Disclaimer: I own nothing, just my mind.

Moonlit Shadows

Prologue

It was nearing midnight, yet the ball was not nearing its end. The people gave no sign of fatigue or worry over the fact that a new day was about to unravel itself in only a matter of mere minutes. They happily continued to dance whilst laughing and drinking red wine from their golden goblets. This night was indeed set to be a long one.

But amongst the never-dying crowd, farthest into the corner, stood a young boy. A boy no older than eleven silently watched the dance floor from the shadows. He restlessly glanced at the large clock as the small hand ticked its way around. Tick tock, tick tock.

Two minutes to midnight. He wanted this merrymaking to come to an end already! Sighing in frustration, he looked back into the crowd with boring eyes, until a flash of white caught his attention. His blue eyes moved searchingly through the mass of people for her. There. Twirling around in a beautiful, white silk dress was a little girl, about the same age as he. Despite the buzz of chatter among the adults and the roaring music playing in the back, the young boy was still able to hear her giggling as her partner gleefully spun her around.

Squinting, the boy peered through the dancing couples in attempt to catch a glimpse of the unknown boy, but as he took a step forward his feet trampled onto an elder woman's. She let out a shriek which fortunately dissolved into the music. He muttered a quick apology and retreated back to his lone position. Never had he been so utterly bored in his life. He risked yet another glance at the time. Twelve. The ball had officially ended – or should have. The public should be concluding their last dance and bidding their farewell. The music should begin to fade. Anytime now. The boy listened intently as he carefully watched the arrow tick on the clock above. But their voices did not falter. The music did not slow down. He let out a strangled groan and turned his attention back to the crowd, but a pair of wondrous bright eyes blocked his view.

"Good evening!" she chirped as soon as his eyes landed on hers.

He jumped at her sudden appearance. "Don't do that!" he whispered harshly. "And it's morning now." he added bitterly.

She gave an apologetic smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"No!" he said in disgust. "Are you?"

"Yes! It's wonderful! It's so much fun!"

The boy groaned again and rolled his eyes. "Girls." he muttered. "I'm bored."

"That's because you've been standing here all night!"

"No…I was standing there ten minutes ago." He pointed to another dark corner.

"Oh, honestly! Look…there are some girls looking your way. Go ask them to dance!"

"What?! No Way!" he folded his arms across his chest. The girl clicked her tongue in response.

"Well come and dance with me then!" she pulled at his hand and dragged him towards the dance floor.

"Wait! Hey! I don't want to!" She turned to look at him.

"But why…?"

He turned away and said "It's silly. I hate it."

"I love it." She said as she frowned at him.

"Never mind that. I have a better idea. Let's get away from here." said the boy.

The little girl pondered over his request before finally agreeing. Making sure their parents were well unaware, they both dashed out through the back doors. The sudden cool, tingling breeze washed over him, sending whispers through his soft blond hair. He let out a small laugh in relief. Finally, he could breathe. His friend squinted her eyes at him, as if reading his thoughts.

"Oh come on, it wasn't even all that terrible!" she said. He simply rolled his eyes.

"So where are we going?" she asked brightly, avoiding her previous comment.

He sent her a sideways glance. "Like you don't know."

She smiled in innocence, yet he could see every bit of mischief playing across her lips.

It was their place; a breathtaking meadow. They found it a few years ago whilst playing a game of hide and seek; a pond of fresh, clear water surrounded by lush green grass. It was well hidden behind a forest that separated the realm of Gandala into two allied territories; the kingdom of Amortania and the kingdom of Romoldane.

"Why do you not dance, then?" the girl asked as she skillfully caught a glowing firefly in her small hands.

"Because…it's ridiculous. Dancing around like a bunch of happy dogs." he muttered.

She rolled her eyes, irritated. "You think everything is ridiculous!"

"I do not! Riding with Fenrir is not ridiculous…"

She let out a frustrated laugh as she said, "I meant other things! Like dancing, playing with other--"

"I'm not a child! I don't play!"

"--or talking to girls."

"I talk to you." he pointed out.

"That's because we're friends. I'm talking about other girls. They're always looking at you, you know?" she teased while admiring the firefly glowing in her palms.

"I'm not interested." he muttered as he dug his fingers into the rich soil and plucked out a few blades of grass. It was true, he was not interested in the silly girls who shyly glanced at him and ran away giggling when he'd look back. He found it rather annoying. That was why he didn't talk to girls, they giggled so much. Except for her. Somehow she was different.

"Cloud," a gush of wind breezed past him as her soft voice fluttered around him. He looked up to see her smiling above him, her innocent face glowed with the moon and her dark hair glimmered with the stars. She reached out her fist to him, and as she slowly opened it he saw the firefly sparkle in the shadows of her palm. "Sometimes you have to loosen yourself to really enjoy something. Try different things, you might like it." She gently pushed her hand closer to him, "Take it, it won't bite."

Hesitating, he brought his own hand and held it up so she could carefully place the tiny life in his sweaty palm. It flushed brilliant golden again and it amazed Cloud how such a small creature could hold something so bright and luminous. Its small wings suddenly fluttered against his skin causing him to shiver. His friend's smile broadened as she plopped down next to him. Cloud lifted his palm towards the dazzling moon and stretched it open, allowing the firefly to take off into the dark night. They sat in comfortable silence as they gazed across the sky to the ever-glowing moon.

It was a long time after Cloud decided to speak up. "Tifa." Her brown eyes shifted towards his. "Tifa…I-uh have to tell you something." She turned her head so she was looking at him, motioning that she was listening.

"I'm…"he began.

"Yes?" she urged him. He furrowed his brows while in deep thought. "…"

"…"

"Come on! Say it already!" she whined.

"Ithinkyou'repretty." he quickly spluttered.

Tifa blinked twice before a burst of laughter rushed out of her and she fell backwards, rolling with hysteria. Burning red, and not believing he had actually let those words out, he grumbled "Hey, it wasn't even that funny!" Taking a deep breath, Tifa tried to speak.

"I'm so sorry but that was really funny! I was expecting something bad! I thought you were going to say something else…like…I'm going away to Mount Gudon!"

Cloud went still. "Silly me." she continued. "I always think of the worst possibilities. You wouldn't do that; you love it here in Gandala, don't you?"

He forced a small smile, but stood up instantly. Voices could be heard from behind the forest. "You should go." he said. Tifa bit her lip as she too heard them.

"I wanted to stay longer." She frowned. "I guess not." Sighing, she lifted herself to stand. Cloud watched her press down her dress and swipe the dirt off her hands. "Well," she met his blue eyed gaze. "I had fun. Dancing or not." she teased.

Cloud merely shoved his hands in his dress pockets and replied. "Yeah."

"Goodnight then." she chirped again as she waved her hand, but Cloud reached across, and drew his arms around her small shoulders. A sweet embrace.

"'Night." he held her tightly.

Puzzled, Tifa stood still until he quickly let go of her, sensing her confusion. Cloud never showed his emotions, he hardly liked touching her in that sense. Something was wrong, she thought as she ran through the forest, clutching her locket. I'll ask him tomorrow…

But tomorrow came but he did not. He never did, yet she kept waiting, kept hope in heart. That one day her dear friend will surely return to her. But it was getting late, the moon had gone and the sun rose again, and it continued this way for ages. The hope kept inside her was set loose and was soon replaced with hurt and anger. Determined to remove him from her lost mind, she cast him aside, burying him deeper and deeper in to her heart, so deep that she would not be able to find him again. So deep that she will forget him. Forever…

Alas, she had failed to remember; it is unfeasible to forget a person one loves. And if one does, they will always be reminded again, if not tomorrow then…someday.

A/N: So I have returned for a second shot! Only this time for a chapter fic...I'm still new at this..so tell me what you guys think. Hope you enjoyed the beginning of a new fairytale! Please Review!

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