Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns FF7. Evanescence and A.F.I. own their pretty lyrics. I own this can of coke next to the keyboard. And now that that's cleared up…

Chapter 6: Are all my thoughts of you?

Tifa waited impatiently as Sephiroth pulled on his boots and wrapped his cloak around himself. Finally, he stood up, but instead of heading to the front door where Tifa was waiting he went back into the room where she'd spent the night. A moment later he emerged with her gloves in his hands. He tossed them over to her.

"I don't want to bring my sword as it'd arouse suspicion but I'd feel better if one of us were armed."

Tifa rolled her eyes. "Sephiroth we're going to get breakfast, last time I checked that wasn't high on the danger scale."

" All the same I'd rather if you had your gloves." He grinned at her slyly. " I'd rather not have to spend my time rescuing you if something goes amiss."

Tifa's eyebrows shot up. "Rescue me?! I'll have you know I'm not some helpless damsel in distress who faints at the first sign of violence! And I don't need my gloves to be able to defend myself! I'm a martial artist, or were you too busy being blinded by your shining armour to notice?"

She huffily pulled open the door and left the mansion, not caring if he was following or not. She knew he was teasing her, and that was surreal in it's self. But it still bugged her that he was insinuating she needed him to rescue her. MEN! They were all alike!

Sephiroth laughed softly, she was so easy to wind up! He liked the fact that she was so passionate though. She was strong willed, wouldn't bow down to anyone.

He caught up with her easily and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I'm so very very sorry. I'm well aware of your fighting prowess, Ms. Lockhart."

"Hmmph, well don't you forget it. And it's Tifa ok? Ms. Lockhart is far too formal."

"Of course… Tifa" She had the feeling he was laughing at her silently behind those glowing eyes, but she ignored it. Instead she smiled and turned her face upwards to meet the sun as it shone down. The sky was clear and blue with no hint of the torrential rain of yesterday. It was such a lovely morning, full of the quiet peacefulness that only occurs very early before it was shattered by people starting their day. She felt quite rested, even though she must have only slept a couple of hours.

Walking along, Sephiroth watched her from beneath the shadow of his hat, noting the way the sun's rays picked out hidden blondes and reds in her dark hair. The effect was startling. She seemed so alive, surrounded by a mass of colour. He studied her admiringly, taking in her flawless ivory coloured skin and her eyes, the colour of burnt coffee with hints of wine surrounding the pupils, all framed by long, thick lashes. They were definitely her best feature he decided.

Just then she turned and met his gaze curiously. He looked away, realising he had been staring.

"Which one is your house?" he said quickly, suddenly aware that they were on a street with rows of houses on both sides.

"This one here." She turned left up a path that led to a large, two storey house.

It looked vaguely familiar to Sephiroth. It was the Shinra copy they'd made after he had… He shook his head. It was far too big for one person.

"Do you live here alone?"

"Yes" Tifa answered, busy trying to find her key in her pockets. He frowned, that was strange considering Avalanche had been such a close-knit group. How could they all go off and leave her alone like this?

"Where are the others now?" A thought occurred to him. "Where's Cloud?" Tifa stiffened, then slowly looked up at him.

"Barret is with his daughter in Kalm. Cid, Yuffie and Nanaki all went back to their respective hometowns. I don't know where Vincent is, though he'd be very interested in meeting you. Reeve is working on rebuilding Midgar." She stopped.

"And Cloud?" he pressed.

Her mouth twisted. " He's left me for the gravestone crumbling behind". He looked at her in confusion.

"What?"

"Aeris! He's gone to look for Aeris!"

"Oh."

 She turned away, not quite managing to hide the hurt in her eyes. Key in hand she opened the door and went inside. He stared after her a moment before entering the house as well. He shut the door softly behind him and looked around. He was standing in a hallway with a door in front of him and stairs to the right.  He pushed open the door and saw Tifa sitting at a table in what looked like a kitchen, holding her head in her hands. She looked up as he came in and attempted to smile cheerfully.

"So, what do you feel like having?" Sephiroth felt compassion surge through him, something he'd not felt in a long time. Instead of answering he sat down opposite her.

"Cloud is a fool" he said hoarsely. 

She stared at him in shock. Did he just say what I think he said? "I…I don't know what you mean." She stood up and opened the fridge, agitated. "Umm… We have eggs?"

"Whatever you are having will be fine." He didn't know what had come over him and slipped back into his polite mask. Saying Cloud was a fool? What did I mean? 

He was disturbed as he watched her take a tray of eggs out of the fridge and put them on the counter, along with milk and butter. She was looking for salt in a cabinet above the counter when another wave of dizziness hit her. One hand went instinctively to her head as she swayed and the other reached out for something to steady herself with. Sephiroth's hand enclosed hers. How the hell does he move so fast?

"Are you alright?" he said, concerned. "I'm fine" she snapped, wrenching her hand from his. She saw the hurt in his eyes, saw them turn cold, but she didn't care. Why does he have to be there all the time? Looking over my shoulder?! Her hands found the edge of the counter top and she squeezed, her knuckles turning white as she waited for the dizziness to subside.

"You're still hurt. Go lie down, I'll make the food." She opened her mouth to protest but she didn't get a chance. "NOW Tifa!"

She closed her mouth and set it in a straight line. Turning, she left the room without a word. Seething, she started up the stairs.  How dare he shout orders at me in my own home? He was turning back into the Great General Sephiroth. Well I'm not one of his soldiers!  She entered her room and then slammed the door with as much strength as she could muster, venting her anger as the noise resonated through out the house. She strode over to a set of drawers in the corner of the room and yanked open the top drawer. Pushing aside the assorted materia she reached for the bottles clustered at the back and picked out an antidote. She downed it. There. She shut the drawer and glanced down at herself.

Gotta get out of these clothes! She pulled off the t-shirt and jeans violently, still livid. Crossing the room she opened the wardrobe and pulled out the first things her hands touched. She definitely didn't feel like making in depth clothing decisions just now. She turned, clutching a skirt and top to her and caught sight of herself in the mirror. Slowly she let the clothes drop to the floor. Her hand traced the scar that ran her collarbone to just below her right breast. The man downstairs had given it to her, caused her so much pain and he was still doing it! Why did he have to bring up Cloud? Have to keep pushing?! And then acting all concerned. If he were really gave a damn then he shouldn't have brought it up in the first place!

But that wasn't right… How was he supposed too know in the first place? It was natural he'd want to know where Cloud was. Wasn't his fault that asking about him made her think about him and thinking about him… Oh god… All I wanted to say was I love you.

No, Sephiroth didn't cause her this pain, Cloud did. Pain beyond belief. Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt the familiar ache in her heart get worse. She walked slowly to her bed as if in a trance and curled up underneath the covers.

                                      -

Sephiroth watched as she left the kitchen. He could practically feel the anger emanating from her.

Why had she turned on him? She was so hostile! Her rebuke still stung him, the memory of how she'd pulled her hand from his still fresh in his mind. As if she couldn't bear to have him touch her. It bothered him a lot more then he wanted to admit.

He'd felt himself opening up to her after only being in her presence for a few short hours. She'd brought out someone in him he'd thought gone.  He'd revelled in the contact with someone who didn't fear or hate him. Not now, at least.

                                      ~

"After all I've done I deserve to be dead. But I'm not."

" No you don't. It was Jenova. Not you"

                                      ~

He knew he had no right to ask for forgiveness but he'd at least thought that she knew he wasn't under Jenova's control now. He wasn't the person who'd hurt her, not anymore.

But… his words rang in his mind. "Where's Cloud?"

Bringing him up, he'd seen the pain in her eyes… But he hadn't meant to! He didn't know she was going to react like that!

Above him he heard a door slam with a crash. He scowled. Well fine! If that's the way she wanted it, then fine! He'd make the damn food and then get out of here. Leave her to mourn after that spikey haired idiot! What does she see in him anyway? He's so blinded by that Ancient that he doesn't even know what he has right in front of him! He shook his head. What do I care?

He threw the milk, eggs and butter into a pan he'd found beside her cooker. While he waited for it to cook he got some plates from a press beneath the counter. He buttered some bread and divided out the eggs. Grabbing a knife and fork he left his plate on the counter and took hers, making his way up to her room.

Holding the plate in one hand he lifted the other to knock and paused, listening. He could hear her crying. Sobbing like her heart would break. Or if it were already broken. His throat constricted, his resolution to leave after giving her her food slowly slipping away. He wanted to go in there and help her, hold her, anything to make her stop crying like that but he was afraid of how she'd react. He wasn't her favourite person right now.

"Tifa?" The crying stopped immediately.

"W-what?" She tried unsuccessfully to stop her voice from cracking. How long had he been standing there?

"I've got your food here, I'll leave it outside the door" He placed her plate on the floor and headed back downstairs to wait, however long it takes, until she felt like talking to him.

Author's note: Yeah. When I said I'd write it on Wednesday I REALLY meant Sunday. Really. I probably won't get the next chapter done for a week or so because I'm stuck with things like music grades and graduation nights all this week. Ick.

Um… yeah. I didn't actually mean for this chapter to turn out like this but it did. But I like it. I blame it on Evanescence and their influence on me. Great band.

Oh and thanks so much for the reviews! Yay! And I am trying to make the chapters longer. Anyways… Read and review, I have an English essay to do. Hey, that rhymes!