Disclaimer: Sony and SquareSoft's FF7 characters were used in this story for non-profitable purposes. No infringement intended.

To Malz, Avariel, SassyAngel, CloTi-4ever, Lady Geagua, WrexSoul, MaRiKo, foxyroxy, xBebExSwEeTzZx, Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy – reviews can make a person's day. :) And to my dear friend Zelda6, I dedicate the whole story to you... You inspire me to do much more, and I cannot thank you enough for it.

Also, to Bittersweet*, that he and Dairy Queen* find happiness, if God has truly made them for each other...

**I tried to answer some of the questions raised in the reviews. It can be found in the author's notes below. Thank you for reading. :)

The Night a Star Fell

Part Two: Later

If I can only choose the one to love and the one who will love me back, I would... But fate has its ways, and I am simply its pawn. Of course, I love someone... I couldn't help falling in love... But you can't see it, can you?

It is funny... No matter how hard I try to show you what I feel, my actions are taken as an act of friendship. I want to show you more, and I have a lot more to tell you... But those thoughts are forgotten and the words die in my throat just when you look at me. It's a bittersweet feeling, one that puts a smile on my face and confuses me at the same time.

"Still waiting for him?" I greet you as soon as I'm able to keep myself from watching you, after I have crossed the distance separating me from you.

And I smile a little, remembering when I first saw you a year ago, as a junior. I can recall that day perfectly, how the intense heat of the scorching sun have seemed to wither my brain, how the monotonous droning of the teacher have practically drilled holes through my head. I was trying to amuse myself by looking out the window, and just when I thought I'd die of boredom, you walked in through the school gates.

I got detention because of that. But looking back, it's all worth it. Because the new guy, the troublemaker who happened to be with me during two weeks' detention, was somehow connected to you. And without me having to tell him, he introduced me to you, his childhood friend.

Your eyes light up, and a smile follows suit. "Hi Zack."

As usual, I find you outside the gates of school. Where I first saw you. Where we first got acquainted. Where I always see you waiting for him. Where you give me a smile before we part ways.

It is uncanny how you rouse certain sentiments in me. You speak with me, and I sing inside. You smile at me, and the friggin' sun can forget about shining because I would rather have you lighting up my day. But... You already are someone else's sun, even if you wouldn't admit it to anyone.

I grin at you. "You didn't answer my question, Tifa."

The smile on your face falters, and the fire in your eyes grows a little dimmer. But you are quick to recover, to hide it behind an all-too-familiar mask. "I wouldn't be here if I'm not waiting for him still, right Zack?"

My little angel, I know you love him and that you are in pain... The words almost slip from my mouth, I would've called you that as I look at you, with the wind gently tousling your hair. I can see the disappointment in your eyes, even if they are gazing off somewhere faraway...

You are an angel, because you bring joy to people even though you are not aware of it. You are my angel, because you give me something to smile about, to be thankful for. You are my angel...

And you are also his sun.

"I'm sure the teacher sent him to detention again." I try to console you, to get you out of the misery I have indirectly given you...

"I just hope Cloud didn't break his leg or something."

And far behind you, my gaze settles on two people. I watch as he gives her a kiss, before walking over where you and I are. I look at you, but you have hidden your eyes behind the curtain of your dark bangs. Only then did I realize that you have seen what I have...

Eventually, he comes sauntering to the gates where you are waiting, evident by the goofy smile on his face that he is oblivious to the damage he has inflicted on you. He doesn't know. He doesn't know that he's the one who clipped my angel's wings...

He finally notices me, greets me and, after a few minutes of small talk, bids me goodbye.

I am looking at you the whole time. Despite your pain, you smile at me. The two of you go on your way, and I go mine, leaving you with him.

I'll always be here for you. I'll help you spread your wings, and learn to fly again... You may not need me yet, but I know that time will come.

It may be later.

TBC

Author's Notes: :) Before anything else, I would like to take the time to thank you all for reading, and, to the others, for reviewing. I wrote the third chapter almost as soon as I read the reviews... :) If ever you want to discuss or ask certain things, please don't be shy to email me at (soda_cola_pop@yahoo.com) I promise I would try to answer or clarify whatever. So far, this is the longest posted chapter of The Night a Star Fell... :) the next chapter would be posted as soon as I fix it... Now, for the "replys:"

Malz - you asked me if I can make my chapters longer, I'm really sorry but I really cannot control the length of each part... Sometimes, some chapters just have to be left as it is, and I feel that if I try to lengthen it, it may get into the whole idea and emotion. :) and don't worry, I didn't take that comment as an insult! ;) that ambiance was what I was aiming for, really.

Avariel - ^_^ that was an amusing review! And... of course, Zack is here! :) It is a Z/T/C, after all. :) When, you ask? ^_^ Hehe *whistles*... I don't want to give anything away for the meantime. ^_^

SassyAngel – Thank you for the compliment! :) I'm not taking it as a flame but... ^_^ in my opinion, such descriptions are not crucial because of the first person perspective and circumstances ongoing... Erm, what I'm saying is that when someone is preoccupied with problems (the major characters in this fic are going through internal conflicts) that person wouldn't really pay as much attention to details (unless s/he is suddenly transported to a beautiful place or somewhere unfamiliar...) Please don't take this in a wrong way? :) Just trying to explain...

CloTi-4ever – Thank you! :) And I will post the next chapter as soon as I can. So you don't need to worry. ^_^

Lady Geagua - :) Yes, Zack is one of Cloud's friends but... ^_^ things are not what they seem... They're friends but there's something else, a "wedge" of sorts between them... ^_^ And I will continue, trust me!

wrexSoul - ^_^ So, it seems that it is the best time for Zack to show up. And he did. :) And about the nest part... Hee hee... It is true after all! :( and I hate unrequited love, because it's very, very difficult and painful... *sighs* :) How are you stories, btw?

MaRiKo - *accepts the cookies* I hope they're non-fat. ^_^ Hehe, romantic, huh? :) I'm grateful I still have a romantic side, despite what happened. ^_^ And I'm touched that you actually felt what Tifa was feeling in the last chapter... :) I want to reach out to people, as I said in a past Author's Notes... :)

Foxyroxy - :) The first person thing is so difficult, but I'm coping! ^_^ And surviving! ^_^ And thank you for your kind words. :D Oh, and I'll make sure I'll tell you when I'm going to update. ^_^ So hold on, ok?

XBebESwEetxx – Hmm... ^_^ I'll explain the 'you' part... I wanted to make a first person fic, so that I could narrate my story in my point of view – and I wanted to include certain thoughts, you know, the kind that pops our in your mind, the things and words you suppress because you want to keep yourself from saying anything that would ruin everything... :) When I have a one on one conversation with someone, in my mind, I think of him/her as a 'you,' I view him/her in the second person perspective... ^_^ I hope I somehow made things clearer.

Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy – Hey! ^_^ Glad to see you here! And it's a privilege, having received a review from you and all... It's been so long and I'm glad you still remember me! ^_^ Are you writing another SJ fics? ^_^

Oh... and before I go, do you guys want me to have this email list? I mean, if you want me to email you as soon as I post the next chapters, please leave your email addresses in your reviews or email them to me...^_^ Again, thank you for your time! :)