Disclaimer: Nope...I own none of it :(
"Excuse me, Miss, would you like anything?"
The alluring, rich timbre the masculine voice held pulled her from her dreamless nap, she pushed herself up on one elbow, using the other arm to tip her sunhat away from her eyes allowing the beautiful red rays of sunset to flood her vision. Shifting a little she focused on the absurdly delicious man in front of her...hell yeah, wouldn't mind you to come over here and use those large supple hands to...err...just what was the question again?
Realising she was openly staring at him, she quickly reigned in her actions,
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Erm...Miss, a drink?"
"Oh! Right...erm...well...err" her eyes drifted down to the opened buttons of his shirt, and the mouth watering bronze flesh on show, biting her lip she let out a rye laugh, her voice surprisingly forming a sexy drawl,
"Vodka martini, please."
The waiter bowed with a flourish and strolled barefoot through the sand towards the bar. After watching him go, (consisted of craning her neck to stare at his taught derrière), Tifa flopped back down onto the sun-bed basking in the humid air that gently lulled her senses.
Ahhh, heaven...
It was that moment in which her chin slipped off the knuckles which supported her, and her body unceremoniously followed, rendering her to an tangled mess of limbs on the bar floor. Letting loose a low groan she gradually forced herself up onto her knees, running a hand through her hair, get a grip Tifa! She had had a long night just previously, and had to wake up early courtesy á la Zack. A house call...and he evaded answering her question of: Why?! It's not as if he needed to really invite her (Although after the last visit's disastrous results, perhaps an invitation wasn't necessarily a 'bad' thing)...but he had sounded shifty enough to spur the blossoming of suspicion deep in her belly.
Frowning for another time in the space of two hours, she pulled herself up to her full height and checked the clock. She had three more hours to get this place cleaned to Barret's ridiculously high standards. Come on!
The stench of freshly spilled blood was unmistakable and he licked his lips a little in anticipation. Green eyes (long since activated thanks to a quick, clean clash with an unarmed mercenary) glinted eerily in the moonlight casting a glance this way and that, the night really was beautiful...he loved the darkness with its exceptional ability to shroud nearly every sin committed by man in mystery and confusion, and in his case...every one of his sins. Well, just the more serious ones.
Stealthily he crouched low by an open door, which led to none other than a home chapel of sorts. Snarling in disgust, he spat at the entrance, religion never did sit well with this employee, it was filthy and misleading...only used as a source of control, and boy did this man hate being controlled. However, taking (albeit reluctantly) a closer look inside, he spotted a figure, kneeling before the idol, the moonlight illuminating both him and room, giving everything an almost ethereal glow. The image was strangely serene, and the man at the door had to pause for a moment, feeling an unfamiliar sense of peace wash over him, but the sensation was over in seconds and after collecting himself, immediately stalked towards his prey. On the other hand the man inside had already felt the intruder's presence, hell he was expecting him. It was no use to hide, if his suspicions were correct then the man knew that this hunter was relentless, and found anyone and everyone. How the fuck he had gotten in so efficiently though, especially how he had put up numerous extra defences after hearing he was on the list just days before, it was a surprise even to him. It seemed the Yakuza had sent their best, and if anything he was intrigued to finally meet him. Meet the Wingless. The one, the only. He had time to damn his guards in hell, because he was fucking sure that was where he and they were all heading. A glint caught the prey's eyes, and he twisted his head to the side a little, only to be met by the glowing edge of a large sword less than a breath away from his eyes. Tsurugi. It broke him from his thoughts, and all of a sudden the imminent death which lay before him seemed almost tragic, and...Dare he say it? – Terrifying...ha, seemed like death finally brought out the inner pussy in him.
He was beginning to palpitate, and his breathing became shallow, but he found the strength to pull his voice together, for what he knew would be the last time.
"Are you Wingless?"
"Yes."
His heart began to throb horribly in his chest, suspicions confirmed. Well at least I died in the hands of a legend. It wasn't much, but it was the best consolation he could come up with, he knew he deserved his death; he had done too many dirty, filthy things. And he knew that with everything, every murder, rape, sin he assigned, there came a price, all his kind had to pay.
Then, suddenly, a split second after hearing the dreaded swish of the blade, the world became black. And the prey was no more.
The hunter left as quickly, and as quietly as he came.
"Zack?"
"I'm round the corner."
With a push, he set off towards the end of the block where he spotted Zack's car. Once inside he took out Tsurugi, grabbed a cloth which he had left in the car minutes before, and began the meticulous cleaning regime he went through after every assassination. The order and precision in which he cleaned seemed to be the only thing which kept him sane right after he did it. Oh yeah, he sinned alright.
Dressed casually in an over-sized hoody and leggings, she rang the bell. Unintentionally holding her breath. A warm rush of air greeted her as the door swung open, a grinning Zack in her wake; however she did notice the slight forcefulness of the smile, and the tightness around his eyes. What's going on?
"Come in Teef!"
Teef?! Eugh he hasn't called me that in years...now I definitely know something is going down. However she decided to play it out a little more, and decided against asking him about what the hell was up, and instead walked past him and inside.
It was a beautiful day outside, and she loved the sun and the colours it brought into the world, so she made a beeline towards his floor-to-ceiling gigantic windows which spanned his open plan living/dining so one could view the whole cityscape. Giggling in pleasure she turned to face him, beckoning him over,
"Damn, I could never tire of this...don't you love-" Someone laughed, and it wasn't her or Zack...Huh? She kept silent for a moment longer, she felt Zack stiffen by her side.
There! A voice, yes...she could hear a voice to her left, distinctly masculine, its low timbre strikingly familiar, and whoever it was let loose another rumble from the diaphragm.
"Is someone here? I'm not deaf Zack, and whoever that is, is hardly being inconspicuous, I thought it was just me, do you have company?" She didn't mean to pry, but he hadn't said anything about company, and she was hardly dressed!
"Oooh Tifa, long word..." He followed with a too obvious fake laugh which ended prematurely, resulting in him reaching back and scratching the back of his neck.
"Don't you dare try and change the subject!"
He shifted uncomfortably under her sharp gaze, "Oh...well...it's erm, only Cloud."
Cloud? As realisation dawned on her face, her eyes shimmered for a split second in fear,
"Um...perhaps I should...you know, leave...now."
There was a creak in the floorboards,
"I hardly think that is necessary." The words were said in a low drawl from somewhere behind her and it immediately sent shivers down her spine. Gulping, she pivoted ever so slowly, and once she looked up, those damned ice blue orbs locked onto hers, and she couldn't help but feel chilled, she had to look away.
"So, why did you call us here Fair?"
Us? She immediately realised that her gut instinct was definitely right. Something terrible was going to happen, and for the first time Tifa wished she invisible.
"Right, both of you...just shut up and listen okay, wait you better both take a seat."
Suspicions were whizzing around the pair's heads, but they took the offer up anyway. Cloud glanced the girl's way, giving her the once over as if on auto-pilot, it was almost standard now, well with everything that had breasts, only women I might add. Anyway, he wasn't shocked to be revolted by her in general, her clothes...hair...goddamn everything made him scowl! This girl had no style, no bloody idea and no fucking brain! Who the hell goes out like that? What is that...a forgotten earring stuck in her hair? This isn't a fucking slumber party sweetheart! He let out a disapproving grunt as she went to sit near him and forcibly pushed her to the other side of the couch, no way did he want something like that closer than necessary. 5 mile necessary, preferably, but he was kind guy, he would make an exception for a couple minutes. He smiled, he really could be generous at times.
Zack seemed to be stalling.
"We're waiting...I don't have time for this Zack, and plus, I don't want that near me for much longer, there's only so much we humans can take."
Tifa's jaw dropped. Literally. Bristling, her veins coursing with anger she was ready to pounce. NO ONE spoke to her like that! Who the fuck does he think he is?! Bloody...
"Please! Cloud, behave." Zack could see that this so called 'peace' was on its last tethers and so sped up the process, they could be angry at me after...
"Well, I was thinking...well more like I've already done it."
"Done what Fair?"
"Well, you know that new PA..." He took a deep breath as sprinkling understanding flitted across his mate's face, "Is next to you."
3, 2, 1...
"WHAT-?!" Was bellowed in unison as they bolted, as if electrocuted, up from their seats, with "THE FUCK?!" followed only by Cloud, eyes bulging all round, the atmosphere instantly became dangerously hostile.
"Now now guys, it's the perfect solution!" Zack just wanted them to see, this could work out! He was ever the optimist.
"To what exactly Zack?" Tifa's voice was liquid fire. Smouldering, an octave deeper.
If the death glares from either of them had any real physical effect he would potentially have died ten times over by now, he shivered involuntarily,
"To both your situations, just hear me out, on one hand there's you Tifa, you need this job, you've already told me so-"
"This was hardly what I was expecting to happen once I told you this Zack!"
"Yeah well, I'm trying to help you out," he raised a hand once he saw her preparing for another retort, effectively stopping her, "and on the other, Cloud, you need a PA, and one that you can trust...one that will last longer than two meagre months!"
Cloud sent a scowl his way whilst Tifa frowned (AGAIN!), confusion twisting her brain.
"What do mean, longer than two months?"
"It's none of your business." Cloud looked her over with disgust, she visibly flinched,
"What the hell are you-"
Cloud rudely cut her off as if she wasn't even there. I asked to be invisible...looks like wish granted 24/7 with this jerk-off.
"You're right though, she'd definitely last longer than that, to bloody infinity more like it, and what do you mean already done?!" The blond spat out with venom.
It was then that Zack's phone started to ring, he thanked the lord, stood up after checking the I.D. and nodded at the other two, silently telling them to stay there or face his unmerciful wrath...(muahaha)...or something to that desired effect anyway...nevertheless he headed out for the balcony, effectively escaping World War 3, leaving the still-furious pair alone.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Cloud slouched back against the seat of the sofa unmercifully muttering,
"Why the fuck would he do that? And with this thing?!"...honestly what the hell is fucker on?!
The dam burst,
"For Christ's sake I have a bloody name you know!"
Without a moment's hesitation, or a glance in her direction, he monotonously replied, "And I care?"
She seemed awestruck, out of the blue, his harsh remarks brought out a confidence that spurred adrenaline to burn through her system like wildfire, never before had she felt such a thrill!
"I would like to think I'm decent enough as a person to be partial to the judgemental sensationalism out there, however when it came to you, I always felt deep down, well...perhaps not that deep, that you were an incorrigible, womanising, alcoholic bastard, just like some of those papers (albeit the male population aimed magazines...she now knew they did speak some truth, why she was reading them in the first place however...) said you were, and surprise, surprise, I suppose I was right...you really are a son of a bitch aren't you?"
"Sticks and stones Lockhart," he rolled his eyes, this thing was so not worth his time, "I get worse than that quite often, from feminist bitches like you, and guess what, I still get them screaming my name half an hour later, you don't fool me, you're just like them, and given the chance...who knows what you'd do if left in a room alone with me."
"So we result to calling each other by our surnames, how cliché, Strife. And by the way those were great analytical skills on show sunshine, but lookie here, we're alone..." She waved her arms as if to further prove the point, "and I can't see anyone jumping anyone's bones." She spat the words out, her adrenaline seem relentless.
"That's because I haven't given you the chance Lockhart." He then sent her yet another hypnotically direct, penetrating look which screamed something unidentifiable, something dangerously raw, unchallenged, and something so sexual she felt the surrounding temperature rise and her breathing become laboured.
Then as quickly as it came, he relinquished his gripping hold on her and smirked, raising a brow at her clenched thighs. Realising this, Tifa suppressed a gasp and calmed her thumping heart, which she was positive he could hear! And braced herself both mentally and physically for her next offensive.
-Tifa: Future-
In fact, it took an uncalculated amount of time before he told me that: he really could hear the beat of my heart.
A/N: HOLY COW. That was SUCH a long hiatus...I am SO sorry guys. :( I don't know what actually came over me?! Perhaps it was the January modules which I had to take (and subsequently failed I think...which makes it all the more painful!) But whatever it was...I apologise profoundly. :(
I only HOPE that this chappy somewhat makes up for it! And I have found a nice slot every week to dedicate myself to update and things...so hopefully things will work out and you're never left waiting again...oh-ho I'm sayingthat...now whether it happens...humdum, different story!
Ah Cloud 3. He makes my blood boil in all types of ways :O. Oh dear...and he's just a bunch of pixels...DAMMIT!
ALSO! 3 to those that reviewed the last chap, they really are wonderful :):- Cloti22, MtReload, rainydaykisses, Rend :), elfrance A., typical, Sacred3, MsRainy, KarmaBoo, unamariposa, Yumi Rentishi, Mrs. MaxiStrife, ClotiNotCleris, BananaPeaceMonkey.
This chap was a little shorter than expected, but I wanted to just get it out there to see what you guys think! And I do hope that you're still interested :) Hit me with a review if you'd be so kind! As I've said (and meant) before, it would be greatly appreciated :D
xXx