II
Barret's Decision
Tifa's apartment was by a local Chinese food restaurant. It was a series of pale blue buildings, all quiet and peaceful looking. Hers was the third one up and as they ascended the stone stairs, Tifa snuck a look at Loki. The girl walked with her head down, solemn and deep in thought.
Arriving, Tifa walked over four doors, and took out a small key from her pocket to unlock the door.
"Um…what happened to Blade?"
"Oh, don't worry about him. He'll find me in the morning."
"Please excuse the mess, I was in a hurry this morning." Tifa said apologetically as she hurried inside to straighten some things. Walking inside, Loki gazed around the room, while shutting the door behind her. It was a small place, they were standing in a kind of dining room slash living room. There was a punching bag hanging from the ceiling in a dim corner, and various gloves sprawled about a small desk. Loki looked at them with mild interest, many were just brown well worn work gloves, but some had crystal looking spikes coming from the knuckles, others were adorned with brass.
"They do work really well." Tifa said from over her shoulder.
"How long have you been training?"
"My whole life practically, this was." The cheery eyed host directed her to a bedroom. It had been hurriedly cleaned, and the bed straightened.
"You can have this room."
"No, I wouldn't want to be a bother."
"No it's okay really. In fact, I insist." Going into a small dresser, she pulled out some oversized clothes.
"You can wear these tonight."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"No it's okay, I haven't had company in ages." Tifa smiled, "I'm staying up for a bit, but I'll be in the living room if you need me." Loki nodded, and Tifa left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Taking off the sword and jacket, Loki locked the door and began to remove her clothes. Looking down at her body, she suddenly became ashamed of her scars and old wounds. Feeling rather dirty, she adorned the night clothes and went to ask Tifa if she could use her shower.
A squeaking of a chain could be heard, as Loki stepped into the light of the living room. Tifa was training, punching the heavy red bag with all her strength. Small beads of sweat glistened on her toned upper arms as she railed combos into the bag. Loki leaned against the white wall, she enjoyed watching people train, as she was constantly impressed by their skills. Tifa stood back, panting lightly and drank deeply from a nearby water bottle. Noticing the guest standing in the corner, she wiped the sweat off her forehead and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Not at all. I just wondered if I could use your shower."
"Of course, you don't have to ask." Loki nodded, and the shirt slipped down, exposing her upper left arm. It was tattooed with a series of numbers and a name.
"What's that?"
"Oh…that. A tattoo put on by Hojo. It was my number."
"3217? All the numbers I've heard of were like 1 through 20."
"I never did understand the numbers. I think it was the number on my tank…"
"Tank?"
"That's were I was kept, unless they had me in a tube, but that's when I was being tested on."
"Wow…I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"It's alright…it's good to talk about it sometimes, you know?" Loki smiled softly.
"That's sounds like something I would say." Tifa stepped closer, and looked at the tattoo again. Under the numbers, the thick black dye read SHINRA.
After her shower, Loki sat on her bed, shining the Masamune with a small cloth. She didn't hear Tifa enter.
"You really love that thing don't you?" Loki jumped and turned around, startled. Tifa held up her hands, in mock defense, "Didn't mean to startle you."
"It's alright, I'm just a little skittish. But yes…it reminds me of my brother, it comforts me."
"I wouldn't see that sword as 'comforting'." Tifa closed her cinnamon eyes, remembering all of the tragedy that sword had inflicted.
"I know…but, you don't truly know my brother as I do."
"What's he like?"
"Well…he's kind and can be really funny. He's always there for me…always knew how to make me smile…" Loki's voice trailed off in a distant memory. Tifa tried to imagine Sephiroth as Loki described him.
"Does he…you know…hate us?"
"Ask him yourself. Whenever he talked about all of you…he got lost in his emotions."
"He cried?"
"Yes."
"Sorry…it's just hard to imagine Sephiroth crying."
"I understand." They fell silent for a minute, Loki stared into the swords blade, her reflection staring back at her.
"You miss him?"
"Yes…and I'm worried about him."
"Don't worry, we'll find it for sure. Now we better go to bed." She stood and smiled faintly, "Night."
"Goodnight." The door shut, and Loki sheathed the sword. Laying down, in between the cool white sheets, she stared up at the ceiling, before falling asleep.
The next day, they met in front of Cloud's hotel. He still looked disgruntled at Loki's arrival. The shaggy black wolf cast a lingering glance at him then looked over at his master.
"Barret bought Aries's old house, the lease came through, that's why we came here." Tifa's heart sank a little, as she had hoped that he had come back to see her.
"We're going to meet him there then?"
"Yep. Let's go, and everyone keep up!" Cloud walked off briskly and Tifa yelled at him to wait up. Loki patted Blade's head and followed.
Their travel through the transverse slums was short as most of it was still rubble. The people had partially rebuilt Sector 7, although it's size was greatly reduced. At last they arrived at the calming state of the flower garden's outside of the familiar old house. Cloud almost expected Aries herself to walk out of there and greet them, and he caste a disdainful eye on the silver banged girl.
The wooden door opened and a little girl with large brown eyes and matching hair greeted them.
"Hi Marlene!" Tifa waved and Marlene ran to her old friend, her pink dress fluttering. Barret met them at the door as well and greeted Cloud.
"Who's the new chick?"
"Sephiroth's supposed younger sister."
"NOT ANOTHER ONE!" Barret pointed his gatling gun fist at Loki, "Tifa, take Marlene and get outta the way!"
"No stop!" Tifa said, "She needs our help."
"Why? Her brother's dead, why does she need us?" Cloud sighed, Step inside and I'll explain."
"Lemme get this straight. Your brother is sick with hell knows what, and you expect us to just jump up and help you? All because he didn't really do it?" Barret raised a heavy eyebrow.
"No…I'm just asking."
"Well, my answer is no."
"Barret!"
"What? Did you forget what he did to you? To us?"
"That's why I'm going. I want to find out what really happened." Tifa exclaimed, crossing her arms. Cloud rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache.
"Look, I'm going too for that same reason, the point is are you in or not?"
"I told ya Cloud, I'm done with this business. The planet is safe, ShinRA is demolished, I'm done with it. Besides, I got no one to watch Marlene."
"What, the marshmallow man is goin soft on me?"
"I aint no damn marshmallow, spiky!"
"But are you going?" Tifa put in gently.
"No. I'm gonna be here for my Marlene, Sephiroth is done with as far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure as hell not doin' nothing' for that freak!" Barret pointed at Loki, who just stared.
"A freak…" she said softly, looking at the floor.
