Cloud looked up dreamily, hanging for dear life on the cliff. Tifa's crimson eyes turned sad and watery as she gazed downward. "Yeah. Let's go meet her..." she sighed, clinging to him so she wouldn't fall into Lifestream. In her heart, that was the last thing she wanted to do. She had loved Cloud since they were young, only he was too blind to realize it. Tifa thought she gave enough hints, "wanting to experience being rescued by her hero just once", she considered to be the least subtle statement she could have made. The blonde, blue-eyed, muscle-bound babe did anything but pick it up. He considered it to be just a starry-eyed girl's dream, or a request a friend would make to another friend. Certainly not one out of true love. He met Aeris, his dream girl, on their journey to save the Planet. Though she was killed by Sephiroth and would never show her rosy face and emerald eyes again, his heart still would not let go. In his mind, he would never love anyone else again. Of course, Cloud never told anyone he loved her. He didn't need to. Everyone could tell, especially Tifa. It broke her heart every time he looked at Aeris with those Mako eyes of his, shining with adoration and care. She wished he looked at her that way. She gave him all she had, but those eyes must have been too blurred with Mako to see anything. Tifa wanted to give her heart to him, her soul, her everything. But Cloud only wanted one thing. Aeris.

Later, after the two dragged themselves out of the cliff and flew out of the Crater in Cid's airplane, the Highwind, and the Planet was safe, Tifa and Cloud returned to Midgar. Yuffie went back to roaming around, looking for the most unsuspecting fool to snatch his materia. Cait Sith applied for a job at Gold Saucer, and was hired immediately. He got in trouble at first though, because he spent most of his time playing games in the Wonder Square. Red XVII returned to Cosmo Canyon, to take care of his people. There, he found a mate, and soon had two little cubs of his own. Barret went back to Corel to help fix things up a bit, then came home to his daughter Marlene in Midgar. He had tears in his eyes when he saw her, relieved that she was safe and sound. Aeris had protected her while everyone was fighting ShinRa. God bless her, Barret thought to himself. Cid headed for Rocket Town, and got engaged to Shera. She knew Cid had a soft spot in his heart. She blushed profusely when he got down on one knee and started to sputter out how he cared for her. Cid never did have a way with words. Everyone went back to live normal, peaceful lives. Or so they thought.