Title: The Fights We Cheer
Characters: Barret, Yuffie, Cid, Denzel, Marlene and Tifa
Pairing: Background Cloud/Tifa
Rating: Teen
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone/anything from the forum Final Fantasy. Square Enix owns Final Fantasy and its characters. There is no copyright infringement intended. I do not make any profit/money or take any credit.
Summary: He threw down the gauntlet and she picked it up. She was never the one to back down from a challenge.
Timeline: Post ACC – this also has references to Chapter 5A/B from 'Those We Cherish' and references to 'The Things We Hide (That scars us deep)'
Warning: Fights, Team being a family, Tifa kicking ass
Author's Notes: Some people had wanted it from the chapters above and I thought why not?
#2 – You've seen how much ass I can kick. Battle Heroine.
The Fights We Cheer
"Don't worry, you've seen how much ass I can kick."
"I can't believe I'm letting this happen," Barret grumbled as he stared out at the audience grumpily, crossing his arms and glaring at the man next to him who had been just a tad too enthusiastic about the upcoming battle.
"Quit your grousing," Cid shot back as he clapped Barret's shoulder.
"Yeah – you're not doing anything!" Yuffie chimed in from where she was sitting in front of them. "Tifa's doing all the work."
"Cloud would have our heads if he knew what we were letting happen!" Barret shot at them. They weren't the ones who had to deal with Cloud going off half-cocked whenever Tifa was in trouble.
"Spiky needs to loosen up and Tifa's a big girl. She can make her own choices."
"Yeah!" Yuffie threw her hands in the air and Barret watched as Marlene and Denzel, sitting next to the energetic teenager, copying her motions and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Besides, Cloud is off on a delivery. It is not like he even knows what's happening. And he'd be kicking himself for missing this."
"Unless someone tells him," piped up Denzel.
"Which no-one is, caused none of us needs a rampaging Cloud," Yuffie held up a finger, and with a stab of guilt and sadness, Barret was reminded heavily of Aerith at that moment.
She would have loved this, he thought to himself, seeing Tifa in action, keeping a secret from Cloud, her eyes twinkling from the excitement.
"I dunno, a rampaging Cloud can be interesting if the conditions are right," Cid spoke up, drawing Barret out of his thoughts and sent a glare in the pilot's direction.
"Have you forgotten the last time Cloud went on a rampage over Tifa?" Barret reminded him. "We were supposed to be chasing Sephiroth and he got so annoyed with Shinra that we had to remind him that Sephiroth came first?"
"It was still a good thing to see."
"Speak for yourself," groaned Yuffie. "It took ALL of us to hold him back."
"What happened with Shinra?" Denzel asked, confused.
"Oh, they tried to kill Tifa on Live T.V," Marlene informed him, stunning the boy as he gaped at Barret's daughter while Barret facepalmed.
At least she was able to talk about it now, remembering Cloud telling him that Marlene had nightmares from seeing that on T.V.
But regarding how Denzel was staring at Marlene, he guessed that they hadn't gotten round to telling the young boy that little part of the story just yet.
He felt sorry for Cloud and Tifa later. He had no doubt Denzel would be demanding answers from them. He could be tenacious when he wanted to be.
A soft chuckle escaped Barret. The boy did remind him of Cloud in certain ways.
"Ooh! It's starting!" Marlene perked up, her eyes drawn to the stadium across from them and Barret followed her stare.
The announcer waved, his spiky blonde hair and bright smile drew many cheers (and sighs of lust, making Barret shift in his seat, why did they have to bring the kids again?)
"Ladies and gentlemen – welcome back to a brand-new round of The Wall Market Fight Ring!" the announcer shouted from his spot on the high wall at the front of the stadium, his hands in the air in a cheer.
It had the effect the announcer was going for as everyone cheered loudly, making Barret flinch as the man next to him was that a tad bit loud, again. Barret shot the man a glare, again.
"We wish to thank our lovely Mistress, Madam M, for honouring us with her presence." He bowed in the direction of the woman Barret had met briefly, waving her fan, and giving the crowd a short wave. "It is thanks to her we have this wonderful entertaining fight for you all tonight."
A chorus of 'Thank You Madam M' filled the arena and Barret had to shake his head with amazement at the power this woman had within Sector 6.
Ever since the…untimely demise of Don Coreno in Wutai – not that anyone was complaining after his pathetic and perverted attempt of kidnapping Yuffie – Madam M, Chocobo Sam and Andrea Rhodea had made quick work of Sector 6, putting it firmly under their control.
"And now, for the fight of your life!" sparklers shot up, making Marlene and Denzel exclaim with delight and Barret grumble over how dangerous it was to have sparklers in an enclosed building.
"Coming in from the top is a fighter you all know. He is strong, he is fast, and he takes no prisoners, please, welcome back Dale!"
The doors slid open as the cheers filled the stadium to reveal a smug smirking looking prick that had Barret's teeth grinding together.
The man stepped forward, his dark hair gelled back, his dark eyes taking in the stadium as he waved a hand.
This git was the reason why any of them were here right now. He had heard the rumours, some friends of his keeping him updated on what was going on in Midgar.
Even though he had his darling daughter to let him know what was going on with their little family – and did she ever keep him updated - he still felt better knowing he had other people keeping him up to date.
And it had boiled his blood to find out that this guy had been going around, running his mouth off regarding Tifa.
He remembered the man back when Tifa had bartended the original Seventh Heaven. The man had thought he was smooth, chatting Tifa up.
Barret had thought he was going to have to hold Jessie back whenever the man kept pulling the moves on Tifa, who made it noticeably clear she was having none of the man's flirting, but he refused to take a hint and Jessie had been more than willing to give the man a crystal-clear hint…in the shape of her fist.
Thank Gaia for Biggs. He had been the one to keep Jessie calm and guide the man out too, but it hadn't stopped Dale from returning every night to try and gain Tifa's attention.
Of course, it had only gotten worse when Cloud showed back up in Tifa's life, barely acknowledging the man from their childhood days and gaining Tifa's attention.
Of course, a lot of people had grumbled over the fact that Cloud had managed to do in a short amount what everyone had been trying to get for years.
The elusive Tifa Lockhart's attention, and smile. And damn hadn't it rubbed people up the wrong way when Tifa directed all of that toward Cloud and all he had to do was breathe.
"And coming in from the bottom, she is a fan favourite having fought here a few years ago with another fan favourite. She quickly became a top champion. Please, everyone, welcome the luscious and beautiful Tifa Lockhart!"
Louder cheers filled the stadium – Marlene, Denzel, and Yuffie chanting Tifa's name, and did he hear Aerith too? – as the doors slid open to reveal Tifa Lockhart in all her glory.
It took Barret's breath away to see the fighter he once travelled with.
Cloud was going to be kicking himself for missing this, and he was going to take their heads when he found out what Tifa Lockhart was intending to do.
Tifa rotated her wrists before she bounced lightly on her tiptoes, getting used to wearing her old battle outfit once more before shaking her head.
She had been going to wear her newer ones but Marlene and Yuffie had claimed it would be far more suitable for her to wear her old outfit. Plus – Denzel had never seen it, so it was only fair to let him have a little taste of the old Tifa Lockhart.
Not that Tifa thought she had changed much since then. It had only been 3 years.
But she relented and agreed, donning her old outfit and surprised that they still fitted her though it had been weird to wear her white cropped top and gloves once again.
Yet, strangely, it was like coming home. Like regaining a part of herself she hadn't realised she had been missing and straightened her shoulders.
She knew Cloud would be pissed when he discovered what happened in his absence, but this had been the perfect time to settle this old debt.
After Denzel had told her about the altercation with Dale in Johnny's bar, she knew that she needed to set the man straight before any rumours made it to Cloud's ear.
Even though Cloud knew the truth, Cloud would not have let the rumours go, not in a million years. You did not spread rumours about Tifa Lockhart and expected to keep walking.
So, when Johnny had approached her, warning her that Dale had decided to kick it up a notch, she knew she needed to deal with Dale before Denzel attempted to take it into his hands.
Which is how she ended up in this situation in the first place. She had tried to be sweet and polite, appealing to Dale's better nature but the man had been just as dense as he had been in their childhood days.
Refused to acknowledge that she wasn't interested in dating him, refused to acknowledge that they had never dated, and they would never date.
He pushed and pushed but she refused to budge so he snapped and threw the gauntlet.
She was to fight him in the arena of Wall Market and the winner declares the terms.
She wins the fight; he shuts his mouth. He wins the fight; she was to date him.
She agreed without thinking it through before mentally berating herself for agreeing.
For all her warnings to Denzel not to tell Cloud because she knew what Cloud would do, she went and did it.
She was going to fight Dale.
A laugh bubble free from her before she shook her head and clenched her fingers, tightly gripped in her feather gloves that Cloud had found in the Wall Market sewers.
Fitting weapon to use against Dale.
It had been so long since she last saw Dale. He left when they were teenagers. Nearly all the boys had left.
The only one who had stayed had been Shane and he had been her best friend before he…died at the hands of Sephiroth…or maybe to the fire, who knows.
She swallowed back the lump of Shane, bright grey eyes, sunny smile, teasing her for her crush on Cloud.
She knew he would be cheering her on right now. He had never liked Dale that much.
Dale had made it clear he had a crush on her, but she ignored him, deflected the conversations, did everything she could but here she was.
Waiting to fight him in the arena.
She bit back the groan that threatened to escape her. She could just mentally hear Cloud right now.
'Are you serious?' in that incredulous yet pissed tone that he only used around her. Like she constantly kept surprising him with the stunts she would pull.
Just like he kept surprising her with all the stunts he would pull.
The perfect pair of stubbornness, Aerith had once said to her in front of the campfire, both whispering and giggling late into the night.
The doors slid open to reveal Dale was already standing in the centre of the arena and the cheers filled her ears as she made her way out into space.
It was time for her to show Dale just how much she has grown since he left Nibelheim, and she smiled to herself.
And Dale didn't know that she took up martial arts, wanting to be able to prove herself worthy standing at Cloud's side in a fight.
'You got this,' she heard Aerith whispered and blinked back her tears. "Kick his ass and show him what you're made of."
"Here we are, our long-awaited fight. Will Dale overcome the champion or will Tifa keep her championship title? We shall find out. The match will end when someone is knocked out."
Cheers erupted once more as Dale smirked, getting himself into position as he pulled on his gloves.
"You're not using your weapons?" Tifa arched an eyebrow.
"Of course not, Tifa. I could hardly date you if you're riddled with bullet holes."
"So confident," she remarked. "But you're better off using weapons you're comfortable with."
"I can use my fists," he assured her. She shrugged as she got into her battle stance, her fists coming up to her face and smirked when she saw his shocked look.
"It's been 10 years since Nibelheim, Dale." She shook her head. "You don't know me."
"Alright!" The announcer held out his hand for silence, "Are you two ready?"
Tifa and Dale exchanged a tight nod.
"Let's get ready to RUMBLE!" The hand slashed downward, "FIGHT!"
Cheers erupted as Dale took the first move, lunging in with a right hook. Tifa somersaulted, landing on her hands and her left foot connecting with his chin, staggering the man into seeing stars.
Dropping down, she swiped her right leg out, her ankle connecting with his and knocking him onto his ass.
With a grunt, Dale planted his hands onto the ground and pushed himself back up, this time swiping out faster than before and she could see him putting his weight behind his swings too.
Too slow, she thought to herself as she danced out of his reach before grabbing his wrist and flipped him over her back, making him land on the ground once more.
She watched as Dale punched the ground before jumping back up onto his feet and she retrained the smirk that wanted to let out.
He was too easy to read. To be fair – she did keep her sparring training up with Cloud and Cloud was far tougher than a normal human man.
Deciding not to hold back, Dale sent out a flurry of kicks and punches, making Tifa dodge each one before she caught his ankle in a tight grip and sent him a glare before she pushed him back, making him stumble on his feet.
She watched as he regained his balance then shifted his weight, a cocky smirk crossed his lips before he brought his hands up and made a 'come on' motion that had her rolling her eyes.
Tifa adjusted her balance, watching him and took a deep breath, remembering her training.
Dale had some rather good moves, she watched as he rushed toward her, feinting a left hook that had her ducking the right hook that just narrowly missed her.
But she was better.
She delivered an uppercut, rocking Dale off balance, before she spun, slamming her foot into his stomach, and sending him flying again.
Cheers were getting louder around her, but she drowned it out, focusing on taking Dale down.
She clenched her fists, watching as Dale shook his head and slowly pushed himself back up.
"Not bad," he remarked as he shook out his wrists then looked at her. "Gotta wonder why a woman like you picked up martial arts."
"What can I say, Dale? I didn't feel like being a damsel in distress."
Dale chuckled.
"Oh babe, you know I'd protect you."
"I can take care of myself."
Dale rushed her, all fists, and kicks as she danced away from him, easily dodging his attacks and she decided it was time to end this little charade.
She bounced on the spot before she pulled all her energy in to activate one of her favourite moves and danced through the air, slamming her palm into Dale serval times before she flipped forward, putting all her power into her foot, slamming it into Dale's head and he fell forward, hitting the ground heavily and she slid back, panting as she stared at his prone figure.
5 heartbeats later and the arena nearly deafened her with their cheers.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, was one of Tifa Lockhart's signature move – Star-shower!" A roar went up and she thought she could hear Cid, Yuffie and Barret chanting 'Star-shower'. "Tifa Lockhart is still the undefeatable Champion!" the announcer shouted with glee. "She made short work of Dale. Congratulations!"
With a deep breath, Tifa straightened up, wiped down her skirt and interlocked her fingers behind her back, stretching her arms before she met Madam M's gaze, who smiled proudly at her from behind her fan.
With a shy smile, she turned her gaze to her family and felt the smile broaden when she saw them cheering, Marlene and Denzel were on Barret and Cid's shoulders, cheering wildly.
Barret and Cid just cheering just as loudly while Yuffie was jumping on her chair, punching a fist into the air.
Tifa gave everyone a short wave as the doors behind her opened, allowing her to retreat and return to her family.
Sensing Dale coming to stand next to her when she stepped into the hallway, gratefully accepting the bouquet of the flowers, she glanced over at the man.
"I win."
"Sure." Dale shrugged and she rolled her eyes. "You know where I am when you change your mind." He started forward.
"You asked me why Cloud." Her voice made him stop. "You asked me what it about Cloud was that drew me to him. Why I wanted to be with such a 'trouble-maker."
He slowly turned around to look at her. "He accepts me. He always had. He knows I can fight. He knows I can take care of myself. He accepts it. I learned how to fight so I would be able to fight at his side."
"I…never had a chance, did I?"
"No," she smiled softly, "I gave my heart to Cloud when we were teenagers, and he gave me his. You would have me locked away, Dale. You put me up on a pedestal. Cloud accepts me. Flaws and all. He sees me as human."
Dale just shook out his wrist, thinking about what she said, and she let the smirk cross her face.
"And Dale," he looked at her, "be glad it wasn't Cloud fighting you." With that, she turned and walked away from him, secure in the knowledge that she had resolved this situation.
When Tifa exited into the hallway, she was swept up in a family hug with Marlene and Denzel clutching at her waist, Yuffie at her front and Barret and Cid at her back.
"Congratulations Tifa!" Marlene's voice was muffled into her stomach.
"That was SO cool!" came from Denzel.
"Babe was kicking ass all over again!" Yuffie cheered.
"Well done kiddo." Cid pressed a kiss into her hair.
"Still the undefeated winner." Barret smoothed a hand down her hair, and she smiled, her cheeks hurting.
Yuffie pulled away, letting the kids breathe and both looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Can you teach us how to fight like that?!" both begged at the same time, making her laugh, Barret exclaim in dismay and Cid cheered while Yuffie punched a fist into the air.
"How about I treat you all to an ice cream first?" she asked them, getting excited nods as everyone untangled themselves from Tifa and she started leading the way out of the building with the kids discussing her moves and how awesome she looked when a flash of familiar blond hair made her heart freeze.
Tifa gasped as she came to a stop with Marlene and Denzel crashing into her legs, their eyes glued in front of them. Cid and Yuffie came to a stop next to them with Barret pulling up the rear only to wince when he saw what they saw.
"Uh oh," Marlene and Denzel said together, exchanging a look.
"Fuck." Chimed Yuffie.
"Shit." Griped Cid.
"Language!" snapped Barret.
Cloud Strife was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest and his blue-mako tinted eyes trained on them, his lips pressed together.
"Hey." Cloud gave them a short nod.
I knew it, Barret thought.
The End.
(I…don't really have a sequel in mind for this…Cloud insisted that he show up just for this cliff-hanger. You know how Cloud is, always gotta be dramatic.
…
Bye!)