Sorry, all of my other stories were somehow deleted (weird...) and now I have to start over. Crap-ness.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from FF7. Geeze, Life stinks.
Chapter 1:
---
"Where... where am I?" Tifa shook her head and looked around in the heavy mist. She felt something soft beneath her hands and looked down, "A patch of flowers?"
The girl hesitantly stood up, looking around once more. She saw a figure in the distance and ran twards it, immedeately recognizing who it was. "Cloud!" Tifa called, watching him look over his shoulder at her.
She was a few feet from him now, and she stopped to catch her breath as he smiled at her. "Tifa..." he sighed, his words echoing through her ears. She looked up and her dark eyes widened at him.
Cloud quickly thrust something cold and hard into her stomach. Glaring at the blade he had just put inside her gut, she gasped as a stream of blood ran from her mouth and abdomen.
"Cloud..." she started before he pulled the blade back to him. Tifa heard an evil laugh behind him and saw Aeris in a long black dress, holding out long plum fingernails to him.
The blonde's blue eyes turned red and he frowned, spinning on his heel and walking to his love while dragging his crimson stained sword, leaving Tifa behind.
"Why--" she asked, a single cold ear trickling down her cheek and onto the flowers, making it stone ground before her face met it. She lie there bleeding to death, her face paleish blue as Aeris and Cloud disappeared in a black orb, Aeris's laughing still filling the air.
Tifa closed her eyes and sobbed until her death, trying to call out to him with her mind, "Don't leave me..."
---
Tifa sat up in her cold bed, soaked with sweat. She put a hand on her warm forehead and looked at the red numbers on her alarm clock that read 6:00. She kicked off the sheets and swung her legs over the bedisde, "Not again..."
Her brown eyes looked up at the two bed next to hers where Aeris and Yuffie slept, but they were already empty and the blankets were folded nicely at the foot of the matress.
Tifa stood and walked into the bathroom, taking off her too-big-white-T-shirt and black underwear that Yuffie had bought for her at Victoria Secret and stumbled into the cold shower.
The adolesent sighed sadly and washed her body, hearing some of her comrads quarreling downstairs:
A tall, buff black man with a handful of baggage was trying to open the door with his big boot just as another man came out smoking a cigaratte.
"Sid! You know your not supposed to smoke inside!" squealed Yuffie, a spunky young girl with short black hair. The one named Cid looked at her with a cocked eyebrow, "I can do whateva I feel like, Missy." and took a long puff and blew it at her, causing her to cough.
Cid chuckled and headed to help the other man at the door, "Like some help Barret?" he asked, receiving a glare from his friend.
"I'd really like you to put out that cigarette Cid, and help me with these bags." he cocked his head to the luggage he was trying to lift. Cid smirked and held up a bag, "I got all I need."
Barret made a face at the one bag he was holding and opened the door sucessfully just as a girl with copper hair and green eyes walked in with another small bag in each hand.
"Cid! Put that out NOW!" she ordered sternly at the pilot, walking over to him. "No way, Aeris." Cid growled. Aeris growled back until they all heard a BANG! then a ZIIIIP! , making Cid's ciggarette fall to the floor in pieces.
A tall man with long raven hair in a bandana with a long red cloak stood holding out a gun wtih smoke rolling out of the barrel, "I believe she said to put it out, Cid." he said in a calm, low voice.
They all blinked at the man in disbelif, "Vincent! Good Gods man! I almost pissed my pants-- Friggin hell!" Cid stuttered. Their glances shifted when they noticed a blonde skid into the room with a screeching noise coming from his boots.
"What the--! Tifa is gonna kill you, Vin!" the blonde gasped at the hole in the wall, his blue orbs nearly popping from their sockets. Vincent put his gun back in the holder and sat down, "Wasn't my fault."
"Cloud, it's okay!" Aeris assured him as he felt a sweatdrop slide down his head. "Aw man! Tifa is so gonna kill me!" Cloud wailed, tugging at his hair.
Aeris came over and touched his shoulder, making him turn to her with red cheeks. "I said it's okay, Cloud. Calm down." he sighed and nodded to her, going over to help Barret with the bags.
They all left Vincent sitting on the couch with his arms crossed as a long chocolate-haired girl ran down the steps two by two in a white towel. She looked around, soaking wet, until her gaze fell upon Vincent.
"What the hell was that?" she asked, but the ex-turk only shrugged, "Unno." Tifa wrinkled her forehead before glancing at the gaping hole in the wall. "OH MY GOD!" she screamed, running over to the wall as Vincent finally noticed her being.
"What the fuck happened here!" she screeched. The gunman shrugged again as if she chould see, "Unno." Tifa swung her head around and walked over to him. "I know it was you! Why the hell are you shooting that thing in my house!"
Vincent looked away and didn't answer her. She made a face and headed upstairs as Cloud walked back in and took a big gulp.
"Uh-he-hey Tifa..." he murmured. She turned around smiled, "Hi Cloud." and power-walked the rest of the way to her bedroom.
Tifa slammed the door shut behind her and sighed heavily, dropping her towel and changing into her black skirt and white tank top with suspenders. Then stopped and rubbed her right wrist gently before putting her arm gear on.
She walked downstairs and out to the porch to wave good bye to her friends with Cloud, not bothering to ask Vincent to join them. The car stared up and started to roll away. Aeris smiled at Cloud and blew him a kiss, making him blush harder than ever.
Tifa grunted quietly and turned to walk inside, making a fist with her gloved hand. She stopped, "Somethings... missing." she muttered, looking around.
And something WAS missing. But she wasn't to suprised since Vincent was the type to just disappear and re-appear out of nowhere. She didn't think anymore of it, and walked into the kitchen to grab a granola bar.
She sat on the counter and sighed, opening it up and biting off a big chunk and chewing it irritated. She looked around to see if anyone was there, and spat the bar into the garbage, followed by the rest, and dug through the drawers.
Tifa took out a knife and rolled up her glove, the sharpestblade she could find. "Lockheart?" came a voice, causing her to startle herself and turn to throw the blade twards Vincent's head in an instant, which he doged easily.
"Jeeze Vincent! Don't scare me like that!" she scolded, quickly pulling down the glove over her wrist once more. Vincent cocked his dark eyebrow, "What are you doing?"
Tifa made a face and looked at the floor, pushing past him, "None of your damn business..." Vincent's crimson eyes widened in shock at her tone, then smelled the air.
"Blood?" he watched Tifa again, who had ran upstairs to her room. Vincent felt a strain in his mouth, but stopped himself from thinking about it. "No... not now..." he whispered, and the tingling stopped suddenly.
Cloud returned inside and stared at Vincent, "What's wrong with Tifa?" he asked, closing the door with the tip of his boot. Vincent shrugged, "Unno." and walked upstairs to his room as well, leaving Cloud downstairs all by his lonesome.
A warm June breeze combed through her hair as she let out a sigh to disappear with the wind. She leaned on the balcony railing with her arms crossed and watched the sun go down.
Tifa slid down to lean her back on the rail, closing her eyes for a breif moment before heading a sound from the guys' room beside her. She snapped open her eyes and looked through to see a shadow gliding above the trees.
"Just a bird..." Tifa sighed, standing up and walking to the bathroom after locking her bedroom door. She rummaged through the cabnet and took out a pair of cuticle scissors, looking at herself in the mirror.
---
Tears ran down her face as she leaned agenst the counter on the floor and shut her heavy eyelids to fall into another depressing dream and unhappy slumber.
Vincent walked quietly through the door and shut it behind him without a sound, walking up the stairs and wiping his lips. He stopped in front of Tifa's door as a heavy scent filled his nostrils.
"Why do I smell blood on her?" he wondered aloud, pushing his ear up to the door. He heard a soft cry coming from inside and reached out the golden claw he wore to touch the doorknob.
"It's locked?" Vincent questioned, standing back and sighing at the door. "Tifa..."
Later, Tifa's eyes snapped open as a sharp pain ran up her arm. She glanced at her wrist and the puddle of blood she had left on the floor. She sat up and sighed, having the same dream again.
She took the towel and wiped everything clean and put the cuticle scissors away before putting another clean outfit on, smelling something cooking downstairs.
Cloud smiled proudly at his bacon sitting in the frying pan. "Sweet." he smiled, "I have sucessfully made beacon!" Vincent rolled his crimson eyes at the blonde before hearing Tifa descend the stairs.
"Morning." she said, rubbing the crust from her eyes. "Oh, Good Morning Tifa!" Cloud sang, happily chewing a strip of beacon. Vincent's eyes landed on the young girl emotionless.
"Morning Vincent." Tifa said quietly, holding her arm behind her back as if he could see her wrist. Vincent only nodded to her, "Lockheart." and stood up, walking outside in silence.
"How can he walk in those boots?" Cloud wondered, shaking his head. "I wonder where he's going all the time?" Tifa asked, thumbing through the paper.
"Hey Cloud, listen to this: Officers find ten people with what seem to be bite marks on their necks. Weird title, huh?" she stated, setting it down on the counter to watch the solider nod.
Tifa quietly read the rest of the article then pushed the paper to Cloud, who was licking his greasy fingers. "Just talk." she stated, then stood to walk outside as well.
"Why is it that everyone leaves?" the blonde wondered, blinking.
Tifa made a fist and walked down the sidewalk, staring at her feet. Tifa again started to feel her eyes sting, but shook her head and resisted it.
"I can't ignore it, but I also cannot posess feelings for him either... Damn life is so difficult..."
She leaned agenst a nearby tree, hearing thunder in the distance, She looked up and saw a heavy bunch of clouds in the west horizon.
The girl sighed and sped-walked back to the house, noticing Cloud running twards her and waving his arms wildly.
"TIFA! THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER ATTACK!" This startled Tifa a bit, but she sprinted to him anyway. "I'll drive this time." Cloud said, touching Tifa's hand as she reached for the door handle.
With a light blush, she nodded and quickly moved her hand away, "Alright..."
She jumped in the back of their new pick-up, where Vincent was quietly sitting with his head hung.
"Gah!" Tifa squealed, causing Vincent to look up at her with his crimson eyes. "Sorry." she quickly added, crawling over to sit next to him.
Cloud had just started the car and sped off before Tifa could actually sit down properly, and when the eager blonde turned the corner, Tifa fell atop of the raven-haired man.
"Ah-" they yelped, Tifa's hand landing his chest and a leg over both of his. Their faces were so close, she had never noticed how hypnotizing his eyes were.
Vincent was happier than hell that he was wearing his cloak and that the collar was hiding his blush, but he needed to, but he couldn't - but they were just so close...
"Sorry Vin..." she stuttered. She winced when she felt his claw slide down her back, causing her to arch her back and put their foreheads together when she looked down at the space between them.
"Uh" he uttered at her movment, her chest was pressing agenst his own, she was right on him now, and she couldn't help but feel a bit aroused.
Vincent couldn't help it either,a hint of blood surrounding his nostrils from where her hand was, but when Cloud turned the opposite way and he pulled the back of Tifa's shirt so that she was right beside him.
The two comrads didn't look at eachother again for the rest of the trip. Tifa brought her legs to her chest and rested her chin in between her knees with a sigh, while Vincent put an elbow on the outside of the truck and spaced.
---
Once in town, Cloud pulled up to a gun store. They all quickly hopped out and walked quietly inside. Cloud was immedeately taken into the back room with the owner, followed by Tifa and Vincent.
"Some vampires broke in, stole six guns, and killed two of my employees." the owner cried, pointing to the crime scene. Cloud scratched his head since they never really did jobs like this, but continued to listen.
"I will make it worth your while..." the old man teased, and the blonde's blue orbs sparkled, "I'm listening..." Cloud began.
Vincent rolled his eyes and sighed, turning to go into the other room while the two negotiated, "This is a waste of my time. I'm going to look around."
Tifa blinked a few times before looking over at Cloud, who was pretending like he didn't care with his poture, but you could obviously see that he was interested to help this man.
Tifa sharply siged and followed Vincent into the next room, where he was so into staring at the counter.
"Vin? Vincent?" Tifa started, but the ex-turk didn't move his eyes away from the spot. "Come here.. I need to ask you somthing."
The young woman's maroon eyes widened and she felt her mouth dry up as she slowly walked over, thinking to herself 'Oh Gods does Vincent...? No, that's rediculus. He would never...' then again she could never tell.
She was finally beside the tall dark man and followed his gaze to a series of red spots on the counter, and then saw a handprint.
"Blood." he stated bluntly, snapping her out of stance. She made a face then looked up at him, "From what?"
"Vampires." he added. How could someone like him know so much about this? Then again, who really pays THAT much attention to Vincent?
Tifa was now interested in it, and stared at it a bit longer before sensing Vincent move.
She began to turn around but a hand rested on her shoulder and a voice that was accompanied by hot breath whispered, "What do you think?"
Her breath became stuck in her throat as a gasp entered her mouth. She had never been this close to Vincent before.
Vincent's eyelids closed over crimson orbs as he felt a strain in his mouth as he leant into Tifa's neck. 'I must have her...' he thought, parting soft lips to reveal sharp, pearly white fangs.
Tifa thought she couldn't breath, but finally let out a silent sigh as his name escaped her lips, "Vincent?"
The tall man stopped and closed his mouth slightly, "Hnn?" he asked, a bit disappointed that he hadn't gotten what he covited.
"Cloud's coming..." she finally whispered, and automatically he moved away from her to inspect the other side of the room like nothing happenend.
"And I will pay for your hotel bill as well." the ancient man said as he opened the door to meet the two. Cloud followed behind him with that same look on his face whenever he accepts a job.
Tifa looked up out of her daze long enough to realize that she was touching the spot where her ponding heart was, and clenching onto the side of the counter.
'What in the hell was Vincent doing? I shouldn't think about it-- but, it's as if I didn't want him to let go at all.' thoughts arose in her mind as she looked over her shoulder at Vinent, who was still looking around.
'What the hell was I thinking?' Vincent scolded himself. He came real close to getting cought that time. He traced a finger over some broken glass, glancing at Tifa from the corner of his eye.
She was lightly blushing, and decided to look around to take her mind off of things. She wasn't really paying attention when she tripped over somthing, and screamed.
Six eyes stared at her and then what she tripped on. Vincent looked away, Cloud's mouth hung open just like Tifa's did, and the owener shook his head solumnly.
"I apologize..." he began, "The graveyard workers havn't came yet." he covered the arm back up with the trashbag as Cloud went to help up the scared girl.
Cloud embraced Tifa's shaking body and felt her dig her nails into his shirt. "You okay, Tif?" he asked, brushing some of her hair away.
She could only nod, her voice unable to escape from the grasp of shock.
Vincent gritted his teeth together and crossed his arms, glaring at the counter. 'Cloud...' he thought enviously. But then again, he didn't love Tifa, he was in love with Aeris.
Vincent relaxed a bit before hearing a scream outside. He ran to the door and loaded his gun, grabbing the door handle and sent the wooden piece flying open.
In the time it took for Cloud and Tifa to get outside, Vincent was already half-covered in blood.
"What the hell ARE those things?" Tifa yealled, Cloud shrugged and pulled out his sword, running to help Vincent out.
Tifa blinked dumbfounded at the things they were fighting. They had fangs and were dressed in black and--
"AHHH!" a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and hoised her up, moving her hair to the side.
Cloud turned around at her scream, "TIFA!" he yelled twards her. She was squiming with all of her might to get out of the things grasp.
"What a lovely scent my dear... I bet your blood tastes good as well!" the thing said in her ear, the deathly cold hands brushing her skin.
"Help me!" Tifa cried, trying to move her arms to break free. She stopped moving when the thing behind her moved her neck to the side.
Cloud began running to her aid, but was knocked to the ground by two of the monsters and was struggleing to block with his blade.
The terrified girl shivered in it's grasp, feeling it's cold breath hover over her neck.
Vincent turned and aimed his gun at what was holding Tifa captive and pulled back on the trigger.
He sent the thing and Tifa down to the ground with a loud thud. Tifa slowly hoisted up her weight and looked at what almost bit her.
"It's a-- vampire?" she questioned. But she would save all of that for later, right now she needed to help.
The sky boomed with thunder and it slipped tiny raindrops from the darkness above them, which quickly turned into a heavy downpour.
Cloud was knocked to the ground a few times, but that was only because he took on large numbers at once, Vincent didn't really seem to fall at all, and Tifa had fallen once or twice.
All were just soaked through from the water. And the bad part about it was, that that part of town had really fertile soil, so some of the ground was coming apart and huge puddles were beginning to form.
Tifa, howver, had not noticed this. She was too busy beathing the pulp out of the vampires that she accidentally slipped and fell, the earth giving way beneath her.
She yelped but was quickly carried under the current, the muddy water surounding her and coming through her ears, nose, and mouth.
She came above water a few times before something grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the newly formed river.
Tifa's long chocolate hair and clothes clung to her body, and she looked dirty, but that didn't stop Vincent from heling her out.
The woman he had just rescued from drowning fell into him from dizzyness, and he felt somthing squish into him and made him blush.
Vincent shook his head and carried her wedding-style to the back of the pick-up just as Cloud sliced the last of the deamons.
Cloud senced a shadow lingering above them and glanced over his shoulder to see a last vampire with long silver hair and one black wing watching them.
The blonde frowned and slowly trudged back to the car with the least bit of screatches on him.
Vincent didn't even look like he was in battle, just like he was playing in the mud, and Tifa had a cut on her arm and a scratch on her cheek.
The rain didn't stop, it kept coming, so Cloud ran to the truck and hopped into the front seat.
He was used to driving a motorcycle, but Yuffie and Barret had tought him well how to drive, and this was his practice.
Vincent looked up at the sky and closed his crimson orbs, releasing a sigh. "Well, that was fun." he murmured.
Tifa coughed and caused Vincent to snap his neck her way. He blinked twice before shifting her weight so that she was inside of his cloak and was leaning agenst him.
Tifa shivered at the sudden warmth but was comforted by Vincent's arm draping arround her shoulders.
The car started up jsut as Vincent had his nerves tingling with the scent of her blood surrounding him. He glanced at her, but didn't take his eyes away from her beauty.
She was so content laying beside him. He wanted her so badly... but he knew that he could never have her, unless...
---
Big, maroon eyes opened widely, the black pupils widening so that they focused to the dimly lit candle above her head.
Tifa slowly lifted her head, noticing that she was somewhere else on a couch. She felt really warm too.
She clutched her arm as a sharp pain pierced it. She looked at where her cut was and noticed somthing red arround it.
"Am I bleeding that badly?" she whispered. Then she noticed that a heavy cloth was draped over her figure.
She looked down and noticed Vincent's cloak. With a light gasp, she didn't notice that her face was wildly blushing.
Tifa heard a light sigh before her, and turned her gaze to face Vincent, whom was sitting in a chair with his head hung and his arms crossed.
Vincent was sleeping soundly, and his bandana was out of his hair. The candle light lit up the most it could to reveal him to her, and she could finally see his whole face.
She shifted her weight and leaned closer to him, propping up on her arms, thinking that she wouldn't have to "hurt" herself tonight.
The young girl slowly put up a shaky hand, brushing his raven locks from his face. "Oh my god..." she mouthed to herself, because now she could see that Vincent truley was beautiful, so terrifyingly beautiful...
Just as she leant her face in to get a better look, his hand grabbed her wrist in a split second and it startled her greatly.
Vincent's eyes snapped open to meet a pretty face. "Tifa?" he said quietly, releasing her from her grasp.
Tifa quickly sat back and looked away. "Are you alright?" she heard him ask quietly. Tifa nodded and said, "Sorry if I woke you up..."
He had sat there, for her, he had sat there and fell asleep beside her, and that made her heart skip a beat.
Vincent leaned forward and touched her face lightly, brushing her hair away to see her better. "I'm glad."
She looked at him and felt her mouth dry up. He fell asleep beside her AND he was worried? She felt like she couldn't swallow.
"Vincent--" she started, looking back at him. Gods, he was just too good-looking! She couldn't stand it, she just wanted to hug him.
And it was like he could listen to her thoughts, because right after that thought raced through her mind, he pulled her forward and hugged her.
Vincent dug his face into her hair, the scent of vanilla seeming to fill the air and she accepted the embrace.
Tifa hoped that he wouldn't notice her heart pounding out of her chest through is thin shirt, then closed her eyes and sighed, pretending to fall asleep.
Vincent blinked, then released her and laid her back down, pulling up his cloak over her torso.
"Tifa..." he whispered, mainly to himself but it was just an outloud thought. He ran his fingertips over her cheek and fngercombed her hair with his golden claw.
He leaned down and Tifa felt his warm breath above her lips, causing her to stiffen her shoulders. Then there was a knock at the door.
"Vincent?" came a muffled voice, "I'm going to my room, I'll slip your room key under the door."
Tifa knew it was Cloud, and she was kind of disappointed when the one beside her didn't kiss her.
Vincent sighed through his nose and moved his mouth up to her browline, planting a soft kiss on her forhead, then stood up, blew out the candle, and left; kneeling down to pick up his key before departing.
Once she heard the door close Tifa opened her eyes feeling herself blush. She looked at the door and sighed lightly, and for the first time since she had met him, Tifa felt that she was starting to have feelings for the ex-turk.
The martial artist shook her head and turned over to face the back of the couch, falling back asleep with Vincent's face in her mind.
---
Tifa stretched her arms above her head and rolled over, falling to the floor with a loud thud, yelping from the impact.
"Ow... Now, God damnit, who the hell...?" she didn't finish her sentence as she sat up and looked arround the room stunned.
"Wow--" she whispered, cupping her hand over her mouth at the rooms beauty. It was the absence of food that finally brought her back from drooling all over the wood finish.
Tifa leaned back on her arms for support and looked at the chandalier above the middle of the room, when her hand landed on somthing soft.
Tifa turned her gaze to the pile of red on the floor, and gasped when she looked at the clock beside the queen sized bed.
She jumped up from the floor and ran into the bathroom, skidding on the tile and admired it, then shook her head and looked at the shower.
"Whoa!" she gasped, her voice echoing through the room before she stripped and jumped into the shower.
It felt so good to have hot water running down her shoulders and back, and she didn't wait or hesitate to use half of the soap bottle brovided for her to wash herself.
Tifa poked her head out of the shower when she heard a knock at the door. She finished rinsing and wrung out her hair.
Tifa wrapped a towel around her body and walked to the door with her hair over her shoulder, bending over to pick up a small envalope. Opening it, she read it silently, mouthing the words to herself:
To Miss Tifa Lockheart,
We are honored to have you staying at our hotel, and we would love it if you would grace us with your presence at the Cesestial Ball, in honor of the hotel's 20th Anniversary. Please wear your best dress, and arrive in the lobby at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4th. Hope to see you there, and enjoy your stay at Hotel Ellete!
Tifa made a face and placed the card on the red silk sheeted bed before rummaging through the dresser drawers.
"All of my clothes are here...?" but she guessed that the old man at the gun shop sent the hotel employees to send for her things.
She picked out a pair of blue jeans and a black tank top with clean black boots in the closet.
Putting the clothing on, Tifa styled her hair the way she always did, and headed down to the dining room.
It took her about fifteen minutes to find it, including her little tour of the hotel on the way there.
Once she walked into the room, she noticed a bunch of rich people there already in dresses and jewelry; even the kids were dressed up!
Her maroon orbs searched for any sign of casual, and saw Cloud and Vincent sitting in the corner in the back of the huge room.
Her boots quickly trailed over the fine carpet as she made her way to them, Cloud looking up and smiling at her once she was in view.
Vincent was wearing his usual clothes without his bandanaor cloak and Cloud was wearing his except for his shoulder guard.
The girl quietly sat down, staring at the table in silence as Cloud continued talking about how much gil they were getting paid and what they needed to do.
Vincent nodded his head a few times, pretending to listen to Cloud but glancing at Tifa a few times, noticing that his bandana was still on her arm and it made his mouth curl up into a smirk.
"So, what do you guys think?" Cloud asked, Tifa and Vincent's attention directed to him. "Interesting..." Tifa murmured.
"Fine by me." Vincent said, crossing his arms and looking out the window into space-mode.
"Okie-dokie then!" Cloud smiled, putting his thumb up and winking at his friends, "It's settled."
There was a long silence before Tifa spoke, "So... did you guys get that invitation to the Celestial Ball next week?"
Vincent and Cloud turned their heads to Tifa, their eyes showing it all: Yes Tifa, we had getten one too. But Vincent felt his hand begin to sweat from the subject, considering it was Tifa after all.
And for the first time since Lucrecia passed, Vincent finally accepted that he was falling in love with Tifa.
---
Cliff hanger! Hurray!Sorry so short but please read and review! (hands out cookies to everyone)I'm working on the next chapter right now! (types insanely fast to get next chapter done)
Cloud, Tifa, and Vincent: (sweatdrop)