Thanks for all the support for this story, I really appreciate it XD I do not own anything but my characters and storylines

Chapter 3

"D-Daughter?" Tifa stuttered, staring at her equally confused husband in the process. Maiya nodded but kept her gaze on the varnished surface whilst fiddling with a folded napkin.

"We knew they had a child but…" That's right… they had been told but as a result of a lack in contact, they had never been fully informed on the ins and outs of the Valentine's daughter. Tifa was smiling by now, happy that a part of the past had been revealed which tied her family back in with old friends.

"So where's Vincent? Still hiding huh?" She put her elbows on the table and smiled at the young girl in front of her, amazed by how much she looked like Kiya.

"No…he's not hiding" Maiya didn't want to have to tell them that her father had died not long ago. She cursed the fact that they hadn't previously been informed. It was a cruel thing to have to tell such close friends the terrible news, but it was something she would eventually have to do. But in time…she needed time. Yuri understood the change in her mood and stood up from behind the bar, ready to pull her away from the awkward mood but her brother shook his head and with a sigh, she sat back down.

Thinking that it was a touchy subject for Maiya, Cloud cleared his throat "So what were you doing around here again?"

She looked up at the blond "I heard the bomb hit and decided to see what was going on" he nodded and leant against the back wall with a sigh.

"Forgive me…but I have to go and see someone about this. If it has anything to do with Deep Ground I want to know and stop it"

"Yeah we better ring Reeve and ask him, you are welcome to come with us to see him" Maiya slid off of the stool and began to walk towards to front door.

"Thank you, but your kindness is unnecessary. I know him well and will arrange to go and see him myself. There is no need for you to get involved; it is not your fight"

The automatic door slid open with one mighty 'swoosh', opening the entrance to the main conference room. Leather chairs were set around the huge table, almost in the fashion of a modern 'nights of the round table'. Each chair was occupied by a member of the WRO or fellow joint companies and fighters, including the Turks. Cid, Barret, Cloud, Tifa and Yuffie were there also; all were still able to fight to a certain degree and were curious about the threat.

"Right, let's start the meeting" Reeve twirled his chair to face everyone as he began to explain the current situation. "Soldiers that could only been described as those of Deep Ground have been noticed around these areas" He waved his hand across a screen projection on the wall to his right. "As you all know, we are too well aware of what they can do. There is no current total to how many there and no reason behind them being here. But all I can say is, if there are soldiers, there will be stronger, fiercer and more dominant creatures behind them once more. We need to find them"

"You won't find them unless they want to be found" Eyes darted to where the new voice had appeared from. Leaning against the door, with folded arms was Maiya Valentine. She raised her head from her downward gaze and started to stroll down the side of the table.

"Maiya my dear. It's been too long" The older man stood up and embraced the girl who had no objections to the act of friendship. "Now what do you mean by 'you won't find them'"

"I know these creatures, I know how they work. You aren't the only one who has people in the darkness that see things" With a small smile Maiya turned and faced the curious stares.

"You all know that 20 years ago my father; Vincent Valentine, fought against those in question, he won and saved us all from the fate Deep Ground were offering…one that was worse than death itself" She exhaled deeply and continued "Deep Ground are at large once more and the least I can do now is fight in my father's stead. Please, this is not your war to fight, it is mine alone. They want something of mine and they won't stop until it is in their possession. The last thing I need is those around me to be hurt, so stop your searching and go back to how you were" The room was quite for a few seconds until an uproar in questions and queries blared through the air. Reeve took a hold of Maiya's upper arm and led her away from prying eyes into another room to the left.

"Mai…"

"Please Reeve don't…" He stopped in his tracts and leant down so he could see her eyes; he wanted her to listen.

"You are not fighting this alone, whatever they want we can protect, and if that is you, then so be it. But don't run into something that will end in your death Maiya. This isn't what your father would have wanted" Maiya bit her lower lip, she wanted to argue but something about the older man seemed fathering and she wasn't about to throw that bond away…she couldn't object to his reasoning's.

"T-They don't know" A brief moment of confusion ended in the softening of Reeve's face.

"Do you wish for me to explain to them?" She shook her head and peered towards the conference room door; a part of her was scared…what if they blame her?

"They won't" Wouldn't what? "Blame you…don't worry" He had, without any spoken words, read her exact thoughts. According to Vincent, Reeve had learnt how to do that with him over the years. It was clear now that Maiya did not just take after her mother in the way she came across.

Maiya stayed in the backroom whilst Reeve went and told everyone to go. There would be another meeting but later on that day. She noticed that there was a painting on the wall and became lost in its beauty. It was of Wutai over 100 years ago, fields of gold and green surrounded all of the huts in the village. The sun was painted in such an orange, it seamed to make the whole thing glow; it was perfect, even the wisps of cloud seam to float. The sound of someone clearing their throat made Maiya turn around to inspect who it was. There, stood in front of her, was the whole of AVALANCHE except for Nanaki. Though all had taken the toll of aging, they were still undoubtedly AVALANCHE and no wrinkle could change that. The door opened again to reveal the Turks; Reno, Tseng, Elena and Rude; they too had changed. The youngest member of the original fighters was Yuffie, who was 39 and the eldest were Reeve and Barret who were 58 and 56.

Reeve nodded to Maiya and she lowered her head in respect to him in return. She didn't know how things were going to turn out but the fact of it was, she was the only known living relative of the Valentine's and it was up to her to explain the facts.

"As you know, my mother; Kiya, died a few months after I was born, my father, searched far and wide for the reason behind it…but to no avail. Two years ago he became ill after one too many mission" Just by looking at them all, she knew some had already guessed what she was going to say. "He was stubborn and wouldn't let anyone help him" Tifa and Yuffie were already quietly crying even without the truth being revealed which made it harder for Maiya to continue. Tears appeared in her eyes and almost in anger she wiped them away and continued. "My father was strong…but the illness was stronger. He d-died 2 weeks after being diagnosed with the fatal disease" Reeve walked up to her and placed his arm around her shoulder in a gently comforting way.

After another few moments of silence someone spoke up.

"Oh Maiya, I'm so sorry" Yuffie was the first to speak up. So Maiya had been told, she had been a hyperactive teenager back in the day. The look on the ninja's betrayed the fact that any immaturity ran through her veins. Maiya nodded her thanks to all who said anything to her. The thing was, she didn't want anyone to feel sorry for her, she wanted them to forget everything. Unfortunately that wasn't going to happen so she had to put up with the sad stares and odd sniffles of fellow fighters.

Maiya stood on a balcony of 'Shera' with her arm leaning on the railings. They had boarded the aircraft a short while after the last meeting. They had decided that a starting mission would start in a few days. Everyone was told to go home and get what they needed for the travel and Maiya was eventually persuaded to hitch a ride back with AVALANCHE. It didn't take her too long to realise it was a good thing. The weather was terrible; a storm was brewing as a result of a fortnight of sun. The sky was angry, even though it was night the clouds and stars seemed to pull together in a distorted figure. Maiya had always loved the rain, but the thought of walking from Reeve's to Edge seemed insane.

"What are you doing out here?" Jaylin stood next to her copied her actions.

"Thinking…"

"Not a good thing then" Maiya tried to glare at the other teenager but couldn't help letting a smile escape.

"Success!" He threw his hands up in the air in victory "A smile" Again she smiled and shook her head.

"I'm sorry though…about your dad" Maiya nodded and continued to take in the cold night's air.

"Come and meet the others" In a failed attempt of trying to decline the offer, Maiya was dragged into a room where the music could be heard from down the hall. At the beginning of the journey, they had stopped, obviously to pick up some extra passengers. It was obvious now that these were no ordinary passengers; they were the new generation of AVALANCHE.

Four settees were placed around the room; most were taken up by groups of teenagers; about 8 in total. A large coffee table was covered in bowls of popcorn and any other tooth rotting goodness they could get their hands on. Music was blaring through a large CD player and a film was being played on the huge flat screen TV. It was defiantly a place for young people, without a doubt.

"You guys!" Jaylin shouted above the music "We have a visitor"

The music was turned down so everyone was able to hear what was being said. All eyes were on the two newcomers of the room. Maiya went to walk back through the door but Jaylin took a hold of her arm and gave her a look that made her relax some what.

"This is Vincent Valentine's daughter; Maiya Li Valentine" They all nodded and welcomed the girl, even though they had only just met her.

"That Yuri, my sister, you've met her" Yuri waved and smiled "Aaron; Shera and Cid's son, the girl further to the back is Alleah; Yuffie's daughter" Jaylin sighed "The two who are fighting, not that you'd have guessed are the oldest. Marlene and Denzel" The rest were introduced and Maiya was somehow pulled into watched a film with everyone. She looked around at the faces that were glued to the screen and smiled slightly.

She was going to take this night and remember it. They didn't know her but they still had welcomed her like they had done for years.

Who knew what tomorrow would bring…but as long as there were moments like this; when she was carefree, she didn't care.

Wow that was a rubbishy chappie. Sorry I wanted to put it up before I have to come off. I'll probably change some things tomorrow when I come home from school. But for now XD here we are lol