Noitnemid: (Blows dust off of the story) Sorry about how long it took me to update

Noitnemid: (Blows dust off of the story) Sorry about how long it took me to update. The full-ish explanation is on my profile, but the short version is that I lost my motivation for a while.

Sephiroth: A couple years if I'm not mistaken.

Noitnemid: Yeah, that's about how long isn't it? Oh, well, I'm back now. I can't say if I will be able to update in a timely fashion, but here's the next-

Sephiroth: You forgot the disclaimer. Noitnemid doesn't own TOS or FFVII.

Noitnemid: (Sheepishly) Thanks Sephiroth. Without any further delay, here's the next chapter.

As Cloud was leaving the temple, it was all he could do to keep his thoughts from reflecting on his face.

'Angels that feel like members of SOLDIER, could this mean that Sephiroth is here too?'

Tifa continually shot worried looks at Cloud, but kept quiet both out of respect for Cloud's privacy and because of how the people reacted when Cloud got into an obvious fighting stance just before Remial appeared. Now however they were helping Kratos escort Collette home. She was also concerned about Lloyd and Genis.

"Should we have left those other two there alone Kratos?"

"We didn't. Their teacher Raine is there."

"How does that help?"

"Ms. Raine is a healer Mr. Cloud. Even if something happens she can heal them."

"Hm."

Later once they had reached Collette's home, the mayor (you know, the beep that tries to blame Raine and Genis because their half-elves) began interrogating them as to where they came from. Unfortunately Cloud was less than co-operative.

"Who are you?"

"Hm."

"Answer me!"

"His name is Cloud and my name is Tifa."

"Why doesn't he talk for himself instead of having you answer everything?"

It went on like this for a while until…

WHAM! Cloud slammed his fists on the table and replied to the Mayor's latest reiteration of the question of why he wouldn't talk.

"Because I don't like you. Now shut up unless you have something meaningful to say."

They eventually got around to agreeing that Kratos, Cloud, Tifa, and Raine would accompany Collette on her journey. Unfortunately this is when Lloyd and Genis get back. Lloyd wants to go, Kratos says no, Lloyd gets upset, and Cloud decides to intervene.

"If he wants to go, do you really think that simply telling him not to follow us will stop him? Furthermore, from what I have seen he and his friend are actually excellent fighters for having no formal training."

"Ha! See Kratos, I'm actually an 'excellent fighter for having no formal training.'"

"Although, even I have to acknowledge that his mental facilities leave something to be desired."

"HEY!"

Noitnemid: And that's where I'm leaving it.

Sephiroth: That's it? You do realize that the people who read your fic will kill you.

Noitnemd: (Opens a portal) Meh. They have to find me first.

Sephiroth: (Watches Noitnemid disappear into the portal) Not bad. Read and Review.