I AM SORRY! I know I promised some heartbeating moments, but I decided to change the plot a little, so I separated the chapter into two. CloTi moments is pushed to the next chapter... Forgive me pleaseeee? D':
Thanks for the reviews! sunflowerspot, TifaRokkuhato (Who may potentially be TTCROF's beta reader! Yayyy!), preettygabbysz, Squishy Moogle, Zimithrus1
Oh, I really need beta reading, but I decided to just upload this for now... So I will probably change it after it is edited with better grammar etc.
Meanwhile, can I just get some opinions on Yuffie pairings? Which Yuffie pairings appeal most to you? ;) I have a feeling it's gonna be Vincent X Yuffie.
P.S I was listening to "Eyes on me" while typing this. Love that song.
To The Crossroads Of Fate: Chapter 6
A Thorny Character
I am the perfect illustration of how-not-to-stalk-your-crush.
I pushed through the crowds, making a woman fall to her bum and her grocery basket flying into the air, generating an instant overkill in her two metre radius as tomatoes fell from the sky. I pushed without a single 'excuse me', as if I wasn't hated enough by those who were hit by flying tomatoes. I closed my distance with Cloud as my head spun, thinking of what to say to him.
He turned into an alley and I followed, a conscious metre behind, too close for his comfort, probably. He turned into another alley, and another, and another. Only to go back into the market place. Strangely, he doesn't seem to be going home…
My heart pounded so loudly, I wonder if he could hear…
After about an hour, he turned into another corner and walked into an inn. I followed, only to find him looking at me the moment I opened the door.
"Hello." OH MY GOD he greeted me with a smile. In that instant, I could picture myself thrown into the universe, stars, planets, black holes colliding, releasing fireworks of different colours in my background. His blue eyes had a neon tint, something the Cloud from the other world didn't. He was covered from head to toe in black leather, his SOLDIER uniform has a black metal plate on his right shoulder, and two italic silver words were plated onto it, 'First Class'.
"Shall we get a drink?"
I stood rooted to the ground, his figure towering over me. Almost as if it was in slow motion, he placed his hand on my chin and pulled me up to stare deep into his glowing pastel blue eyes. His other arm pressed against the door I leaned on, trapping me. My heart pounded, and of course I couldn't say a single word, who knows if my heart would fly out, splattering blood across his face as it continue pounding around like an elephant in must. I nodded fervently.
He chuckled.
This Cloud is a sex bomb! His frame was more muscular than the other Cloud, his hair was not waxed into spikes, but hung perfectly, gravity defiant. Through the thin leathered uniform, I could see his defined muscles and his abs, when he turned, his shoulder blade pulled on his sturdy back muscles and I could feel my cheeks on fire. He is so hot!
He led me up a stairway – okay whatever, I don't care where I'm going, I'm just staring at his back muscles, legs… thighs… buttocks (… I'm embarrassed as it is, but I have to admit, they are good.) as he walked up the stairs in front of me. And sat down by a small cubicle by the second floor of the inn. I sat opposite to him, eyes on my thighs as he stared at me.
"So, how may I address you as?"
I snapped up to look at him, his torso relaxed against the soft cushion of his seat, his legs apart (I know! I'm trying not to stare at the space between them!), his cerulean eyes locked onto mine and his arms folded on his leg with one of them supporting his chin.
"Ti…Billy." I replied, with a squeaky voice. I turned to my side and let off a small sigh, my arms stiffened by my side as my fingers dug into my thighs. I wonder if he knew what he was doing to me… my heart was about to explode!
"Tilly?" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows.
"No, Billy…" I replied, my face must be in the deepest shade of red by now, the way blood is rushing to my face, it won't be long before I suffer from stroke.
"Ahhhh, Billy." He smiled again, his eyes open affably. "Nice to meet you, Billy."
The waiter sat two glasses of ale before us, and Cloud nodded to thank him. Awww, how gracious! Any more and I may not be able to control my surging hormones!
He picked them up, passing one to me. "Cheers."
"Cheers…"
xXx
Zack stood under the blazing sun in the outskirts of Sector 2 and examined the horse, there was nothing in particular, except a rosy scar from a heavy hit by a whip… Apparently Lady Tifa sent the horse away from wherever she was… So it was indeed one of the Sectors. "Check the sectors again! Do not let go of a single clue!" He could only hope this piece of information would simmer Lady Lorraine's fury at the moment.
"Yes My Lord!" The SOLDIERs scampered hurriedly in different directions as Zack sighed. Where could she go?
"Lord Zack Fair," A soft, clear and gentle voice called out. Zack turned to face a young brunette with green eyes, her dressing suggests that she was from a lower class. "Nice to meet you again, sir."
Zack nodded. "Do I know you?" He asked quite brusquely, his tone frustrated by the anxiety of Lady Tifa's disappearance and the possible implications between the Lockhearts and Shinras if she was not found. Family on both sides, he would have to do something before the Fairs get drawn in.
"My deepest apologies, we've only met once… I was too presumptuous to think that you would remember me, sir." The young woman gave a humble bow, her emerald eyes shone with hurt dealt by his words, shaking Zack to his realization of how rude he was.
"No, I apologise for forgetting such a beautiful young woman, and my attitude is a shame to your grace." To make up to her, Zack bowed and extended his hand. She slowly placed her trembling hand to his, and he kissed the back of it softly. "Forgive me?"
She blushed all the way to her neck, contrasting the white dress she was wearing. Her dress swayed slightly as she nodded, her hair falling to her shoulders. In Zack's mind he compared this woman to Lady Tifa. Though she was less of a beauty, she had a gentle attitude whereas Lady Tifa brought him so much trouble. Speaking of Lady Tifa… Where is she…
"May I please be reminded of the day I met this attractive lady?" Zack placed her hand back to her side as he straightened his body to stand upright.
"…Aerith Gainsborough, sir. We've met once in Kalm when you brought Lady Tifa to have a change of clothes two and a half months ago."
Lady Tifa? Though he missed out most of the sentence, he caught the vital parts.
"Oh, family to the couple at the provision store, I see." Zack flashed a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Gainsborough." Now… Where could Lady Tifa be…
Aerith held the hand Zack kissed to her heart, trying to stop the violent pounding. "P-pleasure to meet you too, sir!"
"Why would a beautiful lady like you be out in the day under the scorching sun, may I ask?" Zack tried to break the silence courteously. Keeping a lady awkward beside him isn't exactly chivalrous.
"I-I was about to send a mail to my friend in Junon's SOLDIER base, sir. There isn't a mail service in Kalm, I'm afraid."
SOLDIER base… Lady Tifa… Now that she mentions it, Lady Tifa did throw a fit over the Junon SOLDIER base! Perhaps…
Zack exploded into a series of rapturous laughter and placed his palm to his forehead. I should have guessed!
Aerith stared at the man before her, her lips tugged into an awkward smile as she looked at the attractive young man break into a charming laugh. Her heart sings with it.
"Thank you!" He pulled her in for a tight hug, the smile wide across his face. "I'm glad we met again today! Come, let me bring you home."
Aerith trotted behind with her face bright red as Zack led her to his horse, her hand in his.
xXx
"'Go without me and tell Yuffie I found him.' was what she said." Rude paced around the room, his brows knitted. "What do you think, Yuffie?"
"She'll be fine. Tifa is smarter than we think, if she decides to go on her own, there's nothing we can do to stop her." She sighed. Of course she was worried for Tifa, but she trusts her more.
"What Yuffie said." Reno yawned, sprawling himself across the dining table. "Can we have some dinner please?"
"Right on!" Yuffie said, bringing the groceries into the kitchen. "Hey, they're a little squashed! But no worries, I'll whip up something good." She was in fact, quite excited about living alone, now that they left the manor, the air smelt like pure freedom and excitement, she could barely contain herself in that diligent head-maid character.
xXx
It took more force than necessary to lift my eyelids. I couldn't see more than a sea of blurred milky milieu with small black dots. I had to blink furiously to get my human sight back, yet all I saw was a white wall with small cracks.
I let a silent grunt escape from between my lips as my head pulsated in agonizing pain. My chest felt like it was on fire, and my lips were dry and coarse. I tried moving my hands to massage my temples, but found them to be tightly restrained behind my back by a coarse rope that coiled around my entire body, forcefully making my body curl into a weird angle that allowed for absolutely no struggling.
"Who sent you?" A husky, deep yet somewhat eerily gentle voice resonated in the room from behind me. I felt a tug on my neck as some prickly substance licked the back of my neck and a deadweight grip on my forehead as strong fingers held me in total captivity. "Say! Or I will kill you this instant. Who sent you to follow me?"
"C-Cloud?" I whimpered in pain the name of the last person I recalled meeting, the person whom I wish would help me get away from the pain, yet the fire in my chest only intensified, burning my intestines beneath. "Cl…oud…"
"How do you know my name? Who sent you? I'm sure I didn't tell you my name!" He howled, his intimidating tone resounded in the room. The prick dug deeper, nearly through my skin.
I could feel my heart sink as the truth hit me. He offered me a drink only to ambush me!
"A-Aerith…" I coughed out with a voice that shows how dry my throat was. I could only hope my assumption was right about that girl in Kalm knowing this Cloud. I thought Zack had a thorny attitude! He was nothing near Cloud!
The grip around my forehead loosened and I could feel a rough pull on my shoulders as he turned me around, the three needles now pointed directly at my throat.
"Aerith? Explain." He restrained me by my head again, and I could see half of his face in my fuzzy vision blended in with the outline of my trembling nose bridge. His eyes were focused on me like a predator with a prey that may escape at any moment.
"I… Kalm… She told… about… y-you…" I forced a series of words through my lips, which probably was bleeding from me parting them. I could feel tears well up as the fear built up in my heart, almost surpassing the hurt I feel from being so brainless, reeled in by his looks and ended up in this state.
"Say!" His fingers were of crushing force as it held onto me, digging into my skull. The friction from his leather gloves broke the soft skin of this Tifa's body, drawing blood. A soft cry escaped from my throat as tears spilled from my eyes.
"I… met her… in Kalm… She said you… could h…help me…" I croaked, every word created a gut-tearing pain.
"Help you?" For a moment, he seemed curious, yet his grip did not relent. "Explain."
By now, tears from my eyes and blood from my forehead mixed as they dripped down my cheeks. Despite the pain, I could not control the soft cries from my throat and the drastic amount of tears flowing.
"I… am trying t… to es… cape from my… master…" That was the last words I could squeeze out from my desiccated state before another round blackness swallowed me once again into sweet oblivion, away from the pain.
xXx
"Tseng?" Yuffie asked Rude and Reno who were seated across from her, as she popped another slice of apple into her mouth. "Who is he?"
"If you want to join SOLDIER, it is best to go through him." Rude explained. "Reno's older sister, Cissnei, is his wife Elena's sworn sister. We're quite close."
"He's also the leader of the Turks." Reno added, stretching his arms as he shifted to find a better posture in the seat. "One of King Shinra's most trusted generals."
"The Turks, they deal with the most private of royal matters. Therefore, they have significant power over SOLDIER."
"Rude, you're forgetting the hard liner." Reno corrected him with a soft yawn. "There might be a little trouble now, 'coz the new appointed head for SOLDIER is a tough nut to crack."
For a moment, they wore a sullen expression before Rude continued. "Sephiroth…"
"Yeah, if it's him…" Reno looked over at Yuffie with a pained expression. "Well, we still need to talk to Tseng though. He's the only hope you have for getting into SOLDIER."
Rude nodded. "It's virtually impossible for those without invitation to join SOLDIER, and similarly, impossible for those with invitation to quit. It's a strict system made for elites."
Yuffie could feel bile at the back of her throat, she was just a wreck without Tifa.
Tifa, isn't it about time you came back? Did something happen?
xXx
A/N:
I hope it wasn't boring for you! I set some background here... Did some scenes to show the personalities of the different characters... But that's about it. A short chapter, I know...
Tifa is so stupid whenever Cloud is involved! (Did you realise that?) Love... *sigh*
Please read and review!
Zimithrus1 7/4/12 . chapter 6
Eeee! :D I'm so happy! A Quick update! And little Cloudy's in it - But Damnit! Cliffhanger! DX Whyyy? *Regains composure* Anyhow, another quick update pleasey? :3 Can't wait for the next! :)
I hope this is quick enough haha, sorry I dragged for a few days! :) I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Squishy Moogle 7/4/12 . chapter 6
Ohhh snaps, here comes Cloud... :D
I'm actually really pulled in by this story. I mean, I've seen the typical "Rich girl gets sick of pampered life and suitors, runs away to meet guy," but this... I don't know, something about the parallels between "gorgeous Tifa" and "modern Tifa" are really interesting.
Haha Reno and Rude. What a surprise that must have been xD
Do I sense Reno/Yuffie in the future? O.o
Keep up the good work! :)
Ahhh... A question about Reno X Yuffie... hehehe! Read on to find out! I actually have Yuffie's love life planned out, it's gonna be hell of a ride for her (or so I think, for now. I change my plot twists quite often.)
preettygabbysz 7/5/12 . chapter 6
omggg she found him yaaaaaaaaaaay loved it
I'm glad you enjoyed it! How did you find this chapter then?
TifaRokkuhato 7/6/12 . chapter 6
In my opinion, this story is fantastic! I'm not sure why you doubt yourself, your writing is very precise.
Even though the prologue did go a little too fast for my liking, the story is very captivating and wants you to know what's going to happen in the next chapter. I would really love to carry reading and giving feedback for you, I'm really enjoying this story so far.
Can't wait for more!
Tifa x
I really don't find my writing precise at all! I think this chapter is a little poorly written in a sense. I am not comfortable with my vocabulary bank, as you can see. I wish one day I could write without cracking my brains for a better word, or re-reading the sentence a bazillion time trying to edit it. HAHA. Also, I've seen better writers on the site, and I wish to improve. That's another reason why I need beta reading, since I want to be worthy of this story I love so much. (CHEESY!) haha. :) But it's true.
sunflowerspot 7/6/12 . chapter 6
O I'm excited to see Cloud! Looking forward to the next chapter ;)
Hello again! Sorry for making Cloud a big ass jerk here, but it'll get better!
Until next time,
CIAO!