Chapter 13: Strange Happenings

Location: Marlene's Room – Seventh Heaven

Time: 11:00 pm

Tifa's POV:

"I thought that Marlene might have left it here." I stated firmly while sitting down on her bed.

She had said that this was her home now, so I thought that maybe when she said that she was sorry for taking my necklace and hiding it at home that she meant here, at my home.

Cloud was lost for words it seemed. He hadn't said much and when he finally did, it was only a mumble of curses as we yet again came to a dead end in our search for the materia. The jewellery case was gone. They'd taken it.

Stifling a yawn I wiped at my watering eyes, weary from the long day and combed my fingers through my hair slowly allowing it to fall around my shoulders again.

"I can't think anymore tonight. Until we find out where this guy is we can't do much more anyway." I sighed as I stood and proceeded to head towards my room.

Upon reaching the door I turned and saw that Cloud was not content with my statement.

"Get some sleep." I yawned and then continued, "You'll need it."

"But he has the materia. If we don't try to find him he'll…"

But he stopped abruptly as I flew past at the sudden discovery of something. I just hoped it was what I thought it was. Slipping my fingers underneath the mattress I pulled on the black leather band and almost immediately a white stone slid out with it dangling innocently.

Eyes widened I breathed, "I…they didn't take it, but…"

Suddenly it was snatched from my hand and Cloud inspected it briefly before pocketing it. Standing with a frown I held out my hand and demanded he return it.

"No. It's safer this way." he confirmed.

Shaking my head I stated in annoyance, "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

"Tifa wait."

Moments later he was standing directly behind me. His body heat brushed against my skin.

"I. I want to say that…"

Waiting for him to continue I stood firmly and glanced out of the corner of my right eye to catch a glimpse of him. He looked a little nervous.

"I'm sorry."

Eyes widened slightly I waited to see if he had anything else to say before I spoke up. But I couldn't seem to find the right words to say to him. There was nothing that I could say that would be right. I didn't want to say it was okay because it wasn't. On the other hand I didn't feel like expressing my hurt to him right now. He had tried to apologise. He was trying to do the right thing even if it really didn't cut it. I wouldn't make him feel any worse than he was obviously feeling at the moment with a harsh reply.

So I simply nodded to show that I had acknowledged his apology but not accepted it.

"You can stay in Marlene's room tonight. I'll be down the hall if you need anything."

With that being said I left without another look at him. I couldn't bear to see his face. I knew that no matter how strong I had been these last few years, one look at his face would make me weak all over again. That face was the face I had grown to love and I don't think I ever really did stop loving it…or him.

He had left so suddenly. There was no real separation other than the one he had created. He had left…but had taken with him my heart. It would always belong to him, because although he had broken it he still had it.

Location: Marlene's Room

Time: 12:30 am Friday

Cloud's POV:

I couldn't sleep. I was tired but I just couldn't lay here while Kadaj was out there somewhere doing God knows what. He was less of a threat now that we had the materia, but what would happen when he discovered that he didn't have it?

They had been here that was for sure. Tifa's room and Marlene's had both been pulled apart. The materia's case was missing. Obviously they had taken it with them thinking it was inside. Why wouldn't they have checked before leaving if it was there?

Reno…

Now he was loose and helping this guy with…whatever he plans to accomplish. I remember Vincent telling me about some guy years ago named Sephiroth…Tifa's grandfather.

He was much like this Kadaj guy by the sounds of it. Closing my eyes I wondered off into my mind and tried to find a solution to the mess we were in. No sooner had I done this I heard a voice.

Go and see Tifa. She's lonely.

"Hmm?" I mumbled, raising my eyebrows questioningly.

Go on.

Upon opening my eyes I stared around at my surroundings and wondered why the hell I was in here. Did we have a fight? I mused as I slowly removed myself from the bed.

Better go see if things are okay.

Moving into the hall I felt something heavy attached to my back. Awkwardly reaching back I felt the hilt of what seemed like a sword.

"What the?" I breathed as I unsheathed a blade.

As soon as I had it out in front of me I gazed over it curiously. What the hell have I been doing? Musta fallen asleep after practice.

Resting it against the wall of the hall carefully, I kicked off my boots as I walked and found my way into her room. It seemed like a storm was coming I noted as I saw a flash of lightening light up Tifa's room, allowing me to see where she was.

Smiling I saw that she was still asleep and continued walking over to her bed removing whatever gear I had on and pulling off my shirt in the process.

After gazing over her body for a moment I decided how best to wake her up and make her pay for leaving me alone without even trying to wake me up to go to bed with her. I was a light sleeper. I would have woken up easily if she'd tried to.

So pulling off her sheets I slowly crawled onto the bed and rested both legs on either side of her waist, my knees digging into the mattress as I leant down and started to kiss her neck softly.

It wasn't too long before she began to stir and mumble for me to stop in a playful manner.

"Not a chance. You left me all alone. You're gonna pay for that." I confirmed now running my hands down her sides and then starting to run them slowly up her nightdress.

"I'm tired already without you doing anything more to me." She laughed while attempting to push me off.

"You seem like you could use a few more lessons in self defence. I'll be glad to let you practice on me now." I countered now sliding down her underwear.

She began to breathe a little more rapidly and as soon as she heard me unzip my pants she called out, "Stop."

Confused at her tone I did stop but asked her what was wrong.

"You're not wearing anything." She stated and stared up at me with a smile.

Letting my frown fade I smiled back and replied reassuringly, "One time can't hurt."

I wasn't about to get up now and start fumbling through the drawers in the dark. It would only ruin the mood.

Nodding with a little uncertainty she allowed me to continue as she pulled me in for a deep kiss.

Location: Reno's home

Time: 12:30 am

Reno's POV:

Kadaj was slowly loosing it even more so it seemed. He was obsessed with this materia thing he was after. After leaving abruptly at the sound of Cloud's bike pulling up outside we realised only after that we had only found the case in which he remembered Lockheart giving Tifa two years ago that belonged with the 'necklace'. The materia was still to be found.

However according to Kadaj, he knew where it was now. 'The young couple' had it.

He now stood outside staring up at the darkened sky as he mumbled to himself, obviously conjuring up more trouble.

Pushing off the side of the doorframe I moved back inside and thought over what was to happen. While Kadaj was using most of his energy to do whatever it was he was doing now, the reverie he'd bestowed upon me was wearing off.

I was able to think for myself for the most part but the thought of wanting Tifa dead kept creeping back to the front of my mind.

She had been the one to tear my family apart. Her existence was the ending of my parent's relationship. He never looked at me like I was his again. Anger boiled uncontrollably beneath my skin. I could feel my hands start to shake as I reached backwards for my weapon strapped onto my back.

Unsheathing it I brought it out in front of me and gazed over the blade. This would be the last she will know. The feel of cold steel piercing through her flesh. She will know the true meaning of pain after I'm done with her.

"Reno."

Turning to face my somewhat of a master I waited.

"Lets go."

Nodding I sheathed my blade and followed him outside and followed Kadaj through a portal.

Location: SOLDIER Base

Time: 12:30 am

Vincent's POV:

"I understand your concern Miss Kisaragi, but I will not intervene now."

"But you saw what he just did." The young ninja cried out, waving her hands about in the air.

"Miss Kisaragi…"

"That's another thing, quit calling me that. It's Yuffie!" she yelled, while folding her arms.

"Fine then…Miss Yuffie."

She frowned but allowed me to continue.

"Whatever is about to happen I need to be ready for. I can't go in there and do a Cloud."

Raising an eyebrow she asked, "Excuse me?"

Shaking my head I explained my use of words, "Intervening at the most ill-timed of moments."

Dropping her arms she rolled her eyes and sighed, "Then what do you propose we do?"

Sitting down in my chair to prove what I was about to say next I stated, "I wait."

Seemingly shocked at what I had proclaimed to her she shouted in a high-pitched tone, "We wait! For what? The opportune moment? Well forgive me but every other time you've said that so far, it seems that Cloud doing a Cloud was the most convenient thing to do."

"If you are so worried then why are you still here?" I asked with a look of questioning.

Staring at me with confusion she started, "Because you…"

Shaking my head again I stood and interrupted, "I'm not exactly holding you back. You've been free to do what you think you should do. I will not do anything at the moment. You've been saying we the whole time. I've been saying 'I' will not do anything."

A little taken aback she raised a hand to her forehead and then stated, "If…you think it's the right thing to do by staying put then…I'll stay too."

With that she left and I turned back to my computer screen.

Well than, that's unexpected. Her brother. Hmm…that might just explain a few things.

A/N: Well I was going to continue with the love scene there. But after receiving an anonymous review on whether I was going to have a sex scene and that if I didn't have one, then they (the reviewer) weren't going to continue reading my story, I was kinda 0o. Honestly. shakes head That really put me off. Thinking that I was only going to be writing such a scene for a particular reviewer.

I totally scrapped that scene from my story and I'm sorry if it displeased a few of you but what I've written does suggest that they 'get together'. Going on with it would only show 'what' they did anyway.

Goes off to change story summary rating

To those of you reading and reviewing thank you so much. I will have my latest FFVII post fanfiction up soon. If you're wanting a good old lemon, then I suggest you read that one. I'll be in a better mood for writing one.

Sorry it was so short. The next chapter should be much longer considering that is where the action comes in.

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

Yunie Tidus