Light filtered in through gossamer curtains and touched Tifa Lockhart's face, coaxing her from her slumber. A groan slipped past her strawberry lips before her auburn eyes flickered open and her arms stretched fluidly above her head. Briefly Sephiroth wondered if she had any idea how beautiful she was, but he dismissed the thought immediately. She was too modest and down to earth to realize how breathtaking she was.
He continued watching her wake from her slumber until he heard his name breathe past her angel lips. A slightly amused grin flashed across his face before he made his way to the side of the bed and pulled her into his arms.
"You called?"
A moment of silence passed before Tifa groaned quietly again and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I worried you might have left me."
Sephiroth chuckled, a low rumbling in his chest, and pulled her against him a little tighter.
"Now why would I do that? Your father's last wish must be kept and I need you in order to fulfill that wish."
Another long moment of silence, but this one was far from the lingering affects of sleep. Tifa couldn't help but wonder that if her father hadn't asked Sephiroth to marry her would he still have cared? She knew that he probably wouldn't have, that he would have just walked out of her life forever and left her alone with her pain. Oh how she wished that those horrible thoughts would just let her alone but she couldn't help but wonder.
Sephiroth, worried about her lapse into silence, gently shook her so that she was looking at him instead of her hands. Another famous smirk touched his lips before he lowered his mouth to hers and gave a passionate kiss. He held her against him for a few more moments before he stood and set her down. With a touch of haste he said,
"We are in Costa Del Sol proper about ten miles from your house. Reports of the creature have been coming up around here but so far no one has been hurt. It did try to take your friend Aeris but a man named Johnny was over and managed to scare it off. Due to these…factors…you are not to leave my side. I need you to promise me this, Tifa, for my sake."
His voice had gone from business to pleading. Tifa swallowed and gave a solemn nod of agreement. Sephiroth looked relieved and planted another kiss on her lips before tucking her hand under his arm and walking out.
The moment Tifa stepped through the open door and into the humid air, gratitude rushed through her and she was thankful that she had worn a thin cotton dress. Looking over her fiancé she saw that he had donned his black cowboy hat. Tifa had forgotten how intimidating he looked when wearing that. But when he bent down and kissed her cheek all remaining fear was quickly chased from her mind and in its place remained a blush and a few butterflies.
Vincent had decided that they would pay a visit to Cloud first. He had a feeling the blond would be the hardest to deal with and wanted to get him out of the way. Tifa weaved though the busy streets with a mix of dread and longing. She wanted to see her friends again but at the same time she knew that Cloud, purely out of concern for her, would have told them she had been taken and was most likely being tortured or raped. Her friends just might have some objections.
After what seemed like hours the group finally pulled up to Cloud's driveway. Tifa had a death grip on Sephiroth's arm as they walked up the rose lined walk to the front door where Rude rang the doorbell once. Some sounds could be heard coming from inside before the door swung open and revealed a disgruntled and wrinkled Cloud. He looked and smelled as though he had been drinking non stop since Tifa had disappeared. Stubble along his chin and the messy state of his hair showed that he hadn't bathed much either, but nothing could dim the smile on his face when he saw Tifa standing on his doorstep in a crisp white dress.
Tifa gave a timid smile and opened her mouth to greet her life long friend, but before she could take a step forward Cloud's arms were around her waist and she was swinging through the air. Tifa looked down at his face and saw that he was practically crying with relief and joy. Tifa giggled as he set her on her feet and pushed a stray lock of blond hair his ear before saying lightheartedly,
"I missed you too Cloud."
It was at that moment that she remembered the others. Clearing her throat and taking a small step backward she held her arm out to Sephiroth and said,
"Cloud, this is Sephiroth. You remember, the man from Father's wake? We…he and I are engaged, Cloud. We haven't set a date yet but it was my father's last wish. The man in red is his brother, Vincent."
Cloud's mouth hung open before he clenched it shut and glared at Sephiroth. Tifa took the opportunity to back up some more only to find her back connecting with Sephiroth's broad chest. Immediately his arms closed snuggly around her waist and pulled her even closer to him while giving Cloud an equally chilling glare. Finally, Cloud spoke in a voice shaken with anger,
"You kidnap her and then bring her back only to have her tell me she's going to marry you? What the hell?"
Tifa held out her arm towards Cloud and said softly,
"Cloud, he didn't force me. I care about…"
"Shut-up Tifa! You're just saying that to make me think you care about him. I won't allow it! Your father told me if anything ever happened to you I was to take care of you, protect you. Letting you marry some heartless bastard like Sephiroth Valentine isn't my idea of protecting you. Look at him; even now he looks like he's made of ice. You're trying to tell me you want that?"
"Listen to me Cloud Strife! I do care about him! He's kind and gentle and he cares about me. He would never hurt me and he certainly seems to like me well enough. Don't you dare say that he's made of ice! You do the same thing, you know, retreat into your protective little mask of stone. I don't want to hear about it. You're coming with us to get the others or I'll kick your ass like I used too when we were kids and throw you onto the airship. Understand?"
Cloud's mouth fell open in shock before bowing his head. His fists were clenched almost as tightly as his jaw, but after a moment he ran a hand through his spiked hair and sighed.
"Awww Teef, you know I only want what's best for you. You're like my sister. I guess if this is what you want…..okay, I'll go."
Tifa squealed and threw her arms around his neck before whispering lowly in his ear,
"Thank you."
Cloud waved a hand in the air after she'd let go to say 'it was nothing' before grabbing his sword and walking out the door. Rude silently loaded them all into the car before taking off towards Aeris's house.
A/N: I have decided to dedicate this chapter to a very persistent fan. You know who you are. lol
