Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ I'm Makin' It Right ❯ Chapter 1

I'm Makin' It Right

 

(Disclaimer: Seriously, if I owned this it would be a best seller not on the Internet.)

 

Prologue

Sephiroth's sword jabbed into Cloud's shoulder. Cloud grunted in pain as Sephiroth said “Tell me what you cherish most, give me the pleasure of taking it away.”

 

At this Cloud's eyes flashed with anger. “You just don't get it do you? There's not a thing I don't cherish.” As he said this he remembered his friends and family, all of whom he loved very much.

 

Cloud sat up his eyes open wide, as he rubbed his shoulder at the memory. Just as he laid back down his bedroom door creaked open. Cloud sat up to see Tifa in his doorway.

 

“Are you ok, Cloud,” Tifa asked as light streamed into his room from behind her. “I heard your bed creaking an awful lot. You were sort of talking, too.”

 

“Yea, I'm fine.” Cloud said as he rolled over and pulled the covers up. Tifa walked over and kissed Cloud's cheek and gave him a hug.

 

“I'm so glad you're back.” she whispered in his ear.

 

“Me too.” he whispered back.

 

***************

Chapter One: Let's forget the Past

 

Later when Cloud awoke again it was about ten in the morning. Cloud got up and slipped on his black leather pants and a silky red shirt with a small Santa Clause sewn on the right shoulder.

 

After he dressed he emerged from his bedroom and into the bar, which was closed for Christmas. As he walked past the window he looked at the sign that read `Happy Holidays.' He remembered when they had painted that sign Marlene had paint all over her face and Denzel had a blob of red paint on his nose, just like Rudolf.

 

“Good morning, Cloud. Sleep well?” Tifa set orange juice on the barstool where they all ate every morning.

 

Marlene and Denzel looked up, as Cloud looked at Tifa.

 

“Sure, you could say that.” Cloud replied.

 

“Come sit by me, Cloud.” Denzel said, smiling.

 

“No! Come sit by me, Cloud!”

 

Marlene and Denzel started fighting over Cloud, as he sat down on the end of the bar leaving a stool next to him for Tifa to sit on.

 

“Aaaawwww!” they both said at the same time. “We lost Cloud to Tifa, again!?”

 

When they said this Cloud and Tifa laughed at them, then Tifa came around the side of the bar to sit next to Cloud and Marlene.

 

When they all finished eating Cloud cleared off the bar and gave Tifa the dishes to wash. Cloud watched as little bubbles blew up from the sink, and floated around Tifa's head.

 

`Sort of like a halo.' Cloud thought. After she finished the dishes, she put them away in their belonging cabinets.

 

“Cid and Barret are throwing a Christmas party tomorrow.” Tifa said looking at Cloud.

 

“Are we going?” Cloud asked as they looked at each other.

 

“Yeah. Barret said to bring Marlene and Denzel, because he has presents for them.” Tifa explained.

 

“Ok, well I guess we could take our presents, too.” Cloud said.

 

Cloud walked over to the Christmas tree next to the window, and picked up the presents that were for Vincent, Cid, Barret, and Yuffie. Cloud and Tifa had gone shopping for them a couple days ago and they picked up presents for Marlene and Denzel, as well.

 

Later after lunch they decided they would make their annual trip to Aerith's church. They always went there around Christmas because when it snowed it looked really pretty, with the snow covering the pews. Cloud said a prayer for Aerith and picked some flowers for her. While Cloud did this Tifa helped Marlene and Denzel build a snowman. When they finished Cloud put his scarf around its neck. When they decided they were finished with the snowman, Cloud got on Fenrir and Tifa drove her white mustang with Marlene and Denzel inside.

 

While he was driving back to the bar, Cloud was starting to wonder if he should change the paint job on Fenrir. `Nah,' Cloud thought. `Then it wouldn't be the same, like old times.' Putting that thought out of his mind, Cloud started to think about how much his life had changed since he moved back in with Tifa. It was for sure that his life wasn't so lonely, and it most definitely was a lot easier to at least stay alive. He decided that he was starting to have feelings for Tifa, but he was afraid to tell her because he didn't want to be turned down. If that were to happen then he would always feel sort of like an alien around her and he most definitely didn't want that.

 

Later after dinner they were all sitting around the chimney next to a blazing hot fire. Tifa came back from the bar with four cups of steaming contents. For Marlene and Denzel, Tifa had made hot chocolate and for herself and Cloud she made coffee. While they watched the Charlie Brown Christmas story the TV people played every year, Cloud was deep in thought.

 

`Hey, Tifa I just wanted to tell you that you are so hot. Would you want to be my girlfriend,' Cloud smirked at this thought. `I can only imagine what she would say.'

 

**************

Tifa watched as Marlene and Denzel laughed at the TV, then she looked over at Cloud who was obviously thinking about something, because his brow was furrowed and suddenly out of no where he started smiling at himself. As Tifa watched the unaware Cloud, she began to wonder what he was thinking about.

 

`I really hope he's over Aerith.' Whoa, where did that thought come from?

 

`Well it is true. I just don't want to put him on the spot. You know why I can't do that. He's been though way too much to have to deal with me.' Tifa really did love Cloud but she just wasn't sure how he would react to her feelings.

 

The next morning Cloud and the other three were ready to leave the bar at about noon to go to the party. When they arrived, Vincent was putting his presents under the tree and Cid, Barret, and Yuffie were talking to each other. Cloud went to join Vincent in putting his and Tifa's gifts under the tree as well, while Tifa took Marlene and Denzel to visit with old friends.

 

After everyone had time to tell about their recent happenings, they all passed out the presents to be opened. All were pleased their gifts, especially Cid who just about died when he saw the mini model of the Shera that Tifa and Cloud had custom made for him.

 

After some of the excitement died down Cloud walked out onto the balcony of Cid's house.

 

`Score one for me.' Cid thought as he watched Cloud walk onto his balcony.

 

Cloud leaned over the railings, thinking about what he would have gotten Aerith for Christmas. And what would she give back? As Cloud thought about this Tifa zoned out the bursts of laughter from her conversation as she watched him. She knew he was thinking about Aerith, the way his mako-infused blue eyes had a tinge of longing to them. She walked over to him, hoping to cheer him up. After all it was Christmas Eve.

 

“Hey, are you ok? You seem sort of sad.” Tifa said a concerned look on her face.

 

“Um…. Yeah. I'm fine.” Cloud said looking back at her.

 

“Sorry to have to break this up. But you two do realize where you are located on the map?” Cid said leaning against the doorway.

 

“Uh……No…” Tifa and Cloud exchanged confused looks.

 

“Well you just happen to be in the city of Mistletoe, where everyone kisses.” Cid sort of laughed as they gave him dubious looks. He never said anything more, just walked away. They both looked up and then at each other.

 

Tifa blushed, then said, “I really don't think this is a good idea,” Tifa looked at Cloud and whispered. “Cloud I understand if you don-“