Story Title: After the Rain
Rating: K
Genre: Romance and Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fanfiction.
A/N: I know… this chapter took a bit long to finally be uploaded. I won't give any excuses though!

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Chapter 5
Even days of despair

Cloud got up early to prepare himself for visiting the grave of Tifa's mother. He had called Tifa the night before to ask if it was all right for him to go along, and she replied that she would be happy if he went. Cloud dressed in black, the color of mourning. When he went downstairs, his mother was already waiting for him and together they headed for the gravesite. Tifa and her father had already left earlier that morning. They needed a moment with just the family.

It was about 8 o'clock when Cloud and his mother arrived. Tifa and her father were beside the grave, waiting patiently. When Tifa saw Cloud, she smiled. But it was no ordinary smile. It was an empty one. She and her father greeted them. For a moment Cloud's mother and Tifa's father talked amongst themselves about their memories of Mr. Lockheart's passing wife. Even Tifa chimed in at times to reminisce about the good times and the bad. Cloud had nothing to talk of. He had never met Tifa's mother. He didn't know much about her either, but during the few times he saw her with Tifa when they were young, her mother seemed so kind and gentle. Once when she made eye contact with Cloud, she smiled warmly much like Tifa has done now.

"I'm glad you both came today." Said Mr.Lockheart, holding back his tears. "I'm sure my wife's happy too."

"Of course." Said Cloud's mother. "I wouldn't pass up this opportunity for anything."

They stayed there for about two hours, just talking. Cloud didn't have much to say, but he didn't mind. It was nice hearing them talk about things that weren't so depressing. And he was able to learn more about Tifa's mother. She was a lot like Tifa from what he heard; or rather Tifa was a lot like her mother. He wondered what things would be like if her mother hadn't passed away. Maybe Tifa would smile more often—happily. When their stomachs began to growl from hunger, Mr. Lockheart decided they should find some place to eat. However, Tifa stayed put.

"…I want to stay here a little longer." She said. Her father gave her a sad look and sighed. "You just be sure to eat something." Tifa nodded. Cloud's mother looked at him, for he hadn't moved either. He told her, "I'm going to stay with Tifa."

The adults left with somber faces. Cloud knelt down beside Tifa who was staring intently at her mother's gravestone. Around the grave were freshly picked flowers that lay beside it, giving it a much lighter feel. Tifa ran her fingers over her mother's name that was inscribed into the smooth stone. She wasn't crying, but she looked about ready to.

"I never thought… once in my life, that my mom wouldn't be here." Said Tifa after a moment's silence. "I believe that she's still with me, but… it's hard to believe when I can't feel her." Tifa drew her fingers away from the stone and enclosed them in her hand. "…It's hard."

Cloud placed a gentle hand on her shoulder for comfort. She placed her hand on his, and they quietly took in the silence's serenity. Cloud listened to her talk about her mom the entire time. He'd nod every now and then to what she'd say, and express his opinion when she'd ask. It was the first time he saw her talk so much. She had many things to say. In a way, it seemed like she was pouring out everything she felt to him. They stayed there for a long time. Cloud insisted that Tifa get something to eat, she appeared rather frail and he knew she was hungry. Of course he was rather hungry himself but at the moment he didn't notice. Tifa was reluctant to go, but she eventually gave in. They went to a nearby sandwich shop and bought two sandwiches for each.

"How's the sandwich?" Cloud asked Tifa.

"It's good." She replied, taking another bite out of the sandwich.

A couple of customers (and workers) stared at Tifa and Cloud. They were the only ones in black, so they stood out quite easily. No one paid them any mind though. It wasn't unusual for a strange pair to walk in the store every once in a while. After staying there for about thirty minutes, they returned to the gravesite to wait for their parents. Cloud's cell phone rang a couple minutes later. It was his mom.

"Cloud, how long are you going to stay there before coming home?" his mother asked. She didn't sound upset—just worried.

"I'll be staying as long as Tifa is." He said. Tifa looked up at the sound of her name.

"All right but… don't stay out there too long."

"Is that your mother?" Tifa asked. Even though Cloud could hear his mother talking to him on the other end of the phone, all he heard now at the moment was Tifa. She gave him a sad smile. "You should go home. You don't want to worry your mother." The way she said 'mother' troubled Cloud. She didn't have a mother—but Cloud still did.

"But…" started Cloud. Tifa shook her head and said, "I'll be fine. Go home."

He felt his heart drop, but he gave in and told his mother he'd be going home. After bidding goodbye to Tifa he walked home. He hoped Tifa would be okay by herself. On the way home, he made sure to call her father to let him know that Tifa would be alone for a while. He thanked Cloud, and they hung up.

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Later that night, Cloud received an urgent phone call. It was Tifa's father.

"Cloud, has Tifa called?" he sounded panicked.

"N-no, she hasn't." Cloud's heart immediately beat harder. "Has something happened?"

"Tifa hasn't come home yet!"

Those words cut through Cloud like a knife. He felt time stop, but pulled himself together and asked, "Has she called you at all during the past few hours?"

"Yes. She told me she'd be home soon, but she's still not here!"

Cloud looked outside the window. It was already dark and looked deathly freezing outside. Cloud felt his mind racing uncontrollably. "I'll go look for her." He handed the phone to his mother who tried to console Mr. Lockheart, and instantly ran outside in search of Tifa. He searched what seemed to be everywhere. The side street they used to walk through during their childhood, their school, around the neighborhood, any place he felt lingered the memory of Tifa. She was nowhere to be found. Then he realized that he had forgotten the most obvious place: The last place he saw her at.

His exerted feet pounded the ground as he ran with the last of his strength to reach Tifa. The sky threatened of rain, but rain did not come. In the distance he could see Tifa resting her back against the tombstone of her mother. When she saw Cloud running towards her she smiled. It was an empty smile.

"What are you still doing here?" Cloud demanded, falling down beside her tiredly.

"…I wanted to stay here a little bit longer." She said, tonelessly.

"Do you know how much you've worried your father?"

"I'm sorry…"

"You need to go home."

"…That's what I've been telling myself these past few hours… but I can't… I don't want to leave mom all alone."

Cloud stared at her, still panting exhaustedly. Then he said, "…You're mother's worried too." Tifa looked up at him, her eyes betrayed her pain. "If you stay here, your mom is going to hurt more than she already is."

"Mom…" Tifa whispered.

"What about your dad? He's worried too!"

"…Dad…"

Cloud held Tifa's chin up so she was looking at him, and he whispered so that only she could hear, "You don't want to worry your dad." Tifa didn't look away, nor did she blink. His words touched her deeply, and when she shut her eyes tears poured out. Cloud had no father, but she did. They both had experienced something the other hadn't, and Cloud made her realize that. She covered her face as she cried, and Cloud held her. As she wept silently, Cloud pulled out his cell phone to tell her father he had found her. Urging her gently, Cloud helped Tifa up and they walked home together hand in hand. Not much occurred to Cloud when they held hands, but he felt a sense of responsibility… and warmth.

Tifa's father was a bit upset, but he was practically in tears. He cried and apologized for not being able to be a better father. Tifa hugged him and said, "You're the best father anyone could ever want." Cloud smiled. It was nice to see them together again and that Tifa was safe. He watched Tifa and her father, smiling and crying for each other, then he turned to leave. But Tifa called him, "Cloud!"

He turned around, and she threw a familiar black piece of cloth to him. He stared at it before realizing what it was. It was the scarf she had given to him a couple of days back. He stared at her, speechless. She smiled. "I think the scarf suits you more than it does me."