Authors note's: Not much to say, but here is chapter 2. Only one to go!
And yes, further down I have choose to spell a characters way a certain way, and I will not change it since I prefer it this way.
Thank you for your review ''guest'', glad someone out there like this.
Chapter 2: Trapped.
They arrived at mount Nibel a few hours later. Dusk was upon them, and an eerie stillness greeted them when they stepped into the dark caves. Tifa had explained during their ride that most monsters living in the area were active during the day. Which meant that they would most likely encounter smaller groups of nocturnal monsters.
Tifa immediately took the lead, her state of mind going back to the time she was a mountain guide. She knew all there was to know of these mountains. She knew how to find water, food, and how to find an exit if lost. One thing that worried her was how spooky quiet it was. Which was not normal for the monsters inhabiting these caves.
Tseng brought up the rear, being alert and trusting of his guide. Swiftly and quietly they manoeuvred the dark tunnels. It was his first time in these mountains so he knew not what to expect. All he could do was to make sure he was armed and aware of his surroundings. Which he of course was, being the commander of the Turks, he was never unprepared.
''Be on your guard, Tseng. Something does not feel right.'' Tifa quietly warned her companion, while flexing her fingers. Before he could even reply, a angry hissing sound echoed around them. Making both their heads snap towards the source of said sound. ''Shit! It's a greater dragon, spread out!''
''Affirmative...'' Tseng ran deeper into the large cave, his gun already firing a round at their enemy. The bullets only graced the green scales of the large beast, merely fuelling it's rage. He dodge rolled to avoid flames shooting towards him, but winced when feeling his jacket caught fire: forcing him to shrug it off.
''Prepare to cast bolt while I distract it!'' Tifa shouted while rushing the dragon. She completely took it by surprise and managed to smash her foot square in it's face. It lashed out at her, which she used to her advantage. With two swift jumps, she managed to land on the dragon's head. Not wasting any time, she rammed her fist right in the dragon's left eye blinding it.
The Dragon roared in pain and trashed around in panic. This caused the fist fighter to be thrown off, while Tseng released his bolt 3 spell. Tifa moaned painfully as she crashed down onto the cave floor, skidding to a halt a few feet away from her companion.
Lightning surged painfully through the wounded creature. It's anger long forgotten as it main focus was survival. Injured and half blind, it fled in panic. Causing a cave in as it smashed clumsily through a small opening in the wall. Leaving the two humans stuck in the blue glowing cave room.
This is not my day! How do I always get caught in other peoples business? Well that's easily answered, I have made it my life's mission to always help others and not myself...
Now I'm stuck inside this monster infested cave with the leader of the Turks of all people!
How I wish that I turned him down...
''Tseng, do you by chance have your phone with you?'' Tifa snapped out of her mental beating. While waiting for an answer, she quickly cast cure on her minor wounds. Not noticing how her companion tensed.
''Unfortunately no, it got destroyed during the fight...'' Tseng pointed to the remains of his jacket.
''I assume you asked me because you lost yours too?''He asked with a sigh.
''Well...I have a phone but it's broken...'' Tifa mumbled and held up a part of what used to be a cellphone. She cursed herself silently for landing on it, or rather cursing herself for putting it in her back pocket.
''Then the wait begins...'' Tseng looked at her, seeing how her eyes widened. ''I ordered my men to come after us if they hadn't heard form us in 48 hours.''
''48 hours!? Are you mad? You idiots really have no clue how dangerous this place can be...'' Tifa sneered angrily, advancing on the stoic Turk. She roughly grabbed his shirt, shaking him when he did not respond. ''I could just...aargh-''
Tseng stood on uneven ground and slipped. He fell backwards taking the angry Tifa with him. Unfortunately for them there was a pond behind them, which they fell right into. Water splashed everywhere and soaked the two to the bone.
I thought she was supposed to be level headed and mature. Or so Elena and Rude assured me. Judging by her little outburst she has a nasty temper. I would have been better of taking a rookie with me, who I could order around, not needing to worry about their feelings. The only consultation in all of this is that she does not talk as much as Elena.
''Are you quite finished?'' Tseng asked with barely contained annoyance. Without waiting for an answer, he was already on his feet, helping her up in the process. ''Go and cool down and while you're at it, find something we can use to build a fire with...''
Tifa could only nod hear head, her eyes downcast as she passed him. She could not even bring herself to look at him. She felt like a small child, getting a reprimand for being stupid, which she rightfully deserved. She knew better than this and she was determined not to make a fool of herself again.
Walking around the large cave did cool her down. Not only because of the cold breeze coming from some crack, but it calmed her emotions. She came across a destroyed camp behind some large boulders. Smeared blood along with scattered belongings of the missing workers littered the ground. Such a sight would upset normal people, but her rough life had hardened her. She ignored the feeling of pity that arose in her and gathered all useful supplies she could carry.
Tifa was pleasantly surprised at what Tseng had accomplished. He had already built a small fire place with some rocks and a basic cooking equipment stood beside it. Two sleeping mats and sleeping bags were neatly placed on the ground. Confusing clearly written on her face as she approached him.
''I used the materia transform and shrunk my equipment.'' Tseng explained before she even asked.
''I never knew that! What a great idea.'' Tifa beamed up at him. She quickly averted her eyes, he started to take of his wet clothes and she felt herself blush. She turned around and set down her findings. Determined to get a fire starting. ''I assume you already figured out I found the workers camp seeing as I brought this stuff with me.''
''Yes, I gathered as much...'' Tseng confirmed while laying his clothes on rocks to dry. He thanked himself for packing a extra set of clothes. ''I suggest you follow suit and dry those wet clothes of yous, Miss Lockhart.''
''Er, no I'm fine'' Tifa immediately shot back, blushing even redder when seeing him shirtless.
''I assure you, I will not compromise you.'' Tseng gently coaxed while holding out his spare shirt towards her. It had not taken him long to figure out the reason for her stubbornness. ''My only concern is your well being.''
Tifa gave him a curt nod before he turned around. She slipped out of her wet clothes and hung them in the same fashion as he had. That being done: she quickly braided her hair so it would not hang like a cold blanket against her back.
Thank god that his shirt is so huge! It covers most of me at least...
It was very kind of him to lend it to me. He must be cold, sitting there in only his dress pants...never mind! Don't let your eyes wander, Lockhart!
''So, miss Lockhart, do you feel better?'' Tseng looked at her when she sat down next to him. He smirked when seeing her flushed face, which he knew full well had not been caused by the merry fire that warmed them.
''It's Tifa, alright?'' She replied and meet his amused gaze. ''And yes I feel much better now. Thank you for lending me your shirt.''
He had taken her shyness to his advantage, letting his gaze wander across her pretty features. Her response had snapped him out of his observation. ''Think nothing of it...Tifa.''
''You have a look about you, like there is something you would like to know.'' She tilted her head to the side with a small smile gracing her lips.
Tseng who usually was a calm and collected man panicked. He did not usually pay much attention to women, but no normal man would be able to resist looking at a woman like Tifa. Definitely not when she was this lightly dressed either. He only regretted his bad timing. To quickly cover his own weakness, he asked the first question that came to his mind. A question that was a very hot topic amongst his colleges.
''Why did you and Cloud go separate ways?'' He flinched when registering the words that came out of his mouth. Not an appropriate question to ask a woman you barely knew. ''I...was lead to believe you were very close.''
''That IS a personal question.'' Tifa said a little surprised. ''I don't mind people knowing why. I guess it was no secret to you at Shinra that I had feelings for him.''
Tseng merely nodded his head in confirmation. Which coaxed an embarrassing chuckle from the blushing fist fighter. His eyes softened and he gave her a small smile in encouragement. Making her more relaxed and grateful for not teasing her.
''Me and Cloud's feelings have always been complex. We have never quite been good at timing. Our feelings have never been strong enough to bloom at the same time. It has gone up and down one might say. Then we have the whole issue with Aeris that confused things even more.'' Tifa explained softly, her eyes looking into the fire.
''Does he still dwell on the past?'' Tseng asked cautiously.
''No, he finally tried to reach out to me, but I stopped him.'' She turned and smiled at his surprised expression. ''Cloud will always have a special place in my heart, but I've seen the love he felt for Aeris. I also know he would have chosen her if she had lived. I deserve to be more than a second choice. So I told him it was best he found someone else, who did not know of Aeris. Because I want someone to love me unconditionally.''
''I think you did the right choice. '' Tseng spoke with a hint of sadness while gazing into her burgundy depths. ''No one deserves to live in another's shadow...''
''You liked her too, did you not?'' Tifa asked curiously.
''Yes, but not like you think. I knew her since she was a girl. I wanted to look out for her, but my job made that impossible...'' He trailed of with a pained look on his handsome face. ''I also promised Zack to look after her. I failed to save him and I also failed to keep my promise to him...''
''We were once enemies, and both sides hurt each other. We have all lost people dear to us in that conflict. We made choices then and now we have to live with them. For what it's worth, their deaths can't be blamed on a specific person. I had so much hate in me against Sephiroth, but in the end...he was also a victim. The ones who bare most blame are already gone, so it's best not to dwell to much on the past.'' She spoke with conviction and warmth to her tone. ''The results of it all is a better world to live in. We owe it to the deceased and to ourselves to make the best out of it and learn from our past.''
In that moment Tseng understood the reason for his friends liking her. Tifa was just as compassionate, kind and smart as they claimed. He had made a bet with Elena before stepping out of the car, and it was a bet that he would loose. He watched her lay down on her side, with her head resting against her arm. He could not help but look at her, taking in her beauty. He had always thought of her as beautiful, but now he saw her in a different light. He had seen a glimpse of the woman behind the warm smiles and she intrigued him with her intellect.
''Think of what I said, all right?'' Tifa spoke though a yawn. ''It's best to get some rest. We'll need our strengths tomorrow if we are to get out of here.''
''There is nothing to think about, you are correct. '' Tseng spoke softly, meeting her gaze head on. ''I will be there shortly, I just need to inspect the camp. Goodnight and sleep well.''