Story Title: After the Rain
Rating: K
Genre: Romance and Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fanfiction.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I've really been lagging, and I apologize. This chapter was a bit difficult to write. I hope you enjoy it.

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Chapter 7
I felt a little lonely, I cried

Three weeks had passed since the hiking trip. In everyone's muscles they still felt a bit sore and aching it left on them the day after. However, to Cloud it felt better than anything. Two more months and tests and exams would be upon them. He had to prepare for it, even if it seemed he had unlimited time. He only wanted to spend that time with Tifa. As he sat at his desk trying to study, he found his mind wandering off every now and then. He just couldn't focus. After attempting to focus, he gave up and closed his textbooks and placed all his materials away.

He found himself wandering around the park near the school. There was a small playground there where he used to play often when he was little. Now the swings and slides were occupied by new children, each still oblivious to the real world. He watched them with envy. It felt a bit strange to be back after so long. He had tried to avoid going there sometimes, but his yearning always got the better of him. Today was just one of those days when he wanted to relax and get away.

A little girl was swinging on the swing all by herself. Her brown hair was braided back, and a bright pink ribbon held it in place. She seemed to be waiting for someone. Moments later, a boy with reddish brown hair and deep blue eyes appeared. The girl smiled happily as the boy began pushing her on the swing. They were talking to one another, but Cloud was out of earshot. He watched them quietly. Everywhere the girl went, the boy followed. He was like her protector, never taking his eyes off her. Once when she fell, he immediately ran to her side and helped her up. He reminded Cloud a little of himself. He watched the two children play for a while, then he got up and left.

On his way home, he received a phone call on his cell phone. He answered it without even checking who the caller was. "Yes?" Immediately, a voice answered, "Cloud!" It was Aerith. She sounded urgent.

"Cloud, you need to come to the hospital right away!"

"W-what happened?"

"It's Tifa's father! He's had a heart attack!"

It took a moment for those last words to process through Cloud's mind. Aerith relayed to him where the hospital was and he ran there as fast as he could. Though he was out of breath when he arrived, he only searched for Tifa and her father. When he was directed to the room, he entered, his heart still pounding and his lungs yearning for air. Lying on the bed was Tifa's father, apparently sleeping. Tifa sat in a chair beside him. She was holding his hand tightly, tears quietly streamed down her face.

Aerith and Zack, along with Cloud's mother were there too. Cloud looked at them for some kind of explanation, but no one was able to say anything. He walked past them to Tifa's side. She glanced at him, then back at her father. He was breathing quietly.

"How is he?" Cloud finally asked.

"…He's doing fine." Tifa answered, her voice uneasy. "It was only a light attack."

Cloud stared at the face of Tifa's father. The strong, vigorous man who Tifa looked up to all her life now looked so weak and vulnerable. But in some ways, he had also been a father to Cloud too, and it hurt seeing him like this. Tifa refused to leave his side when visiting hours were over. But with special permission, she was allowed to spend the night there. Cloud felt uneasy, but he felt it best if she was alone for a while.

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The next morning, Cloud wasn't sure whether he wanted to go to the hospital or not. Tifa may still want some time to be alone, but he couldn't bear leaving her by herself. Before he made up mind at all, he received another phone call from Aerith.

"Is Tifa with you?" she asked, sounding concerned.

"No, she's not. Why?"

"She's not at the hospital anymore… maybe she went home?"

"…I'll go see her."

"…Thanks."

They hung up and Cloud headed right across the street to Tifa's house. As he thought, the front door wasn't even locked. He walked into the dimly lit house, calling Tifa's name. He found her sitting in the living room on the ground beside the piano. Her legs were pulled up and she dug her face in her thighs. In her hand, Cloud saw her holding a photo. He knelt down beside her.

"Tifa," he said.

She didn't look at him. Cloud placed a hand on her shoulder and said again, "Tifa." She turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were red from crying, her cheeks puffy, her lips wet. It was a heart breaking sight.

"Not dad… not dad too…" she said, quietly. Her voice shook with every word. When she closed her eyes, more tears fell. "I don't want him to be taken too…"

Cloud placed his hands around her face so she would look at him, and he assured, "Your father will be okay. He'll be fine." His words however, didn't seem to get through to her. It was like everything was happening all over again. Except this time, it dealt with her father. If she lost him too, who knows what may happen. Cloud didn't want to think about the possibilities. He didn't want to see her like this again.

"My dad… he's going to be okay, right…?" Tifa asked.

"Yeah… he's going to be fine. He'll be home soon."

"How… are you sure?"

"…Because he's your father."

Her silence assured Cloud that she had a bit of hope left. He held her close, his heart pounding. He wondered if she could hear it, and if her heart was beating along with it.

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Cloud hoped the tears hadn't gone to waste when Tifa's father returned home the next day. He was his usual hearty self when they all ate dinner together (Zack and Aerith too). Tifa was much more cheerful, but her swollen eyes remained for quite a time. It must've been a hard time for her. Of course it would be. Cloud could only imagine how it would feel to be in such a situation. When he thought about it, she went through much more hardship than he has.

When everyone left for home that evening, Tifa's father asked Cloud to stay for quick a talk. Tifa had already gone to bed earlier, so they were alone. He gave Cloud a silent thoughtful look for a moment, then said, "You're a good lad, you know that?"

Cloud gave him a puzzled look. The man laughed and said, "Tifa told me, that the time I was hospitalized you stayed by her side. I thank you for that."

"Y-you're welcome." Cloud didn't know what else to say.

"Sorry to take up your time, but I'm sorry for everything. I made you all worry. Especially Tifa… I feel so ashamed for not being able to apologize to her directly. And to her mother too."

"I'm sure they both already know what you want to say."

"You think so?"

Cloud nodded solemnly. Tifa's father smiled. They bid each other farewell and returned to their homes. When Cloud walked into his dark room, he looked out the window. From across the street, he could see the window to Tifa's room. The light was still on. He waited for a couple of minutes, then she emerged from behind the drapes. She looked at him shyly, then mouthed the words, "Thank you."