Hey everyone I know I have not updated in a while, so here I am to give you all the rest of this story so you all can read. I know during the last chapters I haven't been using the " " marks but I promise to start. So here is the rest of my story.

Chapter 8: Doubts and Fears? "Gone Forever"

The crew boarded the airship and within minutes they were in the air set for a course toward Mideel. It would take them about an hour and a half to get there so everyone tried to settle their nerves and prepare for the battle that was coming up. Tifa headed to the kitchen in the airship and decided to make some lunch so that they wouldn't be fighting on empty stomachs. She was surprised that Mariah had followed her to the kitchen. She was further surprised when Mariah took a loaf of bread out of the cupboard and started to cut slices to be toasted. Tifa looked over to her and they both shared a small smile.

"That's some weapon that you got there," Tifa said conversationally. "It was my dad's greatest creation" Mariah sighed reminiscing. "Where did you learn to use that weapon? I have never in all my life seen something so unique. A whip and a sword. That's something that the world needs to see" Mariah gave a small laugh. "Good ol' daddy did have a mind on him. He owned a weapons store in the days of his youth and the things his friends say that he created, were out of this world". "How did he die?" Tifa asked curiously. That hit home and she noticed that Mariah had stopped cutting the bread and her shoulders were trembling. Tifa immediately realized that she had crossed into personal territory and kicked her self mentally for her stupidity. "Mariah…I am so sorry, I didn't mean—" "No Tifa, Its alright. I just get a little emotional when it comes to my father and how he suffered. These tears are mixed. They are tears of joy and pain. When daddy fell sick he went through so much. Every night coughs would rack his body and eventually he would start to cough up blood. Each night his condition getting worse and worse. We even caught him one night getting up to work on my weapon. He was a determined man and we all just had to stay up with him while he worked. Each and everyday he just lost weight like water pouring out of a cup. Then after he completed the weapon, in a couple of weeks he died. It was hard for me to see him die because I know how hard he was trying to fight for life, and after all he went through, his life was just snatched away.

Tifa's eyes were misty and she had to take breaths to steady herself. For she to had lost a father and she still thought about him. A small smile crossed her features, it was ironic because just that same morning she was laughing and having coffee with her father's murderer. She immediately banished the thought, for Sephiroth was a changed man. She refocused on Mariah, standing at her side trying to calm herself. She put a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Its ok sweetie, let it out don't hold it back. It took me a while to stop being emotional towards my father's death too.

Mariah looked at her. "You lost yours?"

Tifa nodded her head. An image of her father came into her mind and she smiled.

"I really did love him, if there was a little girl that proved the phrase daddy's little princess, it was me".

Mariah laughed at that and returned to cutting the bread.

"But any way, how did this group come together?" Mariah questioned.

Tifa thought about this for a moment. Wanting to phrase her sentences just right.

"It all started when we were back in sector 7. We were all in my bar and we were talking about how much we all despised the Shin-Ra. Then one day we just got tired of talking and decided to take action. We started by blowing up a couple of reactors and then we ended up saving the planet. That company has in some way affected every one that is on this ship. At first we all wanted revenge but then we realized that fighting for our own selfish gain was not bringing us anywhere, so we refocused and ended up saving the planet from Meteor".

Mariah must say she was impressed with this group.

"It looks like joining this group was the best thing that ever happened to me".

"Well you best believe, that we are damned sure happy to have you".

They both laughed and quickly hurried back to making lunch because several complaints were starting to be hurled at them through the intercom from the grumpy pilot in the cockpit.

Red walked along the bridge of the ship with nothing to do in particularly. He walked passed Yuffie's usual station and realized that she wasn't there. He must say that he was a bit surprised. All along their travels together anytime it came to flying in the ship, Yuffie would always be there, throwing up.

He remembered this one time when they were coming from the Gold Saucer and Yuffie was really sick that day. He just happened to be the unlucky one to call her name and get a coat made from vomit as his response. Red smiled and continued his search. Eventually he picked up her scent and he followed it to one of the rooms. While outside the room, he heard soft whimpers emanating from within. No doubt it was Yuffie in there and something was bothering her.

He knocked with his paw twice and then the sounds stopped. If it wasn't for his heightened senses he would have never heard the soft and barley audile,

"Come in" from the room

"Is there something wrong Yuffie?" red asked concern clear in his voice

"What are you talking about Red?" Yuffie asked trying and failing miserably in wiping tears from her face.

Red tilted his head to the side and gave an expression that said; I wasn't born yesterday. Yuffie got up from the bed went over to the door closed, it and put the lights on. She sat down on the bed facing red and started to play with her fingers.

Red realized that he would have to prod for the information and decided to speak up.

"Yuffie I heard you crying outside". He stated simply.

She looked up at him and sighed.

"Can you keep a secret?"

With a nod from Red she continued.

"Well I have to admit that, Im kinda you know…scared. I know that just two weeks ago we were fighting to save the world, but I don't know if I have that kind of urge to get out there and fight."

Red completely understood. For he too had gone through something similar. She looked at him again and gave a sarcastic laugh.

"I probably sound like an ass to you.

"Not at all" he said

"I just want to know why we cant live a normal life. Why cant we be the ones who get saved? It seems like the whole world is on my shoulder and honest to God, Red I don't want it there."

Red curled up around her legs his huge form giving her some comfort.

"We made the choice to join AVALANCHE. There are different responsibilities that we have to accept. Always remember though, you have the power to go or to leave; you are not obligated to stay here and fight by our side. But I know you Yuffie. You will make the right choice, and I must add that if you leave, AVALANCHE will not be the same without you. I most of all will miss your companionship and you battling beside me".

With that he fell silent and knew that his work here was done. He curled up further around her legs and let his dreams take him.

"I love you Red" Yuffie said silently before laying beside the feline creature, using him for a big teddy bear, with a big smile across her delicate features.

He stood there in the open wind. His unruly spikes ruffling in the wind. I'm nervous but content, these were his thoughts. There was nothing else Cloud could have asked for. He had his best friend, he was with all of his friends, and he was going into battle again to save the world. But he was lying too himself and he knew it.

The one thing that would make him truly content, is to make Tifa his wife. He had been pondering the aspect and was having doubts. Not that he didn't love her enough, but did she love him enough.

Tifa was everything to Cloud. When she walked into a room that he was in, his eyes lit up like a little boy's on Christmas. She was the source of his existence. If it were she that died and not Aeris, Cloud would have died also. He felt every pain she felt, he shed every tear she shed, and he lived every moment for her. Sometimes he wondered why she even put up with him. He never once told her thank you for just being you. He never once thanked her for staying by his side when the team split up. He had taken her for granted and he was ashamed. What kind of husband will I be, he pondered. If I can't say thanks for the little things now then if we get married then everything is going to be wrong. He sighed and looked out at the passing mountains. He would move everyone of them is she only asked.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as the door to the open deck opened and Sephiroth stepped through.

"I thought I'd find you here" he said

"Why what's wrong?" cloud asked turning to face him

"Oh! Nothing at all, don't get me wrong I just wanted to talk to you".

Cloud nodded his head at that and gave him a look that said: please continue.

"I was just remembering how we used to battle and have so much fun. Remember when we were fighting that Marlboro and we had to end up running because we were out of MP, but your stubborn ass wanted to go back and fight. Sometimes it's smarter to retreat, and you learned that the hard way he laughed. I really enjoyed those times…back then"

The way he said that last part bothered Cloud.

"We can still have fun," Cloud said punching him in the arm trying to relieve some of the tension. That didn't work and Cloud decided to go in for the kill.

"What is this all about?" he said slowly

Sephiroth just looked at him and smiled.

"Well, ever since what happened with you know…Aeris, I was just hoping that it wouldn't affect the way we fight. I know I sound ridiculous but I just have to know if you feel safe fighting by my side again."

Cloud knew that no matter what, he would always feel safe with Sephiroth. The general had grown to be the brother that he never had. He purposely let 2 minutes fly away. He then broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Of course Seph" he grinned

Sephiroth must say that he was relieved. He hadn't expected Cloud to say otherwise but you can never say never.

"Plus I'd kick your ass any day" cloud said.

They both laughed and headed for the kitchen because the dinner bell rang and with Barret around no type of food would last.

Everyone was at the table eating and enjoying a conversation about Cid and Barret. They were trying to defend themselves because it was well known around the group that they were the ones who ate the most. And had Tifa constantly making second and thirds for them.

"You need to shut the hell up," Cid yelled at Yuffie from across the room

"At least I don't have a pot belly" she retorted. Causing everyone to laugh, including Cid.

Barret spoke up.

"Well I don't give two shits what the hell yall mo'fo's think. A man like me gotta eat whenever my stomach calls."

Cid was about to shout his agreement when suddenly the co-pilot came in on the intercom.

"We are 5 minutes away from Mideel and will be landing shortly. Captain Cid please report to the main deck I see some suspicious objects on the main radar and need your help to discern what it is."

Cid and the rest of the team were up and running. When they got to the main deck Cid looked up to the main radar and his face twisted into a mask of confusion.

"What the fuc is that shit?" he said

Nobody knew what they were looking at. The reading were showing that the object was hurling tremendous waves of energy everywhere but the mass of the object was no heavier that a chocobo.

"It's Jenova" Sephiroth said stepping forward and turning to Cloud. "Don't you feel her tugging your brain?"

Cloud shook his head.

He indeed felt the familiar tug on his brain and didn't like the feeling he was beginning to have.

By this time they were hovering over Mideel and everyone ran up to the open deck.

When they got up to the top Aeris turned her face away in horror. The life stream was bursting up from everywhere in the ground ad there lie dead people all over.

The young were killed the old were ripped apart and their were mangled body pieces all over. There were also people killing each other and themselves obviously under control by some force, but every one knew what that was.

To Tifa and Cloud and in some way Sephiroth this was a nightmare relived. There were houses burning to the ground. Dead people all over and the air stank with an ominous presence that was all too familiar.

Tears flowed down her face and strong firm arms suddenly enwrapped her from behind. Cloud gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and her heart fluttered.

"Thank You he said. Thanks for being with me back then and thanks for being with me now.

She turned around and hugged him.

"Ill always be with you," she whispered before they turned back to the horror scene before them.

Mariah stood there staring at the slaughter below her. Suddenly her resolve was diminishing. What have I gotten my self into, she thought. But then she remembered Michael, her baby, and Lincoln. She also remembered what Tifa said. She was no longer going into this battle to get revenge for herself but she had to avenge every life that Jenova so brutally destroyed in the matter of 24 hours. No! This wasn't for her anymore it was for the town of Icicle Inn, it was for her friends, it was for her family, and most of all it was for her daddy, for it was he who taught her to fight for what was right. And if this wasn't right then nothing was.

Yuffie stood with Red and she squatted down to hug him.

"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here" she sad to him

He turn to her and gave her a nuzzle on the neck with his wet nose. This brought a smile to her face as she embraced the feline creature that always had her back no matter what.

"I love you Red," she whispered

"I love you too Mistress Yuffie" he replied a tear threatening to fall from his one remaining eye.

Vincent looked down upon the town. His rage building like a heated Volcano.

"Let me out so I can make quick work of this monster" chaos quarreled from within.

Vincent planned on letting him go but not until they were face to face with the enemy.

Barret and Cid stood there with rim looks on their gruff faces.

Cid turned to his companion.

"Well are ya ready you mean bastard?"

"When ever you are ya frickin prick, Barret Laughed. Just don't die on me I still gotta beat ya ass in poker".

They both laughed and got ready to battle.

Cloud called for everyone's attention when he got it he spoke in a clear voice.

"I want to thank everyone for joining me on this mission. I really appreciate the way you stuck by my side through all of this and I truly consider all of you my dearest friends. Now lets mosey!"

"Don't start that bullshit again Cloud" Barret yelled

Cloud looked confused.

"Mosey my ass he screamed, Lets go kick some alien ass!!"

Cloud smiled and the Team roared in laughter and their morale was strengthened by the bond of friendship that held them together as they climbed down the rope ladder to the awaiting melee down below.

Well everyone I just finished chapter 8 and am starting on 9 right away. Have kept you waiting for to long and for that I sincerely apologize. Please continue to R&R as much as possible I love the feedback and any positive critique. What will AVALANCHE find when they land? Will they be able to win once again? All your burning questions will be answered in the next chapter. TTNC!