Story Title: After the Rain
Rating: K
Genre: Romance and Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fanfiction.
A/N: This chapter will take place from Tifa's point of view. It builds up suspense! This is the chapter I've wanted to write the most since the story started, so I'm surprised that I've gotten so far. I was also a bit reluctant on using those three-little-words… On another note, I've made a video just for this story. You can get the link to it in my profile. Thank you all. Only one more chapter left after this one!

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Chapter 19
But the clouds are drifting

Tifa found herself spacing out in her thoughts. Before she had departed from Cloud, he looked so desperate, so sad. That look of longing in his face haunted her. He looked as if there were something he wanted to say, but the words didn't come out at all. When she boarded the train and watched as he grew smaller and smaller in the distance, she truly did feel her heart break. And by the look on Cloud's face, his was breaking too.

"…Tifa?" Aerith's voice awoke Tifa from her drowning thoughts. "Are you okay?"

Tifa nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."

The two girls were sitting in what looked like an empty bar. The colors of the counter and tables were a rich brown and the furnishing looked quite comfortable. Tifa sighed, though not depressingly. Aerith gave her an understanding look and decided to change the topic to a brighter mood.

"I can't believe you finally bought the place." Aerith said, glancing around.

"Yeah, it was all worth it." Tifa slid her hand across the table's smooth surface.

"How long will it take before you finally open up?"

"Once I get organized."

"Hmm. Gonna take a while?"

"Maybe."

"Have you thought of a name yet?"

Tifa chuckled. "Still undecided."

At that moment, Zack walked in. The bells on the door chimed quietly as it closed. Zack smiled and automatically sat down beside Aerith. They exchanged a quick glance of acknowledgement before Zack asked Tifa, "Everything okay?"

"Mm. Fine."

"Well then, want to come with me and Aerith? We're going to find someplace to eat."

"Ah, no. That's all right."

"Huh? Well, okay." Without protesting, Zack stood from the table with Aerith beside him. Lately he was being more cooperative than ever. Perhaps he was growing up a little, or maybe this was just his inner character taking over to cover up how depressed he was really feeling. "We'll see you later then."

Tifa smiled and waved as they walked out of the store together. Though her heart was so full of other things, she hoped that Aerith would settle her issues with Zack soon. The thought was shaken off her mind when she decided to make herself a warm drink. In the kitchen were already a few ingredients she had bought. They hadn't been opened yet because she wanted them to be served fresh when her bar opened. However, there was already a bag that had been opened the day earlier.

She wondered what she should prepare for herself. Coffee… or hot chocolate?

"…Guess I'm not feeling up for a drink anymore." She mumbled, placing the bags and cups away. She walked home, her umbrella tucked under her arm. It looked as if it were going to rain any moment so she had come prepared. However when she arrived home there hadn't been a single drop of rain at all. Perhaps the weather was just waiting for the right moment.

"I'm back." She said as she walked in through the front door. No reply. Her father must've gone out. The house was rather still and lifeless as she walked up the stairs to her room. At least when there was silence, she could concentrate. But at the moment she would've done anything to break it. Beside her bed was her clock. It read: 9:42 PM. She sat down on the floor, leaning her back against her soft bed. Just as she closed her eyes to drift away, the house phone rang loudly. She jumped, startled, and reached over to answer.

"Hello?" she said. Through the phone she could hear the sound of rain. From where she was sitting, she could see rain pounding against the window. It had started to rain.

"Ah… Tifa?"

For a moment, time stood still. "Cloud?"

Silence. Then, "Yeah… it's me."

He sounded so forlorn. Anyone would of course, but it hurt Tifa.

"Are you all right?"

"…No." he answered. "I never will be."

"Don't say that…" Tifa didn't know if she was lying to herself or to Cloud. Either way, it was hurting them both.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry for everything." Cloud lamented.

"All you ever do is apologize." Tifa said softly. "…Please let me apologize this time."

"But… you didn't do anything."

"And that's exactly why I need to apologize." Tifa paused. "I… wish you were here. So that I can apologize the right way."

"…I am here."

Tifa frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Cloud's sad voice repeated, "Tifa, I'm here."

The sound of rain she had heard throughout the entire conversation grew louder. She jumped up and ran to the window. There in the cold rain stood Cloud looking up at her with that sad look of his. In his hand was his cell phone that was pressed to his ear. They stared at one another during a moment that seemed to take an eternity. Tifa felt the phone slip from her fingers. Her mind in a blank, she darted outside. She could barley feel the cold as she opened the front door. The rain poured down on her, but that didn't matter. She just wanted to reach Cloud, to scream at him, to comfort him, to love him.

"Cloud…!" she ran into his arms. Despite the rain, it felt so warm. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry for everything!" She cried her heart out, apologizing for all that happened. But Cloud simply held her close to him, firmly but gently. His face was so wet with rain that Tifa couldn't tell if he was crying or not. If he wasn't, then she'll cry for him. He was, they were crying together.

"Tifa," Cloud said her name softly. "…Did you know I miss you?"

Eyes closed, Tifa listened intently. The rain seemed to have muted, and all she heard was Cloud's warm voice.

"Oh god, I missed you."

"Me too… I missed you too!"

Cloud held her face with his hands and whispered, "Tifa… I love you."

He drew closer until their lips met. It was their moment of bliss. How long they both have waited for this. If they had told each other their true feelings from the beginning… what events would have turned out different? Regardless, Tifa was happy. She was with Cloud now… her 7th heaven.