DIVINE CROSSING
Chapter 4~Breaking The Barrier

"Okay, I'll start from the begining.." Aeris said, gazing about the room. If she wasn't directly involved, it would have been funny. The members of AVALANCHE sat in various places around the spacous living room. Cloud, Tifa, and herself were sitting on the largest couch. Across the room Barett, Cid, and Sephiroth sat cramed on the loveseat. Sephiroth absent mindedly twirling Ultima sword on the floor. Beside her Cloud held Masamune on his lap, more accurately across Tifa's, Cloud's and her lap.
It had been Yuffie's idea, as a precaoution, they switched weapons. If either one of them were to strike the other, it would have been impossible. Cloud couldn't swing Masamune around well enough, and the Ultima sword was too heavy for Sephiroth to lift. Sitting in chairs scattered around the room were Vincent, Yuffie (who sat on his lap to keep him from starting anything as well.), and Red, who sat in no mans land, on the carpet between the couch and loveseat.
"Well, as I was saying..." she began. "When you defeated Sephiroth and Jenova, Sephiroth went to the Lifestream, but Jenova......she...well..."
"Survived?" Cloud finished for her. She nodded. "Yes, somehow she wasn't completely destroyed, instead, she was blown off the planet and into outer space, where she used the Lightstream to travel to another target..."
"Don't ya mean Lifestream?" Yuffie asked from her seat on Vincent. Aeris shook her head. "No, the term is Lightstream. The Lightstream is like the Lifestream for the universe. When planets die, the souls return to the Lightstream, and circulate about the universe, waiting for a new planet to be formed so they can merge with it and begin the cycle of life, death, and rebirth all over again in a new Lifestream."
Everyone took a moment to digest all of this. The next to speak was Cid, "So how did you know this, did the planet tell ya, or if this some Cetran seceret?" Aeris sighed, "It's a little of both really. The planet is refered to as a Lightstream planet, meaning it contains life, it's part of a 'system' of all the Lightstream planets in the universe." she took a pause to see if anyone was lost.
"In fact, the Cetran know well of the Lightstream. You know how the Cetra traveled from planet to planet right?" Everyone nodded. "Well, thats how the Cetra traveled, by using the Lightstream to get from planet to planet." The group nodded in understanding. "Okay, well when a planet is seriously in danger, it can send 'distress signals' along the system to other planets, asking for aid. Thats whats happened. Appearantly, the new planet that Jenova has landed on has a weakened defense system. Somethings happened to it's Beast gaurdian, as well as it Spirit gaurdian. It's wide open for Jenova to attack, steal the Lifestream energy and break for the next planet."
Vincent spoke up for his seat, "What exaclty are Beast and Spirit gaurdians Aeris?" Aeris gave another sigh, she was gonna be here for a while. "They are exactly what they sound like. Beast gaurdians protect the planet from invaders, aliens, natural disaters, ect. Now Spirit gaurdians protect the planet from evil ghosts, spirits as well. Got it?" Another round of nods followed. "So why are you here Aeris, and why did you bring Sephiroth, of all people, with you?" Tifa asked from the other side of Cloud.
"Well, it's pretty simple, our planet wants us to travel, via the Lightstream, to this other planet and stop Jenova. And who better to help us battle Jenova, than somebody who knows her inside out...." she stared at Sephiroth as she finished. A collective groan of disgust and general dispair arose from the group. "Here we go again...." was all Cloud could say.
Yuffie perked up, "Hey!! Whats wrong with you people!?!? This can't be the group of gung-ho, optimistic, proud soldiers that kicked both Jenova and Sephiroth's (no offense to you Seph. she whispered) butts? I say we suit up, head out and give that mutated pain-in-the-butt-sideways a reason fear us!!!!!!!" The last sentence ended as Yuffie, Vincent, and the chair went crashing to the floor, as Yuffie attempted to jump up and down on it.
"Ugh, Yuffie, get off me, I can't breathe.."Vincent pleaded to the ninja who had ended up sitting on his chest in the upset. Yuffie hopped up, "Sorry Vinnie.." she said meekly. "Don't call me Vinnie.." he interjected as he stood up.
"So how are we gonna get there? Just how so we catch a wave on this Lightstream of yours Aeris?" Cid asked, giving in to the envidable conclusion, like it or not, they were going. Aeris flashed her sweetest possible smile, now came the hard part. "Why we're gonna use the Highwind, of course..." A second of silence followed then the flood gates opened.
"Like !@^$# $$^# *&%+_ your gonna use my beautiful Highwind!! Are you out of your !*%$@=#$@-#$% mind girl!!!" the pilot raged on and on for a few minutes before Red silenced him. "Cid..." he asked quietly. Nothing. "Um Cid...." Still nothing. "CID!! THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH!!" the lion-wolf roared. Instantly Cid stopped, and gazed hard at his comrade. "What?" Red asked, he turned to notice that everyone, even Sephiroth was staring hard at him. "What? I can't get angry too?" he pouted. Cid dropped the subject, "Well now that we know whats getting us there," he cast a glare at Aeris. "The question is how?"
Aeris vaulted up and into Cid, "Thank you so much Cid!! I knew you would understand!!" Cid just grumbled, I'm getting soft in my old age.... he thought. Just then Shera swept into the room, her hand wrapped up in a dish cloth. "Are you people hungry or what? I've been calling you to dinner for the last half-hour.." Barett piped up, "Hell yeah! I'm about to starve!!" he chimed as he sprinted for the kitchen, closely followed by Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, Vincent, Cid, and Red. Sephiroth soon found himself in the room all alone.
Is it possible that this group of unorganized, hair-brained, goof-balls are the ones that actually beat me in the Northern Cave?....Nah, must have been someone else... Aeris poked her head around the corner, "Your gonna eat right, Sephiroth?" she pleaded giving him her best pout. Oh might as well, I might get some entertainment out of them..... "Alright, I'm coming......."

~~~EARTH~~~~~

Gohan ran his hand through his wild head of hair that he hadn't even took a comb too in the last three days. He was starving, sleep deprived, had bags under his eyes, and was in general sad sight.
"Gohan," a voice picked up behind him. he glanced over his shoulder to his wife, Videl. "Gohan," she repeated, "Get some sleep, your no use to us in the condition you are now.." Her husband sighed, as much as he didn't like it, he couldn't egnore his wife's logic. "Fine then, I'll get some sleep." he admitted. Videl produced a blanket from the closet of his old room, and laid it over his already sleeping form. "Good night, sweetheart." she whispered in his ear as she leaned over to kiss his cheek. Ahe turned off the light and crept out.
Videl stumbled down the stairs of the Son house and into the packed kitchen. What meeted her there were faces not unlike Gohans, hagard, disheaveled, and unshaven. She poured herself her fifth cup of coffee that morning, for the past three days she had lived on it. Krillin looked up, "He finally got to sleep huh? Did you have to knock him out or what?" Videl managed to crack a small smile dispite herself.
Ever since she had discovered the blood smeared bathroom the day before the day before yesterday, the Earth's Special forces had turned out full force to search for Chi-chi, but even with their powers, she was nowhere to be found. Even Piccolo had suggested to go to Dende and ask for his help, which they did. When they arrived at the lookout, they were met by a hysterical Mr. Popo. Dende had shut himself up in the observatory since yesterday. With Gohan's coaxing, the gaurdian of Earth stepped out of his solitary confinement.
As soon as he was out, the group of Gohan, Goten, Pan, Piccolo, and herself bomdared him with questions about Chi-chi's possible where-abouts. But Dende was silent, all he could do was look up at them with sorrowful eyes, and whispered, "It's too late, too late for all of us. She'll kill us all. Earth is doomed." In the face of this dreary prediction, they left, back at square one again. Still, the next day, Videl felt a pang of deep fear stabbed her again, maybe she was paranoid, but something was wrong, dead wrong.
Too many thoughts racing about in her head. Too many worries, too much confusion. Sighing, she banged her head on the table. "Guys," she said to the silent group of warriors. "We all best get some sleep, if we're gonna find Chi-chi, we need to be alert and well rested. So just go home, or find someplace on the floor here to crash. We'll start searching again in the morning." the group nodded. 18 and Krillin headed for the living room and the couch therein. Yamcha just slumped over on the table and was snoring within a couple of seconds.
Tein and Chousu walked out and flew off the where ever it was they went. Piccolo walked outside and took up a position beneth a tree. Bulma and Vegeta took up residence in the guestroom. Seeing that everyone who wanted a blanket had one, she made her way to Gohan's room. As she passed through the hall she paused before Goten's room and slowly peeped in. There all over the floor were Marron, Pan, Bra, and Trunks snoozing peacefully. Goten sat on his bed, looking out the window to the sky, the expression on his face was akin to that of a lost puppy.
"Goten.." she whispered. Her brother-in-law turned to face her with bloodshot eyes, red and strained from crying. "Goten," she repeated, "Get some sleep. we can start looking again in the morning." Goten sighed, and nodded in defeat. "alright." was the only thing he said as he wriggled under the covers. Satisfied she walked to the end of the hall to Gohan's room, but not before she passed Goku and Chi-chi's room. She didn't even look in, she knew what was there. Beyond the spic-and-span room was the bathroom. She had been the one to discover the blood stained room.
even now she would remember the scene. Blood on the floor, walls, bathtub, towels, sink. But what she remembered the most was the mirror. on it, almost symbolic was a smeared, bloody handprint that started at the top and dragged itself to the bottom of the mirror. Shaking herself from the horrid images of a bloody Chi-chi hanging on to that mirror for dear life. She walked away into her husband's room, plopped down on the floor and slept.

~~~GAIA, NEXT DAY~~~~~

It was barely past dawn when AVALANCHE started to prepare for their trip across the Lightstream. Cid had hit the floor bright and early to run mateinence on the Highwind. Shera, Vincent, and Barett had invaded a couple of local towns for food, supplies, and a first aid kit. Cloud and Tifa had gathered up everyones weapons and materia and were organizing them and loading them in the cargo hold. Aeris and Sephiroth were loading luggage. Yuffie and Marlene, who was coming with them, were going around, locking doors and widows, turning off heaters and air conditioners, ect.
After putting the last of the luggage in the appropriate rooms, Sephiroth sat down for a break. He turned around at the sound of footsteps bahind him. Aeris sat down beside him on the ramp. "Hey Sephiroth, let me see your cut." she asked his. Slowly, with reluctance, he rolled down the collar of a shirt that had once been Barett's. But a couple of trips too many through the dryer had shrunk it too small for Barett to get over his head, so it went to Sephiroth. Aeris mummered in sympathy over the inch and a half cut directly beneath his collarbone. "I still can't beleive he did that..." Aeris muttered. "That was totally uncalled for.."
He just stared across the lawn too the blonde-hiared man who was sitting with his back to him. Last night had been a real hell-ride as far as he was concerned.
It was barely 2 in the morning, Sephiroth was sleeping on the couch in the living room, when he sensed someone watching him. Opening one eye, he saw Cloud standing above him, Ultima weapon in hand, about a second away from cleaving him in half. A quick turn to the side prevented him from losing the lower part of his body. He ducked down as the crystal blade swung an inch from the top of his head. "What is wrong with you?!?!" he cried, while dodging another slash from Cloud. "You!!" he creid, "How dare you show your face here!! I'll kill you!!" he screamed. Sephiroth looked around, where had he put Masamune? Suddenly, he spotted it in the corner of the room, leaning against the wall. Using a foreward roll to slip past Cloud, he ran to the other side of the room and unsheathed his sword just in time to block Ultima with it. "What is wrong with you!?! Have you lost your mind!?!" (pun intended :) Cloud smirked, "How ironic for you to say that..."
He lifted his sword and struck again, and Sephiroth blocked. If the shouting wasn't enough to bring everyone running, the sound of swords clashing was. Quickly, everyone rushed in and proceded to pull the two part. "Cloud! Whats wrong with you?!" Tifa said, repeating Sephiroth's question. "Tifa," he grunted "He's right here. Sephiroth's right here!! Don't you get it? He's right here in front of us! we can finally get our revenge, for Nibelheim, midgar, everything..." he hissed. "Cloud!" Tifa begged, while trying to pry his sword from his hands, "You got your revenge at the Northern Cave!! You settled the score when you killed him. It's over now, he's here to help us!!"
"Like hell he is!! he's just here to carry out Jenova's plan!! He's just Jenova's puppet!"
........just Jenova's puppet......
.........is that all I really am?.....
........Professor Gast, why did you never tell me the truth?......
......What am I? Am I Cetran, human, both......
......or neither?........
"Sephiroth?...Sephiroth!!" Aeris cried, sapping him out of his thoughts. "What?" he asked. "We're about to leave, we best get inside." she replied, getting up and walking inside. Sephiroth sighed, and followed her in.

"Okay Aeris, we're here, so what do we do now?" Cid asked, puffing on cigarette. Aeris nodded, "Okay evryone, I need you to keep qiute while concentrate.." The ship fell silent as everyone hushed and backed away from Aeris. She held up Princess Guard to her chest and began to pray. For the nest few minutes, nothing was heard except the hum of the engines and Aeris's soft praying.
"This is ridiculous.." Yuffie complained. "I think we should just drop......" Yuffie was cut off when a bright blinding light filled the room. Outside, in the middle of the air, was a swriling vortex of white light. Aeris looked up, "Well Cid. What are you waiting for? There's our way to the Lightstream.." Cid walked up to the controls grinning This maybe turn out to be an adventure
after all.. "All right folks! Hold on to your pants, cause here go!!!"



Wow, long chapter huh? This took me two days to write. Sorry if it's not exactly the best i've writtten. The first part was written at about 12:30 last night, and on top of that I had drank some of my cousins "Home-made" cough syrup that has lemon, honey, brown sugar, and 103 proof burbon...
I wanna thank Sikyu 11. You have my un-ending gratitude, for your constant support, and being the first to put my story under your faves list!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Next Chapter: Cloud and company make it to Earth, while trouble brews for the z senshi...(inset dramtic chord)
Side note: okay, Cid's last line had a few words missing. The reason? My mom "screens" all my work before I post it, and if she saw the complete phrase, she'd groud me for a week, and
not let me post this chapter...sorry.

(insert standard disclaimer) I don't own DBZ or FF7. Here, I admit it. so you can't sue me...:P