On the road again

Muzai and Yuuzai

Written pre- KH2

Really AU

Really really Au

Be prepared for the strange goings ons

It would help if you have some knowledge of FF7 under your belt, but it is not necessary.

BTW The only things I own are a battered TV, an old copy of FF7 and a brand new shiny KH2

That Ultima weapon is MINE!

Sora headed home but not without some company, Cloud tries avoid Sephiroth , Aerith plays mediator and Yuffie tries to stave of cabin fever and Cid ain't got a clue where the ship is headed but with Riku along things shouldn't be too bad...

On the road again

Chapter 1: Homeward bound

The Coliseum was the same as ever but somehow different. Maybe because of the company, Riku observed the place coolly, feigning disinterest. Sora couldn't help but smile, it's had taken forever but now they would both be going home. Well, after a few stops, he'd promised to help round up any loose people who hadn't made it back to their worlds. Leon had suggested the Coliseum. Cid had insisted on coming along when the boy's went home, so he could keep ship. Navigation gummis were hard to come by. Aerith spoke softly to Hercules explaining their situation. Yuffie was examining Phil carefully, like a hawk sizing up its prey. Cid snapped at her to cut it out and crossed his arms.

After what felt like an eternity Herc nodded and Phil unlatched the gate.

"Right this way and try not to get killed."

Sora dashed through the open archway and barely avoided loosing his head. The boy had run headlong without thinking, as usual, into a battle. Yuffie appeared behind him and gaped. Two combatants heedless of their audience were fighting above the coliseum floor. Pulling her Conformer from her back the ninja tossed it towards the pair. The weapon whirled in an arch and whipped between the two and they broke apart.

Landing on the gravel covered ground the shorter fighter stared in shock.

"No..." he whispered

The blue eyes hidden underneath the spiky blond locks widened .His uncovered hand reached out to the girl and then dropped back down to his side.

"Cloud?" Yuffie ventured carefully.

Still dumbfounded all he could was nod slowly.

"Cloud!"

The girl dashed forward and the soldier scooped her up. Spinning her around he began to laugh. A bright vibrant sound Sora had never heard from the man.

"That's a sound I have not heard in ages."

Cloud visibly stiffened, but turned slowly to regard his opponent with an icy glare.

"You never gave me a reason to laugh Sephiroth."

"He's alive?" stammered Yuffie.

Squirming in Cloud's arms she tried to reach for her kunai.

"How?"

"Who can tell?" replied the man in question as a smirk graced his lips.

"I don't know who made such a cosmic goof up, but I'm gonna fix it." Yuffie fought to free herself from Cloud's grasp.

"Let go!"

"Yuffie, this is my fight. "answered Cloud, which earned him a kick to the shin.

"THE.HELL.IT.IS!" each syllable was punctuated by a kick. "We are in this together, There is no I in Avalanche, you big dummy, so put me down."

He slowly lowered her to the ground but didn't relinquish his hold on her waist.

"It's been a while," she admitted "I've missed you."

"Yes it has, if I let you out of my sight will you steal my materia and run?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe..." As she trailed off her fingers inched slowly headed for his pocket. Her hand skimmed a damp patch before meeting a gap in the fabric of his shirt. Pulling her hand away she spared a glance at it.

"Blood?"

All at once she started rambling a mile a minute, running over several trains of thought at once as she pulled him towards the stands.

"How rude of…no better than to trust…she's always been better at this than me"

"I'm fine." the captive blond insisted as the petite girl hauled on his arm.

"Yeah and I'm a tonberry." she snapped. Before he could make some sarcastic reply she shushed him. "Aerith!"

Cloud stopped as the sound of the woman's name. His lips moved but no intelligible sound emerged.

Yuffie giggled

"You sound like a fish."

She stepped out of the way as young woman moved towards Cloud smiling.

"Aerith...I..."

"It's good to see you too, Cloud." she answered.

Moving closer she placed a hand to his side. Warmth washed over the wound and the skin slowly knit together. Inspecting her handiwork carefully Aerith nodded.

"All done."

Turning she settled her gaze on Sephiroth. Casually she strolled over to meet him as if she had no care in the world.

"Your turn." she said before placing her hand on his shoulder.

Looking down at her he remarked dryly " You survived." as Aerith set about healing his injury.

"I'm quite resilient as you can see."

Cloud stood dumbly in the middle of the arena watching the exchange. Cid shook his head and Yuffie laughed behind her hand. Sora looked between the two parties with a look akin to the one Cloud wore. Riku shrugged helplessly.

"What is going on ?"

"They're being civil." Yuffie gasped between giggles.

"So? Whats the problem with that ?" Riku asked

"Nothing," replied Cid "Except the last time those two met that damned-sick-fucking-bastard stabbed her in the motherfucking back and she fucking DIED!"

"What!" Sora's bewildered look changed to one of unbridled fear "You mean she's...a..g..."

"Don't be so damned-fucking stupid" snapped the man quickly " After everything you've been through, shit like this scares you?"

"Sora was always one for nonsense" Riku admonished

"But she...'s dead?"

"Does she look like it?" Yuffie teased softly

"No..."

"Seems like she's gotten over it." murmured Riku

"Well Sephy didn't; Cloud was all to happy to repay him for Aerith, several times over." Yuffie shrugged.

"And I would have finished the job had someone not stopped me." replied Cloud strolling over to the group. He eyed his opponent warily as Aerith tended to Sephiroth's shoulder.

Yuffie waved her hand before remarking airily "I don't know who you mean..."

Cloud tossed her Conformer from where it landed on the coliseum's floor.

Catching it she giggled sheepishly before replacing it to her back. Turning, Cloud noticed the others assembled by the door. The wistful smile from before returned as Cloud strode to meet them. He clasped Cid's hand in a hearty shake.

"Hey old man."

"Who the fuck you callin' old man, ya damned hick!"

"Sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black, to me." Yuffie whispered in Riku's direction.

Jerking the proffered hand Cid hauled Cloud into an impromptu headlock.

"I may be old but I can still whip your dumbass two outta three." Cloud squirmed half heartedly as his elder ruffled the man's already wild locks.

"That I'd like to see." Sora laughed finally recovering from the previous scare.

"Sora?"

The young teen waggled his fingers at the otherwise busy soldier.

"Hey Cloud."

"Did you find your light?"

Sora nodded enthusiastically

"Yep, and then some."

Grinning broadly the boy seized his friend's arm.

"Cloud, this is Riku, one of my best friends."

Leaning back so he could see despite his position, Cloud nodded in greeting to the newcomer.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

" If we're finished with the fucking chit chat..."

Everyone turned to the ornery speaker.

"...Get on the goddamn ship!"

Cid released his grip on Strife's neck and headed for the gate.

"Same old Cid." remarked Yuffie watching him stomp from the arena.

"Ship?"

"Something like that," Yuffie answered rocking on her heels "But it's nothing like the Highwind."

"We're going home." supplied Aerith after moment.

"But first we gotta take the kids home." Yuffie gestured to the boys.

"It would be nice," Cloud murmured. Passing the ninja on his way towards the entrance he paused. Pulling the red cape from his shoulders he deposited onto hers.

"I found it while wandering the darkness."

Touching the fabric to her face Yuffie sighed.

"He still out there, he can't die...he's got way too much to atone for..."

With that she shook her head as if to dispel any morbid thoughts and looked to Cloud. Giving him a wink she skipped out after Cid, cheering loudly as she went.

"We'll find him and everyone else, Watch out Shinra, Avalanche is back!"

The cape fluttered behind he as she zipped out the large doors.

Sephiroth's voice carried across the Coliseum.

"We aren't finished Cloud."

"I doubt we ever will be..."

Turning away from his ever present rival Cloud headed for the awaiting ship.

The question that left Aerith's lips made him stop.

"You are coming aren't you ?"

The woman smile was still firmly ensconced upon her face as she faced down the man who had once sent her to the Promised Land.

"Coming?"Obviously it was Sephiroth's turn to be confused.

"We are going home, there is no reason why you would not want to come."

Looping her arm in his, she continued " The darkness has deprived us all of our home for far too long."

"I see"

As they both walked arm in arm to through the gate Sephiroth called "Coming, Puppet?"

Aerith gently elbowed the General in the ribs.

Slightly flustered Cloud stalked after the pair.

"You will not win so easily."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Cloud and you wouldn't have it any other way."

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Cloud demanded, nodding to the short faun as he exited.

Sephiroth laughed as the petulant man glowered. Striding down the steps he looked puzzled at the strange contraption resting just beyond him.

"What in name of all that is Holy is that?"

"What?" Sora moving towards the vessel " Never seen a Gummi ship before?"

Done with the first chapter

so what do ya think?

Fantastic ? Crap ? Waste of Html ? Please review

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