Disclaimer: Many characters belong to Square Enix, as well as many of the place names.

Remember: This story is basically a fanfiction of a fanfiction, based on "Ame ni Matte" by Lily Silver. The story design and set-up is based around that story. Also, her original characters used in this are Lorna Relson and Marshal Gray will be mentioned here and there. I recommend reading her story, for it is very good, and mine would make much more sense if you did.

I don't know the background for many of the main characters, so I'm going to make up my own history for them!

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Chapter 10: Epilogue

A train whistle rang out through the station as the arriving train crawled its way to the platform. Black smoke from the engine engulfed the exiting passengers. There was a series of dull thudding as hard soled boots connected with the pavement. They carried their owner out of the station and down the open street. Two children ran past, laughing innocently in their game of 'tag'. The boots stopped.

Hana scuffed the toe of her boots on the concrete. She pushed back her tousled fringe to watch the kids run by. Letting a smile grace her lips, she continued on her way. Hana stopped stock cold when she came to the center of the city of Edge. Rubble was strewn about everywhere, the road was scorched here and there, and there was a horrid stench in the air. Hana took off down the road, spiky hair bouncing around her neck.

Tinkling glass and running water signaled that Tifa Lockheart was cleaning up after the children's lunch. With a deafening bang, the door to the 7th Heaven was flung open. To pre-occupied with washing, Tifa called out, "I'm sorry, we're closed!"

"Tifa!" Hana yelled. She ran up to the bar as Tifa finally turned around. "Tifa, what's going on?" I leave for a couple of weeks, and the city gets trashed?" Hana's voice was high-pitched with curious desperation.

Tifa smiled, sighed, and went back to washing. "You always were one to get to the point," she said, drying a plate. Switching tasks, she placed a glass of water on the bar in front of the flustered teen. "What do you need me to explain?"

"Don't play dumb," Hana growled. She ran her finger around the edge of the glass, and then looked up at Tifa, holding eye contact. "I know I'm no help to you guys, but I don't like being kept in the dark."

"Yeah," sighed Tifa, and she smiled again. "I know." There was a long pause, and Tifa's smile faded. "I'll tell you what I know. You can talk to Cloud later, when he gets home." Hana nodded in agreement. Tifa gathered her words, "I don't know the name of the other two, but the one that acted like the leader was named Kadaj..."

Hana's stomach lurched. Tifa had her back turned again, so Hana's clenched fist and narrowed eyes went unnoticed.

Tifa took Hana's silence as a sign of her listening. "They were," she continued slowly. "Clones...of Sepheroth." There was another long pause. "You know how things are...A couple of fights, here and there."

"Yeah," Hana said absentmindedly. She stared blankly at the glass. "So...uh...what ended up happening?" She did her best to keep her voice normal.

"Sepheroth returned."

Both Hana and Tifa looked up to see Vincent standing patiently to the side.

"Cloud said the clones are all dead, now," Vincent ended, his voice barely audible, as usual.

Hana almost knocked her glass over, sloshing water onto the counter. Everything went black for a moment, and when Hana finally got a grip on her mind, she saw Tifa staring at her with concern. Hana looked away, eyes flitting frantically around the room.

"What's wrong?" Tifa asked, reaching over the counter to place a hand on Hana's shoulder.

"Oh, I just need some air," Hana lied. She slid off her barstool and headed for the door. On her way out, she ran into an energetic Yuffie.

"Hey, you!" Yuffie sang loudly, draping an arm over Hana's shoulders. "How've you been? You're not fond of using your phone, are you?" she joked.

Hana pulled away and left with a distracted wave of the hand.

"What's her problem?" Yuffie asked as she pushed the door open and stepped into the bar. Tifa shook her head and Yuffie shrugged an "Oh well."

Hana walked with her eyes on the ground, no destination in mind. Before she knew it, she had come to the edge of an unfinished highway leading over the destroyed city of Midgar. She stood with her toes sticking out over the ledge, staring at the ruins.

Every day, Hana thought about when she ran away from the three clones. Certain thoughts always seemed to reoccur: What would have happened if she stayed? Would they have let her stay? 'Probably not,' was always her answer to the second question. The first one she left a mystery.

Hana reached into her pocked and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Carefully pulling the edges, she read short note for the billionth time.

You are now officially released from ShinRa property. Live your life as you please.

Rufus ShinRa—President

Had Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz been released as well? Hana decided that she was going to find out someday. Last she had heard, the brothers were going to Nibelheim. She didn't even know if they had made it, let alone that they'd gone there and back. And, now, they were dead. Hana felt as if her heart was being squeezed, and she couldn't figure out why. She had told herself that she should hate them. Hate them for ever lying to her. Some how, Hana couldn't make herself say that she hated them anymore. All she could think about was how they befriended her, despite who they really were. She turned away from the ruined Midgar and headed slowly back to the bar. As her conflicting thoughts melted away, she suddenly felt as if she'd give anything just to see their faces one last time.

As if on cue, a stray dog knocked over a garbage bin, and a newspaper slid out next to Hana's feet. She picked it up, and almost dropped it when she saw the front page. Gazing down at the two, large, full color photos she felt tears start to form in her eyes. She blinked them back as she unfolded the paper to reveal the rest of the images. The one on the left showed two figures glaring intensely at the crowed around them. Even without the tall, lean figure and long, silver hair, Hana would have recognized Yazoo's picture from his distant expression. The figure standing next to him was obviously Loz (his large build and short hair gave him away). Hana turned her attention to the second photo. It was a picture of Kadaj, and he was falling, hand outstretched toward something beyond the frame of the image. Hana silently complimented the photographer's skills as she moved her eyes to the article.

MYSTERIOUS KIDNAPPERS WREEK HAVOC

After the disappearance of the children, the kidnappers show themselves with the stolen children at their sides. They completely demolished the monument at the center of the city...

Hana couldn't read anymore due to her vision being distorted by tears. She didn't let them fall, though. Folding the newspaper, she tucked it under her arm and continued walking back to the 7th Heaven. When she walked through the door, she saw Yuffie sitting at the bar, Tifa leaning over the counter, talking to the previous, and Vincent standing to the side, listening silently. Hana chose a stool next to Yuffie. Tifa looked over and asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Hana looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together. A cliché thought came to her: Maybe they're in a better place now. She nodded to herself. A few days of rest, and she's leave to answer some questions, but Hana decided to tell her friends that later. Looking up at Tifa, she managed to smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," Hana said. "Thanks, one-chan."

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End note: Well, it really was a joy writing this fic, and I hope to be able to start my next one soon!