Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guns and Roses ❯ The Band ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: So this just kinda came to me one night. It's something a little different, and I hope u guys like it!

 

Disclaimer: Don't own FF VII. Don't own any of the songs. This one is an Avril Lavigne song.

 

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Tifa took a deep breath as she clutched the microphone in her hands. She could hear the crowd on the other side of the curtain cheering loudly for her, and she glanced to her right at her boyfriend, Cloud. He looked up from tuning his flame-red guitar, giving her a reassuring smile. He walked toward her.

 

“Nervous?” he asked quietly.

 

She nodded, feeling her stomach flip. “A little,” she whispered.

 

He smiled again, kissing her cheek. “You'll do fine,” he said before stepping away from her. He held her gaze, still smiling.

 

She swallowed the lump in her throat, looking back at the mic. This was their first performance, and she wasn't sure she could do it. She glanced at the rest of the band, watching them putter with their instruments. She caught Yuffie's eye as she looked up from her key board. She gave her a thumbs up and a bright smile.

 

Tifa nodded in response, looking at Barrett. Yuffie was made for the stage. It figured she wouldn't be nervous. She watched Barrett tune his sea-foam green bass. He seemed lost in concentration, and she recognized the nervousness on his face. Lastly, she looked at Cid, who sat behind a set of black drums, twirling a drum stick. He winked at Tifa when their eyes met.

 

“Curtain in two,” a stage hand said, fluttering from stage left to exit stage right.

 

Tifa sighed, turning back to the microphone. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as the club DJ began to announce them.

 

“Tonight we got a special little somethin' for all you out there,” his voice boomed over the loud speakers. “With out further a due, the newest addition to the rock world, Seventh Heaven!”

 

Tifa blinked as the curtain rolled back, exposing her to the blinding stage light. She suddenly felt naked, standing before the crowd. She stared at the mic stand in front of her as the first chords rang out on Cloud's guitar. She felt her foot automatically tapping along with the beat Cid pounded on the drums, and she took a deep breath, readying herself for the first verse.

 

She surprised herself when her voice came out strong and confident.

 

Are you aware of what you make me feel, baby? Right now I feel invisible to you, like I'm not real. Didn't you feel me lock my arms around you? Why'd you turn away? Here's what I have to say…

 

She heard the crowd cheer wildly, and she felt her confidence boost tremdously. She stepped away from the mic stand, swaying with the music.

 

I was left to cry there, waiting outside there, grinning with a lost stare, that's when I decided…

 

She glanced at Cloud, smiling at him as she got into the music. He smiled back, slamming out the chords on his guitar.

 

Why should I care? 'Cause you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone. You, you need to listen, I'm startin' to trip, I'm losin' my grip and I'm in this thing alone.

 

Tifa took a step toward the edge of the stage, singing to the crowd.

 

Am I just some chick you placed beside you to take somebody's place? When you turn around, can you recognize my face? You used to love me, you used to hug me, but that wasn't the case, everything wasn't ok…

 

I was left to cry there, waitin' outside there, grinning with a lost stare, that's when I decided...

 

She stepped away from the stage, leaning back as Cloud once more hammered on the guitar. She belted the next chorus.

 

Why should I care? `Cause you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone. You, you need to listen, I'm startin' to trip, I'm losing my grip, and I'm in this thing alone.

 

She glanced at Yuffie, who flashed her a smile as she chimed in for the next part.

 

Crying out loud, I'm crying out loud.

Crying out loud, I'm crying out loud.

Open your eyes, open up wide.

 

She came back to her place at the mic stand, putting her all into the end of the song.

 

Why should I care? `Cause you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone. Why should I care? `Cause you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone. Why should I care? If you don't care, then I don't care, we're not goin' anywhere. Why should I care? `Cause you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone. Why should I care? If you don't care, then I don't care, we're not goin' anywhere.

 

She took a deep breath as the song faded on Barrett's bass. She smiled and bowed as another wild cheer went up from the crowd. Once the curtain closed on them, she wiped the drop of sweat from her forehead. She laughed when Cloud walked up to her.

 

“That was awesome,” he said, kissing her cheek once more.

 

She smiled, meeting his electric blue eyes. “It felt awesome,” she said. She looked over her shoulder at the rest of the band. They all seemed to be thinking the same thing she was as they toted their instruments off the stage. Once they had packed up, they stood back stage, congratulating one another.

 

“That was totally awesome!” Yuffie yelled, hugging Tifa. “So, how did it feel?”

 

All eyes turned to Tifa. “It was such a rush,” she said, thinking back to her time on the stage. She noticed the grins on the others faces. “Wasn't it?”

 

They each nodded in turn. “Well, this superstar is hungry,” Cid said, twirling a drum stick.

 

Barrett nodded. “Me too,” he looked at Cloud and Tifa and Yuffie. “You guys wanna grab a bite before we split?”

 

Tifa nodded, still smiling. “I'd love to,” she said, looking at Cloud. She noticed that he seemed a little distracted as he let his eyes wander. “Cloud?”

 

He looked at her, then away again. “Hmm? Yeah, that sounds fine,” he said.

 

Yuffie noticed his distraction, and her brow furrowed. “What are you looking for?” she asked, unaware of the tension slowly filling the air. She yelped when Cid elbowed her. “Ow! Hey…” She glared at him. “What's going on—“

 

Cid grabbed her arm. “Why don't you walk with me and Barrett to the car,” he said, motioning to Cloud and Tifa.

 

Yuffie glanced back at them, and saw the look on Tifa's face. “Okay,” she said quietly.

 

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Tifa watched them leave, then looked at Cloud. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

 

Cloud's eyes shifted to the floor, and he crossed his arms. “Tifa, I…I don't know…how to say this,” he said slowly, avoiding her gaze.

 

Tifa felt her chest clench at the tone of his voice. “I think I know what you're gonna say,” she said, turning away from him.

 

His eyes turned on her. “You do?” he asked, watching her.

 

She nodded, her back still to him. “You're breaking up with me, aren't you?” She stood there for a moment, listening to the silence. When she didn't receive an answer, she looked over her shoulder at him. She didn't need to see the look on his face to know the answer. “You are, aren't you?” she said softly, her hazel eyes filled with hurt.

 

He glanced at the floor, then met her gaze. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his eyes filled with concern. He watched her turn away, the pain evident on her face. “I'm sorry, Tifa.”

 

She struggled to hold back her tears. “It's alright,” she said, trying to keep the emotion from her voice. “I've suspected that this was what you wanted for a while now.”

 

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I hope you're not angry with me,” he said quietly.

 

She turned back to him, meeting his gaze. “Of course not,” she said, unable to keep the tears from falling. “You're my best friend, Cloud. I could never be mad at you. Hurt, yes, but not mad.”

 

He searched her gaze, knowing that she was deeply hurt. He could see it in her eyes and in the tears on her cheeks. He wiped them away, feeling hurt himself, knowing that he was the cause of them. “Do you want me to take you home?” he asked, feeling guilty.

 

She smiled a little and shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “That's thoughtful of you, but I can catch the bus, and I only live a couple blocks away from its last stop.” She shrugged, wiping at her tears. “A walk in the cool air is what I need.” She couldn't keep the emotion from her voice.

 

Cloud nodded. “Alright,” he said. He walked with her to the door, then watched as she disappeared into the night. He stared at the ground guiltily. Tifa had been his friend since they were kids, and he hadn't meant to hurt her, but he knew he couldn't keep leading her on. He looked up as a little brunette walked up to him.

 

She smiled gently, flipping her long, hazel braid over her shoulder. “How'd it go with Tifa?” she asked, sympathy on her face.

 

Cloud shook his head. “Not so well,” he said, staring after the spot where she vanished. He looked back at the girl. “But it feels good knowing that I was honest with her.”

 

The girl nodded, touching his arm. “She'll forgive you,” she said quietly.

 

He nodded. “I know she will,” he said. He stared harder into the shadows. That's why I feel bad.