Chapter 05

The next morning, the sun was setting peacefully on the red hills of Cosmo Canyon, unaware of the events that would take place in the approaching hours.

Red XIII pawed over to the Eternal Flame, yawning. He noticed Vincent perched on a rock nearby, and grinned, baring massive fangs.

"Vincent," he called. "Come over. They others should be up soon.

Vincent nodded and slowly walked over to Red, where he took a seat next to the massive beast on the floor.

"What do you think of all this?" Red asked.

"I can't be sure," Vincent answered. "I feel that we must be careful. Especially Cloud. He may make a terrible mistake if he gets too carried away."

Red nodded in agreement, laying down on the ground and purring quietly. If only Grandfather were here, he thought sadly, he'd know what to do.

The chocobo was finally on land again, much to the content of Aeris and Tayeko.

"Where are we going now?" Aeris asked.

"We're going to have to go over this mountain range," Sephiroth mumbled. "Then we are going to have to cross a very dangerous desert near the Gold Saucer. After crossing a river, we'll be near the Cosmo Canyon area."

"Good," Aeris said. "Cloud's definately there. I can even sense some of the others."

Tayeko cocked an eyebrow and turned to look at Aeris. "How can you 'sense' them?"

"I don't know," Aeris answered truthfully. "For some reason I can sense the energy of people I'm close to, if I concentrate. And I know Cloud is at Cosmo Canyon."

"I wish I could do that."

"You probably can," Aeris encouraged. "You're a Cetra, after all. I think that it's something only Cetra can do."

"I can sense him as well," Sephiroth said bitterly. "I can sense him all the time, laughing at me."

"Really?" Aeris asked, surprised. "Why didn't you say something?"

"I do not care to talk about that 'failure'," Sephiroth said.

"He's not a failure!" Aeris rebuffed, confused. She wasn't alive when Cloud found himself. For all she knew he had made it into SOLDIER. "Anyway," Aeris continued, "You probably can sense people through your connection of Jenova. Jenova was able to *mimic* the Cetra in many ways."

Sephiroth snorted and narrowed his eyes.

"Well," Tayeko said, trying to clear the tense air. "Aeris, you've got to teach me how to use my powers. I'm a Cetra and I don't know the first thing about being one."

"Don't worry," Aeris said, smiling. "Lessons begin at the first rest stop."

Tifa tossed and turned in her bed. She was sharing a room with Yuffie, who was fast asleep. The cozy warm air and soothing melody of the drum beats of Cosmo Canyon on any other occasion would put Tifa to sleep in a moment, but thinking about Aeris and Cloud kept her wide awake.

When Aeris comes, she thought, Cloud won't want me around anymore. He'll probably forget about me. I'm going to have to leave as soon as we find her, before I get thrown out.

Tifa thought about the small possibility that Red was wrong and that Aeris was not alive. Tifa mentally kicked herself. How could she think such a thing! Aeris was her friend, after all... and if Cloud was happy with her, that's what Tifa wanted.

Tifa yawned and was puzzled to see the sun peaking in the tiny window of her room. It was dawn already? She hadn't slept a wink.

Tifa knew Yuffie would have to be dragged out of bed, but she decided to leave that job up to someone else. After a quick shower and change of clothes, she left the room to get a cup of coffee at the Candle.

Tifa was surprised to see Vincent was already up and seated in a dark corner of the tavern. The elder who ran it was not even up, but the place was open for overnight or early morning visitors to help themselves at the coffee machine or to the platter of doughnuts and Canyon snacks. Tifa helped herself to cup of black coffee and a glazed doughnut, then cautiously sat down across from Vincent.

"Morning," she said quietly.

At first Vincent did not acknowledge her presence. He merely studied the dark haired beauty with his intense red eyes, making her feel rather uncomfortable.

"Uh.. Vincent?" she finally questioned.

Vincent finally looked away from Tifa, a decent description of how she was feeling in his mind. "Morning, Tifa."
Tifa looked down into her coffee and slid her feet against the dusty floor. "You're up early, huh?" she attempted to make conversation.

"After sleeping for nearly thirty years straight," Vincent answered, "It does not become difficult to rise early."

Tifa nodded slowly.

"Why are you up so early? That is a more reasonable question."

Tifa looked away from Vincent. "I guess I couldn't sleep," she said.

"Listen to me, Tifa," Vincent said, serious with concern. "Do not worry about him. He will come around."

Tifa nearly spit coffee all over Vincent's cape. "W,what?" she questioned. "How did you..."

"It is obvious to any observant person what is stressing you out, Tifa," Vincent explained. "Cloud is a very confused person. He isn't sure what he wants. It will do you best to wait and let him make the right choice. He will do it."

Tifa nodded.

"I advise you not to do anything foolish in the meantime," Vincent added.

Tifa was shocked again. He couldn't possible know *that*.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Tifa, you and I are much alike. We run from our problems. I know that you are a strong woman, and never run away. You always stand and fight. But in this situtation I know what you will do. I did that once and look where it has brought me! Do not allow yourself to end up like me, empty and full of simple sins and regrets."

Tifa suddenly felt emotionally burdened. The man sitting across from her had lost everything dear to him because he made what he considered a bad decision. Could she end up as unhappy as he was if she left?

Tifa frowned. She knew Cloud better than Vincent did. She knew that when Cloud sees Aeris' sparkling green eyes, he would lose all sense and claim her, without thinking. Tifa knew what she had to do.

"Don't worry," she lied.

Vincent nodded skeptically. "I hope you make the right decision, Tifa." He slowly stood up and walked out of the room, so lightly it was like his feet weren't touching the ground.

Tifa put her head in her hands and cried again. Her mind was made. When Aeris came, she would leave Cloud, leave them all. It was the only thing she could do.

Tayeko was absolutely exhausted and was rather annoyed when Aeris came to her tent to wake her.

"This early?" she complained.

Aeris shrugged. "Sephiroth wants us to get moving. Now."

Tayeko frowned as she stood and began to get ready. Aeris walked around cleaning up supplies and packing, chatting up Tayeko the whole time.

"You know Tayeko," she said. "I promised I would you tell about our culture."

Tayeko was brushing leaves out of her hair. "Yeah," she mumbled. "Go ahead."

"Well, for one, Cetras are powerful magic users. Have you ever used materia?"

Tayeko shook her head.

"Well, you're gonna have to learn." Aeris grabbed her rod and pulled out a fire Materia. "Look at this. It's a fire Materia. You have to equip it in your weapons or armor and think really hard about what you want to happen. Like, if you want to burn an enemy, you have to picture in your mind the enemy getting burnt. Whatever damage you're powerful enough to inflict will occur." She handed Tayeko her rod. "Here. Give it a try!"

Tayeko shrugged and closed her eyes. She thought about the tent catching on fire.

"Good gracious!" Aeris yelped as the tent went up in flames. "You might have more magic power than me!"

Tayeko was stunned with what she had done. That easily she was able to burn the tent down.

"Let me get some water!" Aeris exclaimed, laughing. "That's great for a first time!"

Sephiroth came jogging over. "What happened?" he yelled, throwing water on the tent.

Aeris continued to laugh. "I was just teaching Tayeko how to use Materia."

"Well, don't do it anymore," he yelled. "Now I have to go into town and buy another tent!"

Aeris and Tayeko couldn't help giggle to themselves as Sephiroth mounted the chocobo angrilly.

"Get on!" he shouted.

The two Cetra tried to stop laughing at Sephiroth and mounted the chocobo.

"Now," Sephiroth began. "We have to go into North Corel to buy supplies. Tayeko, you need a weapon."

"I can shoot a gun," she suggested.

"Good," he said. "You and Aeris can go into town and purchase one. I will stay outside on the outskirts of the city and wait for you."

"Whatever you say," Tayeko said. "But I need clothes! I can't keep wondering around in this torn dress all the time!"

"That will have to wait," Sephiroth said sternly. "I do not have the gil for that right now."

Tayeko frowned. "Fine, fine."

"North Corel is just beyond that mountain," Sephiroth said.

Cloud paced near the Eternal Flame, waiting for the others to arrive. His mind was filled with confusing thoughts about Aeris, and Sephiroth.

What was Sephiroth doing with Aeris? It made no sense. What if he had her hostage? He would probably use her to get back at him. But then, he didn't look evil in the dream, and didn't try to hurt Aeris. He even appeared to be kind to her. And who was that black haired woman?

Cloud scratched his head and paced faster. He'd find out soon enough. If his damned team would show up he'd be able to leave and find them!

Just when Cloud thought he'd run off and search for them himself, Vincent left the Cosmo Candle and walked over to him.

"I see you are excited about today," he commented.

Cloud stopped his mad pace and faced Vincent. "Vincent, you're up! Where is everyone?"

"Well, Tifa is awake," he said. "She's in the Candle. I also saw Red early this morning."

"What about everyone else?" Cloud complained.

"Cloud, it is not even five-thirty in the morning. Most people are not up yet," Vincent explained. "You didn't sleep at all last night, did you?"

Cloud looked around. "No," he answered. "I guess I couldn't. Too much on my mind."

"I understand," Vincent said. "Be careful, Cloud. Don't make any bad decisions regarding Sephiroth or Aeris." "What do you mean?" Cloud asked.

"You will understand when the time comes," Vincent answered.

Cloud was about to respond when Red XIII came prancing over to them, Yuffie walking lazily behind him.

"I can't *beileve* this mangy animal woke me up this early!" she complained.

Red growled at her in a playful manner. "Come on, Yuffie. It is good to be up with the birds. And you get to enjoy this beautiful sunrise!"

Yuffie waved him off as she plopped down near the fire and tried not to fall asleep in front of it. Tifa came out from the Candle, patting her eyes with a tissue.

"Not again," Yuffie muttered, rolling her eyes.

Tifa muttered her good mornings to everyone and had a seat next to Yuffie. She purposely looked away from Cloud, who was staring up at the sky with that dreamy look in his eyes again.

Cait Sith bounced over next. "Good morning, all!" he said cheerfully. "I wasn't expecting ya'll to be awake already!"

"Why are you in such a great mood?" Yuffie demanded. "Aren't you tired? It isn't even six in the morning!"

"Hehe, Yuffie, you forget that I'm a mechanical peice of technology. I don't need sleep!"

Yuffie sucked her teeth. "Well, REEVE! What are *you* doing up so early?!"

The stuffed cat shrugged. "When you're trying to rebuild the great city of Midgar, you hafta get up pretty early in the mornin'."

Yuffie shook her head and balanced it in her hand, hoping to catch a quick nap before they left.

"I guess that just leaves Barret and Cid," Red said. "I'll go get them up."

"I wish I could warn them first!" Yuffie shouted after Red, opening one eye.

"Hurry it up, Red!" Cloud called. "We've got to get going!"

Aeris and Tayeko slowly walked into North Corel, glancing around at the run down former mining town.

"I guess we'd better find the item shop first," Aeris suggested. "And then we'll get you a weapon. We'd better make it snappy because you know how Sephy is!"

Tayeko smiled tenderly at the nickname she'd given Sephiroth when she was young. Times had changed though, and he was even colder than he was when he was young. She wondered what he would do if they dared call him 'Sephy' to his face.

Sephiroth paced wildly in front of the chocobo. The wild, open field surrounded by tall edgy mountains and blue rivers was around him, its grass blowing in the light wind. Sephiroth gritted his teeth and kicked at small stones that were hiding in the grass.

His mind was plagued with confused thoughts. The Planet, his mother, even Professor Gast wanted him to come back to life and 'save the Planet' from some unseen evil. And he'd be forced to work with a a woman he killed and a woman he could not save!

More unnerving to him was the simple fact he was searching for Cloud Strife. The rip off! The failure had stolen Zack's identity all because he was too weak to admit to himself that he was a failure not worth living!

Sephiroth stood still and clenched his gloved fists, trying to calm his hatred for the so called "ex-SOLDIER". He had never made it in to SOLDIER! Why did he dare call himself that! More like ex-Shin-Ra Escort Guard!

Sephiroth began pacing again as he thought about the trouble that would come when they finally did meet up with Strife. Most likely the boy would try to kill him. Of course Aeris would be all over him. And what of the rest of AVALANCHE? The hated him as well. They'd probably think he was trying to harm Aeris!

Sephiroth also thought about Tayeko. What would happen to her? How would they accept her? Sephiroth was also unsure about his feelings toward Tayeko. He had once loved the girl and cared for her deeply, but that was many years ago. Even then he was unhappy, cold, and heartless. Things were only worse now. Sometimes he felt like reaching out for her, but something inside of him always advised against it.

Sephiroth's green mako eyes searched the morning sky for answers. What would happen?

Aeris lugged the heavy bag of potions, pheonix downs and tents over her shoulder and followed Tayeko to the Weapons shop.

"What you like, ma'am?" a greasy old man with a beer belly asked, sitting behind the counter. "I've got a ton of weapons. Gotta protect yerself with all the shit that's going on nowadays."

Tayeko wrinkled her nose and glanced at a cardboard box that was filled with various types of guns.

"I need a pistol," she said.

"Well what kind?" the man asked. "We got handguns, shotguns, machine guns, semi-automatics.."

"Uh.. just let me get a simple hand gun," Tayeko said, slightly confused. "Something that's easy to use."

"I got just the thing," The man said, leaning over to reach into the box. After digging through it for several moments, he pulled out a small black pistol.

"This little baby packs alot of power, but its easy as all hell to use."

Tayeko took the pistol and held it in her hands. "This is perfect," Tayeko mumbled quietly.

"I hate guns," Aeris mumbled.

"Heh.. I'll give her to ya for 700 gil," the man said.

Tayeko frowned as she counted the money in her pocket. Sephiroth had only given her 650.

Aeris looked over Tayeko's shoulder and cupped her hand over her mouth. "Oops! Looks like we bought too many hypers..."

Tayeko would have laughed if the situation was not so serious.

"Uh.." she said, twirling a strand of long black hair in her finger tips. "I only have 650..."

The man snatched the gun back from her. "700 or no gun."

"Please!" Tayeko begged. "I need it!"

"Well..." The man said with devouring eyes. "Perhaps I could make a deal of some sort."

"W,what kind of deal?" Tayeko asked timidly.

The man licked his fat lips and stared at both girls hungrily. "Well, that skimpy little ripped dress you've got on tells me something..."

Tayeko backed away slowly. Men at nearby stands started whooping loudly.

"Lets get out of here," Aeris whispered. "We can get you a weapon somewhere else..."

"I don't think so, sweet-cheeks," the man muttered, reaching over the counter and grabbing her braid.

"Let go of her!" Tayeko screamed.

The greasy man clumsily hopped on the counter top and grabbed Tayeko by her shoulders. "Shut up, woman!" he yelled. "You're first in line!"

What is taking them so long?!

Sephiroth was nearly driving himself mad with thoughts when two shrill screams from inside North Corel.

That sounds like Tayeko and Aeris! he thought. What is wrong? The next scream sounded much like his name.

Sephiroth broke into a run straight into the town. He was well aware that it was broad daylight and that he would be seen, but he had to see what was up.

Sephiroth turned a sharp corner and spotted a man with one hand yanking Aeris' ponytail and the other pulling the shoulder of Tayeko's dress. Ignoring the looks of shocked passerbys, he stormed over and with great force snatched the two Cetra out of the grip of the weapons seller.

"G,great Holy!" The man swore. "It's Sephiroth! Sephiroth is alive!"

"Sorry I cannot say the same for you," Sephiroth replied, an evil smile twisting his earlier calm face.

"Sephiroth, don't!" Aeris called. But Sephiroth did not hear her. His mind was blank, thinking only of using the Masamune once again. Drawing his huge sword, he plunged it into the man's belly and twisted it, ignoring the man's screams as his blood spilled on the counter. Sephiroth chuckled as he pulled the Masamune out of the man's body, shook blood off, and sheathed it.

People were gasping and whispering. Others were running.

"Oh, God.. Sephiroth!" Tayeko whispered, her lips trembling. She covered her face with her hands as she began to cry.

Aeris shook her head. Sephiroth still had a strong desire to kill.

Sephiroth began to push the two girls. "Let's go," he said. "Before I am forced to kill more people."

Tayeko ran out of North Corel, Aeris frowning at Sephiroth before running to catch up with her. Sephiroth himself flew out of the run down town grabbing Aeris and then Tayeko off the ground, leaving its citizens with more to be shocked at.

What happened to me down there? Sephiroth wondered as he flew towards the chocobo. Why did I have such a desire to kill? I am not insane any more... so why did I enjoy that?

AVALANCHE was meeting outside of Cosmo Canyon, preparing to embark on their journey to find Aeris.. and perhaps Sephiroth. Although Barret and especially Cid had to be dragged out of bed kicking and screaming, all of AVALANCHE was finally on their way to the Highwind.

Aboard the mighty airship, Cid popped on the radio in the cockpit.

"This just in..." the news anchor's panicky voice announced. "General Sephiroth has just been spotted in North Corel!"

"Fuck!" Cid cursed. "Cloud! Get your spikey ass in here! It's a fucking emergency!"

Cloud jogged into the cockpit upon hearing Cid call him. "What's up?" he asked.

"Listen to this shit," Cid said in an almost nervous voice, turning up the volume.

"I repeat, General Sephiroth has been spotted in North Corel just moments ago! He was seen with two females, both between the ages of 21-25. After killing a weapon's seller, he took off with the two women, who we beileve are his hostages. One is reported to have black hair and violet eyes, the other brown hair and green eyes. If any one sees them please con-"

"Shit! Aeris!" Cloud yelled.

"Damn right," Cid agreed, shutting off the radio.

"Head towards North Corel," Cloud instructing, running towards the bridge. "I'll stay on the deck and radio you if I see them."

Sephiroth, Tayeko, and Aeris had been riding the chocobo away from North Corel in absolute silence. Neither of the girls dared say a word to Sephiroth about the incident in Corel, and Sephiroth was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to say anything about it.

What was I thinking? he asked himself. I didn't not have to kill the man... and so cruely! I lost control back there.. and to think I was laughing! Have I really changed?

It was early afternoon when the trio heard a loud rumbling noise overhead in the distance.

"What's that?" Tayeko asked.

Sephiroth looked into the sky. If he were not so stoic, he would have fallen off the chocobo at what he saw.

"Cloud! Cloud, look!"

Cloud ran over to where Tifa was peering over the ledge on the deck.

"What?"

"Look down there! Right there!" She pointed. "See that dot? It looks like a gold chocobo with three people riding on it! I definately see silver hair... and I think I see black and brown too.

Cloud squinted for a few seconds before his eyes suddenly widened and he lept for the intercom.

"Cid!" he screamed into the radio. "Land this plane! I see them! I see them!"

"I'm on it, Cloud!" Cid yelled back.

"What the hell is that?" Tayeko asked.

"Oh, wow!" Aeris exclaimed. "I saw that airship at Junon port when I was with Cloud!"

"That's the Highwind," Sephiroth said calmly.

"Wow, I wonder who's flying it," Aeris said. "Hey! Didn't it belong to Shin-Ra?"

"Not anymore," Sephiroth muttered.

"Well who's flying it then!" Aeris demanded impatiently.

Sephiroth noticed the Highwind was getting into landing gear. "Get ready to meet your friends, Aeris," he replied.

Grass was flying everywhere as the Highwind landed, several hundred feet from the gold chocobo and it's three riders Cloud had spotted from above. He was the first one off the Highwind, racing down the ramp at top speed.

"AERIS!!" he screamed as the three people came into view.

The other members of AVALANCHE were running behind him, but stopped short when they approached the three people. Sephiroth was standing in front of two women... one of them Aeris.

"Dear God," Tifa softly cried, covering her mouth with her hand.

Cloud stopped running and looked into Aeris' eyes.

"Cloud!" she exclaimed. "You found me, Cloud..."

Cloud wanted to run up to her and grab her, but the man standing in front of her caught his immediate attention.

"Sephiroth..." he grumbled, unsheathing his sword and taking a battle stance.

Sephiroth smirked. "Hello, Cloud."