A stream of blaring horns and gleaming metal, the streets of Corel were in constant movement. There were a lot of trucks coming in from the highway, so when Yuffie and Tifa entered the city limits, they were overshadowed by the looming vehicles. Eyes wide as she watched the truck, Tifa clutched Yuffie tighter around the waist. The trip through the mountains, though beautiful, was largely uneventful. Tifa was revealed to have left them, for the height made her ears pop, and while she was starting to get used to riding the motorbike, it still didn't add to her comfort. At a stop, Yuffie glanced around before accelerating forward again. She was cut off by a car, which blared its horn at her as it zoomed past. Yuffie shook her fist after the driver, shouting, "You lousy jerk!" The cars behind her began to honk as well, the looks on the drivers faces screwed up in annoyance. Squaring her jaw, the young ninja lifted her hand and, without looking back, extended her middle finger. Tifa blanched as the honking increased at this gesture, the young girl she was clutching to speeding off again with the squeal of her tires, leaving the angry drivers behind with their noise. "Was that really necessary?" Tifa shouted, a disgruntled look on her face. Yuffie turned her head slightly. "Sure it was! We're in a real city now, Tif. Didn't you have to get tough with people back in Midgar?" "People weren't like that in the slums. At least...not where I lived." "Meh, well where you lived, you couldn't call that a normal city. This here--" She swerved slightly as another biker zoomed past her. "Asshole!" the ninja screamed. Turning back to Tifa, the girl raised an eyebrow. "Is a genuine dog-eat-dog environment." Tifa sighed. "Yeah...I can already see that." Not long after the woman said this, Yuffie began to pull into a gas station. Parking in front of the mini-mart, the ninja turned off her bike and took off her helmet. "Hold on a minute, Tif. I need to get directions for Barret's house." The woman frowned. "Why? I know the street he lives on." Yuffie turned back to her. "And do you know how to get to that street?" At this the woman faltered. "Er...well...no." Yuffie smirked. "So like I said: I'm getting directions." Tifa, feeling somewhat foolish, took the helmet off of her head. Next to her, a red sports car was parked, the man sitting in it wearing sunglasses and a button up shirt with the top three buttons undone. A cigarette held in between the fingers on his right hand, he leaned his arm out as reclined in his seat. Tifa leaned forward, planting her elbows in the spot where Yuffie sat. With this movement, the man glanced at her from behind his shades, one eyebrow quirking slightly as his eyes roved over the curve of Tifa's back. "Hey there!" the man said casually. Tifa turned to him with a jerk, moving as if she were going to sit up again. The man smiled lazily at her, showing his bright teeth. "How ya doin?" For a moment the woman didn't say anything, just sat there frowning at him. Then, after a moment, she relaxed again and shrugged, choosing to stare at the handlebars of the motorbike. "I'm doing fine." "That's good." the man took a drag of his cigarette, leaning his hand out the window again. He blew a stream of smoke into the air. Inwardly, Tifa rolled her eyes at the man's attempt at being alluring. "Where ya from?" the man asked after a moment, taking another drag of his cigarette. "Not here." Tifa said shortly. Looking to the glass doors of the mart, the woman wondered impatiently when Yuffie would get back. The man turned to her, "Hey, I'm just trying to start an innocent conversation." "Is that so?" Tifa looked at the man and stopped when she realized that he was actually handsome. "Yeah. That's so," the man said lowering his shades some. He had blue eyes. "You look familiar...what's your name?" Tifa raised an eyebrow, "You never tell a girl you wanna get with that they're familiar." The man chuckled; smoke puffing out of his mouth in large clouds as he did so. Running a hand through his wavy brown hair he said, "So you think I wanna get with you?" "You wouldn't talk randomly to strangers, especially women, if you weren't interested in them." "How do you know? You don't even know me." "I don't need to know you intimately to know that you've been with a lot of women, that you work in laborious jobs, and that you like gambling." The man blinked at her, slowly taking off his glasses. "And how'd you deduce all that in the few words I exchanged with you, missy?" Tifa smiled absently. She nodded to his hand. "Those hands are the hands of a man who does heavy lifting and field work. The statue of Choco and Mog you've got sitting on your dashboard shows me that you believe a lot in luck...plus it helps that Gold Saucer is nearby. I'm guessing you just came from there?" The man smirked. "Yeah, I did." "Win much?" "A ton." Tifa's smile widened. "Congratulations." "And how do you know I've been with a lot of women?" Tifa shrugged. "Easy. Because you're talking to me now, and just a moment ago, you had the gall to say I looked familiar." "Why's it bad to say that?" "Because, you've most likely never met me before in your life, and for you to say that to me makes you out to be some sleazy guy who's slept with a ton of girls whom you can't even keep track of...And also the fact that, if you DID meet me at some time in your life, you don't remember me by name. That's very insulting." The man blinked. "Boy...never thought of it that way." "Men normally don't." Tifa returned her gaze to the motorbike's handlebars. "Well...you know, I didn't mean any harm by saying that. It's just...you look like someone famous. ...Are you?" "What are the chances that I'm famous?" "One in a billion." Tifa glanced at the man again. "Exactly." "You gonna tell me your name?" "No, I don't think so." "Well...my name's Chauncey. Nice to meet ya, Jane Doe." The mini-mart's doors opened and Yuffie stepped out, her head turned back toward the cashier whom she had been talking to. "Thanks pal!" Smiling, she turned, but stopped at the sight of Tifa and the man talking. Tifa looked up at her and straightened up, "Hey Yuffie." "Hey..." Yuffie said, hesitating as she looked between Tifa and the man. The man leaned back in his seat, smirking at her. "Hey there, kid." "Don't call me kid." The ninja snapped, eyeing the man piercingly. Tifa frowned at her as she strapped her helmet on again. "Yuffie?" The man glanced at the clock on his dashboard. "Welp, ladies. Nice meeting the both of ya. I'm off to Costa del Sol to celebrate my winnings." He started up his car. Putting on his glasses again, he flashed a smile at Tifa. "Maybe I'll see ya again, missy?" Tifa raised an eyebrow at him, but smiled nonetheless as he pulled away, leaving the gas station and disappearing into the traffic. "You shouldn't let creeps like that hit on you, Tifa." Yuffie said once the man was out of sight. She took her helmet and strapped it on as she glared at the woman in reprimand. Tifa returned the glare. "Yuffie, I've run a bar in the Midgar slums. I think I know how to handle myself." Yuffie didn't say anything to this. Sitting in front of Tifa, the ninja turned on the motorbike silently. Leaving the gas station the two entered traffic, blending into the river of cars as they went on their way. Tifa, her arms around Yuffie's waist as always, noticed a slight tension in the girl. Frowning, the woman thought, with some annoyance, "What's her problem?" It was when they reached the other side of the city, where the larger houses resided, that Yuffie slowed down. Entering a street named 'Eichenburger', the girl said, without turning her head. "This is the street." Tifa turned her head as she began to check the house numbers. "3456...3457...He's farther down." Yuffie pressed down on the accelerator some, and they sped up. She slowed down again after a short distance. Tifa turned her head again. "3469...3470...3471...That's it!" Yuffie pulled over, and the two got off the bike, taking off their helmets. The house was a large white two-story, complete with a garage. The driveway was empty and the shades pulled shut. "Seems like no one's home." "This street is like a frickin' ghost town..." Yuffie muttered uneasily, glancing up and down at the other houses. No one was outside. "Come on..." Tifa said, opening the fence gate and moving down the path to the door. Yuffie followed her, shutting the gate after her. Licking her lips, the woman knocked timidly on the door. No answer. Frowning, the woman knocked on the door again. Still no answer. Rolling her eyes, Yuffie shoved her aside slightly and pounded on the door hard. "Oi! Old man! Open up, already!" Tifa stared at her. "Yuffie, what the hell do you think you're doing?" The ninja gave the woman a look. "No one's going to hear those doortaps of yours, Tifa." Tifa opened her mouth to say something, but just then, the door opened. A young girl that reached a little past Tifa's waist looked up at them both, eyes fluttering as she examined their faces. Then her face lit up and she smiled hugely. "Tifa! Yuffie!" Tifa bent down slightly, "Marlene, is that you?" The girl laughed slightly as she hugged the older woman around the shoulders. "Yep! It's me!" "I'm surprised you remember me, kid!" Yuffie placed her hands high on her hips, a smirk on her face. Marlene looked up at her with a grin. "Of course I'd remember you! Daddy used to complain about you all the time!" Yuffie's cheeks went pink, and her shoulders drooped. "Your dad's a schmuck." The ninja muttered sorely. Tifa nudged her roughly in the ribs with her elbow. "What'd I tell you about answering the door, Marlene?" The two froze at the sound of the deep voice. Like a large, looming shadow, Barret appeared behind Marlene, his face twisted in a scowl. Marlene looked up at her adoptive father. "Daddy, look who's here!" "Yeah I can see..." the man said slowly, still glaring at the two. Unconsciously, both women shrank back. "Go play in the backyard, sweetie." Barret said, gently nudging Marlene behind him. Confused, the young girl looked at Tifa and Yuffie before scampering away. Like a giant wall, Barret stood in his doorway, crossing his large arms over his large chest. Tifa clasped her hands behind her back while Yuffie took to rocking back and forth on her heels. "Hello...Barret." The older woman said meekly, glancing up at him before reverting her eyes to the ground. "'Sup old guy?" Yuffie said, not sounding as timid, however, her caution was noticeable. "The hell're you two doin' here?" Barret grunted, still glaring. Tifa bit her lip. "Barret, I know you're unhappy with me for not visiting for so long-" "Damn straight I am!" the man bellowed, his eyes, if possible, turning sharper. "It's been years, Tifa. What the hell have you been doing all this time that's kept you from stopping by? Unlike me, you ain't tryin' to rebuild no city!" The fighter sighed. "I...haven't been doing anything, Barret." "That so? Then in this entire time o' doin' nothin', did it ever cross your mind to visit? See how Marlene's doin'?" Tifa bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Barret." The large man turned to Yuffie next. The ninja instinctively shifted her left foot back, as if preparing for a fight. "And what're you doin' here, brat?" "We just wanted to visit you, Barret. There isn't any reason for you to be so hostile!" "Hostile? Hostile? After years of not hearing a damn thing from either of you girls, you think I'm just gonna be okay with that?" Yuffie didn't say anything, just glared at him defensively. The man's eyes flickered back and forth between the two. Then he did something neither had expected...especially Yuffie. He hugged them. Hard. Bewildered and, for a second, believing the man was attacking them, Yuffie attempted to kick him. This was a little harder to do since he lifted them both up into the air at the same time. "G-Get off!" Yuffie cried, wriggling. Barret only hugged her tighter. "Shut up, brat! Believe it or not, I've missed ya!" Tifa also attempted to fend him off. "Barret...B-Barret! You're crushing my spine!" "I can't breath...!" Yuffie gasped. "Man, you guys are drama queens..." Barret released them both, where the two landed on the ground stumbling. "Geez, old man..." Yuffie muttered, rubbing her back. Tifa was doing the same, wincing. Barret chuckled and shook his head. "Consider that my revenge on ya both for not visiting in so long!" He stepped aside. "Come in, come in...me and Marlene were about to have lunch." "I dunno if I can eat anything, it feels like you squished all my organs..." Yuffie muttered as she and Tifa entered the house. ---------- "Marlene's grown so much, I barely recognize her!" "She looks just like her mother." "How's she doing in school?" "Real good. Got high grades n' everything." "That's fantastic..." Tifa was sitting with Barret in the dining room, a rather spacious area with a large table and a high ceiling, complete with a small chandelier. The kitchen itself was something Tifa had often dreamed about while running Seventh Heaven. It had all the best modern cooking appliances, and managed to look fashionable at the same time. Having taken off her shoes, so as not to dirty the carpet, the woman sat cross-legged in her seat. Both her and Barret were watching Marlene and Yuffie play soccer outside. Yuffie was obviously holding back, but even then Marlene had to struggle to keep the ball from her. Both girls were laughing. Tifa smiled serenely. "You've done well for yourself, Barret. This city has really grown. It's hard to believe this is the same Corel we came to those few years ago." "Yeah..." Barret took a sip of the beer he had. "Dino helped a lot in the first stages. Said it'd benefit us both. After that, things kinda jes' kept growing and growing. All we had to do was watch." The man rubbed at the stubble on his chin with his new mechanical arm, something he had gotten immediately after Meteor. "Still, these people keep me plenty busy with things. They wanted me to be mayor, but I don't care for that political shit..." He took another sip of his beer. Eyeing Tifa, Barret asked, "So what're you two doin'? Going on some kinda road trip?" Tifa nodded, looking out the sliding glass door at the two girls playing in the back. "Yeah. From here, we're gonna head off to Gold Saucer...and after that. I dunno. I guess we'll just go to Costa del Sol." Barret nodded. "How is the brat? You two been doing okay? Why'd she suddenly wanna go on this trip?" Tifa frowned slightly, but didn't turn to look at Barret. Her eyes focused on Yuffie, smiling and laughing. "You should stop calling her a brat, Barret. I don't think she appreciates it." "I'll do that when she stops calling me 'old'." "You aren't still mad at her for what she did during Meteor...are you? You know the media has already dehumanized her enough, and she's stuck true with us to the very end even when she didn't need to. You shouldn't still hold that grudge against her. It's petty." Barret frowned at Tifa. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" At this the woman sighed. "Never mind...just think about what I said. And if you wanna know why Yuffie wanted to go on this trip, ask her yourself, because she hasn't told me yet." "Something with her dad again?" "That's all I know." Barret frowned. "You be careful, Tifa. Don't get caught in the middle of that feud." Tifa turned to glare at him. "I can handle myself, Barret." Barret shrugged as he took another sip of his beer. "I'm jes' sayin'...I don't wanna see you get hurt." Yuffie and Marlene came inside, sliding the glass door shut behind them. "Okay, Marlene...I've gotta go do something really quick. I'll be right back." Tifa blinked at her. "Do something? What're we gonna do?" "Oh, don't worry." Yuffie waved her off as she went to the front door, "You can stay here. I'll be right back." "But Yuffie, what're you going to-" "See ya guys later!" Yuffie left. Tifa sighed in exasperation. "What's she up to now?" Barret stood. "You two gonna be stayin' here or what?" The fighter rubbed her arm. "If it's okay with you...we won't be here long, I don't think. Yuffie's eager to head off to Gold Saucer. She says they added some new things." "What the hell's she gonna do there besides gamble away her money? She gets motion sickness, she can't ride no roller coasters!" "She's actually gotten better with her motion sickness, you know. I think it's because of that motorbike of hers." "I saw it. That's a nice ride." Tifa grinned. "Yeah, it is." "Well...any other time I'd object to you guys high tailin' it so soon, but since I've got business to do tomorrow...I mean, I'd cancel it if I could but..." "Oh no!" Tifa reached over and patted Barret's hand. "Please! Don't back out on arrangements on our account! It's good enough to see you, even if it's for a short time!" Barret sighed. "Thanks, Tifa...Maybe later, when you visit again," here he glared at her pointedly, "I can show ya around the city. I know it's gotten a bit hectic, but there are some nice places to go." Tifa smiled. "I'd like that." ---------- The invisible images seemed to be brought to life as if it had come to creation straight from her memory. The images were held in her slim, delicate hands, their glossy surfaces bringing a sly smile to her lips and inspiring haste in her feet. The others had to see these. Leaving the one-hour photo, Yuffie climbed onto her bike, quickly strapping on her helmet. About to start the bike up, the girl halted as a feeling crept up her back. Eyes widening some, she looked over her back, down the street. No one suspicious. Nothing to worry about. It was all just in her head. Shaking her fears from her mind, Yuffie started the bike and sped back to Barret's house. There, she quickly parked at the curb, and bounding down the path, pounded on Barret's front door. A split second later, Barret answered, looking annoyed. "What the hell're you doin? Knocking like you were the police! Jes' get inside ya dummy! Geez..." The man stepped aside, and Yuffie, a little out of breath, grinned at Tifa, who was sitting on the couch in the living room. Holding up the packet of developed pictures, the ninja grinned. "I got the pictures developed." Tifa looked up. " Already?" "Yep...I took a whole bunch before I visited you in Tiesmire. I've got some here of Red XIII and of the new buildings over in Nibleheim." Joining them on the couch, Yuffie took out the photos. "Here's me and Red XIII at the top of Cosmo Canyon. He's gotten scruffier over the years, I think." Tifa and Marlene scooted closer as they looked at the picture. Yuffie and Red XIII were shown, Yuffie kneeling with one arm thrown over the intelligent beast. The fighter laughed at the smile Red XIII gave the camera, his furry cheeks pushing up and his lips pulling back to reveal his sharp teeth. Yuffie flipped through the other pictures. There were more photos of her and Red XIII, and even one photo of her in the Cave of the Gi. "That place is mostly safe now. Nanaki cleared out a lot of the monsters in there. He said it was good exercise." She flipped to the next picture, this one of Nibleheim's main square. Tifa's smile faltered some at the sight of it. "It's completely different..." "Told you." Yuffie said quietly, glancing at the woman. She flipped to the next picture. "Here's the mansion. They didn't even touch this place. It's still as decrepit as ever." She flipped through, showing all the other interesting buildings. It was when she reached the last pictures that Tifa turned ashen. Smirking evilly, the ninja took out the first photo of this new set and held it up. "Remember this?" "Oh god no!" It was the photo of the chocobo biting Tifa's ear. "Lemme see that!" Barret said, snatching the picture from Yuffie. Glancing at it, he burst into a harsh fit of laughter. Marlene jumped to her feet. "I wanna see!" "No!" Tifa pulled her back down as she stood up. "Barret, give me that picture!" Yuffie snatched the picture from the man's hands. Barret himself was still laughing. "You have to catch me if you want this!" Yuffie exclaimed, darting up the stairs in front of the door to the second floor. Tifa charged after her. "Yuffie, get back here!" Laughing, Yuffie ran into the room at the farthest end. It seemed to be the guest room. Moving to the side of the room where the window looked down at the backyard, Yuffie turned and laughed as she saw Tifa stumble into the room a second later. "Give that here!" Tifa cried breathlessly, her hand extended expectantly. "No way!" Yuffie said, laughing as Tifa lunged at her, missing. The ninja rolled over the bed to the other side of the room. She began hurrying towards the door, hoping to escape, but Tifa stopped her, tackling her down onto the bed. Shrieking, Yuffie held the picture away from her. "You aren't getting this, Rusty!" Tifa straddled the ninja with her legs. "You sure about that?" the woman said, and without warning, she began to tickle the girl beneath her. Yuffie, surprised, started to squirm as laughter erupted from her mouth. "No! No, stop, please! I-I can't breath!" "Give me the picture!" "N-no!" Tifa continued to tickle her. Marlene appeared at the door, her eyes wide at the sight she saw, but a large smile was on her face nonetheless. Yuffie, managing to see her from where she was being assaulted, cried, "Marlene! Help me! Please!" Laughing, the young girl leapt onto the bed, tickling Tifa from behind. Tifa shouted out in surprise, rolling off of Yuffie as Marlene jumped on top of her. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Yuffie slid the picture into her back pocket before joining Marlene in her tickling attacks. Barret, wiping tears from his eyes, appeared at the doorway, leaning on the frame. "Hoo boy! That's hilarious stuff right there!" he said with a chuckle. ---------- The house was quiet and still. Barret, Marlene, Tifa, and Yuffie had all gone to bed. Seeing as how there was only one guest room with one bed, the two travelers shared the room. Yuffie slept on the side nearest the window, and Tifa slept on the other side. Looking at the clock, Tifa saw that it was now one in the morning. Sighing softly, the woman rolled onto her back. After days of staying up so late, it was hard for her body to get any rest. It was an inconvenience that the woman couldn't stand, for later on that day, Yuffie and her would be heading to Gold Saucer. They would leave Yuffie's motorbike in Barret's garage and take a taxi to the gondola station that would take them up to the amusement park. Looking over to her companion, the woman could hear her breathing, slow, steady, and deep. It brought relief to Tifa, knowing that at least her friend was getting the rest she needed. The woman sat up some and looked down at Yuffie's face. There was her innocence again. The woman smiled faintly. Yuffie was a character of constant movement. Her passion had yet to find equal in this world, and sometimes, Tifa felt pale standing next to her. "I'm only twenty-three and I already feel so old." The woman thought, looking to the window. But she stopped her thoughts there. She didn't feel like any late night musings. Carefully slipping out of the bed, Tifa placed her feet on the floor. Moving to the window, the fighter glanced briefly down at her friend before looking down at the moon washed backyard. It was when she saw the movement of a dark figure amid the bushes that the woman froze. One part of her dismissed the figure as simply the shadow of the leaves, moving about in the wind. Another part...saw a threat. Deciding to listen to the latter, Tifa carefully crept out of the room, moving down the stairs with such stealth, it could have rivaled Yuffie's. Fists clenched at her sides, Tifa moved carefully to the sliding glass door. Looking around the backyard, she saw nothing. Brow still creased with worry, the woman slowly went back to her room. ---------- Later that day, Tifa and Yuffie stood on the sidewalk, their backpack and duffel bag slung over their shoulders, the taxi waiting behind them. Barret and Marlene stood before them, smiles on their faces. "You two have fun. Jes' stay out of trouble, y'hear?" Barret looked at Yuffie especially. "I want to see you both back here soon and in one piece...that bike ain't gonna stay in that garage forever!" "We'll be careful. Thanks Barret." Tifa said, smiling. Yuffie grinned at him. "Yeah, thanks for letting me leave my bike here old man. You don't have to do this." Barret waved her off. "Pfft. It's fine!" Nodding, the ninja turned to look down at Marlene. Leaning forward, she said, "I'll make sure to bring you back a BIG stuffed animal, okay Marlene?" Marlene grinned. "Thanks, Yuffie!" Taking a moment to hug their friends, the two women waved their goodbye, and without another word, climbed into the taxi. Picking his daughter up into his arms, Barret and Marlene waved as the taxi drove away.
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