"Elmyra, that was a great breakfast. Don't you think so, Cloud?" Tifa said taking his plate.

"Yes, thanks. I know that you didn't have to this." Cloud said, rising to assist her.

"No problem. I enjoy having a house full of people. But the real saint is Mary. She let us use the house and even provided the food." Elmyra disappeared into the kitchen.

"Where is she anyway?" Cid asked, lighting up his after breakfast cigarette. "We should thank her personally."



"She went to Icicle Inn to visit her family. She insisted that you all have the house to yourselves. You saved the world and she wanted to help. We are all indebted to you guys," Elmyra called from within the kitchen.



The group was silent. Despite the celebrity that came from saving the world from Sephiroth and Meteor, AVALANCHE refused to consider themselves special. They did what they had to do; what anyone would have done in their situation. "There's no gettin' offa this train we're on……."

"So," Barret said. "Where's Yuffie and her 'little man.'"

"I thought they were staying here," Cloud noted, taking his dishes to Elmyra and Tifa. "Maybe they went out for breakfast."

Cid's smoke-filled lips curled into a smile. "Wanted to be alone?"

"Probably not," said Red, placing his paws on the table and resting his head upon them. "They seem to have more of a brother/sister type relationship and---"

"You saw them?" Cid said, sitting up to lean across the table questioningly.

"Yes."

"So, what is he like?" Barret asked, leaning towards the beast as well.

"Why don't you ask me?" Tatsu entered the rear door, nearest the gossips, with Yuffie tagging along behind.

"Why in the heck do you walk so fast?" Yuffie wheezed, trying to catch her breath. "Geez. Slow down, next time!"

Cid stood. "Yeah, we got some questions, but first let us get some of the formalities out of the way." He extended his hand. "I'm Cid Highwind, the best damn pilot in the world. And you are?"

"I am Tatsu Kisaragi of Wutai." He took the older man's hand and shook it quickly and firmly.

"This is AVALANCHE," Cid said, continuing to hold the young man's hand as a friendly gesture. "Pleased to mee'cha, Son."

Upon hearing the pilot's last word, Tatsu's eyes flashed red, and his already strong grip tightened like a vise on the older man's hand, cutting off circulation, popping his joints.

"Dammit," Cid yelled, jerking away his hand in pain. "The kid's got a firm handshake." He laughed weakly.

Subsequently as each member of AVALANCHE approached Tatsu to greet him, few actually shook his hand and the brave one's who dared were careful to let go as soon as he did. Satisfied with their greeting, Cloud, who had returned from the kitchen with Tifa, began the meeting.

"Alright, people. I got a chance to look at the maps and schematics Reeve sent us, and the reactor is a lot more complicated than we thought. We might have some trouble with it," he said from his seated position at the edge of the table.



"Well, he built the thing. He should be able to tell us how turn it off," Barret stated.

"Well, he is supposed to be sending someone from Midgar to assist us. I have no idea who though."

"Some scientist, I suppose, " mumbled Vincent.

"Yeah," interjected Yuffie. "We all know what they are like, and I bet he can't fight worth a curse!"

Cloud shrugged. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

"Excuse me," Vincent interrupted, "but why don't we wait until Amé gets here. She should know her way around a reactor pretty well. She's an ex-SOLDIER, first class."

"Like we haven't heard that one before," Cid said, putting out his cigarette to the tune of a few sparse giggles and muffled laughter.

"I told her to be here at ten."

Cloud checked the clock on the wall to his left. "She's got about eight more minutes. We'll wait."

"Hello, people," Yuffie interjected. "Who is this girl you all are talking about?"

"Just another person to fill in for Cait Sith---I mean Reeve." (I need to stop calling him that.)

"Oh so you all don't trust my judgment? You all think that I'd bring a bum in here and say that he taught me everything I know!"



All of AVALANCHE, including Tatsu was silent. As he pretended to wipe a tear from his eye, he deadpanned, "Good one, Yuffie."

She grumbled a reply as someone knocked at the door. Cloud answered to find Amé leaning against the doorframe smiling. "Hello, sir. Now, you are my type." She extended her hand. "My name is Amé Phoenix. Vincent has probably told you a lot about me." He greeted her and led her into the room.

As the young woman came into view, Barret and Tatsu stood up bristling with the same emotion-anger.

"What the hell are you doin' here Shin-Ra?" Barret said, patting his gun arm menacingly.

"That's what I'd like to know as well," Tatsu agreed darkly, folding his arms in front of his already swelled chest.

"Hey, boys. I don't want any trouble. I came here to work." She held up her hands submissively. Suddenly, she glared fiercely at Tatsu as if just acknowledging his presence. "But for you, I'd make an exception." Without taking her eyes off of him, she took out her daggers displaying them like an x-shaped shield. Then with a flick of her wrists undetectable to the eye they grew into a pair of two-foot long short swords. She smiled with excitement. "Rematch?"

"Gladly." He cracked his knuckles and assumed his fighting stance.

"Wait a minute," Tifa yelled not distracting the fighters in the least. "You two know each other?"

"Yes," they said in unison still not taking their eyes off of one another.

"We know just enough to hate each other," said Amé, beginning to circle the table.

Tatsu followed suit.

Sensing the tension and the potential for total destruction rise, Vincent grabbed Amé and Yuffie tried to calm Tatsu. Cid and Barret grumbled curses under their breath as Cloud, Tifa, and Red stood confused. After a minute or so, the fight was averted and both participants were seated in respective corners, weapons sheathed.

Finally, Cloud spoke up. "What the hell was that?"

Earlier Tatsu and Amé could not keep their eyes off of one another but now they were loathe to look at each other.

"Sorry for that," Amé said, looking at Cloud with a guilty expression. "I got a bit carried away."

"Yes," Tatsu agreed, staring at the wall. "I assure you. This will not happen again."

"I'm a professional. I can control myself better than that."

"I agree," Tatsu said through clenched teeth. "I should have exhibited more self-control. I promise you all that our personal problems will not affect our ability to work. Will they Amé ?" He forced himself to look at her and smile.

"Fine, Tatsu. I'll do it but as soon as this is over, your ass is grass."

The smile faded into indifference. "Sure. Fine. Whatever."

Cloud sighed shaking his head. (This is going to be a long day.) He began to introduce everyone, nodding to each person, beginning with Tifa on his right. "This is Tifa Lockheart."

Tifa grinned and waved politely.

"And I see that you already know Barret to her right."

He eyed Amé suspiciously.

"Next to him is Nanaki or Red as we often call him," Cloud continued. "Yuffie Kisaragi's at the other end with Tatsu. Cid Highwind is a pilot and the resident chain smoker. You already know Vincent and I'm Cloud Strife."

"The leader of AVALANCHE," Tifa interjected.

"Nice to meet you all," Amé said nodding. She turned to Cloud. "Sorry to start asking questions right off of the bat, but weren't you in SOLDIER? You're certainly built like it-I mean I think that I know you from somewhere, before."

He paused, trying to think of the appropriate thing to say. "I…..was not in SOLDIER, but I have been treated with Mako, if that is what you were saying."

"Sorry to pry. I was hoping that you knew what happened to any of the other first classers. Since Sephiroth's reappearance, things have been a little hectic."

(Obviously she has not heard about what terrible things Hojo had done to them. She doesn't know that all of her comrades and friends were dead…..killed by one of their own.) Cloud sighed. "Yep. Things have been quite confusing lately."

"Cloud would you please explain to them exactly what we will be doing on the island. I'm sure that they are very curious," said Red, trying to dispel the somber mood descending over them.

(He's right. They'll be more time for that later.) "Alright, everyone. A few days ago, the SRTN or Shin-Ra Radio Telescopic Network picked up an emergency message from their secret base on Mourir Island. Like all of the transmissions to and from the base, only six people had access to the tapes: President Shin-Ra, Vice President Rufus, Scarlet, Heidegger, Professor Hojo, and Reeve. Thanks to the latter, we have received word that not only is this the location of the last remaining Mako reactor but that shortly after the first anniversary of the Northern Crater incident, it was attacked. A group of people or things has made their way to the island and killed off the Shin-Ra personnel. Reeve, the last surviving member of the Shin-Ra hierarchy, sent another team as soon as they got the transmission but they have yet to contact the base. Now, he has hired us to rescue the survivors, destroy the intruders, and shut down the reactor."

"Piece of cake," Amé said smiling. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible."

"Good. I can't wait. Finally, a challenge."

Cloud shook his head. "We can only hope it will be that easy."

"Not easy," Amé continued with her toothy smile. "Fun."

Tatsu sighed loudly, obviously disgusted with Ame's chipper attitude.

Barret sighed as well, but followed his vocalization with a statement. "So, now that everyone's here let's vote on which one of these fools to take with us."

"Hey," Amé said, rising from her seat next to Cloud. "Can't I tell you a little about myself, before you all make a decision?"

"Sure," Cloud said. "Why don't we ask both of you a few questions?"

"Fine," Tatsu grunted, evidently not fine with the intrusion on his privacy. "I'll answer the questions, if Amé does."

She sat down. "Fine by me. My life is an open book and you all are welcome to read."

"It's not the Bible, Amé," Tatsu mumbled.

"And neither is yours."

"Ok, people! Calm down," Cid yelled. "What's your problem anyway?"

"Must I, Tatsu?"

Tatsu nodded.

Amé sighed. "Fine. Here's the deal on me and Tatsu. As you all already know, I was in SOLDIER, a Weapons Master to be exact. I had mastered all types of weapons and taught the newbies how to use them. I had moved up to the rank of commander and was assigned to take down the Wutain terrorist group, the Knights of Da Chao, which he was apart of. Of course I got'em…….all except him, the jerk."

Tatsu grinned smugly. "She's still angry about that to this day. I was the one that got away."

Amé rolled her eyes. "Enough about that. What else do you guys want to know?"

Tifa spoke. "What makes you all qualified to do this? What special skills do you have?"

"Well," Amé continued. "I am great with any weapon there is. I was in the Wutai War and was promoted to SOLDIER for my excellent performance. I was the leader of the group sent to hunt the Knights of Da Chao. I was sent to Nibleheim to retrieve the huge material and to several other places but I was officially stationed in Midgar. But since the Shin-Ra is gone I've been doing a little mercenary work. And that's about it. Tatsu?"

He sighed heavily as he began his story. "I was trained under Godo Kisaragi of Wutai for many years before I became a part of the Knights. I was never officially a member but I did sympathize with their cause. I am a martial arts master and I trained Yuffie and a few other people when I was not working with the Knights After they………disbanded I became a mercenary as well."

"Done already?" Amé asked mockingly.

"Yes."

"No wonder you're so damn boring."

"Anything else?" Tatsu asked irritated with the interrogation and Amé's constant harassment.

"What was your home life like?" Red asked. "And is there anything important that we should know, good or bad, to influence our decision?"

"I refuse to answer about my family. That is my business, and no. I have no weaknesses," Tatsu harshly stated.

Amé shrugged. "Ok, fine. My parents were General Greyson and Turk, Rhea Phoenix. I have no weaknesses either, but I hate using materia. I hate it with a passion!"

"Perhaps because you don't know how to use it properly?" Tatsu suggested.

"I was in SOLDIER, wasn't I?"

"And that means what, exactly?" His voice was oozing with sarcasm.

"Don't start with me!"

"Would you two please calm down? I think we are ready to make our decision." It was Cloud. "Can you please step out side for a minute while we discuss things?"

"Sure," Amé said rising and going to the door.

Tatsu followed her in silence.

They left.

"Damn. They sure know how to get along well," Cid said, shaking his head. "They fight like they're married or something."



Laughter spread across the room like wildfire, even igniting Vincent and Red's stoic demeanors.

Yuffie suddenly stopped laughing. "But that would never happen, right?"

AVALANCHE continued roaring in laughter.

"C'mon. I am right, aren't I?"