A Life to Lead ^_^

Tifa meant to stand up, but tripped. Fearing the worst, she looked down, to see her foot caught in a hole in the floor. Must be from when she had tried to save Xion. Sighing, she stood up, freeing her now twisted ankle, and trying to straighten up the house further. She just wanted to get Cloud and go, how had she ended up here?

 

Cloud witnessed through the window from being outside that Tifa looked like she had been caught or injured in some way. Fearing the worst, he burst through the door only to see her. "What is going on? Where is Xion?" Starring at Roxas, Luxord and Xigbar, his blue eyes narrowed to slits, the icy prescence hardening his outer shell that contanined his feelings and emotions. "I want some answers!" He took another step forward towards Tifa and gazed at her for a second. "Where is she Tifa? Are you all right?"

Xigbar only smirked not saying a single word. Hell his business was with Roxas not Cloud just yet. That time would come for the warrior to reveal what he wanted him to. Though it would not be easy. Xigbar was already thinking of a plan of how to return Cloud to Xemnas and without the inference of anyone else.

Shaking his head and thinking that he was going crazy, Demyx whirled around once more making sure that no one was spying on him. He had grown very paranoid for many reasons for he felt someone was always keeping tabs on him. Shivering again he tried not to recall any memories of when Xemnas nearly had destroyed him and now the promise he had to keep to the same one that he feared and looked up to.

 

Tifa rubbed her head, closing her eyes. "I'm fine, Cloud. Xion was captured, and I have to stay here to bring her back. You can't be here, they won't let her go then." She looked up at Cloud. "It's my mistake and I have to fix it." He alone should understand that.

 

Leon remained quiet for quite some time. He knew that Tifa was being stubborn, but he decided it was between her and Cloud. "Things can be fixed. We just have to have faith. Don't give in to darkness or they would of have won." He replied to both of them.

Roxas blinked several times as he noticed Luxord with the Xion card. His heart if he had one would of sank. He felt his emotions drifting further into oblibvion of mixed envy and anger. His keyblade held tightly in his grip as he flashed it delivering particles of light in the air. "What do you want with Xion? Stop playing games!" He narrowed his eyes hating that the two seniors Xigbar and Luxord were mocking him. Enough was enough. Without warning he charged at both of them slashing.

Saix cloaked himself into darkness and traveled around the cooridors as he began his search for Gex. Axel and Demyx were not his priority right now. He would question their motives later. He needed to find the renigade nobody and find out whose side he was really on. If he was against them the moon seeker would silence him for good. "GEX!" he shouted as he walked out of the portal towards a cliff hoping to see him down below.

Axel stood nearly frozen when he picked up the words from Demyx mentioning his best friend Roxas. How was he supposed to respond to this? He wasn't sure himself if he even wanted to look for the kid. Sighing the flurry nodded his head. Demyx was also looking around constantly, seemed quite nervous, but the flurry assured him. "No one is here. So take it easy. Roxas promised I can be the godfather. Sure I would like to teach his child how to fight." He began as he scratched his side of his head as if wondering what else to say about this. "Wait....why are you asking me this?"

 

Cloud placed his hand on her to let her know that he there. "Tifa, you didn't do anything wrong. Why would you blame yourself? You may not say it, but I can see the obvious look in your eyes." He wasn't going any where. Something was obviously wrong and the situation appeared to be getting worse. Starring at Leon for a second, he recalled the same words he had heard from Aerith and Zack long ago. Of course he was trying everything in his power to keep his mind from falling into the darkness, but it was difficult and the advances of his closed mind were beginning to alter his thinking. He had witnessed so much grief in his time more than anyone would know. "Tifa, Leon and I are not going to leave you in harm's way. You need to let me know as much as I can so I can do what I have to do." With his sword drawn, Cloud was ready to battle if he needed to.

Xigbar shook his head not believing how high strung Roxas was being. The kid had spuk he could admit that, but enough was enough. "Oh dear now I'm gonna have to stop ya." He aimed his weapons at the keyblade wielder and began to fire repeatly. Xigbar suspected Luxord could handle himself, and the freeshooter kept his distance for that was the key to his advantage. Out of the corner of his eye, he suspected that the warriors Cloud and Leon had entered the scene. The plan was working perfectly and all that was needed was one more who would reveal and solve the enigma of what the others would pondering over.

"Let's just say I know more than you about what's going on with Roxas." He assured him that nothing else was wrong. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that something indeed was, but he didn't want to worry his friend. Not to mention, he could sense another presence nearby. "Axel. We should get out of here. You say we're fine, but I say otherwise. Just to be on the safe side, we need to leave this place." Opening a portal he walked towards it and was prepared to leave, but stopped in place. "You can come or stay. It's up to you, but I'm not going to be around if it's who I think it is." He stepped into the portal only to have it vanish out of thin air.

 

Luxord stayed silent as the xion card went back into the deck. The Gambler of Fate started to make the cards go from one hand to his other then afterwards the cards shuffeling themselves in his left hand. "Roxas sadly you still dont understand even when i plainly explained things to you in wonderland durring our mission" the britsh blond said remembering the times he actually did not hate Roxas. "no point gained by rambling on about our past yet that what makes us who we are fate has permently made it so" Luxord said with an gambling smirk on his face. He knew Xigbar would do his thing while he would do his. With some cards slidding out of his left sleeve of his uniform into his left hand. Luxord threw 5 cards at the keyblader while in the other hand he made some more appear quickly. Fallowing the first attack the Gambler of fate made the cards in his right hand lay on the ground then with an uppercut motion the cards grew bigger doing an flipping motion creating an wave of 10 cards.

 

Roxas avoided the shots getting shot at him, but Xigbar's weapon. His teeth clenched as his keyblade forced them to be reflected. He also had to pay attention to Luxord's huge cards. Too many distractions and he guessed he might have fallen into a trap. Or were them waiting for something or someone. He slashed his keyblade on the ground as it scraped the exterior of it and then shot it in the air. Aimed tried to slice through the cards, but could he really evade two members attacking him at the same time? "Do you seriously think that playing with me is going to help you guys gain your heart in the end? Everyone makes their own choice, not fate." He told them coldly.

Axel was kind of annoyed that Demyx was hiding something from him, but had no problem catching up to him. Afterall the corridors of darkness was a pathway to where ever they needed to go. "What is that you are not telling me?" He questioned him as his eyes emerald eyes narrowed slightly. He gently touched his shoulder then let go. He did not like to be left out in the dark this time.

 

Xigbar kept his cool as he usually did and laughed once more. His teeth were gleaming as he was enjoying seeing Roxas in such misery. "You got spunk. I'll give you that, but do you really think you can stand a chance against me? I doubt it. You just made a huge mistake and now it's gonna cost ya." Jumping up onto the ceiling, he fired more shots that kept coming from out of no where. With perfect percision, one of his other blasts swept across Roxas and struck the door of one of the bedrooms. "So whatcha gonna do now?"

Before he entered the portal, Demyx had a blank expression on his face for he didn't know how to answer Axel's question. "Dude, I can't think right now. To much on my mind, but maybe if you were to give me a clue or something then I can narrow it down. So what are you trying to say exactly?" Stepping into the dark passageway, Demyx made his way through the Corridor of Darkness not knowing if Axel was following him or not.

She had not answered and he wondered if it was something he said. "Should I get involved or not?" He kept pondering this question in his head.

 

Tifa cradled her head, then laughed, bitterness filling her up. "Leave me in harms way? What did you think you did when you left me with the kids? I was alone!" She started to get up, then shook her head, sitting back down with a small smile on her face. "You left me there, so you could go and make new friends, and get a new life, and start new. And I was stuck at home to clean up with the mess. So why don't you just go do that again?"

 

Cloud nearly balled his fists thinking of what she had said to him. If he recalled she had left as well. It wasn't his fault. Mostly his life was controled by Sephiorth, the master behind the puppet. Cloud was manipulated and persuaded more than Tifa knew. He understood where she was coming from and he had regrets for leaving her like he did, but most of it was not his fault. He needed to make some changes and see where his life would lead him. Shifting his eyes to the ground and then back at her again, he nearly cringed when he heard the blasts fired from Xigbar's weapons. Choosing to ignore what had happened between Tifa and him, he looked away from her only to speak in a firm tone. "We can discuss this later. Right now we have more trouble to deal with." Getting his bearings and gathering his thoughts together, Cloud approached Xigbar spotting Roxas and Luxord out of the corner of his eye. "What exactly do you want?" He tightened his grip on the handle of his buster sword.

Xigbar turned his attention to Cloud keeping one eye on Roxas in case he were to attack him with the deadly keyblade. Giving a signal to Luxord with the wave of his pointer finger, the freeshooter was prepared to unleash part two of his plan. "Well aren't you the mighty warrior? What kept you so long? Did you wise up to save the poppet too or is there another reason?" He smirked at Tifa as he was prepared to use her a bait to entangle Cloud in his web of danger.

Demyx emerged from the portal and kept hidden in the shadows of the room observing the other members. There he saw Luxord, Xigbar as well as Roxas. Where was Xion? Did something happen to her? Biting his lower lip, he concealed his hood over his mullet and stepped out into the shadows facing Cloud as well. "What's going on? Did the boss send you guys?" He asked Xigbar and Luxord hoping he would recieve an answer from them.

 

Tifa rolled her eyes. "Later. Sure." She got up, pulling on her gloves, her eyes narrowing slightly. If he was going to take care of this, she was going to escape and find a way to free Xion, then take her back. She was done with all this.

OOC: Short is short.

 

Cloud turned his head for a second to witness Tifa's response. Anger took hold of him that he couldn't hold in his feelings any longer. "So you're just going to take Xion and flee right? Just forget all those that you care about. Fine I won't stop you, but know this Tifa don't expect my help anymore." Cloud was hurt with her response like his heart had been smashed into tiny shards of broken glass. She was walking out on him, leaving him to pick up all the pieces of this mess.

Xigbar smirked at Luxord seeing that Tifa was indeed one of Cloud's weakenesses. How much fun this was going to be. Turning his attention upon her, he lowered his weapons. "Ah ha. So now you see her for what she really is. A coward who bails out on her friends. Go on girl. Get the hell out of here. I'll make sure Cloud is taken well care of. The darkness has been devouring him and you've been one of the reasons why his heart is almost consumed. So much for you saving him." Xigbar was cruel as one could be knowing if Tifa did still care about Cloud, she would react accordindly.

Demyx had to be careful of what he said to Xigbar. He glanced at the senior member and knew his question was ignored, but that was to be expected. Xigbar had other plans. "Yo Xiggy, I asked what this was all about and what is your part of this Luxord? Man I hate being ignored like I don't exist or something." Demyx crossed his arms and sighed.

"Oh you don't know? Well then let Luxord and myself enlighten you," Xigbar walked towards Demyx keeping one eye closely on Tifa and Cloud. "The boss has plans for these humans. We can't disobey him you know. We wouldn't want to turn out to be a traitor like Larxene or that other new guy with the bones for his weapon." He snickered cruely.

 

The events where absolutly amussing to the Gambler. Now it was time for his special game he prepaired for Tiffa."fair lady time for our game to begin" the blond said with an smirk before snapping his fingers. 5 enlarged cards appeared infront of the gambler. With another snap this time with his right hand cards appeard circerling Tiffa and himself. "now shall i tell you the rulez to our delightfull game" Luxord said to Tiffa as the cards circuled around them and with the 5 cards floating infront of himself.

 

Crossing her arms, Tifa sighed. "So you left me, and expect me to just be fine with it? Not only that, but you berate me for leaving when I see fit. I'm only doing what you did. I'm surviving. And the survival of someone I love is in danger by you being here. So let me do this, and then let me go. I'm done playing games, and always just being ready for whatever you bring home."

OC: I sent you a PM water mage, regarding my leave from khv. I guess you didn't get it.

 

(OOC: No sorry. I didn't get the message. So would you like your characters to die, meaning have yourself do it or one of the other characters that someone else controls. Actually you know what, this would make Cloud really go into the darkness if Tifa were to die, but it's up to you.)

Cloud couldn't think straight for he was hurt more than one could say. Tifa was basically giving up and of course he felt guilt towards it. He hid back the tears that stung the edges of his eyes waiting to fall. If she wanted to leave then he might as let her, but he couldn't help but to think that someone was out to do her harm and thus she would leave permently. Glancing at Luxord who was beginning to prepare his game with the cards that were circling her.

Demyx looked away not wanting to hear any of what Xigbar what was saying. Of course he didn't approve of the actions that the organization had set up for the humans where one he had befriended, but he couldn't betray the organization either. "Oh man is that what is really going on?" Demyx placed his hand over his chin acting as if he was interested.

Xigbar chuckled darkly as the game was about to progress. The plan was working perfectly and all Luxord had to do was take away the life of the woman and Cloud's heart would be dark as night, the light all snuffed out for good. Xemnas knew what he was doing along.

 

OOC: Someone else can take over Xion, and Tifa can go to hell XD Thanks for being understanding about it all.

Tifa glared, stretching her arms above her head. "Let me go, Xigbar." She threatened, moving to the balls of her feet, keeping balanced. "I have no qualms with you yet. Just let me go, and this will be that much easier."

 

Xigbar laughed as one would who enjoyed torturting someone. "As if." You're not going any where. You still have to play Luxord's game of fate or perhaps you already lost."

Demya glanced at the senior member and then Cloud whom he could tell was very upset by the way, the hilt of the sword was being gripped so tightly. "Are you sure that's a good idea guys? What did the boss have to say anyway about this?" He attempted to smooth the waters.

Cloud was not in a mood to be toyed with. Tifa had stated what she wanted, but that didn't mean he didn't want her to die. They had a history together and if something happened he didn't know what he would do?

 

Roxas was more dumbfounded than ever. Was Tifa really willing to give up her life? He couldn't understand if this meant to be human or not. Still with his key blade out he was not afraid to attack if he became the target, but he know he needed to save Xion.


Axel rolled his eyes at this sentimental stuff though behind it was a deep smirk breeching from his soul. It had been a while that he had killed someone. He wondered if Demyx knew what he was going to commit. So Tifa was giving up? What a better way to end a life and find a possiblity of resurfacing the dark of another. He stepped forward ignoring Xigbar and went straight to Tifa. "So I guess your life is not worth it anymore. I can end your suffering! With his chakrams summoned out he held one of them at her throat, but allowed her some room to speak. "You wish to die?" At that moment he noticed Luxord, and without taking his eyes off the woman, he acknowledged Luxord. "Do you want me to finish her or have you do the honors?

 

"Really." She sighed, rubbing her head. "And here I was hoping for an easy day." Tifa darted at the man, bringing her right fist around for a punch to the jaw while twisting through the air, making it harder to hit.

 

Cloud watched Tifa attempt to fight back. At least she wasn't going to throw in the towel so soon. It would have been suicide otherwise. Making sure he wasn't in the way, he watched from a close distance and kept his hopes up. Maybe one of the members would slip up and she could escape? She made it clear that she didn't want to be helped so he had the task of feeling helpless.

Demyx observed Roxas ready for battle and also kept his eye on Axel. He knew Axel wanted to do the honors of finishing her off and if the melodious nocturne were to interfere than the other members would have their suspisions about him. He couldn't risk getting on anyone's bad side. All he could do was wait and see what would happen.

Xigbar waved both of his sharp shooters in the air and gave Axel a smirk. He could always depend on the executioner to finish the job. Now it would be Luxord's call if Axel would be the one to take Tifa's life.