Sakura Mitzuki: lol thanks a lot.

Ankosune: He's not a dog! Lol. Showdown of Fate? I like it.

Becky: Awww thanks. Updates will slow down by the time I'm back to school next week but this story might be finished by then.

Angelicxox: Yep Cloud will save them. Yuffie will be confused anyway.

Silver chocobo15: I think Seph would make a good sister what with the long hair I can just see him in a hair advert. "L'Oreal! Because you're worth it!" LOL!

Chapter 18: Revelation

Sephiroth jumped back just as the heavens opened and poured down rain.

"Zack!" He gasped before he shook his head, reassuring himself.

"No, you're dead."

Cloud raced down to Yuffie and picked her up, glaring at Sephiroth. Yuffie opened her eyes, the figure of Cloud just coming into her blurred vision.

"Cloud?" She murmured as she looked around. "Am I dead?" Cloud smiled slightly and shook his head.

"No," He replied. "I'm alive." The Princess frowned as he helped her up.

"But…how?" She began but Cloud interrupted.

"It doesn't matter now. I'm home." He pulled her intoa hug which she responded to immediately.

"Cloud?" Sephiroth questioned, looking at Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz dangerously. "Well, it's strange to find you alive."

Immediately, the clones pointed to each other, releasing Reno as they did so. Cloud glanced at them before turning to Sephiroth.

"I should kill you for what you've done to Yuffie and Mum." He spat. Sephiroth didn't look intimidated as Cloud stepped towards him.

"Step down Sephiroth."

"Sorry Cloud." His uncle replied, readying his weapon. "But the problem is that the clones believe me to be King."

"Well we don't!" Aeris shouted to him.

"Cloud's the rightful King." Tifa added, smiling for the first time in years at the sightofher son.

"We don't have to fight." Cloud warned Sephiroth, his voice growing softer. Sephiroth lowered his weapon slightly.

"No. I suppose you wouldn't want to be a murderer, would you Cloud?" The last part was sneered at the blonde. Cloud's expression turned hard again.

"That's not going to work. I've accepted it." Cloud growled. His uncle wondered behind him pacing in front of Aeris, Tifa and Yuffie, aware that the people below could hear and see everything.

"I'm amazed that Tifa and Yuffie forgave so easily." He smirked. Yuffie glanced at her brother.

"Cloud, what is he talking about?"

"Sounds like he's completely lost it!" Reno muttered.

"Ah so you never admitted it to them, I see." Sephiroth said icily, circling his nephew. "Well, Cloud how about you tell everyone? Tell them who is responsible for Yuffie's accident and Zack's death ten years ago."

Cloud felt everyone's eyes snap to him. Confusion and anticipation was shown on the faces of the three women in front of him. He could see Cid and Barret watching intently from their hiding place and Reno waiting patiently. Cloud took a breath and a step forward.

"I am." He admitted. He looked up to see everyone staring with slack jaws. Yuffie was staring at him as if she didn't know him, tears filling her eyes. Tifa recovered rather quickly and stepped forward, grabbing his shoulders.

"It's not true!" She cried before she went to a gentler, begging tone. "Tell me it's not true." Cloud looked away, ashamed to face her.

"It's true."

"That's right. Cloud's a murderer!" Sephiroth hissed.

"I didn't mean to! It was an accident!" Cloud cried.

"Zack's dead and if it wasn't for you he would still be alive. Can you deny that?"

"No."

"Then you are guilty."

"I'm not a murderer!" Cloud yelled, taking a step back as Sephiroth advanced on him.

"Oh dear Cloud. Trouble seems to follow you everywhere doesn't it?" He teased before adding darkly. "But Daddy isn't here this time. And now, everyone knows why!"

Cloud's back hit the wall and before he knew it, Sephiroth drove his weapon through his shoulder. Cloud let out a grunt of pain.

"Cloud!" Aeris shrieked. Sephiroth smirked as he leaned over his nephew.

"What is it you want most Cloud?" He asked, almost sweetly. The blonde glared up at him.

"Forgiveness?" Sephiroth enquired. Cloud looked down and Sephiroth kneeled in front of him.

"Well I might be able to help you with that." He sneered. "Because Cloud, I have a little secret for you." He pulled back Cloud's spiky ear and leaned forward, whispering in his ear.

"I killed Zack."