Now, originally, I was going to wait a few chapters just to be ahead… but I was too impatient. Plus ire ally wanted people's opinions on this one, now this is the first of 4 other stories I have for Fairron, the rest will come when this is complete. I have no idea how long it'll be but updates will come a week to a month.

Reviews are greatly appreciated, especially to see if people like this idea or not, or if they like how it's going.

and enjoy as always ^^

The Nibelheim Incident

It was at the stroke of dawn that Claire decided today would be a fine day to ride.

Perched up high above the town of Nibelheim, on the abandoned Shinra manor, Claire watched as the sun slowly moved away from Mt. Nibel and into clear skies, basking the world in a warm amber red glow, turning the desert around them to fire. Claire closed her eyes when the world flashed white as the full light of the sun came, blinding everything for a mere moment. She leaned back, moaning as the warmth brushed over her body pleasantly. This was one of her favorite things to do in the early mornings. Soak in the warmth of the morning; being born in the desert, Claire was used to the heat, and practically thrived in it as well as any other Nibelheim resident.

When Claire felt the light dim against her eyelids, she slowly peeks her eyes open, grinning as she watched the rest of the sun rise. When the world turned gold, Claire finally moved, slipping off her perch, easily climbed down the manor's side; for as long as she could remember, with the manor being empty, she often drifted around the building, learning every brick to every stone. Hardly anyone could scale it like she could. It's even become her favorite hangout area; no else likes coming here and it was the highest point in Nibelheim; a perfect place to be above the world.

With her feet back on the ground, Claire glances into shadow encased manor, always expecting something to jump against the window. It did have that creepy feel to it. But nothing ever came after her, even when she slipped inside as a kid.

Today wasn't any different. Nothing changed from what she could see in the window. The furniture were still covered in dusted ivory sheets, pictures still hung crookedly or were laid against the wall, and the same shadows that hung over everything, keeping the interior a separate world. Sighing a little glumly at the daily lack of activity inside the manor. Turning away, she headed towards the tip of the hill that it sat upon, looking over the groggy village.

Well mostly groggy.

Her aqua eyes caught the familiar sight of tan and black jogged up the hill, straight towards Claire. "Thought you'd be up here!" came the loud, laughing shout. Claire arced a brow at the approaching girl. "Tifa," she mused, "I didn't think you'd ever be up this early."

"Too… excited… to stay… in bed," Tifa admitted as she finally slowed, bending down with a huff as she panted. "Didn't you…hear?"

"Hear what?" Claire asked, tilting her head down at her childhood friend. Tifa rose up with a sigh, grinning brightly as she turned and faced Claire fully, ruby eyes meeting aqua. "Knew you'd forget about it. Today, we have some SOLDIERS from Midgar coming, and I'm the tour guide!"

"Ah," was all Claire could say.

Tifa pouted at that. "Ah? That's all you can say?"

"I have a feeling you're more excited about one of them being Cloud than the actual group," Claire said.

"Of course I am. He said so himself that he would become a SOLDIER," Tifa insisted. Claire shook her head, but didn't say anymore as she slipped past Tifa and started to head down the hill. Tifa followed after her, rambling on about the big day. "They're going to be here soon," she said, "in maybe an hour or so, they're going to check out the area to find out the reason for all the sudden monster appearances and… you're not going to be here, are you?" she asked, noting how Claire was making a beeline towards the stable beside her home.

"I decided to take Odin out today," Claire admitted. "Today would be a good day for a ride."

Tifa scoffed, "Of course you'll ride the day we have important guests coming."

Claire shrugged helplessly before she slid up to the stable, knocking on the wood as she called out. "Odin, up and at em; we're riding today." A rumble came from the stall as a large white chocobo rose up, groggy green eyes glaring at Claire and Tifa, the latter smiling at the chocobo. "Morning Odin," Tifa chuckled. Odin clacked his beak at her before his head dropped back to the ground. Claire rolled her eyes before jumping over the gate. "Come on Odin," she chastised, unhooking his stall and letting it lean open as she grabbed a brush from the set of hooks on the wall.

Odin grumbled as he slowly rose up easily towering over the girls with his unusual height. "That's a good boy," Claire cooed, running the brush along his miffed feathers, while her free hand pressed and massaged his sides, much to the bird's delight. Tifa watched as she leaned against the stable gate, her red eyes looking over the large chocobo, taking in the details that differed him from normal chocobos; like how his eyes were green, feathers a silvery white, and how his beak and legs were a dark gray instead tan, and the biggest different, his large size, making him twice the size of the average chocobo.

"I keep thinking he's some subspecies," Tifa admitted after a while of thinking and watching Claire makes her rounds. The pinkette chuckled. "In a sense, he is," she said.

"I know," Tifa chuckled, "but really, even growing up with him, I'm still not used to seeing a chocobo like him. He's just so different."

"He's my Odin," Claire stated, making the chocobo preen happily, lightly nibbling on some of her hair affectionate.

Tifa laughed, "And you're his Claire."

"Mind pouring him a little feed?" Claire asked as she drew away, rubbing Odin's neck one last time before returning to the wall. "Sure," Tifa bid, jumping over the gate much like Claire did, grabbing the feed and pouring some into his bin. Feathers brushed against her arm as Odin dove for the bin, his beak clacking loudly as he eagerly gulped down the food. Laughing, she ran her hand over the soft feathers, smiling as Odin rumbled.

"I'm going to suit up," Claire declared as she unhooked the gate leaving it open; Tifa ducked under Odin's neck and followed after her. "You're not going to saddle him up?" she asked.

"Nope," Claire answered, "its been a while since I've ridden bareback."

"A bit dangerous, isn't it?" Tifa asked.

"Depends on how you ride and what you come across," Claire said. "But I trust Odin and we won't be out too long, maybe an hour; we might come back in time to see these SOLDIERS."

Tifa smiled at that. "I'm sure Cloud would like to see two familiar faces."

Claire snorted. "Again Tifa, Cloud and I weren't friends…"

"He played with you more than anyone, both of you hung out with each other more than with others."

"It was more of a contest between us," Claire insisted, "a competition to see who was better."

"I remember a lot of laughter coming from you two," Tifa offered.

"It's easy for children to laugh, just as its easy for them to cry; they don't have the same control that comes with growing up. We were more easily amused then."

Tifa sighed and shook her head, glancing back to see that Claire had left the stable gate wide open, open enough for Odin to slip out or for someone to easily slip in; though there was little to worry about the latter. Everyone in Nibelheim knew that the white chocobo was Claire's, and that both were quite frightening when messed with.

"You really never have to worry about Odin wandering off?" Tifa asked as they stopped in front of Claire's house. "Nope, not even out in the open. Odin would never willingly leave, not unless he really had too. Its how he was raised and trained," Claire explained, and then quietly opening the door, she stealthily slipped, leaving Tifa waiting at her door. Claws scraped along the dirt as Odin slipped up alongside Tifa, rumbling down at her.

"It really is a good thing that you're around," Tifa mused aloud, glancing up at the jade eyed bird. Odin glanced down at her, blinking his jeweled eyes curiously. Tifa merely smiled up at him before turning to the Farron household. Last year was a rough year for the Farrons. What was a family of three shrunk to two. Ms Farron passed away last year to an unknown disease. It was hard on both Claire and her younger sister Serah. For a good couple of months, they hardly left their home and each other's side. Finally, now, both seem to be coming out of the shell they clamped themselves in, though they still clung close to one another.

Odin was also a big help during that time. He was always there when the Farrons needed to get out of the house, some nights they even slept in the stable with him or simply rode him for days out of Nibelheim. But they always returned after a couple of days of being out of the village.

By how they were, Tifa wasn't surprised when Claire slipped out quietly, softly saying, "Serah still asleep in my bed." It was hard to say who took the worse toll from the loss. Serah for being so young or Claire herself for taking up the sudden responsibility that came with being the eldest and guardian. Zangan offered a lot of help to Claire to get her back on her feet; it was also through him that Tifa and Claire were able to become close.

"Would she be ok?" Tifa asked her as Claire guided Odin away from the house and to the rode that she would race down.

"It's not the first time she woke up by herself, and she does know I like to go on morning rides," Claire eased, adjusting the items she grabbed from her house that she would need on her ride. Tifa knew them without even looking; a gunblade, the rarest weapon and one of the hardest to wield, a survival knife, and two small balls, both green though of different shades, Claire called them materia; all were passed down from her deceased father. Claire never left the village without these three items. Claire finished her adjustments by securing her water skin to her belt before slipping onto the large bird, easily perching up on his shoulders.

"Well, have a safe trip," Tifa said, easing back slightly to give them room.

Claire grinned down at her, her hands curling around the neck feathers, "Good luck with the SOLDIERS. And if you do see Cloud, punch him for me."

Tifa laughed, "I will!"

Claire dug her heels lightly into Odin and off they went, leaving a thick dust cloud behind them.

Odin beeline down the road, his claws sinking into the loose earth and easily kicking back up as he sped, Claire leaning forward as she tightly held to his feathers, grinning as the wind and sand flickered across her face, the dark goggles she wore protecting her eyes from the gusty blows.

Keeping her legs tightly wound around Odin's sides, Claire slowly let go of his feathers, leaning back to take the full blow of the wind, her arms stretched out to feel the ripple of air swim around her form. With her eyes closed, for a moment, Claire felt like she was flying through the air, high above the world. Where nothing else could reach her and drag her down.

Only when a loud rumble filled the air did Claire bring herself back to earth. Opening her eyes, Claire saw the dark shape on the road, blurred by the heat. Grasping the neck feathers, Claire slowed Odin down and moved him to the side off road.

The car spend by, and for a moment, Claire managed a fast glimpse of the occupants sitting in the back of the truck, catching black, with a flash of silver, and two grayish blue figures. Claire could see that all heads were turned to eye the odd white bird. Claire watched the truck go by till only a dust trail remained.

"Looks like those were Tifa's SOLDIERS," Claire mused. Odin rumbled in response, his jade eyes peering after the truck. For a moment, she wondered if Cloud really was one of those SOLDIERS; she didn't see a flicker of blonde though, only black, silver, and gray. Sighing to herself and already knowing that Tifa would be dsappointed, Claire turned her attention to the present.

"Well," Claire declared, tugging Odin back to earth. "Shall we stretch those wings?"

At the delighted chirp from Odin, they both tore off, away from the road and too the uneven and rocky hills, providing small cliffs that would be perfect. Wings stretched out and spreading as Odin sped, Claire pressing her body against the bird, Odin sped to the first cliff edge, jumping as high as he could into the air, his wings reaching out to catch any draft.

When they were off the ground and high into the air, Claire closed her eyes again, enjoying the feel of weightlessness and the sky around them. She loved this even more than riding him. Here, high in the air, she felt truly free.

It was late in the afternoon when she and Odin stalked down the road towards Nibelheim. Both their heads were light as they were drunk on adrenaline, Claire still grinning in the afterglow as she lay on Odin, relishing the feel of the soft ivory feathers below her.

Claire sighed, "That was a good run."

Odin chirped in agreement, pausing as he stretched slightly. Rising, Claire followed the bird's example and stretched, easing herself shakily off the bird to stretch her jelly legs. Cooing playful, Odin nudged Claire roughly, sending her toppling to the ground with a squeal. Then Odin trotted off, kwehing merrily as he went, leaving Claire back on the ground.

"Hey!" she shouted, stumbled up and running after him, laughter bubbling from her lips as she half ran, half swayed after the bird. "That's not fair Odin!" she chastised playfully. After a few minutes, the daze passed and Claire could run again. With a smirk, she tore off after Odin, intent on catching the bird. But Odin easily evaded her, jumping to the side or trotting away, his green eyes bright with humor as he smirked down at her. Claire huffed as she scrambled after him, trying to get ahold of the bird as he continued to dance away; even circled around a few times, shoving her playfully when he got the chance.

At one point Claire toppled over, tripping over her own feet while playing with the bird, her head dizzy with mirth and the large white chocobo that darted before her eyes. Wincing and grumbling on the ground when the rough sand brushed against her skin, she looked up, glaring up Odin while he slowly drew near, staring down at her curiously. When he got close enough, Claire blew air at his face, making Odin squawk in surprise.

Claire snickered at the bird, rolling to her side and humming contently at the warm sand beneath her. Looking towards Nibelheim, all fun drained away at the sight she saw.

Thick clouds of smoke rose up at the base of Mt. Nibel, thick and angry, the slowly spread out, covering the blue sky with dark ash. Glinting off them, red light flickered down below the clouds, highlighting the cause of the smoke.

"Serah!" Claire cried, jumping up and running towards Nibelheim. Odin cooed worried behind her, staring up at the clouds rising up from the village. His feathers rose uneasily but he quickly shook off the bubbled fear stirring inside him and tore after his mistress, slowing down enough to let her leap onto his back before kicking him to a full out run straight towards Nibelheim.

Even with Odin going at top speed, time seemed to go slowly to Claire. Her senses dulled as her eyes stayed glued to the thick smoke, barely hearing the echoing drum of Odin's feet hacking along the dirt ground, the flicker and hiss of flames that filled the air as the drew closer, or even the rumble of the wind as they zoomed forward. All she found focus on was the growing heat as they neared Nibelheim. When they slid into the valley that hosted the village, Claire sharply reared Odin back, wincing at the hot wave that burned at their presence and the bright white hot light blazing before her. Odin screamed and squawked, shuffling and shifting wildly under her, his eyes wide as his senses were bombed with fire, his instincts screaming for him to run.

With Odin freaking out, Claire jumped off the bird, leaving him at the entrance of Nibelheim, and sped down, shouting Serah and Tifa's names as she sought for them, ignoring the burning heat pushing at her body and the sting in her eyes, not even when smoke clogged up around her did she slowly, running desperately around the fire, searching for any survivor, for anything that she could recognize.

But in the flare of red, orange, and white with only black charred impressions of buildings and people, Claire couldn't tell if there were any survivors that could be saved. On and on she shouted and she screamed. On and on till her voice was hoarse and choking; on and on, she ran till her legs shook and her skin was blistered red from being too close to the fire. On weak legs, she collapsed, hacking as she struggled to breathe, her head light and her eyes swimming with colors. Moaning and coughing, she pressed her forehead against the earth, struggling to find air along the ground while her body trembled.

Despite her trauma and her barely conscious state of mind, questions buzzed in her head.

How?

How could this happen?

Why did this happen?

What happened?

There was movement among the flames and weakly, she looked up, catching sight of a silver haired man dressed in black. She froze when she recognized Sephiroth, automatically opening her mouth to shout at him, to help; only to be muted when she saw the cold indifferent look in eyes and the insane smirk on his lips as his blade gleamed in the fire's light, dark liquid dripping along its edge.

Claire felt cold, even with the heat around her as she stared at the hero, or what she thought to be a hero.

He turned to her, his green eyes locked on her still body crumbled on the floor, glaring at him angrily. For a moment, it looked like he was going to approach her, approach her and slide that long six foot blade across her throat. But then with a careless scoff, he turned away from her, leaving her to stare at the long mane of silver and the sweep of his black uniform as he walked up to the Shinra manor she always hung around, leaving her to die slowly around the flames. Gritting her teeth and hacking, Claire struggled to rise, struggled to get up and chase after him, to throttle him and shake him; to collapse before him and cry at the overwhelming feeling of betrayal and rage inside her.

He was a hero.

He was a hero… wasn't he?

Her body couldn't move her head to heavy, and her skin caked and charred. All she could do was lay there on the ground, staring after the so called hero, watching his form get swallowed by fire, though she doubted they did little against him, as much as she would have loved to see him burn before she died.

Died…

She was dying, wasn't she?

Quivering, Claire closed her eyes, feeling a cold tear slide down her cheek; a sweet relief compared the hot and then air around her, even if it was small. Keeping her eyes closed, Claire tried to block out the colors swarming around her, the fire on her skin, and the hiss and sounds it made as it flared. She did everything to try and forget this situation, to forget the reality as her conscious started to fade.

"Serah," she whispered longing, her hands curling in the dirt as the promising darkness began to swoop over her. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

I'd say Claire and Cloud are about 16 in this chapter and Zack is about 18, Tifa is 15, and Serah is 13

This is more of a prologue if anything; the real story will start moving in Ch 2; this may be the last you'll see of Tifa, I haven't decided if she'll show up in future chapters. And it's likely this and the next chapter have Cloud's only appearance, both quite minor... he might appear again though, we'll see.