The whole group of avalanche plus the others sat eating their breakfast. Most of them were silent except for the small snickers coming from the children's area. Which included Yuffie, Denzel, Marlene, and Cid's children. Yuffie said she'd rather sit with children than people who were older than the sandwich under Vincent's bed. Which must have been pretty old by now since Yuffie put it there last week.

Yuffie glanced at the alarm clock on the counter, it read 8:30. She sighed, at nine they were supposed to pay a visit to Rufus Shinra. Not the funnest thing ever but it'd get her out of the basement. Apparently Reeve wanted to dig around more on that symbol and thing in the sky.

The kids were lucky, they got to go and play with Shera while she had to stay with the others and go be bored. Yuffie wasn't really interested in what was going on. She wanted to go back to Wutai and see what she could uncover. Like if her dad and the others made it to the boats or not.

That particular thought was sending chills up her spine.

The thought that everyone was gone.

Reeve went through the documents on his computer again. There had only been one file on the things Vincent and the others discovered. Yet they didn't make sense either.

Yuffie was fidgeting in the back of the group. Who were all staring at the boss impatiently. Cloud was with Tifa, awaiting the answers so they could go investigate. Barret looked like he was going to go to sleep but then his eyes would open and then shut again.

" Well... it seems to me that they were just another group. Here in 1809, they were a group of exiled assassins. 1970, a group of peace makers, then in 1991, something caused them to disappear. And since then only rumors have spread of their existence." He told them as he leaned back in his chair.

Yuffie frowned. What the hell did they want?

" Here, Rufus made copies of a book he found on them. One for each of you. Yuffie I know you don't like reading a lot so Rufus put pictures in yours..." Reeve said chuckling. She scowled before taking the book. Indeed, everyone else's had many words but hers had a few pictures.

" What is the tribe under the earth?" Tifa asked staring at the first page of the book. Reeve shrugged, there had been no information on them except for the book and the file.

Yuffie was actually reading. It was kind of odd. A tribe who had made their cities under the earth above them, Yuffie's world. There was rituals they followed, prophecies they worshiped and even had an artificial sun?

She was being consumed by this tribe. Something drew her to it as she read about it. Their customs, their ways seemed so odd.

" I guess we'll have to read the book and see if we can find them." Cloud said to Reeve. Who only nodded and Cloud and they left. Reeve would return later after his duties were done.

***

When Yuffie returned to the lair as she called it, she immediately went to the room she shared with Vincent. Of course he went inside to. Surprised to see her still reading the book. He grunted before taking the side of the bed next to her and opened the book. Yuffie paid him no heed and kept reading.

Vincent had stopped reading after the fourth time her feet had kicked him. She was currently lying on her stomach, legs flinging everywhere. He had tried to suppress her doings but she had told him to shut up and read.

Which appalled him to lengths.

" Yuffie, I would like to read to, and I cannot do that with feet hitting me in the face each time you read something exciting or see a picture you like." He said darkly. Yuffie stopped reading, set the book down and turned to look at him.

" Care to say that again Valentine?" She asked tone mocking. He smirked a bit and repeated what he said, tone the same.

" Hmm, yes you did." She took her book, and turned to him. A frown was put on his face as she sat from the bed and went to his side.

" What are you doing?" He asked as he leaned away from her. And before he knew it the book connected with his face. He grunted and watched her go back to reading. A smile on her face and sitting as far away from him on the bed as she could. Vincent glared at her and grabbed his book.

Yuffie had ended up snoozing on the bed by the time it was dinner. Her day mostly taken up from reading the book. Reeve had called again earlier saying that they should investigate the tribe.

***

Cloud watched Tifa pack her things and dash around the room. Reeve had read the book in less than two hours. And what he found had surprised him. Tifa and Cloud would travel to a small island that was not on the current maps. Apparently, something was there that they needed to open a door. They had no freaking clue what the door was either.

Cid and Barret were going to stay with the family here, with the kids and Shera. Protecting them and getting supplies. Reeve, Nanaki and Shelke were going to Cosmo Canyon and look for a piece of "key" together.

Vincent and Yuffie would travel to a supposed cavern in Cosmo Canyon. Which was supposed to lead to the tribe under the earth. There they would find information on this "prophecy" that irked Reeve so much. Cloud hadn't mentioned anything to either of them yet. Because he had happened to hear their bickering earlier. And wasn't sure if they would want to go together.

Vincent sighed as he read the book, Yuffie had fallen asleep earlier and it gave Vincent time to read it without getting kicked.

He glanced from his book and looked at Yuffie. Her mouth was opened slightly, arms dangling at her side, and one leg over the edge of the bed.

And for some odd reason she looked at peace.

He could remember before Deep Ground, their friendship had been so different. But then... he wasn't quite sure what happened. OK so he knew but that part of his brain officially shut off and refused to share memories. It had caused a rift between them since then.

Yuffie snorted a bit before rolling slightly to be right next to him. He moved slightly to offer her more room to sleep and continued reading his book.

Cloud winced when Yuffie lunged for him, being held back by Tifa. He had gotten Vincent and Yuffie alone in a room together and had told them the plan. Yuffie had immediately refused to go. Vincent said nothing, but he did send death glares in Cloud's direction.

" I demand to be Tifa's partner."

" I'm with Tifa."

" Oh please, with all the sex you guys would be having you wouldn't have time do anything else."

" Don't take your boyfriend troubles out on me." Cloud shot back, which Yuffie then proceeded to try and take Cerberus from Vincent. She had an idea where she was going to shoot Cloud...

Vincent grunted and shifted away from Yuffie. Yes, he had a feeling when Cloud had caught them nervously in a room together, that something was happening.

" Can't Yuffie go with Nanaki and Reeve?"

" Reeve's requested that Shelke stay with him for the journey. Besides you guys are best friends right?" Cloud looked at them both. Vincent didn't say anything and neither did Yuffie. He sighed and glanced at Yuffie who was pouting on the couch.

" Fine." He said through his teeth and went to his room. Yuffie sighed reluctantly and just walked down the hall to talk to the kids. Leaving Tifa and Cloud alone in the room.

" Do you know what happened?"

" Something after we defeated Kadaj and his gang. Yuffie came over moping one day about it but didn't say anything." she replied before putting her stuff on the couch. Cloud did the same, and soon everyone else had their bags. Yuffie and Vincent stood as far away from each other as they possibly could. It was not the fact that they had to be together, but ALONE. No, in a room with other people on the outside did not count. But the fact that they would be alone from their friends together was too much. Especially after what happened before Deep Ground.

Yuffie huffed as Cid left with the others to get the Shera. Leaving her alone with Vincent and the kids, Shera, and Barret. She said nothing but kept glancing at the stairs awaiting Cid's return. Which shouldn't be long since it was close by.

" Yuffie," she heard a deep husky voice from behind her, and she suddenly jumped up and quickly walked upstairs. Why? Why did Cloud have to send THEM both on a mission together. She hadn't remembered what happened until the thought of being alone again piped up. And the fact that they would just be searching for something and having plenty of time to have the "talk" Vincent wanted to have with her a LONG time ago.

Nope, not something she wanted at all.

So when Cid came tromping down the stairs she was thanking Leviathan. She glanced back and couldn't help but grin a bit at the glare Vincent was giving her. Hey, the situation was partly his fault too. She just decided to avoid it.

Yuffie followed Cid to the ship and got on. Refusing to even look in the gunman's direction. And she could tell he was glaring at her, only because he remembered the talk they had to have about their situation and what happened. And how they had to "fix" it so the rift in their friendship would go away.

Cid was flying the ship to Junon right now. Next Cosmo Canyon. Here in Junon Cloud and Tifa were supposed to steal a boat from the docks or something and go to this mysterious Island. And find the door then report to Reeve about their findings.

" Alright we all know what we're going to do? Cloud Tifa go to this Island, you have the coordinates. Shelke and I are going to the surface of Cosmo Canyon, while Yuffie, Vincent, and Nanaki go into the Cavern." Yuffie let out an expelled breath when Reeve switched Nanaki to their group. She did a little jig in her head. She wouldn't be alone with him anymore. Nanaki nodded his head when he sat by Yuffie. She scratched his head a bit before watching the ship land near Junon. Tifa and Cloud sighed before grabbing their stuff. Tifa gave hugs to everyone and Cloud waved.

Yuffie waved bye as they got off. And then she felt a chill go up her spine.

" Don't die on me!" She yelled to them. They both nodded before going towards Junon. Yuffie sighed, for two months she was going to be irked with the haunting chill of her friends never coming back. A reassuring hand touched her shoulder, and she was surprised to not see Reeve or Cid, but Shelke.

" They'll be back, right?" She asked in a more, don't you agree voice. Yuffie stood up and nodded. Earning a small smile from the girl.

She had never really liked Shelke, no. But she wasn't mean to her either. Yuffie knew she hadn't really understood but it still hurt to know she thought her sister a fool.

Shelke walked away from Yuffie, and the other taller girl looked out the window.

She had a bad feeling in her stomach and she didn't like it.

Vincent silently watched Yuffie from his spot on the Shera. He had broken their friendship with his stupid ways and he knew it. It was the stupidest thing he had done ever.

Maybe even worse than Lucrecia. He wished he could have saved Lucrecia, but he couldn't. Yuffie, she had been so full of life, so happy, but the look she had given him that day...unforgivable. And it hurt his very cold soul to know that the look he had caused.

Vincent glanced outside and then his eyes unwillingly slid back to Yuffie. How foolish he was. To say the things he did and do the things he did. It was his fault, they would never take walks in the woods or into town without their being an awkward silence. It would only be because HE chose to involve her in the things he needed.

Vincent decided he would apologize to her when he could catch her alone. He had wanted to talk to her about it but the warning look she gave him before boarding the Shera said something that she didn't want to.

When Cid arrived at Cosmo Canyon, he had nearly pushed everyone off. Saying he needed to get back to his family. Although he did warn them to be very careful. He said it like he meant it, and Yuffie swore she saw a worried look in his eyes. She nodded to him and gave him a big hug. Telling him to be careful to.

They stood in silence. All of them, even Nanaki had nothing to say. As they stood in Cosmo Canyon, minutes before another journey began.

" We all know what to do right?" Reeve asked to break the silence. Yuffie nodded before sighing heavily.

" You all better be careful or I'll take you right out of the life stream and kill you myself." She said seriously.

" I wouldn't put it passed you." Reeve said chuckling and walking with Shelke to the north. Leaving the others behind. Nanaki grumbled before looking up at his two companions.

" I guess...we're on our own now. For two months." He said to them. Yuffie groaned before following the Gunman toward the mountains. Where a not so secret Cavern led to a Tribe under the Earth.

They walked in silence, and Yuffie was nearly glaring holes into the back of Vincent's head. She had told Nanaki what happened. What they DID. And it pissed the shit out of her. That he had the nerve to tell her to be silent about it while telling Nanaki himself. And how did she know he told Nanaki? The look he gave her when she brushed against the Gunman's arm. She blushed like a tomato, then thought of all the ways she could kill the man.

Yuffie bathed in her own anger as they stopped.

" It should be up there." Vincent said pointing up the mountain. He gave her an apologetic look when he saw her face and began walking with Nanaki up the mountain.

" This is not a race!" She yelled up at her companions. Yuffie sighed as she stopped for a moment. Taking her backpack off and sitting down on one of the rocks. They had stopped, about a quarter of a mile away from her. She saw Nanaki was still faithful and started toward her. Vincent however stood where he was awaiting for them to get to his position.

" Oh Yuffie, we must get there as fast as we can. Then we will be able to rest." Nanaki tried to urge her on. But she refused to move from her spot. Instead she took a bottle of water out of her pack and chugged it down.

" How much did that old geezer tell you?" She asked with annoyance. Glancing at the Gunman then Nanaki. He grunted before sighing.

" He didn't say much..."

" My life is officially over!" She yelped before leaning against Nanaki.

" I understand you are in a difficult position but I am sure he just wants you guys to go back to being good friends."

Yuffie blinked at Nanaki. That would be impossible, knowing each other, they would eventually get into a spot in a conversation which would lead to the talk she didn't want to have. Yuffie sighed before following Nanaki back up the mountain.

Yuffie stared into the Cavern. Mako crystals lit up the cave somewhat. A few stones stuck up from the earth. But what was the most odd about the cave, was the dark hole in the middle. Not even Vincent could see what was down there. Even with his enhancements.

" Well, what now?" She asked peering down at the large hole. Yuffie bent down a bit and touched one of the sides, letting her hand slip a little to far for Vincent's liking. He roughly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to him.

" Do. Not. Fall." He snarled. She glared at him and then turned to Nanaki. A plan had formed in her mind.

" I think it curves a bit Nanaki, like a slide. Maybe that's how we get down." She said wriggling from Vincent's grip.

" Maybe we should contact Reeve so we can get this in-" It was too late, without warning the small Ninja had jumped down and began sliding down the hole. And she had been correct about it curving. Unfortunately, it made her woozy. Yuffie groaned as she heard the others coming down too, Vincent was coming fast too, since he was heavier than she was.

Too bad she couldn't see or she'd get out of his way before he slammed into her. Yuffie let out a painful scream as they began sliding faster down, Nanaki was coming too. But slower than the duo in front.

Yuffie clung to Vincent as they began tumbling, the sheer force of him had sent them both flying down the tunnel.

It felt like hours before Yuffie began skidding to a stop. Vincent landed next to her and soon after a few minutes Nanaki was there too. The small light of his tail lit up the ground. Which made Yuffie nervous.

Skeletons lay before them, cluttering the ground.

" Well at least we made it." She muttered before standing up.

" Didn't i tell you NOT to fall?" Vincent growled.

" Quit bickering you two, we must find a way out of here first." Nanaki said coolly to the both of them. Yuffie looked away from Vincent to Nanaki. she glanced around the room and realized that there was no way out.

" Great, if you idiots hadn't followed me you wouldn't be stuck down here too." She muttered before walking away from them. Yuffie stepped on skulls and winced, the crunching noise it made was weird.

Vincent followed her silently. Nanaki followed Vincent, but he wasn't watching the animal, his eyesight was looking for Yuffie. It angered him so that he felt the need to protect her so much. And it hurt to know she just wanted to be far away from him.

" Yuffie?" He frowned when no answer came. Vincent glared into the darkness, watching for any movement he could see. Nanaki grumbled behind him but continued on into the silent dark.

" EWWW!" Was all they heard and Vincent felt his heart race. He walked even faster than before, nearly stumbling on some of the bones as he rushed forward. Nanaki traveled ahead to provide light. Although it wasn't really working since Yuffie seemed to be nowhere in sight.

Finally after what seemed like years of running forward and stepping on old bones, Yuffie's bright clothes could be seen. She was kneeling on the ground pointing to a bug. And a very odd bug at that.

" Do you see the lump on its side? Centipedes don't have lumps like that." She said bewildered. Vincent could have smacked her, he was very much thinking it. And all of them were oblivious to the light coming from a corridor next to them because of the bug.

Nanaki's eyes snapped to the corridor and he let out some breath.

" It seems we have gotten lost in this odd bugs world. There is a corridor over there." He said walking over to it. Yuffie nearly stepped on the bug and very well pushed Vincent out of the way to see what was around the corner.

" Kinda weird that the light doesn't light up anything in this room except the corridor." Yuffie said puzzled.

" That's because its supposed to keep people from polluting our world." Yuffie nearly jumped into Vincent's arms when a person suddenly popped in front of her.

The corridor went down a ways, then a white and blue color was outside of it. The walls were black rock that looked like water was seeping from them.

A frown was on Vincent's face, Yuffie could see it. Even with what little light they had. He was staring hard at the man in front of them. Yuffie's eyes slid to the man, so that's why.

He was tall, his skin a sickly white, and the most familiar feature was the bright blue eyes he had. They made Yuffie smile.

" And who exactly are you?" He asked holding his hand out to Yuffie. Looking directly at her, he took her hand and kissed it. She smiled brightly.

" Yuffie Kisaragi, and you?" She said slowly. Yuffie was quite aware of Vincent's glare at the man, it made her grin wider.

" Hn... you guys look...familiar. Actually very familiar. Come on." He said waving toward the hole at the end of the tunnel. The man started walking to the end of the tunnel. Yuffie found herself following him along with Nanaki. Except one loner.

" Vincent, let's go." Vincent's eyes snapped to Yuffie's. And in that moment between them, they caught onto all the tension their sins caused. Yuffie was the first to look away, she didn't ask him to follow her either.

Reluctantly though, he followed them. Nanaki seemed cautious but followed anyway. Vincent didn't like the man. He seemed to be to, cheerful. Like Yuffie, except it seemed weird on him. Like he should be quiet.

" I'll take you to the Shaman, he should know what to do with ya guys. Don't worry we won't hurt you guys." The man said to them. Vincent noticed the ninja pants on the man, a black belt dangled from his hips. Two nunchuk like weapons hanging from the belt. His brown hair was long, cascading down his back. Maybe even longer than Vincent's own.

He wore no shirt, and Vincent noticed the way Yuffie watched his every move. It was bringing a feeling back he hadn't felt for awhile. His face grew in disgust. But Vincent continued on, stopping with the others when they reached the end. Outside of the cavern, was a small cliff with stairs leading down.

Yuffie gaped when she stepped onto the cliff. It was...amazing. And slightly creepy at the same time.

It was like a whole new world, under theirs. That would be one way to explain it.

To the far right, very far, were some large Gothic like buildings. One looked like a chapel or cathedral, the others, obviously work stations or something. They were large, taller than three stories. But the black buildings grew smaller, as they went to the left. Then, at the middle, the houses turned to huts. Small buildings made of sticks and other items.

But what made Yuffie think it was beautiful the most was the sight. There were many different kinds of trees here. In the distance she was sure she saw some coconut trees near a river? And Sakura trees, pine trees, willows, aspens. Hell, they had many things.

The river ran into what looked like a very secluded cave to the northwest. And a light illuminated it so she could see a lake inside of it. But it was dark in there too. Unlike the rest of the odd world. Which was basking in light. Yet Yuffie couldn't find what was making the light.

" Holy Leviathan." Yuffie said, amazed. She looked at her two companions, it seemed as though they were just as surprised. Yuffie saw the pale man with brown hair moving down the steps and started toward him. The cave entrance was higher than the trees even, so it would be awhile until they got to the end of the stairs.

When they reached the end of the stairs, anyone could see Yuffie was terribly excited. She was nearly bouncing up and down staring at the foreign land with brown eyes.

The brown haired man chuckled, and turned around.

" So what do ya think?" He asked smiling at them all. Vincent offered no reply but Yuffie and Nanaki commented on how beautiful it was. The man chuckled lightly and they walked on a dirt path through the many different trees. Which Yuffie wondered how they grew. Since different trees needed different climates. But for right now she could care less, the sight was amazing and she was trying to wash her thoughts away.

Especially the nagging voice that Wutai was gone. She knew Nanaki would worry if she moped and she didn't like it when friends worried.

The dirt was sand colored, with tiny rocks in the dirt. Yuffie gazed around at the many different plants as they passed. If one listened close enough and tuned out Yuffie's oohs and ahhs, you could hear birds. Even the sound of an ocean, or a river moving. The air smelled like flowers, and ocean. Vincent grunted as Yuffie stopped to smell a rose. She rolled her eyes and started walking passed him, avoiding his gaze.

Nanaki followed his friends through the smaller village. The people here lived in huts, made of sticks, stones, mud, and what looked like animal skins. Nanaki found it quite artistic. Some fires were going outside the houses, some boiling water, and others with food in it.

He noted the way the people reacted in seeing Vincent and Yuffie. They were equally amazed seeing himself but their eyes seemed to have a glint to them when they saw Vincent and Yuffie. Some of them pointed at the pair and whispered amongst friends and family. Yuffie always loved attention and just bathed in the attention. She waved to some of the natives and they shyly waved back.

Nanaki was surprised at the deformities on the humans. Not ugly deformity, but odd. He saw a child, of no more than five, with a black wing on the side of his right. His bluish hair hung over one eye, and Nanaki was surprised to see a red tinted eye on the other side. Almost like Vincent's except a bit darker.

He glanced at Vincent, he was observing the people too. They were all odd looking. Beautiful creatures or humans. Whatever it is they were. Nanaki found himself sniffing the children, their scent familiar. Very familiar.

And when he had thought he figured out what was wrong with them, Yuffie said the exact right thing.

" MAKO poisoning." She said ruffling the blue haired boys hair. He smiled a bit and ran off to play with the other children.

" Right you are pretty lady." The man who was escorting them said and motioning for a lodge or motel like building. Yuffie glanced at it and walked slowly with the escort to the building.

Nanaki looked it up and down, inspecting and observing it like he did everything else. The whole thing was made of wood, with metal pipes down the side he guessed as a rain pipe. The windows were open letting in a soft breeze, ruffling the curtains. There was a couple of chairs on the deck and a few steps onto the deck. A few wind chimes made of some type of wood hung from the roof, swaying in the breeze.

Yuffie was already going inside before Vincent and Nanaki had begun to process anything. She had always been too trusting.

Vincent beat Nanaki to the door and went inside to find Yuffie sitting on a chair. It looked old and chipping. Nanaki made sure not to light anything on fire with his tail. He kept it close as he walked across the wooden floor covered in rugs. A table stood in the middle of the room accompanied by some chairs. Including the one Yuffie sat on, a table cloth was neatly placed on the table with candles on it. The scent of Cinnamon filled the air from the candles, blowing away with the breeze.

Vincent stood with Nanaki near Yuffie watching as the escort walked into a room down the hallway in the southwest corner and disappear. Yuffie twiddled her thumbs and awaited the persons return. And Nanaki in that moment had just remembered he had said nothing of his name.

Finally, the creaking noise of a door opening filled Nanaki's nose and a very old man stepped out of the room. He walked slowly down the hallway and smiled. He sat limply onto the chair in front of the others and took a long sigh.

He had white hair that trailed down his back and a beard that did the same in the front. His eyes were withered and wrinkles lined his face. He wore a thick robe that was a green faded color and a small purse like leather bag at his side.

" Welcome, heroes from above." He said in an old shaky voice. Yuffie grinned before waving to him even though they were two feet away.

" So is this the tribe under the earth?" She asked warily. Noticing the very tall and dark man who entered the room. Now the fact that he looked like Vincent didn't sit well with Yuffie.

His eyes were a slightly darker shade than Vincent's, his hair just as dark except short and spiked everywhere. His face was expressionless except the dark glare he was giving everyone. He was wearing chained clothing from top to bottom, all black.

" This is the tribe you are looking for. How...may I be of service?" He asked looking at the glaring contest Vincent and his handyman were having. Yuffie slammed her elbow into Vincent's leg and smiled at the old man.

Vincent didn't cease his glaring and neither did the other man. Yuffie and the older man decided to ignore them for now.

" Well, if you could answer a few of our questions that should do it I guess." She said shrugging. The man glanced and Nanaki who nodded.

" Go ahead then."

" Who are you guys?"

" My name is Talos Shimizake. This is Shayde, the one who escorted you here is Chester, and this is our land." Yuffie nodded and began burning their names into her mind.

" Talos Shimizake, how do you live down here?" Nanaki asked interestingly.

The old man chuckled, their questions would never end and he knew it.

" The land you see here, has been tainted by MAKO. The people are tainted by MAKO, anyone who sets foot in these lands are tainted by it. But we have found a way to use it so it does not damage anything, except the features you see on everyone. It has been made into an artificial sun and keeps our sacred waters running down into the dark lands." He said waving his hand around as he spoke.

Nanaki's eyes grew dark at the mention of the dark lands. It had not been mentioned in the book but in his stories he had listened to as a cub. His village grandfather had said something about dreaming of the dark lands. A place so evil the demons even refused to go there. The people and land were vile.

" Yes, they are real. And it is fortunate the heroes of prophecy have come or we would have perished." It was when he said those words that Vincent and Shayde broke contact with each other. Yuffie looked at the old man if he was crazy. And Nanaki only groaned.

" Another huge adventure?" Yuffie shrieked. And with the shake of his head, the old man confirmed it.