Disclaimer: Same as before. The end.

Chap. 21

The next day...

Everyone had now regrouped on the Highwind. The giant vessel soared through the air, its direction; the north. Its mission: to save the world...again.

Cloud found Zack in the chocobo stable, sitting on the seat used to feed the chocobos. To Cloud's surprise, Zack was no longer wearing the dark hood and his face was exposed. But Zack didn't seem to care.

"Hey Zack."

"Hey kid. How are you?"

"Don't call me that." Cloud grimaced, but at the same time felt good that his friend was feeling better.

"Sorry. So...you nervous?"

"Nah. You?"

"Cool as a cucumber."

They stayed quiet for a brief moment before Cloud reached to his back and held out the Buster sword.

"Here. I forgot to give this back to you."

Zack looked at the massive weapon. It had some dents and ridges in it, but overall it was still a sharp and powerful weapon. One that he will need.

"No."

"Huh?

"You'll need this in the coming fight more than I will."

"But..."

Zack cut him off, "No. Look Cloud, I know how you feel. And I'm going to tell you right now to stop blaming yourself for what happened to me."

Cloud turned his head, "Why should I? It is my fault. If I wasn't so weak..."

"Cloud Strife, nothing about you is weak. You were the one who defeated Sephiroth in the reactor while I was tossed away. And it was you who defeated him the second time. And also, you managed to recover from a deep state of lost identity so that says a lot. I'm not sure about this thing about you and Sephiroth being brothers, but you must know that if there is a fight to the end, I'd bet all my cards on you." Zack pushed to sword to him, "This is your Buster sword."

Cloud stared at Zack before looking down at the sword. Nodding slowly, he refitted to sword onto his back.

"Thanks Zack. But I would have never found myself if not for Tifa. She helped pull me through."

"You should let her know how you feel."

"But...I don't know. What...if she goes for someone else?"

Zack raised an eyebrow, "Like whom?"

"Vincent."

"You are kidding right. From what I've seen, he's with Lucrecia."

"I'm...just not sure."

Zack could see that his friend doubted himself again. He then noticed his hands...

"Cloud, can I see those gloves?"

Cloud raised his hands and Zack examined them.

"Who gave these to you?"

"Tifa."

"These are Premium Hearts. Very rare."

Cloud's eyes widened as he looked at them. Premium Hearts? Now wonder he was strong enough to crack Weapon.

Zack looked up, "From the look on your face, these must be her best gloves, not to mention most powerful. And she gave them to you."

"Why would she...?"

"Why ask a question to which you already know the answer?"

Cloud looked down again and Zack patted him on his shoulder. "Cloud. I know I don't have much time left. I also know how fleeting love can be. Don't waste it."

Zack then left Cloud to his thoughts. Cloud looked at his gloved hands. She let me use her best weapon. But why? Does she really...?

Later...

Tifa walked down to the lower part of the Highwind to the outside deck. There, Cloud stood leaning over the rail, his back toward her.

"Cloud."

Cloud slowly turned to her. All right, there she is. Time to stand and deliver.

"Hi Tifa."

"Zack said you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah. I...uhhh...oh." I'm going to kill him. "I should give these back." He handed her the Premium Heart gloves. "Thanks for letting me borrow them."

Well, I'm off to a good start, loser.

"Oh sure. You're welcome." Despite her smile, she felt a little down. She turned to leave when...

"Tifa...there's...something else." he said nervously.

"What?"

Cloud struggled with himself, "I...uhh...I...umm."

Tifa looked at him weirdly, "Are...you alright Cloud?"

Cloud found himself lost for words. What are you doing, you idiot? Now! Do it now! Go for broke!

Tifa moved to him, "Cloud?"

"No."

"Huh?"

"No, I'm not alright. I haven't been alright in a long time. But I'm going to change that....right now."

Tifa almost backed away. There was a steely way he said that. But that was nothing compared to what he did next. He moved to her and wrapped his arms around her. Tifa was completely surprised and her eyes locked with his.

"Tifa. You mean everything to me. Without you, I would have never have found myself, never discovered who I really am." He fidgeted but kept going, "Tifa, I...."

"Cloud, stop." She turned her head away.

"Huh?"

"I...know...how you feel about her." She could feel her tear slowly dipping down her face, "Aeris. You love Aeris."

Cloud looked at her face, "Yes, you're right. I do love Aeris."

More tears began to flood from her eyes. She wanted to just run away.  And when he lossened his hold, she almost did. This just was too much. But she was surprised when he softly cupped her jaw and slowly turned her head to him.

"But I'm in love with you, Tifa." He moved closer to her face, "I always have been in love with you. I've just been too afraid to say it, until now." His lips where only a centimeter away. "I don't want to have to say goodbye."

Tifa looked at him; into his deep blue eyes. She was looking to see the truth. She saw nervousness, anxiety, fear and....love. Her eyes widened as the realization came to her. He's afraid of losing me. He really loves me.

"Cloud..."

She didn't say another word as he closed the space between them. His lips softly caressed hers and she gave into him. He really loves me. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him tightly and she kissed him back. He really loves me! At that time, they couldn't tell what moved faster, their lips...or their hearts. They embraced each other tightly as their lips feverously searched each other. After several minutes, they back away and Tifa began to cry again, with tears of joy.

"Oh, Cloud. I love you too"

Her head rested on his chest and he held on to her tightly. They could have stayed that way forever, but a chill of cool wind blew against them. They both turned and saw a column of light emitting from the center of the Northern Crater. As they drew closer, they were able to make out the shape of the Ultima Weapon.

"There it is."

Tifa looked back at Cloud, "Cloud."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you...for making this moment...special."

Cloud looked back at her and gave her another tender kiss. "No. Thank you, Tifa...for everything. Even putting up with me."

Cloud released her just as the others came on the deck. Zack gave Cloud a wry grin to which Cloud turned away in embarrassment. Everyone exchanged glances as they closed in on the light.

"So guys, this is it."

"Yeah. Let me be the first to say, this sucks."

"Heh, agreed."

"Oh well, you know the saying."

"Saying? Oh yeah."

"There no getting off the train we're on!"

As the Highwind entered into the light, Lucrecia thought to herself, I'm coming Sephiroth. I'm coming, my son.