Story Title: After the Rain
Rating: K
Genre: Romance and Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fanfiction.
A/N: Would you all kill me if I told you there are only two more chapters left after this one? That's right, it's nearing the end. I wonder what will happen? Hmm… grins Um, on happier news, this is one of my longer chapters. Enjoy.

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Chapter 18
Puddles can't be avoided

Cloud awoke to another rainy day by a repetitive beeping sound. The first thing he felt other than the warmth of his blankets was the smooth surface of his cell phone. He was holding it in his hands, and it was flipped open. It seemed he had fallen asleep while staring at the picture that was anonymously sent to him. The cell phone batteries were nearly dead, which was the source of the irritating beeps. It wasn't going to be much use if Cloud didn't charge it, so he plugged in the necessary cords and placed it on his dresser. Once he took a good stretch, he got up to wash his face. Though he had no work that day, he decided to head over to Cid's bar. Cloud put on some warm clothes before he left his cell phone to charge by itself.

The streets seemed less busy than usual. Or was it just that Cloud was finally paying attention to his surroundings? Regardless, when Cloud studied what was around him, he felt a brief sense of relief.

Is this how it feels… to move on? Cloud felt a singe of pain for feeling that way. In a daze, he continued on until he reached the bar. He pushed the doors open with ease and took a seat in the corner. Shera noticed him walking in, and hurried over to him.

"You okay?" she asked, smiling as usual.

"I'm fine." Cloud sighed. "I just needed… some comfort."

"Well, you can stay for as long as you want."

"Thanks."

"Anything to drink?"

"The usual would be good."

"Coming right up."

Shera quickly retrieved hot chocolate for Cloud and left him alone in his little corner. He sipped his drink quietly. The bar was awfully quiet—Cid must've gone out somewhere. Cloud lamented that he didn't bring along his cell phone. But all was done, so he continued wasting his unwanted time in the bar. Shera would come over to at times for a light talk, but then she would disappear again to the needs of her customers.

Though in the company of others, when he stopped the sound of everything else he could hear the rain pounding against the glass.

What am I doing here? Cloud wondered. I'm not supposed to be here…

"Hey, Cloud!" came Cid's voice.

Cloud looked up to see Cid walking towards him. "Someone's looking for you outside."

"Who?"

"See for yourself. Just don't give yourself a heart attack."

Cloud stood up and looked outside through the glass windows in search for a familiar face—assuming it was someone he knew, that is. However, he didn't have to look long before he found who was searching for him. He felt his heart thump loudly as he headed outside. Though it was raining, he could faintly smell the familiar scent that he loved so much.

Tifa… How Cloud wished he could have said it aloud.

"Have you been well, Cloud?" Tifa asked, emotionless. She was holding a red umbrella with both hands. She looked as if she were protecting herself.

Cloud turned away and rubbed his neck, unsure of how to answer her.

"…I'm sorry for visiting so suddenly."

"Th-that's not what I'm worried about." Cloud said quickly.

"I'm not here… to talk about anything."

Cloud looked at her, an unexplainable pain filled him. "Then why…?"

"…To see you."

"O-oh…" Cloud didn't know if he was supposed to feel happy, relieved, or… anything else. He had some mixed feelings at the moment. They stood there for a moment, then Tifa approached him. She stopped in front of him, and held the umbrella up over his head, also sheltering him from the rain.

"You're going to catch a cold if you don't dry off." She said quietly.

Cloud chuckled sadly. "You're worried about that at a time like this?"

Tifa appeared to be blushing, but it was hard to tell since she was looking down. "Things… haven't changed then, have they?"

"…Guess not."

---

They walked together to Cloud's apartment. When Cloud unlocked the door to his room, he invited Tifa to make herself comfortable while he went to get himself changed and dried up. She sat in the living room, looking around at Cloud's rather bland apartment. In the corner of the room, she noticed his suitcase was unzipped and laid out on the floor as if he was just packing. It seemed… he never knew how to make up his mind.

"Sorry for the wait." Cloud emerged from his bedroom looking dried and tidy. His hair of course was still a bit wet. He walked into the kitchen asking, "Want anything to drink?"

"Sure."

Cloud prepared the drinks and served it them. Tifa stared into her mug, then asked, "You seem to like hot chocolate."

"Oh," Cloud scratched his head. "Drinking it helps calm me down. I've done it so much that it's become natural to me."

"I see." Tifa sipped her cup. "By the way…"

"Hmm?"

Tifa's eyes drifted towards the coat hanger in the living room. Hanging on one of the hangers was the black scarf Tifa had given Cloud months earlier. Tifa set her mug down. "I didn't think… you'd still have it."

"Of course I'd still have it."

"Not that it's just… I meant that I didn't think you'd have it out in the open like that."

"Well, I always put it there that way I don't have to go through the trouble of trying to find it. Besides, you were the one who gave it to me after all, so…" Cloud's voice trailed off. It was nice being able to talk to Tifa in person again, but it was still a bit uncomfortable to talk about past events. She caught on, and changed the subject. "You've been living here this whole time?"

"Yeah. It's not much, but it's comfortable."

"Mm." She took a look around again. There was an urge in her to suggest how to dress up the place, but she kept it in and said nothing. It wasn't her place to say such things. At least, that's how she felt about it now. "Is it okay if…you show me around town?"

"U-um, sure." Cloud was surprised that she'd ask him that. "As long as you don't mind having to walk in the rain."

"Of course not."

They pulled on their coats and umbrellas before braving the rain again. They each brought their own umbrellas. Though this wasn't the first time they each had their own umbrellas, at a time like this Cloud realized the distance that had grown between them when he saw her walking in the rain with no one by her side to hold the umbrella for her. Pushing the thought from his mind, he led the way around the neighborhood showing her various bargain shops, candy shops and even toy stores. Whenever they would begin to feel comfortable within the other's presence, a moment later they would remember the awkwardness from before and they'd keep their distance.

It was probably a way of protecting one another's feelings.

"It's getting pretty dark." Cloud said looking at the sky.

"You're right." Tifa did the same. "What do we do?"

"Let's head to my work place." Cloud suggested.

They made a few turns here and there and soon came upon Cid's bar. It was already empty, so Cloud guessed Cid closed up early. Tifa peeked through. "There's no one inside."

"They're probably in the back." Cloud pushed the doors open.

"Is it okay to just drop in like this?"

"Sure. I do it all the time."

They both walked into the quiet bar. It didn't seem like there was anyone around. Cloud said, "I'm going to check the back. Wait here." Though he felt uneasy about leaving her alone, she simply smiled and said she'd wait for him at the counter. Checking the kitchen, Cloud saw Shera washing the dishes. When she noticed Cloud coming in, her eyes widened. "This is a surprise. I thought you wouldn't come back."

"Huh?" Cloud was confused.

"Cid told me that this pretty lady came to see you." Shera smiled. "I thought you'd be too busy spending time with her to come back."

"Oh." Cloud blushed. "I-it's not what it seems."

"Is it?" Shera wiped her wet hands with a dry towel. "Maybe I should meet this girl for myself?"

"Um… I'd rather you not…" Cloud tried not to sound too impolite.

Shera laughed. "I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but Cid's already out there."

"W-what?" Cloud was about ready to jump out the door. He didn't want Cid exaggerating his complaints to Tifa. That was the worst thing he could do! However, Shera calmed him with her soothing voice.

"Cloud, instead of bursting in and making a scene," she said. "Why not stand on the side lines and hear what they say?"

Cloud squinted at her suspiciously. "You mean eavesdrop?"

"Exactly."

"I didn't know you were such a devil woman."

"Everyone has their moment." Shera said with a bright smile. Cloud laughed and decided to take her suggestion. But before he sneaked out, he noticed Shera made no move to follow.

"Not going to join in?" he asked.

Shera shook her head saying, "This is a problem between you kids. Go on."

Quietly, Cloud slipped open ajar the door that led to the bar. Peeking through the slight crack, he could see Cid sitting on his stool talking to Tifa. As usual on nights like this, he was sitting in his dark little corner so that his face was obscured in the shadows. Focusing his attention solely on them, Cloud listened intently on their conversation.

"…So," started Cid. "You're the famous girl that I've been hearing about from Cloud."

"Cloud's told you about me?" Tifa sounded surprised.

"Yup. He never mentioned your name once, but he did give millions of hints that he had his heart stolen."

"Ah… did he?" Tifa giggled. "I'm not sure if that's the case, but he surely must've been quite homesick."

"Anyway, I didn't get to introduce myself yet. I'm Cid Highwind, owner of this bar."

"My name is Tifa Lockheart. It's a pleasure to meet you." Tifa bowed her head politely. "And thank you… for always taking care of Cloud."

"Mm." Cid stroked his chin. "You're a good person."

"Thank you. But I don't think I should accept your compliment."

"Why not?"

"I'm sure… that during the time when Cloud was supposed to come back home for one week, he only stayed for one night… and left the next day."

"Oh, that." Cid grunted. "I don't know what happened, but that kid's hopeless."

"The day he left… I said some awful things to him."

Cloud stared at her sad face through the gap of the slightly opened door. Her hands were clasped in her lap and she was staring at the counter.

"I felt so horrible… I just wanted to tell him that there was nothing to worry about. But I couldn't even say that… and suddenly after he left, I was told that he went back."

"Then why waste time on him?" Cid asked rather bluntly. His voice was emotionless and cold. It was hard to tell how he was feeling.

"Spending time with him is not a waste." Tifa said firmly. "Please, don't say that."

A warm feeling rose in Cloud's chest. Hearing her defend him like that was rather… pleasant.

"Just wondering what it was that you saw in someone like him." Cid stood up from his stool. For a moment, Cloud thought he saw Cid's gaze fall upon him, but a second later he was looking elsewhere. "Are you leaving soon?"

"Yes, I'm actually supposed to be leaving now."

Cloud burst into the room in a frantic yelling, "Your train's leaving now?"

Tifa stared at him, blinking. "Where were you all this time?"

"Uh, um…" Cloud felt his face rush with red. He pointed towards the kitchen. "I was… in the back…"

"Oh, really?" Tifa smiled. "Then there's nothing to worry about."

She grabbed her bags and belongings. "It was nice talking to you, Cid."

"Mm." Cid scratched his head. "Before you leave, make sure to teach Cloud some manners."

"Eh?" Tifa looked at Cid to Cloud, wondering if there was something she missed.

"Ah, it's nothing." Cloud said quickly. "I'll go with you to the train station."

"Is that all right?"

"Of course."

"Well then," Tifa turned to Cid. "Goodbye."

Cid watched the two walk out of the bar together. As if from nowhere, Shera appeared at his side smiling. "What do you think?"

"That Tifa, she knows what she talks about. She'll be good to him."

"Cloud is a bit stubborn when it comes to his feelings, isn't he?"

"Heh," Cid chuckled. "Kids."

---

Cloud and Tifa took a taxi to the station. When they arrived, the sky was thick with darkness. However, a full moon penetrated the darkness along with the streetlights that lit up every night. Cloud escorted Tifa inside and waited with her. He felt his inside gouge and feel light, in a way that he couldn't stand it. Was this how she felt the day he left? He didn't know, and didn't want to ask. As expected, Tifa's train soon made its stop.

"I guess… I'll be going now." All she brought along with her was her purse and a bento box. She obviously had no plans to stay any longer than needed.

"Tifa…" Cloud said her name softly so only she could hear.

"What is it?" she looked up at him curiously.

"I…" I missed you so much. Don't go. But the words wouldn't slip out.

"Cloud," Tifa unexpectedly raised a warm hand to the side of his face. "I have to go now."

"But…"

"Cloud, please." Her eyes were sad and lonely, as was her voice. "Please bear with it… if we want to make it work."

Cloud stared at her. A sad smile crossed Tifa's face. "You said that to me once, didn't you?"

I did. Cloud thought. He felt Tifa's warm hand leave his face, and he watched as she walked away into her train. Before the doors closed, she smiled reassuringly at him—then the doors closed. As the train moved away, he saw her lips moving.

"Good-bye."