A/N: hello. I wrote another story, and I was inspired to write this one. This story starts as a CloudxTifa, but doesn't end up like that. No offense to the Cloti lovers, but its just a personal reference of mine to see Zack and Tifa end up together. It's nothing personal to them; I am even one on occasion. But there are only a few stories about Zack and Tifa. So, this is another one… it's set one year after AC.

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Chapter One

"Cloud, it's Yuffie, we need to talk."

"Cloud, it's Vincent, you need to come home. Something's wrong with Tifa."

"Spiky! Where the fuck have you been? Your girl is sick! Get the fuck home!"

"Cloud, you need to get your ass home. Tifa's getting worse."

"Cloud, it's time to get home! Tifa needs you!"

The messages were the same. He had to get home. The girl of his dreams was sick. They all said that she was dying. He didn't believe it. Tifa was strong. She would overcome anything. She was tough. Besides, she knew that he had a job to do…

In a hospital right outside Midgar, a young woman laid dying in a room in the intensive care unit. Her friends were huddled in the small waiting room, and they were all anxious about her recovery. She had been fine until a couple of days ago. She had suddenly collapsed when Barrett had come to pick up Marlene. Needless to say, Barrett had freaked and called an ambulance. Thank the gods he did. If he hadn't, Tifa would have been dead. All of them were worried and one was guilty. She had kept a vital secret from Tifa. How would Tifa react when she heard? What if she didn't survive to hear it? They could only pray for Tifa to be safe.

She was in and out of consciousness. She didn't know where she was, but she knew that she was safe. She was dreaming right now. She had a particular memory that she replayed in her mind when she was in pain…

Her back ached. The wound burned as she struggled to get up. Footsteps were heard as she struggled to get up. The town was burning. She had to avenge her father…

"Tifa," a male voice said. She turned her head to see concerned mako blue eyes looking at her. The long and spiky black hair gleaned with sweat. Her friend who she had grown found of was one of them. She glared at him.

"Zack…I hate Shinra… I hate SOLDIER… and I hate you," she spat out. He grimaced but nodded solemnly. He healed her to the best of his ability and knocked her out. She woke up in her Master's house. Zack was gone… that was the last time she had seen him.

She wandered through the passageway of light. She came to a man sitting on a white chair. Everything was white here. Everything was too bright. Her eyes cringed. The man chuckled. He had long black hair and amber eyes.

"You're not supposed to be here, young lady," the man said. She looked at him and he smiled. "If he knew you were here, he would send you back… but, I guess I'll have to for him."

he came over and put a hand on where she hurt the most. His hand was on her chest. He smiled at her.

"Don't worry. He'll be there soon," the man said and pushed her back. She gasped for air as the pain came at her all at once.

She woke up cold. A hand was on her forehead. She looked up and saw Denzel crying over her. She reached her hand to touch his forehead. He collapsed on her and started crying all over again. Marlene ran into the room and hugged tifa immediately. Barrett and the rest of the gang came in. They all looked relieved at her. She looked at them all. She was confused. Why were they looking at her like that?

A couple of miles away, at the newly built Shinra, stood Reeve in his lab. He was stunned. No, not stunned, but blown away. He called the president's office.

"Rufus, you're not going to believe this," he said.

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a/N: so, whatcha think? I'm leaving you on a cliffhanger. Lol. That's what I do best. Please review. It helps me a lot.