I Promise……..

Chapter 14-Desert Rose

Rude awoke a little while later, he noticed he was in the bed and Elena was gone. Fear engulfed him he bolted upwards and quickly ran over to the bathroom. No Elena, he went into the other room and saw Barret, barret's big body blocked him fom seeing the whole entire room; but he did see a wisp of blond hair. He went around Barret and their sat Elena with a cup of coffee in her hands. Rude sighed he was happy she was okae, " How are you feeling?"

Elena looked up she had been staring at her coffee, she didn't expect him to start a conversation even if she was injured. " I feel okay, although I am in a bit of discomfort." Rude nodded his head and gently grabbed Elena's arm, she looked at him, " you need to rest you are still not full recovered." Elena nodded and allowed Rude to lead her back to the bed. Right when she saw the bed she felt as though someone had put weights on her eyelids to make them feel so heavy.

Rude sighed knowing what he would have to ask Elena, he felt somewhat uncomfortable put brushed it aside. " Elena….." Elena looked up after she had sat down on the bed. " Hmm..?" " I need you to lie down so I can apply new bandages…." Elena nodded not making a big deal, although the only reason she wasn't making a big deal was because she was walking in her sleep. Rude helped Elena lie down on her back gently and put a cloth on her head. He finished re-applying the new bandages and sighed, she was asleep now. She was still as beautiful now as she was when he first met her.

He wondered why he never noticed, how he failed to notice such a rare desert rose that was rare indeed in beauty and character alone. How hard she tried to impress others and follow orders correctly and accurately /she tried and tried….she tried too much/. He sighed once more before leaving her, he had to stay by her side and watch her, it was really important that when she woke up she saw him first. He didn't know why but he would not allow it to bother him.

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" Tifa!" Tifa turned wondering if Elena was okae/would she make it?/. Tifa sighed and looked up towards Cloud, " Cloud?" " Do you know where Rude took Elena?" Tifa shook her head, " He might have taken her to the closest inn around this place….Cloud I need to talk to you." Cloud nodded his head and followed Tifa, " Don't you think we are taking too long to try and save our dear friend Reeve? I mean we are like sitting ducks they could probably snatch one our other friends right beneath our noses and we wouldn't notice till It was too late….. I just think we should hurry I have a bad feeling about all of this…."

Cloud nodded his head and put a comforting hand on Tifa's shoulder. " Don't worry Tifa, we will get him in time. If we don't…….then we can at least try and find his kidnappers but I doubt we won't get there in time. So give me your word that you won't give up or think it was a lost cause." Tifa nodded her head and hugged Cloud tightly, " Thanks Cloud…." Cloud nodded again and stroked her hair softly. Just then Reno waltzed right in, " Hey! All you guys can do is sit here and hug?! I have a fellow Turk injured and we don't even know where she or Rude is along with Reeve."

Tifa sighed, / if I could strangle you I wou-/ " Reno…" A gruff voice said behind them, Reno turned around and Red was there, " What is it you big cat?" Red growled quietly but did not allow Reno to think it got to him. " Why don't you use your Cell? Don't all the Turks have one? IF they did you could call them and ask what Inn they are staying at in Midgar." " Oh yah, I forgot about that." Cloud, Tifa and Red sweatdrop. Reno wipped out his cell from his blue Turk suit and dialed.

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Rude heard a faint ringing sound and sighed wondering who it was. Then a thought hit him, he could call Cloud and Company and tell them where he was. He fumbled through his pocket and took out the cell. " ….Hello?" " Hey Rude! This is Reno where the flying %*#& are you?!" Rude shook his head, " I am at……Rosenberry Inn." " That cheap place?" Rude decided to not reply, " Aright aright, well we will be there in 30 minutes max." "….fine." With that said both of the Turks hanged up. Rude sighed he wondered what Elena was dreaming about, she was smiling so it must be a nice dream.

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" I got it Cloud!" Cloud sighed and turned, meeting Reno's mocking aquamarine eyes " And?" "They are staying at…" /Don't tell me he forgot already!/ " Rosenberry Inn!" " Huh? Never heard of that place before." " Me neither, but whatever." They all shrugged, they were tired for an unknown reason and needed some food in their system. They knew they all were acting out of character, but had to find them. Cloud sighed once again and went to find Cid. He located Cid, " Cid…." Cid turned around his unshaven face shown with a scowl. " What the &%^$ do you want now Spikey-a$$???!!!!!"

Cid threw his arms up as he somewhat yelled at Cloud. Cloud yawned and looked Cid dead in the eye, " Rude, Elena, and Barret are staying at Rosenberry Inn." " That new piece of s&*% place?" Cloud nodded his head, and motioned Cid to take them there….by walking away and waving his hand slightly. Cid grumbled before yelling at the Pilot to move his a$$ and get a move on it.

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Elena awoke she was still tired but felt replenished. She looked to her side and saw Rude in the chair slumped a little bit over holding her small delicate hand in his. She smiled slightly and sighed, Rude stirred and Elena quickly shut her eyes. She knew he opened his eyes for his grip on her hand tightened. Elena pretended to sleepily open her eyes and turned to her side. She smiled slightly and yawned. " How long have I been asleep?" " About a day or so…"

Rude turned away as he yawned stiffly and took his hand out of hers. " Oh Rude!" Rude quickly turned to her he had out his back to her while he was stretching. Rude raised an eyebrow as usual and Elena smiled. She got up out of her bed and grabbed Rude's arm. Rude did not protest, " Sleep, you look awfully tired okay?" Rude shook his head and gently pulled his arm away from her. He didn't realize his strength and instead pulled her to him, he looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her.