There was blood everywhere. The walls of the Battle Square were covered in blood, the floors decorated in splatters of it. Bodies, some piled on one another, were prone, riddled with bullet holes. One woman stared up at Tifa with vacant eyes, clouded with death, and she shuddered, moving closer to Aeris. She glanced around the room, noticing an odd, overstuffed Mog with a cat jockey. She moved toward it, tapped the giant pink plush Mog cautiously, and was startled when the cat bowed to her. "Cait Sith's the name," he whispered. "Who are you?" "Tifa..." she blinked in surprise and motioned to Aeris, "And this is Aeris." "Nice to meet you...though the circumstances are pretty bad right now." He winced and held his head. Cloud walked around, checking bodies. The rest of the group was silent, solemn. Barret was nowhere to be found, and Tifa felt a sick, twisting feeling form in her stomach. At one of the desks in the room, a clerk groaned, moved slightly. Cloud was there immediately. "Hey, what happened?!" "A...man with a gun...on his arm..." the clerk slumped, went still. Cloud ran his hand over his face, stared at the others with worried eyes. "A gun on his arm?!" Tifa cried in shock. She saw the look on Cloud's face, and shook her head. Barret wasn't capable of this...he would never do such a thing... The group turned at the sound of running. The owner of the Gold Saucer, Dio, burst in, flanked by guards. Dio was a massive, strong man, but even he seemed shaken by the scene in front of him. "Did you guys do this!?" Cloud stammered a reply. "N...no, it wasn't us!" Cait Sith took a step back; the girls followed his example. "Hurry and run, it's gonna get ugly," he took off as fast as his Mog carrier could take him, and the others followed after him. Cait Sith skidded into the arena first, followed by the rest of the group, and Dio. "That's as far as you go," Dio said. Cloud frowned in frustration. "Wait, listen to..." he didn't get to finish his sentence however. Security robots made their way into the arena, and quickly cornered the small group. "Cloud..." Cait Sith said uneasily. Yuffie whimpered, and Tifa clenched her teeth. There was no way they were going to make it out of here. One of them grabbed Cloud, and he struggled in vain. Tifa, Aeris, Cait Sith and Yuffie were quickly grabbed by the robots, and Red XIII roared in outrage as one gripped him roughly by the scruff of his neck. "Take them to the gateway to heaven!" Dio barked. Tifa had no idea what that was, but she had a feeling it had nothing to do with heaven. ------------------------------ The 'gateway to heaven' turned out to be the entrance to North Corel's underground prison. When Tifa awoke, she was greeted by a wide expanse of desert, with abandoned homes and buildings scattered everywhere. This place also had its share of scrap metal, and the sun glinted weakly against it as Tifa stood up, spitting sand out of her mouth, and trying in vain to pull particles of it out of her hair. She brought her hand to her face to block the sun from her eyes, and glanced around. Nothing but yellow sand for miles. "Wait..." she murmured to herself. "Where is everyone?" She stumbled forward a few steps. "Cloud! Barret! Red! Yuffie! Cait Sith! Aeris! Where are you?!" "Geez! Would you quit screaming? I hear you, okay? Quit freaking out!" Tifa turned at the sound of the voice. "Yuffie?" The girl in question sat on the ground a little ways away from Tifa, shaking sand out of her shoes. "Yeah, it's me." Tifa sighed in relief. "Where is everyone else?" Yuffie glanced back and forth quickly. "I uh...I don't know. I just remember that stupid robot thing grabbing me and ending up here." She pulled her shoes on and started to punch at the air. "Ahh man, if that thing hadn't been so big...then booyaka! I would have kicked its butt!" "Really. Is that why you passed out right after it grabbed you?" A voice said. Yuffie's punches stopped, and Tifa brightened visibly when she saw who it was. "Red!" The lion creature gave her a mock bow. "Nice to see you Tifa. Do you know where everyone is?" "I...I don't know." she kicked at the ground. "Oh no...Cloud, Aeris, Barret, Cait too...they might be stuck in that desert...they might be lost." Red XIII shook his head. "They'll be fine. I'm pretty sure they probably landed near us, but they woke up from the impact faster. Let's check some of these houses." He started to walk toward one, then stopped. "And Tifa, Yuffie?" "Yes?" "Yeah, what?" Red XIII growled. "Stay close to me, and don't speak to any of these prisoners. I have a feeling they haven't seen a woman in a looong time..." Tifa nodded, and then caught a glance of familiar blonde hair in the distance, going into a house. "Hey! It's Cloud!" No doubt Aeris would be with him too. She broke into a run, leaving the other two behind. Red chuckled. "She sure does love him a lot, doesn't she?" "Yeah, I guess..." "What do you mean, 'you guess?' Come on, she loves him, can't you tell?" "I'm just...welll...look. I spend a lot of time with Tifa..." And Aeris, she added mentally. "And well, um...forget it. Nevermind. You're right; she does love him." She followed Tifa, and Red was left standing in confusion. "Barret was right...it really is hard to understand a woman's nature..." ------------------------------ Tifa slipped into the house after Cloud, wincing at the sharp creak the door made. Cloud glanced behind him quickly, and sighed in relief when he saw Tifa. Tifa smiled, and spared a glance over Cloud's shoulder. Aeris caught her glance, and gave her a smile. 'I'm glad you're safe,' she mouthed to Tifa. Tifa blushed. Her head felt swimmy for some reason. She jumped in shock when she heard Barret enter. She glanced at him and instinctively moved closer to Cloud, Aeris, and Cait Sith. The look in his eyes was frightening. "Didn't I tell you not to come here?!" He raised his gun-arm and aimed it at them. "Ju...just hold on for a second!" Cait Sith stammered. "We just want to talk! You'll understand if you just hear us out!" Barret shot and the others ducked. Tifa's heart hammered in her chest, and she almost whimpered in relief when the shots stopped. They all glanced up when they heard a thump. Barret had shot a prisoner hiding behind a ratty old couch. "Didn't want none of ya to get involved..." Barret muttered. Yuffie and Red XIII made their way into the house, and Aeris cleared her throat. "Hey, that's Cloud's line! '...It's too dangerous, I can't let you get involved...' blah, blah, blah..." "Yeah. We're already involved in this. We saw you and hurried here. So come on Barret, just tell us what's going on." Tifa said. "You guys..." Barret murmured. "I heard that the murders at the Battle Arena were done by a man with a gun-arm...Was that you?" Red XIII asked. Barret shook his head quickly. "There's another...another man that had a gun grafted inta one of his arms...it was four years ago...I remember...I was on my way home from visiting a Mako Reactor being built." The others sat down as Barret began to explain what had happened. "My best friend, Dyne and me, we were headin' back to Corel, when the village headman up to us...said Shinra was attacking the village." He clenched his fist. "Some soldiers were following him...They shot him down right in front of us. Then, they started to aim at us. We ran, but Dyne fell backwards off a cliff...I grabbed him before he fell, but they shot at my arm...Dyne's too, and he fell...From then on, I couldn't use my right arm no more. I was depressed for a while...but then I threw away my artificial arm and got this gun grafted in. Got a new right arm to get revenge on the Shinra, who took everything away..." "Oh...that sucks," Yuffie whispered to Red. Barret continued his story. "Back then, I heard the doc say there was another man who got the same operation as me. But, his was the left arm..." "But...Dyne's injury was the same as yours, right?" Aeris asked. Tifa nodded. "Yeah, that's right. He was deceived by the Shinra too. He'll probably join us to fight against the Shinra." Barret shook his head. "...wouldn't bet on it. I gotta 'pologize to Dyne before I can rest in peace. An' that's why, I gotta go alone." Cloud scoffed. "Do whatever you want...is that what you want to hear? Well, I can't let you do it. Because, if you die on me, I'm gonna have nightmares." "Barret," Aeris said, "this isn't the end. Weren't you going to save the Planet?" Barret turned to Tifa. "Shit! Tifa, you oughtta know by now." "...That's all right." Tifa whispered. "I'm not so different from you." "That's easier to understand." Aeris said. "It's you, Barret." Cloud straightened up. "So there it is, Barret. So I guess it'll be Barret, me, and Red." He gave Tifa a look. "You should..." "I know, I know. I should stay here." Aeris frowned as he left. "We could have gone." Tifa shook her head. "No...it's really Barret's fight, after all..." She leaned against a wall and closed her eyes. "Besides, I'm really hot and tired." Yuffie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, geez! It's way too hot!" She slumped her shoulders. "But it's gonna be boring just waiting here for Cloud." "Well," Cait Sith piped up, and the girls turned to him, "I could always do fortunes for you lovely ladies." "Fortunes?" Tifa raised an eyebrow. "Well...I guess. Give it your best shot." The Mog started to rock back and forth slowly, and a slip of paper came out of its mouth. Yuffie grabbed it. "Don't start grass fires...your lucky month is July..." she made a face. "What does that mean?" She frowned at the stuffed cat, and he slumped his shoulders. "Wait, wait! Let me try again." He rocked back and forth a bit faster this time, and Tifa grabbed the slip of paper. "Do unto others, and you will be granted golden chocobos...what is this?" Cait Sith did a very fast dance this time, and Aeris grabbed the paper. She read it quietly, and Tifa watched as her face clouded over. "You okay?" Aeris swallowed hard and nodded, but Tifa didn't buy it. "Are you sure?" She put a hand on her shoulder. "It's just a silly fortune." She ignored Cait Sith when he stuck his tongue out at her. "It doesn't mean anything..." Aeris gave her a strained smile, and turned away. "You're right." Tifa frowned. "Let me see the fortune." Cait Sith moved to sit next to Yuffie. "Uh oh. I think they're about to start arguing," he whispered. "No. It's alright; it's just a fortune, like you said. You don't need to see it." Aeris responded. She grasped the piece of paper in her hand and looked toward the door. "I think we should follow the others." "Let me see the fortune Aeris." "No." This time her voice was firm. "Why are you so scared? It's just a fortune. You don't need to hide things, Aeris." Tifa's voice was gentle. Yuffie coughed and interrupted. "Hey. Cut it out Tifa. If she doesn't want to show us, it's cool, okay?" The gaze Tifa gave her was almost murderous. Yuffie flinched. "I mean...what I mean to say is, I just think you should drop it." Tifa glanced over at Aeris. "But...I'm sorry." She leaned against the wall and sighed. "I shouldn't have pried." "It's alright...I just...it's alright." It was quiet for a moment, and then Yuffie coughed awkwardly. "Hey, stupid cat thing. Let's go find Cloud and the others and eavesdrop." Cait Sith bristled. "Don't call me stupid, kid! But...uh, that is a good idea." He hopped toward the door and opened it for Yuffie. "Ladies first, you know." "Thanks. Um. Tifa, Aeris? We'll be back in a little while. I'd ask you guys to join us, but uh, it's probably easier to travel in a small group...geez, I sound like Cloud...but anyway. Yeah. See ya." "Bye Yuffie. And..." Tifa started. "...be careful." Aeris finished. Yuffie bit down a laugh. "Yeah, okay. I will." Tifa waited until the door closed behind them to speak. "So..." "Yeah..." Aeris murmured. "We really need to talk about some things." "I know. I think..." "Hmm?" "Just. I wonder...how do you feel?" Tifa blinked. "How do I feel? I feel...strange, I guess. I just...at Costa del Sol..." she blushed. "I mean, I've been thinking about what happened..." Aeris giggled. "Really?" "Not like that! Well...a little. But more...what will we do?" "We'll just keep moving foward. Nothing has changed." "Everything's changed Aeris, and you know it." Aeris frowned and shook her head. "You worry too much. Stop worrying; everything will be fine in the end." "Are you sure?" Aeris looked sad for a moment, but it was gone before Tifa could question it. "I'm positive. Just live Tifa. Try not to think so much about how you're going to live, just...be. There's nothing wrong with looking to the sky." Tifa sighed, pulled Aeris into a hug. "You're very mysterious, do you know that?" Aeris laughed against Tifa's neck, a soft, breathy sound. "Why thank you, Marianna." Tifa frowned. "I should have never told you that." Aeris smiled, and then yawned, stretched. "I'm tired." "Then get some rest. I'll wake you when they come back." Aeris did as ordered, leaned her head against Tifa's shoulder and soon drifted off to sleep. When her breathing had softened, Tifa maneuvered her arm around her waist and grasped for the tiny slip of paper still clasped in her hand....if she could just reach it... Then, she shook her head and stopped. It wasn't worth it. Aeris would tell her, in time. ------------------------------ Yuffie and Cait Sith returned first, and Tifa caught the strange, tired glance in the girl's eyes. "We found a way out." Yuffie muttered. "Barret got permission from Dyne..." "How?" Yuffie was silent for a second, and then she spoke softly. "...Dyne wanted to fight Barret, you know? Said it was like, his fault everything had happened. They fought, Barret won." She almost looked proud for an instant. "And then Dyne started saying stuff about how he was going to see his wife again, an' how he shouldn't be able to hold Marlene...isn't that Barret's daughter?" Tifa nodded. "Yes, but..." "Yeah. I guess...I guess Barret adopted her, huh? Because she was Dyne's and...well...anyway. Barret got permission from Dyne to go back to the upper levels." "What happened to Dyne?" Aeris murmured sleepily, pulling away from Tifa and rubbing her eyes. "He uh...he's just...you know, he's gone." She was quiet for a while, and Tifa got the hint. "I see...so um...is Barret okay?" "I don't know...geez. This sucks. But, I mean, at least we're leaving, right? There's a condition though." "What do we have to do?" "Well, it's more like what Cloud has to do. He's gotta win a Chocobo race for us to get out of here. He didn't look too happy, but man, neither would I. Chocobo riding makes me sick to my stomach." "Can we watch the race?" Aeris asked. "Yeah, I think." Yuffie stood up and brushed sand off her shorts. "Come on." ------------------------------ Cloud looked a little awkward on the chocobo, but he quickly gained his bearings. Tifa thought he looked a little queasy, and frowned in worry. "You think he's okay?" she whispered to Aeris. Aeris nodded. "The race won't be that long. I'm sure he'll win." She cupped her hands around her mouth. "Go Cloud!" Cloud gave her a shaky grin and righted himself on the bird. He glanced up at the timer. "3...2...1..." he whispered. A shot went off, and the chocobos tore down the racing path, chirping excitedly. Cloud looked as if he would fall off for a second, but he caught on quickly, soon gaining the lead. Everyone, even Barret cheered for him, and he grinned triumphantly as his chocobo passed the finish line first. He hopped off of the bird, and the group ran to him. Barret clapped him soundly on the back. "Alright man! You did it!" Cloud nodded. "Guess I did, huh? Wow...that was...a rush." He straightened up. "Alright everyone, let's get out of this place." ------------------------------ Tifa, Aeris, Cait Sith, Barret, Red and Yuffie sat in the lobby of the Gold Saucer, waiting for Cloud to finish up. Dio strutted over to them. "Hey there, girl," he said to Aeris. "Um...pardon me?" He threw her a set of keys. "Tell that boy of yours this is a gift for the um, mix up back there." "What is it?" Yuffie asked. "It's a buggy, girl! It'll take you around places. Tell that boy he did a good job. And good luck on your journey." He gave them a look. "Visit again, alright? I promise we won't have any problems." When he left, Aeris grabbed the PHS from Barret. "Hey!" "I'm calling Cloud! He'll be so excited." "Whatever," Yuffie said. "Um hey, can I drive?" "No." Everyone said at once. Yuffie kicked at the ground. "Mega bummer." ------------------------------ "So everyone," Cloud said when they had all joined up again. "We're heading to Gongaga. Dio gave me a letter saying Sephiroth was seen around there." He hopped into the driver's seat of the buggy, and the others clamored in after him. "I get shotgun!" Yuffie said, scrambling in the seat next to Cloud. "Right." Cloud muttered. "Um, so yeah. Buckle up everyone." "Yo, you betta not crash this thing," Barret warned. Cloud grinned sardonically, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'll be real careful." He started the buggy up. "Okay everyone, let's mosey." The entire group burst into laughter, and he frowned. That's the thanks he got for being optimistic... ------------------------------ end of chapter eight Man. That was a long chapter, and no Cosmo Canyon. Oh well. I apologize if things were a little choppy, or if they dragged out too much. I was trying to make this chapter a little long. Next time: Gongaga, Turks, old boyfriends and Cosmo Canyon. See you around.
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