Disclaimer: I do not own any character in any shape or form. They belong to Square Enix :)

Author's note: VERY IMPORTANT! Anywho, thank you for everything everyone. The reviews, the follows, the faves. I am very grateful because of it! I know things might get a little OOC. Actually alot for some people but it's hard to write a fanfic which isn't a one shot and trying to keep them in character. Just to let you all know, I'm new at this so it doesn't really bother me at all that it has a few reviews. If my AU is too much for you and you couldn't handle it, it's alright! Just don't bash me or anything, you can simply just stop reading. But for those who have been patient with me, I thank you all for sticking with me. :)

Also, the story of Tifa's parents I just made up because well... I thought that since it's AU I might use my imagination a little bit. Thanks for reading this note! And on to the story!

Popularity Feud

Chapter 8

Luckily the man stopped once he noticed my desperation of going home. He took off his helmet, his short brown hair flowing in the wind; his eyes were of the color blue… or were they green? It's really hard to tell in this light. Mentally I sighed, hoping that he wasn't another pervert but also I was happy that he noticed me in the midst of his ride. One thing I noticed though is he had a scar on the middle of his face, starting from his forehead diagonally to his left eye.

"Are you alright, Miss?" He asked, fixing his hair with one hand while the other was holding his helmet.

"Ahhh, yes.. I mean no… I mean…." I screamed in confusion, the air must have been affecting my brain lately. Having only this shawl to cover myself wasn't sufficient enough as I started to shiver in the night. He tilted his head in confusion and I sheepishly laughed. How embarrassing.

"I'm not really okay… Um I left the party at that big mansion over there," my index finger pointing to said direction. "…And I forgot my money so I couldn't possibly call a taxi…So I hoped that you could give me a free ride?" I asked hopefully towards the stranger. He took off his jacket and offered it to me. I looked at him confused, he offered his hand and I reluctantly took it.

"Hold on tight and wear the jacket, it's going to be breezy once we set off." He commanded, I nodded in understanding and wrapped my hands on his waist securely. I haven't really rode a motorcycle that much, and the only times that I did were when Cloud drove to school when we were late. Well whoever this guy is, he seems reliable enough and doesn't seem to have ill intentions towards me unlike the other men I met.

He took off, and clung onto him as if my life depended on it. My face was getting cold so I hid behind his back which was comfortably warm, even if he had no jacket. My hair billowed with the wind as he headed straight towards the city. He asked where I lived, hesitating for a moment, I told him the address. He turned around a corner and stopped once we approached the apartment building where I live in. Bowing in gratitude, I stripped off his jacket and handed it back to him. He nodded and wore it, straightening it before placing his hands on the handle of the bike.

"Thank you for helping out a stranger like me," I said whilst playing with the hems of my shawl. If it weren't for him, I would be in the entrance of the city by now freezing my butt off.

"It's no problem, besides you look like someone I used to know." He said candidly. I wondered who he was talking about but quickly threw those thoughts away in my mental trash bin. Prying on other people's business is not how I was brought up and it would be rude to ask. Nodding in understanding, I bid him farewell. Not even an exchange of names was made. After all, I might never be able to see him again.

Walking back up to my apartment, I contemplated on what and how I should speak my mind to Sephiroth and to Professor Hojo. Tomorrow morning, I will tell him that I no longer wish to be partners with his son; I'd rather be partners with Kadaj or any other popular except for him. Since today is a Sunday, we definitely have school tomorrow.

I stopped in front of the door and knelt down to take the key that was hidden under the doormat for such special occasions such as this. What surprised me the most was that it wasn't there. Could it be that someone broke into my apartment? Cloud has a spare key, and the only ones who knew about my 'hiding place' were me, my parents or Cloud. Hoping for the best, I gulped before I turned the doorknob which seems to be unlocked and hoped that Cloud was watching T.V in the living room or some sort.

"Tifa! It's 12 A.M!"

"Where were you?"

Two concerned people approached and took me in their embrace. H-How… How could it be? I was told that they wouldn't be here in 2 months or so… Not that I'm unhappy but more confused and worried as to what happened.

"M-Mom? D-Dad?" I croaked and looked up at them, only to see worried faces of the ones I longed to see in months. I didn't mean to worry them… not at all. And it saddens me to know that I was the cause of their worry. I didn't mean to be a rebellious daughter and cause such imaginations in their minds, but it was his fault. He was the one who took me away without the means of communicating to people close to me.

"I-I'm sorry, Mom, Dad… I-I" I was silenced by my mother's hand.

"It's alright dear, Cloud told us everything." My mother said with a faint smile on her face.

"That's right that young man told us about this other young man who seems to be after you, but it's alright now…" My father soothed my back whilst my mom patted my head in a manner that made me feel as if I was young again.

"Now it's time for you to get to bed, you have to be early for school." My mother said and ushered me to my room. They closed the door quietly before leaving; their faces were painted with sadness. It could be my imagination due to the lack of energy in my body, so I chose to ignore it and soon enough sleep consumed me.

Tifa woke up due to the smell of food that flowed throughout her room. It had been, after all months since someone cooked for her besides herself. Cloud wasn't much of a good cook either. So, getting up and stretching her legs, Tifa groggily walked to the kitchen in hopes to find her parents cooking a meal. However, it wasn't as what she had suspected, there was no one to greet her, to give her a morning hug or someone to pat her messy hair and laugh in glee. No, no one was there at all. She looked into every room in the apartment even the bathroom but her parents were no where to be found.

Tifa walked towards the table where her breakfast lay, and beside it was an envelope addressed to her. Immediately recognizing the signature, she ripped the envelope. A bundle of money and a letter were inside the envelope. Completely ignoring her breakfast she unfolded the note that she hoped might bring resolution to what was happening.

Dear Tifa,

I'm sorry that we had to leave this way… The reason why we came home last night was to surprise you, but we never suspected for you to be home so late. Before we had to go to our next destination, I thought that it was best if we bonded for a bit, but alas… that never happened. Don't worry my love; we will back in the right date we should be back if nothing fails. Pray for our safety as we pray for yours. Not a day passes where we do not think of you, and know that it really hurts us to leave you behind in the years where you need guidance the most. We love you Tifa. Stay strong and be well.

Love,

Mom and Dad.

A tear rolled down Tifa's cheek, she wiped it in attempt to stop the others from rolling down but she was unsuccessful. Tears were flowing down her face completely staining the letter her mom and dad had put all their love in. Her body shivered as her sobs were the only sound that resonated throughout the apartment.

"It's not fair…I-It's not fair…" She said between her sobs. She lifted the fork up and started eating the breakfast made for her. Her tears still rolling down her face as a result of the mixed emotions she was feeling inside. Love. Sadness. Hate. Confusion. Yes those feelings were the emotions that were filling up inside of her. Causing her to breakdown.

She stared at the clock, only 30 minutes left before the first bell rings. No matter how she look at it, she would still end up being late. However, today, Tifa didn't care. She didn't care if a mere single late would taint her reputation as the punctual student in all of her years. Because today was different, today was the realization that everything in life isn't fair, that no matter what she did, she couldn't bring her parents back. She knew once she started Middle School that her parents wanted to travel the world, learn each country's history, language and connect it all, as if a puzzle was being made. Her parents wanted to solve the problem as to why there were still wars raging on amongst neighboring countries and why peace couldn't be easily achieved.

She knew that it was a goal her parents had that could never be accomplished and yet, Tifa supported them all the way. Taking all the responsibilities to take care of herself and her studies. It was when Tifa learned on how being independent wasn't as easy as everyone said it was.

Tifa went back to her room, laid out her uniform as neatly as she could and went to take a shower in the bathroom. Hoping that the warm water would ease her troubled mind. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom and went back to her room to get dressed which took her about 10 minutes. She tied her hair up in a ponytail, fixing her hair and leaving a few long strands of hair dangling on the side. She took her bag, opened it to check if everything was there and headed off to school. Hopefully no one dared to bother her today, or else she would break down. But we all know that it won't happen. Because there is always that one person that irks her most and it is Sephiroth.

Sephiroth walked down the hallways towards his first class, surprisingly excited to see what sort of comeback his partner would give him today after her reaction at the party. The flock of girls trailing behind him were like flies that bothered him, usually he would dispose of them but he felt as though that would wait until tomorrow. After all, he was looking for no other than Tifa Lockhart. One would say that it was an unhealthy obsession he had for the young lady but he would retort that she was merely a pawn in his game. His game to defeat none other than The Avalanche.

Speaking of said person, he realized that she is late today. Of course it is noticeable because of his eyes constantly looking at the door and the irritating sound his pencil being tapped on the table. Some might say that he is infatuated with the girl but he would only respond that she is not worthy of his tiny bit of 'feelings'.

Thirty minutes passed and yet she still hasn't arrived. The man was getting quite irritated as if his something of his was taken from his grasp. He looked out of the window, annoyed at the fact that she might not show up. However, not a second passed since he peered outside the window that the door was swung open. He turned his head to the source and locked his eyes upon its target. Tifa stood underneath the opening and walked towards the professor to present to him an orange piece of paper which seemed to be a late slip.

He smirked, 'The punctual person actually became late for once. How lovely.'

Professor Hojo told her to sit next to Sephiroth and she nodded. He looked up at her and noticed that something was eerily off about her. He flashed a smirk to her but she didn't react to it. No. She didn't even spare him a glance of acknowledgement. It was as if he was never there at all. His eyes widened in shock, usually she would look at him in disdain or glare at him but today she did not of that. It's as though she was an empty shell without any emotions held inside her. Her usual spark wasn't there at all.

The rest of the thirty minutes went by unusual for Sephiroth. He looked at her all the time and she never flinched or seemed to be bothered by it at all. Something is definitely off about her, he though. And it seemed he was determined to find out what it was. The class ended and her hyper friend rushed over at their table, leaving a very frustrated Kadaj behind.

"Hey Tifa, what's the matter? You're never late before…" Yuffie remarked, worry in her voice.

"I just… felt out of it Yuffie…" She replied, taking all her supplies not noticing that her notebook was slowly sliding away from her part of the table and towards her partner. As Tifa reached for her notebook, she noticed it wasn't there but on the hands of Sephiroth. She looked at him and eagerly reached for her notebook. She failed when he yanked her wrist, causing her to tumble and land on him. He looked at her friend, Yuffie and gave her look, one that would say 'Butt off' in Yuffie's words.

"Don't follow us," He commanded, stood up and yanked Tifa's wrist to pull her up and dragged her. Yuffie looked at them, not knowing what to do. She looked at the Professor who shook his head and gave her one of his smiles that would creep the heck out of a person. She sighed in defeat and walked to her next class.

It was quite a feat for Sephiroth dragging Tifa to the roof, especially with her trying to go the opposite direction. When they finally reached up the roof, he let go of her causing her to drop to the ground like a lump of coal. Her uniform had creases all over it due to fighting back in her weakened state.

"What happened." She heard him say, and looked at him nothing with spite in her eyes. It isn't as fiery as before but it was still anger that she harbored for him.

"What happened, that night when you stormed out of my house," He commanded, expecting and answer from her. And so she did.

"None of your business," She spat. "Besides, why would a cold hearted man like you care for my well being?"

"Isn't it obvious enough?" He asked, kneeling down in front of her. Putting on the best façade he could ever manage.

"And what is it!? Because if it is I would have noticed days ago!" She yelled at him, tears starting to dwell up in her eyes. The emotions she tried to bottle up inside her were overflowing because he had to bother her. If he would have left her alone, she wouldn't be showing her vulnerable state. If she were to take another emotional blow, she would surely collapse.

"The reason I rescued you from the drunken men, the reason I asked you go with me to the party in the most idiotic reason ever," He said, trying to lace his venomous voice with something unfamiliar with him such as love.

"Is because I love you…" He said it in the most lovable and caring voice ever that it seemed believable for someone as cold hearted as him. Even though he said such words he never implied them to be true, it was part of his strategy after all. And in this weakened state of hers, it would be easy to capture heart.

After all, she needs a shoulder to cry on.

He wiped the tears that were flowing down her face with his thumb, caressing it in the gentlest way. After his faux confession, she broke down. Confused on what she had heard but a part of her heart was leaping for joy at the sudden confession. It's not everyday the stoic Sephiroth Crescent confessed his attraction for someone. Also an irrational part of her brain said that what he said might be true. There goes a saying that says "The more you hate the more you love".

Could it be that the reason why he did all those mean things towards her was because he was incapable of showing it in a nicer way? Or maybe it would ruin his reputation?

Tifa was too warped up in her thoughts that she failed to notice that lack of tears on her face and Sephiroth's face slowly inching towards her. The distance between their lips was only a hair strand away. He closed his eyes. His warm breath caressing her lips.

"It's time to seal the deal", Sephiroth thought. "And then, she will be a pawn in my game."

And with that he placed his lips upon hers, causing her to finally realize what was happening. She could feel his soft lips gently brushing against hers and it was like a trance where she could do nothing. Tifa was frozen the spot, eyes widened and heart beating fast. He had placed his hand to cup her face and the other on her waist pulling her close. When he stopped, that was when the spell broke and she could finally move. She panted and grasped for air. Tifa's face was beet red and he placed her hand on her chest in hopes to even her breathing.

"D-Did… he just kiss me…?" She thought. Turning her head slowly, she looked at him, his standing position creating a shadow that covered her body. Being emotionally and physically fatigued, she fainted.

"Well, her lips are soft, that's a good thing." He licked his lips, peered down to look at the fainted figure of the woman he just kissed. He smirked in amusement and picked her up. This time however, in order to keep his fake confession, he carried her bridal style. Being careful not to drop her, he walked towards the infirmary to get her checked up and take a small rest as well.

However, he never caught the widened eyes of young ninja that saw the entire thing.

A/N: Finished? Phew. So far this has been the longest Chapter I made for this Fic. I'm quite proud since I started this out of the blue at 9:30 and ended it on midnight xD

R&R if you want! :D Wait for the next Chappie! Hopefully it won't be that long. "OTL