Here is the return of The Stolen Bride!

Summary:

This was the fifth time Tifa Lockhart had disguised herself as a man to lead a large group of merchants from Nibelheim to trade in Midgar! She thought the trip would be smooth like before, but not this time…she was kidnapped! A man with blue eyes has taken her away. She…became his slave.

(I would like to try and write a story that has a mysterious Oriental background! Although the names of places will remain the same as FFVII, I will add tinges of oriental culture inside the story. The story will take place in around the 13th century…somewhere during the Song Dynasty in China, when trade was prosperous between the East and West. Enjoy!)

I don't own anything from FFVII or Square Enix.

Revised on 17/6

Chapter 1

It was the years when the Shinra family ruled. The Shinra Dynasty succeeded an era of political upheaval and uprisings. During that time 5 dynasties quickly succeeded one another and war has never ended. That was until the Shinra family rose up as a strong force that united the whole country and started the Shinra Dynasty. 15 years had passed since the dynasty was founded and the people lived in relative peace. Peace was extremely precious to the people after such a disastrous era of war and blood, the people of the country did not know much about politics, nor understand the importance of the abilities and talents of their ruler, but since the society was stable and peaceful, they dared not ruin the serenity the royal family gave them. It was the army's responsibility to defend the country against the Wolves in the West and the Crows in the North. The only thing that the people had to do was to foster the economy and bring prosperity to the country.

Trade was the main activity which brought great income to the country. If you were to ask what kind of trade was the most profitable the people would definitely answer 'Silk' and 'Porcelain'. However, if you asked who the greatest traders in the country were, then they may have replied that it depended on which part of the country you were asking about! In the North, people would definitely answer The Fair Brothers. But if you were asking about the South the answer would be different because the only trader who could be compared to the Fair Brothers would be the Lockharts.

The Fair Brothers were well known for their profitable coal and arms industry and range management, whilst the Lockharts ran a wealthy business of silk and jewelry in the South. The famous Lockhart Company had the best silk producers and tailors in the whole country. Their business earned huge amounts of profits every year.

Even the clothes and robes of the royal family were designed and made by the Lockharts. You can see how rich and successful they were! Because the silk and the jewels that were sold were made and crafted to the very best quality, the sincere and trustworthy attitude of the Lockharts had gained them a great reputation in the trade industry.

Although they had amassed large amounts of profit, they did not raise the prices of their goods. John Lockhart understood that the aftermaths of the wars were still seriously affecting the people of the country. Thus, he donated much of their money to help the poorer peasants in the rural area's, this provided them with farming tools and helped to build their agricultural industry. His generosity had also earned him his good reputation in society.

With such a successful business, there shouldn't be anything else that John Lockhart would need. However, only one thing really worried him. John Lockhart had two daughters and he feared that The Lockhart Company might not succeed under their management. In an era in which inequality was still serious, he struggled to decide whether he should leave the company to his two daughters or not. Five years ago, he slowly transferred most of the business to his eldest daughter, but on the surface it still looked as if he was still in charge of it all. Although women began to enjoy more privileges after the Shinras took charge of the country, most people still disregarded the abilities of women and viewed them as properties only. His eldest daughter, Tifa had shown she was intelligent since she was young. At that time, John Lockhart immediately hired a scholar to teach her how to read and write, but the scholar felt insulted at being asked to teach a female and left. John Lockhart realized that the status of women was still greatly disregarded by the people in such a conservative environment. If he left the business to his daughters he worried that his trading partners might oppose and stop trading with them! Later, he decided the only thing he could do was to secretly dress Tifa up as a boy in order to hire a teacher willing to educate her. People from outside viewed the disguised Tifa as his love child and gave no comment.

Now 21 years old, Tifa Lockhart owned two identities. She was the beautiful Lady Tifa Lockhart to the public, but had to hide her beauty to become Karl Lockhart, the illegitimate son of John Lockhart. Nonetheless, Karl had already taken merchants on trade journeys from Nibelheim to Midgar four times and had returned with precious fabric and jewelry, not to mention spreading their great reputation all over the world.

Not knowing Karl Lockhart's true identity, many trade partners of John's tried to persuade him to legitimatize the status of his "son", and hand over the business when he retired. John could only give a wry smile, what would the people think if they knew that Karl Lockhart was actually a woman?

Although Tifa had the ability to operate the business, she could not disguise herself as a man forever. If she inherited the business as Karl, this meant that she would have to pretend to be a man forever and would be unable to find true love. If she took over the business as a woman…nobody would want to trade with her at such a conservative time in their history! While John Lockhart was worrying about the heir to his business, Tifa was preparing to lead another group of merchants to Midgar yet again.

John Lockhart sat worrying in his office; his cup of tea was already cold due to the cool autumn air. He sighed, he'd heard from his trading partners that a group of merchants had disappeared during their trip to Midgar and merchants that happened to be nearby saw broken pieces of cargos and corpses. Rumors said that there were a pack of brutal bandits ravaging the area.

It was always an uncontrollable and dangerous journey on the way to Midgar. There were bandits, thieves and the Shinras greatest enemy, The Wolves. Although there was peace, there were still small-scale battles and conflicts between countries and people affected mostly became bandits who attacked the merchants for their cargos and money.

In the past John himself used to lead a large group of merchants to different places to trade, but he stopped leading them after a trip to Junon. On that trip, the whole trading team were robbed by a large pack of bandits and Lockhart was shot and injured severely in the leg by an arrow while trying to escape. Unfortunately, his wound didn't heal properly and made him limp from that day onwards. That was the reason why he stopped leading merchants to different places to trade. John sighed again. Maybe he should stop Tifa from leading the trip this time.

Knock knock!

'Father, you called for me?' A young man with brown hair and chocolate-wine eyes entered the room.

'Yes dear, I was looking for you.' John Lockhart rose from his chair and steadied himself by leaning on his walking stick but grunted when he straightened his back. He was getting old.

'Oh father! Sit down. Is the pain really bad? Here.' The young man hurried towards John and put a cushion, which was originally on the couch, behind his back so he could sit on his chair comfortably.

'I was only looking for you to discuss the coming trip to Midgar.' John leaned back onto his chair and looked up at the young man standing next to him.

'What about it? I've got everything prepared and ready to go. Reno is coming with me this time as my bodyguard.' The young man pulled a small, wooden stool from the corner of the room and sat next to John.

I've heard from people today that a group of merchants went missing three months ago while they were on their way to Midgar to trade. I don't think it is a good idea for you to go this time.' John took hold of the young man's hand and patted it.

'I've heard of it too, that is why some of the merchants on this trip are going to hire armed bodyguards to escort the team to Midgar. I'm sure everything's going to be alright, don't worry father.' The young man smiled reassuringly at John.

'Tifa my dear, listen to me. It is too dangerous. I don't want you to go. I cannot take the risk.' John looked up into chocolate-wine eyes. He never wanted Tifa to disguise herself as a man and lead the merchants through dangerous zones for trading, but his badly healed leg would never allow him to travel again.

Tifa, not wanting her father's company to fail, took up the task and helped operate the business. She felt there was a need to disguise herself as a man for when she ventured on the trips, for as a woman she would attract much more danger during the long journeys. John was worried every time Tifa had to go on a trip away from Nibelheim and always told her there was no need to lead the merchants herself. However, Tifa insisted and promised to make sure everything went according to plan. Stubborn as she was, John admired her spirit.

'Father, I've led the team for four times already. Nothing bad happened to us and I came home in one piece. I'm not going to be killed.' Tifa knelt down on her knees and held her father's hand. 'Trust me father, everything will be fine like before!'

'Tifa, you are my daughter. I can't let you disguise yourself as a man for your whole life just to go on trading journeys. You should get married and have a happy life.' John cupped his daughter's face and caressed her smooth, delicate cheek with his thumb.

'But I don't want to get married. I still haven't met someone I love and I want to do this for you, father. I want to help you run the business and go on trips for you. I don't mind pretending to be a man for my whole life.' Tifa stood up and kissed her father on the cheek. 'I promise I will come back safely. I'll leave tomorrow morning.' And with that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

John closed his eyes and sighed. He truly hoped that Tifa would come back safely like before. He then turned his chair and looked out the window into the clear blue sky.

'Tifa is just as stubborn as you, Elaine. Please watch over her.' he murmured.

The moon had risen and stars shone brightly in the sky, adding wonderful sparks of silver into the shades of midnight blue. In the Lockhart's household, a young, pretty woman with short black hair was peeking through her older sister's study room, hoping to see what Tifa was doing. Yuffie, the second daughter of John Lockhart was adopted by John and his wife Elaine when she was four after they found her wandering on the streets, crying and begging for food. She was at first timid and shy, but soon became a joyful and energetic girl after being a member of the Lockhart family. She was quite the mischievous girl and loved to pull pranks on people and now she was trying to scare the daylights out of her big sister.

She was about to barge into Tifa's room when suddenly a voice from inside the room said 'Yuffie, stop peeking. If you want to come in then come in. Stop trying to pull pranks on me.'

'Aww, Tifa you're no fun.' Yuffie pouted her lips and pushed the door open; obviously a bit disappointed that she lost the chance of scaring her sister. Inside the room stood Tifa, counting the trade items for the last time to make sure she had everything ready.

'Hmmm, people in Midgar are really fond of our silk and jewellery, maybe we should bring more to trade this time… and I've heard that there are lot of funny little gadgets in Midgar, there's these glowing little balls and other stuff. I can bring some back for you if you want me to.' Tifa turned to smile at Yuffie after she finished counting the stock.

'Tifa! You have to get some rest. You've been counting non-stop and arranging the trip for days! I was reading but the book father told me to read but it is so boring so I came here to talk with you. I know you're going to leave tomorrow morning and I don't know when you are coming back! It might take you a couple of weeks or even months! I'll be so lonely when you're gone.' Yuffie came up to Tifa and hugged her tightly. 'Can I go with you this time? I've never gone on a trip before and I want to try!' Yuffie released Tifa from the embrace and looked at her with puppy eyes.

'Absolutely not! Father would kill me if I brought you along! It's cold in the evening, why didn't you wear something warmer?' Tifa furrowed her eyebrows as she realized Yuffie was only wearing a white short satin dress. She went over to her chair and took her white wool-knit shawl and handed it to Yuffie.

'It's not fair. I want to go on adventures too.' Yuffie wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and sat onto the velvet magenta couch in the study. 'I heard that Reno is going with you. He's really happy that you're taking him with you as your bodyguard. But sis, are you sure he can protect you? He's not that good in fighting. Besides, don't you know he's got a huge crush on you? He might think he's got a chance!' Yuffie exclaimed.

'Yuffie, I'm bringing him because he's good enough to go on trips like these and we've been friends since childhood. He knows I'm a girl so he can help me watch out for any careless mistakes that would blow my cover, he's just a friend.' Tifa patted Yuffie on the head and headed out the room. Yuffie quickly stood up and followed her out.

'Well, I just hope he can protect you from danger if you really meet any.' Yuffie said while hurrying to keep up with Tifa.

'He will.' Tifa went to her bedroom and before entering; she turned around and kissed Yuffie on the forehead. 'Goodnight, Yuf.'

'Goodnight, Teef.'

Morning came quickly and rays of sunlight kissed Tifa on the eyelids, waking her up.

Another trip again.

She stretched and rose from her soft bed and headed towards her bathroom to clean herself up. Tifa looked at the mirror. A beautiful girl stared back at her, yet this beauty was unknown to many people. Only her family and Reno knew her secret. Reno knew because his parents were very close with Tifa's parents before they died on that trip to Junon, the trip which John injured his leg and which he had lost his wife, Elaine. John raised Reno up like a son after Reno's parents died and Reno was so close to Tifa's family, so he knew Tifa was a girl instead of a man.

Tifa brushed her soft brown hair into a ponytail and hid it in a hat. She wore a white shirt, black breeches and leather boots. She wrapped herself in a large khaki colored cloak to hide her body more. Looking at herself one more time in the mirror, she headed out of her bedroom and went to the trading team's gathering place.

The streets were filled with people already in the early morning. Carriages went up and down the street's, people were buying food at the street stalls, men riding horses trotted along the busy streets and hawkers shouted loud to attract customers. Karl Lockhart rode on his horse slowly, avoiding the crowds and searching for his group of merchants.

'Lockhart! Over here!' Reno waved at Karl as he saw "him" coming towards them. 'We're all ready to go.'

'Good. We'll be passing the Gold Saucer Area and then we'll sail to Junon. Afterwards, we head north to Midgar. Some of the merchants wanted the route to be like this.' Tifa climbed off of her white horse, unrolled her map and handed it to Reno for him to have a look.

'Well then, let's go. We don't have all day!' Reno yelled to the whole team of merchants and they all immediately climbed onto their horses and got their carriages of items ready.

'Wait!' A voice was heard from across the street. It was Yuffie, and next to her was John. Tifa climbed off her horse and walked towards them. Reno followed her.

'We came to say goodbye! Please take care and come back soon!' Yuffie pulled Tifa into a big hug. Tifa smiled and hugged her back. John also gave Tifa a warm hug.

'Be careful, my dear.' John said while hugging her.

'I will, father.'

'Don't worry sir. I will look after her for you.' Reno patted his chest to show his confidence and that he could take good care of Tifa. John nodded and patted Reno on his shoulder. He looked at Tifa worriedly and gave a small smile. Tifa returned a smile and turned away.

Tifa and Reno then headed back towards the waiting team and climbed onto their horses.

'Let's go.'