CHAPTER VI
FRIEND OR FOE
Cid began to think quickly what they had done last time they were here.
Elena was now bringing her hand back for the punch
"Oh yeah! Dodge left!" Cid thought. He ducked to the left as Elena swung.
She toppled over and began to roll down the hill, screaming as she went.
"Elena!" cried the two Shinra guards that had accompanied her, as they run down the hill after her.
"That was easy enough" said Yuffie
"Yeah", said Cid pulling cut a cigarette and turning to the group, "now what do we do?" <)P> No one spoke for a moment then came the voice of Red XIII.
"I suggest we head for Holozoffs Cabin. That is where we headed the last time, is it not?" he said.
"You'll get no argument from me" said Cait
"Alright then, let's go" said Cid and they headed off towards Gaei Cliff.
I guess that's why its called the Sleeping Forest, thought Tifa. She continued to walk down the path, but then stopped and sat down up against a tree. She sighed and thought. She thought about yelling at Aeris and then she thought about leaving the group and she sighed again.
"Maybe it was a mistake to leave", she thought, "It was really selfish" She continued to ponder on it and came to a decision.
"Thats it. I'm going back" she said. She got up and started to run back down the path towards the City of the Ancients. Suddenly she saw a figure in the brush about 10 feet in front of her. Tifa came to stance, preparing for the worst. The figure did not move.
"Show yourself!" yelled Tifa. The figure began toward her. The light slowly began to reveal the face, and Tifa was surprised to see who it was.
"Rufus", Tifa said not coming out of stance. Rufus stopped and held up his hand.
"Easy Miss Lockheart. I'm not going to hurt you." he said.
Tifa glared at him looking for some hint of deception. She saw none. She came out of stance but she kept her senses at full alert in case of trickery.
"It's just Tifa, Rufus", she said, "What do you want?"
Rufus just smiled and began to circle Tifa.
"Funny, I was going to ask you the same question."
"What?" Tifa said not taking her eyes off of Rufus.
"Why are you here?" he repeated, "Why are you not with the rest of your little party?"
Tifa began to search her mind for a quick answer.
"I'm...looking for Cloud", she said, "he's missing"
Tifa bit her lip. You idiot, she thought, just let Rufus know he's missing. Now he'll have all of Shinra out looking for him on a search and destroy mission.
"And the rest of the group?" asked Rufus. Tifa began to look for another excuse. She was running out of things to make up.
"Um...probably looking for me. I left on my own to find Cloud while they were asleep.
Rufus chuckled.
"Wrong, I just received a report from Elena over my PHS. They are in Icicle Inn and they are heading for Gaei Cliff as we speak."
"Your point Rufus?" said Tifa
"My point is that they seem to have no interest in you or Cloud for that matter.", he said, "They are just worried about themselves and all the glory they are going to receive for there work."
"They are not fighting for glory Rufus", said Tifa angerly, "They are fighting to save the planet from destruction."
Rufus began to laugh. Tifa was now getting mad. This little game of his was getting old, fast.
"Whats so funny" she demanded
"You are so naive", he said between laughs. TIfa was now seconds from making Rufus a greasy spot in the dirt. He finally stopped laughing. He looked at her and smiled.
"Come with me, Tifa.", he said, "Since it seems that I am the only one that gives a damn about you"
"Why should I?" said Tifa letting her anger die down.
"Because like I said, I am the only one that seems to give a damn about you."
Rufus extended his hand
Tifa thought about it. How could she go with him? He was the enemy. The one she was fighting against to save the planet.
"No", she said softly, "I...I can't"
Rufus lowere his hand and came in close to Tifa
"Why not? I promise I won't hurt you" he said
Tifa thought about his offer again. She scanned his voice in her head searching for anything that would give a hint of his intentions. She could find nothing, but she sensed something in his voice. It was almost an urgency, like he was in...she shook the thought from her mind. Impossible, she thought to herself.
"Well?" asked Rufus extending his hand again.
Tifa took and deep breath and answered. "Alright",she said softly and reluctanly took his hand, "but if you do anything to me or the rest of AVALANCHE while I'm with you, I swear I'll rip you apart. You hear me?!"
Rufus smiled wickely, "Fair deal" he said and they headed back toward Bone Village.
"Are we there yet, Cid? Now my arms won't move" she said in her best whiney voice. Cid stopped.
1...2......10!!! he thought. He turned and headed for Yuffie. Barret jumped in front of him.
"Don't Cid", he said, "As much as I would love to throw that pain in the ass back down the hill myself we are just a few minutes from the cabin. Just put up with it a little longer."
Cid breathed deep, turned, and started back up the hill. In a few minutes they arrived at the cabin door. Cid knocked. A friendly voice told them to come on in and they entered the cabin."