Author's Note: PLEASE READ! So after three-ish year of rewriting this fanfic I have accomplished absolutely nothing. The universe was preventing me from doing anything to. Half-way through the first rewrite I had a major hard-drive crash and lost EVERYTHING. Seven in-progress fanfics and two completed ones ready to be edited. So what did I do? I took a three month hiatus and started again. Shortly after my beta dropped off of the face of the planet. But I continued on. Then my mother was put in the hospital. And since her computer is a desktop, she got use to my laptop. So no computer for the next three months. Once I got it back, I had no motivation. So I took another hiatus and started AGAIN. Lost motivation due to lots of work hours. Lifegaurding kills. Anyways, occassionally I would pick-up again and try to finish it, but I never even got to half-way. So I booted up or ancient computer, grabbed the original, and I am now posting it.

Not many things have changed. It's still largely in it's original form from when I wrote it in seventh grade. Though the Gongaga/Nibelheim mix-up was fixed. And a total of three chapters have been completely cut-out, including the two featuring Nanaki and the pack of lion-dogs he lived with. They simply weren't relevant to the story. Maybe I'll use them later, in a future project or something. I also changed a few plot details so the story was more understandable.

So! Now to the real point.....

WARNING: This fanfic may contain spelling errors and missing words. Plot may be confusing. If you are used to eloquent writing turn back now. This was my first multi-chapter fanfic from SEVENTH GRADE. I.E. three years ago. Chapters are short and character are slightly OOC. Also contains yaoi.

I'll be updating this weekly or something like that. The reason this story is up is because it is kind of like a firstborn child to me. They cause you lots of stress and trouble, but they hold a special place in your heart. So if you're having a bad day, feel free to flame about the half-ass writing. I don't mind. Really I don't. In fact, I'll join. Now, I'd say enjoy the story but...eh...

Oh yeah, and I don't own Finaly Fantasy. So don't sue me. All copyright infringement was unintentional and done by some else. I swear. I mean, I didn't even know FF7 existed. Final Fantasy? Psssh. What's that?

Chapter One

"The mysterious abyss tis the Gift of the Goddess. In pursuit of this gift we take flight. Within the heart's water surface a hopeless wander will flow. Like ripples to waves come forth the dreams below."

For most people is Midgar, it was just another ordinary day. But for him, it was almost the worst day of the year. It was a few years back – tomorrow would be the exact day – when his best friend died to save him. No, it was not a good day at all.
Not a good day at all.

Cloud Strife sighed as he parked his motorcycle in front of the Seventh Heaven tavern, where his friend Tifa worked. The sign in the window said it was closed, but he knew better. Even outside, with his motorcycle still rumbling, he could hear the chaotic noises and shouts coming from inside. The blonde looked up to the sky, where an almost-full-moon shone in the black sky, surrounded by twinkling stars. Shaking his head, Cloud turned his bike off made his way toward the tavern, secretly glad to be back. Once he opened the door, however, he began to wish he was still on his delivery.
"Tifa! Denzel hit me!"
"No I didn't! You started it, Marlene!"
"Nuh-uh."
"Uh-huh."
"Nuh-uh!" Marlene, one of the two children that lived with Tifa pouted and ran over to the two Turks playing some kind of card game with each other. "Reno, you saw him hit me, didn't you?"
The red haired Turk looked up, confused. "Hm? Oh, uh, yeah sure."
Rude, his dark-skinned partner, cocked an eyebrow, giving Reno a funny look from behind his shades. "Do you even know what she asked?"
Reno shook his head. "Nope. Got any fours, yo?"
"No. Go fish." Rude chuckled as Marlene punched Reno on the shoulder.
"Hey, Marlene!" Reno cried.
"You never pay attention!" The girl insisted. "Vincent, you saw Denzel hit me!"
"Yes, but, then again, you called him a 'stupid idiotic bush-headed moogle of a person.' I think that you should both apologize." Vincent said as-a-matter-of-factly, playing with his new phone. "Damnit, Cid, I don't understand this thing."
Cid shook his head and pointed to a red button on the phone. "The 'on' button is right there."
"…….Oh. Right." He muttered.
"Marlene, Denzel, listen ta Vincent, a-ight?" Barret said, taking a sip of his drink.
"I'm sorry I hit you, Marlene." Denzel said.
"I'm sorry I insulted you, Denzel." Marlene mumbled.
"See? Now it's all better, lads and lassies." Cait Sith remarked cheerfully. Nanaki, sleeping next to the stool where Yuffie sat, turned over on his back. Yuffie bent down and scratched his stomach. His tail began to wag and he made a purring noise, forcing a giggle out of Tifa.
"He's just like a puppy, don't you think?" Tifa asked, cleaning some glasses.
"Or a kitten." Yuffie suggested, giggling as well.
"Or both." Tifa added. At this, Nanaki woke up and growled at the two. About to say something rude, he caught site of Cloud, who was leaning on the door, looking at his friends.
"Cloud! You're back! When did you get here?" The lion-dog stood up and trotted over to him, wagging his flaming tail. Cloud patted Red's shoulder and scratched behind his ears.
"Just now, actually." He said quietly.
"Cloud!" Denzel and Marlene cried. They ran over to Cloud and hugged him fiercely. The group all stopped what they were doing to say hello to him.
"How'd the delivery go?" Tifa asked.
"Fine." Cloud replied, taking a seat at the bar next to Yuffie.
"Any monsters?" Marlene asked, worried.
"No, no monsters."
"How about bad guys?" Denzel tugged on his arm, trying to get his attention.
"Except for some person who cut me off at an intersection, no, no bad guys."
"What a foo! How ya been, Spiky?" Barret asked loudly.
Cloud hesitated for a split second before answering, "Fine."
"That's good." Reno said. "Damn! I lost again!"
Tifa shot a look Vincent, who merely nodded. Though no of the others had noticed Cloud's pause, it hadn't escaped the sharp ears of the vampire and the bar keeper.
Rude shrugged. "Care to play again?"
"Naw. We should go before Tseng calls and starts yelling at us, yo." Reno stood up and was picking up the cards when his phone rang.
"Too late fer that." Cid noted, laughing. Reno groaned and started toward the door with Rude following him.
"See you all tomorrow. Nice to see ya, Cloud. Take care, yo." The Turks left, slamming the door behind them.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't you two be in bed?" Barret asked. Marlene and Denzel grinned and ran upstairs before Tifa could scold them.
"We should probably be going as well." Vincent remarked, still fiddling with his phone.
"Finally bought a new phone? Put my number in." Cloud said, a smile slowly creeping over his solemn and weary face.
"Don't worry, he will. Once he figures out how, that is." Yuffie giggled. Vincent glared at the ninja, but said nothing.
"We'll be leaving, then. Are you off work tomorrow?" Red asked, licking his paw.
"Yeah. I'm taking the day off."
"Tha's a change, isn't it laddie?" Cait said, slightly confused. Cloud shrugged, the small smile leaving his face.
"G'nigh, Cloud." Cid said, standing up. Soon Nanaki, Cait, Yuffie, and Vincent were following Cid out the door, saying their goodbyes. After they left Tifa sat next to Cloud, staring at him.
"What's the matter?'
"Nothing."
"Then why are you taking the day off tomorrow?"
"Because,"
"Because why?"
Cloud opened his mouth to reply, but turned away instead. Tifa sighed. She thought Cloud had overcome his social problems after their fight with Kadaj's gang, a year or two back. Even their battle with Deepground had seemed to help. "Get some sleep, Cloud."
"Don't you need any help cleaning up?"
"No, I'm almost done. Besides, the tavern was pretty quiet today."
"Alright." Cloud made his way to the stairs and slowly began to walk up to the second floor.
"And Cloud?"
"Hm?" Cloud stopped and looked back at Tifa.
"Goodnight," Tifa sighed when Cloud started up again. Maybe it was the wind, or maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her, but she could have sworn that she heard Cloud's reply.
"There's nothing good about it."

"My wish for tomorrow shall shatter my soul. For the price of my pride. Flight is no more for my wing has shattered."

Chapter One
END

A/N: Hooray! You survived the first chapter! Congrats! You get a cookie and free health care! If you survive the next twenty, I'll rig the next elections and make you president of the USA! Feel free to leave comments and whatnot. Or flame if you're not feeling well. I encourage it. Uh, I think this is the shortest chapter though. The next one is like.....twice as long.

And I warned you about OOC. So don't badger me about it. It's not like I'm going to change anything. I have better fanfics actually worth my time to work on. Like one with kinky barn smex in the hay. *coughcough* I mean....uh....Yeah I mean kinky barn smex in the hay. What? You were thinking it too!