You know, you're right to. Nomura has stated Aerith and Cloud have a bond. (I'm trying to find the quotes now ) I remember debating it a few years ago and all the Clotis used to get so mad about it cuz they knew I was right when I told them Cloud and Aerith are the only one's tied by a bond.
There's two interesting quotes about Tifa's "bond" with Cloud:
Here are the quotes I was talking of. As far as I know, these are the ONLy quotes that ever speak of a bond between Cloud and Tifa....
"Tifa was a very difficult character to create. Like Aerith, she has a maternal side to her, but in a different sense. Not only was she looking after Marlene and Denzel, but she also felt a certain maternal bond to Cloud, who is a 'big kid' himself in some respects. Yet despite this, she continues working as the manager of Seventh Heaven without a complaint." ~Nomura; Reunion Files
I like how he says that Tifa has a maternal bond with Cloud.
Friend and rival?
Complicated feelings toward Aerith
Both of them share feelings for Cloud. Tifa was close to Aerith, who can also be called a love rival. With that point in mind, they were also good friends. Nevertheless, it is not hard to imagine that she carries complex feelings as a woman toward Aerith, who had developed a special bond with Cloud that was different from Tifa's.
Tifa's complicated feelings continue even in Advent Children, two years after Aerith had departed the world. ~ Tifa's profile, 10th Anniversary Ultimania
Notice here that they say Aerith's bond with Cloud is different from Tifa's. So if Tifa's bond with Cloud is maternal, then Aerith's bond with Cloud isn't maternal. Also, if Aerith's bond with Cloud is romantic, then Tifa's isn't romantic.
I love you. This. how have I never seen it before? I mean, its almost identical to Clouds quote about having a feeling for Aerith different/contrast to that of her comrades had (AVALANCHE).
Not to mention her HUGE influence over the AC Sephiroth battle, I mean come on she has the most percent of Clouds flashbacks, and Sephiroth is referencing taking something away that he cherishes; there are only two things that fit that description from his past; Sephiroth killed Aerith, and Aerith is something dear (AKA Cherished) to CloudShe is, like you said, his encouragement.
EDIT: OMG!!1 700th post!!!
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