Note: If you want an explanation about what has happened to Tifa in the time before this story, please read my other FF7 story, Psych Heart.

Chapter 3- Were, Not Are

Yuffie and Vincent wasted no time in trying to make another baby. That was not their intention, of course, but they still naively placed their full faith in their protection.

When Yuffie and Vincent woke up, they both felt slightly odd, but they didn't think much of it.

"Good morning, Yuffie."

"(yawn) Mornin', Vinnie."

"Where do we go now?"

"Well, the closest town is Junon. We can visit Tifa, too, since Renfroe's local office is located there."

"I thought Cloud couldn't raise the money to send her."

"Didn't you hear, Vince? Rufus granted Tifa the chance to execute Cloud in exchange for her rehabilitation."

"It sounds like Rufus wanted Cloud to die."

"Well, I guess Rufus thought he knew too much."

After the couple got dressed and ate breakfast, Vincent asked, "What were you writing the other day?"

"Oh, nothing important."

When the family rode into Junon, Renfroe was their first stop. Since it was a women's center, only Yuffie could enter. She walked up to the front desk and requested a visit with Tifa. Permission was granted, and Yuffie was led to a large meeting area.

Tifa walked in, and though she was alone, the two friends could see that cameras were watching their every move.

Tifa looked only slightly more healthy than she did when she arrived. The former bartender was still all skin and bones. Tifa was the first to speak.

"I never expected anyone to visit me, after I disposed of Cloud."

"I'm still your friend, Tifa. I just want to know why you did this."

"I'm not even."

"Not even what?"

Tifa shook her head and replied, "No, that's all. I'm not even. There's good and bad in everything, you know? There's no balance at all."

"Uh, Tifa, are you okay?"

"Is anyone ever okay? Oh well, how's the bar going?"

"It's closed down."

Tifa's face flashed a look of regret that Yuffie couldn't miss.

"Tifa, you haven't heard anything since you left, have you? I had my kid, a son named Hunter, but Elena took over Midgar and started blaming me for Marlene's death! I'm running for my life!"

Yuffie expected to hear an 'Oh No!' or an 'I'm so sorry to hear that.', but Tifa simply stated, "You're not even, either."

"What do you mean?"

Tifa shifted from a sitting position on the couch to laying down.

"Yuffie, do you think you would be described as being a hero or a villain?"

"A hero, for sure."

"Okay. What about a hero or an anti-hero?"

"Gosh, I don't know, Tifa. Why do you have to be this way?"

"Why did Cloud have to be that way?"

"Gawd, Tifa! He's dead! I know that he hurt you. Even with him gone, you still might not be able to be normal again. Maybe you'll become the same person that he hated so long ago, and that scares you, doesn't it? But you're free now! Really take it in! Look at you. You think you've got it so damn hard! Your little shot at revenge is complete, so why do you still want to be thin? Sure, you may not eat that much, but I don't see you ending your life, either."

"That's not original, Yuffie."

Yuffie hopped off of her chair and knelt beside Tifa's couch.

"Who cares, Tifa? I know I just amended your line from the movie, and I'll do it again. Do you know why? It's because you used to be deep, you really did! You're as thin as paper now, Tifa, and I'm not just talking about your body. I'm talking about your attitude."

Tifa kept silent, but she reached for Yuffie's hand, and held it.

"Tifa, how is your rehab coming along?"

Tifa turned her head and stared deeply into Yuffie's eyes. The glance was piercing as Tifa exclaimed, "Yuffie, you have to get me out of here!"

"No."

"Every day at lunch, they give us meat, and they keep forcing us to eat bread and sweets. They're killing me, Yuffie!"

Yuffie became very aggravated with Tifa at that moment, and her face began to turn a shade of red. She took hold of Tifa tiny wrists, and held them in front of Tifa's face. "Look at yourself, Tifa! I am on my knees, begging you, please, just take a real look at yourself! I know you can't be pleased with how things have turned out."

Tifa began to cry. She tried to speak, but the words became drowned out by her tears.

"Yuffie…do you see…why I did…what I did…to Cloud? I see myself…and every day I see…the marks of what Cloud has done. That's the problem, Yuffie! I'm not doing this! I love you, Yuffie. I love you like a sister, but I'm not doing this! I thought I would feel better when I disposed of my pain, but I didn't dispose of it, did I? I feel awful. I just want to lie down and die. I've told everyone here, I just want to lie down and die."

Yuffie burst out in tears, bawling over the pain and selfishness of her friend. Yuffie's tears began to stain the carpet as she surprisingly replied, "Fine. Go ahead. If you wish to give up, then I can't stop you. Oh Gawd, why Tifa? Why?"

Yuffie got up off of her knees, and hugged Tifa. It was the first time that they had ever embraced each other so tightly.

"Yuffie…"

"Yes, Tifa?"

"They're coming for me."

"Who's coming for you, Tifa?"

"The orderlies."

"They said we had a half-hour together. It's only been twenty minutes."

"No. I mean I don't think Rufus is going to send in the next payment."

"Why not?"

"He's not making any money. He's partially disabled, and I don't think he has the income to support a lost cause any longer."

"Tifa, please, tell me why you think that you are such a lost cause."

"Because, Yuffie. The nurses told me…something bad."

"What is it, Tifa? For Gawd's sake, just tell me what it is!"

"Because of the way I've starved myself…It's damaged by kidneys and liver. Yuffie, it's true, I wanted to lie down and die, but on my own terms. I hate feeling like my life is being ripped from me without my consent. I'm powerless."

A voice permeated the room through an intercom in the corner of the room: "Okay, girls. Visiting time is up."

Both Tifa and Yuffie's faces were covered in tears. As Yuffie turned to walk away, she told Tifa, "This might be the last time I ever see you. Do you have anything to say?"

"I've lost my right to words. I hope you understand."

"I do. Words just make it hurt more. But I do have one last thing to say to you. You're not powerless. You're my hero, Tifa. You always were."