Well Guys hows it going its been a while since I updated so here I go again with this story. ENJOY!

Chapter 5: Are we friends?

Cloud stood there totally speechless. Say something Cloud! His mind yelled at him but he could not. His lips refused to co-operate with his brain. There were so many questions Cloud wanted to ask: How come you are back? Why did you do it? Are you still my best friend? Where do we go from here?

Aeris noted the awkwardness and decided to make the first move. Hello...Cloud she said softly.... no response. Hey Cloud, Aeris heard Tifa yell. Who is at the door? When tifa finally saw who was at the door she froze in her tracks and her skin turned ghastly white. Cloud had finally came out from his trance and attempted to speak. Ae...ris he said lowly. Tifa's mind went miles ands miles per second here standing before her was her best girl friend and the man who murdered her father, burned down her hometown, and almost took Cloud from her. Of a sudden hatred burned in her eyes and in her soul. Before Sephiroth and Aeris knew what happened the door was in their face and with a soft click they knew they had been locked out.

Cloud and Tifa stood there him, quite shocked at what happened. The sound of tifa's soft sobs clearly audible in the eerie silence left in the slamming door's wake. Cloud turned to her and did something that surprised him and tifa. He held her. He held her close and let her sob into his shirt. It was to much for her. She had promised herself that she would shed no more unnecessary tears, and that no matter what, she would not cry in front of cloud.

Then she felt his arms wrap around her waist and he placed his chin on her head and let her cry. When her tears finally subsided there cam the soft knocks again. Its ok cloud said softly as he broke the embrace and turned to the door. Tifa was a bit surprised that he was actually opening the door but she trusted cloud. After all they had defeated sephiroth under Cloud's command.

As cloud opened the door the two were just standing there looking at him. Well aren't you gonna invite us in Aeris said with a smile. Um... sure cloud said. Just follow me. He led them toward the kitchen where the whole team was. Cloud followed by Aeris followed by Sephiroth followed by Tifa a good distance behind.

When they entered the into the kitchen it was as if time had stopped. No body moved no body breathed and everyone stared. Dumbfounded at the two people standing before them. The silence was broken as Barret clicked off the safety of his gun arm and cursed a string of obscenities his Missing Score aimed at sephiroth's head. In an instant weapons were loaded, readied, and aimed. STOP! Cloud yelled and that startled his teammates. Stop they thought. This was the same man that in some way form or fashion had caused each and every single one of them some type of pain. This was the man that killed one of their friends and almost destroyed the earth. What the hell did he mean STOP?! Nevertheless he was their leader and though a bit reluctantly they lowered their weapons at the same time keeping them at a safe distance...just in case. When all the weapons were lowered cloud turned around and quietly said have a seat. When everyone was seated Cloud deliberately took a seat next to Tifa and immediately took hold of her hand. Her cheeks reddened a little but nobody took notice of it because their eyes were trained on Sephiroth and his masamune sitting, ready for use on his side.

Cloud was going through a piece here. Here he was sitting in front of his best friend. The same man who burnt down his hometown, the same man that almost killed Tifa, the same man who summoned meteor, and the same man who killed one of his friends. What should I say to him Cloud thought wearily. I can't just say hey Seph why did you do all those things and why the hell are you back, and then laugh at it. His heart was heavy his hands were trembling his eyes threatened to spill tears that welled up for so long. Tifa noticed his uneasiness and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

Aeris decided that since no one else was talking then she would be the first to say something. It's so good to see all of you guys again, she stated lowly. I know this may be a little weird for all of you...knowing that I am supposed to be dead but before you all say anything let me tell you my story. After meteor and holy collided I was sent to the spirit of the planet because the earth could finally be at rest, the immediate threat gone. But about a week and a half later the spirit of the earth came to me with some disturbing news that was very urgent. She told me that Jenova was being reborn and that she was getting ready to bring forth the Apacolypse. At this statement eyebrows went up and eyes widened.

Chaos cackled in Vincent's mind I knew sooner or later it would come he said before disappearing just as fast as he had come. A chill traveled its way down Vincent's spine. He wondered at this, but quickly focused on Aeris once again.

Now you all must be wondering why Sephiroth is here. Well the spirit also told me that in order to stop the Apacolypse he is needed. She also gave me a reede that is a mystery to me.

It was Sephiroth's turn to look interested because she had never told him about this. And this is what it said, her voice going into that of a chant:

The black winged angel must learn to fly

Then bring the golden one to the sky

In order to stop that most doomed fate

The two must find their long lost soul mate

The mate themselves have might power

Which will help to breach the enemies' tower.

After a moment of silence Aeris began again. Now you must be wondering what this Apacolypse is. Well this is what the spirit of the planet told me...

Two hours later...

And that is why Sephiroth and I are here to join AVALANCHE again so that we will be able to stop this doomed fate of the planet.

Cloud was silent for the whole time and his eyes would often stray toward Sephiroth only to meet his eyes and they both would look away quickly.

So what do you have to say about this Spike cid grunted from the back of the room? Cloud looked up to Aeris and gave a smile. Then he got up and turns to his crew. Well you have all heard the dilemma that we are facing so I don't plan on vacationing any longer. None of you are obligated to stay here and fight along side me but all of your help will be greatly appreciated. I for one am going to help Aeris...and...Sephiroth. With that he looked around at the shocked faces of everyone and gave a smile that said don't worry I know what I am doing. Tifa then stepped forward and embraced Aeris. I will be glad to help you she said with a smile. Anything that is important to you is important to me so I am here for you all the way. As cloud looked around once again Nanaki stood on all fours and bowed his head showing that he was going to follow their leader. Vincent stepped off the wall and gave a slight nod then fell back into place. With tears in her eyes Yuffie approached Aeris and hugged her quickly before saying I am cool with it. Barret just grunted yea whatever and all the other obscenities were lost under his breath. Now it was just Cid. Every one looked at him expectantly... Oh what the $&!# hell you all need me to pilot that damn ship right? So I guess I'm in.

What about HIM!? Yuffie called referring to Sephiroth. Aeris face became a bit more solemn. Well what happened was that after I joined with the spirit she let me know things that I would have never known. She told me that the reason for Sephiroth behaving in the way he did was because Jenova was controlling his mind. He did not know at the time but he does now. Sephiroth then stood up. I am truly sorry he said with his head bowed. I don't expect you to forgive me because what I have done is beyond the point of redemption. But I do hope that we can all wok together to defeat Jenova and to fix the wrong that she is doing. With that he sat back down and avoided eye contact with anyone.

Tifa spoke up: we can work together Sephiroth and I do forgive you but we have to work to the point of becoming friends. With that she at back down and Sephiroth received a nod in agreement from the rest of the team.

With all of that said and done Cloud took the floor once more. Well where do we go from here and what do we do he asked, the floor open to suggestions.

This is Lira Beret from Mithgar's WWDT TV station. We are live in icicle where a dead husband and an unconscious but alive wife were found last night. The wife who is known as Mariah Garner was found in her own puddle of blood while her husband Michael Garner was found dead his throat ripped from his neck.

Oh my God!! Tifa gasped, that horrible. Turn it up Cloud said. His heart going out to the wife. Knowing how he would feel if Tifa was taken from him in that manner.

The police say that before she went into what seems to be a coma she told them that they were attacked by a woman. She claimed that the woman's name was Jenova...

Everybody gasped in shock at this newfound news. Now they had a lead.

Mariah is being held at the Saint Deirdre hospital located in Icicle inn. The doctors can tell that she was pregnant but unfortunately the life of the baby was not spared. More on this case later on. Back to you Jodi at the studio. This is Lira signing out.

With tears in her eyes Yuffie took off the TV and turned to Cloud. Cloud looked up and said we leave for icicle inn tomorrow. Everybody go to the Wall Market and gather up supplies and make sure to get some warm clothing. When he stopped talking everybody got the clue and went to do as they were told.

As Sephiroth was thinking about what had transpired he was jerked out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and was met with Aquamarine blue eyes.

We need to talk Cloud said, removing his hand from Sephiroth's shoulder.

As the two took a seat at the bar neither of them looked at each other. Them both thinking about how awkward this was and what to say to start off the conversation. After about a minute Sephiroth sighs and asks, what did you need to talk to me about? A lot of things Cloud said simply. Like what Sephiroth asked his curiosity building. Well first off I just wanted you to know that I forgave you ever since our final confrontation. I don't know but somehow I just knew that it wasn't you doing all those things, I mean... we were best friends. We laughed together we cried together we had our first beer together I mean we were inseparable. I knew that something HAD to be wrong when you started doing those things. Sephiroth had o say that he was surprised. He expected Cloud to be mad... real mad. Sephiroth had to ask the question that has been on his heart ever since he returned. Cloud? He asked hesitantly. With a nod from Cloud Sephiroth continued. I don't wanna sound ridiculous but Are we still best friends. Cloud's heart soared. Of course we are Cloud said, punching him in the arm, getting back into the best friend Cloud and Sephiroth mode...not the archenemy one. Sephiroth was shocked at first but recovered quickly and ruffled Cloud's blond spikes like he always used to.

And so it was. Cloud and Sephiroth talked late into the night their joyous laughter surprising everyone within the bar. They talked about the past, present(mostly for cloud), and future and all the things that they didn't say before was said that night. Each going to bed with their hearts lighter now that they had their best friend back.

Well, Well, Well. I finally came to an end for this chapter. It's a bit long but oh well. What's with the reede? Who can these angels be? And who are their long lost mates? I was trying to make cloud and Sephiroth's reunion a bit more interesting but guess what? Its 2:30 AM and I am tired...zzz.........zzz.........zzz...Goodnight yall I will write chapter 6 tomorrow. TTNC