Chapter 8:

Heartbeats before the Heartache

Tifa was still sleeping when Cloud woke up the morning after. Cloud had never slept more peacefully, without dreams, in a deep slumber. He looked at Tifa, her lips slightly parted, her hair fanned out across the sheets. She was beautiful. That moment, he realized that all he ever wanted was Tifa. If she only asked, he would stay for her. There must be another way to train and protect her, by her side.

"Mmm, Cloud?"

"Good morning."

"Heh, Good morning."

"Ummmph" Tifa stretched out her arms and legs. In the morning light, her skin looks incredibly flawless.

"Tifa…" Cloud touched her softly on her cheek. "If you want me to, I can stay."

With her arms in the air, Tifa freezed.

"But… What about SOLDIER?"

"…"

"We can't stay here forever. Now's the perfect age for us to start something, to learn skills in the outside world, to lay our foundations. For us."

"Is my joining SOLDIER really for the better though?"

"Cloud…"

"I've thought about it. There are many chances and opportunities in life. But I only have one you."

Cloud pulled Tifa by the hand and kissed her.

"I don't want to lose you."

"Cloud, you won't. I promise you won't." Tifa cupped his cheeks and kissed him softly. "Don't think so much."

Cloud remained silent.

"If it is true love, Cloud. We will both be waiting for each other. Time is of no threat. I love you."

"Heh. So you really do love me that much, huh." He pinched Tifa on the cheek teasingly. " But… I wonder if it's even realistic to chase after a dream of becoming as strong as Sephiroth… To chase after a mystery."

With that, Tifa knew it was time to come clean with her departure. She recalled the conversation with Aerith the day before:

"I've requested for the date of departure to be on the 20th. At least we could celebrate Cloud's birthday before leaving. That was the furthest I could push."

"Are you going to tell Zack?"

"If we get back to talking terms, then I would. Definitely."

"What about Cloud?"

Aerith shot a cold glance at Tifa, sending spikes of chill down Tifa's back. "He'd be too worried about your leaving to notice mine."

"I don't know how to tell him."

"You shouldn't hide anything from him."

Tifa thought for a second. "You might be right, but no. That's too idealistic."

"What's love if you can't trust?"

"It's not about trust. It's something I can't even explain to myself, so how can I to him?"

"It might be a good choice for me. To leave Zack."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe when we meet again – if we ever do – things would get better, between us."

"What if Cloud wants me to stay? I don't think I can reject him."

Aerith let of a scoff and giggled. "He won't." Light shone on Aerith's cheeks and in the dark, her emerald eyes shone like ice, piercing and lonely. "He won't. Cloud won't. Not yet, not ever." And in a split moment, the look in Aerith's eyes softened. "Neither will Zack let him."

"Cloud, I am chasing after a mystery too."

Tifa hugged his arms tightly, "Will you hear me out, Cloud?"

Cloud pulled her in for a long, meandering kiss, as their lips rubbed, Tifa could feel her physical being almost being sucked away. She should be used to this by now, but Cloud's every touch still set her on fire, she loved every inch of him.

"Of course." Cloud whispered as he pulled away slowly.

Tifa lowered herself and leaned against his chest, her ear by his heart. "I want you to promise another thing."

"What is it?"

"I will on the 20th…" She paused, her voice shaking, "for Midgar."

Cloud's eyes widened, but he remained silent.

"Which SOLDIER camp are you going to?"

"G-Gongaga, probably. I heard it's a stronghold."

"I want you to promise me Cloud. That we will not meet again until we're both ready. You with SOLDIER, and I in Midgar."

"What do you mean?"

"5 years. I would like you to give me 5 years, Cloud. I have a mystery to sort out myself."

"5 years?"

"Yes, Cloud, 5. I promise I will at least reach the conclusion of what I am trying to sort out."

Cloud kissed her on the forehead. "When we meet 5 years from now, I'm sure you will be a wonderful woman."

"And you, a wonderful man."

"Don't fall for another guy."

"Of course. And you too, don't fall for another girl."

"Hmph, even if in the rarest possibility that I do, I'll definitely just fall for you all over again when we meet."

"You and your sweet talking…" They held each other softly as their lips seek further warmth.

Rude had been hanging out less with Rufus, more with Reno. Tifa had noticed that Rude seem less distant with Reno, perhaps they have been partners since young. A wretched business, she thought.

"Rude and red hair sure seem close."

"Yeah, more so than Rufus, huh." Tifa looked up to see Cloud's furrowed brows. Softly with her index finger, she soften them.

"I don't like it when you mention him."

"Who?"

"Rufus."

"Why?" Tifa giggled.

"…"

"You're jealous."

"So what if I am? You were jealous of Aerith."

"What? No way."

"Deny all you want, Ms peeker." He smirked, recalling how she and zack were eavesdropping on Aerith's confession.

Zack's face turned pale, and they knew they should not have mentioned the taboo word. They were sitting on the roof after lunch as usual; Zack seemed more aloof than usual.

"Zack, did Aerith talk to you recently?"

"She did. Probably the same thing you talked to Cloud about."

"Did you stop her?"

"No. I told her I'm leaving with Cloud to join SOLDIER."

The conversation died after his assertion. Tifa thought about the times they had spent together. Had Cloud passed the bravery test, the tradition of Nibelheim Home, would he have left years ago? Perhaps then Cloud and Tifa would not become lovers. Perhaps then, Zack and Aerith would still be together.

Perhaps, when they disperse into the society, they will make new friends, new memories. But who would, like they know each other, understand the ups and downs they have been through together? From immature juveniles to their current state? The hurt in their hearts, wound that could never heal? They would not trade a single moment for anything on earth. It belonged to them and them only.

The fact that Tifa did not reveal anything about the reason for the 5 year plan unsettles Cloud. But he knew better than to inquire. This is definitely, the best solution. Although he would not have a single idea about the environment she will be living in, nor her blooming beauty, how she would change in the 5 years, Cloud knew that they would conquer this challenge. Sure there would be times when loneliness sets in, but it would not break him, for it would definitely be mutual. Absolutely.

That night, Cloud dreamt of Sephiroth. Like Sephiroth, Rufus has the Shinra blood, Aerith too... But are they close kin? Did Elmyra lie when she said Aerith and Cloud are half-siblings? What is the definition of half?

And Cloud thought about his identity. Who is he? Is it a coincidence that he is here, with 2 others who has Shinra blood running through them? In Nibelheim, such a desolated place, alienated from the rest of the world. Backwards, yet peaceful, largely unaffected by the war between Midgar and Wutai. His "parents" that were travelling from Midgar to Wutai, were they involved in this war? Were they his biological parents? Did they leave him here with a purpose? No doubt Rufus is President Shinra's successor, and it would be logical, for it is a tradition of the Shinra household to hide their successors during war periods.

Wait. Now that Rufus has been invited back home, does that not mean that the war is about to end?

And Tifa… If Rufus, Cloud and Aerith are part of the Shinras, and Rude is the guardian, Zack is a real orphan, who exactly is Tifa? Why is she even here? Not to mention that she was originally from Midgar, just like him.

Why is she here?

Is this place, even an orphanage?

On Cloud's birthday, Tifa handed him his present in a small rectangular box tied with a blue ribbon early in the morning but warned him not to open until she left. Cloud guessed it was a watch to signify their 5 year promise. "Thank you."

Tifa smiled, but he could sense something heavy behind that smile… it's their last moment together.

The coming-of-age ceremony was nothing special. Like the previous year for Aerith and Zack, Elmyra performed the ritual on the clearing of Mount Nibel.

First, she tie a golden bell around his left ankle to signify the responsibilities of adulthood dawning and their bindings.

Then. Cloud is to walk 7 steps on a path illuminated by fire, and with each step, the bell rang.

First ring is to thank Gods above for his life, and his oath of belief in goodness of the world.

Second ring is for the parents who raised him (in this case, there is none, but refers to his guardian Elmyra) and his oath of growing into a man with good character to repay their kindness.

Third ring signifies rebirth, the oath of commitment to his future partner.

Fourth ring signifies assurance for his future children, the oath of care.

Fifth ring is for the friends in his life, the oath of company.

Sixth ring is for the society, an oath of goodwill.

Seventh ring, the final ring is the blessing of God to recognize his previous 6 rings. But the bell snapped and fell into the surrounding fire just seconds before his feet touched the ground for the seventh time.

For a moment, no one spoke. Was that an ill omen?

"W-Well, that's the end of the ceremony, let's head back down to start with the party, shall we?" Elmyra shouted.

Strangely, Tifa noticed Cloud was more calm that he should be and approached him.

"Aren't you worried?" She asked, holding his hand as they made their way down the mountain trail.

"About the bell?"

"Yeah."

"Pfft" Cloud let off a snicker. "I didn't know you were superstitious."

"I'm not… Unless it concerns you."

Cloud blushed but proceeded to tease her. "Hmmm.. So I guess I won't be blessed?"

"Don't say that. I'm sure you will be."

"Well… I wasn't quite blessed, then you came, so I guess I used up my blessings meeting you."

Tifa's face flushed a bright red, before the colours drain away. "Don't you seem awfully cheery?"

"Yes I am. Because we're sneaking away from the party when we get back."

As the crowd headed towards the dining hall, Tifa and Cloud sneaked towards his room.

The moment the door closed, Cloud covered her lips with a passionate kiss. He parsed his lips and sucked on hers lightly, almost like he was sucking on a grape. Then, he slowly tilts his head to change the angle of the kiss, she followed. During intervals, he would lightly lick her lips, sending chills down her body. As he slowly opens her mouth wider, his arms that were wrapped around her waist tightens as one inched upwards.

Cloud's passion silenced Tifa, and she could hardly breathe when he slid his tongue in. Her palms that were wrapped around his two cheeks inched towards his ear as he moved closer. She lightly sucked on his tongue before pulling away for a breather. "I love you, Cloud… so much." She could feel a sting in her nose as she thought about this being the last day.

"I love you too…" He slowly licked a line down to her collarbone while his hands caressed her neck, pushing her hair to her left shoulder.

"As I thought, you look even more beautiful with it." He slowly pulled away and led her to the mirror. He held her hair up and stood behind her. "Do you like it?"

She lightly touched the two rings that Cloud had carefully chained on her through a silver necklace. "They're beautiful…"

He kissed the side of her neck. "This is my present to you. They're just two plan silver rings though."

She could feel tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Cloud."

"I should be the one thanking." Cloud smiled. He touched the rings, "This is yours," he pointed at the smaller ring, "and this is mine." He pointed at the bigger ring. "Right now, they're slightly bigger than your finger and mine, so we will only wear them when we meet again. With this, you are mine." He sucked on her neck and it left a rosy mark. "Mine alone."

"I always have been." Tifa replied, tears rolling down her cheek. "I'm so happy… No words could ever describe this moment… I love you."

"Mhmmm… Say more." He buried deeper into her nape.

"I love you, love you, love you so much it consumes me. I love you the most, Cloud."

"Mmmmm…" And they continued kissing.

Meanwhile… At the dining hall:

Zack to Elmyra: How are we going to cut the cake or blow the candles when the birthday boy and his lover are busy somewhere?

Thank You so much, fellow readers!