Tifa looked up at the tall man with scorn filled eyes, not caring that her hatred of him showed through, wanting him to know how much she detested him.
Sephiroth returned her stare, unblinkingly scrutinizing the fire in her eyes and the defiant tilt of her head. His own green eyes, resting awhile on her mouth, showed surprise as a new emotion seemed to course through him, puzzling him for a moment. Then he gave a short laugh, and turned away.
"What's so funny?" Tifa demanded, her temper rising. Was he laughing at her? Sephiroth turned back to her, a cruel smile playing about his face.
"It would seem that my 'parasite' has……feelings, for you," he answered, sneeringly. "And they appear to go deeper that just pure……..friendship. Or am I wrong?"
Tifa felt her face begin to redden, both in anger and embarrassment, but she kept her head high all the same, determined to stare him down.
Sephiroth reached out and firmly took hold of her chin with one hand. Softly caressing her lips with his thumb, he bent his head to her ear whispering, "He particularly seems to enjoy….doing this!" At the last two words he turned his head, and pressed his mouth hard against hers.
A small cry escaped Tifa, as she pulled away from Sephiroths kiss, wiping it away quickly in disgust.
"Back off Slimeball!" Barrett snarled, taking a step toward Sephiroth.
"Or you'll do what, exactly?" Sephiroth inquired, raising a quizzical brow.
Vincent intervened, forcefully standing in between the two men. "Tifa! Go back to Ancient City…….check and see if Cid and Yuffie need anything," he ordered. Tifa hesitated. She didn't need him standing up for her.
"Go, Tifa," he repeated. "Now is not the time for retribution".
"I'll go with you," Cait Sith volunteered. "I'm sure we're needed much more there, than we are here".
Tifa conceded. "I guess I could do with getting some fresh air, 'cause it sure as hell stinks around here," she said, directing her comment at Sephiroth. She turned and left then, the sound of his derisive laughter following after her, ringing in her ears.
"We do not have time to be fighting amongst ourselves," Vincent admonished. "Eva grows ever more powerful, and soon she will break free".
"This new calamity of yours……..this, Eva…….She sounds interesting. I'd like to meet her," Sephiroth said, turning his attention back to the others.
"Then, we'll take you to her," Vincent replied.