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FOR THOSE THAT LOVED THIS WORLD

THREE

As Cloud walked down the main street for the second time that day, he noticed that everyone was steadily making his or her way up the street with many a backward glance. He stopped the nearest person.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"There is some fight happening," said the woman.

"Turks," spat a passing man.

Cloud sighed angrily and ran forward. It had to be Reno, no one else could cause such chaos in so short a time.

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Sephiroth walked calmly toward the group of men. Kadaj had his back to him but Sephiroth knew that he was not unaware of his presence. He could feel the fear in the city; people were now openly running away. He smirked, pitiful but he would clean away their existence. He saw the two Turks but they held no interest for him.

Sensing that Yazoo's attention was elsewhere, Reno slowly moved his electromag round and discharged it into Yazoo's side. Yazoo staggered to the side, he tried to shoot Reno but missed. Yazoo shifted his sights to Sephiroth just as Kadaj turned and charged. Sephiroth smoothly blocked each attacked, he knew Kadaj wouldn't come in close range after seeing what happened to Loz. He danced around Kadaj for a bit, keeping him between himself and Yazoo, who was firing alternatively between Reno, Rude and Sephiroth. Reno ducked a bullet coming his way; Yazoo wasn't aiming nearly as well as he could have. His attention was divided and you could see it in his shooting. His loyalties tested, he existed because of Sephiroth but obeyed his brother.

As he turned to fire at Sephiroth, Reno ran to the left and out of sight. Keeping an eye on the battle and not looking where he was going, he run into the broad side of Cloud's sword and collapsed, dazed, to the ground. Rude looked up in time to see Reno crash in to Cloud as he came forward and realized the fight was about to go up a notch or seven. As Yazoo turned a gun in his direction Rude spun and kicked it out of his hand. The gun clattered to the ground and Rude picked it up as he made his way over to Reno.

Yazoo saw Rude pick up his gun and carry on running. Looking further along the road he saw Cloud coming toward them, raising his remaining gun he fired several shots. Cloud pulled a second sword from the first and deflected them easily. Rude evaded the few that went his way but one hit Kadaj in the back, below his left shoulder blade. He stumbled forward and fell on all fours. Sephiroth looked down at him, he kicked Kadaj's sword out of his hand and into the air where he grabbed it only to bring it down across Kadaj's back.

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Metal hit metal. Sephiroth looked right and saw Cloud.

"Cloud, we met again," he said.

Cloud didn't take his eyes off Sephiroth, he used a foot to nudge Kadaj,

"Move. Now," he ordered.

Sephiroth stepped back intrigued. He looked between the two before he continued to move backwards. Yazoo stood behind him, gun aimed at his back. Everyone stood watching, waiting. Kadaj staggered to his feet, watching Yazoo watch Sephiroth, who smirked. A few feet from Yazoo, Sephiroth turned and ducked under Yazoo's arm as he fired and appeared behind him. Next to Cloud, Kadaj made a chocking noise. Sephiroth stepped up to Yazoo and wrapped a arm around his chest. Yazoo went stiff for a second before falling back into Sephiroth as Vincent had described.

"NO!" yelled Kadaj and started to run forward but Cloud caught him and held him back. Sephiroth met Cloud's glare as new life energy run through his body, giving him strength. Kadaj fought Cloud's hold but he hardly seemed to notice. Sephiroth was almost up to his old strength; if he got hold of Kadaj, he would end up being stronger than he was before. He could try take on Sephiroth now but that meant letting go of Kadaj, who would immediately attack Sephiroth. Added to that, last time they had fought, there had been a lot of destruction. Here they were in a populated city not Midgar.

When Sephiroth realised that Cloud wasn't going to attack him, he turned and walked away. Cloud watched him go. If he, Cloud, had attacked Sephiroth would have fought but he hadn't so Sephiroth had walked away. Like he walked away from Vincent. Cloud wondered what Sephiroth knew about Jenova cells.

"He's getting away, yo."

Cloud turned to Reno.

"I won't fight him in the city," he said.

Reno shrugged,

"What you going to do with him?" he asked pointing at Kadaj, who had stopped struggling.

Cloud made sure Sephiroth was out of sight before he let go of Kadaj. Kadaj stood still for a moment before he leapt at Cloud.

"You ruin everything," he yelled.

Cloud blocked his kick and the strike that followed it. Kadaj went through a series of kicks before he stopped, glaring at Cloud. Suddenly he hung his head.

"He's not going to use me," he said looking up, "nor are you." He turned and ran down the street.

"Kadaj," yelled Cloud.

Kadaj didn't stop, Cloud swore and went after him.

"Oi," said Reno and gave chase, "Rude, get the car."

By the time Rude found them with the car, Kadaj had long disappeared into the crowd.

"What a lift somewhere?" asked Reno as he got into the car.

Cloud shook his head.

"Phone me if you find either of them," he said.

Reno nodded. Cloud watched the car disappear down the street before turning home.

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Tifa was cleaning the bar when Cloud walked in; he had spent a good hour getting back. Speaking to the occasional person, asking if they had see Kadaj or Sephiroth but no one had seen a thing. She looked up as he tossed his swords onto a nearby table.

"You're bleeding," she said coming round the bar.

Cloud shook his head.

"Sephiroth was here," he said.

"Sephiroth," whispered Tifa.

Cloud chewed his lip, something was out of place. Why had Sephiroth not attacked him? He needed to talk to Vincent but right now he needed to find Kadaj. If Kadaj had been looking for Sephiroth that meant he could no longer feel his presence. Was Kadaj against the reunion? Apart from just finding Kadaj, Cloud wanted to get some answers from him. He had no idea how he would do that. Cloud suddenly realised he had been quiet for a while and Tifa was patiently waiting for him to tell what happened. As he opened his mouth to speak a bellowing 'hello' came through the door. They both turned to see Barret standing here, a huge grin on his face. From behind him leapt Yuffie.

"Surprise," she yelled and stuck an elaborate ninja pose.

"What's up?" asked Barret immediately serious as he saw the condition Cloud was in.

Cloud's phone rang, he glanced at the number before answering.

"Reno," he said.

They watched as Cloud frowned, then nodded before hanging up.

"They've both left the city" he said.

Tifa let out a sigh of relief.

"Who's left the city?" asked Barret.

"Kadaj and Sephiroth," said Cloud.

"What!" exclaimed Barret and Yuffie together.

"They're here?" asked Barret.

"Yes."

"Why?" asked Yuffie, "I thought they were dead."

Cloud nodded,

"I thought so as well."

"Are they going to do a reunion?" asked Barret.

"Unlikely," said Cloud, "Kadaj wants to kill Sephiroth."

"With Sephiroth here, there is no point for a reunion," said Tifa.

Cloud nodded.

"Right now we have to find Kadaj before Sephiroth does," he said.

"Why don't we want Sephiroth to get Kadaj, won't he just kill him?" asked Barret.

"No," said Cloud, "he'll use Kadaj to get stronger."

"We should contact Cid, ask to use his airship. It will cut out a lot of wasted time," said Yuffie, looking slightly pale at the idea.

Cloud nodded and flipped open his phone.