Author's Notes:

· First, sorry it took me so long to update, I've been busy and such. Currently in Sudan, which means I have lots of time, but can't control when I'm online to write.

· I feel a little out of practice, so this may be a tad below standard, let us hope 'tisn't. On with the show.

Chapter 12: A New Beginning.

In the cockpit of the Highwind, Aerith, Cloud and Sephiroth stood talking, Tifa absent, wandering the rest of the airship, avoiding the newcomers.

"Okay, we know we have to gather everyone, but where do we start? Last time I saw them all, they were scattered over the Planet, and for all we know, they've moved since."

"That reminds me," on saying those words, Sephiroth seemed suddenly a little more attentive, addressing Aerith, "Barret Wallace is staying with your mother in Kalm, I… told them that you were alive, so perhaps it would be best if we head there first, hopefully Barret will know where the others are, and I'm sure your mother would want to see you."

"My mother…" for a moment, Aerith was stunned, it had been so long since she saw her adoptive mother, and in the haste of everything that had happened since her rebirth, she hadn't even given her a thought. She felt a pang of guilt at her own oversight, "it's been so long. Yes, I think that would be a wonderful idea." She smiled at the thought of a reunion with the woman who had looked after her selflessly for so long.

Thus, before long, the Highwind was being prepared for its first take off in two years. Tifa had taken the preparations on herself, as they would give her a reason to stay out of the way, and as such, Cloud and Sephiroth were still in the cockpit, now sparring, with Aerith sat quietly to one side, watching.

Cloud rushed at Sephiroth, Murasame's hilt held at his shoulder, the blade behind him, bringing the blade toward Sephiroth's neck, flat first, after all, they were only training. The blow missed its mark, as Sephiroth ducked gracefully under the blade, and spun round to the rear of the younger warrior, backing away a few steps.

"That's not a meat cleaver, and I'm not a lump of meat, Cloud. You'll never hit me like that, didn't they teach you to wield a sword in Shinra?" When they were training, it really did seem that past events had been forgotten.

Sephiroth slipped back into his usual battle stance, waiting as Cloud came at him again, this time slower, mimicking his teacher's stance, lunging once he was within distance, then, as Sephiroth sidestepped, bringing the sword into an arc toward his back – Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, impressed, bringing Masamune's hilt in front of his own eyes as he turned, the blade vertical, stopping Murasame in its path.

"Much better."

"Thank you."

With that, the two fell into an intricate series of slashes, thrusts, feints and parries, which seemed to Aerith, incredibly graceful, a dance of death.

As the dance continued, it almost became subconscious, each subtle reaction to the other's movements coming without a moment's thought as the two warriors let themselves feel the thrill of battle, and then, deciding to call the session to a close, Sephiroth gave Cloud an opening to attack, and as the other took it, brought Masamune to parry, twisting the blade slightly as he did so, knocking Cloud's guard open, and bringing the flat of Masamune to his ribs.

As the two slipped out of their stances, sheathing their swords, Cloud couldn't help but chuckle lightly, "I thought you were going easy on me."

"You wouldn't learn if I ended every spar the moment it began," at his next words, the silver haired warrior allowed himself a small smirk, "besides, you seem a lot happier when you're sparring, who am I to take that away from you?"

"Well, that's true, at least… I think we were born to fight, you and I."

Sephiroth blinked at that statement, not having expected it, and gave it a few moments' thought.

"I disagree… I think our dissatisfaction when not fighting comes from Jenova. I will admit, there is enjoyment in sparring with a worthy opponent… but since I awakened, Jenova's hold on me was lessened… and I find, with it, so has my thrill for battle." His words were soft, slow, and, Aerith noted as she watched, he winced on both mentions of the name 'Jenova.'

"I see…,"there was a slight note of doubt and confusion in the younger man's words, after all, he didn't like to concede that perhaps he was still more under Jenova's control than he had thought.

"It would make sense, after all, Her prime objective was destruction, She would want us to love battle, destruction, killing."

"… You're right, of course, I just don't like thinking that She still has such a strong hold on me."

"I understand that, but it's vital that we remember how strong She is, or She will defeat us. If we stay focused, we will be free of Her soon."

"That seems uncharacteristically optimistic of you, Sephiroth."

"I know, but I have my reasons…" a soft pause, as he pondered whether or not he should delve into them – after all, opening up to others wasn't exactly his strong point, "I-"

"Everything's ready, Cloud, the Highwind's prepared for take off."

All eyes turned momentarily to Tifa as she entered the cockpit, Sephiroth thanking the convenient escape from the rest of the conversation, leaving the others wondering what he had been about to say.

"…Thanks, Tif. Okay, we'd better be going then. No time to waste."

"Indeed. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to head below deck," with Sephiroth left the cockpit, Aerith following with a simple, silent nod to excuse herself, as Cloud set a course for  Kalm.

-End Chapter 12-

Auther's Notes:

· As I expected, I don't think this Chapter is up to standard, I'll leave the decision as to whether or not I should rewrite it at some point up to you all.

· The Chapter was shorter than I expected it to be, but this is because I decided to take the events that would have made up the Chapter (originally called Gathering) and spread them over a few more Chapters, adding some stuff, and changing others. Which means more Chapters for you all! Yay!

· Review me as always.