Tifa rested her head on hand as she tried to focus on the story that Jessie was sharing. It was about her recent trip to the Golden Saucer to perform at a show which doubled as a cover for collecting intel. Something about running into Shinra officers and pretending to be a high ranking official, making them help her on her mission.
Her mind kept drifting despite the animated story about how she convinced the officers to strip down and await her next orders…which of course gave her time to get a head start on her escape.
Since Barret's division of Avalanche has split off from the rest of the environmental group, things have gotten more dangerous and high stakes. She was having trouble with the idea of bombing the Mako reactors. Although there were few people that would be around the reactor in the middle of the night, there was still a risk of killing innocent people.
Her allegiance to the group was becoming difficult despite how close she was to Barret and the gang.
She knew that lately she was growing distant and everyone, including Marlene, had noticed. But there was more going on that met the eye. Tifa never told anyone in Sector 7 about her little sister. She worried her affiliation with a terrorist group would compromise her safety.
Almost five years ago, Zangan had carried the injured Tifa through the mountains of their village, with Sophia by his side. Their godparents, who had been best friends with the Lockharts helped them get to Midgar. That was where Tifa was able to get the medical attention for her injuries, saving her life. Tifa was filled with rage over losing her papa and fear of Sophia being next. When her godparents came to take them away, she begged them to take only Sophia. It caused more hurt over the years than she ever intended.
Sophia and Tifa's relationship was complicated, to say the least. During Tifa's last visit nearly 7 weeks ago, she had noticed her sister had become more brooding and moodier. Something wasn't right. Their phone calls and texts were absent of the usual outpouring of the melodrama from being in high school.
She looked down at her phone. Is everything ok? I tried to call you yesterday. Tifa sent that message over an hour ago. Which for a 15-year old would have been an eternity.
"Earth to Tifa!" exclaimed Jessie, putting a hand in front of her eyes. "Geez, your head has been totally in the gutter lately…." Biggs and Wedge looked at each uncomfortably, not knowing what exactly to say.
"I think she just needs a drink and to relax a bit!", says Biggs, "Here, I'll even fix you something strong to take the edge off." He walks over behind the bar to find the most expensive whiskey in the bar, then depositing three ice cubes in a glass before pouring the liquid in.
"I'm sorry guys, I've just had a lot of things on my mind lately. But I shouldn't let it affect me like this.", Tifa said as she looked at her friends. Biggs hands her the drink, while Wedge puts a reassuring hand on Tifa's shoulder. "We're all here for you, if you ever need to talk or heck if you need to let out some steam, I'll even spar with you!"
Jessie laughs, "That's basically signing up to be Tifa's training dummy."
"Oh yeah! I guess it would be. Sorry, Tifa I take that back!", as Wedge chuckles. They all laugh. Tifa feels a little lighter as she takes a big swig of her drink.
She relaxes as her friends continue their conversation moving on to the topic of Biggs latest trip to the Sector 5's school for orphans. Then while Wedge is talking about the new cat he's adopted, a figure enters the doors of Seventh Heaven.
He looks to be in his mid-40s, with brown hair that is slicked back. He's dressed in a buttoned navy-blue suit, gold cuff links, and brown leather dress shoes. Other than the scruffy facial hair that appeared to need a shave about a week ago, he looked completely out of place in the slums.
Everyone in the bar turned their heads to see the man. He was obviously not from around here. Recognizing him after a few seconds of shock, Tifa jolting out of her seat.
"He must be lost or something. I'll go see what he wants." Biggs said, starting to get up.
"No Biggs. He's here to see me." She walks over to the bench where the man has put down his phone. Biggs, Jessie, and Wedge exchanged puzzled expressions. None of them knew who he was, and they quietly spied from their seats.
"Tifa…it's been a little while hasn't it?", he says as they exchange hugs. "Have you been well?".
She smiles slightly, "Things have been ok.", hiding her true feelings of unease lately.
He put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Not like you would tell me anyway, right? You're like a daughter to me. A stubborn, strong one who never asks for anything. But family nonetheless."
Tifa adverted his eyes in an attempt to ignore the guilt she felt. In front of her was her father's best friend. The man that without hesitation wanted to take them in. She had always felt bad for asking them to take care of and protect her little sister because she felt incapable of it herself. "I know, Blake. But you and Cristal have already done so much for me and Sophia. She continued, "But something must be wrong for you to come here unannounced…what is it?"
Blake gestured for Tifa to take a seat as he took one across from her. "Yes…I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble…", as he eyed her gawking friends who particularly Wedge were obviously listening in, "Its Sophia. We thought maybe she was just going through the teenage angst stage. But it's much more…chaotic."
Tifa closed her eyes as he confirmed her uneasy feelings about her sister's strange behavior. "She was different last time I saw her, and she isn't reaching out or returning my messages like usual. Has something happened?"
Tifa knew her sister wore her feelings on her sleeve, coming out in less than ideal ways. She would say exactly what's on her mind without a filter. They were opposites when it came to expressing their feelings.
With a sigh, Blake responded "Well, several things…., where should I start? She snuck out of the house a couple of weeks ago to go to a local club…got completely drunk and beat up a guy who tried to touch one of her friends. She went overboard though, and he was in a coma for a few days."
"I'm pretty sure she's been drinking a lot lately too. Noticed some of the really good stuff missing in the liquor cabinet and wine cellar. We haven't had any occasions lately to be breaking them out."
Her eyes widened with shock as he went out, "And the latest, Sophia got into a fight at school with another student a few days ago. She's been suspended from school and they are going to decide on her punishment next week."
There were not any words that Tifa could think to say. Blake firmly put his right hand over Tifa's, "She won't talk to us and we don't know what's wrong. We're considering getting a counselor but I don't know if that will help. I thought maybe if you talk to her, you might get through to her and we can figure out how to help with whatever she's going through."
She nodded with confidence, and put her other hand on top of his, "I'll come and stay as long as it takes. You are right. We're family and we should always help each other."
"I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you, Tifa."
"I'm going to need until tomorrow though. I have to make some arrangements and pack."
Blake nodded, "Of course. I am going to call Cristal then and let her know the news. I'd like to go see Marle and some others while I'm here. "Although her godparents let Tifa stay in Midgar, they made sure that there were watchful eyes like Marle around. "Please take care of what you need to and let me know when you're ready or if there's anything I can do to help."
They both got up. "Thank you, Blake…but there is one thing…" Tifa suddenly became shy, "walking around in your expensive suit around here might catch the wrong type of attention in the slums. You're about Bigg's build, let me see if he has something of his you can wear while you're here."
He smiled widely. Tifa has always more concerned with others than herself. He wished his best friend had lived to see what a great woman she turned out to be. You're so much like your mother. They would have been so proud of you. He composed himself again and smiled "I guess I do. I should have been more aware of my surroundings. Thanks, Tifa."
Disclaimer: I don't own or claim to own anything related to Final Fantasy 7. Square Enix owns everything.
Author's Notes, October 4th: I've had this idea for a story in my head since Remake came out. This is my first attempt at writing fanfiction so I appreciate any of your feedback as I work on improving my writing.
The story is intended to happen in the late spring prior to the events of Final Fantasy 7. There isn't a lot of story development in the compilation that relates to Tifa which isn't tied to Cloud. Tifa seems to be a conflicted character who is always caring for others but isn't comfortable sharing her past or thoughts with others. I thought it would be cool to give her a little sister to show a different side of her.
