Vanilla

By: Tifa the Turk

Chapter One

The emptiness of the once 7th Heaven was too much to bear for Tifa Lockheart. She sat on a dusty stool, resting her head in her hands. She couldn't believe she made it through all the wreckage to even find this place. She got up and walked over to the old arcade game. Tifa leaned down and blew the excess dust off the cover and stepped on the metal flooring front of it. The machine began to move. A single tear fell below the young maidens' eye. I can't believe it is still here. All the old memories, the painful and the joyful. Tifa examined all the things that they all left behind. She walked toward Jessie's old workstation. A yellow note was placed among the hardware. She lifted it up and held it close, the handwriting wasn't very good.

Dear AVALANCHE member,

Whoever is reading this, Biggs, Wedge, or I are dead. I left this to tell you that we died fighting for what we believe in. Don't blame it on anyone, not even the Turks. They did what orders told them to do. Take this ID, it is made for Cloud. Like I said I would.

Sincerely,

Jessie♥

Tifa held the note, and broke down crying. She couldn't bear reading a note that sat there for 3 years. After she regained control of her emotions, Tifa exited her old bar and headed for The Edge.

- - -

It was winter at the Edge. The soft, fluffy like flakes of snow fell on the two Turks faces. They strolled the streets in search of a bar open on Christmas. So far every place was open for couples or families only. What a load of crap.

"You know, Rude." A man began, "Doesn't your head ever get cold?" Rude stared at Reno over his glasses, which startled Reno. It seemed that they could communicate through their eyes. "Sorry, man." They began walking past an open bar. They walked right past it when Reno skidded to a halt and dashed for the door. It was locked. Just as he was going to say something, he saw a woman in a red turtleneck running toward them. She looked very cold and her dark brown hair was tinted white from the snow. It was Tifa. Reno and Rude recognized her but she did not recognize them.

"Hold on a minute!" She called after them. She reached for the door handle and fumbled with her keys. "Oh crap." She leaned down to get them when the keys appeared in her face. Reno had picked them up for her. Rude's mouth had dropped.

"Here you are." Reno said with a slight grin. Tifa stared at his face for a moment.

"Do I know you?" She asked.

"Why yes you do. I'm—." Reno was interrupted by a very loud Cloud. He came strolling down the white sidewalk.

"Teef!" He called waving to her. She did a one-eighty and waved back at him, cocking a grin. Tifa opened the door and let the cold guests in. The waitresses began to arrive. Tifa walked behind the counter and Reno and Rude took some seats in a nearby table. She picked up a damp, green rag and began wiping down the counter. Cloud to a seat at a stool in front of her.

"So, Tifa." Cloud began, "I heard your business is going well?" He was never good at small talk.

"Yeah, I am doing great." She said with a lack of emotion. She was staring in Reno and Rude's direction. "Hey do you know them?" She asked Cloud pointing in there direction. Cloud turned to face them and as he was about to answer, the bar door flew open.

"Everyone on the floor!" A man with a shotgun yelled. The guests began to scream and dived for the floor. There were two men. The man with the shotgun and distinct features and a bony face. He ran over to Cloud and pinned him against a wall. The other, was very handsome but had Mako eyes. He was in SOLDIER.

"You, bar hostess!" The man in SOLDIER yelled. "Come here."

"Tifa!" Cloud yelled, only to be hit on the head with a shotgun. Tifa walked calmly toward them and faced him.

"What?" She said with an edgy tone. The man grabbed her and held a knife to her throat. By that time Reno flung up from his seat, followed by Rude.

"And what are we up to?" Reno asked, tapping his nightstick to his shoulder. Tifa looked into his eyes. She knew who it was now. She mouthed his name. Reno.

"What do you and your skinny ass plan to do?" The man asked, still holding Tifa. Reno winked at Tifa.

"Nothing. I believe we won't be touching you." Reno said.

"Someone else will." Rude said. The man looked confused. He felt the knife being knocked out of his hand. He then received several punched to the face. Tifa kicked upward on his chin and blood came spewing out on her cheek. She jumped onto the wall and kicked him to the other side to the room. Rude ran over to Cloud and pulled back the guy's with the shotgun's head. He man yelled in agony. Tifa kicked the man she was fighting with, unconscious. The other man was knocked out by Rude, hitting him over the head. Tifa, breathing heavily, walked over to Reno, who had a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Wh—what?" Tifa managed to say. Reno didn't say a word. He just looked at her. "May I ask something?" By this time, Cloud had gotten up and walked behind Tifa. He put is had on her shoulder. Without looking at Cloud, she pushed his hand off her shoulder, blood dripping from her chin. Police lights had formed outside the bar, people still frightened to come out. "Huh?!" She was waiting for an answer; she wouldn't stop looking at him. She needed and answer. Sweat was dripping from her forehead, making her dark brown bangs stick. "Why did you help us? Me?"

"That's my little secret" Reno said, waving a finger in her face.