Prologue: Undestined Love

Summary: Can two opposite people that have been burned by love find love itself again? Vincent x Tifa, and Cloud x Aerith. R&R please!

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, but if I did, I would pair up Vincent and Tifa. :D

This is the day I'm going to tell you, and I'm going to tell you everything.

I heard those words come out of my mouth so softly that night.

I stood on the wooden porch, and leaned on the wall on my bar- Seventh Heaven. Holding a margarita in my hand, I gently swish it around. I look out into the dark velvet sky and then onto the trodden path that lay in front of all the houses. It was raining and I could hear the rain drops pat against all the roofs, especially the roof above me. But the night was beautiful; the moonlight and the rain glistened everything up.

Everyone else was inside the bar celebrating- celebrating for having fought another battle and again, being victorious. I could hear the glass cups, filled with the vodka I made, tinkle as they did their cheers.

"Oh yeah! We showed that big bird who's boss!" I heard Yuffie say out loud with glee.

I wonder how they could put up with all this fighting I thought. I mean, is this the only way to solve problems?

I looked back at the night again. It was peaceful all around me; my surroundings were filled with solace and everything seemed calm.

I wish my life were like this. No, I wish the whole world were like this- not a speck of crime and wrongdoing in sight. But I know it'll never be like that. Ever.

My mind was focused on the tranquility all around me. It was mesmerizing. I hardly got to experience anything like this, especially in a highly populated and polluted place like where my bar is. I notice that I'm starting to feel drowsy. But I don't want to. I can't. I have to tell him. I have to tell him how I fell and-

" Yo' Teef!" The loud call startles me; I slightly spill a bit of the margarita on the wood. There, right in front of me stood a tall, dark skinned man with a right gun-arm. It was Barret.

" Yo' Teefa, he wants to speak to you on the phone." Barret handed me the silver cordless phone and he went back inside as I held the phone to my ear.

" Hello?" I noticed how my voice shivered as I spoke into the phone.

" Hello Tifa?" My expression changed as I heard his deep, gentle voice on the other line. I'm glad to hear from him again. He's been away since after the battle, and I guess there's not one moment I never thought on him.

" Yes, this is Tifa." I reply humorously. He's always made me cheerful, even on the dreariest of days.

" Don't you remember me?" He asked in a questioning voice. " It's me, Cloud."

" I know. I didn't forget- especially you." I blushed when I noticed I had said that. My mind was full of things I wanted to tell him; maybe I really needed to tell him how I feel.

There was a short pause after that. " Well, I just picked up Aerith at her house and we're headed to the bar right mow, so don't start the party without us!" His voice was upbeat- seeing Aerith again really did make him happy.

I looked at the floor and felt a hint of jealousy rush within me. Aerith is a good friend, and a strong one too- I mean she did survive the stab from Sephiroth- but with her around, Cloud's friendship and mine is starting to fall apart.

"Okay, sure. We'll meet you here." The conversation was finally done. I put down the phone on the window ledge and stood there, leaning on the wall again. I took a sip of my margarita and put it on the ledge too. I decided to wait for Cloud and Aerith on the porch.

I suddenly heard the creaking of the door as it opened. There I saw Yuffie step out of the bar with a glass of water in her hand. She walked towards me, her back to the railings. Yuffie leaned on the railings and smiled at me.

" The battles are finally over." Yuffie said with a sigh of relief and then she looked at me with concern. " So, I heard Cloud's coming here and he's bringing Aerith too."

" Yeah, I'm afraid he is." That was all I could say. I hung my head down and I could sense my eyes starting to fill up with tears.

"I'm sorry Tifa." I look up at Yuffie, a tear falling down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away with a brush of my hand, hoping Yuffie didn't see. " It's just, I can't take take all this pain and sadness coming form you. I know you love Cloud, and I understand, but I wish you'd at least talk to someone when you have a problem about it."

" I wish I can talk to someone about it, but I wouldn't know what to say." I brushed away the hair that fell in front of my face. " And anyways, I'm better at keeping stuff to myself."

Yuffie frowned and nodded. " I know how you feel." I stared at her, as if telling her to continue.

" Back then in Wutai, there was this boy I always used to hang out with. We were the mischievous kids of the village." I glanced at her, and I found out she was in a dazed look as she told me this.

" His name was Tai. Tai Kamiya. He was the nicest, good-looking boy in the village; he was always there for me and I was always there for him- no matter what. I liked him, but many other girls liked him too."

" A year later our friendship began to fall apart. We talked less and saw each other less too. Then one day, I saw him with another girl and a group of people I wasn't familiar with. I found out the girl was his girlfriend. I was sad, and mad too because he was with the girl I envied so much."

" Did you ever tell him how you felt?" I asked as I took a sip of my margarita.

" Yeah. When I told him, he just stood there speechless. The next day, he left Wutai."

" Do you know what happened to him?"

" Yepp. Fiends attacked him and he was badly injured; he died a week later."

Yuffie and I suddenly heard the rumbling sound of a motorcycle. We looked onto the path and there we saw a black motorcycle with a blonde boy and a brunette haired girl getting off. Yuffie was going inside to tell the other that they were here, and as she did, she stopped and said "good luck" to me.

I gazed back at Cloud and Aerith. I noticed how Cloud gently held Aerith's hand, and how he caught her when she was about to fall from the motorcycle. I began to feel jealous again. So I took my eyes off of them.

" Oh Cloud, I am never going to ride your motorcycle again!" I heard Aerith say it to Cloud with sarcasm. As they were walking up the wooden stairs of my bar, both of them were laughing and giggling.

I looked up, noticing the look they had on each other- the both of them seemed like lovers. Then Cloud looked at me with his sky blue eyes. "Hey Tifa." Cloud said as he walked over to me and hugged me. My cheeks started to burn, so I gently pushed myself back from him.

" They're all waiting inside." I informed Cloud, and then I looked happily at Aerith, trying to hide the pain and misery. " It's good to have you back Aerith!"

Aerith smiled back and nodded. It's good to see you Tifa." She turned and looked out at the path.

" Y' know, maybe we should go inside. It seems like the rain's going to fall down harder." I agreed and we both went into the bar.

As we went in, I noticed everyone was crowded around Cloud and talking to him. Aerith approached the crowd calmly and the others began speaking to her too. I decided not to join the group of people conversing. So I moved back and sat on one of the many empty wooden chairs in the bar.

I glanced around and noticed Vincent, looking down at the floor, as if he was thinking. His arms were crossed and his back was on the wall, making his cape hang down loose behind him.

My thoughts of Cloud were suddenly put aside. For once, Vincent came into mind. I had always wanted to know why he was like that- always dark and mysterious. I mean, he talked to me at times, but never about his past.

I recognized I was looking at him for a period of time, and when he finally looked at me with his blood red eyes, I quickly looked away. Soon, I knew Vincent was coming over to my table because I heard his footsteps approaching me. When he reached the table, he sat on the chair across from mine. I began to fidget with my hands.

" Why aren't you over there with the others?" Vincent asked with his deep, unlively voice of his.

I looked up at him seeing the concern he showed. " Nah. Too tired. I might as well go take a short nap." Then I just left him there in peace.

I quietly headed up the stairs to my bedroom and I shut the door when I got inside. I had lied to Vincent. I was tired, but I didn't take a nap; I came to my bedroom to think. I sat on the soft ocean blue bed and looked at the window, the rain pouring down hard.

I promised to myself that I would tell him I thought, mentally slapping my forehead. But how am I supposed to tell him? I can't just blurt it out, so how am I to do this?

I got so confused and frustrated I got tangled up in my thoughts that I took the brown stuffed teddy bear from the bed and harshly threw it at the door, making a loud thump. Out of nowhere, there was a mild knock on the door." Tifa- you in there?" I recognized the deep, gentle voice beyond the door. It was Cloud.

" Yeah. I'm in here."

" Okay. Well, can I come in?" I knew there was an uncertainty in his voice.

I let out a sigh. " Yeah, sure. Okay." Maybe this was the perfect time to tell him.

Cloud slightly turned the knob and opened the door. He quietly went inside and sat to my left, without closing the door behind him.

He looked at me, then to my left arm where he saw a bruise the size of a fist. Cloud put his hand on the bruise and I winced because of the pain it gave me. " Where'd you get the bruise?" He asked me with solicitude.

I stared at him, grateful that he cared. I put my right hand on the bruise to hide it. " I got it when I fought Loz in the church. He was going to punch me right in the face, so I evaded him, but instead he punched my arm." I then rubbed my arm to ease the pain and laughed. " The more battles we have, the more I get hurt."

Cloud suddenly put his arm on my shoulder. " That's why you gotta be safer Tifa." He said sardonically, ending it with a friendly smile.

I blushed and looked away. Then I reminded myself of the promise.

" Cloud..." I said in an uneasy voice. I was nervous, to tell you the truth. " Can I ask you something?"

He then took his arm off my shoulder and moved back, awaiting to hear what I was going to say.

" Sure. Go ahead."

I thought for a minute. " You know what, never mind."

" Aww come on Tifa!" Cloud pleaded, as if his life was on the line. " Just ask me. I'm supposed to be your best friend!"

I stared at him and grinned. I had never seen him act this way, and it was kind of amusing as he did. " Okay then! I'll ask you." Cloud stopped and looked at me with a smile.

" Okay." I let out a sigh, a feeling of uneasiness rushing inside me. " Cloud... What do... You... Think of me?"

" Don't you already know Tifa?" Cloud asked, sounding cheerful. " I think of you as the greatest friend anyone could ever have."

I mentally kick myself for having thought he was going to say something other than that. " Are you sure I'm only a friend to you?" I asked, just to make sure.

He looked at me seriously with his eyebrows raised. " What are you trying to ask Tifa?"

I stared down at the floor and was ashamed that I asked that. But now, I had to answer him.

" I'm not trying to ask anything. It's just that..." Tears began to fill my eyes again. I wanted to tell him everything, but there was a part of me that didn't want to. Why do I have to love him? I know he'll never be mine. But there was something inside of me that wanted to know what he really thought of me.

The tears in my eyes began flowing out. I couldn't hold them any longer, so I put my palms onto my face to hide my sadness. I tell myself it's okay, but I know it's not.

Why does it have to be like this I ask myself. To all the suffering I had to deal with, why does it come to this?

I feel Cloud's hand touch my shoulder. " Tifa..." He says in a soothing voice. I lean forward, hugging him.

" Cloud..." I manage to say out- the tears still flowing from my eyes. " I... I..."

" Just tell me."

" I.." At first I hesitate, but knowing this may be the only time to tell him, I just say it. " I... Love... You..." The words I've been dying to tell him were finally said.

" I've always loved you- ever since we were kids. I had always wanted to tell you, but I never had the guts. I promised to myself I would tell you when all the battles were over, so if you did have feelings for me, we could live together in peace."

I finally let go of Cloud and sat up. Then I looked at him, his expression telling me he was sorry. " Tifa." Cloud said in a sincere voice." I loved you, I really did, but... Now I love someone else... I'm sorry. I wish it could've been different."

I look at him, tears filling his eyes too. I close my eyes, trying to hold back the pain, and then I open them again. Then I stand up and walk to the door. I stop, but didn't look back. " I'm sorry too..." I say to Cloud who's still sitting on the bed.

I left without another word coming out of my mouth. As I head down the stairs, tears I held back began to swell around my eyes. I sit on the bottom steps of the stairs and lean my head on the wall. Stupid me I tell myself, stupid, stupid me. I knew something like this was going to happen.

Again I stand up and walk to the stools near the counter, noticing that no one was around. I sit down on a stool and reach for one of the glass cups, which I fill with red wine from the bottle in the counter. I drink it and suddenly, an idea came to me. I'm going to leave this place for a little while I thought, just to clear things up in my mind. I took a piece of paper and a black pen from one of the many empty tables and started writing.

Dear Barret, I wrote, I'm going somewhere for a few days, so I was wondering if you can take care of the bar. If you can't it's fine. Well, bye. When I finished the letter, I signed my name at the bottom and folded the paper. I wanted to leave the note on the counter but I didn't want Cloud to read it, so I put it in my pocket hoping one of the others would return. But no one did so I went outside on the porch.

A cold air suddenly surrounded me, and I could see my breath every time I exhaled. I crossed my arms to keep me warm, but it doesn't work, so my teeth end up chattering. I walk down the porch steps and when I finally reach the bottom, I step on a puddle of cold water, leaving my boots completely wet and me completely cold.

" Stupid rain!" I cursed aloud. " Stupid me!"

I suddenly hear a barely audible chuckle from afar. I look around for people, but my eyes only spot Vincent who was leaning on the light post near the exit. I get hold of the note in my pocket and I take it out. As I run to Vincent with the note clenched tightly in my hand, I could hear the squishing of the mud under my shoes.

I finally reach him, and I could hear myself breathing hard. I didn't have to run far to get to Vincent, but I was weak from all the crying.

" Vincent", I say after a few breaths. I tried to get myself together, but I was too tired.

Vincent slightly turned his head and looked at me with his emotionless face. " Hm?"

" I was wondering if you can give this note to Barret." I replied, finally regaining my energy.

" A note? To Barret?" Vincent asked in his monotonous voice. " For what?"

" Well, I wanted Barret to take care of the bar if he wanted 'cause I'm going someplace to clear things up... Y'know... In my mind."

" To clear things up in your mind of Cloud?" said Vincent inquiringly.

When I heard that, I gave him a hurt look. " You don't understand."

" Understand what? To be heartbroken?"

Okay I thought, maybe he does understand. I mean, we both loved someone very deeply who ended up choosing someone else.

I hung my head and found something inside of me that made me want to cry all over again. The memories. Our memories. I suddenly felt something heavy on my shoulder. I look over to it and found Vincent's claw. Then I look up at him and give him somewhat of a smile.

" It's not easy," Vincent said as he let go of my shoulder," going through something like this." His voice became unusually comforting. " Don't worry Tifa, you'll find someone perfect for you... You just have to wait."

I looked at him quizzically. I've never heard him say anything like that to anyone, especially me. " Anyways, can you give this note to Barret?" I just asked. He looked at me and took the note from my hand.

" Thanks." I said turning around and I crossed my arms, shivering and my teeth chattering.

As I was leaving, I heard Vincent call out to me. " Tifa, wait."

I stopped, turned around and saw Vincent take off his red cape as he walked to me. When he finally got to where I was, he held up his cape and carefully draped it over my shoulders. " You seemed cold," he said as he looked at me with solace in his eyes.

All I could do was smile at him. He had never acted so sincere to anyone I knew. Vincent kindly walked me to the train station.

When we got there, I stopped and looked at him. I wanted to hug him so much, thanking him for making the night a bit better, but all I could say was thanks. I just couldn't see him getting a hug from anyone like me.

I tried to give him back his cape but he insisted that I keep it. " You can take it," He said," I have lots at home."

I boarded the train and sat on an empty seat near the windows. I looked back at Vincent, telling thanks once more. As the train began to move, I still looked at him, and he still looked at me. At that moment, I saw him smile at me, but it was probably my mind playing tricks.

Well anyways, this is my first fanfic. I can't believe I actually wrote one... So what do you think? I hope you liked it 'cause I spent like a month writing it... Teehee, I'm so lazy... Please, Please review!