Disclaimer: Why do we need this thing anyway? These gorgeous characters are property of Square Enix. Do I need to say more?

Author's Note: I am bored. When does Final Fantasy versus XIII come out?

Side notes: Beta read by THE GENIUS M. L. Ayala

Been revised yet again on June 14, 2013

Theme song: Kuraki Mai – Issen Mankai no Kiss

CHAPTER 3

2:09 PM, Friday, 15 July

Dear Diary,

It has been almost 2 months since Cloud left and he is not yet returned. All of our friends that came to my birthday party last month were asking me where he is. I don't know. I really don't. I thought he was going to show up on that day.

I kept waiting but he never came. His PHS is barely reachable now. Barret and Cid were continuously cursing him for not coming home. But I said he has probably forgotten, like last year.

Last week, Marlene had a fever. I know she was missing Cloud. I miss him too. He had promised me he wouldn't leave us again, but he's breaking that promise. I never blamed him. I blamed myself for making him promise something I knew he couldn't keep.

Marlene and Denzel went to Costa de Sol with Barret yesterday. Shelke and I just want to stay near Midgar Edge in case Cloud comes home.

This morning I went to Aerith's church to see if he was hiding there, but he's not there, either. Whenever I close my eyes, I see him. I miss him so much. We all do. Marlene, Denzel, Shelke and all of the AVALANCHE gang.

No one knows where he is now except Reeve; when he called last night, he said he thought he saw Cloud near Junon. But he said he's probably mistaken.

I wonder if that was really him. I hope it was. Even though he is not coming home, knowing that he is alive somewhere makes me feel relieved and grateful.

Cloud, why did you end our relationship without an explanation? I don't want anyone else. I only want you. Can't you see that?

Tifa put down her diary as she saw Reeve entering the bar.

I hope he's got some news of Cloud's whereabouts.

"Hi Tifa, how are you?" asked Reeve as he hopped onto a bar stool and smiled.

"I'm fine. You want the usual?" Tifa asked while putting her diary at the top of the wine cellar.

"No not today, Tifa. Its quiet here," said Reeve as he fidgeted. "Where are Shelke and Yuffie?"

"They're in the back room. Are you here to see them? I'll go get them." said Tifa while walking to the door connecting to the back room but Reeve extended his arm to stop her.

"No, it's fine Tifa. I came here to talk to you," Reeve said while looking at her.

"What is it? You have news about Cloud?" questioned Tifa, still concerned for the blond swordsmen.

"No, it's not about Cloud. You see I've been thinking, why don't you join us in WRO? At least it keeps you busy," Tifa watched Reeve as he played with his keys.

"You know, Tifa, we have been worried about you," Yuffie said, as she came to sit next to Reeve. Tifa wondered if she had been listening to their conversation from the start. Knowing Yuffie, she probably had been.

"No. I have my bar. It will keep me busy. I'm fine, don't worry about me," Tifa grinned while putting on her best mask.

"Well, if you change your mind, Tifa, just give me a call. I have to go now. See you later," said Reeve as he left. Shelke then sat next to Yuffie, and she looked at Tifa, concerned.

"I'll be fine! Stop worrying about me," Tifa said to them, forcing a wide grin at the ninja girl who looked at her in disbelief.

"Stop worrying about Cloud's whereabouts, Tifa. He's left you twice!" barked Yuffie. "And I don't know why you keep waiting on someone who doesn't even care about you. If he loves you, he won't leave,"

"He's not leaving me, Yuffie. He has something to do. That's all. He'll be back soon. I know,"

"He won't! Shelke say something to her, please!"

"Sister, -"

"I will be fine. Stop worrying about me. It is not like it was the first time he left me so please, just stop!"

Both Yuffie and Shelke were silent. She knew they would stop if she raised her voice. She regretted it, but it was for the best.

"I'm sorry, Yuffie, Shelke." Tifa let an audible sighed. "Please stop worrying about me. I promise that I will be fine,"

"If you say so," Yuffie said tiredly.

The brunette barmaid knew the younger brunette is pissed at her, but she knows she can't blame her. It was her fault after all.

"I need to go for a walk. You both stay here, okay? I will be back in an hour or so."

"I want to go, too. Please, Tifa," said Shelke as she gripped Tifa's hand. Tifa knew Shelke was worried about her.

"No. You will stay here with Yuffie, l will be back soon. I just need to take a walk alone. I need to clear my head. Please Shelke. I hope you understand," Tifa sighed yet again and left Seventh Heaven to go for a walk. She knew where her destination was. She hitched a ride and left Midgar Edge immediately.

Later that evening,

6:45 PM, somewhere between Midgar and Kalm.

Tifa was sitting on top of the hill after watching the sun set. This hill is so precious to her. It held a special memory of her and Cloud.

It was the night that they both connected with one another for the very first time.

Flashback 4 years ago

"What are you going to do, Tifa?" Cloud asked Tifa.

"Did you forget? I'm … all alone. I don't have anywhere to go," replied Tifa.

Cloud and Tifa were walking outside the Highwind and Tifa stood near the cliff while Cloud stood behind Tifa.

"Everyone's gone," Tifa said.

"Yeah, we don't have anywhere or anyone to go home to," muttered Cloud.

Tifa nodded. "You're right." Tifa put her hair behind her ears and said, "But I'm sure someday they'll comeback, don't you think?"

Cloud crossed his arms and touched his chin with his left hand, "Hmm, I wonder?" He shook his head, "Everyone has an irreplaceable something they're holding on to. But this time, our opponent..."

Tifa nodded again. "Hmm, but that's all right, even if no one comes back. As long as I'm with you, as long as you're by my side, I won't give up even if I'm scared."

"Tifa…" Cloud murmured while staring at her.

End of flashback.

She did not remember why she held onto this memory so much. She did not even remember why she became clingy again. Was it because she felt that she might lose him if she stopped needing him so much? She did not know. All she knew now was that she missed him, that she hoped he would be back soon. All that she could do right now was simply pray with her heart and soul that he would come back.

Cloud, I miss you so much. Please come back soon.

After spending some time star gazing, Tifa started on her way back home. Taxis and Chocobos hardly passed around here, so Tifa decided to walk back to Edge. She felt stupid. Even if she saw a chocobo she couldn't lure them to her, since she did not bring Chocobo Lure Materia with her.

It was 10 PM already, and after fighting several Prowlers and Kalm Fangs on the way to Edge, she arrived at Seventh Heaven. The front door was not locked, and the light was flicked on, but there was no one at the bar. Tifa stepped into the bar.

"Hello, anyone home? Shelke, where are you? Shelke, Yuffie, I'm home."

Tifa heard some noise in the garage. She hurriedly walked to the back store room.

Is it Cloud?

She rushed to the garage, without noticing the danger. Something hit her in the head, and Tifa lay unconscious and bleeding

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