Got this out way faster than i expected to! Kind of short but its just a transitioning chapter. I tried to get more into the character's internal feelings. Hope i got it right. It's hard to write the characters thoughts when I'm trying to keep as true to the game as possible, but i thought it would add a little more realism and depth to the story. I'll start working on the the next chapter immediately and will probably have it out either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. R&R!

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII does not belong to me.

Cloud took his time in the descent to the inn's lobby. Going back and retelling the story of that day had emotionally drained him. He couldn't believe that Sephiroth may actually still be alive. It was as if his worst nightmare was coming true. He desperately wished he could close his eyes and open them again and everything would be back to the way it was all those years ago. That Nibelheim would still be standing and that his mother were still alive. He knew the truth though. The truth that he would have to stand up to the man who took everything from him once again.

He stepped down from the last stair and removed his hand from the wooden railing. He briefly wished that they could have stayed longer at the cozy little inn, but he knew they had to get moving if they wanted to catch up with Sephiroth. His mind was lost in thought, trying to imagine how the confrontation would turn out. How they could possibly win some sort of advantage over the crazed killer. No matter how many different scenarios played out in his mind they always ended with the same result. Dying at the hands of his former hero.

He was in such a trance that he hardly noticed Aeris looking up at him with concern in her emerald orbs. He shook his head and blinked, trying to focus and rid his mind of such pessimistic thoughts.

Aeris smiled up him warmly. A smile that immediately brought a small sense of relief from the stressful situation. "Cloud, Take this," she said softly, handing him a small, black cellular. He took it carefully from the flower girl and turned it around in his hand and examining it briefly before shoving it in his pocket.

"[PHS], will put us in constant contact with each other," Red said, keeping an eye out in case the man behind the desk returned and panicked due to a talking beast. It annoyed him that he often had to play the part of the friendly pet but he knew it was necessary. He shook his fiery red mane and got up, treading towards the front door and pushing it open with his paw.

"Well, I'll be going," Aeris said with a small wave to Cloud and following after Red. He nodded to her and offered a slight smile with an awkward wave. He knew she must have been going through her own inner turmoils but she never showed it. She was always more worried about taking care of everyone else than herself.

The group had stopped at some of the shops that lined the stone streets of Kalm to restock on supplies with the little gil they had. Some of the townspeople had kindly given them a few ethers after hearing about their journey. Avalanche had gratefully accepted the gifts and even found a shiny silver gun labeled 'Peacemaker' in an old tower.

They had thanked the villagers and were about to leave town when a pale boy with wild red hair ran to them, his expression one of intense worry. "Listen to me!" he yelled, skidding to a halt in front of the group and falling with a solid thump. "Just now, some guy in a black cloak goes walked east towards that grassy field," he continued, breathing heavily and getting up. "And he's got this killer sword, and is looking REAL scary..." he finished while dusting off his pants.

Cloud and the others all looked at each other and understood immediately. It had to be Sephiroth. They left the scared boy behind and departed from Kalm, splitting up and heading east in the grassy plains surrounding them. The wind blew Cloud's hair wildly, half blinding him every few seconds. The cool breeze and fresh air was a pleasant change from the stuffy Midgar air that they had all been so used to. It reminded Tifa of the good memories she had of Nibelheim, but it didn't last long. Every time she thought of her home town the blaze returned to her mind. The memory of her house burning replayed in her mind over and over. Even after five years she still swore she could feel the heat of the flames licking her skin.

Barret was only focused on one thing. After hearing Cloud and Tifa's story he wanted to stop Sephiroth even more. He couldn't imagine if Sephiroth took away Marlene from him as easily as he had taken Cloud and Tifa's mother and father. He wasn't about to let that happen to anyone else. He had to keep the world safe for his daughter so that when she grew up, she wouldn't have to deal with all the trouble that he had to.

Aeris and Red XIII were mostly quiet on their path. Aeris was deep in thought and Red was naturally quiet so there wasn't much conversation shared between the two. Red was content with the feeling of the cool dirt and grass beneath his padded paws. He hadn't liked being held up in a small cell by Hojo at all. The fresh air blowing his mane made him trot happily, despite the serious problem that lay before them.

Aeris would have felt the same if she hadn't had so much on her mind. She was very happy to be free from Hojo's madness but at the same time she felt even more trapped by the fact that she was the last Cetra and therefore had the responsibility of stopping Jenova and Sephiroth.

The two groups were ambushed by multiple packs of Kalm wolves and the occasional bandit. They were much of a fight but it tired them more than it should have. With all the emotional stress of the day they all were in need of a rest. And so, their journey east continued.