A/N: Well here we go, my first fanfic. I really got my imagination working for this when I was reading all the other fanfics for Cloud and Tifa, so it's all thanks to you guys!
It's been way too many years since I last play FFVII and I've forgotten a lot about Advent Children, so please excuse any silly discrepencies.
I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer - I do not own Final Fantasy VII, Square does. I just own this tale of mine.

If Only It Weren't You

Chapter 0: Prologue

It's been a year since the disease, Geostigma, had been washed away from the planet and the threat of Sephiroth was cleared from the minds of the people and our heroes for a second time.
Peace and new beginnings followed after the existence of all living beings were pushed to the brink of extinction and a lot of changes had taken place that year.

The organisation 'Shin-Ra' had once again resurfaced but this time it had returned for the people. Of course this revival met with resistance from many as most did not believe they were capable of being a benefit to the world after all the damage they had done.
It would probably take a number of years for Shin-Ra to regain the trust and reputation they had so easily taken for granted and crushed, but determined to repay it's crimes to the people they had hurt and the pain inflicted onto the world, they persevered.

Alongside the preservation work for the remnants of Midgar, the construction of the replacement city Edge had begun again. This was one of the many efforts that Shin-Ra had been connected to and were at the forefront of in hopes of displaying their honest intentions.
Whilst not all the darkness and grime of the former city's shady businesses and less than respectable characters had disappeared, this new city was bathed in light and this bought hope. These changes and the destruction of life stream pumps had allowed the area to begin its long overdue healing, with which things thought to be so natural and common to those outside of the wasted city, it was a privilege and godsend to those that were once imprisoned. Things such as clean air running through the city, access to the rest of the world and the growth of plants and trees.

Finally the once rebel group AVALANCHE, our heroes, had been declared and recognised as just that, heroes. They were embedded in the hearts and minds of everyone, a courageous group who stood up for the world even if the world didn't support them. They had many fans and followers, young boys who dreamed of adventure and heroism that their role models had displayed and men who wished to prove their worth. This would be a lasting effect for decades to come.

And what of our champions? Well most of them had gone they're separate ways, returning to their respective homes, since saving the world didn't seem to be on the agenda for the foreseeable future.

Cid had gone back to Rocket town to continue in the pursuit of his dream. His wish had come true when he and the rest of the group were able go into space during the fight to bring down Sephiroth and Jenova all those years ago. It was magnificent yet what was there for him to aspire to now? With all the chaos finally over, he had been made head of the space program that was once scrapped. The jobs that he would do ranged from fixing satellites to discovery of new material and life on planets. It wasn't as adventurous as saving the world but it gave him meaning as long as he could be up there and as long Shera, the only woman in his life, would continue to stand by him.

Nanaki had returned to Cosmo Canyon to learn more of his people and more importantly his father. Once filled with anger, hatred and disgust for the great warrior, he now felt grief, guilt and shame at his ignorance; although the pain of these emotions had softened since the discovery of his father's heroics and sacrifice to present day. Nevertheless he was determined and now being a more crucial time for him since the wise old Bugahagen was nearing the end of his life.

Barret wished to return to Corel to provide his support to the people, help with the rebuilding and in the hope of redeeming himself in the eyes of friends and neighbours.

Vincent had decided to join Barret in his journey as he believed he needed to change his life. Tired of being shrouded in darkness he desired a stable life and maybe the place to begin would be Corel, only time would tell.

With this decision to go back home came the decision to leave Marlene behind. She protested vehemently but it wasn't a safe journey back home, not yet. He didn't know how the locals would react to his return and if this wasn't a problem, the reconstruction of the town was. At a time of such uncertainty and work ahead of him, he wouldn't be able to take care of and support Marlene; leaving in the early morning when she hadn't even woken up and to return at a time when she would be well asleep and sometimes not come home at all. And what of her education? No no, he wouldn't have it, he knew all too well to leave Marlene in the hands of Tifa whom he completely trusts and Cloud...who was't so bad, although parting with her tore his heart. Marlene tried to be strong but cried at this decision however both of them knew they could always see each other whenever, if they wished it. They would never be permanently apart.

So Yuffie, Denzel, Marlene and Cloud and Tifa had returned to Edge to begin life anew. Yuffie didn't feel like going back home and thought she would have more fun with some of her friends around her. Whilst Tifa had offered her to live with them she couldn't accept it, saying there wasn't enough space and didn't want to get in their way, finding a place nearby instead. The truth was that although Yuffie wanted to be near them, she knew she'd be driven crazy if she LIVED with them. She loved the kids with all her heart but being with the kids constantly and having to endure the single entity that was Cloud and Tifa...no she really didn't want that, though the appeal of spying on them and causing 'moments' did cross her mind.

Cloud and Tifa were the biggest development. Now that there was nothing to fear, there was nothing to keep Cloud away and he had begun to change. Still being the silent, stoic man for the most part, his heart had been set free from it's cage and was able to love. He felt love for the place he could finally call home, a love for those two children he had become so accustomed to and a most special love for the only woman that owned his heart.

And Tifa had welcomed this change. For a long time she kept her heart bottled up, unable to tell him what she felt as he left to join SOLDIER, then again during the first time they went out to save the world. She so very much wanted to tell him how she felt and what she wanted but the impending crisis reaffirmed her decision to hold back until time was right. However every time she saw the gap close and the familiarity increase between Cloud and Aerith, she suddenly wasn't so sure about her plans. When she saw this, it hurt.

After the first crisis they began to live together, she felt happy and even relieved to know he would now be with her but that had been shattered when Geostigma came along with the ensuing battle, causing the disappearance of her beloved once again. She had only begun to show her affection, letting him know how she felt but then he was snatched away. She remembered how painful it was to watch him leave for a third time, it was liked she had been killed.

But now that was all going to change now.

And she was right, it did change. Tifa had opened up the bar again but now simply as '7th Heaven' rather than attaching her name to it, for now it belonged to Cloud, Denzel and Marlene as well. Cloud began the delivery service again along with Tifa by his side. The kids resumed their studies at school and as each day passed their expressions eased and became cheerful. They felt happiness when they were together with their family, becoming attached to the adults in their life and truly regarding them as 'Mum and Dad'.

Little time has passed when Cloud and Tifa believed it was right. Them being in Edge and taking care of children was right, them working for both the 7th heaven bar and the delivery service was right and the two of them being together eternally was right. So right that they announced their plans of marriage to their friends, who had immediately dropped their work and activities to be present for the joyous occasion. That day they laughed about how Cloud looked up there on the alter, still spikey and very nervous and looking on in awe at how beautiful Tifa was as she gracefully joined him. They sang and danced, honouring their friends that are no longer with them and finally applauding with love in their eyes for a couple of heroes who belong together, their friends. They were finally bound together, now Mr and Mrs Strife. It was perfect.

A lot of changes took place that year...

"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!" she tried to sound angry, to get her point across as much as her voice allowed all the while being as quiet as she could, she didn't want the children to know they had been fighting, again. They had been married for 6 months but their love was already being tested.

Cloud and Tifa stood there in the darkness of the bar, sometime around 3 AM. He remained motionless trying to imagine the anger on her face but he was mistaken, anger may have been what he heard but it was a different emotion that filled her.

"Tifa." he quietly uttered, confused, exhausted and with a little bit of sorrow for he knew how this latest argument would turn out; They would fight, the kids would probably be woken feeling scared that their parent are fighting and in end the two of them wouldn't even make up, they would just forget about fighting after blowing off some steam whilst the anger remained, due to those apologetic words that were never spoken.

"Tifa I know you're angry but keep your voice down, what if the child-" he was interrupted by a pair of shadows that invaded the light on the first floor. He looked up to find two crouched figures, a look of concern in their eyes and fear in their voice as they called out "Mum, Dad?"

Tifa's head snapped around behind her to look at the source of those familiar voices, a look of horror on her face when she realised they were watching them fight. Marlene was able to take a clear look at Tifa's face due to the light in the first floor hall and she knew exactly which expression she wore "Mum, why are you cry-"

"IT'S NOTHING" Tifa shouted back in response to the words that Marlene began, in hopes to cut her off in time to hide her feeble state, but quickly composed herself as she realised she had raised her voice to a scared and quivering Marlene "It's nothing sweetie, nothing at all".

Following Tifa, Cloud quickly tried to catch the young boy's attention, to keep him distracted from the unfortunate event and to calm his mind "Hey Denzel, I'm pretty sure you should be in bed right about now?" he feigned a cool manner. The boy had been staring at Tifa and Marlene as if in a trance but snapped out of it when he heard Cloud talking to him. "Dad" he whispered, trying not to be fooled by Cloud's composure.

The young father watched as the two at the top of the steps carefully shifted their slightly watered eyes from Cloud and toward Tifa, who tried ever so hard to keep her eyes from meeting theirs, she looked straight ahead but not at them because if she did she would surely have broken down. She bit down on her bottom lip, hard.

At this brief moment of silence, Cloud desperately thought of something to say to stop the kids from bursting in tears "I'm sorry for getting back so late, did I wake you up?", they now had their attention on Cloud again as they slowly nodded in response. "I feel bad. I left the back door open again. It's a bad habit and I know how much your Mum hates that, I'm sorry sweetheart" he ended his explanation, those last three words emphasised and completely sincere.

Tifa still staring straight and biting down on her lip, let out a small whimper when she heard Cloud apologise like that but she wouldn't let it sway her, not tonight. She put on the best smile she could manage at such short notice as she looked up to her children " your Dad is right guys, it just worries me if the doors aren't closed properly. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you two...I know you're both tired from your long day at school so just try to relax and get some sleep, hmm?" They didn't believe but they complied with her request.

It was a feeble attempt to cover their lies, the two at the bar knew that and soon enough the two on the floor above came to know as well, as they huddled next to each other at the farthest wall from the bar, desperately covering their ears from the painful screams.

...Although not all of them were good ones.

A/N: I know, quite a foreboding start but it gets better I promise. I didn't intend it to be like this when I imagined it, but since it's a prologue it's setting the scene and besides there's gotta be some drama.
I've already got a couple more chapters written up, but you know how it is, spell checking and a lot of it doesn't make sense at this point!
So let me know what you think, I'll hopefully have the next chapters up soon and be well on my way writing the next part of the story.