Chapter Five

"I told you it was going to suck." Elena and Rude looked at Reno as he attempted to enter their room.

Elena took the key and inserted it into the keyhole. "It helps when you do this."

Reno fell on the floor as Rude, Elena and Tseng stepped over him. The room wasn't a huge disappointment. It had three beds and a couch and Rude, Elena and Tseng had all agreed that Reno would have to take the couch. Other than that it was just like a replica of all the other rooms in the inn. Seated at a desk in the right corner was Rufus. "Well? What do you have to report?"

Rude stepped up and said,"They don't trust us but we have been able to gather some intel."

"Like what?", Rufus asked growing impatient.

Elena looked at Rude and Tseng and handed her report to Rufus. "It seems as though they are looking for Vincent Valentine who disappeared shortly after the final battle with Deep Ground."

Tseng stepped up and added,"It would also appear that Weiss is still alive and hunting them down."

Rufus looked over the file some more and clasped his hands together. He walked over to Tseng and said,"Make sure that you don't stand in his way."

"Yes sir."

Rufus was about to exit when he turned back to look at Reno. "Get him in the shower and get him some coffee. I need him alert for what I require next."

Cloud and Tifa arrived at the gate to Sector Seven and took a moment to rest in the park. Tifa sat on the swing set and though he thought it was a little childish he joined her. "What are you thinking about?"

Tifa looked at him and shook her head. "I've just been thinking that this is never going to end. There's always going to be some threat to the planet and your always going to have to step in as the leader."

"That's what I do best."

She smiled at him and laughed. "I wouldn't go patting yourself on the back yet. We still have Weiss to contend with and only god knows where Vincent is."

"We'll find him Tifa."

She got up and walked over to get a closer look at the gate. "I am also still thinking about the file on Aeris. I know it agitates you but I'd like to know why the file didn't stop after her death."

Cloud walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. "I have a confession to make. Back when I was inflicted with the Geostigma I saw visions of Aeris and Zack. She told me that she didn't blame me for her death even though I blamed myself. I was supposed to be her bodyguard and I let Sephiroth kill her."

"Aeris had to know what would happen if she went alone to the City of the Ancients. Maybe that's why she went alone. She didn't want any of us to see her die."

Cloud looked her in the eyes and smiled. "You should do that more often.", Tifa said.

"All that we've been through. You've been the one person I could count on through thick and thin."

"What are childhood friends for?"

They laughed and began the walk through Sector Five. It wouldn't be too long before they reached the outskirts of Midgar.

It had been a long time since he had visited this cave. The last time he had come here he had come to confess his sins to the one true love of his life. He had tried to protect her from the Shinra but couldn't. They had violated her body with Jenova cells and after she gave birth their was nothing else for her to do but die. "Forgive me Lucrecia for what I must do." Vincent Valentine took out his shotgun and shot at the crystals that encased his beloved. He had known for awhile that he would have to do this in order for her to finally rest in piece. After he blew away the last bits of crystal he caught her lifeless body and held her for a moment. "I never understood why you agreed to be one of Hojo's puppets but maybe I was never meant to. I hope that I can give you some piece Lucrecia." He examined the ground and saw a piece of materia. "Was this why you agreed to be imprisoned?" He assimilated the materia and energy coursed through his veins. Weiss had chosen the wrong group to mess with. Vincent got up and walked away. He knew that this wouldn't be over until one of them was dead and he knew it wouldn't be him.