Chapter 8: Unexpected

Location: Yuffie's Room

Time: 5:00 am Tuesday

Yuffie's POV:

"Damn." I cursed under my breath as I banged my right knee into the end bedpost.

I quickly looked up to see if I had woken him.

He stirred a little but that was about it as he buried his face into the pillows.

I breathed a sigh of relief and then hastily grabbed my boots and made my way over to the door.

Taking one last look at Reno I thought I saw something. He looked…different. His body seemed to give off a vengeful aura.

It's five in the morning girl. You're imagining things.

With that in mind I made my way outside and was very careful not to wake anyone else up.

I left a note on the counter in the bar saying I didn't know when I'd be back, but to expect me back around dinner.

Tifa would find the note for sure. She had to work in the bar today so she'd be cleaning up and such.

Cleaning up…I should probably help her more with that.

That was the last thing I thought as I shut the bar door behind me and remembered to lock it.

Location: SOLDIER Base

Time: 5:15 am

Cloud's POV:

"Vincent, letting that little princess in here is only going to make our operation take even longer."

Vincent laughed a little which led me ask in annoyance, "What's so funny now?"

"You sure are one to talk blondie."

"Don't call me blondie." I threatened, although it didn't come out half as threatening as I had intended, due to the fact that I was curious about his reasoning for acting the way he was.

"Well if I can remember correctly, you came to me a few years back pleading for me to let you in and for the first few months you were somewhat a little mummy's boy yourself." He continued to laugh lightly.

"I was not you fool. And besides…I had a reason to join here. She's just joining for her own selfish wants. She's gonna screw it up for us I tell ya."

"I don't think she will."

"Yeah well, we all know where thinking got you last time." I sneered before leaving the room.

I was just headed down to the main section of the building when I heard someone burst through the doors loudly.

I stopped abruptly and turned with a frown. Narrowing my eyes I began to make my way to the source of the noise.

Whatever it was, it was getting closer, so feeling back for my dagger I gripped onto the handle firmly.

Daring not even breath in case I alerted them to my presence I took a deep breath and pressed my back against the wall to blend in with my surroundings better.

Then I saw it. The source of the noise was walking right past me, with her head down while rummaging through her bag for who knows what?

"Yuffie?" I stated questioningly as I removed myself from the wall.

She gasped, stopped in her tracks and jolted her head up so that she was staring straight ahead. Then ever so slowly she turned her head until her eyes met up with me. Her expression was one of surprise, which after a few seconds turned into nothing but a disgusted look. She abruptly spun around and flicked her hair over her shoulder in a huff.

"Yuffie don't walk away from me while I'm talking to you." I threatened.

"I'm here to see Vincent." She informed, "Not you."

"I don't care, you will still respect me."

Once again she stopped but this time turned around fully so that she was now staring at me directly.

She was breathing quickly and she looked like she was about to blow her top any minute now.

"I can't believe that you even had the nerve to show your face at Midgar again. Don't you realise that no one wants you here anymore. We gave up on you two years ago."

I frowned and stared at her coldly although I must have given her the impression that I was thinking of her.

"Yes even her. Everyone's moved on. We don't want you here anymore. You ruined everyone's lives the last time. I'll be damned before I let you do it again."

I lifted a finger and pointed it up as I was about to say something warningly, but that was when Vincent interrupted.

"Ms. Kisaragi." He stated while walking closer.

She turned so as to acknowledge him with a nod before turning to me again, allowing me to continue, "I'll warn you now. You even think of speaking of my presence here, or even dare to cross the line with me…I promise you, that you will get what you deserve."

"Cloud quit with the antics. You never were good at keeping promises." With that she turned once more and began walking in the direction of Vincent.

Maybe I wasn't Yuffie. But she was…and still is. She told me that night that she'd wait for me…and she's still there.

Location: Seventh Heaven

Time: 5:30 am

Tifa's POV:

Yuffie's Note:

Teef I've gone for an early walk.

Dunno when I'll be back.

Yuffie.

End

Okay then. Yuffie? Early walk? Waking up early? Walking?

This was almost too ridiculous to be considered real. But then again, she had been acting strange lately.

Suddenly I heard a groan from upstairs and then a loud thump as I suspected Reno fell out of Yuffie's bed.

Great…I get to endure an awkward moment right before breakfast if he ever decides to come down.

I sighed and then moved over to the sink where I continued to clean dishes from the previous night. I had to work tonight and getting up early was the only option for me today if I was to have it cleaned up in time.

I wish Yuffie wouldn't allow Reno to sleep here. Marlene is in the house now.

"'Morning." Came a grumbled sleepy voice from behind.

I turned my head and saw Reno plonk his shirtless form into the seat that Yuffie usually sat in. I'd only just gotten out of the shower as well and was only in a bathrobe. I was kind of hoping to get dressed before he came down.

"Hi Reno." I replied gently.

He didn't say anything more, so I turned my head again, only to see him reading the note Yuffie left.

"So she's out again. Nice of her to let me know." He grumbled in an annoyed manner as he crumpled the note in one hand and threw it across the bar, at an attempt to get it in the bin near the counter.

He missed, and so I moved forward and placed it in the bin.

"She probably just didn't want to wake you." I offered helpfully, but he didn't seem to agree.

"No…she never cares if she wakes me up." He said shaking his head.

I couldn't really think of anything else to say at that point of time, so I offered him breakfast.

"Nah Teef it's cool. Not really a breakfast person." He sighed, as he removed himself from the table.

I nodded understandingly and returned to my duties. But that didn't last long, because that was when Marlene decided to come down.

"Hey there girlie." I heard Reno say to her.

She didn't reply and so turning around I called over to her, "Say hello Marlene."

But strangely enough she simply stared up at him nervously and began to back away.

"Marlene this is Reno. He's Yuffie's friend." I explained as I made my way closer to her.

"He-hello." She stuttered and then ran over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"You never struck me as the shy type." I smiled and then motioned for Reno to go do what he had to do.

He left soon after, allowing me to get Marlene her breakfast.

Location: SOLDIER Base

Time: 6:00 am

Yuffie's POV:

"Okay so from now on you report to either Cloud or myself. Is that understood?"

I nodded earnestly and then said, "But I'd much rather see you whenever possible. That…man, is definitely not on my list of favourites…he hasn't been for some time now."

I saw him staring at me curiously and then nod as he continued to explain to me the details of the operation at hand.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something going on between two men. One of which I had just met again, and the other was the man I had argued with the day I came here.

Cloud's POV:

"So why did you think this 'Reno' was suspicious?" I asked Reeve.

"I found some interesting information on him. It all leads me to believe that he is helping Kadaj in one way or another." He informed and began to walk off.

I however placed a hand on his chest just as he was walking past and pushed him back in front of me to continue on.

"And…?"

"And that's all I know at the moment." He stated and proceeded to walk away once more, only to have me push him back to his original place.

"I know you're not telling me everything, so if you would, please continue."

He sighed and then began in low voice, "Well it's only a theory, but I think that the reason he's working for Kadaj is because he wants to get his own back."

"What?" I asked, confused for one of the first times since being here.

"Well as I said I did some research. Reno's father was killed a few years ago, around the time Lockheart went missing and I think that considering he's been hanging around the old Lockheart place for some time now, it may only be a matter of time before he strikes. Lockheart did kill Reno's father…so I'm guessing he simply wants revenge."

I looked away deep in thought for a moment and so Reeve excused himself.

I turned around quickly and called out, "Hey Reeve?"

He stopped, but did not turn around, "What?"

"Where were you last night? I didn't see you in the building."

He remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "I was here. I was doing research on Reno in the main controls room. I was the only one there."

"Mmm…okay." I said, pretending to be satisfied with his answer.

With that being said he left. I had a weird feeling about that guy lately. He always sounded so suspicious with all the information he was able to provide…most of which was probably in the database, but when he reported it, the information was displayed in a way that seemed more then just facts. It was almost as if outside sources were providing him with the information as well as the data.

At the moment I couldn't exactly do anything about it. I had to have evidence that he was doing something wrong…but so far all of my subtle questions on different things were getting me nowhere. He answered everything I asked him with answers that were plausible and if I were to say anything to Vincent now, chances were he'd know that I was on to him. However I suspected that he knew this already.

A few minutes later I was in the controls section of the building, desperately trying to hack into Reeve's user area. I had to give it to him…he was very intelligent.

Suddenly the door to the controls room swung open and I immediately turned to see who was there.

If it was Reeve, then he would automatically assume that I was trying to get into his control panel and then he'd figure out what I had been trying to get into.

I waited. Then I saw someone that I least expected to be here.

"Oh…you're here." She stated with a disgusted look, before walking over to the other side of the room.

"Yes I am…I do own half of this establishment." I informed before turning back to the computer.

"Woop-dee-doo." She replied unenthusiastically.

"Honestly Yuffie. Grow up." I sighed.

Suddenly she came over and switched the computer off hastily. I stared at the blank screen, then back up at her and yelled, "What the hell did you do that for?"

"Listen here pretty boy, I won't be putting up with your comments and what not while I'm here. I won't allow you to think that you are better then me and I certainly will not be pretending that I respect you. You have no idea…no idea at all, how messed up you left everyone. You are selfish. I can't believe I'm even speaking to you." She said coldly.

She then flicked her hair over her shoulder, folded her arms and leant against the desk that I was currently seated at.

Right then all I wanted to do was ask her one thing, while we were on speaking terms and talking about the matter at hand.

I gulped and then breathed quietly but firmly, "So how is she?"

"She's…coping…she's…stronger then anyone I've ever known." She replied quietly, as if she had let down her guard of being a down right little brat and was now simply thinking of her.

"I know…but ah…" I couldn't continue. I could feel past emotions starting to build up.

So standing up I straightened my cloak and then said more seriously, "Well it was nice chatting, but I have more important things to do."

With that I left her there and made my way outside. I had found out some information on Reeve before Yuffie killed the computer. He was contacting someone in Kalm Town. That was all I needed to know right now. Kalm had been dead for years. Whoever he was contacting, they would be easy to find.

Moments later I was speaking with Vincent. He had just told me some…painful news.

"Did they find out who did it?"

Vincent simply shook his head. "No. They couldn't find anything apart from the body."

I swallowed and then asked, "When did it happen?"

Sighing, he made his way over to the shaded window on his left, "It happened late last night. I don't think it was a one off though. Someone was after him and they got him."

"What of the girl?" I asked, remembering his daughter.

"Safe. She was taken in by a friend."

That's right. That day I saw them together. Marlene is living with her.

"You okay Cloud?" came Vincent's concerned voice.

"Yeah of course…just a little…" I stopped and rethought what I was about to say and then continued, "I think I'll check it out. Make sure he gets a proper burial."

"Alright then. But stay on guard. Barrett could very well just be bait."

I nodded but felt sick at the thought that someone could kill to get to someone else, if that was the case.

But I would go to Barrett's and give him the interment he deserved.

"Take Reeve with you." He said before I left.

I frowned and asked, "Reeve? Why?"

"Just take him with you. I'd rather he was out there then in here. Something tells me that he isn't exactly…trustworthy at the moment."

"Whatever suits you." I stated and then left the room to find Reeve.

Location: Streets of Midgar

Time: 6:30 am

Cloud's POV:

"I still don't see why I had to tag along." He complained for about the tenth time since we had left the building.

I sighed and this time instead of ignoring him I said, "Vincent requested that you come with me. You can ask him what his intentions were when we get back if you like."

His kept his head down practically the entire time with his hands in his pockets.

I could see Barrett's house up ahead. It was only a matter of minutes until we reached it.

But it was Reeve's strange behaviour that was troubling me now. I wanted to see why he was keeping his hands hidden and the only way I was going to do that was if I was forceful with my request.

"Reeve talk your damn hands outta your pockets. It's too hot out as it is."

"Get stuffed Cloud." He mumbled and walked ahead.

"Watch it." I warned.

I had now stepped onto Barrett's front porch and could smell something. It was the stench of a decomposing body…and with this weather, it was making the process go even faster.

"You smell something?" asked Reeve.

I nodded and proceeded to open the front door. "It's been a day…he's already started to decompose."

I covered my nose and mouth with my gloved hand and made my way inside and then turning around to motion for Reeve to follow.

He stepped inside but did not remove his hands from his pockets.

"Man are you crazy? You're breathing in bacteria."

"I'll live." He mumbled, though coughing with a disgusted look on his face.

I rolled my eyes and then began to search the house for anything that looked like it would lead to Barrett's murderer.

I slowly walked past Barrett's body on the floor and noticed that he looked like he had struggled immensely. There was a rather large cut across his throat. Fatal if it was deep enough, which it obviously had been.

I saw that Reeve was walking around the other side of the room as if searching for something in particular. Ignoring him for the moment I decided to go into Barrett's room.

Maybe he had something that would link us to his murderer.

As soon as I reached his room I let my hand fall and breathed in large breaths of air. The smell had not yet reached this room as much thankfully. For a moment I just examined the area. Nothing seemed out of place except for the fact that his bed was unmade.

He must have been sleeping when his attacker came knocking at his door.

I moved over to around the other side of his bed and leant down to look underneath. There was nothing there except for a few old shoes and a bunch of other junk.

Sitting up I banged my head on something hard. "Holy…f-" I breathed hard and forced myself not to swear in a dead mans home. I rubbed the top of my head quickly and then saw what I had hit. It was his set of bedside drawers.

I reached to open the first draw and saw nothing but socks and the like. I tossed them onto his bed and found nothing at the bottom.

Next drawer; nothing but more clothes. Okay…lucky last drawer. I opened it. Nothing. The only other place left to look was…huh?

Something clicked under the pressure I was applying to the bottom corner of the table with my left hand. Looking down I saw that a little compartment had popped open. It looked like nothing at first, but as I reached in, full of curiosity, I felt something of a papery substance.

I pulled out whatever was in my grasp and inspected it carefully.

The first item was a picture of Marlene as a baby I suspected. She had the same hair and eyes. I placed it at the back of the pile and saw that the next document was a birth certificate. On it read,

"Marlene Wallace"

"Date of birth: 19 May 1997"

The rest was faded and impossible to read.

The next document was something very unexpected. There sat baby Marlene in the arms of a woman who I knew was her biological mother. On the other side stood a man. He was smiling. I guess that's why I didn't recognise him at first. But my sudden realisation led me to act quickly.

I stood with the papers in hand and made my way outside to see that Reeve was staring at a photo of Marlene.

Breathing hard and not noticing the horrible stench anymore I said, "Reeve?"

He turned with red-rimmed eyes and slowly I held up the picture and pointed to the man. "This is you isn't it?"

He simply stared at the photo. He then stared down at Barrett's body and sneered, "He got what he deserved."

Frowning I asked, "Reeve? Did you kill Barrett?"

Staring up at me he nodded and said, "You can bet your life I did."

"WHY!" I suddenly yelled throwing down the documents and making my way over to him, only to have him pull out a handgun and aim it at my head.

I stood my ground and stared at him dangerously, "Don't be stupid Reeve. Put down the gun."

He laughed, "Why, so you can kill me? I think not."

"Reeve if you put the gun down no one will get hurt." I tried to reason with him.

"I've heard that one before. If I put the gun down someone is going to get killed anyway. That's how she died." he said in pain.

"What?" I asked, wanting to know more. It had been a well known fact that people who joined SOLDIER were there trying to escape their past and try to find some fulfilment in what life they had left, but until now I had never known what any of them were running from exactly.

"He killed her…my wife died by his hand." He said now in tears.

"Barrett?" I asked in disbelief.

"YES!" he yelled, while shakily holding onto the trigger. I began to grow nervous. If he accidentally pulled that trigger…

"Listen now Reeve. I'm not the one you want to hurt. You've already hurt the person who hurt you. So put the gun away."

He closed his eyes and seemed as if he were contemplating whether to do it or not.

I kept a firm gaze on the barrel of the gun. If I was to die right now, I was going to stare death in the face without fear or any other emotion whatsoever.

Deep down however, I was silently pleading with him to spare my life.

Moments later a click of the gun was heard as he removed it from my head. My expression relaxed and my breathing was heavy.

I watched him as he bent down to pick up a document and thrust it into my face. "He kept this because he knew the full extent of damage he'd done to me and my family."

I took it from his hand and read it to myself. It wasn't too long before I read, "A midnight brawl left a woman dead and the killer unknown."

I looked up and saw him staring at me blankly, "I let him take care of my only daughter for seven years. I trusted him with my life…and yet…he was too gutless to tell me the truth."

"Who told you Barrett murdered your wife?" I asked, wanting to get more information.

"The man who killed Lockheart." And with that being said he placed the pistol into his mouth and just as I yelled, "NO!" it happened. It was as if it were in slow motion. I let the article fall to the floor as I ran forward to grab for the gun…but he had already fired and fell limply to the ground right in front of me. Blood spattered onto the floor, onto Barrett and partially onto me.

What had just happened was not supposed to happen. Not only had we lost a man, but we had also lost our only known link to Kadaj.

I turned to look at the rest of the article and saw that there was a picture at the top. It was taken at a pub of some sort. Taking a closer look I saw a neon sign at the top, which read, 'Seventh Heaven.' That's we're she lives. Outside a man stood with shades. He stood out from the crowd more then any of them. It looked like someone I used to know who went by the name of Kuja. I hadn't seen him in a while.

Stuffing the valuable documents into my pocket I proceeded to remove Reeve from the house and then come back for Barrett. They both needed a burial one way or another.

Location: Seventh Heaven

Time: 7:15 pm

Tifa's POV:

"Yo' missy?" came a regular voice from behind the counter.

I moved over to them and replied, "Yo' Cid."

"Hows about we gets a drink of erm…ah…"

It was almost too hard to believe that he had been so protective of me last night when he was acting like this now.

"Don't worry Cid. I've got it." I sighed.

"You seem a little down tonight huh?" he asked.

It was true. I was a little down. Marlene had wanted to see Barrett today, but when we got to her house there was no one there at all. She had been so upset, thinking that he didn't want her anymore and had simply left.

"It's nothing." I replied while fixing him the usual.

"It ain't nothin'. You look sad." He commented.

"Cid please." I hushed while trying to attend to the needs of other patrons.

Suddenly Yuffie burst through the doors and began to rush past the drunken state of things.

"YUFFIE!" I called out.

She abruptly turned in my direction and waved before making her way up the stairs.

Dammit Yuffie I wanted to speak to you.

Suddenly I knocked a glass of beer all over Cid and his immediate reaction was a laugh and, "Don't worry 'bout it Teef."

Only three more hours and I was closing early tonight. It wasn't good for business that was for sure, but I needed to speak with Yuffie before she ran out again.

Location: Yuffie's Room

Time: 10:45 pm

Tifa's POV:

"Where were you all day today?" I asked Yuffie from the other side of the bathroom door.

"Out." Was her very uninformative reply.

"Yuffie." I stated questioningly, letting her know that I wanted to know more.

"I was just doing a few things is all."

"Yuffie you spent more than half the day away from home. You've been acting really strange lately. Is there something wrong?" I asked concerned.

"No Teef, stop being so worried all the time. I'm not your daughter. I'm your friend." She sighed and then came out from the bathroom in her nightclothes.

"Yuffie I'd like to think that if I was acting a little strange that you would show some concern for me."

"And I would." She replied.

"Then can you tell me what's been going on with you lately? Even Reno thinks you've been acting strange."

She laughed while drying her hair and said, "He's one to talk. He's the one acting weird."

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno. He's just been weird lately." She said and then walked over to her mirror where she began to brush out her hair.

"We went to Barrett's today." I told her.

She stopped brushing her hair for a second and then continued, but stated questioningly, "And…?"

"He wasn't there. It's strange. I knew he wanted to sort himself out…but…I would've thought he'd still make himself available for Marlene to see."

"Mmm." she mumbled somewhat thoughtfully.

I sat at the edge of her bed and said questioningly, "You're not going to tell me anything are you?" referring to our previous conversation.

"There's nothing to tell. I wanna go to bed now, so…"

"All right…" I said getting up and removing myself from the room and just as I was about to ask her something I heard a beep and turning I saw Yuffie pick up a little black flashing object. She began to mumble something to herself, as she seemed to read whatever it was.

I left the room and decided then that I would wait up tonight. If she was going to leave yet again, then I was going to follow her.

Location: Tifa's Room

Time: 11:30

Tifa's POV:

I didn't have to wait long until I heard Yuffie leave her room. I was already dressed and ready to go. So leaving my bed I waited at my door until I heard her make her way down the stairs. I opened my door and then quickly walked down to Marlene's room.

On arrival I made my way to her bed and whispered so as not to wake her, "Okay I'm going out for a little while. I'll be right back. You'll be safe. I promise."

I covered her up and then gently kissed her cheek. She stirred a little but then returned to her slumber.

Wanting to tail Yuffie, I made my way out of the room and locked it securely and then skipped down the stairs.

Moments later I was outside and luckily I could just make out Yuffie's figure in the distance. She was running in the direction of the SOLDIER place.

Theories were starting to form in my mind and I really wanted to not believe any of it. If Yuffie had joined SOLDIER, she would have told me. But as I journeyed on, I knew that no matter what I thought I couldn't change the reality of things.

It wasn't too long before my thoughts were confirmed. Yuffie was a part of SOLDIER. She rushed up to the gate where she met up with someone…no…two people dressed in black and began speaking with them.

I began to run along the fence so that I could get a better view of them. They stood for a minute simply talking and as I got closer I recognised one of the men's voices.

I frowned and slowed down my pace. Listening carefully I tried to think of all the men I'd met and tried to place a face with the voice.

As I got closer I heard him say Yuffie in annoyed manner…just like he used to.

He used to?

But…it couldn't be. What was he doing here? That day Marlene ran in saying that she just wanted to see Cloud.

Oh…I'm going to be sick. No…I'm going to faint…no…I won't.

But no matter how many times I told myself that I would not do any of these things, I eventually ended up stumbling away from the fence and collapsing onto the road.

Location: SOLDIER Base

Time: 12:00 am Wednesday

Cloud's POV:

"What was that?" I asked moving towards the gate that Yuffie had just entered through.

She and Vincent both turned and stared out at the road.

"Were you followed?" I asked turning to her.

"I don't know…it's possible."

"Ah…wait here." I said in annoyed manner while Vincent followed behind.

I knew that she would only bring trouble.

Trying to see who the hell was out there in the dark while we were supposed to be discussing far more important things, was really not what I needed right now.

Finally I came across a body on the road below.

"Oi get up." I demanded while nudging them with my shoe.

They didn't budge; so sighing I bent down; balancing on the front of my feet in a squatting position.

I shook the shoulder of the person firmly and waited for a reply.

Nothing.

Rolling my eyes I mumbled, "This is ridiculous…" then turning back I called out, "Vincent? Get a flashlight over here."

He made his way over to me and then with a few moments of fiddling with it he switched it on and then moved it onto the body in front of me.

The face was hidden underneath long, chocolate coloured hair, and the clothes they were wearing were all black as well. Breathing heavily or rather 'anxiously', I hesitantly brushed back their hair.

I had very good reason to be nervous as well. It was her. It was Tifa Lockheart.

A/N: Well this is a slightly longer chapter by about 2000 words compared to last time. I thought I'd make it up to you for posting a short chapter last time. I am not simply trying to make up words. I believe in quality rather then quantity. But this chapter discussed quite a bit and then there was the fact that I did want to give you a lengthy chapter to enjoy this time around as well.

Cloud's POV on things was slightly longer this time without any interruptions from other characters POV. I thought it was necessary and so there you have it. Chapter 8 complete.

Also if you were wondering why Yuffie's reaction to seeing Cloud in the morning at SOLDIER Base was a little strange, think back to chapter 3 where Yuffie and Reno saw Cloud arriving at SOLDIER base with the rest of the men. Her reaction wasn't off in this chapter at all.

So what did you think? I wasn't too evil leaving it like that was I? Hehehe.

Anyway…thank you so much to all of my reviewers. I really appreciate it. Please leave me a review once again.

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

Yunie Tidus