A/N: I have decided on the final pairing and I know just how it's gonna happen though it will be a bit of a slow build. For the sake of this fic Tseng is 19, Sephiroth is 18 and Cloud is 9 at this point. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter and and comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Chapter 3

Cloud spent that night tossing and turning, nightmares pulling him from sleep with shaking limbs and gasping breaths. He'd lay down only for it to happen again a short time later. Finally a few hours before dawn he gave up on sleep, got dressed and headed to the Shinra Mansion. He and Vincent hadn't decided on a time to meet but the ex-Turk was waiting at the gate patiently; Cloud wasn't surprised.

Vincent frowned down at the blond. "Cloud?" He was paler than usual, violet bruises underlined his eyes and normally bright blue eyes were dulled by fatigue.

Cloud waved away his concern. "I'm fine Vincent, just a bad night. I'll sleep a lot easier once Jenova is taken care of for good."

"Very well, we should go now." Vincent stated him his usually gravelly monotone. He waited only moment for confirmation before turning away and leading him up the mountain.

Most of the walk was spent in silence with Cloud trying to mimic Vincent smooth silent glide up the rough mountain path. Unfortunately his small 9 year old body was not cooperating and he sounded like a herd of Grand Horns and now on top of being exhausted he was also frustrated.

About halfway to the reactor, Vincent interrupted his mental self-flagellation to ask him a question. "If Chaos is able to destroy Jenova now, what are your plans for the future?"

"I'm not exactly sure, keep doing what I have been? I'm only 9 so I'll spend the next few years training. Since the village is small there are less than a dozen children so we are all homeschooled which means I'll progress fast and I don't have to worry too much about that, it's mostly just dull and repetitive. What I am really unsure about is what I should do about Shinra and the SOLDIER program." Cloud said a little breathlessly.

Vincent glanced back over his shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"There is just so much that needs to be done, Jenova is not the only problem. Shinra is full of corruption but the whole company can't, or I should say shouldn't be brought down, 90 percent of the Planet count on Shinra and tearing them down could be disastrous. It can however be made into something better." Cloud kept going trying to keep from sounding winded as he spoke; he was secretly relieved when his companion slowed to walk beside him while conversing.

"The President needs to go, he will never stop searching for the fabled promise land, never stop sucking the Lifestream from the Planet. Heidegger and Scarlet need to go as well they're money grubbing warmongers and have a high chance of taking over the company before Rufus, the President's son. Right now Rufus is a spoilt little brat but he is smart and cunning. He's a bastard, not in the literal sense, but if his brain and power could be put to good use it's the lesser of evils. Hojo and Hollander will die." Cloud stated venomously. "Reeve would make an excellent Vice President but he's perfect where he is, he just needs to be pointed in the right direction."

"What is the right direction?" Vincent asked, never taking his eyes from their surroundings.

"Alternative power sources. He made great progress with wind and water as a power source, water for cities like Junon and wind for the cities inland. The SOLDIER program was born for war but that's not all it could be for, monsters are a part of the Planet they were here before humans and they will be here long after we are gone and with natural sprung Mako pools that poison some monsters they end up too strong for unenhanced humans to kill. SOLDIERS would be better as protectors of the people than weapons. If the SOLDIERS, the Turks and the regular Army worked together than the military program would flourish." Cloud paused in his rant and frowned.

"Then there is Deepground, I don't know much about it but what I do know is they are another major issue that needs to be taken care of. The people of Deepground are dangerous; they are a threat to the Planet and you specifically. If they aren't stopped they will come after you for the protomateria that resides within you and eventually Ultimate Weapon will rise. There is probably more that am forgetting or have no knowledge of but that'll be a worry when and if any problems crop up." Cloud shook his head, the list was daunting and he had no idea where to start.

"Somethings have to be taken care of from within the company and some from outside and I'm not sure where the best place for me would be. I am not even sure if I want to be a part of SOLDIER."

Vincent stopped and turned to face the deceptively young boy; he placed a hand on his shoulder and looked down at him, "This is why you woke me Cloud, to atone for my sins, to do something. You have asked for my help and you will have it. If you need someone on the outside I will do it, I cannot go back to Shinra but even if I could I would not. I apologize for that, but I made a promise to Lucrecia that I would take care of her son and I can't do that from the outside so I need your help as well."

"I'm not really sure if we can keep Sephiroth from going insane. I have no idea what set him off in the first place, I only think that Jenova was the cause because when he came back after I threw him in the reactor he was more it than himself."

Vincent squeezed Cloud's shoulder gently. "Then we try, we exhaust every possibility and then some until there is no hope left."

Cloud gave Vincent a small but genuine smile, hope brightening his already bright eyes. He had never been the type of person to look on the bright side of things but here in this moment with Vincent's unconditional support and faith Cloud could see something like a happy ending for them all. "I guess that answers that question then, when I turn 14 I will be going to Midgar to join the SOLDIER cadet program. I have 5 years to train and I'll need you to teach me some skills that I'll need and was never taught."

Vincent gave the bony shoulder under his hand one final gentle squeeze. "Whatever you need."

"Thank you my friend." Cloud said gratefully. Vincent led the rest of the way in a comfortable silence.

They made it with little fuss but entering the reactor brought back more unpleasant flashbacks that Cloud had to force to the back of his mind. Inside looked the exact same right down to the lines of Mako filled pods and the large lettering of Jenova's name above the thick metal door below it.

Vincent led the way up without hesitation. Cloud took a few steps to the side when they reached the door so as not to be in the way. The ex-Turk grabbed the handle with both hands and pulled, when that didn't work he place a foot against the wall for more leverage and his eyes flashed gold as Chaos lent his strength to the task. Very slowly the door began to bend outward and with a loud scream of metal grinding against metal the door came open.

The room wasn't all that big so Cloud stayed at the doorway looking in. Vincent stopped in front of the effigy towering over them. "I believe that your theory may hold some truth Cloud. It is behind this?" Vincent asked turning to look over his shoulder.

"Yes, all I know is that it is a cover. I have no idea if it serves any other purpose."

"It does not matter." Vincent stated, grabbing both sides of the metal. The effigy was much easier to pull away from the container than the door was to open, and heaved it against the far wall. Cloud approached the container eyeing the being within with soul deep hatred.

"I do not understand how it could be mistaken as a Cetra. The few text that have been found told of a race that looked human in appearance." Vincent said derisively. He turned his head towards Cloud. "We can take care of it; however I would prefer you not being here for this. I will call you back when it is done."

Cloud inclined his head respectively, he would like to have stayed to see it done but if his staying would make Vincent uncomfortable stepping out of the room was the least he could do. He took a seat on the stairs just out of sight of the room and waited and when he heard the shattering of glass he twitched but made no move to stand.

In the city of Midgar miles away from where Vincent and Cloud were, at the exact moment Chaos devoured the Calamities soul, three men were yanked from a sound sleep. Two huddled together for comfort, shuddering and confused and wondering what had happened. One jolted upright in bed his hands clutching at his head trying to ease the fierce pounding behind his eyes. Another sat up next to him slowly so as not to startle him, an elegant golden hand rubbing gently at a broad pale back.

"Seph, what's wrong." A low soothing voice hoarse from sleep, asked.

The silver general moved only enough to peer through parted fingers. "I am fine Tseng, I believe." He had just barely finished his sentence when his PHS began to ring. "Sephiroth." He answered it with his usual cool monotone, not betraying and ounce of pain he still felt.

Tseng couldn't hear the person on the other side was saying but once Sephiroth's normally inexpressive face started showing a frown, he began to worry.

A shaky sounding Vincent called Cloud back into the room. The boy raced back to Vincent's side worried that something had gone wrong. He found Vincent leaning against a wall and a pile of something like pitch black ash left where Jenova once was. He approached the older man wearily not sure of his condition. "Are you okay?"

"I will be, I just need a moment. That was not a pleasant experience. It is done though and what is left holds no Jenova cells to corrupt the Lifestream." Vincent answered his voice still holding a slight tremble but growing stronger with every word.

Cloud grinned widely, a little of the weight that had been on his shoulders easing slightly. This was the start to a new and hopefully good beginning. They weren't anywhere close to the end but it was a start in the right direction.