Author's Note

Sorry about the long wait! I've been busy with science fair, a huge con, and a whole bunch of other drama. A quick thanks to Sinful-Metaphor. Without them, the story wouldn't have gotten this far. :) Another thanks goes to grimmxulqi for giving me a little tip/advice. I feel bad because I've had this first part written for like two weeks, but I forgot to type it out. XD My bad. I've combined these into one chapter. Originally they were two separate parts. Anyway, on with the story!

Barret shook his head as he stopped the truck. "Be careful."

Yuffie hopped out of the bed, landing on her feet swiftly. She waved to Marlene before dashing toward the large ramp.

Cloud and Zack climbed out, nodding. "We will."

"Oh, and make sure Yuffie stays out of trouble."

Zack chuckled. "Alright."

Barret grunted softly as he pulled away, leaving the trio in front of the giant airship.

Zack squeezed Cloud's shoulder gently before following after the Wutainese ninja.

Cloud trudged after them, eyebrows furrowed. He hurried after them, nearly running into a tall blonde-haired man.

"God dammit!" he cursed, quickly glancing down. "Who the hell are you, and why are y-"

"Calm down, Cid!" Yuffie yelled, running towards the two. "He's a friend of Tifa's!"

"Oh. Well, just be more careful. I ain't got time to be looking down for you." Cid pulled another cigarette from the pack in his hands.

Cloud flushed, taking a step back.

"I'm Cid Highwind," he said, holding out a hand. "Sorry 'bout that."

"He gets cranky when he doesn't have a cigarette in his mouth," Yuffie announced, smiling.

"Shut up, brat. Who are you?"

"Cloud Strife."

"I see.."

"I was wondering where you went off to," Zack said as he turned the corner. He spotted Cid and held out a hand. "Zack Fair."

Cid rubbed his head, glancing over at Yuffie. "You brought wanted fugitives aboard my Shera?"

"They want to help find Tifa!" the ninja shouted, crossing her arms.

"If you'd rather us leave-"

"No. If she finds out I kicked ya off, she'd... Nevermind. Everybody this way. We need to be takin' off," the pilot muttered, escaping quickly to the cockpit.

"She threatened to take away his cigarettes, I bet," Yuffie declared as she pulled Cloud down the hall.

Zack laughed softly, following them. "Remind me not to piss her off."

Cloud hunkered down on the bed, his head in his hand. "Now I remember why I hate flying." He shuddered softly, trying to keep everything where it should be.

Zack smiled softly, crossing over to the bed and sitting down. He laid an arm across the blonde's shoulders, lightly brushing his partner's hair from his pale -well paler- face. "We should be there soon."

The blonde groaned softly, setting his head on Zack's shoulder and squeezing his eyes shut.

The raven-haired man chuckled softly, lightly nuzzling the other's head.

"Zack?"

"Hm?"

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything, Cloud. I know." He gently kissed his cheek, smiling softly.

"I knew it! I knew Tifa wasn't telling me something!" Yuffie squealed, jumping up and down. She gasped dramatically, eyes going wide. "I have to tell Cid!" She bolted from the room, dashing toward the cockpit.

Zack quickly untangled himself from his partner, sprinting after her. He grabbed her arm and yanked her to a stop. "You can't tell anyone we're here, Yuffie!"

"So? No one's gonna remember-"

"Until the money starts talking."

She glared at him, attempting to shake the man off.

He glanced around the corridor, spotting a closet of sorts. He smirked slightly, swiftly tossing the girl over his shoulder. He threw her in the small space and slammed the door shut.

"Hey! Let me out!" her muffled voice came from behind the wood.

"No. And Yuffie, if you tell anyone about us, I'll make sure Tifa takes your materia away." He smirked at the long silence before starting to walk away.

"You! It was you! During the rebellion! You tried to steal the hidden treasure!"

Zack just grinned as he headed back to his cabin. He quietly closed the door and walked over to the bed. He tilted his head and sighed softly.

Cloud groaned softly in his sleep, turning onto his side.

Zack climbed over him carefully and laid beside him. He wrapped an arm around his lover's waist, pulling him into his chest. He nuzzled his shoulder, sighing softly. "You always fall asleep at the wrong time," he muttered, closing his eyes to the world.

Shera sighed as she flicked through her keys, muttering to herself, "I can't believe that-" The door exploded in front of her, splinters and paint chips flying through the air.

"Freedom!" Yuffie yelled, spring from her dark prison.

"Yuffie? Why were you-"

"Ask Zack!" She gasped, thinking. "Speaking of which... Cid!" She took off toward the cockpit, leaving a clearly confused Shera in her wake.

"Okay then..."

The townspeople glanced out their windows at the newcomers, marveling at the new woman's companion. The wolf-like creature remained at her side, pawing beside her softly. They watched them go past, heading for the center of the little town. They shook their heads, closing the curtains. The retreated farther into their homes, ignoring the visitors.

Tifa sighed, looking down at her friend. "This isn't Nibelheim at all... I can't believe the rumors were true. It's just an empty replica of it all... I never thought ShinRa would rebuild this place, then let it fall into ruin..."

"They wished to hide the scars left by Sephiroth," Red stated simply, observing the many peering stares of the townsfolk.

"Why? They tried to copy it to the last detail, but it's nothing like it without the people!" she muttered angrily, clenching her fists tightly.

Red looked up at her sadly, nodding slightly.

The woman stopped in front of the old hotel, staring up at it. Her eyes went blank a she turned to her companion. "I don't think we can stay here. They probably don't allow 'pets.' But... I think I know a place. It was abandoned years before I was even born. It's worth a shot."

Nanaki grunted softly in agreement, shaking his mane free of some of the dust and dirt.

Tifa smiled softly, leaving the town behind her. She never glanced back, striding confidently through the remnants of her childhood home. She knew in her heart that she could finally let go.

Red watched her silently, following after her. "Humans never cease to amaze me."