It was a few weeks after Sephiroth's call. Aeris had finished unlocking Cloud's memories, but the group noticed a change in his attitude towards her. One day Cloud was strapping on his snow gear when she found him. "It's time to head north…" he told her. "I know…" she replied. "I'm going to the inn to get the others…" he told her, "meet up with us at the back of the town." "Alright, don't dawdle…" she told him as he left.
Cloud came to the inn, just like he had whenever he needed a break from his memories. Once inside he found that some poor fool had mistaken RedXIII for a pet again. "I am nobody's pet, I am my own sentient being capable of intelligent thought. I'll have you know, I just happen to be the last of my species…" he growled at the housekeeping lady. "Red, that's enough I'm sure she's had all she can take…" Cloud reprimanded. "Are you this thing's owner?" the lady asked. "No, he has no owner, like he said… But if you're asking if he is my companion, then the answer is yes. He has a mind of his own and far be it from me to try to control him…" Cloud announced. "We don't allow pets in the inn not even exotic ones…" she told him. "Ma'am, are you completely ignorant? I just got finished telling you, he isn't my pet! But if he has caused any messes I'll pay in full for damages…" Cloud explained in an irritated voice. The lady didn't say anything more she just walked away. "Where are the others?" Cloud asked. "Aeris called about an hour ago saying that we were going to head north in a few hours, Barret went to stock up on items, Vincent on ammo for his and Barret's guns as well as some grenades, Yuffie went to 'acquire' some material, and Cid is picking up some gear we'll need to climb the crater…" Red explained.
A few hours later the group was gathered at the northern edge of town ready to leave. "I'd hate to know how you came across all this material, Yuffie…" Vincent trailed off. "Well, it wasn't easy Vinnie!" Yuffie replied. "Pardon me, which of you is Cloud Strife?" a voice came out of nowhere. "Who be askin'?" Barret responded. Snow began to fall revealing a figure in it, the person then became fully visible. "Call me Ninja…" he announced. Cloud stepped forward announcing, "I'm Cloud Strife, what's it to you?" "I thought as much," 'Ninja' responded. "So why ask, dumba&&?" Barret yelled. "I wanted to confirm…" 'Ninja' replied calmly, "Now if don't mind Cloud, duel me!" "Stay outta' this guys…" Cloud told the others. "A'right man, but if it looks like you be in trouble I'm gettin' involved…" Barret explained. "Don't count on it Barret…" Cloud countered.
Cloud's fight with 'Ninja' started much the way Sephiroth's had. As 'Ninja' slashed at Cloud with his long thin blade, Cloud dodged and blocked with his own blade. In the rush of battle both swordsmen disarmed each other. This didn't stop them, they continued to try to smash their way through one another. At first it looked like that because Cloud's snow-gear was so heavy his reduction in speed would cost him, 'Ninja' made one mistake that cost him. Just as 'Ninja' rushed up to Cloud, Aeris jumped between them. "Aeris…" 'Ninja' seemed to know Aeris as well as Cloud, "Please move…" "No!" she yelled, "Why do you want to fight him?" "I have my reasons…" he explained. "Aeris, get out of the way, let me finish this…" Cloud told her. "Will you be alright?" she asked. "I'll be fine…" he reassured her. As she had moved out of the way Cloud lunged at 'Ninja' thrusting his fist into his gut. As 'Ninja' doubled over Cloud slammed his fists against his back knocking him into the snow. 'Ninja' began to stand up as he spoke, "You are stronger than I expected Cloud, I admit to you, defeat… Now if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave…" Having said that 'Ninja' vanished, leaving AVALANCHE to think. "Who the hell...?" Cid finally managed. "We may neva' know…" Barret replied. "Com'n guys… We have work to do!" Cloud instructed, "Let's mosey…" "D&&&it, Spikes! Think o' somthin' else to say! That sissy word is getting' on my nerves!" Cid shouted. "Alright, fine… Move out!" Cloud shouted.
As the rest of the group left Cait Sith simply stood in the same spot. "Hey your parts didn't freeze up or anything did they?" Yuffie asked. "No, it's just… Nothing, it's nothing don't worry about it…" Cait responded. "I feel like I know him…" Aeris mused. "Who?" Cloud asked. "That 'Ninja' guy…" she responded. "Strangely enough I feel like I've met him before too…" Cloud trailed off.
As they approached the crater they found an Inn. The man inside had told them that climbing the Crater was dangerous. "I had a friend who died when him and I tried to climb that monstrosity, and worst of all it was all my idea!" he explained sadly, "I live with the guilt of the knowledge that I killed my best friend…" "We don't want to climb it, we have to climb it!" Cloud explained. "Alright, if you feel you have to I'll help you…" the man said. Cloud and the others were too tired and trekked off to the rooms Cloud had paid for.