So...I got a lot of flack for my previous story about Tifa and Zack and Yuffie and Sephiroth, so I decided to take a whole new spin on them and start over. However, instead of Yuffie being paired with sephiroth, it is Kadaj Hopefully people won't be as cruel, and hopefully I am better! No more dots to separate my story out, and more detail will hopefully satisfy the bloodthirsty reviewers out explain, technically this story is still in Midgar, same characters, with a bit of a twist so I am going to assume that means AU (alternate universe) seeing as how none of this would ever happen in the real series. It takes place about five years after Advent Children and yes there WILL be OOCness. I'm warning you NOW. The rest will be described within the story. I hope you enjoy.

Final fantasy VII
Post Advent Children- 5 years
AU
OOCNESS
I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY

Chapter one: A Contract with the Lifestream

Life really hadn't been the same since Sephiroth had tried to destroy Midgar that final time via Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. Life moved on, of course, after Cloud and the gang defeated them and saved Midgar from total destruction. But that didn't make it easy. Most times he was on edge, Cloud, curious as to when the man who plagued his nightmares night after night would return once more to wreak havoc on he and his family. And really, he wasn't sure if family was the right word for it at all, but to appease Tifa, it would due.

Cloud and Tifa continued to run Strife Delivery Services together, and were actually quite busy. It certainly allowed for a lot of financial freedom. Of course, Tifa didn't stop running Seventh Heaven. It too, was booming. People longed for some type of comfort or warmth, and Tifa provided that. In a city that had seen it's best days and it's very worst days, Seventh Heaven really was a Heaven for a lot of Midgar civilians who were coping with their city that still lay in ruin. Cloud was unsure if it was simply her kind and motherly personality, or if it was the drinks she made that could put any man at ease, either way, he appreciated it.

The kids were good, growing up so fast it seemed as if they'd run through a time warp. Marlene was already 11 years of age, and Denzel was 14. They bopped around between Cloud and Tifa's care and Barret's, every week. They were well adjusted to the situation, and Barret and Marlene were elated to spend more time with one another. Cloud had been doing his best to teach Denzel about life, but it was difficult since his life and everyone around him, had been anything but normal.

But what Cloud genuinely wanted was to be able to make Tifa happy. It seemed to be an impossible feat indeed. Sure, the brunette girl put on a great front with a smile on her face as she brought joy to the broken souls of Midgar, and to the children she called her own. But Cloud knew she wanted more. She wanted to be more than awkward friends who were there for each other. Cloud would be lying if he said he didn't feel any type of romantic feelings for her, but things weren't that simple. He knew that the type of love she desired, was something he really wasn't capable of giving to her. As guilty as he felt for that, he felt even more guilt deep down in his heart every time he remembered the fallen Zack Fair and Aerith Gainsborough. No matter how much Tifa lectured him about things 'not being his fault', or 'moving on with his life', it still lingered. The guilt was like a black fog that hung over him day in and day out. How could someone like him love someone like Tifa? Impossible. He could hardly protect her. The day he found her in the abandon church laying in the soft bed of flowers, motionless and silent, was the day he decided he couldn't give her what she wanted. That wasn't the only time he'd come to her rescue just a little too late, what was there to show for?

How could he return all the encouraging words she loosely flung at him anytime he was having a shitty day? It came so naturally to her, but it was a major weak point in Cloud. He knew she deserved so much more than anything he could offer up to her. There wasn't much he had to offer, maybe money. But in all honestly, if Strife Delivery Services did ever shut down, the bartender would be just fine. She made a lot more money than she ever would disclose, matter of fact, she almost made more than Cloud.

It was a matter that was eating him alive. He lay in the bed they shared and stared up at the ceiling as she slept next to him, with her back to him. He could hear her steady, quiet breathing as she slept, and it only pained him to listen. She seemed so at peace but he knew the sorrow that slumbered deep within her heart that seemed to be so large. He placed a hand on his forehead as he stared into the darkness, the ceiling grew increasingly dark and faded in and out of focus, he knew he'd been staring a bit too long. Reluctantly, he closed his baby blues and let out a quiet sigh. There was really only one person in Midgar that could give it to him straight, while remaining completely free of any harsh judgements. Vincent Valentine.

Slowly and carefully, Cloud slipped out of the bed and put his feet on the cool wooden floors, praying they would not creek. He tiptoed to their dresser where the clothing he had removed earlier lay strewn about sloppily. He groped for them blindly in the dark and managed to get dressed quickly. He wasn't sure if anything was inside out or backwards, but he was clothed and that was good enough.
With his eyes well adjusted to the darkness now, he stood in the doorway and looked back at Tifa's sleeping form. Her round face was barely visible with the thick brown locks that covered it. Her body was curled up with her knees bent and close to her chest like always, she seemed comfortable. He slowly walked to her and placed a soft kiss on her head before exiting the room.

Vincent's home always had a way of creeping someone out, mainly Cloud seeing as how he was usually Vincent's only visitor. The home, if you could call it that, was located in the seventh sector, at the very edge of Midgar. It was a two story abandoned library. Which for Vincent was rather cozy, but if you asked anyone else, it was just plain weird. Cobwebs were strewn about nearly every inch of the place, and the furniture was old and worn. He slept in the upper level where he created his own quarters in an old janitorial closet. It was probably the nicest area of the place, there was at least a small bed for Vincent to get some decent sleep on, if he ever slept, Cloud was unsure.

He swung the front door open and the loud creaking sound echoed through the entire library. Before he took a single step inside, Vincent appeared before him with a scowl.
"Who goes there?!" He boomed in warning until he realized it was merely Cloud. He was rather on edge at night, that's when the hooligans of Midgar tended to strike, so he always kept a watchful eye, ready for anything.

"Woah, Woah." Cloud said as he put his arms out, motioning for Vincent to calm down. Vincent was already ahead of him as he turned his back and began walking into the library.

"Close the door behind you." He instructed as he took a seat on an old and rather lumpy leather couch near the abandon librarian's desk. Cloud did as he was told and closed the door, afterwards he wiped his dusty hands on his pants and made his way to where Vincent had perched. It was rather difficult to see, but the dim lighting was a bit more than what he had to work with at home. He looked around, spotting the array of old furniture and debating on where to sit. Finally, he sat himself atop a desk that was directly across from Vincent's couch and let out a sigh.

Vincent studied his companion, it was rather unlike Cloud to visit at such a wee hour of the night time, so he knew that there was a trying and or pressing matter at hand. He could tell by his posture that Cloud was rather distressed, and no doubt, Vincent assumed it to be the same matter it always was. Tifa.

"You wanna tell me what's got you interrupting me at such an ungodly hour?" Vincent questioned articulately as he continued to study Cloud.
He sighed once more and returned Vincent's gaze, or what he hope to be his gaze, the darkness made it a bit difficult. He did realize that it was 2 AM and normal people should be sleeping soundly at the time, but Vincent was not normal, nor was he a people, so he was excluded from that generalization.

"It's.." Cloud started

"Tifa." They said in unison.

"You knew, huh?" Cloud said, as he scratched the back of his head. A mannerism no doubt, he inherited from Zack.

"Yes." Replied Vincent. He really was a man of few words, even with Cloud.

Cloud leaned back on the desk with his hands behind him as a support. Even though Vincent had heard it time after time, it was still hard for Cloud to talk about it. "I... I just don't know what to do."

"Do you want my advice?" Vincent asked, suddenly. He stood and walked to Cloud, standing directly in front of him. His eyes pierced right through Cloud as he stared.

Cloud gulped a bit, feeling a little uneasy. He hadn't seen Vincent so forward before. Still, Vincent was incredibly wise, and anything he had to offer, Cloud would take. He gave Vincent a nod to say he approved and listened.

"You need to decide."

"Decide?" Cloud asked curiously, obviously not sure what Vincent had meant.

"Decide if you can buckle down and be with Tifa, or not. Because you cannot continue stringing her around and keeping her waiting for the day you sweep her off her feet." Vincent explained.

It was like a knife twisting in his gut, but Cloud knew that Vincent's words were accurate. "I know." He said sighing and looking downward. He watched a small spider scurry across the floor near Vincent's feet before turning his gaze back up.

"Why can't you commit to her?" Vincent asked as he retraced back to his place on the couch.

Cloud knew why, and he didn't feel the need to explain this to Vincent when he had already done so time after time. He simply shook his head and crossed his arms. He felt rather childish after that.

"Then what do you plan to do, if you cannot offer Tifa what you feel she deserves?"

"I don't know, dammit. That's why I'm here!" He snapped. "Things would be so much easier if Aerith hadn't..."

There it is. Vincent thought to himself as he listened to his friend drudge up the past along with the underlying issue that remained. He was still in love with Aerith, and although it may not be as evident to Cloud, Vincent certainly knew the truth. It did not matter that the context in which Cloud had mentioned her was not romantic at all, It was time to tell Cloud that he was clearly head over heels for a woman who had long passed on.

"You still love her, Cloud." Vincent spoke slowly, as to be sure Cloud heard his words unmistakably.

Cloud leaned back and his baby blues widened. "What?" He couldn't be sure what Vincent was implying.

Despite his efforts, he had been too vague and bluntness seemed to be the only way to communicate with Strife a times. "You love Aerith. Despite the fact that she is no longer with us, you still love her."

Cloud was stunned to say the least. Even the mention of Aerith's name had his heart pounding and aching all at once. He remembered her soft and petite features, and almost every time he closed his eyes, he saw her green orbs staring at him. He still remembered her soft and delicate voice, and the way she smiled was enough to make a man stop dead in his tracks. Even if he was in love with Aerith, that didn't solve anything here in Midgar. But slowly, he was beginning to realize the truth and accuracy to Vincent's words. Now he was besieged with guilt and sorrow. "Wh-what do I do?" His voice cracked suddenly, breaking the silence that had befallen upon the room.

Vincent had a few things in mind, but really he was unsure if he could present them to Cloud. It was a rather drastic measure and it would require a large deal of sacrifice on Cloud's part. It meant letting go of everything that the world had to offer in exchange for spending eternity with Aerith. But there was also a catch to this idea.

"That depends, Cloud. What are you willing to do to be with Aerith again?" Vincent inquired.

Cloud blinked a few times as he tried to digest the words that just escaped Vincent's mouth. Did he really long to be with Aerith that much? Was the reason she was always at the forefront of his mind really because he loved her all this time? Really he couldn't be sure, but the aching within his heart was slowly giving him the answer.

"What would I have to give up?" Cloud asked after he slowly mustered up the courage to ask. This was Vincent he was dealing with, and what that entailed was usually something drastic and it really was not to be taken lightly.

Vincent then stood up from his seat once more and looked at Cloud with a stern expression, one that he usually donned, but Cloud could see the intensity in his ruby eyes. "Come with me."

Cloud reluctantly followed Vincent up the old rickety staircase of the library up to the second level. Each step was blanketed in an inch of dust despite the places in the middle that Vincent had continually stepped upon as he walked up or down. They reached the top of the staircase and rounded a corner walking down a hallway who's walks were towering shelves full of books, novels and tomes. It had darkened significantly as they drew further and further away from the stairwell until darkness engulfed them both. Cloud could not see an inch in front of him, but he trusted Vincent enough to continue walking.

"Stop." Vincent said suddenly. Immediately, Cloud did as he was told and stopped. Although he could not see, he heard the creaking of a door to his left as it opened and the room was flooded with light. He blinked his eyes a few times as he adjusted to the brightness.

The two walked into the room where beakers and several books lay open atop a large mahogany desk. It was, unlike the rest o the library, rather tidy and lacking in the thick layers of dust. Seemed as though Vincent spent a great deal of time within the room. Looking closer, Cloud noted that the books contained extensive information about the Lifestream, about it's function and it's purpose. He inched closer to the books as Vincent wandered off into a different portion of the room that was separated by a thick black drape that appeared to be made of velvet material. His hand touched the pages of a thick book and he began to read a few passages. The author seemed to believe there was a specific way to infiltrate the Lifestream if done correctly. There were well-drawn diagrams explaining a piece of machinery, as well as instructions upon how to use the odd mechanism. Before he could read on, Vincent emerged from behind the thick curtain with a small piece of machinery that looked identical to the one depicted in the book Cloud had just been examining.

"Vincent, you don't really believe these books, do you?" Cloud asked, a little leery of the answer to come.

Vincent did not reply, he remained silent as he placed the item on the round table in the center of the room. It was square in shape but it had small metal shrapnel protruding from it's sides that resembled levers. There was a small black button on the top of the mechanism precisely in the center, and there seemed to be some Latin writing that circled around the button.

"This item is rather powerful." Vincent said suddenly as he turned to face Cloud.

The blonde was thoroughly examining the equipment and he circled around it as he looked. "What does it do?" He finally asked as he raised his eyes to look at Vincent.
Vincent's expression changed only slightly as he looked upon his friend. He was about to explain something rather complex, and he wasn't certain that Cloud's brain could digest it, but it was worth a shot.

"This device has the capacity to draw someone from the Lifestream."

"Like... Aerith or even Zack?" Cloud asked curiously. Even thinking about it, his heart raced a little. He still had his doubts, what could a small metal contraption do? Certainly not bring someone to life.

"Yes." Came Vincent. "However, there is one condition. In exchange for someone to exit the Lifestream, someone must in turn, enter it."

Cloud's heart sank upon hearing this. Certainly he would never be able to find someone willing to enter the Lifestream selflessly in order for Cloud to gain Aerith. That would be nearly impossible to achieve. But giving his heart to Aerith would not be as difficult seeing as how she already had it. He continued to contemplate the matter. Soon he realized that even if he did manage to bring Aerith back, it wouldn't solve the issue of Tifa's displeasure, it could only magnify it. He shivered at the thought. But what on earth would ever make her happy? More than that, who could make her happy, if it couldn't possibly be me? He thought to himself. He paced the study room, the only sound to be heard were his boots hitting the cold tile floor with each step he took.

With his mind whirling, he continued pacing, desperate for an answer within himself. He scratched his chin, sighed and tugged his hair as he tried to think of any solutions. Suddenly, as he contemplated who or what may be able to provide Tifa with the love and joy that she so desperately deserved, Zack Fair came to the forefront of his mind. If bringing Aerith back wasn't a suitable and or logical idea, then bringing Zack just may be. Cloud could offer himself to the Lifestream in exchange for Zack, who could certainly provide Tifa with the things she desired. And meanwhile, Cloud could join Aerith in the Lifestream.

He really needed to weigh the options now. It wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded. He would be abandoning his post as a father figure to Denzel and Marlene, and abandoning his best friend he'd had for over twelve years. He would be screwing them over for his own personal gain. And he couldn't be sure he wanted to forfeit his life like that. Losing Cloud would be difficult for the group he called his family to handle. But gaining Zack in return was a hell of a deal if you asked Cloud. He was smarter, stronger and kinder than Cloud. He was, to put it bluntly, better than Cloud in every aspect by a long shot. But deep down in Cloud's heart, he felt that it should have been Zack to live on that day. Maybe he deserved another shot at life.

Another issue Cloud faced was one he really didn't wish to think about. With Zack and Aerith both deceased, there was no doubt in Cloud's mind that they must have been reunited in the Lifestream. There was no way of knowing for certain if they were romantically involved whatsoever, but he really didn't have the desire to entertain that thought.

Vincent could tell that the pacing blonde was deep in thought, no doubt wrestling with his options. "What are you agonizing about?"

"I'm not sure what to do in this situation. If that thing actually works, my best bet is to switch places with Zack. But how am I to know he would agree? Or if Aerith would let him go? And how would Tifa react? The kids?" Cloud blabbered on until Vincent interrupted.

"One way to find out. You go into the Lifestream and you ask." He stated plainly.

"There's a way to do that?" Cloud inquired, his curious out increasing significantly.

Vincent Nodded. "You can communicate with someone briefly, but a decision would have to be made promptly, or you could be lost in the stream forever."

They sat on the shore of the Lifestream, readying Cloud for his approaching decent. The teal crystals that surrounded them illuminated brightly off of Cloud's hair, giving it an unnatural bluish glow. His heart was pounding heavily and rapidly within his chest. He had resolved to speak with Zack and Aerith about the situation in hopes that he could reunite with Aerith once more and give Zack the shot at life he desperately deserved after his heroic attempt to save Cloud's life all those years ago. And most importantly, maybe Zack would be able to fix what had been so broken within Tifa's heart.

He looked around the area, recalling the battle that had taken place there with Kadaj as they attempted to rescue Marlene and Denzel from his clutches. The white calcium pillars told of the battles through the scars and blackened areas upon their surface told the story of the fight. Abruptly, he was snapped out of his thoughts as Vincent nudged him and spoke.

"It's ready." Vincent spoke as he placed the small contraption on the shore near the water. He was a little reluctant to send Cloud away like this, but he knew that it was the right decision regardless

"How'd you come across something like that anyway?" Cloud asked, masking his nervousness.

Vincent's ruby eyes met Cloud's. "I made it to keep in touch with my past. Now go." He said as he nudged Cloud once more.

Cloud edged closer to the water, not pressing the matter with Vincent further. He knew full well it had to do with the woman Vincent had loved all those years ago, but he didn't have time to listen to the story in great detail. He stepped into the stream until he was approximately ankle deep. Turning back and facing Vincent he spoke.

"You gotta tell em that I love em." He said in a stoic manor. Vincent gave him a nod and Cloud continued into the water. He could feel his body tingling and stinging as he moved further in. He soberly remembered the day he lay Aerith's body in the waters in which he waded now.

As soon as Cloud was waist deep, Vincent pulled on one of the metal levers of the contraption, following that, he pressed the button in the center and a swift blue light emitted from the contraption and surrounded Cloud like a thick, angelic aura. His eyes enlarged and seemed to glow a shade of blue that was unrecognizable to a human eye. Soon, his body was submerged in the stream and seemed to be flying down a current of water at breakneck speed. He could see several people floating about, smiling and waving at him as he whizzed by.

He continually searched for the faces he sought as he continued down the current, to no avail. He could not see them at all, but he was going so fast. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms grabbed hold of him and withdrew him from the raging current. He turned his head to see who his rescuer was and smiled widely when he found Zack.

"Zack!" He exclaimed. Defying every law of physics, he managed to speak with his deceased friend while under water. But his surroundings suddenly changed. They weren't underwater at all, instead it was just he and Zack in a room that was cloaked in light. Everything that surrounded them was white. Zack seemed just as he had before he died despite the gaping holes in his chest, and blood soaked clothes. He seemed to be fully restored, and glowing brightly.

"Hey, didn't we send you back?" Zack stated as he pated Cloud's head, tousling Cloud's blonde locks. Cloud instinctively pushed his friend's arm away with a light chuckle.

"Yes, I thought so too." Came a sweet and familiar voice that warmed Cloud to the core. An immediate smile spread across his face as he watched the woman in pink approach the two. She stood a distance away from Zack, And seemed eager to speak with Cloud.

"What are you doing here, Cloud. Don't tell me ya kicked the bucket." Zack chimed a he looked upon his old friend.

"Zack, Aerith.." He whispered, it was a surreal experience, though it had happened once before.

"Let me guess, You were protecting your friends?" Aerith asked as she gently squeezed Cloud's forearm. Her touch was so warm, and felt so real.

"Well, yes and no. I'm not really dead." Cloud admitted. He knew his time was limited, so a lengthy explanation would not really do. "I came here to ask a favor of you both."

"What can we do, bud?" Zack asked, pointing out the fact the he and Aerith were very much dead. Aerith watched in curiosity as she stared at the blonde she had grown so fond of before her demise.

"Well... You remember my friend Tifa?" Cloud asked.

Aerith nodded and inwardly smiled at the fact he called the brunette girl his friend and nothing more official. Zack too, nodded and gestured for Cloud to continue.

"Well... Long story short I just..." He went silent, realizing explaining the situation was rather foolish. It was such a detailed story, and explaining it like this was only going to waist time. He needed to get to the point before he became lost. "Are you and Zack in love, Aerith?" He suddenly asked, unaware himself where the sudden boldness had emerged from.

Aerith was put on the spot and she took a step backward. She looked over at Zack who seemed a bit un-amused by the question, but it seemed as though he was going to answer for her.

"Well kid, I was gone for a long time. She eventually gave up hope on me. But then she met some spiky haired blonde boy." He said as a smirk found it's way across his face. Zack couldn't blame Aerith for what happened, it was easy for any girl to fall in love with the helpless blonde sap, and it was all too convenient for Cloud and Aerith to have met up back then.

His heart pounded hard in his chest and he saw a faint blush on Aerith's cheeks as Zack spoke. Was it really that simple? He couldn't believe it, but things were actually looking very hopeful. "Zack." Cloud said breaking the momentary silence.

Zack quirked a dark brown eyebrow and looked at Cloud curiously. He couldn't seem to peg what the boy was after. "What is it Cloud? You gonna explain why you're here or what?"

Cloud knew now his time was running low, he had to speak quickly. "Zack I want you to take my place. I can't be there for my family like I need to be. You deserve that much more than me. And I also have to admit to you that..." he started as he looked upon the petite brunette girl. Her cheeks darkened and her green eyes widened as she held onto Cloud's deep and intense Gaze.

"You're in love." Zack stated as he placed his hands on his hips. "Well I gotta say, I really didn't see this coming. Well.. Kinda." He said as he scratched the back of his head. But as far as going back to the land of the living, you didn't have to ask Zack twice. He was only hesitant because he would be leaving Aerith behind once more. Dying again whenever the time came would be a breeze. He'd done it before, certainly he could do it again. It would just be a shame to be returning without Cloud at all. "Buddy, I'm really not sure."

"Zack, please! I don't have a lot of time to decide this." Cloud exclaimed. He could feel the energy draining from his body as the time wore on.

Zack looked over at Aerith, who still seemed rather smitten to see Cloud. She turned to Zack and gave him a nod. "Why don't you?" She encouraged. "I think it'll be good for you, besides, I'll be in good care and company."

Zack let out a sigh. Shame on him for letting Cloud sneak in and snatch Aerith right out of his hands. Not that she was his in the last couple of years. "But, are you really sure this is what you want, Cloud?"

"It should have been me that died in your place, Zack. You deserve this second chance." Cloud expounded.

Zack gave him a nod and placed a hand firmly on his shoulder. " Okay, but you need to know that I died for you because I thought you were worth it, Cloud. It wasn't about who deserved what. Now what do I need to do?"

"You'll go to Midgar with a friend of mine named Vincent. You will know him, he's a former Turk. Don't worry, you can trust him. You'll be able to stay with Tifa at our house. I can't give you much more detail, but ou have to take care of her, you promise?" He said as he looked at his former friend sternly. You could tell just how serious he was, despite the fact that his face was usually in this expression, his eyes said it all.

"Okay, Cloud." Zack started. "Tifa, she knows about this right?"

"No." Cloud admitted as he grabbed hold of Zack's hands. "Today I offer up myself as a sacrifice to the Lifestream in order to return that which has passed to life." He chanted as his eyes closed tightly.

Zack immediately felt a strange tingling feeling surround his body and before he could protest about Tifa's lack of information, or ask Cloud any more questions, his body was sent flying backward into the blue current that Cloud had come from. He could see Aerith and Cloud shrinking in the distance as he flew backward and he found himself reaching out for Cloud, but he was long gone. Zack turned his body around to see what he was facing. He could see a small black dot growing increasingly close as he continued up the current. He couldn't make it out, but as it grew closer, it appeared to be a body of some sort. "Oof!" He said as he felt his body hit something hard in an unsuspecting impact. He felt his eyelids grow heavy and before he knew it, he was surrounded in darkness.