A Life to Lead ^_^

"Yo!" Reno called, running towards Rude and Tseng after a few minutes of a good sprint.They had gotten there quicker than he thought, but the only person missing now was Rufus."Where's Shinra?" he asked, bringing his arms behind his head carelessly as usual.While it wasn't right since this usually signified that he'd be laid back from then on, it was just something he couldn't help doing.

"He's inside ..we've got the information, but he must be talking with Cid still." Rude commented, arms in front and held together.So far so good, everything was calm, despite the numerous cries for assistance and the moving of ruined equipment.

"I see ...a whole town, damaged just to find me.." Elena looked down at the moist ground.All she did was listen for a few seconds ..was the body count worth it? They didn't win and get her ..so was all this death for nothing?

"...Elena, this was the work of a heartless, careless fool ..don't blame yourself for their sin." Tseng raised a hand and placed it on her shoulder comfortingly."While they may walk free, hell will be their last destination .."

"Yeah, and we'll be the ones to put them there ..if not us, God's judgment is the last resort." hah, Sephiroth would probably pat him on the back if he heard that."Even if they get what they want, they'll get theirs in the end ..and everyone who helped them will too."

"...Didn't think you two were so religious with your words." Elena looked towards Tseng and Reno, smiling and laughing.The four began discussing more cheerful matters.

 

Tifa rolled her to feet, her eyes wary. Blood trickled gently down one cheek, but she didn't bother to wipe it away. The Heartless grinned, if it even could, then spun its staff around, gathering darkness that it hurled at her. She jumped into the air just seconds before it hit, then spun a kick, only to back away, her leg bleeding; it had claws.

Xion whimpered, then held Roxas tightly, her eyes closed. "Tifa's being attacked, Cloud and Leon are going somewhere, Axel is coming, Demyx is gone..." she drifted off. So many people, so many futures. Block it, block it. She murmured quietly to herself, still holding Roxas tightly.

 

Cid sighed as he knew there would be tension in once again. He had gotten the information from Leon's com link and anything else that the warrior reported. It was neverending. "The same organization, one of them stabbed her in the stomach. But it is reported that this guy may be dead. These cruel beings." he muttered sadly. "Yuffie is upstairs still crying over the loss of Aerith," he replied to Rufus.

Leon nodded in reply as he followed after Cloud, but made sure that he didn't step in too many puddles. Finally he glanced over and saw workers builidng canals and sand bags being put in several places. This was the only thing they could do since the water was leveling out somewhat, but of course it would take some time. "Those nobodies sure made a mess of things." If only Axel and Demyx didn't pursue Elena and this would have never happened," He muttered. They walked until they came to their residence and saw the turks outside laughing. "What the hell is so funny you chuckle heads and what business do you four have here? Aeirth is dead so there should be nothing to be laughing about." He tried to reply in a calm matter. "Now move aside and get away from my home because I don't have the time and patience to deal with any of you." He glared especially at Reno.


Axel was about to find Roxas and Xion and had an idea where they could be, but then stopped when he saw Xigbar. "Xiggy?" He said almost in an nervous tone. "It wasn't entirely my fault. Demyx is not an amateur and is the mastery of waters so don't say he doesn't know any better. Water is my enemy and you know that, but I had no idea he would do something so catastrophic just to prove himself to the organization, mainly me. I know that he tries, but he attends to go overboard," he laughed uncomfortably, scratching his head with it his hand behind his back as he wanted to ditch him, but then he felt the presence of Saix so he stayed put because he didn't want two higher ups hunting him down. He couldn't be seen as a traitor.


"Axel stop trying to get yourself out of this mess. You are to blame as just as he is and you know it. I want to know something though. What have you been doing this whole time? You better have been constructive like getting us more hearts, but I doubt it. So I have to think of something else for your usefulness." He folded his arms in impatience with the younger nobody who he knew would of rebelled. "When I was with the boss and I was listening to Demyx's constant rambling and pleading something of what he said caught my attention. He spoke of these Turks and how this woman you and him were pursuing was one of them. I want you to spy on them and find out what they are up to if they come between our goal they will be dealt with accordingly. This is how you can redeem yourself in my eyes Axel. Or else I will tell the boss that you have been doing nothing, but goofing off and helping the traitor Roxas." Saix made his command clear.

Roxas held Xion securely in his arms as he stayed behind to keep her protected. He glances at an direction and sees Leon talking to the Turks with Cloud along side Leon. "It's okay Xion, I am here for you. I am not going to let anything happen to you. I miss Axel...he would know what to do." He mumbled. He didn't care if he was acting pathetic and weak right now, but the connection had been gone for a while and he missed it.

 

Sora blocked the cocktail of magic with his Oblivion and proceeded to bash the double with his Keyblades and now clawed hands. As the double staggered at each blow, Sora ended the vicious feral attack with a burst of darkness so great that it ended the clone. Finally, Sora reverted, and said:
"Yeah, I am like Riku, aren't I? And you know what? I'm not afraid anymore. All this time I thought that I was too good for the Dark, but it's not like that anymore."

The imaginary realm faded, leaving Sora in the Bailey at Hollow Bastion.

OOC: Okay fire mage, you're free to go. I hope you had fun with Sora's Double.

 

Xion took his hand and pulled him into a nearby alley. "You mustn't be seen, do you understand?"she whispered, holding him tightly. "I don't want them hurting you." Not that they woudln't hurt her too, but that didn't matter. She peeked out, trembling. "Xigbar is around."

Whirling, Tifa struck out, then backed up, her eyes narrowed against the light. Too late she realized this had been the creature's plan. Flipping back instinctively, she sucked in her breath as she felt the air whistle by her head. She had been that close to death. She would have to go faster. Punching at the heartless, she winced as her arm was clawed, but kicked around where its stomach would be, making it fly backwards. "And that's that."

 

Without wasting any time cause the gambler always thought time was precious to keep he oppend up an portal. Luxord walked towards the portal as he thought about the two humens the superior let into the castle. "those humens would have been more proficient and reliable if they got turned into a nobody" The Gambler of Fate said to himself as he walked into the portal he oppend. Luxord steped out of the portal his feet landing in a big puddle of water he got his hood up before he continued walking. The Gambler looked at the now abandoned building he did find some casinos the temptation was great but his pride and responsibility he valued forced him not to waste his time instead he continued to his duty.

Xeol saw Luxord walk off he wanted someone to talk to but he had some people to find. The fog wielder decided to not make an portal instead he would travel by foot. Xeol stoped before his foot touched the water he smiled cause he thought of something. "lets see fog is lighter then water so i should be able to walk on it" the fog wielder thought happily. Xeol put his food on the puddle noticing his foot did not sink instead it stayed on the surface an smile appeard on his face before he started walking on the water. After a few moments he arrived at the Bailey he saw Sora. "great here i need to get my job done and i run into this pain" the fog wielder said to himself crossing his arms as he looked at the boy.

 

"Ahahahahaha-- Shut up loser!- ahahahaha!" Reno replied to Leon as he talked to them all, mainly so no one would need to respond to him. He was just a buzzkill, and the group needed something to laugh about, so the fact that Cloud was a loser was a good start, as well as the fact that the singing earlier completely blew.The only good side to the flood was that there wouldn't be any singing for a while.

Hearing a quarrel nearby, Rude stopped his celebrating, as did his companions."I'll check it out ..don't wait up for me." sounded like fists colliding against something ..and if it was who he thought it was, he'd be having a hard time real soon.He quickly gussied up, to the surprise of his friends, and ran off towards the sounds of a quarrel.

_

"...I see.I'll pray for her, as well as those who knew Aerith ..this is a tragic loss ..she was a good woman. Rufus silently explained, though Cid probably knew Aerith more than he did.And Yuffie ..strength be with her.He waved to Cid before exiting the house, finding Cloud and Leon, and his Turks laughing."Where is Rude going?" he asked, stepping closer towards his Turks.

Stopping immediately, Tseng looked towards Rufus."He heard a disturbance nearby ..sounded like a fight with fists.He wanted to go check it out ..convinced it was a standard brawl and nothing out of the ordinary.And he also asked that we didn't wait for him."

"..I see, then he can rejoin us later ..we've got something to discuss, all of you ..Rude can know later, but for now, come with me." beckoning Reno,Elena and Tseng towards him, Rufus and the gang headed back off towards the market, not paying Cloud or Leon any more thought.

_

Coming to Tifa's defense, Rude sprung into action with his right arm out, catching the armored creature by its neck to clothesline it away from his precious snuggle muffin Tifa.With the force of his attack the creature flew back into a concrete wall, only for Rude to smash his fist in its face, denting its armored eyes.He stepped away, allowing it to swing around blind and find its target.It was entirely blinded now, so that would be difficult.

Smacking his hands together, Rude looked back off towards Tifa, turning slightly red.That body, those eyes ..and especially ..her hands.Those killing machines known as Tifa's hands, oh how soft they must be, held back behind those leather gloves.But it was for her protection ..hands were tools, and Tifa's were precious.

And now, he might be thanked ...its a dream come true. Oh, he'd never have a chance with her!He was a Turk, she was a goddess. Why must fate be so cruel to him?

And no doubt she liked Cloud more ..or perhaps someone other ...it was almost enough to make Rude punch himself to ribbons.

 

OOC: Lol, Asterik, lol.

BIC: Tifa caught her breath, then stood up, smiling as she brushed the cut on her cheek. "Thank you, Rude. I didn't know you were here. Are the rest of the Turks here?" She asked, going to stand next to him. "Again, thank you." She held out her hand, wondering why he had such a strange look on his face.

 

...

There was a God after all.

Rude stood there, holding back the widest smile he would ever have.She acknowledged him, finally, after all this time.Now he could die happy.But wait!She was coming ..closer? Oh, could this day get any better?

Once she was in front of him, Rude silently took in a large breath, taking in her sweet aroma.Sweating or not, Tifa smelled like a rose ..only those thorns would hurt him ..dearly, if he got too full of himself.

..wasn't he supposed to be doing somet-oh, the questions!

"..Y-yes ..they're.. around.." he answered awkwardly, looking down towards the hand she help out.This was it ..it was like a first kiss for him.He was actually about to touch Tifa's hand.He wasn't mentally prepared for this ..how could fate be so wonderful!

Slowly, he raised his right hand with hers and, carefully, he took it with hers and shook it, feeling all warm and tingly inside with her so close to him.With this, he looked up at her, trying to smile ...dare he kiss that hand, dare he?

E GADS!

Her cheek, her delicate body had been scarred by that terrible beast of a heartless.Oh, his love was hurt now ..what should he say?

"..You're hurt.." he said, raising his left hand and having it hover over that cut.

He was such a genius.

 

Tifa smiled, her eyes warm as she watched him, still slightly concerned. "I was a little too slow, but it's nothing." She smiled again. "You took care of the creature, we're both fine, so it's nothing." Speaking this way, she frowned slightly with worry. "I should get back to Xion, I left her and Roxas alone." She looked back up at Rude. "You are okay, right?"

 

"A-are ..you sure we couldn't perhaps ..take a walk together?" Rude suggested feebly, fearing himself to be a fool for such a risk.But he couldn't help it.He was sweating, his heart was racing ..and he didn't think he'd get such a chance again.He brought his left hand around her waist and raised her hand with his arm.This was daring ..but he thought she'd understand without words on how he felt for her."Or ..a dance?"

All those dance classes BETTER be worth it.

 

Tifa was startled, something she was not used to. Amazingly, she felt herself blush too. That was new, too. She smiled a little, lowering her eyes. "I don't really dance, Rude. I'm not very good at it." she shook her head, smiling. "But I wouldn't mind a walk." She wasn't used to this side of the Turk, he was usually the quiet one that spoke when it suited him, or so she thought. She wouldn't sterotype him again, that was for sure.

 

...

Would this be it?..Would he be able to talk to her outside of formalities!?

"V-very well ..anything you'd like.." Rude said, releasing her slowly and looking off towards the distance.He realized nothing would be open to--..buy her...something.

That duck, Scrooge, maybe he was still open."..Are you..hungry?" he asked her.

 

She tilted her head, smiling. This was getting more curious by the minute. "I'm not very hungry, thanks." she answered, then smiled. "If you want something, go ahead. I just don't eat very often." She lowered her eyes. "You learn that, living in Edge."

 

...He knew what she meant.Edge was a harsh place ..and speaking of Edge, there was her bar."..About Edge ..how's your bar?" the residents of Edge weren't the wealthiest, so he wondered if her bar was doing well or not.

 

Tifa smiled, her eyes proud. "It's doing very well. I left Marlene and Denzel there. Denzel's getting older, but I still won't let him come with..." she sighed, then smiled. "I don't know how to manage him. Marlene is as she always is. I'm sure they're fine..." she bit her lip, lost in her worries for a moment. "What about work for you?"

 

"Alone?..you must really trust them then, or are they under watch?" Rude asked.Regardless of how responsible Denzel and Marlene can be, they were still young and vulnerable.Perhaps Barret was watching them?..He did hold a strong bond with Marlene.

 

Tifa smiled. "Barret's stayed home with them. Normally I would have too, but.." she sighed. "Aerith needed me." Smiling wrlyly, she glanced sideways over at Rude. "I seem to take in a lot of strays."

 

This wasn't as hard as he originally thought.When things were like this, it was as easy as talking to her as if she was Reno."That's very nice of you ..you'd make a good mother." he complimented her, sure of her skills.As he walked he looked along at those salvaging what they had left.Houses looked terrible and people's spirits were low."..As for my own job ..its going very..well, look around you, that'll explain things."

 

Tifa smiled shyly. "Thanks..." she sighed. "I feel bad for them. The kids. They don't deserve the lives they have been thrust into." She smiled alittle. "It can't have been easy, could it? Reno is sensitive, but he doesn't show it. And Elena is cute, even if she's a little over excited."