A/N: I thought this up, like, 3 seconds ago. XD; It's rushed, but it's. . .adequate, I suppose. Durr. I might lose inspiration for it two chapters in. If this happens, IM me or something. XD
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, its characters, etc. I also do not own any part of .hack//SIGN's song, Aura.
//insert something here// = thoughts
*insert something here* = emphasis
+++insert something here+++ = flashback
[] insert something here [] = song lyrics
A/N: Occasionally, after a set of lyrics, it will say the name of some character. That indicates, of course, the character that particular set is based on. ^_^
---
Tifa slowly wrapped a piece of grass around her right-hand index finger, holding her head in the other glove and staring at the horizon with wine-colored eyes. As the grass snapped off the ground, her finger immediatly and unconciously searched for another blade to absentmindedly fiddle with as she contemplated her new decision. //Of course there was nothing you could've done. If he's really happy with his life, then I'm glad.// she thought with a small, reassuring smile as she inhaled the fresh air. The air was scented with that of grass, and the same time, salt; she sat on a canyon rock, the grassy one near the Ancient Forest, where she faced the ocean and remained there, legs swinging but being careful so as to not be scratched by the small ledges below.
It was kind of difficult for the martial artist to accept that, though. Was she doing it to make him happy, or was she persuading herself to move on? Her fist clenched slightly around the grass, yanking it out with overloaded strength, but her smile remained. . .though it seemed more hollow, as her legs became more tense as they swung. //Move on. . .// she thought to herself. Her thoughts shifted back to, oh, it must've been two or three days ago. . .
+++
[] If you are near, to the dark,
I will tell you 'bout the sun. . .[] Tifa
"Cloud. . ." Tifa Lockheart sat one of the thin crystal pillars, which led to the area where Sephiroth had shoved his blade into the heart of the remaining Cetra, and the other volleying for Cloud's affections. She sat very much in the same style as she was today, near Cosmo Canyon, and she gazed at Cloud as he sat near the edge of the water, where the peacefully-resting body of Aeris had been laid to sleep. Yes, this was the City of the Ancients, where she had been killed not so long ago. At that day, three things. . .or people. . .had died: Aeris herself, Cloud's sense of love, and Tifa's hope. Tifa's hopes of being on the recieving ends of Cloud's affections, that is.
The man would only gaze into the water, where the elaborate silhouette of *her* remained, glistening as if casting a blessing upon this place. Cloud Strife, ex-SOLDIER, would blink his turquoise eyes and watch that spot for hours on end. At times, it seemed as if he himself would just leap in and grab her body just so he could stare at her.
Tifa had never thought badly of Aeris Gainsborough--when she was alive, the two were almost like best friends. They would gossip and things about Cloud, and Tifa would tell stories of his childhood. . .and Aeris would laugh and tease Cloud about it as it followed. The mercenary would throw a sort of mock-dirty look at Tifa as Aeris would remind him of things--like young Cloud Strife stealing underwear hanging on a laundry string, young Cloud Strife trying to sneak food from Tifa's house. If it weren't for the matter of Cloud's affection--which really wasn't a competition, but treated as a friendly sport--the two would probably be inseperable.
Tifa struggled to stand up on the tiny column, then leapt to Cloud, her deep brown locks fluttering slightly with every leap. The fists bearing the Premium Heart--almost like a second skin to the martial artist--were clenched as she ran to him. Her pace slowed to a halt as she approached Cloud--her childhood friend, her first love, etc.
"Cloud. . ." she repeated quietly, sinking into a deep crouch next to him. The mercenary stayed silent. Was he even acknowledging her existance? She shook off those negative thoughts and allowed her crimson eyes to gaze into Cloud's. He didn't return the stare. "Cloud. . .do you need anything?" //Like food, or sleep.// she thought, half-worried and half-bitter. Again, there was no reply. ". . .Okay. . .Cloud, if you *do* need anything, I'm here, okay?"
That was the kind of person Tifa was. She didn't want to be cold and dismissive, or bitter. When they defeated Sephiroth, she had followed him here, in hopes of finding some part of him that was lost.
She would follow him to the ends of the Planet.
That was the kind of person Tifa was.
"I. Don't. Care." came a rather bitter reply from the blonde man. By this time, Tifa had stood up and was slowly walking away. . .but she turned harshly as those words smashed through her surface. She was astonished to no end, and there she was--3/4 of the way turned, and staring at Cloud with empty, hurt eyes.
"W-what do you mean?" she stammered, still turned halfway and hit by surprise. Her arms and legs had tensed, and her eyes were as wide as plates.
". . .I know what you're trying to do." Had Cloud Strife gone daft?. . .It had been a year since the defeat of Sephiroth, and maybe Cloud had thought about it long enough to steer him into some terrible train of thought. His words hit her like poison, sapping away at her feelings slowly, and to put it quote plainly: Tifa Lockheart was crushed. ". . .And you can never take her place." Tifa spun around to completely face him, and raised her hands in a sort of "I give in" gesture, the kind people do in *mock* fights.
Although she smiled then, trying to convince herself that he was just going to drop it and forgive her, then resume his. . .schedule. . .her eyes were beginning to form tears.
"I'm not trying to--"
"Yes, you are. You can never take the place of her laugh. . .her smile. . .her tears. Just leave me alone, Tifa. You know, deep down, that I don't want you here." His voice was intensely hostile, and though it didn't raise to more then a careless statement of a "fact," Tifa stumbled backwards, a clenched fist at her heart as if it was struck by something heavy, and painful. ". . .You can stay in this city. . .but it wouldn't do you any good." No, this wasn't the Cloud from last year. This was a man grieving over the loss over his love, a man who had thought a lot about this. . .and suddenly, lost all hope.
He ominously turned his head, the rest of his body not even twitching as he did this. His turquoise eyes burned into hers, the glare full of resent; the Mako glow seemed to be full of resent and thus gave his eyes a sort of neon aura.
Tifa felt some warm, saltine liquid trickle in rivulets down her cheeks. It was tears. Tifa Lockheart hadn't cried since six years ago, when Sephiroth had murdered her father.
She had promised herself to be stronger. She wouldn't cry.
And they were splashing down endlessly. . .
Tifa backed away slowly, almost fearfully, then spun around and broke into a full run--away from the Aeris, away from Cloud. . .She backed against some stony wall, and in a delayed motion sank down on the wall into a sit. Her arms lay at her sides helplessly, and she bit her lip, sniffing rapidly and inhaling as if trying to delay the tears. She tilted her head up and attempted to close her eyes to get them to stop. . .but they wouldn't. . .So she opened her crimson eyes and brought her hands up to her face.
//No way. . .// the martial artist thought to herself, fidgeting. //The tears. . .// Her mouth opened slightly in a gesture of utter despair, allowing the water to spill onto her gloves and down onto her legs, etc. //They. . .won't stop. . .// She inhaled twice again, not allowing a sob to escape, but rather a ragged sound of anguish. Her teeth clenched slightly, and grinded together, as if being strong would stop the hurting. Suddenly, the pain boiled a little more, and a small sob escaped from her lips. But. . .it was too much. . .
And down there, in the empty halls of the City of the Ancients. . .
Tifa Lockheart cried.
[] You will cry, all alone,
But it does not mean a thing to me. . .[] Cloud
. . .The next morning, Tifa disappeared.
+++
Tifa suddenly plopped backwards in the grass, arms spread and eyes again brimming with tears that refused to fall. Her fists clenched and unclenched, knuckles cracking slightly as she did so, and her feet moved around as a sign of anxiety or something. That morning after the incident with Cloud, her head was clear and her heart was heavy, but she boarded her Gold Chocobo, Rydia, and left the Northern Continent. She wasn't sure exactly *where* she was going. She just wanted to be alone. . .
The sun sank beneath the depths of the horizon, allowing darkness to fall and stars to slowly dot the sky in various patterns. The moon was full that night, and at that, a dusty brown-red color as it was, illuminating the continent with its dull specks. She pushed up from her elbows and examined the stars for a while, as if they held some sort of meaning to her, but she shook herself and leapt to her feet with the talent and grace of a gymnast, and clambered onto Rydia. She made her way to. . .
//Where am I going?//
+++
"Yo! Pick up th' phone!" Barret yelled into his PHS with his rough voice, his back towards Marlene's room. Luckily, the wooden door of her room was closed and was rather sturdy. . .In terms of being soundproof. The ringing of the PHS ceased as the reciever picked up, and a monotonous voice answering with a short greeting. "Hey Vampy! We got ourselves a $#^#in' situation!. . .No, not that! %&@(! Cloud called this mornin'! Tifa's missin'! So get yer pale ass down here!. . .Hell yeah! Midgar!"
Around this time--6:21 PM--Cid, Shera, Reeve, and Yuffie had collected at Elmyra's house; IE, the house of the deceased Aeris's stepmother. They had all gathered in the dining room, neatly seated around a wooden table with neat white sheets and fine china around them. Cid had asked for ^#@&ing tea, so they got their #^*!ing tea--but no one drank it except Reeve and Shera. They were the type to stay polite and kind during a *real* situation--and this was enough of a situation for the members of AVALANCHE. It was rather quiet at the moment, though most were fidgety and rather panicky. But hey, who more to break a silence then--
"Mind if we crash the party?" The door was abruptly kicked open, and there stood the half-ominous figures of Reno, Rude, and Elena, Reno wielding his rod, but that was about it--Elena with her amulet, however, and Rude with his fists clenched. Cid leapt up with the Venus Gospel, swinging it expertly as if a preparation for battle. He looked about ready to shove it into Reno's forehead.
"#^**!" Thudthudthudthudthud. Barret came. . .thudding. . .down the steps and shook the Missing Score at the Turks angrily, a vein pulsating in his dark forehead. "^$#* off! We don't have #&@*ing time for you $&@^s right now! So scram yer little asses!"
"@^($ yeah!" Cid tacked on, nudging the Venus Gospel a little forward as if waiting for the red-haired Turk to walk straight into the pointy edge.
"Put the stick down, old man," Reno told Cid in a tone that sounded like he was talking to a 4-year-old. "Relax." He raised his hand in a sort of "I give up" gesture, but with the rod in his hands, it probably wasn't very reassuring. So he pocketed the Electro-Mag Rod and resumed his position. Rude, however people thought him, was actually not that much of a silent man--though he did have an aura of indifference, he made his position clear way back in the Mythril Mines, when he made some threat against AVALANCHE about the Turks. He still didn't like speeches, though. But nonetheless. . .
"As the Turks," began Rude coolly, "we are entitled to defend our president by any means necessary." His hands retreated to behind his back, and the expression of his eyes was unseen behind his ebon shades.
Cid slowly lowered the weapon after glancing at Reeve. Of course. President Reeve of Neo ShinRa. Reeve gave Cid and Barret slow nods, holding up one hand as a reassuring gesture.
"Yeah, even if it means teaming up with *you*." Elena added, throwing AVALANCHE a dirty look (which, by the way, was eagerly returned by Yuffie and Barret). "It's not like we *want* to anyway." Her chocolate-brown eyes relaxed slowly and closed as she put one hand on her waist, then opened as she gazed at them all. Reeve set down his teacup and wiped his mouth with a neatly folded cloth napkin, then stood up. The president straightened his bright red tie and gave both Turks and AVALANCHE a friendly smile.
"It's alright. They're just doing their job." The tension lessened all but slightly as Reeve sat back down, pulling a small remote out of his pocket and fiddling with a joystick and a few buttons. Immediatly, the familiar Moogle and cat waltzed through the doorway, forcing Reno to step aside. Reno's aquamarine eyes followed the doll 'till it came to a short halt by Reeve's side. "If I am unable to attend any section of this 'quest', I will send Cait Sith as my representative. As for the Turks, they do not have to defend the doll--but they are *still* expected to accompany AVALANCHE on this search."
"Fine with me." Reno shrugged it off, sticking one hand in his pocket and slinging the rod over his shoulder. Though Rude, Reno, and Elena (to some extent) seemed nonchalant about this sudden alliance, there seemed to be hints of hostility being thrown around violently. The Turks pulled up chairs and sat down--Reno backwards, notably--glancing around at their surroundings
They waited for Cloud and Vincent to arrive.
---
A/N: Lyrics are from, again, .hack//SIGN's Aura.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, its characters, etc. I also do not own any part of .hack//SIGN's song, Aura.
//insert something here// = thoughts
*insert something here* = emphasis
+++insert something here+++ = flashback
[] insert something here [] = song lyrics
A/N: Occasionally, after a set of lyrics, it will say the name of some character. That indicates, of course, the character that particular set is based on. ^_^
---
Tifa slowly wrapped a piece of grass around her right-hand index finger, holding her head in the other glove and staring at the horizon with wine-colored eyes. As the grass snapped off the ground, her finger immediatly and unconciously searched for another blade to absentmindedly fiddle with as she contemplated her new decision. //Of course there was nothing you could've done. If he's really happy with his life, then I'm glad.// she thought with a small, reassuring smile as she inhaled the fresh air. The air was scented with that of grass, and the same time, salt; she sat on a canyon rock, the grassy one near the Ancient Forest, where she faced the ocean and remained there, legs swinging but being careful so as to not be scratched by the small ledges below.
It was kind of difficult for the martial artist to accept that, though. Was she doing it to make him happy, or was she persuading herself to move on? Her fist clenched slightly around the grass, yanking it out with overloaded strength, but her smile remained. . .though it seemed more hollow, as her legs became more tense as they swung. //Move on. . .// she thought to herself. Her thoughts shifted back to, oh, it must've been two or three days ago. . .
+++
[] If you are near, to the dark,
I will tell you 'bout the sun. . .[] Tifa
"Cloud. . ." Tifa Lockheart sat one of the thin crystal pillars, which led to the area where Sephiroth had shoved his blade into the heart of the remaining Cetra, and the other volleying for Cloud's affections. She sat very much in the same style as she was today, near Cosmo Canyon, and she gazed at Cloud as he sat near the edge of the water, where the peacefully-resting body of Aeris had been laid to sleep. Yes, this was the City of the Ancients, where she had been killed not so long ago. At that day, three things. . .or people. . .had died: Aeris herself, Cloud's sense of love, and Tifa's hope. Tifa's hopes of being on the recieving ends of Cloud's affections, that is.
The man would only gaze into the water, where the elaborate silhouette of *her* remained, glistening as if casting a blessing upon this place. Cloud Strife, ex-SOLDIER, would blink his turquoise eyes and watch that spot for hours on end. At times, it seemed as if he himself would just leap in and grab her body just so he could stare at her.
Tifa had never thought badly of Aeris Gainsborough--when she was alive, the two were almost like best friends. They would gossip and things about Cloud, and Tifa would tell stories of his childhood. . .and Aeris would laugh and tease Cloud about it as it followed. The mercenary would throw a sort of mock-dirty look at Tifa as Aeris would remind him of things--like young Cloud Strife stealing underwear hanging on a laundry string, young Cloud Strife trying to sneak food from Tifa's house. If it weren't for the matter of Cloud's affection--which really wasn't a competition, but treated as a friendly sport--the two would probably be inseperable.
Tifa struggled to stand up on the tiny column, then leapt to Cloud, her deep brown locks fluttering slightly with every leap. The fists bearing the Premium Heart--almost like a second skin to the martial artist--were clenched as she ran to him. Her pace slowed to a halt as she approached Cloud--her childhood friend, her first love, etc.
"Cloud. . ." she repeated quietly, sinking into a deep crouch next to him. The mercenary stayed silent. Was he even acknowledging her existance? She shook off those negative thoughts and allowed her crimson eyes to gaze into Cloud's. He didn't return the stare. "Cloud. . .do you need anything?" //Like food, or sleep.// she thought, half-worried and half-bitter. Again, there was no reply. ". . .Okay. . .Cloud, if you *do* need anything, I'm here, okay?"
That was the kind of person Tifa was. She didn't want to be cold and dismissive, or bitter. When they defeated Sephiroth, she had followed him here, in hopes of finding some part of him that was lost.
She would follow him to the ends of the Planet.
That was the kind of person Tifa was.
"I. Don't. Care." came a rather bitter reply from the blonde man. By this time, Tifa had stood up and was slowly walking away. . .but she turned harshly as those words smashed through her surface. She was astonished to no end, and there she was--3/4 of the way turned, and staring at Cloud with empty, hurt eyes.
"W-what do you mean?" she stammered, still turned halfway and hit by surprise. Her arms and legs had tensed, and her eyes were as wide as plates.
". . .I know what you're trying to do." Had Cloud Strife gone daft?. . .It had been a year since the defeat of Sephiroth, and maybe Cloud had thought about it long enough to steer him into some terrible train of thought. His words hit her like poison, sapping away at her feelings slowly, and to put it quote plainly: Tifa Lockheart was crushed. ". . .And you can never take her place." Tifa spun around to completely face him, and raised her hands in a sort of "I give in" gesture, the kind people do in *mock* fights.
Although she smiled then, trying to convince herself that he was just going to drop it and forgive her, then resume his. . .schedule. . .her eyes were beginning to form tears.
"I'm not trying to--"
"Yes, you are. You can never take the place of her laugh. . .her smile. . .her tears. Just leave me alone, Tifa. You know, deep down, that I don't want you here." His voice was intensely hostile, and though it didn't raise to more then a careless statement of a "fact," Tifa stumbled backwards, a clenched fist at her heart as if it was struck by something heavy, and painful. ". . .You can stay in this city. . .but it wouldn't do you any good." No, this wasn't the Cloud from last year. This was a man grieving over the loss over his love, a man who had thought a lot about this. . .and suddenly, lost all hope.
He ominously turned his head, the rest of his body not even twitching as he did this. His turquoise eyes burned into hers, the glare full of resent; the Mako glow seemed to be full of resent and thus gave his eyes a sort of neon aura.
Tifa felt some warm, saltine liquid trickle in rivulets down her cheeks. It was tears. Tifa Lockheart hadn't cried since six years ago, when Sephiroth had murdered her father.
She had promised herself to be stronger. She wouldn't cry.
And they were splashing down endlessly. . .
Tifa backed away slowly, almost fearfully, then spun around and broke into a full run--away from the Aeris, away from Cloud. . .She backed against some stony wall, and in a delayed motion sank down on the wall into a sit. Her arms lay at her sides helplessly, and she bit her lip, sniffing rapidly and inhaling as if trying to delay the tears. She tilted her head up and attempted to close her eyes to get them to stop. . .but they wouldn't. . .So she opened her crimson eyes and brought her hands up to her face.
//No way. . .// the martial artist thought to herself, fidgeting. //The tears. . .// Her mouth opened slightly in a gesture of utter despair, allowing the water to spill onto her gloves and down onto her legs, etc. //They. . .won't stop. . .// She inhaled twice again, not allowing a sob to escape, but rather a ragged sound of anguish. Her teeth clenched slightly, and grinded together, as if being strong would stop the hurting. Suddenly, the pain boiled a little more, and a small sob escaped from her lips. But. . .it was too much. . .
And down there, in the empty halls of the City of the Ancients. . .
Tifa Lockheart cried.
[] You will cry, all alone,
But it does not mean a thing to me. . .[] Cloud
. . .The next morning, Tifa disappeared.
+++
Tifa suddenly plopped backwards in the grass, arms spread and eyes again brimming with tears that refused to fall. Her fists clenched and unclenched, knuckles cracking slightly as she did so, and her feet moved around as a sign of anxiety or something. That morning after the incident with Cloud, her head was clear and her heart was heavy, but she boarded her Gold Chocobo, Rydia, and left the Northern Continent. She wasn't sure exactly *where* she was going. She just wanted to be alone. . .
The sun sank beneath the depths of the horizon, allowing darkness to fall and stars to slowly dot the sky in various patterns. The moon was full that night, and at that, a dusty brown-red color as it was, illuminating the continent with its dull specks. She pushed up from her elbows and examined the stars for a while, as if they held some sort of meaning to her, but she shook herself and leapt to her feet with the talent and grace of a gymnast, and clambered onto Rydia. She made her way to. . .
//Where am I going?//
+++
"Yo! Pick up th' phone!" Barret yelled into his PHS with his rough voice, his back towards Marlene's room. Luckily, the wooden door of her room was closed and was rather sturdy. . .In terms of being soundproof. The ringing of the PHS ceased as the reciever picked up, and a monotonous voice answering with a short greeting. "Hey Vampy! We got ourselves a $#^#in' situation!. . .No, not that! %&@(! Cloud called this mornin'! Tifa's missin'! So get yer pale ass down here!. . .Hell yeah! Midgar!"
Around this time--6:21 PM--Cid, Shera, Reeve, and Yuffie had collected at Elmyra's house; IE, the house of the deceased Aeris's stepmother. They had all gathered in the dining room, neatly seated around a wooden table with neat white sheets and fine china around them. Cid had asked for ^#@&ing tea, so they got their #^*!ing tea--but no one drank it except Reeve and Shera. They were the type to stay polite and kind during a *real* situation--and this was enough of a situation for the members of AVALANCHE. It was rather quiet at the moment, though most were fidgety and rather panicky. But hey, who more to break a silence then--
"Mind if we crash the party?" The door was abruptly kicked open, and there stood the half-ominous figures of Reno, Rude, and Elena, Reno wielding his rod, but that was about it--Elena with her amulet, however, and Rude with his fists clenched. Cid leapt up with the Venus Gospel, swinging it expertly as if a preparation for battle. He looked about ready to shove it into Reno's forehead.
"#^**!" Thudthudthudthudthud. Barret came. . .thudding. . .down the steps and shook the Missing Score at the Turks angrily, a vein pulsating in his dark forehead. "^$#* off! We don't have #&@*ing time for you $&@^s right now! So scram yer little asses!"
"@^($ yeah!" Cid tacked on, nudging the Venus Gospel a little forward as if waiting for the red-haired Turk to walk straight into the pointy edge.
"Put the stick down, old man," Reno told Cid in a tone that sounded like he was talking to a 4-year-old. "Relax." He raised his hand in a sort of "I give up" gesture, but with the rod in his hands, it probably wasn't very reassuring. So he pocketed the Electro-Mag Rod and resumed his position. Rude, however people thought him, was actually not that much of a silent man--though he did have an aura of indifference, he made his position clear way back in the Mythril Mines, when he made some threat against AVALANCHE about the Turks. He still didn't like speeches, though. But nonetheless. . .
"As the Turks," began Rude coolly, "we are entitled to defend our president by any means necessary." His hands retreated to behind his back, and the expression of his eyes was unseen behind his ebon shades.
Cid slowly lowered the weapon after glancing at Reeve. Of course. President Reeve of Neo ShinRa. Reeve gave Cid and Barret slow nods, holding up one hand as a reassuring gesture.
"Yeah, even if it means teaming up with *you*." Elena added, throwing AVALANCHE a dirty look (which, by the way, was eagerly returned by Yuffie and Barret). "It's not like we *want* to anyway." Her chocolate-brown eyes relaxed slowly and closed as she put one hand on her waist, then opened as she gazed at them all. Reeve set down his teacup and wiped his mouth with a neatly folded cloth napkin, then stood up. The president straightened his bright red tie and gave both Turks and AVALANCHE a friendly smile.
"It's alright. They're just doing their job." The tension lessened all but slightly as Reeve sat back down, pulling a small remote out of his pocket and fiddling with a joystick and a few buttons. Immediatly, the familiar Moogle and cat waltzed through the doorway, forcing Reno to step aside. Reno's aquamarine eyes followed the doll 'till it came to a short halt by Reeve's side. "If I am unable to attend any section of this 'quest', I will send Cait Sith as my representative. As for the Turks, they do not have to defend the doll--but they are *still* expected to accompany AVALANCHE on this search."
"Fine with me." Reno shrugged it off, sticking one hand in his pocket and slinging the rod over his shoulder. Though Rude, Reno, and Elena (to some extent) seemed nonchalant about this sudden alliance, there seemed to be hints of hostility being thrown around violently. The Turks pulled up chairs and sat down--Reno backwards, notably--glancing around at their surroundings
They waited for Cloud and Vincent to arrive.
---
A/N: Lyrics are from, again, .hack//SIGN's Aura.