Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy VII places, characters, and other items belong to Squaresoft. I own none of it and make no money what so ever. This is written for the enjoyment of others and me.

This story takes place two years after the fall of Meteor. The group has split up a little since the incident. Cloud Strife has gone off into the wilderness, still feeling that something isn't right in the world. Tifa Lockheart has reopened the bar that once stood in the Sector 7 Slums of Midgar, still awaiting the day that Cloud will find a way back to her. Barrett Wallace, Red XIII and Vincent Valentine have reformed AVALANCE, but is now a major company in Midgar. Vincent has been gone for sometime, trying to find out more about his broken past. Cid Highwind has returned to Rocket Town and has begun construction on another rocket. Yuffie Kisaragi has returned to Wutai and is now a professor of materia. Cait Sith has been dismantled and its controller has disappeared. If you wish to know more about this story, please read it. Enjoy.

The Forgotten Tomorrow

Chapter 1: A Hero's Pain

The sunlight shined through the trees of the forest. The calmness seemed to unsettle Cloud Strife as he looked down the grassy path. Even after days of sitting in the same spot, looking out at the summer's beauty, Cloud still felt a cold chill run down his spine every day. Every second that went by, Cloud continued to feel a great burden upon his soul. The Ex-solder found himself looking up at the sky, looking for the intense glow of the falling Meteor. Yet, every time he gazed into the sky, all he saw was the soft glow of the stars. Meteor had been destroyed. The threat was gone. Even thought the threat of Meteor has passed, Cloud still felt that all was not right in the world.

Cloud continued to gaze through the woods near his childhood home of Nibleheim. Although he grew up there, nothing felt like home anymore. The only thing that ever felt right in Cloud's life was Tifa. He left her behind in Midgar, not wanting to her to be pulled down by his constant feeling of uncertainty. Although he did love her, he wanted the best for her. That is why he left her behind, where she was safe.

"You're still out here" said an all too familiar voice. Cloud looked back and saw his friend of Nibleheim, Pen. Cloud met Pen while traveling just a few months after Meteor had fallen. Pen walked up beside his friend and looked out into the woods. "It's been calm today. Very quiet" Cloud continued to look into the forest, not saying anything. "Cloud, I've asked you this many times, but I'll ask again. What are you looking for?"

Cloud turned and looked at his old friend. "…..I don't know. I just have this feeling, Pen." Cloud looked into the forest again. "Do you ever have that feeling….that feeling that you're so close to what you are looking for…..but it suddenly slips away?...I've felt that feeling since Meteor was destroyed." Cloud stood up and took a few steps forward and stopped in the middle of the grassy path. "….That feeling that I still need to find something…..and finish it."

Pen sighed and put his hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Maybe what you are looking for isn't something. Maybe it's someone." Pen removed his hand from Cloud's shoulder, turned, and began to walk back towards Nibleheim. "I think you need to go see her." Cloud looked back at his friend and sighed.

Maybe Pen's right…… I've been away too long…… Maybe I should go back for awhile. Cloud had gone through this many times in his mind, but for some reason, this time, it made sense. Seeing his friends would probably clear his mind and give him the up lift he needed. Barrett's humor would make Cloud smile. Cloud thought about Tifa as well. Not a day went by that he didn't think about her. Not a day went by that he wanted to hold her close. Cloud knew he would benefit very much by seeing Tifa's smile once again.

Cloud... Cloud turned and drew his Buster sword, waiting for something to appear. He saw nothing. This didn't feel right. Cloud walked down the path, keeping his eyes open for anything to happen. Passing the small lake, Cloud looked out into the water. The water was calm….a little too calm for his comfort. Cloud walked over to the edge of the water. Kneeling down, Cloud looked into water. Looking back at him was his own reflection and…..it couldn't be…..

Sephiroth? Cloud whipped around at lightning speed, but found no one behind him. What in the…? What did I just see? Cloud continued to grasp his weapon. He didn't want to take any chances. He knew better than that.

Cloud continued to wait…but nothing appeared. The eerie calm remained in the air.

Was Cloud losing his mind? Or was he still reliving the last time he saw Sephiroth? How could Cloud forget? It was the most intense moments of his life. It was a moment that he would very much like to forget.

The final battle. Cloud remembered it all too well, his sword clashing with Sephiroth's. The sparks flying when steel met steel. Their Mako eyes full of rage, as well as their hearts. Just as Sephiroth looked for the finishing blow, Cloud remembered who he was fighting for. The people of the planet. His friends. Himself. Tifa. "OMNISLASH!" The words flew out of Cloud's soul like a rushing wind. His Buster sword slashed at unbelievable speed. Shocked, Sephiroth was barely able to block the blows that came towards him. As Sephiroth began to lose the upper hand, Cloud capitalized and moved in for the kill. The final blow came. Cloud's sword went through Sephiroth's abdomen like a knife through butter. Cloud's foe looked down, looked back up and gave a slight smile. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor. Lifeless. Cloud stood over his fallen foe, but felt something he didn't expect. He felt guilty. He didn't want it to come down to this, but it had to be done. Sephiroth was dead and the planet was safe….for the moment. Sometimes, Cloud could still smell the blood that covered his sword and hands.

Cloud looked around once more and saw nothing. He looked back at the water of the lake and only saw his reflection. No Sephiroth in sight. Cloud let out a sigh on relief. He reholstered his Buster sword and stood up. The cold chill he had felt so many times before ran down his spine once again. Cloud sighed again.

It's time… Cloud made his decision. He wondered why he didn't make the decision before. He was going back to Midgar… He was going back to his friends….He was going back to Tifa.

The town of Nibleheim seemed like a ghost town to Cloud. Not many people lived there anymore. The only person that Cloud knew in the town was Pen. The Shinra mansion did still stand, but it was forbidden to enter the mansion. The people of the town were not going to take any chances of another Sephiroth incident happening.

Cloud walked through the inn door and sighed. The innkeeper looked up from the counter. Cloud glanced over and nodded at the innkeeper. He walked up the stairs and into his room. The sun was still shining bright through his window. Cloud walked over to his bed and sat down. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old picture. The picture was of Tifa and Cloud. She was holding Cloud's hands and looking into his eyes. They both were smiling. Cloud could still remember the day that picture was taken.

The champagne was flowing and the party was very alive. Even in the ruins of Sector 7, the sound of laughter and joy could be heard. Repairs had already begun on the 7th Heaven Bar and Sector 7. The bar was almost finished. It just needed windows and plumbing. But for now, everyone was in the mood to celebrate. Barrett was stumbling around with one of the champagne bottles in his hand. Red XIII lay asleep near the corner of the bar. Cid could be seen near the window, smoking a cigar. The smoke gently drifted out the window. Cid knew that Tifa didn't like smoke very much. Vincent was, surprisingly, laughing with Barrett. Yuffie was sitting at the bar, counting her collection of materia. Tifa was where she wanted to be: behind the bar, serving her guests. Cloud was standing near the front window, looking out. Everyone seemed to be happy, except him.

Tifa walked over to Cloud and smiled. Cloud looked at her and gave a small smile. Tifa jokingly punch Cloud in the arm. "Hey. What's wrong?" Cloud looked out the window again and said nothing. Tifa took his hand and held it tightly. "Come on. What is it?" Cloud looked at her again. He sighed. He took his hand away from hers and walked outside. Tifa followed him. Cloud stopped at the edge of the outside porch. Tifa walked up behind him. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Tell me. What's wrong?" Cloud turned and looked at Tifa.

"I don't know. I just feel like….something isn't right." Tifa took his hand again and looked into his Mako green eyes. This time, Cloud took her other hand. "I'm sorry I've seem so distant. But I can't help feeling like something is wrong." Tifa gripped Cloud's hands tightly.

"Hey. Stop worrying so much. You've done everything you can. It's all over." Tifa smiled. Cloud smiled as well.

"I can only hope."

A flash went off. Cloud and Tifa look over to see Barrett standing there with a camera. Barrett began to laugh. Tifa sighed, and then gave a small laugh. "That's the last time I give you a bottle of champagne." Tifa walked over to Barrett and took the camera from his hand. Barrett gave a nervous smile. He ran out to the middle of the road near the bar, threw the bottle in the air, and shot it to pieces with his gun arm. Barrett looked back and smiled.

"I shtill gaht it" he said in a drunken slur. Tifa began to laugh hysterically. Barrett laughed, and then stumbled back inside.

"Ah, Barrett, you are such a character." Tifa turned and saw Cloud looking down again. See walked up to him and looked him in the eyes again. "What's Wrong, Cloud?" Cloud looked up and took her hands in his.

"Tifa….I need to get away for a while. This feeling….It still burdens me very much. I still feel that something is wrong. Maybe if I journey for a while, I find what out what is wrong."

"Well, whatever the reason, take me with you."

"I can't, Tifa. Its better I do this alone. I don't want to burden you with this." Tifa took a step forward and gripped Cloud's hands even tighter. Cloud looked down for a minute, and then he looked in her eyes again. "Tifa….I must do this alone."

"Then….if you do go, promise me that you will come back." Tifa put her arms around the man she loved. A tear ran down her face. Cloud put his arms around her.

"I promise" he whispered in her ear.

Cloud put the picture back in his bag and sighed.

Cloud…. Cloud turned and looked for the whisper, but saw no one. Cloud knew that he was tired. He lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling. "I'm coming home, Tifa." The sun was now set. Cloud turned in the bed and fell asleep. Cloud….Our time is coming. Even in his sleep, Cloud could feel the cold chill running down his spine once again.