How did he let it happen again? Tifa escaped in almost the exact same way she'd escaped the last time. He pounded his fist against the floor length window, staring out into the beautiful ocean beyond the Junon Harbor. He hadn't been able to sleep that night, all he wanted to do was scream and rip his hair out. The corner of his left eye twitched as he recalled how Tifa had lept and grasped the rope, Cloud, Zack, and that other escaped ex-SOLDIER behind her.

He'd been so infuriated that he lept out of the car, yelling curses into the air as the Highwind flew off. Another thing he was pissed about. The Highwind had been in *his* possesion until Cid gained it again.

Rufus' anger had surfaced so violently that even Scarlet had stayed out of his face, and Heideggar refrained from asking questions. Elena herself even kept quiet during his outbursts, and Rude kept his usual stoicism. Reno had shrugged off the entire incident with a swig from his flask of whiskey. Rufus' train of thought was broken when there was a knock outside his door.

"Come in," he called.

Elena and Rude stepped in, and Rude closed the door behind them.

"Where's Reno?"

"Who knows?" Elena answered. "He said he'd meet us up here."

Rufus rolled his eyes. "Have a seat." he gestured to the three seats in front of his desk, then took a seat in his own, watching as Elena wiped the seat cautiously before sitting and Rude sat without so much as breathing loudly.

"Do you know why this meeting is being held?" Rufus asked.

"No, sir," Elena answered, twirling a strand of her short blonde hair in her fingertips. "I'm guessing it has something to do with Tifa getting away last night." "Then you do know," Rufus replied sarcastically. "And stop playing with your hair. Its very unprofessional."

Elena immediately folded her handsin her lap and looked down.

"So what's the plan?" Rude finally spoke.

Rufus steepled his hands in front of him and leaned back in his chair. "I can't say until Reno gets here," he muttered irritably.

As if on cue, Reno stumbled in the room, slamming the door behind him.

"You're ten minutes late," Rufus informed him.

Reno glanced at his watch. "Fine. I'll be back in another twenty." He turned toward the door.

"Get back here!" Rufus screamed, slamming his palms on the desk. "I am in no mood for your drunken antics, Reno. Now sit down!"

Reno did as he was told, taking a seat next to Rude, but not before rolling his eyes quite obviously in Rufus' direction.

"Now, listen," Rufus began, "I think I've figured out a way to get my hands on a member of AVALANCHE. Obviously, Tifa didn't work, though she may have helped a bit, but I've got better plans. Another thing - If you didn't notice, Aeris is alive."

"Aeris?" Reno repeated. "I thought Sephiroth killed her."

"I don't know what the deal is," Rufus said, "But there's also reports that Sephiroth is alive also and traveling with AVALANCHE. I don't know how much truth is in this, but I am positive Aeris is alive. I saw her on the airship."

"So what?" Reno replied passively.

"I need to get a hold of Aeris. And Tifa and Cloud have to pay. Reno, you are going to play a major role in how I accomplish that."

"How much?"

"250,000 gil."

Reno whistled. "Tell me what I've got to do."

Cloud stretched and walked towards his villa, climbing the tall stairs that led to the entrance. Tifa followed, wiping sun-induced sweat from her brow.

"This is nice, Cloud," Tifa said as she walked inside the villa, the cool feeling of the air conditioning greeting her. "Why didn't you ever show me this place before?"

Cloud shrugged. "I bought it right before we fought Sephiroth. Wasn't like I've had any time since then."

Tifa set her bag down and explored the living room. It had somewhat of a rustic setting, a fireplace and tall lamps adorning the room.

Tifa flopped in the couch, tossing one leg over the side. Cloud stood behind the couch and gazed at her.

"So, what do you want to do first?"

Tifa placed a hand of her stomach and frowned. "Actually, I don't really feel too well. Maybe because its been a busy week. I just want to cool it, that's all."

Cloud frowned. "Come on, Teef. What are you gonna do sitting around this house all day? Sure, it's nice, and there's cable, but it's not as fun as it could be."

Tifa gave in. "Fine, fine. We can go to the beach, but I'm just gonna lay in the sun."

"Alright, but you're gonna be alone. It's hot! I'm going swimming."

Tifa sighed with a smile as Cloud disappeared into his room, most likely to grab some swimming trunks and change.

She shook her head and looked into a large mirror above the fireplace that was directly across from the couch. It reminded her so much of the mirror in her hotel room, when Zack had stood behind her and...

Tifa shook her head. She had to stop thinking about Zack! Every moment Cloud left her alone, her mind reeled, guilty with thoughts about whether Zack was hurt and distraught. She was also unhappy with her dishonesty with Cloud, ashamed she could not tell her closest friend about the time she had spent with Zack.

Cloud came back in the room, topless and wearing swimming trunks. He had a towel slung over his shoulder and he was barefoot. Tifa tried to keep from gawking with a smile.

She stood up. "I guess we can go."

Cloud nodded and linked his arm with hers, locking the door behind him as they left. He stayed arm and arm with her during the short walk to the beach.

"Remember the last time we came here," Tifa reflected, smiling at the children playing soccer in the road. "They kept kicking the ball to Red... heh, he was getting so mad."

Cloud laughed. "Nothing was funnier then seeing Barret in the sailor suit," he joked. "That about topped it off."

Tifa giggled. "Oh, I rememeber. What did you say? A bear wearing a marshmellow!"

Cloud laughed loudly at his own joke as he picked a spot on the beach to sit, throwing his towel down. "Yeah, we saw Hojo here that day."

Tifa rolled her eyes and shuttered. "He was so strange. He was lying here in the hot sun with his lab coat on. He almost refused to take it off!"

Cloud scowled. "Hojo... he's my second most hated enemy."

Tifa cocked her head. "Really? Who's the first?"

Cloud gave Tifa a knowing look. "Come on, do you really have to ask that?" he said. "Sephiroth, of course."

Tifa sighed and lay on her own towel leaning up on her shoulder. "Oh, Cloud. Why don't you at least *try* to forgive him? I mean, its pretty obvious he's not up to anything. Aeris trusts him. "I know its hard but-"

Cloud silenced her with a wave of his hand. "How can you say that, Tifa? Don't you rememeber what he did to us? What he did to you? Your father..."

Tifa looked down into the sand, unsure of what to say. "Of course I remember, Cloud. Its just that, well... I don't know."

Cloud gave her an unreadable look. "I'm going to swim for a bit. Figure out whatever you're trying to say, eh?" He headed towards the beach.

Tifa sighed rolled over on her back, pulling a pair of sunglasses out of her bag to sheild her eyes. Why had it been so hard to explain something so simple to Cloud? Lately, she found herself acting strange. All day she worried about Zack, when it was more than likely he'd forgotten about her, and now she was showing sympathy to Sephiroth? Maybe something was wrong with her.

Tifa smiled at Cloud, who was wading in the water, giving her a thumbs up and a cheesy grin. Should she tell him? He might be angry, might even try to fight Zack. Then there was the issue of Rufus. She hadn't told Cloud exactly what happened with him. That could only make things worse.

Then there was Aeris. It wasn't likely she was hurt over losing Cloud. She'd been estatic when she'd see Zack, and from the moment he'd stepped on the Highwind's deck Cloud had become transparent.

Tifa sighed, closing her eyes. Maybe it was best she let everything fall into place on its own.

"Where you want to go first?" he asked the little girl.

Marlene looked around, taking in all the bright lights and cheerful sounds of the Gold Saucer.

"I wanna see the chocobos!"

Barret laughed and nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

Cait Sith hopped toward the entrance tube. "Bombs away!" he shouted as the mog jumped in, elicting a giggle from Marlene.

Striker limped with the aid of his crutch to the tube. "I don't know that I'll be able to jump down there," he said. "Not with this leg." Barret shrugged. "Keep your body straight. You should be fine." With that, he and Marlene disappeared down the tube.

Striker shrugged, and not seeing any other option, hopped down as well.

Cait had already made it to the top, and Barret was in the process of climbing the steps leading to the Chocobo Square when Striker arrived. Sighing, he attempted the painful process of climbing the stairs with an injured leg.

"You alright?" Cait called from the top, waving his arms back and forth. "Need some help?"

Striker waved him off, well aware there was no way the little cat or its over stuffed mog could help him.

"Tired yet, Barret?" Cait teased. The big man responded by grunting loudly.

"Stupid cat!" he yelled. Marlene laughed.

When Striker finally made it to the top, he followed Barret and Cait to front row seats by the track. Seated in Barret's lap, Marlene was cheering for the blue chocobo - Buddy, as the race began.

"Ride 'em, Cowboy!" Cait shouted.

Striker laughed. Cait Sith sure was a strange one. Then again, all of them were strange. Cait was a loudmouth with the corniest jokes Striker had ever heard, and Barret had a temper so hot a bucket of water straight from Bone Village couldn't cool him off. Cid was a chain smoker and had the largest vocabulary of four letter words out of anyone Striker had ever met. Yuffie, though she was cute, was annoying as hell for lack of a better term. Vincent hadn't said a word to Striker since he'd arrived. Aeris and Tayeko, the two Cetra, had been cheerful and sweet. Red XIII was surprisingly intelligent for whatever the hell he was, but Striker wasn't surprised. He'd read about Cosmo Canyon's nearly extinct protectors in history books.

Sephiroth was no different than the legends described him. Tall, strong, stoic and intelligent. At least he was nice enough so say hi, unlike Vincent. Tifa was sweet, but he remembered her being a bit more optimistic back in Sector Seven.

Zack and Cloud where another story. They both were so surprisingly much alike. They talked the same and used the same body language. The only difference was while Cloud's attitude was terrible, Zack was much more pleasant.

Cait's next loud shout broke his train of thought.

"Will you shut up already, dumb cat!" Barret barked. "You're drawing attention to us."

Cait put his hands over his head as if Barret were going to hit him. "Sorry, sorry!" he exclaimed. "It won't happen again."

Barret gave Cait a dirty look. "This is why I didn't want to come here," he told Striker. "That foo' is a pain in the ass!"

Striker laughed when Barret slapped his forehead at the realization that he'd cursed in front of his daughter.

"I gotta cut that out," he said.

Striker shook his head, wondering how he managed to end up with such a crazy group of people.

"I'm going to take Zack down to White Meadow," she said. "We'll be back in a few hours."

Elmyra gave her daughter a skeptical look. "Aeris, are you sure about this?"

Aeris shrugged. "What's wrong?"

Elmyra leaned on the sink. "SOLDIER has brought us nothing but trouble, Aeris. You already know about my husband. You were even... killed by one. Then you come home with three, no, four more, *including* the one who killed you, and I... I'm just worried."

"Aw, mom, don't worry about me," Aeris said. "Zack's a great guy, and you should see how much Cloud fusses over me. He'd never let anything happen to me. Striker's a sweet guy too. And Sephiroth... you know he's changed."

Elmrya touched her forehead. "I don't know, Aeris."

"You can't always worry about me, Mom," Aeris said. "I'm in good hands." She grabbed a picnic basket off the counter and kissed Elmyra's forehead again. "Bye, mom."

Elmyra sighed as her precious daughter disappeared out of the kitchen. Would she ever learn?

"Ready?"

Zack looked up at Aeris from his seat on the couch. "Oh, yeah. Sure." he turned off the television and stood. "Where are we going?"

Aeris smiled and held the picnic basket in front of her with both hands. "The White Meadow."

"White Meadow?"

"Mhm. Its a meadow right outside of Kalm, and the only thing that grows there are white flowers."

Zack nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

Aeris took Zack's hand and led him out the house, through the streets of Kalm leading to its exit. After a short walk, Aeris pointed out the meadow.

"There it is," she said. "Let's sit down over there, under that tree."

No objections, Zack walked over to the tree and spread the blanket out under its shade. He sat and began helping Aeris unpack the basket.

Aeris sat as well, tucking her skirt under as she sat. "Let's see... what do you want?"

"I'll just take a juice for now," Zack answered. Aeris shrugged and handed him a small juice box, then pulled out a few strawberries for her self.

"So, tell me everything that happened to you since I saw you last," Aeris prompted. "It's been years."

Zack nodded. "Yeah... well, you know about Nibelhiem, right?"

Aeris nodded. "Right, only I heard the version where Cloud was the main character."

Zack laughed. "Man, I never knew that after Hojo experimented on us Cloud was so messed up."

Aeris shrugged. "At least he's getting better."

"So, why aren't you and Cloud together?"

"What?"

"Tifa told me that you and Cloud were, "in love". What happened?"

Aeris sighed. "Cloud and I were never in love, so to speak," she said. "I care for him deeply, of course. I have to say I was more infatuated with Cloud, and I don't know why. When you came back, it was as if Cloud had been instantly degraded from a lover to a close friend."

"That's a pretty low drop," Zack remarked.

"Yes, I know," Aeris said miserably. "But the thing is, Cloud really has it bad for Tifa... I guess I've been selfish."

Zack was confused. "What? I don't understand."

"I've always known Cloud and Tifa belonged together," Aeris answered. "I saw it as part of the reason I died. I felt like my death came because I would not stop persuing Cloud... and I had to be eliminated.

"I knew I couldn't have Cloud... but he was confused, his mind in shambles. I didn't give up on Cloud even when I came back because I felt like there was no one out there for me... but I guess that's why you've come back."

Zack looked stunned for a moment. "Gee, I don't know what to say, Aeris..."

Aeris scooted closer to Zack and rested her head on his chest. "I've missed you, Zack," she said. "I'm glad you're back."

Zack began stroking Aeris' hair. Was it true? Cloud and Tifa were destined for each other? He knew how life worked. He knew that every person was destined to their path in life, and that included the relationships one was involved in.

Was he destined to be with Aeris? He looked down at the top of her head. She was smiling, eyes closed. Perhaps Tifa had just been a one night stand. He was still confused and disoriented from being injured and out of it. Maybe he'd just made a foolish decision. Maybe Aeris was the one he cared for.

Zack's memory had nearly fully returned to him the past few days, mainly in his sleep. He'd wake up in the morning with tons of memories flooding his mind, ranging from helping his father on the farm, to drilling in SOLDIER, to holding a sixteen year old Aeris in his arms.

Now Aeris was a grown woman, more beautiful than before. Zack knew there was always something special about Aeris, which was one of the reasons he liked her so much and stuck with her. Unlike the other girls, who he'd take on one date and never call back.

Aeris had turned Zack away from being a womanizer. A direct contrast with his friend Cloud, Zack had always been popular and social. Girls were always after a member of SOLDIER, and Zack was a top pick. His strength, good looks and charming personality had him girls by the dozens.

But Aeris was a keeper, and he knew that now. No matter what he and Tifa may have had, it would stay back in the Inn in Junon. They weren't meant for each other.

But he and Aeris were.

"I'm glad you're back too, Aeris."

Vincent focused his red eyes on Red for a moment, then swung his cape and continued up the stairs. "No problem," Tayeko said, admiring the decorative wall hangings adorning the walls in Cosmo Canyon. "I've wanted to visit Cosmo Canyon ever since I was a little girl."

"Right this way," Red said to the three humans following him. "We can sit in the Library for a while, then if you would like, we can go up to Grandfather's observatory."

Red led Vincent, Tayeko, and Sephiroth into the Library as an Elder nodded respectfully at the Canyon's guardian as they passed through the huge doors.

"There are hundreds of thousands of books stored here," Red said, taking a seat near a couch. "Have a seat, please."

Vincent and Sephiroth took a seat without making a sound. Tayeko, however was too intrigued by the endless shelves of books around her.

"Oh, Red!" she nearly exclaimed. "I've been meaning to ask you something."

Red nodded. "What is it?"

Tayeko slipped her chain over head and held it in front of her.

"This was passed down to me from my mother," she said. "I don't know what it is, but Sephiroth and Aeris both suggested its Materia. Aeris said you'd probably have an idea what its for."

Red walked over to her and took the chain in one paw, then set it down on the coffee table and studied it.

"Hmm... this is definately Materia."

"Really? What kind?"

"It isn't your basic spell materia," Red said. "It fits more into a category like the Black and White Materias."

"So what does it do?" Tayeko asked anxiously.

"I can't tell you now," Red answered, inspecting the orb. "I'll need time to study it and research. If grandfather were alive, I'm sure he would know."

"I see," Tayeko said.

Red smiled in spite of the saddening thoughts of Bugenhagen. "I'm sure you all are hungry. Why don't you go to the Candle and get something to eat while I look up this orb?"

Vincent shook his head. "I do not desire any food. I will stay up here and help you look."

Tayeko waved Vincent off. "Well, I know *I'm* starved. Sephy, you gonna come?"

Sephiroth winced at the use of the nickname in public. "I suppose," he said, standing.

"We'll be back," Tayeko said. Sephiroth followed her out of the Library.

"I've never actually been to Cosmo Canyon before," Tayeko said as they walked. "In fact, the only place I've been outside of Midgar was Wutai."

Sephiroth shrugged.

"Have you ever been to Cosmo Canyon?"

"Of course," Sephiroth answered. "Shin-Ra at one point had a peace treaty with the Canyon, and SOLDIER was sent here to drive out a band of attackers. That was one of my first missions."

"Here's the Candle," Tayeko said. "Let's go."

The pair entered the small pub and took a seat in the corner. Several heads turned and people stared, but much to Sephiroth's relief no one said anything.

"Ah, Sephiroth," an Elder said, walking over with a small pad. "Our Nanaki told me you would be here. I'd like to say on behalf of the Canyon, you are welcome here, despite your previous mistakes. You've been given a second chance and are forgiven. And besides, any friend of Nanaki's is a friend of mine."

Sephiroth, a bit stunned by the speech, nodded. "Thank you," he said.

"Right. Now what can I get you kids for lunch?"

"I'll have a sandwich and a soda," Tayeko answered.

"Good. And you, General?"

"I'm not hungry," Sephiroth answered, slightly annoyed with being referred to as "General". He wanted no affiliation with Shin-Ra or SOLDIER.

"Fine," the Elder answered. "I'll have someone bring your food out in a moment, Miss."

Tayeko nodded as the Elder walked off. She glanced at Sephiroth.

"Why don't you eat? I know you have to be hungry."

Sephiroth shook his head. "No, my appetite was never very large."

Tayeko shrugged. "So, tell me bout your time in SOLDIER!"

Sephiroth nearly grimaced. "What do you want to know?"

"I don't know, just tell me what you did. I remember you joined when I was eleven or twelve."

Sephiroth nodded. "I was fifteen. I was forced to join."

"Why?"

"President Shin-Ra wanted me to join, since I was so strong, and because of Jenova's cells."

Tayeko shrugged. "What was it like?"

"At first it was horrible," Sephiroth answered. "The other recruits saw me as a big joke and called me a girl because of my hair. But then when I got into a fight and nearly killed a boy, everyone was afraid of me. I had no use for friends, so I kept up with my studies and my practicing."

Tayeko nodded and looked at Sephiroth's side. "I always wondered. Where did you get that sword?"

Sephiroth instinctively grasped the Masamune at its hilt. "On my sixteenth birthday, I had done so remarkably well in the SOLDIER program, that President Shin-Ra gave it to me as a gift. He was really testing my strenghth, I could tell from the look on his face when I swung it effortlessly in the air. Most people can't even lift it, which was why it required three normal members of SOLDIER to pick the sword up and give it to me. It's a legendary sword that was crafted in Wutai hundreds of years ago by a swordsmith, but no one was able to use it...until me."

"Wow," Tayeko said. "You must be pretty strong."

Sephiroth shrugged. "Thanks to Hojo."

"Numori is a word in the Cetra tounge that describes Power, Life, Healing, Energy, Love, Death, Destruction, Termination of the Planet, and Rebirth of the Planet. The Numori summon contains all of these elemets, making it dangerously powerful. "The Ultimate Destructive Magic is short termed the Black Materia, Ultimate White Magic the White Materia, and the Ultimate Power Materia the Silver Materia. These names are based on the materia's physical coloration.

"After Jenova's annihalation of the Cetra, two of the surviving five Cetra each carried either the White or Silver Materias. The Black Materia was used to create what is known as the legendary Temple of the Ancients, where the Cetra had it locked away making it nearly impossible to retreive without killing whoever seeks it. The Cetra felt it neccessary to keep the destructive power of the Black Materia hidden.

"The current locations of the White and Silver Materias are unknown. They were to be passed down through the Cetra generations, but as of the published date of this book there are no know Cetra living, or they too are hidden. See more about this matter on page 288."

Red closed the book and rested a paw on it.

"I guess that explains it."

Tayeko blinked and stared down at her chain that was laying on the table. After lunch, she and Sephiroth returned to the Library where Red told them he'd found something that could very well explain her chain. He'd just finished reading the exerpt.

"I can't beileve I've had something that holds so much power," Tayeko said. "It doesn't seem real."

"Most likely the orb was passed on through your Cetra bloodline to your mother," Red explained. "Somewhere along the line, someone put it on that chain to make it inconspicuous."

Tayeko gently picked the chain up and placed it back around her neck, the orb glowing slightly when she touched it.

"Cherish that," Red continued. "You never know when you may need it."

"Yuffie!"

Him.

Yuffie felt Lord Godo's heavy footsteps echoing in the hall behind her and winced. She was gonna hear it now. "Konishwa, Yuffie, where in Leviathan's name have you been?"

Yuffie spun on her heel to face him and bowed. "Oshiki, Father. I was with my friends."

"AVALANCHE?" Godo prompted. "What good are you doing with them?"

"Father!" Yuffie yelled. "Don't you know we helped save the Planet just a week ago? *I* helped save the Planet!"

"That's very noble, Yuffie," Godo said. "But that is over. What have you been up to now?"

"Father, Tifa was in trouble," Yuffie answered. "We had to save her. And in one week, we're going to tear Shin-Ra back down." "Kawih?!?"Godo shrieked in his native Wutain toungue. "You'll do no such thing!"

"What do you mean?"

"No daughter of mine is going to run around terrorizing Shin-Ra, Yuffie! I'm involved in a major deal with Shin-Ra right now that could save Wutai from the hell ridden tourist trap its become. If you start rebelling with AVALANCHE, Shin-Ra will cut the deal for sure!"

Yuffie stamped her foot. "Don't you understand, Father? Shin-Ra is evil! They will only backstab and decieve you! How can you possibly make a deal with Rufus?"

"Yuffie!" Godo shouted. "You are too young to understand. I want you to go to your room right now and you will stay there until I can decide what to do with you. And you will *not* be leaving this house next week with AVALANCHE!"

"But-"

"THAT'S FINAL, YUFFIE!"

Godo's final shout left an impressive echo in the hallway. Yuffie was nearly blowing steam, and whirled around to continue down the hall, hoping her father did not see the tears that nearly escaped her eyes.

Too young to understand? Yuffie knew better than that. Her father was a fool. How could he allow himself to partner with the same people who had humiliated and destroyed his homeland? Wutai was once a prosperous city, but after the Midgar-Wutai war the bloodshed ad destruction was almost irreversable.

Yuffie wiped her face as she entered her room, slamming the door behind her. She would go with Cloud and the others next week, no matter what it took. She would not be like her father and stand by while her home was plowed through by Shin-Ra.

Yuffie had changed into her bedwear, a tanktop with a teddy bear on it and a pair of boxers and was climbing into bed when she heard a tapping sound on the doorway of her balcony.

Yuffie froze, and glanced at the glass doorway. She couldn't see much through the curtains, but she assumed it was a bird or other animal. She shrugged and continued snuggling into bed.

The tapping came again, only this time much louder. Almost like knocking.

Yuffie frowned and sat up. What could that be? Surely no one was outside on her third story balcony at this time of night.

Deciding to investigate, Yuffie climbed out of bed, smoothing out her short hair. For safety, she grabbed a knife she kept on her end table and walked toward the balcony doors.

Yuffie could make out a dark figure standing on the balcony, but it was difficult to tell who or what it was. Knife in hand, she swung open the doors.

"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!"

Yuffie gasped. "Reno...."

Reno laughed and leaned back against the railing of the balcony, challenging Yuffie with his smirk. He pulled out a flask, sipped it, then placed it back in the breast pocket of his jacket.

"No, no," Reno mock scolded. "You're supposed to say...'Romeo, O Romeo! Wherefore art thou..thee Romeo??' Or something like that."

Yuffie made her knife visible. "What are you doing here, Reno?" she asked threateningly.

Reno laughed again and wiped liquor off his mouth. "Honestly, I can't see myself getting stabbed by a girl in Care Bear pajamas..." he licked his lips and looked Yuffie up and down. "Even if she looks damn good in them."

Yuffie turned beet red and couldn't do anything to conceal it. "I want answers, Reno!"

Reno smirked, the only way he knew to keep from laughing directly in her face. "Look, Yuffie. I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not here on business. I'm here on my own, as Reno, party guy liquor conissouer and ladie's man, not as Reno, acting-head-of-the-Turks-since-Tseng-died."

Yuffie cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I came here to see you for my own personal reasons," Reno answered.

"What personal reasons?" Yuffie half-shrieked.

Reno snickered. "Nothing like that... I just wanted to talk to you, Yuffie."

"About what?"

"I have a life outside of the Turks, you know," Reno explained. "I haven't had a girlfriend for awhile. Well, except the occasional hooker, but that doesn't really count, unless..." he trailed off.

"What do you want from me?" Yuffie tried to snap, though she found herself growing interested. Was Reno trying to tell her he liked her? She wondered. It wasn't like he wasn't hot. Even though he was a bad guy....

"I was just, wondering, Yuffie, if you'd like to go out sometime? I dunno..." He scratched the back of his head.

Yuffie stared at him. "Reno... you're the enemy."

"Not really," Reno debated. "The Turks aren't technically part of Shin-R. We're an independent organization. We work for whoever pays the most, and right now that just happens to be Shin-Ra."

"So, you're saying that if AVALANCHE was willing to pay you more that Shin-Ra is, you'd work for us?"

"Yep." It wasn't a lie. Reno knew full well that *anyone* willing to pay more than the steady 250,000 gil Rufus was giving up, he'd gladly work for them.

Yuffie thought for a minute. Reno was definately a hot catch. He probably drove a nice car too. He wasn't technically the enemy, like he said...

"I don't know about this, Reno," Yuffie said skeptically. Reno reached into his pocket and pulled out a long box. "Take this," he said, offering it to her. "Think about it." He then hopped over the ledge.

"Wait!" Yuffie screamed. "That's a three story...... fall."

Yuffie ran to the edge and looked over to see if Reno was hurt, but was surprised to see he had landed in the seat of what she guessed was his car. It was a shiny, long, sleek black convertible. Yuffie couldn't tell what the make and model was from that high up, but whatever it was, it sure looked nice.

She smiled and walked back inside her room, flopping down on the edge of her bed. She slowly opened the box Reno'd given her, anticipating what was inside.

Yuffie nearly screamed. Inside the box was a bracelet, half an inch thick and completely covered in diamonds. They glittered in the moonlight that shone through the balcony doors Yuffie had forgot to close.

Yuffie giggled as she put the bracelet on, then lay flat on her bed, smiling up at the ceiling.

Reno couldn't be that bad.

She'd completely lost Tifa in the mass of confusion after the conference. She meant to follow her from a safe distance after she greeted her, but the crowd had different plans. Then she'd seen the Highwind whisk Tifa, the Failure and another person who contained her cells away. She knew Sephiroth had been on that plane as well, but she saw no need to fly after it. It would only blow her cover when people saw a woman fly into the sky and flag down a massive airship.

Now she was stuck in a rundown Junon motel room, contemplatling her next move. She could try to find Sephiroth, but that would be difficult if she didn't have a lead.

Jenova left the room and walked down to the lobby. She approached the clerk, a male who she noticed gawk at her filthy human appearance like all the others.

"Yes, ma'am?" he said anxiously.

"Have you heard anything about Sephiroth being alive?" she asked him.

The clerk nodded. "Sure. Its been in the tabloids for days. Don't know how much truth is in it, though."

"Where is he?" she asked.

"Sephiroth? Oh, I wouldn't know. There's been rumors him and some dead woman are hiding out with AVALANCHE, but they were just here with the Highwind last night, and I sure didn't see Sephiroth or no dead lady."

Jenova frowned. "Fine." she walked away from the clerk to retreat back upstairs.

"Wait, Miss?" he called after her.

"What is it?"

"You know, you really are quite beautiful. Would you like to go to the diner sometime?"

Jenova had become irritated, and it showed. Her eyes flashed red for a moment, and the clerk noticed.

"What the hell?"

Shit. She'd blown her cover. Now she'd have to eliminate him.

Thankful everyone else had retired for the night, Jenova lept over the counter and pinned the clerk to the floor. He started to scream, but she stopped him by covering his mouth with her hand.

"Say goodnight," she said, bearing a set a fangs that had not been there before.

The clerk struggled to get out of her hold, but it did no good. Jenova sank her teeth into the flesh of his neck.

When she'd finished, Jenova stood up and wiped her mouth. It had been a while since she'd satisfied her need for human blood. Although Cetra blood tasted much better. She sighed as she grabbed the body in one arm and left the hotel. She'd finish him outside somewhere, in seclusion.

And she'd clean up the blood later.