Tifa's eyes were wide open even before the sun peeked through the layers of clouds. She demanded an answer and there was no way she would walk out of her father's room with empty hands.

So here they were; sitting across one another, having a rather menacing staring contest. Angeal sighed inwardly as he saw the glint in his daughter's eyes; she really would buy nothing else besides a clear explanation of the havoc that had kept occurring for the past weeks.

"Where do I start...," he mumbled, absently rubbing his chin.

Tifa stilled her glare at him even if he wasn't looking at her and spoke up, "Who is that man, Father?" she asked, voice surprisingly calm and controlled.

He shook his head in exasperation. "I don't even know that well myself." he paused. Tifa parted her lips for another counter, but he beat her to it. "But here's the thing, dear. It's not safe for you to be here anymore."

She inclined her head and frowned. "Why?"

"That man you were asking about earlier. He is after you. Or rather, his commander is after you."

It was such a non-sense for her. "What do you mean after me? What have I done?" she inquired.

Angeal let out a heavy sigh and stared at his daughter. His eyes reflected love, guilt, and sorrow. "It's rather what I have done, Tifa. I'm sorry I cannot prevent this from happening, and you must understand that this is the best for you, for everyone." It looked like he was about to continue, so she waited. "I'm going to send you far away from here, erase your old identity so you can start out a new life. You are young; you've got plenty of time."

Her mouth fell agape. Among all things and all horrible scenarios that had been playing over and over in her mind, this was not one of them. She couldn't help but to wonder if it was really that easy to send her away. She was his daughter, for Gaia's sake.

"I... I don't...," she shook her head slowly, her black hair dancing on her pale shoulders. "... Alone?"

"No, no, of course not, my dear. How could I leave you alone? I'll send some soldiers to go with you, stay with you and make sure you're safe. Probably for the rest of your life." he reassured, but he knew that wouldn't ease her.

She fell silent for a few moments until the name that was on the tip of her tongue slipped through. "Cloud...?"

Angeal looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry, Tifa."

Tifa felt tears burning her eyes, but she refused to look weak in front of her father. Everything became clear though; why he had forbidden her to go outside, the sadness in Barret's eyes, Cloud's withdrawal... They were all because someone was after her and she, Tifa Hewley, was about to vanish from the face of Gaia in a matter of days, maybe hours. And the thought of not meeting her family and friends again dreaded her.

She clenched her fists that were resting on her laps under the wooden table and her jaws tightened. "I refuse." she declared sternly, looking straight into Angeal's eyes.

He wasn't surprised, but he would never be prepared for her rejection. "Tifa, listen—"

"Why would I? There must be another way, right?" she prompted, and when her father gave her an exasperated, desperate look, she shook her head vehemently in denial and stood up. "No, I don't want to go! I want to be with you, with Zack, Genesis, Cid, Cloud, Denzel, and everybody else!" her voice raised.

"Tifa, this isn't just for you, don't you realize that? That man; he'd do anything to get you and that means the people of Midgar are in danger too!" he tried to reason.

Tifa bit her lower lip and said nothing as she stormed her way out of the room, barely hearing her father's voice calling for her behind the large door.

Angeal sighed for the umpteenth time that day and rested his forehead on his palm. He had to convince Tifa; a full week of discussion with both Cid and Genesis had only resulted in this idea. He didn't want to have any wars and in order to keep her safe, there was nothing else he could do. Things were pressuring him badly, and the image of Kadaj's malicious glare added to that stress. He could only imagine how evil his commander had become if his affiliate alone was like that.

"What do you want, Kadaj?" Angeal asked in low, deep voice.

The lanky man merely smirked. "Don't be so harsh on me, Your Majesty; you'll regret it."

"I believe he asked for your intention, Kadaj." Genesis spoke up firmly, his Rapier still held in mid-air.

"I'm just here to warn you; every single of you." he turned his head around, casting glances at whoever was making eye contact with him, as if to drill into their mind that he tolerated no exception. He stopped and turned back to stare at the king. "Innocent people will have to suffer the consequences. You realize that, don't you?"

Angeal remained silent, not knowing how to answer. Kadaj smiled maliciously and a devilish set of chuckles came out of his pale lips. "He can wait no more." he whispered.

With that, Angeal lost it. "Get him out of my sight!" he shouted, and the soldiers scattered around the room immediately obeyed his order, escorting Kadaj out of the room. The fact that he didn't put up any sort of fight only managed to boil his anxiousness even more.

Tifa sat mutely in front of the mirror, seeing but not looking at her own reflection. Her father's words were playing over and over in her mind like a broken cassette, and even then she couldn't accept the one-sided decision that fell upon her. She didn't want to leave her home, not to mention alone. She barely knew the soldiers who were going to be sent along with her, and the thought of not being able to see her beloved families and friends brought tears to her eyes.

She clenched her fists as the first drop of the salty liquid streamed down her cheek. What was she going to do? Her father said there was no other way. She knew that if he had said so, then there was no other way. She understood his intention of saving her and the people of Midgar, and that was the worst part. She loved her people, and didn't want to cause them problem.

Wiping her tears away, she ended her exhausting battle of mind. The princess of Midgar stood up, confidence yet fear overflowing from her figure as she had made up her mind.

She walked down a long hallway that was opened to the late afternoon scene. She hadn't had the chance to notice the beauty of her home until she was forced to leave the place forever. The carving on the walls, the smooth tapestries, the wooden tables, even the sound of her shoes tapping against the stone tiles nearly brought her to tears again. She used to run around here with Zack when they were still little, cashing each other merrily. Tifa's lips turned upward into a sad smile as she made a mental note to thank her brother after all these years.

Tifa abruptly stopped when she spotted the only man in her sight, walking towards her direction. Subconsciously, she swallowed the lump that somehow had made its way to her throat.

Cloud halted when they were about three meters away and bowed his head. "Princess," he greeted, his voice monotonous. She wasn't completely surprised as he walked passed her in silence, but her body told her to turn around and faced him anyway.

The disrupted women stared in pure sadness as Cloud walked away. He intended to leave, but after the sixth step, he put himself to a stop and whirled around, somehow knowing that she was waiting for him to say something.

Their eyes met for a second before he dropped to one knee, his heart determined and sincere. His forearm rested on his lifted knee and his head was bowed so deeply Tifa felt the urge to run her fingers through those blond spikes. He spoke up, his voice loud and clear despite hidden between his own limbs. "I vow to you, My Princess. I will protect you with all my might, and I will give up my life if it is to save yours."

Cloud had never wanted her to leave, either. Although the choice was in her hand, and the probability of her not going away was so little, he promised he would fight for her and keep her safe.

Tifa felt tears burning her eyes. His figure was blurred but she saw him standing up, bowed one more time, and turned to finally walk away. A strangled sob escaped her lips and her body betrayed her attempt to stay still. She stepped forward and bumped herself onto his back, her arms circling his upper torso, fists resting on his chest. Her tears soaked the soldier uniform he was wearing.

Cloud grit his teeth and clenched his fists, nails digging painfully into his flesh. It took all of his will power not to turn around and crushed her in an even tighter embrace. Instead, he mentally counted to five and was finally able to relax. "Princess, we are in plain sight." he said.

Her hug tightened. "Promise me, Cloud... You will never forget..." she said, her voice more like a high-pitched screech than a whisper.

So she was leaving.

The thought hit Cloud hard and he felt a painful pang in his chest. He was going to lose the woman he loved, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He loathed himself and wondered; if he was worthy enough, he could've taken her place instead so she didn't have to suffer.

They fell into another silence where only Tifa's soft cry could be heard. Cloud was fighting himself; he had long since chastised his mind to never drag Tifa into a deeper heartbreak. He'd rather make her hate him, break her heart now so that she'd live easily for the rest of her live, far away from him.

But her tears forced him to surrender. Cloud reached up and clasped his hand over Tifa's.

"I promise."

Keeping in mind that he shouldn't do any more than that, Cloud slowly removed her hands one at a time and reluctantly stepped forward without looking back, afraid he wouldn't be able to keep still without taking her in his arms if he did.

Tifa watched as the man she had loved for as long as she remembered walked away, and only when he was out of her sight did she break down. She fell to her knees, hands covering her face as she cried her heart out.

Her room was filled with maids rummaging through her closet and suitcase; they were preparing for her departure while the person in question herself sat idly on the edge of her bed, hands resting on her laps as she stared on the maroon carpet below her blankly.

Her father had silently nodded, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her head emotionally as if it was the last he could give. It most likely was. Zack didn't say anything either; it was Aerith who did.

"I wish I could get the chance to know you better, Tifa." she said regretfully as she held onto both of her hands.

Tifa smiled weakly. "Me too," she continued in lower voice. "Take care of Zack, will you?" she requested, tears already welling in both of her wine-red eyes.

"Of course. Take care of yourself too, dear." Aerith replied as she pulled her into a hug. At least she didn't have to worry about her brother anymore; he had an amazing woman by his side.

The sound of explosion brought Tifa back from her reverie. She sat still for a moment, making sure that she had heard right. And when the next sound she heard was of people screaming, her eyes widened and she stood up straight and headed to the balcony.

"Princess, it's dangerous!" Jessie cried out, but she wouldn't listen.

The scene in front of her would surely be etched in her memory for the rest of her live. There were fire, explosion, and people—her people—running and screaming for help. The green grass was tainted with dirt, and to her horror, blood. Midgar soldiers were fighting an army of mysterious men clad in black and dozens of enormous creature with sharp fangs, claws, and some kind of thorns along their body.

She nearly faced her death when a fire arrow was shot directly at her only to have her body grabbed around the waist and pulled inside rather harshly. She looked over her shoulder and didn't know if it was appropriate for her to smile. "Cloud!"

He kept his stoic demeanor despite the clear restlessness reflected in his endless blue eyes. "Princess, please come with me, we have to get you somewhere safe." he merely explained. Tifa didn't even get the chance to response as Cloud tugged her arm pulled her into running with him.

"What's happening, Cloud?" she demanded as they ran through the pillars of the castle. She recognized this way as the way going to the castle dungeon.

Cloud remained silent for a while until he finally spoke up. "Someone's attacking the town."

"Is it... Because of me...?"

"What's more important is keeping you safe, Princess."

Just as Tifa was about to counter, a loud cracking sound was heard and a moment later, the ceiling broke, cutting their way. A fog of dust disabled their vision for a while until Tifa felt Cloud pulling her to stand behind him.

"Cloud? What—"

"Tifa," he said. "Run as fast as you can on my third count."

The fog faded little by little and Tifa was finally able to make out what—or rather, who—was in front of them. Black was what she first saw, followed by a ridiculously elongated sword.

And silver hair.

She didn't realize she was falling forward until she bumped onto Cloud's back causing the soldier to immediately look over his shoulder. "Tifa?" he questioned in concern. It was a bad move, though, as the silver-haired man in front of them lunged forward and hit Cloud with the back of his sword. Cloud grunted in pain, trying to regain his balance. In his mind, he kept repeating that he must protect Tifa. The thought paused for a second as the villain grabbed his shoulder and threw him aside, crashing his body onto the wall and he fell to his knees.

"Cloud!" Tifa exclaimed and was about to come to his side when the same hand stopped her. She looked up and came face to face with the most menacing, diabolic, cat-like green eyes she had ever seen in her whole life.

"Good to see you, Princess." the man said in a smirk. He looked awfully like Kadaj, but his hair was much longer and his voice was much deeper.

"Tifa, run!"

Tifa felt her whole body went numb and she could only stare at him.

"It's been so long since I last saw you," he continued, reaching up a hand to stroke her cheek. "You look so much like your mother."

"Tifa!"

Mother...

Silver hair...

Fire...?

"It's actually such a waste that she died... what, eleven years ago?" the man said. Confusion slid through Tifa's face and she couldn't help but ask.

"Eleven...?" didn't her mother passed away five years ago?

At her question, he let out an evil laugh. "You have no idea, do you, Tifa?"

The sound of footsteps and her father yelling brought the man to a pause. "Sephiroth! Leave my daughter alone!" he growled. Tifa looked over her shoulder to see Angeal with Cid, Genesis, and Zack running close at his heels.

"Oh, there he is, the wrecker." the man—now she knew named Sephiroth—smirked. He turned back to Tifa and continued where he was interrupted. "Don't you realize that you are not the queen's daughter, Tifa Lockhart?"

Lockhart? Her name was Tifa Hewley, not...

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Tifa, don't listen to him." Genesis ordered.

"Tifa, you're a child born from your father's affair with a woman from Nibelheim... A woman that I loved... Tiffany. You are named after her." he smirked widely it made Tifa felt sick, though his eyes held a bit of bitterness.

She couldn't really processed the information in her brain. She wasn't the queen's daughter...? That clearly explained why she said Tifa was an unwanted child, though... And she looked different with her, too...

"Don't worry, though. That doesn't change who you are. In fact, it is better that you are Tiffany's daughter." Sephiroth lifted his sword and due to its length, it was able to reach Cloud. He swung it a little and undoubtly, Cloud's arm were slashed, leaving a thin, long wound that leaked red.

"Cloud!" she exclaimed, and this time, Sephiroth didn't stop her.

"You bastard!" Cid roared as he held up his sword and charged forward, ignoring Genesis' warning of not to touch him. Indeed, Cid was sent flying backward with one movement from the graceful man.

Tifa held on Cloud's bleeding arm, and tentatively touched his wound. He flinched, but what happened next surpassed the burning sensation of the pain.

His wound closed, and was healed completely.

Cloud's eyes widened as he stared at Tifa. The person herself stood still, mouth slightly agape as she locked her gaze on where the wound was supposed to be. Angeal looked down defeatedly, while Cid and Genesis pressed their lips together, feeling restless.

Sephiroth laughed out loud, obviously satisfied. "You are truly her daughter!" he exclaimed exultantly.

Cloud remembered how he felt this healing sensation in his heart everytime Tifa touched him. Now he wasn't so sure if it was because he loved her or because Tifa did, literally, heal.

A/N: Thank you for waiting XD It's been some helluva hectic weeks, what with the last assignments, tests, and even now I'm in exam week, finishing this chapter. Don't try this at home.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter! It will be rolling down the hill for a while, but hang in there, everyone~!