Autumn and winter flew by like the passing wind, and Cloud tightened his emotional seals. It's been a while since Tifa had a good talk with him. Whenever she joined him on the rooftop, he was asleep; at least he looked like he was.

"Cloud?" Tifa called, staring at his sleeping face. He laid down across the rooftop, his right arm across his face, blocking out the blazing sun. "…Cloud?" He was drowsy but awake, yet he did not respond. He knew that somehow, he had to make her visits stop.

"Cloud, I know you're not asleep."

No response.

"Cloud?"

No Response.

"Oooh, Cloud I swear you will regret this." Tifa frowned. In the past, she would have left him alone, of fear that he would dislike her for being forceful. But his actions are increasingly disturbing for her, too much to ignore.

"Cloudddd~" He could feel something soft grazing across his neck. It smelt like peaches. Though he was not sensitive enough to respond, his heartbeat raced from the contact of her hair. "Cloud, wake up!"

After a few attempts, Tifa stopped the tease and rested down beside him. "Cloud, what's the matter?" She murmured, inches from him. They stayed that way for a moment before Tifa stood up again. "Cloud, I won't let you off no matter what. So you'd better give up and tell me."

And that was the last warning before she -

sat

on

him.

Cloud nearly coughed his lunch out when she plopped onto his stomach. He had never been more grateful for Zangan's abs training.

"T—Tifa." He choked, trying to sit up.

"I told you so." She blushed, and shifted her weight from him. "Now, now, what's wrong? And don't avert your eyes from me." She grabbed his shoulders – since when did his frame get so masculine? – and sat facing him.

"The way you're avoiding me and everyone here… I don't know, but it makes me feel so lonely sometimes." She looked up at him, his eyes were dark, averted away, for a moment, she saw pain reflected in them. "Cloud, look at me." She cupped his cheeks, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "I thought we were friends?"

"Tifa… It's better this way, trust me."

"Cloud, don't decide what's best for me. I know it myself."

"…"

"Even if you were to leave - " Cloud's eyes widened and Tifa let out a silent gasp, before shutting her eyes into deep thought. "So, I was right. Somehow, deep in my heart, I think I already knew it… for a while now." Tifa's hand clasped her shirt, around her chest area, while her brows furrowed deeply. She could feel an unknown sharp piercing pain in her chest, she could not imagine days without Cloud here. What would she do after lunch? Would she continue to come by the rooftop? Would she find something else to do? And she knew, every time she thought of piano, she would think of Cloud. Since when had he turned into something so irreplaceable?

"Tifa…" He could feel this melting sensation in his heart when he heard how her voice trembled. "Tifa…" He had trouble controlling his body as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him, her head against his chest.

It was not like him to act without the restraint of his thoughts, but Tifa's words blew everything away. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her, and he knew he already did. If only there was something he could do to protect her from pain, any form of pain at all, he knew he would do it.

"Tifa… Tifa…" She was drowning in the melody of his voice, how he repeatedly called her name. There seem to be no other words he could use to describe his emotions. What is this feeling? It tastes bittersweet, like a forbidden fruit, exotic by nature, its name unknown. What is this that Cloud's making her feel?

She wrapped her arms around him, she could visualize the boundaries between them fading away, disintegrating. Spring was almost over, summer was just around the corner, but his warmth is a necessity.

"How much longer?"

"Until my coming-of-age."

Aerith and Zack had just finished their coming of age ceremony a month or two back, in February. It won't be long until Cloud turn 16. Just a little over a year and he will leave for good.

"Won't you stay?" She hugged him tighter, knowing fully what the answer will be.

"No."

"Where are you going?"

"SOLDIER."

"When have you decided on this?"

"Two years ago, in a cave."

Tifa stopped breathing. Was it what she told him? About her parents? Was it the conversation they had, about the memories they wish to erase? Or was it her weakness that was shown, naked to him? Or was it not because of her at all? Does Cloud…

She did not ask.

They stayed in silence.

"…NO! WHY? I DON'T GET YOU, MOM!" Aerith's piercing voice stopped Tifa in her tracks. It's not unusual to see Aerith in Elmyra's office after lunch, but they rarely quarrel. "I LOVE HIM! NOTHING THAT YOU SAY WILL STOP ME FROM LOVING HIM! I WANT HIM! WHY ARE YOU SENDING HIM AWAY!"

Wow, what a love confession. Is Elmyra sending Zack away?

"Aerith… I know it is hard for you, but I've told you time and again, Cloud is not the one for you!"

Cloud… Wait, Cloud? Isn't Aerith and Zack a couple? Aerith loves Cloud? Cloud? Oh my god.

"THAT'S NO REASON TO SEND HIM AWAY!"

"I told you! I AM NOT SENDING HIM AWAY!"

"THEN WHY THE HELL IS HE LEAVING ON HIS 16TH BIRTHDAY?"

Looks like Aerith finally got the news.

"Cloud's choice. I just gave the permission. Don't you know how much I love him too, he's like my son! Why would I chase him away?"

"Mom, I won't let him go. If he does, I'm leaving with him."

"No, you won't."

"Try me."

From outside, Tifa could hear Elmyra sink into her chair, while Aerith stormed out.

"T..Tifa…" Aerith's face flushed red. "So… yeah… I guess…"

"Wanna talk?"

"Yes!" Aerith ran forward hugging Tifa in her arms.

They went to Aerith's room, her hiccups from crying has yet to subside, but at least she is cooling down fine in Tifa's arms.

"Cl..Cloud is leaving, Tifa. He's leaving." Another wave of tears surged. "What am I going to do? He doesn't know about my feelings yet!"

Tifa's heart sank. So, all along, Aerith… what about Cloud? Does he feel the same?

"Hush…" Tifa croaked, her voice betraying her heavy heart, before clearing her throat.

"I've loved him since young, before I even knew what love was." Tifa tightened her lips at the thought, quite bizarre, but passionate, even obsessive, as she could feel from her tone. "He is the only one for me, Tifa. Only him, no one else. I've been shy but, but I've left him hints. I'm sure he does feel something for me as well! So why… Why is he leaving? It's almost August now, in one years' time, Cloud… Cloud…"

"Rith…" Tifa stroked her softly, patting her back once in a while. When she had known that Cloud would be leaving, it hurt, but she did not break down like Aerith. Perhaps… the feelings Aerith have for Cloud… Tifa shook her head from the thought and focused on consoling Aerith.

"I remember how he would sit in a corner when he first arrived here. He was like an abandoned cat, ready to bite anyone that goes near. I was so intrigued by him, his eyes, such a magnificent blue… Though Zack too have blue eyes, but Cloud… his eyes are always so sensual… I really do love him…"

Tifa could feel her chest tighten and she could hardly breathe. Things were happening too fast for her.

"Should I confess, Tifa? Should I? Do you think he will stay for me?"

Tifa looked into Aerith's eyes, so full of hope, if Aerith knew that Tifa may be the reason why Cloud wanted to leave… "I don't know, Rith… maybe you should… t…try…"

"You know, Tifa, I was wrong about you… I'm so sorry but I used to be so jealous of you…" Aerith sniffed, wiping tears off her eyes. "Before you came, Cloud was all mine, but now, you both seem quite close. I almost thought… You were snatching him from me…"

Time seem to stop around Tifa. How did this happen? It was as though Tifa cheered Aerith on, to go after Cloud. But she did not, looks like Aerith had misinterpreted. "No, Rith I'm not-"

"I know, Tifa, I trust you. I trust that there is nothing between you and Cloud." Aerith smiled.

Tifa felt like she was just pushed into something, spiraling downwards. It made her dizzy.

Tifa sat in her room, unsure of what exactly happened that afternoon. For the first time in 2 years, Tifa skipped the meeting with Cloud. And she continued for some time. She sat at her desk and rubbed the present she had made for Cloud. Looks like Cloud would go without her present this year.

Cloud noticed that Tifa's been acting strange. She stopped her after lunch visits, did exceptionally badly during trainings, seemed much too lethargic lately, and her eyes – they have lost their previous gleam.

Tifa sat, motionless by her desk, as she had for the previous week. "Plop", something hit her window.

"Plop."

"Plop, plop.

"Plop, plop, bang."

"BANG!"

She looked up from her desk. Gosh, her head was splitting into two.

"Tifa, open your window." She could hear someone calling. Standing up, she could see Cloud just inches from the glass of her window.

"Cloud?" She breathed, she was too tired to reply.

"Open the window, Tifa." And she did, like a puppet pulled along by strings.

"Hmmm?" Cloud stretched his hand out to touch her face, before slowly pushing her fringe aside.

"Come out."

"Huh?"

"Come out."

"N..no… I'm tired."

"Come out." Cloud pulled her by the wrist and she had to obey, climbing out the window like an oversized worm. She landed on her knees, dirtying her favourite night gown, but she was too tired to make a fuss.

"Tifa?" Cloud called, his hand still grabbing onto her wrist. "What happened?"

"Huh…? Ahhh… damn…" Her temples throbbed and her headache could not any longer be contained.

"Did you, by any chance, talked to Aerith while she was agitated?"

"Huh? What…? Aeri…" And she blacked out.

Tifa woke up in a dim-lit room, a cold towel rested on her forehead, too cold for comfort. She looked around, a pile of papers lay across the desk by the window, the wardrobe door was open, a limited variety of clothes hanged neatly, while a pair of boots sat silently by its side. Cloud sat beside her, on a stool, his eyes were closed, his arms folded across his chest, how he managed to sleep with such balance, she wondered. She sat up, and traced a finger across his refined jaw line, before his eyes flipped open.

"Hello Cloud." She smiled, her head was fuzzy, like she had forgotten something.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, frowning, removing the wet cloth from his pillow while standing up.

"I'm great. Did something happen?"

"…Do you remember talking to Aerith while she was agitated?"

"… Now that you mentioned it, yes… but does it matter?"

"Yes, you've been hypnotized."

"Hypnotized?" Tifa asked, bewildered. Did such a thing happen? Does Aerith practice black magic?

"Aerith doesn't know it, but she was born with the ability to hypnotize." He watched as her brows furrowed, "Her mother, was a cetra."

"Cetra... You mean, the group of ancients, those born with special abilities, the planet's chosen ones?"

"Yes."

"Did such a thing exist…"

"Yes, they do exist. Tifa, Aerith is a half cetra, her fate is sealed from the moment she was born. I've once sworn to protect her, but that's because… I'm her half brother." Cloud blushed, he would usually go by without explanation, but not this time, not to Tifa.

"Half… brother… does that mean you're…"

"Yes, I have some abilities of cetra."

"Oh…" Cloud's sudden honesty shook Tifa, and all words seemed to leave her.

"What did Aerith say to you?" He asked, his hands rested on hers, his eyes filled with concern.

"She said… She loves you."

"I see…" Cloud tightened his grip on her hands. "I didn't think you would be hypnotized."

"Hmmm?" Tifa could see the ends of his lips curved slightly upwards.

"Nothing." Cloud knew, that only those who were emotionally troubled or weak would be affected by Aerith, and Tifa was strong in both. Looks like she was deeply affected by issues surrounding Cloud.

"Is this your room?" Tifa asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah."

"I thought it would be messier." She smiled. That night, she slept peacefully, surrounded by Cloud's scent, with him.

On his 15th birthday, Cloud realized that truth was harder to keep up than lies. Even though Tifa had obviously understood the reason why Elmyra was all out against Aerith's longing for Cloud. However, once a mystery unfolds, it divides itself into more mysteries waiting to be solved. Keeping up with the partial truth told to Tifa was harder than it would have if he lied.

Nevertheless, he was quite pleased to have Tifa know more about him.

"Yes," He had told her, "I have certain cetra abilities, but they are yet to develop fully. I can't do hypnosis though, but I do see better in the dark, able to react faster than normal people, that's about it." She had looked at him with curious eyes, trying to explore what's beneath the sea of blue.

"Cloud, happy birthday." Aerith's present was wrapped in a beautiful blue ribbon, though Tifa was curious and found it a little hard to ignore the way Aerith looked at Cloud, she knew it was impossible between the two. Why haven't Cloud told her, what is he protecting her from? And why was Cloud abandoned and Aerith born and raised here? How did he get to know this? So many questions, but Tifa was confident to not get impatient. She will wait for the day he confessed everything.

"Thank you, Aerith." Cloud watched as Aerith took a step forward, then kissing him on the cheek.

"Can I meet you tonight, eleven, at the backyard?" She whispered.

Cloud nodded. He knew exactly what Aerith was about to tell him, but he had to meet her. For this to end.

Tifa crooked up a smile when Aerith winked at her direction from there; she could make out the words she mouthed, "Ch-ee-r f-or meeee!" Tifa loved Aerith as an older sister, but after these few days, the new information about her feelings and Cloud's gist of the "truth", Tifa just do not know what to say to Aerith anymore.

"Hey Tifa." She turned around to face Zack, his black hair were combed backwards into a neat bundle of spikes, while a lock of his fringe dropped down by his forehead. "What's with Cloud? He seemed troubled."

"Really?" Tifa looked over to Cloud, if Zack had not mentioned it, she would not have realized. There is a definite and unbreakable bond between the two. "Maybe it's… well, the food?"

"Your eyes are saying it's Aerith."

"What?"

"I'm sure Cloud told you about the Cetra thing?"

"How did you-"

"I, have the lineage of a cetra too, but different from them, Cloud and Aerith that is." Looks like he already knew about them being siblings. "Mine was from the ancestors long, long time ago. No one in my family except I have this ability."

"Oh…"

"And if you are wondering, they died in a fire twelve years ago, when I was four. In the fire that broke out here."

"You… Can-"

"Nope, I can't read minds, I just instinctively know. I feel what others feel. It's enhanced empathy."

"It really is enhanced."

"Yeah, it hurts though, to know how the girl you love, love your good friend. Well, best friend."

"Zack…"

"Oh there, sympathy, gosh, it's sending chills down my spine."

"Haha, you're such a joker. But you know, I really look up to you."

"I know right, I'm just too sexy."

"Please."

"Yep."

"So, all these years, you've hidden your ability from me."

"Not hiding it, just didn't blatantly come up to you and tell off your naked emotions. Like how you love Cloud."

"Wha-? C-Cloud?"

"Yeah, it's written all over you, babe."

"What? W-What about you? How did you fall in love with Aerith?"

"Well… When I first joined, she was the one who stayed by me as I healed from the burns."

"…Why are you telling me all these suddenly?"

"Aren't you the one that asked? And well, we're on the same boat."

"Aerith is going to confess."

"I'm guessing as much."

"What are you going to do?"

"Girl, one thing how guys work, we go for brothers, not chicks."

"Aren't you guys dating?"

"Yes we are."

"And you don't mind?"

"There's nothing I can do. I trust her feelings are genuine when she was with me. That's enough."

"Gosh, you really love her."

"Yes Madam, I know that much."

There are times when you know someone is going to make a mistake, but you could not bring yourself to interfere. And that, was how Tifa Lockhart was feeling when Cloud and Aerith met by the backyard.

Aerith stood below the huge palm tree, her eyes fixed on her outstretched fingers. She rehearsed the lines in her head over and over again. Years ago, she had the chance, but she was too young to make out what those feelings meant. And ever since Tifa joined Nibelheim Home, chances are as rare as they might be, she could not afford to screw up.

Cloud walked towards the backyard with heavy footsteps. He too, had rehearsed on how to reject Aerith. He would make it as painless as possible. But clear, and simple. The two rarely mix, but he will give his best.

"Hey Aerith." Cloud stopped, a safe distance away, not too close, not too far.

"H-Hey! Cloud! Hi! What brings you here?" The moment the line slipped, Aerith wanted to murder herself there and then. "Sorry, I mean uh, well, haha good evening, charming weather, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmmmn… So, you know Cloud…" Aerith muttered, her fingers rolling about one another, droplets of cold sweat gathered on her forehead. "Do you know why I called you here?"

"No." Yes.

"Well… Do you, by any chance, have someone you like? In a romantic sense. Like, you know, boy and girl kinda thing."

An image of Tifa's smiling face flew by his thoughts. "Why?"

"Because, you see, Cloud." Aerith walked towards him, until their faces were only inches apart. Cloud just barely taller than her. "I love you."

Cloud gulped.

"Surely you know? It's been a long while."

"Yes."

"So tell me, do you?"

"No, Aerith. If I may remind you about Zack…"

"Cloud, hush. Zack knows, you know his ability."

"That doesn't mean you won't hurt him."

"Cloud, I want your answer! Don't pull Zack in!"

"Alright then. No, I don't like you the way you do. Not in that direction."

"Liar! Why then would you swear to protect me for the whole of your life when I was feverish back then?"

"I have my reasons, Aerith, and the reason isn't romantic love."

Cloud tensed up when he saw the tears that flow down her cheeks. Yet there is little he could do. He will not risk wiping them off her, and have her misunderstand his intentions.

"Then are you still leaving?"

"Yes."

"No matter what it is, you won't stay?"

"No."

Tifa felt like a stalker peering from the door by the backyard. From the trembling silhouette of Aerith's it was not hard to make out what happened. Cloud did what he had to, and he did it well.

"Zack, it's so obvious. Stop pushing."

"No, I can't really see anything!"

"Neither do I! It's dark, mind you!"

"I could see better if I was in front."

"No."

"…Aerith is crying."

"Yes she is. Cloud seems tense."

"Of course he would be."

.

.

.

"You don't think Aerith really does love Cloud, do you?"

"From her vibes, it's something close to love."

"What about her feelings for you?"

"They are true."

"Is she… confused?"

"Perhaps. I'll leave her room to think it through."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't be there for her when she cries for another man, Tifa. Despite all my love, I have my pride. Aerith and I… I guess we're over." Zack smiled, and from there, somehow, Tifa sensed pain. It was evident even without enhanced empathy. Zack really does love her.

"Maybe that's for the best."

"Hope so. Maybe I'll meet some hot chick and fall in love again."

"Nah, Zack. I don't know you as well as Cloud, but I know you enough to tell that you won't get over. At least not so soon."

"How long do you predict then?"

"More than 10."

"Years?"

"Years- or decades."

"That's harsh."

"It's you we're talking about."

"I'm starting to think you have cetra blood."