I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply. Please note that my story has not been beta read.

FOR THOSE THAT LOVED THIS WORLD

ONE

Cloud walked along the main street of Edge. He was tired, the pass few nights had been restless. He had been plagued by nightmares that left him panicked and ill at ease; not wanting to go back to sleep. Unfortunately he couldn't remember the nightmares, he would wake tangled in his sheet, heart pounding. Last night had been the worst, he had woken to find someone standing over him and grabbed his sword instinctively. He had recognized Tifa in time.

"You were shouting," she had said. "Are you okay?"

He had fallen back down, breathing heavily. Nodding, he had closed his eyes. After a few moments Tifa had left but Cloud hadn't gone back to sleep.

That morning he had decided to go for a walk through the streets of Edge. Weaving round the people he was able to pick up bits of conversations but no one seemed overly worried about anything. The conversations were mundane and mostly people ignored him. He caught sight of himself in a shop window, hunched shoulders and dragging feet. He gave himself a shake, wake up. He glanced round and froze.

On the opposite side of the road stood a young man dressed in a fitted black coat. He was looking up the street but turned to look at Cloud. Cloud blinked, there was no mistaking Kadaj. He held Cloud's gaze for a few seconds before deliberately turning and walking into a near by alley. Cloud pulled his sword free and followed, he had the same feeling he had woken up with the last few nights.

Kadaj stood in the middle of the alley, he appeared to be alone but Cloud knew that Loz and Yazoo would be around. As Cloud approached Kadaj turned, he had a tense grin plastered on his face.

"Where is he?" he asked.

"Why are you here?" asked Cloud.

"Looking for him, you know he's here," answered Kadaj.

Cloud frowned,

"Who?" but even as he said it he knew but he wanted Kadaj to say the words.

Kadaj giggled.

"It's all your fault," he said.

"What is?" asked Cloud, perplexed.

Kadaj seemed as confused as Cloud was; he chewed his fingernail. Suddenly he straightened and looked behind Cloud; who turned. Yazoo stood at the entrance to the alleyway. He ignored Cloud and went to stand next to Kadaj. He shook his head and Kadaj winced.

"Time to go," he said and started for the main street. Cloud blocked his path.

"Who are you looking for?"

Kadaj stared at the ground and said nothing.

"Sephiroth," said Yazoo.

"Where is Loz?" asked Cloud. He wanted the three of them out the city. He couldn't ague that Sephiroth was dead because the two in front of him had died as well. And deep down in his heart, he had know the reason for his unease.

"With Sephiroth," answered Yazoo with what appeared to be saddness.

"I will kill him," swore Kadaj.

He sidestepped passed Cloud and continued on his way, Yazoo following. Cloud let them go; he stood for a while. Who had Kadaj sworn to kill, Loz or Sephiroth? Sephiroth. Why was Loz with Sephiroth and Yazoo with Kadaj, shouldn't they be together? And what was his fault? Why would Kadaj swear to kill Sephiroth? Cloud sheathed his weapon and headed home at a jog. He had to warn the others. But what would he say? How would he explain it?

Tifa stood as Cloud entered the bar. He saw Vincent was seated next to her.

"Cloud," she started to say but stopped. Her expression showed concern and anxiety.

"I have some news," said Vincent as Cloud walked over.

"Sephiroth," said Cloud as he sat.

Vincent nodded.

"How do you know?" asked Tifa. She wondered if this had anything to do with Cloud's lately troubled sleep.

"I met Kadaj in the street a short while ago," answered Cloud. "Something is … different."

"I didn't get a chance to speak to Kadaj but I did see him, along with his brothers, fight Sephiroth," said Vincent.

"Fight Sephiroth," murmured Cloud. So it was Sephiroth Kadaj had sworn to kill. "What happened?"

"When I found them I feared a reunion right then but Kadaj attacked Sephiroth," said Vincent.

"Kadaj attacked Sephiroth?" asked Tifa.

Vincent nodded,

"Yazoo and Loz, though surprised, followed Kadaj's lead."

"Where were they?" interrupted Cloud.

Vincent was silent for a second,

"The old Shin-Ra building."

"What!" exclaimed Tifa. "In Midgar."

"When was this?" asked Cloud.

"Yesterday," said Vincent, "I've been trying to find Sephiroth since but I have been unsuccessful."

"Kadaj is also looking for him," said Cloud. "He said he was going to kill Sephiroth."

"Why?" asked Tifa.

"With all seriousness, I don't think Kadaj knows what he is thinking," said Cloud. "He seems more unstable now than when I spoke with him last."

"Also," added Cloud, "Loz was not with him and Yazoo – they said something about him being with Sephiroth."

"I can answer that," said Vincent. "I saw the fight between the three of them and Sephiroth. The fight had hardly begun before Sephiroth grabbed Loz and; it looked like he absorbed him."

As Loz moved to the side Sephiroth grabbed and pulled Loz toward himself. Loz appeared to loose consistency and faded into Sephiroth.

"Absorbed him?" asked Tifa.

With Sephiroth, said Yazoo.

"It's the best way to describe it. He was noticeably stronger afterwards and Kadaj pulled Yazoo back; he looked worried. They left after that, he didn't follow," said Vincent before adding, "he did see me."

"What did he do?" asked Tifa, leaning forward.

"Walked away."

Cloud looked up,

"Walked away?"

Vincent nodded.

"That makes no sense, why didn't he attack?" asked Cloud. Would he have attacked me? he wondered quietly.

There was silence for a moment.

"Why are they here again?" asked Tifa in a small voice.

Vincent looked straight at Cloud,

"Altered Jenova cells."

Cloud frowned; Vincent clarified his answer,

"We're giving him a link to this planet."