It was quiet, Tifa was staring at the fire, Barret and Cid were eyeing the stars. It had been one week since the day when everything was destroyed…but mainly there dignity. Cloud was still passed out, 'I don't know why, but I don't think we should have wasted time getting Cid." Barret said trying to lighten things up, "Shut up Barret." Cid replied in a almost non-serious way. Everybody was deep in thought, how could they beat Sephiroth now that he revealed he was 'invincible'?

Cloud stared, deep and hard. Was that…himself? "What's your number…where's your tattoo?" Hojo said, everything went like a static, "Excellent this means my experiment was a success!" Cloud stared, all these images… were they trying to tell him something?

Tifa had mixed emotions, confusion, love, and anger. Her confusion was; didn't they see the crater give in? Wasn't Sephiroth dead? Her love was given to Cloud…Cloud she hoped he was ok, he had been unconscious for a long time. Last yet mostly was anger at herself for letting Barret drag her off like that, They would be fine if they hadn't took that detour…she just hoped they'd be able to recover from this.

The entire thing was adding up, Hojo, he had something to do with this…he probably created a new Sephiroth…made 'him' stronger. Maybe he could get Hojo to do the same for him, he knew the answer would be no… he ruined Hojo, but maybe he could use his sword for negotiation.

The others were asleep, but Tifa was awake. She put out the fire, and went to sleep. The outskirts of Midgar seemed a lot better that night.

A hand brushed Tifa's face, "Cloud?" she muttered, "no food, eat." Barret said shoving some strange meal at Tifa. Tifa ate, maybe it'd help her feel better.

It was dark, there he was. Just sitting there, in empty space. He had been thinking for several minutes, or…days. 'All I have to do is wait for myself to regain cautiousness.' He thought.

"Listen, I think that Sephiroth is still here, maybe we could chase after him" Cid spoke, "Barret you carry Cloud. We're going after him as soon as that food loses it's kick." He ordered. Tifa grabbed the buster sword. A couple hours later Sephiroth sprouted his wing and took flight, "looks like he's heading to the Shinra corp. ruins…" Tifa said looking at Sephiroth fly on the horizon, "If we hurry we can take him down by night" she continued cracking her knuckles.

"I feel like I'm…moving?" Cloud asked himself, "If I'm moving in the wrong direction… It could be too late when I get to Hojo!" He yelled out. An echo started.

Cloud moaned, "Cloud!" Tifa said in a combination of delight and concern, "he's alive!" "Not long 'till he be wakin' up." Barret replied lugging Cloud's body-he was heavy.

"I understand now," Cloud said, it came out as a grunt. "He's getting better." Barret said, replying to Cloud's noise. "I know what I have to do." He replied himself. "But there are to many I care about…Tifa…the town." Cloud said finishing his thoughts. "I love her. Like I loved Aeris, I can't let another crisis happen." "I know."

"Who are you?" "I'm you, I'm me." He responded…to himself, "This is kind of crazy." "Well you are crazy yourself, look at you, so week."

"so…you aren't?" "Well…I'm more experienced." They rambled on…or he. "Listen, you've got to be like 'future' me." "Oh but I am." The 'future' me responded taking out his hand and offering himself a shake, "take this hand, and you are making a contract, that you'll keep Tifa and friends safe, and never ever talk to yourself…again." They-he, shaked on it.

Tifa stared at the grumbling Cloud, "he'll be okay." Barret said comfortably, "I know he's coming back anytime now, we're close to Sephiroth. Go to sleep I'll take the next watch." He patted Tifa's shoulder.

Tifa laid down on a log, but couldn't put herself to sleep.

She was on a cloud. The sun was shining in her eyes, there was Sephiroth, with the Masamune. A glint was in his eye. He plunged straight at Tifa. She woke up, screaming faintly. Something was up, nothing was clear though, she had to wait, and she didn't like it.

Sephiroth walked slowly down jagged rocks, it didn't hurt him. He went towards the main Shinra building. It was in shambles. "Just as I left it." He smirked. Sephiroth went down some breaking glass. It would begin soon. The trial would begin soon.

A hand brushed over Tifa's face lips touched her cheek gently, then left leaving cold air to come back touching her. "Cloud?" she murmured. "What?" he responded. "Will you be here when I wake up?" she asked. "You've got 5 hours, then we go see Hojo."