Haha, a new chapter! Don't kill me when you're done reading! Um also, this story will be a lot longer than I thought, and you can probably guess why if you pay good attention! If not, you'll find out why in the next chapter. Um…I don't own FFVII and character death warning. Reviews are loved.

Reno stopped two meters away from the president, who was blind folded with his arms behind his back, and resisted the urge to just shoot the captors. Well at least he's alive, he thought, an easy grin coming to his lips despite his anxiety.

There was a man beside Rufus, a gun at his side with a gloved hand over the handle. Tseng's sister, or at least he assumed she was, was holding Rufus's tied hands in a firm grip. Her clones ringed around them as they came to a halt, and the motion sent every nerve in his body on fire.

"Greetings, Turks," the man said, stepping forward.

There was absolutely nothing special about him. Plain black hair, brown eyes, average height, average weight. There was absolutely nothing special about him, meaning he could've been operating under their noses, literally, and they never would've had noticed him. To be honest, Reno wasn't sure he would be able to pick the man out again, even as he got a good look at his face.

"We have your check," Rude spoke up, moving in front of Reno and Elena. "Let's make this easy. Bring Rufus forward and we'll trade off."

The man smirked, and all at once, the ocean exploded with the enhanced clones. Reno spun on instinct, even though he knew Cloud, Zack, and Genesis would have the situation under control. This move left him open to the clones around him though, and Rude's shout was the only thing that saved him from taking a bullet in the back. When he turned back to Rufus he saw Sephiroth and Vincent dropping down from the cliff behind him. Without missing a beat, Vincent killed the women and Sephiroth neatly, if such an act could be done so, cut the man in half with his sword. They were swamped by more clones immediately, even as Rude and Elena sprung into battle, which left Reno to get to Rufus.

Quickly, knocking down the clones in the way with a quick flick of his wrist, Reno sprinted for the man. The president had wisely stayed where he was, knowing that if he tried to do something in the condition he was, he would probably only end up getting himself killed. Once he had reached him, Reno struggled to undo the tight rope while the others kept the clones busy. Exasperated, he gave up and instead undid the blindfold and gag.

"Good work," he gasped out.
"No prob-"

Sharp pain exploded in his shoulder, cutting words off with a cry. Rufus turned just in time to see Reno collapse, blood pulsing from the wound in his shoulder. Another shot went off, this time the bullet slicing through the red head's leg.

"Well now, it seems we have won," a cool voice said.

Rufus turned to see Tseng's sister striding towards them, completely calm and unhindered by anyone. Almost frantically, he glanced around and with a sinking heart, realized maybe she was right. Obviously, the group hadn't planned as well as they had thought. To every one person on their side, six clones surrounded them, guns trained at their heads. Genesis caught his eyes and Rufus was surprised to see a silent message of determination; determination to save him.

"No one move," he ordered, fixing his eyes back on the woman. "So you're the real one."

"That I am, President ShinRa. I'm the real Kyo, Tseng's sister. But that man you just killed was also a clone. My real master is safe and sound, so we have won completely."

"No you haven't."

Rufus looked beyond the woman to see Tseng, gun already out and pointed at her head.

"You won't shoot me," she said softly, turning to face her kin.

"Let's test that theory," he said, tone confident.

Rufus began to move then, as silently as he could, towards the left. He would be better off closer to Tseng, closer to protection, than where hew as now. With Kyo having her back turned, perhaps he could pull off staying alive. He couldn't count on Reno to protect him, wounded as he was, an he couldn't count on Tseng to actually shoot his sister, no matter how confident he sounded. Plus, it wasn't like the clones could go after him, for if they tried the others would be able to react with one less covering them.

"Before I do, let me ask a question," Tseng said. "I want to know why."

"Why? Because...these are the groups that murdered so many people of ours in the war! They will only grow stronger and become perverted with their power and then the cycle will start all over again! We...we're working towards fixing that!"

Her jaw was clenched and from his new viewpoint, only a few feet away from Tseng, he could see anger at war with anguish. If anguish won, then maybe she wouldn't shoot and they could stop her before she worked up her nerve again.

"Kyo, Rufus...isn't like his father. He is kind to us and Reeve, he only wants what its good for the people. Stop this foolishness, please. I don't want our reunion to be one of anger and hate," Tseng said softly, brown eyes reflecting his sister's feelings.

Kyo's eyes switched to where Rufus was and he stopped moving instantly, a rabbit stuck with a fox's glare on him. Her lips twisted into a snarl and the gun swung around to aim at his chest. Before he could think to move, Tseng was before him. Seconds passed in what felt like minutes and he could only freeze as the sound of a gunshot split the air. Reno's shout of anger battered his ears next and another gunshot rang out, this one making him flinch.

Tseng's form went rigid and then crumpled, falling like a leaf in the face of a storm, as if he never had a chance. Kyo was left standing, for a moment. Her eyes went wide, full of pain and anguish, both physical and mental, and then she too fell. Her eyes had glossed over by the time she had hit the ground, and the clones followed suit, freeing the others.

But it was much too late.

Reno, by pure adrenaline, made it to Tseng's side first, pushing his pain aside long enough to fall beside the Wutaian man. Trying to stop his own tears, he pulled the Turk's head onto his lap, brushing feathery black locks out of his face to gaze into his eyes.

"Tseng," he choked, eyes flickering to the wound. Tseng's fingers were laced over it, already stained crimson, as if he were trying to hide it so no one would be alarmed.

Zack and Cloud were suddenly beside him, both looking dumbstruck.

"...Help is coming, Vincent left for it," Cloud finally managed.

"Don't bother," Tseng murmured, eyes closing briefly. "I knew coming here would end this way. But it...I thought maybe I could help."

"Is...that the feeling you had?" Zack asked.

Tseng nodded, eyes opening right as Rufus knelt beside them, arms now free of the bonds thanks to either Elena or Rude.

"Dammit Tseng, why did you come here?" he hissed, anger flashing in his storm grey eyes despite the situation...or perhaps because of the situation.

"If I didn't, you would be dead," Tseng said quietly. "I...Rufus, sir, I am a Turk. I live to protect you, I die to protect you. There's no way around it."

"But I don't want you killing your family! Or having them try and kill you! That is a pain no one should go through!"

"When I swore my oaths as a Turk and left my family...I accepted...that." Speaking was becoming difficult for him, anyone could see that. "I've come to terms with it and that is why...I...showed up."

"Tseng, just hold on yo," Reno said, feeling the tears threaten behind his eyes.

Tseng slowly shook his head and pulled one, blood stained hand away to grab one of Reno's hands and press it to his face. "I'm only here because I'm willing my body not to fail. But it...won't last...much longer."

Reno thought he was crying, no, he was, but it was also raining, pouring in a matter of seconds. And as the rains fell, Tseng's eyes drained of life, glossing over as a green glow surrounded his body, a calm and soothing light.

Your love is keeping him here. You must let him go.

Reno's eyes widened as the melodious voice echoed in his mind, caressing his torn emotions in an almost loving manner. W-Who?

I am Gaia. Your love, and his, it is strong. He has accepted death and now, you all must let him go.


Reno tore his gaze away from Tseng, taking in the expressions of the others, all of which were identical in their amazement. That was proof enough that Gaia was speaking with them too.

I...does he know how much I love him, yo?


Yes. He loves you as well. But you must release him from his pain. You are putting him through too much, and I can relieve that pain, and make him whole.


Take me too, please!


I can't do that Reno. It isn't your time!


Then dammit I'll make it my time!


As if possessed, the Turk whipped his gun out and brought it to his head. Zack and Cloud tackled him all at once, the blond ripping the gun away as Zack restrained him, pinning him to the wet sand.

Shh. It will be alright. You need to accept this.
I don't...


Please Reno. We'll meet again, but only if you live your life.


Reno went limp then and closed his eyes, swallowing thickly as Zack and Cloud helped him sit back up, though both kept a cautious hand on his shoulders.

Tseng.


Yes. I love you Reno. But so do Cloud and Zack. You can't do this to them. They'll need you, and you will need them.


I won't...leave them yo...And. I love you too.


Almost as soon as he thought it, Tseng's body began to fade into the healing light, and a heartbeat later, he was gone.

Forever.

(INSERTBREAKHERE)

Rufus lay in Reeve's comforting embrace, eyes burning from the tears already shed as well as the tears being held back. The events of the night were so surreal, almost a dream, but the harshness of reality let him know that it was indeed real, and his Turk, one of his closest friends (yes, friends!) was now dead.

However...

He was still in awe that Gaia had spoken to all of them. Also, though he didn't think the others had realized it, the rain had been Gaia's tears, or maybe even Tseng's; there hadn't been any clouds so it was impossible for it be actual rain. But despite all of the miracles, he still hated himself. He still wanted to die, and he still blamed himself for Tseng's death. It was just like the little girl, only ten times worse.

"Are you asleep yet?"

"No." He hated his voice. It was raspy from all of the crying, which made him feel weak, helpless, something that was subject to pity. He hated pity too...but perhaps in this situation, it wasn't pity, rather concern. "I probably won't. Not tonight."

"Don't blame yourself," Reeve said softly. "Tseng chose to come, against everyone's judgment. But if he hadn't, you'd be dead, and none of us want that. Not even Reno, not Cloud, not Zack, not Rude, and not Elena. They care about you, the way you care about them. Tseng did what he did because he cares too. You can't blame yourself for people caring about you."

"If I just kept my distance like you said I should-"

"You'd be a bitter old man like your father and you would be dead. Accept that you're happier than him, and accept all the pain that accompanies that right to be happy," Reeve said, voice firm. "It's hard right now, I know. But we'll be able to move on through it. The important thing to understand is that it isn't your fault."

Rufus pondered the words silently, trying to shove his grief aside long enough to think. It didn't work; his sadness was still too great, making it impossible for him to think clearly about the now dead Turk without wanting to grab a gun and shoot himself.

"Just...try to sleep," Reeve murmured, rubbing Rufus's arm soothingly.

I can try... He turned and nestled into Reeve's arms, as if the man could dull all of his emotional pain. And maybe he could. It wasn't working now though.