Aerith & Tifa

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa was thinking about going inside to help Leon and Zack out, when Leon came rushing out and asked her to take Rinoa back to the ship.
"Alright Leon. She's safe with me!" the martial artist replied, gesturing to Rinoa.
"Come quickly!" She said, running off down the street towards the desert where Highwind was parked, Sora, Riku and a silent Kairi following up the rear.

When Leon re-entered the building Zack was using the flat of his sword to fight off some of the drunkards. He didn't want to kill anyone, and it took a lot of restraint of his behalf not to just begin hacking and slashing them apart.
In his efforts to prevent injury Zack failed to notice one of the cowboy's behind him. The drunkard pressed the gun between Zack's shoulderblades and pulled the trigger without a seconds notice.
The bullet ripped through flesh, lung and cloth, luckily missing his spinal column.
Inhaling painfully as he staggered forward the SOLDIER turned with deteriorated speed and beheaded his attacker, blue fire emblazoned the fury in his eyes.
"Ouch..." He panted.
Then he noticed Leon had returned.
"What're you doing!?" He yelled as loud as his damaged lung could handle. One of these days he'd remember to equip his cure materia more often XD
It seemed the number of attackers had increased by quite a few, and their drunken rage drove them on ferociously. No matter how many times the SOLDIER beat them back, they advanced on him again, pistols firing and hindered breathing made dodging a slightly slower process.

[Elario Luminus]

Leon glared at Zack for his shout.
'You think I'm going to just stand outside-!'
BANG!
Leon hit the deck as the bullet shattered the window behind him and whizzed past his ear, embedding itself in the spine of a Westerner.

'YEE-haw! Damn, I am lovin' this! Hey there!'
The sniper took another shot, shooting down someone just behind Squall who'd been approaching him with a shattered bottle. He stood up and vaulted the sign he was behind, rolling down the roof and landing in a crouched position, using his spot as a stabilizer. He took another shot, and traded his sniper rifle for his more comfortable silver Exteter rifle.

Leon looked behind him watched the familiar figure of Irvine Kinneas walk into the saloon, rifle in hand. He smiled and stood up.
Irvine Kinneas!'

Irvine tipped his hat towards his old friend.
Howdy there, Mr. Leader. Up to your sleeves in goons, eh? Just like you to go chasing after Rinoa and git yaself in a massive pub brawl. Hold on a tick there, I'll git yer mate outta there...
He pointed his to his hat and a golden glow appeared around him. Irvine charged into the middle of the fray. He span around and pointed his rifle at one man with a blur, firing quickly before blurring around to face another direction and firing again. He repeated this process till the saloon was almost empty. He sighed and changed the clip type, fired one large shell into the roof and spread a black cloud of shadow throughout the building.

Leon quickly got out of there as the cloud seeped through the saloon so as to not be permanently blinded by the Dark Shot. He waited outside for Irvine and Zack.

Irvine sprinted over to the bloke with the huge sword.
'Ya don't know me, but I'm a good mate of Squall. Time to go, I reckon. Less weezin', more walkin'.
Irvine walked out of there, knowing ful well that his own attacks couldn't harm him.
Not this kind, anyway.

Rinoa nodded and ran after Tifa, but stopped for a second when she heard Irvine's famous call of joy. She smiled and jumped up and down, clapping her hands.
'Irvine's here too! This is great!'
Her joy was soon killed when she saw the huge cloud of shadow burst from the windows, however, and she broke from Tifa and ran back towards the saloon, worried for her boyfriend and one of her best friends.

Irvine stepped outside and welcomed Squall properly.
'How ya doin', matey? Sheesh, it's been, what...four years? Bloody hell. Lookit yer, new threads and everythin'!'
He laughed and dusted himself off as he did so.

Leon swallowed at the mention of his old name, but was soon laughing along with the sniper.
'Yeah, close to that. And you, Kinneas, haven't changed at all. Anyone would think you don't change out of those clothes.'

((Notice how he's becoming more and more friendly the more friends he gets? XD))

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack had fought off as many as his dwindling breath had permitted, but once an apparently friendly sniper began taking out their foes he allowed himself to sag to one knee, taking in short, wheezing breaths to try and fill his ailing lungs. He was just about to stand up again and join Leon when everything fell silent and a darkness filled the bar.
He cried out in alarm silently but was more surprised when someone he didn't recognise ran over to him... in the same attire as the men they'd been fighting off.
Buster sword was raised and at the ready when the newcomer introduced himself as a friend of Leon's and so Zack slowly sheathed his sword and watched the cowboy go for only a moment before he followed.

Once outside the bar Zack bent over double and took in long deep breaths.
"Dammit... Zack." He wheezed to himself, "Getting old..." He chuckled and straightened, bending slightly backwards in hopes it would open his airways some more, but that just hurt, so back over her went double.

Tifa had skidded in the dirt as her charge turned and hightailed it back the way they'd come.
"Rinoa!" She called, running back after the blue clad woman.
What a handful.. she thought to herself as she noticed Leon and Zack standing outside the bar, a newcomer with them.
She prepared herself for a fight if the need arose, though she hoped she wouldn't have too.

[Elario Luminus]

Leon watched as Zack came out doubled over. His necklace began to glow green as he summoned up a Cure spell.
'Here, let me get that for you...'

Irvine leaned against the wall, all calm. He saw Zack come out with a hole in his chest and yelped.
'Jesus Christ! Squall, quick, use that goddam spell, will ya!?

Rinoa launched herself back into Squall, canceling his spell charging and knocking him into the ground again. She lay on top of him and crossed her arms on his chest.
'What have I told you about being reckless, Mr Leonhart? Don't do it!'
She poked him in the chest with every word in that last bit, then stood up. She looked at Irvine happily, then glared at him.

Irvine looked sideways at the Sorceress, apprehensive.
'That was the same look ya gave me before we went to rescue this guy and the others from the D-District Prison. What've I done now, lass?'
He shrugged.

Rinoa slapped him, and put her hands on her hips. She poked a finger into the snipers' chest hard.
'You've been here all this time, and haven't bothered to come get me out of that horrible place!? How could you, Irvine!? I was terrified in there!'

Irvine shrugged and rubbed his face as Squall stood back up.
I just figured...it'd be a good thing for Squall to come git ya, rather than me.'

Rinoa yelled and turned to hug Squall so she didn't tear apart there and then.

Leon glared at Irvine, making him wither.
'She has a point. You must've known she was in danger there. Despite your morals, you should have gone in there and gotten her out.'
He looked down at Rinoa and kisses the top of her head.
'However, that has all passed now, and we're all safe.'
His mind was instantly brought back to Zack and he turned, Griever glowing green again.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack noted with alarm as Irvine and Leon both noticed his predicament and Leon set about summoning up a cure spell. He opened his mouth to protest but couldn't get enough words to formulate a warning. Luckily, at the moment Rinoa crash tackled the scarred brunette and forestalled a dangerous situation.
Sliding down the wall into a seated position Zack kept his head between his knees, slowly feeling the amount of air just being lost from his lung minimizing and more and more was beginning to actually enter his system... a good thing, because his head was beginning to spin.

It was then he became aware that Leon's attention was back on him. Frustrated with himself for still not having the air in his lungs to warn them he looked up, shaking his head urgently.

Luckily it was then that Tifa showed up at a full run, leaping between Leon and Zack, arms held wide in warning.
"Don't Leon!" She warned quickly, her heartbeat lowering now that she'd prevented something terrible happening.
"Zack didn't tell you?" She said in a slightly chastising tone, glancing over her shoulder at the SOLDIER who gave her a pale grin and shook his head sheepishly.

[Elario Luminus]

Leon faltered as Tifa ran between him and the injured SOLDIER, then realisation dawned on him.
He regenerates anyway.
Griever slipped back into its steel colour as Leon settled his magic.

Irvine frowned deeply at the buxom babe that had jumped between Squall and his target.
'Babe, move; the guy's obviously injured, let him be Cured!'

Rinoa had watched all this unfold with interest, still baffled as to why Squall was now Leon. She found she hated that name suddenly, but refocused on what was happening.

Leon put his hand out to silence Irvine, which worked.
'I won't need to. Watch.'
He pointed at Zack's chest, directing both Irvine's and Rinoa's gaze.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa also turned to face Zack now that she'd stopped Leon's spell, her expression was filled with disapproval and her hands planted on her hips and she tapped her foot irratably.
"What would Aerith say if she knew you'd done that Mr. Fair??" She demanded in a reprimanding tone.

"Sorry Tifa." Zack said with a chastised grimace, his voice still a little breathless. But as he straightened into a better sitting position the hole in the fabric where he'd been shot stretched open, revealing the slowly, but steadily healing bullet hole, already the hole in his lung was healing, it was mostly now just flesh damage that had yet to heal.

"Sorry isn't good enough! You need to start telling people or one of these days you're gonna get yourself inadvertently killed by your own friends, imagine how they'd feel huh?" Tifa continued her lecturing.

[Elario Luminus]

Irvine and Rinoa just stared at both Tifa and Zack, wondering what the hell was going on.

Leon cleared his throat to get their attention.
'Let's get back to the Highwind. It'll take us home.'

Rinoa smiled cheerily and walked next to Squall, her hand closed inside his.
'I can't wait to get home again; I miss Balamb, the Garden, Headmaster Cid and Edea...Zell, Quistis and Selphie, too.'
She grinned as she remembered the things they all got up to, before the darkness swallowed her up and took her somewhere else.

Irvine quickly stepped in behind Squall. He laughed as he also reminisced.

This soon had all three of them laughing as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa meanwhile was still lecturing Zack as she helped him to his feet and turned to follow the other three.
"I mean really!"

"Tifa, you have to understand that to admit one has a weakness is a bit embarrassing." Zack grumbled as he walked beside her.
"But if it'll make you happy i'll inform Leon once we get back to the ship so that you don't have to save my ass again in the future."

Tifa nodded in satisfaction and then tilted her head in Leon's direction.
"He seems a lot happier now..." She said, her own expression saddening as she move to hug herself.
Zack placed an arm around her shoulder.
"We'll find Cloud and make him come home Tifa... don't you worry."

[Elario Luminus]

Leon walked up to the Highwind and pressed a button to open the door. He stepped in and waved his arm around.
'This is the Highwind; make yourselves comfortable. It'll be a little while till our next stop.'

Irvine stepped in and whistled.
'Nice ship you've got here, Squall. Is it yours?'

Leon shook his head.
'It's Sora's, Riku's and Kairi's ship. They own it. Pilot it really well, too.'
He sat down in his chair from his first trip.

Rinoa sat on Squall's lap cradle style and looked around.
'It's prettier than the Ragnarok, isn't it? Not as cool-looking, though.'
She cuddled into Squall, who tightened his hold on her.

Irvine stood in the centre of the ship, hands on his hips. He shook his head.
'Selphie wouldn't approve of it. For her, it's definitely not cool-looking enough. Although the firepower would appeal to her.'
He chuckled as he remembered the reaction Selphie had when she got the Ragnarok airbourne.

Leon and Rinoa laughed shortly, and he looked up.
'Yeah, that'd be good fun for her.'

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack and Tifa entered the ship silently and took their own seats in the corner Zack had been in before.
"What amuses me..." Tifa whispered to Zack, overhearing Leon and his friend's conversation.
"Is that Cid would lecture them that a ship is not all about looks and firepower..." She chuckled herself and sat back in her seat.

Zack wasn't really listening, he was fussing over the hole in his uniform, which now exposed a spot of raw flesh where the hole had been. He hated to look untidy, it was just something being in SOLDIER had drilled into him so efficiently he couldn't get out of the habit.
He was also thinking about everyone... Vincent, Yuffie, Red XIII, Shelke, Cloud, Reeve, Barret, Denzel, Marlene, Cid.... and Aerith... especially Aerith.
He sighed out loud and rested his chin on his hand.

"So um... Leon." Kairi said nervously as she shuffled to the brunette's side.
"Where are we going now?" SHe gestured to the console of the ship, where Sora and Riku sat watching the man expectantly.

[Elario Luminus]

Leon glanced to Kairi, then turned to face Zack questioningly.
'Midgar? If Sora can get us all done first before all the other worlds, that would be nice.'

Irvine sat down in one of the chairs and crossed his legs, throwing his arms behind his head.
'Squall, we have no idea if anyone's back in Balamb or not. I know Rinoa and meself were in this one, but we've had no way of contactin' other places.'

Rinoa looked up at Squall, nodding to confirm Irvine's input.

Leon thought about it.
'Midgar it is, then. Take us away, Sora. Or Riku, whoever has the controls.'
He settled back, getting comfortable.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"My turn to drive!" Sora cried, diving for the controls the moment a destination was decided. He syphoned through his world database and found Midgar. Punching it in as their destination Highwind took off seamlessly.
"See, THAT'S how you do it Riku." Sora joked.

Zack had fallen silent again now, and was staring out the window, hands balled into fists.
Soon Aerith... soon we'll see each other again... but please give me time to find Cloud... i need to help him free himself of his guilt.

Tifa watched Zack for a long moment. From the look in his eyes, she knew who he was thinking of. She then turned and saw Rinoa seated on Leon's lap, looking lovingly into his eyes.
Her heart felt as though it would burst, like it was so full she couldn't hold anymore. She drew in a deep shuddering breath and stood, noting that her hands were trembling.
She excused herself so quietly nearly no one would have heard and went out of the main compartment of the ship, into one of the back rooms. There she collapsed against and wall and let herself cry, not stopping for anyone.
Her love for Cloud ran deeper than her care for life itself. But it had been so long since Cloud had been open with her, so long since he'd shown any affection for her.
It was as if the Cloud that cared for her had died the day of his capture... the day of those horrible experiments. She was searching so hard for a man who probably didn't even care about her anymore.
But what could she do? She loved him...

[Elario Luminus]

Leon watched as Tifa walked away from the room, an extremely saddened look in her eyes. he was intrigued, but he stayed where he was.

Irvine tilted his hat over his eyes and proceeded to fall asleep.

Rinoa cuddled into Squall and closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat. She got dreamy, and also fell asleep.

Leon put his head back, relaxed but not tired.
'How long, Sora?'

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Um... six hours... Midgar seems to be quite out of the way of the other worlds." Sora said, inspecting his rough interworld map. "It has no neighbors and the closest world to it is...." Sora frowned, "Scratch that... there USED to be a world there, but not anymore." The keyblade master shrugged.
"Beats me."

"A large meteor struck our planet not long ago... and another some time before that.... maybe the worlds around ours were unstable?" Zack chimed up from the corner of the room.