Author's Note: Hello, all. Meant to post one of these for chapter one, but oh well. 7, 8, 9 crossover, hope you enjoy. I apologize for the first 4 chapters, I promise that the writing gets better as you go on. Reviews needed.

Chapter 2

Vivi cast Meteor again, and once more the creature survived.

"Can't this thing be killed?" Zidane asked, exasperated.

Steiner unleashed yet another Stock Break, and Beatrix did the same. "This is insane!" she said. "There must be some way to kill it!"

"There is," said a familiar voice.

As Jenova disappeared in a flash of Ultima, Kuja landed in front of Zidane. "Hello again, brother."

"Kuja?" Vivi said. "You're…alive?"

"There's no way!" Eiko shouted. "You're dead! We killed you when you tried to break the crystal!"

Freya poked his chest with her lance. "Get out of here," she threatened. "Or I'll have to kill you…again."

Kuja smiled. "I see why Alexandria is known for its hospitality." Freya snarled.

"How?" Zidane asked. "How are you alive?"

"I hadn't quite died when you left me alone in the Iifa Tree," he explained, pushing Freya's lance away. "I managed to escape, though barely. I've been spending my time recovering in my underground castle, watching as the worlds fused into this magnificent creation. Who would have thought that three worlds so different could have existed so harmoniously!"

"Why show up now?" Garnet asked, clinging closely to Zidane out of fear.

"What time seemed better? Now that Jenova is on the loose, it seemed appropriate for me to offer my services to the new world, perhaps even redeem myself for my past actions."

"We…you just killed Jenova," Amarant pointed out. "Why do we need your help now?"

"Jenova's gone, is it? Then I suppose the other two spotted around the world were just hallucinations, right?"

"Others?" Eiko asked him. Fear was beginning to overtake her original arrogance and hatred.

"Two others have been seen thus far, both identical to the one that I just destroyed. In other words, this was not Jenova itself, but merely a weaker form placed here to attack and possibly destroy Alexandria."

"But who or what is Jenova?" Steiner demanded. "And what does it have against Alexandria?"

"It's impossible to say precisely what it is, though from what I've gathered it is closely related to the city of Midgar. Perhaps, if someone shall accompany me, we can acquire our answers from the source?"

"I'll go," Zidane said after a long pause.

"Not alone you won't!" Garnet and Eiko shouted simultaneously.

Zidane laughed. "Alright, the four of us will head out for Midgar. Vivi, go to the Black Mage Village, see if Mikoto knows anything. Beatrix and Rusty, you two take care of Alexandria. Freya…why don't you try to find Dr. Tot? He might know something. Amarant…Nah. You wouldn't listen anyway."

"The President will see you now," the receptionist said kindly.

"Thank you." Cloud walked into the office and, before being asked, took a seat opposite Laguna. "We need to talk, Mr. Loire."

Laguna laughed. "Always business with you, eh, Mr. Strife? What brings you out my way?"

"Sadly, it's war rumors again. Rufus is talking about starting a war with Esthar."

"On what grounds?" Laguna demanded.

"Claims Esthar's been making attacks on Midgar. He found Esthar weapons and everything. And let's face it, the whole world knows that you and Rufus aren't on good terms…"

"Yes, but I'd never start a war!"

"Not even for the Materia Mines?" Cloud asked, raising an eyebrow.

Laguna sighed. "You know me better than that, Mr. Strife. As much good as the Materia Mines would be to Esthar, I would never think of starting a war! If anyone starts anything, it'll be that war mongering Rufus Shinra!"

"But why would Rufus start a war?" Cloud pointed out. "As far as the world is concerned, Rufus has the better footing right now. You have motive while he seems to have none."

"Now surely you don't believe that!"

Cloud leaned in. "On a professional level, I have to, Mr. Loire. It's my job to see things as the world will see them." He hesitated slightly. "But on a personal level…and this is strictly off the records, right, Laguna?"

"Completely, Cloud."

"Shinra has been known to search for weapons when there wasn't a war. A good friend of mine tells me that there's been a lot of talk in the Shinra Corporation about a Pandora's Box. Do you know anything?"

Laguna shuddered. "Not Pandora's Box…but they might be talking about Lunatic Pandora…I thought I saw Turks around there!"

"A weapon of Esthar's?"

"An ancient weapon that I order to be reburied, and that's all that I'll say about it, so please don't ask any more."

Cloud nodded. "I'll respect your privacy, just don't expect the same courtesy from Rufus. Have a nice day, Mr. Loire."

He started to leave, but suddenly Laguna shouted after him. "Mr. Strife!" There was a pause as Cloud stopped moving. "If you have any proof that my theory is true…then tell Rufus that I'll let him research it if he lets my people use the mines."

Cloud nodded, then left.

"Then everything is going to plan?"

"If Kuja's betrayal was part of your plan, sir."

The master looked and his servant. "It doesn't betray the plan, especially so long as he believes that he survived from the Iifa Tree. If he begins to remember his encounter with us, then things shall not bode well. By then, however, it is hoped that we shall indeed have worked all of them together."

"It would seem, sir, like they would be easier to kill if they were all alone."

"You are naïve. There is a reason that I am the master and you are the servant. Do as I say and all shall go well. Have all three Jenova-BIRTHs been destroyed?"

"Yes sir, with no other casualties, as you planned."

"Excellent. I think it is time for me to begin the next part of my plan."

Rakunya woke up and sighed. It was indeed a lovely night under the Balamb stars, even with the extra moon in the sky. He looked over at Yuffie. It seemed like they had both fallen asleep under the stars. He looked at his watch, curious of the time, and was relieved to see that they had only been like this for an hour or so.

He laid there with her head resting gently on his shoulder, wondering if he should wake her up. A part of him knew that he should return to Garden, but a greater part of him wanted to enjoy the moment. He never wanted this moment to end, and he would have given anything for the sun to stay set.

He again looked at Yuffie, who was still sleeping quite peacefully. When did this happen? he thought. When did I get feelings for you? Is this situation getting to my head? Or…have I really started to care for you? He shook his head. Get over yourself, Rakunya. You can't have feelings for her right now…

Slowly but surely, she woke up. "I see you're awake," Rakunya said with a smile.

Yuffie blinked at him, then sat straight up. "Oh my God," she said. "I can't believe I fell asleep! Where are we?"

"Still outside of Balamb," he assured her. "Don't worry, we've only been asleep for about an hour. It's not that late yet."

"I have to go," she said suddenly. "Goodbye!"

"Bye!" he called after her, but she didn't hear him. She was running as fast as she could to the other end of the island, to her residence just outside of Fire Cavern, where she had decided to stay while looking for Materia. She hadn't intended on staying as long as she had, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say goodbye to Rakunya.

She shuddered as she entered her new home. She knew that he had Materia, and before she had used that as her excuse for sticking around. Tonight had changed that, though…but how? She couldn't possibly have feelings for the arrogant SeeD, could she? Was that the reason that she hadn't minded falling asleep next to him, why she hadn't wanted to leave his side when she woke up?

She shook her head viciously. Rakunya was a friend who had good Materia, nothing more. She couldn't even conceive of getting romantically involved with him, or, for that matter, anyone else. She was more than happy enough being just friends, and she hoped on her father's Leviathan Materia that he was just as content.