RedXIIIlover: well I have no choice but to update in that case.

Sakura Mitzuki:lol thanks a lot. Lion King is definitely the best Disney film in my opinion, Little Mermaid close second.

RaeDragongirl: Right so where's my cookie? Lol

Angelicxox: Yep Seph has got evil manipulation and poor Yuffie is confused. But her rebellion is starting now

Princess Thief Riku Ayamani: yeah Cloud's done good but thinks Yuffie is dead, obviously nobody's told him otherwise. And yes the Great Kings of the Past will help him eventually.

Sheshi: lol yes it is.

Ankosune: lol thanks a lot. And you don't have to wait long for Cleris/Clorith loving!

Chapter 10: Reunion

Reno walked Yuffie back to the castle, meeting Aeris along the way. They spoke about ways in which they could dethrone Sephiroth but no plan seemed good enough.

"He's so smart and strong." Yuffie whined as they entered the gates and walked up the stairs. She wrinkled her nose, the smell of the slums still evident from where they were. Aeris sighed.

"We need help from somewhere else." She muttered. Yuffie looked to her.

"Great, when do we leave?" She asked. Aeris shook her head.

"If all of us go, Sephiroth will be suspicious."

"You can't go by yourself." Reno said with a frown. Aeris placed her hands on her hips.

"I can look after myself. Besides Yuffie needs to stay here to get people to help with the rebellion and you need to stay here to support her." Yuffie sighed, knowing she was right.

"Just be careful ok. I don't want to lose another person."

"I'll be back. I promise." Aeris reassured her with her trademark smile. She turned back around and made her way through the streets back to her house. Her mother walked in as Aeris was looking for her weapon.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving to find help." She replied grabbing her silver rod and placing it in her boot. She tied her hair up into a bun before she grabbed a long cloth and placed it on her head, hiding her hair and forehead from view. She tied it by her mouth so that most of her face was covered, just her eyes showing.

"Alone?" Ilfana questioned worriedly.

"I'll be fine." Her daughter insisted as she walked away. She hated it when people thought she was weak. She checked her pockets for materia and slipped eight different ones into the slots on her weapon, making sure her mother saw it.

"Happy now?" She asked with a small smile. Ilfana shook her head.

"Not really, but I know I can't change your mind when it's set on something." Aeris hugged her before she left, waving over her shoulder.

Cid and Barret stopped at the mountain looking around the place. Cid lit a cigarette while Barret put his hands on his hips.

"Where the hell could he be?" he asked in frustration. Cid took a drag as he continued to look around.

"I don't see him anywhere. Let's check by the house." He suggested.

"We checked there."

"Well he may have went back there." Barret sighed, knowing there wasn't much choice about the matter and followed Cid back the way they came.

They didn't see Cloud peering out from the trees. When they were gone he stepped out and kicked a lone stone. He looked up at the sky, the scorching sun had long worn out its effect on him. Now he was used to the heat, just like Barret and Cid. He sat down on the grass, taking some time to think. He stilled as he heard a splash from the water and turned slightly to see a person dressed in a pink dress, face covered by a cloth emerging. The person didn't see him and walked the other way. Cloud watched them, frowning slightly.

"Why are they heading to the house?" He muttered, getting up quickly and following them

Cid cursed when the house was empty and put the kettle on. Barret raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, make a cup of tea and that'll find him."

"Shut up." Cid barked, making his cup. Barret was about to retort when they heard a twig snap. Both looked at each other and then peered out at the jungle. Barret quietly loaded his gun while Cid grabbed his spear and they walked out. No sooner had they stepped out when a person dressed in pink emerged. Barret pointed his gun.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Hey I'm not here for a fight." A feminine voice answered. "I need help."

"Yeah right, a likely story." Cid scoffed. The woman's eyes, the only part of her face they could see, narrowed.

"I'm warning you." She said carefully but Barret paid no attention and fired. Quick as lightning, the woman had her weapon, a silver rod out and cast shield, blocking all the bullets. Barret cursed and went to hit her while Cid went in to stab her with his spear. She sidestepped gracefully out of both their attacks and turned.

"Lightning! Fire!" She yelled at each of them.

"Argh!" Barret cried, just as flames were sent his way. Almost as if he had heard their silent plea, Cloud came racing through the trees, ready to tackle the girl. She growled slightly as he raced towards her.

"Ice! Fire! Lightning!" She commanded. Cloud cursed as the spells were sent his way and he tried to dodge them. The woman took her chance to swipe him with the weapon and as soon as he hit the ground, pinned him, weapon pointing at his face.

"Learned to play nice yet?" She asked with anger. Cloud's eyes widened as he looked between the weapon, the lock of chestnut hair that broke through her cloth, and her emerald eyes. He could see a little bit of a metal chain with coloured orbs on her neck. Looking into her eyes, he took a breath before he spoke.

"Aeris?"