A/N: This is something I've had in the works for a bit here and after some newly enhanced inspiration, I am coming close to completion and so here is the beginning of the tales of what happens when two people so in love leave and come back after being apart.

"Candle by Moonlight"

By MakoRain

Chapter One: Cloud's Rainy Night

The moon shone brightly catching glimpses on the falling rain and pooling across Tifa's form on the windowsill before disappearing behind one of the many clouds in the night sky. She leaned back, resting her chin on her hands and glanced at her night stand where a single candle stood, flame burning brightly. The rain came down harder and Tifa put her hand out in the crying night, the water cool against her skin, calming her to almost serenity. Again she looked at the candle, a gust of wind threatening to blow it out and dancing shadows on the wall but it stood fast and true, just as her love would for a man out there, somewhere alone in the pouring darkness.

Looking out at the night sky she saw another cloud give way and the moonlight came forth, illuminating a shadowed form by a tree behind Seventh Heaven. Curious and ever hopeful, Tifa leaned out of the window farther trying to catch a glimpse of a face, a profile, anything when a flash of lightening tore across the sky and everything was blindingly bright for a moment then fell into darkness. Startled, she flinched and recovered herself to focus on the place just under the tree, but when another bolt lit the sky, it was gone. Cloud?

It had been one of those weeks where he would go on long deliveries for days at a time, sneak back home late and leave before she woke up. Tifa barely saw Cloud anymore but she couldn't blame him, getting Strife Delivery Service up and running again after everything had been an ongoing trial. She was there to run Seventh Heaven as always and he was out on the road, traveling the land he loved.

Everything was great…so why did she feel so sad? Tifa sighed loudly before standing up beside the window, searching the expanse below.

"Goodnight, Cloud," she whispered, and then turned to crawl into bed.

The candle flickered with her movement and she turned to face it, staring into its bright light and warmth that flowed through her. Cloud was her flame, her reason to exist and this candle represented her undying love. No matter how strong the wind blew or how low the flame burned, it would never go out completely.

She had tried smothering it, blowing it out, crying it to smoke and yet it still sprang back to life, growing despite her efforts. She learned to let it, her love for Cloud increasing evermore so fate deemed it be; she had no choice…her heart was not something she could offer to anyone but him, her best friend and soul mate.

Tifa held Cloud's heart aw well, finally telling her of his feelings after so many missed chances and so they were complete, two pieces fitting together, whole again. So why did she feel so alone?

"As the rain may fall and moon light the way, I will always love you."

Tifa spoke these words every night before going to sleep and as she blew out the candle, smoke curled and dissipated and carried her message on the wind to the man she loved, wherever he may be.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Cloud looked up at her bedroom window from beneath the branches, melting with the night like he knew to do all to well. He had come home early and was about to walk into Seventh Heaven when the rain had started and so he changed his course, heading for the backyard. Tifa had always loved the rain and so he knew where she would be, as always.

The moonlight framed her form in radiance and he'd been so caught up in the vision oif her that he had almost given away his presence, ducking for cover behind the tree's trunk and hoping the branches would keep him hidden in the wind. He had barely heard the goodnight she whispered to him and almost walked out to reveal himself but she turned away from the window oblivious to his presence.

Cloud stared at the spot she had been at before coming to his senses and walking up the stairs to his love. She lay on the bed, breathing softly and so Cloud removed his wet clothes putting pajama pants on and sliding into bed. He snuggled close to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and leaning over her form to see her face. A rain drop fell from a wet spike of his hair and she sighed quietly as the coolness graced her cheek before opening her eyes.

Cloud was there, holding her and she smiled as she touched his cheek lovingly, reveling in the feel of his skin after so long. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see the candle, a flame burning from it softly and seeming to grow in radiance as she looked at it. This drew Cloud's attention and he asked her quietly, "What is it?"

"It's just…I could've sworn I blew that candle out."

Cloud took in her awed look and watched the candle dance with a fiery flame. Carefully, he leaned over her and blew it out, settling back down and pulling her closer to him.

"Better?" he whispered into her hair, holding her closer still and kissed her softly, just a light brush of lips on hers.

"Now that you're here." She answered. Just before she drifted off, he heard her whisper, "As the rain may fall and moon light the way…"

"I'll always love you."

As it was meant to be…