It was a beautiful morning when Cloud awoke. He was warm under his chocobo-down comforter, and squinted only slightly at the risen sun. He debated getting up. Then he thought of what Tifa would say if he was late... and was slightly worried until he realized they hadn't set a time. Then he was extremely worried.

He shot out of bed, assuming that she'd probably expect him at around ten if he vaguely said "tomorrow." He looked at the clock and realized it was already half past nine. He realized then how fortunate it was that he had taken a shower only the night before.

Pulling on his pants, he stumbled into the bathroom, nearly tripping over his pant leg, and grabbed his toothbrush. He stuck it in his mouth as he threaded his arms through his sweater and zipped it up. Swish, swish, spit.

He put the Cloudy Wolf on, though there was no longer a need for it or the arm cover. He wore both out of habit anyway. He slipped on his well-worn boots as he stuck his toothbrush back in the holder, tugging on his laces right before he grabbed the bottle of mouthwash.

Gurgle, burn, spit. His hand, meanwhile, reached for the brush as he ran it through chunks of hair. He didn't stop for the tangle in the back of his head, and ended up with a clump of yellow hair in his comb. It looked like a dust ball and the back of his head throbbed a little.

Nevertheless, he slipped his gloves on and grabbed a candy bar out of his cabinet. He realized that needed to buy gifts before he got there, and shoved some gil in his pocket. He then grabbed his keys and his phone, and, chocolate bar hanging out of his mouth, left his house.

He ran to the nearest store he could find that wasn't selling cigarettes, materia, or weapons. Toy Store. He had never been in it, but now that he was, he realized how whimsical children were. He grabbed the biggest teddy bear he could find, a remote-control car, and a couple lollipops off the display. "How much?" he said from behind the bear.

"One hundred fifty seven gil," said the clerk absentmindedly.

Balancing the items in one hand, he reached in for a few hundred gil while looking at the clock behind the counter. The clerk started moving lackadaisically towards the cash register. "You know what? Keep the change. I'm in a hurry anyway."

"Thank you kindly, sir."

"Yeah, yeah." He turned and headed out of the store, and looked around a little before he gave up and ran into a jewelry store, picked out the most expensive pair of earrings, and forked over a handful of gold coins. There was no time to think.

He wished he brought his bike as he ran back to his house, looking absolutely ridiculous as his upper half was a smiling, furry animal. He then wished he hadn't bought something so big. The remote control car fit in the compartment where a sword had once gone, and the earrings and candy in a pocket. The bear, however, he sat in front of him as he got on the bike.

Fenrir was beautiful. Sleek and smooth, jet black like night it was. As much as he pretended to dislike the darkness, it was much a part of his life. That was inevitable, at least. But he knew he was no cookie-cut hero. He was more likely to have cookie-cut wrists. He wasn't strong, he wasn't dashing, he wasn't chivalrous.

Anyway, Fenrir was in memory of Zack. The Buster Blade was a remnant of Zack's. For the first few years, the clothes had been, too. Zack would have made a much better hero. He was all the things that Cloud wasn't. Like dead.

Sometimes, if he caught himself off-guard, he could still feel a little bit of Zack's soul lingering inside of him. Or maybe it was his subconscious playing out a memory. The way he sat at his desk, the way he ate, the way he walked... they were all Zack's signature when he wasn't paying attention.

The scenery rolled past him quickly. He was lucky that there was no one around. He could go as fast as he damn well pleased. He was only a little ways out of Midgar, anyway. The place he lived was closer to Kalm, which he had not a strong attachment to, so he assumed it was the best place to live. Everywhere else... had been significant.

He approached the beginning of the city and slowed down. There were more pedestrians on the streets of Midgar than actual automobiles, anyway. Not many, whether on the top or bottom sectors of Midgar, could afford anything other than public transportation, anyway.

Sector seven... He knew it like the back of his hand, and Seventh Heaven was easy enough to find. He had been there so many times, lived there, even. He stopped and parked Fenrir outside in the dirt on their nonexistent parking lot.

He slowly got off, grabbing the gifts and walked up the stairs, nearly tripping, and used his back to push the door open. "Hey, Tifa, can you help me out a bit?"

Apparently her idea of help was tackling him to the ground and showering him with a lot of talk that blurred together and didn't make a whole lot of sense. Either that, or he was drunk without realizing it.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down." He got up, brushed himself off, and placed the toys on a nearby table and seat. He reached into his pocket and the lollipops made a clink noise as he somewhat slammed them down.

"It's so nice of you to get the children gifts," she said, all smiles.

He raised an eyebrow and then remembered. He hadn't taken the earrings out yet. He reached into his other pocket and pulled out the red box. "Don't think I forgot about you, Tifa." He just hoped her ears were pierced.

"Oh, they're absolutely beautiful," she said. "These must have cost a fortune, Cloud! You have to take them back. I've got nowhere to wear them to, they'd look awkward on me in a bar like this... I can't accept these."

"Nonsense. They'll look beautiful on you anyway." He held the box up to her left ear and squinted, pretending to scrutinize her. "They really bring out your gorgeous earlobes."

He was punched lightly in the shoulder. Not that it was very light, considering that her fists were her weapons. "Stop fooling around with me, Cloud. It's not funny." She was smiling anyway. "The kids'll be home from class soon. It's a half day. And hey, what took you so long to get here? It's almost eleven." Damn.

"Overslept. I was up all night thinking about coming over here today."

"I told you to stop lying to me," she replied. She moved back away to washing some beer mugs.

"Who said I was lying?"

She looked down and blushed, but it had worked. She had shut up. Momentarily. "Thank you so much for coming," she finally said. "We've missed you very much, Marlene, Denzel and I. And everyone else too, I'm sure. I haven't heard from Vincent or Cid in the longest time though."

"I'm sure Vincent's off somewhere going on about his lost love and Cid's finally realized his feelings for that secretary of his. What's her name?"

"Shera? I don't know... Personally, I think they're together now. Didn't you notice at Yuffie's last party? Anyway... it's not particularly important, as long as they're happy." She smiled as she placed the last beer mug on the drying rack. "I think it's cute... Everyone's found a little happiness now. The world's a better place again."

Everyone. Everyone had found a better life, it seemed, but them. Was it all Cloud's fault though, that the both of them were unhappy? It sure seemed that way... that he was at fault. But he was always at fault when it came to their relationship.

Just then, Marlene walked in the door, and not seeing the gifts or Cloud, threw her backpack on the table and heard it slam with a large thunk! "We got new books today, Tifa. They're hard-back this time. Why? They're not only heavier, but more expens--Cloud!" She ran over to hug him. "When'd you get back!"

"Just now, actually," replied Tifa. Cloud didn't look like he was in much of a position to talk. "He brought you a teddy bear. Isn't it the biggest one you've seen?" She seemed to beam when she talked now. She was so happy.

"Oh, wow, it's gigantic!" she exclaimed, breaking away to look at it.

Cloud coughed uncomfortably to loosen up a little. "So, where's Denzel?"

"Oh, him. He thinks he's all high and mighty now that he's almost a high school student. He hangs out with his 'friends' after school all the time, and never does his homework. But he'll regret it this time, because by the time he gets home, you'll be too tired to repeat the story of what's been happening in your life all this time."

"Not really," he said. "Nothing's changed about me. But tell me about yourself. You've grown so much; you're taller than Tifa!"

"Oh, you should see Denzel. He's all lanky now. He shot up a foot in the last two years; I swear it. Oh, but now that you're home, we should call everyone up and have a party!" She clapped her hands together in excitement. "Tifa, can we throw a party?"

"I called everyone after our conversation last night, Cloud. I hope you don't mind... but I just wanted everyone to see you again. And I thought, because you were okay with coming to see us, that you wouldn't mind it if all our other friends came and--"

"Tifa, it's fine." Mistake. He knew it had been a mistake from the start. Everyone was going to be around him, and everyone was going to bug him about everything. How his life was, how come he never kept in touch or replied to their calls... Yuffie would probably suggest they have a system to remember to mail each other every once in awhile.

Ironically, the door opened and in ran Yuffie. "I came as soon as I got your call. But then I fell asleep on the bus and... Spikey!" She ran over to hug him but stopped. "Oh, snap. I left Wutai as soon as I hung up, because I knew that if I waited, I'd never get here early enough. Spikey, remind me to finish my training later. Tifa, can I use your shower?"

Tifa giggled slightly. "Yes, Yuffie. And you should put on a different set of clothes, too. You're absolutely caked in dirt! Were you training in mud?"

"Nope. In fact, I think I was perfectly clean, if a little funky, when I hit the road. You can't get good last-minute transportation. I've been on a crowded bus, the back of a truck, stowed away on a boat, on a chocobo, and walked the rest of the way. Also, don't go too near the butcher shop in sector six; there's a giant mud puddle up front, and the kids playing in it really like to pelt random passersby." By this time, she was shouting from the bathroom in the back.

The door opened again, revealing Cid and Vincent. Tifa raised a brow and Cid quickly said: "We ran into each other on the way over."

Tifa winked in Cloud's direction, as if to say: "Told you so." She then turned her attention back to Cid and Vincent. "Well, I'm glad you could make it on such short notice. Where do you two live, now?"

"Cid has since moved back to Rocket Town, and I to Nibelheim," replied Vincent curtly. "Though I no longer sleep in the coffin that Hojo had so well provided me, my living conditions are pretty much the same."

"Really? I thought you'd have caught yourself a girlfriend by now, Vincent," Tifa teased. "Unless you're still caught up on that Lucrecia lady. You know, I really don't think she likes you."

"And you, Cid?" asked Cloud, deciding to go along with it. "Have you and Shera gotten together?"

"You two know, don't you?" asked Cid.

"Maybe we were not being subtle enough. I thought Cloud would be the last to know. No offense, Cloud."

He tried to not look insulted, and failed miserably. "I am not as slow as some would like to think I am, Vincent." Then he looked down. "Although, you are right. I wouldn't know if Tifa hadn't told me."

"Told you what? What's going on?" asked Marlene, completely confused.

"You'll understand when you're older," said Tifa nonchalantly. Marlene didn't even try to hide the hurt look on her face. She hated being patronized... After all, having sat through the death of her parents, and the near-destruction of The Planet twice, she thought she could pretty much handle anything.

Her hurt was melted as soon as it came when Barret walked in the door. Even though she knew he wasn't, she had started referring to him as her father. "Daddy!" she exclaimed as she ran over to his outstretched arms. "How're the oil fields?"

"They're wonderful. Hasn't been a spill in ages and we figured out a way to make it just as efficient as mako energy. I was hard-pressed to take a day off work, but Tifa said it was urgent. No one's dead, right?"

"Better!" said Marlene. "The dead now walk! Cloud's come to visit!"

"Holy... that is urgent. You ain't dying, right? Not sick?"

"I'm not..." Cloud said. "I just thought it'd be nice for us all to get back together for a bit. Catch up. Things like that."

Yuffie was drying her hair as she walked back into the room. "Hey... looks like we're only a cat and a lion short of a party." She walked over to Tifa and asked: "Did Vincent and Cid walk in together?" and said: "Thought so!" when she nodded in reply.

"Does everyone know!" Cid asked in exasperation.

"I don't," said Barret. "But I gotta feeling I don't really wanna know, so don't tell me."

Yuffie walked into the back to go put the towel away as Cait Sith bounced in through the door. His first words were to offer everyone a good, old-fashioned round of fortune telling.

Tifa smiled and decided to take her hand at it, because no one seemed to be interested. "How compatible are Cloud and I, Cait Sith?"

He rolled his dice and bounced from one foot to the next before coming to a decision. "Oh, I shouldn't say." He sounded sad, but he still looked like a happy camper. His eyes were turned up and his mouth was agape. Such were the defects of being a stuffed cat.

"Oh come on, tell me!" said Tifa. "I can handle it."

"You two... are not compatible at all." His word was like a blow to the entire listening audience. Cait Sith paused, and if they could see his irises, they would've caught them both shifting. "I'm kidding, of course! You two are perfect for each other!"

Tifa looked a little disappointed, but went along with it for the sake of everyone else. "Thanks, Cait." She got up from crouching to meet eye-to-eye with the toy. "So, anyone else want to have their fortune told?"

The whole of the party was silent for a moment, but then Marlene stepped up to the plate. Things were awkward enough, anyway. "I want to know how I'll do on my next test, Cait Sith!" she said, smiling. Everyone went back to what they were doing, which was, essentially, nothing.

Cloud felt that the silence was very bothersome. In all these years, maybe he hadn't been alone, and nothing had happened to anyone else. Maybe everyone was secretly in love with Sephiroth and wished he was still alive, too.

"Um... is anyone up for lunch? I'll need help in the kitchen though, because I didn't have enough time to prepare for company last night." She grabbed Yuffie, who was now back, by the arm and dragged her towards the kitchen. "Come, we womenfolk must go cook."

"H--hey! Stop being sexist against your own gender! That's weird! And let go of my arm; you've got a weirdly strong grip--" Yuffie's voice trailed off into the distance. Or at least, behind the closed doors.

"I don't think she trusts you," said Cid.

"Truthfully, I don't either," replied Cloud.

"She just misses you," retorted Marlene, in her defense.

"It's none of our business," finished Vincent. It seemed that his word was final. Well, that was, for a few moments, until Cid decided that he was going to be much too interested in petty gossip.

"Are you interested in someone else?"

"What a rude question to ask!" commented Marlene. "You should leave Cloud and Tifa's relationship alone!" That definitely called for a change of topic. There was no fury like a child scorned, much less one that would probably stay up all night telling Tifa what jerks all her friends were.

"Why don't we all sit down? Cid, Vincent, I want to hear about you two," Cloud said, grabbing a mug from below the counter and filling it. "I suppose a congratulations is in order."

"I don't see why," Cid replied. "It's not like we're getting married or anything."

"But I see clearly into your future!" remarked Cait Sith. "And the future looks--"

"Shut up for a second, Cait," said Barret. "So let me get this straight. You two... are... Man, I told you I didn't wanna know."

Marlene just giggled. "Oh, that. I already knew that... why'd you act so secretive, Cloud? It was obvious, anyway. But all I needed was confirmation. For that, I thank you. Next time though, don't think I don't know what's going on with everybody."

"Sometimes I think you know too much," replied Cloud. "But maybe that's a good thing. Just... not when it comes to our group, right?" He passed drinks around to some of the adults, and raised an eyebrow when Marlene reached out her hand for one. "You may be mature for your age, but until you grow up a little, you're not getting any."

Marlene pouted, but decided against arguing. After all, this was certainly one she was going to lose badly. Especially if Tifa ever found out. Then again, Tifa should never have left a five-year-old in charge of a run-down bar with shady characters coming in and out every night.

Vincent sat down next to Cid and almost out of habit, placed his human hand on Cid's. It was involuntary, and Cid took awhile to realize it was there. At first, he flinched at the thought of all his friends seeing, but then remembered that they were all okay with it... well, with the exception of Barret, he supposed.

Cloud noticed it too, and he thought, maybe there was hope... Well, maybe there would have been hope if the object of his affection wasn't a mortal enemy of theirs and a murderer and... He stopped. He was being self-centered and off-tangent when, instead of worrying about himself, he should have been happy for his friends.

Maybe Tifa was right. Maybe everything was about him, and he, in the defense of losing ego, had complained that Tifa had been the one who was self-centered and narcissistic. It made him angry how much he hated himself.

It didn't matter though, because just then, Tifa and Yuffie walked in with plates of homemade dishes. It was a very strange, but very nice blend of Nibelheim, Midgar, and Wutai cuisine. The scents melded together, and even though separately they would have been delicious, gave off a strange smell.

Cid tried not to wrinkle his nose.

Cait Sith wasn't able to eat anyway, so he wasn't worried at all. He decided to keep them company anyway, and hopped up and down while juggling empty beer mugs. "If you need a refreshment, I'll be glad to fill your glasses!"

Tifa petted him on the top of his crown. "Thanks for being such a help, Cait." She placed the dishes on the table. "Now come on, everyone. I know it smells weird, but it tastes good... individually, anyway."

"And if anything moves," added Yuffie, "you tell me, because then I'll kill it first. Don't want you guys to eat anything that could wriggle down your esophagus, anyway."

"Yet, you're making us eat it raw?" commented Barret.

"Oh, no. It's cooked," Yuffie replied. "But you know those random battle monsters. They're really tough, some of them. They just won't die. Anyway, if it's moving, it'll probably die if you poke it a little. Like, in the eye."

"I think I speak for everyone when I say I don't feel hungry anymore," said Cloud.

"Yeah, he's right," said Cid, waving his hand and turning around, almost throwing up. He turned back after a second, coughed, straightened out his shirt, and pretended like nothing happened.

Yuffie giggled. "It was just a joke. You have such a weak stomach for such a frequent flier." She walked over and used Cid's shoulder as an armrest. "Now come on, my cooking isn't that bad. And I wouldn't cook random battle monsters. Rats, maybe."

Cid shrugged her arm off in slight annoyance. "Yeah, yeah. I think I'll just stick to what Tifa made, thank you."

She put her arms on her hips and had the most insulted look on her face that she could muster up in such short a time. "Well then, Gramps, you can cook for your damn self, or you can go and just eat your boyfriend or something!"

Cid looked to Vincent for moral support. After about a few seconds of staring, Vincent put down his glass slowly, dabbed at his lips, and looked up slightly. He lifted his hand and traced little spirals on Cid's chest. His eyes lifted upward to Cid's eyes, as he purred: "I don't know, that isn't such a bad idea..."

The blond pilot opened his mouth to protest the public display of affection, and then he returned his attention fully to Vincent. A little smirk on his lips, he took the ex-Turk's flesh hand with both his own and lifted it to his face. "How about I grab us a bottle of honey?"

Yuffie cut in. "Okay, you guys can STOP! Gross! We get the point, god!" She shook her head, arms in the air, and looked towards them again. "Ugh!" She cupped her ears in her hands and shook her head violently. "Grossgrossgrossgross!"

Cid snickered under his breath and Vincent silently returned to his meal.

The rest of them took their seats at the table, Marlene slightly confused and Cloud a little uneasy. Barrett, however, tried very hard not to say anything. He had almost gotten a hold of the fact that some of his closest friends were sleeping with each other. Almost.

Cait Sith bounced around from side to side and clapped his hands together. If he couldn't partake in their meal, he would at least annoy them to the point where they would want to kill him. Though, he was just a toy, and his death would be meaningless except to Reeve. And he would be able to rebuild a Cait Sith. Hopefully, a less annoying one.

Apart from Cait, they ate in silence. Just then, Denzel walked in and threw his backpack on the floor, put his headphones on and blasted his MP3 player as he sat down. He only waved to acknowledge the rest of the crew as he reached for the potatoes.

Tifa reached out and stopped him. "Denzel," she said, her head turning to the side. "At least say hello to everyone first."

He cleared his throat, and put his headphones on the table. They blared loudly. "Hello Marlene, hello Barrett, hello Cait Sith, hello Yuffie, hello Vincent, hello Cid, hello Cloud, hello Tifa." He put the headphones back on his head. "Where's Nanaki?"

"You're not surprised that they're all here?" asked Tifa.

Denzel shrugged and reached again for the potatoes. No one tried to stop him this time. He was a lost cause. Either that, or he was seriously taking the "I wanna be just like Cloud!" thing too seriously. Cloud could torch down Midgar, pretend Jenova was his mother, and convince Denzel to bring him oddly colored materia. Anyway, Denzel seemed to have gotten the "apathy" facet down pat.

There was a scratch at the door and Tifa got up to get it. "Red!" She leaned down and patted him on the head. "You're in time for lunch, come on in." Yuffie handed her the water bowl and food bowl, both filled with his favorite food and drinks.

Tifa took them and walked in with them. Yuffie closed the door after Nanaki, ruffling his mane a little. "You don't look any older than thirty, 'Naki. You'll have to tell me your secret," she said.

He arched a brow and shook his head. "Well, you certainly haven't changed mentally," he finally decided as he dug into his meal. She just stuck out her tongue at him.

Cloud finished his plate and stood up, putting his napkin and glass on it. "I'll start cleaning the dishes." Yuffie waved towards him as she took her things, chugged the rest of her juice, and put her plate and utensils on top of his.

Tifa grabbed the other finished plates. "Let me help you, Cloud," she said with a smile. Somehow, even washing dishes with him made her happy. After all, his presence was better than nothing.

He put them in the sink and turned on the faucet. He washed in silence, as Tifa watched him. He waited and then took one of the plates she had gotten. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

"So, how are things?" she asked.

He shrugged.

"Anything exciting happen in the last five years?"

"Not really."

She slammed the plates on the counter. "Talk to me, Cloud."

"About what? There's nothing to discuss. You asked me questions; I gave you answers. I'm not 'disseminating', either. I'm telling the truth, and the whole truth."

Her fingers tapped relentlessly on the counter. Her other arm was on her hip, which was far to the side in annoyance. "Fine then, Cloud. Nothing happened within the last five years. You died right after that party and haven't resurrected until yesterday. Is that what you're meaning to tell me? You're starting to sound like Sephiroth."

"Don't mention him."

"Why Cloud?" she asked, a hint of mocking laughter in her voice. "He's gone now, for good. What bad could happen from me talking about him? You're over that, right? Don't feel guilty about killing him; he deserved it."

He was dead silent.

"You're guilty about killing that freak! I can't believe this! Cloud, you're talking about the same man who killed my father. Who killed President ShinRa. Who torched down our hometown, who tried to kill you, who..." She shook her head. "You lied to me. Everything happened in the last five years. You've changed."

"No I haven't."

"Oh, so you were always in love with Sephiroth?"

She received a glare.

"It was a joke," she stated. "Oh my god. Cloud... you're serious, aren't you? Why? Why would you... why would you lie about something like that to me? Cloud... you lied to me about how you felt... I..." She turned around and walked out.

Immediately, Yuffie walked in. "What happened? Tifa... Tifa just sorta, stormed out. Well, upstairs. I think she's going to cry or something. Did you hit her? Why did you hit her? Cloud! What the hell were you thinking!"

"I didn't hit her." That was all the explanation that he could offer.

Yuffie didn't want to stop asking. "What did you do to her?"

"Ruined my marriage," he said, and before Yuffie could ask another question, he walked out on her. He ran after Tifa, who was sitting on the bed in tears. His face softened in concern; at least he still had a heart. He walked over and tried to put his arms around her, but she pushed him away.

"How long, Cloud?" Her voice was a little weak, but she tried, she did.

"How long what?" His was slightly angry, but he tried to hide it.

"Have you loved him? How long have you loved him?"

"I don't know. Why do you even care?"

"I always knew I would lose out to a memory... I just always assumed that the memory was Aeris. I think I feel more insulted now. At least Aeris had been pretty. And... not... completely... insane..." She leaned her head against Cloud's shoulder and laughed. "I love you, and I want you to be happy. Even if you never loved me the way I loved you, that's okay. I don't want a lie."

"You're not mad?"

"I'm a little mad... But it's not because you love a dead man I hate. It's because for the last six years, I thought that our separation was a temporary thing. I... guess it's not. And I will never be able to forgive Sephiroth... but it's not like you're going to bring him over for dinner anytime soon."

"Yeah... guess not." Lonely. He was absolutely destined to be lonely.

"And hey, thank you for telling me. Even if we never be happy again, at least you gave me the chance to move on." She patted his hand, grabbed it, and let go slowly. "Thank you, Cloud."

He looked down. "Yeah." He opened his hands. His eyes were a little sad, but he asked for it, really. Maybe he had been too hasty in deciding his fate. Maybe he didn't want to dote upon a dead man forever. He didn't want the marriage, but he missed it already. He squeezed his hands together, but it was still there. That little bit of metal with the wolf that used to sit proudly on her ring finger.