A/N: It's Friday somewhere, right? This chapter has more cursing than usual... I feel like I need some Orbit gum now, even though the f-bombs are still censored, like in the original game. It's also shortish, since I've had very little time to write this week...

Estu stared at the papers for a while, but he couldn't make sense of the code. There were five blank spaces, probably for letters of a code word, at the top of the first page. Estu guessed that the word could help decipher the code, but with no idea of what the word was, he couldn't read the files. Frustrated, he tucked the files back into his jacket. Now what? I have no idea what I can do now… Estu lamented his weeks of wasted work.

To help clear his thoughts, he decided to walk around the airship. It was strange, but as long as he didn't look out a window, he could convince himself he was just in a building. Unfortunately, there were windows everywhere. Still, Estu was able to keep his eyes down; he was used to doing that anyway. He made his way to the control room, where his strange rescuers were. Denzel, the boy who helped him fight Argento, was helping the pilot with controls. Rude was speaking with the pilot in hushed tones.

"I still can't believe he's…" Rude said quietly. The pilot nodded, eyes distant and unfocused.

"Poor fellow won't even get a decent burial, all we've got is the damn cat," the pilot said with a half smoked cigarette hanging from his mouth. Rude looked sadly at the cat toy in the briefcase. Estu wasn't sure why, but it was starting to remind him of a cadaver in a casket.

"…What are… we going to tell the others, Cid?" Rude asked.

"We'll tell 'em the #$%ing truth," the pilot, Cid, said bluntly. After he spoke, Cid took a last drag on his cigarette and threw it away.

"… We need to make contact… Reno… he would just go back to Junon…" Rude said.

"Call Tifa. She's good with this sort of shit."

"T-Tifa?" Rude's cheeks blushed.

"Can you do that?" Cid asked.

"…"

"Can you do that?" he repeated louder. "Would ya mind sayin' something?"

"…"

"God damn it! You're worse than Vincent sometimes."

"…sorry," Rude said, awkwardly leaving the control room.

The pilot sighed. "Denzel, go get my phone."

"Yessir," Denzel said. Denzel walked away from the controls, noticing Estu standing back, watching them. Denzel nodded. What's he shaking his head for? Is that some sort of greeting? Estu looked down. Cid looked back at him for a moment before returning his attention to flying.

"You're still here, huh? So, what exactly is your plan?" the pilot asked.

"Er… me?" Estu asked. "Sir?" he added.

"Yeah, you. We're heading to Costa del Sol. So when we get there, what're you gonna do?"

"I… um…" Estu hadn't thought about it. Really, he hadn't thought about much aside from the files. He'd followed different leads for nearly two months, only to find a dead end. Costa del Sol… He didn't think he'd be visiting again after so long.

"Do ya have somewhere to go? If you don't, well, the rest of us were lost souls at one point or another. I was the last one on board, if you can believe it. And we were a weird group… but, somehow, everything worked out all right in the end." Cid placed a cigarette in him mouth, but didn't light it. "We could always take you in; you work well with Denzel, from what I've been told. And you seem like a decent kid. At least you tried to save Reeve," he continued. Except I wasn't really trying to protect Reeve… I'm not sure why I did what I did…

"You tried to help Reeve… well, I guess we have more than enough room for ya now…" Cid's voice became quieter and more monotone, his eyes more distant. He paused for a moment, apparently waiting for a response. Estu gave none; he wasn't quite sure what to make of the stranger. Cid spoke up again. "So, what do ya think?" he asked. He's seriously offering me a place with them? Is he insane? I'm a complete stranger. They're strangers to me. I have other options. I mean, there's always…

"Actually, I know someone in Costa del Sol," Estu said. She settled down there… said she missed going on vacation… missed the crowds. We haven't spoken in so long though.

The pilot leaned back a bit. "Ya know someone? Well, that's good. Just thought I'd offer."

"Yeah," Estu replied.

Denzel reentered the control room. "I've got it," he said. He brought the phone to Cid. Estu suddenly remembered what Zul had said about phones.

"How old is that?" he asked.

"The… phone?" Denzel asked back. Estu nodded. Denzel looked at Cid.

Cid scratched his head, thinking. "Pretty ancient for a cell, 'bout four years, I reckon. It's the same one I had back in the day. Why?"

"Deepground can track phones made in the last two years," Estu said.

"You're sure?" Cid asked.

"Yes," Estu answered.

"Shit… Denzel, can you find Rude, tell him to toss his phone overboard?" Denzel ran out of the room to look for Rude. Cid turned back to Estu.

"Do I even wanna know why you know that?"

"I spied on them…" Estu admitted. Cid seemed to accept his answer. The pilot kept a hand on the controls and with the other, lit the cigarette held between his teeth.

"It'll be a while before we get there. You should make yourself comfortable. And clean off that blood," Cid said. Estu looked at his shirt, part of it was stained a dark red. As he left the control room, he heard the pilot flip his phone open.

Forlornly they walked, up passageways, up ladders, up stairs. Getting out of the labyrinth took nearly as much time as reaching the center. All that effort, wasted. All they had to show for it was a small crystalline fragment. Vincent led, moving up and up, until finally, they found a trap door leading to the outside world. He propped it open, finding himself under a slab of rock, suspended just high enough to crawl under. Vincent crawled, going through an opening on the side. He found himself back on the island's beach. The rocks only had one opening, which was hard to see. You would never be able to find it if you didn't already know it was there.

Night had fallen on the island. The moon cast silvery light, shining on the palm trees and rocks. Vincent sat on the sand, staring at the ocean. The waves rhythmically crashed against the beach. The others pulled themselves out of the rock. Tifa walked over and sat next to him. Neither of them spoke a word, but there was a mutual feeling of disappointment. Reno and Yuffie hung back, quietly leaning against the rocks. Several silent minutes passed before anyone spoke.

"We should get going," Tifa said.

"We didn't get what we came for…" Vincent said. Behind him Yuffie looked at the materia shard. Reno stood up, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

"We can report in… I'll call Reeve." He dialed the number and waited. An offbeat dial tone was all that answered. He scrunched his eyebrows and tried again, with the same result.

"Reeve's not answering?" Yuffie asked.

"No… did he go to sleep? He said he wouldn't… damn it, Reeve. Answer," he redialed the phone again. "I'll just leave a message this time… 'Reeve, you're a freaking asshole,'" he joked. There wasn't an answer. Reno glared at his phone, dialing again.

The entire group jumped at the sound of trumpet fanfare. Tifa reached into a backpack and pulled out her phone. "Hello?" she answered. Is it Reeve on the other end? But why wouldn't he just call Reno? Tifa stood suddenly, walking away. Vincent looked up, inquiringly. Where is she going? He quietly followed. They made their way towards the center of the island. When they were far enough away, Tifa checked behind her, rolling her eyes at Vincent for following. "Yeah, I'm alone... mostly." She paused, listening to the other end. "It's just Vincent." Vincent wondered who she was talking to.

"… What?" Tifa asked. She looked backwards at Vincent. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped as the other line spoke again. Her eyes widened. Vincent listened carefully, but he couldn't quite hear the voice. Whoever was on the other line was purposefully being quiet.

"Are the kids okay?" Tifa asked, sighing in relief when she got a response. What's going on?

"Tifa, who is that?" Vincent asked. She ignored him, listening quietly to the other speaker.

"…You can't be serious… No…" She looked troubled.

"… but … I don't believe that… you're telling the truth? … I…" Tears were gathering in her eyes. Vincent stood, watching her. Tifa held the phone out to him.

"Who is this?" he asked.

"Vincent? That you?" It was Cid. He sounded strangely monotone and sober.

"What's going on?" Vincent asked. He heard a static-like sound as Cid exhaled into his phone.

"We were attacked a few hours after you left. Reeve is dead." Vincent blinked, sure he had heard wrong. "We had to get out. Denzel and Marlene are alright… But…" Cid sighed again. "Listen, tell Reno he's got to fly to Costa del Sol. That's where we'll meet y'all."

"Cid…"

"Listen, Vince, this is important. Before you go, ditch every phone that's less than two years old."

"Leave… why? Are you … is all of that true?" He already knew it was true. Cid wouldn't lie about something like that. He just had trouble believing it.

"It's true," Cid said. "So… that's it then. We'll meet you in Costa del Sol. Remember the phone thing." Cid hung up.

Vincent held the phone out. Tifa took it back. "What are we going to tell everyone?" she asked.

"… I don't know. Maybe we shouldn't say anything just yet."

"Not tell everyone? You're sure?" She asked worriedly.

Vincent shrugged. "I'm not saying anything…" Vincent looked through the palms at Yuffie and Reno. Reno was still dialing Reeve's number. Vincent suddenly realized that no one would ever answer. He took a breath and thought about what they were supposed to do. "Cid said to go to Costa del Sol… Reno can fly us there. But we need to get rid of every phone that's less than two years old, for some reason."

"I think that's everyone's," Tifa said. She and Vincent started to walk back to the rocks. When they got back, Reno was waiting expectantly.

"Was that Reeve?" he asked. Vincent looked at Tifa. I won't talk… she doesn't look like she will either.

"It was Cid," Tifa said quietly. "He said we need to meet everyone in Costa del Sol. And get rid of your phone. He didn't say why."

"Er… okay… Why didn't Reeve answer?" Vincent shrugged, unable to meet Reno's eyes and lie. Reno tossed his phone aside.

"All right, but they owe me a new phone. Do you want to leave now?"

"Yes," Tifa answered. They all climbed into the helicopter. Vincent sat with Tifa in the back this time. As they took off, he reached into his pocket, and threw his phone into the ocean.

Estu gave up trying to get the blood out of his shirt. He zipped his jacket up and cleaned his cheek off, hiding the worst of it. He walked out of the washroom and found a quiet, windowless spot. He sunk down, exhausted from the night's fighting and drifted into an uneasy sleep, dreams haunted by the man in black and the crashing plane.

Some time later, he groggily opened his eyes. He stood, fixed his hat and walked back to the control room. The pilot rubbed his eyes and yawned as Estu approached him.

"Are we about there?" Estu asked.

"Yeah… look, you can see land on the horizon."

Estu looked, ignoring his vertigo. He could just barely see Costa del Sol, lit up by the morning sun.

Within a few minutes, Cid landed the airship on a cliff near the outskirts of town. Estu disembarked, blinking in the sunlight. He looked down at the town. Costa del Sol was just starting to wake up. A few beachgoers were getting an early start on their vacations while shopkeepers set out their wares, hoping to attract tourists with cheap, but colorful souvenirs. It was quiet now, but Estu knew that around midday, the coastal town would turn into a loud, crowded, ungodly nightmare of a tourist trap.

Estu jumped when he noticed someone standing next to him. Denzel, leaning slightly on his staff, spoke to him. "So, you're leaving." It wasn't a question, but a statement. Estu nodded. "It was nice meeting you," Denzel said. Estu didn't reply, he turned and began his walk towards Costa del Sol, thought already on his next move. What was that shop she worked at… ? I don't remember, but I think I know where it was.

When he reached the city, the air had grown much warmer. He wanted to remove his jacket, but knew that people would panic when they saw his bloodstained undershirt. So Estu did his best to walk in the shade and ignore beads of sweat dripping into his eyes. I wonder if it's always hot here… It's almost winter, but I'm burning up. He found the quiet souvenir shop and entered, grateful for the blast of air conditioning that greeted him. A shop keeper in the back waved.

"Come on in! Every keepsake you need is right here!" He spoke jovially, but seemed confused by Estu's attire. He didn't really look like he was on vacation.

"Actually, I'm looking for someone – a girl named Ami. She worked here a few years ago." A colorful necklace caught Estu's eye. He picked it up, examining the pattern of beads.

"Ami… oh, the Wutaian girl? Yes, I remember… Do you like that necklace? Only 15 gil!"

"Do you happen to know where she is now? Did she come back to work for you?" Estu asked, putting the necklace back. The shopkeeper looked down, a bit sadly.

"No… she never did. Such a pity, she was a good sales girl. Always so friendly. She started working with the shop on the corner of Palm Street."

"Palm Street… thank you," Estu said, turning to leave the store.

"Aren't you going to buy anything?" The shopkeeper asked, annoyed.

Reno landed the helicopter on the cliff. Vincent looked at Cid, Marlene, Denzel, and Rude. It was really true. Reeve isn't with them. They got out of the helicopter and walked over to the others. Tifa hugged Marlene, while Denzel stood back, hands in his pockets. Reno looked around, then turned to Rude.

"Where's Reeve?" he asked. Rude said nothing. Cid glared at Vincent and Tifa. The look's meaning was clear: 'You didn't tell him?' Reno looked over at Cid questioningly.

"Where is Reeve?" Yuffie asked, just as clueless. Cid swallowed, then turned to Yuffie.

"Reeve is dead," Cid said. The sentence didn't sound real anymore, he had said it so much. Yuffie stared silently.

"D- Dead?" she finally asked in disbelief. Cid quietly nodded. Reno stood back, his mouth agape.

"How… I mean, we just saw him yesterday," Reno said.

"Deepground attacked Junon. Since it was only me and Rude… it didn't end well."

"I- I … I don't believe this… You can't be serious. There's no way," Reno stuttered. He looked at Rude, expecting him to say Cid was lying. The Turk looked down sadly. "Rude… Cid? Guys… You can't be serious…" He looked between the two of them, then turned to Vincent and Tifa.

"You two knew… didn't you? That was the phone call you got." He was shaking and his eyes were wide with shock.

"Yes," Vincent replied.

"'Yes'… 'Yes?' Is that all you have to #$%ing say? Why didn't you tell me? What the hell is wrong with you? What's wrong with both of you?" he shouted.

"It was my idea… not telling you. Don't yell at Tifa," Vincent said, moving between Reno and the others.

"Well, in that case- What the hell for? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It would compromise your ability to fly. We needed to get here soon, so-"

"Wait… 'compromise my ability?' What the #$%^ is that supposed to mean? That's why you didn't tell me?"

"You don't take shock very well…" Vincent said. Reno raised his fist threateningly.

"Reno," Rude said. Reno turned on him.

"Dammit, Rude. Can't you see how this is?"

"…How is it?"

Reno threw his arms up, turning back. "I don't believe this…" He walked towards the helicopter. "I don't believe any of this!" He punched it, the held his fist in pain. "Damn it… Come on Rude, we're leaving."

"Leaving?" Rude asked. Cid shook his head.

"Calm your ass down. You're staying for the funeral," Cid ordered.

"We don't have a body…" Denzel said quietly. Reno looked at him angrily.

"You couldn't even get his body? … God, did I just say that? Reeve's body? …Holy shit…" he shook his head. "I'm leaving now. Rude, let's go." Reno climbed back into the helicopter. "Rude! I said let's go." Rude glanced back before boarding the helicopter. Still glaring at the group, Reno took off.

"Reeve is gone… I can't believe it," Yuffie said. "And now Reno and Rude…" She and the others watched the helicopter fly away.

Estu silently walked to Palm Street until he reached the corner. He read the sign on the shop out loud. "'Wutai Wares'… you've got to be joking." He stepped inside, slinking behind a shelf. He looked around the corner at the workers. A dark haired girl wearing a purple, Wutai style kimono was stacking supplies on the shelves. Estu smiled.

"Ami!" he whispered. The girl looked around. "Ami, right here!" He waved from behind the shelf. The girl's grey eyes widened.

"Estu?" she asked. She looked back at another girl, sitting, leaning her head against her arm. She gestured to a back room. Estu nodded, quietly moving to the room with her. He closed the door of the room and turned to Ami.

"What the HELL are you doing here?" she asked. Estu shrunk back, holding his palms up.

"Nice to see you too. And what's with the kimono? You hate those things."

"I'm half Wutaian. I can wear a kimono if I want," she said snippily. Estu resisted the urge to laugh. Just because you can, doesn't mean you'd want to, Ami.

She tapped her foot impatiently. "Now, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Estu twiddled his thumbs. "Well… I kind of need your help," he admitted. The girl raised an eyebrow and turned away.

"What makes you think I'll help you?" she asked.

"Because you're my sister?" Estu said uncertainly. Ami pressed her hand to her head, smoothing her hair back.

"Estu, I'm not your sister-"

"Yes you are," Estu said.

"No. I'm not," she insisted. Why's she doing this?

"Yes you are. I mean we have the same father."

"Just because my dad brought you home from who-knows-where doesn't mean he's your father," she said coldly. The words stung a bit. Estu had always thought of the man who raised him as his father, just as much as he thought of Ami as his sister. She had always treated him like family, at least, she had before. And when he was alive, her father had called Estu 'son.' Estu looked down dejectedly.

"Dad seemed to think differently…" he muttered.

"Don't call him that," Ami said.

"What? 'Dad?'" Estu asked.

"Yes. He wasn't your dad, he was mine," she said crossly. Ami… I know we didn't part on good terms, but I had no idea she'd still be so bitter. I said I was sorry… even though I had nothing to apologize for. Estu slowly exhaled.

"Fine… Well, your dad made you promise that if I ever ran into trouble, you would help." Embarrassed, Ami twirled a strand of her hair. "Ami…please?" Estu asked. Her eyes softened a bit.

"Okay, just… come on. We can't really talk here," she said as she led Estu out of the room.

A/N: Like I said, shortish. I wish I had had more time... Also, no new chapter next week, and probably the week after. I've got papers to write and finals to take. But as soon as schools over, I'll probably be able to write two chapters a week, so it'll even out. Sorry, though.