Disclaimer: I do not own

CHAPTER 11

Morning came, and she woke, still in his arms. She looked down to his smooth chest, a smile creeping over her face. She loved this man, a love, a bond that couldn't be broken. Not a dream that would fade. She did still love Tidus, and she would still think of him. But Cloud was a man, more than just a fantasy. He was her hope. She lay back onto his chest, listening to his heartbeat, and found it steadily beating faster. He was waking up. She looked up to his face, she was stunned at his handsome face, his features, she knew she would never forget. He opened his eyes and found the sea of blue, and green. He was captivated by the look on her face. Angelic. He smirked up at her, and she leaned down to kiss him, softly. Both staring into each other, feeling the connection between them deepen. He was hers, she was his. No one could come between. They would fight for each other, until the end. They simply belonged. He tossed her onto her back and smiled down at her, nestling against her shoulder, his mouth grazing her neck, tugging at her ear. She giggled at his advance. The door opened, and both turned in unison. They saw the look of shock on the face of Tifa, and she quickly shut the door behind her escape. Yuna and Cloud shared a loving stare, and she nodded to him. He stood, thanking the gods for the sheet about his backside as the towel had loosened in the night, and he was nude. He quickly dressed, and came to her, still on his bed. He kissed her lovingly and went out the door to speak with his childhood friend.

Yuna took her time, inhaling the scent of his body from his pillow. She smiled to herself, knowing that for the first time in a long while, she was truly happy. It happened so suddenly, falling hard for him. But she no longer questioned it, just knew that it was right. She finally dressed and made her way downstairs, she caught Cloud's stare as she walked out of the bar. He was still speaking with Tifa at a corner table. Yuna noticed Tifa wouldn't even look her way. Yuna then assumed her team was onboard Celsius wondering where she was. She made her way there but…never made it.

Cloud sought out Tifa downstairs in the kitchen, as she began preparations for everyone's breakfast. He watched her stiff moves in silence, until she finally gave him notice to his presence. She looked hard at him, maybe even a little sad.

"I'm sorry." she whispered, closing her mahogany eyes.

"Me too."

"I figured you two were becoming close, but…"

"I'm sorry if I caused you pain." he said sincerely.

"Are you happy?" Cloud smirked at her question, and she knew his true answer.

"Come on Tifa, sit and talk with me.

She followed him to the corner table, and they sat and made small conversation for a few minutes. She then laughed a little, realizing just why she had come to him this morning.

"You know Cloud, it never occurred to me to knock on your door."

"There's never been reason to." he simply said.

"I wanted to talk with you, get some information."

He frowned at that, when she sought out information, it was usually trouble.

"Don't give me that look, it's not bad. I don't think.""Explain, Tifa." coming back to his usual cool demeanor.

"After you and Yuna disappeared last night, things got…weird," he tilted his head, indicating for her to continue, "Well, I danced with Baralai, and we…hit it off?"

"Hit it off?" he asked slowly.

"We kissed at the end of the night. I really like him, well, so far anyway. I barely know him. I know, how careless of me, right. He told me he asked Yuna to marry him, and if she still wanted too, he would. He cares for her still, you see. But he told me something else. That…" Yuna walked down the stairs, sharing a look with Cloud, then swiftly made her exit.

Cloud turned back to Tifa, "Go on."

"We talked the whole night, Baralai and I. I want to get to know him better. But I wanted to ask you first, to see what you know of him."

"Well, Yuna isn't going to marry him." he said with force.

"I gathered that much." she smiled.

"So, you're not at all upset Tifa?" he said, making sure.

"I love you Cloud, I thought it was more at one time. But…we're friends."

"I'm glad to hear that, I don't want to hurt you."

"If anything Cloud, I'm happy. She seems really great, and your happy. It's nice to see an actual smile on your face."

"I don't know that much on Baralai, just give me some time. I'll ask Yuna. But for now, take it easy with him. I didn't like him for obvious reasons, but my judgment was unjustified. The Gullwings all think very highly of him, apparently they and the three visiting men came through quite an ordeal last year. They all remained friends…" he trailed off, the feeling of worry creeping into his gut. Tifa immediately glanced around, then got up to check on Marlene and Denzel. They were still fast asleep in their beds. Cloud moved outside but saw nothing, the feeling grew more intense. Something was wrong, he knew it.

The attack came swiftly, blindsiding her. With her staff removed she couldn't summon. She was blindfolded and someone was choking her, she could barely find air. Deep claws dug into her skin, down her arms, puncturing her back muscles, making her weak. She barely felt the tip of the blade against her neck, she stiffened. She would die here, should her attacker bid it. She was defenseless, Cloud. She never even got to tell him she loved him. She cried inwardly, as her pursuer spoke.

"Second Gullwing snatched, I must admit. You put up more of a fight than the little blonde." a male voice hissed.

Rikku! No, they have her too. Paine! She had to warn Paine! Everything went black, as she succumbed into unconsciousness.

Cloud was fast in his search for Yuna, for any of the Gullwings. No one on the Celsius answered his call. He raced over there, found everyone unconscious. Paine, Rikku, and Yuna were all missing. What the hell was going on! The rage built inside his body, simmering slowly. There had to be a reason Brother and the others were knocked out cold. Who attacked them? He vaguely remembered the conversation with Reno, the night before last. People were being attacked, left for dead, someone looking for information. Was this the danger the great Lion warned about? Calling Reno as he left Celsius, no answer. Dammit! He drove without care to Shin-Ra slamming the door open. Rude and Reno were talking with Rufus.

"Tell me what you know!" he demanded.

"Cloud Strife, this is quite the surprise." said Rufus.

"Enough bullshit! Do you know who is attacking these two worlds?"

"What's wrong Cloud?" asked Reno.

"Their gone,"

"All of them?"

"Brother and the others were unconscious aboard their airship. But Yuna, Rikku, and Paine are all gone. I rode everywhere, no sign of them."

"Hmm." muttered Rufus, pondering at this information, "Reno has told me about your Gullwings, is it?"

Cloud nodded, he wasn't getting anywhere, and he felt helpless.

"We don't know who is attacking the civilians of both Spira and Midgar, are you sure it is the same people who may have taken your Gullwings?"

"I'm just considering all options. This is a waste of time." Cloud seethed, walking out the door. Reno and Rude both followed, joining the search party. The two men were familiar now with the girls, and knew this was out of character to just disappear. Cloud settled everyone and met at the bar, everyone now aware of the issue at hand. They decided to split into groups to search faster. Cloud was determined to go alone, but would keep in contact with them all. Baralai, Tifa, Barrett, and Cid formed one team. While Nooj, Vincent, and Rude formed another. Finally Yuffie, Gippal, and Reno formed the last. They all set out.

Cloud's bike Fenrir roared once again to life, as he set out in search again. He instantly made his way to the cave he took Yuna to yesterday. The skies grew dark, and rain began to pour. He could tell battle drew near. With his hand on the hilt of his sword, he walked boldly into the cave. He was instantly stuck back out of the cave with a force coming from within. Cloud lay on the ground, waiting. He sat up, then stood. And focused on the figure coming out of the mist, the shadows of the entrance. "Sephiroth."

Baralai and Tifa rode together on another bike, he clinging to her as she drove fiercely. Scouring the countryside, finding nothing. She noticed the change in the wind, the skies growing darker. Barrett and Cid followed them from above on Cid's smaller airship. Nothing.