In My Place
For: Aknskywalker
Prompt: Friendship
Summary: Encroacher!

It had always been her place, that little field located on the North end of Mt. Nibel. There were little, golden flowers everywhere, and when the sun struck the hillside just right, there seemed to be a golden haze everywhere. It was even perfect at night; good for stargazing and the fireflies would dance across the flowers. It was her place, and no one else's. Besides, Mt. Nibel was large enough for everyone to have their own place. That was what she loved about it; everyone had room to breathe.

Through her short life of thirteen (almost fourteen) years, she'd never really gotten close to anyone, especially after her mother passed. She was popular, she knew that much, but she wandered how many people actually knew her…the her who would sit outside and gaze at her flowers and stars. How many people took the time to get to know her, really?

Her father, she loved him, but he had been so cold after her mother passed, cutting her off from most people in fear of losing her as well as her mother. He had fallen into a drunken stupor for the last six years of her life, and was finally starting to wake up. Still, who had been there to comfort her through that? No one, because her father kept such a tight leash around her neck she couldn't get close to anyone. She was lucky for these moments that she could sit outside in her place, and gaze and not have to think.

She was lying backwards in the tall grass and flowers gazing up into a blue sky. It was after school, and nearing five; she'd have to leave soon to beat her father home. A soft breeze stirred the grass around her, but something reached her ears. It was the sound of footsteps, and she immediately went stiff. Animals and monsters were at bit common out here in the wild, but she was confident in her growing martial arts skills. She took a deep breath, sitting up quickly. She spotted the encroacher on the edge of the field, and felt her blood boil.

This was her place.

"What are you doing here?"

The boy flinched, his blue eyes meeting hers. She felt her breath hitch for a moment, recognizing him for a moment.

He didn't say anything, like normally, just stared at her, piercing her with those eyes. She swallowed, suddenly nervous and self conscious of the fact that she knew she had about five flowers stuck haphazardly in her hair…which was probably sticking up too, but what would that matter to him? His hair was like the hay on the ground.

She glanced down at her watch, and groaned, frustrated.

"I have to go…just…" she couldn't find words, "just…this is my spot…okay? Please don't tell anyone else."

With that she took off into the surrounding woods, hoping to beat her father home.

It was two nights before she finally got to go up to her place again, sneaking out after dark, and her father had fallen asleep. It was harder, and more dangerous to make her way up the mountain at night, but she wasn't scared; she'd done this countless times before. She reached the field easily, casting her eyes up almost instantaneously towards the cloudless sky as she walked towards the center of the field.

She ran into something solid, almost jumping from her skin. She jerked back, eyes connecting once again with the boy's. They almost glowed in the dark.

Surprise was replaced with anger, "What are you doing here?" she growled, "You scared me. I told you, this is my place."

She thought he would've understood that the first time. Then again, she hadn't been very clear the first time either...course, she hadn't want to come off mean...

"—thought we could share…"

She blinked, caught off guard. He had spoken, in a very soft voice, "…I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

"I thought…we could both…be here."

She studied him carefully; no one else knew about her place, and he knew now. She might as well let him stay if it would make him feel better. It was kind of nice that someone knew her secret.

"Fine…but this is still my place, kay? I'm just sharing it with you," she crossed her arms proudly, glancing across the field.

She glanced back at him, not missing the tiny smile that almost seemed to be there. She sighed, reaching out and grasping his hand to pull him down. The boy flushed bright in the dark, and she did too, but still she tugged him to the ground.

"What—

"If I'm going to share it, I might as well tell you the best things about it," she laid down on the ground.

He slowly laid down beside of her, "…My name—

"Cloud…I know it," she tilted her head towards him, smiling, "We're sharing a secret now…so we have to promise we won't tell anyone else about this field…promise?"

He nodded his head once, staring at her.

She grinned wider, "When people share secrets, it means that they trust each other and if you trust someone, then they're ready to become friends. Are you sure you're ready to be my friend? If not, you can leave if you want."

"I think I'm up to the challenge."

She laughed.

A/N: It isn't exactly romantic, but then again, it is friendship. I hope you liked it! I've never really written that Tifa/Cloud were friends before Midgar...but it is a nice change. Tifa Lockheart Strife: Did you put a specific song? Cause it didnt show up if you did. Just let me know what song it was and I'll do it for ya! Thanks for the reviews, loves.