With a sigh, Tifa closed her journal. What more could she say at this point? She stood and stretched, and with a glance at Ern and the bathroom door, she picked up her coat from the end of the bed. "I'm gonna go out for a bit," she said as she made for the door, "I'll be back soon."

Bu before she so much as turned the doorknob, Ern started up, "Y-You're going by your self!?"

She gave him a withering look. "Yes. I am."

He paled. "But it's t-t-too dangerous!"

Exasperated, Tifa growled and rubbed at her eyes. Lowering her hands, she gave a big shrug and placed a hand on her hip. "Then why don't you come with me if yer' so worried?" she snapped.

Taken aback by this proposal, Ern scratched the place behind his ear and glanced at the bathroom door. Tifa narrowed her eyes. "No. I'm not doing anything with her. If you won't come with me, I'm leaving now. By myself."

Shoulders slumping, Ern gave her a resigned expression and moved to get his coat. Tifa was sure, that if he were a dog, he'd have his big ears folded back and his tail in between his legs.

"A-Alright…" he mumbled.

Nodding once, Tifa opened the door, and Ern trailing behind her, they left the motel room.

--

"Kid, if you take that hat off one more time, I'll knock you so hard upside the head with this bottle of soda, you'll be singing commercial melodies for the rest of your unnatural life."

Yuffie turned a number of heads at this remark, sparking murmurs of child abuse in those around them.

Perusing the aisles for snacks in the local grocer, the kitty-ninja paid them no mind, instead concerning her self with the array of choices she had before her. Spider stood sullenly behind her, the hood of Beatrix's trench coat she was wearing smashing her ears painfully against her head and covering her eyes so she had to tilt her head back to see past the brim. She looked comical, whereas the trench just about swallowed her whole. She had, of course, complained, but Yuffie said as assertively as one could, "It covers yer' tail and yer' birthday suit. Your wearing it and that's final."

Glowering at the half-demons back, Spider considered chucking a jar of bean dip at her head.

Yuffie sighed. "Damnit, don't they have anything edible?"

The truth was, when they first came into the store, Yuffie had given Spider free choice of what she wanted. But when the young demon returned with an entire cart full of junk food and sweets, she decided it best that SHE chose what the girl would eat. But as she started looking for something low in sugar, she began thinking of the others, especially Tifa, and wondering if they may perhaps want something. Then, her stomach growled and she realized that she would need a good deal more food.

After snagging nearly 15 boxes of frozen fish sticks and one big bag of chips, she began looking for something for herself. Afterward she planned to resume her search for a suitable snack for Spider, but so far it had been almost an hour and she still couldn't make up her mind.

"Several days of barely eating and you'd think I'd be in the mood for anything…" Yuffie grumbled, her tail swishing idly beneath her coat.

Spider rolled her eyes and turned her gaze down the hall shivering a little where she stood. Why was this infernal place so cold? She sighed and sat down on the floor, raising an eyebrow at those who skirted around her in bewilderment. Yuffie continued to mumble absently to her self. "I wonder if they've got kupo nuts in here somewhere…"

Another ten minutes went by.

Fed up, Spider began to crawl silently away…

Meanwhile Yuffie remained oblivious, "'Salted Chocobo Cookies'? …Hey that sounds…absolutely disgusting."

Spider continued to crawl on all fours to the surprise and horror of the other store patrons. They gasped as she weaved in between their legs. Spider quickly entered the aisle next to the one Yuffie was in. Glancing at the shelves, she wrinkled her nose at the chew toys and bags of dog and cat food she saw. Fed up with the linoleum floor, she stood to her feet and examined the products more carefully, not understanding the labels or words but knowing their meaning (for most of them) just the same. She stopped as her eyes lay sight to a medium sized bottle filled with some kind of herb or grass. The label showed a Cheshire cat grinning from ear to ear.

Eyebrow quirking, Spider carefully picked up the bottle. She shook it. Turned it over. Then, cocking her head to one side, she sniffed it.

Back in the other aisle, Yuffie had come to ends. "Cripes, this sucks. I guess I'll just take another bag of chips…Hey, Spider, you want one too?" No answer. Frowning, Yuffie turned around and stopped cold. "…Spider?"

With miraculous timing, a scream split the air shortly after her utterance and Yuffie's face turned ashen. "Sp-Spider!?"

A woman with nest-like hair was shrieking like a banshee, her hand covering her huge mouth and her eyes turning to perfect circles. As is custom, a crowd quickly formed and a number of other people joined the frenzied woman in her hysteria.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!"

"What the hell is she doing!?"

"Somebody call for help!"

Pushing through the crowd, Yuffie fought her way to the front and was greeted with a horrific sight.

Spider, with her hood down and ears revealed, her face and coat smeared in what looked like oregano, was tearing the aisle apart, an insane look in her eyes. Several empty bottles were on the floor, a sea of the oregano looking substance coating the ground joined by dog and cat food and a variety of torn and broken toys.

It took Yuffie but a split second to realize what the 'oregano' really was. "Shiva! That's catnip!!" she exclaimed.

Now rolling in it, Spider was about ready to free herself of her coat when Yuffie scooped her up and barreling through the throng of flabbergasted onlookers, ran out of the store.

Several blocks later, sitting, of course, high up on a rooftop, Yuffie stood glowering down at the now sober Spider. The young girl in question, her hood flipped back up, took sudden interest in her feet and refused to make eye contact with Yuffie. It was very well that she did that. For her to look up into Yuffie's face at this point would have earned her a good thrashing.

Taking a deep breath, Yuffie hissed, "And just what do you have to say for yourself." Her father often said this to her, and having no other example to follow for such a situation, she said the same. Spider shrugged.

Going red in the cheeks, Yuffie bit her knuckle. Hard. After another deep breath she said, "You do realize that not only did that scene of yours prevent us from getting our food, it also kinda…sorta…BLEW OUR BLOODY COVER!" At this last bit she hopped around on the spot like a child throwing a tantrum, and Spider barely managed to stifle a snicker.

Yuffie stopped again, breathing like a rhinoceros, when she calmed, she threw her hands up in the air and asked. "…Why did you leave my side!?"

Spider shrugged again. "Was bored…"

Yuffie gave her an incredulous look. "…You were bored?" For a second she looked like she was going to have another fit but she only allowed a short, "Gah!" before storming back toward the street. Spider followed anxiously asking shrilly, "What about food?"

"Yeah what about it?" Yuffie grumbled as she hopped down into the narrow alley. Spider followed her and with an alarmed voice cried, "Not getting any!?"

"No. We're not." Yuffie snapped. Emerging onto the street, she began charging in the direction of the motel.

Spider, quick on her heels shouted, "Won't tell you anything if won't get food!"

Yuffie grit her teeth, and with the anger she had gained with her demonhood, said in a black voice, "Oh you'll tell me what I want to hear. …I've got ways to make you."

All together the sound of Spider following behind her ceased, and Yuffie, annoyed, stopped and glared back at her.

The cat girl was staring at her with a strange expression on her face. Puzzled, the kitty-ninja turned fully and regarded her with an expression of open confusion. "What's the matter with you?"

Spider turned to stare at the ground. "Not hurt me…right?"

Yuffie blinked in surprise at the question. "…What?"

Spider sat heavily down onto the sidewalk and gazed at the cement with an expression that frightened the ninja. "If I talk. Won't hurt me?"

"I…yeah. Of course I won't." Yuffie moved toward her, "Hey, I was just mad. I didn't mean I was gonna hurt you or nothin'…Why? Did your master, or whatever the heck he was…did he…hurt you?"

Spider didn't answer. She only sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

Yuffie, not sure what to do, sat next to her on the sidewalk. They sat silently for a while, watching the occasional car pass with fleeting interest. Several passers-by regarded them with annoyance and confusion, but as per usual, they didn't pay any of them any mind. After yet another moment passed by, Yuffie saw a rather wealthy looking gentleman exit a bar, tottering a bit with flushed cheeks and a goofy smile. From here, the sun seemed to light up his jewelry and expensive watch, and after a moment of watching him, a sly and mischievous smile trademark of the girl Yuffie was two years ago spread across her face. Nudging Spider, Yuffie pointed at the man. "You see him? Watch what I'm going to do. You just stay here, okay?"

Hopping onto her feet, Yuffie swaggered across the street making sure to smile her sweetest and to even sway her hips a little. The man saw her approaching, and he blinked stupidly at her as she stopped in his path. "Why hello sir, I was just wondering," and at this she stepped closer, "Where can I find the lingerie store?"

The man stared. Yuffie tried not to imagine what lecherous thoughts the man could be having. Rubbing his neck he slurred, "Ah…well…I dunno missy. I guesh you'd have ta go down ter Parkson Street and check thar…" he gestured vaguely. Yuffie hopped to his side and pressed her self close to him, resisting to gag at the strong smell of alcohol. Staring in the direction he pointed she asked, "Where was that now?" Meanwhile her hand crept up his back.

The man, startled, made as if to turn, but using her right hand, the one that had by now reached his neck, Yuffie turned his head and leaned her face closer, pointing down the street. "Down there right?"

Silently, Yuffie unhooked the platinum necklace from around his neck and discreetly stuffed it into her pocket. Face turning even redder, the man stammered, "Y-Yesh. Down thar."

Spider who had been watching the whole affair with disgust, now blinked in surprise and admiration. How clever and daring of the half-breed! Who knew thievery could be so endearing?

One by one, Yuffie stripped the man of his valuables, and when she ran out of jewelry to take, she moved onto clothes. She kept him distracted with one hand, stole with the other, and chattered animatedly the entire time without tire. When she was satisfied, she took a large step back. "Well, thank you very much sir! I think I can find the lingerie store just fine now!" all the while concealing as best she could the coat, tie, and handkerchief behind her back. In her pockets she had three rings, the necklace, a pair of diamond earrings, a pair of sunglasses, a platinum watch, and, of course, the man's wallet.

The man nodded, flustered, and went tottering off with a bewildered look on his face, no doubt wondering why he felt as if something were missing.

Crossing the street back to Spider, Yuffie smirked. "I'm so awesome."

Spider gazed in awe as Yuffie handed her the multitude of things she managed to steal. "You can keep what you like, I haven't got any use for any of this stuff."

Spider blinked. Awkwardly holding up the pair of black sunglasses while holding everything else with her other arm, she examined them, sniffed them…then put them on. Yuffie smiled as she watched Spider examine the watch next, and as she looked on, an idea hit her.

Didn't Elmyra live here in Kalm?

Yuffie bit her lip and recalled the street she lived on. It was on the outskirts of town, in the oldest part of Kalm. What would happen if she visited the woman? Surely not the same thing as what happened with Tifa. If she made absolutely sure her ears and tail was concealed, as well as Spider's, perhaps she could pass off all right… At any rate. If she went to Elmyra's, guaranteed she and Spider would get some food. Most importantly…FREE food.

Still unsure, she bade Spider to follow her. The cat girl, meanwhile, didn't protest. She was too preoccupied with her new stuff.

--

"W-Where are we going?"

"I don't know, Ern. Quit asking me."

"But we've b-b-been walking around f-for ages!"

"It's only been half an hour, stop complaining! I didn't make you come with me!"

"B-But y-you aren't doing anything!"

"Its how I walk, okay?"

"…I'm t-tired…"

"Then go BACK, Ern! Shiva, you can be such a pain!"

"…But I don't know h-how to get b-back…"

"Oh for Ifrit's sake…"

Tifa stopped in her tracks and turned to the simpering man behind her. "Why did you come with me if you were going to be so miserable?" she asked in annoyance.

Ern shrugged, "I c-couldn't leave you out here a-alone!"

"But if you're so fearful, how do you expect to 'protect' me when danger comes along? I saw you last night, you aren't exactly the bravest."

"W-Well…"

"Not another word, either you're with me or you're leaving." Tifa said firmly. If there was one thing she learned from Barret, it was how to put her foot down.

Ern winced. "A-alright."

They started walking again.

"…T-Tifa?"

The woman stopped and sighed. She had only known the man since last night, and he already felt like a thorn that had resided in her side for much too long. "Now what do you want?"

He kicked his shoe bashfully. "I'm…k-k-kinda hungry…"

The fighter pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alright, fine. We'll get you something to eat. What do you want to have?"

"I dunno…"

"Ern."

"Really, I've n-no idea!"

"Then we'll stop at a bar or a diner or something…" Tifa snapped, walking again.

"B-but-"

Stopping again, Tifa closed her eyes. Without even bothering to turn around, she hissed through her teeth. "What is it now?"

"I don't w-want t-to eat at a b-b-b-bar…o-or a d-diner…."

Tifa stared at him. And the man stared down at his shoes. "I-I….I just don't f-feel like it." He continued.

Tifa considered just telling him to go kick a Chocobo when she realized where they were. Turning on the spot, her brow creased in thought as she realized just how far they had walked. Maybe that was why Ern was so whiny. Tifa hadn't even noticed. Between wondering what happened to her life to what she was going to do from here on till whenever, she hadn't realized that the two of them had wandered into the older part of town. The part that had originally been here before all the expanding and new development.

The old, gray bricks and cracked and weeded sidewalk went on for a short time more before turning out of sight.

Was the old plaza nearby? Tifa wondered.

Taking a few steps away from Ern, who was anxiously watching her, the fighter glanced around. At the other side of the street, down at the corner was the little barbershop with the swirly post. Lips tugging back into a smile, Tifa turned to Ern. "Come on, I know a place we can eat!"

Confused, Ern followed her as the woman began walking again, now with more bounce in her step.

The plaza was nearby! It was a simple matter of walking a few blocks to the place she and the others had first came to when they escaped from Midgar. The area hadn't changed at all since two years ago. Things were only added onto it. But the one thing that had changed was the residents, of which there was one person whom Tifa knew personally who had moved in not so long ago, and whom she now sought in hopes of gaining a sane reality.

"Elmyra, it's been so long!" Tifa thought as she and Ern made their way to the said woman's home.