In Our Own World, chapter 2 (Parts 3 & 4)
=Yay! Last part!=
Title: Love and Hate, Books III and IV
Book III: Of the Present...
She is sleeping again, in that phase of sleep where the dream has not yet solidified and the dreamer is caught somewhere between the waking world and the dream plane. This phase is the most dangerous, for it is at this time that the creatures of the nightmares make their move, each trying to lay claim to the dream.
I wait patiently. No demon or monster or fellow enslaved soul will touch her dream on my watch. Those who protect dreams have long since been used to my presence and Angeal no longer feels the need to guard Tifa as he did that one time we met. He and his brothers know that I come from the abode of nightmares... but they also know that though I am an enslaved soul, I have a different master now.
Her dream finally becomes clearer and I reach out. The moment I touch its irridescent surface, the dream plane fades, and I find myself standing in a room.
Tifa's room.
This room has borne witness to soft whispers and heated touches and smooth skin in the moonlight. This room is the only safe haven I know. The only reprieve from the evil and the hate. It is here that I possess her just as much as she possesses me.
Tifa is waiting for me on the bed, her body outlined in the soft silver-blue light filtering through the window. Her crimson eyes are wide and glassy in the moonlight. She is wearing nothing and that is how it should be, for she has always been like this. Tifa holds none of the fancy trappings or pretentious airs that most humans like to adorn themselves with.
This is how she comes to me; as herself, nothing more and nothing less. And there is nothing I can do but reciprocate. I approach her on the bed wearing nothing and feeling, for the first time in my life, free from any bondage. She smiles her welcome and waits, demanding nothing. She knows that I need this momentary freedom from enslavement as much as I need her.
Her house is quiet and there is no pitter-patter of children's feet -though I confess I have come to enjoy hearing it as much as I enjoy seeing her smile at the sound. We are alone in this dream and I revel in the fact that at this moment, she belongs to me.
My fingers slide through dark tresses, cupping around the curve of her head, bringing her lips to mine. She tastes of sweet wine and life and love and heaven and liquid heat. I press deeper, tasting more of her. And she gives, as only my Tifa can give.
"Cloud..."
My name is a breathless whisper against my cheek, and the sound is pure music to my ears. It has been so long since someone has spoken the name I was born with, let alone whispered it in a voice so full of emotion, but Tifa enjoys saying it. Because it is mine.
Her head falls back into the pillows, allowing me access to pulse at her throat. I lay my lips against the gentle throbbing there and my tongue lashes out to taste the sweet smoothness of her skin. She gasps, a sound of pure delight breathed into the air above her, and the throbbing beneath my tongue escalates. She makes a whimper, asking for more, but I take my time. She is far too beautiful, far too precious to be rushed.
I lay my hand across her skin, dipping a finger into the hollow at her throat, and watch as her breathing becomes unsteady. Slowly, I trace an invisible path from the base of her neck down to the cleft between her breasts, mesmerized at the way her body arches and curves, following the glide of my hand. Her chest rises and for a moment, she stops breathing as my hand strays lower, one finger trailing down the valley of her stomach.
She shudders beneath my hand and I marvel at the way her long lashes flutter across her cheek. Her hand wraps around mine and she brings it to her breasts. The dusky peaks are tight from arousal and I brush my thumb lightly across it, making her whimper again, this time, in frustration. She gives me a small, half-hearted glare but it is softened by the wry smile on her lips. With a light laugh, I give her what she wants.
Her skin is like silk beneath my tongue and she tastes heavenly. Slowly and with infinite patience, I swirl my tongue around her breast, from its graceful slope to its generous swell. I feel her ragged breathing, the way her chest rises and falls in time to the stroking of my tongue. She gasps my name over and over as she twines her hands in my hair, pulling lightly. I respond to her urgency by pressing my tongue against one rosy peak as my hand caresses the other.
"Cloud! Please..."
Her voice is nearly desperate, begging, and I feel her body's welcome against my thigh. I am enslaved by this woman, and when she asks, I have no choice but to give. Her grip on me, both physically and emotionally, is tight and will not yield. I cannot break free of it, nor do I want to.
I bend down and my tongue retraces the path my fingers started and she makes a sound that is both a moan and a sigh as I lower my head over the mound between her thighs. I mimic the sound against her heated skin and my breath glides over her, both cooling and inflaming. Beneath me, she writhes and her hands twist through the blankets, clenching and unclenching in an erratic pace, while her hips arch against me.
Relishing her reponse, I lower my head and allow myself to taste her essence. She tastes of innocent vulnerability and resilient strength, of warmth and light and everything that opposes the evil and hate of the world I have belonged to for so long before she came and helped me escape. I cannot get enough of her taste. I cannot get enough of her. Each time I take a taste, I want more.
"Cloud!"
I feel her legs tighten around me and the soles of her feet glide restlessly at my back. She is almost there, reaching for her release. She keens in desire and anticipation, and finally, I feel her clench and hear her breathless cry echoing through the room. I watch as her lips part on unsteady breaths and her eyes fly open to catch my gaze as she slowly recovers.
I return her wide-eyed gaze and smile. Shifting positions, I loom above her and capture her lips in a searing kiss. But my Tifa is a fighter, and she gives as good as she gets. I know that by now.
With a move that is firm and strong yet delicate and sensual at the same time, she lays a hand on my shoulder and pushes me down onto the bed. Our bodies shift and she is lying across me, breasts pressed against my chest, thighs spread over my lower abdomen, and mouth pressed firmly against mine.
When the need for breath forces us apart, I see that her crimson eyes are glowing and she holds my gaze steadily. I place my hands over her hips and she glides down, easing my length into her warm sheath. The sensation has us both gasping and, for a second, neither of us moves.
I take in everything about her; her glorious body silhouetted in the moonlight, the soft smile on her face, the undisguised hunger in her eyes. She does the same and as if on some silent cue, we both begin to move. Her hips roll gracefully above mine, taking in more and more of me. I press her down closer to me and surge deeper. Her long, dark hair cascades over us like a downpour of silk rain, moving fluidly at our every motion.
"Tifa..." Her name tastes good on my lips and I find myself repeating it over and over again. She raises unbearably soft eyes to my face and even through the need and the want, I can see the tenderness and love in them. "Tifa..."
She leans down and brushes her lips softly against mine. The slight barely-there sensation is enough to make me want more and I take her full lower lip between my teeth, loving its taste. Tifa moans in response and the sound is heat and desire brought to life as our bodies move together in a ceaseless, almost desperate rhythm.
When she finds her release, it is sudden and wrenches a startled, breathless cry from her. The intense and impassioned sound coming from her drags me, groaning and helpless, over the edge as well and I clutch her tightly to me, determined never to let go.
After several long moments that could have lasted for hours, her body is still draped over me, shaking and trembling, just as helpless as I am. I smile a little and we both wait for the tremors to fade. I shift until we are both lying on our sides. Tifa makes a soft sound and turns her face to my throat. I stroke her hair and allow the waves of contentment to wash over us both and lull us into peaceful silence.
"Cloud? Will you come to my dream again?"
Her voice is soft and gentle, pleading... For some reason I cannot begin to fathom, she needs me. As much as I need her. And though I do not fully understand why she does, I will come to her for as long as needs me to. She has no need to ask. I cannot stay away from her dreams. My soul depends on the freedom and love she offers so willingly. I cannot exist without it, without her. And so I nod and she smiles into my skin.
I don't know how long we stayed there, entwined in each other's arms, merely content with the feel of each other. But too soon -far too soon- her dream begins to blur. She is waking. At first, Tifa clings to me, unwilling to leave, but after a while, the pull of the waking world becomes too much for her to resist. It is where she belongs, after all... and no matter how hard we try to keep the morning away, it will come.
But she will dream again. And I will come to her as long as I am able. For how long this little world we have created for ourselves will last, I do not know. But I do know that I will hold on to it for as long as I can.
I step out of her dream, holding her smile and the feel of her in my memory.
But I have already stepped out of my safe haven. I am no longer in the protection of Tifa's dreams. And outside of our little world, there are dangers that wish to harm.
The force of the blow nearly knocks me off balance. But eons of training and practice have worked well for me and I regain my footing almost automatically. Before my mind has even caught up with my body, sheer reflex has me swinging my fist at my attacker and I smile in satisfaction when I feel it connect with flesh and bone.
I cannot pretend that I have not expected this. In the abode of nightmares, Mother is a force to be reckoned with.
I straighten up and cast a disdainful glance at the army of enslaved souls that Mother has assembled before me. Mother herself stands behind them, towering over them all; a being that cannot be described as beast or human, merely evil.
My vision fills with sickening green as I look upon her form. She moves her bulk toward me and I can feel her cruel smile light upon me.
"And what is this?" her oily voice slides through my being, causing the hairs on my skin to prickle in disgust. "One of my children, my souls, has broken the stronghold? How it breaks my heart. One of my own has betrayed me - dear children, do we allow Strife to live after this?"
Mother's army of slaves shake their heads and respond "NO!" in a bland monotone. I pity these creatures, these souls enslaved by their own weakness or by the weakness of those who had taken them. They are immersed in hate, just as I used to be.
"I own your soul, Strife," Mother declares triumphantly. "How worthy you once were of the name I gave you... I took you from your deathbed and gave you what you wanted: immortality! And how do you repay me? You disobey my commands and take the dreams of an insignificant girl for your own. You have mocked me, Strife, and for this... you will die!"
The army of souls ripples in agreement and they take a menacing step forward.
Unshaken, I stand my ground. I am unarmed and vulnerable, but I stand my ground.
Mother's smile is mocking and cruel as her army slowly advances on me. But before they get the chance to do anything, the sound of beating wings fills the air. Every single head turns upward and I see the outline of three beings, all with lone wings stretched out on their backs, descending from the skies of the dream plane.
As their forms grow nearer, I see Angeal, his sword in one hand and mine in the other. On either side of him are the two other Guardians. One has flowing silver hair, catlike green eyes, and a sword so long the glide of its metal seems endless. This is, without a doubt, Sephiroth. On Angeal's other side is a Guardian with short red hair and a red cloak. His sword is made of a strange scarlet metal that glows menacingly in the darkness. This is Genesis, then.
Angeal smiles and tosses my sword in my direction. The blade whistles through the air and I wrap my hand around the hilt, nodding my thanks to Angeal. He takes his place beside me and his brothers follow wordlessly, silent warriors who have fought this battle before and now stand with me as I face the same fight.
"You cannot face me alone, Strife? You need Guardians with you?" Their appearance has shaken and enraged Mother, for now the four souls who have managed to escape her clutches all stand before her. But she does not show it, instead the green fire of her rage intensifies and so does her thirst to destroy. "Foolish, ungrateful souls! I gave you all what you wanted but you were too weak to take it! You will ALL die!"
"What you have said is true," I smile coldly at her. The smile unnerves her further, for she is not used to being challenged or mocked. "I traded my soul for immortality, and if I had known then that this would be my fate, I would have taken death gladly. I have disobeyed your commands and I have taken the dreams of a woman who is infinitely stronger than you are... Jenova."
She recoils in horror and her hulking mass quivers in silent indignation. "You dare -"
I laugh. "Yes, I do. Jenova... I know what you are. The embodiment of human evils, of the lust and greed and hate of the sinful who dream. I was one of them, and I am ashamed of it, of being weak enough to join you and take others with me. But no longer... You no longer own my soul."
"What madness is this?" Jenova screams, her voice filled with the hatred and the evil I have known for so long; but this time, there is a difference. This time, there is fear. "Your soul belongs to me as compensation for the immortality I gave you! You WILL serve me as payment for what I did!"
Beside me, the three Guardians are silent, but I feel the waves of anger emanating from their still forms. My own anger intensifies at Jenova's words.
"'What you did'?" I shake my head. "What you did was to take advantage of my weakness as a human... but I do not expect anything else from something like you. You steal souls, you take lives and fill us all with hate... but my soul is my own again. It is no longer yours, because you did not foresee the threat that 'insignificant girl' posed. She took my soul from you and freed me while doing so."
"Lies! All lies!"
Jenova lunges forward then, her entire form blazing with her fire. The army she has assembled tries to flee, but they burn with her. I can hear the inhuman screams of these souls as Jenova's fire licks at their bodies. But she does not heed them. Instead, her focus is on me and the three Guardians. She plunges through the dream plane, burning everything in her wake to get to us.
If I had been a weaker soul, if I did not own my own life now, I probably would have quailed as I watched Jenova's fiery onslaught. But Tifa had taught me many things and she had saved me. She owned me now. I belonged to her and not to this creature.
As if on some invisible cue, Angeal, Sephiroth, Genesis, and I raise our swords, four motions so fluid they seemed one. As Jenova approaches, we all move in, the wings unfurling from the three Guardians' backs and the blade of my sword bursting into blue flames. As one, we slash and attack the creature that once owned us all.
Jenova screams her hate and rage and it is a terrible sound that seems to chase away all the good things in the world. But I hold on to the image of Tifa in my mind as I attack again and again. Beside me, the three Guardians attack as well with precision and steadfast determination.
My limbs hurt with the effort but my mind is exhilaratingly clear. What is left of Jenova's army attempts to attack us but we focus on her alone, for she is at the root of all this. Again and again we attack until my body feels as if it is about to collapse from the sheer effort it takes to stand. Time itself seems to move in a sluggish pace as we all move forward each time she shows signs of weakness.
Finally, it is almost over. Jenova's hulking mass lurches and falls, but not before sending out its last attempt to destroy us. Her accursed fire blazes as tall as the sky, as unstoppable as water and as unmoving as the earth.
Instinctively, I know that this is the last of it. We can make no move to defend ourselves from this fire for our bodies are spent. Even the greatest of warriors fall. Even the greatest of Guardians have weaknesses. Even the greatest of heroes must die.
I turn to Angeal and his brothers. "This is mine to finish."
They nod, understanding, and step backward. They have already suffered through this. It is no longer their battle to fight, but mine. Wings beat once again as the three Guardians take flight, leaving only softly floating white feathers in their wake.
Now the only thing left is me and the last of the creature that once enslaved me. I stand my ground as I feel Jenova's fire once again consuming my body.
This time, for good.
My last thought is of Tifa, and how much I mourned having so little time with her, and how she would wait for me in her dream tonight, but I would not be able to come.
I'm sorry, Tifa. I failed you...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Book IV: Of the Future...
Tifa Lockhart lay in her bed, thinking.
Her sheets were tangled around her limbs and the clock beside her bed ticked in an even, regular cadence. From outside her room, she could hear her siblings' feet scurrying lightly across the wooden floor as they headed down to the kitchen to get breakfast. She knew she should go downstairs and make Denzel and Marlene something to eat, but something kept her glued to the bed. Her red-brown eyes stared at the ceiling, unseeing.
Cloud didn't come.
He had promised he would. Not in so many words, but he had promised. And she had waited for him, but he didn't come.
Why?
She knew Cloud wouldn't abandon her like that on purpose. Not after what he had told her when they were in the water during that dream. The dream that had changed everything when he had admitted that he loved her.
Every time they met in her dreams, he never seemed to want to let go of her, just as much as she didn't want to let go of him. He needed her. She didn't really understand why, but he did. His actions said as much. So why would he suddenly stop coming to see her? It didn't make sense.
The only reason he would stop coming to her dreams was if something had happened to him.
The thought made her hands fist on the sheets. What if something had happened to Cloud? She remembered what he had told her about the dream plane, about the creatures that stole people's souls to control them. One of those beings had done it before to Cloud... What if that being tried to hurt him?
She couldn't understand why someone would want to hurt Cloud. True, he had frightened her a little at first with what he had told her about stealing souls and how that had been his objective in her dreams at first. But not anymore. Not since he had told her he loved her. And now that she knew what he was really like, she just couldn't imagine why anyone would want to hurt him.
The doorbell rang and Tifa could hear multiple voices coming from outside. Barret's growling yell was loudest, Yuffie's high, piping chatter was second, followed by Zack's cheery laugh, while Aerith's soft murmur was barely audible over the others, and though she couldn't hear him, Tifa was pretty sure Vincent was with them too. Boots skipping on wooden floors told her that Marlene was getting the door.
Sighing, Tifa forced herself out of bed. Maybe she was worrying for nothing. That was always her way with the people she loved. And she loved Cloud.
When he had told her that his first purpose in coming to her dreams was to steal her soul, she had reacted not only to the things he had told her, but also to the thought that perhaps he didn't feel the things she felt when he came to her dreams. And so she ran away, hurt and confused by the foreign emotions that were rushing through her. She had run until he whispered those words that still made her heart pound and her insides dance happily.
"I love you..."
Even now, Tifa had to bite her lip to keep from grinning ear to ear like some lovesick fool. She laughed inwardly at her schoolgirl-ish reactions.
Vaguely, she wondered how long their situation could last. Much as she loved having him to herself, there was a part of her that wanted to share him with everyone else. To see what Barret and Denzel and Marlene and everyone else would think of him. She was pretty sure they'd accept him. No matter how much he might say that he was full of hate and evil, she knew he had a good soul. Why else would he care so much for her?
Tifa had always belonged to a family. Cloud didn't, and she wanted to share her family with him.
She just wished she really was worrying for nothing, because she didn't know what she'd do if something bad had happened to Cloud.
Tifa pulled on her usual leather vest, apron and shorts and went down the stairs, yawning into her hand. The others were still talking. Marlene was telling Barret about what had happened to her at school lately. Denzel was showing Zack the model airplane he had put together yesterday. Yuffie was probably rummaging through the kitchen drawers, looking for something she could steal. Aerith was in the garden, probably checking on the flowers and-
"TIFAAAAA!"
The flower girl's high-pitched scream rent the morning air and brought everyone crashing into the backyard. Tifa, immediately on alert, ran down the stairs, two steps at a time, already prepping herself for a fight.
"Tifa! Tifa! Come quick!" Marlene's alarmed voice called through the back door.
"What the hell, Teef?"
"Tifa, what's going on?"
"TIII-FAA! What's a naked man doing in yo' backyard, girl?"
Barret's words in his Papa-voice - as Marlene liked to call it - stopped Tifa in her tracks. "What?"
She skidded downstairs to find all of them crowded on her back door. Barret's gun-arm was pointed at something she couldn't see. Vincent's Cerberus was also aimed at the same target. Zack was clutching his enormous Buster Sword with both hands. How he had even managed to draw it, she had no idea. It was half as wide as the doorway and nearly touched the ceiling when he held it up. Yuffie had her Conformer drawn as well, but she couldn't see past the men who were all taller than her and she had to jump up and down to see over their shoulders.
"Hey, outta the way, big lug! I can't see!"
"Be quiet, ninja brat! And stay back there, you don't know who that is!"
"Who what is?" Tifa stood behind them with her hands on her hips. They all turned toward her, a risky move, but when she talked in her best ass-kicking-bartender voice, everyone listened. Yuffie took advantage of Barret's distraction and took a peek into the backyard.
"Whoa, Teef! You've been hiding things from us, huh?" Yuffie giggled. "And he's uber-hot! Congratulations!"
"Yuffie, what on earth are you talking about?" Tifa pushed her way through the men, giving them each a stern glare when they tried to block her way. Aerith was gaping soundlessly at something. Denzel and Marlene were peeking behind Barret's legs and she gave them a gentle push backwards to keep them out of the way just in case there was any danger. Behind her, she could feel Barret, Zack and Vincent tensing themselves, ready to attack if there was a need.
A naked man? In her backyard? One of the regulars who had drunk too much? No, of course not. Her regulars knew better than to break into her house, much less do so without a stitch on... Who, then?
She stepped out into the backyard and took a cautious look. Sprawled on the grass of Aerith's mini-garden was a man. A very familiar man. She knew every inch of him, even though she had never seen him before. Not in this world anyway. But the hint of sunshine gold was enough to tell her who he was.
"Cloud!"
He was here! He came! Cloud came! Tifa's heart slammed in her ribs in a mixture of relief and fear.
But something in the way he was lying on the ground made her stomach twist in fear. His body was too still, too lifeless. She rushed to his prone form and knelt beside him. "Cloud!" She pushed his golden spikes away from his face, willing him to open his eyes so she could see the blue of them once again. "Cloud, please... Please be alright..."
"Yo, Teef, you know this guy?"
"Barret! Shhh!" Aerith's voice reprimanded and she began herding the others away with a knowing smile on her face. Tifa seemed to know the man and she obviously didn't think he was a danger to the others. Besides, something in the way Tifa was looking at him reminded her of the way she looked at Zack, like a woman in love.
Vaguely, Tifa was aware of the others filing back inside the house. She didn't pay any attention to them. Instead, she took Cloud's hand and clasped it to her cheek. How many times had he touched her there, stroking her face with careful fingers as though trying to memorize her features?
He didn't react. His skin was so cold, as if there wasn't any life in him. What had happened to him? She felt tears slip down her cheeks and brushed them impatiently away.
"Cloud..." Tifa bent her head and pressed her lips to his temple, her breath ruffling his soft hair. When he still didn't respond, she let her lips roam over his face, just as she had so many times before. But this time, it felt different. More... real.
He had to be alive! He had to be! This was too real to be another dream and she was not going to lose him now that he was here!
Softly, experimentally, she kissed his slack mouth. Just a light brushing of her lips against his. Then another. And another. Until she gave in and finally pressed her lips more firmly against his mouth, willing him to remember, willing him to respond...
For how long she knelt there beside him, her mouth pressed to his, Tifa had no idea. Her body hurt from being in this position for so long, but her heart hurt worse, like it was shattering into a million tiny pieces. She gasped against his mouth, a pained, desperate sound.
Just as she was about to pull away, she felt strong hands cup around the back of her head, the touch firm and possessive, sealing her lips to his. Tifa's eyes flew open and met the impossible blue of his.
Then, in a move just as sudden as his response, he flipped them over so that he was above her, his arms around her to cushion her. And then he was kissing her, kissing her as if his very existence depended on it, as if she were the only thing he knew in this world... and it was true.
Tifa kissed him back with all the relief and joy and love she felt for him. Her arms wound themselves around his neck and she held on to him, never wanting to let go. She knew the others were still inside, possibly seeing her in this scandalous position; on the ground with a naked man above her. But she really couldn't care less. All she knew was that Cloud was here, and he came, just as he had promised he would.
He drew back just a little and their foreheads touched. His chest was heaving, but then so was hers, and his breath was hot as he whispered in her ear, "Sorry it took me so long."
Tifa smiled and shook her head, pulling him closer. "It's alright."
His fingers stroked her face, as though trying to reassure himself that she was really real and really there. "Tifa... your Guardians, they helped me... and you... I thought of you and..." She watched as he struggled to put his thoughts to words. "I- Thank you. For saving me."
She didn't understand what he meant, but she knew he needed to say it more than to have her understand why. So she nodded and smiled at him. He was still staring at her, the blue fire of his eyes mesmerizing as they gazed down at her.
"Tifa... I'm yours now, whether you want me to be or not. I can understand if you don't want me, and if that is so then I'll stay out of your way... but whatever happens, I'm yours."
He turned his head away and the blue of his gaze left hers. His head was down, as though afraid of her reaction. For a moment, she lay there under him, thinking of the right words. In the end, there was really only one thing to say.
"Cloud?"
His eyes were still downcast. "Yes?"
Tifa cupped her hand around his cheek and lifted his face so she could meet his eyes. The blue in them shifted and glimmered in the early morning sun. She smiled.
"I'm yours, too."
THE END