A/N: Yeah. And stuff. o_O I notice that I did use +++ +++ for flashbacks, but I made the error of doing it for every section. ^_^; I'll fix it when the second chapter comes up, okay? XD I'm such a retard~ Thats also probably the last time I'll use song lyrics. It felt kind of lame. XD; Thanks for the reviewishness! XD and I'll try, Angel of Silence. But you see, I'm an idiot +_+ and have zero to little experience with HTML in fanfiction. nyurr. If I don't get mauled by a whiffle bat by this time, I'll build a shrine to you in my backyard if you could explain XD
I removed the +++/+++ tags. I started writing this chapter last night, but I'm thinking about the "legend" here. XD For not knowing how to write HTML fanfiction. . .I'm such a loser XD;; Anyway, about the pairings:
To tell you the truth, I'm going really with what direction I think it should head in. ; Does this make me an idiot? Hell yes. But I am partial to Cloud/Tifa. . .or Tifa/Vincent. . .and Yuffie/Vincent. Buuuut, if the reviews are enough to knock me out asking for Cloud/Tifas or Tifa/Vincents or whatnot, then it will probably end up swaying in that direction. o_o; I'm such a sucker. And yes, this will have romance. . .and DOOM. . .and cool. X_x;
Disclaimer: I don't own FF7. . .or any of the songs used here, for that matter. O_o; Ahahaha! Guess where Tifa's "stalker" quote came from!
//insert something here// = thoughts
*insert something here* = emphasis
---
"Vincent just called," Reeve said as he marched down the stairs, placing the PHS in his coat pocket. "He won't be coming. He said he has buisness to attend to." He walked to his chair and resumed his casual tea-sipping. Corporate buisness owners are always seen doing something formal by a public, small or not.
"#^(@!" Barret swore loudly, banging one fist on the table so hard, one leg crumpled under his gun-arm. Ignoring the damage, he blatantly stated, "What $&@(ing buisness is more important then finding a fellow $(#@ing member of AVALANCHE?! That ain't righ', man!" Obviously, the leader of AVALANCHE--the leader of the terrorist group, but not the actual decision maker, that is--was extremely upset nonetheless. Tifa was probably the first person to join their ragtag team on invitation, inviting along her friends Jesse and Wedge: who, in turn, invited Biggs.
"Sit your ass down, damnit." Cid tapped the floor with his spear a few times, gnawing on the end of his cigarette impatiently. "%*@(*ing about it won't do jack @&@# for Tifa."
"Why'd she leave anyway?" Elena retorted, examining her nails--colored a slight shade of pink that didn't quite meet her hair and eyes. Realizing this, she began to chip at the polish. "It's been a YEAR. I don't see why she would leave NOW."
Cloud, however, was in a corner of the room, the Ultima Weapon unsheathed safely in its back. He busied himself with his Materia, picking up one orb and placing it in another spot needlessly. It was a waste of time, but it gave him something to think about. Besides, of course, what he'd said THAT day. //Well, how was I supposed to know it would hurt that much?// one voice in his head said in his own defense. Cloud's eye twitched as he forcefully shoved Ultima into one slot. //Easily.// the next argued.
//Should you tell them why she left, Cloud?//
He'd heard her cry, of course, but. . .well. . .//You've only heard her cry once. Once in your entire life. And this is the second time.// There goes that damn voice again. //You really blew it this time, Strife.// He winced slightly, brow knitting in a sort of contemplative frown. At this time, after Elena's comment, he had recieved a few condescending stares from Reno and Cid. They suspected him. Cloud looked icily back up at them, attempting to put on a mask that expressed some kind of worry and yet, innocence.
With a loud clink, his Materia was sorted--in the same way it was before he actually did anything to it--and he stood up, sheathing the enormous sword and eyes cast downward on the ground. His arms hung limply at his sides, his wrists and fists curved into an almost-clenched grip, and he didn't bother to look at any of his comrades--AVALANCHE or Turk.
"Let's go." He recieved a couple of glances, as it seemed a little hurried, but Barret was all for it.
"%&@( yeah. I told you all so." Barret shook his gun-arm wildly, as if proving his point. "Lead da way!" Cloud began to walk out the door, followed by the other AVALANCHE members, until the callous voice of Reno stung Cloud's ears, as if proving some point he didn't necessarily *want*.
"Hold up, Sherlock. Do you even know where you're going?"
"I could search the entire Planet if I wanted to." Cloud replied icily, without turning around.
"Not too bright, are we. Y'see Strife, I just have a little problem with running around the continents searching for one Lockheart." Reno twiddled his rod between his fingers, his bright blue-green eyes boring into the back of Cloud's head. Wait, never mind the back--Cloud spun around offensively, flinging his arm out to the side.
"So DON'T COME. You'll just get in my way."
"Ah-ah-ah, Strife. It's in the job description." Cloud's indifferent attitude had been chipped at considerably, but Reno had never been one to explode in a giant gooey mess of "I-hate-yous" or threats. Or tears for that matter.
"We can protect Reeve by ourselves." Cloud retorted bitterly, eye twitching.
"Tsk tsk, Strife. Always thinking in the wrong direction, ahead of time. Let me go back to my earlier wiseass comment: 'Do you even know where you're going'?" Reno was sitting backwards on the chair, but he put his arms up the top, legs splayed to either side. "Look at it this way: A) the time it takes for us to get to another spot, she could easily hide under a rock or something, B) she was kidnapped, though I highly doubt anyone would kidnap her ass, as beautiful as it is, people don't want to get hit to high hell, C) she wants to be *alone*."
"A) we have the Highwind."
"If we ride too high up to look for her, she's probably sitting, and I quote, 'under a rock'. If we ride too LOW, then we might skewer her with the engine."
"B) She's too tough to get kidnapped."
"Ooh, zing Strife. There are other driving forces besides rape here."
". . . . . ."
"What, no C, Strife? You must really have confidence in your looking skills."
At that moment, Cloud's eyes were cut and narrowed in rage, and he stormed forward as if to try and strangle the opposing Turk. Yuffie caught him by his left arm, but he wrangled in anguish, making it difficult for the young ninja to hold him back. He screamed profanities, as if he had finally snapped at this argument.
"Cloud!" Yuffie exclaimed, skidding on the tip of her boots attempting to hold him back. "Get a grip, Cloud! Cloud!!"
"What the FUCK does it take to get you to shut up?!" Cloud bellowed at Reno, his turquoise eyes filled with rage. Reno, however, was a wiseass instigator and leapt up in defense.
"Shut up? You don't even know what the hell you're doing!"
"I'm looking for Tifa, asshole!"
"That's obviously not what I meant, Strife, and you know it."
"Do you have a better FUCKING plan, because I'd like to hear it."
"It's not like you'd let me follow through with it." Reno sneered. "And what about option C? What if Lockheart wants to be alone? What the hell are you gonna do about that? Drag her back to the City of the Ancients against her will, so she can watch you stare PITIFULLY at that Ancient?!"
". . ."
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Reno finished, folding his arms, though the stuck-out tongue was implied. Through this, Elena had backed away from the writhing image of Cloud, whereas Rude stood there, arms behind his back. "Her chocobo was missing, wasn't it?" he prompted, as if proving his point. Cloud yanked his arm out of Yuffie's grip, staring viciously at Reno. If Cloud had no sense of restraint, he probably would've taken out Ultima Weapon and try to hack off Reno's head, limbs, and introduce him to his intestines. "Maybe we should let her decide if she wants to come to *us*."
". . .No. . ."
"Why not, Strife? Still balancing two women on your shoulders, even if one's dead?"
". . ."
"I think I'm right. And judging from the uncomfortable looks of your fellow hobos, I'd say they're beginning to have their doubts." Cloud didn't bother to look behind him at the AVALANCHE members. He was silent, and his threatening arms moved to his sides. "If she did leave, why would she do it Cloud? Think. Use that spikey head of yours for something."
". . ." //Because I told her I didn't need her. I told her that she could be off on her own for all I gave a damn. Because. . .// "I don't see any reason."
Bad answer.
Reno stared at him contemptuously, as if seeing something Cloud was hiding.
". . .Fine." Reno agreed, much to the surprise to either side--Turk or not. "Let's go."
---
The cold night air was beginning to nip at Tifa's arms and legs, making this one of the very few times she disliked her skimpy attire. She found nothing wrong with her clothes--although some people *certainly* didn't--, as Lord Zangan prompted flexible clothes for quick movement. She folded her arms as goosebumps began to form on her fair skin, dotting her slightly and sending a small feeling of warmth over her body. It wasn't enough, however, and with a quick chant-and-whisper, a small wisp of fire floated in front of her. //Whew.//
She guided the small flame a little ways above a small pile of leaves; autumn had begun to take its toll, drying out the small plants and leaving them almost as a replacement firewood. Taking advantage of this seasonal reaction, she let the little ember rest on the pile, where it quickly caught and erupted. She reached into her small brown pack and yanked out a bit of Mimett Greens, handing it carelessly to Rydia's direction, then closed the pack and curled up near the fire.
Tifa Lockheart hugged her knees to her chest, trying to push Cloud out of her mind and attempting to focus on the task at hand. The way the PHS was designed left a slight flaw in Cid's part--she could listen in whenever she wanted, like she would've if someone *else* of AVALANCHE was missing. And as far as they could tell, they were searching high and low for their kind, caring female friend. That gave her a small sense of security, even if they weren't around; no, this was not some dramatic stage to get people to worry about her. Tifa, though enjoying dramas and soaps (she wasn't a tomboy to Yuffie's extent), wasn't the kind to make her friends feel sorry for her just so she could feel better.
//It's good to know that people care, anyway.// she thought, smiling again and outstretching her hands. When they lowered, she tightened the Premium Heart set on each hand, as if expecting a fight. And she had pretty good reasons too--monsters were still lingering and breeding, no longer mistakes that could be obliterated. . .but now, just a piece of everyday life.
". . ." Tifa's "work" suddenly came to a halt, her left hand still clutching the spandex-like covering of the Premium Heart slowly. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice became low and dangerous. "Who's there?. . ." No reply. "If you're a stalker I'll rip you a new one." The martial artist, before the whole crisis of the Planet, would never have said things with such a bitter tone. But then again, it was probably from hanging around Cid. . .and Barret, and Vincent, and Cloud, and Yuffie. . .
". . ."
"Well?!" Tifa's head spun around viciously to face her predator, only to find a rather large-looking rifle pointed to her forehead.
---
I removed the +++/+++ tags. I started writing this chapter last night, but I'm thinking about the "legend" here. XD For not knowing how to write HTML fanfiction. . .I'm such a loser XD;; Anyway, about the pairings:
To tell you the truth, I'm going really with what direction I think it should head in. ; Does this make me an idiot? Hell yes. But I am partial to Cloud/Tifa. . .or Tifa/Vincent. . .and Yuffie/Vincent. Buuuut, if the reviews are enough to knock me out asking for Cloud/Tifas or Tifa/Vincents or whatnot, then it will probably end up swaying in that direction. o_o; I'm such a sucker. And yes, this will have romance. . .and DOOM. . .and cool. X_x;
Disclaimer: I don't own FF7. . .or any of the songs used here, for that matter. O_o; Ahahaha! Guess where Tifa's "stalker" quote came from!
//insert something here// = thoughts
*insert something here* = emphasis
---
"Vincent just called," Reeve said as he marched down the stairs, placing the PHS in his coat pocket. "He won't be coming. He said he has buisness to attend to." He walked to his chair and resumed his casual tea-sipping. Corporate buisness owners are always seen doing something formal by a public, small or not.
"#^(@!" Barret swore loudly, banging one fist on the table so hard, one leg crumpled under his gun-arm. Ignoring the damage, he blatantly stated, "What $&@(ing buisness is more important then finding a fellow $(#@ing member of AVALANCHE?! That ain't righ', man!" Obviously, the leader of AVALANCHE--the leader of the terrorist group, but not the actual decision maker, that is--was extremely upset nonetheless. Tifa was probably the first person to join their ragtag team on invitation, inviting along her friends Jesse and Wedge: who, in turn, invited Biggs.
"Sit your ass down, damnit." Cid tapped the floor with his spear a few times, gnawing on the end of his cigarette impatiently. "%*@(*ing about it won't do jack @&@# for Tifa."
"Why'd she leave anyway?" Elena retorted, examining her nails--colored a slight shade of pink that didn't quite meet her hair and eyes. Realizing this, she began to chip at the polish. "It's been a YEAR. I don't see why she would leave NOW."
Cloud, however, was in a corner of the room, the Ultima Weapon unsheathed safely in its back. He busied himself with his Materia, picking up one orb and placing it in another spot needlessly. It was a waste of time, but it gave him something to think about. Besides, of course, what he'd said THAT day. //Well, how was I supposed to know it would hurt that much?// one voice in his head said in his own defense. Cloud's eye twitched as he forcefully shoved Ultima into one slot. //Easily.// the next argued.
//Should you tell them why she left, Cloud?//
He'd heard her cry, of course, but. . .well. . .//You've only heard her cry once. Once in your entire life. And this is the second time.// There goes that damn voice again. //You really blew it this time, Strife.// He winced slightly, brow knitting in a sort of contemplative frown. At this time, after Elena's comment, he had recieved a few condescending stares from Reno and Cid. They suspected him. Cloud looked icily back up at them, attempting to put on a mask that expressed some kind of worry and yet, innocence.
With a loud clink, his Materia was sorted--in the same way it was before he actually did anything to it--and he stood up, sheathing the enormous sword and eyes cast downward on the ground. His arms hung limply at his sides, his wrists and fists curved into an almost-clenched grip, and he didn't bother to look at any of his comrades--AVALANCHE or Turk.
"Let's go." He recieved a couple of glances, as it seemed a little hurried, but Barret was all for it.
"%&@( yeah. I told you all so." Barret shook his gun-arm wildly, as if proving his point. "Lead da way!" Cloud began to walk out the door, followed by the other AVALANCHE members, until the callous voice of Reno stung Cloud's ears, as if proving some point he didn't necessarily *want*.
"Hold up, Sherlock. Do you even know where you're going?"
"I could search the entire Planet if I wanted to." Cloud replied icily, without turning around.
"Not too bright, are we. Y'see Strife, I just have a little problem with running around the continents searching for one Lockheart." Reno twiddled his rod between his fingers, his bright blue-green eyes boring into the back of Cloud's head. Wait, never mind the back--Cloud spun around offensively, flinging his arm out to the side.
"So DON'T COME. You'll just get in my way."
"Ah-ah-ah, Strife. It's in the job description." Cloud's indifferent attitude had been chipped at considerably, but Reno had never been one to explode in a giant gooey mess of "I-hate-yous" or threats. Or tears for that matter.
"We can protect Reeve by ourselves." Cloud retorted bitterly, eye twitching.
"Tsk tsk, Strife. Always thinking in the wrong direction, ahead of time. Let me go back to my earlier wiseass comment: 'Do you even know where you're going'?" Reno was sitting backwards on the chair, but he put his arms up the top, legs splayed to either side. "Look at it this way: A) the time it takes for us to get to another spot, she could easily hide under a rock or something, B) she was kidnapped, though I highly doubt anyone would kidnap her ass, as beautiful as it is, people don't want to get hit to high hell, C) she wants to be *alone*."
"A) we have the Highwind."
"If we ride too high up to look for her, she's probably sitting, and I quote, 'under a rock'. If we ride too LOW, then we might skewer her with the engine."
"B) She's too tough to get kidnapped."
"Ooh, zing Strife. There are other driving forces besides rape here."
". . . . . ."
"What, no C, Strife? You must really have confidence in your looking skills."
At that moment, Cloud's eyes were cut and narrowed in rage, and he stormed forward as if to try and strangle the opposing Turk. Yuffie caught him by his left arm, but he wrangled in anguish, making it difficult for the young ninja to hold him back. He screamed profanities, as if he had finally snapped at this argument.
"Cloud!" Yuffie exclaimed, skidding on the tip of her boots attempting to hold him back. "Get a grip, Cloud! Cloud!!"
"What the FUCK does it take to get you to shut up?!" Cloud bellowed at Reno, his turquoise eyes filled with rage. Reno, however, was a wiseass instigator and leapt up in defense.
"Shut up? You don't even know what the hell you're doing!"
"I'm looking for Tifa, asshole!"
"That's obviously not what I meant, Strife, and you know it."
"Do you have a better FUCKING plan, because I'd like to hear it."
"It's not like you'd let me follow through with it." Reno sneered. "And what about option C? What if Lockheart wants to be alone? What the hell are you gonna do about that? Drag her back to the City of the Ancients against her will, so she can watch you stare PITIFULLY at that Ancient?!"
". . ."
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Reno finished, folding his arms, though the stuck-out tongue was implied. Through this, Elena had backed away from the writhing image of Cloud, whereas Rude stood there, arms behind his back. "Her chocobo was missing, wasn't it?" he prompted, as if proving his point. Cloud yanked his arm out of Yuffie's grip, staring viciously at Reno. If Cloud had no sense of restraint, he probably would've taken out Ultima Weapon and try to hack off Reno's head, limbs, and introduce him to his intestines. "Maybe we should let her decide if she wants to come to *us*."
". . .No. . ."
"Why not, Strife? Still balancing two women on your shoulders, even if one's dead?"
". . ."
"I think I'm right. And judging from the uncomfortable looks of your fellow hobos, I'd say they're beginning to have their doubts." Cloud didn't bother to look behind him at the AVALANCHE members. He was silent, and his threatening arms moved to his sides. "If she did leave, why would she do it Cloud? Think. Use that spikey head of yours for something."
". . ." //Because I told her I didn't need her. I told her that she could be off on her own for all I gave a damn. Because. . .// "I don't see any reason."
Bad answer.
Reno stared at him contemptuously, as if seeing something Cloud was hiding.
". . .Fine." Reno agreed, much to the surprise to either side--Turk or not. "Let's go."
---
The cold night air was beginning to nip at Tifa's arms and legs, making this one of the very few times she disliked her skimpy attire. She found nothing wrong with her clothes--although some people *certainly* didn't--, as Lord Zangan prompted flexible clothes for quick movement. She folded her arms as goosebumps began to form on her fair skin, dotting her slightly and sending a small feeling of warmth over her body. It wasn't enough, however, and with a quick chant-and-whisper, a small wisp of fire floated in front of her. //Whew.//
She guided the small flame a little ways above a small pile of leaves; autumn had begun to take its toll, drying out the small plants and leaving them almost as a replacement firewood. Taking advantage of this seasonal reaction, she let the little ember rest on the pile, where it quickly caught and erupted. She reached into her small brown pack and yanked out a bit of Mimett Greens, handing it carelessly to Rydia's direction, then closed the pack and curled up near the fire.
Tifa Lockheart hugged her knees to her chest, trying to push Cloud out of her mind and attempting to focus on the task at hand. The way the PHS was designed left a slight flaw in Cid's part--she could listen in whenever she wanted, like she would've if someone *else* of AVALANCHE was missing. And as far as they could tell, they were searching high and low for their kind, caring female friend. That gave her a small sense of security, even if they weren't around; no, this was not some dramatic stage to get people to worry about her. Tifa, though enjoying dramas and soaps (she wasn't a tomboy to Yuffie's extent), wasn't the kind to make her friends feel sorry for her just so she could feel better.
//It's good to know that people care, anyway.// she thought, smiling again and outstretching her hands. When they lowered, she tightened the Premium Heart set on each hand, as if expecting a fight. And she had pretty good reasons too--monsters were still lingering and breeding, no longer mistakes that could be obliterated. . .but now, just a piece of everyday life.
". . ." Tifa's "work" suddenly came to a halt, her left hand still clutching the spandex-like covering of the Premium Heart slowly. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice became low and dangerous. "Who's there?. . ." No reply. "If you're a stalker I'll rip you a new one." The martial artist, before the whole crisis of the Planet, would never have said things with such a bitter tone. But then again, it was probably from hanging around Cid. . .and Barret, and Vincent, and Cloud, and Yuffie. . .
". . ."
"Well?!" Tifa's head spun around viciously to face her predator, only to find a rather large-looking rifle pointed to her forehead.
---