Geez, I know Tifa is totally OOC in this chapter, but you've got to think that she believes Cloud is dead. So of course she's not going to be all happy and bright. That's my escuse. Please R&R?

Chapter 4- VII Prologue

Shilly-shally, dilly-dally.

((((()))))

I finished rinsing the dishes, and turned to the counter where countless bills lay. I picked one up- someone coming soon to reimburse Fenrir- and crumpled it, tossing it behind me somewhere. I hope it landed in the water. Stupid people.

Marlene looked beyond cute as she hopped down the stairs, followed closely behind by Denzel. Today was their first day of school. I had almost forgot.

"Good morning, Tifa!" Marlene grinned, settling herself in a stool in front of the counter.

Smiling myself, I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Good morning to you too, sweetie. Want do you two want for breakfast?"

"Eggs!" "Pancakes!"

I chuckled. "Eggs and pancakes it is, then." I turned away, trying to forget the times we ate that on our journey. Aerith was such a good cook. After she passed away, I had been nominated as the group's cook. Every morning, Cloud would go out and hunt down some kind of fowl and bring me eggs to fry.

Now I just go down the street and buy some.

He also used to set up camp for us. Now I just lay down in my bed upstairs.

It's so much easier now.

But oh, so much more breaking.

I can't ever show the kids weakness, though. What would that say on my part? That I'm just a love-sick bartender, torn apart because stupid Cloud Strife is gone? Nope. Not me.

I'm unmovable as a mountain, just like I've always been.

After all, I didn't even know if he was even an enemy, a SOLDIER working for ShinRa, until the day he joined AVALANCHE. But even then he wasn't what everyone thought he was. Cloud wasn't a superhero. He couldn't even remember Zack Fair.

No doubt he forgot that day in Neibelheim when I gave them a tour of the mountain.

So why should I miss him?

Because I love him.

Yes, I'm that stupid. I love him. Don't ask me why, because I won't be able to tell you. I just… do, I guess. No real reason.

It has to be his outlook on things. He's strong like me. Neither of us is quick to give up on anything, despite how awful things seem. I just can't believe that it was Kadaj who made him disappear.

No… of course I know he didn't just "disappear". It has to be something else. Something… that I don't want to think about. Cloud was my best friend, plain and simple. He made me feel like I was something great and untouchable, and I have to admit that I liked that. But I'm not some kind of porcelain doll. We both fought hard and long against the assailants of the planet, and just because ShinRa goes to him for help doesn't mean we're heroes. I don't want that. Just a simple, plain life for me. And because of that, I guess I look weak.

But, despite all of that, I can't help the tears that fall down my cheeks. I can't help but remember how much I love him, and how much I remember about him.

He will never be just a memory.