Rufus and Rude had started work in the city that month as apprentices under Nibelheim's famous editor. As the orphans left one by one, Tifa knew that Cloud's departure was an inevitable truth. Ever since Cloud's fifteenth birthday, Zack distanced himself from Aerith. The awkwardness that reigned between the two was too obvious a gulf to ignore in that small orphanage. Nevertheless Tifa was glad that Cloud and Zack were as close as ever.

Recently, Cloud had been quite generous in showing his feelings. When Tifa visited him after lunch, he would listen to her attentively, and if luck was by her, he would flash his million dollar smile. On rare occasions, he would lean his head on her shoulder and listen to her ramblings, or ask her questions about her life in Midgar, her parents and piano. Tifa cannot help but wonder if Cloud had opened up to her, had their relationship evolved into something more intimate?

Cloud found it harder and harder to reject Tifa. She had grown into such a beauty, and the way her voice echoed in his heart... It was pure magnificence. He had to constantly restrain the temptation to mark her as his. Should he warn Rufus not to stare at Tifa in that manner? (Especially since Tifa's puberty.) That oldie really does not keep the distance a senior of 3 years should. And Tifa, oh Tifa. How mad she would drive him when she allowed Rufus to carry and spin her in circles. That idiot, does she not know that she is almost fifteen now? How sly. Surely she knows how he would feel about this. To have his revenge, he would sometimes lean on her, and watch her blush, flustered. He wanted to laugh at how loud her heartbeat was, but he was pretty sure that he was no better.

Tifa skipped her fifteenth birthday. It was depressing. What's there to celebrate when it was already may? It will not be long before Cloud's sixteenth birthday. And she could not possibly follow him to SOLDIER.

"What are you doing here?" Tifa nearly spat her heart out.

"Cloud?" she fixed her eyes on the figure beside her bed. "What are YOU doing here?"

He shrugged. "It's your birthday, shouldn't you get out of bed? Elmyra prepared dinner, and cake."

"Oh... Well, I'm not feeling well..."

Cloud pulled her by her arm and smiled. "How about we get outta here?"

"Where to?"

"You'll see."

Cloud pulled Tifa across the bushes surrounding Nibelheim Home and across the main gate down the old street, away from the new road that led to Nibelheim Town. They crossed several abandoned alleys, deserted streets and across a series of tall grass before reaching a mansion.

Tifa was breathless, partially due to how huge the mansion was. "Wow..."

"This is Shinra's mansion. Shinra as in the president's family. They rarely visit. Discovered a secret path here by chance."

Tifa giggled, "I haven't even ask, you mind reader."

"Just used to the multitude if questions you always ask."

"Heyyy!" Tifa's arms flailed forward to punch him, but was stopped midair. They stayed for a moment, and she could feel her cheeks flush.

"Alright, let's go in."

"How?"

"Climb."

Colours drained from her face as she stared up at the gate. She estimated it to be around 3 metres tall with the thickest frame she ever saw.

"Get on." Tifa turned and saw that Cloud had already bent down. This scene reminded her of the incident 3 years ago, a wave of nostalgia swept across her chest.

Tifa climbed into Cloud's back, her thighs wrapping around his neck and she could not regret more about not changing from her nightgown.

Cloud wanted to comment on her weight, but found her much lighter than his expectation. Or, it could be the light scent of peaches, overwhelming his senses, which made it so.

Tifa reached for the top while Cloud stood up, slowly. When she got hold of the edge, she pushed her body across, Cloud helped by pushing her bottom. Cloud ordered her not to move once she managed to sit on the gate.

He positioned his right feet on a small curve on the gate and his left on another. Quite effortlessly, he flipped across the gate.

Tifa looked in amazement. Though she knew how much harder the boys trained, the difference in their physique was just shocking.

"Jump." Cloud made an open gesture and signaled her to jump. When she did, he caught her straight into his arms as her face crashed against his chest. That was when he felt her bare chest against him. He could feel stars colliding in his head as she hugged him. "Wow Cloud, thanks."

He pushed her away softly and rubbed his neck. "Yeah... you're welcome... and you know, g...get a b...bra."

Awkward.

"Haha?" Cloud managed.

Tifa's cheeks burned, how she wished there was a hole she could hide in. "H-hey you perv! I do have them, it's just… this trip was too sudden! And I haven't got the chance to change! Ugh you pervert!"

"Hahah! Well, well. Who's the one crushing her b-r-e-a-s-t-s against me? That's a... C?" He pointed at her chest.

"OHMYGOD Cloud you did NOT just say that!"

"What? I'm right with the size?" And his right hand reached out to cup her left melon.

HOLY-

MOTHER OF GOD-

What the FUCK did my hand just do? More stars collided as Tifa turned into stone.

"C-cloud..." He could feel death emitting from Tifa. Looks like he went too far trying to break the awkwardness.

And he ran.

RAN.

(More like flew.)

She ran after him into the mansion, climbing through an open window, up some stairs, across a long corridor into a room before crashing into a piece of white cloth.

"CLOUD YOU BETTER PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTA-"

Do-re-mi-ti-la

Do-re-mi-la-so-do-re~

Do-re-mi-ti-la

Do-re-mi-la-so-do-re-mi-

"Happy birthday, Tifa."

Tifa could feel her heart swell as tears streamed down her cheeks. Cloud lifted her from his shoulder and sat her down on the stool by the piano. Tifa removed the white cloth and stared at the triangular piano.

"Does it look like the one you had?"

"Cloud... oh my god, Cloud..." Tifa could no longer contain her tears as she hugged him.

He kissed her forehead softly, "I'm glad you like the "present", Tifa. Though I can't give this piano to you."

"I love it, Cloud..." She whispered as she kissed his chin, tracing along his jaw line before looking deeply into his eyes. "I love it, and I love you, Cloud."

Her words sent waves of electricity down his spine and he could no longer withstand the temptation as he softly pulled her in, her lips against his, meandering softly.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her, wrapping her arms tighter against him, her hands searching his back. He had a muscular frame that shifted whenever he breathed, and everything of his just registered in her as charming.

Slowly, their kiss turned passionate, as they complimented each other by changing the angle if their lips every now and then. Cloud pulled Tifa onto him, and turned to face the piano. She wrapped her legs around his waist as their lips continued to seek each other. When Cloud's hands slid under her gown, stroking her thighs, Tifa let out a soft gasp and tightened around his waist. Tifa's reaction sent sparks in Cloud's head and he pulled her away, while looking deeply into her eyes. Her cheeks were bright red, her lips slightly parted and her eyes closed.

"Cloud..." Was she yearning for him? Does she even know where this is going? Cloud hesitated.

Tifa opened her eyes. Cloud had a look of worry on his face, and she wanted to kiss it away.

"Cloud..." Tifa whispered as she gave a soft peck on his lips. When he did not respond, she licked the edges of his lips tracing along his well constructed lower lip that she loved.

Her sudden boldness sent logic flying from his mind, and he crashed his lips against hers, cradling her tightly in his arms.

"Tifa..." Cloud called as he softly licked her lips, kissing her while he does, and slowly parting them. He sucked on her lips as they kissed, when she let off a soft moan, he slid his tongue in.

Tifa's eyes widened as Cloud's tongue wandered about in her mouth. When Cloud seems to withdraw, she immediately stopped him with hers. They mingled around in her mouth before he invited her into his. Tifa had never felt something quite like this before. She could no longer control her voice or her throbbing abdomen.

He pulled away from her lips and licked her lower lip before tracing a line down to her neck. Tifa pulled back as he gently pushed her chin upwards, licking along her neck to her ear.

Cloud was more aroused than he ever was, and he could see that Tifa was too, from the sounds she made but he had to test her, for confirmation.

Cloud sucked on her earlobe, and his hands moved down to her waist, positioning her closer to him as he grabbed her bottom cheeks. Tifa blushed and let off a soft gasp as blood rushed through her. She could feel something hard pressing against her as Cloud's tongue swept against the back of her ear. He then whispered into her ear,in the gentlest tune she had ever heard.

"I love you."

Tifa's hands trembled as she stroked his face. She could feel tears threatening to escape from her eyes as she looked at his dilated pupil.

He stroked her neck while leaning forward to kiss away the tears running from her eyes. She had never been more beautiful and he was sure that no one in the world could match up to her beauty.

Tifa tugged at his shirt before sliding her slender fingers under it. Cloud breathed deeply, brows furrowed and cheeks flushed. Tifa's touch only made the fire within him growled more. "Tifa..." he whispered between his clenched teeth as he brushed his fingertips against her inner thighs. Damn, she was dripping.

His idle finger tucked the elastic straps from her shoulders while he gently kissed and licked her collarbone. Her dress came off easily, and her breasts glimmered in the moonlight. She was panting, and from how wet her panties were, Cloud knew she was more than ready.

He softly slid his right hand into her undergarment and rubbed against her swollen bud.

Tifa nearly screamed at the way Cloud made her feel; she could not explain it in words. The ecstasy that rushed through her forced her body to tense up, she leaned backwards, her voice echoed in the empty house.

He rubbed against her while she moaned, his need for her overflowed, his groin getting lubricated from the excitement. How much longer can he wait? He leaned forward to kiss her breasts, slowly licking them before nibbling on her nipples.

She felt as if her voice did not belong to her. She could hear the sounds she made, it sounded desperate, and she was desperate. When his middle finger entered her, his index finger continued rubbing, and she could feel something exploded within her.

Her head was fuzzy for the next few moments, Cloud's every touch sent her screaming, it was almost too much, did a lightning bolt hit her? Tears ran from her eyes, and all she could do was to call out for Cloud.

DOOOOO

Cloud watched as Tifa climaxed, her juices overflow into his palm, beads of perspiration formed around her forehead, neck, breasts. Her hand knocked onto the piano, yet it seemed like she could not hear the sound made. She was gasping for air, her body was in a series of spasms, tears were flowing from her eyes, and she was calling him.

A wave of guilt drowned his breathing. She was so weak, so delicate. He could not bring himself to hurt her. She was so tight around him, even though he had only inserted his one finger. If she ever felt pain...

Cloud hugged Tifa tightly against him; her body was limp, shivering and her voice soft against his ears, still calling for his name.

This was something absolutely foreign to Tifa, she had totally lost control of her body, all she could feel was Cloud. He filled all her senses.

He buried her in his arms, "Tifa... are you scared?" He felt his chest tighten when she shook her head. How foolish was he, leading her into this when she had no idea what they were about to do.

"Cloud..."

He carried her and positioned her on the stool before standing up. Tifa had never seen him this gentle. He kneeled down and spread her legs.

Cloud licked his fingers, "we're still too young. I know I would only love you in this lifetime of mine, but... let's stop here."

He kissed the flower between her thighs and helped her adjust her panties, pushed her nightgown to how it was before, and kissed her forehead. He was still evidently aroused, but he knew better than to rush things. When they are adults, he will definitely make her his.

"Play a song for me, will you?" he kissed the back of her hand softly and sat down by her.

Tifa's thoughts were still unclear, and the feeling Cloud left had yet to subside, at this point, there was only one tune she wanted to play for him.

She took several tries to get used to the piano, it was made of the finest wood she had ever touched, and produced the clearest melody despite its age. "Cloud, I've completed this piece, do you remember?" Her fingers danced along the keys, and it was a tune Cloud had always remembered.

"The first tune you ever hummed to me. I remember."

"You were the inspiration, Cloud." The tune stopped and Tifa looked at him. His eyes were shining in the dark, despite the dimness, his pale blue eyes were outstanding, it looked like they glowed. While he was touching her before, they were darker, but either one, they were magnificent.

"Really… What's the name?"

"Guess."

Tifa continued playing, and this time, Cloud paid extra attention.

It was a soft, gentle tune. So peaceful he could not imagine himself as the muse for it, Tifa smiled as she played; her eyes were the most loving things he ever saw. Damn, it made him yearn for her again.

"It's not possible to guess the name." He frowned.

"Really… The name is really simple."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you soon enough." She kissed him softly on the lips and they held each other in silence by the moonlight.