It was horrible. One of the worst sights I've ever seen. Tables broken, glass shattered. And blood. so much blood. Too much. I saw where I bled out in front of the doorway. I walked over to the staircase. There was blood there, too. When I looked at it, the memory of it hit me like a truck. Shrieks being heard and thuds as something fell down the stairs.

"Tifa." I mumbled. It had to be her, no matter how much I wish it weren't. I walked up the blood-stained stairs and opened the door to the children's room. I spotted where the windows was busted open and the rope tied to the sill, leading downwards. That must've been how they've gotten in. Marlene's favorite moogle plush was lying on the floor. I picked it up and sat it upright onto her bed, the way she likes it placed. Their lives are tough enough. This situation didn't make it any better. I stared at the lifeless doll as it sat in peace on her disheveled bed. I remember giving it to her on her seventh birthday, and walking in a couple months later when Tifa was sewing the purple wing back on.

"She wants to show you how responsible she is. She was very upset when the wing fell of. So, she begged me to sew it back on before you got back. Please don't tell her about this."

Tifa's voice echoed in my head as i relayed the moment in my head. The next day, Marlene was waving it in my face bragging on about her being responsible. I smiled at her.

As I walked out the room, I spotted Denzel's halloween costume from last month. He said he wanted to be his hero. I didn't know what he meant until I saw him stride down in the same clothing I wear everyday. I was so happy that he found me his hero. Also sort of shocked why he chose me as his hero. So, after the wonderful night of trick-or-treating, I asked him why he thought of me as a hero.

"I think of you as my hero because you saved me. You saved me from Geostigma, gave me a nice home and family even though I don't deserve it. You also saved my from those three mean guys, and taught me how to be happy again." After that, he looked down at his replica boots. I stared at him for a moment.

"You really think that?" I asked. He nodded shyly. Then, out of nowhere, he nudged his head into my side gently and wrapped his arms around me. I patted his head, making sure I don't mess up his gelled-up spikes. That made me happy, too. We usually never have moments like that, and that one was one of the most special ones. I walked out of the room and into the bathroom. to grab a bag to clean up the glass. I came back, bag in hand, and picked up each and every shard. I don't want them to getting hurt when they come back.

After I finished, I sat the back down on their desk and straightened up their beds. I grabbed the bag and went downstairs to toss it out.

I made it downstairs and tossed the bag out, and looked around the destroyed bar. I sighed in disappointment as I grabbed the mop out of the cupboard to clean up the mess.

after the hours of cleaning the bar, I finally retired to my room. I opened my door to see that everything was left untouched. Clothes scattered, desk filled with delivery slips, and bed sheets rolled up. I walked over to my desk and looked at the photos hanging on the wall and sitting on my desk. During a special occasion, Tifa always insisted on taking pictures. I didn't argue, it was a good plan. So, we did. There's the one from Costa Del Sol when we all entered into a sandcastle tournament. Somehow, I won but shortly after, it got washed away by the waves. Then, Marlene's kindergarten graduation, Denzel's first basketball trophy, when we visited Gold Saucer, when that gold chocobo kept rubbing its head on my hair. The boat ride to Junon, and Nibelheim, where Denzel and Marlene somehow got a hold on our camera a snapped a picture of Tifa and I sitting on the well. Her head was lying on my shoulder as we gazed at the stars that reminded us of the promise we made. The, on my desk, was the picture of when Denzel joined our makeshift family, AVALANCHE's victory after the Geostigma epidemic, and a few flowers I picked from the church and where Zack died.

"Reminiscing, huh?" I heard a female voice echo inside my head.

"Yeah."

"Well, you know, more memories are waiting."

"Thanks, Aerith." I walked into the bathroom with a change of clothes and headed for a shower .

I watched the dirt and grime slide down the drain as I took my shower. Man, when was the last time I took a shower? I disregarded the question and looked at my side. The knife must've cut pretty deep, considering how bad the wound is. It was barely healing. My life had been so eventful that I forgot about the shooting pain. I rinsed the soap from my hair and got out of the shower. I walked up to the mirror and stared at my reflection. Why did this happen? Nobody can give me a break? Why can't I life my life out like a normal person for a change? Not as savior of the world, but as a average being.

"Why does it always have to be me?!" I punched the sink, making it tremble under my fists. I took a deep breath and sat on the closed toilet seat, my head planted in my hands. I can't just stay here. I've gotta fix everything, and save Tifa. I have to make everything right again. I shot up and got dressed. I bursted out of the bathroom, grabbed my sword holster and sheathed my sword. I grabbed the keys to Fenrir and ran to the garage. Once I got to the garage, Fenrir roared to life and sped down the street, heading to Rocket Town.

A/N: hey, sorry for the Very Very VERY long delay, I kept pushing the story off due to school stuff, like exams and class schedules. so, i got right on this as soon as I was done. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter even though not much happened. oh, and when Cloud comes out of the shower, he has a towel on, I couldn't think of a way of putting that in there but, you can think whatever you like.

I promise it get better!

Please R&R!