Chaotic Chaos: Thanks so much for the suggestion! Don Corneo, ne? I think I
can squeeze him in. Rescuing is always good. Thanks very much for the
suggestion! Hehe, oh Don!
Chapter 9: Could This Get Any Worse?
Tifa panted a bit, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Sure, even though Rufus was one of the most wanted outlaws in the west, she hadn't expected him to put up such a good fight. Not to mention him being able to land a few hits on her. She just reasoned it was because she was out of practice, and a bit rusty.
Rufus was a bit of a distance away, eyeing her something close to amusement flitting across his face, but when did she not seem to amuse him? She had called a break, yes, just because she had felt too. frustrated. It felt as if he was mocking her, holding back as he continued to toy with her, and she didn't like that. She wasn't a puppet and definitely wouldn't dance for him whenever he pulled her strings. She pursed her lips, glaring back at Rufus, who only raised an amused eyebrow.
"Ms. Lockheart, why may I ask, are you so hostile toward me?" Rufus asked, a tinge of amusement seeping into his voice while Tifa made a face. Well, maybe because he kidnapped her? It was only a suggestion, though she didn't dare say it out loud, instead, opting to glare witheringly at him. She did value her life, as selfish as that sounded. Even if her father had difficulty showing affection for her, she was sure he would mourn her, as would Yuffie, in her own way, and she couldn't abandon her friends like that.
"I wouldn't know, Sir." Tifa mocked, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at him challenging, while he just gave a slight chuckle. "What's so funny?" She snapped, not one to be laughed at, though he just gave his dashing smile again, making her stomach churn a bit as she struggled to stand upright. And he knew exactly what he was doing to her, that uncivilized, arrogant, brute! She refused to call him a man.
"Then shall we begin, m'lady?" He mocked back, she just pursed her lips, throwing a punch aimed at his forehead, though he ducked nimbly, grasping her elbow. "I guess ladies should always go first." Rufus remarked dryly, still holing her elbows a Tifa twisted her hips, ramming her knee hard into Rufus's stomach, as he gave a slight gag. Her eyes widened, and she kneeled down next to him, concern written on her face.
"Are you okay-?" Instantly Rufus was up, her arms twisted behind her back, a gun barrel to her head. Tifa's breathing became ragged, her eyes wide and frightened, and inwardly she kicked herself. This was the oldest trick in the book! Was she so gullible she had to fall for it?
"Lesson number one Lockheart, bandits don't give up. It's foolish to see if they need help." Rufus sneered, and Tifa twisted, struggling to get out of his vice like grip. With a slight sigh, she turned to him, rolling her eyes, and to his surprise she was the one who looked amused.
"Lesson number two: Never underestimate your enemy." Not having time to process her words, Tifa slammed her head backward, making Rufus release her, and with a confident smile, she twisted his arms behind his back, ramming a knee there also, sending him to the ground with a loud thud. Rufus gave a cough, trying to get the dust out of his mouth.
"I see." Was all he could say, still struggling under her, not wanting to admit defeat, especially to a woman. Tifa gave a slight giggle, releasing him as she stood back up, even helping him up with a confident grin on her face. Rufus accepted the hand gingerly, then grinned, pulling her closer to him. Tifa's eyes widened in surprise, and she struggled, wincing as his vice like grip only tightened. She glared up at him, scrunching up her face in distrust, glaring heatedly at him, while Rufus just grinned down at her. "Ms. Lockheart, you really should control yourself." She glared up at him even more, and if her eyes could burn, which they were starting to do, Rufus supposed, he would have been burnt to a crisp and shriveled like beef jerky.
However, it wasn't below his stature to admit she looked absolutely ravishing, though it wasn't as if he hadn't seen beautiful women before. Her long chocolate strands were cascading down her back, spread around her like she was a fallen angel, a slight flush staining her cheeks, her lips spread slightly, lush and inviting, her wine eyes looking up at him with fire.
A small smirk spread across his lips as he bent down, his eyes peering into hers intently, and her struggling stopped, finding it useless anyway, since he weighed more than she could push off. She instantly reddened, feeling a bit faint at the proximity of their closeness, his warm breath trickling onto her already flushed cheeks, his clean shaven smell taunting her, as his blonde locks fell seductively into his bright blue eyes. Oh god.
His face descended downward, and Tifa's breathing increased, her heart hammering desperately into her chest, but she could run, she couldn't escape the icy sapphires that had also entrapped her.
His lips barely missed her slightly parted lips, instead, brushing gently across her cheek, his breath trickling down into her ear, making her gasp with a slight shiver of pleasure. Then she mentally slapped herself. You're engaged Lockheart! She inwardly cried, though it was half hearted as Rufus stayed nestled there comfortably, before giving a slight sigh, and pushing himself away, brushing off his clothing and turning around.
"We should do this more often, Ms. Lockheart." Rufus said with a charmingly seductive smile, then he turned walking away from her as Tifa stared after him, shocked, with his warmth still tingling on her skin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Honestly Reno! Get off ya lazy bum an' do somethin'! We're supposed ta be helpin'!" Elena scolded, her cheeks flushed as Reno, who had been happily drinking his beer and minding his own business, scowled back up at her.
"Aw, 'Laney, lemme alone!" Reno whined, while Elena just sent him a dark scowl, blowing her bangs irritated out of her face. She knew she shouldn't have offered to cover up for Tifa! She sighed, shaking her head slightly. Well, it was better than being a waitress. At least Reno and Rude were here to pound back anyway perverts or something. Though Reno was just as bad, but at least the counter was there as a barrier.
She shot Rude a somewhat pleading look, though the bald man had been silent throughout the whole affair, liking to keep out unless there was an all out war to be broken up. Rude didn't like meddling in people's affairs, and for that, people respected and distanced themselves from him. Or maybe it was because he was so intimidating. Anyway, Elena figured that Reno should have Rude's name, because that's what he was. Rude. Seriously.
With an irritated roll of her eyes, she made a face as she saw Shera weaving her way through the crowd.
"Lemme guess, gimme sum more god d***med tea?" Elena asked with a slight grin, while Shera shook her head, a slight smile on her face as she settled herself comfortably on a bar stool next to Reno, who was too somber to notice.
"Actually, the Captain is too busy playin' to notice me." There was a slight sigh in her voice, a broken wistful tone that was longing, her gaze flitting over to her 'captain' though Elena could understand. Both Shera's Captain and her Mista paid as much attention to them as a sheriff would a law abiding citizen. As long as they stayed out of the way and did what was expected, they'd be okay. And unnoticed. Elena wondered which was better, and judging by Shera's heartbroken expression, that she better start changing her attitude. She didn't want Mista Tseng to forget her existence.
"What are ya two doin' here without me?" Aeris trilled, settling herself also, by Shera, Reno already drunk and laughing merrily about something while Rude just sat and looked like he was staring at his companion disturbed. But, like always, it was hard to tell with his cowboy hat covering his eyes.
"Just a friendly gatherin'. Sharin' our woes 'bout love." Shera said, a slight sigh accenting her point while Aeris smiled, tossing her braid over her shoulder, fluttering her long eyelashes almost coyly.
"Well, Ah don' have ta worry 'bout that yet. Ah haven' found anyone that tickles my fancy." Aeris said, pursing her lips, and with a slight snort added, "It's just too bad that Sephiroth is sheriff Sephiroth!" With an indignant sigh, she turned to see Elena's amused expression. "What?"
"Oh, it's just that Ah think you'll find him. Ah found him. 'Side, ya fall in love every time a guy walks in the door!" Elena said a bit teasingly, though a dreamy look on her face as her eyes took a faraway look, while Shera gave a similar sigh. Aeris scrunched up her face, sighing slightly.
"That is so not true. Better to fall in and out of love than let it rule ya. Seriously Shera, Ah think ya should get some back bone and tell Cid how ya feel." Aeris said, her green eyes gleaming a bit mischievously, while Shera pinked, her hands clutching her skirt slightly.
"Ah couldn', Ah mean, the Captain doesn' even know how Ah am an' all." Shera said, a sudden slump in her shoulders making Elena even more determined. Pushing her sleeves up to her shoulders, her jaw set in determination, she shot Aeris a look.
"Watch over the bar real quick. Ah'll be right back." With that, she disappeared into the swirling crowds, while the two girls looked after her, dumbstruck, while Reno's jaunty laughter rang out after her. Squaring her shoulders, she stalked up to the infamous Cid Highwind, who was currently enjoying himself with a smoke.
"Mista Highwind?" He whirled around, eyeing her with a small amused expression. Everyone who knew him called him Cid, though Elena figured it would give her an edge.
"Ya know Shera Miller, right?" She didn't even wait for him to explain, instead, firing off into a long lecture that tumbled off her tongue like everything else did, but this time, it wasn't for her, it was for her friend.
"Ah think Mista Highwind, that maybe ya should be more considerate of her! She does all this stuff for ya, and ya don' even say thanks or anything! Someone else might sweep her off her feet, and then ya wouldn' have ya slave, then would ya? That's how ya treat her Mista Highwind! She's ya verbal punching bag!" Elena cried, her cheeks flushed with the sinking feeling of her words, her lungs finally catching up with her breath, so her ragged breathing sunk back down to its normal pace. Then she took a glance at Cid Highwind.
He looked at her a bit dumbstruck, as if she had just spewed the secret to longevity or told him Sir's deepest darkest secret. Something to that affect. She bit her lip, instantly feeling embarrassed. It wasn't her place to tell a full grown man what to do. With a sheepish smile, she gave a slight bow, turning to dash off with a hasty exit. Not at all looking where she was going, she rammed head first into someone.
"Sorry!" She cried, blinking as she looked up into his face, her eyes instantly widening. "Mista Tseng?" She squeaked, feeling like swooning all of a sudden, but instead, opted for turning a bright red. Could things get any worse?
~*Author's Notes*~ Hahahaha! I love being evil! *grins* Hehe. Oh, thanks to everyone who voted for who Zack should be with! I hear ya! Well, anyway, I was thinking of holding a contest. I think my goal for this fic will be eighty. ( Whoever is the eightieth reviewer, drop me a line, and I'll do something for ya! Like write a fanfic with a requested couple or something that tickles your fancy! Thanks so much for everyone who reviews! Fire Fly, Ah-Choo, AnimeBunny, Vollk Zyta, zhakeena, AmyAngel, Sunflower-Chan, Krissy, Natsu, generalquisits, Lily, Jenni, and everyone else! Until then, please read and review!
Chapter 9: Could This Get Any Worse?
Tifa panted a bit, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Sure, even though Rufus was one of the most wanted outlaws in the west, she hadn't expected him to put up such a good fight. Not to mention him being able to land a few hits on her. She just reasoned it was because she was out of practice, and a bit rusty.
Rufus was a bit of a distance away, eyeing her something close to amusement flitting across his face, but when did she not seem to amuse him? She had called a break, yes, just because she had felt too. frustrated. It felt as if he was mocking her, holding back as he continued to toy with her, and she didn't like that. She wasn't a puppet and definitely wouldn't dance for him whenever he pulled her strings. She pursed her lips, glaring back at Rufus, who only raised an amused eyebrow.
"Ms. Lockheart, why may I ask, are you so hostile toward me?" Rufus asked, a tinge of amusement seeping into his voice while Tifa made a face. Well, maybe because he kidnapped her? It was only a suggestion, though she didn't dare say it out loud, instead, opting to glare witheringly at him. She did value her life, as selfish as that sounded. Even if her father had difficulty showing affection for her, she was sure he would mourn her, as would Yuffie, in her own way, and she couldn't abandon her friends like that.
"I wouldn't know, Sir." Tifa mocked, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at him challenging, while he just gave a slight chuckle. "What's so funny?" She snapped, not one to be laughed at, though he just gave his dashing smile again, making her stomach churn a bit as she struggled to stand upright. And he knew exactly what he was doing to her, that uncivilized, arrogant, brute! She refused to call him a man.
"Then shall we begin, m'lady?" He mocked back, she just pursed her lips, throwing a punch aimed at his forehead, though he ducked nimbly, grasping her elbow. "I guess ladies should always go first." Rufus remarked dryly, still holing her elbows a Tifa twisted her hips, ramming her knee hard into Rufus's stomach, as he gave a slight gag. Her eyes widened, and she kneeled down next to him, concern written on her face.
"Are you okay-?" Instantly Rufus was up, her arms twisted behind her back, a gun barrel to her head. Tifa's breathing became ragged, her eyes wide and frightened, and inwardly she kicked herself. This was the oldest trick in the book! Was she so gullible she had to fall for it?
"Lesson number one Lockheart, bandits don't give up. It's foolish to see if they need help." Rufus sneered, and Tifa twisted, struggling to get out of his vice like grip. With a slight sigh, she turned to him, rolling her eyes, and to his surprise she was the one who looked amused.
"Lesson number two: Never underestimate your enemy." Not having time to process her words, Tifa slammed her head backward, making Rufus release her, and with a confident smile, she twisted his arms behind his back, ramming a knee there also, sending him to the ground with a loud thud. Rufus gave a cough, trying to get the dust out of his mouth.
"I see." Was all he could say, still struggling under her, not wanting to admit defeat, especially to a woman. Tifa gave a slight giggle, releasing him as she stood back up, even helping him up with a confident grin on her face. Rufus accepted the hand gingerly, then grinned, pulling her closer to him. Tifa's eyes widened in surprise, and she struggled, wincing as his vice like grip only tightened. She glared up at him, scrunching up her face in distrust, glaring heatedly at him, while Rufus just grinned down at her. "Ms. Lockheart, you really should control yourself." She glared up at him even more, and if her eyes could burn, which they were starting to do, Rufus supposed, he would have been burnt to a crisp and shriveled like beef jerky.
However, it wasn't below his stature to admit she looked absolutely ravishing, though it wasn't as if he hadn't seen beautiful women before. Her long chocolate strands were cascading down her back, spread around her like she was a fallen angel, a slight flush staining her cheeks, her lips spread slightly, lush and inviting, her wine eyes looking up at him with fire.
A small smirk spread across his lips as he bent down, his eyes peering into hers intently, and her struggling stopped, finding it useless anyway, since he weighed more than she could push off. She instantly reddened, feeling a bit faint at the proximity of their closeness, his warm breath trickling onto her already flushed cheeks, his clean shaven smell taunting her, as his blonde locks fell seductively into his bright blue eyes. Oh god.
His face descended downward, and Tifa's breathing increased, her heart hammering desperately into her chest, but she could run, she couldn't escape the icy sapphires that had also entrapped her.
His lips barely missed her slightly parted lips, instead, brushing gently across her cheek, his breath trickling down into her ear, making her gasp with a slight shiver of pleasure. Then she mentally slapped herself. You're engaged Lockheart! She inwardly cried, though it was half hearted as Rufus stayed nestled there comfortably, before giving a slight sigh, and pushing himself away, brushing off his clothing and turning around.
"We should do this more often, Ms. Lockheart." Rufus said with a charmingly seductive smile, then he turned walking away from her as Tifa stared after him, shocked, with his warmth still tingling on her skin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Honestly Reno! Get off ya lazy bum an' do somethin'! We're supposed ta be helpin'!" Elena scolded, her cheeks flushed as Reno, who had been happily drinking his beer and minding his own business, scowled back up at her.
"Aw, 'Laney, lemme alone!" Reno whined, while Elena just sent him a dark scowl, blowing her bangs irritated out of her face. She knew she shouldn't have offered to cover up for Tifa! She sighed, shaking her head slightly. Well, it was better than being a waitress. At least Reno and Rude were here to pound back anyway perverts or something. Though Reno was just as bad, but at least the counter was there as a barrier.
She shot Rude a somewhat pleading look, though the bald man had been silent throughout the whole affair, liking to keep out unless there was an all out war to be broken up. Rude didn't like meddling in people's affairs, and for that, people respected and distanced themselves from him. Or maybe it was because he was so intimidating. Anyway, Elena figured that Reno should have Rude's name, because that's what he was. Rude. Seriously.
With an irritated roll of her eyes, she made a face as she saw Shera weaving her way through the crowd.
"Lemme guess, gimme sum more god d***med tea?" Elena asked with a slight grin, while Shera shook her head, a slight smile on her face as she settled herself comfortably on a bar stool next to Reno, who was too somber to notice.
"Actually, the Captain is too busy playin' to notice me." There was a slight sigh in her voice, a broken wistful tone that was longing, her gaze flitting over to her 'captain' though Elena could understand. Both Shera's Captain and her Mista paid as much attention to them as a sheriff would a law abiding citizen. As long as they stayed out of the way and did what was expected, they'd be okay. And unnoticed. Elena wondered which was better, and judging by Shera's heartbroken expression, that she better start changing her attitude. She didn't want Mista Tseng to forget her existence.
"What are ya two doin' here without me?" Aeris trilled, settling herself also, by Shera, Reno already drunk and laughing merrily about something while Rude just sat and looked like he was staring at his companion disturbed. But, like always, it was hard to tell with his cowboy hat covering his eyes.
"Just a friendly gatherin'. Sharin' our woes 'bout love." Shera said, a slight sigh accenting her point while Aeris smiled, tossing her braid over her shoulder, fluttering her long eyelashes almost coyly.
"Well, Ah don' have ta worry 'bout that yet. Ah haven' found anyone that tickles my fancy." Aeris said, pursing her lips, and with a slight snort added, "It's just too bad that Sephiroth is sheriff Sephiroth!" With an indignant sigh, she turned to see Elena's amused expression. "What?"
"Oh, it's just that Ah think you'll find him. Ah found him. 'Side, ya fall in love every time a guy walks in the door!" Elena said a bit teasingly, though a dreamy look on her face as her eyes took a faraway look, while Shera gave a similar sigh. Aeris scrunched up her face, sighing slightly.
"That is so not true. Better to fall in and out of love than let it rule ya. Seriously Shera, Ah think ya should get some back bone and tell Cid how ya feel." Aeris said, her green eyes gleaming a bit mischievously, while Shera pinked, her hands clutching her skirt slightly.
"Ah couldn', Ah mean, the Captain doesn' even know how Ah am an' all." Shera said, a sudden slump in her shoulders making Elena even more determined. Pushing her sleeves up to her shoulders, her jaw set in determination, she shot Aeris a look.
"Watch over the bar real quick. Ah'll be right back." With that, she disappeared into the swirling crowds, while the two girls looked after her, dumbstruck, while Reno's jaunty laughter rang out after her. Squaring her shoulders, she stalked up to the infamous Cid Highwind, who was currently enjoying himself with a smoke.
"Mista Highwind?" He whirled around, eyeing her with a small amused expression. Everyone who knew him called him Cid, though Elena figured it would give her an edge.
"Ya know Shera Miller, right?" She didn't even wait for him to explain, instead, firing off into a long lecture that tumbled off her tongue like everything else did, but this time, it wasn't for her, it was for her friend.
"Ah think Mista Highwind, that maybe ya should be more considerate of her! She does all this stuff for ya, and ya don' even say thanks or anything! Someone else might sweep her off her feet, and then ya wouldn' have ya slave, then would ya? That's how ya treat her Mista Highwind! She's ya verbal punching bag!" Elena cried, her cheeks flushed with the sinking feeling of her words, her lungs finally catching up with her breath, so her ragged breathing sunk back down to its normal pace. Then she took a glance at Cid Highwind.
He looked at her a bit dumbstruck, as if she had just spewed the secret to longevity or told him Sir's deepest darkest secret. Something to that affect. She bit her lip, instantly feeling embarrassed. It wasn't her place to tell a full grown man what to do. With a sheepish smile, she gave a slight bow, turning to dash off with a hasty exit. Not at all looking where she was going, she rammed head first into someone.
"Sorry!" She cried, blinking as she looked up into his face, her eyes instantly widening. "Mista Tseng?" She squeaked, feeling like swooning all of a sudden, but instead, opted for turning a bright red. Could things get any worse?
~*Author's Notes*~ Hahahaha! I love being evil! *grins* Hehe. Oh, thanks to everyone who voted for who Zack should be with! I hear ya! Well, anyway, I was thinking of holding a contest. I think my goal for this fic will be eighty. ( Whoever is the eightieth reviewer, drop me a line, and I'll do something for ya! Like write a fanfic with a requested couple or something that tickles your fancy! Thanks so much for everyone who reviews! Fire Fly, Ah-Choo, AnimeBunny, Vollk Zyta, zhakeena, AmyAngel, Sunflower-Chan, Krissy, Natsu, generalquisits, Lily, Jenni, and everyone else! Until then, please read and review!