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FFVII: Advent Children
-Tomorrow is Not Promised-
-
This prayer is for me tonight
This far down that line and still ain't got it right
And while confessions not yet stated
Our next sin is contemplated
Never did we know, what the future would hold
"Innocent" –Fuel
Cloud immediately got up and walked towards the kitchen closet where their cleaning utilities were and took out a mop.
"I'm sorry Tifa, I didn't mean to scare you."
Still a bit shocked and remembering what she was doing, she picked up the urn to refill it again. "Its o.k., I just wish you would have said something-what were you doing sitting there anyway?" She said.
Looking at Tifa, Cloud started to mop the spilled water. She was glistening with sweat, looking like a stunning wild creature, Cloud couldn't help but steal a glance at her tight rear end as those thoughts passed though his mind. Blushing at his wondering eye, he concentrated to his task, guiltily hoping Tifa didn't remember she was going about their kitchen shirtless.
"I-I was waiting for you...I wanted to talk to you before the children woke up."
Something in Tifa's mind was ringing for attention but she couldn't seem to get it.
"What's on your mind?"
She asked while she turned to Cloud who was concentrating on mopping the spilled water. 'I'm standing here in my bra! Wait, don't make it such a big deal now, Cloud isn't, we are mature adults. Shit! Who are you kidding?' She thought as her face started flaming with a soon to be blush.
"Let me jump in the shower and we'll discuss it in a bit…ok?" She said as she uncomfortably walked around Cloud towards the bathroom.
'Cloud wants to discuss something?' It was just too odd. Like everyone else these days, Cloud barely spoke. He talked plenty when they played with the kids, or when he gave his sword lessons to the orphans that idolized him. The children are what kept them going. The level of despair within the city had reached a peak that left everyone bereft and miserable. Just the act of speaking was draining… depression had claimed Midgar as home. Optimism was a relic of the past.
Tifa, like everyone else, thought life would be wonderful after Meteor. No one harbored delusions of a utopian Midgar but all thought things would be better. The planet was in agony, and was letting everyone know it. Debris polluted the water and foods supplies, hard times had befallen everyone. It was an everyday struggle and the children were hit the hardest. A dark spell had bewitched the children and nothing could break them of their mournful and disillusioned trance.
But Lockheart and Strife strove to be the silver lining to that ever-present dark cloud. They cared for the kids that no one else could or would. She loved seeing Cloud with them. Although, when the children weren't looking, she noticed a familiar expression on his face, a look of pity and great sadness. Regrettably, she knew that the same expression occasionally stole across her own face. They couldn't take care of all of them, so they played, counseled, fed as many as they could afford. Day by day, they opened their doors to children in the hopes of making them smile like children should.
Showered and refreshed Tifa walked into the kitchen to see Cloud reading the Midgar Journal. She sat down next to him and took a sip of his coffee mug. Cloud never drank a lot of coffee but he always filled his large mug to the brim and he'd always wait for Tifa to drink half before he finished the cup. It was one of their little things.
"Any news of Barret?" She asked as she took a peek at what he was reading: Finance Your Business Today.
"Nothing important."
"Hmm...So what do you wanna discuss?"
It was obvious Cloud was waiting for her to bring it up because he closed the newspaper with haste and cleared his throat. Tifa didn't want him to see her curiosity so she quickly started maneuvering around the kitchen to prepare breakfast for him, Marlene and Nico...
"Well, I've been thinking... you have the bar-" she quickly gave him the nasty glare she always gave him when he stated that Seventh Heaven was her bar. The bar belonged to the both of them and Cloud implying otherwise made her angry. The glare was piercing and quickly made him turn his words around.
"-I mean, we have the Seventh Heaven but we are barely making any money... I've been doing a little research... and thanks to the growing problems with electricity there are no means of transportation..."
Tifa cracked some chocobo eggs into a bowl and started scrambling them while she nodded for Cloud to continue. 'What is he getting at?' Cloud grabbed a pitcher of fresh oranges and tried to continue as he made orange juice.
"I want to start a new business... a delivery service-" Cloud shrugged and continued. "- -specializing in medicine or items that are not easily available these days." He finished as he waited for her reaction.
"And how will you transport these items Cloud?" Tifa sounded a bit sarcastic and was sure it showed her face as well. 'Stop it, this might be something good.' She quickly put an interested face and nodded him to continue.
"Well, I have Fenrir...it's rarely in use and it's perfect for speed since you know ..."
She knew exactly what he is referring to. Because of his SOLDIER training and infusions of mako...Cloud was faster than most and could maneuver very easily at tremendous speed. After a few minutes of considerations, she finally nodded and said, "I see...how can I help?"
Cloud gave her a warming smile as he continued. This was making him happy, she thought as she watched him proceed with excitement in his eyes. It's was a magnificent sight seeing him like that. His happiness was making her giddy and she chuckled because it was a feeling she had forgotten.
He told her that with her financial knowledge she could prepare spread sheets of how the finances will be operated. Tifa would also have to contact him through their PHS devices when a new order was being placed. He will be on the road for five days a week and take two days off to rest.
"Cloud! This is brilliant. I'll help you...in anything you need." Tifa said honestly. Cloud smiled as he finished squeezing the last of the oranges and placed a full pitcher of orange juice in the middle of the table.
"Do you mean it? You think we can do it?" He said skeptically but nevertheless smiling as he took out a plate for her to put the scrambled eggs in.
"Of course I do."
She suddenly froze and put a very worried look on her face that evaporated Clouds smile the instant she looked at him. "Well- we do have a big issue Cloud..." she bit her lips worryingly and looked down. He was standing very close to her and she knew he was preparing for the worse because that's just Cloud...pessimistic.
He said nothing, he was waiting for the second shoe to drop. Tifa got irritated because even though she knew the suspense was killing him... he refused to give ground... as always. "Well-how can you even think of starting a new business-" She said with mock seriousness. "-without naming it first?"
His eyebrows came together in confusion, he hadn't gotten the joke. Tifa's serious face quickly turned into a smirk and Cloud finally caught on. They started talking with enthusiasm about their new plans. When they'd finally gathered their ideas and determined the terms they sealed it with a hug. It wasn't long before they heard Marlene or Nico approaching and looked at each other. Too quickly, they pulled away with smiles still on their faces.
"Good morning, pancakes and eggs for breakfast. Have a seat." Said Cloud smoothly to Nico who was stretching from his slumber.
Nico looked at Tifa and Cloud with suspicion. He looked at the eggs with eagerness but with skepticism as well, Tifa knew Nico still did not fully trust Cloud or her. She smiled at him and with a fork picked at some of the eggs and ate in front of him. Convinced, he eagerly took Cloud's offer. He still needs time Tifa thought, but who could blame him? Looking at him, she noticed he had bags under his soft little eyes... stark orbs that lead her to notice how pale he was. She went up to him and felt his forehead…
"Normal temperature"
Cloud noticed her gesture and questioned her with his eyes. Tifa took Nico's face in her hands and looked at the child's hazel eyes whose pupils were dilated. 'Signs of fever, but he feels fine'.
"Nico...do you feel weird, any pain...?" Tifa asked. Nico looked down at the eggs and pancakes Cloud had just served him and merely shrugged.
"I-I...no" Nico said.
Cloud looked at Nico and then at Tifa with apprehension. As Nico started eating, Tifa shrugged at Cloud and motioned 'o.k.' with her hand. Cloud knew better, he could feel Tifa's tension from miles away, and she was silently screaming.
"Just make sure you ask Elmyra about what you've noticed in him...ok Teef?" Tifa nodded as they watched Marlene come into the kitchen and sat next to Nico.
Tifa and Cloud were watching the children engage in their regular conversation. Nico was quiet and usually let Marlene do all the talking, but was always very attentive to Marlene's chatter. Tifa looked at Nico closely trying to notice what spiked his interest. On impulse Cloud told the children of their business plan. To his surprise they were very excited.
After a huge debate by Nico and Marlene the name Strife Delivery Service was given to Cloud's transportation service. Tifa and Cloud watched as the two children were about to tear each other's hair out over whose name should be chosen. From 'Cloudy Delivery' to 'Strife Services,' Cloud heard it all with amusement. He chose Strife Delivery Service as a combination of their suggestions. He hated when Marlene and Nico fought. To get them to shake hands with each other and apologize was not only uncomfortable for him but also reminded him of his own childhood fights where he had to do the same.
Speeding down a dirt road to deliver an X-potion from an urgent call he received from Tifa, Cloud took in the sights halfheartedly. She mentioned a sick child who lived somewhere in the badlands outside of Condor. The road passed by as merely a blur. He ignored the sights, sounds and smells of the Condor region with a detached indifference. A child needed help and that was his only concern. Seeing Nico bleeding and helpless had changed something in Cloud. He was determined to never let another child suffer if it was in his power to prevent it.
The roads swarmed with monsters but he sped pass them as fast as possible. Fear never crossed his mind. He could handle anything the minor creatures could manage but the kid couldn't possibly contend with something that required an X-potion to remedy. He navigated a sharp bend in the road like the expert rider that he was and switched to a higher gear as more road opened up before him. He wasn't exactly sure where to find the child but he knew the area well enough to guess where the delivery was destined. He dodged a particularly aggressive monster and continued on his way.
It wasn't long before Cloud entered a deserted looking neighborhood whose houses looked more like shacks than actual homes. Cloud was abruptly stopped as a man suddenly got into his path uncaring of the speed of Fenrir. The man was shaking as he desperately approached Cloud.
"Please—are you the transporter?" the man asked him quickly.
"Cloud Strife, sir" said Cloud as he extended his hand to the man which the man quickly shook, "Are you Mr. Karono?"
"Y-yes, do you have the X-potion, Mr. Strife?" before Cloud could say 'yes' a woman padded him on his waist inspecting him.
"Thank God you're here on time! Where is it? We need it as soon as possible!"
Cloud was hesitant before handing items of special delivery. The correct procedure would be to call Tifa and confirm, however, the couple before him was desperate. He dismounted Fenrir and opened the compartment in which the item safely laid. The woman sighed in relief and gave another thank you as she vanished inside her home with the X-potion. The man quickly followed the woman as he motioned Cloud to come into their house with haste. Cloud sighed in a bit of agitation. The last thing he needed was beg to get paid. Even if they just pay half the fee he didn't care. He wanted to go home and get some sleep, and in the morning wake up to Tifa's breakfast banquet which eventually had become a ritual on his return home.
Cloud followed the couple inside and saw Mrs. Karono feed the X-potion to a little boy no older than seven years of age. Cloud noticed the boy had what looked like bruises all over his head, arms, and even extended to the boy's legs. The boy winced as Mrs. Karono soothed him with some head bandages that contained potion. Mr. Karono looked at her hopefully as the child drank more X-potion and took a notice of Cloud. He reached to his pocket and handed Cloud some gil.
"Ms. Lockheart said this would be enough Mr. Strife?" He said shamefully while looking at Cloud.
Cloud didn't bother to count it, but merely nodded and started exiting. He was feeling a wave of relief as he was approaching Fenrir when the wails of Mrs. Karono broke his thoughts. He was surprised as he saw a crying Mrs. Karono coming towards him as if to strike him. Out of reflex he caught her hands before she could get to his face with her small fists.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO IT? It doesn't work! Bring back a new one you bastard!" she screamed at him. Cloud was shocked and at that moment was unable to react, he was astounded as he looked at the struggling woman.
"Mr. Strife! He's dying. Our little boy is dying! The X-potion didn't work!" said Mr. Karono as he took his wife away from Cloud's restraining embrace.
"That's impossible Mr. Karono. The X-potion couldn't have gone bad. I picked that one up as soon as I received your order. If you and the Mrs. don't mind, let me cast the X-potion on your boy with materia."
"Anything- please! Just help us save him." Mr. Karono said.
Cloud examined the child's limp form and cast the spell three times as a precaution. He was sweating as he gave the boy a hopeful look. The boy looked at his parents with mercy as his hands went to clasp his head. Mr. and Mrs. Karono started crying as their son reached for them with a painful smile on his face. Cloud was perplexed.
"The spell didn't work."
It was the first time in his existence he witnessed an X-potion not work. Cloud was taken aback. For a moment he was confused but that confusion quickly turned to terror as the boys limp hand went lax. The cry of his parents shortly followed.
'This can't be.'
Cloud got up as he passed neighbors who had come to look and at the present time give condolences to the grieving parents. He mounted Fenrir a bit delusional. He heard the 'Oh no's and 'He was such a good child' as he sped off. He had to go home. He did not just witness a helpless child die.
"He wasn't supposed to die dammit!" He said out loud. He didn't comprehend anything. Cloud knew it wasn't his fault but he still held himself responsible. Some how, he always ended up in these situations…more than he cared to count. He was speeding and knew slowing down was of essence if he wanted to get home alive. The confusion and shame didn't let him. He needed to get home where he could find a bit of tranquility. He needed Marlene's jokes and Nico's admirations…Tifa smiling at him and making him feel like the greatest man on the planet.
It wasn't until Cloud saw the Seventh Heaven's neon lights that he realized he'd made it home… he could hardly remember the trip from Condor. A bit shaken and relieved to finally be home, he parked Fenrir inside their garage and opted to use the back entrance. Cloud Strife never realized that the events of that night were just a precursor to the hard times ahead. Later he would think back and remember that it was the last time that he slept soundly.
End Chapter
Disclaimer: The game, the movie, it's all Square-Enix. Damn.
A/N: Greetings. I'm really trying to update this story and get to its turning point (where the events of Advent Children start happening), which I'm crazy nervous about messing things up. SIKE! No way, I think I'm in love with my stories, I LOVE them and can only hope you guys like it. I try. Thanks to the reviewers: I know it's slacking but everything that I'm writing has a purpose. Please review, I need encouragement for this one…for I'm very intimidated with the competition cough Tallulah876cough lol.
Special Thanks: Again, AncientDirgeDragon—honestly, what the hell would I do without you? For all your assistance and great suggestions on how to re-word things…thank you. Help me with chapter III? He he… No, seriously.
