Chapter 28

Lifestream

"Good morning, President Shinra," the man in violet smiled. Valda looked up at his balding head.

"What might be good about it, Frode?" she muttered. His smile faded.

"Ma'am, Doctor Skylar is almost ready to take The Hitomi to the Temple. What about Doctor Alim? Should we go through without him?"

"Yes. He is most likely either dead or helping them," Valda replied. She stood and stared at the report on her desk. Skylar had brought it up to the office earlier, but Valda was hesitant about opening it. The doctor had said that it contained all of the results from their tests of Sachiko since her return, and that there were some interesting things in the most recent one. Valda had learned through her life that interesting news rarely walked hand-in-hand with good news. She turned back to Frode. "And what about Senka and Itzal? I take it they have not returned or called?"

"No, ma'am," Frode shook his head. As he spoke, a young woman followed an older woman into the room. They, too, wore violet suits.

"What is it, Hyun?" the young president inquired. The elder woman turned to the younger.

"Miss President, Skylar wishes to know-"

"Doctor Skylar, Ragna," Hyun interrupted. Ragna smiled embarrassedly and bowed.

"Sorry. Doctor Skylar wishes to know whether you will be joining her on the expeditions."

"I do not know," Valda sighed. She sat again and stared at the folder while she thought for a moment. "I think I will stay."

"Madam?" came a voice from the door. A young man in yet another violet suit came in. "I overheard. Perhaps it would be wise to go with the Doctor. If Kadaj wishes to find Sachiko, he will most likely try to come here and rescue her. He may not know that she will be going to the Temple."

"But I have more guards here, Rein," Valda pointed out.

"President Shinra, I must disagree. Can you not take a group with you? Will there not be guards to protect The Hitomi?"

"We cannot hold enough on The Highwind to protect us both."

"Miss Shinra… you did not see Kadaj when Doctor Alim took Sachiko away. The doctor explained to us over the radio what happened. Kadaj wanted to break the machine that holds her. I fear that if he comes to get her and you are here, he will mean to kill you."

"First of all, you know that I have forbidden anyone to speak her real name. You never know who is listening. Secondly, if Kadaj means to kill me, he will come here, find both of us gone, and still go after the girl. Either way, my life is in danger until his ends."

"It was only a suggestion," Rein muttered. Valda watched him.

"It was a good one. You keep training under Frode. You'll do fine someday. Now, please leave. I have some things I must look over. And Hyun?"

"Yes?"

"Would you please send Doctor Skylar up?"

"Of course," Hyun bowed. As she left, the two people in green ran in.

"Good day, president," the woman panted.

"Senka? Itzal? What are you two doing here?"

"We have found them!" the man, Itzal, gasped. "They are hiding in an old house in Junon. We saw Doctor Alim leave to get some medical supplies. The ninja was in the house with the ex-Turk Reno. We deduced from the supplies that the Doctor bought that Reno has Mako poisoning. The others are returning from Gold Saucer."

"Good. I already told you my orders for when you found them. Now go carry them out," Valda commanded. She looked up as Bao shifted next to her. He had a slight smile on his face. "What?"

He only shook his head as the two spies left. Valda began to slowly break the seal on the folder while Skylar walked in. She shook her head at the President.

"You still haven't opened that, huh?" She walked up and waited for Valda to say something. She looked through each paper and nodded. "Is everything in order?"

"It seems to be," Valda said quietly. She stopped and read the heading of the last page. "Why did you run this test?"

"We thought it might be safe to do so, especially with Kadaj caring for her so much."

"Oh my god…" Valda whispered as she read. She looked up at Zan. "Bring The Hitomi in here. I think she should know. Are you sure this trip is safe?"

"We can waste no time. She has been talking in her sleep about the world ending. We may be able to stop it if we find the Promised Land," Skylar shrugged.

"Yes?" Sachiko whispered as she walked in. Valda immediately noticed that she was trembling and had a pale complexion. Around her teary eyes were dozens of tiny, blood red spots.

"You look ill," Valda said casually. Sachiko nodded.

"I just threw up a few moments ago," she whispered. "What have I been called here for?"

"Sachiko…" Skylar said gently. She laid a hand on the girl's shoulder and spoke quietly. As she spoke, Sachiko laid a hand on her mouth and knelt to her knees, tears of both joy and fear seeping from her lids.

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

"Yuffie?" Rude called into the house. They all dropped their things at the door and ran upstairs, Rude in the lead. He nearly tripped over Yuffie as he reached the top.

"Thank god you're here," she whispered, standing from her seat on the landing. She hugged Rude and let tears fall from her face. "Alim said that Reno has only a short time. Come on. He could go at any time."

"Kali, stay here," Cid ordered as he followed Rude and Yuffie. Kali shook her head, resulting in a worried stare from Kadaj.

"Sis, I don't think you should come."

"I want to. Reno's my friend, too," Kali whispered. She walked past them and they knew then that there was no changing her mind.

When she entered, tears poured from her eyes. Reno was fully dressed and propped up slightly on a couple of pillows. His eyes were slightly open, but he didn't seem to see anything. Yuffie held his hand, but he didn't seem to feel it. His ears were uncovered, yet he couldn't seem to hear Rude speaking softly. Kali laid her coat next to Rude's jacket on the foot of the bed before she sat next to Yuffie.

"Reno?" Rude was whispering. "Can you hear me? Come on, don't give up. Stay with us. Please, stay here."

"He can't hear you," Alim said quietly. They ignored him.

"Reno," Yuffie muttered. She ran her fingers through his flaming hair. "Reno, baby, I love you. I'm so sorry I blamed you for Vincent. I love you."

"Thanks for everything you've done for us," Cid said quietly. "We appreciate it."

"I'm sorry for what I did," Kadaj muttered. "Back then, I wasn't myself. If father hadn't died, I would never have done that. Thanks for everything."

"Reno," Kali said softly. She knelt on the floor next to him and laid a hand on his arm. "You've done so much for me. Thank you so much. I love you, Reno. We all do."

They were silent for a few moments. In the quiet, Rude slid his glasses into his pocket, Yuffie squeezed Reno's hand tightly, and Kali watched his face. Kadaj and Cid only looked on while Alim left. They all jumped as a voice spoke.

"Kali…" Reno whispered weakly. To their surprise, his gaze turned towards where Kali sat. "Run… Shinra is… coming… run…"

"Huh?" Kali gasped quietly. As she did, Reno grimaced slightly. His eyes closed and his face relaxed. Yuffie released his hand as it fell limp. "Reno…"

"No," Rude shook his head while tears started to release themselves again. Kali buried her face in his chest while Yuffie cried into Reno's still one. Cid ran his fingers through his hair and let his tears fall free. Kadaj glanced out the window as he, too, cried.

"Shit," he muttered. "Everyone, down!"

Nobody had time to ask why. The missiles tore through the house and they fell through the newly opened floor. Kali cried out as she fell. She heard a sickening crack as she landed and her head came in contact with a piece of debris. High above, several fighter jets were skimming the obliterated city. One pilot reached for his radio.

"Bahamut One to Hitomi HQ. Target destroyed. Repeat: Target destroyed. No survivors."

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

"Hmm…" Kali groaned. She flinched as a sharp pain coursed through her head. She reached back and felt a lump forming. She suddenly remembered what happened in the house and opened her eyes. She saw… green. A whole lot of green. A short distance off, she saw a black lump sprawled on the ground. She watched as Rude, a short distance from the lump, stood slowly and rubbed his head. He looked around and saw that she was awake.

"Are you okay?" he called. Kali slowly nodded and propped herself up on her elbows, wincing as she did.

"I don't know if I can stand," she muttered. "I feel so weak all of a sudden."

"Here," Rude said. He walked shakily over and tried to lift her by the arm, but collapsed next to her. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He smiled slightly and laid a hand on her back.

"Where are we?" Kali whispered. Rude shrugged as she pushed away. The black lump was Kadaj, who stood and looked relieved to see them.

"Where are Cid and Yuffie?" he asked.

"We're here!" Yuffie called. She and Cid were standing up a few yards away.

"This isn't Junon," Cid said quietly.

"No. It most certainly is not," said a deep voice behind them. They turned to see Sephiroth standing against a tree and watching them. He stood straight, walked forward a few steps, and smiled at Kadaj and Kali. "Hello, my children."

"Daddy!" Kali yelled.

"Dad!" Kadaj smiled. They ran up to him and threw themselves upon him. Sephiroth closed his eyes as he held them by his sides and struggled to not let them topple him.

"I'm thrilled to see you, too," he whispered, resisting tears. Rude, Cid, and Yuffie watched apprehensively. Sephiroth noticed as his children let go. "You can come closer. No harm can come to you from me while you are here. I swear it."

"Where are we?" Yuffie asked. Another voice replied.

"You're in the Lifestream. Kali, I'm surprised you didn't notice," the man said. Kali and Yuffie froze when they saw him.

"Vincent," Yuffie gasped. When he nodded, she ran up to him and imitated Kadaj and Kali. "I thought I'd never see you again. God, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too. But right now we must worry about Reno. Or have you forgotten?" Vincent asked, turning his gaze towards Sephiroth. The silver-haired man smiled sheepishly.

"Can I help it if I've missed my kids?"

"Reno's dead," Rude muttered. "What are we here for? It's too late."

"No, it's not," Sephiroth shook his head. He and Vincent turned. "Follow us and we'll show you."

"Come on," Kali smiled. Rude and Cid held back nervously. She heaved a loud sigh. "He's not going to hurt you, now come on!"

Sephiroth and Vincent led the group through the field that was the Lifestream. They all gazed around at the souls gathered and talking. Everyone that had ever died on the Planet was watching them. Kali grasped her father's hand.

"Scared?" he asked as he glanced down at her. Kali snapped her head up.

"Just a little. I've been here so many times, but never like this."

"Hold on," Vincent said quietly. He stopped and stared at them. "I think we should tell them before they go further."

"Tell us what?" Kadaj said. He stared into his father's eyes.

"Hmm…" Sephiroth sighed. He glanced at Vincent. "You think we should?"

"Yes," Vincent nodded. Sephiroth rubbed his neck as he turned back to them.

"The reason you've never been here like this is…" he paused and watched his children. "Those missiles were from Valda. She spied on you and sent them to kill you. She succeeded."

"What?" Yuffie gasped. She shook and stared at Vincent. "As much as I want to be with you, I don't want to die."

"You aren't going to stay that way, or so we hope," Vincent assured her. She didn't look too sure. He hugged her. "I promise, we'll send you back. You must go back, or else we'll all disappear."

"What do you mean?" Cid asked.

"We will explain later," Sephiroth said. "Now I think we should go take care of Reno."

"Where is he?" Kali asked. Sephiroth smiled and walked away. They followed him until he came to a large tree on the top of a hill. Sitting unconscious at the base between two roots was Reno.

"Reno!" Yuffie yelled. They all ran up and watched him. "Wake up!"

"Get your ass up!" Rude snapped as he shook him. When he received no reply, Rude struck Reno across the face.

"Rude, stop! As hard as you hit, there's no way he's going to get up after that!" Yuffie snapped. "Reno, please, wake up."

"He won't wake," Vincent said softly. They stared at him. "His body is being taken over."

"By who?" Kali snapped.

"Each person has two souls. There is one that has complete control. The other is what the living might call a conscience, but other souls call it a shadow of the real one. If nothing happens to the master soul, the shadow dies when the body does, hence why there isn't two of each person here," Sephiroth explained. "However, if anything happens to the master soul, the shadow takes over. The consequences vary, but the person tends to be unable to function like he did before. Sometimes the person goes mad, others, though rare, are pretty much normal."

"So his body is being taken over by the shadow?" Kadaj asked. His father nodded. "But how can a soul be harmed?"

"Mako poisoning," Vincent said. "Even Cloud's soul was injured when he had it. He was one of the few whose shadow kept his body functioning normally."

"It can also happen if the controlling soul is put under too much stress or pressure," Sephiroth chimed in. His gaze lowered and he laid a hand upon his heart. "It's why I went mad back when I was in Nibelheim. After I discovered the Jenova Project and my potential, my shadow soul became corrupt and pushed my master one out of my body. Cloud didn't know it, but when I came back fifteen years ago, my master soul had taken over once again. That's why I fell in love with your mother instead of killing her," he added, glancing at Kali. "If my shadow had control, you might not be here. If you were, you would probably have been the child of rape."

"What about Reno?" Rude pressed. "What will his shadow do to him?"

"His shadow will take complete control," Vincent explained. "After his normal soul is pushed out, the new one will make Reno track down anyone he feels has done him wrongly and kill them. Kali and Kadaj, if his shadow takes over, you will be in grave danger."

"But why?" Kali moaned.

"Seventeen years ago," Kadaj began, "when we were trying to bring father back. I wanted to find President Rufus. I didn't know where he was, so we kidnapped Reno, Rude, and Elena and I tortured them until they told me where he was."

"You did?" Kali gasped. She looked up at Rude, who turned back to Reno.

"If you don't believe him, we can show you," Sephiroth said.

They watched as the scene turned to an old house. Chained to a wall were Reno and Rude. Rude was pulling on the chains slowly, resulting in blood pouring from his wrists. Reno was struggling far harder. They turned to see Kadaj standing over a blonde woman lying on a table. She had cuts all over her face and arms and her clothes were torn. She stared up at Kadaj with an angry look on her face.

"I'm never going to tell you where he is," she hissed through gritted teeth. Kadaj smiled in such a way that Kali flinched. Glancing at her father, she saw that he, too, was horrified.

"You will, Elena," Kadaj replied. "If you don't, I'll only kill you and then get his location from the others."

"Elena, fight him!" Reno snapped. She glanced at him.

"It's a bit difficult when my arms and legs are tied down, Reno."

"Now, is he here in Midgar?" Kadaj inquired. Elena remained silent. Kali caught a glance of Rude and watched him look away. She turned back in time to see Kadaj cut open her stomach with his sword. "We've been through each city twice already. Where is the President?"

"Stop hurting her," Reno begged quietly. Kadaj turned to him. The red-haired man was now on his knees, no longer struggling against his bonds. "President Shinra is in Nibelheim. He's not in Midgar."

"Reno!" Rude snapped. Reno refused to look at him. Kadaj smiled.

"So the quiet Turk finally speaks," Kadaj taunted. He picked up a cell phone from a table. "Loz? I got his location. You get the girl. Is Yazoo there? Yazoo, I want you to go search each house around the old headquarters in Midgar."

"No! I told you, he's in Nibelheim!" Reno snapped. Kadaj hung up the phone and stared at him.

"Your eyes say differently. There's no need for you anymore," he smiled. Reno glared at him as he raised his sword over Elena.

"Then let us go! Don't kill her, please!"

"Did you really think that I would just let you go if you told me where he is?" Kadaj said over his shoulder. As he lowered his sword into Elena, Rude finally applied enough force to his bonds and broke free. He tackled Kadaj, but the sword was already lodged in Elena's stomach. Rude ran over to Reno and took his bonds off. Reno untied Elena and ran while Rude slammed his fist into Kadaj's stomach before following him. They ran until they were halfway across town.

"Elena?" Reno muttered as he laid her on the ground. Elena was crying while blood poured from her stomach. "Hold on, we'll get you a doctor."

"No," she muttered. "There's no time. I'm going to die."

"Don't say that!" Reno snapped, but he and Rude both knew she wouldn't make it. Elena held Reno's hand.

"I'm sorry I never loved you," she whispered. She closed her eyes and Kali watched as she stopped breathing. The scene went back to the tree.

"I'm sorry," Kadaj muttered. All eyes were on him. "I'm so sorry."

"What's done is done," Vincent whispered. He was leaning against the tree. "You can't change the past, but you can change the future."

"Huh?" Yuffie looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"We need you to go destroy Reno's shadow. His other isn't dead yet, only terribly weak," Sephiroth explained. He knelt next to the Reno under the tree. "Vincent and I need to stay here and take care of him. You all need to go to the place where souls enter and leave the Lifestream. Your guide will come shortly. In the meantime, feel free to ask anything."

"Daddy," Kali whispered, "who is Zur-"

"Don't say her name," Vincent interrupted. "We don't speak it here. The White Woman is an escaped soul. She figured out how to break free of the Lifestream and manifest the body of a person near death. She has been doing this for thousands of years."

"What are you talking about?" Kadaj gasped. This time, a female voice answered him.

"You see, the White Woman wants the world to become pure. She has been trying for many millennia, but she's only succeeded in making the world start all over," the woman explained. Cid and Yuffie ran up and hugged her.

"Aeris!" they yelled. She smiled softly and knelt with the rest of them.

"Yes, it's me."

"You're Aeris?" Kali whispered. She stared at the woman.

"Thank you for letting Vincent's soul come here. I know it must have been hard," she said softly. "As for the White Woman, she has attempted to purify the world many times. Each time, she was defeated by a young woman sitting here with us," Aeris said slowly. She glanced at Kali. "Unfortunately, Kali was unable to defeat her in time. Meteor and Holy still destroyed the Planet, but it only started over again from the time when the White Woman first died. The world… rewound itself, so to speak."

"So I've been around for thousands of years?" Kali asked. Aeris nodded.

"But you and the White Woman destroyed each other just as Meteor and Holy struck," Vincent added. "She waits for the same time period to come each time the world restarts and then takes the body of another soul. She's not much different from you and Nanashi.

"Each time she tries again, she is stronger and smarter. There are only two people who ever defeated her. You did when she was reincarnated, and Nanashi did when they were both alive. We hope that with the two of you sharing a body, she can be destroyed forever."

"So the Planet has been destroyed before," Rude muttered.

"Is this what the Ancients meant by a cataclysm that caused the Northern Crater?" Cid inquired.

"Yes," Vincent nodded. "She destroyed the Planet only a few years after she died. She had only enough strength to bring Meteor, not Holy. She then discovered how powerful Holy could be if it was made to destroy. It took her until the time period we are in now to be able to gain strength enough to come back. The Planet made Kali be born and grow up on another world so that she would be safe until the time came to destroy the White Woman."

"Who is Nanashi?" Kali asked. "I know I share my body with her, but Rufus had to leave before he could tell me."

"Rufus?" Rude repeated.

"He came to Kadaj and I in a dream. It was when Sachiko was shot. Uh," Kali looked to Aeris. She only smiled.

"I know all that has happened to my daughter. But please, keep her safe from any more misfortunes, for all of our sakes."

"I will. I swear it. Once we get out of here, I'll get her out of the Hitomi's hold," Kadaj promised. His father smiled.

"I'm a bit surprised that you care so much for her. I know you'll take care of each other," Sephiroth whispered.

"I know you will, too," Aeris said softly. She looked behind them. "Here is your guide."

"Nanashi!" Kali exclaimed when she saw her. Nanashi nodded. She was wearing a black tunic with a belt. Her legs were covered by black tights and black boots were on her feet. Otherwise, she looked exactly like Kali with her hair tied back.

"Hello, Kali," she said. Kali and Kadaj stood and bowed.

"Hello to you, too, Nanashi," Kadaj said. The others, who heard Nanashi backwards, sat quietly. Kadaj turned to them. "It's okay. She speaks backwards, but I'll translate if you want."

"Come," Nanashi said. "Reno will be fine until our return. We must make haste."

"Let's go. Daddy, are you sure you can't come?" Kali asked. Sephiroth stood and hugged his daughter.

"You'll be just fine. I love you. Both of you," he said softly. He hugged Kadaj and nodded. "Go on. Reno doesn't have much time before he is gone."

"We'll be back," Cid promised. They followed Nanashi across the fields to another hill. They looked back and could hardly make out the tree.

"Where are we?" Yuffie asked.

"We are where souls come and go," Nanashi said softly. Kadaj translated for them. "Reno should come at anytime. Speak of the devil," she muttered. Indeed, coming up over the hill was Reno.

"I guess I should have gotten here earlier after all," he sighed. He pulled out a tazer and shouldered it. "I have my work cut out for me, don't I?"

"Let Reno go!" Rude snapped. Reno glanced up at him.

"Why are you so worried? You're not the one I'm going to kill," he said, his gaze turning to Kadaj and Kali. "If you want Reno back, come and kill me."

"We'll get him back," Kali hissed. She held her blade ready above her head. Reno smiled.

"If you say so."

Kali ran up and cut at him. He only leapt into the air and laughed. Rude came at him from behind and threw a punch, but, once again, Reno dodged it. Even Yuffie was unable to slice through him. Nanashi stood and watched.

"Nanashi, help!" Kali cried. She blocked a blow from Reno's weapon.

"I am coming," she hissed. They turned to see her glowing slightly. "Kali, stand aside. I shall kill him."

"Wait! Let us get away," Kadaj yelled. They stepped aside, but as Kadaj fled, Reno tripped him and picked up the double-blade. He tried to slam it into Kadaj, but he rolled away.

"Now, Nanashi!" Cid snapped. Nanashi drew her own blade and flew at Reno. Their blades connected and Nanashi pushed him away. She came again, but he spun out of the way and tried to hit her. Kali and the others watched as they twisted and turned to get out of the other's reach.

"Come on! We need to help!" Kali yelled. They ran up and started tearing at Reno. He groaned with each punch thrown at him and screamed with each cut that reached through his skin. Nanashi finally ran past and dug her sword deep into his side. He fell to his knees and stared at her.

"I'm not letting go," he hissed. He stood shakily as blood dripped from his side. He stared up and pointed. "See? The sky is opening to let me out. Now, prepare to run once you are out of here. If I leave your bodies intact to run, that is."

"Wait," said a hoarse voice behind him. He froze and before he could turn, bullets ripped through his chest. He slowly fell to the ground and faded. Behind him, Reno dropped the pistol and stared at them. He flinched as several cuts across his skin dripped blood. "I'm not ready yet."

"Reno!" Kali yelled. He fainted as she watched. Sephiroth, Vincent, and Aeris ran over as Rude caught him.

"We couldn't stop him. For someone so injured, he runs pretty damn fast," Sephiroth panted. He turned to his children. "You did well."

"But I still want to know who Nanashi is and why I share my body," Kali griped. "Do you mind showing us?"

"Of course I will, but it will have to be short. Kali should not see every little detail," she bowed and closed her eyes. They found themselves outside of a small building that resembled a shell. On the ground at the entrance, Kali saw the twins from her last dream. They were both dead. Next to them was Zurine. She was bleeding heavily and panting.

"Why do thou kill me? I have done no wrong," she gasped. Nanashi raised her blade.

"Thou took and murdered the children of the emperor. 'Tis my job to destroy those who anger him," Nanashi replied. She dug her sword into Zurine.

The scene then changed to show Nanashi walking on a deserted road. As she walked towards the palace, a group of men came out of the bushes behind her and dragged her away. Kali flinched as they watched the men tear her clothes off and pass her between them. After they raped her and left her nude, Nanashi picked up her dagger and stabbed herself. Kali lowered her eyes as they went back to the Lifestream.

"That's why I don't know my name. Those that commit suicide do not remember it," Nanashi explained. She looked at Kali. "That's why I was so fearful when Devin raped you."

"Wait," Kali muttered. "Vincent said that she overtook the body of someone near death. Nanashi, did you…?"

"Yes. I finished the job of killing you, and then entered your body. I'm sorry I never told you," Nanashi said quietly. Kali nodded.

"I understand."

"The portal is closing," Aeris said suddenly. They all looked up to see the clouds overhead begin to close. "You all must go now or you will stay dead."

"Thank you, daddy," Kali whispered. She and Kadaj hugged Sephiroth.

"Good luck to both of you," he said softly. "I love you both so much."

"We love you, too," Kadaj muttered. They reluctantly pulled away.

"One more thing," Aeris said. "If you want to find Sachiko, you'll have to go to the ruins of the Ancient Temple. The Hitomi are taking her there to try and speak to me or Tseng."

"Right," Kadaj nodded. "We'll save her. Don't worry."

"Goodbye," Vincent called. The group faded away.

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"Kali? You awake?" Cid asked. He shook her gently and smiled when she finally opened her eyes.

"Yeah. Is everyone okay?"

"I think so. Reno hasn't woken up yet, though."

"Pradipa," Kali gasped. "What about him?"

"He's fine. He hid as soon as he heard the jets," Cid assured her. He looked over his shoulder. "Sounds like Reno's coming to. Come on."

Kali sat up immediately and looked around until she saw Reno. Rude and Yuffie were already kneeling next to him as he slowly blinked. Rude smiled and sighed with relief. Yuffie threw herself upon him and laughed before kissing him.

"Thank god you're alive," she gasped.

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NM: This is the longest chapter I've written yet, and it makes up quite nicely for the last one. Anyway… I GOT ME ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS! ((Does Numa Numa Dance)) Thanks people! I've already started on the 'Thank you' that I emailed the last reviewers about. Unfortunately, all I've got is one persons head… I would've had more done, but I suddenly came down with a really bad stomach flu Monday night, and for the next 2 days didn't feel much like drawing. I did feel like writing, hence why this chapter is so long (except the fight with Reno… I hate that part, it was supposed to be the main event, but oh, well). Oh, and I also have a deviantart account. The link is in my profile. I only have 2 pics up, but I think you'll like them. One's of Sephy and Kali. The other is Sephy as a pig (in-joke between a friend and I, explained in the pic description). Check it out when you have a chance! Oh, but be warned. My journals might contain spoilers for this fic later on (right now one talks about FLA and the other talks about freshman year and my happiness about having a DA account). So just be warned. Anyway, reviews:

Kizna1200: No, not cool chapter… but oh, well, since when does my opinion matter? As long as the readers are happy. And thanks for the reply to my email. I'll finish the pic soon. I hope. Actually, if nobody minds stick figures, it can be done tonight and up tomorrow…

Ryu the Youkai: Thanks to you, too, for the pic description… thing… Anyway, yeah, I thought more action/adventure, but then I also wasn't sure about suspense or mystery or supernatural or what.

Sayahiei: Like I said, I only beat myself about that one chapter. And a couple others. And yes she has wings, but they went bye-bye when she landed… she'll get em back eventually.

Mediciner: Hmm… he must have an accomplice or something… Yeah, Pradipa is going to change probably next chapter or the one after that. Hey, if you want wings, I'll give em to you on the pic. They'll suck, but you'll have them (I can't draw wings worth a crap unless they're chibi bat wings).

NM: And how about Sachiko? A little twist in the plot… I figured out why I make stuff so easy for the reader to find out. Dramatic irony! You guys know what's going on and going to happen, but the characters don't! It makes things even better when the thing happens and other characters finally know! I dunno… we've been reading Romeo and Juliet and my teacher has been stressing the dramatic irony aspect… I dunno, I think she gets some perverse pleasure from it… ah, well, it works. Don't forget to check out my pics! (the link should be in my profile, though for some reason it's not showing up on my comp… if not, type the url like usual, but instead of 'www' type 'ninja-mage' and that's my page)

Signed,

Master of the Physical and Mystical,

NINJA MAGE