I woke up the next morning with bright shining lights blaring in my eyes. I blinked a few times to find Yuffie hovering over me. I picked my head up and she squealed.
"You're awake! Thank goodness! I thought you were done for! Hey Vince! Cloud's awake! Are you alright? You should've called us or just me. I could've taken them all down, just give me five minutes to ta-" she was interrupted by Vincent pushing her away.
"Thanks Vince." I say. He grimaced at the nickname.
"No problem." he said cooly. I looked around the room some more, and notice that I'm in a hospital.
"Where am I? Where is everyone?"
"You're in the rebuilt clinic in Mideel. Cid's on his way from Rocket Town, but has to pick up Red up so they might be a little late. Reeve and Cait are too busy to come over, and Barret's in the food court with Marlene and Denzel
"How are they? The kids?"
"They're terrified. Tifa's missing and you're laying in a hospital bed. Barret's doing his best to comfort them. Marlene, you can read her scared emotions, but Denzel, he's trying so hard to hide his fear."
"Yeah! You really made an impression on him!" Yuffie butts in. "Trying to be like you and your emoness and all." Vincent and I both glare at her. "Okay! Okay! I'll be quiet. God, so much angst at once!" she backs away to the door. " I'm going to check on Denz and Marls." then she scampered off.
"Do you have any leads on where Tifa might be?" He shook his head. We sat in silence for several minutes. What should I do? I can't just lay here and do nothing. "I'm going to look for her." I sat up and winced at the pain from my left side. I ignored it and pushed off of the bed to be pushed right back down by Vincent.
"You can't do that, Cloud. You'll re-open the scar."
"But, I..."
"Cloud!" I heard from the doorway. I turned to see Barret, yuffie, Marlene, and Denzel. Marlene ran up to me while Denzel walked over with a fast pace in his gave me a hug, and I returned it. I'm so glad that they're okay.
"Are you okay?" Marlene asked with her wide eyes wider than usual. Denzel let go and sat on the bed next to me.
"You got hurt really bad. Luckily, Marlene called Uncle Barret in time."
"Hey, Spiky." Barret waved from across the room then walked towards me. "Good ta see ya alive, huh." He picked up Marlene and Sat her on his burly shoulders. Everyone stared at me for a moment in silence. "Sorry Spiky." They must know what I'm thinking. Marlene climbed down from Barret's shoulders and wrapped her little arms around my neck.
"You'll find her, right?" she asks. I slowly nodded. She tightened her hold and I patted her back. Must be hard for them. Marlene suddenly shot up from our embrace by the sound of my stomach growling. Worst timing ever. I rolled my eyes and look down at the horrible hospital gown.
"Looks like Cloudy's a wittle hungry." Yuffie cooed.
"Yuffie." Vincent said eyeing her to shut up.
"I should go and get something." I said standing up, without being pushed down this time. Once I got up, I felt a sudden breeze on my ass. I abruptly sat back down, feeling the blood rise to my
(face) cheeks. " Could someone grab my clothes."
"Feeling a bit drafty in the nether regions?"
"Yuffie!" We all barked.
"Fine Fine! I'll go get them. Geez you're no fun!" at that, the stomped off out of the room.

~~~~20 Minutes Later~~~~

"I'm Back!" Yuffie sang joyously with a jumbled pile that was my clothes.
"Thank you." I said. I got up, and went to the bathroom (backing away) to get changed.
I closed and locked the bathroom door. I stri[[ed pgg my hospital gown and wiggled my pants on. I heard a slight giggle in the back of my head and a burst of laughter accompanying it.
"Aerith. Zack." I laughter was being restrained.
"Hey Spiky." Zack greets.
"Hi Cloud." Aerith says. I could still hear their laughter. I sighed.
"What do you want?" I ask.
"What no 'Hello'?" Zack teases. I grumbled something inaudible. "Okay, Okay So you're not in a joking mood."
"We're worried about you." she says. "So, what are you gonna do?" I took a moment. What should I do?
"You're gonna save her!" Zack shouted
"Zack!" Aerith scolded.
"What? Its true! If it were MY angel, I wouldn't be talking in a bathroom. I would be tracking their asses down!" I lowered my head for a moment. Does he not think I'll do anything for her? I heard a knocking on the door. But he's right.
"Hey, Spike. You 'aight in there?" my head shot up at Barret's voice.
"Well?" Zack says. "What are you waiting for?" I finished pulling my shirt down and looked in the mirror, and nod.
I bursted out of the bathroom making a beeline for the door, ignoring the group members. I felt something tugging the bottom of my pant leg once I got into the hallway. I looked to see a fiery-red hound with a blazing tale yanking at the bottom.
"Red. Let go." I said sternly. He let go.
"You can't go alone, Cloud."
"Why not?" Red stared at me in contemplation.
"Well, you couldn't beat them the first time, what makes you think you can now?" I looked at him about to retort. But I closed my mouth and turned away.
"I...I don't know. But, I gotta do something."
"I understand." he said. "But We'll go with you. We all care for Tifa."
"Thats right, kid. And we also don't wanna drag your stupid ass back here." Cid walked up, reeking of tobacco. I turned around.
"But, I..."
"But what?" Marlene questions as she,Denzel and the others walk towards us. "You go save Tifa. And Denzel and I will go to Auntie Elmyra's 'till you return." Denzel nodded at her plan.
"Yeah! I told you to take care of my girls!" Barret said. "But you didn't do I'm gonna help ya no matta what ya say!" I sighed.
"Fine. But where you we start?"
"We'll call Reeve. He probably has some tracking shit at his place so we can track her hone." Cid recommended.
"Good. We'll call him once we get on the airship." Vincent says.
"Oh Gaia. Not the airship. Just thinking about it makes me wanna-" Yuffie held her stomach as she made gagging noises.
"You wanna stay here?"
"And miss all the action! No way!"
"Well, then. We should get going."