R&R longer note at the end

Tifa was discharged from the medical centre of the resistance base, Aerith had come to collect them as they walked with her the familiar route to Director Sephiroth's office, after being invited in the two stood in front of the tall silver haired man who appeared to be reading a copy of the local newspaper lowering it he looked over at the duo before folding the paper sliding it across his desk toward them.

"It's good to see your both unharmed but we have an issue, take a look" Sephiroth said "The main article you may find interesting". Tifa stepped forward picking up the paper as she read the front page a look of shock in her eyes as she quickly passed it to Vincent, he looked it over a few times before lowering it down wonder what this meant for anyone.

DON SCARLET OF WALL MARKET FOUND DEAD

It is with sad news we are here to report the death of the don of wall market Don Scarlet, she was found the late hours of last night by a member of her security team, reports state her along with three members of her personal guard had been shot once in the head.

She is believed to have died a few days ago, the believed time of death has been placed five days prior to this report. Rumours following the announcement have stated earlier that day there had been a commotion at the nearby underground arena, it appears that a group of people including a woman in a white tank top and a man in a red cape who had been competing had be seen fleeing the arena moments before.

Wall market security sector are currently in search of these two individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown.

We will keep you all updated on any new developments as they come

"What is this about?" Vincent asked as he tossed the paper onto the desk "Now we're wanted for the murder of wall market's Don?"

"It would seem so" Sephiroth responded as he stood up as he walked around his desk "This does pose the question of who could have had something to do with it and how to clear your names". Tifa looked at the newspaper again the article still visible, she could think of some people who would do something like this they had been chasing them for long enough but something didn't add up. Why would they kill the woman who helped them? Was this revenge for the fact her and Vincent escaped?

"As long as we avoid the place we would be fine correct?" Vincent asked as it snapped Tifa out of her own thoughts, Vincent had a point, the article had stated the members of wall market security where looking.

"If only it were so simple" Sephiroth said as the barmaid looked over "Avoiding the place would be a good idea but anyone who were to have read this and see anyone matching the description given would report you both right away". Tifa thought about it as she realised he was right the only option they had was the real killers admit to the crime but knowing that woman she would never agree to something like that, they seemed to be out of options as the two stared at the director in front of them.

"Can we have some time to discuss our options alone?" Tifa asked as Sephiroth nodded summoning Aerith to show them to a room they could use, the pair left the room following the brunette as she led them to a living space set up for them, Aerith smiled as the two entered closing the door behind them.

XXX

"So what do we do now?" Tifa asked as she walked to one of the single beds set up in the room sitting down looking to Vincent as he leaned against a wall deep in thought, Tifa watched on silently she couldn't shake the feeling they were both thinking the same thing.

"We don't have much choice" Vincent spoke up after a while "You would know better than me did the newspaper seem real to you?" Tifa slowly nodded, she knew the daily buzz well she had seen it on many news-stands whenever she had gone to order her stock. Some of the regulars who came to her bar occasionally complained about articles written in it about the recently deceased Don, they had come up with theories she had paid them off to make paint her in a better light rather than the selfish person the people knew her to be.

"I don't think they would use some kind of trick to keep us here" Tifa said as she stretched up "I don't like the idea but we have two choices. Stay or go, whichever you choose I'll follow". Vincent stayed silent once more, she was right stay or go these options both had their share of problems and solutions, each one ran through the man's mind as he weighed up them against each other, after a while he came to only on conclusion.

"I think we're ready" He said as Tifa stood nodding, the two left as Aerith came back leading them back to the director's office.

XXX

Sephiroth sat in his chair resting his chin on his hands as he awaited the duo's return, his eyes fell on the newspaper as his mind flashed to the mission he had handed to the others, he knew none of them would be stupid enough to kill their target who they had recently robbed. He looked up as a knock on the door echoed through the room, he called out for them to enter and seemed surprised to see the slim figure of the professor enter as he closed the door behind him.

"It is as we suspected" Hojo said as he walked towards the director's desk "There was some under handed trickery in play, for them to get their hands on something like that there is no way it wasn't a collaboration between the two".

"I understand" Sephiroth said "Any ideas what it does?"

"It's still undergoing testing but if I were to theorise then I would say it would do some devastating damage" He said as he smirked a little "It's too pure of a sample to have been handled by that stupid woman, the paper's won't say it but I feel if we hadn't gotten out hands on it then whoever killed her would have taken it".

"It's very possible whoever it was that killed her wanted it" Sephiroth said as his eyes fell on the monitors in the room seeing Aerith returning with the duo "We'll pick this up later". Hojo nodded as he headed out of the room, as he left he passed by the three headed to Sephiroth's office he was surprised when Vincent had told Tifa to go on ahead saying he wished to speak with the professor alone.

"Well? Are you planning to shoot me without anyone around?" Hojo asked as he locked eyes with Vincent.

"If that was what I wanted I would have done it by now" He said with a stern expression "No, you're a professor and maybe helpful to me if you would be so kind as to hear me out". Hojo smirked as he nodded, his curiosity would never let him turn down something like this, the moment he had seen Vincent he had felt something was different about the man he could almost smell the experiments used on him, he couldn't deny he was very curious to hear the man's request.

XXX

Tifa entered the director's office alone as she walked to his desk, he looked past her to the door expecting Vincent to enter, when he didn't his eyes fell on the woman in front of him curious to hear her answer.

"Vincent is a little busy discussing something with your professor but I know his choice is the same as mine" Tifa said as Sephiroth nodded staying quiet "Due to the circumstances we find ourselves in we will stay here, however I have some requests".

"That seems reasonable" Sephiroth said as he leaned back in his chair "What would they be?"

"Number one: we wish to be granted permission to leave every now and again to get an idea of what's going on outside. Number two: I wish to be granted permission to use the room we fought in" Tifa stated as Sephiroth listened "Number three: we have the rights to refuse to go on missions unless it would benefit your team to have our involvement".

"Is that all?" Sephiroth asked as Tifa nodded "Then I accept them all, if you would like I can have Aerith teach you to use the machine we fought in".

"That would be very nice thank you" Tifa said as the taller man stood offering her his hand, she slowly reached out her hand as she shook it she knew this was the right thing to do she only hoped it wouldn't come back to haunt her.

Well looks likes Tifa and Vincent have joined the rebel's not like they had a choice given they are wanted criminals now. So a few points to highlight

1. Sephiroth and Hojo's little conversation, there is more going on with the rebel's than meets the eye it seems but then again why shouldn't we have a little mystery

2. Speaking of mystery I wonder what Vincent spoke to Hojo about? Well guess we'll have to wait and see

3. There is a reason that Tifa asked for time in the VR system but I think you can all work that one out

Anyway guess we might get some answers in the next chapter but we shall see, thanks for reading and see you in the next chapter