Disclaimer: Really now, do I have to spell it out for you? I'm writing fanfiction, what do you think?

29th August: Hello everybody. So this isn't a new story like I said I was writing – have been thinking about that though – instead this is the new a slightly improved version – but probably not by much – of T.O.Y. It's weird picking up a story you did two years ago-ish but it's certainly been a learning experience. So read on those who dare. I hope you enjoy this new version starring Tifa! (and not that OC)

T.O.Y Version 2.0 Is Dedicated To All Those Lovely People Who Read This The First Time Round.

CHAPTER ONE

She stood still, watching the scene unfold before her from her spot at the edge of the cliff. Her people were fighting the shadows – no the darkness – for control of the town. She should be there fighting with them, she was tough, tough as the others. She knew it, she hoped it, but no one else seemed to believe it so instead her mother had left her with others unable to join in the fight – the young, the old and the sick. Releasing her breath with a hiss, she brushed some strands of her brown hair away from her face remembering her mother's strict instructions,

"Now listen carefully to me, Tifa, I want you to stay here so you don't get hurt. Don't go anywhere, understand? Okay, I'll see you later."

And with that she had walked away, beautiful and elegant, truly the person her admired, wind ruffling her hair and yellow summer dress as she adjusted her gripped the sword that usually hanged above their mantel piece at home. When Tifa had first seen her mother with the finely fashioned bladed held to the side, she had thought she was a goddess, strong and proud. Her aura filled their tiny living room.

Home, what if it wasn't there anymore? Tifa clicked her tongue with annoyance, there were too many what if's in this for her liking. She smiled to herself, if Ienzo could hear her now he would laugh and tell her to act her age for once.

Ienzo … I wonder where he is? How her thoughts distracted her. She had know Ienzo since she was seven, that was three years ago and in that time he had become like a brother to her, a member of her family, just like the others, that made her smile even more, Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus and Xehanort… her brothers, not true brothers but more like adopted brothers who were always looking out for her.

Frowning she searched the battle field looking to see if any of them were there, which wasn't likely for she doubted that even knew of the battle raging on their doorstep to busy with their science. Something else caught her eye. The battle was spreading, moving towards the castle and of course Ienzo and the others would have no idea, they had to be warned!

Tifa turned away from the battle for the first time so scared for her loved ones, stopping to look at the others huddling together in small scattered groups round the summit of the hill. There was Yuffie and Aerith, her best friends but neither watched the fight like she did, they had tried to get her to sit with them, tried persuading her that it would be okay. Yet, Tifa could not believe their words. Cloud was so young and Leon might look tough but she knew it wasn't true, so she refused to turn away fearing for their lives.

She took one more glance at them before she began to walk, her breaths coming fast as she waited for someone to notice her. Tifa reached the beginning of the track, thanking those above as no one called out to her, they don't even care, and she began to run towards the city below, running so fast that few saw her pass…running to the castle where her family waited.

Tifa's route took her down twisting alleyways and wiry lanes where the battle had yet to spread, her mind set on getting to the castle. She ran without slowing down wanting to reach her goal as soon as possible.

There!

She could see the great oak doors of the castle, Tifa pick up her pace getting closer and closer as she speed down the alleyway. Dark shadows rose up in front of her, she tried to halt but she was going to fast, instead flying into their open arms. The creatures drowned her in their darkness, suffocating her; as she thrashed and screamed trying to escape from their grasp. She never saw the claws swiping at her side.

A high pitched scream of pain left her lips as she collapsed on the ground clutching her side, her eyes squeezed shut in pain. The shadows slowly moved away from her satisfied with they're work, leaving Tifa alone in the alleyway, leaving her for the dead.

Silence, nothing moved in the alleyway. It was as if everything was waiting with baited breath to see if she would move. Slowing, Tifa stood up unsteadily on her two feet and stumbled on with determination towards the castle and up the steps, tripping over nothing and stopping once or twice to steady herself.

Fumbling with one hand she open one of the large oak doors and slipped through into the entrance hall of the castle. Halting she took her hands from her side they felt wet from what she could tell without looking down. She did not what to see what her body ad become. Tifa opened her eyes only to shut them once more as a moan of pain passed her lips. She felt her side, it was sticky, a mix of cloth and…something else. She brought a hand to her mouth and licked it – blood…it was blood she was covered in…her blood.

She warily squeezed her hands, so far so good, she thought. Cautiously she poked her side, immediately it stung and she doubled over as the ain coursed through her veins. Okay, not so good, her hand ventured away from her side, it was bloody. I'll go find Ienzo and the rest maybe they can help me.

Tifa stared down her clothes, and grimaced as she saw them covered in blood, there goes my favourite shirt, before continuing on her way. Her feet led her down the familiar path as she let her mind wonder, how she hoped they were all okay. Tifa stopped in front of a white door, the lab door. Memories clouded her mind of how Ienzo would smile to her secretly as he let her in, how Even would excitedly show her a new experiment and of how they always had a new story to tell or a new experiment to show her each time she visited. A smiled played on her mouth, of course they would behind this door, laughing at a new joke, waiting to welcome her in.

With trembling fingers she reached out for the handle, a hand still covering her wounded eye. Flinging the door open, Tifa raced into the room, optimistic, looking round searching for those familiar faces only to find…none.

She could hear the slither of monsters coming, her fear growing worse and the pain gripping her mind, and the creatures were at the doo. The last of her hope shattered like glass, as she dropped to the floor of the lab, gazing blindly around her once more, in chance she had over looked them, that could save her once more.

"Thinking of you…," she whispered to the empty room, as a tear trickled down her cheek, "thinking of you where ever you are." And with that she buried her face in her hands, crying as the darkness overwhelmed her.

29th August: Looking back on this chapter it seems to have become more fuller in a sense. No big changes here - I seem to enjoy inflicting pain on myself at how bad this is - Just that Tifa's side injured by the Heartless and she was swallowed by the darkness at the end. I still think it goes too fast.

Please review,

C.Pess