Hi! So, this chapter took awhile, but I have good reasons. I got sick for a few days over Christmas vacation, and in January my family hosted a Australian student for 2 weeks.

Zack: She had blue hair. But, I guess she was okay. One good thing about her is that she knew that your family is crazy.

Kelana-ti: (sarcastic) Thank you, Zack. (to readers) We showed her some of our favorite spots, and took her to a friend's cabin.

Zack: That sounds fun. Did she like the snow?

Me: Yes she did. I also wrote a Yazfie oneshot for a contest of one of my fav writers.

Zack: Vincent's reaction to the was funny.

Me: Yes it was. :D

Mia: Poor Vinnie -laugh-

Zack: O.o Were you here this whole time?

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7 or any of the characters in it, only my OCs and the plot in this story.

Chapter 4

Tifa had converted the room behind the bar into a living room, with a TV, two couches, a rocking chair, a coffee table, and a bookshelf. She had just put the kids to bed, and had curled up on one of the couches to read a bit of the book she had picked up. Tifa had just started when Cloud came in. He hesitated, then closed the door softly.

Tifa watched him walk around the couch and put his sword on the ground so it would not cut the couch. Cloud sat down next to her. "Vincent went back to the apartment building," he said.

Tifa nodded, and set her book on the table between the couches next to the lamp. "Cherise was a friend of Sephiroth's," she said softly. "I never thought... " she trailed off.

Cloud sighed. "I knew. When I joined Shinra, I saw her a lot. It is possible that we were friends..." He trailed off, then shook his head. "When she first entered the bar, I found it hard to believe that it was her. Cherise has changed... She is not who she used to be."

"I agree." Tifa said softly. "I remember who she was before she moved to Midgar. She was serious, true, but nothing like this. Back then Cherise would laugh, and she was a good friend. She helped me when Mother died. But now... when she was talking to the Turks, she laughed once. And that is the first time I have seen her laugh since she moved to Midgar."

"The deaths of her friends have changed her," Cloud said softly. "Anyway... We can talk about this later." He hesitated, looking at Tifa.

He had that look again. Tifa knew Cloud very well, and knew when he wanted to ask her something. She tilted her head and looked into his mako-blue eyes. When Cloud wanted to ask you something, it was best to just wait for it, unless it seemed he would not ask.

Cloud sighed, not looking Tifa in the eye. "Do you think it is too late to call Barret?"

Tifa frowned and looked at the clock: 10:30. "Yes, but you could call him tomorrow. Why?" She asked, reaching up and putting her hand on Cloud's cheek, forcing him to look at her.

He smiled, embarrassed. "I was hoping he could watch Denzel and Marlene tomorrow. Between five and seven. Maybe a little later."

Tifa put her hand back in her lap and smiled, catching on. Over the past year, Cloud and Tifa had gone on several dates. "Are you asking me out?"

"Yes."

She nodded, and tapped a finger on her chin. "But where should we go?"

"Well... we could go to the Toscanno," Cloud said, wincing.

Tifa gasped. "But, Cloud! That restaurant is expensive! And you don't even like Italian food," she said, frowning.

"I know. Don't worry, I have it taken care of. I've been saving up," he said sheepishly.

Tifa was speechless.

"You can close the bar at five so you can change," Cloud continued. "That short dark green dress of yours would work. We don't have to dress up too fancy. Then we would be ready to go at five thirty."

Tifa found her voice. "You've been planning this!" She did not know whether to be pleased or angry.

Cloud blushed. "I know you like Italian food. But if you want, we could go somewhere else..."

"No, it's okay." Tifa said quickly. "it sounds nice." She sighed. "It's getting late. I had better get ready for bed," she said, standing up. she wanted to think. Usually, Cloud did not plan these things by himself. He asked her first.

Cloud also stood up. "Tifa, wait," he said, taking her hand.

She looked up at him, noticing how close they were. His blue eyes gazed into hers. He almost looked nervous.

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he brought up his left hand and cupped her face. Cloud took a half-step closer. Tifa gasped, understanding. Hesitantly, she put her hands on his chest.

Cloud leaned over. Tifa looked up, and their noses touched. Some of his blond hair brushed her face.

"I'm tired of running," Cloud said softly. Then he kissed her.

Not breaking the kiss, Tifa wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Cloud moved his gloved hand to the back of her neck, and under her hair. Tifa felt light-headed, then she remembered to breathe. She parted her lips for a second, then moved back into the kiss, making it more passionate. Not until now did she realize how much she had wanted Cloud to kiss her.

After what seemed forever, but altogether to short, they broke apart, both a little out of breath. Cloud smiled. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too." It felt so good to say those words.

That night, Tifa had a hard time going to sleep. When she did, she still dreamed about the first kiss she and Cloud had shared.

~#~

"When is he going to get up?" A voice asked. Male, but not deep. Light.

A girl laughed. "When he feels like it. He has been through a lot. Let him get used to being here."

Sephiroth knew they were talking about him. The girl was right. He could tell this place was different, even with his eyes closed. This place was warm, and it felt good after the numbing cold from before. A gentle breeze moved over him, finding it's way through his hair and clothes. The former general was laying on his back. He was surrounded by flowers. He could smell them, and feel them brushing against his body.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. Sephiroth winced and brought a hand up to cover them. After who-knows-how-long in pitch darkness. it was a big jump to a sunlit meadow.

Over to his right, someone moved. The girl whispered, "No. Give him time."

Sephiroth opened his eyes again. He looked up. The sky was blue and bright. Birds were singing. Slowly, he sat up. To his left was what looked like a trail leading though the white and yellow flowers to a small white house. The meadow was surrounded by maple trees.

Finally, Sephiroth looked to his right. The two people who sat next to him should not have been a surprise. Zack was smiling at him, his posture reminding Sephiroth of a puppy on a leash. His blue eyes were as bright as always, and his black hair was still spiky. Zack's dark navy-blue uniform stood out against light green grass and flowers like a blue jay in a Turk's office.

Zack's smile grew wider. "Hiya, Seph!" He said, pulling Sephiroth into a bear hug. "It's nice to see you sane again."

The former General rolled his green eyes. "Nice to see you too, Zack. Now let go."

"Okay."

They stood up. Sephiroth felt good using his legs again, even if he was dead. He looked at the girl who was standing next to Zack, then realized who she was. The Cetra! The girl he had killed. She looked at home with flowers, a part of Sephiroth's mind noted. Pink dress and all. He realized he was staring, and looked at Zack. He was smiling.

"Sephiroth, this is Aeris. You have met her before, but I don't think you knew her name."

Sephiroth nodded, not knowing what to say. Aeris looked at him knowingly, and smiled. "Zack told me all about you."

He nodded. Sephiroth turned to Zack. "So this is your girlfriend. I have to admit, she is pretty."

They both blushed. "Actually..." Zack cleared his throat. "It's not really like that... since we are dead."

Sephiroth said nothing. He had forgotten that some people could have been happy alive. But for him, being dead was a relief.

Aeris touched his arm, startling Sephiroth out of his dark thoughts. "I forgive you," she said gently. "It wasn't your fault."

He shook his head. "I gave into her. I do not deserve your forgiveness."

Zack was serious. "You did not know what you were getting into. Jenova got into your head slowly; you did not know until it was to late. She made you go insane. You cannot say it is your fault."

Sephiroth sighed. "Whether I was insane or not, Zack, their blood is still on my hands."

"Fine," Zack said, shrugging it off. "Have it your way. There are some people that want to see you. Come on." He turned and started walking down the path to the white cottage. Aeris looked at Sephiroth and smiled. "Let's go," she said softly. The ex-SOLDIER hesitated, then started off after Zack, Aeris following him.

A/N:

So, this chapter has the promised non-angst stuff I said it would have. I hope you enjoyed it. And if you are reading this, please review!