A total stranger

After Aeris death and killing Selporth the AVALANCHE group broke up and departed there own ways.

Yuffie and Vincent started a new life together and not forgetting about the old. Barrett took cared of his daughter Marlene and Denzel to so Tifa could have a break. Cid still lived in Rocket Town with his wife and had a son named Rie and made airships for the people who need them (like always). Tifa… Tifa stayed with Cloud in Nibelheim even though he didn't know her feelings towards him they were roommates. She still had her bar 7th heaven. Cloud was still a solider no matter what way he looked at it. And after Aeris's death he couldn't help but feel worthless cause of not saving her.

He told Tifa he would be back soon and told her not to worry. "I'll be traveling for 3 days." He said grabbing his bag and getting on his motorcycle. "You sure 3 days… when say 3 it actually means 2 weeks tops." She joked to him. "Very funny Tif, but I promise that I'll be back. I have to see an old friend." He smiled at her and started the bike. She nodded and stood there trying not to look worried, and waved him goodbye. He was gone and she didn't move from that spot until he was out of sight over the horizon.

It had been 3 days and woke up and she went to open her bar and to serve customers. Barret was coming with Merlene and Denzel and were staying the week with her just to keep her company. After that he was dropping Denzel with Tifa.

She was washing the tables and heard someone come in. She thought it was Barret and the kids. "Hey you, you said you weren't coming till tom…or...ow." She turned to see a man in a baggy jeans a shirt and shades. He was tall as Cloud and had brown hair. And two earrings in his left ear.

"Sorry I thought you were someone else." "No problem I get that a lot." He had a charming voice. "Do you want something to drink?" "Well this is a bar isn't it?" "Yes…" "Well I'll have a beer." "I'm on it." Tifa went to the counter and served him a mug of beer.

"So are you waiting for someone?" he asked as he sipped his drink. Tifa turned to him "yeah." "Boyfriend?" She paused in her tracks and thought of Cloud. Her feelings towards him. She loved him since they were kids. She wanted to say yes but… "No."

"What as beautiful as you are and no boyfriend!" He said "How about you… do you have a girlfriend?" He sipped his beer again "No I'm going solo." "So why are you traveling?" "I wanted to travel the world. I once was a solider but I retired. The name is Leon." "Oh my name is Tifa, Tifa Lockheart." "Tifa that's a beautiful name. It suits you."

"Thanks." They talked for what seemed forever. They acted like they were old friends. She told him all about her adventures AVALANCHE had been on, Yuffie, Vincent, Barret, Cid, Merlene, Denzel, Aeris, and Selporth, and also the love of her life Cloud. "So your in love with him." She blushed "What gave you that idea?" "It's written all over your face." "Well it's that obvious huh?" He nodded. "What I can't believe is that he doesn't see it."

"I wish...I wish I didn't love him. He's… in love someone else." "What do you mean?" "I mean that he loves Aeris." "But you told me that she's dead. Oh he loved her before and still loves her even though she's dead. And he feels guilty for her death. I was like that." "Another girl." "My sister. She died in the war. And I wasn't there to save her. I was somewhere off. My older brother but I don't know where he is." "Well you do know that it's not your fault. Nor your brother's." "Yeah I know. He should've been there though."

Tifa offered him a room to stay in. "You sure I can stay here?" "Yes it's ok. But you have to help me with the bar as long as you stay." "Tifa you have a deal." He grabbed his bags and set up in his new room. Tifa had a new friend. But will there relationship go to a whole new level?

Cloud had arrived to his destination. Aeris's grave. He felt so guilty that he wanted to travel to her grave and ask for forgiveness.

Flash

"Cloud…"

"Aeris is that you?"

"Yeah it's me. And I know why you're here. And you don't need forgiveness."

" But I wasn't there to protect you."

"It was my time to die. Besides you're hurting the others by not spending time with them."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you're hurting Tifa."

"Tifa..."

"She worried about you, are you safe, are you eating. And she's scared for you. Plus she doesn't know how you feel about her."

"How could she not know how I feel?"

"She never heard you say it to her. I'm fine now and it's not your fault. Tifa cares about you and she needs to know if you care about her."

"Then I will go and tell her."

"That's the Cloud I know."

"Thanks Aeris."

"No problem… She's waiting for you."

Flash

He was off to Nebliem to see Tifa again even though he said that he wasn't going to be back in three days. He had a long journey and he drove of with a great deal of power.

Leon was asleep in another room while Tifa was about to close the bar. She looked out the door and wished that she could see Cloud again. She knew why he left. And she knew it would have took him only one day. But why did it take him three? It was the third day already.

She promised to not worry. But she couldn't help it. She loved him. And she hated the fact he would love someone who was dead. No wait. She would never hate Aeris or Cloud. She loved Aeris as a sister. But she loved Cloud as if he was her husband. But why wouldn't she tell him why. "Why? Why can't I…" She heard the rain pouring down. She stepped out and let the rainfall over her. And she began to cry.

Leon couldn't help but noticed her. In fact you could say he started to love her. Love at first sight, as he would want to call it. He couldn't help it. She was beautiful. Her long brown hair, crimson eyes, and perfect figure made him head over heels for her. And he thought that Cloud was hurting her in all ways and he despised him for that.

Leon only wished that she wouldn't love him. He only wishes if he could be with her. But he was going to try any way he could to deserve her heart. He went out in the rain and gave her a jacket. "You can't stay here. You'll catch a cold." He walked her inside and gave her some hot tea.

Soon she was in her bed sleep. Waiting…waiting for her beloved one. Leon sat outside her door, and slept as she slept, and dreamed of her for that whole night.