Chapter 04:

Two hyperactive kids at night; Cloud was extremely glad that he has no temper issues. The activities ranged from soda drinking contests, to couch-jumping contests, to tag, to crazed versions of hide-and-seek, to whatever else was going on. Cloud lost track of events by the time the clock tolled twelve, midnight. Shouldn't have let them drink soda, Cloud muttered to himself. His back hurt from Denzel jumping onto his back during the "couch-jumping contest." Might as well have called it the "Jump on Cloud contest," he sighed. He reluctantly rose from his seat and set off to put the over-energetic children to bed. Little does Cloud know, he was in for a surprise…

Tifa and Yuffie stopped by two clothing stores subsequent to leaving the coffee shop. Tifa enjoyed this rare night out; it was something she hasn't participated in for quite some time. In addition, it helped relieve her mind of all the drama that was currently enveloping her. Still, inside she was somewhat disappointed that Cloud neither called nor followed Yuffie and her on their night out. Tifa shook away her frustration. He's like that, she reassured herself.

Yuffie was still a teenager, eighteen as a matter of fact, and evidently, as Tifa noticed, she was still crazed about the nightlife, the clothes, and the carefree fun. Apparently, the young ninja has not noticed the time yet and continued to skip and yip down the streets of Midgar. It was a peaceful sight: Yuffie having fun and not having any worries about helping friends defend the world from annihilation, other civilians minding their own businesses, and overall, everyone living their respective normal lives.

Tifa held back for a few moments, but decided to call Yuffie back. "Hey, it's getting a bit late. I think we should turn back now."

Yuffie turned around, a hint of misery in her eyes that nearly blew away Tifa with guilt. "But we barely made it through a quarter of Midgar! And where's Cloud? I thought he'd catch up to us by now. By the way, what time is it actually? And―" Before Yuffie could say another word, Tifa put her hand up for a moment to calm down.

"Cloud's probably back at Heaven still and it's past midnight now. Come on, Yuff. We'll see each other and everyone else tomorrow anyway."

"Oh, all right," Yuffie finally heaved a sigh in defeat, "Next time then. Girls' night out again!"

The young ninja zipped silently into the darkness of the alleys without a trace. She's getting good at that, Tifa noted to herself, as she turned to the opposite way to head home. Hometo her… family?


Marlene and Denzel hid in a closet in the second-story hallway and awaited their blonde-haired guardian. A few minutes passed before the kids heard slow, weighted footsteps creeping up the stairs that they recognized to be Cloud's heavy boots. Marlene let out a small giggle before Denzel shushed her. They don't want to ruin their little surprise for Cloud. There the two children remained while they peered through the small opening in the closet, waiting for Cloud's appearance.

Cloud sauntered slowly into Marlene and Denzel's room, only to find no kids there. He peered around, mumbled, and turned to head towards the other side of the hallway. "Marlene, Denzel, where are you two troublemakers? I'm tired, get over here." He was just past the closet that Marlene and Denzel were hiding in until the doors of the closet swung open and the two kids leapt out and tackled him.

"Ouch!" Cloud called out as he fell on the floor with the two children on top of his back, "What was that for? Come on, you two should be asleep by now." He flipped over and grabbed the two kids, one under each of his arm. "Marlene, your dad will kill me," he joked, "I'm goin' to have to force you two to get to bed. And Denzel, you're older, you should know better!"

"Tifa told me that tomorrow is supposed to be a special day!" Marlene squealed, laughing at the situation that Denzel and she were in.

Cloud kept walking towards the children's room without looking at Marlene, but asked, "And why's that?"

"Because―" Denzel started.

Marlene cut in, "No! I wanna tell him," she sniggered at Denzel's disgusted look on his face, "Tifa told me that tomorrow will be the second anniversary of her joining AVALANCHE, meeting my daddy, everyone else, and of course, reuniting later with you!"

"Really?" Cloud wanted to hit himself for sounding stupid, he also wanted ask why did she throw in the, "reuniting with you," part. He and Tifa didn't reunite until a while later after Tifa joined AVALANCHE. Kids will be kids. They say everything they hear, Cloud remarked. "Does Tifa have something planned for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, duh!" Denzel spoke out, "Everyone's gonna be there! You will too, right, Cloud?"

Cloud nodded. "Before we get anymore excited, you two have to go to sleep, or else you won't have much energy left for tomorrow."

They two kids agreed. Cloud released them and whispered "good night" to each of them before he closed the door and headed to his own room.


Tifa opened the door to Seventh Heaven and rubbed her eyes. It was past one in the morning, and she has to wake up early tomorrow in order to tidy up the bar. It was a mess. What happened? She thought. I'm pretty sure the place didn't look like this when I left. She could clean up at the moment, but she was far too exhausted. Tifa yawned and made her way upstairs. If he was the one that decided not to come along on the night out and stayed to trash the place, I'll give him a peace of my mind!

When she arrived at the top of the staircase, Tifa heard multiple snoring sounds. At first, she was a bit startled, wondering if a stranger (or strangers) managed to sneak into her abode. However, Tifa noticed the small snoring sounds came from Marlene and Denzel's room and she rethought. She quietly nudged the door open and found two peaceful kids, each sleeping in their own bed. Tifa smiled, satisfied and, in a way, relieved. She turned towards her room, but hesitated.

The door to Cloud's room was closed, but not locked, so Tifa gently opened the door and peeked in. It was dark, but with minimal moonlight seeping through the windows, so she could make out the shape of the sleeping young man. Tifa regretted doing so, but she involuntarily made her way to the bedside of Cloud, her face exceedingly close to his. She wanted to kiss him good night, but held back, and yet couldn't stand holding back. "What is this, love or infatuation?" she supposed, almost muted.

"Do you love me?" came a voice. "Ti―" Stopped. Cloud turned, his face now facing the ceiling.

Tifa nearly gasped in utter astonishment, nearly choking as she felt like her throat was in tangle with her heart. She remembered she asked the same question to Cloud when he was sleeping about a week ago. Who is he talking to? Her? Tifa stood up with her shaking legs, almost stumbling. She still slipped, but sat back down on the floor with the least amount of noise. "What…?" she gasped.

Cloud was still asleep. Did he even say that? Tifa wondered. "Cloud?" she murmured, "Are you dreaming? You can talk to me."

No response. Just light, sleeping breaths.

Tifa shook herself back to consciousness and leaned forward. She gave Cloud a tender peck on his cheek and stroked his hair with the tips of her fingers and whispered into his ear, "I don't know about yours, but I know mine. Good night, Cloud." And she left the room, closing the door quietly with great gentleness. Utterly confused and completely awakened, as Tifa was then, she cleared her mind the best she could and decided to return back to the bar downstairs to clean and organize.

"Damnit, I forgot about the party," she cursed. She just hoped that she would have enough energy by the time the guests arrive. This is the last time I stay up this late.

It was approximately three in the morning by the time Tifa brought herself to her own room, done with cleaning, her shower, and everything else she felt like doing before turning in. She took off her black outfit, slipped into a white sleeping gown, and threw herself onto her bed and instantaneously drifted into sleep.