"... promise me, that if I should ever find myself in trouble, you will come to rescue me! Promise me, only once…"

The stars glimmered that night as Cloud stared at her with wide eyes, but it was the only way she could think of in that moment to reassure herself that… wherever he went, regardless how long they would be apart, she could cling onto that promise to reunite with him someday.

"... o-okay, I will."

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and their promise never left her mind even as the years started to pass her by. She wouldn't miss a single day to check the newspapers for his name. Until the accident…

She would never forgive Shinra for what they had done to her, for what they had stolen from her. It had taken its toll on her, and her hatred for Shinra brought her to her current situation. But even after all these years, after everything that happened…

… she held onto that promise.

Tifa pulled her hood slightly closer over her head, gripping the ends of her cloak tighter around herself as she moved through the small crowd of people on the streets. Even though the sun was shining, if it could be called like that, the rays that touched her skin merely left a cold shudder behind, prompting her to hold on to her cloak a little more.

It was a routine that she had gotten used to in her time within the slums, she would get out of her bed, catch a glimpse of the dull light that managed to enter her room from the small crack in the door, and a cold sensation would slowly creep onto her skin as she got ready for the day. She had grown accustomed to it, just like the people outside that were walking through the streets as she stepped out of her room, taking a moment to think about what lay in front of her for the day.

However, there was a small thing that encouraged her to put on a small smile as she made her way to the train station within Sector 7, for she was particularly interested in the newspaper stand that was near the station. It was a small thing for her to help her get out of bed, to face the same daily challenges that awaited her, and to help her go to sleep with the knowledge that she had something to look forward to the next morning.

And knowing that a smile always helped to brighten the day of the others, she wouldn't want Barret and the others to worry about her, especially Marlene. She knew that giving was better than taking, she had learned that a long time ago. And as long as her friends were happy, then she could take comfort in that as well…

She glanced up as she approached the small but familiar stand at the station, the space slightly more crowded due to the train which was currently stopping there. Tifa carefully avoided the people that were in front of her, witnessing the happy expressions of those who were seeing their loved ones again or those who merely wanted to move on and escape the crowd as fast as they could.

Not paying them any mind, she moved forward until she reached the small and almost unnoticeable newspaper stand, ignored by any other person nearby. The stack was almost untouched, simply lying there for anyone to take, but as she reached out her hand, her eyes suddenly caught sight of a person amidst the crowd that was stumbling along the way of the station.

She froze as the people in his way parted to let him through, staring at the injured person with shock, but nobody took it upon themselves to assist him as he fell to his knees, holding on to his sword to balance himself on the ground. However, the moment she got a clear sight of his face, her mind turned blank before she immediately rushed to his side.

'Cloud…!'

The moment Tifa laid eyes upon Cloud's barely conscious form, her previous thoughts vanished as she helped him back to her home near the bar, her mind racing with worry and fear. There were too many questions that plagued her mind, too many for her to handle once she noticed the injuries and blood on his clothes, and her surroundings were all but forgotten as she reached her room.

It was almost two weeks during which she did nothing but watch over Cloud, taking care of his wounds as best as she could. It was not how she would have ever imagined meeting him again, and she felt nothing but helpless as she watched his sleeping form during the night with concern written all over her face. Sometimes, he would randomly clutch his head in deep pain, prompting her to rush to his side in the middle of the night. Even though he couldn't hear her, she stayed by his side to reassure him, to try and ease the pain.

It was not long until Barret found out about her old childhood friend, as much as she had tried to hide his presence, she couldn't hide the fact from Marlene, and it went on from there. It was not easy to try and convince Barret that Cloud was trustworthy, but regardless of what he had argued, it was a matter in which Tifa didn't back down, and she could still see the surprise in everyone's expression once they witnessed a side of her that they hadn't seen of Tifa before.

It was due to her demonstrations that Barret reluctantly agreed to have Cloud among them, with Tifa reassuring them that Cloud would be able to help them with his abilities. Albeit she had to suppress the giant smile that threatened to show on her face once it was settled, for it was directly after these two weeks and Cloud's recovery that she was reminded of what this actually meant. Back then, her thoughts were filled with nothing but worry for Cloud's health and well-being, and even though there were still many things that remained a mystery to her…

… they were reunited once more, in the most unlikely of all places.

…

It worked as fine as Tifa had hoped it would once Cloud returned from his first mission alongside with the rest of their small team, even though Barret was still more than… unapproachable, when it came to Cloud. But so was he in return, he rarely lost a word if it didn't concern a job, and it was clear that he didn't want to get closer to any of them.

But Tifa was glad, more than glad that she had found a way to make him stay, even if it was only temporary. Thus, she helped him to find his footing within the slums by introducing him to potential clients while assisting him during any job they accepted. And despite Barret's reluctance, Biggs and Wedge were more than happy to help Cloud to spread word about him.

"Don't worry, by the time we're back, word about you will have reached everyone within the slums! You'll be flooded with clients!", Biggs held a thumbs up, and even though Cloud didn't show it, Tifa could still see that he appreciated the gesture. It didn't matter that he tried to hide it behind his mask of indifference, Tifa knew him better than that.

Yet… sometimes she was left wondering if Cloud was thinking the same as her. Was he as excited as her…? Did he still remember her in that way…? Did he-

Did he still remember their promise…?

"... so, about the creatures in the yard, I can take care of them for you.", just as she had expected, Cloud avoided the attention that lingered on him and shifted the topic to the matter at hand.

"Perfect, for someone like you, I'm sure they won't prove to be any problem. And while you're at it, we'll go and spread the word about you. Sounds good?"

"I'll come with you!", Cloud's eyes widened slightly at Tifa's sudden request.

"I can handle this myself, you don't need to."

"But you don't know the way… do you?", she clasped her hands behind her back while staring at him with an innocent smile, Biggs continuously shifting his eyes between the two of them. In the end, Cloud merely heaved an almost inaudible sigh before he relented.

"Fine.", her smile widened as she tilted her head to the side.

She knew that Cloud was not one to enjoy the company of others too much, and she knew that it was simply his way, but… she wanted to make everything as appealing to him as she possibly could, to show him that the people here, Biggs, Wedge and the others… they would very much like to include him in their little circle.

She would like to include him… and maybe convince him to stay after all…

"I want to come along as well-", Biggs stepped between the pair and Wedge, holding the latter back to his disappointment.

"Oh no no no, you don't.", turning his head back towards Cloud and Tifa, he urged them to go.

"Sorry, maybe next time!", Wedge sighed deeply with a groan as Tifa gently held Cloud by his shoulders while leading him outside. Biggs merely stared at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Can't you take a hint? They haven't seen each other for a long time, you'd just be a third wheel.", he patted Wedge on the shoulder as he slumped into a nearby chair.

"H-hey, stop that!"

The moment Johnny was dragged outside the building by three Shinra soldiers, Tifa knew that they had to do something to prevent him from giving away any information that might slip from his mouth. What she didn't know was that Cloud's uptake of 'rendering him silent' was a lot different from her own.

Something that she only discovered once they managed to track them down in a more secluded yard, prepared for a fight.

"Hm…? And who are you?", the grunts aimed their weapons at the pair as they entered the yard, the sudden interruption prompting the captured victim to frantically look around even though his eyes were bound.

"W-who's there!? My friends…? Is it you? Avala-", a swift kick to the stomach rendered him speechless, just like Cloud as he watched Tifa from behind. The latter merely sighed in regret while the grunts readied their weapons, being shocked as well.

"Hey, you! What do you think you're doing?"

Cloud joined her side immediately before he drew his sword, nodding towards her.

"Looks like it's going to be the hard way."

Tifa had seen Cloud's abilities first-hand whenever they fought beasts or other creatures that threatened the people of the slums, but she hadn't seen him fight other people with the same indifference before. It wasn't long until the three grunts lay on the ground, unconscious, before Tifa turned to see that Cloud was staring at Johnny with an almost empty gaze.

"Cloud…? What are you going to do?"

"Rendering him silent.", her eyes widened in disbelief before she was immediately at his side, stepping in front of him while holding him in place.

"Don't!", her voice was filled with both worry and dread, hearing Johnny frantically pleading for his life once he caught on to what was happening. Her eyes searched his own to convey what her words couldn't do alone, and in just a moment of hesitation, Cloud averted her gaze and crouched down beside Johnny, his voice both cold and yet indifferent.

"If you value your own life, then you should leave."

The poor and bound man nodded quicker than he could mutter his thanks before he hastily stood up from the ground to run away. Tifa watched Cloud for a long moment, feeling as if she had been looking at him properly for the first time.

"He might talk.", his words brought her out of her trance.

"I know, but he didn't do anything…"

"And those?", he glanced at the unconscious Shinra grunts before Tifa looked back at him with worry.

"We'll just leave them be.", Cloud gave a curt but hesitant nod before he sheathed his sword on his back, but Tifa couldn't just leave like that. She had seen the way Cloud had regarded them, the sheer… emptiness and indifference in his eyes…

"Cloud… what is wrong…?", his eyes widened slightly at her words, for she couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice as she stared back at him, a dreadful thought entering her mind.

"What is it?", Tifa glanced at the ground in hesitation, pondering about her words carefully.

"I… don't know. Somehow, you seem to have changed, Cloud."

"How do you mean?", he held a hand to his side as he looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Your eyes, for example. How should I put it…? Back then, they weren't so…", her voice almost turned into a thoughtful whisper as she slowly reached out her hand towards his face before she halted, doubts holding her back once she became more aware of her actions.

"It's due to the Mako, it changes everyone's eyes in SOLDIER."

"I-i see…", any further words died in her throat as she lowered her hand again, giving him a curt nod.

"I guess we should leave before they come to their senses again.", her thoughts were plaguing her mind as they took their leave, his words from but a moment ago vibrating within her head…

… but it was not really what she had meant by that.

However, what she didn't know was that Cloud was silently pondering about her own words as well, memories coursing through his head. He didn't say another word for the rest of their trip back.

It was night during the time that Tifa approached Cloud's room that was located beside her own. After the tour she had given him, she took it upon herself to get him a room near the Seventh Heaven, and knowing that beside her was still an empty room that was just waiting for a new owner… Marle couldn't refuse once she saw her pleading eyes.

Now, Tifa was neither bold or straightforward, if anything, the well being and feelings of her friends were always her priority instead of her own. But in the rare cases when it came down to it, she struggled to convey her own feelings, which were almost begging to be seen.

These cases being whenever she found the appropriate moment to have Cloud to herself.

Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if the Cloud that was currently sitting in front of her was truly the same person from all those years ago. She remembered the shy and innocent boy from back then, and all this time apart, there wasn't a single day where she didn't check the newspapers for a sign of his name anywhere.

But she also couldn't help but think that the years had created a rift between them…

"Still, it's kinda funny… us going our separate ways, thinking that must be it… that we'd never meet again- and then here of all places we do."

… one that she desperately wanted to overcome.

Sometimes, the silence between them was good, neither of them felt the need to speak out about the comfortable atmosphere that surrounded them when they simply lingered in each other's presence… but when there is something to say, something that must be said in order to breach the invisible barrier between them, she hesitates, her consciousness getting the better of her every time that she tried.

Time and time again she would carefully step around it, wondering if he was thinking the same as her, if he was secretly hoping for the same. She held on to that belief, taking step after step to try and open him towards her.

"I've ran into Johnny earlier, he says that he is leaving the town…", she could feel his eyes upon her in that moment as he pondered about the name.

"Hm? Oh, that guy.", she averted his gaze while she tried to find the right words before she hesitantly glanced back at him, her eyes meeting his own.

"Say, Cloud… are you planning to leave Midgar as well?", it was a question that she dreaded, if given the chance, would he simply choose to leave again? It never left her mind for a single moment while she showed him everything she knew of the slums, trying her very best to show him that life here was… simple but beautiful. She was certain that with time, he would grow fond of it as well.

He shifted his eyes to the wall beside him, silence stretching between them once again as Tifa forced herself to remain calm.

"... it seems an old friend of mine is in a tight spot, so I will stay and help her. I've promised it once."

Her heart leaped for a moment as she froze, her previous thoughts all but forgotten as she simply stared at Cloud for what felt like several minutes. He did remember their promise after all this time… words failed her as she felt the need to say something, anything, in return.

"I can't say that this is quite what I had in mind when I put that on you way back when…", she leaned back on the wall behind her as she stared at the ground, her voice almost a whisper to herself. True, she would have never believed that they would meet again under these circumstances, in Midgar of all places… but he was with her again, after seven years, and the mere thought of him staying with her…

"If you ever need to talk, I'm listening.", his words almost caused her to freeze once more, feeling almost as though her thoughts were open for him to read as she stared into those eyes that were carefully watching her. She couldn't stop the small but embarrassed laugh that escaped her as her mind tried to find any more words.

"What's with you all of a sudden?", his eyes widened briefly in surprise and confusion.

"With me?"

"Yes, it's almost as if you're losing that hard edge.", she cursed herself for her own choice of words.

"Is that bad?"

"Not at all! I like it… maybe Marlene won't be so scared of you the next time.", mentally heaving a sigh in relief that she managed not to give the wrong impression, she felt the familiar urge to simply leave as fast as she could, too many thoughts swirling around in her head that she needed to organize in order to compose herself.

He was still the same Cloud that she had always known, all she had to do was to reach out for him. Maybe… maybe all this time, they had both been missing something…

"Anyway, I'm really glad to have you back, Cloud… really glad. I would like to catch up more, but we should probably get some sleep, yeah?", the words left her mouth quicker than she could ponder about them, and the need to escape the situation once again amplified.

"Yeah… good night, Tifa."

A ray of sunlight shone into the small room, prompting Tifa to slowly open her eyes with a smile as she turned onto her side to stare at the door. Regarding the light as if she had never seen it before quite like this, she suddenly felt a prompt rush of energy that caused her to get out of the bed with a newfound vigor before she changed into her usual clothes, glancing down at herself with another smile once she opened the door and took the first steps outside.

The sunlight felt warm upon her skin as she took a moment to stare at the slums and the people that were already out and about, wondering if they were somehow wearing brighter clothes or if their expressions simply seemed to be more joyful than usual. She clasped her hands together and stretched her arms behind her back, letting the warm feeling wash over her before she smiled.

"Tifa, dear one, you are awake earlier than usual. And you already seem to have such a bright mood as well!", Tifa smiled at Marle's kind words once she looked down to see that the elderly woman was already awake too, albeit with a hint of confusion in her wine-red eyes.

"Really…? I'm feeling quite as I always do.", the elder merely chuckled lightly with a small shake of her head before she dismissed the topic.

"Maybe it is just me, but you look even brighter to me than usual. I'm sure that you have a lot planned for today, I don't want to keep you away from it."

"Thank you, Marle! I'll be sure to stop by later.", wishing Tifa all the best, Marle watched her with a small smile as she made her way to her friend's room, whom she had introduced the other day with that bright glimmer in her eyes, the sheer liveliness reflecting from within them. She had seen Tifa for a long time before, ever since she had moved to the slums. And apparently she didn't even seem to notice herself how different she was before. A grin suddenly formed on her face.

"It seems to work with him after all."