Disclaimer: You know the drill

Chap. 12

The group began to march and headed for the nearest inn. Fortunately, it wasn't too far and they were able to get a ride on some wild chocobos they caught.  They all managed to ride to a hotel and found some rooms for them. Cid decided to call Reeve on the PHS to see if the Highwind had been repaired yet. While he did, everyone was around the town, getting some supplies. Aeris decided to walk out on her own, a constant smile on her face. It feels so strange to be back. While she walked, she saw Cloud sitting on a rock on the outskirts of the town. Quietly, she crept up to him and called him.

"Cloud."

Cloud turned sharply to face her and she could she a deep sadness in his eyes.

"Cloud, what is it? You haven't spoken to me since I came back."

"It's just....just....I'm sorry Aeris. Sorry for not being able to protect you."

Aeris sat down next to him, "You shouldn't beat yourself like this, Cloud. It wasn't your fault. It was necessary."

Cloud straightened up a bit, "But still, I could have done something. If only I was stronger...."

Aeris faced him and held his arms, "Cloud, don't do this. You did what you had to do and I did the same. We have to move on."

Cloud looked into her eyes, "Thank you. And welcome back."

Unbeknownst to them, Tifa was watching the exchange from afar. So that it. That's his choice. A single tear ran down her face as she moved away. But she happened to bump into Vincent, who had just come back from getting ammo for his rifle.

"Oh, Tifa. Sorry about...what's wrong?"

Tifa looked at the dark haired man and suddenly held on to him and burst into tears. Vincent was surprised, but nevertheless he put his arm around her as she cried.

"It's alright, Tifa. It's alright." What could have happened to her? His question was quickly answered when he saw Cloud with Aeris. Vincent narrowed his eyes. Hmm. I'm going to have to have a talk with him.

Meanwhile, Cloud had approached the hotel when he glanced over and saw Tifa with Vincent. Huh? She's...with Vincent? I guess... I really wasn't that strong...after all. He entered the hotel a little too quickly, leaving Aeris behind. Aeris looked shocked as he went to his room. What just happened? She then followed where he had looked before and saw the same thing. Oh, no. What have I done?

__

An hour later, the group had gathering in a large room waiting for Zack and Cid to show up. He entered the room; hood still draped over his head and sat down.

"This seems like deja vu, you know?" Barret commented.

Red XIII agreed, "Yes, it does."

Cid then entered the room, "Good news guys. The Highwind is set and ready. They're bringing it here as we speak."

Yuffie cringed a bit, "That's good news?"

Cid laughed, "It is for those who don't have motion sickness, ha!"

"That's not funny."

Red XIII cleared his throat, "We should get started on what our move is."

Cloud nodded, "Right. Aeris said that Sephiroth was the key to stopping this. We have to figure out how."

Aeris nodded, "I've been doing some thinking. We have to find a link to Sephiroth."

"Yes, but how? The only thing he's ever been linked to was Jenova."

"Is there nothing else? No one in the former Shin-Ra even?"

Zack interjected, "No. He broke all ties with Shin-Ra. In fact, I'm still surprised he's aligned with Hojo. He never liked him."

"Hojo had injected himself with Jenova cells, so Sephiroth would most likely see him as an ally until his use is up. Not to mention the fact that he is Sephiroth's father."

Aeris look in surprise, "Sephiroth's...father? But wasn't Sephiroth conceived from Jenova?"

"No, he was conceived in Prof. Hojo's Soldier experiments. While he was in the womb, he was injected with Jenova cells by Hojo. That is why he is so powerful."

"If what you say is true, then what about his mother?"

"She died." The response came from Vincent.

"She did? But I never sensed her presence in the Lifestream."

"Huh?"

"Well, when a person returns to the Planet, their singular energy could be felt within the stream. Even if the energy was reborn, the sense of where that energy came from could still be felt. If I had felt her, then I would have known about Sephiroth being her son."

"She never joined the Lifestream. During the experiment, she too was injected with Jenova cells. The cells didn't allow her to die." Vincent responded

"So she lives?"

"In a sense, yes and no. Her body exists in a cavern underneath a waterfall, but her mind is still alive."

"Then there is hope. If I could remove the cells from her body, maybe she could help us."

"No!"

Vincent again, but this time he yelled, something he doesn't normally do.

"She's been through enough. I don't to subject her to any more pain, much less having to confront her own son and learn of what he did. Let her rest."

"Vincent, we understand. But with Jenova alive, she can't rest. And without her help, we may lose and she will suffer more. Is that what you want?"

".......No."

"Then you agree that we should go to her?"

"Yes. But before you do anything, I want to talk to her first."

"Of course."

"Okay, so even if we do get Sephiroth mom, what then?" Barret blurted, "I don't think Sephiroth will agree to a mother and son picnic.

"I don't know, but it's all we have right now."

"Yes. And we have little time to figure out what they plan to do."

________

 Northern Crater...

"There are two left, still intact. Ultima and Sapphire. Ultima resides near Cosmo Canyon while Sapphire lies at the bottom of the sea at Junon.

Good. We could use both of them, but only one is necessary. I trust you can deal with them.

Yes Jenova.

Ironic. These creatures were born from the planet itself. Now they will be the instrument of its destruction and our ascension.

Yes, mother.

AN: Haha! Finally made this chapter. Sorry about the long delays.