Stranded
Vincent stands there for a moment watching Cloud. He can tell he's trying to work out a plan in his head. It's time for him to act.
Despite the fact that Tifa still has her arms wrapped securely around Cloud's waist, Vincent walks over, placing his hand on her shoulder. She flinches slightly, looking up questioningly. Vincent leans down towards her ear, and her eyes go wide.
"We're watched...no plans, not yet." He state softly in her ear.
She nods in response, and Cloud has noticed Vincent's presence there. He looks at him with a cold look, but then again, he's been looking at nearly everyone like that. Tifa tugs his arm lightly, and his gaze goes to her, softening.
She's the only one who will get him to soften his eyes. She reaches up, pulling him into a big hug, burring her face in his neck.
Her breath is hot on his neck as she whispers, "Don't say anything yet, we're being watched."
Cloud breathes okay into her hair, but doesn't release her, not yet.
"So, Costa Del Sol..." Yuffie says softly.
"Cid," Vincent states. "Get us that airship of yours."
o
O
o
It takes them a while to load Cid's airship, trying to figure out if someone should stay at the bar, or if they should travel separate. Cloud is insistent on Tifa staying at the bar, and Nanaki says he'll stay with her.
But she refuses, as Cloud knew she would. He can't help but be worried about her though. She's strong, so very strong, and he knows it better than most. However, she's also still weak from her attack and from losing the children, including the one that was actually their own by blood. Nanaki understands this, and the two stand out on the outside deck speaking of it.
"I know she'll be out here soon." Cloud states softly.
Nanaki only nods his head in reply.
"What are we suppose to do?"
"Do everything and anything that we can." He replies, softly.
"I understand though," Nanaki adds. "Why you wanted her to stay. I supported that idea somewhat, but you also know..."
Nanaki pauses, making Cloud look over and meet his eyes.
"You also know you couldn't protect her like you promised you would if anything were to happen."
Cloud nods his head, it was the one thing that's been on his mind since this whole ordeal started, and that was protecting Tifa at all cost.
It's now Tifa chooses to walk in, and she looks at them, waiting for them to finish.
"Vincent wants to make any type of plan before we reach Costa Del Sol...and we're almost there."
"I know, I've been thinking, but I don't know what kind of plan we can make if we have no idea where we're going, what we're going up against, and how many of those what's will be there." Cloud says defeated, gripping the railing in front of him.
"All I know is that they have Denzel and Marlene...and that they attacked Tifa...and...they killed..."
Nanaki lowers his head, watching Cloud tighten his grip on the rail.
"I understand." He says simply, leaving the man by himself.
It's not to long after Nanaki has left Cloud to himself that Tifa joins him at the railing. She stood beside him, her hands resting lightly on the rail, not needing to say anything or touch him, just letting her presence be enough. Eventually she notices Cloud's hands relax, and decides it safe to speak.
"Vincent..."
"I know..."
"Okay."
But they make no move to leave the deck, where they can breath in fresh air. Tifa reaches over, placing a hand lightly on Cloud's. He looks over at her, but she's looking out over the water, smiling.
"Costa Del Sol..." she says. "We can be with them again soon."
And he knows who she's talking about.
Cloud turns to look, to gaze out at Costa Del Sol. But that's when the ship jerks, and they hear an explosion. The ship lurches, dipping dangerously in the sky. Cloud wraps an arm securely around Tifa, and grips the rail with his other hand. He leans out slightly, seeing smoke coming from somewhere on the ship.
"Something's happened!" Tifa shouts, as the airship picks up speed.
It's then they notice the airship veer sharply down and towards the left, the water below getting closer and closer.
"Tifa! Hang on!" Cloud's grip around Tifa strengthens.
Tifa grasped the railing with one hand, and Cloud with the other. She barely had time to look up at him, and Cloud met her eyes. They were full of fear, full of disappointment at getting so close, and now this happening.
But the impact jolted them, the airship plowing into the deep water. Cloud can barely keep his grip on the railing as the water rushes over them, his hand loosens.
And then she's gone, a second frozen in time, her hand still outstretched towards him.
"CLOUD!" She screams, her eyes wide as she's pushed backwards, falling into the water.
"TIFA!" Cloud screams break through the crashing waves.
But luck isn't with him. A wave slams into him, knocking him against the metal floor.
His vision blurs, everything going black as water rushes about him, barely having time to utter one word.
"Tifa."
o
O
o
"Tifa!" Cloud bolts up, and winces.
"Easy." It's a female's voice, but not Tifa's.
It's now he realizes he can't see anything.
"Cloud, it'll be okay, just trust me...can you do that? Cloud..." It's her voice.
"Cloud!" It's a different voice.
Cloud's vision clears, his eyes searching the area around him. He groans, and rubs a hand across his face.
"Tifa?" He asks, sluggishly.
There isn't a response.
It's now he realizes where he is, a sandy beach and cool waters rushing over his feet. He looks out across the ocean, spotting Cid's smoking airship. It's afloat for now, but whose to say in an hour or so. Cloud winces again, a bloody gash on his right arm. He curses under his breath, he doesn't have any weapon on him, and it's a definite that there's no way he's finding that stupid phone, even if it works.
He stands slowly, trying to get his bearings, but the beach is empty. There isn't a single building or person, there's nothing. He realizes he's stranded, alone.
Alone, and at that word, it hits him.
His eyes go wide, and he falls back down to the ground, breathing heavily, clutching his chest. There's a pain like never before, because he has no idea what's happened, no idea where she is, and no idea if she's alive or dead.
"Tifa."
A/N: ack! diaster strikes again! These guys just aren't getting a break this time around. Ah well, another chapter done! Hopefully I can finish another one on Sunday, but anyways, do you guys have any idea how hard it is to switch from 3rd person to 1st person? I kept typing this story in 1st person, and I realized when I was reading over it...I had like six different POV in 1st person...yeah...that was interesting...heh, as always thanks for teh reviews!