Chapter 13

Yuffie stood in the back of her house, by the gateway to the beautiful gardens her mother once maintained. They had since been cut off by Godo after her mother's death, but Yuffie knew that the exotic Wutain flowers her mother had planted nearly ten years ago still lived inside the gates.

Yuffie shifted the weight of her backpack, which she slung stubbornly over her shoulder, as Godo had told her many times in the past that wearing a heavy bag like that was not good for her back. Of course, Yuffie never listened to Godo.

Which was why she was outside right now.

Reno was supposed to meet her outside the Gardens at two p.m. This was the time Godo usually did his "Spirit Time"... some old cultural practice. Yuffie knew there was little that could disturb him during this hour, so she would be able to sneak off easily. Yuffie checked the materia in the Conformer. She was pretty sure Reno was truthful, but even so, she had learned that it was always better to be safe then sorry. Unfortunately, Cloud never got around to giving her ALL their materia like he'd promised, but the orbs she'd been left with after fighting Sephiroth would be more than enough. Yuffie found it hard to beileve that two weeks had passed since that day. Alot had happened... including the impossible. Sephiroth was actually a part of their group... just a few days after they'd killed him! Not that Yuffie cared much. She didn't give a damn about Sephiroth, she was just glad she found so much materia with AVALANCHE.

Aeris was also alive. Yuffie had been more than estacic when she saw Aeris' smiling face again. She'd looked up to Aeris, and her death had torn Yuffie apart, even if she didn't show it. With Aeris alive again, Yuffie didn't pay much attention to Sephiroth.

Yuffie looked down at herself. She had her usual attire on, but she decided she looked much better without the bandana she always wore. It was much too juvenile and she wanted to seem mature around Reno.

Yuffie grinned when she saw headlights in the distance. Reno pulled up in his black convertible, which was obviously one of those expensive Shin-Ra models.

Reno honked and patted the passenger seat, prompting Yuffie to get in. She blushed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and hopped in the convertible without opening the door.

"We're gonna drive to the port," Reno said, devouring her with his eyes. "There's a helipad there."

Yuffie nodded, a bit nervous as Reno skidded down the dirt road and left her property. He drove on a main road, heading towards Wutai's port.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Reno asked, a smirk on his face.

Yuffie looked out at her homeland as he drove. "Of course! What else am I gonna do?"

"What about your AVALANCHE friends?"

"I didn't really think about that," Yuffie said, putting a hand to her chin. "I guess I'll see them around. I'll call them up."

Reno looked at Yuffie. "You know, once you join the Turks, you won't be able to associate with AVALANCHE anymore."

Yuffie looked surprised. "Why?"

Reno sighed. "Because, Yuffie. They're the enemy."

Yuffie put a hand on her hip and glared at Reno. "What? You told me we were Shin-Ra's enemy. Not the Turks'."

"As long as we work for Shin-Ra," Reno began, taking a turn towards the port, "They're our enemy."

Yuffie blinked, deep in thought as Reno found a parking space. Cut off all ties with AVALANCHE? They were really her only real friends. Was this relationship with Reno worth it? Over the past few days she'd met with him many times, and she felt they were growing closer. He treated her like an adult, not like a whiney annoying teenager. And that was more than she could say for any member of AVALANCHE.

All the same, they were her friends. Her family even. Godo was the last person she was worried about, but she had grown close to the members of AVALANCHE. She may argue with Cid and Barret alot, but they were still her friends, her family.

"I dunno, Reno..."

Reno turned off the car and opened his door. "Make your decision, Yuffie. Before we get in that helicopter."

Yuffie's lip quivered as she watched Reno get out and slam the door. He raised the hood on the convertible, leaving Yuffie deep in thought.

I might as well do it, she thought. I'll try to get the Turks out of Shin-Ra once I join. Then I'll be able to see them again.

A wise man had once told Yuffie that she should take every promising oppurtunity that came to her.

For once, she would take someone's advice.

Rufus smiled, staring out the window of his new office building.

He'd finally managed to get to Midgar. He'd bought out a law building, putting its previous owners back in the unemployment line. The building was in good condition, and at the very moment workers were getting the place "Shin-Raized".

Rufus rocked on his heels. He had three objectives, one of which was already successful. Reno had verified that the Kisaragi girl was coming with him to Midgar, and that she would be joining the Turks. Not that she would be of any use, but she would make a great informant.

The second part would be getting Tifa back for playing him like a fool. Unnamed sources had informed Rufus that the past week, Tifa and Cloud were spending time in a villa in Costa Del Sol.

Rufus tapped his chin with his pen, surveying below as workers lifted and attached a luminicent "Shin-Ra Inc." sign on the front of the building. Cloud and Tifa were alone in Costa Del Sol? He'd easily be able to take care of that.

His third problem - getting Aeris. This seemed to be the most important objective of all, but he decided to wait until the best oppurtunity presented itself. But he would have the Cetra. He'd figure out a use for her. The way Hojo was after her, she must've been worth something.

Rufus laughed deep in his throat, brushing off his white suit.

His plans were going to work this time.

Tifa squeezed Cloud's hand tightly, smiling as the warm sun hit her face. Over the past few days, they'd spent hours walking on this same beach, holding hands and talking about just about anything as the waves washed over their feet and ankles. After the frightening experiences Tifa and Cloud had been through over the past few years, this solace was exactly what they needed.

The mid-afternoon sun left a glitter like film over the gently moving ocean. Everys so often when the tide would wash up to where the pair was walking, Cloud would kick the water and splash it on Tifa.

The chocolate haired girl giggled, pushing Cloud playfully towards the water. He nearly lost his footing.

"A-ha," he laughed, grabbing Tifa's arm as he regained his balance. "Thought you had me there, did-"

"Hey! Hey!"

Cloud and Tifa gave each other confused glanced before they turned back to see an olive complected young man with dark hair and eyes running behind them along the shore, waving his arms wildly.

The man caught up to the pair and rested his hands on his knees in an effort to catch his breath. "Cloud? Do you own that villa near the port?"

Cloud scratched his head and cocked an eyebrow at the man. "Yeah.... why?

" The man pushed his thick, curly black hair out of his face and took a deep breath. "There's been a fire," he said.

"Fire?!" Tifa exclaimed. "In our villa?"

"Yes," the man said. "Police are not sure what happened. The fire department is on the scene but we need you to come now. Alot of citizens have been running around all of Costa Del Sol searching for you."

Tifa gave Cloud a worried look as he jogged off towards town, the young man beside him. Unsure of what else to do, she took off behind them.

Smoke billowed high into the air, and the main street of Costa Del Sol was hotter then usual. Tifa, Cloud, and Yovany, as he'd introduced himself, stopped in horror as a raging fire burned through one side of Cloud's villa, spreading all too quickly. Onlookers crowded outside the bar and casino the villa was built above after it had been evacutated when the fire threatrented to burn below. Police cars were parked all around the area, and firefighters were hard at work blasting away at the fire with hoses. People stood around and watched, shaking their heads in concern.

"Oh, my God!" Tifa screamed, her bag falling to the ground. She covered her face with her hands.

Cloud stared at the burning house, his eyes and mouth wide open. Yovany wiped his forehead and cursed. "Cloud Strife?" a police officer sauntered over, a notepad and pen in hand.

Cloud turned his head slightly to look at the officer, slowing closing his mouth.

"Yes....?"

"Wow... Cloud. It's certainly an honor to meet you," The officer said. "The proclaimed Savior of the Planet... along with Tifa Lockheart herself, Shin-Ra advoca-"

"What the hell happened?" Cloud suddenly demanded. Tifa kept shaking her head.

"We're not exactly sure," the officer explained to Cloud. "Witnesses say they heard a loud explosive sound. Then, a fire broke out on one side of your villa and was spreading fast. Although there isn't extensive damage, it will still be pretty bad."

Cloud blinked and looked a the house. The fire had only burned one side of it, and fire fighters had already pretty much gotten rid of most of it. The smoke still blocked the sun and made it difficult to breathe.

"We think its arson," The officer continued. "Someone may have planted a bomb. Let me ask you, sir, have you made any recent enemies?"

Cloud furrowed his eyebrows. "I've always had enemies," he responded.

The officer nodded skeptically. "Well, you won't be staying here. There's a good bit of property damage."

Cloud wrapped his arms around Tifa in an effort to calm her. "Let's go, Tifa. We'll call the others. Somebody's out to get us."

Sephiroth stared up at his ceiling, his mind reeling.

Alot of strange things had been happening. For one, it seemed surreal that he was once again alive. The strangest part was being with people who had hated him for so long.

Sephiroth was well aware that the way Cloud felt towards him was not changing any time soon. Not that it made any difference to him. He hated Cloud just as equally, if not more.

As for the rest of AVALANCHE, they all struck him differently. Tifa was not as hateful as he expected her to be. In fact, she seemed so preoccupied it was as if she didn't notice him. Barret, he could tell did not like him, but the big man seemed to cover up his hate at times by focusing on his adopted daughter. Sometimes, his temper did show, but Sephiroth did his best to avoid it.

Red XIII was at best described as hospitable. He never had an personal strife with Sephiroth, so he was able to put the past behind him and was kind enough to let him stay in Cosmo Canyon. He'd even put out a good word to his elders.

Yuffie seemed a bit frightened of him. Sephiroth chuckeled to himself as he recalled the time Yuffie went in the chocobo stable when he was in there. She turned completely white and abandoned all plans of seeing the chocobo. Cait Sith, on the other hand, tried to provide Sephiroth with a steady stream of one-liners and fortunes. He wondered how Reeve himself would treat him in person. Striker was quiet and respectful around Sephiroth, and seemed nervous to talk to him. Was it fear, or admiration?

Sephiroth noticed the he was the only person aboard the Highwind Cid never yelled or cursed at. He could tell the pilot was not exactly pleased to have him on board, but he didn't seem inclined to complain.

Vincent tried to act as an old friend, when it behooved him enough to speak. He told Sephiroth many stories about his mother, Lucrecia, as well as uncountable wrongs his father, Hojo, committed.

Aeris was another story altoghether. From the start, she'd seemed like it was her mission in life to get Sephiroth to open up. Never once had she doubted him. She nearly fought to get Cloud to 'accept' him. Sephiroth wondered when he'd get the chance to talk with Zack. The young man had certainly been surprised to find him alive, but Sephiroth could admit that the feeling was mutual. And Tayeko...

Sephiroth closed his eyes. He could more than well see the dim candlelight through his eyelids, which had always been a problem for him since he'd been a child. His vision had always been enhanced, but often caretakers would forget to turn the bright florecent lights out.

The first image that flashed before Sephiroth's mind was Tayeko's smiling face. She was always so pleasant. Her demeanor reminded him of Aeris', only Tayeko was less cheerfull and more realistic.

That was to be expected. After all, she'd only been dead for ten years.

Tayeko had done her best to get closer to him, but he noticed the way her eyes burnt out when he snapped at her or pushed her away. He didn't want to treat her that way, he just was afraid...

Sephiroth....

Sephiroth's eyes flew open. What was that? He heard someone call his name.

Sephiroth... my son....

Sephiroth shot upright and looked around the room. He threw the covers off and swung his legs out of the bed, sitting over the edge.

Come to me, Sephiroth... Come back to your Mother.

Sephiroth panicked. Someone was in his mind... someone was calling him. His breathing became ragged, and he broke out into a cold sweat as he realized who that someone was.... Jenova.

Sephiroth... she called, her voice sweet and smooth. Sephiroth, please, come to Mother. We have to talk, my son...

"No!" Sephiroth shouted aloud. He grabbed his head and both hands and keeled over the side of the bed, falling to the ground. "You're not my mother!"

Son, do not let the lies of humanity fool you...

Sephiroth grabbed a small vase off the end table and hurled it against the wall, shattering glass and sending shards across the room. The tiny bits of glass glittered in the candlelight of his room as they fell to a certain fate on the clay floor.

"I won't let you!" Sephiroth screamed, grasping his hair in his fingers and pulling it. "You can't! You aren't my mother!"

The presence suddenly gave up, as Sephiroth felt his mind once again return to him. He let go of his hair and dropped his hands to his sides, ignoring the throbbing pain of his scalp.

Sephiroth gathered the strenghth to hoist himself back onto his bed, all the while wondering how that had happened. He was sure Jenova was dead. Cloud and the others had killed her right before they killed him...

Sephiroth lay on his back and wiped sweat off of his forehead, pushing his silver bangs out of his face. His eyes were wide open and bloodshot, and his breathing was still fast and off tempo.

Sephiroth continued to stare at the ceiling, unsure of what to do. Should he tell someone? Should he keep it to himself?

Breathe...

Sephiroth shook his head to clear it. Maybe the best thing to do now would be to try and get some sleep.

Which he never did.

Jenova leaned against the dirt wall, arms crossed, and a frown on her face.

She'd been able to get into Sephiroth's mind, but he had responded quite viciously and then broke the connection.

Jenova gave herself a tiny smirk, somewhat satisfied that she'd been able to get into his mind. She was, however, expecting more.

Jenova brushed a peice of lint off the front of her blouse. Ugly human clothing. She shook her head. Perhaps the next time, she'd get Sephiroth to listen.

Otherwise, she'd have to take drastic action.

Yuffie looked out of the window.

The helicopter was lowering on a helipad on an unidetified building. Reno pulled out a cell phone and whispered into it, but Yuffie couldn't hear what he was saying over the loud roar of the helicopter.

Yuffie felt a hard jerk, and if weren't for her seatbelf she would have been thrown out of her seat. Reno hopped up and Rude, who'd accompied them on the trip, opened the door and pushed out the exit ladder.

"We're here," Reno said, extending his hand to Yuffie. "Be careful going down. The copter's engine's still going so it might be a bit rackety going down."

Yuffie nodded, taking Reno's hand with one hand and grabbing her bag with the other. She checked her seat to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything, then followed Rude and Reno down the shakey ladder.

Yuffie'd only been to the upper plate of Midgar once, when they'd went after Hojo. In fact, she'd only been to the slums once - when she'd come with AVALANCHE to visit Aeris's church before they fought Sephiroth.

Even though they were on the top, Yuffie noticed the sky was still dark from smoke and pollution. It was only after six, but she felt like it was nine.

"This is sector 2," Reno said, leading Yuffie to a doorway on the roof, Rude holding the door open for them. "This is the new Shin-Ra Building in Midgar. We bought it from some poor sap who wasn't making any business. It's being renovated and "Shin-Raized" as we speak."

Yuffie nodded, only half listening as she walked into doorway. It actually led to a staircase, which was only a short distance from an elevator Yuffie assumed they'd be taking.

"First I'm gonna take you to sign up and join the Turks," Reno said. "Then we'll go back to my place."

Yuffie nodded in response, as Rude, who reached the elevators first, held open the door as she and Reno walked in. He too then entered the elevator and punched in a floor number.

"This facility, unlike our old building, only has 35 floors," Reno said as the elevator began to move. "The 35th is Rufus'. The 34th is the lab floor, which is still under renovation. We'll be going to the 33rd floor, which is where the Turks are located."

Again, Yuffie nodded, unable to think of any other way to respond. The doors opened and she followed Rude and Reno down a hallway to an office.

Reno kicked open the door and signaled Yuffied to come in. Rude nodded his head at Reno and continued down the hall.

"Alright," Reno said, opening a drawer and shuffling through some papers. "Let's see... Turk Recruit Application Forms." He pulled out a thick packet and handed it to Yuffie.

"Fill that out," he instructed. "Rude's getting your uniform right now. You'll start training tommorrow morning."

Yuffie sat down in a chair oppisite Reno's and looked over the first page of the form. "Uh, Reno?"

"Hmm?" Reno answered, munching on an old, half eaten candy bar he'd found in his desk.

"It says here I have to be eighteen years old."

Reno swallowed. "Uh... that's an old rule," he lied. "When the old man was still alive. When Rufus took over the company he changed it."

Yuffie shrugged and continued filling out the forms. It had taken nearly a half an hour, and Reno occupied himself by turning on his small television and watching football. She also noticed he'd gone through three cans of beer. She tossed the packet in front of him on the desk. "Finished."

Reno put his current beer can down and picked up the papers.

"Alright," he said, standing. "Follow me. We're gonna go try on that uniform."

Yuffie smiled. This was the part she'd been looking foward to.

She followed Reno down the hall in the direction Rude had gone earlier. He led her to a small room, where on a table was a folded uniform and a shoe box with a Post-It marked "Yuffie Kisaragi - 923546" stuck on it.

Reno tore off the Post-It and crumpled it up, then handed the uniform and shoebox to Yuffie. "Go change back there," He said, pointing to a bathroom.

Yuffie shrugged and carted the items off to the bathroom, where she proceed to change. The uniform consisted of the standard blue suit with white shirt, a blue tie and a gun holster she assumed was for the breast pocket of her suit. After she changed her clothes, she opened the shoebox. Inside were a pair of ankle high black boots, with about two inch, thick heels. She recognized them from Elena. There was also a pair of black gloves with the the fingers cut off, and a small, black, semi-automatic handgun.

Yuffie frowned at the pistol. It wasn't her weapon of choice, but she shrugged it off and pushed two basic spell materias into its slots, Fire and Cure, and then pocketed the gun in its holster in her jacket. She then re-checked the materia in the Conformer. She admired the way she looked in the mirror before emerging from the bathroom.

Reno clapped. "You look marvelous, my dear," he teased in a fake British accent. "Simply marvelous."

Yuffie blushed. "I do, don't I?"

Reno laughed. "Come on. Let's go to my place. Its a flat on the otherside of the Sector. Maybe we can go pick up an outfit for you and we'll go out to eat again.

Yuffie grinned as she followed Reno out of the room, admiring herself in the offical Turk uniform. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea, afterall.

Cloud had his arm around Tifa, who was quiet but visibly upset over the apparent attack on Cloud's villa. They were waiting outside of Costa Del Sol for the Highwind, after calling everyone back. Cloud was more than positive that the attack had something to do with Shin-Ra and Rufus.

"Cloud, what if we had been in the villa?" Tifa asked. "My God..."

"Just be glad we weren't, Tifa," Cloud said. "There's nothing else we can do now. We're safe."

Tifa was about to respond when the Highwind finally appeared in the distance, landing about a fifty feet away from where they were standing and kicking up dust and grass.

Cloud and Tifa began to jog to the Highwind, as the doors opened and a ladder was lowered for them. Two crew members stood near the entrance, prepared to assist Cloud and Tifa in getting on.

Once aboard, the pair proceeded to the conference room, where Barret, Aeris, Zack, Cid, Red XIII, Vincent, Sephiroth, Tayeko, Striker, and Cait Sith were already seated, waiting. Tifa took her usual seat at the table as Cloud made his way to the front.

"Where the hell is Yuffie?" he asked.

"We couldn't get in touch with her," Cid answered. "I figured after we picked you up we could stop by Wutai, but we couldn't contact her on the fucking PHS."

"Fine," Cloud said. "Go to Wutai and we'll look her up."

Cid shrugged and pulled his walkie talkie out of his pocket. "Joey! Take the fucking ship to Wutai! And Let's get a goddamned move on!"

Sephiroth was standing on the deck of the Highwind alone, a place he often came to think. Most everyone decided against standing outside in the wind, but now avoided it even more now that Sephiroth chose to stand out there.

"Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth turned around to face Zack, who was standing near the door.

"Mind talking for a few moments?"

Sephiroth shrugged, and Zack walked over and leaned over the edge next to Sephiroth.

"Its been a long time," Zack said, the wind tearing through his hair.

"It has," Sephiroth said. "Listen, Zack... I'm sorry."

Zack knew immediately what Sephiroth was talking about. Nibelhiem.

"It's alright," Zack said quietly. "Its not like you had any choice."

Sephiroth's eyes glowed more brightly than Zack's own royal blue mako eyes could have imagined. Sephiroth shifted his weight uncomforably against the rail, then turned to look at Zack.

"Zack... I need to confide in you about something."

Zack grinned. "Sure."

Sephiroth turned to look back at the sky. "Jenova..."

Zack waited for Sephiroth to finish, but it didn't seem like the ex-General intended to. "What about her?" he prompted.

Sephiroth sighed and gripped the railing tightly. "She.. I think she's alive... she got into my mind."

"What?" Zack nearly yelled. "When did this happen?"

"Earlier today," Sephiroth answered. "I felt her in my mind, I heard her voice, begging me to come back..."

Zack watched, shocked as Sephiroth brought his hand to his face in what seemed to be an effort to keep from crying.

"I don't know what to do..."

Zack bit his lip, also himself unsure of what to do.

"Why don't you tell the others?" he suggested. "They should know if Jenova is alive." "No!" Sephiroth snapped, grabbing Zack by the wrist. "Promise me you will *never* tell anyone!"

Zack nodded slowly, writhing out of Sephiroth's grip.

"I promise," he said.

The General's eyes seemed to glow with more intensity at the moment, and he dropped the boy's wrist and walked towards the door.

"I'm going to rest," he said quietly. "Remember our promise."

Zack massaged his wrist as Sephiroth left the deck, slamming the steel door behind him. He turned to look back over the rail again, his raven hair fighting the wind in a battlefield across his face.

Zack knew Sephiroth was wrong in not telling the others. If Jenova *was* alive, it was in the best interests of the Planet that people be notified. However, he *did* promise Sephiroth he would keep it quiet, and he wasn't about to go back on his word to the most powerful human on earth and an old friend.

Zack leaned over the edge of the rail, shaking his head, confused.

Cloud, Cid, and Tifa walked through the streets of Wutai, approaching the palace where Godo resided.

"It's not like Yuffie not to answer her PHS," Tifa commented as the walked up the stone stairway leading to the entance. "She's usually so eager to come along."

Cid shrugged and tossed his cigarette on the ground, aware that Godo raised hell about the unhealthy habit. Cloud used the door knocker and a few moments later a servant answered the door, bowing in respect and immediately bringing the trio to Godo.

The Lord of Wutai was seated on the couch in his living room, the T.V. blaring.

"Ealier this week, Shin-Ra spokesman Donald Efferson announced that Shin-Ra has bought out the 35 story skyscraper that previously belonged to the law associates of Dean and Morganchild, Inc.," a newscaster said. "The building is, for the time being, going to be the offical headquaters of Shin-Ra Inc. in Midgar as the former building was damaged by the attack of Meteor. The building is being rennovated to meet Shin-Ra standards."

Godo sighed, still unaware that three members of AVALANCHE stood behind him.

"Shit!" Cid cursed loudly. "I didn't know that motherfucker bought a goddamn building in Midgar."

Godo instantly turned around, glaring at his three visitors. He narrowed his eyes.

"What are you doing here? Yuffie ran off with you again, yet you have the nerve to come here. Do not ask me for anything."

Cloud shrugged. "Yuffie's not with us. That's why we came here, to find her."

"What?" Godo queried in a panicked voice. "What do you mean, Yuffie's not with you?"

Cid sighed aggressively and Cloud stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the ruler of Wutai. "I mean, we never got in touch with her."

Godo put his hand to his chin and made an angered face. "Ashekaiwa, Yuffie!" he roared to no one in particular, then raced out of the living room.

Cloud shrugged and turned to his friends. "I guess this means Yuffie won't be coming with us," he said.

"That's not like Yuffie," Tifa said, shaking her head. "I wonder where she is."

"Its gonna be weird not having her short ass puking on everything," Cid said. "But knowing her, I'm sure she'll turn up sooner or later."

Cloud walked out of the living room towards the front door. "I guess we have to go on without her for now," he said, opening the door to let himself and the others out. "We don't have a choice at this point."