Chapter Two – Introduction
"Thanks Vincent," Tifa breathed, covering the blonde with a blanket as she exited the room. The dark figure of Vincent stood in the doorway, waiting as she directed him back downstairs to the bar.
"Are you sure it would be wise to leave him unattended?"
Tifa's dazzling smile greeted him, affecting him like it usually did as she responded. "Vince," She stated softly; she was the only person that called him such a name. In fact, she was the only one that he allowed to call him such a title.
He watched as she pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, "The poor guy is out for the night, I doubt he'd rob the bar, he doesn't look the type." She affirmed, now rustling through the medical cabinet. "Besides, there's nothing valuable around here, unless you're an alcoholic that is."
Obtaining what she'd been looking for, Tifa shifted around to find Vincent standing before her in an abnormally close position. His hands rested on her shoulders lightly, his eyes holding an intensity she'd never seen before.
"You are okay? He did not hurt you?" He queried; it had been the most questions he'd asked throughout the time Tifa had known him.
Breaking the eye contact, the brunette nodded her head curtly, shuffling away from his grasp. As abrupt as his questions, Vincent stepped away from her; his long cloak flowed behind him.
"I should go," He said flatly, making his way to the door.
Recovering slightly from his sudden display of emotions, Tifa' head shot up. "Wait,"She called after him. Her head was set at an angle as she stared at his back. "Why did you come?" She whispered.
Minutes lapsed, a hushed silence engulfing them. "I just passed by," he finally replied before disappearing behind the closing door.
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A mild hangover welcomed the mako eyed Cloud as his eyes adjusted to the broad daylight. He sat up to discover a foreign surrounding. He was in a bed with a soft blanket pulled over him; his jacket was folded neatly on the chair at the end of the bed, his valuables resting atop it. Shifting to his right, a bottle of water and a packet of aspirin sat on the bedside table, the clock reading 9am.
Slipping out of the somewhat comfy bed, he opened the bedroom door to find a narrow hallway, and then a flight of stairs to his right, leading down. Stepping out, faint, but distinct footsteps echoed downstairs, encouraging him to descend. As the interior of a bar came into view, he soon realized where he was.
"Yeah I'll tell him," Cloud heard as he waited in silence for the man's attention. "I can't believe ya helped the drunk," grunted the over muscular figure before hanging up.
Barrett Wallace turned from the crate of bottles to spot the blonde spiky haired dude Tifa had informed him about.
"Ya awake?" He asked only to receive a nod.
At first, Cloud didn't know how to react, but the next words escaped his mouth hesitantly. "T-thanks," he managed.
Barrett shook his head at the blonde's gratitude. "Thank Tifa an' Vincent." He explained, continuing. "Vincent carried ya here, an' Tifa made sure ya didn't kill yaself by ridin' home."
"T-Tifa?" Cloud repeated, his heading aching. The name sounded familiar.
Barrett gave a nod of his head, "Yeah, she'll be 'ere soon," he added watching spike suspiciously.
Various thoughts entered both minds, neither of them exchanging any words. Cloud faintly remembered the night's event, but couldn't picture faces, or the woman called Tifa. Breaking out of his trance, he made his way back upstairs.
"I should leave," he whispered and was gone after retrieving his belongings, and taking the offered medication and drink.
- - - - - - - - -
"So how'd it go with Blonde?" Yuffie chirped, holding her books securely as she walked with her friend to the cafeteria. She had already given the mysterious guy many names after catching hold of the news of the night's events after her departure from Seventh Heaven. Yuffie was expecting something good since Tifa had been at the bar to check up on Mr. Stranger today.
"Did you leap on him and say: 'Let's make love?'" The excited girl sounded out only to be rewarded with peace. She halted, eyes wide, her mind jumping to conclusions. "You really did didn't you?" She half screamed with delight. "I knew there was a bad Tifa in there somewhere," she stated to find that her friend had left her behind.
As Tifa continued walking, able to see Yuffie from the corner of her eye gawking at her, she released a sigh. "Nothing happened Yuffie," she assured. "He was gone when I left."
The moment the piece of information reached the young girl's ears, was the moment her expression fell.
"Damn Vincent," she cursed. "He's always getting in the way; I knew I shouldn't have said anything."
It was Tifa's turn to stop walking. "What do you mean Yuffie?" She inquired solemnly.
Uh-oh. Yuffie thought, awkwardly turning to face her friend, her books held before her like a shield, but Tifa's piercing gaze went straight through.
"What?" Tifa half shouted.
"Well…" Yuffie began, lowering her books, "I left early last night…" She reminded, her voice drifting away.
"And?" Tifa bombarded, her arms folded over her chest, bringing Yuffie back to the present.
"And… I bumped into Vincent…" Yuffie explained, but continued at Tifa's gaze. "I told him you were closing up alone… And then I mentioned the blonde…" Yuffie noted, seeing the unimpressed expression spread on the brunette's beautiful features. "And things kinda took its course from there," She finished, leaving out a whole chunk of the one sided conversation she and Vincent shared as she gave a weak smile.
Tifa had to control the urge to wring Yuffie's neck as she commenced walking again. Knowing Yuffie and the absurd things that came from her mouth, it was evident that Vincent had heard a shoddier summary of Yuffie's wild tales.
No wonder why he acted so strange. She thought, her pace increasing with every step she took as confusion seeped into her veins. The relationship between her and Vincent was a somewhat close one since they'd been friends for many years now. Her legs carried her to the cafeteria, as she subconsciously waited for Yuffie by slowing down a little. As she turned the corner to enter the cafeteria, she collided into the hard body that belonged to Cloud Strife. Dazed from the collision, brown orbs locked onto the recognizable brilliant blue eyes, at a lost for words.
Recovering from the sudden impact of the brown eyed woman, Cloud took a proper look at the female before him.
"Y-you." She sputtered at him as he threw her a blank look.
A part of Tifa felt joyous at the second meeting with the stranger. She digested his puzzled expression before managing to find the courage to speak. "I'm from the bar…" She introduced, a little disappointed that he couldn't remember. She smiled at the look of recognition in his eyes.
"I'm Tifa." She stated, offering her hand in a handshake only to find that his eyes widened even more. He left her hanging there for a while, as she misinterpreted his surprise for reluctance.
He's very different... Tifa noted, her mind drifting for a while. Maybe it was the alcohol talking last night... She finished, her focus falling back to her lone outstretched hand. Count to three and then put the hand down…Tifa thought. One…Two…Three… Just as she was about to remove her hand, he grasped it in his warm one.
"Cloud," He introduced.
As the two of them bathed in their somewhat comfortable silence, Yuffie stepped in.
"Oh my," she breathed. "It's Blondie. What a small world."
At those words, Tifa released Cloud's hand, as his gaze fell to Yuffie.
Tifa was certain that he knew her friend was referring to him as her cheeks heated. Sometimes, it was better to strangle your friend to death before things got worse…
A/N: Update number two to keep you intrigued for a while longer. :D Enjoy this one guys since I won't be updating very soon ( Due to exams, thus I must study!).
Reviews are highly appreciated! Infinite thanks!
JM
