Chapter 1: the Kalm before the storm

If you were unfortunate enough to look upon the great heights of the Mithril mountains, just south of Kalm, you would spot an unusual figure hunched upon one of the summits. Most people would consider it a monster, especially if you were unfortunate enough for it to spare you a glance; even from a distance those fiery orbs shone brightly. A thick mane of dark hair, held in place only by a red strap used as a headband, mixed with the rest of its outlandish attire and its deathly pale complexion made this being look particularly ghastly, a monster in human form. The figure would not deny these assumptions itself, it isa monster. Its crimson cape fluttered slightly in the breeze as it gazed about the landscape. It seemed to spot its quarry and stood up to its full impressive height. It stood absolutely stock still for a moment and then, in a mightier bound than you would deem possible, it leapt...

A strange creature stalked wearily across the grassy landscape. The sun shone brightly on its back and muscular shoulders, its head was inches from the ground and it appeared to be sniffing as it walked. Fire spouted from its tail endlessly; it always had done and always would. Red XIII was its name, 'it' was a male of a mysterious race of fire beasts which walk upon four legs. Although he looks much like a fiery leopard, he has a deep understanding of things an average human could not comprehend. At this moment in time he was making his way to Kalm on an overdue visit to his old friends, Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart. Red was taking the long way around, going practically past Kalm and on too the ruined city of Midgar. Red XIII wanted to see it again, he didn't know why, it was just something he felt he had to do. He had been living a peaceful life in Cosmo Canyon, his eyes more used to looking at ancient text and glancing over plays and songs of long-dead authors than watching for danger. He couldn't say he missed the rush of battle, he wasn't a particularly 'peaceful' animal, the war scars all over his body showed that, but in his research he had found something, something that made his fur itch and his blood begin to pump again with that intoxicating feeling. Something was going to happen...

Red was so lost in his thoughts that he let his eyes glaze and forgot his surroundings. A shadow suddenly loomed over him. Red was startled from his thoughts and quickly looked up, expecting to see a dragon of some sort, swooping down to take him in its mighty jaws, instead his eyes widened as a large bat-like shape came swooping down towards him. Red leapt back, ready for battle, as the shape hit the ground several feet in front of him. Red was about to pounce when the figure stood up, it was none other than...

"Vincent!?" Red cried, slightly relieved but also more than a bit annoyed at being swooped upon.

Vincent stared at the ground for a moment before looking up slightly, directly at a rather annoyed looking Red XIII. Vincent didn't reply at first, just stared in his usual icy manner, before saying in a chilly tone.

"Nanaki, it has been a while..." Red just stared back, waiting for the apology that he knew would never come.

"You startled me, Vincent," he said, as if urging an apology. Vincent didn't seem to be taking the hint, so Red continued. "What are you doing here, anyway? I have not seen you in months!"

"I happened to be in the vicinity..." He replied, looking back up at the peak he had just leapt from high above, if it had been anyone else they would have been squashed from the decent. Vincent shifted his gaze back to the fire beast staring up at him, what an unusual sight these two companions would be to onlookers.

"I was on my way to Cloud and Tifa's place, but since you're here, Vincent, I shall ask you to accompany me to Kalm. I have some information that concerns you in particular" Red said 'and what a strange occurrence that I happened to run into you, with the knowledge I've just gained...' Red thought sullenly. Vincent stared at him as if he could hear Reds thoughts, but only nodded at the proposal.

Needless to say, the conversation on this journey would be minimal...

Tifa awoke with a start and looked hurriedly about herself, trying her best not to move in fear of the nameless creatures she expected to find. Tifa calmed down enough to realise where she was: she was in her bedroom above the Seventh Heaven bar. She was cold and wrapped herself back up in her covers before looking over at the alarm clock. It was 5:30 in the morning, her alarm would be going off in half an hour anyway, so she decided to just get up. Her room was very cosy, not unlike her old room in Nibelheim; the same light peach colours she was attracted to. She had decided when she moved in that she wanted a lot more comfort this time around, so the first item she put in her room was a large four-poster bed, she loved its classic elegance. Most of the furniture was Mahogany (which Tifa had grown to prefer) She had mahogany units, with a mirror and a place for the small amount of jewellery and perfumes she had (in battle the opponent doesn't care how you smell and earrings and such can be good for pulling.) In the corner she had an exercise bike and a punching bag, which had seen better days before Tifa had got her hands on it. Tifa had a nice selection of clothes, it was one of the things she never took for granted; a nice set of clothes to change into after a hard days work. She wrapped herself in a gown and opened her bedroom door with a creak. She couldn't hear anything from Clouds room next door, so she just decided to leave him alone for the next half an hour. The Seventh Heaven opened at 7:00, but Tifa knew how long it would take to get ready for the day ahead. She yawned and stretched as she walked slowly down the stairs. Her eyes widened as she entered the bar, the tables were already set and sparkling. She stretched over the bar, the barrels of beer had been changed. Looking about herself in wonder; everything was ready for the day ahead. She spun around as she heard the kitchen doors open, Cloud walked in wheeling a barrel. Tifa just stared as he didn't seem to notice her. Cloud looked up suddenly as he felt another presence in the room. He smiled as he saw Tifa standing in front of him in her night gown, looking rather perplexed.

"Morning, Tifa." He said jovially, pushing the barrel into place.

"Good morning, Cloud. Have you been up all night?" She asked. Cloud shrugged in his usual manner.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would make myself useful." He said as he produced a cloth and wiped the bar top a few times as an example. Tifa smiled, it was good having Cloud around. Cloud pulled a stool out and gestured for Tifa to sit. "I'll make you a coffee." He offered, bustling back to the kitchen. Tifa smiled to herself as she inspected the bar. She sat down on the stool and rested against it. Life was surprisingly good, Cloud was with her, although they still hadn't got beyond the friendship stage. Tifa still couldn't tell Cloud how she felt about him and she wasn't sure how he felt about her. She wasn't that bothered, though, having Cloud around was enough for her. She kicked her legs absently as she waited and rubbed the sleep from her eyes just as Cloud came back in holding a cup, which he placed on the bar in front of her. Tifa smiled at him in quiet appraisal and took a sip. Cloud pulled another stool out and sat down beside her.

Cloud wasn't wearing his SOLDIER uniform anymore, he had decided he would change his 'look,' after remembering about Zack. Cloud had gone for black, he felt drawn to it. Probably because Sephiroth had liked black, it was in his DNA. He now wore a sleeveless vest, like his old one except black, a black shoulder guard, black trousers and black boots. He thought he looked cool, so did Tifa, so he stuck with it. He turned his head slightly to her and watched her sipping her coffee without her noticing. Although Cloud acted happy and content around Tifa, he did it to make her not worry. Cloud missed Aeris, and his inner pain was slowly growing, trying to consume him. Cloud had thought about leaving, he had spent several nights laying awake thinking about it. Tifa was so happy, though, he enjoyed seeing her so happy. Clouds heart was torn in two, he loved Aeris, but he also loved Tifa. His already confused mind could only take so much, so he tried to just push his thoughts away and live life to the fullest, with Tifa. But every time he saw the colour pink, or someone with long chocolate brown hair, he thought of Aeris. He didn't know exactly what he was feeling, but he didn't like it. He was so lost in thought that he turned his head fully and stared at Tifa with glazed eyes. Tifa continued to drink her coffee but then noticed Clouds eyes on her, she turned to him and met his gaze. Cloud suddenly shot back to reality when Tifa turned to him, her beautiful hazel eyes meeting his sparklingly bright blue eyes. Cloud fidgeted slightly before turning away.

"Sorry, Tifa, I must have got...uh...lost in my thoughts." he explained, wondering if it was the right thing to say. Tifa smiled sweetly.

"Thinking about what?" She asked, her voice taking on a mock seductive tone. Clouds eyes widened.

"N-no, I uh, I mean..." He said, fumbling for words. Tifa giggled softly at his discomfort.

"It's ok, Cloud, I was only joking." She said half apologetically. Cloud stared fixedly at the bar in front of him for a while. Tifa finished her coffee and went to get up, when Cloud gently took her wrist.

"Tifa, wait..." he said quietly. Tifa instantly knew something was wrong, she had never heard Cloud use that tone.

"Cloud?" she said, settling back into her seat.

"Tifa, I have to tell you something." He said with a slight tinge of apprehension. Tifa didn't reply, but nodded slightly for him to go on. "It's about what happened to Aeris..." Tifa's attention was now completely on Cloud, a strange feeling coming into her heart. "Tifa, I could have done something!" He suddenly said, his mood suddenly changing to anger. "I just stood there and watched as it happened!" Tifa stared at him, wide eyed and concerned. Cloud seemed to calm down, his face going from angry to expressionless, and he sat in silence.

"Cloud, it wasn't your fault." She said soothingly. She reached for his hand but he pulled it away. Cloud turned his head away from Tifa as he battled for his composure. Tifa frowned deeply. Cloud turned fully to her on his seat, bringing his knees close to hers. What he said next would change Tifas life for good.

"Tifa, I love you." he said, and as he did it felt like a great weight was removed from his shoulders. "I just wanted you to know..." He trailed off, seeing Tifas expression, she had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. Cloud smiled despite himself and put his hand on hers. Tifa managed to get her voice back.

"Cloud, why did you choose today to tell me?" She asked curiously. "Just a second ago you seemed all upset, what's wrong?" Cloud looked at his knees and then back at her again.

"Tifa, have you ever had a feeling, which you never realised you had until it was gone?" He said. Tifas brow furrowed. "Well, I have." Cloud continued. "I had this feeling, like a sense of something all my life, I thought it was normal, so I ignored it. When we defeated Jenova in the northern crater, the feeling disappeared..." He shifted in his seat slightly. "Recently I've had a similar feeling, but more dark. Jenova always lures you in with false promises, saying she's your 'mother' and such-like. This is more plainly evil." He finished unsurely. Tifa understood now.

"You told me how you feel because you're afraid something bad is going to happen?" She asked.

A loud knock at the door startled them both.