It was quiet and early when their group left the next morning. Veld had sent all but Tseng back to Midgar the previous afternoon with the other helicopters. The rest of their, now slightly larger group, was piled into the largest one remaining and headed across the ocean. It was an uncomfortable ride, but not so much that it caused tempers to flare. Tseng and Veld were piloting while Zack, Aerith, and Angeal were on one wall with Sephiroth, Sherry, and Genesis on the other. None of them were looking forward to the two-plus weeks it would take to get to their destination. At least they would have a three-day stint on a ferry. It was too far to cross the ocean by helo between the two largest continents, so they would go by ship.
No one except Veld was upset when they arrived in the late afternoon in Junon and found it was too late for the last ferry. They would have to spend an extra day in the city and take the first one in the morning. It wasn't that they didn't realize they were playing with fire. If President Shinra had any reason to believe this trip was contrary to his wishes, he could very well issue orders to have them all killed.
They did currently represent the heads of most of the military, but the infantry was still an unknown factor that could be used against them. And Sherry knew without a doubt that by sheer numbers alone, that branch could be sufficient. Even with that hanging over their heads, a single afternoon spent out of that blasted helicopter was appreciated. Not even Veld complained too much.
Once they all checked into the hotel, they disbursed for the evening. The only point of contention was when Zack tried to drag Aerith down to a strange store that had caught his eye. Tseng had immediately stepped in and refused to allow it. Aerith had stepped behind the young Soldier. Even though she had become used to the two Turks, she had spent too long running from them to hide the reaction. Zack frowned at her action, and not for the first time, wondered what it was about. Thankfully Angeal stepped in and agreed to go with them to keep them out of trouble. Zack looked like he had been kicked, but agreed when he saw the others nodding as well. Sherry grinned as she watched them all walk out.
When the rest turned to their own activities, Genesis took Sherry's hand. "Come with me."
She raised a brow. "You sound like you have a plan."
He smirked at her. "Would you object if I did?"
She laughed at the tilt of his lips and reminded herself that PDA with Genesis Rhapsodos of all people was a bad idea, especially in Junon. It made no difference that her last name was now Rhapsodos as well. She was sure the only reason they hadn't been mobbed by his fan clubs yet was because they had been in remote locations or in the slums. She was still glad he took her hand as he led her down the street.
She knew he had some sort of plan, but it didn't seem like it. He allowed her to ramble through the streets and stop if something caught her eye. Not that much did. The city was too utilitarian for her tastes. She already missed Banora.
She was ready for Genesis to get on with whatever he was planning and almost turned to ask him to do just that when something finally did catch her eye. She gasped when a particular shop caught her eye, and she stopped in her tracks. Genesis almost asked her why she stopped until he saw what she was staring at. He sighed under his breath and shook his head. "You know, he isn't the same man you knew."
Her brows drew down, and she paused before she looked back and shook her head. "That isn't exactly true. He is the same man minus the last two years. I do understand that means he never met me, but the rest is still the same. Some things haven't changed."
Genesis closed his eyes and clenched his jaw before he opened them and gave her a searching look. When all he found was determination, he shook his head with a wry smile. "Love, you realize a lesser man would be jealous."
She chuckled and squeezed his fingers before her smile dimmed. "You might have been before you realized he was one of your best friends, and you figured out you could trust him with your life. You know that means you could trust him with mine too." She then raised a brow at him. "I would hope that means you trust me as well."
He rolled his eyes at her before he pulled her in and placed a kiss on her temple before he pulled back and opened the door. "Hurry and get what you need. It is close to time, and we need to be on our way." She gave him a curious look but did as he asked. It wasn't long before they were back on the street with instructions given to the store owner to deliver the package to the hotel where they were staying.
After that, he led her down a series of alleys and up several flights of stairs. She was thoroughly lost by the time he got to a large gate with a smaller one inset and told her to close her eyes. She gave him an odd look but did as he asked. That didn't mean she didn't squeal when he lifted her from her feet. "Don't worry, it won't be far."
She snorted at the playful note to his voice and wrapped her arms around his neck. She decided to enjoy the ride. He had been correct; it was only a matter of a few minutes later that he put her down with a warning not to open her eyes yet. She huffed but allowed him to turn her slightly before he moved to stand behind her and envelope her. Once his arms were around her waist, he leaned and whispered into her ear. "You can open your eyes now."
She blinked her eyes a few times against the brilliant oranges and golds of the setting sun. It took her a few moments to realize what she was seeing. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the sea spread out below them with no view of the city. He had taken her to the very end of the mako cannon, and he had been correct. As stifling as the town had been, the view from here was breathtaking.
A slight breeze had picked up, and the clouds skidding past the setting sun matched their broken images mirrored in the endless ocean below. Even the sounds of the city were muted to the point that they could pretend they were alone. Just the two of them standing at the edge of the world watching one day end with the promise of eternity on the horizon. It was both beautiful and bitter in its symbolism. Sherry felt the tears on her cheeks and didn't bother trying to stop them.
It was a long time later, and the sun was nearly gone before she finally spoke. She turned in his arms with a soft look, despite her tears. "I did ask if I would be able to see it. Thank you."
He brushed her hair behind an ear and shook his head. "I was unsure if we would be able to, but I am glad we had the opportunity."
She took a deep breath and swallowed once before she managed a smile. "We should probably get back before Veld sends out a search party. He's antsy enough as it is." Genesis grimaced at her reminder but nodded. That didn't mean their walk back was any less leisurely than it had been on the way there.
The next morning, Everyone but Tseng was already on the ferry. The Turk second-in-command had stayed behind to oversee the transfer of the helicopter so they would have it once they got to the Western Continent as well.
Sherry took advantage of the slight delay and pulled Sephiroth off to the side. He gave Genesis a curious glance, but the redhead grimaced before he waved them both off. Both Sephiroth and Angeal gave them odd looks, but the General allowed her to lead him a short distance away.
Once they were around the corner, Sherry handed him a medium-sized package with a smile. "I know you might not consider me a friend, but I saw this and had to get it for you."
Sephiroth wasn't sure how to react at first, but when she continued to look at him expectantly, he opened the gift. What he uncovered had his eyes shooting up to hers in shock. "What!? How did you know?"
Sherry's smile dimmed a little, and she shook her head. "I know it might seem a little strange coming from me, but I also know that you are incredibly talented. You might not have ever let anyone else see it if I didn't do this, and that would be a waste. I'm sure it has to be cathartic to create something beautiful every now and then. Don't let anyone tell you it's unbecoming of a General, because it's not."
Sephiroth swallowed as he looked down at the sketch pad and charcoal set in his hands before he looked back at the woman in front of him, looking back with determined eyes. When she caught his gaze again, she shrugged awkwardly. "I apologize if this is weird, I just wanted to make sure you knew it wasn't something you had to hide. Anyway, we should probably return before Genesis gets pissy."
He didn't try to stop her as she immediately turned and walked away. He was still too stunned by what had just happened, not to mention even more confused then he had been. Every interaction he had with the woman only made more questions.
It was only midmorning when they finally made it into Nibelheim, and the sight of their group immediately caused a group of children playing near the square to scatter as they entered the town. Sherry and Aerith both frowned, but there was not much they could do. None of them bothered asking about the inn. Instead, they all headed straight for the mansion nestled near the mountain path on the far side of town.
Their group was halted when both Genesis and Sherry froze before they made it far. Genesis looked down at his wife, back at the building next to them, and then back down again. The other Soldiers were the only ones to hear him whisper down to her. "Was that him?"
Sherry had a hand to her throat. She had been shocked by the sight of a familiar head of blonde hair that dashed out of sight as the Soldiers came marching through. She looked up and nodded. Genesis' eyes widened before he looked over at the others. "We will catch up in a moment."
None of them looked pleased by the delay, but when Veld looked like he was going to insist they continue, Sherry shocked them all when she looked at the director and did something none of them expected her to do given their strained relationship. "Please. This is personal, and I give you my word that we won't be long."
The Director raised a brow at her before he shook his head. "You have a half-hour. After that, I send Tseng with a bullet for you each." Sherry rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement before she turned and grabbed Genesis' arm. They didn't have time for him to lose his temper at the Turk. The two of them followed in the direction they had seen the other person disappear and left the rest of their group to wonder what was going on.
It wasn't long until they caught up to a young boy that nearly stumbled and fell when he caught sight of them behind them. When he turned and looked like he was about to run, Sherry called out. "Wait! You aren't in trouble or anything, we just wanted to talk to you!"
He froze at her request but didn't look convinced as he looked at them both. "Are you with Shinra? I saw you come in the helicopter."
Genesis nodded. "Yes." He paused and almost looked like he wasn't sure how to proceed for a moment. Now that they had Cloud in front of them, he was unsure what to say to convince the boy to listen and believe they wanted to help with a realistic reason.
Thankfully, he was given the reason by Cloud himself. "Were those Turks with you as well? Are you here to recruit for Soldier?"
Genesis smirked. "That is exactly why I am here."
Cloud didn't relax, but he also quit looking like he was going to run. He looked back and forth between the two of them nervously before he spoke again. "You look like Commander Genesis Rhapsodos. Are you… well, are you actually him?"
Genesis' smirk widened, and he put his hand over his heart. "The very one."
Cloud frowned again. "Why are you here, then? I thought the Turks recruited, not the Firsts. Isn't that a little below you?"
Genesis smirk instantly turned to a frown, and Cloud cowered away from him. Sherry jumped between them with a smile. "Genesis, why don't you go see if the others need help? I'm sure I can explain things to the young man, and then we'll be right over."
Genesis' frown turned into a glare as he turned to her, but her smile only widened as she tilted her head, and her eyes tried to tell him to back off. He finally huffed, "There are no dreams, no honor remains. Do what you will. I will be waiting at the mansion, just remember things are different."
Sherry looked like he had just slapped her, but she gave him a nod. "Of course."
When Genesis walked off, Sherry turned back to Cloud, who was giving her a confused look. He had not understood much of that conversation at all, especially how the woman had acted toward the extremely large and intimidating male. He looked her over once again. "Are you a Turk?"
She laughed and shook her head. "Not at all. I don't work for Shinra in any capacity."
His brows drew down. "Then, who are you? Why did the Commander agree to let you talk to me?"
She grinned at him. "That would be because I am his wife, and he trusts me. Plus, we both know I am far less intimidating." She chuckled at the way his jaw dropped before she nodded back toward the path. "Would you at least agree to come back and listen? I know it may seem like it is out of the blue, but perhaps it is the fact that these mountains breed strength or something, but I know the Firsts would never take on anyone they didn't see potential in."
He continued to stare at her with open shock for several more seconds before he finally nodded slowly. He held out a shaky hand. "My name is Cloud Strife, by the way."
Sherry wanted to kick herself for not asking sooner, but at least she hadn't slipped and called him by name before he introduced himself. She took his hand and shook it with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Cloud. I'm Sherry Rhapsodos."
His eyes widened just a fraction before he let go and swallowed. "I don't want to keep them waiting."
"Let's go." She gave him a reassuring wink as they turned back to the path that led to the abandoned mansion.
When they made it to the gate, Cloud hesitated. "This place is supposed to be haunted."
Sherry huffed a bitter laugh. "The only thing haunting this place is painful memories and lies that should remain buried."
He gave her a wide-eyed look, and she shook off her comment. "Sorry. What I mean to say is there are no ghosts in this place. Plus, there are four Soldiers, two Turks, and an incredibly powerful magic-user. I think even if there were, that we'd be okay. Plus, I'm not exactly helpless." Something in her tone made him take a step back, but he nodded and followed her in.
Sherry didn't need to ask where the rest of the group was, she could hear raised voices coming from a room to the left as soon as she entered. When they walked in, silence descended as all eyes in the room turned to them. Cloud unconsciously took a step behind Sherry as several glares turned their way.
Veld was the first to speak. "This boy is why you delayed us? What are you doing?"
Genesis sneered at him. "Sherry told you it was personal. It has nothing to do with you. It is a Soldier matter, so keep your Turk nose out of it unless you would like it removed."
Sherry stepped between them with a chuckle. "Okay, I can see that the travel has been difficult for all of us. Can I please make a suggestion without getting shot or skewered? And before you answer, please keep in mind that I can freeze you all with the flick of a wrist."
She glared up at her scowling husband since he was the one that had started poking the bear. She then looked back at Veld, and he raised a brow before he smirked. "Which would be faster, I wonder. Your wrist, or my arm?"
She rolled her eyes. "Can we not please? I don't have the equipment or inclination to get into a pissing contest with you."
He surprised them all when he chuckled. "You know, under different circumstances, we might have been friends."
Sherry's eyes narrowed at him before one side of her mouth lifted the tiniest bit. "You might be right."
Veld took a step back and shook his head. "What is your suggestion?"
She looked around at them all. "The Soldiers have something they need to discuss. It shouldn't take more than an hour or two, which is about how long it should take you to find a guide for the trip to the reactor. Whether we go tomorrow or in a few days makes no difference, we will need one. Can we compromise and split into those two tasks?"
Veld gave her a contemplative look before he looked over at the boy. "Tseng will stay and observe."
Sherry rolled her eyes but shrugged. "Fine. Despite what you think, there aren't secrets between our two groups anymore."
Veld's eyes turned into those of a raptor as they drilled into her. "Except you."
Sherry clenched her jaw, but Genesis interrupted. "Enough. If you agree, then we have things to discuss."
Veld nodded to Tseng, who took up a position along the far wall before he walked out. Once Tseng was gone, all eyes turned back to Cloud, who had been trying to make sense of the scene that had just unfolded. He had not really known what to think of the woman's claim that she wasn't helpless, but the fearless way she stepped in between the two men and the fact that they didn't scoff at her claims made him swallow dryly. Unfortunately, she was the least of his worries. He was currently under the scrutiny of all three Firsts.
When Sherry had told him there were four Soldiers in the mansion, he hadn't realized these three made up most of them. He wasn't sure if he was going to hyperventilate or stop breathing altogether. His feet had stopped working until Sherry pulled him forward and introduced him. "Gentlemen, I would like you to meet Mr. Cloud Strife. Genesis and I went to speak with him about the possibility of joining Soldier."
Both Angeal and Sephiroth frowned. They turned to Genesis and, without a word, pulled him to the side. A whispered and hurried conversation took place out of earshot of the rest of the group as Zack made his way over with Aerith trailing close behind. She didn't want to be left alone with Tseng in the room. "Hey! Sherry said your name was Cloud, right? This your home town?"
Cloud looked up at the boisterous teen with a frown. "Uh, yeah. They did just find me in the streets."
Zack looked slightly abashed, but he scratched the back of his head and grinned. "Right. Well, I just wanted to let you know not to worry. We've got a lot going on, so this isn't just about you. If Commander Rhapsodos interrupted us to go after you, then he had to have a good reason, so don't let the rest of this bother you, okay?"
Cloud was frowning again. He got the feeling something big was going on, but by that time, the others had turned back to him, and Genesis had pulled a massive sword out of somewhere and was trying to hand it to Angeal. "My friend, I had taken a vow to train the chocobo so that he could one day wield this, but that is a vow I can no longer keep. Please, take it in my stead. You know they are a matched set anyway. The Puppy and the Chocobo. They will work well together."
It was at about that time that both Cloud and Zack realized what he meant, or rather who he was talking about and spoke up at the same time. "Hey!"
They were ignored as Angeal pinned Genesis with a worried glare. "What is going on? You have been acting strange since Banora."
Sherry didn't wait for them to continue. She turned to Zack with a strained smile. "Hey, do you think you and Aerith can have Cloud show you the town for a bit? It might come in handy."
Despite his naivety, Zack wasn't stupid. He knew exactly what she was trying to do, and his eyes narrowed. "What is going on?"
Her face fell, and she shook her head. "It's personal, and something that Genesis needs to decide to tell Angeal and Sephiroth or not. I can't say. Can you please give us some privacy?"
Zack frowned but nodded when Aerith put a hand on his arm. He looked down at her with a crooked smile. "Yeah, I guess it'll be interesting to see what other small towns are like. I bet it isn't all that different than Gongaga."
With that, he wrapped an arm around Cloud's shoulders. "Alright, Spikey, you gotta show me all the secret places to hang out and impress the girls. I bet you know them." Cloud blushed and pushed the arm off, but he only looked back once before he led the other two teens out of the mansion. This was already the strangest day of life, and he had a feeling it was only going to get stranger.
A/N: And here I thought I had it all figured out . So, There are only a handful of scenes remaining, and I really, truly felt they could be fit into two chapters, but as the dialogue entered (yes I know, my dialogue always runs away with me, I should know better by now) these last two chapters have expended into four. Or more precisely, three and a small epilogue. What that means for you as the reader is that there will now be 2.5 more chapters lol. I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for reading!