AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Ok, I tried to illustrate a "supposable" in-depth understanding of Tifa's and Leon's relationship while still keeping the consistency of their character. Don't worry, they don't go all OOC and fall in love or anything...

Yet...

Ha, just kidding! Scratch that last bit off...

DIRECTIONS:

Please read with an open mind. Besides, where in the world would we be without them?


There was a deafening silence as they waited for their leader to speak…

So what did they expect him to say? He didn't know what exactly was going on. He was supposed to be acting like a leader, some one who they could look up to and expect decisions; however, he didn't have any plan, and even if he did, he wouldn't know how to give it. That thought made him feel more of a failure.

"I need...time to think," he uttered facing the door, too ashamed to look at them.

Before anyone else could say anything, he left. From the other side of the door Yuffie's defensive voice could be heard, "What? Hey, don't look at me, I didn't say anything!"

"You're Not Alone"

Chapter 2

Large grey clouds ominously hovered in the sky, blocking some of the sunlight. A breeze swept through the trees as if to shake their foundation, but only deadened leaves were carried off. There weren't many people passing through the narrow streets because they knew it would most likely rain. But that didn't stop someone from wandering aimlessly.

He wasn't sure how long he walked or where exactly he was going. He could have been going around in circles for hours, and he wouldn't have even noticed it. Only the clicking of his boots against the cobbled-stone pavement was sensitive to the senses.

Memories were fresh in his mind from when he was at Merlin's cottage, but in reality, when he looked at his wrist watch it had been several hours ago.

Why exactly did he just blank out? Why did he suddenly need to leave? Leon sighed from mental exhaustion.

'What do you think, Leon?' Aerith's voice echoed in his mind.

'I don't know...I barely know what to do with my own problems...'

Everything seemed easier when he had revenge as a goal after the darkness engulfed his home. He thought that he could live easily once their home was restored, so he blinded fought hoping that would alleviate the pain.

Now that every thing was restored, he questioned the justice of those who were lost to the darkness. Where was their restoration? Deep down it wasn't right to accept happiness when others couldn't, especially when their lost chances of happiness was his fault…his lack in strength…his lack in courage…his lack in responsibility…

He felt so alone in his emptiness…alone in his search for pardon….

He scowled. It was beginning to be a habit. At times like these, he just wanted to punch something, cut something, anything. All this thinking seemed to be atrophying his muscles.

For a moment, he thought of Cloud and wondered where he was now. The mysterious warrior was a close ally whom he felt similar in strength and personality. Cloud never really talked because he was always brooding, but Leon found it understandable. There was something in his silence that showed some kind of intense anticipation. Though Leon couldn't tell what he was always quietly anxious about, he felt it when ever he was around him.

In a way, he wished he were there. Releasing some of his frustrations on such a formidable opponent would make him feel better, especially if he won in their battle.

Leon, coming back to reality, found himself at the steps leading to the bailey, a place of quiet reflection. His wrinkled brow eased slightly, and he descended the stairs.

Finally, after reaching the bottom, an unrecognizable figure appeared standing near the large stone window. Cautiously, he advanced towards the stranger while positioning his hand above the handle of his weapon, just in case. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to finally take out his gunblade.

The long raven hair, the black leather outfit, and determined stance were distinctively familiar; there beside the window was the martial artist, Tifa Lockheart.

A little disappointed that it wasn't some one whom he could practice his gunblade on, he eased. She was aware of his presence from behind her; however, she showed now signs of acknowledgement.

It was in her quiet and still demeanor that suggested she was there to be alone. With both of them in their current moods, it was obvious that neither of them would be interested in engaging in conversation. He concluded they weren't that close enough anyway.

Despite intentions of being alone at the bailey as well, he supposed he could find another place to be...maybe the Dark Depths. Besides, it wasn't like the bailey had his name on it, and in all honesty, it didn't bother him that she was there. He was now just a passerby so, after several moments of pause, he continued to walk towards the postern.

However, just before he descended another set of stairs, a voice pierced the wall of silence.

"Have you seen him?" she asked in a desperate tone. Leon turned his head to see she still did not move from her position facing the window. In actuality, he was surprised that she finally spoke to him; on the other hand, he knew it would have been that question because it always reflected in her eyes – a constant searching for someone...

Even though the correct answer would have been 'no', he had a feeling she heard it too often. "Why do you ask?" he countered.

Her perpetual determination of searching was truly astounding; but he was aware it brought her some grief. There was grief in not being able to reach him... He knew, he could tell, it was in the sound of her voice.

At that moment, sympathy replaced confusion. It suddenly seemed as if his worries were along side her own, and he didn't feel so alone in his pain. Even though their goals were different, they shared the same pain of independent struggle.

"I thought you might be going to train with him," she quietly replied, sounding cheerless. Her head hung dejectedly and she wrapped her arms around herself. As if on impulse, his feet brought him slightly closer to her. He was surprised with himself, but considered it was because he couldn't hear her very well.

There was acknowledgement in silence. They both knew that he, whom they were referring to, was Cloud.

It was evident that Cloud didn't yet return from his battle with Sephiroth, his darkness; but she couldn't stop herself from saying it. Perhaps her words were her way of still believing that maybe, just maybe, he would come back. His heart sank.

Tifa finally turned to look up at him a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she said shaking her head with a stressed smile, "I didn't mean to bother you." With that, she turned to leave.

She headed towards the stairs leading to the postern, most likely heading for the Dark Depths. It was ironic that Leon had decided to go there as a second choice, too. Tifa was where he wanted to be and went where he wanted to go.

In those few words shared a sense of understanding was somehow attained and a feeling of ease was reached. When she decided to leave, he felt as if his heart wanted her to stay; he couldn't help but wonder if...

"Tifa," he called out. She stopped in her tracks and looked at him a bit surprised. He wasn't sure how to phrase what he wished to say, so he stammered, "I…know you've been feeling…umm... I mean, I saw you and…I…"

Oh, how much at that moment he hated himself for his idiocy and loss of vocabulary.Eyeing him with curiosity, she noticed how he looked awfully stiff.

"I just wanted to know," he said with tried composure, "if you've been feeling unsure of some things..." He didn't think that was what he wanted to ask or if she understood the gist of what he said, and he immediately felt like an idiot...

She smiled at his futile attempt of speaking, thinking it was funny, and she calmly walked over to him. When she seated herself on the wide stone panel of the large window, Leon relaxed.

Wondering what had made the man so oddly uncomfortable to the point he sought her continued company, she subtly teased, "So what made you so articulate?" There were no intentions of flustering him any further. Her innocent words of jest brought him confidence.

As he seated him self across from her on the window panel, he noticed her mien was different from before; Tifa appeared more anticipant and spirited as she waited for him to speak.

Leon, not wanting to bluntly confess his troubling past, cautiously said, "Well, I have been having these strange dreams lately and...It's been bugging me…" Tifa's expression of spirit softened and silence urged him to continue.Though he was still hesitant, he said, "...I've felt darkness in my dreams...and so many other things..."

Noticing how she suddenly shifted from her seat at the words, he paused; she nodded as a gesture of encouragement and remained attentive. "I gave it a lot of thought, wondering what it all meant; but, in the end, I 'm still confused..."

Leon looked away as if ashamed and muttered, "Whatis this darkness inside of me?"

The question ruminated in her mind. Slowly she reassured him, "Everyone has darkness...but there is also light, just waiting to be found..."

She saw the look of hopelessness on his face, and it seemed so similar to Cloud's. Something in her heart suddenly made her want to help him, but she wasn't sure how. "You just have to look inside of you…"

Leon, a little disappointed in such an obscure answer, realized that it wasn't that simple to just find his light, his way of overcoming his darkness. It was the same darkness, the same emptiness, which he felt in his dreams. Perhaps, his emptiness was the cause of his lost sense of light.

"I think, in your dreams, you see your deepest memories. Maybe, you are subconsciously struggling through something…and, maybe, that is why you feel emptiness in your heart," she insightfully replied.

He felt her touch upon a sensitive topic; but, instead of pulling away, his heart urged him to give in. It certainly was an odd feeling…like it wanted to open up…maybe he felt it just because she understood him, right?

"What if our hearts want us to feel whole again…by making us feel things in our dreams…by seeing our deepest memories…to constantly remind us of who we truly are," Tifa continued rather pensively.

He thought of her words before he spoke. It seemed to make sense.

"So, what we see in our dreams and feel in our hearts means we're trying to come to terms with ourselves..." He wasn't sure if he asked a question or reaffirmed her words with a statement. It was then when he suddenly realized that he may have imparted something very important...

Suddenly, the clouds above that promised torrential rains slowly cleared the sky, and sunlight finally revealed its vibrancy. As she looked down at her feet, she asked with a contemplative tone, "So, Leon, do you know why we are constantly reminded of who we truly are?"

No reply came and both were silent. Leon was still searching for that answer.

"I...think...it's different with each person…for me, my heart and dreams tell me…" He glanced over to whose voice hesitantly spoke and paused.

For a brief moment, as he carefully studied her face, he saw a subtle sadness around her. There was look of restraint as she pursed lips, like she was holding in some hidden pain. But through her eyes, he noticed, that they spoke no lies...

"I feel my heart telling me to find him. I don't know but…it's as if I hear his calling out to me, too," she finally confessed. She bit her lower lip while still looking at her feet.

"I may not understand why my heart feels the way it does, but I know... that when I'm with...I mean, when I know that I can help him..." She drifted off once again struggling to find the words. "I just...feel complete, like this is my purpose, the reason why I'm here; that's what makes me happy."

He didn't press her any further on the subject. He understood what she was trying to say. She had just revealed part of herself, her doubts, her hopes, and sense of being; that alone was enough. He felt somewhat honored that he was the one whom she entrusted her thoughts; he accepted her confidence with stillness.

In their conversation, a closer familiarity was established and a heavy burden was lifted. They remained in each other's presence, watching the sun set, until the florescent colors finally disappeared over the horizon.

"...Thank you..." There was no need to speak it. It was understood in their hearts.


Please review and tell me what you think of it. Could their relationship be believable?

Yummy? Needs more...ingredients? Totally disgusting? Or... "Stop trying to 'cook' a story, you wierdo!"?