Disclaimer: if you recognize it, it isn't mine 0 6 pt 6 pt 0

       Disclaimer: if you recognize it, it isn't mine. This fic however, is mine as well as all the people I made up are.

        Notes: Ch. 2 is out. Thoughts r still in italics. Kinda short, but still good. Some action and some other stuff. Again, I apologize if it's jumpy. Also, I tried to have Barret talk the way he does in the game, so don't get mad at my bad job of it. Enjoy!

Chapter Two

   Tifa paced the entrance to the crater. Back and forth. Back and forth. What was taking them so long?

   So lost in her thoughts, she failed to the shadowy creature that was stalking her.

   Just as she turned to the entrance to see if anyone had come, it lunged. With a cry of surprise, she rolled to her right. It flew past her and quickly scrambled to its feet. She immediately sent a mastered Bolt spell at it. It roared in pain and but continued to advance on her. Tifa leapt aside, but its tail whipped her leg. She stumbled off balance. There was a sickening snap as she fell. It's broken! She gasped in pain. The creature stopped, as if sensing she couldn't move. Tifa got a good look at the beast. It had big paws, well-muscled chest, and sharp teeth. It's tail was big and looked like it had short spikes all over it. That explains why I fell. The beast's fur was bluish-purplish and very short. The beast crouched and Tifa knew it was about to pounce.

   The beast pounced. Tifa screamed. The sword whizzed. Wait a minute, sword? She looked at the man attached to the sword.

   Cloud.

   The beast stopped in mid-air. Cloud swung his Ultima sword again in deflecting it from himself. He angled himself in front of Tifa, keeping his eyes on the monster.

   The beast suddenly flew at them. Cloud couldn't block it. It knocked him down, sitting on him. Cloud grunted as he landed on some sharp rocks. The beast sniffed him and bent his head towards Cloud throat. I'm gonna die. Cloud thought.

   The beast jerked as a barrage of bullets hit near it. It raced away, but paused once it was out of range and snarled then continued running.

   "It'll be back." Barret said tiredly.

   Cloud got up and used a cure spell for his back. Barret helped Tifa up. He had hardly let go when her legs buckled.

   " I think something in my leg is broken." Tifa stated calmly, perhaps because it had happened in the past, as Barret steadied her. Tifa couldn't look at Cloud. She was ashamed of being caught off guard.

   Barret turned to Tifa. " Ya fool! I know you could've battled that if ya was paying attention! Why weren't cha' payin attention?!  Ya a bettar fighter than that!"

   " Barret, chill. It's getting dark and we have to find some shelter." Cloud said.

   "I have some Barrier materia. We can use that." Barret said still looking at Tifa. AVALANCHE had gotten pretty good at controlling their materia. They could now use it for every day life. They got their chocobos into the spell and they started a fire. During the night several noises were heard but the beast couldn't get in.

   In the morning, they made a makeshift pen for the chocobos and a camp for themselves. Tifa started a fire and made breakfast.

   Cid came a little after sunrise. His chocobo was tired and took shelter with the others.

   Vincent came around noon. He ate immediately.

   Nanaki arrived shortly before dark. He didn't have a chocobo. He was breathing hard and promptly fell asleep.

* * * * *

   The next morning, when Nanaki was well rested, they set off. Tifa and her chocobo went first, followed by Cid, Barret, Nanaki, Cloud, and lastly Vincent. They made they way down slowly. It grew rockier and the riders had to get off and walk their chocobos. Cid and Barret were engaged in conversation of some sort. They were getting louder and louder until Tifa stopped and told them to shut up. They were reduced to silence. Vincent almost smiled. Almost.

   Tifa finally stopped. Vincent turned but he couldn't see or hear anything. They were at the bottom of the crater. Vincent turned back and was slightly startled that they were moving again. He sighed as he followed.

   It wasn't long until the group stopped again in front of a cave.

   "Yuffie. We're coming in. Watch out."Tifa shouted. She turned to the group. "Go a minute or two apart. Be prepared for a fall." She said.

   She turned and went through the cave and Cid followed. Then Barret. Nanaki sniffed, and then went in. Cloud peered in, then walked through. Vincent sighed. I don't want to do this. He went through the cave…and fell immediately.

   Vincent began to levitate. He floated down gracefully. The cave was so bright it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. It was also warmer than before he fell. When his eyes did adjust, he looked around. Everyone's chocobos were in a makeshift pen. Tifa was watering them. Barret and Cloud were arguing.

   "She told us to be prepared for a fall." Cloud said.

   "I thought she meant later, not right away!" Barret insisted.

   Cid was doubled over, hands on his knees. Nanaki was grooming himself in the corner.

   " Hey guys" Yuffie said, bounding up from where she was sitting. Tifa stopped watering and started the briefing.

   Hey peeps, Solitude here. Whatcha think so far? A nice little cliffhanger isn't it? I'm so evil  ::laughs:: and sorry that there isn't much talking in this chapter. I'm working on it. Anyways, remember to review. I'm always open to ideas. See ya.