(A/n; Funny note, I like how everyone's questioning how Y/n got the Black wing but some fans know that I explained all that through dialogue in the beginning of the previous chapter. Here's some advice, re-read the previous chapter, then come back. For all of you who don't get it yet, the answer lies later on.)

*Bam!* Your eyes shot open, but you looked around to see nobody... around. "Tifa must've headed off. My head is killing me though."

You stood up and picked up your sword, quickly checked your wing in the mirror. "Sigh...Tifa's right. I need to stretch the old feathers more."

You walked out of the room after you made sure you had everything, but you found a note on the door. "Hm? What's..."

'Y/n, if you're reading this, then you are awake! Sorry I didn't wake you, you looked so comfortable. Anyway, don't forget what we gotta do today, and let's let Cloud sleep in. Me and you both know he doesn't get much good rest. You know where to find me!

XOXO, Love Tifa Lockhart.'

"Hehe, that woman will never stop being adorable." You said and a little Tifa was drawn in the corner of the page, pointing to the right. You flipped the page and saw another quick message.

'P.S. Don't let the Landlady intimate you.'

"Pfft, I've handled demons, robots, and beasts. I think I can handle a landlady." You said as you walked down from stairs. An old lady was waiting and looking out at the bottom, you saw the morning was shining bright, a little too bright.

"Well now, you must be this Y/n in hearing about." the woman said as you looked at her.

"Is my name famous or something?" You asked her as she shook her head.

"Only to some people, and I happen to be one of those 'some' people. I'm Marle, your landlady. So how'd you like the place? I know it's a touchy subject, but where are you from?" Marle asked as you looked at your katana.

"I come from a village pretty far away from here...but I've had to move around." You told her and she moved her head up and down, more like she was taking in information.

"It's no matter, hon. We have all kinds of people here, with all types of reasons too." Marle stated and you crossed your arms.

"I bet, many people living down in the slums have many different experiences. But maybe it's because of that, we can thrive and ask for help." You smiled and Marle smiled at you.

"You can ask me for advice anytime you'd like, even about Tifa." she said as you raised an eyebrow and stopped crossing your arms, resting them at your side.

"What's her relationship with you? I'm not getting the 'too friendly villain' vibe from you." You asked her and she quickly gained a serious look.

"The granddaughter I never had, if you so much as hurt her, I'll take it out of your hide." She pulled your shirt closer as you sweated a little.

"Duly noted." You said and she let you go, and patted your shirt.

"Good, I'll help Cloud with the tour when he wakes up. You better get a move on to Seventh Heaven, Tifa's got a big head start and then some." You nodded and then walked down the street. You passed by an item shop, and thought you saw a key shaped blade in the window, but it must have been fake. You've seen the real deal in action. You soon entered the bar and saw Tifa on the corner.

She turned her head towards the noise when she heard it, and once she saw you, she smiled. "Morning, Angel."

"Ha, ha, ha. Still using that old nickname? Kinda doesn't sound cool when you only have one wing." You said and sat down.

"Hm, but I still like it so I'm gonna keep it. Hehe. Just so you know, Marlene is still asleep." Tifa said and you nodded. "So, let's get down to business shall we?"

...

"Eh?" You asked in confusion as Tifa leaned over the counter.

"Now c'mon Y/n, I know you didn't forget about the water filters. They won't replace themselves, although the next batch could if Jessie puts her mind to it." Tifa started to explain as you tried to keep a level head. "Most of the homes in the area have one. Folks love them because they practically eliminate the rotten egg smell. Honestly, if we're being honest, they make us more money than this place. And it is easy money, we bring new filters, collect the old ones, and get paid."

"Why do I gotta do this again?" You rubbed your forehead as Tifa stood back. "Cloud's the one getting the money, since I'm giving it to him, I don't really see the point in a slayer going."

"Well, not only do I have the delight of being your girlfriend, but you also are my boyfriend. Which means you've got people that want to meet you, while also being a slayer. Which is why no one will refuse your lovely charm." Tifa said with a smile and leaned into your face. "Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh?"

"Where's my crow when I need him? Sigh, you know if I were anyone else that wasn't Cloud, I'd call this unfair." You smiled as she cupped your cheek.

"And that's why I love you." She said as you both started to head towards the door. "And while we're at it, I'll give you the grand tour."

She ran on ahead and met you at the door, the sunshine beamed down on the dirt, making it feel more like a market than the slums. You both trotted down the stairs and landed on the ground. "Go ahead and keep whatever we collect, maybe give some to Cloud. Seeing as you both didn't bring any luggage, I'm guessing there's stuff you need to buy. I thought I had taught you to take and go."

"Hehehe, sorry. Always on the go, not much stuff to carry. My mother would've loved to see this place." You said as you followed Tifa down the street. "She went all over the place."

"I'm sure she would. The environment here is different from our hometown." Tifa said as you nodded. "Oh, Barret should be making his rounds too."

"Barret? The guy with a gun for a hand? Definitely, gets the water filters. No questions asked." You stated as Tifa giggled before entering the Item Shop. You followed shortly after her.

"Hey, there. Here to change out your water filter." Tifa said as the owner smiled.

"Tifa baby, how you doing? Been waiting for you to-Wait. Who's he?" the owner asked as you felt your eye twitch a little.

"Tifa...baby...?" You questioned as Tifa looked at you.

"This is Y/n, my boyfriend. He's in charge of the collections. He'll take your money." Tifa said as the Owner smiled.

"Sounds like a pretty sweet gig! If you ever need someone to fill in, I'm your man." He said as you put your hand on the katana in secret.

"Maybe in the next life." You said as you tried to take the sword out but Tifa quickly put it back in the sheath.

"Y/N! Uh... since we're here, maybe we should do a little shopping?" Tifa suggested as you sighed.

"I might as well." You placed the money down. "A Hi-Potion."

"Thanks! If you're ever in the market for anything else, drop on by. Especially if Tifa's with you." He winked and placed the potion on the counter. You took it and your arm went for the sword but Tifa took it and placed it on her side.

"We'll see you around, okay? And let us know when your filter next needs changing!" Tifa said as she patted you on the shoulders. "Come on, Y/n. Onto the next."

You went out but gave him a glare before you left. Tifa started walking and looked behind you. "He's a regular. Stock up here and he might throw in a freebie or two."

"Maybe for you." You told her as she smiled at you.

"Well, my boyfriend could be a little nicer to strangers." She put her hands behind her back as you put them in your pockets.

"I'm nice to strangers. Being nice to people who flirt with others' lovers? That's a different story. I can't act like someone I'm not." You said as she giggled.

"Well, you're in luck. Our next stop is Stargazer Heights. Landlady's a client." Tifa said as she turned around to look at you. "Did you read my note?"

"I had the pleasure of an added meet and greet." You said with a smile.

"Then you know what to expect. Remember: she's a good friend of Avalanche, so be nice. Please." Tifa said as you looked at her.

"How cruel do you think I am?" You asked her as she sighed.

"You were about to stab the owner in the shoulder." "Only because he kept flirting with you after you told him I was your boyfriend." You defended yourself.

You both soon arrived at the place and Tifa smiled. "Hey, Marle! Got some filters for you."

"Tifa! My dear, dear girl!" Marle was happy and then she looked at you. "...Oh. What's he doing here?"

"Am I disrupting your day...'ma'am'?" You crossed your arms as Tifa elbowed you.

"Be nice! Y/n's helping me with the collections." Tifa said as Marle got in your face.

"You'd better take care of her! You can't just come back and expect things to be the same." Marle lectured you and you were well aware that things between you and Tifa would need some healing. But still, for Marle to say it like she knew everything was going on, irked you.

Tifa put her hand to her chest with a smile. "I'm pretty good at taking care of myself, you know."

Tifa put her hands on her hips and then Marle nodded. "That I do. Still, better him than you. He may have some charm but no wit. Beautiful sword, but no skills."

"I've got skills! I didn't take down Zach for-"Be nice!" Tifa whispered to you.

"I'm doing my best, Tifa." You whispered back.

"Now, your money." Marle gave you the money and you both soon walked away.

"Marle's great. She helped get me set up back in the day." Tifa said as you both started jogging down the road.

"You've... been here for a while, haven't you?" You asked her with a rather sad look. She hummed and nodded.

"It's only been five years, give or take... but never mind that! We've gotta get you yours and Cloud's money! Last stop is the weapons store." Tifa entered and you slowly behind.

"Hey! That last filter didn't do shit!" The owner shouted at Tifa.

"We're so sorry about that. Hopefully this one will work better..." Tifa said with a sad expression.

"Save your excuses and get out!" He said as Tifa smiled and nodded.

"All right. If you could just settle your bill, we'll be on our way." Tifa said casually, waiting for you to do something. But you smirked at her, she told you to be nice. Tifa looked at you from the corner of her eye with worry after seeing your smirk.

"The hell? You charging me for your busted-ass goods?" The owner said as Tifa shifted her body towards you.

"My associate handles payment disputes." Tifa said as the guy was fuming.

"Think you can mosey up in here and have it your way?" He said as you shined your green eyes at him.

"You know, I don't fear death. I've already seen hell. Would you like a closer look?" You said as the man's clicked his teeth and then handed you the money.

"Thank you very much!" Tifa said before turning to you. "Seeing as we're done with our rounds, and you've got a small fortune now, why not a gander at the weapons?"

"Shouldn't we wait for Barret to come back with the rest?" You asked as Tifa sighed and out her hands on her hips.

"Before we open up tonight, he'll be back. It'll be a while yet, so... what do you wanna do?" She asked as you thought about it. Nothing came to mind, you already had a tour of the place.

"Hmm, honestly, nothing's coming to mind." You said as she smiled and passed you back the katana. You caught it and didn't take it out.

"In that case, I've got a suggestion. Wanna hear it?" Tifa said as she started walking. "If you're serious about being a merc to get back at Shinra, then you're going to need to start making connections. 'It's not what you know, but who you know,' Y'know?"

"You pick that lesson up from the slums?" You smirked at her.

She nodded, her rose pink lips shining off the light with her red eyes sparkling. "Yep. Connections get you jobs, jobs build your rep, and more rep gets you better connections..."

"Then let's get to it." You said as she thought about it.

"Hmm... why not help out the neighborhood watch? They're mostly volunteers, but you'll get to know people." Tifa said as you nodded. "Didn't see anybody at the office, so let's head up top."

Tifa and you walked up the stairs and walked around the corner, into a room. With Briggs and Wedge. "Huh, didn't know you were holding down the fort."

"Oh, hey Y/n. Looking to join the neighborhood watch?" Wedge asked as you smiled.

"Well, what does this thing do exactly?" You added.

Briggs leaned back. "Umm... lots of stuff, really. But our top priority is taking care of any beast that wander into town. That and teaching the locals how to defend themselves."

Wedge gets up. "Like they say; 'The only one who'll look out for you is you.'"

Tifa walked forward. "Y/n's a good fighter, but only we know that. If one knows him, no one'll hire him. Thought if he joined the watch, he could get his name out there."

"That would work for everybody!" Wedge said as Briggs stood up as well.

"Truth be told, we could really use your help, Y/n. We can't pay you in Gil, but we'll work something out." He said and looked at your sword. "For example... aha, what about your sword? I could it for you."

"You know, it's okay the way it is." You said as he put his hands on his hips.

"What, you some kind of purist? I know I'd never pass up a chance to improve my gear." Briggs said as he noticed you aren't moving. "C'mon, at least let me show you how it's done."

You looked at your katana before giving it to him. He started to point out ways to increase the blades power along with the hidden powers inside. "Here. Needless to say, you'll have to try it out to appreciate the difference."

"Thanks, Briggs." You took the katana back.

"We'll do you one better, spread the word to everyone who'll listen about the new mercs in town." Briggs said as Tifa patted your arm.

"Between him and Wedge, there isn't anyone they don't know." She said as Wedge patted his stomach.

"I'll match through the streets singing your praises, even on an empty stomach!" He said as you walked forward a bit.

"So where are these monsters?" "Scrap Boulevard, good hunting." Briggs said as you smirked and turned to leave when...

"Hey, Y/n. I'll come with." Tifa said and before you deny... "Ah, you don't even know the way. Plus, two fighters are better than one."

"I wouldn't place your bets on that one." You smirked at her.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Angel." She said as she walked past you. "I know these streets better than anyone."

Tifa Lockhart Has Joined The Party

You both walked out and slid down the ladder. "Scarp Boulevard is out west. Past the barricades supposed to keep the monsters out."

"Has it not been doing so well?" You asked as you walked down the street. She looked back and then walked beside you. She held your hand as you blushed a minute before she gave you a knowing smile. You calmed down and squeezed her hand, leading to her smile getting brighter.

"Something like that, oh." Tifa said as she let go of your hand, to open the gate. You nodded at the guard. "This is Scrap Boulevard."

"Let me guess, the more scraps you have, the more homes it builds for the monsters." You said as you used your nose to try and find the monsters. The scent was all over the place, might as well start in the cave.

"Yep, they just keep popping up." Tifa said as she ran through the cave with you. You quickly saw a Gorger and generated enough momentum to create a powerful single concentrated slash, slicing it in half. "Wow, you destroyed our first challenger."

The other one came at you but Tifa punched it away before back flipping, kicking it into the air in the process and slamming her fist down in the center, killing it. She dusted off her hands. "Well now, I'd say that was SOLDIER level."

"That wasn't all I could do." You said as she nodded.

"Can't wait to see you in action again!" She said as you blushed a little. You went deeper into the wasteland to see a wererat. You leaped and vertically span forward in the air while releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion. The attack hit the two and sliced them, but not dead yet. You quickly dodged an attack and sliced the legs off before thrusting the handle of the sword into the head of one; killing it. You then picked up the other monster and forced it onto the blade, killing it as well. You then picked up the sword and waved it around, pushing the corpses off. "All in a days work."

Further you go, more monsters. "See?"

"Yeah, you weren't kidding around." You said as Tifa drop kicked a rat before you sliced it with a follow up attack. You performed a fast and accurate stab, killing the other whole Tifa gave a whirling uppercut to the other rat.

"Whoa, you're good at this. Charging in like it was nothing." Tifa said as you looked at her.

"That's my line, you're amazing out there." You said as she put her hand on her hips.

"Well, I've been here five years now. 'If you don't look out for yourself, no one else will.' By the way, that one's gonna be on the test."

"I have a test? I'm not back in school, am I?" You asked and she smiled.

"Gotta meant I'd you're gonna stick around, sweetie. Okay, let's wrap this up..." Tifa said as she saw two more. She picked you up unexpectedly and threw you forward.  "Have fun!"

"TIFAAAAA!!" You shouted as you quickly took out your wing and span in a circle. The water from your blade turned dark as you cut the gorgers. You landed on the ground as the blood went to the floor. "Why, did, you, do that?!"

"We gotta work on our team attacks! Besides, I think that might be the last of them." Tifa said as you sighed.

"They'll be back though." You said and she crossed her arms.

"Of course, even so, folks'll be grateful for the peace and quiet in the meantime. A win's a win, you know?" Tifa said as she took your hand again.

"True. It does help to keep a positive look on things from time to time." You said as Tifa nodded.

"It'll do wonders for your rep. Now lets go check in with Briggs and Wedge." Tifa said as you both eventually made it back. Explained the situation, it seems that the two told you that they told the slums about you. You couldn't help but get a headache, you held your head and kept seeing a lab. A woman with a some sort of helmet on with tubes. Dr.Hojo...? Wings... wings... mother...? Is there another mother?

"It's our birthright, you know.You could help us see our mother again, Y/n." You looked around with your sword out to see a black feather on the ground, but it soon disappeared.

"Y/n, what happened? Are you okay?" Tifa asked as you nodded and put the sword away. "I've been meaning to ask... after you left the village..."

"Tifa...that's... a very complicated and long story..." You said as she held onto your arm as you tried to walk away.

"I've got time! Why don't you tell em all about it while we try and rustle up some more work for you?" Tifa said as Wedge gets up.

"Great, I'll come too." "oh no, you won't. Go along now, you two." Briggs pulled Wedge back.

"Sorry, maybe next time." Tifa pushed you out gently as you were confused. "Hey, before we get back to it, why don't you check out the weapons?"

"No need, Tifa." You said as Tifa sighed.

"You can still keep the one you have. C'mon, the dealer's probably heard all about you by now. Might treat you better." Tifa said but you found that hard to believe. You were proven wrong when he gave you a free katana. You visited Wyvern and met a weird kid named Chadley. Fought some monsters, did some side quests, eventually building that sense of community you had back at the village or was it a town. Either way, you eventually saw a large crowd of people in front of the bar.

"Hm? What's going..." "stay away from me!" Johnny bursted out a door of the nearby house as the officers took him down. They handcuffed him and started to drag him away. "Get off me, assholes! I didn't do shit!"

"What's going on?" Tifa asked.

"'Somebody' went and stole some blasting agent from a Shinra warehouse. So public security started asking questions, and you know how Johnny gets." Someone said as they started theorizing what the purpose could be.

"We gotta save him, Y/n." Tifa said as you shook your head.

"I don't see the purpose in doing something like that. He brought it on himself, he's not in avalanche, right?" You said as Tifa whispered.

"No but, he has his suspicions about what we do... and he's a talker." Tifa said as you immediately pulled out the sword. She looked at you. "Uh, you know what? Maybe I'll just go alone."

"I'm coming." You stated as she was unsure bringing you now was a good idea.

"Hm. Alright, I'll lead the way." Tifa said as she led you to them. Johnny was complaining the whole way as Johnny wondered out loud if Jessie stole the ID, even though it was an obvious trick on the officers part. "Grr, all he had to do was keep his mouth shut."

"Yep." You said as Tifa sighed.

"Distract the guard while I...figure something out..." Tifa said as you both approached the men.

"I suggest you letting the cherry boy go." You tease an officer looking at you.

"Hmm? Who're you? The calvary?" the officer asked.

"Hm? Is that who I think it is?" Johnny said happy as Tifa gained a deadly aura and walked forward. "Aw? Hell yeah! You guys really came to save me! Ava-UGH!!"

Tifa kicked him the the stomach, knocking him out in one kick. The officers aimed their weapons at you. "Hey! The hell you think you're doing?!"

You walked up next to Tifa as she got in a stance. "Here we go."

You both said at the same time. You took your wing out and delivered a single high-powered vertical slash with Sun Breathing. It managed to knock one in the air as Tifa leaped up and spiked him downwards. You leaped in the air and threw the body at another officer, while he was wobbling you kicked the two back before spinning his body vertically to deliver a 360° slash. The wave of fire pushed back the threats as Tifa rushed towards the guard dog, giving a heavy uppercut and a fierce down kick. "Grab Johnny so we can get out of here, but what should we do?"

Johnny got up and your eyes shined green. The wing started to extended as you walked at him with your katana out. "He's a talker..."

"No!" Tifa stopped you before Johnny started begging for his life. You looked at the blindfolded man.

"If you wish to live, then get out of town before I change my mind." You said as Johnny quickly dashed for it. You looked at Tifa. "You sure you wanna just let him walk like that? Is that a risk to take?"

"I know but... it's fine." Tifa said as you looked at the men on the ground.

"What about the humans?" You said weirdly as Tifa was confused.

"Why did you...say it like that...? No more, Y/n..." She looked at the tiny smirk you had as you looked into her eyes. "Y/n... you're scaring me."

"Hm." You put the sword away and lost the smirk, you didn't even know you had it until you lost it.

"Let it go, become what you were made to be."

"We need to go before they wake up." You said as Tifa sighed.

"I'm worried about Johnny." She said as you shook your head.

"Why? I'd be more focused on what's in front of us." You said as she stopped walking.

"You've really... changed. Your eyes... they used to be less... Sinister..." She said as you shook your head.

"I don't think I've changed besides the fact that I know what needs to be done." You smiled. "I've finally gotten that seriousness that Cloud's been begging me to get."

"Actually, before we head to Seventh Heaven, maybe we should swing by Stargazer Heights for a bit. Take a moment to rest and recover." Tifa said as you thought about it.

"Yeah, you're right. We haven't had a break yet." You said as she smiled.

"Right, c'mon." Tifa took your hand as you both made it back to the loft.

"Huh? Someone's back awful early. Not that I mind. Would you be dears and swap your filters out for me? I left them in your room." Marle said as Tifa nodded and headed up. You were about to go as well, "not so fast, you. Do me a favor. She needs a friend. Even as her boyfriend, she needs you to be a real friend as well. When she talks, listen. Think about her and her feelings. Don't just go through the motions. Now head on up."

You were silent and just headed up to Tifa's room. Tifa was waiting for you. "Let's take care of this real quick, okay?"

"Alright." You both entered the room as Tifa immediately took care and started fixing the pipe. You approached her but she was already done.

"Finally!" Tifa said and then walked up to your face, close. "So. After you left the village. I let you off the hook before, but not this time."

You thought about it put your sword down and sat on the bed. Tifa came over and sat besides you, holding your hand on the bed. "Well, when me and Cloud left... he wanted to be a SOLDIER. Meanwhile I was reunited as a special unit due to my family's long history with Shinra."

"Right, after Aurora died, they gave you and Nezuko clearance to many things." Tifa reminded you as you sighed and rubbed the top of her hand with your thumb.

"Working for Shinra, it was nothing like we dreamed of. Then, there was Zach, Genesis, and a few others that I bonded with. I never got to meet the highest ranking SOLDIER like Nezuko wanted me to." You then started to get headaches of the same man with silver hair as a little boy. You were suddenly younger as your hair showed to be silver before you snapped out of it.

"Sorry, I know it's a touchy subject. I get it. Still it's kinda funny." Tifa said. "Us going our separate ways, thinking that might be it and we'll never see each other again...and then here of all places we do. And you came back, like I knew you would. You know what? We should totally celebrate! Let's dress up and hit the town!"

"Huh?" You asked as Tifa smiled.

"I mean, why not? It'll be fun! Besides I owe you a dance." Tifa said as you smirked at her.

"Do you even have fancy clothes?" You asked as she poked your nose.

"Not like fancy fancy, but I'll figure something out! What do you think would suit me?"

"Hmmm, something refined." You said as Tifa nodded.

"Yeah, I guess we aren't kids anymore. Be sure to pick an outfit that goes with mine, okay?" Tifa said as you nodded. "This is gonna be so much fun, you'll see! And on that happy note, I think it's time we headed back to the bar. Cloud should be awake as well. C'mon!"

"Uh, wait, Tifa." You said as she headed for the door. "Don't you need a break?"

"Honestly, I'm feeling pretty good. Marle isn't always right you know." She said at you flirty as she hugged you. You hugged back before headed to the bar. "Here we are. You must be tired."

"About the same as you." You stated as she smiled.

"Could use a little something to take the edge off, right? How about a refreshing cocktail made by yours truly that you can sit back and savor?" Tifa said as you were a bit taken back. "Yeah, I'm feeling it a bit too. You think you and Cloud are gonna stick around for a while?"

"I can't speak for Cloud but, I could work here and build up some savings." You said as you entered the door to see Cloud sitting at the bar. "Hey, Cloud. Get some good sleep."

"It was alright." He simply said as Barret and Marlene rose from the secret hideout.

Marlene looked at Tifa. "Did you... have fun?"

"I know I did!" You said with a wink and a smile.

"Losta fun." Tifa giggled.

"Hey, need y'all downstairs." Barret says as Tifa was confused.

"Uh... right now? Then the plan is...?" "Marlene, wanna go wait for Jessie out front?" Barret said to Marlene, stopping Tifa. Marlene went outside.

"Looks like we're officially on for tomorrow night, then. Gotta go over details with the others." Tifa said as Cloud looked at Barret.

"Before you do, about my pay." "You'll get your money! So sit down and shut up until we're finished. Double time, Tifa." Barret went back down again.

Tifa looked at Cloud. "I'm really sorry... but it shouldn't take much longer. I'm the meantime... Y/n, grab a seat."

You sat down next to Cloud as she looked at the two of you. "What'll it be?"

"Not in the mood." Cloud said as you sighed.

"Don't mind him, give me something hard and bitter." You said as Tifa started doing some tricks with the drinks before pouring it into a glass and sliding it to you. You picked it up and and finished it.

"Well? Most people would say something sweet right about now." Tifa rested her arm on her face.

"But Lockhart, I'm not like everyone else." You teased, and Tifa was playing along.

"Ahh, but you're a more discerning customer, aren't you? In which case..." she then poured a red drink into a cup and slid that over to you. "Our house special: the Cosmo Canyon."

You smirked and raised the glass next to her eyes. "Beautiful."

"Oh stop it. I gotta go." Tifa blushed before running to the machine. "Enjoy."

She left as you took a sip. Jessie then entered. "Hey, you see the news? The reactor bombing was the work of the eco-extremist group 'Avalanche'. Public enemy number one! Gets your heart racing, doesn't it?"

Jessie then went on some speech about how Tifa was never on board on the bombings and how Jessie would rather trust Cloud than her. You saw right through her little act, she wasn't gonna get laid. You finished the drink as Jessie left and Tifa came back. She immediately went for a bottle of alcohol and poured her self two glasses. Tifa on the far end, you know the middle, and Cloud on the other side of you. Like the old days... Cloud looked at her. "We heard you're having second thoughts."

"I know we have to thinking if we're going to make a difference. But not like this. I just... I feel trapped." Tifa said as you looked at her.

"If it feels wrong, don't do it." You said as Tifa was silent for a long time. Soon Jessie came back, soon the others.

"Guess that's that then." Tifa said as Cloud looked at her.

"What? They kick you out?" Cloud asked as Tifa...

"We agreed to disagree, so you both wanna a drink?" Tifa said before Barret came in.

"Tifa! Time to celebrate! Break out all the good stuff!" He said before Tifa went off and he looked at you and Cloud. "We won't be needing you two for this next job. Feel free to look for work elsewhere."

"That's how we like it." You told him.

"No contract, no obligation." Cloud said as Barret dropped the money.

"Figured you two would say that. Here, the rest of your payments, along with a little extra for your exemplary service. And thus concludes out business. Gonna have to ask the two of you to leave now, this here's a private affair." Barret said as you got up with Cloud. Tifa looked at you with concern, but you simply smiled at her and walked out with Cloud.

Tifa Left The Party

"Sigh, man. So I guess it's me and you against the world again, huh?" You said to Cloud as he looked at you.

"What's new there?" He said as you saw some people in front of the bar.

Some gang members walked up to you. "Hey brother! You from around the way?"

"I guess." Cloud said.

"Know a big man with a big gun strapped to his right arm? Heard he's set up shop somewhere in the neighborhood." the hoodlum said.

"Well, i guess that depends." You said as he started to walk around. "Let's go for three hundred.

"Clever. Smell an opportunity to make some scratch, do ya? Let's find somewhere to talk." The hoodlum said as you followed him and his goons. "Alright, spill it. You both know where the bastard's hiding, don't you?"

"Like my friend said, that depends." Cloud said as the hoodlum was not happy.

"Oh yeah? You wasting my time?!" "Shinra's time, you mean." You said as he laughed and everyone pulled out weapons.

"Shinra knows better than to stick its nose in my boss's business." He said as you both pulled out your weapons.

"Like we give a shit." You both said as
you dashed forward, unleashing two horizontal slashes to hit the foes back. Cloud slid under one and span his blade upwards, slicing off the armor. You saw another aim their gun at you and fire, you sliced in a downward arc that completely destroyed the bullet into pieces.

You then charged at him and thrusted then sword into his chest before kicking his head. "Let's see, bug man with a arm gun, right? Let's see if anything comes to mind."

Cloud tossed his foes over to you before you appeared on the other side of them, blows all over their bodies appeared. They fell down as the battle was quickly over. Cloud looked around. "If they aren't Shinra, then... not our problem."

"Alright Cloud, I've learned a few lessons hear while you were asleep." You said and patted his back. "Lesson one for life on the ground floor... get some rest."

You then ran into Jessie who wanted to head to the sector seven plate. She said the details will be filled in on the way, but you felt something else was up. Either way, looks like your job isn't over yet.