Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy: A Bond of Love	By : Bubblesoflove Category: Final Fantasy VII > Het - Male/Female > Cloud/Tifa Views: 1937 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
Chapter 10: A Choice to be made

�� Cloud��
Tifa whispered but Cloud�s eyes just closed once more as he fell back into a
deep sleep. Tifa reached out a hand and cupped Cloud�s cheek before she leaned
forward and pressed a kiss to his soft lips before she sat back just as a nurse
came in to check Cloud�s vital. She gave Tifa a kind smile as she walked over
to one of the cupboard and pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around the young
woman.
�� The doctor
told me that you were planning on spending the night. You�ll need this to keep
you warm,� the nurse told Tifa, who smiled her thanks, tightening the dark red
blanket around her shoulders and turned back to face Cloud.
�� The nurse
took Cloud vitals and made a note on the chart before she placed it back in its
slot at the end of the bed and left the room, leaving Tifa alone as she laid
her head down onto the bed, still holding onto Cloud�s hand as she closed her
eyes, finally allowing herself to fall into a sleep.
�� Zack and
Aerith were sitting on one of the couches that were supplied in the waiting
room for visitors that were waiting for news on their friends and family.
Aerith was cuddling into Zack�s side, humming a soft tune as she rested her
head on Zack�s shoulder while he looked off into space, his eyes dark as he was
lost in his thoughts.
�� Barrett and
Vincent were leaning against the walls opposite to each other in the room, both
of them lost in their thoughts while Yuffie and Red XII were on the floor,
sitting next to each other. Cid and Shera took up the other couch, both of them
were quietly conversing with each other while Cid snuck looks at Aerith and
Zack every now and then before he would hush, harshly, toward Shera, who shook
her head and replied in her own heated voice.
�� Zack and
Aerith weren�t listening to them as they tried to deal with everything that had
happened over the last few days. It was emotional, mentally and physically
draining that all they could do was try and recuperate and hope that it would
all work out in the end.
�� They knew of
the worries that the gang had, they had the same one but they couldn�t let it
take over their lives, Cloud was back and they needed to help him first if they
ever wanted to move on with their lives and help Cloud remember who he was.
�� Zack came
out of his thoughts when the door to Cloud�s room opened, revealing a woman
doctor with shoulder length straight blonde hair and deep brown eyes. She wore
black trousers and a white top with a white medical jacket.
�� How is he?�
Zack stood up as the doctor moved closer to them. Aerith also stood up, linking
her hand with Zack to give him strength and comfort. The doctor sighed.
�� He has been
exposed to Mako over and over again despite the fact that he has the pure �S�
cells inside of him,� The doctor told him.
�� S� Cells?�
Barrett asked as he pulled away from the wall to move closer to the trio. The
others had also moved over.
�� Jenova
cells � he and Zack were two of the successful attempts � Sephiroth was the
other one,� Vincent spoke up. The doctor nodded, backing up Vincent�s
statement.
�� We have
looked over the folder that you have brought us,� she turned back to Zack. �Our
researchers checked the reports and their findings back up what Hojo had done
to Mr. Strife. We are concerned about that fact that he had been programmed to
believe that he is �Sephiroth� but our therapists might be able to help Cloud
remember more about himself,� the doctor explained.
�� What about
Angeal and Genesis?� Cid asked, knowing of the other two.
�� Their
bodies couldn�t cope � they had signs of degradation � the cells weren�t compatible
with theirs,� Vincent explained. �No one knows for sure why Zack, Cloud and
Sephiroth were the ones who could handle it.�
�� Hojo
experimented on Cloud and I. I was confused to how Hollander knew about it when
he found me in Gongaga �I just assumed that they were working together,� Zack
said, looking at Vincent, who shook his head.
�� Hojo was
more advance in the Mako and Jenova, not that anyone knew. Hojo had spent years
perfecting his mako theories and studies. Hollander went wrong with a theory
and in the process, caused the degradation of the studies,� Vincent explained.
�� Of course,
we will have to do more tests and Mr Strife needs to recover. I am hoping that
once he is awake, we will gain a better idea of what to do next,� the doctor
received a page and apologise. �I must go.� She brushed past them to get to her
destination while everyone returned to their original spots, more questions
running around in their heads.
�� Tifa gave a
soft sigh as she stirred, lifting her head as she blinked in the bright
sunlight before turning to see that Cloud was still sleeping soundless but
colour had flooded back to his cheeks, giving him a healthier glow. Tifa stood
up, the blanket falling down to the chair before she bent over and pressed a
kiss to Cloud�s cheek and left the room only to see the gang sprawled all over
the place, sleeping.
�� Tifa
couldn�t help the smile as she leaned the side of her body against the doorway,
taking in the sight only to hear a soft groan come from behind. She turned
around to see Cloud was now stirring awake. She pulled away from the doorway
and made her way back into the room so when Cloud opened his eyes, he wouldn�t
be confused and scared.
�� Cloud opened
his eyes, blinking as the bright sunlight hit them and he turned his head away
from the window and saw Tifa was standing next to him with a soft smile on her
face as she looked down at him. Cloud�s brows furrowed in confusion for a
moment before her name came to his mind and relaxed.
�� Tifa,� he
croaked. Tifa smiled widely as she sat down on the edge of the bed, taking one
of his hands into hers.
�� How are you
feeling?� Tifa asked.
�� Fuzzy,�
admitted Cloud and Tifa nodded in understanding.
�� That�ll be
the medicine that the doctor put you on,� Tifa told him as she lifted her other
hand and cupped his cheek. �Why did you look confused when you saw me?� Cloud
shifted his eyes to the side.
�� Some�things
are fuzzy. It took a bit to remember your name,� confessed Cloud, shame clear
on his face that he couldn�t remember her. Tifa sighed as she turned Cloud�s
face so he was looking at her.
�� It�s
expected Cloud,� assured Tifa. �You went under a lot of things for the last
nine years. I didn�t expect you to remember everything and everyone all at the
one time.� Cloud sighed.
�� Nine years?
That�s all?� Cloud whispered before he shook his head. �It felt like so much
longer.� Tifa was about to say something when the door opened and they turned
to see the doctor standing in the doorway.
�� Morning,�
she smiled when she saw that her patient was awake and she made her way over to
them so she could check on his vitals. Once she had done so, she turned to
Tifa. �Miss Lockhart, could you please wait outside?� Tifa nodded, squeezed
Cloud�s hand in comfort before she made her way out of the room, leaving the
doctor along with her patient.
�� After an
hour, the doctor finally came out of Cloud�s room only to be surrounded by the
gang.
�� Is Cloud
alright?� Zack asked and the doctor sighed.
�� He is
suffering from some memory loss. He admits that he needs some time to remember
names but they do come to him in time. His blood pressure is also higher than I
like and his tests results have shown a lot of information, some which I will
need to sort out before I can give informed information,� the doctor explained.
�� But Cloud
will be okay?� Tifa brought the conversation back to the original one at hand.
She needed to know that Cloud was going to survive�that she wasn�t going to
lose him a second time. The doctor sighed as she brought her hands down to her
side.
�� I�m afraid
Cloud has severe Mako addiction due to the prolonged exposures when he was in
the tubes. By the medical records � it looks like they had been injecting him
with large doses of Mako in order to keep him sane and stable � without it, I�m
afraid I don�t know how he will react,� the doctor explained.
�� Will he
live?� Cid asked.
�� It�s not
that I�m worried about�it�s the instability of not having Mako injection � he
could go insane,� the doctor said.
�� Like
Sephiroth,� Barrett said but Zack shook his head.
�� Sephiroth
wasn�t insane,� everyone looked at him. �He had found out that his entire life
was a lie, that he was the Son of Jenova � that what drove him to control the
world because he believed it was his duty as the son of Jenova to do so,� Zack
explained.
�� Who to say
that Cloud won�t do the same?� Barrett demanded. �You just said he had Jenova
Cells inside of him.�
�� Because he
remembers me,� Tifa jumped in, startling everyone. �He remembers me � that�s a
sign that he is still Cloud, that can he be Cloud once more.� The doctor
nodded.
�� The fact
that Cloud had a trigger reaction due to hearing Tifa�s name and reached out to
her is a good sign that Cloud hasn�t been completely submersed in the
experiments, that a part of him is holding on,� the doctor explained. �I do
want to keep him in for observation then you will need to decide where Cloud is
going to stay.�
�� He�ll stay
with us,� Aerith spoke up, placing her hands on Zack�s arm, looking up at him.
Zack gave a short nod and she turned to face the doctor. �He�ll be safe with
us.�
�� Like hell��
Barret started but shut up when he got a firm glare from Aerith. Aerith
understood that he was worried about Marlene being around Cloud but she firmly
believed that Cloud needed to be around people he knew and the children would
be good for him.
�� Okay, I
will go and get the tests and scans ordered then I will base my decision on
when he can go home then,� the doctor bowed her head before walking away,
leaving the gang alone. Zack and Tifa moved over to the couch while everyone
turned to Aerith.
�� There are
no way on hell you allowing that�that�project stay at your house where Marlene
is staying,� Barret growled, making it very clear that he intended to win this
argument.
�� Fine then,�
Aerith said, startling everyone. �As you are so scared about Marlene � you can
take her with you on your missions.�
�� You know I
can�t do that!� Barret roared. Aerith just planted her hands on her hips.
�� Find
someone else to take her in since you don�t want her to be around Cloud �
either way Barret, Cloud is staying with us.�
�� He�s a
danger!� Barret shouted as he moved closer to Aerith only to stop when Zack
stood up and flashed dark eyes toward the older man. Aerith didn�t notice this
as she continued to stare Barret down.
�� Cloud
Strife is someone who had undergone nine years of experiments and was forced to
believe that he was Sephiroth � he stopped when Zack mentioned Tifa�s name and
he saw Tifa � he wouldn�t harm Tifa and in the process, he won�t harm the
children,� Aerith listed off.
�� You don�t
know that,� Barret grumbled.
�� I do,�
Aerith said. �I had a dream that Cloud was still alive and he was calling for
help � that tells me that Cloud is still there and he will come back with the
right people and the right help and these children will be an asset to his
healing.�
�� Aerith,�
Cid started but Aerith shook it off.
�� I had a
dream before � it involved Zack, Cloud and Tifa � that was how I knew something
was wrong with Zack a month before he came to me. I didn�t listen then and I
made a vow that I wouldn�t make the same mistake,� Aerith told them. �Cloud
needs us. We are not going to turn him away because you are scared � we can�t
live our lives in fear for the rest of our lives.�
�� Barrett just
watched her before a dark look crossed his face and he stalked away from the
group, muttering under his breath over at being overruled by Aerith. All he
wanted to do was protect his little girl and he knew that by having Cloud in
the house was going to get them killed�one way or another and he wasn�t going
to stand by and let that happened, not on his own life. He decided that he
would try and reason with Aerith at a later date, she was obviously too
emotional to make any rational decisions.
�� Zack had turned
to look through the window at Cloud partially sitting up and looking out of the
window. Aerith moved up behind Zack and placed a hand on the back of his right
shoulder.
�� You should
go in,� Aerith urged. Zack stiffened under her hand as he began to shake his
head but Aerith with stubborn. �Zack � you need this, both you and Cloud need
this. It�s the only way you can forgive yourself and help Cloud to overcome his
hurdles that will appear in his path.
�� Zack sighed
as he pulled away from Aerith and over to the door. The door slid opened,
allowed Zack to make his way into the room as Cloud turned to face the new
visitor.
�� Cloud,�
Zack moved over to the bed and sat down. Cloud looked at him, confused for a
moment before a grin made its way onto his face.
�� Zack,�
Cloud greeted.
�� Long time,
no see,� joked Zack before he blanched, causing Cloud to chuckle, amused over
Zack trying to be himself. Zack ended up sighing as he looked at Cloud before
looking away, unable to face him. �Listen man�I just wanted to apologise for
leaving you behind � I was told that you were�� Zack started.
�� They knew,�
Cloud interrupted him. Zack looked at him confused. �They wanted you to believe
I was dead. Apparently you were fighting the Mako and Jenova cells and they
wanted to break you down. They were hoping that by telling you that I was dead
would make you lose your fight but it did the opposite.� Zack felt sick.
�� They did it
on purpose?� Zack asked and Cloud nodded. Zack shook his head. �I�m sorry; I
should have fought harder to find you.� Cloud shook his head.
�� You
wouldn�t have,� Cloud admitted. �They had me in a different building. They only
moved me after you left.�
�� They really
planned it out, didn�t they?� muttered Zack as he shook his head once more,
trying to deal with the fact that they had hoped that Zack would have given up
and given in to the experiments by telling him that Cloud was dead�that they
had planned the dead body.
�� Hey�at
least you got me this time and you kept your promise�� Cloud whispered. Zack looked
up at him in time to see Cloud smile. �You protected Tifa for me�that�s all I
wanted.� Zack nodded as a slow smile crossed his face.
�� Yeah�but
that wasn�t an easy task in itself,� Zack joked. Cloud laughed in agreement,
both of them feeling a sense of normalcy since they had been separated. Unknown
to them, Aerith and Tifa were cuddling into each other, side by side, as they
watched the men they love slowly get acquainted once more.
�� Everyone
found themselves in the waiting room once more when the doctor arrived to check
over Cloud and explain her finding to him. Zack was sitting on the couch while
Barrett paced, obviously still upset with Aerith�s overruling him about Cloud
coming home with them when they heard cheerful whistling coming along the hallway
and they turned to see Reno making his way over to them.
�� Well, well,
well, looks like the whole gang is here,� Reno stated with a bright smile only
for it to dim when hands wrapped themselves around his shirt and pinned his
back against the wall with a hard thud.
�� What the
hell are you doing here?� Zack hissed out, glaring at Reno with hate clear in
his eyes.
�� Zack!�
Aerith and Tifa hurried forward as they tried to get Zack off Reno but were
unsuccessful.
�� Rufus sent
us down,� Reno said only to realise his mistake when he heard Zack growl as his
teeth gritted together.
�� You can go
and tell Rufus he can drop dead�again,� Zack gritted out, his fists clenching
tighter. �And it�s not thanks to him that we managed to save Cloud.�
�� Come on
man, you believe he was dead so there was no point in anyone telling you that
he was still alive,� Reno muttered as Zack dropped him only for his face to
snap sideway under Tifa�s right hook.
�� There was a
point in telling me!� Tifa seethed. �He was my lover and the father of my baby
� I spent nine years mourning for him when I could have spent nine years with
him after saving him � Rufus robbed me of that chance and he robbed nine years
of Cloud�s life. He better not come anywhere near Cloud or he will have me to
deal with.� Tifa spun on her heels and walked away with Zack following her.
�� You�re
wasting your time,� Aerith spoke up; she had seen how Rude was eyeing Tifa.
Rude turned to face her. �Her heart, body and soul are only for Cloud. You have
no chance so move on and find someone else before I remove your eyes,
permanently.�
�� She does
have a mouth�right?� Reno spoke up in defence of his friend. �She can make her
choice.� Aerith gave him a cold smile.
�� Cloud, the
man who saved her life and was the father of her child or Rude, someone who
participated in kidnapping Cloud and held him hostage for nine years without
telling any of us that he was still alive � someone who made us thinks he was
dead?� Aerith listed off, watching as they paled. �Who the hell do you think
she will chose?� with that, she turned on her heels and walked away from the
Turks, making it very clear that none of them were welcomed there and they were
to leave as soon as possible while they could under their own control.
�� They needed
to report back to Rufus that Aerith, Zack and Tifa would not welcome him in to
their home any time soon.

TBC

Sorry for the slight Rude bashing but I don�t really like the
Turks.
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Final Fantasy: A Bond of Love