And I try so hard
Just to figure him out
But he won't tell me
What he's thinking about
Pretend to Be Nice- Josie and the Pussycats (er...I don't know the actual band! It's from the movie!)
Vincent's brow furrowed in thought as Yuffie and James told the others of the happenings since they had left Rocket Town.
"And then," Yuffie was finishing, "we took the tunnels to the building next door, and here we are!"
"These tunnels," the leader of Nibelheim began, "you say they run throughout the entire city?" She and Shake both nodded. "And Shinra knows nothing of them?" The two cousins looked at each other.
"I don't believe they do," Shake told him. "Unless someone mentioned to them, but I don't see why anyone would have. Why?"
Vincent ignored the question and prodded further. "About how many exits and entrances do these tunnels have?"
"Er...let's see...about three or four on every street-"
"And does that include the military complex?"
"Of course! Actually, there's a lot more entrances there. They're hard to find though, that's probably why Shinra still doesn't know about them. Why?"
"I do believe," the man was smiling lightly now, "that we have found a way to greet our dear Imperial friends."
***
The room Strife had showed Tifa as hers was much like the rest of the house. Slightly bare, not very cozy, and very obviously owned by a bachelor. The bed was of simple design, containing a black metal frame and very comfortable looking mattress, with a rug laying over the hardwood floor beside it. A bookshelf on the side wall contained a few volumes on warfare, big surprise there, and in the corner stood a chair of the same design as the living room furniture.
I suppose a catnap couldn't hurt anything...Jessie did wake me and Reno up at that ungodly hour. I...I wonder how they're doing...
Shaking these thoughts away, she slipped off her shoes and socks and slipped under the covers of the bed, falling asleep almost the second her head hit the pillow. She'd only meant to take a short nap, but exhaustion had set in heavier than she'd realized, and the young woman was still asleep when Strife returned home two hours later, completely soaked to the bone.
"Tifa?" The general called out as he entered his small apartment, frowning when he got no answer. "Tifa?" She couldn't have gone anywhere...she's not stupid...
Hastily, he tugged off his watermarked boots and slipped out of his dripping socks and made his way through the place, down to the hallway. He stopped outside her open door, letting a sigh of relief he hadn't realized had been building when caught sight of her sleeping form. Deciding to let Tifa sleep, he moved back to his room and grabbed some fresh clothes before heading off to take a much needed shower. He'd never known being caught in the rain could be so...grimy.
Tifa was still sleeping when he was finished, and he didn't want to wake her just yet, so he moved out to the kitchen to fix himself a cup of coffee and read the newspaper.
How in the world are they getting this thing delivered? The natives must have someway of travelling in this weather, I'll have to ask about it.
The paper was filled with the expected, mainly stories about the hurricane. It wasn't expected to last much longer, though it was expected to increase force but quite some number. Still, there was no hint of worry in the writing, and no warnings to seek shelter. The Wutains must have known how to build a sturdy building, Strife concluded as he noted the frequency storms like this happened and how old many of the buildings in town were. He'd hardly even felt a shake or shudder from the structures yet.
A small shuffling sound stole his attention away from thoughts of the storm, and he looked up to see Tifa standing near the opening to the small kitchen, an unsure expression on her pretty face.
"Ah, I see you're finally awake," no malice in the words, they were simply spoken as though the situation they found themselves in was the most normal thing in the world.
"Um, yeah." It struck her as odd to see one of the most feared men in history sitting down like any other person to coffee and a newspaper.
"Have a seat."
"Thank you." Slowly, she moved towards the table and sat in a chair across from him. "Um...can I ask you something?"
"I suppose." His eyes turned back to the paper.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Not telling Rufus about us! At least...that is...if you're keeping your promise."
At this, he let the newspaper go and gave her a curious glance. "Why are you so sure that I'm going to back down from my word?"
Without second thought, she rolled her eyes. "Oh gee, I don't know, maybe the fact that you take orders from Rufus Shinra and he's wanted us dead for years now!"
Strife's Mako blue eyes narrowed as she said this. "I take orders from no one," though even as he spoke, his expression softened a little. "I suppose then, that that is the answer to your question. I have no side in this pathetic little war. I'm simply employed by the person you and your rag-tag team of rebels have labeled public enemy number one." He shrugged. "And who's to say he isn't? I certainly don't care for the runt all that much."
Tifa's eyes were opened wide in surprise, and it struck the general once more how openly she displayed emotions. "Then why fight for him?" She asked. He raised an eyebrow.
"Why fight against him?"
"Because...because...he's evil and vile! He's killed countless numbers of innocents without so much as the blink of an eye!"
"And so have you all, might I remind you, Miss Lockheart." He chuckled slightly at her expression of horror. "Don't make Avalanche out to be some shining ray of peace and goodness. Do you know how many died in the bombings back in Midgar and Junon? Hell, I don't even know that, but the point is, this is war. There is no right or wrong, good or evil in this. All sides have blood on their hands. It's merely a matter of, who has the real power to change the situation?" He watched as she leaned back in her chair, confusion written all over her face. "Are you aware you do that?"
"Do what?" Tifa raised her eyebrows.
"That. You wear your emotions for everyone to see." He had to admit, his beginning to like this Tifa. She had...spunk.
"I do?" She shrugged. "No, I didn't know. I never realized it was a problem."
"Oh, I don't know that I would define it as a problem, but it can be trouble in the wrong situation," standing he glanced over at the clock. 4:00 PM. "Can I interest you in something to eat?"
"Uhh...sure."
***
The sounds of the savage battle had been drawing closer to Corel for sometime. The ground was even vibrating from time to time with droppings of bombs by both sides. Power had been lost to the small town almost an hour ago, and now that the sun was setting, Aeris and Reeve could make out the flashes of weaponry in the impending darkness.
"Er...it looks like we're getting the upper hand!" The young Cetra girl exclaimed cheerfully, though not sounding entirely sure of herself.
"How can you tell?" Reeve squinted his eyes, trying to make out anything that would lead someone to believe that.
"I can't," she shrugged. "But someone has to be optimistic!" Standing from her spot on the ground, Aeris brushed some stray dirt off the front of her dress. "Let's go inside, watching this is only going to worry us to death."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right," the man next to her stood as well and they took their leave of the spot just outside of town where they'd currently been watching the not-so-far-off battle. The stars were beginning to peak out in the east as the two entered town and made their way back to the small house where they'd spent most of the day.
"So what do you think they'll do with the Turks and General Briggs now that they have them in custody?" This had been plaguing Aeris for sometime now.
"Well," Reeve began as they sat back down on the sofa. "Most likely they'll be tried by a court for crimes against humanity. I'm pretty sure I heard Cid say something about creating a worldwide criminal court system once Shinra's taken care of." There was no question about Shinra being taking care of, the only question was when they would be.
"Oh." She found herself not wanting to let the conversation stop here. "So...um...what was it like, working for Shinra?"
To her surprise, the man laughed. "It actually wasn't too bad, though I got off easy as departments go. Urban Development. I hated the people for the most part, not only because they were willingly on Shinra's side, but because they...they were just simply bad people. But I always got I kick out of watching them bicker with each other. Scarlet and Rufus were always the most entertaining. Both spent more time on their appearance than they did doing actual work."
Aeris found herself laughing as well. "Sounds like an interesting place to be." She paused. "Did...did you ever meet Hojo?"
Reeve's eyes narrowed as he nodded. "Oh yes, I met the doctor several times. Never met a more naturally evil person in my life. He always gave me the heebie-jeebies."
"The heebie-jeebies?" Hearing a grown man say this brought a wide smile to her face.
"Oh," Reeve found himself blushing a little. "Jessie's term. She always said the slums gave her the heebie-jeebies, though she was quite reluctant to leave them."
"She seems like a nice person."
"Jessie? She is. Wonderful. I can't wait to see her again." The two sat in silence once more, gazing out blindly into the dark house.
"Do you think the others are alright?" Aeris asked suddenly, glancing over at Reeve's form. He shrugged.
"I don't know. I hope so, but...I just don't know. Wutai seems to be the hot spot right now."
"Yeah...it does."
***
"This is murder."
"Wedge, if you don't shut up, I'm going to staple your mouth shut!"
"Well, you have to admit it's a bit stupid to be bombing the Imperial headquarters while we're on the good graces of one of it's top military officials!"
Biggs, Wedge, Vincent, Yuffie, and Shion, who had turned up at a call from Vincent, were creeping along the shelter tunnels in what Shion and Yuffie claimed to be a direct line to military compound. The teenage girl wasn't exactly thrilled about having to bomb her own city, but agreed that in the long run, it was necessary.
"Well, ya gotta take what ya get!" Was all Biggs had to say in reply.
"...what? How does that fit anywhere in this conversation??"
"Hey," Yuffie spoke up from near the front of the pack. "Why don't you both shut up!"
"Gee Yuff, there's no need to be so polite!"
***
"Er..."
"Yes Tifa?" Strife had been expecting Tifa to ask more questions. They'd finished with their late lunch-early dinner and were now sitting back in the living room, which, to Tifa's slight disdain, had no television. Strife had immediately immersed himself in a book.
"Sorry, but, does General Briggs feel the same way you do about Shinra and...everything?" She looked over at her one-time friend from her place on the couch.
"Zach? No," he shook his head. "Zach is just...an ass. He does what he feels will put in the highest position of power."
"And you do what you do because...?"
"Because I feel like it. Plain and simple."
"Ah."
"Now, do you mind me asking you a question?" Tifa almost thought she saw a hint of amusement on his face.
"Uh...sure! Go ahead!"
"What are you doing with that Turk?"
She felt a blush rushing to her cheeks and her eyes dropped to the floor. "Former Turk. And Reno...Reno's sweet!"
"Oh yes, bashing someone's head against the ground is delightful!"
"Hey! You started that!"
"I beg to differ, Miss Lockheart. I merely approached you."
"Well...you have to admit, it didn't look good!" She crossed her arms, a slight glare on her face.
"Hmm...perhaps. We'll let the matter drop." Tifa nodded dumbly in agreement, not wanting to talk about Reno. "May I ask you though...how did you get involved in Avalanche?"
Tifa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well...after I went to Midgar to try and find you, I started working at a diner in sector seven. I was lucky to get the job, because work is scarce in the slums. I suppose I got it because I was a young, naive girl and I would bring customers back." She paused to shudder. "Anyway, after a few months, I noticed these three kids about my age that always come in. Sometimes they had a really big guy with them, he was intimidating, and not just because of the gun grafted onto his arm. It was a dumpy diner, not one to get regulars, so they caught my attention.
"At this point, I didn't really have any malice towards Shinra. I thought the war, which wasn't supposed to still be going on, even though we all knew the peace was a scam, was stupid. That was about it. Anyway, these three kids came in everyday during my shift and my only friend there always waited on them. Her name Elizabeth, but we all called her Lizzy. She seemed to know them outside of work and always talked to them for a good fifteen minutes.
"Eventually, I got to meet them. They were pretty nice, two guys, Wedge and Alex, and a girl, Jessie. In time, I learned that the big guy's name was Barret. I just thought they were people who lived in the slums, and that that was how Lizzy knew them. But then...I started to get curious about them. Whenever they were in, they spoke in low tones, and always seemed really serious.
"And then, I started seeing them around the sectors, always talking with a different person, almost always in some of the worst off areas, usually those with no power. After a few days of talking with people in the area, things seemed to improve there. Finally, I got the nerve to ask Lizzy about them.
"At first, she laughed nervously and told me that they were just friends. But then one day, everybody in the slums seemed to be talking about some big thing that had happened. I found out when I got to work that something called Avalanche had bombed one the Shinra military training buildings, and that two of them had been killed.
"Well, after awhile, when Lizzy didn't show up to work, and only two of the kids came in, both looking ashen, I figured out what was going on. And I confronted the two about it. They didn't seem to want to talk about it, but they agreed to meet me later at some place in sector five. That's when I first heard why the sectors were so crummy. I assumed all of Midgar was, but Jessie and Wedge assured me that the upper plate was like heaven compared to the slums. They went on to tell me all about Shinra and what they were trying to do. At once, I asked if I could help. They seemed a bit wary of letting me in, but agreed to. Barret was a bit mad when they first told him, but I grew on him after awhile.
"After about a year of working at the diner, the owner put it up for sale. We scrounged up enough money to buy it from him, and, wall-lah. Tifa's Seventh Heaven was born. We turned it into a bar, knowing there was more of a crowd for it rather than a diner, and finally had a secure headquarters.
"Biggs came along about half a year later. He's a former SOLDIER, ya know? He could have made to first class, but he decided he wanted out. He'd been roaming the slums for some time and had gotten wind that we were there. It took even longer for Barret to trust him and when Reeve came, I thought he was going to blow an artery. " She stopped, glancing up at the general, who was looking at her with rapt attention. "Er...I don't know why I just told you all of that."
Strife waved the comment off. "What? Knowing a little history is hardly a good weapon. Besides, I told you, while you are with me, no harm will come to your friends or yourself." He stood from his chair. "And I have a feeling you'll be with me for awhile to come now. As soon as the storm is over, we're heading back to Midgar. I'll find a way to get you on board the plane when we do."
***
"You and Yuffie don't seem to be on good terms," Jessie remarked offhandedly to Alli, who sat on the floor of the sitting room, brushing her hair up into a ponytail.
"Er...yeah, we had a bit of a ...falling out so to speak." She seemed reluctant to talk about it.
"Oh?"
"Yep."
James looked over at the young girl, a knowing look on his face. "So that's why Yuffie was in such a bad mood when we left. What could possibly make the two of you have a falling out? You were practically inseparable!"
Alli's blue eyes, so familiar to all of them, narrowed in still tender anger. "Let's just say she didn't approve of my background."
Jessie and James looked at each other upon hearing the cryptic answer and shrugged.
"How's Reno doing?" Jessie inquired of James, who'd been keeping the other man company up until a few minutes ago.
James shook his head. "He's pretty torn up over Tifa. I don't think he'll be alright until she's back with us."
"Hmm...I'm going to go check on Caleb and Reice," the bleached blonde stood and exited the room, leaving James and Alli by themselves.
"You wanna tell me what you and Yuffie really fought about?" James looked over at the strawberry blonde, whose eyes were trained on her fingernails.
"Not particularly."
"Aww...c'mon!"
"Why do you care?!" She looked up to glare at him.
"Because you and Yuffie are my friends and seeing the two of you wanting to throttle each other is a bit nerve-wracking. Now, care to tell me what happened?"
Alli caught his gaze, sighing as she did so. She knew he, and the others, only meant well but...if Yuffie, her supposed best friend, reacted the way she did, how she expect any less from them.
"You promise not to tell anyone?" She couldn't believe she was doing this.
Stop Alli. Stop right there. Don't do this. It will end badly. It has t-
"I promise."
"And you promise not to change your opinion of me?"
Why are you telling him? You barely know James! It makes no sense to-
"I promise..."
"Alright well..." she sighed again, pulling herself on the sofa. "You all keep saying I look familiar, right?"
"Yeah," he nodded slowly, still trying to place her face.
"How familiar do I look?"
"Incredibly familiar."
"Like a face you see everyday?"
"Yeah."
"Like a famous person?"
He narrowed his brow, not getting where she was going. "Yeah, I suppose."
"Like...Rufus Shinra?"
His green, Cetra eyes went wide behind the light curtain of brown hair that had fallen in his eyes. "Exactly. Sister?"
"No," she shook her head. "Cousin. I'm the old President's daughter. Rufus is his nephew."
James couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I never would have guessed...you're so...not like him."
Alli smiled lightly, "Yeah, I know...hey-" she looked straight at him. "So, you don't think that I'm a spy for Shinra?"
"You?! No!" James looked like this was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. "Yuffie said that?" He sighed in what almost sounded like disappointment. "I'll have to talk to her when they get back. Of course, that might be awhile."
"No! Don't talk to her! I...I want to do that." She grinned up at him. "Thanks though. It's good to know I can trust some people."
"Just wait, I'm sure Yuffie will come around sooner or later. She's just a bit brash at times."
"Yeah...I know. I hope its sooner. I liked having a friend my age around."
***
"Ok now...Biggs, Yuffie, you two go up and carefully observe the area," Shion glanced back at the two, who were now bickering colorfully. He frowned at their lack of attention. "HEY!" They glanced up, eyes wide and innocent. "Yuffie. Biggs. Up. Now."
"Err...yes sir, captain!" With a mock salute, Yuffie hurried up the stairway in front of them, Biggs at her heels. She paused at the top, pressing an ear against the door, and then when she was satisfied, she slowly turned the knob and pushed against the door. After a few moments of force, it creaked open.
The door led to what appeared to be a storage building on the main path of the complex. After glancing about, and deciding the place was for the most part deserted, they climbed back down the staircase to report to the others.
"Coast looks clear," Biggs declared. "So what's our target? Everything near looked more like office buildings."
"They are, sort of," Yuffie told him. "The barracks and armories are on the other side."
"Ah. So, what's our target?" He asked again.
"Well, we want to make the biggest bang possible, so to speak," Vincent said. "So we're only bombing one building."
"Oooh...I see where this is going," Biggs was frowning. "Now, as much fun as it will be to bomb Mr. Emperor, isn't it a little...I dunno...dangerous?"
"You said yourself," Shion began, "that the complex is practically deserted. As long as we're out of here by the time the bomb goes off, we're fine." He nodded towards the staircase, "Now come on Biggs, Wedge. You're the experts here, I'll show you the way."
Wedge picked the bag he was carrying up carefully, head hung low. "We're insane, you know that? Just plain nuts."
***
"If that battle gets any closer, we're going to have to leave town," Aeris murmured, wringing her hands as a loud explosion wracked the air around them.
"I...I think it's moving away again," Reeve told her, straining to listen.
"I hope it gets over with soon," she said for what seemed like the one-thousandth time that day. It was now completely dark out, even the moon seeming to hide from the battle. Great flashes of light exploded now and again, more frightening than comforting.
"Yeah...me too. Don't worry though. It may be taking awhile, but we're going to show Shinra whose boss," he was grinning, though he wasn't even sure he was speaking the truth.
"Well well, look who's being the optimist now?"
***
"Er...you want me to go back to Midgar with you?" Tifa's voice was incredulous. "Why?"
Strife was smiling. Not a half smile. Not a smirk. He was smiling. "I'm not sure really, you're just...incredibly intriguing."
"Oh." Her voice was wavering, and she knew it. "Er...this probably isn't like...open for discussion is it?"
"No."
"Well...you just expect me to go with you to Midgar?!"
"Would you rather you and your friends be taken into custody and executed for the entire world to see?" His voice didn't lose a hint of pleasantness as he spoke.
"Er...good point. But...what are you going to do with me?" Perhaps I don't want to know that answer...
He shrugged. "I'm not sure. It would be nice to have some company other than snot nosed military brats and over-polished executives though."
"How...how would hide me? I'm on the top your most wanted lists!"
"Oh that would be simple enough. I could probably even get you off of them, if you wished."
She sat there, mouth hanging open, and eyes staring at him with disbelief.
"You...you...you are very strange!"
***
"Go! Go!" Biggs, Wedge, and Shion, after having been out in the complex for almost an hour, came rushing back down the staircase, bag now hanging empty over the former SOLDIER's shoulder.
"No need to tell us twice!" Yuffie cried, as they all began rushing through tunnels once more.
"We have about forty-five minutes before it goes off. Well...that is if all goes well..." Wedge trailed off.
"What do you mean, if all goes well?"
"Hey, that stuff from Rocket Town was practically ancient!"
"Don't worry Yuff," Biggs said to her, noting her disapproval. "It'll work. It might just work sooner than planned."
Authors Notes: Bettcha didn't expect to see this so soon! Well, I've got some nasty flu bug and can't go to school. I really shouldn't be at the comp either because my back hurts but, oh well. I'm dragging this out longer than I expected. I didn't think I would go over twenty chapters but now there's no way around it. I still can't decide if at the end it'll all be nicely tied up or if I'll leave room for follow up stories (nothing big like this, just little one-piecers about how people are doing). Oh well. Thank you everyone for reviewing! Since I AM nearing the end, I'd like for you guys to start telling me what you want to happen. I'll try and work in as many suggestions as possible since this is as much your story as it is mine. Until next time!
