Nibelheim Moonlight

By Miroku-san

Entry #8, 9:45 PM NST

There aren't many stars out tonight. It makes me wonder how I've been living my life this past year. I feel happy, but there is something that is troubling me. I still live in that same house, with the same piano, and the same memories. I still can play my favorite songs on my piano. I even remember you playing it. You live in your house now, but by yourself; the same as me. I haven't talked to you in half a year and I still know why. I don't want to say it though, it makes me so sad. What am I saying? I should just forget about it. Let's see, how's everyone doing? Barret, he lives in Kalm with little Marlene. Red XIII, he prefers to be called Nanaki now; he is still mourning the death of his grandfather. I know how he feels. Cid, with his big mouth, is married to Shera, but I didn't get to see their wedding at the Gold Saucer. Cait Sith still works there as well as an entertainer and he has forgotten his past. I'm so happy for him. As for me, things are still dull as ever. What am I ever going to do with myself? There was so much excitement being with everyone, but now since were all apart (I only keep in touch with Yuffie the most) I feel lonely inside. But now I come to Yuffie. Yuffie is always so cheerful and understanding...she's like the only person I can ever talk to. I wish I can have her carefree attitude sometimes...

Chapter 1 - 10:00 PM, Nibelheim Standard Time, Day 1

An Empty Night in Nibelheim

"You got to be kidding! You haven't talked to him in SIX MONTHS?"

"I know, I know, but something happened..."

"What happened? Please tell me."

I'm talking to Yuffie again on the phone, sounding astounded as ever, it slipped out of my mouth. We've been talking together for ten minutes already, and I'm getting tired. It's only 7:00 PM in Wutai while it's 10:00 PM in Nibelheim.

"I'm sorry Yuffie, but I can't tell you; maybe some other time."

Yuffie was sounding impatient. "Come on Tifa! It's not like you have a love life."

I giggled. "I feel so much better now."

"Well, it IS true."

Just talking about this made my teeth cringe. I wanted to change the subject. "Okay then, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay, but next time we talk, can't you be a little bit more cheerful?"

"I'll try."

"Well, bye Tifa."

"You too Yuffie."

I hung up the phone and sat motionless on my bed for a minute. What's wrong with me? I should be happy, but yet I feel depressed. It's starting to annoy me. I sighed and opened the window to see Nibelheim one last time before I'd went to bed. The town was very quiet as usual. All the other houses occupied by fellow neighbors were out already. Everyone goes to bed so early. I can see why...who would want to live in this boring old town. I guess someone with no purpose in their life...great, now I'm talking about myself...AGAIN.

Now I just realized that my house wasn't the only one with the lights on. The house's upper window light was shining brightly. I hate to say it, but that's Cloud's house. Cloud lives by himself too. I wonder what he's doing...

To get that out of my mind, I looked up to the night sky to see the stars, a cloudy night blanketed most of them. It was windy too and started to get chilly in my room. I heard my wind chimes ringing softly from the front door. I felt a shiver down my spine and immediately closed the window.

I do like living here in Nibelheim. It's quiet, peaceful, and full of solitude. Unlike the slums and crowded streets of Midgar. Nibelheim was my true home. But sometimes I never think I belong here. I untied my long black hair that was in a braid. I rested on my bed, already in my silk white pajamas. I slowly went under the covers and stared up at the ceiling. Bland, I thought. I want to give this room a whole new color. I turned off the lamp adjacent to my bed. The bulb was going to die on me soon. My whole life seemed bland, except for those exciting moments with everyone. Those were the happiest times of my life, especially with Cloud. I wanted to forget all those past memories, so I closed my eyes and tried to think of my friendship with Yuffie. She's my only friend it seems, but I always feel happy just talking. I should be youthful like her and should be cheerful. I thank her for the motivation.

I felt the sweet embrace of sleep overcome me. The only light was the pale light of the moon. I then fell asleep under the spell of the Nibelheim moonlight.