The relationship between Cloud and Tifa

[silentchild]

But who is to say he wouldnt have done the same for Tifa? I'm positive that had Tifa died, or had Barret died, or whatever, he would have had an extremely emotional moment.

A valid interpretation, but you can also take into consideration the fact that he had thought Tifa had died once in FF7.

The Nibelheim incident. When Sephiroth attacks Tifa, Cloud recites, "I thought you were a goner......I was really sad." This shows he thought she died. However, let us observe the difference in his reactions towards Tifa's 'death' and Aerith's 'death'.

Tifa's death :
Cloud carefully puts her leaning against a pod and immediately charges in after Sephiroth.
"Soldier: Mom... Tifa... my town... give it back... I had so much respect for
you... I admired you..."

And we get Cloud's crowning moment of throwing Sephiroth into the Mako pit. Notice how Cloud seems more focused on his hatred and dissapointment towards Sephiroth rather than grief over Tifa's 'death'.

Now for Aerith's death :

Cloud: ...Aerith. This can't be real!
Cloud: ...Shut up. The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing.
Aerith is gone. Aerith will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry...... or get
angry...... What about us...... what are WE supposed to do? What about my pain?
My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!
Sephiroth: What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings too?
Cloud: Of course! Who do you think I am!?
Sephiroth: Ha, ha, ha...... Stop acting as if you were sad. There's no need to
act as though you're angry either. Because, Cloud. You are...

Game script from : http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/f..._script_d1.txt

IF Cloud was not showing any emotion like you claim, why would SEPHIROTH claim that Cloud is 'acting like you are sad'? If you look, Cloud shows a lot more emotion over Aerith's 'death', even going as far as to say, "The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing."
Whereas if compared to Tifa's death, he seems much more focused on Sephiroth, sharing his grief equally over his mom, Tifa AND Nibelheim.
During Aerith's death he speaks in a much more personal manner : "What about US? What are WE supposed to do?"
The rest of the party also offer consolation to Cloud, they let him have his own private little moment with him laying her to peace, which implies that they all KNEW that Aerith meant somoething MORE to Cloud compared to them.

Also, if you read MoTP, it is quoted, "At Cloud's face as he barely held himself together, his mind on the brink of shattering, with the sadness at the loss of her, and the anger and hatred for the one who took her life."

....barely held himself together......on the brink of shattering.....sadness at the loss of her.....do you still stand by your take that CLoud shows no emotion over her death?

Thus your claim that :

All we see is Cloud lowering her body into the water. Any emotions you percieve are, of course, your own interpretations.

Debunked.