Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Well, the story, but that could be debateable.

Chapter 4: Attack of the butterflys

Lie in the darkness, I'm slowly dragged to sleep, With nothing else to lose.

Tifa woke with a start. Her body was cold and stiff from sleeping on the hard, rocky ground. She sat up and winced as her muscles screamed at her in protest. What time was it? She pushed herself to her feet and walked outside, trying to loosen her aching muscles.

As she stepped out of the cave she was enveloped in velvety darkness. Aw hell,she thought. She'd slept away the entire afternoon. The monsters that roamed here grew bolder after nightfall and it was a lot more dangerous then during the day. For a moment she thought about staying in the caves for the night but she decided against it. It grew deathly cold in the mountains at night and it was a lot warmer (and safer!) back in the town. Now, she just had to get there.

Her senses were on alert, looking for any monsters who thought she'd be easy prey. It hadn't reached the absolute darkness that comes after midnight but it was close. If she jogged she'd be back in the town in about 2 hours and she was loath to stay up here any longer then she had to. It was already hard enough to see in the dark as it is.

She started to jog down the well-worn trail, her feet pounding on the hard ground. After she'd gotten about half way down she felt the first of the raindrops prick her bare arms. Damn schizo April weather!

She picked up the pace, breaking into an all out run, hoping to escape the torrent of rain on its way to greet her. It was futile she knew, but in her jeans and string top she was definitely not dressed for this kind of weather.

She heard howls in the distance. Oh could this get any worse?!

Her lungs burned and her legs begged for her to rest, but she didn't dare. A blood-chilling wail split the night. She could see. something! Looming out of the darkness, charging at her. She threw herself to the left and rolled, coming up on her feet. She turned to face her attacker.

It had the basic body shape of a man, but that's where the similarities ended. Its skin glowed a sickly green and instead of fingers 3 razor sharp claws grew from its hands. In a blur of speed it slashed at her and she barely dodged in time, jumping back out of range. The creature howled in frustration and came after her again. It slashed for her face this time as her arm came up, knocking away the blow. She pivoted to her right, swinging her fist into the monsters face, breaking bone as she went by. She kicked it just below the kneecap, dislocating its knee before turning again and kicking it in the face for good measure. She screamed in pain. The monster had raked its claws across her stomach, leaving 3 bloody gashes in its wake. Adrenaline pumped into her system and she turned on her heel and jumped, delivering a spinning kick that broke the creature's neck.

She stumbled back and sank to the ground. Bile rose in her throat and waves of nausea wracked her body. Her head spun as she tried to examine her wounds. They were deep, but that didn't account for the nausea and dizziness. Oh the BLOODY claws must secrete poison. TERRIFIC! She had no antidotes with her, either. She fumbled in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a potion. Lifting up the remains of her top she poured it onto her wound. Immediately the cool effects of the potion start to work and she felt better. Well enough to stand, at least. She glanced down at her midriff and winced. It wasn't healed though, not by a long shot. The rain was now coming down fast, plastering her long hair to her face and back. She was soaked to the bone.

Getting to her feet she forced her body into a jog, trying to ignore the steadily worsening dizziness. Finally when she'd thought she'd reached breaking point she saw the glittering lights of Nibelheim in the distance. She sighed with relief. She knew she could make it now.

She stumbled as the ground shook beneath her. Frantically she tried to keep her footing, to no avail as the rain had turned the once hard ground into churning mud. The ground she was sliding on crumbled away, sending her over the side of the path. She tumbled down the rocky slope, coming to a stop as she slammed into a tree. She lay on her back staring at the sky, completely winded.

The rain continued unceasingly and her whole body was shivering uncontrollably. Her vision swam, the sky spinning wildly in front of her eyes. She shut them, trying to calm her aching head. She was so tired. The wolves howled again and her eyes snapped open. It seemed to be coming from all around her. Oh someone up there has a REALLY twisted sense of humour! She thought angrily.

She had to get out of here. Fast. Using the tree as a support she pulled herself up. I'm going to have some colourful bruises in the morning. Assuming I last til morning, that is. She looked up at the path above her. She'd fallen into the forest at the foot of the mountains, so there was really no point in climbing back up to the path. She doubted she could make it in the state she was in, anyway. Best to continue on from here.

She moved as fast as her body would let her through the forest. Slowly she became aware of yellow eyes watching her from the undergrowth. Wolves. They seemed to be everywhere. Gritting her teeth she tried to run. Spots clouded her vision and she sank to her knees. Ok bad idea. How the hell am I going to get out of here?! I can't outrun them and I certainly can't beat them all. Panic started to rise inside her. Get a grip Tifa! she ordered herself. You are not going to just roll over and die! She stood up and tugged her gloves more securely onto her hands. Nope, not going down without a fight. She waited for the first attack.

There! To her right! A wolf leapt at her from the darkness. She waited until it had almost reached her then grabbed a hold of its shoulders, dropping to the ground as she planted her foot firmly in its torso. Using her momentum she sent it sailing over her head into a tree. An audible crack reached her ears. She'd broken its back.

One down. God knows how many more to go.

She got to her feet again, slipping into a fighting stance. The rain was near blinding but she could make out the figures of seven other wolves circling her warily.

Another attack, from the front this time. She jumped, her foot lashing out and striking it In the head. It fell to the ground like a stone. As she landed her legs gave way and she found herself in the mud with it. All she could think about was the pain in her head and the burning in her stomach. Get up! Defend yourself! But she couldn't. Blackness swam around the edge of her vision. She pressed her fists to her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

Behind her she heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed, effectively snapping her back to reality. She looked around in surprise at her unexpected saviour. A blur of silver flashed, neatly cleaving an attacking wolf in half. "Sephiroth?" She exclaimed weakly. He looked at her, his eyes blank, betraying nothing. He turned, his sword flashing out again and opening a wolf's throat. Tifa slowly got to her feet, trying to get out of his way, if nothing else. Thrusting his sword behind him he impaled a wolf in mid jump. He fought like he was possessed, killing 2 more wolves before turning to her.

"Are you alright?" Before she could reply she heard a soft noise behind her. She'd half turned when the last wolf pounced on her, driving her into the mud. Paws pressed heavily on her chest as the wolf snapped at her savagely. Reaching up she grabbed its head in her hands and snapped its neck. With the last of her strength she pushed the limp body of the wolf off of her.

The last thing she saw before slipping into unconsciousness was Sephiroth bending over her. If she didn't know any better she'd have thought it was concern she saw in those piercing green eyes.

Author's note: I can't remember if I rewrote this or not. I think I did.