A/N: Yeah, I know Vincent's acting a little out of character but that's how I like to portray him. He's been through some major things in his life and got over them. Anything else to him is a picnic. After playing the game after a dozen times, I got the feeling that he is a relaxed guy but he is touchy over Hojo and Lucrecia.

Disclaimer: Still don't own the game…Squaresoft does…

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NEO MIDGAR, City Streets

The rain never seemed to let up in the capital city. It wasn't even a nice summer drizzle that made you feel refreshed. It was a hot, sticky, dry type of rain. The night was slowly creeping into morning, the moon barely visible in the blackened sky.

Vincent followed his impromptu tour guide to the main dock, taking mental notes as he went. They would need a fast getaway if the SHADOW Shin-Ra were alerted to their presence. Adrian and Tseng brought up the rear while Louisa stayed near Vincent.

The woman had gotten into another moral argument with him and had the pair had fallen silent. The question always floating near the front of his mind, 'You killed so many people trying to save the planet, why don't you feel bad about it?'

Why didn't he feel bad about? His answer had been one of silence until she pressed for an answer.

'I was atoning for the crimes I had done.' that had done nothing to sate her for an answer and still she pressed, breaking the vow of silence they had silently made.

"That doesn't make it right," she quietly returned, "You should of let the proper authorities deal with it."

Vincent slowed his pace and turned partly round to her, "The…proper authorities? You mean the Shin-Ra? They would of slapped me on the back and made me the new leader of the Turks, saying, 'It's been awhile. Welcome back.'"

"It would have been the right thing to do," Louisa ran a hand through her wet hair, a little amazed that she was picking a verbal fight with Vincent Valentine.

"If we are going to argue about the right and wrong here," Vincent said slowly but sharply, "Why don't we discuss the fact about how willing you were in allowing the experiments to happen to Chaos, after you knew he was a sentient being?"

"I thought it was just a dumb beast," Doctor Bear answered quietly.

"You thought wrong," Vincent hissed in a tone that stated clearly he had finished the argument on that subject.

His red eyes took in every possible hiding place and shadow that could yield a person, he had to be certain that they had not and were not being tracked. No matter how confident he felt on his hunting skills, there was always going to be blind spots.

His heightened senses trained to fixate on anything that he was not familiar with, were on overload as they tried to work in the new surroundings. He had to keep telling himself that no matter how much this city felt exactly the same as his own Midgar, it wasn't.

They passed the new Shin-Ra headquarters, slowly, he lifted his eyes to the heavens, tracing every scaffolding and crane to the apex of the huge building. Rain fell into his eyes as he watched the huge Shin-RA logo spin round slowly on it's axis on top.

His soul trembled as a drop of rain managed to work it's way past his collar and down his neck. The building looked almost identical to the one Weapon had destroyed in a vain effort to breach the barrier covering the northern crater.

Horton was in that building, along with the new Jenova he had told Chaos about. What was he trying to accomplish with that? How the hell could Hojo, Horton and Cid be related? It just wasn't feasible.

Was it?

Just because you do not want something to be true, doesn't mean that it isn't, Chaos offered from within, sounding exhausted at the mere effort of a few words.

The former Turk looked away from the building, as though not believing in it would make it disappear or change it in some way. His life had been taken away by the Shin-Ra and he was filled with a determination to end the saga of the Shin-Ra once and for all.

What would my friends say if they say this world? Nothing has changed…Vincent pulled the long leather coat he had tighter around himself, his long hair sticking to his skull.

Disappointment, disbelief, horror? All those and more he could bet. Barret would probably have kittens and then some. Cloud…it was always difficult to try and figure out what he was thinking. Reeve would hang his head in shame, while Tifa…would blame herself.

What bout Cid and Yuffie? Gigas offered, what do you think?

A small smile flashed on his face for a second, Cid and Yuffie would tell him exactly what they thought of the new world in a few short hours. His heart would lift a little when he thought that at least he wasn't the only fossil or remnant of AVALANCHE in this time.

The jeans he had, he could feel slipping off his waist and resting rather snugly on his hips. He wasn't to thrilled about the…something he could only describe as a top, he had on either. He could feel the back of the baggy jeans stick to his lower calves and the top had so many holes in it, he was convinced that he could probably use it to catch fish.

Adrian had been eager to please him with the interesting little ensemble he had brought him so he couldn't of turned his nose up at the offering. He rolled his eyes when he had actually seen himself in the mirror, an image of a teenager as a rock band lead singer sprang to mind.

"How are the clothes? They fit okay?" Adrian caught up with him, hoping to have a private word with the legend, even if it was just on the clothes that he was wearing.

"Yeah…um…yeah," Vincent pulled slightly on the netted top, trying to find the words that wouldn't hurt the young man's feelings.

The collective laughter of AVALANCHE filled his mind, would they all think if they saw him dressed like this? He was still a little in shock about how he was dressed. The laughter of the rebels back in the small base had been a polite giggle but still hurt.

"Little loose around the waist," out of instinct, Vincent hooked his thumb and pulled them up. Wondering if Adrian thought this was how he normally dressed. At least it was black…well, most of it. The top was a blood red hooded thing.

"Wow…I mean, this is so amazing. Vincent Valentine is actually wearing some of my clothes…," Adrian had that starry look in his eyes, ignoring, once again, Vincent's words.

"We turn right here, that'll take us nearer the docks," the guide pointed, sticking an arm out in front of Vincent, "Plus we'll avoid any security that's bound to be crawling."

Tseng nodded as he heard the direction, "Right. We should be at the dock in a few minutes and you still haven't told us what you're gonna do Vincent."

The dark haired, punk dressed man smiled as he looked at Louisa, "I think it's best if I didn't tell you. I don't want my new found moral conscious biting my ass."

Before his 'moral conscious' could speak, Vincent started heading towards the shadows, wondering how the hell he knew how to get to the docks. However, his demons, thinking they were being helpful, told him if he fell into something big, wet and deep, then he would of found the ocean and the dock.

"HEY!" Tseng called after him, the man finally holding the something he had hidden since he left the base up in his hands, "You forgot this."

Vincent gazed at the cloth covered object, raising an eyebrow. What had he forgot? His weapon, the Death Penalty had been to time. He'd just acquire a new weapon from one of the unfortunate guards that he would encounter on his little mission to the docks.

"This," Tseng removed the cloth in one fluid motion, revealing the Death Penalty in all her glory.

The smile Vincent had grew bigger as he stepped forward to retrieve the rifle. His red eyes taking in the gold and the intricate carvings on the barrel. Wherever she had been, someone had taken the time to give the weapon loving care that they felt she deserved.

Vincent outstretched his human hand and delicately touched the cold rifle, a flood of memories rushing back to him. AVALANCHE was at the fore front, Lucrecia and Hojo following a close second and Sephiroth came third.

"My…weapon," Vincent whispered quietly, "I thought I'd lost it for all eternity."

"Nanaki found it and brought it back to the base," the second in command of the rebels replied as he handed the weapon to Vincent, "Along with the rest of AVALANCHE's arsenal"

The Death Penalty was raised carefully as Vincent inspected her, taking the time he needed to get acquainted with her again. She looked exactly the same as he had left her back in Rocket Town, the few days before he had been taken by the Lifestream.

"Thank you," Vincent turned around and headed into the darkness, preparing on how to get into the docks with as little casualties as possible.

Boat……

"We should be nearing the Neo Midgar docks within the hour," Jaden called down into the belly of the ship from his place up on deck. The sea breeze ruffling his short hair as he looked towards the shore.

Red XIII nodded as he gazed at the three sitting near him. He couldn't help but bare his teeth in anger at the silver haired man sleeping in front of him.

He wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth deep into his throat and to listen as he took his final painful breath. How could he sit there so calmly? He was responsible for so many deaths.

Cid was huddled up in a bundle of blankets, taking slow sips from the mug he had been given. His blue eyes closed and some colour was slowly returning back into his lips. Yuffie was cuddled up to the blonde, refusing to leave the man's side. Soft snores could be heard from her as she slept in the warmth of the blankets and Cid's body heat.

"I don't trust you," Nanaki whispered in the silence, "For what reason Cid hasn't killed you, I do not know."

"…Perhaps he is willing to give me the benefit of the doubt," Sephiroth raised his head and opened his eyes, his voice low, not wanting to rouse Cid from whatever place the blonde had went to in his mind.

Nanaki growled, "I would see you dead."

The silver haired war general sighed, "I do not ask for forgiveness."

"Then why are you here?" Nanaki said a little louder than he wanted.

Cid voiced his opinions, the normally strong voice slow and tired, "For the love of…look, Red, just give it a rest will ya?"

Red XIII blinked, why was Cid taking this so lightly? This was Sephiroth. The man who killed Aeris, controlled Cloud, summoned Meteor. He should have been killed the minute Cid and Yuffie had laid eyes on him.

Had Sephiroth taken control of the two? Was he bending their wills for his own use? Making them think that he was the innocent party in this or was there something far more deeper to this than he could see?

"I don't understand," Red shook his head, his beaded main rattling slightly, "Why are you defending him?"

Cid's Mako blue eyes opened, "He saved our lives back there. He didn't have to. He fought Jenova, if he was still workin' for her, he wouldn't of done that."

Red shook his head again, "The planet is scared. It claims that He has returned."

Sephiroth raised a silver eyebrow, "And you assumed that I was coming back to finish the job?"

Cid slid a little deeper in his seat and into the blankets, the pain he had managed to push back in the north returning at full force. Yuffie moved slightly in her sleep, brushing against a sensitive and bruised area on his side.

Red did have a point through, if Sephiroth wasn't here to finish of the half assed plan to destroy the world and become a god, then why? He watched and listened half heartedly as Sephiroth didn't once try to defend himself against the dark glares from the lion and answered all the questions put to him.

Why hadn't he screamed and attacked Sephiroth back there? That's what any sane person would of done. So why was Cid Highwind, the man who had defeated him, sitting like he couldn't be bothered?

Well, he did stop you from being crispy critters and he hasn't tried to kill you yet. He's been honest and open. Saved the rest of those rebels, helped kill Jenova…the reasonable part of his mind offered helpfully, you're a fairly open minded kinda guy, so you're kinda hoping that the faith ya got in him is the real thing.

"Well…," Cid ventured after a period of silence, "If he screws up or goes on a rampage, ya can say 'I told you so'. Til then, I say we leave the boy alone. He doesn't want to be reminded of everything he has done."

Sephiroth opened his mouth to say something but found he had no words. The blonde had done nothing but defend him. Even when the ninja had insisted that they shouldn't trust him, he had ignored the warnings.

"…I don't think I really deserve…" Sephiroth struggled to even think of words that might be suitable, "…thank you."

Cid closed his eyes, "Yeah…well…I'm only sayin' that cause you saved our asses back there. Don't think that makes us even. You blew up my fucking ship…"

The words sank slowly in Sephiroth's mind, the man was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Willing to go on trust because he had saved his life.

"Answer me this one question though," Cid cracked open one of his Mako blue eyes, "The fuck are ya here for and no long worded bull. I've got a killer headache."

Sephiroth looked at Cid and then at Red XIII, wondering if he could escape from the murderous looks he was receiving from the lion. How could he say that he had woken up with the intention of killing every member of AVALANCHE?

You had woken up with that but you don't want to anymore do you? his mind informed, All you want to do now is find a nice little place somewhere and live out the rest of your life there.

No…he answered back, I have to end this nightmare. I have to kill Jenova once and for all. Regain my soul so that I can find peace and be absorbed into the life stream.

What makes you think that is going to be possible? I am you and you are me, we are joined, Jenova's voice flooded his mind, overriding any previous thoughts he had.

As long as the humans are willing to play god, you will never be free of me, the voice laughed, enjoying how the man cringed in fear.

Cid's voice brought him out of the place where Jenova had taken him, "Hey…earth to Sephiroth. Answer the damn question."

His mouth felt dry as he summoned up the courage to tell him why he was alive, they needed to be worded carefully but they were required. They had a right to know.

"……To end this nightmare. I have to make sure that Jenova is finally defeated and that I can redeem my soul," Sephiroth leaned forward, as if he was only wanting to speak to Cid about this matter and in a way he was.

Cid had shown him nothing but trust and the willingness to take things on a little faith. He'd been willing to treat him as a human being and not as the deranged murderous lunatic the rest of the planet had deemed him as.

"In essence Captain Highwind," he whispered, "I'm here to kill myself."