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Chapter 7: Help wanted
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"Would you stop moping around already?!" Yuffie exclaimed at Zack who was sprawled out on Vincent's couch. He hadn't done much since the second incident at Aerith's, and he hadn't spoken to, or seen Tifa since that day either. But he couldn't stop thinking about the tears that fell from her eyes, and he couldn't stop them. He had never been pushed away like that. He couldn't blame her, but he couldn't stop dwelling on it. Her sad and dejected expression was stained in the front of his mind and he didn't know why.
"Yeah, yeah." Zack said, shooing Yuffie away and turning his back to her on the couch.
"Well I've got a great idea!" Yuffie proclaimed, ignoring zack's 'shoo' and sitting upon his sideways rib cage. Zack huffed and looked up at her with a cranky expression.
"And what's that?" He mumbled.
"Let's go to Seventh Heaven!" Yuffie exclaimed, bouncing on Zack a little, who groaned in pain.
"Get off of me ya brat!" Zack said, pushing her off with one swift movement and he sat up. Yuffie pouted and crossed her arms. "What's Seventh Heaven?" Zack asked, ignoring Yuffie's act.
"Tifa's bar." She chimed.
"Sounds like a plan."
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"Tifa!" Came a distraught little voice from upstairs. Tifa was scrambling to clean up the kitchen from dinner, when Marlene cried out to her. It had been two weeks since Tifa walked away from Aerith's house, walked away from Cloud, and now school was out too, meaning Tifa had the kids all day everyday, without the normal help and support from Cloud. So far, she was doing okay.
"I'm on my way, Marlene!" Tifa called back. Quickly she washed and dried her hands and made her way to Marlene's room. Marlene was sitting on her bed holding onto a small photo frame. Immediately Tifa knew what was wrong.
"I miss him." She said, looking down at the photo, gently touching the glass with her delicate little fingers.
"Oh Marlene," Tifa started as she made her way to the bed and placed herself next to her. The bed sank down a little with her weight, moving Marlene a bit closer to her. "I know you do, sweetie."
"Why doesn't he want us anymore?" Marlene asked, looking up sadly at Tifa.
This statement broke her heart. It wasn't fair for them to suffer because two adults couldn't be mature enough to come together, and make things work. Tifa just wasn't willing to try again. She was, however, willing to possibly give Cloud a call in order for the kids to see him. They needed someone, Tifa was only one person, she knew for a fact she couldn't give them all they needed, but she'd do her best. The question now was; is Cloud willing?
"It's not that he doesn't want you, it's just that..." Tifa began to speak but was cut off.
"No, Tifa. Cloud doesn't want us. He doesn't even want you." Denzel said from the doorway. His arms were crossed and his face expressed sheer anger.
Tifa looked at him sadly. Denzel was always extremely insightful, and discerning. He could always see the truth.
"Come in here, Denzel." Tifa said, motioning to him. Denzel reluctantly joined the girls and sat on the other side of Tifa.
Tifa knew it, although she hated, absolutely hated to tell them, she had to tell them the truth. She knew she had to make it fast, the bar would be opening soon. "Marlene, Denzel." She started, before the loud sound of pounding on the front door startled the three.
"It's Cloud!" Marlene shouted as she dashed out the door and down the stairs. Tifa frantically stood and rushed after her, beating her to the door by a split second. Marlene pouted, Tifa responded with a stern look and then swung the door open. There stood the flame headed Reno and his quiet partner, Rude. Tifa hadn't seen them in quite some time, it made her heart pound a little faster than usual. The last time she saw them At her door like this, the world was in grave danger. Sure they frequented the bar, but they were off duty then. They certainly were not off duty at the moment.
"Can I help you?" Tifa asked, placing a hand on her hip while the other still held onto the door.
"Lookin for Cloud. Ya seen him?" Reno asked, as he tinkered with his goggles on his head. Rude studied Tifa carefully, he could sense that something was wrong.
"Why do you want him?" Tifa asked, slightly annoyed but still a bit concerned.
"Need to talk to him about some business, that's all. So where is he?" Reno asked cooly.
Tifa was unsure why they wanted Cloud, but it didn't sound good, and for that reason she decided to protect Cloud. "He's been on a few deliveries out of town, he won't be back for another month or so. Try back another time." Tifa said, beginning to close the door. Reno, however, wasn't convinced. He grabbed the door and pushed inward,but tifa matched his strength.
"Let me in! Good Lord you're an ox!" Reno exclaimed as the door slammed in his face.
Tifa smiled proudly. "Damn right I am. Now beat it!" She said, clicking the lock in place.
Marlene smiled and gave her a high five. "So Cloud will be back in a month?"
Tifa just couldn't tell her no, she didn't wanna break her heart, and frankly she didn't have the time. She was late for opening. "Yeah, he'll be back soon sweetie." Tifa caught a glimpse of Denzel atop the stairs shaking his head. "I have to work now, you two go upstairs, lock the door, if you need me, you call me." Tifa said, patting Marlene's head. Marlene nodded and scrambled upstairs.
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Tifa quickly started her opening procedures, lights, dust, sweep, count the drawer, open signs. As she finished, Reno and Rude once more showed their faces. Tifa was agitated.
"I told you before, Cloud's not here!" She exclaimed.
"Now, now Tifa calm down." Reno said with a smirk.
"Don't you go telling me what to do. What do you want him for Anyway?" Tifa inquired as she began wiping the counter tops out of habit, and nervousness. At this point, she was unsure if she should consider the Turks friends or enemies. Naturally, they would be enemies, but since they helped defeat Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo, they were considered an ally.
"He owes us a little favor... Now where you hiding him?"
It was now obvious to Tifa that they were enemies now. "I'm not hiding him! He's not here, and he won't be here. We aren't together, so stop asking me! I'm not his baby sitter!" She exclaimed, slamming her fists on the countertop.
"Well if we cant come to him we'll make him come to us. Grab her, Rude."
"Sorry about this, Tifa." Rude said, sadly as he gripped onto her wrists. Tifa began to jerk away but Rude overpowered her and pulled her over the counter. Tifa began kicking and squirming from his grip, but he just lifted her up over his shoulder with ease.
"Cloud isn't gonna come for me, idiots! I was telling you the truth!" Tifa said, trying her best to kick Rude's back.
Before Reno had the chance to open the door, someone walked in. Tall, muscular and dark hair And mako eyes.
"You gotta be sh***** me." He said with a shake of the red head.
"Well what's goin on here?" Zack asked In his confident and slightly cocky tone. Upon seeig Tifa, his anger kicked in. "Put her down now." He said with a glare.
"Look at this, Rude. Soldier scum come back from the dead. Out of our way, we got things to do." Reno said, pushing on Zack's chest.
Much to Tifa's surprise, she was thrilled to see Zack, and anticipating what would happen next. Yuffie squeezed her way inside and watched with hopeful excitement.
"Oh I'd be happy to let you be on your merry little way, just as soon as you put Tifa down." Zack said sternly as he pushed Reno away and walked directly up to Rude. He may not have had his sword, but these two would be easy.
Rude glared at Zack, but he obliged for Tifa's sake. He really didn't want to harm or upset her. Tifa was special to him. He gently set Tifa on the ground and she immediately kneed him in the groin, followed by a punch square in the jaw.
Zack's own jaw dropped when he saw a grown, overgrown man to be exact, drop to the ground knocked out cold by a single blow from a female fist. That was A rare sight to him. He didn't know Tifa's capabilities, it had been ten years or so, and even still he never really saw her fight.
Reno turned quickly to run away, but Tifa caught him by the collar and dragged him back. "Not so fast!" She growled as she turned him to face her. "I don't wanna see either of your ugly faces in my bar again, and if I do I'll make sure neither of you walk out of here alive." Tifa said venomously. She then slapped him across the face as hard as she could, leaving a bright red mark on his cheek to match his hair.
"You little..." Reno growled as he placed his hands on Tifa's shoulders and squeezed. "How dare you think you have the right to..." He started before Zack cut him off.
"Keep your hands off her." Zack growled, yanking Reno away from her like a rag doll. Reno was in shock at the strength Zack had, he knew SOLDIER were strong, but not this strong. It didn't seem to strain or effect Zack at all. Zack then threw him against the wall and pinned him there, locking eyes with him. "Get the f*** out of Tifa's bar, before I have to clean up bloodstains. Get your friend, and get the f*** out." When Zack saw that Reno was trembling lightly, he released him.
Quickly, Reno did his best to heave Rude out of the bar and onto the sidewalk and Zack closed the door behind them.
"Well what were dumb and dumber after this time? Your number?" Yuffie asked, sitting herself atop the bar counter.
Tifa shook her head. "Thanks, Zack. No, Yuffie. They were looking for Cloud." Tifa stated as she adjusted her clothes.
Zack studied her, looking her up and down. She was wearing a black leather skirt that hung a bit longer in the back, and it seemed as though she had black shorts beneath that. A small stretch of her skin was seen around her waist and she appeared to be wearing a black leather vest with a small white tank beneath that. He liked it, she seemed dangerous, and from what he saw her do to Rude, he knew she was dangerous. Zack's thoughts were quickly interrupted by Yuffie's voice.
"What do they want with that sleaze?" she asked, annoyed as she rolled her dark eyes.
"I don't know, I wasn't able to find out." Tifa said, returning to her rightful place Behind the bar. She rubbed her sore wrists from where Rude had tugged her. She at that moment, wished she would've punched him harder.
Zack walked himself up to the bar and stood across from Tifa, placing both elbows on the counter. "Did either of them hurt you?" He asked, seriously.
"No, Zack. I'm completely fine." Tifa said with a small smile. Tifa took the liberty of getting Zack a beer and sat it in front of him.
"Well thank you, Tifa." Zack said with a nod. Any and every SOLDIER enjoyed a good drink now and again. Although Zack preferred harder alcohol, this would due just fine.
Yuffie watched the two closely and smiled to herself. She desperately wanted for something to spark between them. To her, it just seemed as though they fit..
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As the hour went on, Zack finished several beers, 10-20? he lost count. The bar began to swarm with customers, men customers. Zack watched Tifa rush about frantically, serving the customers and sometimes pushing them away.
"Where's that blondie boy of yours, Tifa?" An older man asked as Tifa brought him his drink.
"He's not mine anymore." She answered with a friendly smile, faking her joy.
"So you're available now, huh?" He asked reaching around her waist and squeezing her butt. Before Tifa could glove up and deck the pervert in the face, Zack had his arm around her and was glaring at the man.
"No, she's not available, so keep your filthy hands off of her." Zack growled. Tifa could tell he was hardly affected by the alcohol he had taken in. Most men would be passed out, maybe even dead but Zack stood straight and spoke clearly. Tifa's cheeks pinked a little with his statement. Although it was completely fake, it still felt nice to be publicly recognized. The bar went quiet and all eyes were on Zack.
Tifa's customers knew of Cloud, and most of them knew they were both very active in AVALANCHE, and here Tifa was, with a SOLDIER. It stunned them to say the least. After a few moments of staring, everyone went back to their own business and conversations.
Tifa continued to rush around and serve customers, but as the night picked up it became obvious to Zack that she needed help. Zack decided to help customers and wait on them to help Tifa out. Before she realized it, all of her customers where served and the business and chaos seemed to die down, even though the bar remained full. She turned to Zack who was chatting with a group of men and handing them beers and looked at him curiously. When she finally caught Zack's attention, Zack tuned to her and smiled.
"I thought you could use a hand." He said with a charming smile.
"What made you think that?" Tifa said, folding her arms.
"You know, most people would say 'thank you' at this point." Zack quirked.
"I didn't ask for your help, though." Tifa retorted.
"Doesn't matter, you needed help, so I helped an you're welcome. I think I'll help out every night. I like it here." He said, folding his own arms.
"Im not hiring." Tifa said, turning to walk behind the bar.
"you don't have to pay me. I just enjoy being here." Zack said, following.
"And why's that?" Tifa questioned as she began tidying the counter.
"Well, I gotta have something to do, right? And if those dumb a** Turks come back, I can help you out, although you seemed to have the situation covered." he said with a smirk.
Tifa smiled a little. "I'll admit, it would be nice to have a guy around, some of these men..."
"I hear ya. I'll take good care of em for you." Zack chuckled.
"Well, alright. We'll give it a shot. Same time tomorrow?"
"Deal."