A/N: Okay, I know I've gotten lazy on updating but I've had a minor case of writer's block that I can't seem to get rid of. It took me a while to even get this much so I hope you like it. Even though it's not much. Well, at any rate, I hope you enjoy it!
Back at the castle, Tifa was still in her room, crying. A silent knock came to the door and Tifa wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Who is it?" She called, getting up from the bed.
"It's Aeris," came the voice from the other side.
Tifa opened the door and was greeted by a young girl with long chestnut brown hair. She walked in, carrying a tray and set it down on the bedside table.
She looked up at Tifa. "I just thought you might like something to drink," she said, handing her a mug of hot tea.
"Oh, thank you," Tifa said, sipping at the warm liquid.
"Now then," Aeris said, walking over to an accordion door closet and pulling it open. "What should you wear for dinner?"
Tifa took another sip of the tea then set it down on the tray. "I'm sorry, but I won't be going to dinner."
"Oh, of course you-What!?" Aeris exclaimed, twirling around. She rushed towards Tifa. "But you have to!"
"No I don't!" Tifa said, walking over to the window and watching snowflakes trickle down the windowpanes. "He doesn't have to make me do anything!"
"But…. but Tifa!" Aeris said, trying to persuade her.
"I'm not going to dinner," she mumbled, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest.
Aeris opened her mouth to try and convince her to at least go down and tell him herself but she held her tongue and excited the room.
"Where is she?!" The large demon bellowed pacing around in front of the fireplace. He stopped and looked at Cid, Yuffie and Reno who were standing next to the table. "Why isn't she here yet?!" He yelled, causing all of them to jump slightly.
"Maybe she's running late," Reno said, taking a cigarette out of the package and putting it between his lips.
Seeing this, the demon walked towards him and grabbed the cigarette out from between his lips and threw it into the fire. He turned back to Reno, a fire burning in his blood red eyes. "What did I tell you about smoking in my castle!? If you want to smoke go do it outside!" He yelled before returning to wearing a hole in the floor.
"Yes, sir," Reno said, saluting then walking out of the dining room.
After Reno had disappeared Cid turned to his Master who was still pacing and walked towards him. "Master?" The demon stopped pacing and looked at him. "I just have a question." He paused before continuing. "Have you ever considered that this girl will be the one to break the spell?"
The demon's blood red eyes left Cid's face and traveled down to the marble floor. He turned around. "Of course," he mumbled, barely audible. "How could she love something like this?" He said, turning around and staring at Cid, baring his long fangs.
"Well," Yuffie said, speaking up from behind Cid. "Beauty isn't all on the outside."
Cid looked back at Yuffie then back at his Master and nodded his head. "The kid's right. You have to help her see past the demon."
Moments later, there was a tentative knock on the door. Yuffie turned around and walked towards it. "Here she is!" Yuffie exclaimed, setting her hand on the door handle.
She opened the door and Aeris stuck her head around the corner and tiptoed inside. Yuffie closed the door behind her and walked back to the edge of the table with Aeris. She looked at the Master who was standing there, staring at her.
"Where is she?" He asked, in a quiet yet menacing voice.
Aeris bit her bottom lip and looked from the door back to her Master. "Well, uh, you see, well…" She paused and swallowed hard. "She's not coming…"
"WHAT!?" He yelled, before charging out of the room and flying up towards Tifa's room. He came to a skidding stop in front of it and slammed his fist on the door a few times. "I thought I told you to join me for dinner!!!"
Tifa walked towards the door and leaned up against the jam. "I'm not hungry," she said, crossing her arms.
"No one disobeys me! You come out or…. I'll break down the door!" He yelled, backing up a few steps and balling up his fists.
"Go right ahead!" Came Tifa's rebellious response.
He was getting ready to strike the door when Cid grabbed one of his arms and spoke. "Master, if you want to win the girl's affections this isn't the way to do it."
He swatted away Cid's hand and swiftly turned around. "How am I supposed to speak with her?! She won't even listen!" He whispered menacingly, pointing towards the large door behind him.
"Take a deep breath," Aeris said. "And address her formally."
The large demon's shoulders slumped as he turned his menacing red eyes toward the door and sighed deeply. He turned his back to his servants and softened his voice considerably.
"I would be greatly honored if you would accompany me for dinner," he growled, his voice becoming more and more angered.
There was a moment of silence from the other side and the demon thought that he had hit the nail on the head.
"No thank you!" Came the rebellious response.
The demon's eyes flared with anger, not being able to contain his rage any longer. He balled his fists, the black scales seeming to quiver slightly. "Fine then!" He shouted. "Go ahead and STARVE!!!" He roared before opening his wings and taking off down the hallway slamming a door roughly behind him.
"That could have gone a little better," Yuffie whimpered.
Aeris looked nervously at an old Grandfather Clock sitting not far away. The hands pointed to 11:43. She bit her lip. "It's almost midnight."
"Wonderful," Cid muttered. He looked up and spotted Reno walking toward them. "Reno you jackass, get over here!"
Reno complied and stopped next to him. "What's up, Chief?" He said, saluting.
Cid grabbed Reno roughly by the shoulder and shoved him next to Tifa's door. "Stand guard right here and make sure that she doesn't venture out." He looked at Yuffie and Aeris. "Come on, we better go clean up."
Reno leaned up against the door and looked over at the clock. 11:49. "Shit," he muttered, digging into his pocket for another cigarette before realizing that he couldn't smoke in the castle. "Double shit."