Unwritten

Love In Different Hues

Tifa uppercut a hedgehog pie, knocking it into Cloud's field of vision. Gripping his sword, he sliced through it, finishing the fire-breathing creature off. "That bastard ain't here," Barret grumbled, dropping his firing arm at his side.

Red sighed, "Either we were too late—"

"Or he was never here in the first place!" thundered Barret, lumbering away from the group.

Tifa frowned, gazing after him, "He just needs a minute to cool down."

Cloud folded his arms, "Throwing a tantrum isn't going to help us find Sephiroth. We have to keep moving and stop wasting time."

"It's not so simple, Cloud. Barret has Marlene here; it's not that easy for him to leave Midgar," explained Aerith.

"Yeah," Tifa added, "There's more to life than Sephiroth for some people." She passed him, shooting a pointed look his way, before joining Barret

"Ouch," Red muttered under his breath.

"I'll go alone," Cloud said, "I'll find him myself."

"Cloud," Aerith reprimanded, "That's not an option."

"Aerith's right," Red agreed, "Sephiroth is formidable. He has to be stopped; there's no denying that, but it will take all of us."

Cloud shook his head, looking in Tifa and Barrett's direction; occasionally, she glanced back. "It's better if I do this myself."

"Better for who, exactly?" Aerith placed her hands on her hips. "Sephiroth?"

Cloud grunted in response before heading back toward the Slums. "Cloud!" Aerith called, catching up to him.

He eyed Tifa as he strode past her and Barret. She'd been giving him the cold shoulder for days now, and he didn't see it ending any time soon. "What's going on with you two?" Aerith asked, strolling alongside him.

"Nothing," he lied.

Aerith groaned, stepping in front of him. "Let's try this again, except you tell me the truth this time!"

He scowled and stepped around her to continue leaving. "Cloud Strife!" she hollered from behind. He kept moving, eager to find somewhere quiet and devoid of people.

Something promptly thwacked the back of his head, causing him to spin around. Aerith stood a few feet away from him, arms tucked with a peeved expression. Cloud's eyes lowered; a gold bangle lay before his feet. "Did you...throw that at me?" he asked, floored by her behavior. Did anyone have any self-control around here?

"I was talking," she pouted.

"Yeah, and I'm leaving," he dismissed her with his hand, turning away.

"Cloud, please," Aerith's tone softened, swaying him to stop. Dammit. He looked back at her and waited for her to come closer.

"Talk to me?" she asked sweetly, gazing up at him. "You and Tifa are my friends. Maybe I can help?"

He looked away, weighing his options. He could tell her. Or he could make a run for it—he was quicker, he'd definitely get away. But then he'd have two women furious with him. He sighed, "Tifa...kissed me."

Cloud waited for a response, his eyes fixed on a scrap heap. "No way," she gasped.

"Aerith," he grimaced, embarrassment flushing his face, "Be quiet."

"Oh my goodness, you have to tell me everything!" she gushed, "What did she say? What did you say? What did you do?"

"Aerith..." he groaned, wishing he could shove the confession back down his throat.