In the Shining Night sky

Tifa teasingly rolled her eyes, laughing. She wiped one last tear away, helping Kazu stand up. "Alright, let's get you home," she said as she wrapped his arm around her neck and held onto it, wrapping her left arm around his waist and standing him up. "Do you need me to stay with you tonight, like an over night nurse or will you be able to handle it alone?" she asked, looking up at him with her ocean blue eyes as she helped Kazu walk.

Kazu grunted as she helped him up, he held on to her putting a hand on her back. He limped over with her helping to walk "Sure I dont mind Tifa" he said pointing at a big white house, it was quite big like a condo looked like a whole family could live there. "ugh...where did put my keys" he said as he pats his pocket, "Ah ha there we go...no wonder my leg hurts" he said as he pulled a silver key, he opend the door pushing the door opened, he walking in with her seeing everything was clean and spotless the way he left it, "Im a check something out" he said as he leans off Tifa walking up stairs seeing his room and the bathroom, he looks around seeing everything the way it should be, he looks down from the second story, "Well everything all good from up here Tifa..just make yourself at home" he said as he looks around forgotting how big the main room is, it was a dojo/living room, he goes into his room.

Tifa's small fell open slightly by seeing the inside. It was very big, and spotless, too! He then leaned off of her, going up stairs to check something out. She wandered off to the wall that had somewhat paintings on them, and when she looked straight up she saw Kazu hanging over the rail, looking at her. "Well everything all good from up here Tifa..just make yourself at home," he said, backing away from the railing and disappearing from Tifa's view. She stood there alone in the big entry, not knowing what to do. "Oh...Kay..." she answered late. She quietly walked to the stairs, placing her hand on the mahogany brown polished rail. As she walked up the stairs, the heels of her boots lightly clicked as she took each step, her hand bring dragged along the soft wood. She stopped when she reached the top, looking at a door that was open. It must've been a guest room, judging by the looks of it. She walked in, quietly closing the door behind her. Maybe he'll call her if he needs anything. Her stomach then growled, and she flushed red in embarrassment. She twirled around and walked over to Kazu's room, knocking in it twice. "I'll be back, I'm stepping out for a little," she said to his door, soon disappearing.

She appeared in her own living room. Speed walking to her room, she gathered clothes and dashed for the bathroom. Taking a quick shower, she rushed washing her hair and body, quickly drying off and changing afterwards. Tifa was wearing a dark gray zip up dress that was sort of short. The zipper was unzipped a little to show the beautiful laced halter top she wore under it. Her black choker with tge opal stone on it was now revealed now that her neck was no longer being covered up by the black turtle neck she wore with her ANBU uniform. A black hoodie was clipped onto the straps of the dress, hidden by her wet hair. She ripped the brush through her hair, pulling it up in a high ponytail and leaving her bangs out, then throwing on her knee-high ninja boots and leaving, heading to the grocery store.

--

"Alright," Tifa said, cracking her knuckles as she stood over the stove. Behind her were many grocery bags on the marble countered island in Kazu's house. In front of her, she had cut up chunks of beef that were already seasoned and ready to be thrown into the pot of stew sauce, vegetables adding flavor to it. She dumped the beef into it and started another pot for the rice. As everything was simmering, she put away the rest of the groceries and put the bags away, cleaning up after herself. Tifa was an excellent cook, thanks to Ruca-sama. As she waited, she set aside two plates and two cups, but one plate and cup was on a tray--supposively for Kazu. She'd carry it up to him. When the beef was cooked perfect and the flavor had set in, she grabbed the plate and put white rice on it, then adding stew on top of it. Drizzling it with the sauce,  she smiled at how perfect it looked. She filled up the glass with fresh, cool green tea and placed both on the tray, leaving her plate and cup empty until she came back. Tifa picked up the tray and walked up the stairs and up to his room, knocking on the door. The smell of the food before her made her stomach growl. "Oh shut up!" she hissed quietly to her stomach. She'd eat downstairs.    

In meantime he was in his entire room, the whole time he ploped on his bed looking at the ceiling before drifting off the sleep. After a few moments he hears a knocking seeing it was Tifa going out for a sec, he went back to sleep for a bit. About when she just came back, he got up stretching and yawning walking to the bathroom, he threw his ANBU vest in the closet shedding the rest of his clothing, he turned on the shower walking letting the water hit his face waking himself up.

Then he turned it off getting dressed, he was wearing a black short sleeve T-Shirt, and loosed white pants with black socks, he sighs in relaxation as a smirk appeared on his face, his silver hair was dripping wet in his face, he grabbed a towel drying his hair which made his hair appearance a wet shggy look, he opened the door eyes widened a bit looking at Tifa "....um ....hey Tifa"

"Hi," she said with a slight smile. "Did I interrupt you from something?" she asked, sort of looking down in embarrassment and rudeness. His hair was dripping wet. Hopefully he didn't rush or anything. She looked down at the tray in her hands, the food steaming hot. "Er...here, I made you dinner. T-that is if you're hungry!" she added quickly, looking up at him. "But if your not, it's okay. You could always warm it up later when you are," she said. Her dark gray short dress fit her body perfectly, not too tight nor baggy; as if it were made for her body. Her hair that was pulled back motioned in the pony tail if she moved her head, hair bangs slightly moving as she looked down. This was her normal outfit that she wore if she was off duty, and it made her look more feminine. Her legs were bare, showing how naturally tan and toned out her legs were, stopping at her knees from where her boots covered. She wrinkled her nose, waiting for his reply.

Kazu looked through his wet hair, he swoop it back making his wet bangs stick out "No you didnt interuppted me I just got out the shower" he said as looked down at the steam from the hot food she was carrying, "Here let get that for ya...thanks for Dinner Ti.." he trailed off as he slowly reached the tray, which was kinda hiding her dress, after he took it his eyes kinda widened of the outfit she was wearing the food started shake on the tray, his hair kinda spiked out and his face was blazing hot blushing darkly "....W-wow...Tifa...that dress makes you more beautiful" he managed to say as he places the food tray on the nearby table before he dropped it by her outstanding stunning appearance

He took it, his words trailing off. She looked at him confused, noticing the tray shaking in his hands. "Are you okay..." Tifa asked, arching her right eyebrow up. His hair stood up a little and he was blushing darkly. She blinked very quickly twice in confusion. She opened her mouth to speak, but he said something. "....W-wow...Tifa...that dress makes you more beautiful," he managed to say as he placed the food tray on the nearby table. Her eyes widened, explaining it all. She slightly laughed, playing with her pony tail instead of rubbing the back of her head. "Oh, heh, thank you. It's not everyday that I get to wear this. It's a shame that I don't because it's very comfortable," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. She laughed, her laugh sounding like fluid. "Well, eat up. I bet your hungry," she ordered kindly, placing her left balled up hand on her hip and her right pointing at Kazu's tray. "I'll be down stairs eating if you need me," she said, slightly turning sideways and waving before walking away.

Kazu shakes his wet hair drying it off with his towel, "Yeah sure...thanks again Tifa" he said as she walked away when she couldnt heard him, he sits on the ground laying there looking at the ceiling "...why cant I tell her" he thought as he got up sitting at his table "Get ahold of yourself just relax....its not the first time a girl was in your house right?" he mentally said as he pointed it out he nervously laughs quietly and then started eating his food silently

Tifa walked down the stairs and made it to the kitchen, making a plate and sitting at the large polished table, alone. She chewed quietly, beaming at herself of how good the food tasted. She sat there silently, the only noise that could be heard was the clangs of her fork making contact with the plate. When she was done, she put all of the leftovers into tuberware and placed them in the fridge. She began to wash the dishes, quietly humming to herself. Drying the plates and putting them away, she let out a heavy sigh, patting her stomach in satisfaction. "Hmm...what now?" she said to herself, walking around the gigantic house. And that's when she saw it. A beautiful, white grand piano was sitting in the corner of a large room she mindlessly had walked into. She paused, hesitated, but walked up to it. Hopefully, he didn't mind. She pulled out the beautifully detailed piano bench and slowly sat down on it, pulling up the key guard and looking at the keys. They were a bit dusty, so she brushed her fingers along them, clearing the dust off. The keys felt so unique under her finger tips; she hasn't played since she was six. Her mother used to teach her songs on the piano, and her mother had made a song for her. Tifa pressed one key down, seeing if it was still in good tuning, and it was. She looked prim and proper the way how she sat, her back straight and shoulders back. She inhaled, then exhaled, and before she knew it, her fingers were dancing along the keys, a beautiful and mesmerizing song being played. It was called Hikari, the song her mother had made for her. Her fingers quickly ran up and down the keys, the song going right through her. She remembered each key by heart, even though it's been 14 years...

(You can click on Hikari to hear it^^)

Kazu finished eating, he sat back in his chair patting his stomach, "That girl sure can cook" he said as he took off his crescent moon necklace from around his neck and looked at it as it gleamed in the room, he heard a soft melody coming from the living room, he grabs his necklace in his hand, and creeped in the hall peeking around to see whats going on, he saw Tifa playing on his piano, he never knew that she can play music "..is there anything this girl cant do?" he thought as he brushes the silver bangs into his face, he leaned on the railing with a soft smile on his face, enjoying the song she was playing which was so soothing and gentle

As she plays the last notes, she ends it slowly, her fingers sliding off the keys and her hands falling limp into her lap. She was quiet, too quiet as she sat there very still, in memory of her mom. She remembered sitting right next to her, watching her mother gracefully play with perfection, something Tifa desired to accomplish. But she was far from perfection. "...But now it's like a far off memory, a scattered dream...I guess what mattered the most to me...was soon remembered the least..." she said softly, her hand raising up to her beck and clutching the opal that was connected to her choker; her mother's choker. She rose elegantly from the chair, quietly closing the key guard and pushing the bench back under the piano. She turned around gracefully, but she looked up and saw Kazu leaning over the rail. "...!" she couldn't say anything. Her face flushed in embarrassement. How long was he there? "How-When--did you-" she stammered, so barrassed. "I'm sorry! I should have asked first, I apologize," she said, looking up at him.

Kazu hopped over the rail, landing on the ground as his silver flops in his face he smiles cheerfully putting a hand up as his other clutched his necklace in his hand "Dont worry its cool, what you played was amazing I never knew you played music before" he said as he looked at the piano, with a graceful look he turns to her. He shakes is head in amazment "What you played there...was just stunning" he said looking at her blushing in embrassment

She smiled warmly, giving a little bow. "Thank you...my mother wrote that song for me when I was a little girl..." she said, slowly twirling around to look at the piano. "I didn't think I'd ever be able to play that again...I chose to forget her, and I thought my song would crumble away with the memory of her, but I guess it hasn't," she murmured thoughtfully, turning to Kazu. "If only she was here to hear your compliment," she chimed with a smile.

Kazu sat on the couch looking at her with a smile, "If you dont mind me asking why would you choose to forget your mother Tifa?" he asked as he wonder why would she forget her mother, her father he could understand but her mother got him confused, he really thought she had a close relationship with her mother

She paused when she heard his question. "Why...? Because I don't want to remember that she left me." Her answer was bitter and harsh, remembering that day...

"Mommy! Look!" a little girl said, running to her mother in an emerald green ocean of summer grass, her hands cupped and closed together, enclosing whatever what was in her hands from the outter world. A beautiful woman turned around and kneeled down to the little girl's height, smiling with joy. The woman had the eyes of an ocean, very unique blue. Now Tifa understood what people meant when they said that they felt like they were drowning if they were to stare into her eyes, because she was as she studied her mother in the vague memory. Tifa's mother had blonde straight hair that touched her shoulders, her bangs were just like Tifa's but not layered. She had a soft face, her bone structure outstanding. She held out her arms and the little girl ran into them, being careful not to open her hands. When she opened them, a turquise butterfly sat on the soft surface of her palm, slowly flapping its frail wings as it inspected her hand. The woman smiled, kissing the little girl's head. "Those are rare in the summer...they only come in the winter..." her mother spoke softly, the little girl very much into the discovery that was sitting on her palm. They both looked up at the sound of the screen door slamming, the father leaning against the large wooden post. He had a backpack in his hand, and he smiled at the two with mint green eyes and sandy scruffed up blonde hair that was about eye length. The little girl looked back at her hand to see that the butterfly was gone, frowning. Her mother stood, setting the little girl down. "You promise you'll come back?" she asked, grabbing ahold of her mother's hand. "I promise," the mother echoed with a smile, both walking over to the father...


Tifa shook her head, not wanting to remember the last words of her mother; those words were lies. She never came back.      

Kazu leans forward putting his arms on his knees as his crescent moon neck dangles down as he hovers over his knees "If your Mother is nowhere to be found....guess Im gonna find her and bring her back to you Tifa....I'll find out what happened to her...by the Hokage you know how he likes to hide things" he said as looked at her as determination glinted in his eyes as his yes met hers, "A girl like you doesnt deserve all the burdens and sadness in heart, if you ask me I can say this.... you deserve better than what you have "

Tifa shook her head, her pony tail swooshing side to side. She picked up one foot and took an innocent step back, as if she were scared. "I don't have anything or anyone anymore, Kazu," Tifa choked out, her eyes moisten now as tears filled them. She looked down, her hands clenching tha fabric of her dress over her stomach, her tear drops splashing onto the floor silently. "B-but thank you for the offer, Kazu..." she muttered quietly, her throat feeling thick as she tried to talk. Her grip on her stomach tightened, her knuckles white from clenching the fabric so hard. "I'm sorry for c-crying in front of you. It's wrong of me to do so," she mumbled sadly, looking ashamed of herself. She took another hesitant step back.

Kazu flashsteps quickly to her hugging her tightly, he could see she was sad. Although he knew what it was like to be alone. He rubs her back gently comforting her. "Tifa it'll be okay..alright" he said softly smiling warmly. "You might not have anyone or anything, but you still have me to always be there for you, someone to count on, to depend on" he said smiling

Tifa looked away when he got up, taking another step back for she knew he was going to comfort her. And she was right. He pulled her to him and hugged her tightly, telling her that it would be okay. She shook her head in disagreement, not wanting to hear what she has been told over and over, and each person who said it left her. "You fool...Don't make a promise you can't keep. Especially for someone like me," she mumbled, so many emotions masking her face. Tifa tried to pull away, but his arms were locked around her so she finally gave up. She has a hard time trusting people. This was one reason why. Setoshi left, Ruca left. Her mother, she had to leave her father for the best. Everyone she dearly loved broke that simple promise.

Kazu looks at her with concerned face "Tifa I know you dont think I can't keep it...but I can ....I'll stick by you threw thick and thin, you can trust me....when I said I will protect you I meant it from the heart.....that's why I didn't think of a plan to save both of us from the tower......all I wanted was for you to be safe Tifa....I didn't care if my body was broken in process....I would've done it all for you" he said "you can count on me, depend on me and I swear I will protect you, help you in whatever the situation is....I will protect Tifa....I swear it" he said looking at her letting go "If you dont trust me...., tell me a way of how to prove it"

Tifa stood there motionless as he let everything out. So...so he did mean it? He would risk anything to protect a weakling like her? No, it didn't make any sense to her at all. She had done absolutely nothing for him. Nothing. "I, I still don't understand," she said, shaking her head. Her hand was clutched and placed over her heart, he head tilted down and to the right. "Why so much for a girl you've just met? Only someone who loved another would do as you said. This...this doesn't make any sense Kazu," she said all confused, and it was obvious to hear the confusion in her voice. "It makes no sense..." she repeated.

Kazu looked away for a sec then sighed sitting on the couch, he leans back looking at the ceiling "Ok you got me, finally figured it out huh?.....well now the secret is out might as well tell you right" he said as he scratched his head breathing slowly as to him it seem the air kinda heated up around the area but that's just him, "Let's see....what should I say first...oh I know um" he trailed off thinking hovering over from his seat as his silver bangs covered the entire front of his eyes and face, "Tifa ....I know we just met like awhile ago but the truth is....I really love you seriously.....shocking isn't hehe...but its just like we share a bond of sort we are so alike and amamazingly how quickly we became friends" he manage to say with a smirk "I know you don't feel the same way about me but I just wanted to get that off my chest while we are alone" he lays down on the couch completely with a leg hung off the edge of the seat cushion, he puts a forearm over left eye looking at the ceiling sighing "......you don't have to say anything if you don't want to Tifa" he said

Tifa stood there, her mouth slightly hanging open. He loved her? like, love love?! She looked down for a minute, thinking back to the times she had spent with him before. It was very obvious; why hadn't she seen it from the start?! She started to giggle, and then a velvety soft laugh came from her. She wasn't laughing at him, or his love for her, but the fact that she was so blind. Her lovely laughter quieted, and she walked over to him and sat on the couch next to him on the edge because he was stretched out. "Kazu Hayabusa... That was very brave of you," she said, reaching her hand behind her head and pulling on the ribbon that held her hair up, her long light blonde hair falling out of it. She then tied it around his right bicep, making it into a perfect bow. That's how she used to wear it. "This bow is a part of me...Don't ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you.." she murmured as she looked at it. "I don't know if I do have feelings for you, Kazu. We just met--and yes, we have a plethora of things in common, making a tight bond between us. Time will tell. But...I'm afraid to love you back. I know you won't leave me, but I'm just scared that it will happen again... And if anyone were to find out about us, it could make you or I a target on missions...scary thought, huh...?" she whispered silently, playing with his hand, tossing it over and just looking at it. She mindlessly tucked her left bangs behind her ear, her right layered bangs still out. She reached for his other hand, his forearm that was over his eye, and took it off. "Turn over Kazu," Tifa said, a serious look on her face. She could feel how tensed he was right now.

Kazu eye shifted over to her, she began to giggle he raised a eyebrow not knowing if she was laughing at him or his love for her, she walks over and sits on the edge next to him. She takes pull the loose ribbon off her hair tieing around his right bicep he smiles as she makes it a perfect bow "I will never take this off" he said as he clutched his hand making it into a fist "I knew you wouldn't have feelings for me....yet but you are right time will tell" he said smiling as she took ahold of his arm telling him to turn over with serious face, he blinked slowly turn over to his stomach

Tifa began to rub his back, running her hands over it in small and big circles. She could feel the tension in him; every muscle was locked tight. She had seen her mother do this plenty of times whenever her father had a horrible or stressful day. What he needed was a massage, and she couldn't do it unless he took his shirt off.
"Kazu? If you don't mind, can you take off your shirt?" Tifa said. "Are you not comfortable around me? You're very tense," she said, trying not to laugh. "We're teammates, remember?" she added. Before she started, she did a series of hand seals. As she did this, she concentrated on her chakra, her finger tips glowing blue. She could feel the tips of her fingers slowly warming up, then flowing through her whole hand, now heated not too hot nor too cold of a temperature, but perfect. She began to work again, pushing hard this time, moving her hands up his spine and across his muscular shoulders, the heat relaxing the muscles beneath his soft skin. Tifa kneaded the back of his neck, her fingers working up into his gray messy hair, then she ran her hands down to his lower spine. Slowly but surely she felt him relax beneath her fingers. "My mother did this to my father whenever he was stressed out about something," she said, turning her head to the side to see his face.