Adventures in Living

Sorry it's been so long guys, but my computer had a major meltdown! I'm borrowing one right now, while mine gets fixed… if it can be fixed. Anyway, enjoy and same rules apply!

Tifa's Entry 2: Barret

Tifa thumbed her way back in the journal to read what Cloud had said about Barret. Truthfully, she was even closer to the big guy then he was, having spent a lot of time with him, even before Cloud had come back into her life. The words her blond lover said about him were accurate, and ideas for her own entry started to form in her head.

She bit her lip a bit and turned back past her first entry, taking a breath. With a little smile, she placed the pen on the paper.

Barret

I lost my father, when I was young, and as I look at my life, I wonder if he would be proud of what I've done. My father was a lot like Barret, strong willed, honorable, and living for his family… so I guess I really just need to ask if he's proud of what I've done, and I'll know the answer.

It has been so natural, the father and daughter dynamic the two of us share. He protects me, Marlene… really everyone he can, like a concerned father, and his personality reminds me so much of my actual father, that he sort of filled that role once I got to Midgar. I'm pretty sure that's why I let a terrorist group hide out in my bar, I knew what they were fighting for was right, and Barret reminded me of all Shinra had taken from me. My home, my family… and Cloud… they took them away and I wanted to take something back.

If I ever make it to my own wedding, I want him to give me away. I'm not sure if he thinks that Cloud and I belong together, but I know he'd support us if we made that leap. Cloud has done a lot of growing up, mostly with the help of Barret and Vincent really, so I think our gun armed friend would be happy to do it… at least I hope so!

He always puts a lot of trust in me, I know this because while he's off working, he leaves Marlene with me. I know, that it's a pretty safe place for her, with two of the famed Warriors of the Planet under the same roof, but honestly I know, it's hard for him to leave her, every day, and only come by for small visits between his excursions out into the world. I know, how hard it is to leave Denzel if we have some unpleasant business to take care of, and that's normally not very long. I see Marlene as my own daughter, so of course I'm happy to have her with me, but I just understand how much he must love her to try and provide for her future like he does.

Barret really is the best fried someone could ask for. I think that of all the people in our group, but all for different reasons. He's a protector, and he does what he can to make everyone safe, whether it's his family, friends, town, or the planet itself, he has that nature within him, just to protect what he feels is important. This disposition however also makes him feel guilty when he can't save something, he thinks it's his fault, that he wasn't strong enough.

Barret is one of the strongest people I've ever known, and I know he shoulders a lot of guilt for things that were really out of his control, but I think that need to make things right is what makes him such a caring friend and father. He wants the truth of what has happened to come out, he wants the wrongs to be righted… and he's not afraid to take the blame as long as the people effected know the truth behind their losses.

I'm sure that I'm not the only one on the planet that looks up to him. He's a source of strength for a lot of people, and I think he's deserving of that. If more people in powerful positions were like him, then I think the world would be much better off. Sure, Rufus Shinra says he's protecting the planet, but I just can't help but think that he's got something else up his sleeve. Maybe his brush with death changed him, but he'll never garner the respect that Barret does, even from people that only know of him.

Even though he gave up the reigns of leader to Cloud, I still think of him as the head of Avalanche. He might not have thought he was capable of leading us, but I think he could have. But that's another test of a leader, when to differ to someone who might know more about the situation. He's really an extraordinary man.

May 3

Tifa let out a soft sigh when she finished, laying the book and pen down for a moment to stretch her back. She wasn't sure if she could stay in bed all day, a little bit of guilt was starting to creep in. She should be up and doing something, taking a whole day to be lazy was really against her nature.

About that time, the door opened and a grinning ninja stood there, a tray in her hands. "Hiya! Happy Birthday! Vincent made you some food, he wouldn't let me near the stove. Though… you should teach Cloud the right way to clean something, because it took us this long just to get your breakfast ready! He can save the planet, but can't wash a dish to save his life!"

The bartender gave a little laugh as the ninja made her way inside the room, and much to her credit, she didn't fall until after she'd put the food down. She looked down at the plate and blinked. There were pancakes, eggs, bacon and what looked to be fresh orange juice. "Vincent made this?"

"Yeppers! Surprising huh? He can cook, who would have thought. He wouldn't make me anything though, what a spoiled sport. Anyway, what did Cloud give you for your birthday?"

Tifa held the journal up, and when Yuffie tried to snatch it, the martial artist pulled it back. "You can't read it until it's your turn."

"My turn? I can't even read and write, what are you expecting from me?"

"You liar, anyway… Cloud wants us all to tell our stories, and you know how he did it? He wrote little essays on us!"

"Oh great, his deep hatred of me will be recorded for future generations." The ninja hopped on the bed and stretched out across it like a cat, looking up at her best friend.

"I haven't read what she said about you yet, he did it in alphabetical order."

"Oh, was it hard to read what he wrote for Aerith?"

Tifa shook her head, smiling softly, "not at all… I think I understand them both a lot more now. She was our sister, so I love her no matter what. What he said was very sweet."

Yuffie's mouth hung open, and the barmaid reached over and closed it for her. The slip of a girl shook her head, her hair sticking to her face. "I know he's going to trash me… anyway, so we're all going to do this?"

The brunette nodded, "yes, and you're going to be next."

"Me? Why me?"

"Because you can see for yourself that Cloud loves you."

"Sheesh, it took him long enough to fall for the Great Ninja Yuffie!"

Tifa laughed, "you don't want Cloud to love you anyway… and I didn't mean that way."

Yuffie's cheeks turned bright red, "I know, I was just messing around. There isn't anyone that is worthy of the White Rose of Wutai anyway…"

"Except Vincent?"

"WHAT!" She jumped off the bed, springing nervously on her toes, her whole face red as a certain gunman's cloak. "I… I do not think Vincent is hot!"

"I didn't say that, did I?"

Yuffie's mouth opened, and she sputtered, before turning toward the door. "Whatever, I'll indulge you, only because it's your birthday. Vince and I are going shopping for stuff for your party tonight. Yes you're having one, and you'd better have fun!" She harrumphed and slammed the door, leaving Tifa to giggle softly to herself.