Alright. Here we go with chapter 3, where we catch up with Tifa and Cloud and hear a bit about what the rest of the gang has been doing since the final battle. Things should be getting interesting. Read on!

The author doesn't own Final Fantasy VII or any of Square's wonderful characters. Hell, her copy of FFVII doesn't even work anymore (UGH)!

Love is Like a War
Chapter 3: It's Easier to Leave…

Tifa wound her way home through the narrow cobblestone streets of Kalm. She enjoyed her job at the inn, though the pay wasn't anything special; it's not like money was a problem. They'd sold a couple of their faster Chocobos and a few of the mastered materia after their journey. It had amounted to enough so that all their friends could live comfortably for quite awhile. But Tifa liked work. It gave her something to do and helped her feel like a productive member of society. It didn't occur to her that helping to save the world was enough of a contribution.

She thought about her friends and what they were all doing. Most of them had settled into lives that made them truly happy – they all remembered what they discovered about themselves when Cloud told them to find out what they were fighting for.

Barret had returned to North Corel to help rebuild the town and reunify the community. It hadn't been an easy path to choose; many people in the town still blamed Barret for what had happened with the reactor. But after his role in defeating Sephiroth, and with his obvious dedication to the town, they were slowly coming around.

Red XIII was back in Cosmo Canyon, where he spent most of his time meditating and studying. Red was still young, but he was also determined to be a brave leader like his father had been.

Yuffie, on the other hand, knew that she wasn't yet prepared for the burden of leadership. She cared about Wutai – her share of the group's money and most of her materia had been left in trust for the needs and improvements of the kingdom. She'd left reliable enough people in charge. Chekov and Staniv were taking care of things for her while she continued to explore the world and visit her friends. Last time Tifa had heard from her, she'd been staying at the house in Costa del Sol.

There was another member of the group who preferred to spend time wandering. Vincent had disappeared shortly after the final battle. They all assumed he'd gone to Lucrecia's cave or Icicle, but he never seemed to stay in one place for long. He surfaced from time to time, popping in unexpectedly for quick visits with the others. It was strange, but he always seemed to know about things or remember important occasions which it seemed unlikely he would be aware of. The only place he spent any extended length of time was Nibelheim, where he kept a small place to go when he wanted to rest and not be bothered.

Rocket Town was quite the post-meteor success story, thanks largely to Cid Highwind. The residents hadn't known what to do with themselves until the Captain had returned. Cid had married Shera and started an aviation company. He still spent most of his time tinkering around with planes and the airship, occasionally serving as the pilot on one of the reasonably priced flying trips that the company offered. He'd overseen the erection of a large hangar where the rocket used to stand, and employed many of the town's residents to work on new aircraft which utilized Shinra's clean power cells for fuel. Cid tried not to get too covered with grease during the day, because if he was too dirty and oily Shera wouldn't let him hold the baby! #$&!!

Cait Sith's fate was unknown. Everyone knew that Reeve was back with the Shinra, and had been one of the main architects of the plan to rebuild Midgar. Tifa supposed he'd probably just dismantled Cait, or put him to work hauling heavy objects. Somehow she couldn't see the boisterous robot spitting out fortunes at Shinra HQ.

Everyone seemed to have found what they wanted, or were content to keep looking. Tifa knew that everyone assumed that her and Cloud had found that same peace within each other. If only that were true…

Tifa went over it again in her mind as she stopped to buy some fruit from a sidewalk vendor; she went over the words she was planning to use, to say to Cloud to tell him she was leaving. She had to do it…she had to get out of this situation before she really did start to hate him. To save their friendship.

Cloud, I can't play second fiddle to Aeris forever… I'm leaving for both our sakes… It's not fair to either of us…

It all sounded so simple and logical in her mind. She worried that she wouldn't be able to look him in the eye and say it. She felt like she was abandoning him…what would he do when he didn't have her to help him forget anymore? And her – where would she go? Her life was here now. Would she have to start all over again?

I have to do this for myself, she thought. In the long run it's best for both of us…

She sighed as she retrieved a pile of envelopes from the letterbox and unlocked the door.

"Cloud, are you home?"

"In the kitchen," she heard him call.

Now's as good a time as any…

He was sitting at the kitchen table, which was set with food and plates…and…candles…

"I made you dinner. How was your day at work? You look nice today…"

She set the mail on the table and took a deep breath. Cloud picked up the letters and started rifling through them.

"Work was fine. Listen, Cloud, there's something we need to talk about – that I need to tell you…"

"Oh, look," he interjected, "we got a letter from Barret. That's funny; it's postmarked a month ago. Must have gotten lost in the mail…"

He ripped open the envelope.

"Cloud—"

"Yeah, don't worry. We can talk after we read the letter."

His eyes darted across the paper.

"Hmm…I think you better read this."

He handed her the letter.

Cloud and Tifa,

Hey you crazy lovebirds. I hope you're behaving yourselves in Kalm. Listen, something strange is going on up here. There are these unfamiliar soldiers all over town and someone has been messing with the reactor. I was hoping since you're close to Midgar you could do some investigating – find out if the Shinra have something to do with this. I know y'all are trying to settle down, but this is important. I can't let them wreck Corel again. Get me a message as soon as you can.

Barret

Tifa sat down and looked over at Cloud with a concerned expression on her face.

"Do you really think Shinra would reactivate the mako reactor? I thought they used clean power now."

Cloud shrugged.

"Who knows? It's not like Rufus suddenly became a nice guy. I wouldn't put it past him to bring back mako if there's something in it for him. Maybe clean power isn't profitable enough. I wouldn't worry, though. I'm sure Barret has things under control, no matter if it's Shinra's doing or not."

Tifa stared in disbelief.

"You can't be serious. Cloud, why would he ask for our help if he has it under control?"

"Come on, Tifa, the letter is over a month old! And you know how Barret overreacts. Whatever help we might've given him I doubt he needs anymore. Can't we just get on with our lives?"

Tifa's eyes flashed with anger. She stood up and clenched her fists at her sides. Her flushed face contrasted sharply with her pale skin and the white shirt of her Inn uniform.

"Get on with our lives? Are you joking? I don't suppose that would involve you not thinking about Aeris anymore, would it!"

The color drained from Cloud's face, and he looked down at the floor.

"H—How did you—"

Tifa scoffed.

"How did I know? Cloud, you say her name in your sleep. 'Aeris, Aeris, I love you, don't leave…' Look, I know you can never love me the way you do her…"

Cloud squeezed his eyes shut.

"No…no! It's not like that. You're the one I love, Tifa. It's you, not her. Not A—Aeris…"

He let out a shuddering sob. Tifa took Cloud's hand in hers.

"Cloud…this isn't the way I meant to tell you. I've struggled with this for a long time. I have to leave. I think we both know that – before we can't stand each other anymore."

Cloud looked into her eyes for a few moments and gave an uncertain nod.

"I'm sorry. This hasn't been fair to you...do you think you can ever come back to me?"

"I don't know, Cloud. I need time to think, find out what I really want…"

Tears fell down her cheeks as she squeezed his hands one last time.

"All I can think of to do now is try to help Barret. I have to go to Midgar. After that, I don't know what will happen. Maybe we can work it out with time, but I think we both need this for now. Even if it hurts…"

Cloud got up and embraced her before she could leave the room.

"I do love you, you know."

She buried her face in his chest.

"I know…but not the way I need you to."

xxxxx

Cloud was nowhere to be found when Tifa left for Midgar the next morning. As she reached the Kalm city limits she wondered if she'd done the right thing. Did Cloud really understand? Would he be OK? And this journey she'd set out on…it was almost like fate that Barret would need her help just as she'd reached the end of her rope. She thought of Sector 7. Wedge, Biggs, Jessie, the plate…was it wise to get twisted up with the Shinra again?

She almost smiled as she urged her Chocobo forward. The uncertainty, it was almost nice. She'd forgotten what it was like to wonder what was going to happen next. And the adventure would keep her mind off of…other things. If only for a little while.

Riding across the plains, still masked in morning mist, she realized how alone she was – and that she hadn't felt so alive in months.

xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx

So Tifa's off to Midgar. Wonder who she'll run into there? Mwa ha ha! I love being the author, because of course I already know! In chapter 4 we'll get a look at where Cloud disappeared to, and see what's going on over at Shinra HQ – including some dirt about what happened with Rufus and Scarlet! Tell me how you like it so far!