Sorry it's been a while since I first posted this story. I lost it for a long while and finally found it and got around to posting the rest of it. Anyway, enjoy the rest of the story.

Chapter 3: The Fateful Day

Cloud awoke to the loud buzzer of his alarm clock. As he reached over to shut it off his eyes fell on the calendar near his bed. When he realized what day it was he got dressed and headed down stairs.

"Tifa did you know today was Memorial Day?" asked Cloud.

"It is really? Then you should go visit Aeris's grave today and pay your respects." replied Tifa.

"That is exactly what I was going to do. Why don't you come with me?" asked Cloud.

"If you can find someone to watch the kids then I will gladly come." Tifa told Cloud.

About an hour later Yuffie had agreed to watch the kids and Cloud and Tifa were on the Highwind heading to the City of the Ancients. About half way there Cid suggested they land and have lunch on the ship. As they were eating they heard a loud noise outside which everyone quickly went to investigate. When they reached the hatch the quickly climbed to the ground and ran to where the noise was coming from. What they saw completely surprised them.

A giant bird like creature was hovering over the ground not far from the ship. It was a massive bird with black feathers, huge powerful wings and gigantic talons. It began flying towards the Highwind and started attacking it. Seconds later everyone was fighting the huge birdlike creature.

The battle seemed to be going well until towards the end the creature, badly wounded and desperate, flew towards the party, talons outstretched, and grabbed Tifa before anyone could react. The beast began to fly away with her but quickly lost strength due to the wounds the party had inflicted on it and its grip on Tifa gradually weakened until she slipped out and fell over 100 feet to the ground below.

The bird escaped as everyone ran over to help Tifa.

"It looks like she's hurt pretty bad." remarked Cid.

"Well then don't just sit there, go get the ship's doctor out here right now!" yelled Cloud with a frantic tone in his voice.

Without another word Cid left and quickly returned with the doctor who immediately asked everyone except Cloud to back away and give her some air.
After a few minutes of checking her over the doctor knew what had happened to Tifa. He slowly got up and with a very somber look on his face asked everyone except Cloud to leave immediately.

When everyone had left he turned to Cloud and said "I don't think she has much longer. She took quite a nasty fall and has massive internal injuries. There isn't much I can do for her now."

With that he turned and walked slowly away.Cloud bent over and gently picked her up and held her in his arms. Her breathing was extremely labored as she tried to speak.

"Cloud, I want you to take care of the kids when I am gone. You will need to be twice the father you have been. I know you can do it." It was apparent that it was getting harder and harder for her to breathe as she spoke again "You are the kindest man I have ever known and I want you to know that I love you very much. Always remember that wherever you are I will be with you in your heart... I love you."

With those parting words her eyes closed, her body went limp and Cloud knew that she was gone. It took a moment for Cloud to process what had just happened but when he did he broke down and just sat out there sobbing for a while.

The next day they had a lovely funeral service and she was buried in Nebielhim cemetery and a huge, beautiful tombstone was erected over her grave. After everyone had left Cloud stayed behind and stood standing there looking at her grave.

He thought to himself "What am I going to do now? The two women I loved more than anything in the world have been taken from me. I am alone again." As he stood there wondering what to do next it started to rain, but he didn't notice.