THIRTY-ONE

"A little higher, Jessie," Tifa instructed.

We were in the large yard behind Seventh Heaven, dirt beneath our feet as we practiced. It had been a month since our scouting mission to the Shinra supply depot and our harrowing escape through the sewers. I felt good as new now, though it had been a week before I was back on my feet. Biggs or Barret had often carried me downstairs before that so I could get out of my room for a while and hang out with everyone. I'd spent most of the first few days in bed or in a chair, and the others had been quick to help me whenever I needed it.

Even after I'd started walking again, I was still wobbly and weak at first, and I'd had to hold onto the bar, wall, or a table to stay on my feet and get anywhere. Biggs had brought me a cane to use as well and a bit of teasing to go with it. But he and the others were always there for me, Tifa most of all. She had hardly left my side and had always checked in on me whether she was working or not. And she'd also worked with me to help me start walking and recover my strength.

I lifted my arms a bit. "Like this?"

"Right," Tifa nodded. "And widen your stance, too. But don't tense up. Stay loose, Jessie. You've gotta be able to move around easily and as often as possible. The more you do that, the harder you'll be to hit. So, now that you're in position, try to block me."

"I'm ready," I told her.

She brought up her fists. "Remember, like I showed you."

I winked. "Bring it!"

I'd only been training for a few days, but I'd already learned a lot of the basics. Tifa and I had been spending a few hours each afternoon on this, and I practiced quite a bit on my own time as well. I really wanted to learn and be able to hold my own in a fight just like her. Like always, I'd taken off my armored vest and chain shirt for today's lesson and had left them in the bar, and my dark blue leotard top was damp with sweat as I fixed my eyes on Tifa and readied myself.

She moved fast, throwing a quick punch at my chest. But I swept it aside just as she'd taught me, my fist moving in a quick circular motion as it pushed hers off to the left. We repeated the exercise over and over again, with Tifa varying the height and angle of her punches. Some got through, stinging me a little but not much more than that—Tifa wasn't using her full strength—but I managed to block most of them. She was teaching me defense first, how to deflect and avoid incoming blows, as well as how to move around the battlefield.

"Good job, Jessie!" Tifa grinned, stepping back. "Now let's see how you do against some kicks. Here I come!"

It was all so exciting, even doing just these training exercises, and I could feel the adrenaline flowing and my heart pumping in my chest. I braced myself for Tifa's attacks the way she'd shown me. Some of them came high and some low, but I caught or knocked away most of them. As with her punches, the ones that got through did hurt a bit, but they were only small jolts to get my attention and help me learn. I intended to listen to what Tifa was telling me and get better.

After a while, Tifa started mixing punches in along with her kicks, and I had to concentrate harder to block everything she threw at me. I kept up pretty well for the most part, using the different high, low, and side techniques she'd taught me over the past few days. Still, I was sore by the time we finally finished—Tifa had gotten a couple hits in on me, and even with her holding back, my arms and chest still smarted from the blows. But I was happy as we relaxed and caught our breath. It was early afternoon, and we'd been at it for hours.

Then I heard footsteps and a familiar voice as Biggs walked toward us from the front of the bar. "Hey, ladies!"

I turned toward him and waved. "Hi, Biggs! How—"

Suddenly, I was falling, landing flat on my back with a startled yelp as Tifa swept my feet out from under me. I just lay there for a moment, blinking in surprise. Then she knelt next to me, her arm resting across her knee and a little smirk on her face.

"Never said the lesson was finished," Tifa said.

I stared at her. "I thought it was…"

She went on, more serious now. "You can't let anything distract you in a fight, Jessie. You have to stay focused. And never take your eyes off your opponent. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, Tifa," I nodded. "I hear ya, loud and clear."

Tifa smiled and held out her hand. "Good. Now how about we call it a day and get something to drink?"

I took it and let her help me up. "Oh, definitely! A Cosmo Canyon would really hit the spot right about now. Been working up a big thirst all afternoon. Good workout, though."

"You got that right!" she agreed, patting me fondly on the shoulder. Then she winked at Biggs. "Thanks for your help."

He scratched his head. "Uh, sure…"

As we all made our way around to the front of the bar, I reached up and wiped a good handful of sweat from my forehead. I was hot from all the exercise, and being back inside Seventh Heaven with its cool and wonderful air conditioning sounded like heaven. I winced a little when I moved, still aching from my training session.

"You okay?" Biggs asked.

I nodded as we climbed the steps. "Yeah, just a little sore. Tifa pulls her punches, but even so, they still pack a wallop. Can't wait to go take a long, hot shower later after my rounds."

Tifa chuckled. "Sorry, Jessie. I have ice in the freezer if you'd like to have a cold pack to help ease the pain."

"I think I might just take you up on that," I said.

Tifa led us into the bar. "Okay, then. Sounds good. And how about I make you some lunch as an apology?"

I laughed. "You're forgiven!"

"Hey now, I'm here too, ya know!" Biggs reminded us. "Came over here from the watch base to grab a bite to eat before I head back out on patrol with Wedge for a few hours."

"Where is he?" I wondered as he sat down at a table.

Biggs leaned back in his chair. "At home checking on his cats. Then he's gonna meet me here. Shouldn't be long."

Tifa smirked. "I'd better have something ready, then."

"Thanks!" he said, giving her a thumbs up.

Rubbing my shoulder, I followed Tifa into the kitchen. There was a tray of ice cubes in the freezer, just like she'd said, so I took some along with a clean washcloth and made them into a makeshift compress. Oh, but it felt so good as I held it against my arm and leaned with a sigh of relief against the counter. My back was to it, and Tifa just smiled as she got out a few glasses and started mixing drinks.

"Is that better?" she wondered.

I nodded. "Oh, yeah…"

Tifa shook a bottle and poured me my Cosmo Canyon with a bit of her trademark flair. "Don't worry. You'll get used to it. And you'll have your chance for payback soon enough once we move to offense. That's the really fun part, trust me. Lots to learn."

"Looking forward to it," I grinned. "I still can't get over how badass you were against those Vice goons in Sector 5 last month. Took out the whole pack in less than a minute!"

She slid my glass down the bar toward me. "Believe it or not, you'll be able to do that kinda thing yourself before long. The more you train and practice, the better you'll get at it."

"You really think so?" I stared at her as I caught my drink.

Tifa started mixing ones for herself and Biggs next. "As long as you keep at it, yeah. You're doing really well so far, Jessie. Of course, there's only one way to graduate from our little program."

I smirked and pointed at her. "Kick the teacher's ass!"

"Think you can do it?" she chuckled.

"Not yet, but someday!" I promised eagerly. "Just you wait, Tifa. It's my new goal! I'll beat you into the ground!"

Biggs laughed. "And that'll be a sight to see! Can't wait!"

Tifa brought him his drink. "Neither can I!"

After sipping mine, I put the ice pack away and starting pulling on my armor now that I was feeling a little better. I had my trips across the slums to do right after lunch, so I wanted to be ready. Although I didn't really mind the long walks, they did get a little lonely at times. I wished I had someone to go with me and keep me company, but the others all had their own jobs to do, and I understood that.

I was just fastening the last of the clasps in place—there was one in the back that had gotten bent during the battle with the sahagins in the sewers, and it always took a bit of work to get it to click—when Wedge suddenly burst in through the doors. He was covered in sweat and out of breath and must've run all the way here.

Biggs shot to his feet. "Wedge! You okay, buddy?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Wedge nodded. "But you gotta come help! It's Mr. Smalls! He got away from me when I was feeding him earlier, and now he's stuck up on the roof of my house!"

"Not good! We'll be right there!" I told him.

Biggs glanced at Tifa. "You got a ladder somewhere, Tifa?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, no. But you could try and find Wymer. He might know where to get one."

"Dunno if we've got time for that," Wedge worried.

"We'll think of something," I said, heading toward the doors. "Let's go see Mr. Smalls first and make sure he's okay."

Tifa hurried over to the fridge and took something out. "Hold on, I think I've got an idea. Just need to get this open… there! Jessie, can you come here for a minute? This should work…"

I went over to see her at the bar with a tin of tuna. "Good thinking, Tifa! Mr. Smalls just loves this stuff."

"Exactly!" she said. "Now let's rub some onto your gloves."

"And if I can get close enough, he'll come right to me," I added as I held out my hands like she'd told me.

Tifa took some of the tuna and smeared it across my gloves as well as my fingers to get the scent in there good and strong while Biggs and Wedge watched. When she was done, I turned to them, and we shared a determined nod before heading outside.

We hurried down the road toward Wedge's house and made it over there just a minute or so later. Mr. Smalls was still on the roof near the front left corner about a dozen feet above the ground, and the three of us clustered together under him as he looked down at us and meowed. I wasn't sure yet how we were going to reach him.

"Better find a ladder," Biggs sighed, looking at the cat.

Wedge shook his head. "I don't wanna leave him. What if he misses a step and falls? There's gotta be another way."

I folded my arms in front me as I thought. "Hmm…"

"Any ideas?" Biggs wondered.

"Aha!" I said, snapping my finger. "If we can't find a ladder, we'll be one! Wedge, you're the bottom. Biggs, you climb onto him, and I'll get on top of you. That sound like a plan, guys?"

Biggs shrugged. "Worth a try."

Wedge moved under the corner of the house, then helped Biggs to climb onto his shoulders. After that, while Wedge held onto his legs, he took hold of the side of the house with one hand while I took the other and sprang lightly up on top of him. Biggs let go and held my foot with one hand and my waist with the other.

Wedge grunted. "Hurry up, guys! Can't do this forever!"

"Almost there, Wedge!" I called.

I was high enough now that I was just above the roof, and I spotted Mr. Smalls just a short distance away, standing near the front edge. He meowed again, and I called to him, reaching out with my tuna-scented hands toward him. At first, he didn't move, but then, sniffing the air, he started padding slowly in my direction.

"That's it," I encouraged him. "Come here, Mr. Smalls!"

"Got him, Jessie?" Biggs asked.

I kept beckoning to the cat. "Not yet. He's on his way, though. Tifa's plan's working. It'll be just a minute."

Soon enough, the cat got close enough to me that I could reach out and pick him up. I did, gently taking him with both hands and holding him above me for a moment as I smiled fondly at him. Mr. Smalls eyed me curiously, as if not really sure where he was. Then I laughed as that adorable little fuzzball started licking my fingers.

"There you are!" I giggled.

Wedge huffed. "Do you have him?"

I pulled the cat in close. "Yeah! We can get down now. Easy does it, guys. Don't want any accidents here."

Biggs slowly knelt down while still holding on to me, and when he was low enough, I jumped off and landed easily on the ground. Then a moment later, he did the same, sliding off Wedge's shoulders before he flashed him a grin and gave his arm a little punch.

"Wasn't so hard," he chuckled.

Wedge nodded, then hurried over to me, sighing in relief. "So glad you're okay, Mr. Smalls! You really scared me!"

The cat in my arms just purred and kept licking my gloves. I petted him as I walked back toward the bar. "You're alright now, little guy. No more exciting rooftop adventures for you, though."

"No way!" Wedge agreed.

"Yeah, that's right," I cooed happily to Mr. Smalls. "Now let's go see Tifa, alright? I bet she's got a nice big can of tuna with your name on it, and I know you'll just be all over that!"

Two months later, I was behind Seventh Heaven again, punching at a target Tifa and I had set up. It was a makeshift dummy with cushions strapped to it to absorb the impact of our blows. When I wasn't having a lesson with her, I often came here to practice, especially once she had started showing me some basic offensive moves.

One of the more advanced ones I was starting to learn was a flying roundhouse. Tifa had shown it to me just the other day. It was a pretty cool move but a little tricky to aim right. Fortunately, she was a patient teacher and didn't mind working with me or the questions I sometimes peppered her with. Tifa usually introduced one or two new moves each week, and we'd keep working on them until I could do them easily and repeatedly, whether they were punches, kicks, throws, or blocks. It was a lot to learn, but I really enjoyed it.

"Having fun?" Tifa asked, walking up alongside me.

I threw more punches at the dummy. "You bet! Just came out to get a little extra practice before our lesson."

"Good!" she said. "Been working on that flying kick?"

"Every day!" I answered.

Tifa nodded, folding her arms in front of her. "Alright, then. Show me what you've learned, Jessie. Hit the target."

I backed up about twenty feet or so and got into position. I needed a good running start for this move—it's not one you can pull off from a standstill. But in the middle of a fight, when you're always on the move and can put some distance between yourself and your opponent, it can really be useful. Also great for surprise attacks.

I fixed my eyes on the target, took a single deep breath, and started to run. My heart was pounding and my arms pumping as I moved, and when I got about halfway there, I jumped, spinning in midair like Tifa had shown me. I thrust my right foot forward and sideways as soon as I came out of the spin and slammed it squarely right into the middle of the wooden target dummy's padded chest.

"Great job!" Tifa clapped.

I landed lightly on my feet, fists up in front of the dummy just like I'd been taught. Then I lowered them and flashed Tifa a grin. "Thanks! I think I'm finally getting the hang of it."

She smiled. "You sure are, Jessie. Keep it up. It's a very good move, and you can really knock someone out of the fight with it if you land it well. But be careful—if you miss, you'll be wide open to a counter. And that'll hurt way more than your pride."

"I understand," I said. "Ready to get started?"

Now she was the one grinning. "You bet! Let's warm up with some stretches first, though. Then I think we'll do a bit of sparring. Nothing like a good fight to get the blood pumping."

I laughed. "You got that right! This'll be fun."

After stretching for a few minutes, Tifa and I moved into position. We stood calmly facing each other in the middle of the backyard about ten feet apart. This was the part of my training that I enjoyed the most, although we hadn't been doing it for very long. Tifa had added it to our routine just a few weeks ago, and I loved it.

Tifa and I bowed slightly, then we raised our fists and got ready to fight. I launched myself at her with a right hook, but she just blocked it and returned the favor with a left jab to my ribs, sending me staggering back a few steps. Tifa didn't waste any time but came right at me, and it was all I could do to block the flurry of punches and kicks she threw at me. I remembered my lessons and managed to deflect most of them. A couple got through, but I shrugged them off.

Seeing an opening after her last punch, I spun to the right and sent a backward thrust kick at her side. Tifa grunted and fell back a little as she took the blow, and I eagerly rushed her to press the attack. She was ready for me, though, and it was only once I'd let loose with a big right cross at her chest that I saw her feint. Tifa dropped underneath the arc of my swinging arm and knocked me off my feet with a low sweep kick that sent me sprawling onto my back.

"One for me!" she said. "You know the rules, Jessie."

I quickly got up and readied myself. "Sure do. First one to send the other to the ground three times wins."

That was it, really. No blows to the face or head, either. Everywhere else was fair game. I understood well enough why Tifa had devised this fun little exercise. It was a good way for me to use what I'd learned and teach me how to combine it all together. And a little competition didn't hurt, either. It encouraged me to push myself harder and train more so I could get better. And I really wanted to.

Tifa nodded. "Yeah. You haven't taken me down once yet, but don't give up! Remember what I've taught you."

I smirked. "Count on it. So you'd better watch out!"

With that, I rushed in, ducking low as I got close and unloading on her with a quick chain of punches. Tifa was fast enough to block them, but I didn't let up. I followed it with a left spin and a quick elbow to her stomach, sending her back a step. She recovered instantly, though, and greeted me with a focused punch that struck me right in the middle of my chest and threw me to the ground again.

"That's two," Tifa said, holding up a pair of fingers.

I sprang back to my feet and whipped up my fists. "You gotta teach me that move sometime, Tifa. It's a killer!"

She laughed. "Eventually."

"And in the meantime, I'm taking you down!" I grinned. "I can't be scoreless forever, ya know."

"Just don't get overconfident," Tifa warned me.

She moved before she'd even finished talking, leaping at me with a diving kick. I barely had time to dodge before she came down, her foot slamming into the dirt just as I dove aside. Tifa was right there to meet me with a descending punch as I got up, but I caught her arm, spun to the left until I was behind her, then sent her flying to the ground with a high roundhouse kick to her back.

"Yes!" I thrust my fist into the air. "Told ya I'd do it!"

Tifa smiled as she stood up and quickly brushed herself off. "Good job! That's one for you, Jessie."

I held up my index finger. "Won't be my last!"

"Better not be," she winked, raising her fists. "But don't go thinking I'm gonna make it easy for you."

"Wouldn't dream of it!" I grinned.

With that, I rushed her again, fists flying. Tifa easily blocked most of them and shrugged off the rest, but I'd been expecting that. As soon as she swept her leg up in a high kick to counter me, I ducked under it and pummeled her in the chest with a right hook. Tifa gasped, winced, and fell back, but she stayed on her feet. She recovered fast, closing the distance between us in just half a second and hitting me with a barrage of her own, her fists and feet a blur.

I staggered to one knee but didn't fall. Jumping up into the air, I let loose with a diving kick of my own, just like the ones Tifa often used. It was one of the newest moves she'd taught me along with the flying spin kick I'd been practicing earlier. She was ready for me, though, and had her arms crossed in front of her and her feet planted into the ground to brace herself. When I struck, she barely moved.

Tifa didn't give me any time to recover. She countered with a chain of punches to my chest and stomach, a blazing shower of blows I didn't have a chance of blocking, and finished with a forward somersault kick that sent me flying across the yard. I hit the ground with pained groan and just lay there for a moment, aching and out of breath. And as I did, I heard a pair of familiar voices nearby.

"Ouch," Wedge chuckled. "That's gotta hurt."

Biggs nodded. "You ain't kidding. Good thing it's only for practice. I think Jessie's getting better, though."

I slowly sat up and saw my friends sitting comfortably in the shade against the bar's back wall, drinks in their hands. "Hi, guys. Didn't hear you walk up. We give you a good show?"

"Sure did!" Biggs said.

Tifa waved at him and Wedge as she walked over to me. "Glad you two enjoyed it! We had a fun match."

"Yeah," I agreed. "I'm gonna be feeling it later, though."

"I don't doubt it," Wedge whistled.

Tifa helped me to my feet, then massaged her shoulder a bit. "If it's any comfort, Jessie, you got me pretty good, too. And don't forget, you also took me down for the first time today."

"Thanks, Tifa," I laughed. "Guess it does help. And someday, it'll be three in a match. I'll beat you sooner or later!"

She hugged me. "You'd better!"

Biggs lifted his drink and grinned. "Can't wait!"

"It's not gonna be easy," Wedge said. "Tifa's really good at this stuff. I sure hope Jessie can do it, though."

I walked over to him and playfully punched his gut as he stood up. "You'd better believe I can! Well, not yet, but eventually. I took my first step toward my goal today, and that's a start!"

Tifa smiled. "Definitely. You're really improving, Jessie."

"Glad to hear it!" I exclaimed.

I was so excited at what I'd accomplished today I was almost giddy. Little giggles kept escaping my mouth as we headed inside, but I didn't care. I was happy. Everything felt right that day. Little did I know back then how much my life would eventually come to depend on the skills that I was learning under Tifa's guidance. But that fateful night and the incredible events that followed it was still far off, over a year away. The night I snuck right into the Vice gang's lair.

The night I first met Cloud.