Cloud Strife cut the engine on his motorcycle as his foot touched the ground. He kicked the kickstand into place and rested the bikes weight on it. He lifted his leg and got of the motorcycle. A breeze ruffled leafs in the tree looming over him.

He un-strapped his helmet and pulled it over his head. He normally spiky hair was nearly flat from riding all the way from Midgar to Nibelhiem. He shook his head and his hair returned to normal.

He sifted through the side bag on his bike and found what he was looking for. A single white rose was clutched gently in his hand. He was surprised to see that the delicate petals had not been crushed in the long ride.

Aerith always had the best flowers, he thoughts dropping the helmet on the seat. He had found the rose in the Church, still growing strong after so many years. More of Aerith remained in those flowers that anywhere else.

He walked carefully through the graveyard, making sure to not tread on the headstones. So much death lives taken too soon.

He turned away from the graves, knowing that looking at them too long would haunt him. Most of these graves had been people killed when Sephiroth had first destroyed the town.

Cloud shook his head driving his thoughts away from that. He reached the grave he was searching for and dropped down to one knee. He ran one black gloved hand over the headstone and fought the tears that threatened to engulf him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cloud Strife stood next to the coffin, his black suit soaking up the bitter rain. He wanted nothing more than to be inside that coffin, resting eternally by her side.

"Cloud," somebody said appearing at his side.

He looked over to see Yuffie looking up at him. Her usually bright eyes were dim, a dark shadow seemed to hang over them. But all his friends had that look. A lost look, searching for answers in a dismal world of lies.

"You should come inside. You'll get sick," Yuffie said resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Cloud nodded, his normal spiky hair plastered to his forehead. He followed Yuffie out of the rain and into the empty dry.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cloud shook his head, driving the memories away. He wouldn't think of that day. He had to move on.

He gently laid the rose on the headstone that read simply.

Tifa Adelaide Strife

Beloved

Forever in the Stars embrace

That was all she had wanted. Something simple, yet elegant. After spending so many years in the spotlight as the world hero, she had wanted something less noticeable.

"I'm back," he said.

He dug something out of his pocket. "I wrote you a poem."

If she had actually been here, she would have been laughing at him. He, Cloud Xavier Strife, writing poetry was just too much.

"I know it's not very good. But I tried," he told the wind. "I could just leave it here for you. But I'll read it. Now don't laugh, it's not very good."

Cloud unfolded the paper and looked down at the words. Some were smudged with tears, while others were scratched out replaced with better words.

"For you I would have given,

The world if you had asked.

But the world has taken you from me

It never has to ask.

I'm alone each night,

Holding empty promises and shattered dreams.

Seeing your face in my mind,

Always out of reach.

Do you smile down upon me?

As I smile up at you.

My bitter tears are drying,

But broken hearts still haunt me.

Moving on is hard,

When I have nothing to reach."

He paused momentarily to smile. "I told you it wasn't very good."

Nothing was telling him to stop so he continued.

"This life, it will continue,

Without you by my side.

But I've come to say goodbye.

To finally give you away.

My life it must move on

The past I will let go.

You are always in my heart,

The memories I cherish so close.

Farewell beautiful Tifa.

The one I loved so dear."

Cloud gave a lopsided smile and placed the poem under the rose.

He ran his hand one more time over the headstone and slowly turned away.

He was smiling by the time he reached his bike. And something in his heart told him that somewhere, in the sky, somebody was smiling with him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Authors Note: Thank you so much to everybody that reviewed. I know this poem sucks! I told you it would. I'm horrible at writing poetry, not one of my strong points. This is Cloud saying goodbye, showing that he has closer. He will never return to this gravesite, well living that is. I know the middle names are weird, but I had to think of one on the spur of the moment. I asked Quinctia for help, but she couldn't come up with one either. But that's cool. I hope you enjoyed.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Squaresoft. Unfortunately the suckie poem belongs to me ^_^