A/N: All you need to know is that this was inspired by me chopping open the back of my legs in the shower...now that is pain...man, I had way too much fun writing this one...I had to post it as soon as I came up with it! XD

The Shower Incident

It isn't the first time I've been in the bathroom while Tifa was in there, yet somehow, it feels much, much different.

I'm running late this morning, my alarm clock didn't go off...I suspect Denzel or Marlene had something to do with this.

Of course, now I have to ask Tifa it's okay if I can be in the bathroom with her. She smiles, (is that a hint of a blush?) And agrees.

She goes in first, and gets situated behind the shower curtain, and gives the okay call. I walk in cautiously, my eyes immediately going to the shower. The curtain is pulled shut, but if I lean over, I can see her feet below the curtain.

...wait...

...why am I leaning over?

Blushing, I turn, picking up my toothbrush, beginning the grueling task of getting ready. The bathroom mirror keeps steaming up, so I have to pause to wipe it away every now and then. I reach up, feeling my chin, I need to shave, badly.

As I'm reaching up to make my first stroke with my razor, I hear Tifa 'tut.' That's right, 'tut'...I have no clue what this 'tut' means. I shrug, placing the razor to my cheek, bringing it down.

A loud hiss erupts from Tifa's mouth, and I twitch.

Oh man, that stings!

I see the blood mingle with my shaving cream, and I sigh. I've got a long cut going down the side of my face.

What could she possibly be doing to get hurt, I think, bringing my razor up to my other cheek, hoping this side will bring me more luck.

...hurt...

...she's hurt?

Another 'tut' confirms my fears, and my razor slips again, giving me a matching cut on my other cheek, but I don't care.

I drop to the floor immediately, studying Tifa's feet. She hisses again, her toes scrunching up, and that's when I see it.

She turns away, so I'm looking at her ankles, and there's a pinkish tint to the water running down the back of her legs.

Blood.

...granted, very watered out, seemingly minuscule amount of blood, but that doesn't stop me.

I reach out before I've even thought about it, jerking back the curtain.

"Are you okay?"

Thank God that she's turned around, and thank God her hair's grown back out again...or else I would be dead now.

I see what's cause the pain, bloody nicks on the back of her knees, and a razor cluctched in her left hand.

But it's the eyes.

I need to run, now.

But I'm frozen to the spot, I know my face is bleeding, and my mouth is open, and I know I'm staring, and she's staring, still in shock (once again, thank you God), but she's just so beautiful. Her hair is gleaming with water, and her lithe body is shimmering in the light.

It's then I notice her cheeks are burning, and she lets out this noise that could be associated with a dog whistle, only I can hear it.

An instant later the curtain has shut, and it sinks in with what I've done. I swallow, then watch as her hand tries to grab my neck through the curtain.

"Uh...sorry...I thought you were hurt." I hear myself mumble meekly.

"CLOUD STRIFE." Her words are way to annunciated for my liking.

Forget the shave...I don't need one today.