down and silently worked beside him. She saw six tins stacked neatly on counter: and herbal infusion of peppermint tea, two maté teas, two red teas, and flavored black tea of Almond biscotti. All six of her teapots were sitting in a row by the stove.

Tifa could smell the peppermint tea, one of her favorites, and it reminded her that it was holiday season. That meant that it was almost Christmas. She wasn't going to be alone this time, so she probably had to do some shopping for a Christmas dinner. Perhaps, she would have to get some lamb; she thought that turkey was too dry for taste, even with cranberry sauce. Maybe Rude could make her one of his famous hot chocolate cakes! It warmed her heart to know she wouldn't be eating by herself this Christmas. Just Cloud and her probably. A nice Christmas dinner…alone…

But that wasn't her concern now! The man hadn't even looked at her. Tifa wanted attention, and she disliked being ignored! He passed her by the counter and took the first pot out of the row, and still, he managed not to look at her.

The tea smelled good, with hints of peppermint. It was blended with something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Tifa anticipated that the cup he was pouring was for her, but he stopped her before she could take it.

"This blend is a bit risky," Cloud warned. "It might be terrible…"

Tifa watched with envy, and like a poison tester, Cloud braved it and came out victorious.

"Tempting, scrumptious, and refreshing," Cloud reflecting. "Here you go...try it…"

Cloud expected her to take the cup, but Tifa let her impulses fly. She moved forward like lightning and wrapped her arms around his. Suddenly, Tifa was conscious of how short she was: five feet and three inches. Cloud was nearly a head taller than her. In a millisecond, she decided that tugging him downward wouldn't hurt him, and she tasted the tea on his breath.

Tifa withdrew her lips, thought for a moment, and came up with an answer. Her arms stayed around his neck.

"Peppermint tea," she said, "With Almond Biscotti and Haute Chocolate…you're right. It is rather tempting…but it could use some whole milk and brown sugar."

Cloud gave her strange stare. He didn't seem angry or surprised, nor did he seem dumbfounded. He just looked at her.

"Say," Tifa thought aloud. "Let's blend just the Almond Biscotti with the peppermint tea…and get some eggnog! That's not too bold, is it?"

Cloud said nothing.

"See? I can figure out teas just fine. I still have a bit to learn…but I'm getting it!"

Cloud nodded in understanding, but he still said nothing. Tifa unwrapped her arms from him in disappointment and put her hands on the counter.

"The eggnog idea's too gusty," Tifa muttered.

"Nah," Cloud replied. "I'm willing to try it. The grocer opens in fifteen minutes, right?"

Tifa gave him a weak nod; her face became hidden underneath her hair. Cloud sensed a strange, emotional feeling coming from her and became concerned. He tried to speak to her, but she seemed to rush past him and left the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Cloud asked in a raised voice.

"To my room," Tifa replied from the stairs. "My boots are upstairs."

Cloud barely heard her soft footsteps. Her bedroom door was faintly shut.

--

Shera pushed a wheeled crate of packaged cereal along the aisle. She stopped at a lacking section of the shelves and put the cereals away by expiration date. She looked back toward the counter and saw her husband snoozing in his chair. Cid wasn't good at waking up early.

It almost promised to be a quiet day. All Shera could hear were the buzzing electricity from the lights above and Cid's low snoring. Shera carefully stacked all the boxes in their right places and began to hum "Jingle Bell Rock". The front door opened, and two silent customers walked into her view.

"I know where it is," Tifa said. "You don't need to go with me. Just wait by the counter."

As Tifa walked away, Cloud let his eyes linger on her. Tifa seemed to walk aimlessly, and yet she knew where she was going. He could still feel a strange, hidden emotion in her soul, and it troubled him greatly.

Cloud obediently went to the counter, and saw the sleeping Cid. A bell sat on the counter, and Cloud impulsively pushed on it. Cid woke up blinking.

"I couldn't resist," Cloud replied. "Sorry about that."

"Happens all the time," Cid replied sarcastically. "So, can I help you?"

"In a minute…"

Shera pulled the cart backwards toward the counter, still humming Christmas carols under her merry breath.

"Good morning, Cloud," Shera cooed.

"Merry Christmas," Cloud responded.

"So, what's with Tifa?"

"I think I did something wrong," he confessed.

"Lovers' quarrel?" Cid taunted.

"They're not lovers," Shera interrupted. "They're good friends."

"And I'm a belly dancer from Morocco."

--

It was her fault. He was to blame too, but it was definitely her fault.

Tifa leaned against the dog and cat food shelves and looked down at her feet. Before her was the refrigerated section of dairy products, with two rows of eggnog. She knew she was supposed to be picking one, but her mind just wouldn't focus on the task. Perhaps, Tifa thought, she shouldn't have come after all.

A low sigh hit her ears and invaded her thoughts.

"So many choices," a male voice whined.

Tifa looked up in surprise, and Cloud was right beside her, leaning against Friskies cat food.

"I didn't even hear you!" Tifa cried.

"I've been known to have quiet steps," Cloud replied.

Tifa put on an irritated face and started seriously looking for the eggnog.

"What do you want from me?" Cloud asked.

"I don't follow you," Tifa replied.

"Why are you upset?"

Tifa gave him a blasé expression. She shook her head.

"I'm not upset," she replied.

Cloud sighed wearily and frowned, for Tifa was a nut to crack. But by God, he would do it. With quick movements, he forcefully turned her to face him. Tifa gasped in surprise.

"What do you want from me?" Cloud asked again (with more earnestness).

Tifa shook her head. "N-nothing! I didn't ask for anything!"

"I said something this morning, didn't I?" Cloud asked. "Is that why you're upset?"

"I-I-I'm not upset. I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Stop lying."

"L-lying?"

Cloud gave her a good shake, as if a mountain snake had slithered on her shoulders.

"Yes, that's what I said…"

"But I…"

"And don't tell me you're not," he interrupted, "Because I know you are. I can see it in your eyes, and you're stuttering. And worst of all, your mind's becoming an open book to me!"

Tifa completely lost her composure and began to tremble. Her face turned as white as the snow outside.

"Open…book…"

"Yes…"

Tifa lowered her head in defeat. For a moment, Cloud thought she would fall forward. Her voice came out in stammers, so much so that she needed to repeat herself several times.

"Th-th-then… go ah-head and… read it."

"I won't," Cloud answered.

Her head perked up as if she had been woken up. Her eyes darted across his face.

"Why not?" she asked.

His hands framed her face, and his fingers felt the skin under her eyes. She was turning from white to blood red. A finger traced over the corner of her lips, as if he was proclaiming ownership over it.

"I won't," he replied. "I just won't. It's in my face, but I won't read a word. I've already made up my mind. I won't do a thing like that…not to you."

Without warning, he claimed her lips with his. There was no struggle.

Meanwhile, Shera and Cid stealthily poked their heads from behind the shelves. Shera pulled back behind the shelves with a small, guilty squeal.

"We should go back to the counter," Shera reasoned. "This is in bad taste."

"You're bailing out when it's getting good?" Cid asked. "You can go…but I'm staying."

Shera meekly peaked her head back and watched. She had obviously missed something because their customers were not kissing anymore.

"I thought you said to stay away," Cloud said.

"I didn't mean it," Tifa replied.

"Then why did you say it?" he asked.

Tifa shrugged nervously and continued to tremble. "I dunno. I was scared. You frightened me."

For a moment, the strong woman he was used to stood as a different person. Her perky face had turned vulnerable and frail, and her body appeared to be shrinking. He reached out to her and pulled her into a protective embrace. He could feel her shaking.

"I'm sorry," Cloud said.

"There you go again," Tifa replied. "Apologizing. Don't do that! What I really hate is when people apologize, and it's not really their fault."

"I'm sorry," he said again.

"Say that again and I'll murder you, pal!"

Cloud stiffened in fear and buttoned his lip. Tifa buried her face in his chest and mumbled something.

"I should be sorry," Tifa answered. "I think I'm grumpy."

Cloud lightly rubbed her back and rocked her back and forth. After a while, Tifa started to laugh like a monkey.

"Why are we doing this to ourselves?" she asked.

"I don't know," Cloud replied. "Tifa, we've forgot something."

"And what's that?" she asked.

"The eggnog," he replied.

"I don't care right now."

Her smile grew wider. Tifa threw her arms around him and pulled him to her, pecking him over and over again on the lips.

Shera hid behind the shelves again. "We're going to tell everyone, aren't we?"

"Goldmine."


It appears that this tale will be longer than I thought.

Watch for: Let the Battle Begin