Hey guys sorry it took so long to get this new chapter posted. I've been through finals and portfolio reviews and its been keeping me busy, not to mention I was killer sick last weekend. Such a pain. Well im in my car driving to Kansas right now and to entertain myself for 8 hours im gonna work on this chapter, sadly it'll only take half the trip there so maybe ill take some breaks or read and edit it the second half of the ride home... anyways! Thanks to all of you who've reviewed its good to hear from you! Lets get this chapter started! –Annubis
The Decision Between Life or Death:
A Second Chance
Chapter 24
Tseng pulled his coat tighter to his body trying his best to avoid the bitter winds. In one hand he held a single rose. He stared up at the apartment on the third floor of building two of the complex. There was a couple by the front door. They seemed awfully close, talking and laughing quietly to each other. The blonde flipped her hair as she shyly pressed herself up against the door. The redheaded man joked and raised his eyebrows at her, obviously being mischievous and suggestive.
"Things have gone through some changes while you've been gone." a low voice sounded from behind the man.
"So it seems." Tseng sighed. "I came to apologize to her and set the story straight. Seems she's doing fine now."
"I'm not sure when it all started myself. I was gone for vacation and when I came back it appeared the two had gotten a bit closer."
"What would you suggest I do, Rude?" Tseng looked over his shoulder at the man.
"You know me, I'm not good at this stuff." Rude cleared his throat.
"Says a man who joined Elena's cooking club and has secret dates almost every night..." a small smile crossed Tseng's lips. Even though he didn't look at the other man he could still sense his embarrassment.
"...I think you should still speak with her, but I don't know what you expect from her."
"I plan to, but not tonight." the long haired man shrugged. "It was my fault to begin with, hiding it all from her. I should've been more straight forward with her."
"You're just too understanding for your own good." Rude shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Tseng questioned. He stared at the now empty doorway to Elena's apartment. Reno had long since traveled down the steps and back to his own apartment. He watched quietly a moment as the lights went off one by one in her small home. "I have been gone a long time, without word. I just up and left without telling her the real reason. I've broken her heart, I deserve to watch her from afar as she picks her life back up."
"Yeah...but Reno? You think that's a good idea?" Rude raised a brow, his sunglasses bobbing upward. Tseng stared at him a moment, not knowing how the man could be wearing those in the dark night.
"Whatever makes her happy." Tseng chuckled. "My fate's been decided. I will have to marry regardless. It's better this way. She won't be hurt, still having feelings for me, wondering if it ever could have worked out between the two of us."
"Is that what you're worried about?" His companion asked. There was an awkward silence.
"I cannot allow myself to think of those things any longer." the man turned and headed for his car.
"I'm sorry Tseng." Rude spoke up, watching his friend open the door to the car.
"All will be fine, I'm sure." Tseng nodded. "Thank you for your condolences." the man entered his vehicle starting the engine. Bright lights flipped on, shining upon Rude.
"Just don't beat yourself up over it." the bald man muttered making his way to his own apartment.
"Nothing! These books have nothing!" Red XIII growled in irritation. "In grandpa's entire library, you cannot tell me there isn't at least one book on the Ancients and regeneration!" the animal pawed a book away from himself. He plopped onto the rug in the center of the floor resting his chin on the ground.
"How ridiculous...What should I do now?" he yawned, a slight patch of fur on his back puffed out as he did so.
His good eye darted over the books strewn across the study. Red blew out a puff of air, pouting. He spent night and day going through the books and notes about the Ancients his grandfather had written and studied.
"Wait a minute..." the animal strained to get back to his feet. "I'm an idiot..."
The beast padded toward a case on the opposite side of the room. He jumped up onto his hind legs, his front resting on the shelf before him. His green eye trailed over the text on the dusty old books.
"Lifestream...Lifestream...where is it?" his paw drug across the wooden shelf brushing off the grime. Satisfied he dug a claw into the top of the spine of a rather thick book and tipped it into his mouth.
He carried the book and trotted toward the rug once again. He sat slowly and dropped onto the ground. Slowly Red XIII pawed at the pages, speed reading the table of contents.
"Myths and Theories..." the animal purred. "That sounds interesting. 1352, 1352, 1352..." he repeated the page number in his head as he clumsily turned the pages.
He read for a few minutes, beginning to get a little aggravated. He didn't care about the supposed origins of the Lifestream, nor did he care about the supposed energy it had caused by the four directional poles that many past kings and queens built their kingdoms upon for luck and fortune. He didn't feel like knowing where to place his couch because of the flow of the Lifestream under Cosmo Canyon. A certain headline caught his eye.
'Regeneration myth.'
"It has been known that rulers of the Ancient race found a way for eternal life. It has been said one man had rule for over 500 years. Whether it was by potion or any other means is unknown. One myth states that the Cetra knew of a procedure that would regenerate the body and rid it of any ailments. Documents reveal little of this ritual but many words translated came up with the same meaning; 'regeneration' and 'Lifestream'. One theory is that the Ancients were one with the Lifestream and by committing pagan rituals and sacrifices they were able to maintain their health and live long prosperous lives, though there is no evidence of this." Red snorted. "Preposterous. The Ancients were nothing like this, they were too kind in nature to have sacrificial rituals. What a ridiculous book." Just as he was about to throw the book in the corner he read the next line. "Another theory states that once a body has died and placed into the stream, it will be regenerated by the life force of the Lifestream/planet. Of course this is only a theory and no evidence is known to prove this."
Red XIII stared at the words a moment, dumbfounded.
"Because Aeris and Zack died and their bodies fell into the Lifestream immediately, they were allowed regeneration. But, why them and not others? Plenty of people have drowned in the Lifestream or died of Mako poisoning." Red went over the pages again.
"Sacrificial rituals..." he rolled his eyes again as he read the paragraph. He paused a moment. "Wait a minute...sacrifice. What if both theories are correct?" the animal gasped, getting to his feet. "I must relay this information to the others!" he lifted the book into his chops and galloped out of the room.
"Cloud!" Tifa drug out the middle of his name. "Are you scaring the customers again!?" she sighed loudly, placing her hands on her hips.
"It's not my fault I don't have boobs, Tifa." the man shrugged casually.
"These are the worst tips I've had in years." the woman ignored the man's comment.
"Wanna trade? I'm tired of dealing with 'em." the blonde joined her side behind the bar next to the sink.
"Sure. My hands are getting pruney anyways." she pulled her delicate hands out of the soapy water. "Make sure you use really hot water!" she waved a finger at the man.
"Hot water, soap, rag, air dry...yeah I know." the man groaned.
"Who ordered Sex on the Beach!?" the girl hollered, carrying a tray full of fruit drinks. Cloud glared at the company as a series of hoots and hollers were given as the woman trotted to the guests' tables.
'Are these names necessary?' the man shook his head.
"Thank you sir!" Tifa smiled at an elderly man who slipped a tip into the woman's apron as she walked by. It took her a while to get used to the costumer's contact when she first began working at the Seventh Heaven back when Barret owned the bar in Sector Seven. It didn't take long, however, to get used to using her fists whenever someone got a little too touchy feely. Now she learned to embrace her looks in order to gain more tips and keep food on the table.
'Like a safer, more modest approach to prostitution.' the woman repeated Bigg's words he had said to her so many years ago.
Now she'd have to start all over, dealing with Cloud and his itchy hand that constantly went to the handle of his sword every time a man so much as spoke to the woman. The two of them were going to need to figure a way to keep business up now that Cloud was helping out.
"Hey, how bout sharing a drink or two with us tonight?" a scruffy man asked. Tifa felt her cheeks turn a bright red.
"Um, not tonight, boys." the woman gave him a look telling him to keep his mouth shut. Despite her efforts, Cloud heard everything. His blue gaze was shooting lasers at the group of men. Tifa pointed her finger at the blonde whom was grabbing his sword mouthing 'no!' to him.
"Aw, why not? Always share a drink with that gentleman over there." the drunk man slurred. He pointed to the corner.
Tifa's eyes went to the man who had entered the bar a moment ago, taking off his suit jacket and resting it on the back of the chair.
"Reno?" Tifa smiled. She hadn't even noticed him.
"Yo. What's up sweet cheeks?" Reno gave her a grin.
"How were the kids?" the woman skipped to the redhead.
"Great! Great, actually." he gave a sheepish grin as he rubbed the back of his head. There was an awkward silence.
"So...I guess I owe you-." Tifa whispered. She could feel Cloud's piercing eyes.
"Naw! Don't worry about it. How bout just a free drink?" the man winked. "Mr. Strife! How are you doing tonight? Been a long time."
"It sure has." Cloud gave a curt nod.
"The usual?" Reno turned his attention back to the astonished young woman before him.
"S, sure!" she stuttered, holding the tray against her chest. "Cloud! Round of drinks for this table!" she trotted away to get the man's order. "Aw, hell. Just give me the bottle and a glass." she reached over the counter and snatched up the bottle from the man's hand.
"Tifa?" Cloud watched her curiously.
"Payment for watching the kids." Tifa said under her breath as she turned and left in a hurry.
"Oh? Then...no date?" Cloud asked to no one. He couldn't help his sigh of relief.
"So, what's up with ditching me?" Tifa asked as she set the bottle and glass onto the man's table.
"Oh, no reason. Wouldn't want to put you through that kind of torture. This bottle is payment enough. The kids were fine. I may even offer to watch 'em again someday." the redhead sputtered out quickly, pouring the golden liquid into his cold mug.
"Who is she?" Tifa batted her lashes.
"Mwah!?" the man coughed, choking on his drink. Tifa stared at him, folding her arms over her chest. She raised her eyebrows, obviously not a fool.
"You're a quick one, Tifa." the man gave her a smug look. He took another drink.
"Who?" the woman pulled the glass from his fingers.
"Aw, jeez!" the man leaned back in his chair. He looked off to the side.
"..." he sighed, tapping his fingers on the table, stalling.
"Reno." she pried.
" 'Lena..." he muttered.
"Elena!?" Tifa gasped. She pulled out the seat opposite of him and sat down. "Details!"
"Hey! Why wouldn't you sit ...with me?" the scruffy man from the previous table hiccuped.
"Quiet John!" the girl roared from her seat. She watched Reno, waiting patiently.
"We've gotten close lately..." the man spoke slowly and quietly. "She helped me a few times with the kids."
"What did you two do while my kids were staying at your place?" Tifa gasped.
"No! Nothing like that!" Reno cleared his throat. He gave her an ornery look and bounced his eyebrows up and down. "We waited till Barret came and picked 'em up."
"Ew. Too much info." the woman giggled. "So you and Elena are dating now?"
"Um...I guess you could say that." the man was very uncomfortable between Tifa's prying and Cloud's deadly glares.
"But...what about Tseng?"
"Tseng? He's the one who dumped her. Left without explanation. Still don't know exactly why he did it." Reno sighed. He ran a hand down his face. "Doesn't sound like Tseng at all."
"Uh oh." the woman covered her mouth.
"What?" Reno coked his head to the side.
"I think I may know why." the woman gave a strange face, like she just let out information she wasn't supposed to.
"Why?" the man leaned forward.
"We went to Wutai while you were watching the kids. Yuffie has an arranged marriage, turns out."
"Yuffie!? She's getting married!?" the man shuddered. "Feel sorry for the poor bastard cursed with that fate." he laughed, binging his drink to his lips.
"That would be Tseng." Tifa laughed nervously.
"What!?" Reno dropped his glass. He slapped the table with two hands. "Jesus, Tifa! You've got be #& kiddin' me!"
"'Fraid not." the woman sighed, wiping up the spilt alcohol.
"So, that's why he was in Wutai!? Cause he's gettin' married!?" the man strung out a few curse words rubbing his temples.
"It was an arranged marriage. He had no choice. Yuffie didn't either." Tifa explained.
"That's no excuse! He shoulda told her! Damn it!" the man covered his face. "Someone's gotta tell her, Tifa."
"..." the woman wrung her hands.
"She was hurt. She was so upset about all of this! And it turns out he was getting married!? And bull shit he didn't have a choice! Everyone has a choice! Fate isn't real, there is no destiny! You don't just go through life letting yourself be defeated by other people's decisions!" the man was furious. "Damn it!"
"I'm sorry, Reno." Tifa bit her lip.
"I've got to tell her. I've gotta fix all this." The man stood from the table.
"Wait! What do you mean you got to fix this!?" she followed him to the door. "You mean you're..." she froze when the man turned to her.
"Elena loved him. She loved him more than anything, Tif..." he sighed. "If I can fix that for her, I'd do it."
"What about your feelings?" the woman asked him.
"...As long as she's happy, I'm happy!" he beamed and headed out the door in a hurry.
"Oh, Reno. Don't hurt yourself over this mess." Tifa sighed.
"He left in a hurry." Cloud muttered. He was serving a table near the door.
"Girl problems." Tifa gave Cloud a fake smile.
"Everyone's having girl problems lately." Cloud shook is head. "Or at least I've heard."
"But what about you?" the long haired woman walked with the man back up to the bar.
"Um..." he scratched his head. "Do I?"
"I think you've got it better than all the others." she grinned.
"I think so too." he shrugged. "Did you just feed yourself a compliment?"
"Maybe." the woman set her tray at the bar and loaded it with a new set of drinks. "Get to work, Strife. You've been dilly dallying too long! Look at all these dirty tables!" the woman spun away quickly returning to one of the rowdy tables next to the window.
"I've been dilly dallying?" the man stared at the girl.
Once Reno left, the night seemed to slow down. Business just wasn't hopping like usual. The rowdy group stayed for hours, never wanting to leave. Tifa had no complaints, as long as they kept drinking, she kept making money and tips. Cloud on the other hand, had about enough.
"Argh, Tifa! Come sit over here! Give us a dance!" one man slurred almost incoherently. He had learned her name, overhearing it from the common costumers.
"A dance?" Tifa sang out.
"Yeah! Baabbeey!" one man cheered.
Tifa frolicked over to the table. "And whad-do-I git?" The woman giggled innocently.
"A kiss?" one man said.
"Noooo." Tifa shook her head, smiling.
"A drink on me?" another suggested.
"I wooork here." she replied giggling.
"Whad 'bout this?" a man took out a bill from his wallet and waved it in her face.
Tifa smiled widely, grabbing the bill from the man's hand and stuffing it into her apron. It was his last bill and was worth only 20 gil. Cloud watched the spectacle from the bar, interested in just what the hell it was Tifa was doing.
"Okkaaay!" Tifa hopped up and down in a circle, wiggling her hips and her arms. Tifa may have been a great martial artist but she sure as hell couldn't dance. She giggled and swayed and pointed at the men, winking. All the boys laughed and cheered, clapping their hands in tune of the non existent music. Cloud gaped at the scene. Tifa waved her hand at the man she took the bill from. He waved back.
"Ta daaaa!!" she jumped onto a nearby chair, lifting her arms into the air. She bowed a couple of times.
"Hooray!" the men clanked their bottles and glasses together.
"Aww...you still got yer clothes on." one man protested.
"Damn right I do." Tifa nodded and hopped off the chair. "How bout another round to make up for it?"
"Cheers!" the men laughed.
"I suppose that's a yes?" Tifa went back to the bar.
"Shouldn't we be kicking 'em out soon?" Cloud asked, his arms folded.
"Yup, but we've got five minutes left." she winked.
"Nice dance by the way." Cloud chuckled.
"Should see me when I've had a drink, I'm even better."
"I know, I've seen you're drunk dance." the man smirked, returning to his dishes.
"What!?" Tifa straightened up, her face red.
She was about to question him when the door to the bar opened, a small bell ringing.
"Welcome!" Tifa faced the new customer, a large smile on her face. "How can I help-?"
"Zack!?" Cloud called out.
"Zack?" Tifa frowned. The man stumbled into the bar, bringing a large, golden chocobo in with him. The two of them looked frozen, covered in ice and snow.
"Ah! I thought there were no animals allowed in here!" One of the customers spat out his beer.
"Sorry, we're closed!" Cloud grabbed a couple of men by their shirt collars and led them to the door.
"We'll be open tomorrow by 11 AM!" Tifa bowed to her customers, escorting them out the door beside Cloud, ignoring their protests.
"What happened?" Cloud rushed to the shivering man and his bird.
"Aer, Aeris." Zack stuttered.
"Get inside!" Tifa shut the door, pushing him over to the bar. "Cloud get him something warm!" the woman ran to the closet grabbing as many towels and blankets she could. Cloud looked through the cabinets for some coffee. Tifa threw a large blanket over the chocobo.
"She...she was kidnaped. I'm sure of it." the man shivered.
"By who." Cloud slammed a mug onto the counter. His eyes were closed, his mouth a straight line. Tifa laid a blanket onto the black haired man's shoulders.
"Who d, do you th, think?" the man frowned.
"He's supposed to be dead." Cloud growled.
"Yeah, that's what I thought..." Zack sighed.
"How'd it happen?" Tifa sat next to the man running her hands over his arms to help keep him warm. Hector laid onto the ground, curling into a ball.
"Last night. W, we were asleep." the Ex-SOLDIER explained. "Never heard a damn thing. She made a loud noise in the middle of the night. Thought something was up. She said it was a bad dream and that she was fine. Went back to sleep. Didn't hear anything the rest of the night. Probably in there
with her when I came in. Shoulda stayed with her... shouldn't have let her out of my sight. Bastard always finds a way to come back, to torture us, #& with us!" He glared at the coffee in his mug. "Came here as fast as I could."
"You should have called." Tifa advised.
"Don't have the cell. Wasn't thinking. Had to get here as fast as possible. Mom an dad never liked phones that much anyways. Mostly wrote them letters." Zack spoke in fragments. "Gotta find her. Gotta kill him. Get rid of him..." he played with the golden bracelets on his wrist. Tifa stared at them sadly. She didn't like seeing her friends upset like this.
"We'll help you." Cloud spoke. "I'm glad you came to us rather than go by yourself like last time."
"Yeah. I learned my lesson after that." Zack scoffed.
"We'll leave tomorrow morning." the blonde reached for the phone.
"We have to leave now!" Zack stood, knocking over the stool.
"Zack, you need your rest. You're practically a popsicle. You and...is that Hector?"
"Yeah..." Zack looked down at the miserable bird. "I'm sorry Hector!" Zack dropped to the floor wrapping his arms around the bird. "I shouldn't have pushed you so hard! Don't hate me! Please don't die!"
"WARK!?" the bird gave him a worried look.
"Zack...I don't think he's going to die. I think he'll be just fine." Tifa looked at the man as if he were crazy. "You two just need to rest and get warm."
"Ah, but Aeris. I let her down again! I'm horrible! I'm the worst bodyguard in the entire history of the universe!" the man groaned. "Tifa..." he whined like a sick child.
"You're not the worst bodyguard in the world. We'll help you find her, get her back and everything will be fine." She kneeled next to the man, helping him to his feet. Cloud meanwhile talked on the phone.
"Do you think she hates me?" he muttered, his head falling back, mouth gaping wide.
"Now you're just being silly. I bet she's absolutely worried about you too. She's strong. She can take care of herself. She won't let anything happen to her. She's probably looking forward to seeing you again! I bet right now she's dreaming about you!" Tifa smiled.
"Maybe..." Zack pouted.
"Come on, let's get you to bed." Tifa guided the man up the stairs.
When she returned Cloud was getting off the phone.
"Cid said he'd leave as soon as he can. Shera's going to be pissed." Cloud mumbled.
"I feel awful making everyone leave their homes like that." Tifa sat in the stool.
"Everyone cares about her, no one thought it was a trouble. They all want to help. After this, we can all relax...and..." the man stared off into space.
"Be a real family?" Tifa asked hopefully.
"Yeah..." Cloud swallowed hard. His eyes dropped to the floor. "Meanwhile..." Tifa tilted her head at the man. "What do we do about that?" he pointed at the bird on the floor sleeping heavily, tiny snorts and snores escaping its beak.
"Something on your mind?" Sephiroth turned to his companion.
"Um...no, it's nothing." Aeris rubbed her wrists, missing the other bracelets that were gone. She glanced at the silver haired man through the flames of the campfire.
"Thinking about what happened earlier today?" he asked.
"Maybe..." she stared at her feet, her eyes stinging. She couldn't believe Zack would do something like that. It greatly disturbed her. It seemed so out of character.
"Having second thoughts?" the man asked, a little disgruntled.
"Hm? No..." Aeris shook her head quickly. "I don't want to see him ever again..."
The two sat silently next to each other the rest of the night.
Okay end of the chapter. Nothing too exciting or romantic, sorry. That should be in the next chapter so look forward to that! Now that im done with school for the break there should be no more annoying delays! Thanks for reading and reviewing! -Annubis