Chapter 3: Amnesia
Barret clattered around the kitchen preparing lunch for Marlene and himself; ham sandwiches. Now and then, he glanced uneasily into the adjacent bedroom where Cloud and Tifa lay unconscious.
Barret felt wholly worried by the incident. If he hadn't taken Marlene for a hike in the Nibel mountains, Cloud and Tifa would probably be dead.
He had seen the car hurtling towards him out of the mist, and had recognised the shocked countenance at the wheel as Tifa's. When the car had gone careering over the edge of the precipice, Barret had picked up Marlene and sprinted as fast as his brawny legs would carry him to the base of the structure. There, he discovered that the canopy of the forest had broken the vehicles fall, and that the car had tumbled out of a tree for the most part unharmed, but with its inhabitants unconscious.
He had managed to get them back to his house. That had been three days ago.
Barret looked in at the sleeping forms again for any sign of movement. He found none, except for the presence of Marlene covering both their brows with damp cloths.
The bulky man sighed and turned back to buttering the sandwiches.
Suddenly, an alarmed voice emanated from the bedroom.
'Papa… Cloud is moving!'
Barret threw down the butter knife and quickly lumbered his way through the cluttered kitchen to the room in which Marlene was standing, looking anxiously down at the spiky haired being on the bed.
Cloud was shifting his upper body slightly, and flexing his fingers weakly.
'Cloud?' Barret reached out and touched his shoulder with uncharacteristic gentleness.
Cloud opened his eyes so that he was squinting up at his old friend.
'Where am I?' he murmured softly.
Barret regained his tough, good natured form.
'You're at my house in Corel, Spiky! You owe me a life debt now, and I won't be forgettin' it!'
Cloud smiled weakly. Suddenly, his aquamarine eyes widened and he sat bolt upright.
'Tifa! Is she…?'
'Look to your left.' Barret said gruffly, biting a fingernail. Cloud did so, and beheld the limp form of Tifa on the bed beside him.
This, however, did not seem to satisfy.
'Is she all right? She hasn't been seriously injured, has she?'
Barret grunted. 'The doctor says she just needs rest. Her condition is the same as yours.'
'Then why isn't she awake yet!' Cloud demanded. He was irrational with worry.
'Relax.' Barret pushed him back down into a lying position. 'Let her sleep. She has no serious injury, apart from being knocked about a bit. Let her sleep, man!'
Cloud sighed and nodded. Settling back down, he closed his eyes and drifted off.
Barret looked fondly down at his dormant comrades. He then turned his gaze to Marlene, who had been silent throughout the whole exchange.
The little girl smiled trustingly at him. 'I'm glad Cloud's all right.'
Barret looked relieved. 'So am I, honey. Hey, your friend should be here soon.'
Marlene grinned impiously. 'She's your friend too, papa.'
Barret's face turned a shade of red. He had no idea that his adopted daughter could be so perceptive.
'Yeah, Yuffie is my friend.'
'Papa, what's with the hesitation?' Marlene said in mock innocence. 'I thought you liked her. You even said you were going to propose an outing for dinner with her.'
'Marlene!' Barret snapped briskly.
'I was just asking…' The nine year old muttered, before slinking off to prepare her own sandwich.
The well built man shook his head. The female species was a mystery to him. They could either read minds, or he was making his feelings for the happy-go-lucky ninja too obvious. Also, they liked to tease. The information that had been gleaned from his mind by Marlene had just been used against him, that much was apparent. He would be on his guard from now on.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Barret made his way back through to the kitchen, but light, quick footsteps in the porch announced that Marlene had got to the door first.
'Hi, Marlene!' A cheery, girlish voice filled the house. Marlene squealed as the skinny, black haired 19 year old swung her around and set her back on the ground.
'How're Cloud and Tifa?' Yuffie asked Marlene, kneeling down so they were face to face.
This was why she and Yuffie were so close, Marlene thought. Yuffie treated her as an equal, not as some ignorant child, as Barret did. Marlene knew more than she let on.
'Cloud woke up a while ago, but he's asleep again. And Tifa hasn't woken up yet…' Marlene's voice trailed off.
Yuffie rose back to her full height. 'Right.'
Barret peered shyly out into the hall. The ninja's grey eyes flicked to his bulky physique.
'Hey, Barret!' Yuffie gave a jovial wave.
Barret returned the warm greeting with nothing more than a grunt and a nonchalant wave of his hand. He had never been good at expressing feelings.
Just then, an interruption occurred in the form of Tifa's voice to shatter the awkward silence.
'I'm sorry, Cloud!'
They hurried into the bedroom to find Tifa clinging to Cloud, the latter patting the formers shoulder awkwardly.
Tifa opened her eyes to see a man with a gun arm, a little girl and a thin ninja crowding in the doorway looking concerned. She hurriedly let go of Cloud, embarrassed.
'Barret, Yuffie, Marlene. I didn't see you come in.'
Barret took a step forward. 'You feelin' better?' He asked kindly.
'I think so. Feeling a little guilty, I guess. It was all my fault.'
'Nah, you was spooked by somethin'. I know you. You wouldn't be that careless on purpose.' He grinned.
'Why are you arguing over whose fault it is!' said Yuffie incredulously. 'Geez… The air reeks of selflessness. What a stink!'
The ninja went to exit the room, but turned before she was fully out of sight.
'I'm glad you guys are fully conscious, though.'
Cloud and Tifa laughed nervously. Barret cleared his throat.
'So, no memory loss or anything? I mean, you were knocked about quite a bit.'
Cloud frowned. 'Don't think so. Tif?'
A crease appeared between Tifa's eyebrows.
'Cloud, who was the person that summoned Meteor?'
Cloud raised an eyebrow. 'Of all the things to forget… It was…'
The ex mercenary's mouth opened and shut again.
'Wha…? Barret, who was it?'
'Cloud! You know full well who it was! It was…Er…Hm… Good question.'
Cloud looked disappointed. 'But Barret, you didn't even hit your head. You must remember. You're only joking, right?
Barret lowered his eyes. 'Dammit, Cloud! Would I joke about somethin' like that!'
Tifa was getting worried. 'How could we all forget something as crucial as that? Ask Yuffie. She's the little know-it-all of AVALANCHE.'
Barret exited the room, and Tifa heard the murmur of voices. The large man returned a few moments later with a bemused looking ninja.
'Yuffie don't recall anythin' either.'
Tifa smiled and gave a quick sigh to hide her worry.
'Maybe it's nothing. Maybe we've all just put the past behind us.' She said lightly. The others looked dubious. Tifa cleared her throat.
'Why don't w all go to the Gold Saucer?' It doesn't matter that we've forgotten. We shouldn't even be thinking abut the past.'
Everyone gave a general murmur of affirmation.
End of Chapter 3! REVIEW! Tell me what you thought! Chapter 4 coming ..soon..
