Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Ballad of a Fallen Angel	By : ModeOfAdam Category: Final Fantasy VII > General Views: 633 -:- 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
- 2
- 3
- 4
Ballad of A Fallen Angel

Disclaimer: I own not Final Fantasy, nor any of its
characters. Oh, yet how I long too. Alas, it is not to be. Oi, anyway, on with
the fic.

Chapter Two

Tifa sat in
the air car waiting for Aeris and Cloud to join them. Just sitting there got
her antsy and a familiar emotion began to creep into her chest. She�d like to
think she wasn�t a particularly jealous person, but she would turn into a
raving green-eyed monster whenever Aeris was within five feet from Cloud. At
first she only felt anger towards the other woman, but as time went by they
bonded more on their journey. In fact all three girls got quite close in their
short time together. Their mission was a hard one, and being a woman did have a
few more drawbacks when it came to these matters.

She sighed.
It was so unfair. She was just as strong as any man, in fact stronger than
most, yet it was expected that she stand back and let a man protect her.

�Fat chance.� Tifa huffed to herself. �I came in knowing all
the dangers I�d have to face. I�m not just going to sit back and let the men
have all the fun.� She remembered the last time Cloud used the Cover Materia
and how badly the three girls chewed him out for it. Ah, yes, but back to the
matter at hand, Tifa had a way of going off on tirades.

Aeris. Yes,
that was it. She used to loathe the flower girl, but as time grew Tifa found
herself warming up to her. She�d felt guilty whenever those jealous pangs
reared their ugly head. With a dejected sigh she looked down at her lap.

�They deserve each other. I could never fill that void in
Cloud�s life. But God, did I try�� Tifa flexed and unflexed her gloved hands,
as if trying to will away the unshed tears. �I just couldn�t do it, is all. No
big deal. We�re still friends. Aeris will make him happier than I ever could.
That�s all that matters��

Tifa wiped
at her eyes. She really hated when she got down on herself like that. Normally
her next thought would be something along the lines of �What�s she got that I
don�t got?� Thus starting the never-ending cycle of self-loathing and pity
anew. She was sick of it.

�It�s better that I just move on. I shouldn�t squander away
the rest of my youth waiting for a man that will never come.� She reasoned to
herself, looking up at the sky. It was twilight and the first stars were
beginning to shine in the purple twinged sky.

�Those stars�� They brought back so many memories, good and
bad. But one was treasured above all others. �He promised.�

�Whenever I�m in trouble, my hero will come and rescue
me.�

A promise
from long ago came to the surface. Cloud had promised to Tifa he would protect
her. Though it might seem silly to other people she still cherished that
moment. That was the Cloud she loved, her hero, her knight in shining armor. No
amount of discouragement would make her give up on him. With newfound resolve
Tifa made a promise with herself.

�Tonight. Tonight I�ll tell him I love him. And nothing is
going to stop me.� She saw Aeris approach out of the corner of her eye. A faint
smirk played on Tifa�s lips.

�Aeris Gainsborough, I�m not letting you have him without a
fight.�

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Aeris walked into the air car and
seated herself next to Tifa. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts she
didn�t even notice Tifa trying to hide a very mischievous looking grin. Her
thoughts were still on Cloud. Something was really bothering him the past few
days, and it was driving Aeris crazy she didn�t know what. He�s been particularly
jumpy, too. Like something is out to get him. Perhaps it was just paranoia, but
even a silly thing like that had to be based on some truth. Aeris let out a
frustrated sigh, she was so sick of all these secrets.

�Something wrong, Aeris?� Yuffie called out from behind her.
Aeris snapped out of her thoughts and slightly turned her head to the young
ninja.

�No, everything is fine.� She said quietly. �Whose keeping
secretes now?� She felt like such a hypocrite. �Time to practice what you preach.�
She turned her body to fully face Yuffie, a frustrated look on her delicate
features.

�No, actually, everything isn�t fine.� She corrected
herself, thus gaining the attention of the rest of the air car.

�Well, what�s wrong then?� Yuffie asked again. Aeris sighed
and shook her head.

�Its Cloud.� Tifa�s posture straightened considerably and
her fists tightened in her lap.

�What about Cloud?� She asked calmly, but it had a dangerous
edge to it. Aeris didn�t seem to notice it though.

�He�s been so distant as of late, even more than usual.
Something is really bothering him, but he won�t tell me what.� Tifa�s eyes
narrowed, anger bubbling up inside her. �What makes her think she has the right
to know?�

�I wonder why, you damn sl-�

�What?� Aeris cut Tifa off, unable to hear her mumbled
reply.

�I said I wonder what could be bothering him.� Tifa replied
with a less then genuine smile.

�Then you�ve noticed it too?� Aeris asked. She looked so
worried.

�I have.� Tifa answered seriously, guilt slowly ate away at
her. All those thoughts of insulting the flower girl completely disappeared
when it came to the subject of her leader�s well fare. Okay, well, almost
completely.

�Who knows what�s goin� on in dat spiky head of his.� Barret
piped up from the other side of the car. Cid nodded in agreement.

�Best to just let him be for now. You know how damn huffy he
gets when it comes to his personal business.� Tifa groaned at Cid�s advice. She
didn�t like taking a passive role. �You got a better idea?!� He shot back at
her. Tifa just stuck her tongue out, apparently an acceptable answer because
Cid kept quiet.

�Well, I�m not just going to sit back and let Cloud brood
over all his problems.� Aeris didn�t like the passive role either, it seemed.

�Then what do you plan on doing?� Vincent�s smooth voice
interjected, making her jump a bit. She�d almost forgotten he was there. �You
can�t just pry your way in and expect answers.� Aeris lowered her eyes to her
lap. He did have a point.

�I� have to do something. I can�t just watch him suffer like
this.� Tifa looked sympathetically at the other girl, no longer having the will
to be angry with her. �Maybe tonight I could-�

�Hey Cloud! How ya doin� pal?!� Cait Sith yelled, cutting
Aeris off as he saw Cloud about to board the car. Tifa spotted him and started
to cough a bit, trying to cover up Aeris� statement, although she was more than
curious as to what the rest of it was. The others caught on and either whistled
or smiled sheepishly, eyes adverted. Except for Vincent, who opted to just sit
there and pretend he was invisible, something he had a real talent for. Cloud
eyed them all suspiciously. Something was obviously up.

�Did I miss something?� He finally asked. The only reply he
got was more coughs and louder, almost panicked whistling.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Music could
be heard, its upbeat tempo and cheery melody trying to get everyone in the mood
to spend their money. From the air car the huge, gold, branch-like extensions
were lighting up the night sky. The massive truck springing out of the sand, as
if it was the only thing that could survive in this unforgiving desert, and
perhaps it was. With millions upon millions of stars as its backdrop the Gold
Saucer glowed in all its glory.

On any
other day the gold monstrosity would enthrall Cloud. But he had a lot on his
mind at the moment, namely a silver haired, green-eyed general to be more
specific. Cloud thought he had buried those old feelings for him, and he had.
But apparently someone wasn�t too happy about that. They used to go to the Gold
Saucer a lot. Cloud once won 20,000 gil at the Chocobo Races. After that his
friends called him a walking good luck charm, and insisted he come along with
them on their gambling escapades. And for the most part they usually won. Cloud
smiled slightly at that memory.

Cloud
looked out of the window at the huge trunk. He saw thousands of people out on
the balconies, most of whom were couples. Yeah, he used to have a lot of
fun here. From the Battle Arena to Wonder Square, they would spend countless
hours together, just the two of them. Cloud blushed, remembering how they made
full use of the shackles on the wall at the hotel.

Cloud felt
a warm, fuzzy feeling form in his stomach as he remembered the way those strong
arms would hold him close, safe from the harsh world outside. Only he could
make Cloud feel that way. God, he loved him so much, and he still did. He was a
fool to think he could ever bury and forget those feelings.

�I�m so sorry�� He whispered under his breath. The air car�s
mechanics were too loud for anyone to have heard him. �I didn�t mean to��

�Didn�t mean to what, Cloud?� Yuffie popped her head next to
Cloud�s. Apparently the ninja either had superior hearing or she was very
nosey. Probably both.

�Nothing Yuffie. Don�t worry about it.� She pouted but
didn�t argue otherwise. Instead she changed the subject, which Cloud was more
than willing to do.

�Hey Cloud, you really think Dio will give us the Key Stone?
I mean, it�s for a good cause and all, but still, I don�t think he�ll give it
to us so easily.�

�It won�t be that hard.�

�I dunno, Cloud.� She replied as she jumped into the empty
seat next to him. �He is a freak in a Speedo after all.�

�Yuffie!� Cloud laughed remembering the odd owner of the
Gold Saucer. He did have an exceptional fashion sense. Exceptionally bad, yet
still exceptional. �Oh well.� He thought. �The rich are always a little
eccentric.�

The air car
finally docked and the group exited. After a man in a giant Chocobo suit gave
them the customary greeting, they paid the lady at the entrance for their
passes. They walked into the station. It was unusually empty for this time of
day, or night, there wasn�t even the usual employee there to direct them. He
guessed it was just a slow night.

�Hey Cloud, do you have any idea where Dio might be?� Tifa
asked as she looked around the room at all the different shoots. [I know that
isn�t the proper spelling. So shot me. Wah! Bad pun!] Cloud thought for a
second.

�No idea. Let�s just try all of �em.� Cloud finally said as
he jumped into the closest tube, which just happened to be for the Chocobo
Races.

�Yo Cloud! Wait up, foo�!� Barret called as he and the
others followed down after him. The group ran up the many stairs and caught up
to Clod as he was approaching the woman at the desk.

�Christ Cloud! What�s gotten into you?!� Cid gasped out in
between wheezes. He really needed to cut down on the cigarettes.

�Nothing.� Cloud replied, barely turning his head to look at
them. �Just want to get this over with is all.�

�Can I help you?� The young lady behind the desk asked.
Cloud nodded his head.

�Yeah. Do you happen to know where-�

�Do I know you from somewhere?� The woman asked, interrupting
Cloud.

�Excuse me?� Cloud blinked, a puzzled look on his face. The
woman squinted and leaned forward a bit in order to get a better look. Then a
look of realization lit up her face.

�Yeah! I remember you! You always used to come here with
your friends. Didn�t you win 20,000 gil here once?� Cloud nodded, astounded
that the woman would ever remember him. �Yeah� you were always with that cute
guy with the long hair, too. Where is he?� She asked, looking around Cloud to
the group behind him.

�Umm� I think you have me mistaken with someone else.� Cloud
broke in quickly, looking a little nervous.

�No, no. It was defiantly you. I remember every cute couple
I see, and you two were hands down the cutest.�

�Couple?!� Tifa and Aeris shouted at the same time, disbelief
written all over their faces. Cloud winced.

�What was his name again? Seifer�? No. Steiner�? Nah�� She
thought out loud, counting off the names on her fingers. Cid looked down for a
moment, trying to think as well.

�Squall?� He asked, trying to be helpful.

�No.�

�Seymour?�

�No, that wasn�t it.�

�Uhh� Sephi-�

�It doesn�t really matter what his name was, does it?� Cloud
quickly cut in. The woman looked at him and seemed to get what he was hinting
at.

�Oh, I�m sorry. Did you two break up?� She asked softly.
Cloud�s eye twitched.

�Yeah� something like that.� He replied through clenched
teeth.

�What?!� Tifa gaped at him as Aeris just stared at the back
of his head unblinking.

�Oh, that�s too bad. You two looked so adorable together.�
Was this woman for real? Cloud thought, his patience wearing thin.

�I remember you two would attract a crowd whenever you would
make ou-�

�Look lady, do you know where the hell Dio is or not?!�
Cloud shouted before she could say anymore to embarrass him. He slammed his
hands down on the desk and glared at her. She jumped and stared at him, eyes
wide.

�W-why do you want to see Dio?� She croaked out, shrinking
away from the man in front of her.

�None of your goddamn business!� He spat back. �You�ve
already wasted enough of my time, so if I don�t get some answers soon I�ll-�

�He�s in the Show Room!� She screamed as Cloud moved closer.
�He�s in the Show Room at the Battle Arena! Just go! Please!� She looked
frantic. Cloud�s eyes glowed dangerously; he had just about enough of this. He
turned and walked away, people scampered out of his way.

The rest of
AVALANCHE just stared at Cloud�s retreating form, still trying to figure out
what just happened. Red XIII quickly regained his composure and apologized to
the young woman, hoping she wouldn�t get them kicked out again. Yet she seemed
even more disturbed that a giant red dog was talking to her. Tifa and Aeris
looked at each other, their jaws slacked, hoping they didn�t hear right.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cloud
stormed into the lobby of the Battle Arena, his eyes burned like blue flames.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched the blonde cautiously. His
anger flared when he remembered how close that bimbo was to telling them his
secret. None of them had the right to know. How dare she?! He looked around for
the entrance for the Show Room. People were watching him. He hated it
when people stared at him.

�Then calm down for Christ�s sake!� His mind shouted at him.
Cloud closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He slowly regained his composure
and slipped that indifferent mask back on all too easily. But the anger was
still there, threatening to lash out at the next person foolish enough to even
whisper something about him.

He opened
his eyes again and everyone quickly turned, pretending they never noticed him.
Good. Cloud walked over to the Show Room, and sure enough, there was Dio,
orange Speedo and all. He recognized Cloud as soon as he entered the room, but
he felt something was off.

�I heard you have the Key Stone, Dio.� Cloud�s eyes held a
dangerous spark to them. Dio just nodded dumbly. �How much do you want for it?�

�I�m afraid it�s not for sale.� Dio said, gathering up all
his nerves.

�I don�t think you heard me. I said how much do you want for
it?� Cloud growled. He wasn�t in the mood for haggling with the other man. Dio
took a step back, warily eyeing the huge sword on the blonde�s back.

�Now, now boy. I�m sure there�s some deal we can work out.�
Dio gulped, trying to think fast. �Ah! How about this? You seem like a strong
boy, how about you fight the monsters in the Battle Arena. I always love a good
show. Of course I�ll let you borrow the Key Stone if you do.� Cloud looked at
Dio for a moment, he squirmed under the blonde�s intense gaze. Then Cloud smirked.

�You�ve got a deal. I need to blow off some steam anyway.�
Dio breathed a sigh of relief then showed him the way to the Arena.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Aeris still
couldn�t believe it. Wouldn�t believe it. That woman had no idea what she was
talking about. But then why did Cloud react the way he did? Sure, he never
seemed to respond whenever she or Tifa would flirt with him, but she always
just thought he was shy, either that or completely oblivious. But now it did
seem to make a little more sense. She just found the perfect guy and now she
finds out he plays for the other team. Agh! It was all so frustrating.

�Well, you�re the one that wanted to know all about his
past, weren�t you?� Aeris sighed, she had asked for this. But she certainly
didn�t expect the answers she got. �I�m not going to abandon Cloud now, though.
Not after all we�ve been through.� She thought to herself. �Nothing can change
my opinion of him. He�s still the most amazing man I know. And hell, maybe it
isn�t even true.� Aeris prided herself on being an optimist.

After they
had successfully calmed the woman behind the counter down, they set off towards
the Battle Arena. Hopefully they would get there before Cloud killed someone.
Until then they just hoped he kept his anger contained.

�Do you really think Cloud� you know, swings that way?�
Yuffie asked, making suggestive movements with her hands. �I mean, its not a
big deal or any-�

�No!� Tifa barked, cutting the ninja off. �No way, no how.
Cloud�s not like that. Why would he ever want to� Ugh.� She sounded like she
was trying to convince herself more than Yuffie.

�Well, back then, I mean. When he was in Shinra. Maybe he
was just lonely, you know?�

�No! Nothing happened then, nothing is going to happen now!�
Tifa shouted back. Yuffie jumped behind Vincent, using him as her shield from
the terror know as Tifa.

Aeris
watched as Tifa growled and stomped off ahead of them. The anger seemed to
radiate off of her. She was hurt and confused under all that anger. Aeris felt
bad for her, she probably had no idea what to think. Everyone else remained
silent, almost scared to say something.

�I guess they think I�m going to blow up next.� She was
amused by that thought. But the question still remained. What exactly happened
in his past? Aeris didn�t want to believe anything until she heard it directly
from him. She was determined to find out, too.

�Tonight. Tonight I�ll take Cloud out and ask him what
really happened.�

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sephiroth
watched as Tifa screamed at her friends. She was so easy to rile up. Really,
believing in silly rumors, what sort of friend was she? He smiled as she tried
to fool herself. If she only knew how true those rumors were.

�Cloud will never be yours, girl. He belongs to me.� He
smiled. The time to make his move was close at hand, he could feel it. �But
tonight, I think a special visit is in order.�

<><><><><><><>

Author�s Note: Oooo! I smell a lemon in the near future! But
you�ll have to wait for that. Thanks to everyone who read this fic. Its not
that great, but I hope you�re somewhat amused by it. Anyways! The next chapter
will be up soon, so have no fear. See ya then.
- 2
- 3
- 4
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

Ballad of a Fallen Angel