Hey guys! For those of you who read my Yu-gi-oh fics, hello again! lol I know that for all of my fics, I am not even halfway done, but I couldn't help starting this fic about Cloud and Tifa! From the day I watched the FF7 movie, I immediately fell in love with them two! Then as I got to know their story better, they captivated me, especially Tifa's feelings toward Cloud. I guess I feel so strongly toward them two because

1) Tifa kicks butt! Which is not how people usually portrays girls, so. lol

2) Cloud is really good-looking . lol jk. But seriously, he is. But Tifa is gorgeous, so it evens out. lol

3) Their story is so sweet and sad and I can relate to Tifa in a way with my own experiences.

4) They belong together! lol .

Well, enough of my yapping, let's get this party started!

Final Fantasy VII: Breathe

By Healing Spirit

Chapter One: Shattered Glass

The chilly night air whipped through the silent streets of Midgar; forcefully kept out of the warm sanctuary of the houses and stores lining the dimly lit sidewalks. The occasional cat or dog loitered on the cold concrete, along with some cars occupied by exhausted drivers eager to arrive home at last. The streetlights leaning over the sidewalk cast a thin, eerie glow amidst the stifling darkness.

A sleek, ebony black motorcycle is parked to the side of a tidy bar down the long street. Through the dusted window, a lone silhouette can be seen hunched over a table, dressed all in black, which greatly accented his great mane of golden hair. His hand clutched onto a tall beer bottle, his hold firm and desperate. Being that the only source of light in the room was a solitary light bulb stationed in the very middle of the room; the man was unaware of another, who ascended the flight of stairs behind him.

He came home today.

However, nothing new had happened. Just as many times before, he leaves as often as he returns, only to leave again the next morning. I don't know what to do. Each and every time he leaves, I say the same thing over and over like a broken tape recorder: "Be safe. Come back soon."

Whenever he leaves, I never know when he's going to come back. It could be days, weeks, even months, before I can see his face again. Denzel and Marlene need him… I need him. My heart aches whenever he looks at me; whenever I think of him. Whenever I think of his beautiful blue eyes that seem to stare right into my soul. Whenever he gives a little indication that… he knows I'm there. That… he knows I'll always be there, waiting…

Why did she have to go? Because of that, he wanders in and out like a restless wind. I can't rid myself of this constant pain in the very pit of my heart when I think of his love for her. I know that I cannot ever be that same… that I can never be thought of as… the one who he loves. The only one in his heart is her. I know that it is only her that can mend his heart. But by knowing that, it hurts more than anything I have ever dreamed of. But what hurts more… is when he pushes me away. Every time I try to comfort him, his faltering expression lodges my voice in my throat. Every time I try to hold his hand, to speak to him about how he was feeling, to even look him in the eye for more than a second, he walks away… Because I am so afraid for him to go, I gave up trying. Now, whenever we do get even a moment alone together, he rarely looks me in the eye, we stand or sit at least 5 meters apart, and the distance between his heart and mine spreads even more…

Why doesn't he understand that the reason I still work here, the reason I'm always waiting, the reason I worry day and night, is because I care about him… that I… I love him. I love him so much… that though I am dying a slow and torturous death that is devouring me from the inside, I wait all the same. In some days when he does come back, each time he even looks at me as an acknowledgement, my heart smiles. Each time I watch him eat what I made for him, I feel a little more alive. Each time I lay on my bed and watch him sleep across from me, I am at ease, because at least for one night, I know that he is safe.

I know that Denzel and Marlene notice my state, by their hugs and smiles when I smile, just for them. I know that they miss him when he goes, by their silence with mine. I know how badly they need him and how badly I want for him to stay with us… so that we can be a real family. So that we can live. So that we can survive… together.

So many days, I just want to quit. I just want to let go of this stupid fantasy I keep conjuring up to keep myself alive. This fantasy where we are a real family. Where we are complete in one another, where we can let go of the past and move on, together. I try so hard to go on, each passing day. But the days feel so long when I wait for his call, though I know he never does. But I call him though he never picks up, sometimes as often as 10 times a day, all with the same message:

"Be safe. Come home soon."

Tonight, I can't sleep again. Knowing that he's back, at least for another night, at least enough time for me to know he's all right, that he's still living. I roll over to my other side, only to see that he still hasn't gone to bed. While I was descending the stairs, I strained my ears to hear Marlene and Denzel sleeping soundly in the room next to ours. When I reached the landing, my heart stopped.

He was hunched over the table, hand holding onto a beer bottle. I could tell he was not asleep by the occasional swing of the bottle followed by a gulp. It pained me so to see him in his drunken state, to know that he was now resorting to drowning himself in liquor to mend his broken heart… to forget.

I wanted to say something… to let him know I cared for him… to let him know, at least to some degree, the worry clouding my heart.

"Cu- Cloud?"

My voice was barely above a whisper and his name barely escaped my parched throat.

He gave no indication that he heard me. I repeated his name again, a little louder. This time, I knew that he heard me by the slight lift of his head.

"You should sleep soon. You need to get some rest."

Though I didn't get a response, I decided to leave him be and went back to the room. I was used to the cold shoulder by now. So this is what I have reduced myself to. Though he never greets me with warm words, though we never say anything except when necessary, though each day passes will me waiting for his return… my heart still beats for him. My heart will not let go… I will not let go… as long as he is alive, I will care for him. No matter how many times he pushes me away, no matter how many times my heart is shattered… I will always love him and will do anything…. anything… to make him happy...

…to bring her back…

Sooo… is it an okay start? Please tell me how you feel about this story! Should I continue, or does it belong in the garbage? Constructive criticism would be most welcome! Thank you! If you guys review, then I'll post the next chapter up soon, if you guys like it, that is. lol By the way, each chapter (or at least, most of them) will have a foreshadow for later chapters. lol Just thought you guys should know. Bai Bai!

P.S. CLOUDXTIFA 4EVER! 3