A Long Awaited Reunion (Tifa)

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud walked surely across Luca's streets, his boots thumping dully against the street, his holsters rustling lightly. His pace was faster than most, and several looked at him oddly. It didn't loom to anyone else that he was actually walking fairly slowly, but that was usual. Cloud was unlike most people. He was much more physically able. 'An exceptionally physically able warrior', that was what Non Serviam had said about him. It brought back so many memories seeing these people look at him like that.

It was these same memories that made him smile, for that was the reason he had come here. He had heard Tifa had set up shop here. A little bird amongst 'The Servs' as Cloud often called them. Another thing he owed Non Serviam for. Reuniting him with his long lost childhood friend. Tifa. He needed to see her. Well, more to speak with her. Hear her voice again. They'd both grown up so much since their last meeting. Cloud, now a Dragoon, and Tifa, a full grown woman, and supposedly a very able combatant herself. He wondered what their reactions would be to each other.

7th Heaven was a nice looking place. Well kept. Currently closed, but he wasn't here for the bar. Only the owner. So this was how Tifa earnt her keep. Seemed appropriate in some way. Tifa was always good with people. It was fitting that she would find an occupation that made use of her natural friendliness and easy-going attitude. He smiled fondly at his memories of her. She'd always been so nice to him...

He came up to the door of the bar, looking in, he couldn't see her, but he assumed she was here. He pushed the door open gently, the bell chiming at his entry. He looked about, taking the place in. It was as spotless on the inside as out. Tifa seemed to take great pride in her occupation. This had to be one of the best kept bars in Luca. Everything was polished, ordered. He felt somewhat out of place here, he was slightly dirty from his previous duel with Aure. He stayed on the mat, not wanting to tarnish such a pristine place.

Tifa? You here? It's Cloud.

He peered around the doorway a little to watch for her appearance. He tried to remember what she looked like. Try as he might, he could not. Perhaps it was better this way. More of a surprise. He looked at himself briefly. He'd changed so much. Not quite the fresh faced wannabe Crusader he had been when he'd left. That was the past now.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa Lockhart was currently in the room above the bar. She was sitting on the window sill looking down on the city. It was an early morning and some people were wandering around to get all of their day to day activities done. It was too early to open the bar. She never really opened until the afternoon. Not many people came in for a drink in the morning. So it was a bit of a waste. She liked the morning because it gave her some time to herself. Some time where she could just relax and think things over. She wasn't waiting on anyone or running all over the place. It was just her and her thoughts. Tifa was always one to have something on her mind. She would think things over, plan out her day. Things along those lines.

Tifa had just gotten up to start her day. She was in her usual attire and she looked like she was ready to start her day. She could do something before the bar started. Usually she didn't do much of anything. Just dishes. But doing the same thing did get awful repetitive. Maybe she could go for a walk around the city. She didn't do that all that much for leisure. Usually when she took a walk she would be going to pick grocceries up or something along those lines. But never really for fun. Maybe another reason why she wasn't very friendly with the other citizens of Luca. People who didn't come in her bar would have no idea who she was.

Tifa wondered about something. Mainly someone. Cloud. Where was he? Was he okay? Did he ever think of her? All of these thoughts were clouding the mind of the young monk. Tifa often told herself not to think of him. She would just get so worried and fret about him. She sighed a bit discouraged with herself for letting her mind wander to the blonde man. Just as she was focusing on trying to think of something, she heard the bell that hung on the door ring. Tifa sighed in aggravation. Didn't people know that she put the closed sign out? She didn't think that it was Kadaj. It was quite rare to get a visit from him in the day. The late night was the more common time of night for him to drop by.

She walked down the hall and just as she was about to go on the first step she heard a voice call out to her. Tifa felt her heart jump. Was this some sort of dream or was she hallucinating? Cloud...he was here? She was so surprised. What were the odds that her mind would wander to thoughts of him and he would be standing right downstairs. Tifa ran down the stairs eager to see him. She slowed down and when she saw him she smiled. He looked different. But in the face...he still looked like the young boy that she remembered from when she was a child. But...he was still handsome. Probably moreso now since he had matured into a man. Tifa had known the boy. Now she would get a chance to see what Cloud had become during the time that he had been gone.

"Cloud...its been so long. I'm really glad to see you." Tifa said and she smiled but then she lost some of her confidence and looked down. She tucked some of her long brown hair behind her ear shyly. But she still smiled. How could she not when he was standing right in front of her?

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud smiled. As shy as ever it seemed. He felt a little more comfortable now, it wasn't just him who was a little apprehensive of the other thought. She had changed a lot. She was much more well developed, perhaps as a result of her training he'd heard about, although being several years older than when they'd last spoken probably made as much of a difference.

Her voice was much more sure, less childish. She was much more feminine. He became acutely aware of this as she adjusted her hair. His eyes never left her face. Had it been so long? He could remember her clearly now. The girl he'd known was still in there, but it had been tempered into what he could see as a fine young woman.

Yes. It's been too long. You've grown.

He smiled. It was good to see her. Instinctively, he walked forward, embracing her gently. It felt good, like it used to, but it seemed to mean more now. Perhaps it was just the length of time since they'd last embraced. She was warm. He could almost feel his troubles melting away from him. She had that effect on him. She was one of the few people he knew who could calm him down.

That still feels as good as it used to. I've missed you Tifa. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch as much as we would have liked, but circumstances didn't permit it.

He frowned a little, but only for a moment. It was impossible to stay negative in her presence. She just made him feel calm, and in his rare moments of calm, he was happy. It had been a long time since he was truly free of all the bitterness he felt, and was able to simply enjoy the moment. He smiled again. The last time was with Tifa as well.

He let go of her, holding her by the arms, looking into her eyes. So kind, so caring. Cloud had remembered the eyes. It was something that kept him sane at night. It was a fond memory. Even after so much hardship, it was one thing he would never let go of.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa noticed Cloud smile and she couldn't have felt better. She never really saw Cloud smile all that much when they were younger. Sure he would smile but it wouldn't be something that she would get from him everyday. Just once in awhile. But she was always happy when she did get to see him smile. Like right now. She remembered him smiling like that to her back when they were teenagers. That had been, so many years ago. Neither of them were children anymore. They were both adults. Tifa couldn't help but keep her eyes focused on his face either. She just stared for a moment, not being able to believe that she was actually seeing Cloud Strife again. She thought about him quite a lot but never thought that she would see him again. Tifa thought that it would always just remain a silly little wish that wouldn't come true.

She smiled when he told her that she grew. She hoped that she looked more like a woman now then she did when she was a young girl. She wanted his approval on her for some reason, and she wasn't exactly sure why. "Thank you...so have you. I can already tell that you've gotten much stronger. Not that I would expect any less from Cloud Strife." Tifa said and she let out a small laugh. She could tell that he looked stronger. He was much taller, and his arms seemed to have gotten more muscular. She looked at them for a brief moment, while looking all of him over just one more time. It was so much to take in. Cloud had changed so much. And so had she.

Tifa was a bit surprised when she felt him come up to her and embrace her like that. She had not been expecting it at all. But she returned the embrace, her arms sliding around him and resting against him. She couldn't remember the last time she hugged someone. Especially like this. The last time that she had was probably Cloud. Back when they were teenagers. But this time it felt so much more passionate. Like they both had so much more emotion going around. She stayed very content, holding onto the moment. She looked up when she heard him start to speak. She listened closely, expecting him to say something like that. She was upset with how little she got to see him. Especially since she thought about him so much. But she had to be understanding and support Cloud.

"Its okay Cloud. You have a lot to take care of. And I understand that. I do wish you could come by more but I'm not going to be selfish. You are here now and just made me as happy as I could be." Tifa said and she smiled. The only other person she had to make her feel happy was Kadaj. Kadaj was great to have around for that purpose. She loved when he would drop by and see her. Always made her day. Kadaj was her friend. And aside from Cloud, her only friend. But she focused on Cloud, her oldest friend. She was so glad to see him again. And that they could be together like this. She felt Cloud let go of her, and she slowly started to let go as well. She didn't want to though. She had just wanted the moment to continue forever.

She felt him looking at her again. In her eyes. She looked back up in his. They were that amazing shade of blue. She had never seen another pair of eyes like Cloud's before in that color. She would always remember his eyes, like how he would remember hers. After a moment of silence, she figured that she better try to converse. "So. Cloud. How have you been? I've missed you a lot." Tifa said with a warm smile.

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud smiled back. Philanthropic as always. His eyes sparkled a little, his heavy hearted attitude fading away from him further still. He stood still, smiling. He had changed, he knew that much. But he was still a little apprehensive of himself. But that was something he would deal with later. Right now, Tifa was the one occupying his thoughts.

Yes, the Crusaders did a good job with me. Although, it was to be expected. As for selfishness, be as selfish as you want. I think you have the right to be. I haven't exactly been around a lot. And if it's shared, it's hardly selfish.

He smiled again, cocking his head to one side a little, brushing a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face. His smile broadened as he did so.

How have I been? Alive. Surviving. As I always do. I have to say though, things are looking up.

He sighed contentedly. He felt more complete now she was here. Like a part of him had been missing. She was his calming influence. He smiled more when she was around.

I could tell you missed me. You were a little reluctant to let go. I could tell from the tension in your muscles. It's amazing what the Crusaders can teach you.

He smiled again. Things you never realised you could do until you did them. He embraced her again, not letting go this time, holding her a little tighter. It felt different this time. More open.

I've missed you too...