Chapter Seven: Reason

Author's Notes: I don't own Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children but some characters are mine to claim.

Riz went out of her room when she was done changing her clothes. Chris passed by. "Are you going out?" Riz bit her bottom lip.

"What now?" Riz thought. "I-I'm going out for a while Chris. I-I'll be back later". Chris nodded.

"You be careful there okay?" was Chris' reply. The younger lass nodded.

"I will Chris. Later", Riz said and left. Chris gave a wry smile.

"She's a big girl now, don't you agree Chris?" Chloe said from behind. Chris nodded.

"Definitely", Chris replied. "I hope Sir Leon is still here to see her who have grown-up so matured". Chloe tapped her shoulder.

"He'll always be with us dear". Chloe said, as if comforting her. Chris looked away, her eyes covered because of her hair as it falls over her shoulders.

"I know Chloe…I know…"and Chris tried her best not to cry, her voice almost breaking.

Masamune had arrived at the market where he and Riz met yesterday. And he was ten minutes early for their appointment, "Bad timing for an appointment I guess", Masamune thought, imagining he'll be waiting for another ten minutes. Then at the other corner he saw Riz approaching him. He grinned. "Or maybe not". Riz arrived, breathless. "You were running?"

"Sort of big brother. I thought I was going to be late", Riz began as she looked at him with a wry smile.

"You're ten minutes early", he said. She looked at him, blinking her eyes. Then she grinned.

"And so are you", she reminded. Masamune gave a slight laugh.

"Men should be early and shouldn't keep the ladies waiting", he said. Riz nodded with a smile.

"So they say…" a nod from Masamune.

"Shall we go?" Riz nodded. From a far Eiser tapped Ixa's shoulder.

"They're going". Ixa looked to where Eiser was looking because her back was leaning at the motorcycle. She turned around as she saw Riz and Masamune leaving.

"Then let's go", Ixa said as they followed the two.

Riz noticed that they we're in the small swamp just near the market where they just crossed the bridge. Masamune sat down on the grass as he patted the space next to his. "We can't talk there in the market now, could we? It's a busy and a noisy place to be there", Masamune began. Riz nodded and sat right next to him.

"Only you?" Riz asked. Masamune was taken aback by her question. Does she know that Ixa and Eiser are just standing by?

"Well…sort of…why did you ask?" Masamune said. Riz tilt her head.

"I have a feeling that they're here", Riz replied. She looked to the other side of the swamp. Ixa stiffened.

"What's wrong Ixa?" Eiser asked. It took a couple of seconds for Ixa to answer.

"I have a feeling she saw us", Ixa replied. Eiser gasped.

"But…how?"

"Isn't that Eiser and Ixa?" Riz said as she looked to where Ixa and Eiser was hiding. Masamune looked to where she was looking.

"Impossible! But…how did she know?" Masamune thought. Then he gave a slight laugh. "Yup that's them". Riz turned to him and smiled.

"Could they join us? I want to see them!" Masamune doesn't know what to do. Their plan was he'll interview her alone.

"I guess…Ixa wouldn't mind. And besides…Riz wanted to see them", Masamune thought. He smiled. "All right I'll call them". Masamune signaled Ixa and Eiser that they'll went to where they were. Ixa slapped her forehead absentmindedly.

"Drats! He wants us to go there?" Ixa muttered. Eiser stood up.

"Well let's go then!" Ixa really wanted to fall.

"Still the little kid when Eiser was young", Ixa thought. She sighed and stood up. "I guess it won't hurt to join them right?" Eiser nodded right away.

"I want to meet her! Come Ixa!" Eiser exclaimed as she excitedly went to the two.

"Is that…Eiser?" Riz asked as she was looking at Eiser.

"Yup that's her. The other one is Ixa", Masamune replied. Eiser immediately went to Riz.

"I've met you at last!" Eiser exclaimed as Ixa was at her back. "Um…what's your name again?" Masamune and Ixa sweat dropped.

"Eiser your impossible!" Ixa said as the three laughed. She and Eiser sat down.

"Thou shall forgive me", Eiser said. "I'm Eiser Mackenzie".

"Ixa Setzer and Masamune", Riz finished as she looked at Ixa and Masamune. "I could never forget you three…you saved my life".

"I see you could never forget us", Masamune began. Riz looked at him and gave a wry smile.

"Of course…Shinichi Yamada". He looked at her, alarmed.

"You even know my real name".

"The four of us don't keep secrets", Riz replied. "Oh…I forgot, five of us, including Chris. Why didn't you invite her?"

"Chris? We'll interview you first", Ixa replied. "Tell us all about you Riz..."

"Is that all?" a slight laugh from Riz.

"There are many questions that will follow", their leader added. "Don't worry we have time". Riz sighed.

"I'm Riz Juno by the way. One of the Dark Angel Messengers. An organization that trades with other companies and of course you three already knew that we are assassins, the other way". Riz paused for a while not knowing what to say next. "Anyways there are five assassins in the organization…which is namely you three and sad to say…something happened…"

"We died?" Ixa interrupted. Riz sighed. "Why?"

"Not only you three but also Sir Leon. It's because…you three saved me…"

"What happened to you Riz?" Eiser asked, very eager to know. Riz couldn't even look at them in the eyes.

"A-Alice controlled me…our head in the orphanage. Chris and I were orphaned at a very young age. Sir Leon came and adopts us. When we were eating dinner, I excused myself and went to my room. I suddenly opened a portal and Chris and Sir Leon followed. We were in the future and you three are already adults. Sir Leon told us something will happen and he decided he'll leave us here in the future". After narrating her story it was Ixa who asked first.

"What did Alice wants from you?"

"My powers. She wants to open a portal but I don't know which portal", she answered briefly. Ixa nodded slowly.

"Why did you go to our realm and get the Oracle of Fire? It was supposed to be our last mission…"Eiser added. Ixa and Masamune nodded.

"I'm sorry I interrupted your mission. The Oracle of Fire is the most powerful oracle. It can easily grant a wish without the support of other oracles". The three looked at each other, shocked.

"It can grant a wish? Sir Leon told us if all oracles are gathered it can open different portals", Masamune began. Riz looked at him and nodded.

"Yup, that's the other option". Riz looked at Eiser. "About your question…I was about to combine the Oracle of Fire and my power to turn back the time. I-I was about to resurrect you three". Riz paused and looked at her lap. "And also Sir Leon. If you only knew…I blame myself a thousand times…"

"We understand Riz but we need the Oracle of Fire. Don't think such things like that okay? Remember were going to be all right", Masamune interrupted. Riz looked at him like I-don't-believe-you-look.

"If I'm going to give you the Oracle of Fire, you three are going to live again in the future".

"That's right and you and Chris will be adults", Eiser said. Riz's mind was in turmoil.

"What if…Chris and I will go with you in the past? I think it's all right…"

"There will be no assassins in the organization if you go with us", Ixa reminded. Riz sighed.

"This is too difficult. What the hell should I do?" Riz exclaimed. Masamune tapped her shoulder. She looked at him, and he could see confusion in her eyes.

"What do you want to do?" it was a question that she couldn't answer yet.

"I want everything to be all right. And if Chris and I will go with you in the past I know the future will still be the same", Riz replied. The three looked at each other, doesn't know what to do.

"Is that…what you really want?" Ixa asked. Riz nodded with a smile. "I think you better asked Chris and the head of the organization".

"I will then I'll return the oracle…tomorrow! Can you three go to the headquarters? I think it's time Sir Hayato and Chris should know the truth", Riz explained. Eiser and Masamune looked at Ixa.

"Ixa?" Eiser began. Ixa sighed.

"All right we're going…tomorrow". Eiser looked at Riz and smiled.

"You heard our leader". Riz nodded.

"I'll be waiting for you three tomorrow okay? After lunch". Riz stood up and stretched her arms. "I think I better go before Chris and the others will start to worry". The three nodded as they stood up.

"Thank you for your time Riz". Riz looked at Masamune and smiled.

"No problem. I was making sure also if you three are here". They gave a slight laugh. "Till' next time…"

"Till' next time…"the three said in unison as they saw Riz walking away. Eiser looked at Ixa.

"Is it really okay? The two of them we'll be with us in the past? Isn't that strange?"

"Than to compare that we live again in the future…or whatsoever…"Ixa replied. "I think it's all right".

"You're aware Ixa that the future will changed if they come with us", Masamune began as they began to walk to where there motorcycles are.

"I'm aware of that Masamune…I'm really aware of that…"

To be continued…