The relationship between Cloud and Tifa

[Sefie1999AD]

Well, it's just my theory.

But it's a pretty reasonable theory. It makes sense that (SPOILER)Cloud would want to move on with his life and love, but he's not sure if that's what Aeris wants, so Cloud wants Aeris' forgiveness to "allow" him to move on. I think FFX-2 had a bit similar themes with Tidus and Yuna, as Yuna wasn't sure whether to move on with her life or still keep chasing for her lost love, and under certain conditions, you can decide about that: when the Fayth asks, "You want to walk together again?", you can either choose "Yes" or "It's better this way. He's already with me."

I haven't seen Last Order or read On the Way to a Smile, but how's Cloud and Tifa relationship described there? 5-7 years prior to FFVII, Cloud had a crush on Tifa, maybe even more, and (SPOILER)Cloud only joined SOLDIER because he wanted to be strong enough, so that he'd never let Tifa get hurt again, so that she'd notice him. When Cloud came to Nibelheim with Sephiroth and Zack, he was so ashamed of his weaknesses that he couldn't bear to tell Tifa that he was just a normal guard, so he just kept his helmet on to hide his identity. That's why Tifa tells Cloud in the Lifestream, "You weren't here. Cloud did not come to Nibelheim five years ago. I... waited. But, Cloud... never came."

When they were teenagers, Cloud had a crush on Tifa. When they were adults, Tifa had feelings for Cloud. What Cloud feels is the key question here, but I thought each FFVII player can decide about that themselves since in the game, you are Cloud, and you can choose how to treat each character in the game and that way decide who you go out with in the Gold Saucer date sequence.

[Pivi]

But it's a pretty reasonable theory. It makes sense that (SPOILER)Cloud would want to move on with his life and love, but he's not sure if that's what Aeris wants, so Cloud wants Aeris' forgiveness to "allow" him to move on.

Exactly.

how's Cloud and Tifa relationship described there?

Well, I don't really want to spoil it for You, it's worth a read. You can read it here:
http://xthost.info/ffwebnovel/

But if You want to know, here's the story in a nutshell:
(SPOILER)I'm talking about Case of Tifa now. It shows how Cloud and Tifa started to live together (as friends, not as couple) after the events of Final Fantasy VII, and what did they do then. In the first part, it has some very massive clues that Cloud starts to feel something romantically towards Tifa, at one paragraph he just show a little affection (he's blushing because of that ), so it clearly stated for me, that Cloud's heart do not belongs to only Aerith, but he has some blooming feelings for Tifa too.
But after a while, Cloud got a package from Aerith's "mother" (Cloud's a deliveryboy), and that reminds him of Aerith, and he fell in deep depression. His relationship with Tifa has a big distance from here on, but I really think that Cloud struggles, not only because he remembers Aerith's death, but because he really has some starting feelings for Tifa, and he wants forgiveness from Aerith because of this.
In one part he says that it's his problem, and he wants to settle it alone. Thus he can't settle his feelings with Tifa, because (I think) she's also a little part of his guilt.

But thus, at the ending of Advent Children, Cloud got the forgiveness from Aerith, and he can move on, and I think he won't hold back his blooming feelings for Tifa from this point.
Again, it's just my theory, there's no proof for it (but there's no proof for anything in the movie...).

[Sefie1999AD]

Thanks. I'll read it when I have time. BTW That site mentions Chapters 1-4 and the (SPOILER)Case of Tifa. Are there other cases there too, or does that site have everything translated?

[Pivi]

Are there other cases there too, or does that site have everything translated?

As far as I know, it has everything translated. There's another novel with (SPOILER)Aerith as the main heroine, but that's not translated yet.

[OminousShock]

I personally didn't feel and see any love connection between Cloud and Tifa but I did feel and see some connection between Cloud and Aries which I don't want to go into detail because it could be a spoiler. Oh what the heck, I don't think it's a spoiler. Cloud seems diffrent when he had encounter with Aeris. Watch closely and read the dialogs. Theres more but it's spoilers!...Nooo!!! Oh well. ^_^

[Quiksilver326]

I agree with that essay Pivi wrote.

[Pivi]

Cloud seems diffrent when he had encounter with Aeris. Watch closely and read the dialogs.

Yes, he's different when they had an encounter, but I don't think it's so usual for Cloud to meet with someone who's dead. And of course, he was in love with her before she died (it isn't proved though anywhere), so he can have strange feelings when he actually encounters her. But I'm pretty sure, that he's not in love with her, he would act much differently in my opinion, if he was so full of love.

[hhr1dluv]

Um...maybe I'm hallucinating, but I could have sworn that Tifa was wearing some kind of ring (engagement ring? wedding band? any old ring?) in one of the scenes. I don't own Advent Children, so I can't check, but I think you can see it in the bedroom scene when Cloud and Tifa wake up in the same room and Cloud recounts what's been going on with him. I thought I saw Tifa with a ring...but then, it might have been on her right hand, which makes my point moot. Oh, I would've liked some Cloud/Tifa action in AC...::sighs::

[trepiesfriend]

Um...maybe I'm hallucinating, but I could have sworn that Tifa was wearing some kind of ring (engagement ring? wedding band? any old ring?) in one of the scenes. I don't own Advent Children, so I can't check, but I think you can see it in the bedroom scene when Cloud and Tifa wake up in the same room and Cloud recounts what's been going on with him. I thought I saw Tifa with a ring...but then, it might have been on her right hand, which makes my point moot. Oh, I would've liked some Cloud/Tifa action in AC...::sighs::

yeah yoo r right, Tifa was wearing a ring (a cutie one, indeed). But I dont think that was her engagement ring, it was just a jewelry, ok?
And about Cloud's smile (was it?), maybe it was for everyone, not only Tifa. I consider it the way Cloud say bye to Aeris and Zack, though



Luv Cloud 4ever

[MoonliteAssassin]

Sorry if this has been said but I'm new, and I am sure the Cloud and Tifa relationship existed far before advent children, and feel that Cloud never loved Aeris romantically; to see this we must look back at FFVII as well. Abig hint to Cloud's feelings for Aeris is when he refers to her as Okaa-san in Advent Children which means mom, and Aeris interjects that this wasn't the first time that he said this, and that she wouldn't want a big kid like him. (Neither would I actually O.O;;; But Cloud sees her as a sister-like figure, if not a maternal figure and that love though unrequited, is not romantic in the sense that Cloud and Tifa have.

When Cloud and Tifa falls into the lifestream in Mideel, shortly after Cloud is what seems like Mako Poisoned forever, Tifa explores Cloud's insane mind, to free the real Cloud inside. In Cloud's mind, the truth behind everything is Cloud had strong feelings for Tifa. It isn't that Cloud wasn't fond of Aeris, but truthfully I believe that Zach loved Aeris and since Cloud created a memory or delusion of himself by using Zach's life, part of Cloud believed that he loved Aeris. Perhaps he (Cloud) did love Aeris like a sister or a companion, but at the end of the 2nd disk it reveals who Cloud really had eyes for.

after paying close attention through the whole game, my theory is (most) likely true. We all do remember how Cloud had mixed memories about Nibelheim 5 years ago, right? (Ahem, for those of you not at this part yet then of course you wouldn't understand any of this.) Well, seems like Cloud joined SOLDIER to impress Tifa, but it seems he didn't make it! He was embarressed and kept to himself through the whole mission, but the point remains he tried for Tifa. Not Aeris. Cloud stabbed Sephiroth at the reactor 5 years ago when he hurt Tifa, he risked his life and unveiled his true self for Tifa. Not for Aeris. He came to protect Tifa. Even if it was 5 years since then, I believe it didn't change. (Certainly wouldn't have for Aeris, right? Because he was playing on Zach's life)

Here another part that makes you believe why Cloud does, or should love Tifa. Like I said before, Tifa freed Cloud's mind while in the lifestream, Cloud revealed the many thoughts he had, most of them to do with Tifa, and the incident at Nibelheim. Tifa had hung out of three other boys when she was young, and Cloud had envied them, and when Tifa went to Mt. Nibel, Cloud tried to save her when she fell over the cliff. (Shows how ya never know?) It also reveals how Cloud thought Tifa hated him, how he wanted her attention. (Tifa's always saving Cloud's ass, this part I didn't get.) Again, not Aeris. The lifestream shows how Cloud had deep affection for Tifa, and although the arrival of Aeris slowed it, I'm positive, and believe me, didn't destroy it.

Again, I have more goodies for the Tifa fans about why again Cloud wouldn't love Aeris romantically. Aeris may have been attractive, even charming, but one reason remains to be dealt with, Aeris wasn't around as long as Tifa was. Once again about the lifestream, I do believe Cloud's Zach mix-up was what drew him to Aeris, because after Tifa freed him, he seemed to talk alot less about his feelings toward her, if he even did. That was also what drew Aeris to him, as well. Tifa also proved how her feelings were towards him, especially when Cloud seems disabled for life when he Mako Poisoned, Tifa says she doesn't care about anything but Cloud, and pledges her life to taking care of him. (That so... Beautiful! *pulls out a hanky*)

Cloud was with Tifa since childhood, he made the promise with her, and the deep affection he shows towards her at the end of disk 2 proves thier destiny. Speaking of destiny, if you defeated the demon gate at the Temple of the Ancients, and recieved Cait Sith's fortune about Cloud and Aeris destiny, then perhaps like Cait Sith's other fortunes, this one wasn't meant to be. (Only one did, Aeris death.)


If you an Aeris fan who are reading this didn't get to the end of disk 2, don't feel discouraged after reading this and screw the game, sometimes when I tend to not get my way to do that, just don't you! (Spoiled Brat?) Now, anyways, down to it. At the end of disk two, Cloud sends everyone off to find thier reason for saving the planet, (Excuse for time alone with Tifa, maybe?) and when everyone leaves, (except Cloud and Tifa, duh) They sit outside the Highwind and pour out thier emotions. (This part made me smile, dunno why) Tifa and Cloud both tell eachother how in their darkest moments they could hear each other calling out, Cloud says he's wanted to tell Tifa so much, but when they're alone can't think of anything. (Awww) Then Tifa says (Important! LISSEN) "Cloud... Words aren't the only thing that tell people what you're thinking..." Then the camera zooms to the sky and night falls. (No, they don't do what you think... Or do they? :o) It's dawn, and Tifa wakes right next to Cloud, and they were gonna leave to find others... but decide this may be the last time they have time alone together. (Another love proving sentence :P) That's not the last time they do anything lovey-dovey I know, but this is excluding Advent Children.

In Advent children it is revealed that Cloud has great Guilt over Aeris's death. This is often thought by Cloud X Aeris fans as him harboring feelings for her, but in the movie it clearly shows that he just feels like he was responsable. He was feeling survivor's guilt like anyone would feel over losing their maternal friend or sister.

Another thing often accused by Cloud X Aeris fans is that their polar opposite personalities work together, because they are opposites. This is not a fact because the truth is what drew Aeris and Cloud together in the first place was Zach, Cloud's best friend. Cloud's attitude depending on how you use it in the game can rely on choices. I for one, never ended up with Aeris on the date, because they didn't really get along. Cloud was too moody.

Tifa was the only one devoted enough to accept him for who he was, she never entered the relationship with false expectations from Cloud, and he relays his affection for her in turn slowly(because he's afraid of rejection) , but he opens up. Aeris entered the relationship expecting Cloud to be like her first boyfriend Zach, and only then long afterwards was she ever interested in who he really was.This is what dampered me from Supporting Cloud X Aeris, but Aeris really was coping with the loss of her previous boyfriend, so I don't blame her entirely. But the fact that Aeris is currently dead, and now with the boyfriend she loved and the man she saw in Cloud, I see she has gotten some form of peace. so I think we leave her alone, she wanted Cloud to live happily anyway, not to die alone.


The fact that cloud DID say Tifa was his family. He said " I just can't protect anyone I don't think, not even my family..." Denzel is their adopted son. They refer to this when Barret says, "you go and protect your mom[Tifa] boy!" and Cloud left NOT because he felt guilty because he harbored romantic feelings for Aeris, but because he felt responsable for her death, and felt like he didn't do enough to save her."But, we just let her die." and once again Tifa and Aeris both help him in realizing that there was no need to carry all the burdens of guilt; that he was just blaming himself.

YES there is an engagement ring on Tifa's finger, and as for Cloud it's hard to tell because of those gloves he wears constantly.



if others find a pic can you post it?

I don't dislike Aeris, nor do I dislike the components of her character as much as it is assumed, but I do recognise the fact that the relationship between Cloud and Tifa is a strong and romantically involved relationship whereas him and Aeris are not.

[Pivi]

Very nice essay, I like it.

But Cloud and Tifa have to open up for each other more, so they can finally become a "real" couple. I think Cloud started to open up in CoT (Case of Tifa), but he stopped, when he started to feeling depressed.

Oh, and that ring on Tifa's hand is not an engagement ring, it's a token for the family members (Marlene, Denzel and Barret also has one).

[cleristhkilla]

Good post, you. Now I'm going to add some of my thoughts.

The first time I watched AC, I was ecstatic. By the time it ended, I knew for sure that it had Cloud/Tifa hints.

After the credits, if any of you have seen "Calling", well, the song is supposed to represent Cloud's emotions, but it is very open-ended. Cleris fans tend to take it romantically because Aeris appears in the video for like .3 seconds, when Cloud doesn't even see her. Personally, I see it as Cloud finally letting his guilt go away. (Thank god!) And still, after that, there is a scene called "Reminiscence", which shows flashbacks of the game. You can also hear people calling Cloud on his phone. His friends. Yuffie sends him a "Temporary closed" sign for his shop. Cloud is then heard talking to Tifa telling her to close the shop, and that's he's making today a Holiday, and to also tell Denzel and Marlene. AVALANCHE is throwing a partay. And I thought that was obvious, considering the picture of the team on his desk at the end of "Calling".

One thing Cloud is not doing is searching for Aeris for the rest of his life. She's dead, and it's not like she was his wife or anything. They didn't even know eachother well. Tifa has always been there for him, and the only thing that AC points to, in all honesty, is CloudxTifa. The scene at the end of AC with Aeris and Zack walking through the door is so perfect, one could take it as a ZackxAeris scene. I prefer it to be ZackxAeris and CloudxTifa, those have always been the true couples.

[Sefie1999AD]

Nice points by MoonliteAssassin and cleristhkilla, I mostly agree with both of them. There's a few points, though. Cloud didn't take Zack's identity or personality, only Zack's past as a SOLDIER. Otherwise, Cloud was himself, remembering his childhood in Nibelheim, his promise to Tifa, his mother etc. That's why, I don't think Cloud got feelings for Aeris because of Zack. As far as I know, Cloud didn't even know about Aeris since Zack probably hadn't even told him about her. It could work the other way around, though: Aeris was attracted to Cloud because he reminded her of Zack.

About Cloud x Tifa, you people mentioned their love is romantic. Alright, it has the romantic side, which shows quite clearly at the end of Disc 2, but it has a lot more too. Life-time relationships need more than romantic feelings. Tifa seems to support Cloud with any problems, no matter how hard it is. She stayed on Cloud's side when he was totally messed up in Mideel. She helped Cloud find out the truth about himself. She stayed with Cloud on the Highwind after everyone left.

"Hmm... But that's all right, even if no one comes back. As long as I'm with you... As long as you're by my side... I won't give up even if I'm scared." Tifa said. And Cloud, while he's not exactly open about all his feelings, his actions show that he cares about Tifa and does everything to protect her and save her if she's in trouble. "After all, I promised. That if anything were to ever happen to you, I would come to help." I think Cloud and Tifa have what it takes for two people to have a succesful lifetime relationship. It's not only about romance, but also them mutually supporting and protecting each other.

About Cloud feeling guilt about Aeris' death in AC, I pretty much agree with MoonliteAssassin, though I'd like to add that maybe it wasn't just about Aeris; maybe it was about Tifa (and Marlene and Denzel) as well. Cloud once let Aeris die, he was unable to save her, so he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to protect Tifa and the children, either. He wasn't sure if he could protect those who he loves, so he decided not to act like they're family. However, seeing how at the end of AC, Cloud managed to rid himself of all the guilt and finally forgive himself, I see no reason why Cloud wouldn't now want to stay with his loved ones.

And still, after that, there is a scene called "Reminiscence", which shows flashbacks of the game. You can also hear people calling Cloud on his phone. His friends. Yuffie sends him a "Temporary closed" sign for his shop. Cloud is then heard talking to Tifa telling her to close the shop, and that's he's making today a Holiday, and to also tell Denzel and Marlene. AVALANCHE is throwing a partay. And I thought that was obvious, considering the picture of the team on his desk at the end of "Calling".

Those are good points. Though where is this "Reminiscence" scene? I only remember two photos (one with Cloud, Tifa, Marlene and Denzel, the other with the party members) showing after the song "Calling". What exactly happens in that scene? And does Cloud actually answer his mobile phone there? When his mobile phone sank to the bottom of the lake where Cloud buried Aeris, you could hear loads of messages left by Cloud's friends, indicating he never answers his phone (Tifa also points that out).

The essays written by you guys make Cloud and Tifa's love story seem amazingly deep. Great work! Keep up the good analysing.

[cleristhkilla]

It comes on the Advent Children DVD, nad tells what happens after AC. AC and everything you can watch, like Reminiscence, are around the net on torrent sites.

[RiTaPuffy]

Barret told Denzel to take care of "Mom", TIFA, DOHHH???? Got it guys?