Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ About Darkness ❯ Borderline ( Chapter 6 )

“Rinoa I saw her…” Tifa's voice was pleading. She was sitting on Rinoa's bed, hands resting in her lap, eyes moving around the room restlessly.

 

“What did you see?” Rinoa asked, a concerned smile on her face as she continued to stroke Tifa's hair.

 

“Last week, on the beach. There was a boat, and Ellone was talking to the men on it. They were discussing an attack at Balamb Garden”

 

Rinoa's hands stilled and her smile faltered for a split second before settling back in place. “Tifa, do you know what you're saying? You are accusing Ellone of betrayal, and even if there was the slightest chance that someone was planning to invade Balamb, what chance would they have? There is no army big enough to provide a real threat”

 

Tifa hesitated. She knew what she had seen and heard, and although it was a relief to talk about it to someone her anxiety grew in face of Rinoa's reaction.

 

“But we need to be prepared… what if Ellone…”

 

“Tifa” Rinoa's voice was unusually sharp. “Do you have any idea how severe your accusations are? Maybe you heard wrong, or… Tifa. Are you jealous of Ellone? Did she say anything to you…”

 

“No!” Tifa sounded exasperated now. “I'm not paranoid and I'm not jealous! Ellone is a…”

 

Rinoa drew away and rose from the bed. She was shocked and taken aback to hear Tifa talk like this.

 

“I think you should sleep about the matter, Tifa. Everything will look much better tomorrow. And…” her gaze met Tifa's, stern and intense. “You better not talk to anyone about your… assumptions. I don't think you would earn too many brownie points”

 

Xxx

 

Irvine shook his head and ran a hand over his face. “Why would she say something like that?”

 

Rinoa leaned back against the closed door of Irvine's room and shrugged. “She came to me last night. She seemed truly shaken…”

 

“You're not seriously implying that you believe her, are you?” Irvine replied.

 

“Of course not. But I'm thinking that we might have given her too little attention. She does not seem to be a very stable girl. She's always been withdrawn”

 

“Squall is withdrawn, too” Irvine countered, nodding at the third person in the chamber. “But he would not accuse one of his friends to be a traitor or spy or whatever”

 

“And what do you suggest we do now?” Rinoa asked; mouth set in a thin line.

 

“We will leave the matter alone for now” Squall answered in Irvine's place. “Tifa does not seem like a trouble maker. I can see why she would want to harm Ellone. She is jealous and intimidated by her”

 

Irvine nodded. “It's the only way she can express her insecurities”

 

Rinoa did not seem convinced. “So you want to do nothing about it?”

 

“If we confront Tifa with this now she'll only feel worse. Let's give her some time to gather her wits. I'm sure everything will turn out for the best” Irvine shrugged and cast Tifa a small, reassuring smile.

 

xxx