Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Final Fantasy VII and all its characters (damn). I just play with them every now and then! :D

Chapter 25: Setting Up Camp

Genesis stared at Angeal as he hugged Zack. He lifted his eyes to the sky and offered a silent thanks to his Goddess for saving Angeal. His eyes shifted over to Sephiroth, whose face was empty of any and all emotion. After everything they had been through, he still wasn't able to share his emotions. Though, when Genesis focused his gaze on Sephiroth's eyes, he was nearly knocked to the ground with the emotion he saw within the cyan depths. The depth of emotion his friend hid behind his eyes was staggering in its intensity.

"Angeal? Are you back, like…for real?" Zack asked hesitantly.

Angeal smiled and nodded. "I'm back for real, Zack."

"Good," Zack said with a happy sigh. Without warning, his face lost all happiness, and he punched Angeal's arm hard enough to make the bulky first flinch.

"You know, when someone's happy to see a friend, they usually don't start abusing them right away," Angeal said, his tone dry, rubbing his arm where Zack's hand had made contact.

"Screw that, man," Zack said angrily. "You made me kill you! Don't you ever put me in a position like that ever again, Geal!" He took a breath and all his anger seemed to bleed out of him. "That really sucked, you know."

Angeal dropped his teasing manner and nodded. "I know, Zack. I'm sorry I put you in that position."

"Me too," Genesis said, knowing that in all good conscience he couldn't let his friend accept all the blame since in reality, he knew everything was his fault.

"Thanks, guys," Zack said with a smile before turning and looking at Sephiroth expectantly.

Sephiroth straightened to his full height when he noticed they were looking at him. "What am I supposed to apologize for? I didn't start this war within ShinRa. We have Genesis to thank for that. And I most certainly did not force Zack to kill you, Angeal."

"But you are the one that routinely hoisted your responsibilities for finding these two lunatics on me because you were being such a princess and didn't want the burden of hunting your friends," Zack pointed out.

Reno laughed heartily as he lit the tip of his cigarette. "Princess Sephiroth has a nice ring to it, SOLDIER boy! I knew there was a reason I liked you!"

Genesis covered his mouth to hide his grin when Sephiroth narrowed his eyes and glared at both Reno and Zack.

"Aw, Seph! I didn't realize you were so conflicted!" Genesis teased.

"I dislike you all very much right now," Sephiroth said with a sniff.

"We should probably meet up with the others," Cissnei said. "They'll be wondering where we are."

Tifa kept looking over her shoulder while the Wutai troops led them toward the transports that would take them to Godo's palace. The sound of fighting had stopped all together and too much time had passed, in her opinion, to ease her fears that the battle had not ended in their favor.

"I'm sure they're fine," Vincent said, matching his pace with hers. "Sephiroth is a skilled fighter and he can lead the others to a victory."

"I'm worried about Genesis," Tifa confided nervously. "He's really sick and I don't think he'll last through a huge fight. In fact, He practically told me he was going to make it his business to die out there today."

"Men who find their situations so utterly hopeless often wish for the cold hand of death to snatch their pitiful lives from them," Vincent said. His features seemed to soften slightly. "However, often all that desperate man needs is a tiny glimmer of promise that the next day will bring him something great."

"Genesis has been fighting for so long," Tifa said, her sadness coloring her voice. "I just don't think there's anything that can give him the hope he would need to make him fight to live."

"He may see things differently when actually faced with the choice between life and death," Vincent suggested. "The relationships he has formed with our party may be the glimmer of hope he needs to fight for another chance to live."

"Maybe," Tifa mumbled as she tried to focus on the path in front of them. She tried to imagine what it would be like if Sephiroth or Genesis died? She repressed a shudder, not able to see that thought trough. She already knew the answer: it would be like losing her family…and she had already experienced that. She had no desire to go through that again. And Cloud…she had just gotten him back. She couldn't bear to be parted from him permanently.

She was pulled from her depressing musings when Vincent grabbed her arm, halting her forward momentum. She turned to look at him and saw he had drawn his large gun, scanning the area around them with narrowed eyes. Within seconds, Rufus and Tseng were beside them.

"What's…?" Aerith began, but stopped when Tseng lifted his finger to his lips.

Tseng turned and looked at Vincent. "You sense it, don't you?"

Vincent nodded. "We're being followed."

Tifa could see Aerith begin to fidget nervously. Tseng and Rufus were drawing their weapons while turning to look back the way from which they had just come. Aerith moved closer to Tifa.

"Can you feel it?" she whispered.

Tifa nodded. "Someone's out there."

The tension in the air was palpable, as seconds became minutes. Whatever was coming for them, Tifa just wished it would reveal itself so they could fight and move on. Instead, they waited. And finally they heard it: the sound of booted feet crossing the dirt paths that led them though the forest. Tifa narrowed her eyes, straining to see something…anything of what was following them. Her heart skipped a beat and her breathing hitched in her throat. Maybe it was wishful thinking on her part, but she thought she saw a familiar flash of silver in the trees.

It wasn't until Sephiroth entered the small clearing they were in, that Tifa let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding. At first he seemed startled to find himself facing three loaded guns pointed at his face, but an amused smirk slowly curled around his lips.

"What a warm greeting for the men who bought you time to escape," he said.

"Aerith!" Zack exclaimed, bounding out from behind Sephiroth and pushing his way between Tseng and Rufus. It was as if no one else but Aerith existed and he wouldn't be happy until he had her in his arms.

Tifa smiled as she watched the dark haired SOLDIER swing Aerith up in his arms and spin around. She turned back towards the group and breathed a sigh of relief when Cloud appeared. He immediately focused on her and quickly made his way toward her. His embrace was less enthusiastic than Zack and Aerith's had been, but it felt damn good to reassure herself that Cloud was alive.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about," he said with a bright smile.

Tifa rolled her eyes and pushed him away playfully. "Shut up, you arrogant chocobo!"

"What? No hugs and kisses for me, Tseng?" Reno asked, dramatically grasping his chest. He turned to Rufus. "Nothing from either of you? Man, Rude and I just get no love, yo!"

"That's not true," Cissnei said, stepping into the clearing behind Rude. She reached up and playfully kissed Rude on the cheek. "Rude gets lots of love."

"I'm glad you received our message, Cissnei," Tseng said. He holstered his gun and moved closer to his Turks. "You all survived."

"Mission accomplished, yo," Reno said with a smile. His eyes slowly took in the image of Tifa in Cloud's arms while Sephiroth kept his distance. "What's going on here, Spiky? You gettin' fresh with Seph's jail bait?"

Sephiroth lifted an eyebrow and slowly stalked toward Reno. He grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled him around so he was facing him. "I'm sorry, I think I misheard you, Turk. What did you call her?"

"Nothin'! I just called her…"

"You will call her nothing," Sephiroth stated coldly before releasing Reno.

"Damn, he's cranky for a guy who won a major battle." Reno rubbed the back of his neck where Sephiroth had grabbed him and turned toward Zack. "He always like that after a battle?"

"Only when there are annoying little insects buzzing around near his ears, Turk," Genesis said as he stepped into the clearing.

Tifa's eyes widened when she saw Genesis had been returned to all his former glory, all signs of degradation seemingly wiped from existence. She released Cloud and hesitantly stepped closer to the other SOLDIER who meant so much to her.

"Genesis? Are you healed?" she asked.

He smiled brightly and raised his arms, turning in a full circle before her. "I am indeed, little one. My Goddess has gifted me a second chance to right my wrongs. And I'm not the only she bestowed her generous gift upon."

Tifa turned and looked at the other man she hadn't even noticed had appeared behind Genesis. He was as tall as Sephiroth, but wider in the shoulders, more bulky than either Genesis or Sephiroth. He had a kind smile and the friendly air about him immediately relaxed her.

"Angeal, this Tifa," Genesis said. He put his hand on her back and Tifa allowed him to encourage her to approach the stranger.

"So you are the little one he and Sephiroth were anxious to find," Angeal said. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Tifa said, blushing at the thought that Genesis and Sephiroth would even mention her. She turned when she heard a sharp intake of breath. Rufus was standing behind her with Tseng, both looking as if they had seen a ghost.

"You…you're dead," Rufus said, lacking all the cool collectiveness he was known for.

"Zack killed you," Tseng said bluntly. "I saw your body in Modeoheim."

"Genesis' Goddess had other plans for me," Angeal said with a shrug.

"I think we should set up camp," Sephiroth said. "It is growing darker and we will not make the rendezvous point before the darkness fully envelops this forest."

"We can send one or two of my clones ahead to let the others know," Genesis offered.

"Gen, they're not just your clones anymore," Angeal reminded him, his tone scolding.

"True, but they are still subordinates that I can boss around," Genesis pointed out.

"You degradation taught you nothing, did it?" Angeal asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "People aren't put here to be used by you."

Genesis sighed and raised his hands in a placating gesture. "You're right." He turned and faced the group of men no longer showing the signs of degradation. "Will a few of you be willing to fly to the next village on and advise the military liaison for Wutai that we all survived and will arrive tomorrow?"

"Yes, sir," one of the clones said before lead a few others to the air in search of the village.

Genesis turned and looked at Angeal. "Happy now?" he sniffed.

"Very," Angeal answered with a smile.

"I think you have a lot to fill us in on," Rufus said.

"First we make camp and then we'll talk," Sephiroth said.

Tifa was secretly thrilled when Sephiroth unflinchingly took her hand in his and began scouting out the perfect place to accommodate them all. She had been right to hold back an overly enthusiastic greeting when he first appeared before her, even though it had almost killed her to remain where she stood. She had wanted to run to him and embrace him as she and Cloud had, but in her heart, she knew he wasn't ready for that much affection from her yet and he certainly wasn't ready for an audience to a moment he would most likely want to keep private. They would have plenty of time to share their reunion alone.

Angeal stared at the fire. He was happy to be back amongst the living again, but he wasn't sure he was ready to face Hollander again. They had not parted ways happily. The man was evil and had no honor. At least when you were dealing with Hojo, you knew he didn't give a shit about you and you were just another specimen to him. Hollander had made him and Genesis believe he had always had their best interests at heart. To find out it was all a lie to further his own ambitions to destroy ShinRa and that they didn't matter to him as people had hurt…and it still did. When he thought about all the things he had done to fellow SOLDIERs, it made him cringe. However, it was nothing compared to how he had treated Sephiroth. He had coaxed Sephiroth into trusting him and Genesis, knowing all he needed were friends he could trust to learn what life outside the labs was really like. Instead of proving to him that the outside world could offer him more freedom and more happiness, all they had done was prove that Sephiroth couldn't trust anyone…not even the two men who claimed to be his friends. If they were friends, why did they run? Why didn't they trust Sephiroth the way he trusted them? Where was his honor?

"So serious," Genesis remarked. He sat beside Angeal and looked at him, willing him to return his gaze. "Are you not happy with the Goddess' gift?"

"I would be a lot happier if I didn't feel like a complete jerk," Angeal answered.

"Your puppy has already forgiven you," Genesis said with a smile, gesturing to where Zack talked enthusiastically with Aerith and Cloud. "He made new friends while you were gone."

Angeal turned and looked at Genesis. "I'm not worried about Zack. I'm worried about Sephiroth. We hurt him so much, Gen."

Genesis lowered his eyes and nodded. "I know we did. It's all my fault. I lashed out at Sephiroth because he symbolized everything that ShinRa stood for and for all the pain they had caused me. I hurt him so much, Geal."

Angeal grunted and angrily poked at the fire in front of him. "We both hurt him. He'll never trust us again."

"I don't know about that, old friend." A small smile graced Genesis' lips. "Sephiroth is learning new things every day. Now, I would like to say all his improvements are due to the countless hours we spent breaking him out his old lab habits, but I think we have to share the credit with two other people."

"Really? And who are these miracle workers," Angeal asked skeptically.

"Well first and foremost your very own puppy," Genesis said with a shrug.

Angeal raised an eyebrow. "Zack?"

Genesis chuckled. "Yes, Zack. Before you slammed him through the plate into the Sector Five slums, I found Sephiroth and Zack in Hollander's secret lab together. He had told him about our fight in the simulator and they had even already bonded over having to sit through your boring lectures about discipline, dreams, and honor. After you died, it was Sephiroth who pried him out of his depressive moping in the arms of his charming flower girl."

"Sephiroth reached out to Zack?" Angeal asked.

Genesis nodded. "Your puppy took all your lectures very seriously and has done his very best to live up to whatever expectations he thought you would have of him. He took me to task in Nibelheim for being such an arrogant ass, yet in the end, he and young Strife were the ones who volunteered to stay behind and face ShinRa so Sephiroth and I could escape with that damn head. Your puppy is the finest example of what a SOLDIER should be."

Angeal stared at his childhood friend in amazement. "He must have made quite the impression for you to change your tune about him so thoroughly. I seem to recall you telling me that training him was a waste of time."

Genesis smirked playfully. "Well, even I can be wrong sometimes, Angeal."

"I never would guessed," he returned dryly. They both laughed softly before Angeal looked at Genesis' profile again. "You said we had two people to thank for Sephiroth's personal growth. Zack is one, so who is the other?"

Genesis' smirk widened into a smile and he gestured to where Tifa and Sephiroth sat, apparently in a deep conversation. "We have our little one to thank for that."

Angeal eyed the teen before nudging Genesis in the side. "You're kidding, right?"

"I would question it too if I were in your position, my friend," Genesis conceded. "But you have not seen what I have seen. After my…less than tactful demand for Sephiroth's help at the Nibelheim reactor, I followed him back to the Shinra Mansion in order to take another pass at convincing him to join me. On my way, I found a Turk arranging with Veld to have the town razed in an effort to destroy evidence of what was quickly shaping up to be Sephiroth's mental demise. I disposed of her and decided to put my arguments with Sephiroth aside to warn him of our impending fate." He turned and looked Angeal in the eye. "And do you know what I found in that basement? A young girl so concerned for a man she didn't even really know, that she had ventured into the torture chamber that was the lab hidden in the depths of that house just to offer him comfort. He could have easily killed her…I saw the madness in his eyes as he wrestled to maintain control over his thoughts. But something about her seemed to soothe him."

"I think that romantic side of yours is playing tricks on you again, Genesis," Angeal said, shaking his head.

"Really? Tell me, how many times have you been able to touch Sephiroth in a friendly or comforting manner that didn't result in him jumping as if you had just branded him with a red-hot poker?" Genesis asked.

Angeal paused for a moment. "I don't think I ever have, well, not while he's be conscious."

"Well, Tifa has done exactly that, several times, in fact," Genesis said.

"Sephiroth allowed her to touch him? Without reacting at all?" Angeal asked, still having a hard time picturing Sephiroth permitting anyone to show him affection.

Genesis nodded. "And he has even offered her comfort several times. Actually, I spied an intimate little scene between the two of them fairly recently." He made a face when Angeal's brows drew together sharply. "Not that kind of intimate scene. Goddess, get your mind out of the gutter!"

"Genesis…" Angeal's voice was stern.

"As I was saying, Sephiroth and I formed a truce and agreed to destroy Jenova and returned to the reactor. ShinRa anticipated our intentions and sent SOLDIERs after us. It was a nasty fight and our little one received a very nasty gash across her chest from our former SOLDIER brethren," Genesis explained. "Sephiroth and I protected her as she healed and once she was better, we both thought it would be safer for her to be as far away from us as possible, so we decided to hide her Midgar. She had quite the nasty encounter with young Rufus when he discovered her presence in Midgar and her wound became infected. Sephiroth allowed Hollander to clean the wound and repair the damage to it, but he was required to watch over her for the first twenty-four hours."

Angeal allowed the information to sink in. He watched Sephiroth smile at something Tifa had said to him and found himself smiling as well. "He personally watched over her, huh?"

Genesis laughed softly. "He even held her as she slept. When I walked in and found him with her in his arms…I knew then that she was meant for him. He was sent to Nibelheim to fulfill the Goddess' plan for him to meet the one who could hold back the chaos that threatened to consume him."

"And just how old is she?" Angeal asked, turning his head so he could watch Genesis' reaction. When Genesis refused to look at him and shrugged a little too nonchalantly, he narrowed his eyes. "Please tell me she's not really jail bait as Reno suggested. Genesis?"

"Oh calm down, old man," Genesis said, rolling his eyes at his friend's overactive sense of honor. "Do you really think Seph would do anything that could be misconstrued as improper relations between himself and a minor? He's more uptight about following regulations than you are about honor, for Gaia's sake!"

Angeal could believe that and found himself relaxing slightly. "You're right. This is Sephiroth we're talking about. It's not like we're talking about you, Gen." He couldn't resist taking a dig at his childhood friend and was treated to a punch in the arm.

"You're a jerk, Angeal," he muttered irritably.

"Just paying you back for turning me into an unhappy monster," he said teasingly.

Genesis' face immediately lost all traces of his previous anger and he gripped Angeal's forearm tightly. "I really am sorry, Angeal."

In all the years of knowing Genesis, he could probably count on one hand the amount of times Genesis ever apologized and actually meant it. As he searched his friend's face, he could tell that this was one of those times where Genesis was being sincere.

Angeal smiled and covered Genesis' hand with his own and squeezed. "I know you are, Gen."

When a shadow appeared over them, they both looked up and found Sephiroth standing above them.

"May I join you?" he asked.

Genesis moved over to make space for him between him and Angeal. "Of course you can. I've just been catching Angeal up on all the latest SOLDIER gossip and of course I was filling him in regarding all your heroic actions that centered around our little one."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow before turning and looking at Angeal. "Whatever he told you, I assure you it has all been very appropriate and no one's honor has been compromised."

"I don't think that kiss you two shared the other night could be considered appropriate," Genesis said with a teasing smile.

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. "Don't you have something better to do than bothering me?"

"Not really," Genesis said innocently.

"Gen, make yourself scarce," Angeal said.

Genesis sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. You're both no fun anyways."

Angeal chuckled while watching Genesis get to his feet and stomp away. "Some things never change, huh?"

Sephiroth watched their mutual friend console himself by annoying Zack. His lips curled into a smile as he shook his head. "I'm beginning to enjoy those consistencies."

"You seem very different," Angeal agreed. "Is it really because of your little one, as Gen calls her?"

Sephiroth shrugged. "It's a combination of things. It started with you and Genesis refusing to let me hide behind my responsibilities in an effort to avoid the outside world. When you both…left, Zack took the place you left in my life." Sephiroth turned and smiled slightly at Angeal. "Your puppy was very vocal in his disapproval of my refusal to pursue you and Genesis, forcing him to go in my place. And yes, Tifa has a place in all of this as well. In my darkest hour, she was there. She gave me the strength to fight off Jenova and she even helped bridge the gap between me and Genesis, enough to allow us to work together."

"Have you forgiven him, Seph?" Angeal asked, genuinely curious to know the real answer, not just what Genesis chose to see.

Sephiroth was silent for a few moments as he watched Genesis, who had abandoned annoying Zack, moving on to engage Tifa and Cissnei in a conversation instead. He shrugged before turning and looking once more at Angeal.

"I think so," he eventually answered.

"But you're not sure?" Angeal asked, a little disappointed with his answer.

"Genesis and I have never had the kind of friendship that you and he share," Sephiroth said carefully. "He…we weren't close. My hero status served as an effective divider between us and I don't think we'll truly ever get past it. However, we are well on our way to ridding ourselves of anything that puts us on opposing sides." Sephiroth considered Angeal for a moment. "Genesis leaving without a word made me angry. You leaving without telling me…that hurt."

"Sephiroth…"

"I thought you respected me enough to at least tell me if something was going on with Genesis or you," Sephiroth said before turning away.

Angeal didn't know what to say. He knew he had hurt Sephiroth. He could feel his friend's pain even in the Lifestream. To hear him say it to his face was something he would not have been able to prepare himself for.

"Gods, Seph," Angeal muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry I left without talking to you."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sephiroth asked.

Angeal grunted and returned to poking the fire angrily. "Because of my pride. I thought if you knew I was a monster, you would lose your respect for me. When I looked at myself in a mirror, all I saw was an abomination. How could I hope for you to see anything different?"

"We're all monsters," Sephiroth said.

Angeal stopped poking at the coals of the fire and turned to face Sephiroth. "Maybe we can all finally stop seeing monsters now that Jenova has been destroyed."

"Maybe," Sephiroth said softly. He was silent for a moment. "You asked me if I have forgiven Genesis, and I assume you question my forgiveness of you as well. Hatred fed Jenova's control and I have come to the conclusion that hatred will only destroy me. I missed you both and am glad to have you both back with me, so I do forgive you both. The trust will return eventually."

Angeal felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you, Sephiroth."

"I have always wondered what it felt like to have a home to go to and family to return to as you and Genesis described," Sephiroth said. "I only just realized that my friends are my family."

Angeal was truly touched to think that Sephiroth thought of them all as his family. "Sephiroth, it is an honor to be counted as your friend and even more so to be considered your family. Thank you for giving me such a gift."

Sephiroth inclined his head and was about to say something when Genesis' shadow appeared over them.

"Am I allowed to come back yet or am I still banished?" he asked.

Angeal smiled. "You just can't stand not being the center of attention, can you?"

"I missed you two," Genesis complained. "Bothering Zack isn't as entertaining when he's being enchanted by his flower girl's beauty."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as he eyed the man towering above them. "Then by all means, have a seat."

Genesis smiled and plopped between the two men. They all sat in silence and Angeal sighed happily. There was no tension as they sat and watched the fire. Genesis eventually reclined against the log they had been sitting on, seemingly content to just enjoy the company of his friends once more. When he reached into his coat and pulled out his copy of LOVELESS, Angeal shared a glance and small smile with Sephiroth, both silently agreeing to let Genesis just enjoy his poem in peace.

Tifa covered a yawn and leaned heavily against Cloud. She kept her eyes on Sephiroth, even though she was exhausted. He was happy. She could see it in his eyes when he looked at Genesis or Angeal. She smiled slightly while she watched Genesis read LOVELESS to his friends with a passion for the words only he could devote to his favorite piece of literature. Tifa was pulled from her thoughts when she felt Cloud nudge her in the side.

"You look dead to the world," he said softly. "You should hit the sack before you fall on your face."

Tifa pushed herself away from him and lifted her arms above her head, stretching and yawning. "You're right, Cloud. I'll just say goodnight to the guys."

Zack smiled, watching her walk towards the group of generals. "And by 'say goodnight' she means smooch Seph goodnight, right?"

"I heard that Zack Fair!" Tifa called. She smiled to herself when she heard Aerith gently admonish him for teasing her.

As she got closer to the three friends, they all seemed to pick up on her approach. Each of them looked up at her with varying reactions. Genesis smiled brightly, just like he normally did whenever he saw her. Sephiroth's smile was barely visible, but she could see it, mostly in eyes. Angeal watched her, his gaze polite, but she could see the questions in his eyes.

"I just wanted to say goodnight, guys," Tifa said with a tired smile.

Genesis was the first to his feet and embraced her after snapping LOVELESS closed. "Sleep well, little one." He turned and looked down at Angeal pointedly. "We should probably go to sleep as well, don't you think? Coming back to life takes a lot out of a person."

Angeal raised an eyebrow, but quietly acquiesced to Genesis' not so subtle hint that they should get lost. Tifa smiled and watched the newest member of their party get to his feet and step closer to her.

"It has been a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lockhart," Angeal said.

She smiled at him and nodded. "Likewise, General Hewley."

Tifa watched Angeal and Genesis head back to where the rest of their party was still sitting and then turned to face Sephiroth. He offered her his hand and gently pulled her so she was sitting beside him. Once she was beside him, she collapsed against his body, enjoying the feeling of his arm around her and his hand resting on her hip. She felt so protected in his arms.

"I was so worried about you," she whispered.

"I was worried about you as well," he said. He gently rubbed her back and she snuggled further into his arms. "Once we reach the royal palace, things will move quickly and we will be parted again."

"Why can't I go with you?" Tifa asked, not wanting to see their time together ended so quickly.

"I will be on the front lines, battling other SOLDIERs and infantrymen," Sephiroth explained. "And before you start lecturing me about being a skilled fighter in your own right, you will be needed in our battle…just not where I will be. You will have to trust me on this."

She knew he wasn't going to give an inch on his opinion, so she just sighed and accepted that her time with him would be limited. "I understand."

"You're a bad liar," he said, his tone serious enough that Tifa lifted her head and stared at him.

When she saw the telltale teasing quirk of his lips, she rolled her eyes. "You're a jerk."

"I've been called worse," he answered before getting to his feet and facing her with his hand stretched out toward her.

Tifa smiled and took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. "I'm sure you have and the worst things probably came from Genesis."

"You know us both so well," Sephiroth said.

He accompanied Tifa to the tent she was sharing with Aerith and Cissnei. They both came to a stop just outside the tent and Tifa looked at Sephiroth.

"Good night, Sephiroth," she said before leaning up and kissing his cheek.

He bent slightly to allow her to reach his face. "Good night, Tifa."

She sighed happily, watching him walk in the direction of the tent he was sharing with Genesis and Angeal. She knew they didn't have much time left together, but she promised herself that she was going to make the most of it.