Chapter 2: With That Little Piece of Info

Disclaimer: I don't own Tifa or Rufus. I do own the three kiddiwinks, auntie and uncle though. And the odd random animal that happens to pass into the story...

Your anger like a whisper,
Your cry like a chime,
Granting me unlimited wishes,
Especially the one where I wish you were mine.

Tifa's POV

I didn't want to leave him but I had no choice. He wasn't aware of how my life was. How strict it was living with my aunt and uncle and cousins. I wasn't treated like a human. To them, I was a pack donkey, something they could work no matter how tired I got. Now I know what Cinderella felt like, having to clean up after her Ugly Stepsisters. My father used to read me that story when I was younger. It was my favorite story so whenever I couldn't sleep, he would always read it to me. My favorite part was the part when Cinderella went to the ball, looking beautiful and everyone was sucking up to her, even her step-sisters. But, the reason I loved the story the most, was because it had a happy ending. Cinders got to be with the handsome prince and live happily ever after. Happy. So many people take that for granted. Just because the shoes that they want aren't in stock or they have a minor argument with someone they love, they are distraught. They think they have the worse lives ever. But, until they are being beaten, or properly slaved or abused in some other way, their lives are basically perfect.

I reached my aunt and uncle's house. I refused to call it my house. I didn't look at it that way. It was just a place I was forced to stay in until I was old enough to look after myself. I knew I was perfectly capable of looking after myself at this age, 16. I mean, I looked after five other people in the household as well as myself. But because of some stupid laws, I had to be 17 before they let me escape. That meant one more year of capture until I was finally freed. I planned on leaving on the morning of my 17th birthday. Forget all the celebrations. They wouldn't give me a party anyway. They hadn't for the last six years I had been living with them for. My aunt would give my cousins the nicest birthday parties, with gigantic cakes and balloons and music and party food. I got nothing, not even the acknowledgement that I was a year older. But it didn't bother me anymore. I had trained my brain to get used to it.

I went through the back door that they always kept unlocked for the cat to come into. The house was still empty, just like when I left it. The children were at school, my uncle was at work. He was always working to make money for the household. At nighttime sometimes, I heard him and my auntie arguing about how much work he did. My aunt said he should do more and make more money. My uncle says that if he worked any harder, he'd be dead. They try and keep the volume as low as possible to avoid their "precious angels" waking up. They didn't care if I heard or not but if I did, they made sure that I didn't spread what I'd heard. I wouldn't dare. Being beaten for disobeying wasn't the greatest feeling.

The house was still tidy from when I left it. Thank goodness. I really wasn't in the mood to clean up yet again. I made my way up into the bedroom that I shared with Wendi. I had the cramped single bed in the corner while she had the pretty princess bed. I sighed softly and reached under my pillow for my diary. It was there. I pulled it out and sat cross-legged on my bed, taking a pen out of my pocket. I always found time to write in my diary no matter what. It seemed to be the only part of me that remained alive when I was here. I was always careful to hide it, I knew how nosy my male cousins could be. They loved to get me upset. Wendi was different. She seemed to dislike her brothers as much as I did, because they annoyed her as well. She was the quiet one out of the three, at thirteen and a half years old. And she was also my aunt and uncle's absolute favorite. They gave her everything she wanted. After that, they liked Clenjor, followed by Sigfried. It was easy to tell where I came. Absolutely rock bottom. Opening my diary to a new page, I began to write.

Dear Diary,

Life, as usual, is still exactly the same. There's a mess, they demand I clean it up. Something unsatisfactory that needs doing, they demand I do it. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to. But that's probably because I'm used to it now. Six years is enough to get used to anything, even being treated as the maid. The maid that doesn't get paid, which basically makes me a slave. Ha!

I met someone really interesting today. His name was Rufus. I was in the park, while everyone was out the house. I always do my best thinking in the park. it's the only place where I can think what I want without anyone coming to interrupt me. But today, it was different. I was thinking about what I would do when I left the hellhole for good (just a year more to go) when he came and sat next to me. I could tell straight away that he was watching me, fascinated by me, dare I say it. He finally seemed to pluck up the courage to talk to me. And I'm glad that he did. His voice was amazing. It sounded just like music and when I looked at him, he was so beautiful. He had blond hair that was slicked back. Bright blue eyes that looked compassionate and lovely full lips that could give the most amazing smile. I wanted to be his friend so much but I knew that if my aunt ever found out, it would be hell to pay. And trust me, they would make me pay it. Still, I think I might try at least. Maybe, I'll see him again one day. I'll be wishing for it. Wishing for it more than I've wished for anything for a long, long time.

Write to you soon diary,

Tifa xxx

I closed the book and hid it back under my pillow. Looking at the clock, I could see that it was time to start getting dinner ready. I was making spaghetti bolognese tonight, which I knew was the witch's favorite. The boys ate just about anything that was shoved in front of them, as long as it wasn't green. Wendi was different. She was a very picky eater and even if she did like it, she would eat extremely slowly, picking at the food as if it was poisonous.

I put the food on the hob to simmer, while I prepared the dessert for later. By the time the clock struck 4 o'clock, I was dishing out the last plate of food. I heard a key in the front door. They were home. The two male monsters thundered upstairs, roaring and laughing. Wendi walked into the kitchen, her school shoes clicking on the floor. She wrinkled her nose as she smelt the meal.

"Yuck I hate spag bol!" she moaned, making a face in disgust. I ignored her, as I usually did when she started things like this. Finally, the witch came into the room. She smiled when she smelt the dinner.

"Oh good, spaghetti" she said to no one in particular. She finally seemed to see me and her face became disdainful. "Well Tifa, what are you waiting for? Get Clenny and Siggy downstairs immediately for dinner!"

I said nothing in reply. She would call it answering back if I did anyway. Making my way up the stairs, I turned towards the source of the noise. Clenjor and Sigfried's room. Not bothering to knock (they wouldn't hear me anyway, with the amount of noise they were making) I opened the door.

"Come down and get dinner, it's spaghetti bolognese". The eldest, Clenjor, made a face.

"I don't like your cooking. It stinks!" he shouted. Sigfried burst into laughter at that.

Trying to compose myself, I took deep breaths. It would be no good flying off the handle. They would call their mum anyways and then guess what? Smack!

"Well, we have jello and ice cream for dessert!" I tried to entice him. His face immediately brightened up and soon they were racing downstairs. I followed them, throwing my apron onto my bed on the way. By the time I got to the kitchen, the family were all seated around the table and were tucking into their meal. I took my place at the table and began to eat my portion. Sometimes, I glanced up at the faces around the table. The boys were stuffing their mouths with spaghetti, lips greasy with mince sauce. My aunt was also wolfing it down, but she had managed to keep her face clean. Wendi was just picking at it, bringing strings of spaghetti up to her mouth for her to suck up. They all finished long before me, burping loudly and wiping their faces. I took that as my cue to clear the dishes away and bring the dessert out. Wendi gave me a small smile before excusing herself, most probably going to her...our bedroom. She rarely ever stayed for dessert unless it was something healthy. She told me that she didn't want to get fat like her mother.

"Hurry up girl! Can't you see we're waiting here?" My aunt growled, looking at me like I was something horrible on her shoe. I sighed and worked faster. Was this how life was always going to be for me? It sure felt like it...

Rufus' POV

I have to see Tifa again, I just have to. I can't get her out of my mind. My father noticed my failed attention at dinner.

"Did you hear what I just said, Rufus?" he asked me.

I blushed slightly. "Um, no. Sorry, I just have something on my mind".

My father smirked and raised one eyebrow. "And what would that "something" happen to be Rufus? I don't suppose it's a girl by any chance?" Damn, he knew me too well. There was no point in lying to him now so I just shrugged.

"What's wrong son? Someone caught your eye that doesn't like you back?" I shook my head. Did I really want to tell my father the whole story of Tifa Lockheart?

"I met this girl called Tifa. And she's not like any other girl I've ever met before. And I don't just mean in looks although she is beautiful. But she seems to be bottling up so much worries inside her. And she seemed in such a mad hurry to leave, although it was still early because she "might get in trouble". And she looked so lonely, dad. I just have to see her again!"

My father seemed to be taking this all in although I was talking rather fast. I do that when I'm frightened, upset or scared. He looked grim for a few seconds before answering. "Well find her son. That's the only thing you can do. If you are so desperate to see her again, and I can tell from your face that you are, you gotta find her".

He was telling me something I already knew. If I had the vaguest idea of where to find her, it would have been a little easier. But I had nothing, apart from her name. I didn't know who she lived with or anything else about her. But with just that bit of information, I was absolutely determined to find her. And I wouldn't stop until I did.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. R&R for me please!!!