Author's Notes:

1. This chapter goes to Noacat and Izpalluzado, for being the first two to review me. I'm glad you like my work, and I hope this next Chapter pleases.

2. I don't think this chapter will come out very well, I wanted to recap, and I really like the idea I had for how to do it, but it turned out to be much harder than I expected.

3. Also, credit goes to Jim, for putting up with my incessant questioning of how he thought the characters should act, and for the excellent suggestions he gave.

Chapter 3: Time.

Much had happened since the night Meteor struck. Strangely, though many had evacuated the city of Midgar quickly enough to be spared, none had even considered rebuilding the dead city. Those who had lived in the so called technological Utopia had not known the joys that could be found outside, else they had led miserable, dreary lives. So the city was gone, and soon forgotten, what remained of its citizens living joyful live elsewhere. The rich had survived, and the only people who mourned the poor… well, they were poor themselves, and all perished.

Strange, yet a few short years after the terror of Meteor, the world was a happier place for all. Well, all save a select few, there had been a group of young warriors that had had to fight for the survival of the others, had been fighting before the masses even knew there was a threat. For these few, there could be no peace, the pain they had endured, the losses they had sustained, the blood they had spilled, none of this could be forgotten. Thus, mostly, the group had broken apart…

Mere hours after the final battle, a young girl, only sixteen years of age, climbed her way down a length of rope, unseen, unheard. That was Yuffie's art was stealth, she would never be seen or heard, unless she wanted to. Part of her felt guilty for betraying the people she had been travelling with for so long. She had made a promise, however, and a promise to her father held more weight than anything else, besides, she had only taken the expensive stuff, and the battle was over. So, a sack full of Materia slung over her shoulder, she fled the Highwind. They had made it so easy, too, stopping on the Wutai continent, of all places, to camp for the night – after all, not even Cid could pilot the thing while asleep.

Yuffie's feet touched soundlessly onto the grass below the airship and she immediately launched into a sprint, they wouldn't catch her this time. She would take the Materia, thoughts of regret could come when she was safely with her father. Then Wutai could be returned to its former glory.

The city gates approached, the ground a green blur beneath her feet – then abruptly the green ended, replaced by the grey of stone, strangely warm and welcoming after so long away from home…

Days had passed, the companions had discovered Yuffie's disappearance, and didn't need to check to realise that they had lost a great deal of their Materia. Yet no one complained, they had all been together too long, and the Materia was no longer needed. They had briefly mourned the loss of her company, then continued on their way.

Now, the Highwind was landed a short distance from Rocket Town, and Cid Highwind stood out on deck, facing his companions, about to return to his home. His journey had started with a love of travel, and a pioneering ambition – in a few short months, he had achieved his dream of travelling into outer space, and had visited every settlement on the Planet, had seen every inch of the Planet's surface. It had been a long, tiring, journey, leading to a taxing battle, that had taught him a lot about himself. Now was the time for that journey to end. He had seen all that there was to see, gathered a sizeable fortune of Gil and still had debts to settle; Shera was waiting for him.

"So… ah… bye…"

"Leaving after so long, and that's all you can say?" The comment was accompanied by a small giggle, and a sad smile.

"Damnit, Tifa! You know I'm no good with speeches…" he'd definitely miss them all, but he wasn't gonna fall apart like a little girl in front of them. He sighed softly, before trying to appease them. "You all take care of yerselves, and the Highwind too, y'hear? And visit lots, I gotta make sure you're lookin' after my baby."

Another giggle answered his words, trust Cid to cover up his emotions with talk of his precious airship, as Tifa stepped forward, giving Cid a quick peck on the cheek. "Don't worry, Cid, we will, you just make sure you look after Shera… and thanks for letting us have your ship, it was really sweet."

A blushing Cid answered, chuckling lightly "I will, Tifa, don't you worry 'bout that. And don't worry 'bout the Highwind either, as long as you keep her safe, I don't think I'll be needing her anytime soon…"

With that, Tifa went back to the other companions, but only after giving Cid a warm, slightly crushing, hug, and giving the group of nervously silent companions a demanding look, prompting them to open up. Men…, she thought.

"Farewell, Cid," Nanaki stepped forward, raising a paw, "May your days be filled with joy…" Even on the lion-esque face of the creature once called Red XIII, the hint of a sorrowful smile could be seen. Barret was next, the large hulk of a man gripping Cid's hand with his own "Take care, Cid." Nothing more. Cid shook his hand lightly, shaking his own afterwards, with a slight grin; Barret's grip wasn't exactly weak. Barret was followed by Cloud, his expression sombre, yet almost unreadable, not masking his sorrow behind a smile, as did the others. "Bye, Cid, and thanks, we couldn't have made it so far without you… be happy, you deserve it."

Vincent simply nodded solemnly, not saying a word, but then, no one had expected him to, and somehow, everything that the others had said was communicated in that simple gesture.

Cid smiled sadly, "Thanks guys, it's been… interesting," a self-amused chuckle ensued before he continued, "come see me whenever you all can, see ya." With that, the one-time space-pilot left the ship, and an era had ended…

A week had passed, and now it was time for Barret Wallace to leave, after all, he had a little girl to take care of. His goodbyes had been said as heart-warmingly as had Cid's but a couple of days before, and now he was in Kalm, a bouquet of flowers in hand, making his way to the home Elmyra Gainsborough had taken Marlene to, during the destruction of Midgar that seemed so long ago.

Much had happened since he last saw the two, and it felt wrong entering so quietly, but what could he say that would express what he felt after so long. So he simply knocked lightly, then walked in.

"Who's there… oh, my…"

"Daddy, you're home!" Marlene was suddenly clinging to Barret's legs, eliciting a grin.

"So… where are the others… w-where is Aerith?" The terror could be seen in her eyes.

"Elmyra…ah… you better sit down…," Barret replied, but he could tell she already knew what he would say…

Cait Sith had stopped operating shortly after the final battle, as Reeve had been occupied in the evacuation of Midgar. A month after the battle, and Cait had yet to resume operation, while the worst had passed through their minds, the companions had made a silent agreement not to believe the worst until they had proof. After all, Reeve had worked for ShinRa, he more than any of them, should be adept at surviving the stickiest of situations.

Cloud Strife sat in the pilot's seat of the Highwind, no one had commented on the unnatural speed with which he had learned from Cid how to pilot the ship, they had all grown used to the effects Jenova had had on his physical and mental abilities. At this time, however, he wasn't flying the airship, but reading a letter…

Dear Everyone,

I guess I've been gone a long time now, and I'm sorry I couldn't get in contact sooner. As you all know, when Meteor struck, I went about the task of trying to evacuate Midgar. Getting the Upper Plate citizens to leave was no problem, but… well, it was a lot harder trying to get the people in the slums to leave. I mean… where were they supposed to go. I think I managed to get most of the people out in time, though, but what'd the point be in saving them from Meteor if they had nothing to live for afterwards? So now I'm trying my best to get them all some work and a place to live; it shouldn't be impossible, what with my old job, and all the money I have… it's just gonna take a while to build a whole town, seeing as we've only just found a place to build it. Anyway, I've attached a map of where the town will be, please visit whenever you can, you'll be more than welcome, and I promise I'll try and find you all when my work is done.

Yours Sincerely,

Reeve.

Six months had passed since the battle and Vincent Valentine sat on his bed in the Highwind, cloaked, as ever, in blood red, thinking. Their group had fallen apart since the journey, and that was natural. Only four of them remained, adrift with nowhere to go, while the others had all gone off to live with their loved ones. Vincent had always been meant for battle, his years out of battle spent in slumber, and now there was nothing to fight, Jenova and Sephiroth were both gone, the world was too weary for another war, and ShinRa in tatters from Weapon's attack, so they wouldn't instigate one. When it came down to it, Vincent was now… unnecessary. Then why am I still here? Because I have nowhere to go? No… that is untrue, there is still Lucrecia's cave… And then it dawned on him why he was still here. Lucrecia was like him, twisted by Jenova, had reacted as he had, by hiding, and he still loved her… yet when he had found her, she had been unable to bear his gaze. He feared seeing her again, but he knew he had to; his place was with her now. He didn't want a fuss, though, so he simply picked up a pen and some paper and wrote:

I am sorry, but I must leave. I have things to attend to, and I have been delaying for far too long. If you need me, I shall be in Lucrecia's cave.

Vincent.

And with that written, and left where the others would find it, Vincent left, fading into the night…

Two years later, thirty months after the final battle, Cloud and Tifa finally settled in Mideel, to pick out a quiet life for themselves, and help in the rebuilding of the ruined town. Nanaki had long since left, having heard tales of a powerful medicine which could cure beings that had been turned to stone, and was now travelling on a new journey, in search of a cure for his lost father.

The couple walked quietly into Mideel, holding hands, while elsewhere, two pairs of emerald green eyes opened slowly…

-End Chapter 3-

Author's Other Notes:

1. Okay, the basic objective there was to show how long it had been since the end of the game without actually letting the characters learn anything new, and also give you an idea of where all the other characters are.

2. Contemplating bringing Lucrecia and Seto (was that his name… Red's father?) into the story, but not sure, ideas?

3. What did you all think of how the characters made their respective farewells?

4. Thanks for reading, Chapter 4 will take a while, I think, as I start school tomorrow.