Eternal Dream

By: irish d' salmon luver

Author's Note: Hi. It's my first FF VII/ SephirothXTifa or VincetXTifa fanfic, so please be gentle. Just as you know, I NEVER played FF VII or any FF game for just once. An ironic, I think…

Disclaimer: Well, just as we know, FF VII belonged to Square Enix. 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Sometimes, when I say,

"Oh, I'm fine,"

I want someone

To look me in the eyes and say,

"Tell me the truth."

Chapter 01: New Family and The Call

It had been 3 weeks since Cloud was left to no one known, and Tifa was really tired to even think about it. She had been used when Cloud left her without word or goodbye. Maybe he went to Aerith's grave in Forgotten Capital to say sorry again, even though Aerith had convinced him it wasn't his fault that she dead. But, being a spoiled brat as he used to be, Cloud keep blamed himself over and over again till Tifa have enough of it and she decided to let go over it. Cloud was back to her or not, she didn't really care anymore. For now on, she wanted to focus only on her future, and also the children. Denzel and Marlene still need her protection, and Tifa was really sure that her friends would always help her, even when they've been separated again.

Ever since the last battle with Sephiroth's clone, the other member of AVALANCHE had returned to where they belong. Cid went back to Rocket Town, said he wanna do 'something refreshing' with his wife, Shera. Yuffie back to the Wutai, Nanaki back to the Cosmo Canyon, Caith Sith perhaps back to the Shinra Company, and Barret back to his new oil field after he handed Marlene back to Tifa's care. About Vincent… he'd said before that he had finished his 'task' (Tifa didn't know what is this 'task'), so he wanted to go back to his old mansion at Nibelheim. But Marlene had convinced him to stay in their house (well actually, it was Tifa's house) rather than back to his solitude place. Vincent couldn't resist the kid's beaming face when she asked him for this, so he could only grunt.

And Tifa felt a bit happier to have another company in her place; it felt a bit lonely since Cloud had left. Well, although Vincent is a quite type one, at least it was better than no one to talk with.

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It's been three months since Vincent moved into Tifa's house. He started to adapt with his new 'family', especially with Marlene. Sometimes Tifa caught Vincent read a bedtime story to Marlene, tucked her into comforter and then whispered "Sweet dreams" to her (although the last action was kind hard to caught, since he didn't whisper, no, he just mouthing the words).

At the morning, Tifa would cook breakfast for all of them. Vincent would woke up after she finished cooking and then he woke up the kids, told them that breakfast is ready and ushered them to dining room. The four of them would eat breakfast together, and while Tifa washed the dishes, Vincent would tell the children to take a bath and get ready to school. This activity became routine, Tifa and the children already accepted Vincent to be not only an old friend, but as a part of their family.

All this activity and condition made Tifa wondered is this how a real family should be? This was a family she been dreaming of, except this one was a reality, not just a mere dream. And Vincent took Cloud's place. She told Vincent that she was over with Cloud. It always be an affection, not a love. Cloud was the only person who bound her past. The only person to prove that she's Tifa Lockhart from Nibelheim, before Sephiroth destroyed her village and also her family.

Speaking of Cloud, where he had been? It almost four months after he leaving this place, and yet there weren't any news heard from him. Tifa began to panic, what if he got into trouble and he couldn't call her? She knew that Cloud lost his PHS and she didn't know if whether Cloud already bought a new one yet. She was quite sure, if Cloud ever contacted her, she would scream at him, asking him to go home. Or maybe she could tell him to never call her again, said that she already had a family she ever dreamt of. Well, maybe she could make him jealous a bit, right?

That was what she thought until the call.

From Cloud.

It was a beautiful Sunday evening when she got the call. As his voice reached her eardrum, Tifa could feel her stomach began to flutter. Her hands were trembling, and her voice shaken. On other line, Cloud spoke sheepishly to her.

"Hi Tifa. It's been a long time."

"Yeah,"

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, Cloud. How about you?"

"Well, I'm still alive, if that's what you want to know about. So… what about home?"

"It's okay. Nothing's change. Oh, Vincent moved to my house, anyway,"

Tifa gasped. Cloud noticed this.

"So it's not our house anymore. It's yours," Cloud said, a sad smile crept upon his handsome face.

"No, Cloud, I mean-" She tried to explain but Cloud cut her off.

"No, it's fine, I understand. I'm not a part of your family now. Or maybe I never be a part of it"

"Cloud! Of course you still the part of my family! Damn, you always be the part of our family!"

A small smile plastered on his face.

"Listen Cloud, I'm sorry, I said something that make you feel neglected"

"It's okay, Tifa. I'm sorry too"

"You know Cloud, it's a good thing that you call me. Marlene and Denzel are always asking about you."

"…Really?"

"Cloud?"

"Yeah?"

"When will you go home?"

"Tifa, I…"

Silence.

"Cloud? Are you still there?"

"Tifa, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"I… can't go back to our home."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't live in life full of lie. No, I mean I can't lie anymore."

"Lie?"

"That's why I said sorry. I've been lying from you for the long time, and it hurts my feeling."

"You're lying to me?"

"Tifa, listen. After our battle with Kadaj, at her cathedral, I saw Aerith and Zack. They were gone, but I know that they weren't 'lost' completely. Aerith always come whenever we need her. So Tifa, I…"

"You want to search for her,"

"…And Zack. I wanted to tell you this, but I fear that you…"

"Forbid you to go."

"No, it's not like that-"

"But Cloud, you're not alone anymore! Why can't I help you? I miss her too, and I want to see her too! Why you just left me here?"

"Tifa, you need to take care of the children. And I'm not alone,"

"What do you mean?"

"You, Marlene, Denzel, Barret, Cid, Vincent, Yuffie, Nanaki, and Reeve will always be with me. I'm not alone anymore, Tifa. I had you all."

"But Cloud-"

"Whenever I'm in predicament or danger, I know that you guys will always help me. I'm not alone, Tifa. If I ever in bad situation or hazard, I'll call you. I promise,"

"I can't do anything to change your mind, eh?"

"I'm sorry, Tifa."

"How much you'll say sorry?" She giggled, and then she sighed. "I understand, Cloud. But promise me to always contact me! At least give me some mail 'I'm fine', and it's enough for me! Okay?"

"Thank you, Tifa,"

"It's okay, Cloud. If you happy, then I'll be happy for you too,"

"Well then… bye Tifa."

"Good bye Cloud. Take care," She whispered the last sentences and put down the phone. She sat down, her back facing the door, her head hung low. She startled a little as she heard something rustling behind her back, but she didn't face the source of the sound. She knew it was Vincent. There was no doubt that he also heard their conversation.

"Tifa?" His deep voice made Tifa shivered.

"Yes?"

"Are you really happy? To let Cloud just go like that?"

"Well, if it's make him happy, then I'll be happy," Her voice was trembling and her shoulder shook a little.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"It's okay, Vince. Really. You worry too much, you might look older back then." She giggled.

"But then-"

He stepped closer. Tifa flinched as he put his hand on her shoulder and turned her body to face him. He held her chin and looked deeply at her chocolate eyes.

"Why are you crying?"

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A/N: Short. I know. I never good enough to make a long one, though. Whatever. Just R.E.V.I.E.W.

BTW, I always thought that when Cloud lost his PHS, it was Vincent's fault. He saved Cloud carelessly, made the PHS dropped into the water :p