Chapter 4: Insufferable Man

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My eyes fluttered open to an early morning and bright rays of sunlight. White fluffs of cotton floated about here and there in the sky. They'd not been there last night, but they appeared innocent with no threat of raining on us. I sat up from my tree and yawned, looking about me curiously. What a nice morning and my back was only a little stiff. My gaze traveled over to Sephiroth's sleeping form. Must be pretty early for him to still be asleep, I thought. It hadn't even occured to me that Sephiroth did sleep, come to think of it.

I stretched my limbs and stood up. My clothes were mostly dry now, but I was extremely hungry. Maybe I could hurry over to Rocket Town and pick up something to eat. Sephiroth didn't look like he'd be waking up anytime soon anyways. He must of stayed up fairly late to still be out cold like that.

I walked to the edge of the hill and gazed out over the expanding landscape. A vast flat land stretched out below, and there in the center sat Rocket town. It wasn't that far away; probably around a mile. I'd make it there and back in 45 minutes at the most, depending on how long it would take to get breakfast..

I took one last glance at Sephiroth, contemplating whether or not I should wake him. Eventually I decided just to leave him there and made my way down the hill. If he woke up before I got back, then clearly the Gods were against me. .

When I reached the bottom, the creek lay before me. I scowled, staring gloomily across to the other side. I tried to jump that? Suddenly, now that it was daylight it seemed even farther than it did last night. At least I was on the higher bank this time around. I wouldn't have much trouble making it over. What worried me was making it back across when I returned. Oh well, a little water never hurt anyone, I thought, taking a few steps back from the edge.

My boots landed solidly on the far bank and with harldy a waver in balance.. I smiled triumphantly as I straightened and walked on towards Rocket Town.

It took me only 15 minutes to get there and when I arrived it was quite alive. I managed to get into a small grocery store without too much trouble and come back out with a bag of apples. Hopefully Sephiroth liked apples and if he didn't, well too bad. Who doesn't like apples? There was probably somebody out there who didn't like apples I suppose.

On my return I was hassled by a few beasties, but they were no trouble. The trouble was the creek that I'd been dreading the entire trip back and had now finally reached. If it were alive it would have been laughing at me I think. The only thing I had going for me was that I could actually see my destination, unlike last night. No time to be a coward now, Tifa. Besides, the apples wouldn't be injured by water. I'd just have to be sure not to lose them if I did end up going for another swim.

I found myself taking another deep breath 15 feet away from the bank's edge, chanting in my mind 'It really isn't that far'. My shoulders slumped slight and a tore off towards the edge again. I waited till the last possible moment before jumping. The landing wasn't particularly pretty, but I did make it, and only sustaine da few minor scratches in the process. That alone was a miracle.

I glanced into the bag of apples to find one of them missing. My eyes scanned the ground, but the lost fruit was nowhere to be found. I sighed and headed up the hill, leaving it behind. Something would be happy to find it.

At the top Sephiroth was just waking up and appeared to be in a great deal of pain, judging by the grimace on his face.

"Are you ok?" I asked and broke into a easy jog. "You look like you're in pain."

"It's nothing of importance." He retorted, wincing as he stretched his left shoulder. "Bloody tree." He muttered his face contorting in pain.

I scowled. "Nothing of importance?" I echoed skeptically. "Did you sleep on it wrong?" I asked, setting the apples aside and coming up beside him. He still had not put his trench coat back on, but I was much better at ignoring that fact today.

"It hurts like hell." He seethed through clenched teeth. "What do you want?"

Someone was definitely not a morning person. "I only wanted to know what was wrong." I retorted flatly. "You don't have to get so angry, you know?"

He grunted in response and picked up his coat.

I sighed and grabbed an apple out of the bag. "I hope you like apples." I said, taking a bite of the one in my hand.

"That's fine." Sephiroth muttered and strapped on his shoulder armor. "We're leaving."

"Right." I frowned and retrieved the cloak lying at the bottom of the tree I'd slept under the other night. "Why the need for speed?"

"The ferry to Wutai leaves in 5 hours." Sephiroth replied. "We should get going if we want to make it in time…unless you plan to go somewhere else of course."

"Wutai's perfect." I answered. Seeing old friends was my mission right now. Yuffie was certainly on the list, along with everyone else. I grabbed the bag of apples and started off after Sephiroth, who was already on his way down the hill.

We made it over the creek without incident and continued on our way. It would take most of the day to reach the coast where the ferry station was. Reeve had it built 3 years ago for easy transportation from here to Wutai. I'd never been on it, but from what I'd heard it was supposed to be quite nice.

Hours passed while I entertained happy thoughts of rest, and Sephiroth just kept trudging along unconcerned, as if he could go on for days. Does he ever get tired! Probably not. He did seem a bit stiff though. I was teetering on the edge of collapse.

Sephiroth came to a sudden stop in front of me and I collided into his back. "Oof." I groaned. "Sorry." I managed, though it was muffled by his coat, and I quickly backed away from him in embarrassment.

He didn't even seem to notice it and went to sit on a nearby boulder. Finally, a rest, I thought. The man was practically against them. Something about weakness and cowardice I remember him saying. He'd sort of went on a long rant about it when I suggested taking a rest earlier. After that I figured just keep quiet and let him decide when to rest on his own. It didn't take me long to realize that Sephiroth didn't rest, at least not until now.

I sat down on a patch of grass and glanced over at him. He was clutching his shoulder again and wincing with pain. Perhaps that was his reason for the uncharacteristic stop. He looked to be in a great deal of pain. "Are you sure your ok? I could massage it for you if you'd like. You'd probably feel much better." I suggested.

His head snapped around to stare at me, his eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth to say something and then stopped as if to think over his response.

My brow lifted curiously and I stood up from the ground. "Well?" I proddeded, walking up to him. I leaned forward, my nose only inches away from his face. My lips curved into a smile. "Let me guess, you won't accept help from anyone, right? Can't stand the thought of relying on someone else?"

He turned away with a haughty grunt. "Fine." He hissed and pulled off his shoulder armor, dumping it unceremoniously on the ground beside him. "Have at it."

I hastily yanked off my fighting gloves and stuffed them in my pockets. Here goes nothing, I thought, and climbed up behind him on the rock. My right hand reached down and swept his silver hair aside sending a wave of Sephiroth's sent in my direction. For a split second I felt dizzy and dazed by the strangely tempting smell. My eyes widened. Where did that come from?

My hands shook as I placed them gently on his shoulder. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea. Simply touching him was enough to make me tremble all over. I'd done this for my friends hundreds of times and never had this happen before. Why now suddenly? I shook my head irritably at my silly behavior, and began to feel about for the knot in his back.

He stiffened up like an overblown soccer ball.

I sighed hopelessly. "You have to relax if this is going to work."

"Easy for you to say." He shot back.

I ignored him and continued working the muscles on his back. His trench coat was giving me a great deal of trouble. It was much too thick to do this effectively. I bit my lip carefully, pulling the collar of the trench coat back and sliding one hand underneath it.

Sephiroth jumped as our skin came in contact. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trembling beneath my hands. "Your hands are cold." He bit out sharply.

"Sorry, but your trench coat was in the way." I explained calmly. "Where does it hurt the most?" I asked, still unable to find the knot.

"Where you are so kindly stabbing me with your thumb." Sephiroth retorted through clenched teeth.

I frowned and worked my hand up towards his trapezoid. There its was, and boy was it a doozy. "Ah-ha." I announced triumphantly. "I've found the source of the problem. Now if you'd only relax, this might not be so bad."

"This is supposed to help how?" He demanded,

"It loosens your muscles." I answered and pinched him extra hard.

"Ouch!" He bellowed. "That was no accident."

"Well, maybe you should stop complaining." I suggested and continued working my hands mechanically over his skin. The idea that I was massaging my ex-enemies shoulder had yet to settle in fully. Otherwise I probably would have had a fit.

"You are insufferable!" He snapped.

"I'm insufferable!" I shouted back furiously. "If you hadn't notice I am only trying to help. You don't have to act like I'm trying to kill you." I'll tell you who is insufferable. This whiney silver haired, pompous assed man sitting in front of me was insufferable! "If it bothers you so much, then why don't you ask me to stop?" I asked bluntly. "I will stop if you want me to."

He said nothing and appeared to have completely ignored my question. His muscles tightened again, this time much worse.

I pulled my hand away and leaned over his shoulder to peer at the side of his face. His features were so elegant and refined. I could study his face forever and probably never get tired. The eyes most of all kept me staring. Oh not again…Suddenly I remembered who I was and what I was doing. "Well?" I asked, blinking back to reality.

His head tilted my way slightly as he watched me from the corner of his eyes. "Well what?"

I couldn't believe what I saw. He almost looked nervous! "Do you want me to stop?" I asked, blushing slightly. Why was it every time he looked at me I felt like melting away? "You've done nothing but complain ever since I started. Is it that bad?"

Sephiroth immediately looked away avoiding the question. "You needn't stop." He answered at last.

"Ok then." I answered and placed my hand on his shoulder again. We both shivered.

Somehow I continued and pushed away the emotions that swelled in my stomach. Not another word escaped his lips for the rest of the time and he didn't tense up anymore either.

"Does it feel better?" I asked, taking my hand away when I was too exhausted to go on.

"Yes." He answered softly.

"Good." I smiled and slid off the boulder. "My hands are tired anyway." I said and retrieved my fighting gloves. "Besides, we should probably get going if we want to make the ferry, right?"

"Of course." Sephiroth responded and pulled his shoulder armor back on.

I picked up the cloak that I'd been stuck carrying and the bag of apples. Sephiroth hadn't eaten anything today. "Aren't you hungry?" I asked.

He picked up his sword and started off again, oblivious to me.

I ran to catch up with him and shoved the apple into his hands. "Take it. I bought it for you. You'll get hungry sooner or later I'm sure, whether you want to admit it or not."

There was a trace of a smile on his lips as he gazed down upon the shiny red fruit. "I suppose so." He said finally. "Thank you." He placed the apple in a hidden pocket.

"My pleasure." I answered and turned my head towards what lay before us..

We continued on in silence, a common occurence. Sephiroth wasn't much for conversation. If any verbal connection were to be made between us I'd have to make the first move. "Why do you want to go to Wutai?"

"I haven't been there for a while." He replied simply.

And we have more silence. Silence always made me nervous and uneasy. There had to be something we could talk about. Think Tifa, think!

"Would you stop doing that?" Sephiroth said suddenly.

I jumped, startled. "What?"

"Trying to start a conversation. It's highly irritating." He answered angrily. "I prefer to travel in silence."

I frowned. "You're irritated by everything." I growled and dumped the cloak I carried on his head. "I'm not carrying this for you if you're going to act like such an ass." I snapped and went off ahead of him. Sometimes he could be a complete gentleman and then he'd just come out and say something like that. I really shouldn't let that kind of thing affect me and normally I didn't, but for some reason hearing him say that hurt my feelings a great deal. It was like he saw me as some kind of annoyance that was only in the way, nothing more.

For the remainder of our journey he lagged behind me. I was highly thankful for it too. I'd no desire to set eyes upon him at the moment. It only infuriated me more to see him so tall and dashing when he was really only annoying and full of himself. How could I be attracted to someone like that? I kicked a rock angrily, sending it flying down the path and off into a bush.

Was I really that annoying? I'd never thought so. Was making people happy and enjoying conversation so wrong? I suppose Sephiroth simply despised people who were set on being happy all of the time. Or, maybe he just despised people in general. That's probably it. We were complete opposites it seemed, and yet I couldn't keep the haunting vision of his face out of my head. This was outrageous!

Now the dock lay before me and I came to a stop to wait for the vermin who trailed behind me. The sound of his slow deliberant footsteps approached and he appeared beside me clad in the black cloak, his sword nowhere to be seen. His head tilted my way, as if expecting me to say something. I said nothing and barely even noted his existence. Sephiroth sighed and passed by me, going towards the dock to search for the ticket counter no doubt. I trailed behind him.

The tickets weren't too costly and we had plenty of money besides. According to the lady at the counter the trip would be two days long. Two days on a large boat in the middle of the ocean; it just had boredom written all over it.

Only a few people shot us suspicious glances as we boarded the ship. We were in cabin #16 on level two above the deck. The room was roomy enough and comfortable, even if I was sharing it with the worlds most dangerous villain. It wasn't hugely large, but it was certainly big for a simple cabin. There was a closet, a desk, two beds and a bathroom.

I flopped down on one of the bunks without a word and stared at the ceiling. Sephiroth removed his cloak and sat down on the bed opposite the room from mine.. He was watching me from where he sat with that piercing gaze of his. I could feel it when he looked at me like that, and it was very unsettling.

"Are you just going to stay silent forever now?" He asked, vainly hiding his agitation.

My head lifted slowly, guaging him curiously. "You're the one who wanted me to stop talking." I said and glanced off towards the window. "I have nothing to say to you anyway."

Sephiroth sighed and rubbed his gloved hands together.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes. He appeared to be contemplating something. What could that be I wonder? I don't care, I thought bitterly, and stood up. I needed to get out of here. But as I started to open the door there was a rustling sound from behind me.

"Wait." Sephiroth called.

I stopped and slowly turned around to find him on his feet and standing only 5 feet away from me. "What?"

"I...apologize…" He fumbled hopelessly, "for what I said earlier. I did not mean it."

There was nothing but pure sincerity in his eyes. How is it he always knew how to get to me? Every time I was angry with him he found some way to make me want to forgive him. Fiddle sticks… "It's alright." I said softly, giving in completely to his pleading apology. "Don't worry about it."

"Why is it I get the feeling you're lying?" He challenged.

"I'm not." I answered, my voice wavering. "Not really… It doesn't matter." I said. "You apologized, I'm happy." I smiled. "I'm going to go look around for a bit. I'll be back."

He actually looked a bit concerned as I turned and headed out the door, but perhaps it was only my imagination.

Now what? I needed a book to read, and so I went on a search for a bookstore. To my amazement I found one. It didn't have a very large selection, but I wasn't exactly looking for a masterpiece. So I picked out a simple romance novel. I stopped on my way to the counter and averted my attention to a book sitting on one of the display cases. I picked it up off the rack and read the back of it. Hmm, Sephiroth might be interested.

I bought both of the books and headed back to the cabin. When I opened the door, Sephiroth was standing at the far end of the room staring out the window with a lost expression on his face. He turned around upon hearing the door open. "You're back." He stated. "The boat has launched."

I nodded and sat down on my bed. "Do you like to read?"

"That depends on the book I'm reading." Sephiroth replied. "If it's good, then yes."

"Here." I pulled out on of the two books (the one that wasn't the romance novel) and tossed it to him.

He gazed at it curiously. "I suppose I can read this." He said and strode over to his own bed where he stretched out on his back and opened it.

I frowned at the romance novel in the bag. This is going to be really bad, I thought asI lifted it out and rolled onto my stomach.

Three pages in and I already hated the damn thing. Gods, how did this get published? It's awful! Somehow I managed to keep going, even through the queasy moments.

Hours passed and I'd finally reached halfway. Could I possibly survive anymore of this? I turned the page and groaned as the two main characters were once again engaging in wild monkey love. Not again... "My gods, this has to be the 3rd time now and I'm just barely half way through." I exclaimed out loud. Who can read this stuff?

Sephiroth's eyes peeked over the top of his book to look at me. "Do you mind?" He drawled. "That's very distracting."

I glowered at the book in my hands, ignoring him completely. The book had annoyed too much for me to even care about what he had to say. "This is the third time they've had sex. I can't take it anymore!" I cried and tossed it across the room. "No one can write romance these days."

Sephiroth cocked an eyebrow at me. "That's what you get for reading romance novels." He chastized lightly. "I wouldn't touch one if my life depended on it."

"Perhaps I should read it out loud for you." I said mischievously and grinned. It was only sarcasm. I'd sooner die before reading out loud what this writer had put down on paper.

The book in his hands slowly lowered, revealing the tremendous scowl on his face. His eyes darkened. "That would be very unwise." He drew out slowly. "I'd advise you not to do that."

"I was only kidding." I rolled my eyes.. "Do you really think I'd actually do that?"

"One must be careful." Sephiroth replied and returned to his book.

I studied him for quite some time with nothing else to do. An idea popped into my head suddenly. "You know, you never laugh." I spoke up.

"There's nothing to laugh about." He answered, his eyes never leaving the page that he was currently on.

"Are you ticklish?" I inquired.

"No." He answered curtly.

I slid off my bed quietly and crawled over beside him. He wasn't even paying attention. My hand snaked up and pinched him lightly in the side.

Sephiroth must have elevated a foot off the bed when my hand touched him. He jerked away from me in a heartbeat and in doing so crashed onto the floor on the other side of the bed.

It was the most hilarious thing I'd ever seen in my life. I burst into laughter and attempted to get to my feet only to stumble onto his bed, overtaken by hysteria. I peeked over the edge and there he lay, his eyes glaring up at me with disbelief and murderous intent. "So you are ticklish."

"I'm not ticklish." He hissed.

I smirked. "Liar." I reached for his side again and he slid quickly out of my reach. "See?"

He scowled and got to his feet swiftly. In the next moment he had his arms clamped around my arms and waist. "Hey!" I cried, struggling about and kicking wildly at the air. "Let go of me!'

"Are you ticklish, milady Lockheart?" He whispered into my ear in a sinister voice and removed his glove.

"You wouldn't!" I gasped and tried again to escape. I was very ticklish actually. Extremely ticklish.

His fingers played along my side and I attempted to jerk away. "Stop!" I cried and fought his grip, choking back the gigglesclimbing up my throat. He didn't release me, but he did lose his balance and fall on the bed. I laughed uncontrollably while madly attempting to get free. Finally he stopped and his grip loosened.

I relaxed and caught my breath. By now I was too tired to care or move from where I lay, which so happened to be on top of him. I'd spent all of my energy trying to get away and now I was too lazy to get up.

"Would you get off?" He asked.

"No, you bastard." I mumbled and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm too tired." I yawned, my eyelids drooping lazily over my eyes.

He swung me into his arms with ease, carried me over to my bed and gently set me down. "There."

"Insufferable man." I mumbled while my consciousness slowly faded.

The last thing I remembered was hearing Sephiroth chuckle. Very insufferable man, I thought, and let sleep consume me entirely.

Author's Notes: Whew, another day of revising and editing, and now I can finally post it! I just hope it's good enough. Basketball is starting this week so I probably won't be able to get these chapters finished quite as fast, but I'll try! Please review and I sincerely hope this is worth your time! By the way, in chapter 5 the plot will unfold a little more and an enemy will be revealed.