This is a follow-up thread for Who Should Tifa Get Together With OTHER Than Cloud?. In this thread, members can make up short fics where Tifa gets together with anyone other than Cloud! If you like RenoxTifa, RufusxTifa, RudexTifa, VincentxTifa, BarretxTifa, or any-character-other-than-Cloud with Tifa, then write us a short fic telling us how Tifa will get together with him!

You might want to tell us how Cloud makes it clear that things will never work out between he and Tifa, too. ;)

The prime directive is to get Tifa AWAY from Cloud! :lol: This is just for fun, so use your imagination! :D

It had been the worst fight they ever had. He had never scream at her, but this time was different. He was angry, almost mad. She sat on Denzel's bed and embraced her knees. His words were echoing in her head, "I want to go there...I NEED to go there...to be with her. Can't you see I'll never truly live without her? This isn't life...she's my life, the only reason I could have to live...but she's gone...".
Soon enough she replied, "But...what if you can't reach her? What if she's in a special place....she's a Cetra. You might not be able to-"
"I DON'T CARE!!! I DON'T CARE FOR THIS LIFE!!! I DON'T CARE FOR ANYONE!! NOT FOR THE CHILDREN, NOT EVEN FOR YOU!!!"
Those words made a single tear fall from her eyes. He didn't care for her. Later he tried to excuse himself, saying he was under a lot of pressure and that none of that was true. But she knew it was. He no longer cared for the world, his only thought was and will always be 'Aeris'.

On the next day, she tried hard to act normal but it was rather difficult.

.........................................................

I'll continue later...I'm kinda tired now... =_='

Ooh, here's my chance to back up my declaration that Rude x Tifa are teH pAiring of GudneSs with a cute fic. Well, I hope it's cute, I started writing it at five. It's now half seven and I'm still not altogether happy with it. :rolleyes:

__________________

It was a surprisingly quiet night in the bar. Tifa supposed it was because most of the SOLDIER candidates had left Junon for Midgar to complete their training; they had their final test to finish off - a mission they would be assigned to randomly, some perhaps to the marshland to battle the Zolom, others maybe farther afield to the forests around Cosmo Canyon to confront the dwindling numbers of Mako-enhanced monsters in that area. After Meteor, she had thought it would be the last she'd hear of SOLDIER. However, it seemed Shin-Ra had been down, but not out. With Reeve the newly appointed President, the elite army had banded together once more, but with a different purpose: to destroy every last monster created as a result of Hojo's experiments and the Mako reactors. Now that she owned the former 'Member's Bar', Tifa got to hear a lot about the state of Shin-Ra these days, and indeed, of SOLDIER, from the clientele.

She was sort of glad of the quiet, really. The hopeful faces of the squaddies reminded her of Cloud. She wondered if he had been the same, full of ambition, optimistic that he'd excel, move up the SOLDIER ranks, become as reknowned as Sephiroth - who was still respected, still a hero to the teenage candidates, she thought sourly. Even after everything he'd done, the people he'd hurt, Nibelheim. Aerith.

Tifa missed her terribly. Memories of the conversations they'd had, Aerith's mischievous teasing, their chats together as they'd travelled around, were all she had of the young Cetra. She could remember their laughter as though it was minutes ago. Despite their feelings for Cloud, they'd still been friends. Aerith wouldn't have allowed it to be any other way. Neither would she.

Cloud hadn't stayed for very long after Meteor. She had known he wouldn't, known that there was something missing, something that Cloud needed to search for by himself. Someone. She'd known from the moment he'd told her, while they were in the Northern Crater, that he thought he could meet Aerith. It had been like a knife to the heart, but she couldn't blame him, knew he would never intentionally hurt her. He didn't know how she felt. So she'd supported him, accepted his decision.

She didn't know where he was, now. It wasn't that he hadn't told her, just that he hadn't known himself where he was going. Tifa hadn't tried to stop him. She wanted to see Cloud happy, although for a while after the battle she'd childishly imagined AVALANCHE staying together after the fighting was over, sitting around and chatting, sharing memories like they had done during their journey.

Vincent was the first to leave, then Cloud. Cid, Nanaki and Yuffie had returned home, Reeve remained in Midgar. Barret had visited regularly for a few months, but eventually his visits became few and far between. It had been around six months since she'd seen her friends. Since she'd seen anyone she knew from the journey, actually. Well, with three exceptions.

"...Are you still open?"

Tifa's eyes darted from the bar's surface to the door, and she blinked in recognition. The bald head, the sunglasses, the expensive looking suit. Rude. She had thought that the Turks had disbanded after the fight, but it seemed that Reeve must have still needed them for something or other. The three of them shown up at the bar a few times, Reno and Elena getting steadily more intoxicated and arguing loudly about some throwaway comment that Reno had made, or the fact that Elena's chair leg was on the edge of his jacket and had made a mark, (why he'd cared, she had no idea. Reno wasn't exactly the poster child for neatness) and Rude sitting there, quiet and impassive as usual. She'd watched him knock back the same amount as the other two, but if he were as drunk as they were, he didn't show it. Lately, though, Rude had taken to showing up alone. Tifa smiled, nodding her head.

"Of course. Want anything?"

"Just a beer."

She'd known exactly what he'd order, and supressed a smile as she half-turned to grab a glass.

"Seems a bit slow tonight." Rude commented, looking around as she filled it.

"The squaddies've all gone back to Midgar." she explained, passing him the drink.

"Ah. Thought it was tomorrow. Reeve mentioned delaying it."

"How's he doing? I haven't heard from him in a while." She hadn't meant it to sound so bitter, but Rude seemed to pick up on it. He shrugged.

"Reconstruction's kept him busy."

"Good. Uh, I mean, it's good. What he's doing." Tifa focused her attention on polishing the bar, feeling a little awkward. They stayed silent as Rude downed his beer, Tifa wiping down the bar with a dishrag.

"You've been polishing that same spot for about five minutes." Rude told her, sounding amused.

"Gotta make sure it's clean." she said with a smile, dropping the cloth.

"Close the bar."

"What?"

He stood up, inclining his head a tad.

"There's a cafe not too far away."

"Was that you asking me for a date?" Tifa asked.

"...Was it obvious?"

"It was straightforward." she said with a grin.

"Was that a no?"

She turned away, the smile never leaving her face.

"It was a 'get me my coat and we'll see'."

Excellent fic, Madame Batolli! I really enjoyed it! :D I love your explanation of Cloud leaving Tifa, too. Very believable and very well written. Great job! :D

Sweet Janie - I love the beginning of your fic! Finish it, finish it! :D

I hope to see more - these are fun! :lol:

Ok..I'm back...Still don't know what to call the guy...meh! <_<
OK! Here goes nothing.
.............................................................

Several weeks passed, all the same as that day. Always trying hard to look joyful.
On a pretty cloudy day, which were the worst days for Tifa cause everyone mentioned the word 'cloud', a stranger entered the almost full bar. He sat at a table and raised his hand to be attended. Tifa saw him and walked towards him.
The man was looking at the exit, so she couldn't see his face.
"Hum...sir?"
"Huh?"
He look at her and she was shocked with what she was seeing. He was the most handsome guy she had ever seen. He had dark blonde hair and honey like eyes, and such a pure skin... The only time when Tifa had ever felt that way was with...
"..Cloud..."
"? Cloud?"
He looked towards the exit again.
"Oh! Yeah, it's pretty cloudy today"
He turned back at her and smiled. He had a lovely voice and what a smile...!
................................................................
I know what to name him!!! YAY!! ^^ It's Daisuki!!
Dai: It's DaisuKE!! Not DaisuKI!!! Daisuki is something else!!
Oops..sorry...Ahem, well, back to what matters!!
................................................................
She knew she was blushing, so she covered her face with the silver round plate she always carried on the Bar.
"What is your name? I-I mean...! W-What will you want...?"
She blushed and covered her face even more. He blinked. His confused look made him even cuter.
"Well, I'm Daisuke and I'd like...to know your name."
She dropped the plate, but didn't bother to pick it up. He had it grabbed before touching the ground.
"I'm Tifa...thanks..."
"Tifa. Pretty name for a pretty girl."
Before blushing even more in front of him, she ran to the back of the bar, restricted for costumers, and locked herself in the kitchen.
She was really in panic, but a smiled appeared as she remembered those last words.
..................................................................
There!! Don't know if I'll continue....
Dai: Hey!! You must!! I still gotta deliver that plate...
Oh yeah? Is that all?
Dai: Weell...maybe I could steal a little something :)
STEAL?? WHY YOU-!!
Dai: It's not what you're thinking!!!
If you weren't so cute, I'd punch you.
Ahem...see ya.

Awww... I like that, SJ! Great job! I especially enjoyed the part where Cloud made it clear that things would never work out between them, and the part where she meets Daisuke is really cute!

I'll have to come up with a way for her to get with Vincent... but Barret would be easier, and I like both couples. The challenge of getting her together with Vincent would be interesting, though. :lol:

Wouldn't you just love that, sweetie. *giggle* :P

Ahh, but those are some great little stories. Bravo! But when will we see your story, Aly? :)

Ok..I'm really down right now, so...don't mind if there's something wrong with the spelling, the vocabulary...even pontuation!
*sighs*....here goes....
.............................................................................
She fell asleep thinking about him and, when she woke up, her first thought was Daisuke's smile. She kept waiting all day for him, but he didn't came. Same for the next day...
On the third day of the week, Tifa was opening the Bar a little sooner than usual. It was all clean and prepared for the costumers. But, instead of waiting inside, she sat down on one of the steps, elbows lay on her knees and hands were supporting her chin.
Steps were heard, getting closer to her, but she didn't turn around. She knew it wasn't him.
"Tifa? Isn't it a bit early?"
It sounded like...
"Cloud?"
She faced him.
"So...you're back."
"I came to deliver you something."
"From whom?"
She got up and reached out a hand to the envelope.
"It's from someone named Dai-"
"Daisuke?!"
She grabbed it and took the paper that was inside.
"Who's Daisuke?"
She started to walk away from him.
"It's no one!"
"Yeah, right..."
"She's reading it?"
Cloud look around in search for the voice. Right behind him a man was kneeled down behind the steps.
"Huh? Who're you?"
The guy got up and arranged his clothing.
"I'm the sender of that letter, Daisuke."
"Oh, I see..." Cloud sat down where Tifa had been sitten, and Dai sat next to him.
"What about you? What's your name?"
"Cloud."
Daisuke looked up.
"Not really. Pretty clear today."
"Hey! What-"
"Hahahahaha!! Sorry, couldn't resist! I know it's not nice to mock people's names, but I can't help it!"
The way he laughed and talked almost without breathing, made Cloud remember Aeris, how she smiled and talked so much. Dai continued.
"It's like nature, you know? My aunt says I'm just like my cousin, but she was nicer than me. Aunt Elmyra-"
"Elmyra? Your aunt's name's Elmyra?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Your cousin, what's your cousin's name? Is it..."
"Her name's..."
~.~.~.
Tifa started to read the message, still walking slowly through the Sector.
I'm sorry for saying those things, made you feel unconfortable...But I just can't lie, you really are beautiful :b Oh, still got your plate. Want me to go there and give it to you? Or you don't wanna see me again? Anyways, it was nice to meet you, I'd really like to see you again...I often walk in a certain park near sector 6, where the Wall Market used to be...
Truly yours,
Daisuke.

That was fun to read, SJ! Daisuke reminds me of Zack, which is great. It was really the Zack in Cloud that Tifa loved. I think that's truer for Tifa than it is for Aerith because Aerith is the only one who accepted Cloud for what he truly is. Tifa only wanted him to be more like Zack. :rolleyes: Great job, SJ! :D

I'm loving these stories! :D Our primary objective: Get Tifa AWAY from Cloud! :lol: With that in mind, here's my attempt to get Tifa and Vincent together:

---------------------------
A Christmas Promise

The tree lights shimmered and danced on the decorations and tinsel. Marlene and Denzel were happily playing with new toys under the tree. Red XIII sat nearby studying a new book about Atmospheric Changes and their Effects on Planetary Cohesion. Barret was loudly trying to convince Cid between slugs of beer and random curses that the best use for alternative energy would not be to launch a new rocket. Yuffie was busy trying to pry information out of Shera about the current status of her relationship with Cid.

Tifa was trying hard to forget about Cloud slamming out the door earlier that evening, bluntly stating that he couldn’t enjoy parties and laughter after “letting her die”. Tifa sighed and scolded herself for expecting too much from Cloud once again. It had been that way ever since the destruction of Meteor. She knew that a barrier existed between them, and that the barrier was around Cloud’s heart. She should know better by now.

“Where is Cloud?”

Tifa looked up to see Vincent standing over her. His eyes betrayed no emotion. Tifa sighed and shrugged.

“I’m not sure. I rarely know where Cloud is,” she replied absently.

Vincent remained quiet for a moment before stating, “That bothers you.”

Tifa fidgeted in her seat and tucked her hands under her legs as she looked away. “We’re his friends, Vincent. It’s Christmas. He shouldn’t be spending time alone on Christmas,” she complained.

“That is Cloud’s decision to make,” Vincent reminded her.

Tifa turned sharply towards him, but her look softened when she realized that Vincent wasn’t criticizing. He was simply speaking the truth as he saw it. That was Vincent’s way.

“I guess you’re right,” she sighed. “But why can’t he understand that we’re here for him, Vincent?”

“What makes you think Cloud doesn’t understand?” Vincent asked.

Tifa abruptly got up and started pacing the floor, gesturing with her hands as she spoke. “Don’t you think he’d be here right now if he understood that? Why does he reject everything we try to do for him?”

Vincent studied her carefully before stating, “Cloud may not want what you offer.”

Tifa froze in her tracks, her fists clenched at her side. She shook her head. “I can’t accept that, Vincent.”

Vincent replied, “There are things we must accept.”

Tifa leaned in close to Vincent as tears welled in her eyes. Her voice broke as she whispered harshly, “Why must I be the one to accept? He won’t even accept that she’s gone!!”

Tifa regretted her words as soon as she had spoken them. The emptiness in Vincent’s eyes reminded her of his own loss. The loss of Lucrecia had caused Vincent to hide from his nightmare in a coffin for years. It wasn’t until now that Tifa understood the emptiness in his eyes - a mask to hide the pain that Vincent always carried with him.

“I’m sorry, Vincent,” she stammered. “That wasn’t fair.”

“People are given choices to make,” Vincent replied. "Cloud made his choice. It's your choice to accept it."

Tifa winced at his words, although she knew he was right. She had realized long ago what her choices were. She could choose to accept that she would never be with Cloud, or she could wait endlessly for something that may never happen.

“New choices are often the most difficult,” Vincent told her.

Tifa took a deep breath before saying, "You're right, Vincent. It's time to make a new choice," She nodded. "Let's make a Christmas Promise… just you and me. I’ll try to accept what I must if you will do the same.”

For the first time ever, Tifa saw the hint of a smile flicker briefly on Vincent’s face. “I will try.”

“We can work on it together.” Tifa found herself smiling at Vincent. “Hey, how would you like some tea?”

“I would like that,” Vincent answered.

On their way to the kitchen, Tifa saw a bright moon through the windows reflecting off of white snow. Perhaps this Christmas wouldn’t turn out so badly after all, Tifa thought to herself as she turned to smile at Vincent once again.

Carry on with the story SJ,i´m already falling for Daisuke. *sigh* Your fic is amazing.

OMG, I forgot to thank you guys!! :o
Here goes: thanks Anastar! thanks Andina! thanks K_L!! You know, I already fell for Daisuke, too :rolleyes: Thank you all!!! :lol:

I've yet to see a TifaxBarret or a TifaxReno fic! TifaxRufus would be great, too, if Tifa L and/or Zhakeena want to write another one - they've already got links to several good ones in the Fanfiction section, though. I dunno if they want to write another one! :rolleyes:

"Her name's...Aeris."
Cloud was in shock. He was Aeris's relative?
"You're Aeris-"
"Cousin, yeah. But just by name, cause she was adopted, so... My aunt found her in a train station, next to her true mother...She was..."
Cloud wasn't listening anymore. That guy just kept talking, and he liked to listen to him. It was like...listening to Zack. He was always the listener, but he didn't mind. He prefered it that way... Just like when it was with Aeris...
"Oh! Tifa!!"
"What?"
"Gotta go!! See ya, Cloud! Nice talking to ya!!"
He jumped up and ran to the back of the Bar. Cloud watched him go, amased. He laughed a little...he was such a kid! He looked back and saw Tifa puting the letter into her pocket, while walking towards him.
"Who were you talking too?"
"Hum...just...some guy..."
Cloud looked up at the sky. She looked too.
"...No me today."
"Huh?"
~.~.~.
Later that day, after closing the Bar, she went to sector 6 and moved towards the Wall Market. On her way there she passed through a ruined park, and stopped. It was here that she saw Cloud sitting next to Aeris. It was the first time she had saw her...
"Why did you stopped? It's not here."
Daisuke appeared behind the giant cat. He was dressed in white and blue, which added to his pure like skin and beautiful haircolor made him look kind of angelic. But his eyes were everything but angelic. With a sexy grin, he walked towards her, slowly, each step echoing through the air.
When he was in front of her, and really close...
"Tifa, if you don't like me say it now."
There was no grin. He was serious. Tifa was feeling really nervous, she never saw him like that. She wasn't even sure of what she was feeling...
"Daisuke...I'm not sure...I don't know what I'm supposed to feel..."
He put his hands on her shoulders.
"Wanna be sure?"
"what-?"
She couldn't say anything else cause his lips had sealed hers. He was kissing her softly. Her first kiss, given by some one who loved her...
When he released her mouth, he smiled at her. A lovely and gentle smile, that touched deeply into her soul.
"So? Do you know what your feelings are?"
She frowned in a dangerous way.
"How dare you!!"
"What?"
She pushed him over and ran back to sector 7. He just stayed there, frozen, watching her go.
"Heh, I know you love me."

Here's mine...
Ghosts

"Where am I going and what am I going to do there?" Tifa Lockheart was thinking quietly as she walked closer to the Healin Lodge one starry evening. As she neared the place, she began to recall...

Cloud is dead.
"He's probably happy where he is right now so... the least we could all do is... move on." Tifa could recall Barret telling them that on the evening of Cloud's death after the final battle with Kadaj and his gang.
Tifa just sat still, staring into empty space while mindlessly clutching her left arm where a pink ribbon is tied around it. "He's... dead... and he won't be coming back... just like Aerith..." she was stopping herself from crying. She had tried so hard just to be friends with Cloud, supporting him all throughout the two years that he had been lonely from Aerith, but those efforts had all been misinterpreted by everyone...maybe even Cloud himself. At the moment, she felt so dismayed about her life and she did not know what to do and how to start moving on again, this time without her two best friends ever.
She wished that the least Cloud and Aerith could've done before they left would be to tell her how to move on. But she still didn't have the answers.
"But at least we won... right?" Cid asked convincingly during that evening.
But Tifa didn't want to listen anymore. She just wearily went upstairs to the children's bedroom to see if Denzel was doing alright. Upon arriving there, she saw the child sitting on the bed holding a drawing.
She forced a smile at him. "Denzel, you're still awake?" she asked.
The boy slowly turned to her and stared curiously at her. She noticed the drawing that he was holding. "Did you draw that?" she asked, approaching him and examining the drawing. The boy handed her the drawing and she realized that it was Cloud... hugging a girl with brown hair wearing a pink dress. Tifa's smile faded in surprise as she realized who it was... but how did Denzel know?
"I had a dream. I just woke up..." Denzel explained with a glum tone before lying down on the bed again. "I thought the dream was beautiful so I drew it." he said before closing his eyes again. Soon, he was asleep, making Tifa puzzled. She looked up at the ceiling with a weak smile on her face, "Cloud and Aerith, don't you guys go haunting this place, alright?" she whispered.
A picture frame fell off from the wall and crashed to the floor. She gasped and just rushed out of the room, going downstairs again to where Vincent, Barret, Cid, Yuffie and Marlene were all gathered together.
They stared curiously at her and at the drawing. "You okay?" Barret asked, seeing the frightened look on her face.
She placed her hands behind her back, hiding the drawing. "Oh... something just... gave me a fright... Yeah... heh heh..." she fibbed. "A cockroach, actually," she explained, feeling so cold.
"Cockroach eh? Where's the @#$% creature! I'm gonna kill it!" Cid said as he rushed upstairs with his spear. Before anybody else could ask her questions, she just rushed outside the house.
Once Tifa was outside, she did not feel cold anymore... and the eerie feeling she felt in the bedroom was gone. She sighed in relief and waved a fist towards the heavens, but she was smiling playfully. "Nice going, you two..." she was thinking to herself before turning back to the drawing that she got from Denzel. She stared at it with a solemn look on her face as she felt her eyes welling up with tears.
She shuddered and turned the paper over... and saw something written there. They seemed to be some notes taken down by Cloud in random order, and at the topmost part of the paper, she saw "To Rufus."
Frowning slightly, she carefully read the notes. They talked about JENOVA, the Promised Land, Reunion and plans on changing the world. The writings about the Promised Land made her think... and she realized that it was something that Cloud had just found out for himself and did not reveal to the others... and she turned to the name on the topmost part of the paper again: "Rufus".

"Hey, nice to see you, Miss Lockheart!" Reno greeted once she got inside the building. Tifa forced a smile at Reno and then turned to Rude, then to Elena, who were both staring curiously at her. "How are things getting along in your place?" Elena asked.
"Wh...what do you mean? Everything's alright." Tifa responded with a perplexed look on her face as she held the paper tightly behind her back.
"Well... we know you've suffered a big loss..." Elena replied.
"And the President would like to extend his condolences to you and to your friends. However, he's not in the condition to do so at the moment." Reno told her.
"Why not just send a letter or give me a ring? The lines are always open." Tifa said.
"He would like to do it personally, Miss Lockheart." Reno responded.
Silence.
"Well... I'm here... maybe he can tell me all about it. Besides, I have something to give to him." Tifa replied.
"What is it?" Elena asked curiously.
"It's... from Cloud. I think he and Rufus were discussing about... something... before he died." Tifa replied with a slight smile on her face.
"Oh... yeah..." Reno replied before turning away from her and motioned for her to follow him. He led the way to the President's room upstairs, with Rude and Elena trailing after Tifa.
"This is the first time you've been here, huh?" Elena asked her with a kind smile on her face.
"Y...yes." Tifa replied uneasily. "Are you sure it's alright if I... come in without being scheduled first?" she asked, knowing about Rufus's temper.
"Oh it's alright. He doesn't really expect much visitors these days because of his condition... but since what you have there is related to his business..." Reno began.
"I can just give you the paper and you give it to him." Tifa said, showing him the paper with the drawings.
The Turks stopped to stare at the drawing. "That?" Reno asked in awe.
"Oh... sorry." she turned it over and showed them the scribbles, but pulled it away from their gazes before they could start reading it. "For the President's eyes only." she stated flatly.
Shrugging, Reno led the way again. Once they reached the door of Rufus's room, Rude and Elena opened the door for Tifa. Once she stepped inside, Reno told her, "That thing looks private. I'll let you deal with him alone. Just yell if you need anything." he said with a wink before shutting the door.
Tifa wasn't able to react any further to Reno because she instantly saw Rufus seated on his wheelchair still covered with a lot of white blankets. He had his back to her as he was watching the stars outside the window... but he was unveiled.
"Is that you, Rude?" Rufus asked with a stiff tone.
Tifa hesitated for a while before answering. "...n...no. It's ... Tifa. Tifa Lockheart."
She saw him jerk slightly and instantly wheeled himself around to face her. He stared wide-eyed at her in disbelief.
She gaped at him in awe. He is still infected with Geostigma... but his face still looked perfectly fine... but something had changed in his eyes... his eyes looked more vulnerable now. It's like you can easily read his emotions just by looking into his blue eyes... unlike before when they appeared so cold.
Noticing that she had been staring at him, he hesitantly reached for his other blanket to cover his head. Soon his face was out of sight for her, being shadowed by the blanket. "What have you come here for?" he asked with an authoritative tone.
She bit her lower lip, swallowing hard, and then approached him, handing him the paper while making it a point to avoid looking at him even in a glance. "I believe this is addressed for you." she told him.
"From?" he asked, staring ridiculously at the drawing... and then he stiffened. His eyes narrowed at the drawing. "Oh yes... my condolences, Miss... Tifa." he told her with a low tone.
She blinked and turned over the paper for him. What he read surprised him.
Tifa looked around the room while waiting for him to finish reading the notes that Cloud had taken down for him. The room was quite big, but it smelled like medicine... something like the ones she gives to Denzel at home.
And speaking of Denzel...
"I'd... better leave now. I just sneaked out to give this to you because I know that my friends won't let me leave the house at this hour." she said with a weak smile on her face before turning away from him.
He was still reading but he told her, "No, stay here for a while. There's still so much more I'd like to know..."
She frowned. The last time she heard that last sentence, it was a trap. Why should she trust him now?
She turned back to face him again. "You'd like to know about what?" she asked.
"Why do you have to go home already?" he asked.
"I... have to take care of... Denzel." she replied uneasily.
He put down the paper and looked up at her. "Is he the boy with Geostigma?" he asked. She blinked. "Y...yes, sir." she told him.
He turned the paper over again and stared at the drawing. Tifa smiled upon seeing the drawing again. "Denzel said that he had a dream like that... and he thought it was beautiful so he drew it there. He must've been unaware that it's a scratch paper." she said uneasily.
"A dream?" he asked curiously.
She nodded and continued, "How did you know about Denzel?" she asked.
"Cloud told me during one of our conversations." Rufus explained stiffly before wheeling himself towards his bed and placed the paper on top of it. "I don't really know how to reach you because the only mobile phone number I know of is Cloud's. I told Reno to contact you via landline but he said that your line got disconnected..." he said.
"I'm... sorry. I wasn't able to pay the phone bill for the past few weeks because of the commotion." she explained.
He nodded. "It's alright, Miss Tifa. So let me extend my grievances and condolences to you and your friends. Cloud was very special to you, I believe?" he asked... although she easily noticed the stiffness in his tone. She could not determine whether he was being sarcastic or not, but she just nodded. "Yes, he was a very special friend... he and Aerith." she choked out and then looked down. Her hands were clenched into fists as she was trying to fight the urge to cry all of a sudden.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She was surprised at his question. "Rufus asking me if I'm alright? That's... something new..." she thought to herself. She just decided to change the subject. "So... you've decided to... regain your position as President... don't mind me asking but, what for?" she asked.
"I want to change things... to restore the world. I told Cloud about it. At first he refused to help but... I was able to convince him somehow, I guess." he told her.
"Restore the world?" she asked. He could easily sense the mockery in her tone, although she did not really mean to express her question in that manner. She covered her mouth and bowed down her head in shame. "I'm... sorry. I was jus surprised..." she apologized.
He was just quiet, bowing down his head.
They were quiet for some moments before she finally decided to leave. "I... really have to go...Thank you for your time, Mister President." she told him.
"Miss Lockheart." he began.
"Yes?" she asked.
He gestured for her with his right hand that she come closer to him. Not wanting to have any arguments with him, she obeyed. "Tell Reno that I'm instructing him and Elena to escort you back to Midgar. Get Denzel and bring him here to me." he told her.
She was surprised. "...I beg your pardon?" she asked in awe.
"Cloud and I... have discussed this in secret. He must've known that he'd be gone soon... he told me... strange things, rather..." he explained, feeling awkward about his current situation because he wasn't sure whether to reveal everything that they had talked about or not.
"What did... he say?" she asked, wanting to hear more as she knelt down before him, noticing that he was looking at her from under the shadows of the blanket over his head. He resembled so much of Cloud, except that Rufus seemed to always maintain a snobbish air around him even when he is sick... but unlike before, his eyes revealed now his true emotions. It must've been the work of his illness and all the sufferings he had been through with that illness.
"He asked me if I could take Denzel here and help him heal with me...and..." he trailed off.
Silence.
"...and?" she asked.
He just shook his head. "It's nothing important. Just leave now and get the boy and come back here." he told her.
They stared at one another for several moments, with him thinking about what he was still supposed to say but interrupted himself, and with her thinking about Cloud and Aerith all of a sudden and what the hell she was supposed to do with her life...
And they were interrupted when the paper fell off from the bed, as if someone pushed it off. It landed on the floor and flew towards them. Rufus suspected that it must've been the wind from outside.
"Blimey... must've left the window open again..." he thought out loud. But Tifa shivered and felt goosebumps on her skin...
"Eh...Well... alright..." she said softly as she got up rather uneasily, even if she was still curious about what else he was supposed to say. She looked past him towards the window... and saw that they were closed... and that two other people are being reflected on the glass, standing behind her.
Cloud and Aerith.
The latter smiled sweetly at her, while the former nodded his head with a slight smile on his face as if encouraging her to something...
She gasped and turned around. No one was there.
She blinked. "Do you believe in ghosts?" she blurted out in confusion.
"...depending on the situation..." he replied uneasily, surprised by the question.
She was quiet for a while before thinking things over... and she felt she got the message. With that, she stooped down before him until her face was leveled with his. "You know, you look perfectly fine. I don't know why you're still hiding under those covers. You're already healing." she said before she purposely shoved off the blanket off his head and quickly moved away before he could do something to her like maybe restrain her or something for doing that.
He just sat still, looking unbelievably at her.
She turned back to him as she got to the door. "I don't have to leave Denzel here, do I?" she asked.
"You can stay here if you want." he said.
And she smiled warmly before nodding her head. "Don't worry, President Rufus. I'll take care of you too." she told him.
He was surprised by what she told him but he just smiled slightly. "I guess this means a start of a good friendship between the two of us, Miss Lockheart?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Well... we'll see. You can start by calling me Tifa, President Rufus." she told him with a sweet smile on her face. Suddenly she felt like everything will be alright.
He raised his hand to her as if reprimanding her from something. She froze. "Did I say something wrong?" she thought nervously. He smiled slyly. "It's Rufus, Tifa." he corrected.
Silence.
She blushed slightly. "Oh... okay... Rufus... Heehee!" she giggled as she waved goodbye before she opened the door and stepped out of the room, leaving Rufus alone there. When she turned towards the hallway from the door, she gasped slightly when she saw Reno and Elena smiling goofily at her.
Silence.
"You guys were eavesdropping, weren't you?" she demanded calmly.
The two Turks just grinned.
Tifa blushed and led the way. "I'm sure you heard what Rufus said about you guys escorting me back to Midgar..." she muttered.
"Oh don't worry. It's just between the three of us..." Elena said with an innocent look on her face as she and Reno walked after her. As they went to the garage, Tifa could feel that everything was going to be alright now...

Rufus ShinRa wheeled himself towards the window when he heard the car engine start. Tifa's leaving with the two Turks but will be back later on.
He watched as the car sped away towards the direction of Midgar. He smiled slightly, "I didn't tell her that you wanted me to take care of her... Maybe later, Cloud." he mumbled softly as he watched the car disappear through the evening fog.
And he felt someone patting his left shoulder.
He turned his head to his side but saw no one. "I must be imagining things..." he thought to himself before turning back to the window and saw his own reflection on the glass.
His reflection?!
"I thought the windows were open..." he stopped his thoughts when he felt goosebumps rising on his skin. "Bloody hell..." he mumbled miserably, feeling cold all of a sudden as he heard the sound of paper flying towards him.

-end-

I'm sorry! I tried keeping it short but I guess I failed. =_='

=_=
I am bored. And so I shall write.
This is a spur-of-the-moment thing. Tell me how I do. :D
-----

Loneliness.
As always.
Tifa... somehow, she's alone again.

Pain. Yeah, that's how it is... pain, like darts pinning her heart against her ribs. Yes, like that. Kind of morbid.
Cloud's words were painful to the ears that day--the day that he left Midgar, the world he knows, for good. Who knows where he is now? Certainly Tifa doesn't know. She never knew what was going on with Cloud, anyway, so that was expected...

If it was Cloud who left Tifa, and everyone else... why is she the one all alone?

Maybe because... she left Midgar too, in a foolish, no, hopeless search for that ex-SOLDIER. She left everyone in Midgar... that is, everyone who cares for her, to search for Cloud.

But she ended up getting lost. Tifa was no good being alone.

Trees trees trees trees... What is this, Gongaga?

Tifa sighed. "Damn."

Where was she now? A void? A blank map? Well, sort of.
When will she stop being alone? Will she ever escape this so-called curse?

Well, maybe not. After all, ending up all alone happens

She sighed once again and turned back in an attempt to walk back to where she came from. But she froze. "Too late to turn back now, Tifa." She shook her head.

"But it's hopeless...."

Who the hell was that?

----------

To be continued when I feel like it. (sighs) Might edit it sometime too....

All of these are great! :D I think we should start a new trend at fanfiction.net - fics about Tifa ending up with someone other than Cloud! :lol:

I'm loving it! Keep writing, keep writing! :D

Sweet_Janie R u fin?

I kno your not lol Plz finish it im starting to fall 4 Dai :rolleyes: LOL

i love it all keep it up guys

T_L, I SOOOO loved that fic!! Is it the sequel of Love its perfections and imperfections.... or something like that? ^^' Please continue!! Well, now its time to dramatize a bit this story of my....
..........................................................................................
Cloud walked across Aeris church, thoughts of her flooded in his mind and spirit. He sat down and gazed at her flowers, lovely and kind...just like...
"This sure screams Aeris name..."
"What?"Cloud turned around to see Daisuke lying right behind him"What are you doing here?"
"Could ask you the same, but I already know the answer... We both miss her... But you miss her more..." He got up and sat next to Cloud "I just wish I won't miss Tifa the way you miss Aeris...I just met her but-"
"But it seems you've known her for ages..." continued Cloud " and that you belong together, as if your destinies had been chosen long ago...as if written in the stars..."
"...You'll find her. Love won't let you down. Even if you didn't live it here, maybe you can after...joining her..."
Cloud sighed and layed back. He look at Daisuke and noticed something on his back.
"Daisuke...Can I see your back?"
"Sure." He turned around "It's not blood is it?"
"It looks like it...This ever happened before?"
"Yeah, but I don't know what it is...can you check under the shirt?"
Daisuke took his shirt off and turned his back the the light. Cloud went to see what it was and...
"Oh no..."
~.~.~.
Tifa was cleaning the childrens bedroom, singing joyful.
"Nana na na..na na ra na na... na na ra na na naaa..."
"Tifa, you look so happy today!" Marlene giggled as she entered the room "What happened?"
"Nothing, really..." answered Tifa with a smile on her face "I just woke up feeling happy, that's all!"
"Oh, come on Tifa!!Tell me, tell me!!"
Tifa laughed and thought about the true reason...a reason named Daisuke...
~.~.~.
"What is it, Cloud? Is it a cut? A bug, maybe?"
"...Daisuke...you have something here that looks like a burnt in your skin..."
"You mean I burned myself?" Puts his shirt back on and faces Cloud.
"No, Daisuke...It's something worse..."
Cloud pulls his sleeve up and takes off the bandages on his arm. Parts of the skin looked burnt but had a pink tone.
"What's that on your arm? Is it the same on my back?"
"Yes. This is a desease...you probably heard of it..."
"...You...you mean-?"
"What you have....is Geostigma."