Author's Note: This chapter is super short, but there will be an epilogue.

To answer you're question Slake, Kadaj's expression of fear in a previous chapter wasn't so much about Jenova. It was a reaction to the memory of Sephiroth losing his mind under the realization of how he was created. I think in the chapter after that one, both Yazoo and Loz express a similar feeling of uneasiness and it's the same for them. Even though they are all individuals for the most part, they all share certain memories that are Sephiroth's (in this story anyways! ;D).

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my laptop and my ridiculous imagination! All else belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 36: Moving on

"At eighteen-thirty hours, two hours after the death of General Sephiroth, a ceasefire was agreed upon and signed by all parties involved. The ShinRa Electric Power Company, a power that has existed for almost half a century, is to be dismantled and absorbed into the World Regenesis Organization. Reports from the former ShinRa company state that Reeve Tuesti will return as the Director after General Genesis Rhapsodos stepped down. It is also being reported that SOLDIER and ShinRa's former Infantry unit will be made part of the new WRO. Tifa Lockhart, former head of AVALANCHE and General Sephiroth's consort approved the ceasefire and transfer of ShinRa to Mr. Tuesti only moments ago. In a short statement, Mr. Tuesti assured the people of the world that the war is over and the martial law imposed during the General's reign is now rescinded. He did advise however that any riots or other public disturbances would still be dealt with harshly as the planet needs time to recover. He also prepared the world for the tough times ahead as he makes plans to shut down all the mako reactors around the world. Alternate fuel sources do exist and he plans to phase the use of mako energy out in favor of these alternatives. Stay tuned as our experts weigh in when we discuss what this truly means for the people of the world."

Cloud found Tifa sitting on the bed in the apartment he guessed she had shared with Sephiroth. She looked so tired and in desperate need of a good night's sleep. He stepped into the room and knocked on the doorframe. Tifa looked at up and tried to smile, but just couldn't.

"Hey," she said quietly.

Cloud took it as an invitation and made his way over to the bed before sitting down beside her. "Tifa, I know this is a really stupid question, but…are you okay?"

She nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm okay. You know, I dreamed of the day when that bastard would finally die. I fantasized about all the brilliant ways I could kill him or make him suffer for what he did to us. And now that it's happened…I feel so empty." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I hate that I'm sad, I'm pissed at myself for caring about the monster that killed my father and tortured you for ten years, and I'm confused about why I feel any pity for him at all. You must be so angry with me."

Cloud shook his head. "Tifa, I'm not angry with you. The fact that you can find it in yourself to care about him means that on some level, Sephiroth was still human. Look, no one can deny that Sephiroth has only ever known suffering. He has been the subject of experiments since his conception. He grew up in the labs and only knew ShinRa. You know, back before Nibelheim, there had been a rumor that after Angeal's death and Genesis' reappearance after his supposed 'death' that Sephiroth was fed up with ShinRa and was going to abandon it. Nibelheim was probably going to be his last mission for ShinRa. Finding out that he was a monster on top of everything else that had happened was the last straw for him. He just couldn't take it."

"Are you conflicted about his death?" Tifa asked.

"Not at all," Cloud answered honestly. "But Tifa, you know...knew him in a way that none of us ever will. Being physically intimate with another person forms a connection to that person that no one else feels."

Tifa blushed at the acknowledgement of her physical relationship with Sephiroth and silently cursed the man for using that in an attempt to hurt Cloud. "He told you about that? You must hate me for sleeping with him."

Cloud remembered the harsh words he had traded with Cid over Tifa's physical relationship with Sephiroth when they were still in Nibelheim. He had been angry...but not with her. "I'm not thrilled about it, that's for sure," he said, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. "But you did what you had to do, and no one can judge you for that."

"Cloud, the look in his eyes…" she trailed off before angrily slamming her hand down on the bed. "The man wanted to kill my friends, he choked me, backhanded me, threatened to force himself on me, all while expecting me to look past all that and love him! Then he had the nerve to stare at me and look hurt by my betrayal! What the hell was he expecting?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, Tifa. All I know is that this is going to be with you for a long time and it's not something that's going to just disappear…but you're not alone. You have all of us here to see you through this. Before everything happened ten years ago, I relied on you to take care of me. Well, now it is my turn to do the same for you. You were the best friend a guy could ask for and now I'm going to take care of you."

"I'm just so confused," Tifa sobbed as she fell into Cloud's arms.

"That's totally understandable," he assured her. "Come on. Let's go home."

Tifa pulled back and wiped her eyes before smiling slightly. "Where's that again?"

Cloud smiled and got to his feet before offering her his hand. "I don't know about you, but I kind of missed Edge."

She nodded and took his hand. "Me too."

Cloud gently grasped her hand and led her out of the apartment. Reno was waiting in the hall and smiled when he saw them.

"I don't mean to intrude or nothing, but ever since I deserted you here Tifa, it's been a goal of mine to personally walk you out of here," he said as he offered her his arm.

Tifa smiled and linked her free arm through Reno's proffered limb. "I knew you'd come back for me."

Reno smiled and nodded before looking over her head. "Whaddya say, Cloud? Shall we get this poor girl outta this hell hole or what?"

Cloud nodded. "I say lead the way."

Genesis sat on the front stoop of Seventh Heaven in Edge and looked up at the stars. A mini celebration was happening in the building behind him, but they were really Tifa's friends, not his. He felt so awkward and now that Sephiroth was finally at one with the Lifestream with Zack and Angeal, he felt completely alone. He had not been able to make peace with Sephiroth before death separated them, yet again, and he found that it weighed heavily on his mind. "Please tell me you're at peace, Seph. Please tell me you understand why I betrayed you again." A warm breeze brushed against his cheek, flags and signs hanging in front of businesses blew with the gentle rush of wind. "I hope that's a yes."

"I hope you don't mind some company."

Genesis turned and smiled up at Tifa. "Not at all. I was just talking to myself, so please, have a seat. I am a terrible conversationalist when I'm talking to myself."

She smiled as she sat beside him and drew her knees closer to her chest before resting her chin on them. They remained quiet for quite some time before Tifa looked up at him. "Reeve said you're returning to Banora."

Genesis nodded. "I am. When I first joined SOLDIER, it was my plan to retire in Banora and carry on my family's tradition of growing Banora Whites, so when Reeve offered me the opportunity to act as his contact there during the planetary reclamation project and I couldn't refuse. Gail, that lovely little treasure, is coming along as my secretary. And that is a good thing too. I'd be lost without her." He looked at Tifa and gently touched her back. "You have so many friends here. You don't need a useless ex-SOLDIER hanging around."

"You're not useless, Genesis," she said quietly. "I don't think I would have survived without you…and neither would my friends. They were able to survive because you put yourself in personal danger. You could have taken the easy way out and let Sephiroth do whatever he wanted, but you helped my friends instead."

He shrugged. "It was the least I could do after everything I've done."

"Stop doing that to yourself," Tifa said as she turned to face him. "You're not Sephiroth, okay? You have proven it a hundred times over and I think you've earned the world's forgiveness. Now you have to forgive yourself."

"And so do you," he pointed out softly. "There is no hate, only joy. For you are beloved by the Goddess."

"Maybe one day we'll both learn to believe that," Tifa said with a small smile.

"Come with me," he said softly.

Her smile faded. "What?"

"Come with me to Banora," he clarified. "And we can help each other heal."

"But…my family is here," Tifa said as she looked away.

Genesis nodded and turned his gaze forward. "I'm sorry. You've been separated from them for too long already. If you need to be here, then here you shall stay. But always remember that if you ever need a break, you are always welcome in Banora."

Tifa smiled slightly and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you Genesis…for everything."

"It was my pleasure, Tifa," he said quietly. He gently put his arm around her back and just held her as they continued to stare up at the stars. The world was changing and both of them knew it would only get better.