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Premonitions: Uncut	By : Hippo_and_Friends_with_Benefits Category: Final Fantasy VII > General Views: 3901 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 45
- 46
- 47
Chapter 46: The Inner Light II: The Truth Revealed
JUNE, 1995...
Two eight-year-olds sat by the well.
"If anyone ever bullies us," said Cloud, "I'm gonna punch him in the belly, and kick him in the butt, and break his nose, and break his two feet, and break open his skull so I can see his brain!"
"I'll just tell an adult," Tifa insisted.
PRESENT DAY...
Cid came down one of the Highwind's central corridors to see Yuffie seemingly staring into the wall. She was facing it directly, and her eyes were seemingly glued to it.
"Is something the matter?" he asked, showing a rare moment of concern.
As those words left his mouth, he could see that she was staring at a large, mechanical double door.
"Why is this the only door on this ship that's sealed to the point that not even I can pry it open?" she asked. "What have they got back there?"
"Ask Cait Sith," Cid replied. "He'll know."
Of course, she felt as if that was a cheat. Minutes fell off the clock as she continued to stare.
And then, something completely unexpected happened. Tifa appeared. She looked okay physically, but her eyes seemed extremely troubled. She looked as if she had been delivered the worst news of her life.
"My God!" Yuffie cried. "What happened?! Is Cloud okay?"
Tifa nodded. "He's fine."
"Are you okay?" was her next question.
"We're all okay," Tifa replied. She then gave another troubled look. "For the time being."
Yuffie was perplexed. "I don't understand."
Tifa nodded again. "Let's go to the bridge," she said. "We'll explain everything."
Yuffie obeyed and began to make her way towards the bridge, wondering what they were going to say.
SOME TIME EARLIER, IN THE LIFESTREAM...
It was indeed a beautiful world. Neither Cloud nor Tifa had seen anything like it, and they doubted that they ever would again. Still, both knew they could not stay there forever.
Cloud had had little time to take the amazement in. He had just been broken apart and put back together. But now, he had a job to do. And after that, he had a life to live.
"How do we get back?" he finally uttered, addressing the companion that was with him.
"I think we swim upward," Tifa replied.
They both looked upward, ready to ascend. And then, Tifa's attention was suddenly drawn toward the west.
"What is it?" asked Cloud, noticing her expression before seeing for himself what it was.
A figure was materializing. It looked like Tifa, only much older. And it took but a moment for both of them to realize who it was.
It was Claire.
"Tifa," she began.
"Mom?" Tifa choked as tears immediately came to her eyes.
Of course, thought Cloud. The souls of the dead are here.
"You're here to see me?" Tifa continued, holding back more tears.
"I've always been watching over you," Claire assured her. "But I wanted you to see me."
Tifa desperately wanted to hug her mother, but she was floating out of her reach.
"I missed you, mom," she said sadly.
"I missed you more," Claire replied.
"Where's dad?" Tifa asked.
"I never found him here," Claire replied sadly. "Even in death, he avoids me."
Tifa gave Claire a sad look. Despite his behavior, she was hoping to see Brian as well.
"But you're who I really wanted to see," Claire continued.
Tifa felt speechless. She never expected to ever see her mother again in her lifetime. And then, she realized what she had wanted to say ever since the day she died.
"I'm sorry I told you what I told you," she sobbed. "If I didn't, you wouldn't have driven..."
"This was your father's doing," Claire interrupted. "Not yours."
Tifa tried to say something, but she was unable to find the words.
"I was still able to watch over you," her mother continued. "To see you grow up."
Her daughter tried to smile.
"And what a fine young woman you've grown into," Claire observed. "Look at you. My God, your boobs are bigger than mine!"
Tifa blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"But I mainly wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for what you're doing for the Planet."
"Thanks," Tifa replied.
"And what you just did for Cloud," Claire continued. "That was amazing. You're such an incredible friend to him."
She then turned to Cloud.
"Brian said to stay away from Tifa," Claire began.
With that, she disappeared.
"I say stay as close to her as humanly possible!" her voice finished.
And then, not one, but two individuals materialized. It was Biggs and Wedge.
"Hey guys!" the former greeted.
Both Cloud and Tifa were silent. A sense of guilt remained over them.
"You're all doing great," Wedge said. "We didn't expect this whole thing to run away with itself. Blowing up reactors was easy. Had we known this would be how things would turn out..."
"Just admit it," Biggs interjected. "We would have quit."
"I would not!" Wedge snapped.
"It did get really complicated," Cloud finally said, trying to smile.
Tifa, meanwhile, stood solemnly. "I'm really sorry, you guys," she said. She still felt responsible.
"Don't be," insisted Biggs. "We wanted to join. We knew the risks."
"If the Planet died," added Wedge, "we'd die anyway. I'm just happy I went fighting."
Tifa tried to smile. And then, she realized who was missing.
"Jessie couldn't make it?" she asked.
"Well," replied Wedge, "I suppose we can share the good news."
"Jessie's still among the living!" Biggs announced.
"She's alive?!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Where is she?" Tifa asked.
Both Biggs and Wedge disappeared.
"You'll meet her again when the time is right," Biggs's voice said.
"Trust us," Wedge's voice added. "If you save the Planet, we won't have died in vain!"
Tifa turned to Cloud. Now she was able to smile. "Jessie's alive!" she happily exclaimed.
"How did she survive?" Cloud asked.
"I guess we'll find out when we meet her again," she replied.
They barely noticed the figure materializing in front of them. Cloud was the first to do so.
It was a shorter figure. It was blond. It had a mustache. And it was wearing a red suit.
"President Shinra?!" Tifa exclaimed.
He gave Cloud a sad look before vanishing. Not a word was spoken.
"What the hell would he want with us?" Cloud asked.
"He was looking at you," Tifa pointed out.
Just then, another figure began to materialize. It was a shorter figure. It was blond. But it was not President Shinra.
It was Claudia.
"Hello, son," she began.
"Hey mom," Cloud greeted. He had trouble making eye contact. He was trying to think of what to say.
"You've grown even more," Claudia observed. "I hope this gets that image of my charred corpse out of your head."
Tifa giggled and shook her head. Even in death, Claudia was a trip.
"Now, don't feel bad for me," Claudia continued. "You need to look ahead. I still think you need to settle down with a nice girlfriend, but I don't think you can do that if the Planet's too destroyed."
She then turned to his companion.
"And Tifa Lockheart," she continued, "thanks for taking care of my boy. I thought only an older girl could care for him like that. Well, shame on me."
Tifa smiled again. She had a parent's approval.
"But, Tifa, I'm jealous!" Claudia said. "Those ta-tas of yours!"
"My girls again!" sighed Tifa as she covered her face in her hands.
Cloud realized he needed to change the subject.
"I'm ready to save the world," he insisted. "As soon as we get out of this limbo."
Claudia gave her son a solemn look. She had never given him one before, even in life.
"I don't think you're ready to leave, yet," she said. "I think there's one more thing here that you have to take care of."
"What's that?" Cloud asked.
In response, Claudia pointed to the east.
It was the last thing that Cloud and Tifa had not yet explored. The dark, black cloud.
And as he watched, a path began to snake its way slowly down from the cloud until it connected to the platform.
Cloud quickly turned to address Claudia, but she had disappeared, leaving him alone with Tifa.
"Cloud," began Tifa. "What is that?"
"It's calling us," Cloud replied. "Listen."
Tifa did so. And she began to hear.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"I've been hearing that when I go to sleep a lot," Cloud said. "Ever since we blew up Reactor One. Ever since those premonitions began."
"I've been hearing it too," Tifa said. "Cloud...do you think that if we go in there, we'll find out why we've been having those premonitions?"
"I don't know," Cloud replied. "But there's only one way to find out."
And he took the first step.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
Tifa followed. She was not easily frightened, but she was feeling very uneasy. Unlike the three other scenes, there was no clue to what they might experience inside.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
Cloud and Tifa continued to ascend the path, and the cloud grew closer and closer. Tifa felt her heart beginning to beat faster. She slowly began to realize it. She was frightened.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
One step, then another. The cloud was only a few feet in front of them.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
They were now on the threshold to the cloud.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"How do we do this?" Tifa asked.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"You okay with counting to three?" asked Cloud.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
Tifa nodded.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"One," began Cloud.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"Two," continued Tifa.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
"Three," Cloud finished.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdk"
Both Cloud and Tifa entered at the same time.
"Rhdirbdkanfbfodjdbdkfofnfbfnfkcndbdbdmdkofjdanvdjskdsbvslkdhfvbkldfhbvlakhb"
INSIDE THE CLOUD...
"This day will never come again," said Tifa as she nestled her head on Cloud's shoulder, under the parked Highwind. "So let me have this moment."
AND...
"Oh Lady Luck," pleaded Cid as his cigarette fell from his mouth. "Don't fail me now!"
AND...
"If you want people to take this delivery service seriously, you can't be wearing a crop top anymore," Cloud insisted.
"But I..." Tifa pleaded.
"No buts," he interrupted. "Now lose the crop."
AND...
"I'm not fit to help anyone," Cloud said sadly. "Not my family. Not my friends. Nobody."
AND...
"Hello," greeted Reno as Bahamut Sin beckoned.
"Hell no!" shouted Rude.
AND...
"Forget your little reunion and get a grip!" Reno shouted.
AND...
"Time to go, Fenrir!" Cloud shouted from his motorcycle.
"All right!" shouted Barret.
"Yeah!" Tifa yelled.
AND...
"It can't be any more obvious," Denzel said. "Tifa likes you."
Cloud was silent.
"Well," Denzel continued, "aren't you going to tell her? Why don't you ask her out?"
"I treasure our friendship," Cloud replied. "Why spoil it?"
Denzel sighed. "Fish while they're biting, Cloud."
AND...
"I'm Bo," he greeted as they shook hands.
"I'm Tifa," she replied.
As their skin met, Tifa suddenly began to feel sparks fly through her body.
"I-it's nice to meet you," she stammered.
AND...
"Cloud," began Tifa as tears streamed down her face, "I'm so sorry."
Cloud turned to Bestla. "Reverse it!" he demanded. "Reverse it now!"
"Cloud," Tifa continued to sob, "it's too late. Listen…"
"Don't do this!" Cloud pleaded. "Please don't die!"
"Cloud, I have to," answered Tifa. "But before I go, I want you to know something…I wish….I wish….I wish I could have been with you…Cloud...I…will…always….love….you…OHHH!"
Those were Tifa's last words. Her body turned a light brown. Then she disintegrated into dust.
AND...
He immediately took a swipe at Bestla. She quickly jumped back out of harm's way. "Strike one, old man!"
Losing no time, Bestla made for her blaster. Cloud quickly placed himself between her and her destination. He took his sword and again struck at Bestla. She ducked with less than a second to spare, and promptly punched Cloud in the crotch. "Strike two!" she announced.
And then, suddenly, without warning, both Cloud and Bestla heard a loud BANG!
Cloud dropped the sword. Then he fell to his knees. Then he fell forward. Cloud did not move or speak. He was dead.
AND...
Both Cloud and Tifa were flung out of the cloud. They landed hard on the path, but not painfully.
As Cloud sat up, he saw the cloud begin to dissipate. Moments later, it was gone. It had served its purpose.
"What just happened?" asked Tifa, as she stood up and dusted her butt off.
"What did just happen?" Cloud repeated as he did the same.
"I don't know," Tifa replied, "but I feel different from before we went inside."
"Me, too," Cloud replied.
"Those voices we heard when we went to sleep," Tifa continued. "Those were OUR voices!"
"From the future," Cloud added. "We just saw the next nine years."
"These premonitions do have a cause," Tifa sighed, still taking everything in.
"By Bestla," Cloud added. "She's from the future, but she came back in time. And when she did, we all got premonitions that we lived through this before. Because we have. This soul-searching we're doing right now...we did it before."
"Except, no cloud," Tifa added. "That was new this time."
"Tifa," Cloud said, "I don't know about you, but I'm starting to remember."
"The future?" she asked.
"You got it," he replied. He could not describe how he was feeling about it.
Neither could she. "Me, too," she said.
"What are we going to do?" Cloud asked.
Tifa looked upward, and could suddenly see the surface. She realized where they both belonged.
"Well," she began, "we can't stay here, can we?"
Cloud shook his head. "We have work to do."
And before either of them knew it, they could feel themselves floating. Up, up, up, they went, and, as they looked down, they could see that the land they had been on had disappeared completely.
And then, they both perceived a blinding light.
BACK IN THE REAL WORLD...
"Yo!" called a loud bass. "You awright? Tifa?"
Tifa groaned as she opened her eyes. She realized she was laying in the grass, in the fetal position. Slowly, reality was beginning to return to her.
"Barret," she began as she pushed herself up. "You came back." She then immediately began to look around. "Cloud. Where is he?"
"Don't worry about him," Barret assured her. "He's a tough one."
"Barret," Tifa began as she stood on her feet. "When I was in the Lifestream, I saw the real Cloud. I mean, I didn't really find him. Cloud found himself on his own."
Barret sighed. "Awright, I know. I shouldn't have doubted him. But I can't win against you. You're some kinda lady."
"People have so many things pent up inside of themselves," the exhausted Tifa explained as she sat back down again. "And they can forget so many things. Strange, isn't it?"
She then lay down again, and closed her eyes.
"Yo, Tifa!" Barret exclaimed. "Snap outta it!"
She was asleep.
"Tifa!?"
LATER, ON THE BRIDGE OF THE HIGHWIND...
Cloud stood before everyone on the bridge. Everyone's eyes were on him, and he had their full attention. He was not nervous, nor was he unprepared. He owed them an explanation, and he was prepared to give one.
"Everyone," he began, "I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything, Cloud," Red XIII assured him. "All you've been doing is apologizing."
Everyone else nodded in unison.
"I never was in SOLDIER," Cloud continued. "I made up the stories..."
He stopped himself. At first, it felt as if he was having premonitions as before. But this time, it was different. It was very strong. He knew word for word what he was going to say.
"I made up the stories about what happened to me five years ago, about being in SOLDIER."
He stopped again. Word for word. These were beyond premonitions now. Ever since he had entered the dark cloud, his feeling for the future was sharp. He was wondering if Tifa felt the same.
"Are you alright, Cloud?" asked Red XIII.
"Just fine," he lied. "I left my village looking for glory, but never made it in to SOLDIER. I was so ashamed of being so weak. Then I heard this story from my friend Zack."
He felt as if he was in a play. He was saying what he knew he already had. As if he was supposed to say it.
"Fuck it," he said aloud. He was tired of following the script.
Everyone gave him a strange look. Nobody had any idea what was going through his mind.
Except for one.
"And I created an illusion of myself made up of what I had seen in my life. And I continued to play the charade as if it were true," a voice said.
Cloud remembered each word exactly. But he was not the one who said them. At least not this time.
Everyone directed their eyes to where the alto voice had come from.
It was Tifa who had said it.
Cloud gave her a look. She was indeed feeling the same why he was.
"What the fuck is going on?!" Cid demanded.
Both Cloud and Tifa were silent. The were realizing what happened simultaneously. Because they entered that cloud, they had gained information about the future. Sometimes, down to the last word.
"Cloud," Tifa finally began, "I think we need to tell them."
"Tell us what?" asked Yuffie. "You two know something we don't?"
Cloud nodded. "I know why we've all been having premonitions."
Someone had to ask the obvious question.
"Does it have something to do with our friend Bestla?" asked Cait Sith.
"It has a lot to do with her," Tifa replied.
Everyone focused their attention.
"The Bestla we met at the North Pole is from the future," Cloud continued. "Nine years from now, to be exact."
"How'd she get here?" asked Vincent.
"The Chronus Wand," Cloud replied. "A device that rips a hole in the space-time continuum, allowing whoever uses it to travel through time." He paused. "Hojo invented it."
"Time for the million dollar question," announced Cid. "Why is she here?"
Tifa spoke up. "You know how Sephiroth wants to absorb the Lifestream and become a god when Meteor hits?"
Everyone nodded in unison.
"Bestla basically stole his idea. So she's come back in time to do two things. One, eliminate us, so we can't stop Meteor. Two, eliminate Sephiroth so she can take his place."
"Wow," muttered Yuffie. "She must be the laziest villain in history."
"Assuming she didn't spend nine years looking for the Black Materia," Red XIII pointed out.
"What broke her?" asked Cait Sith. "What happened to provoke all this?"
Tifa exhibited a solemn look.
"It seems that we killed her parents," she replied.
"Heidegger and Scarlet?!" Yuffie exclaimed.
"You got it," Tifa confirmed. "Somewhere down the road, we kill them. And when we do, she'll start to take her revenge."
"So what now?" Barret asked.
"We're now fighting a war on three fronts," Cloud replied. "Sephiroth, Bestla, and the Shinra."
Everyone was silent.
"Basically," Cloud continued, "we need to first figure out who to go after first."
THAT NIGHT...
It was midnight now. Everything was dark outside, except for the moon and Meteor. It was a beautiful night, disregarding the fact that it belonged to a doomed world.
Cloud was standing on the bridge, facing the window. He had been given a cabin, but he did not bother to sleep. He felt wired. He had completely lost his sense of time. It would take a while for everything internal to return to normal.
That cloud had told him a lot. About the future. About his fate. The effects were continuing. Even many hours later, he was slowly regaining memories of his former life. It would be a lot to take in, but now was not the time. Now, he would need to focus on the present.
And then, the door to the bridge opened. In walked Tifa, still fully dressed as he was. Her eyes looked tired, but she was doing her best to cover it up.
"Can't sleep?" she asked as she walked over to her friend and sat down near one of the consoles.
Cloud nodded. "I'm just wired. I don't think anybody's ever been through anything like this."
"I can't sleep, either," she said. "I'm so happy you're back, but..." She hung her head in sadness. "I knew I had seen this Bestla woman before," she continued.
Something was indeed on her mind. And it was upsetting.
"That's right," Cloud said, without emotion. "Aboard the Urchin."
"And we will again," she said, with her head still down. "That cloud showed us everything. Slowly but surely, I'm beginning to remember more. This has been keeping me up."
She had gotten her best friend back, only to received some of the grimmest news of her life.
Cloud turned to face her. "I know," he said. "But that doesn't terribly bother me. I wouldn't let it get to you. Right now, we're nowhere near her. We'll figure out what to do soon."
Tifa looked at Cloud. It was on her mind, and he had to be thinking about it as well. He was the only person she could talk to about it.
"How much do you remember?" she asked in a serious tone of voice. "About the...end? When she killed Barret. When she killed me?"
"Everything," Cloud replied. "Other memories are coming back slowly, but I remember this as if it was a few weeks ago."
So he does remember. And he doesn't seem to care.
Tifa became cross and folded her arms. He did not seem to get it. "You're not at all bothered by the fact she kills us in nine years?" she asked. "We were handed down a death sentence today, Cloud. We know exactly when we're going to die. We won't see forty. I won't even see thirty."
She looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
Cloud could sense her anger, and knew he had to respond quickly. "Watching you go was painful," he said. "But I'm not overtly concerned about the future anymore."
"So you're completely okay with her killing us?" Tifa sighed. "What about Denzel? Are you okay with her taking care of him? He didn't even see adulthood!"
She buried her head in her hands. Cloud had seemed careless before, but now she wanted to scream at him. How could he not worry? She would be turned to dust all over again. He would be shot in the stomach all over again. Barret would fall to his death all over again.
And then, he said it.
"We weren't handed a death sentence today," she heard Cloud say.
She raised her head to face him. "You don't think so?"
She felt that he had to be completely careless or completely naïve. But, as it would turn out, she was the latter.
Cloud shook his head. "Haven't you realized?"
"Realized what?" she asked.
"Bestla bought more than she bargained for by coming back in time," he replied.
"I'm not following," the puzzled Tifa said.
"She didn't come just to see the past, and she knows that," Cloud explained. "Think about it. Barret was able to save Dyne. Jessie is apparently still alive. And then, Bestla destroyed Junon. That all wasn't supposed to happen. Because of Bestla, do you realize what's going on?"
Tifa was stumped at first, but it soon hit her. Slowly, but eventually, it hit her. And she began to feel small relief already.
"An alternate timeline," she finally said.
"You got it," Cloud confirmed. "And because of her visit from the future, our futures have been altered. Whatever happens after we finish off Sephiroth could be completely different than from had originally been. We might not even meet Bestla in the future."
"So we're not going to die?" Tifa asked as she stood up. For the first time in hours, she felt a sense of hope.
"Not if we watch our asses," Cloud replied. "Even if we do something as small as never board the Urchin that night, we'll be sparing our own lives."
"I'll make a note of that," she said, beginning to smile. "It'll be a hard day to forget. It would be right after your thirtieth."
Cloud smiled back. It felt good that she was relieved.
Tifa sighed in relief, smiling as she stretched her arms and ran her hands threw her hair. "Thanks Cloud," she said. "You really made me feel better."
He smiled back. "It's the least I could do," he replied. "You put my mind back together."
"I think I can sleep now," she said. "So this is a new timeline. Whatever might have happened after Meteor no longer matters."
"That's right," Cloud said.
"Good night, Cloud," Tifa said with a smile. "You really made me feel better." She paused. "Of course, you always do."
Cloud did not know what to say. He had known that, of course, but she had never said it until now.
"Well, good night," she repeated, still smiling.
With that, she turned and began to walk toward the exit.
Cloud looked on as his friend walked away. This was the most trying time of his life, yet she had been there the whole time. Even when he paid little attention to her, she had still been there. She really was an amazing woman.
And now, she was a moment away from passing through the doorway and out of his sight.
"One more moment!" Cloud called.
She turned around.
"Tifa," began Cloud. "There's one more thing I need to ask you."
"What's that?" Tifa asked.
"Can you come here, please?" he requested.
She obliged and walked back to him.
"What's wrong, Cloud?" she asked upon reaching her friend.
"I remember everything," he said. "From when I was in the clinic."
"How much?" Tifa asked. This did not seem like much of a question.
"Everything," Cloud repeated. "Like when the ground shook and pieces of the ceiling fell."
"That was kind of scary," she said.
"And then," he continued, "you threw your whole body over me."
Tifa blushed slightly.
"Why?" he asked.
"I didn't want you getting hurt," she replied.
"You got hurt," he pointed out.
"It was worth it," she said.
Cloud gave her a skeptical look. He still didn't seem satisfied.
Worth it, sure. But why?
"There's more, isn't there?" Tifa asked. She could read it by the look on his face.
Cloud nodded.
She felt her heart beat faster. There was only one thing left to talk about. He was onto her, and she knew it.
"What were you trying to tell me on the gondola?" he asked.
She knew it. He would eventually ask her. But she did not prepare for it.
"Can this wait until tomorrow?" Tifa sheepishly requested. "We both need our rest."
Cloud shook his head. "I think this is something that has to be said. Barret wouldn't take falling debris for me. Yuffie wouldn't help me search for myself. And even noble Red XIII wouldn't make sure I was okay when I was grieving. But you would. Why?"
"Oh, Cloud," Tifa said as she looked away. Her mouth began to dry, and her palms were sweaty. Her breathing began to accelerate slightly.
"Tifa," he began.
"I don't think you even want to hear it," she said, still avoiding eye contact.
"I do," Cloud insisted.
"I really shouldn't say it," Tifa said. "You might not want to be around me if I do."
"If you don't say it," Cloud finally said, "it won't change the fact that you feel it. It won't make it any less true."
Her heart was racing at this point. There was no way out of this. He would not let her go for the night until she said it.
Defeated, Tifa made eye contact with Cloud as best as she could. Her eyes were moist as she began to speak.
"Like I said, Cloud, being old friends is hard." Her whole body began to tremble.
He nodded. He realized he was beginning to tremble himself from anticipation.
"Cloud, I..." she continued to struggle, just like that other time.
"I..."
Cloud gazed into her eyes. He could almost hear her heart pound.
Or perhaps it was his own heart.
"I love you," she whispered.
And then, she immediately turned away.
Cloud looked at Tifa, still taking in what she had just said. He could no longer hear her speaking, and he could tell, by the movements of her head, that she was starting to cry.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I know I shouldn't have said that."
Cloud opened his mouth. He wanted to reply. But he knew he had to reply the right way.
"I'll leave now," she continued sadly. "And if you don't want to talk to me anymore, I'll understand."
She began to walk away.
He knew he had to say something before she left. There was no time to think carefully, so he said the first thing that came to mind.
"STOP!" he shouted.
And Tifa stopped. She did not move further away. But she did not turn to face him.
So Cloud approached her turned her around himself.
Her head was down, and the tears were still running down her beautiful face.
Gently, he placed his right index finger under her chin, and softly lifted her face up, until their eyes made contact.
"Tifa," he began.
She did not respond. She had no idea how to.
"Look at me," he commanded. "Don't ever tell me you're sorry for saying that."
She still did not say anything. She noticed her heart was still racing. He would say anything at this point.
"You said what came from your heart," he continued as he brushed away her tears. "And I have to say what comes from my heart, too." He took a breath. "I love you, Tifa. I love you."
And, before she could say anything, he pressed his lips against hers.
Tifa was in disbelief. He was kissing her. She had expected him to run away and never return. But, instead, he was kissing her. And he was wrapping his arms around her.
She began to kiss back. The feeling of his warm lips against hers was one of the most welcoming feelings she had ever felt. She raised her arms and ran her fingers through his spiky hair as she continued to kiss him.
She then broke the kiss, and looked him sincerely in the eyes.
"Oh, how long I've wanted to kiss you!" she said.
She then kissed him again. More tears came from her eyes. But now they were tears of joy. She broke the kiss, and looked at him again.
"Is this real?" she asked.
He then pinched her shoulder.
"Ow!" she exclaimed.
"Of course it's real!" Cloud exclaimed.
She giggled for a moment and buried her head into his shoulder and started crying tears of joy and bliss.
Cloud gently wrapped his arms around her and held her against him, beginning to shed a few happy tears himself.
"Does this make up for all the hugs I wouldn't give you?" he asked.
Tifa giggled through her tears.
"And then some," she replied.
"Now you can have all the hugs from me you want."
In response, Tifa looked up and pressed her lips against Cloud's.
"I'd rather just kiss you over and over," she sobbed.
She then began to plant kisses all over his face.
They continued to hug and kiss for the longest time. She was still taking it in. So was he. They had finally admitted their love for each other. After all that time, they finally did it. Even the timeline probably did not see it coming.
Eventually, one of them saw a digital clock out of the corner of her eye.
"It's three in the morning!" Tifa announced.
"Sorry," Cloud apologized. "I lost track of the time."
"I think we both did, didn't we?" she laughed.
"I suppose we should call it a night," he replied. "We'll have plenty of time together. That's one positive about this new timeline."
Tifa smiled as she released him.
Cloud began to walk back to his cabin. This time, he was smiling. And he rarely smiled.
He had only taken a few steps out the door when he felt something. It was a female hand grasping his.
He looked to his right to see Tifa standing next to him, smiling as he was.
"We don't have to rush back that fast, do we?" she said.
Cloud nodded.
They spent the next few minutes walking back slowly, their hands clasped the entire time.
They arrived at Tifa's cabin first. They finally broke hands as Cloud turned to face her.
"I have one more question," he said.
"Go ahead," she replied. "I don't think I'll have any trouble answering this one."
"It is a big one," he warned.
"I'll take it," she assured. "Ask away."
Cloud smiled briefly, and then gave her a sincere look.
"Tifa, will you be my girlfriend?"
Her smile greatly widened.
"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically as she threw her arms around his shoulders, kissing him once more. It felt good to be official.
Cloud was in paradise. The taste of Tifa's mouth was sweet. Her lips were warm and soft against his; It was a feeling he had never expected to feel. This was no longer simply an old friend. This was his girlfriend.
Finally, their lips parted, and they spent a brief interval gazing into each other's eyes.
"It looks like at least one good thing came out of this changed history," Cloud said.
Tifa smiled. She kissed him again once more before they parted for the night.
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