Tifa sighed as she impatiently tapped the top of the counter. Her restless eyes roved from one corner to the next as she gazed outside the windows hoping to see the young blonde who departed a few hours ago. Cloud and Vincent were already gone for at least four hours. She would think that Cloud would at least give her an update on the situation. Even a simple call to tell her that nothing has occurred would have eased her troubles and worries. So far, she had nothing that helped soothed her anxious heart.
Reno and Rude were not the best companions in the world. It was hard to believe that Rude hadn't spoke a single word in the past four hours. Reno however did his best to try to cheer her up but it didn't work. He suggested a few rounds of poker, a game that he considered to be one of his mastered arts. To his disappointment, she just smiled and declined his invitation to the game. Tifa quickly glanced behind her and found the flaming red headed man browsing through her cabinets of fine wine. His keen eyes searched each bottle carefully until he selected one from the shelf and smiled in delight.
Ah, this one is a classic! He popped the cork and made his way around the counter. Taking a seat across from the female, he only grinned in response to Tifa's annoyance. Want some?
Tifa shook her head. Reno, this is the third bottle you went through! You know you're gonna have to pay for it.Sweetheart, my service to you will clear up any debt that I owe. He winked and roughly shoved the liquid down his throat.
Tifa looked at him with disgust and left the area before her sight became fully engulfed in the Ex Turk's gluttony. Rude glanced up as he spotted the brunette walking towards the window. She leaned against the wall while silently praying for any signs of Cloud and Vincent.
I'm sure they're fine. For the first time during the lonesome four hours, Rude spoke.
Well I am not quite sure. I haven't heard from either Cloud or Vincent... she responded solemnly.
Why don't you call them?I did. They have their PHS turned off. It's either that or there's no connection in the forest.
She certainly hoped it was the latter. She knew the two men wouldn't turn off their PHS for no apparent reason since their past adventures had proven that the little device was indeed a valuable asset when other AVALANCHE members needed to be contacted. If their devices were off, it could only mean that trouble was brewing for them and that thought sent shivers up and down her spine.
You know. I'm still trying to make some sense out of all this crap. Reno walked over and joined the other two. He laid the bottle of wine down on a random table and propped his feet on it while laying back casually on a wooden chair. That man really did remind me of Sephiroth and it gives me the creeps. Sephiroth is gone, isn't he?
Tifa nodded. He is...but I still feel uneasy about alot of stuff.Like what? Reno challenged.
Ever since the Planet was saved by the Lifestream, I felt that it was too good to be true. I kept thinking if we could all really live in peace after all the horrors we witnessed. Even if Sephiroth and Meteor were destroyed, I kept thinking what if we left something important but seemed irrelevant at that moment alive. What if there were other issues that were unresolved because we didn't even know it existed?Are you talking about the Geostigma?Maybe. Two weeks after the Planet was saved, Cloud left us saying that he needed to pursue something. He didn't want any of us to go with him. Everything was fine...but then a few months later, Geostigma suddenly became the most popular word in Midgar. At first it wasn't serious but it did get people paranoid but then the symptoms became worse and alot more people were infected by it. I don't know if it's contagious or anything but it was rapidly spread among the children.Nothing has been proven about Geostigma yet. It's a very enigmatic disease... Reno replied. He knew that for a fact because researching Geostigma became one of his daily routines. At first, he and Rude only asked around the citizens of Midgar if they knew anything about the illness. They weren't surprised when the citizens knew nothing. He decided to take his research up a notch when he suggested to his partner to break into the Midgar Hospital at night. If anything, the hospital would certainly have information and records of patients who had been inflicted with the disease. However, to his disappointment, the hospital had nothing special either. It was on their way out when Reno spotted a couple of tattered notes and folders in the basement archives. He looked through the names of the patients while Rude guarded the door. A deluge of excitement overtook him as he spotted the the letters lena' and fus'.
Reno dug into his pockets and pulled out the two wrinkled folders and threw them on the surface of the table. Take a look at this. This gave me new hope...
Tifa curiously picked up the two folders and examined the contents inside. They were filled with diagnostic sheets but she did not have the biological knowledge to interpret the foreign designs and diagrams. I don't understand any of this. I know they have something to do with Geostigma and progress reports but I'm no doctor you know.Yeah, I kinda figured that. I'm not doctor either but look at the names on the folder.
Tifa flipped the covers over. Scribbled sloppily on one of them were the letters lena' and the other one read fus'. She thought for a moment on what could be so special about these letters that made Reno take an interest in them.
Reno grinned as he watched the brunette slowly come to her conclusion.
You think they stand for Elena and Rufus...? she asked.
Finally! I am not insane after all!
Tifa shook her head. It could be possible but there was also a chance that it wasn't them and although she had despised the Turks in the past, she really did not want to see Reno bring his hopes up only to be crushed in the end. That would be too cruel for anyone--even for her former enemy. I know what you're thinking Reno but...there are other people named Elena in Midgar and for all we know, these letters could make up other names too you know!Yeah and I guess Cloud and Nanaki are you average names in Midgar as well? Reno sarcastically retorted. Look, I know nothing is one hundred percent right now but it does give me hope that Elena could be here...and maybe Rufus ShinRa too.
Reno's voice had taken a different tone as he reminiscenced about his old allies. He just couldn't let this new spark of hope slip between his fingers. It was his fault in the first place for not being able to save the President during the Weapon raid. It was also his fault for letting Elena wander away from the Turks when times got rough after the destruction of ShinRa.
I know... Tifa smiled supportively. I just don't want to see you hurt and disappointed if things don't turn out your way. I had my hopes up for Cloud and... Her voice suddenly waned as she quickly turned around. Her cheeks were a bit flustered from her sudden revelation but the tears in her eyes made it evident that it was a much more serious matter.
And now he's back. You got what you want! Reno exclaimed. Cheer up beautiful.I don't think that's what she meant... Rude interrupted.
Look, it doesn't matter okay? This is just between Cloud and I...so you really don't need to worry about it. Reno muttered a little too loud when he finally realized what Tifa meant by her words. Of course. He placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulders and genuinely said, It will all work out. The main problem was whether or not it will work out in her favor. Reno shuddered. Rivalries in the war of love was something he hoped to never experience in his life. He could only imagine the intangible pain that ripples throughout the mind and body and leaves the soul shattered for years without a cure.
Reno decided to quickly change the subject before her eyes welled up with even more tears. Um...so..uh...how did you meet Denzel? He winced as soon as he said those words. He wanted to slap himself. How the hell is this suppose to change the subject to something better? The boy just got kidnapped hours ago!
Too late to take anything back now.
Tifa froze for a moment. The events that just occurred hours ago shrouded her memories of the past. She lightly sniffled and tried to block out all the destructive thoughts running through her head. She really didn't want to talk about Denzel at the moment but she knew Reno was only trying to cheer her up so she did her best to comply with his question. Um...well Marlene and I were walking through the streets one day when she spotted him roaming around alone. Marlene told me that he had been following us for awhile. I guess I didn't notice. When we approached him, I found out that he was an orphan without a home or parents so I decided to take him home. He's a really sweet but quiet kid. Eventually, I found out that he was abandoned by his guardians because he had Geostigma. He was terrified that I was going to throw him out but I told him I would never do that. We all got along very well but his condition did not improve...That's very kind of you... complimented Reno. Wow, I don't know if I could ever take home or even STAND a rugrat. Kudos for that Lockheart.Yeah...I miss him. I hope Cloud and Vincent finds him and Marlene soon. I'm really starting to get worried. What if something happened to all of them. I think we should go look for them.You know. It has been awhile. Maybe you're right. Maybe we should go look for them.Yes Reno. If they're in trouble, I don't want to stand here and do nothing. We've got to go...and the sooner the better.
The Ex Turk turned to the bald man. His stoic partner simply nodded. It was hard to determine what Rude wanted, especially because his eyes were hidden behind black shades. However, Tifa didn't care what Rude wanted to do at this moment. She had to make sure that Cloud was all right. She grabbed her gloves and armor on the counter and quickly equipped them. Reno reached for his nightstick and extended the weapon to it's full length of three feet. He could feel the ampules charging through the rod as electricity manifested itself at the tip of the weapon. Okay. Lock up and lets get the hell out of here.
Tifa obliged.
How are we going to get there? Rude questioned.
That's right! Cloud took his motor bike and I don't have a vehicle. Tifa glanced around. She felt her rush of adrenaline already dying down because of this obstacle.
Reno smirked. Oh I know how we're going to get there! We're going in first class.What do you mean?Tifa, call up that Highwind friend of yours!
Tifa's eyes widened as a huge grin graced her lips. You mean Cid Highwind?Yeah whatever that crack head's name is. We're going in with style.
She couldn't suppress a laugh as excitement took over her. Not only was she going to find Cloud but she was going to be reunited with another former member of AVALANCHE. Perhaps things were starting to look up after all. She hastily pulled out her PHS and dialed Cid's codec. Come on come on...pick up! she silently urged. Finally after a couple of rings, a woman on the other line answered. Shera? It's me Tifa. Is Cid around? This is an emergency and we really need his airship right now. Tifa listened closely to the other woman's words. There was a pause for a few minutes but her head suddenly perked up in surprise at what Shera told her. Are you serious? That is just too perfect. Oh, thank you so much Shera! I promise we'll stay in touch and talk again! Good bye.What happened? inquired Rude.
You won't believe this but Shera contacted Cid on the other line and he's actually in Juno testing his new airship. Red is also with him because he's helping to analyze the ship's functions. They'll be here within twenty minutes.Wow, an expert pilot taking advice from a dog. Nice. Reno laughed.
Hey! Red is the wisest person I know. Normally Tifa would be enraged if someone talked like that about one of her dearest friends but the excitement of seeing another ally suppressed her anger. Oh...I wish they would get here faster. Her black eyes roamed throughout the sky even though she logically knew that the airship could not arrive so quickly.
A sudden tremor in the earth took all three by surprise and sent them sprawling to the ground. Heavy loud screams followed afterwards as the earth continued to shake.
What the $$ was that? Reno cursed.
The warm beams of sunlight instantly became shrouded behind an enormous monstrous silhouette. It's dark shadow engulfed the whole sector in darkness. Tifa was afraid to turn around and look. She knew that whatever was behind them was NOT Cid's airship. Weakly craning her neck over, her eyes widened in terror as she stared into the voided depths of the creature's orbs.
Author's Notes: Sorry, not that much CloTif action here but it will start in the next chapter! The next chapter will be the last chapter until new information is released for Advent Children. Thank you all for reading this and please leave a review! All your support really does encourage and motivate me to write more!