Tale 2: Salem vs Cloud: Round 1

For once, it was calm in Kalm as Salem walked the streets making way to his brothers apartment.A few days had passed since Tifa had kissed him and every day he had passed the pub, but not dared to stop by. It wasn't her, it was him. He had no idea how it had happened, but feelings for her had grown since their lips had touched. He couldn't put his hand on it but he knew he would NEVER fall in love again. Not after what happened.

The red eyed brother made his way to Vincents doorstep and cave the secret knock that would let Vincent know it was him and not Yuffie or anyone else for that matter. Vincent hated being bothered. The door opened and Vincent turned for the small living room letting Salem follow. "Vince... I need help..." Salem said shutting the door behind him.

"With what exactly?" Vincent returned sitting down in the chair behind him and what looked like continuing to finish off a drink.

"Tifa..." Salem said giving a glare that would give Vincent a hint on what the matter would be.

"I heard." Vincent said smirking. "Cloud told me all about it."

Salems red eyes widened, "Strife!? HE knows about it?!"

"Indeed, and wants to beat your ass for it too." Vincent returned, his grin becoming a bit wider before turning into a giggle.

"Whats so damn funny!?" Salem said angrily. "Tifa's my friend! But I-"

"Wish to grow closer to her..." Vincent said now serious again. "But also afraid that you might lose her."

Salem stood silent staring at his big brother. "I hate when you do that..."

"What do you think you should do about it?" Vincent said laying his drink down on a small table infront of him.

"I... Don't know... I wish these 'feelings' would just go away..." Salem returned.

"Listen to me..." Vincent said lifting his eyes to his young brother. "Until you get to know her alot more than you already do, they will only do one of two things; Go away and never come back... or." Vincent lowered his head and closed his eyes. "Become stronger and stay."

Salem stood unconvinced and turned, heading for the door. "I'll just live with it..."

"It would be a good idea to figure out why you are so attracted to her." Vincent yelled out, trying to reach his brothers ears.

Salem stopped at the door gripping the nob before turning to his brother who hadn't moved an inch. "I'll pass..." Salem opened the door and turned to leave only meet a fist in his face. Salem slid on the hardwood floor as Vincent stood to his feet. Salem shook off the blow and made to his feet. Cloud stood at the doorway with a crazy look in his eye.

"Guys no here-" Vincent said only for Salem to return the blow back to the spiked blonde sending them into the streets.

Salem sat on him throwing back to back blows to the face before Cloud threw him off blood running from his left nostril. Cloud ran against a wall, jumping off giving Salem a knee to the jaw. Salem fell to the ground only to push himself back up again. Blood ran from his lip to his chin and fell off. The two men stared at one another ready to strike again until...

"Both of you!" Vincent boomed. "Stop this at once! If you want to fight so much then fight off some fiends in the jungle, not here!"

The rivals eyes locked in to eachothers, not taking them away from the others. Cloud loosend up and glanced over to Vincent before looking back to Salem. "If I find out that you have gone anywhere around Seventh Heaven or Tifa again... You won't see the light of day."

"Barely do that already blonde." Salem snapped back.

Cloud continued to his bike and threw his leg over it and cranked it up, giving the youger Valentine boy a deadly glare before riding off.

Salem and Vincent stood in the street, the small crowd now breaking off. "I told you..." Vincent reminded Salem.

"Shut up." Salem returned whiping the blood from his jin. "I better get back to Midgar."

"Why?" Vincent returned.

"I got to get to know her..." Salem grinned back.