Final Fantasy 7 Copyright of Square soft.

Pleasant Sounds

Chapter 8

Cloud nervously roaming around the house with out peace. Tifa came downstairs wearing a light green dress with beautiful flower motives in yellow. She sat in the sofa with out adding a word still disturbed by Cloud.

Some cars outside had arrived. The servants opened the door to Cloud who went to meet his guest. A long limousine stopped in the parkway. The man driving came out, he was tall and with dark complexion. He moved to the other side way down to open the door. The first who came out was slim but small guy with spiky red hair and a pair of dark glasses on his head. His eyes were cold blue and watched Cloud with no words as he let a young lady with short blonde hair come out. She was small too, more than the red-headed and had a cute smile…then came out Rufus…a tall man with blonde hair greased and blue eyes wearing along white trench-coat he seemed fully relaxed but smirked at Cloud. When it seemed over another man came out; he had long black hair and red eyes with an unusual beauty mark on his forehead. His eyes were similar to Vincent's he thought.

Cloud went down and greeted Rufus and welcomed him and his "friends" inside.

"I didn't expect so many guests…I'll have to postpone the dinner so the cook can prepare more food for all of you"

"Don't worry Mr.Strife, I didn't came here for a mere dinner of course" he signed the rest to come inside along.

Tifa stood up with a smile and approached hesitantly to the guests. The tall blonde man observed her carefully, as if he were studying her.

"You must be Mrs. Strife," he said with a sort of chilling smile "I've heard the good news, congratulations" he took her hand and kissed it lightly.

"Thank you" getting scared by his mere presence.

"How long has it been?"

Tifa didn't understood immediately.

"Oh…about two months almost…"

"Any names planned?"

Tifa smiled more easily now.

"Oh no…not really. It's such a sudden thing, I don't want to worry when there's so much ahead yet"

"I understand" he turned to Cloud "Shall we talk in private Strife?"

"Certainly. My studio is this way. The servants will bring some appetizers right away. Gentleman!" and lead them.

Tifa was watching them leave with scared eyes. Her chill was stronger as the spiky redhead kept his eyes on her and winked. She quickly went back upstairs getting ready for the second round: dinner.

"…charming…really! I understand how nowadays having a family can be so stressful but you should also understand my needs. There has been a great need for good artillery since some recent attacks and you know how much security a man like myself needs…" he turned to his group.

Cloud had called Vincent to come; the fear of being alone among them made him shrink under their power.

Vincent had observed carefully all of them and also the man with a beauty spot on the forehead whom had made some impression to him too. For the rest he kept his eyes on Rufus with out emotional trace.

"You came here with quite a group Rufus, I'm not going to kill you anyway" added Cloud trying to position himself over him.

"Not only you Cloud, but many other people attend my presence and I'm not questioning them one by one" he grinned.

A knock, the dinner was ready. The servants went to call Tifa and accommodate all of the guests.

Cloud sat on one end with Tifa at his right and Vincent on the other. Rufus was on the other end with the woman and the red-eyed man near him. Tifa didn't speak much, only to answer a few impressions of her lifestyle but was always courteous to everyone. Vincent said more than nothing, he knew however he'd be talking soon anyway.

Nobody complained about the food. Rufus waited for Cloud to open an argument, the presence of Tifa made them avoid any business argument and the discussion ended up about fine food and expensive wines…usual triviality. At the end of the dinner Tifa stood up and excused herself as she was going to sleep, her eyes quickly met those of Vincent and then she met the faces of the guests, especially the obnoxious redheaded man with his eyes fixed on her.

The blonde woman had probably notice 'cause she slightly pinched him.

Tifa was glad to get rid of them. They're looks expressed simple terror.

Later on they went back to the studio. A couple of drinks were served, and Rufus was confidently drinking.

The dark man with the read headed and also the blonde girl sat way behind them, the conversation was none of their business and didn't dare talk and simply looked around with no interest.

Rufus's main help was on the red-eyed man.

"Cloud, this is Tseng…my broker…an excellent one"

Tseng was simply observing and then slightly bowed as he sat with his legs crossed.

"This is Vincent Valentine, he has worked with me for some months now" and Vincent didn't move with his eyes fixed on Tseng.

"I will give you not more than month to have all my weapons ready Strife. Or child or no child I'll destroy your little life and won't be stopped! You had more than enough time to fool around your wife and I can be very understanding but don't try my patience"

"I had everything ready, I swear" he almost yelled.

Vincent startled at Cloud and made sign to calm down.

"I don't suppose I'm the first to have given you so much trouble until now."

"Don't think there are so many lucky guys out there Strife. Mind your own business"

He stood up.

"Leaving already," added Vincent calmly.

"I don't like to loose my time Mr. Valentine" and he made sign to get up.

"More people to extort?" he added again.

Tseng was most disturbed and moved forward stopped by Rufus.

"If I were you Strife I'd control better my dependents" and grinned as they walked out of the studio.

Cloud watched them leave from the window. He hadn't said a word but then turned to Vincent.

"What was that for?"

"You were getting under him Cloud…" he said.

"Just mind doing what you have to do…protect my safety not endanger it" and sat to drink some more.

Vincent felt pity for him. Meanwhile Cloud had taken out his locket and opened it up, looking at it in awe. Vincent stared at him with curiosity.

"What's that?"

"An old friend…died some time ago…" his eyes staring in the darkness.

"Where did you meet him?" he asked on purpose.

Cloud snuffed.

"It…was a girl…"

"I see…"

"No! Nothing like that. She was a very special person…gave me hope and so much more. My soul was at ease with her."

"How did she die?"

"I…was in this army…"

"SOLDIER?"

"You know it?"

"Heard of it…quite famous…"

"…uhm…yeah…in a practice a bomb was left unexploded at the camp where she was and was probably moved with no caution and exploded…she died, along with many others"

Vincent saw the sadness and added no more…he just wanted to go to sleep he had heard what he wanted.

"See ya tomorrow Cloud"

"Uhmm…"

I don't have much to do so the story goes on fast…well…anyway…another talking chapter, sorry for the lack of action.