Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Brutal Love ❯ Chapter 3

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

An Old Enemy

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He inhaled deeply as he woke. Lifting his hand from the floor he wiped the sand out of his eyes and sat up. After stretching and cracking his neck he ran a hand through his red hair to get it out of his face, small strands of hair slipping through his fingers and returning to his face. He quickly got up and went to the bedroom to check on the woman. She wasn't there. Listening carefully he suddenly heard her quiet sobs. He walked to the bathroom and knocked softly on the door. "Are you in there?" Her crying stopped. "I'm making breakfast, would you like some, you really should eat."

Tifa huddled up in the corner staring at the door. "No." She replied.

"Tifa, please. You need to eat."

She gasped. How does he know my name? She put on the T-shirt and boxers and walked to the door. Tifa's hand held the door handle and slowly turned it. She peeked out and saw his face. "Reno!" She quickly shut the door and leaned against it on her back. Oh great! First Cloud and now this. Her breathing became harsh.

He could hear her panicked breathing. Her fear so obvious. But why? "I'm not going to hurt you Tifa. I was the one to clean your wounds and clothe you. I don't mean to harm you."

Tifa slid down the door and sat on the floor with her back to it. She couldn't open the door, no matter how sincere he sounded. When she finally heard him walk away she sighed in relief. She curled up and laid her head on her knees. After awhile she heard his soft footsteps nearing the door. He stopped right infront of the door but didn't move. Then she heard him set something down and then walk away again. When she was certain he was gone she opened the door a pinch and saw that he had broughten her a tray of food. Quickly she grabbed the tray and shut the door again, locking it. She devoured the food even though she felt sick. When she finished she set the tray aside and then fell asleep on the bathroom rug.

She couldn't tell what time it was but when she awoke the house was silent. For some reason she was hungry again. As silent as she could Tifa opened the door and grabbed the tray. She walked to the kitchen passed the dimly lit living room where Reno lay, sleeping on the couch. Or so she thought.

Reno heard her silent gasps of pain as she tried to walk silently to the kitchen. He couldn't imagine how painful it must be to hold back her pain and try to control it. Her wounds were harsh, they wouldn't heal over night. Slowly he lifted the sheet off of him and followed her. He stood near the doorway of the kitchen and watched her set the tray down before she dropped it from weakness. Tifa held onto the sink as she made her way to the cupboards and look through them. She was looking through the drawers when she heard him speak, "So, you finally decided to come out of there?"

Tifa froze. Her muscles tensed. She turned around to look at him. He was atleast fifteen feet away. He started to walk towards her. Quickly she looked around and spotted knives in the drawer she had opened. Tifa snatched one and held it out at him. "Don't come any closer." Reno stopped. "I mean it...not one step further." Her breathing became unsteady and she became dizzy.

He saw her hold onto the counter as she held the knife out at him. Her eyes told him she was weak and in pain. But there was a hint of fear in her gaze as well. He saw a red stain spreading around her side where the knife had hit her in the back. He needed to redress the wound. "Here, let me check your wounds."

"No. Don't touch me." She said through clenched teeth. "I'm fine, my wounds are fine." Tifa said as she stood and caught her balance on the table. Blood began to stain the bandage and her legs began to feel weak. She cried out and collapsed to the floor as another wave of pain rushed over her. Reno ran over to her and caught her before she hit the floor and picked her up.

He laid her down on the bed and turned her over onto her stomach and began to lift her shirt. He could see her muscles tense so instead of removing the shirt he just lifted it high enough so he could tend to the wound. As he wiped it clean and put a new bandage on he pulled her shirt down and saw that she had fallen asleep. Reno pulled the blanket over her and shut the light off. Closing the door behind him, he went outside, took out a cigarette and lit it. He looked ahead as the sky began to brighten near the horizon, the sun beginning to rise.

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Icy Blue Mako eyes stared down at the sand where his blood stained blade lay. He picked it up and looked at the town. I've found you.

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Reno walked back inside and heard Tifa whimpering. He entered the room and saw her tossing. "Please no..." Tifa mumbled. Reno looked at her as he sat down next to her. "Stop! Ugh!" Tifa cried out loud as she jollted up into Reno's arms. "Aghh, no! Let me go! Let me go!" She screamed as she tried to pull away from him. "Shhhh, it's okay. It's okay. It's just a dream."

She continued to whimper into the crook of his neck. He felt her cringe against his chest, clinging onto him in fear. "Please." Her pleas were so begging. So sad. "Shhhhhhhh, it's alright." He carresed her back with his hands gently as he rocked her in his arms.

Tifa opened her eyes and found herself being rocked in Reno's embrace. What am I doing here? Instantly she pushed him away and cowered in the farthest corner away from Reno. Reno stood up from the floor rubbing his butt. "Ow." He looked at her. "Serves you right." Tifa said through the darkness. "I was only trying to calm you. You were crying out in your sleep. You had a nightmare I presume?" Tifa looked away from him. "Do you need anything?" Reno asked. "No."

"How about a glass of water?"
Tifa shook her head.
Regardless, Reno walked off and got a glass from the kitchen, dropped some ice cubes into it followed by water. He came back and handed it to her after switching on the light. She hesitantly took the glass from him and gulped it down. When finished she held onto the glass and seemed to be in deep thought. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine...just tired."

"Alright, if you need anything just ask." With that said he left the room and closed the door.

Tifa put the glass down and sunk into the mattress. It wasn't long before she was asleep again.

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Tifa opened her eyes slowly and didn't seem to be in as much pain as the other day. She still ached though. She made her way to the bathroom and just when she was about to open the door it swung open and a half naked Reno stood there in the steam. He grabbed for his towel before it slid down his waist and looked at her in suprise. "Tifa! Uhhhhh..." She quickly turned away. "I'm sorry." She said and then went into the living room and sat on one of the chairs. Reno went into his room and came back out in a tight white undershirt and baggy dark blue pants. She saw a tatoo on his left shoulder and the muscle tone of his arms.

"Good morning." He said cheerfully. Reno sat down on the couch and stretched out. She stared at him as he flexed his arms while stretching. He was quite buff. She couldn't quite tell with his baggy suit on all the time. "If you'd like to use the shower you can." He said looking over at her.

"I don't have any clothes to change into."

"You can wear some of mine. Here, I can get them for ya."

Reno left the room and then came back with a long black pair of pajama pants and a black undershirt. He handed them to her. "Thank you." She said weakly trying to smile.

"No problem. There's a towel hanging by the shower too."

Tifa got up and walked to the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and then set the clothes down on the toilet seat. After undressing she looked again in the mirror. She turned away quickly and entered the shower. Tifa turned on the water and began to wash herself gently. The water turning a rusted color beneath her and circled into the drain. She let the water run over her face and hair, drenching her and washing the sand and blood off her body. The soap burned momentarily as she washed. When finished she shut the water off and grabbed the towel. She couldn't see herself in the mirror because of the steam and she was glad.

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"All done." Reno turned to see Tifa walk out with a towel on her shoulders and her wearing the clothes he had given her. He smiled. She walked into the kitchen and sat at the table as he made lunch. When finished he served her a nice hot plate of steaming spaghetti and a glass of water. Enjoying the meal, Tifa ate it quickly. "Seconds?" Reno asked, chuckling at the sauce on the side of her mouth. He picked up a napkin and leaned towards her but she quickly wiped it off with the back of her hand. Then he took her plate and served her another round of spaghetti. "That was good, thank you." Tifa said walking with her plate to the sink and placing it in the water.

"Tifa?"

"Hmm?"

"I have to go out and get some things, do you need anything?"

"I'd like my clothes. They're at the bar in Sector 7."

Reno's eyes widened. "What?! They rebuilt it?"

"Yeah...I rebuilt my bar too. Just like old times but better now." Tifa smiled but her eyes suddenly saddened and she looked down. Old times...just like old times. But not better.

Reno watched her as she looked up and faked a smile.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, it's fine, I just need my clothes."

"Okay," he said still uncertain if he should leave her alone. "I'll be back in a few hours, all you need should be in this house, so if you need anything you'll find it somewhere." He smiled and then walked into the living room and grabbed a bag. "okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

Reno walked to the door and turned to see Tifa looking down at the table again. Then he opened the door and walked across the bridge to the helicopters. Nearing the helicoptor a man from behind walked away and shouldered him as he walked past as he kept his head low. "Hey!" Reno growled angrily. "Walk much?" He boarded the helicoptor and then took off.

Cloud looked up as Reno flew off. An evil grin came upon his face.

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