More thanks to all people who reviewed last chapter!
Yuffie-Girl- *hands motion sickness pills over* Yup, thanks for reviewing all the time! I'm still figuring out how to dispose of him. Hehe, and ideas?
Sunflower-chan- Yup, I always found Corneo funny in some weird way. Maybe it's the way he danced funny? Well, this fic does need a comic relief. Pity I'm so bad at writing humor.
Volk Zyta- Hehe, yes this fic is evil. Just wait till you see what happens to the pairings I'm planning. Oh yes, that in itself is another nightmare. (
Fire Fly- Hi again. ( Anyway, glad the Zack/Yuffie scene was so popular.
Chapter 12: Like a Dream
"Corneo has been sighted?" Rufus asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned around from the window, his gaze turning back to Tseng and Vincent, Tseng giving a slight shrug.
"Reno reported early yesterday morning, saying he had spotted the man. He says he has his eyes set on Lockheart." There was a slight tinge of distain in his voice when he mentioned Tifa, and Rufus turned back to the window, his fist unconsciously clenching and unclenching. If Corneo knew what was good for him, he would stay away from Tifa.
He began trying to regulate his breathing, suddenly conscious of Vincent, and Tseng's boring into his back, running a hand through his silky blonde locks, turning his gaze back to his companions, his eyes narrowed a bit.
"Do not worry about Corneo, Tseng. I will personally take care of this." Rufus stated grimly, his hand unconsciously going for the spot where his shot gun was kept hidden, his eyes narrowing a bit, while Vincent gave a slight nod, though Tseng pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow.
"Are you sure that is wise, sir?" Tseng asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously while Rufus shrugged nonchantly. He turned his attention back to the window, his fingers stroking his gun while the giant panther next to him purred, rubbing her head against his leg, as if to get his attention.
"I will take care of it personally. Dismissed." Rufus said, as the two black haired men walked calmly out of the office, Tseng's fist shaking barely noticeable.
"You should calm down, Rufus is old enough to handle these situations. Corneo isn't exactly the most unbeatable person." Vincent reasoned, though his brother looked furious. Rufus had been disobeying him more often now, and even though Rufus was supposed to be the one in charge, he often listened to Tseng like an obedient child. And since these changes had only started to occur when Tifa arrived, Tseng thought it logical to blame it on her. "Besides," Vincent tried again, "it is not Ms. Lockheart's fault."
Tseng whirled around at that comment, his black eyes flashing as if Vincent had just told him that he sided with Rufus, which he did. Tseng was acting somewhat childish about the whole ordeal, and Vincent didn't like to see his brother act like that at all, no matter how upset he was.
"He only started acting foolish when she came. We should just kill her and get it over with." Tseng snarled somewhat viciously, and Vincent crossed his arms over his chest, raising an almost amused eyebrow at him.
"Yes, and how would we get the ransom money? How do you think Rufus would react?" Vincent questioned, and Tseng, stating that this conversation was over with the enraged look in his eye, turned and stormed off, brushing past Reno and Rude who looked a bit startled, not to mention confused.
"Geez, who put a rattlesnake in his boot this mornin'?" Reno said unhappily, while Vincent gave a light shrug, turning his back to them.
"Sir will take care of Corneo." He said simply, walking off, while Reno turned to Rude, his arms folding across his chest.
"Ya get the feelin' we missed somethin'?" Reno asked, and Rude nodded somewhat, his eyes flickering from behind his sombrero.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Shera!" Shera instantly jumped, almost out of her skin, turning around her brown eyes wide as she pushed her spectacles back to the bridge of her nose, biting her lip nervously.
"Yes, Captain?" She asked timidly, shifting her tray uneasily, not sure what to expect. He had been nice to her since Elena had blurted out her feelings to her, but she was positive it was only because he felt somewhat guilty. She pursed her lips, while the Captain just fingered his hat somewhat uneasily, cursing slightly to himself.
Deciding that he wasn't going to 'spit it out' in his terms, she spoke up, tilting her head to the side.
"Do ya want sum more tea?" She asked politely, though Cid sighed, running a hand through his tousled blonde hair, looking up at her with a slight shaky grin.
"Listen Shera, 'bout all those times Ah yelled at ya an' everything? Ah'm sorry." He said uneasily, playing with his hat somewhat nervously, and Shera felt her heart melt, a small smile lingering on her face.
Standing on her tip toes, since the Captain was a good inch or two taller than she, she pressed her lips softly against his rough check, noticing with a tinge of satisfaction that there was a slight embarrassed blush on his face.
"Well Ah do declare Cid Highwind, Ah reckon that was 'bout the nicest thang ya've said ta me in all the time Ah've been here." Shera said with a smirk, one hand placed on her hip, the other balancing as a tray. "Ah think it'll be more fun to serve under ya Captain, now that ya've decided to get off ya high chocobo." With that, Shera swirled back into the crowd, a small giggle caught in her throat.
She had seen the way the Captain's jaw had dropped, and she wouldn't mind seeing him speechless more often. Now where was Elena? She really had to thank the girl.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mista Tseng?" Elena asked, peeking her head out of the doorway of the saloon for a double check, and there he was, her Mista Tseng, standing rather stiffly by the doorway, his gaze lowered, though it went up to meet hers. He looked distressed, but then again, maybe it was a trick of the light. Mista Tseng never showed his emotions. His face softened a bit when he spotted her, and she smiled widely, her face lighting up. Proof that Mista Tseng actually cared.
"Elena, doesn't it disturb you that I kill?" He said randomly, and Elena eyed him peculiarly, twisting her apron in her hands as she moved to stand beside him, looking up at him.
"No, why? Somethin' wrong Mista Tseng? Ya can always talk to me 'bout it." Elena offered, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as she sat down next to the small wooden chair that he inhabited.
She gave a slight sigh when he didn't say anything back, tilting her head to the side, shading her brown eyes against the glare of the sun, even though it was near setting, small colors of red dashed across the fading yellow and orange, the sun a half globe of melting gold. It was truly beautiful, and for that, Elena gave a breathy sigh, smiling slightly as she turned to Tseng.
He seemed deep in thought, deeply troubled, his eyes distant and faraway, his brows furrowed in concentration. She blinked, looking out to where his gaze was, though, still seeing the same magnificent sunset, she knew he didn't see it. Didn't enjoy it and basked in its light like she did, he was too immersed in his own world and thoughts he didn't 'stop and smell the roses' like Aeris had said once. Well, she'd show him how beautiful the flowers were, and she'd help him see the gorgeous sunset in front of him.
"Mista Tseng?" She paused, feeling his eyes on her, and she gave him a soft smile, pointing to the sunset. "My mother always said that the sun setting was a miracle, a small one, but it should never be taken for granted." She stopped again, giving another shaky smile when she noticed Mista Tseng was still watching her, a somewhat amused expression on his face.
She gave him another small smile, standing up, letting the breeze toy with her blonde locks, and she tucked a strand gently behind her ear.
"She always said that ya should always be cheerful and live life to the fullest, 'cause it was so short, because ya only have one before it's gone. It's like a dream, she used ta say, it can easily be broken." She blushed noticing that he had a thoughtful look on his face, eyeing her. She gave a slight nervous giggle, tugging on one of her strands of hair. Did she also mention her mother said that she needed to know when to keep her mouth shut?
"You are right." Tseng said after a moment, and her eyes instantly widened, as she whirled around to face him, blushing widely. Tseng was looking up at her with something close to affection, something she had never seen in his usually emotionless black depths.
He looked back at the sun, its gentle rays splashing onto his face, bathing his pale skin in a peach colored light, the multi-hued sky twinkling in his eyes. She instantly reddened, slapping the thoughts from her mind, but it was hard not to. His face was so soft, like he had just been awakened from a nightmare, grateful to be alive once again.
"Thank you, Elena." He whispered, and she mustered up her courage, saying nothing as she sat back down next to him, for once drawing a blank on what she should say. Mista Tseng, thanking her?
She didn't utter a word more when he wrapped a somewhat hesitant, but firm arm around her slim shoulders. She rested her head gently against his shoulder, sighing in content.
Thank you too, Mista Tseng, she longed to say, but for the moment, kept silent.
~*Author's Notes*~ *wipes tear from eyes* Awwww, I think that was so cute. Lots of romance, me thinks. *giggles* Yea, I like this chapter, since Elena/Tseng got something going on. *grins* If anyone has an idea of how I can deal with Corneo, y'know push him off a cliff or something, review or e- mail me. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and please click the little review button on the screen please! (Eightieth reviewer drop me a line or say what ya want!)
Yuffie-Girl- *hands motion sickness pills over* Yup, thanks for reviewing all the time! I'm still figuring out how to dispose of him. Hehe, and ideas?
Sunflower-chan- Yup, I always found Corneo funny in some weird way. Maybe it's the way he danced funny? Well, this fic does need a comic relief. Pity I'm so bad at writing humor.
Volk Zyta- Hehe, yes this fic is evil. Just wait till you see what happens to the pairings I'm planning. Oh yes, that in itself is another nightmare. (
Fire Fly- Hi again. ( Anyway, glad the Zack/Yuffie scene was so popular.
Chapter 12: Like a Dream
"Corneo has been sighted?" Rufus asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned around from the window, his gaze turning back to Tseng and Vincent, Tseng giving a slight shrug.
"Reno reported early yesterday morning, saying he had spotted the man. He says he has his eyes set on Lockheart." There was a slight tinge of distain in his voice when he mentioned Tifa, and Rufus turned back to the window, his fist unconsciously clenching and unclenching. If Corneo knew what was good for him, he would stay away from Tifa.
He began trying to regulate his breathing, suddenly conscious of Vincent, and Tseng's boring into his back, running a hand through his silky blonde locks, turning his gaze back to his companions, his eyes narrowed a bit.
"Do not worry about Corneo, Tseng. I will personally take care of this." Rufus stated grimly, his hand unconsciously going for the spot where his shot gun was kept hidden, his eyes narrowing a bit, while Vincent gave a slight nod, though Tseng pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow.
"Are you sure that is wise, sir?" Tseng asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously while Rufus shrugged nonchantly. He turned his attention back to the window, his fingers stroking his gun while the giant panther next to him purred, rubbing her head against his leg, as if to get his attention.
"I will take care of it personally. Dismissed." Rufus said, as the two black haired men walked calmly out of the office, Tseng's fist shaking barely noticeable.
"You should calm down, Rufus is old enough to handle these situations. Corneo isn't exactly the most unbeatable person." Vincent reasoned, though his brother looked furious. Rufus had been disobeying him more often now, and even though Rufus was supposed to be the one in charge, he often listened to Tseng like an obedient child. And since these changes had only started to occur when Tifa arrived, Tseng thought it logical to blame it on her. "Besides," Vincent tried again, "it is not Ms. Lockheart's fault."
Tseng whirled around at that comment, his black eyes flashing as if Vincent had just told him that he sided with Rufus, which he did. Tseng was acting somewhat childish about the whole ordeal, and Vincent didn't like to see his brother act like that at all, no matter how upset he was.
"He only started acting foolish when she came. We should just kill her and get it over with." Tseng snarled somewhat viciously, and Vincent crossed his arms over his chest, raising an almost amused eyebrow at him.
"Yes, and how would we get the ransom money? How do you think Rufus would react?" Vincent questioned, and Tseng, stating that this conversation was over with the enraged look in his eye, turned and stormed off, brushing past Reno and Rude who looked a bit startled, not to mention confused.
"Geez, who put a rattlesnake in his boot this mornin'?" Reno said unhappily, while Vincent gave a light shrug, turning his back to them.
"Sir will take care of Corneo." He said simply, walking off, while Reno turned to Rude, his arms folding across his chest.
"Ya get the feelin' we missed somethin'?" Reno asked, and Rude nodded somewhat, his eyes flickering from behind his sombrero.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Shera!" Shera instantly jumped, almost out of her skin, turning around her brown eyes wide as she pushed her spectacles back to the bridge of her nose, biting her lip nervously.
"Yes, Captain?" She asked timidly, shifting her tray uneasily, not sure what to expect. He had been nice to her since Elena had blurted out her feelings to her, but she was positive it was only because he felt somewhat guilty. She pursed her lips, while the Captain just fingered his hat somewhat uneasily, cursing slightly to himself.
Deciding that he wasn't going to 'spit it out' in his terms, she spoke up, tilting her head to the side.
"Do ya want sum more tea?" She asked politely, though Cid sighed, running a hand through his tousled blonde hair, looking up at her with a slight shaky grin.
"Listen Shera, 'bout all those times Ah yelled at ya an' everything? Ah'm sorry." He said uneasily, playing with his hat somewhat nervously, and Shera felt her heart melt, a small smile lingering on her face.
Standing on her tip toes, since the Captain was a good inch or two taller than she, she pressed her lips softly against his rough check, noticing with a tinge of satisfaction that there was a slight embarrassed blush on his face.
"Well Ah do declare Cid Highwind, Ah reckon that was 'bout the nicest thang ya've said ta me in all the time Ah've been here." Shera said with a smirk, one hand placed on her hip, the other balancing as a tray. "Ah think it'll be more fun to serve under ya Captain, now that ya've decided to get off ya high chocobo." With that, Shera swirled back into the crowd, a small giggle caught in her throat.
She had seen the way the Captain's jaw had dropped, and she wouldn't mind seeing him speechless more often. Now where was Elena? She really had to thank the girl.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mista Tseng?" Elena asked, peeking her head out of the doorway of the saloon for a double check, and there he was, her Mista Tseng, standing rather stiffly by the doorway, his gaze lowered, though it went up to meet hers. He looked distressed, but then again, maybe it was a trick of the light. Mista Tseng never showed his emotions. His face softened a bit when he spotted her, and she smiled widely, her face lighting up. Proof that Mista Tseng actually cared.
"Elena, doesn't it disturb you that I kill?" He said randomly, and Elena eyed him peculiarly, twisting her apron in her hands as she moved to stand beside him, looking up at him.
"No, why? Somethin' wrong Mista Tseng? Ya can always talk to me 'bout it." Elena offered, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as she sat down next to the small wooden chair that he inhabited.
She gave a slight sigh when he didn't say anything back, tilting her head to the side, shading her brown eyes against the glare of the sun, even though it was near setting, small colors of red dashed across the fading yellow and orange, the sun a half globe of melting gold. It was truly beautiful, and for that, Elena gave a breathy sigh, smiling slightly as she turned to Tseng.
He seemed deep in thought, deeply troubled, his eyes distant and faraway, his brows furrowed in concentration. She blinked, looking out to where his gaze was, though, still seeing the same magnificent sunset, she knew he didn't see it. Didn't enjoy it and basked in its light like she did, he was too immersed in his own world and thoughts he didn't 'stop and smell the roses' like Aeris had said once. Well, she'd show him how beautiful the flowers were, and she'd help him see the gorgeous sunset in front of him.
"Mista Tseng?" She paused, feeling his eyes on her, and she gave him a soft smile, pointing to the sunset. "My mother always said that the sun setting was a miracle, a small one, but it should never be taken for granted." She stopped again, giving another shaky smile when she noticed Mista Tseng was still watching her, a somewhat amused expression on his face.
She gave him another small smile, standing up, letting the breeze toy with her blonde locks, and she tucked a strand gently behind her ear.
"She always said that ya should always be cheerful and live life to the fullest, 'cause it was so short, because ya only have one before it's gone. It's like a dream, she used ta say, it can easily be broken." She blushed noticing that he had a thoughtful look on his face, eyeing her. She gave a slight nervous giggle, tugging on one of her strands of hair. Did she also mention her mother said that she needed to know when to keep her mouth shut?
"You are right." Tseng said after a moment, and her eyes instantly widened, as she whirled around to face him, blushing widely. Tseng was looking up at her with something close to affection, something she had never seen in his usually emotionless black depths.
He looked back at the sun, its gentle rays splashing onto his face, bathing his pale skin in a peach colored light, the multi-hued sky twinkling in his eyes. She instantly reddened, slapping the thoughts from her mind, but it was hard not to. His face was so soft, like he had just been awakened from a nightmare, grateful to be alive once again.
"Thank you, Elena." He whispered, and she mustered up her courage, saying nothing as she sat back down next to him, for once drawing a blank on what she should say. Mista Tseng, thanking her?
She didn't utter a word more when he wrapped a somewhat hesitant, but firm arm around her slim shoulders. She rested her head gently against his shoulder, sighing in content.
Thank you too, Mista Tseng, she longed to say, but for the moment, kept silent.
~*Author's Notes*~ *wipes tear from eyes* Awwww, I think that was so cute. Lots of romance, me thinks. *giggles* Yea, I like this chapter, since Elena/Tseng got something going on. *grins* If anyone has an idea of how I can deal with Corneo, y'know push him off a cliff or something, review or e- mail me. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and please click the little review button on the screen please! (Eightieth reviewer drop me a line or say what ya want!)