A/N: I don't own Final Fantasy, obviously. This is set somewhere between the end of the game and the beginning of the movie. If something doesn't seem right, please let me know and I'll happily change it. I haven't really done an FF7 fic in a while, so I thought I'd try it. Obvious CloTi here. Not sure where the plot is going yet, but there are a few rather non-subtle hints in this chapter.

And one more thing, what do you think of the chapter length? Too long? Too short? Gonna try keep them as long as these, my usual chapters are really short, and I'm proud of this length :)

On to the story. :D

She's your guardian angel, don't just ignore her.

­­­­­She held the tiny flower carefully in her hands, as though she was scared she was going to break it. It was cradled gently in her palm, its petals moving slightly as the wind brushed past it. She felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to protect it and curled her fingers over the blossom to do just that. She was about to bring it closer to her chest, when suddenly a shadow fell over the flower, and she frowned, moving her fingers out of the way, not liking the ominous presence that the shadow seemed to have over the little object. However, even when she moved her fingers away, the shadow remained, covering the flower like a dark, see-through blanket.

"Tifa." His voice was calm and collected, as it always was… and yet, it sounded like music to her. The last remnants of his voice were carried away by the wind, and she immediately missed the low tones. The shadow moved, and suddenly, he was sat beside her. The small space between them suddenly seemed too small. Why did she always feel like a giddy teenager when she was around him?

"Are you… alright?"

He sounded concerned. Well, she probably looked rather crazy sat here… staring at a flower like it was some sort of magnificent thing. Right at this moment, however, everything was magnificent.

"I should be asking you that." Tifa turned and looked at him, tilting her head slightly as she spoke. He looked amazing in his black suit – a nice change from his usual attire. Too bad it was for such a solemn occasion… He hadn't looked at her yet. Tifa felt so much sympathy for him… but that was the last thing she'd tell him. Cloud hated sympathy, especially when it was directed at him.

"Cloud." Tifa rested her free hand on his arm. "She's happy. We gave her a real funeral… we let everyone say goodbye to her. It was the least we could do."

He gave a simple nod, but didn't speak. She knew how hard it was for him – he knew he needed to let go, but just… couldn't. The funeral had been Tifa's idea, to try and help him. She'd never had a real funeral. So many people had come to say goodbye to the kind hearted woman who had given up her life for them. Tifa kept her hand on his arm, but turned her attention to the flower that was still resting on her palm. Yes… it was time to let go. She lifted her hand up, noting that the movement caught Cloud's eye, and spread her fingers. Almost immediately, the wind took hold of the small blossom, as if it had been waiting for its chance, and lifted it up. Tifa's arm dropped back to her side and they both watched the flower fly freely through the hair. She found herself with an ethereal image in her mind, of the flower sprouting angelic wings and flying to the heavens. She found herself smiling and when she turned to look at her companion, she saw happiness in his wide blue eyes. The only other time he'd looked this happy was when he'd been with her.


What he really wanted to do right now was go home and go to bed, but he knew that would be rude of him. He knew his friends were concerned about him, and so, when they asked him how he was doing, he tried to answer them truthfully. Normally, he would just shrug and say he was fine, but he was trying… he really was. Cloud glanced up, just in time to see his closest friends being comforted by a young woman. Tifa had definitely been his rock these past few days, what would he have done without her? He looked away just as Tifa and Yuffie embraced each other – this day was special, and one he wouldn't forget anytime soon. He glanced around the bar at his friends and found himself feeling quite… serene. Which was unusual when one realised he had just come from the funeral of one of his best friends. No, Aeris deserved more than that. She wasn't just a best friend; she was more like a sister.

He still had no idea what his true feelings for that girl had been.

"Cloud?" He turned as his name was called and came face to face with the mysterious man known as Vincent. Out of respect, the gunman had ditched his usual vampiric cloak for a black suit and tie. More than once through their journey, Vincent had been the voice of reason and Cloud, surprisingly, had begun turning to him for advice. Cloud usually hated showing dependence, but Vincent had become like an older brother to him. Both had lost a lot during their lives and both had managed to cope… so far.

"Hey Vincent." Cloud forced a small smile, knowing that, out of everyone in this room, Vincent would know how he was feeling. They had all loved Aeris… but she had captured Cloud's heart.

"Time to let go yet?" Vincent's eyes were dark and hooded; one could never be too sure what he was thinking until he voiced his thoughts out loud. And when he did voice them, he was always direct, never dancing around the subject as other people did. Cloud often appreciated his complete honesty. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, watching his friend and contemplating his reply.

"Not yet. Maybe soon." Cloud finally replied, with a shake of his head. Vincent surveyed him for a moment, before shrugging his shoulders.

"You know you have to move on, and not only for your sake." He turned his head and glanced across the room. Cloud knew who he was looking at; he didn't have to follow his gaze. Vincent was looking at Cloud's childhood friend, the woman who had helped him so much. He knew of Tifa's feelings towards him – everyone seemed to know, and they appeared to be waiting for him to feel the same way. When they were younger, Cloud knew he felt the same. And he probably still did, he just had to sort his head out first… Tifa was giving him time and space to allow him to grieve, and he was grateful for that… he needed time, they all did. But he also knew he shouldn't take it for granted. Too many guys had been coming into the bar just to hit on Tifa lately, and Cloud wasn't sure how long she would keep on waiting… though she still rejected every one of them politely.

"I know. Thanks Vincent." He offered a small smile before pushing himself off the wall and walking over to where Tifa was talking quietly with Cid. Cid was very unlike his normal vulgar self, and was nodding solemnly at whatever Tifa was discussing with him, and was talking without actually cursing. Cloud glanced at Cid, and then turned his gaze on Tifa, who had stopped speaking to look at him.

"Is everything alright?" She asked, a tone of concern evident in her voice. Cloud nodded.

"Yeah… I'm gonna head upstairs. That alright?"

She nodded. "Of course.

She turned back to Cid and continued her conversation, looking rather animated and yet… Cloud could see the fatigue within her chestnut eyes. She was wearing a simple black dress, with her long hair down, and kept playing with strand, curling them around her finger – something she only did when she was tired. Living with her had taught Cloud the many habits she had, and now picked up on them almost unconsciously. He wanted to tell her to come with him, that she needed some sleep… but knowing Tifa, she'd just deny the fact that she was tired and tell him to stop being silly. Looking after the kids on a daily basis took a lot out of her… but today she'd had to go through the funeral of the girl she'd considered as her sister. Had Tifa grieved for Aeris yet?

He was about to turn away and head to his room, when he was stopped by Tifa's hand on his arm. He looked back at her, the tired expression making him doubt his decision to leave her here.

"Will you do me a favour and check on Denzel and Marlene? I put them to bed a while ago."

He gave her a nod and continued on his way upstairs, now with a new mission – to check on the two children he and Tifa looked after. He climbed the stairs quietly, hoping not to wake them, and approached the room that had been taken over by the two. And he meant literally taken over. Two large beds took up the majority of the room with random toys, books and clothes in piles between the beds. They had just gathered together enough money to paint the walls, and Cloud almost smiled at the memory of that day. Marlene had wanted pink paint and Denzel had wanted blue. After a lot of arguing, Tifa had suggested purple. But even with the colour chosen, the children decided that they wanted to help paint the room… Cloud swore that most of the paint had ended up on them rather than the walls… But he'd never seen Tifa have so much fun.

Cloud quickly pulled himself out of the memory and glanced over at the two sleeping forms. In the bed to his left was Marlene… Marlene was an orphan, but technically, Barret was her carer. However, Barret had since gone to find a new source of power, leaving Marlene in Tifa's care, knowing the little girl would be looked after. Marlene was sleeping peacefully, clutching one of her favourite beats – her blankets were pulled right up to her chin, Tifa's work, he was sure, and there was a slight smile on her face. Cloud almost envied her – what sort of nice dream was she having?

However, it was obvious one of the kids wasn't having a nice dream. A whimper from Denzel's bed brought Cloud straight to his side. He was asleep, but constantly tossing and turning. His blankets had been thrown to one side, and his eyes were squeezed shut. Cloud swore he could almost see tears… should he go get Tifa? How did she help the children when they were having nightmares? He was about to turn and go back downstairs, when all of a sudden, Denzel shot up in his bed, his eyes wide open, his body frozen.

"C-Cloud?" His voice was full of fear, and he soon began shaking. Had this happened to Denzel before? Surely Tifa would have told him about it?"

"It's alright Denzel, it was just a nightmare." Cloud moved closer to the bed, hoping to calm Denzel down and half-hoping that Tifa would come upstairs… "It wasn't real."

Denzel turned his bright green eyes on the man he had looked up to since meeting him and shook his head slowly. "It was real." He leaned forward, as if letting Cloud in on some big secret and whispered quietly, "I saw the end of the world."


She didn't remember walking upstairs, nor did she remember getting to her bed. But she found herself lying across it, fully clothed, and too exhausted to crawl under the blankets. She knew she couldn't just go to sleep here – but perhaps she could take a nap, get some strength back, and then get ready for bed properly. She'd be able to check on the kids then too…

Tifa didn't even finish her last thought as her eyes began to close and she welcomed the world of darkness… that was until she entered the land of dreams, and saw two familiar figures stood in front of her.

"Hey Teef." The woman said, giving her an impish grin. "Thought we'd come and say hello… and thanks."

She was as beautiful as ever, her perfect features flawless and untouched… her chestnut hair pulled back into a ridiculously long braid, one curl on either side of her face, and her pretty green eyes, always happy and cheerful… Tifa shuddered. Perhaps not always. She'd seen Aeris' eyes when Sephiroth's sword had gone through her – they'd been completely dry of life. Why couldn't she get that image out of her head? She turned from the pretty angel to the guy who stood beside her, equally ethereal, and yet with a very real grin. His was almost as mischievous as hers.

"Yeah… except where was my funeral?" Zack suddenly cried, throwing his arms up as if the whole world was against him. Tifa just smiled and shook her head.

"I think the funeral was probably for you, too. In Cloud's eyes, at least." She said. Zack looked thoughtful for a moment, and nodded.

"You're right. I heard my name mentioned a couple of times in his head." His eyes shone slightly. "And yours, Teef. You got a secret fancy for me or something?"

Her look of horror was enough to set both Aeris and Zack off laughing, and Tifa immediately began to blush, looking down at her feet.

"Hey Teef…" At Aeris' voice, Tifa glanced up at her friend, suddenly glad that the two had decided to come into her dream. She had been wondering how they felt about the funeral she had held… though she could guess Aeris' reaction already. "Can you tell everyone to stop being sad now?"

She smiled – really, only Aeris would say something like that… but she understood. People needed time to grieve, but Aeris would much rather see her friends having fun. She gave a small nod to the woman.

"Oh, and tell Cloud to quit moping!" Zack added, and Aeris hit his arm.

"Zack! That's not fair!"

"Well, he does need to quit moping. He has two kids and a gorgeous woman to look after, and if he's not careful, he's gonna lose the best thing he ever had!"

Aeris rolled her eyes, but before Tifa could protest that none of them would ever leave Cloud, the angel in pink spoke. "Just be patient with Cloud… he's gonna have to snap out of it soon… oh, and look after those kids, okay?"

"And if you ever need to talk to us, just come to the church. Now we have to go – you have company." Zack smiled.

"But I suggest you keep your eyes closed." Aeris' wink was the last thing Tifa saw as her friends faded away and she was pulled back to reality.


He gazed over to the bed, where Tifa was sprawled out on top of the blankets, fully clothed. Well, now she couldn't deny the fact she'd been tired. He leant against the door, watching her for a while, and trying to decide whether to leave her or wake her up. After a few moments of indecision, he walked to the bed and placed one arm under her knees, and one under arms, before slowly lifting her up. Cloud glanced down at her sleeping form, wondering what she was dreaming of. Whatever it was made her smile.

He slowly put her back down on the bed, resting her head on the pillows and then reaching down to pull her shoes off. Finally, he lifted the blankets and covered her with them, like he had seen her do with the children many times before. He let out the breath he had been holding and stepped away, glad to see that she hadn't woken up. And with that completely, he turned and left the room, unaware of Tifa's gaze on his back as he exited the room.