Waiting

Waiting
A Final Fantasy VII fanfiction
By: Raven
Rating: R
Prolouge
Pairings: Cloud/Aerith, Cloud/Sephiroth, a tiny bit of Cloud/Tifa
Disclaimer: Okay... this story is going to be REALLY confusing, but WORK WITH ME PEOPLE! Everything is owned by SquareEnix and I simply own the plot line. This takes place about... four weeks after Advent Children so, yeah... there's gonna be a lot of angst still between Cloud and Aerith. Because I'm loyal to all Final Fantasy women, I don't bash them. Including Tifa. I'm becoming to like her more, but in my heart, I know in Cloud's that Aerith will come first. I have my reasons. ^^ Well, enjoy!
~*~*~*~


I carefully watched Marlene as she colored another picture to put in my room. She was humming a silly little song to herself and smiling. I raised a cup of coffee to my lips and silently drained it, still staring at her. She was happy that I was home for once. I didn't give up on the delivery service, but I took a break for her sake. I blandly smiled to myself and placed down my cup, Marlene slapping down her crayon on the bar top. "I'm done!," she cried out and picked up the picture to show me. I felt my face break into a full smile. It was me, riding a chocobo with a moogle on my blonde head. "You are something else," I said, patting her head. Marlene's hazel eyes glowed and she giggled, slipping off her stool. "I'm gonna look for some tape and put it up!" She bounced away, her braid flailing behind her. I stared after her, the flash of pink ribbon in her hair catching my eye.

I felt the slight pang in my chest, but it was a little one. Closing my eyes, I remembered when I saw her in the church, the reflecting lights of the Lifestream water on her face as she turned to me and whispered, "Everything will be okay." I can remember her bright, green eyes and her faint pink lips forming into a small smile.

I swallowed some and stood up, trying to clear out my mind. I have to keep myself preoccupied... I walked up the stairs from the bar to my room, hearing Marlene talking to someone. I peered into the room and saw Tifa Lockhart standing there. My childhood friend, compainion, team mate, and support. She's always been there for me since I came back to Midgar those fateful two years ago. But... something's kind of distant between us. I regarded her with a gentle gaze as she laughed, tossing back some dark brown hair from her face. She seemed unphased that I didn't want her anything more than friends. I love her, I really do, but not like that. It would be awkard and somewhat weird. I will protect her no matter what though... She turned to me and flashed me a smile. "Hi, Cloud. Look at what Marlene did!" I stepped in, the little girl standing before me all smiles. "I saw her draw it. It's very nice." Marlene flushed with praise and then turned to the wall, thinking. Cocking her head to one side, she said softly, "I think I'm gonna draw one of Sister."

Tifa and I stood in silence, the weight of the pink ribbon around my arm got somewhat heavy. I felt my hands curl into tight fists and the pang returned. Tifa watched me from the corner of her eyes, her face frowning some. "You go ahead and do that, Marlene. I think she'll like that," Tifa pressed on gently, kneeling before Marlene and touching her shoulder. I nodded and then walked out of my room to the delivery room, the rapid footsteps of Tifa soon following me. I knew anger would follow and mentally, I braced myself for it. "I saw your face and your eyes. You're still not over her, aren't you?!!," she hissed, closing the door silently behind her. I sighed inwardly and picked up my bag, hoisting it over my shoulder. "You need to move on, Cloud! I'm sure she's forgiven you and all that... you can't dwell within the past anymore! You've GOT to move on!," Tifa exclaimed, walking over to me and grabbing my arm. I turned to her, face showing no expression whatsoever. "You might've gotten over her death... it takes time for others... it may be awhile, Tifa, until I can get over it," I said quietly and stared at her burning hazel eyes, framed by dark brown hair. Tifa glared at me and then shoved my arm away from her, as if it stung her. I started walking towards the door as I heard her say softly;

"Zuruzuru, zuruzuru, zuruzuru..."

I chuckled to myself and put on my sunglasses.

"I know I'm dragging. I'm going away for awhile. I need to gather my thoughts..." Tifa gasped and whirled around. "What?!! What about the service?" I looked over my shoulder and shrugged. "We're closed."

She stood there, mouth agape as I walked out on her and the bar and the delivery service to go traveling. I walked to my motobike and slung my body over the seat, making sure I had my cell phone and plently of gas. I leaned down and took a deep breath and exhaled, steadying my eyes in front of me.

It's about time I explored the world again like I once did.





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Ah... what a nice little prolouge. ^^ Currently, I'm going back and forth from the movie to my story, so it's gonna take some time. Trust me, you all will love it...Oh, yeah. *clears throat* Those that absolutely HATE Aerith... please, don't read. I will not accept flames and I WILL discard comments that bash her. I'm not bashing Tifa in my story, so don't bash Aerith.
See you in the next chapter!
- Raven