Disc: Don't own square, don't own nothing. Don't own the characters, SO THERE YA GO!

:Prelude:

"You know what I think about? I think about what happened in the past. I think about it all the time. It's all over. It really is. I don't know why I see it in my head."

"Then...why do you think about it?"

"How can I forget about it? I can never forget."

"You could if you wanted too. You don't want to let her go, do you?"

"I want to try and forget. I was close to Aeris. I was...upset when..."

"Tifa. How would you feel if it had been..."

"...Her?"

"She still needs you. You loved her. You loved her when things were easy, right? Sephiroth is gone. Things are changing. Do you love her still?"

"No. I.."

"You're lying."

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Tifa,

I feel like I haven't talked to you in...a long time. We don't talk like we used to. Now that things have setteled down I need help. I need a normal life. I need my old life. What I really need is to talk to you. Not just you, I mean, everyone.

I don't want to be alone. Well, I don't need to be alone.

--Cloud.

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"Cloud!"

Tifa pulled back her long brown hair before running over to greet her old friend. Wrapping her arms around him, she laughed. No time had passed, according to her. Everything was fine. Cloud was fine. They were still the best of friends.

Cloud moved his arms akwardly around Tifa, slightly surprised. A light blush swept across his face as he did this and closed his eyes. Why was this so hard? Why couldn't things be like before? Cloud removed his arms that were haphazardly placed around Tifa and swept a blond piece of hair from his eyes. Tifa hadn't changed. Cloud placed his head onto his chest. Was he the only one that hadn't moved on?

Tifa bent down below Cloud's head, looking up at him. She wore a bright smile and her long ponytail fell to the side of her head. Tifa seemed happy.

"Look at how happy she is. You can be that happy."

"Cloud, aren't you happy to see me? I...I'm happy to see you."

Cloud tried to smile. His smile didn't bare his teeth, but he was smiling.

"Yeah...I am.",Cloud replied, nodding his head.

Tifa grabbed Cloud by the arm and dragged him over to the bar in 7th Heaven. Motioning for him to sit down, Cloud did so. Tifa was still showing her luminecent smile as she went back behind the bar.

"Do you want anything Cloud? It's on me."

"Tell her you just want to be with her again. The truth..."

"I...no. No. I just want to talk. I can't believe it, but I just want to talk to you."

Tifa frowned.

"Hey, I'm not that bad! You seem upset that you actually want to talk to me!", Tifa laughed as she teased Cloud.

"I didn't mean it like that. Really."

Cloud once again placed his head on his chest.

"You look like a coward. What ever happened to the hero?"

Tifa placed her hand on Cloud's. Her hand did not completly cover his, his fingers peaking through as he slowly lifted his head. Tifa wasn't smiling anymore.

"You...you're not ok, are you Cloud?"

The concern in Tifa's voice was obvious.

"Come with me, ok, Cloud? We can talk like you want, ok?"

Tifa walked over to Cloud as he stood up and began to walk out the door. Tifa jogged to keep up. Cloud was taller then she rememebered, his legs seemed longer. It was a struggle to keep up with him.

"She loves you, too. You know that don't you?"

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They both reached Tifa's home. Tifa let Cloud in and they both sat down across from each other. Cloud was ready to talk.

"I've thought about a lot of things. I think about the past years and everything that had gone on. I try to forget it. I want things back to how they were. You know? My letter..."

"Yes.", Tifa said as she nodded.

"Tifa, you know how close I was to Aeris...:

"Yes., Tifa replied again, this time with tears in her eyes, remembering her friend.

"Stop being selfish. She remembers too."

"Tifa, the thing is, you were there. You were there...for me. I need you to be here for me, now. I don't want to play the tough guy role anymore. I want to...be normal."

Now, tears were streaming down Tifa's face.

"I want to help you!"

Tifa jumped up and ran over to Cloud, throwing her arms around him, sitting beside him.

"I will help you. You are one of my best friends.", she whispered softly.

"Tell her."

"Another thing, Tifa."

"Yes, Cloud?"

"I think...I think I might love you."

As Cloud said this, a shadow entered the room. Cloud blinked quickly, and saw Vincent standing at the edge of the living room in what looked to be mis-matching pajamas, scruffed up hair, and bright eyes. Vincent yawned, stretching his arms high above his head.

End of chapter 1. More to come. Things get VERY Interesting. R&R---