I'm so incredibly sorry that it took me so long to update this story. Between work, school, church, and my brother's Playstation 2, I have little time to write. Anyway, finally, here is the next chapter.

Chapter Thirteen

"He's changed his course!" Maena called back to Cid from the bow of the airship. Her arms were stretched ahead, all of her magic concentrated on tracking the brother of Sephiroth. "I think he's heading for what used to be the Temple of the Ancients!"

Vincent felt a chill run through him at the memory. The Temple of the Ancients… Aeris…

"All right, lady! I'm turning her around!" Cid himself had taken control of the wheel.

Yuffie was holding both hands to her mouth, trying not to puke all over the deck as Nanaki watched her with amusement. Just when she had thought she was used to flying, they had to go and fly at top speeds and make sharp turns!

Shera came up behind the green-faced ninja. "Here. I'm a scientist you know. This tea should settle your stomach."

"Thanks…" Yuffie said in a hoarse voice. She took the mug from Shera and downed it fast.

Meanwhile, Maena was still following the masked man, the brother of Sephiroth, with her magic. Suddenly, a picture of him appeared in his mind. He was smiling. "My name is Caridoth and I know you're following me." Then his face was gone.

It must be a trap, Maena thought, her stomach turning over with sudden dread. She turned and saw Vincent coming up behind her. As usual, she decided to go to him first with her worries.

He immediately realized what she was doing. "What is it, Maena?" he asked as she approached him, his smile crooked.

"I think he knows we're tracking him. I--I think this is a trap."

Vincent's reddish eyes narrowed. "A trap?"

"Yes. I think he's leading us to the site of the old temple for a reason. I'm not sure what that reason is." Maena reached out and took Vincent's hands. "Vincent, his face appeared to me. He said his name is Caridoth and he knows we're following him."

"Well he obviously knows that. The robot incident proves that."

"Yes, but I think it's a trap, Vincent."

The urgency in her voice convinced him. "I believe you, Maena. Let's tell the others."

Maena and Vincent announced to the rest of the passengers and crew what Maena had seen and heard.

"A trap. Such a lowly trick is just like something Sephiroth would do… or Hojo for that matter…" Nanaki growled.

"It must be in the family," Maena said.

"I guess we just keep following them, though," Cid spoke up.

The others turned to him, surprised.

"Well, what else can we do? We're gonna have to face those $$&(!s sometime. Why not let it be now? As long as we're careful, we might as well follow them and face them."

They were all quiet for a moment.

"Well… does anyone disagree?" asked Shera.

"No."

"Nope."

"Good. Then let's keep going." Cid straightened. "Everyone, back to your posts."

They all dispersed, except for Vincent and Maena.

Vincent quietly approached her. "Maena… do you feel comfortable with Cid's decision?"

"Not really, but we have no choice, do we?" Maena sighed. "Vincent, this is all because of me. Thorn and Caridoth are after me for my magic."

"Don't flatter yourself," Vincent said dryly, crossing his long thin arms. "I'm sure there is something they want from each of us. If Caridoth is anything like his father and brother, which he has shown that he is, he knows what gifts we have, and he knows how to get them from each of us. Just think, Maena."

Maena concentrated. "My magic, your Chaos, Cid's airship, Shera's science, Yuffie's materia."

"Exactly."

Maena stared at him. "How long have you known this?"

"For quite some time. I just didn't know who this masked man was. And Thorn is obviously trying to get a piece of the pie for his Shinra ressurection project."

"Ahhh… I see." Maena looked down. "And I thought I was so smart. I don't know anything." She looked up at Vincent, her green eyes large and round. "You probably think I'm a silly child, don't you Vincent?"

Vincent frowned. "No. I don't. Why?"

"I don't know. You're older than me, for one thing. More experience in--in--well, everything! I feel so--so INFERIOR to you sometimes!"

Vincent sighed. "Maena, I don't see you as a child."

"Are you sure?"

"YES! Why this outburst all of a sudden?"

"I don't know. I just feel--"

"SAIL HO!"

Vincent and Maena spun around. Cid was pointing into the distance. A huge black airship loomed ahead.

"We'll finish this later," Vincent said, starting towards Cid. Then he stopped and spun around to face Maena. "I don't see you as a child. I see you as a woman. I want you to know that."

Maena nodded mutely and watched his tall, dark form melt into the dark silhouette of the airship ahead.