Aurora's note: You know the drill. Please no flames. We don't own either creation. Pairings: CloudXTifa, VincentXLucrecia, CidXShera, and RenoXElena, (I'm sorry, I just think it works). Again, my apologies for how long it's taken. Enjoy!

Behind the Demon

Chapter 3

By Aurora M. Tepes and Niara A. Tepes

"If you would be so kind, Tifa, please a round of drinks for us," Tseng requested, gesturing to the other Turks. Tifa smiled, nodded, and performed the request easily. She looked around at the others as Red XIII came in.

"Oh, I see our guests have arrived," he commented. He padded over to Rei and Hotaru. "My name is Nanaki, but most of the others call me Red." He bowed slightly.

"RED! HEY! I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE OMEGA!" Yuffie exclaimed, bounding over to him and embracing the lion-like creature.

(A/N Aurora: This is post-DoC for those of you who know. Shelke will show up later…)

A tiny smile graced Hotaru's pale visage and she shook her head slightly. "And thus the lamb hath conquered the wolf. How despairing the world hath become."

Several looks were sent Hotaru's way, especially from Yuffie, and Rei laughed. "You get used to that. Hotaru likes to make obscure comments that nobody gets and enjoys the confusion it can cause."

Cloud exchanged glances with Tifa. "Sound like anybody else we know?" Tifa just smiled and started humming as she cleaned up a little around the bar.

"Tifa! Can ya mix me up sumpthin' stronger than this?" Reno requested loudly. Tifa scowled.

"Not this early in the morning. I won't let you get drunk around the kids! You know that, Reno!"

"Same old Tifa," Rei commented with a wide grin. "Still calling the shots when the guys have the guns."

"Sound like anyone we know, Rei," Hotaru asked sweetly, amethyst eyes glittering. Rei laughed and nodded.

"And now you know where I got it," she replied. "We were inseparable as kids, so bits of our personalities rubbed off on each other."

"Bits?" Cloud asked, en eyebrow shooting up almost to his hairline. "Between you being a pyromaniac and Tifa's martial arts, I was scared to close my eyes for a minute when you two were together!" Tifa laughed.

"Did we scare you back then, sweetie?" she asked sweetly. Cloud scowled. Yuffie tried to sneak past Tifa to get to the alcoholic beverages and accidentally tripped over Nanaki's tail, sending her flying into the bar counter.

"OW!" she shouted.

"Yuffie, how's your head?" Vincent inquired, a teasing quality entering his monotone voice. Yuffie scowled.

"Hey Vincent!" Tifa greeted. "How are-?" Vincent's eyes locked on Rei and Hotaru's forms. Tifa stopped in seeing the strange expression on the gunman's face. "What's-?" But he was already gone.

"I wonder what's wrong this time?" Yuffie commented.

"With Vincent, there's no telling," Cloud stated sagely.

"That guy's got issues," Yuffie stated.

"Well, I mean, he's made up with Lucrecia, Shelke's recovering fine and loving life, he got his revenge on Hojo, and Chaos is gone. So I wonder why…?" Tifa thought out loud, crossing her arms. Rei and Hotaru exchanged nervous looks. Neither of them had glimpsed the crimson-caped man, but they both felt his presence.

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Aurora's Note: Hey y'all. I know it's been a long time since we last updated and I know this isn't all that long, but it's what we have. Niara hasn't updated in a while, so I'm posting Chapter 3 as it is. I have no idea when Ch. 4 will be up. Hope you enjoyed!