Chapter 6: Border Breached

Location: Tifa's Room

Time: 12:00 pm Monday

Tifa's POV:

"Teef I'm goin out now…I'll see you when I see you." Yuffie called from the top of the stairs just before she was about to leave.

"Haven't you seen enough of Reno?" I called out while folding an item of clothing with care.

I heard her sigh and then begin to make her way down the stairs one at a time slowly.

"I'm not seeing him today. He's out of town on business or something." she replied, her voice fading as she stepped down the stairs.

"Okay then…see you soon."

"Kay." She called out and then I heard her boots hit against the tiled floor as she made her way to the door.

The next I heard was a slam and I was left alone with Marlene.

I dropped my hands downwards, while holding onto the next piece of clothing so that it lay partially on the bed and turned my head as I drifted off into my thoughts.

Why am I here when Yuffie is out there doing something?

Sinking onto the bed I fiddled with a section of a skirt, which looked like the stitching, was about to unravel.

Another job.

"Tifa?" came a quiet voice from the doorway, interrupting my in-depth thoughts even though they didn't seem to be that serious.

Smiling I said, "Hi Marlene."

She smiled back and seemed to be waiting for something.

"You okay?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

She poked her head into the room and stared around with interest, "I was just wanting to know if we could do something."

Her face moved back to where it first rested and she stared at me with a questioning expression.

I saw the hopeful look in her eyes and knew that I wouldn't be able to resist her plea no matter how hard I tried.

"Uh…well…I guess maybe we could go for a walk." I replied.

Beaming she ran across the room to envelop me in a warm hug.

"Thanks Tifa…where can we walk to?" was her next question.

I hadn't thought about that. I mean the last time that I had gone for 'just a walk' was when I had to help Cid home after he refused to leave the bar.

I don't think he remembers that night…he was really out of it. He even tried to convince me that he was working undercover for a dangerous alliance. Drunk or not…I still wouldn't have believed him.

He spent most of his time at the bar and when he wasn't here he was hanging around close by waiting for the moment I turned the open sign around.

Work was not something he seemed to be very skilled with…let alone belong to an alliance.

"I guess we could walk…" I began when suddenly she interrupted me with excitement.

"What about that new soldier place? You know the new men who came here a few days ago?" she asked with genuine enthusiasm.

I stared at her with wonder for a minute trying to figure out how she could have known about them in the first place, when suddenly I thought of Barret. He must have mentioned something to her about it.

"Yeah I know who they are." I answered as I began to place my clothes into the relevant drawers.

"I'll go get my shoes." She said in a giggly manner as she skipped off down the hall.

I stared after her and smiled.

Sitting down on the bed I pulled up my sandshoes from underneath and once again drifted off into my thoughts.

What did Barret do to entertain that girl? She's acting as if she's never even touched the pavement.

Just as I was about to stand up I heard something fall from behind my closet. I flinched at the noise, which had invaded my train of thought and stared over at the closet. Standing up, I began to make my way over to the other side of the room curiously. Once I had arrived at my destination, I looked down at the floor space surrounding the closet but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

There was nothing there.

But what about around the back?

I decided to go along with my thoughts and investigate further. I bent down onto my hands and knees and peered around the back of the large entity only to see that it was too dark to make anything out. I leant back on my feet and quickly scanned my room for a candle or torch.

I'd have to go downstairs.

Shaking my head at the thought I decided to just reach around and see if I could feel anything. Although I wasn't quite sure what I was going to find, I knew that I'd come across something…if not, I'd just settle on the fact that I was imagining hearing something fall.

Suddenly my hand fumbled over a firm object. I stopped and once again tried to see if I could make it out through the obscurity. Turning away yet again, I tried to get a grip on the entity. It took a few seconds before I held it within my palm and began to bring it out into the light where I could observe it. Finally I saw that what lay in my hand was a small black trinket box. Dust had caught itself in the velvet, which coated it, and without thinking I blew hard, only to create a small dust storm in the air in front of me.

Coughing and waving away the small particles I eventually stood up and made my way back to the other side of the room.

I sat back down on the bed and let my hair hang around my face as I did so. Then I sat up once more and flipped my hair back over my shoulders.

What is this? I wondered as I turned it around in between my fingers. It was a small box…almost like a jewellery box.

My curiosity got the better of me and I carefully flipped the top up. Almost immediately a white glow illuminated from inside and caused me to look away from the brightness of it. It was only a few seconds later that the glow dimmed and I was able to inspect it more thoroughly.

I gently touched the white stone and instantly remembered.

Flash Back

"Here…I want you to have this."

I stared down at the small black box and then back up at him curiously.

"Don't worry…it's a real present."

I looked down at the box once more and accepted it from his hand. Then slowly I flipped the top up and saw a white stone resting serenely on a black leather band.

Picking it up I smiled and breathed, "It's beautiful…" then staring up at him again I lunged forward and enveloped him in a warm hug.

"Thank you dad."

"Happy birthday…and I believe a certain someone is waiting for you."

I pulled back and furrowed my brow in confusion, "Who?"

Suddenly I felt a hand on mine and recognising the touch immediately I smiled and turned to see that it was him…Cloud.

"You don't mind if I steal her away for a while do you sir?" he asked politely.

"She's all yours." He smiled, motioning for us both to scatter off like children.

"You keep an eye on her and if there's any trouble make sure she's kept safe."

"I will sir." he smiled and then turned his attention to me.

"Come on…lets get outta here." He whispered as he brought a hand around my waist and held me close as we made our way through the crowd.

It was then glancing back at my father that I spotted someone with silver hair talking to him seriously and then walking off somewhere out of sight.

End Flash Back

I broke away from my vision and sat there for a few minutes deep in thought.

It wasn't too long before Marlene came bouncing back with both feet covered in black sandshoes and an expression of patience.

I quickly shoved the stone back into the box and sat it on the side of me that she couldn't view so easy. I didn't want her to see what I had. I didn't feel right to have to answer questions about who gave it to me and so forth. I didn't really want to make myself remember.

"You ready to go?" I asked with a smile.

She nodded but her expression told me that she suspected that I wasn't acting right.

"All right then, wait out in the hall for me and I'll be out in a minute."

She nodded again and slowly stepped outside.

I made sure she was out of sight and then stood to my full height, walking over to my dresser, which stood a few feet away from my bed. Quickly but quietly I opened the third bottom drawer and hid the item underneath a thick bundle of clothing. Feeling satisfied that I had hidden it in a safe enough place (for the moment at least) I closed the drawer once more and rose again.

I then fastened my pace towards the closet and pulled out a long jacket. It had been windy lately. I wasn't about to catch anything that would prevent me from working.

I had better make sure Marlene gets something warm on as well.

Walking to my door I left the remaining items of clothing scattered over my bed, ready to be dealt with when we came home.

"Okay have you got a coat?" I asked once I joined her outside.

"Yes." She smiled and held out a hand for me to take.

I reached out, took it and then carefully I closed the door behind me and began to lead her down the stairs.

I didn't exactly plan on going anywhere near the SOLDIER base. I had already had an encounter with one of the affiliates. I wasn't about to get involved with them again.

I would just have to explain to Marlene that it was off limits once we got closer.

"Tifa?"

"Mmm?"

"That necklace was pretty." She complimented.

I was about to thank her but instead frowned.

"What necklace?"

"The one I saw you with in your room." She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I didn't answer and I guess that was what made her speak up again.

"Did he give it to you?" she asked in such a way that I knew exactly whom she was referring to.

I shook my head.

"No. My father gave it to me on my birthday." I replied.

"Oh…what did he give you on your birthday?" She asked, still referring to the one who had left two years ago.

"He…he…I don't remember. He never had a chance to…" I trailed off, instantly remembering our conversation.

Flash Back

"Now that we're alone, I want to give you this."

I smiled and stared up into his eyes.

"What might that be?" I asked shyly.

"You have to close your eyes first." He instructed.

Staring at him with curiosity I finally shut my eyes and waited for his next action.

"Now wait a moment…"

A few seconds later I felt him take a hold of my hand and tilt my fingers upwards towards him.

I could feel butterflies in my stomach flutter nervously and I began to lightly perspire. My breathing became faster as my heart pounded quickly. It was then that he began to speak.

"Tifa…I want to ask you something…before I give you this."

"Mmm?" I answered, afraid that if I tried to speak I would ruin the moment.

"I'm a little nervous." He whispered.

I giggled and whispered, "You're nervous?"

Catching my drift he laughed nervously, "Okay I'll try to make it quick."

Breathing deeply he moved closer and I felt his body heat up against my skin.

"Tifa…we've been through a lot together and I mean a lot."

I laughed and caused him to jolt a little.

"Sorry…go on." I prompted.

He laughed too, held onto my fingers a little more firmly and continued to speak.

"I think that seeing as we both feel the same way…well…I guess what I'm meaning to say is…"

"Cloud!"

It was then that the moment was over. He abruptly let go of my hand and I opened my eyes to see none other then Cid on my left.

"What do you want now?" Cloud asked in frustration, with his fingers massaging his eyes.

I watched as Cid looked over me carefully and nodded as he spoke, "I'm sorry Miss Lockheart…there's been an incident."

"Can't it wait?" Cloud asked, lifting his head up to glare at him.

Shaking his head he replied, "I'm afraid not…we can't talk here though."

Glancing at me with an apologetic and slightly disappointed expression, the blonde gestured for me to follow him.

"Come on, I'll take you back to your father…" he said to me. Then looking back at Cid he said, "I'll meet you back here."

"But that's just it Cloud…it's to do with Mr Lockheart…she won't be going back to him tonight I can assure you."

End Flash Back
"Tifa?" the little girl beside me interrupted.

I rested a hand on my forehead and stopped in my tracks, trying to focus on what was going on back in reality, as the dreamy haze that had captured me yet again slowly subsided.

"Tifa?" she asked again, yanking on my arm gently.

I tilted my head down to face her and stared at her blankly for a minute and then forced a smile.

"Come on lets get moving." I said with a bit more liveliness.

She smiled and then followed me outside of the bar and then once we got outside I took a moment to quickly, but carefully lock the door.

Location: SOLDIER BASE

Time: 12:00 pm Monday

Yuffie's POV:

"Can't I see someone?" I asked in annoyance. This guy wasn't even trying to help me.

"I told you little miss, this is no place for someone like you." He responded for the second time since I had arrived.

I frowned and stated, "Someone like me? Tell me what you mean exactly by that."

He frowned also and threw back, "I mean that you're an annoying little brat who is really starting to get on my nerves."

This time he drew out his sword from the sheath situated on his back and traced his fingers up and down the blade threateningly, while eyeing me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" I asked with a note of confusion and screwing my face up at the same time.

The mischievous glint left his eyes and instead he glared and whispered, "I'm giving you your final warning before I slice your tiny little figure into ribbons."

I felt like I should back off a little, but I stood tall and held my head high.

"You had it coming my girl." He began as he started to move in my direction only to be stopped by another older and more relaxed voice.

"Reeve…honestly. Is that any way to treat a guest?" he said casually before coming into full view.

It was him. The one I had seen before. His long red cloak…his longish dark hair…and his amazingly deep crimson eyes.

I think I stood there for a few seconds just gazing up at him before he intervened by whispering something to the man he called Reeve.

The other one hurried off inside the building and left me with this one.

"Um…I…" I began only to be hushed by a hand held up to my mouth.

I immediately stopped and let myself get lost in his eyes.

"You know…for a young lady such as yourself, you seem quite comfortable in the presence of artillery." He observed from my encounter before obviously.

He lowered his hand and looked me over carefully.

I simply nodded and spoke, "I've been training since I was young with nearly anything I could get my hands on."

"Very good." He seemed to compliment as he began to circle me observantly.

I turned my head a little in order to see what he was up to and saw him gazing over my body thoughtfully.

Finally he came to a standstill in front of me and raised a hand to his chin as he rubbed it contemplatively.

Then he pointed at me and at the same time eyed me carefully as he said, "You know, someone like you would do well here."

I almost gasped in pure shock. I never thought that I'd get told something like that from a place like this in a million years. No matter how hard I intended to try I guess I never really expected to succeed.

I shouldn't have ever doubted myself.

"Really…you think…"

"I don't think…I know." He interrupted.

"Sir we need you for a moment…I think we picked up a signal." Came a voice from behind him.

He turned to the side and called back, "What is the matter?"

"It's the…" the man trailed off as if not wanting to mention it in front of me and yet expecting the one in front of me to know what he meant.

Surprisingly he did seem to know.

"I'll be there in half a second." He said more formally and then turned to me once more.

"I'm sorry miss…"

"Kisaragi." I prompted.

He nodded and continued, "I'm needed now, but I'll be catching up with you soon." he finished, eyeing me curiously and then hurrying off into the large building behind him.

I couldn't believe what had just happened. He would be catching up with me. No more running around after anyone. He would be following up on me.

Location: Near SOLDIER BASE

Time: 12:30pm

Tifa's POV:

Staring up at the large building in front of us I heard Marlene begin to wonder out aloud.

"How many people do you think work there?" she asked slowly.

I continued to stare and answered, "I don't know."

"A lot?" she asked again.

"Maybe." I replied, not really paying any attention to anything but her questions and this edifice in front of us.

Suddenly a chill wind blew past, ruffling our hair about.

I didn't like it.

"Come on Marlene…lets go." I whispered, beginning to feel annoyed with myself for going back on my word.

I said that I wouldn't take us as far as here. I said that I would make sure to stop and turn around before we could even see this place.

"Can't we stay a little longer? Maybe someone will come out."

"I don't think that's a good idea." I answered and began to lead her in the other direction.

"Please Tifa." She whined and then quickly wriggled herself free from my grasp and running back to the large gate, which had bars wide enough for a little girl to slip through.

"Marlene!" I called out in a panic, running after her.

Location: SOLDIER BASE

Time: 12:35pm

His POV:

"Did you hear that?" one of the men asked me as he began to stand.

I had heard it and I was not going to allow anyone to do anything until I had investigated first.

"Sit. I'll go." I instructed.

He obeyed, but eyed me maliciously.

Paying no attention I made my way over to the door and let it slide up as I walked towards it.

I instantly felt the cool breeze upon my skin.

I didn't like that feeling.

"Marlene come back it's dangerous." I heard a female voice call out.

Marlene?

Tifa's POV:

"I just want to see Cloud." She called back as if it were the most natural explanation for her actions.

I froze then and there. The cold breeze became harsher against my face and slowly I gazed up at the building towering over me.

Could it be that…he was here? Of all places…he was here in Midgar…with SOLDIER?

My attention then snapped back to Marlene.

I resumed calling out for her and when I knew that it wasn't doing any good I stared up at the gate. It didn't look too challenging to climb over.

I didn't have a choice anyway. I mean…what would Barret think if I let anything happen to her?

It was then that I began to grip onto the bars and lift one foot up onto a bar running along the bottom. I had gotten about halfway when I put my skills into action and swung my entire body over the top and landed silently on the ground below on all fours.

I stood up quickly and saw Marlene nearing the building up ahead.

His POV:

I was backed up against the wall near the door and she was coming closer and all I could do was stand there and let her. But I had to. I not only knew her…I knew the other one following her as well.

Suddenly the door slid open and Reeve came out.

At first he stared at me with confusion.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked in mystification.

I breathed slowly and tried to push past memories out of my mind.

"Strife you fool, get them off our damn property." He yelled.

With that I shot my right hand up and grasped onto his neck tightly, feeling the blood in my head boil and my anger building up rapidly.

"If you ever speak to me like that again…you can be sure…I'll give you what you deserve."

With that I released him, letting my sudden anger slowly subside.

"Geez man…" he rasped as he made his way out towards the two intruders.

Tifa's POV:

"Oh no." I breathed as I saw a uniformed man, who looked particularly angry making his way towards Marlene, who was now standing still in front of the building.

I wasn't sure if he had seen me. Chances were he had and was going to deal with me soon enough.

But I wasn't going to let him touch Marlene.

I ran faster in their direction and finally reached her. I kneeled down, spun her around and saw that she was looking in another direction. It was so strange. Her eyes were looking as far as possible to the right, as if they were glued to a certain spot and would not leave it.

"Marlene look at me." I demanded in a panic.

She didn't seem to listen to me, she simply continued to try and stare at the spot I had torn her eyes away from.

"I suggest you leave this property before I have to physically remove you myself." The voice of the man threatened.

I stared up at him and saw that the uniform he wore was the same as the man who had come into the bar that night. But it wasn't the same person. I just knew it.

"I'm sorry…she just ran in." I explained as I picked her up in my arms carefully.

I stood to my full height and stared into the mans eyes.

He seemed to look at Marlene strangely before pointing towards the gate and with a little crack in his voice he instructed quietly, "Now you both get out of here and don't come back again. Do you hear?"

I nodded and held onto the back of Marlene's head firmly as I stroked her hair.

Then slowly I turned around and began to quicken my pace towards the gate, which opened automatically, allowing me to pass through and jog all the way home with Marlene cradled within my arms.

A/N: I am so sorry it took me so long to update. I have been so busy and this chapter took me a while to type.

I am currently editing the main storyline and it is still undergoing changes and such.

I will continue with this story until the end. So for those of you still keen on reading this, just stay with me and I'll be sure to update at least every two weeks.

Please leave a review. I would love to see how I did with this chapter.

Thank you to all of my awesome reviewers.

Now to my reviewers:

General Cloud: Thank you for encouraging me to update. I'm glad you're liking it so far.

whatstaters15: LOL! Glad you think it's cute about Cloud talking to Marlene about Tifa. The annoying thing is that he's a real ass now…hehehe…hmm…maybe not for long though. Glad you like the way I write. Thank you for encouraging me to keep going.

Cloud's-Tifa-Strife: Glad you loved the chapter. We'll find out soon enough what happens to Tifa if she "isn't a good girl and plays nice." LOL! Cloud's…around. He was mentioned in this chapter a fair bit near the end. I can assure you that he will get his fair share of this story as well. It is just as much his story as Tifa's. And the damsel in distress character doesn't suit Tifa at all in my opinion. That's why she's kick-ass here. She's more of a shy kick-ass chick. Strange but I like it. Glad you like how I portrayed her.

Initial Dreamer: Tifa dies in Advent Children huh? I heard that somewhere too. Apparently it's either her or Cloud that dies or both. If they have to die I hope that they both die. That way they can be together forever. Also if Tifa is with him Aeris won't be able to get her little mitts on him. LOL! Kadaj is from the upcoming movie Advent Children. He is part of the SHM (Silver Haired Men) along with Loz and Yazoo his brothers. I won't get into it too much here but they are like Sephiroth's evil minions (clones). Thanks for the kind review.

Aurum Potestas Est: Hmm…thank you for your…very enthusiastic comment. I don't think they'll be "getting it on" any time soon. But I'll be sure not to let you down in that department…Hehehe! Yuffie and Vincent…who knows…maybe something will happen. Thanks for the review!

Madelein (anonymous reviewer) I would like to thank you for reviewing every single chapter and giving me wonderful feedback. I'm happy to see that people are enjoying my work and it's people like you who keep me going. Thank you so much and sorry for the wait.

Keybladegirl15: I'm pleased to hear that you love my story. It's also good to know that you think it gets better and better every chapter. Yes more fighting between Cloud and Tifa…BRING IT ON! Okay…kinda got carried away there. LOL! But anyway there will definitely be more action. Thanks for the review.

Hipathya: Thank you for reviewing my story. You're impressed huh? That's really good to hear. I'm really glad that you're liking this so far and I'm glad you think my characters are well built. Well here's your update and I hope to receive a review soon. Thank you very much.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters and everything associated with this story all belong to Square Enix.

Yunie Tidus