Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy and all of the characters

Chapter 3

"Come to me, child…come to me." A haunting voice from afar could be heard calling to him, a voice desperate for attention and acknowledgement.

"Who are you?" Denzel looked around in bewilderment. He could see nothing but pitch dark.

"Come to me…together!" the voice returned, louder this time.

"Where are you?" The boy got up and started running towards the calling voice.

"Together….reunion…..come…" the voice sniggered

"Where are you?" Denzel screamed in frustration.

"Denzel… are you alright?" the boy felt a tug at his sleeve, it was Marlene. She was sitting next to his bed, looking at him, worried.

"It's just a dream…" Denzel mumbled, rubbing his eyes to clear his vision. He noticed his forehead was bandaged and he gently rubbed at it.

"You passed out in the bathroom. You… are you sick again?" Marlene asked, her hand holding onto his.

Denzel squeezed her tiny hand gently, she was right, he was sick. He thought he could handle it on his own without having to worry Marlene and Tifa.

"I guess…" he replied, barely audible.

"Hello sleepy head!" Denzel looked up and found Tifa standing at the door.

"Tifa! I... erm.. I …." the boy bit his lower lips as he tried hard to find an excuse on why he hid his sickness from the brunette

Tifa smiled, she knew Denzel was a tough kid. He tried hard to be strong despite his health was deteriorating.

"Hey, look who's here to see you?" Tifa stepped aside as the blond swordsman enter the room.

"Cloud!!!" the children exclaimed, surprised at his sudden present.

Cloud gave a faint smile and walked into the room with Tifa. Ones don't get much of the opportunity to see Cloud wore a smile, not even a fake one since after Aeris's death. But recently Tifa noticed her childhood friend had started smiling again, especially when he was with the children.

"You are back!" the boy beamed ear to ear, while Marlene ran up to the blond and hugged his legs.

"I missed you Cloud!" the little girl exclaimed.

"Yeah, I missed you guys too." Cloud pulled the little girl closer and gave her a hug.

"Tifa said she hopes you'll be back for dinner tonight and you really are back!" Marlene blurted out which immediately sent glow of reds onto Tifa's cheek.

Cloud twitched his brow at the statement, his facial remained stoic.

"Promises are meant to keep." He answered quietly, this made Tifa blushed redder.

"I am hungry Tifa...can I have my dinner now?" Denzel called from his bed, rubbing at his tummy, totally ignorant of what was happening.

"I am hungry too!" The 6 years old looked up at Cloud then to Tifa and gave a cheeky smiled.

"Since CLOUD is back and Denzel is all right, can we all have our dinner now, Tifa?" Marlene asked

"Huh? Uh..?" Tifa blinked blankly at the children, her face bright red, clearly had not recovered from blushing.

Cloud released Marlene and stood up slowly, he moved closer to the bed to check on the boy.

"You sure you are up to it?" the blond asked, his piercing blue orbs staring straight into Denzel's.

"I am fine. Please, Cloud." The boy pleaded.

"Tifa?" Cloud looked at his childhood friend for approval.

"Huh?? Su..sure.. if Denzel is up to it, why not? Let me heat up the food ya?" with that Tifa hurried down the stairs wearing the sweetest smile Cloud had ever seen.

End of Chapter 3

Note: Sorry for the lack of updates… been busy with work lately.