09/08/2013

Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I hope you enjoy this chapter. A couple of people have pointed out that Raisa only had one vial of Ancient Sample and thus she can't enhance anyone else... All I have to say to that is don't worry! I got it covered!

Note: There is some swearing in this chapter. They are in Rocket Town... I couldn't help it!

Title: A Mother's Love
Chapter: 8
Author: Jade Tatsu

The first night in Rocket Town, Raisa slept poorly. She kept waking, expecting to be attacked by an enraged Vincent once he read her letter. It didn't happen but the feeling didn't dissipate the next day. If anything it got worse and she could tell she was jumpy as she gathered supplies by the way she kept looking over her shoulder. Cloud on the other hand, was having a grand time. He stayed close to her, as per her instructions but whenever she turned her back to bargain for what they needed he'd move away a little to look at this or explore that. Wolf was with him, but wolf was on his best behaviour. Somehow the animal seemed to realise that if it strayed too far, it might be seen as a threat and hunted so Wolf was making very sure that the Townsfolk knew he had an owner. She might have laughed if the situation was not so serious.

She bought supplies and some materia and convinced the shop keeper to use the Restore on her to demonstrate that it worked. It was a good thing that it was late in the day because the relief to her muscles was so great it left her fatigued. She had not been aware of how much the pain of the wounds had been accompanying her.

Though there was one problem. Raisa hadn't come out and said she wanted transportation to Wutai but every time she hinted at the need in conversation the shop keepers turned the conversation the other way. No one was interested in talking and it made no sense. Rocket Town wasn't that much bigger than Nibelheim, surely they liked to gossip… All the silence was worrying and she knew she'd be remembered even for the vague hints she had given. Yet there was no help for it. They had to get to Wutai… somehow.

She was still worrying about it when Cloud lead her up the stairs at the Inn and to the small room she had rented. He gently pushed her on to the bed and Raisa smiled at him. There was nothing more she could do today and she was tired, so she should rest. After getting ready she lay down and looked up at Cloud who sat beside her. Wolf was sitting at the door, watching with his curiously glowing yellow eyes before he crossed his forepaws and lowered his head. "Who do you kill?" Raisa asked suddenly, already beginning to drift off to sleep.

"Jenova," Cloud replied promptly, not surprised by the question and with the comforting answer that had been there for years, Raisa slept. She'd look at all the problems tomorrow.

Of course, she'd forgotten about all the problems that could arise that night.

Cloud watched as his mum fell asleep, his blue eyes soft and gentle. They reflected nothing of his excitement that only began to glitter through his gaze when her breathing became steady. Carefully he pulled the blankets higher. While the cold here had nothing on a Nibelheim winter, his mum was still injured. He did not want her catching a chill on top of that. He waited another few minutes before backing away, not tripping over wolf who had silently leaped to his paws and moved out of the doorway. Cloud gave wolf a tight grin as he quietly slipped out the door to the little room and moved back down the stairs.

Freedom!

It was not that his mum was confining. Not that much anyway. He understood her concerns that she did not want him getting lost in a new town but he wanted to explore! There was so much to see and who knew if he'd ever be back in Rocket Town? He had to see it all now! Wolf trotted behind him, claws clicking lightly on the timber of the stairs. Wolf had been on his best behaviour while they had been in the town but Cloud knew he wanted a run. Soon, he said to his companion with a glance as the two of them stepped into the chill air. Cloud resisted the urge to laugh as he ran through the streets looking at everything he had wanted to. It was dark, but Rocket Town had lights and under the false light the town was fascinating. There was so much to see but while Cloud liked to think he was adult, he quickly tired and headed back to the Inn. The small amount of freedom had been enough.

Dinner was included with their room and as Cloud re-entered the Inn the matronly woman who ran the place smiled at him and indicated that he should take a seat in the common room. She'd bring him and wolf some food.

"Who's ef'n mutt is this?"

It took Cloud a few moments to realise that while he had been waiting for his dinner, his feet stretched out towards the warmth of the fire, Wolf had left his side. He turned slowly and looked over the common room to the door.

Wolf was standing beside a man, blocking the entry, looking up at the figure with bright golden eyes, wagging his tail. He wanted affection and that surprised Cloud. Wolf never wanted affection from anyone he didn't trust… so this man was trustworthy? Blue eyes narrowed as he examined the man who was looking down at Wolf with an expression of bafflement.

The new comer had washed out blond hair, cropped short and unnecessarily held back out of his eyes by a pair of goggles strapped around his head. Cloud almost snorted when he saw the cigarette packet thrust through there. The man had on heavy boots, but then most people did with the cold, military green cargo pants and a heavy denim jacket with long red gloves. He was dressed for the cold and there was nothing really outrageous about his attire… Except for the white scarf around his neck. It wasn't one of the heavy scarves worn for warm, instead it was a light fluttering thing that seemed to pick up every errant breeze because even the slight motion of air in the room was making it move. What was that supposed to be?

Cloud giggled, unable to hold back the snort like laugh. The noise brought wolf's attention back to him and the great animal barked once in acknowledgement.

"So he's your ef'n dog?" The man grumbled and Cloud was confronted by blue eyes boring into him.

"His name is Fenrir, Sir," Cloud said as he stood and made his way through the room. All the other patrons were watching, though there was no sense of distress, just of interest.

"No it's not. Ya gotta earn a name like that."

"So you know the old gods?" The question just fell from Cloud's lips. The man had the right colouration but no one outside of Nibelheim followed the old gods.

"I know 'em. I don't follow 'em," the man replied.

"Oh," Cloud looked down, his eyes hooded and slightly sad.

"But I do know that you don't get a name like that without earning it, brat."

There was a note of challenge in the tone and Cloud felt something in him respond. "You don't follow the old gods but you insist upon their ways?" He asked sending his own challenge back more directly. "How 'bout he proves it?" Cloud lay one hand on Wolf's head, petting the soft fur there.

The man's blue eyes blinked in surprise and a wide smile crossed his face as he laughed in sudden mirth. "Oh, you've got courage brat. I like that idea. If your mutt can prove to me he's worthy of the name Fenrir I'll…" the man trailed off and Cloud could sense uncertainty in him about what to wager.

"Give the kid a ride," One of the patrons yelled out.

"A ride?" Cloud asked, not sure he liked the sound of that.

"Highwind there is forever telling us he's the best pilot. Have him prove it to you kid."

"You're a pilot?" Cloud asked.

"Best darn pilot in Shinra."

At the word Shinra Cloud did his best to control his flinch but he was sure it was seen. Shinra hadn't done anything to him but his Mum had made it very clear that they were to be avoided. The man, Highwind, saw it and his eyes widened in surprise. No one usually reacted that way to the name so there was definitely something going on with this kid.

"Eh. Don't worry about it brat," he said, trying to comfort the kid. "You got yourself a deal though. If your mutt can prove to me he's worthy of the name Fenrir, I'll give you a ride in the 'Bronco."

"The Bronco?" Cloud asked.

"My plane. The Tiny Bronco. Best darn plane in the world. Here to Wutai and back on one tank."

Wutai… That could solve any number of problems. Cloud smirked. "All right," he agreed to the wager after sharing a long look with Wolf. "Fenrir will prove that he is worthy of the name, and you will give us a ride in your plane, the Tiny Bronco," he didn't even bother to phrase it as a wager.

The smirk made Cloud look slightly conniving but he was too young to truly carry off that look and the man laughed, his own grin easy. "All right brat, you got yourself a deal. All your mutt has to do to prove he's worthy of that name is find a stash."

"A stash?"

"A stash!" The man grumbled. "Look around you brat," he instructed, gesturing. "This is a bar, or it's meant to be. But it's a sorry excuse for a pub because it's dry!"

Cloud blinked, not seeing the problem.

"There's no beer!" the man snapped at him and Cloud's eyes flooded with understanding. He's never seen the bar at Nibelheim without beer. "Bloody Shinra," he paused as the room shouted their assent, "made the entire town dry because some Egg Head of a Scientist decided that's best. So, here's the deal. Your dog finds someone's stash of alcohol. Beer, whiskey, hell, I'll take cooking sherry! If the mutt finds that I'll admit he's worth the name Fenrir and give you and the mutt a ride in the Tiny Bronco and if he doesn't…" Again Highwind paused as he realised there was no penalty for the lad before him.

"I'll change his name, and clean the Tiny Bronco for you," Cloud offered the forfeit.

"No way in hell you get to touch the Bronco," the reply was automatic and brought a laugh from the surrounding patrons. "You clean my house."

"Okay," Cloud agreed and wolf barked once from his place, offering his own agreement. He held out his hand to seal the deal.

"What's ya name brat?" The blond man asked.

"Cloud Strife."

"Well Strife, I do hope ya know how ta clean house," the blond added, taking Cloud's offered hand and sealing the deal.

With a cheeky grin Cloud looked up at him. From close, the man was rougher than Cloud had originally thought and the stubble on his chin was obviously habitual, but Highwind had an air of competence about him and Cloud was reassured. Besides, wolf liked him, which was always a good sign. "Of course I do, Highwind," the blond boy replied. "But I'm going to be enjoying that plane ride."

"That's Cid to you brat," the man introduced himself as they parted.

"Come on Fenrir," Cloud said as he moved passed the man into the corridor of the Inn, his tiredness forgotten in the excitement of the moment.

"What? You're going now brat?"

In response Cloud and wolf both looked back over their shoulders and Cid fell silent. For an instant he hadn't seen a boy and his dog, but a warrior and his wolf, blue and gold eyes glowing in the darkness. He blinked and by the time he looked back, Cloud was gone, slipping away into the chill night air. Savagely Cid shook his head as he moved properly into the common room. It was safe enough in the town so the brat would be okay. And tomorrow, he'd have someone cleaning his house and while that thought was pleasing, calling for the piss that Shinra passed off as beer was irritating. It was even more irritating when he took a gulp.

Eh… if the mutt did find a stash it would be well worth it.

Four hours later, most of the villagers had left the Inn, heading for their own beds. Cid was still at the bar. He'd gotten into an argument with a couple of soldiers stationed in Rocket Town. The argument was about the continual development of air fighters for the war in Wutai, a subject that was near to Cid's heart. Not the fighter bit, but the planes themselves. He'd seen some of the designs and he couldn't wait to fly them.

The troopers held the opposite opinion. To them, air support was more trouble than it was worth, killing more friendlies than it did ninja. They just figured Shinra ought to make more SOLDIERs and that would end the war.

The argument had been quite long and Cid hadn't held back, much to the consternation of the Matron but the locals had mostly cheered him on and none of the patrons had complained so it was probably okay.

Cid though, was taken by surprise when he felt a tug on his sleeve. Truth be told, he hadn't expected to see the brat again. He'd figured Cloud Strife was just transiting through Rocket Town and their guardian would leave with him in the morning. The pilot was therefore astonished when he looked down and saw the brat, his dog standing proudly beside him.

"Wha' d'ja want brat?" He asked, ignoring the troopers who were now insinuating he was running from a fight.

Cloud looked up at him, his eyes tired though faintly happy and to say Highwind was speechless was an understatement when Cloud calmly handed him a bottle.

"You're shit'n' me!" Cid exclaimed, taking the bottle. It was unmarked but filled with amber liquid. Suspiciously he worked the cork loose and took a whiff. "Holy…" his voice was almost reverent and it brought attention.

"I don't ef'n believe it."

Weakly Cloud beamed up at him, though the lolling of wolf's tongue over white teeth was far more of a grin.

"All right," Cid acknowledged his defeat. "The mutt is worthy of the name Fenrir." Wolf barked once, softly so that he didn't wake anyone. "Off to bed with you brat. Call by in the morning to collect the rest of your wager. For now, I have a new friend." Cid dismissed Cloud who nodded and quietly left the room.

Wolf licked Cloud's hand, allowing the boy to lean on him as they made their way upstairs. Before they left the common room though, Wolf looked back once, fixing glowing yellow eyes on the pilot who was even now pouring shots for everyone left at the bar. Fenrir had the scent now. They would be there in the morning.

Raisa listened with a growing sense of disbelief as Cloud spoke to her. It was unreal but his face shone with sincerity and wolf was lying at his feet, apparently completely disinterested in their conversation but quick enough to lift his head whenever his name was said.

"So you found a pilot last night?" She asked, running through the tale he had told.

"Yes Mum."

"And you entered into a wager?" Her son was too young to be gambling!

"Yes Mum."

"And you won the wager." What would she have done if he lost? And what exactly did he have to do to win?

"Yes Mum."

"And the forfeit was a ride in his plane… which can make it to Wutai and back." Was this the Planet helping them?

"Yes Mum."

Raisa swallowed, rubbing at her eyes. Only her son… "Let's go see this man," she said eventually. It was the chance she had been looking for. Even if this man would not honour the wager, he was a pilot, he should be able to tell them about others and they could see them. But if all went well… Oh she hoped… She already had the materia she needed and now the only question was how to get to Wutai. She felt as if time was running out and the two days they had spent in Rocket Town, while useful for her recovery and resupply were enough.

"After breakfast," Cloud entreated. He and Wolf had missed dinner and were hungry.

"Okay," Raisa smiled at her son. "After breakfast."

Sephiroth glanced back at the mountains behind him. He'd been walking for forty eight hours and was feeling rather tired. Even SOLDIERs needed sleep. The path had not been well marked but even in the dark his superior eyesight saw the markers. Even so he'd still made a few wrong turns. That was one thing he would be reporting to the Rocket Town Commander. They would have to re-mark the trail.

Looking out at the rolling, grassy hills he decided that he needed to rest and without further consideration he found a reasonably dry spot under a tree and rolled himself into his long coat, as comfortably as he could to sleep.

When he awoke it was about dawn and he allowed himself a small smirk. He was not the best of SOLDIER for nothing and the lethargy was gone. He ate a ration pack as he began to follow the sometimes faint trail towards Rocket Town. He'd have to eat properly once he got there but for now he did not have time to hunt. As he travelled every now and then he saw tracks. They weren't clear enough for him to judge who had travelled this way, but they were only a few days old at the most. That was enough. It was a safe assumption that no one else would have come through the mountains. Sephiroth picked up the pace. He was gaining on them, and now that they no longer had the advantage of terrain they were familiar with, he would make better time.

So long as they did not have someone waiting for them in Rocket Town, he had a chance of catching up. Though what exactly he would find, he did not know. And even once he found them, Sephiroth wasn't entirely sure what he could do. The Mansion was gone, Hojo wouldn't be getting his research back and it was possible, unlikely, but possible that there was a logical explanation. Sephiroth placed one hand over his heart as he moved quickly through the rolling hills. No matter what he reported back, he'd need strength.

Cid blinked one bleary eye as he sat at his table. His head throbbed and he held the heal of one hand to his other eye. A cup of tea steamed in front of the pilot and he'd taken a couple of half-hearted sips but the smell had left him nauseous. The curtains were still shut, and even the thin winter sun that was streaming in through the little gap was too much.

He groaned. What had possessed him to drink the entire bottle last night?

Oh yeah… the fact that it was real, genuine alcohol. Somehow the brat's mutt had found it. Well, maybe. But Cid couldn't imagine any other way the boy would have gotten his hands on that bottle. No one would have given it to him. He really should have drunk it slower though. And now he was paying the price.

It was a good thing he had nothing to do today.

"Mr. Highwind?"

Eh? Someone at his door? Why was anyone at his door?

"Mr. Highwind?" The second summons was accompanied by a rough bark.

Wait… Cid groaned again as the memory filtered through to him. He had promised that brat and his mutt something. "Che… Coming," he called, wincing when his own voice set his head throbbing again.

He rose and shuffled to the door, swinging it open just a little bit to avoid having the winter sun in his eyes. "Oh… it's you brat," his voice was more a moan than any greeting. "Come in," Cid invited moving back to the table and his tea. It was only after he'd taken another sip of tea that he realised the brat was not alone. A woman who could only be his mother entered with him and suddenly Cid recalled exactly what his place looked like. This was no place for a woman.

"Mr. Highwind?" the woman spoke.

"That's me," Cid replied.

"I understand you had a wager with my son," her voice was neutral and Cid grimaced. When a woman's voice was neutral, that was never good.

"I did."

"I gather from your current state, you are satisfied that the terms of the wager have been fulfilled?"

There wasn't a lot he could say to that. He looked over at the brat. The blond boy was standing beside his mother and his mutt was sitting there, with his tongue lolling out, his golden eyes fixed on Cid. That unblinking gaze was eerie and the blond man shivered and nodded his reply, scowling at the pain.

"And I believe the forfeit was a ride in your plane."

That had been the forfeit and with them here there was no point in denying it. Perhaps she was here to get something else. "It was."

"I want to go to Wutai."

"What?" The statement shocked him almost sober. This woman wanted to go to Wutai. To a war zone. The way she said it, gently, matter of factly just convinced him all the more that this wasn't a joke.

"I want to go to Wutai."

The statement made no further sense the second time.

Cid groaned as his headache was replaced with confusion. "Why?"

"Why is not important," the woman said easily. "Your forfeit with my son is for a ride in your plane. I'm prepared to pay you for my passage."

"I just can't up and…" Well… technically he could. The Tiny Bronco was his plane. Shinra just provided the fuel for it.

"So you are planning on avoiding your wager?" the woman asked, one pale eye brow raised to emphasise the question.

"No… but today isn't a good day."

"I can see that," she replied, her voice returning to neutral. "Yet today it must be. Are you not the best pilot in Shinra?"

"Best darn pilot."

"Then I fail to see the problem."

Did this woman not realise that one did not just fly into war territory? Even if he did, where was he supposed to land? "There is a war," Cid started, not really sure how to explain it.

"I am aware of this." Her voice remained calm.

"Oh god," he groaned. "Why do you want to go to Wutai?" Cid asked, stalling for time.

"That is not your concern. Can you take me to Wutai?"

Again the mutt's eyes narrowed and he was caught in their golden gaze. "I can."

"Will you take me to Wutai?"

No matter how eerie the mutt's gaze was, he wasn't answering that question without qualification. "For payment."

"And I am prepared to pay you for my passage."

Almost completely sober now Cid shook his head, careful not to set it pounding again. "No, you can pay for the fuel. But the payment can be taken care of by your son. Oi, Cloud."

Cloud looked over at him, his blue eyes acknowledging the call.

"You found the stash last night?"

"Yes."

"Where is it?"

"What? You want my son to pay you in alcohol?" For the first time there was real emotion in the woman's voice.

"Why not? In this town it's more valuable than gil."

"It's okay Mum," Cloud spoke before the argument got started. "It's not like we're going to be around to watch him get drunk."

The blonde woman sighed, conceding the point.

"Which stash?" Cloud asked ingeniously.

"What do you mean, brat?"

"Fenrir is worth his name," the boy said and the mutt barked. "We found more than one."

Cid laughed. "Tell me where they all are and I'll have you on the way to Wutai within the hour." He rose. "Help yourselves to some tea while I get the 'Bronco ready," he left the instruction as he headed out the back.

Raisa sighed. To say she had been surprised to see exactly who her son had made that wager with would have been an understatement. She had been shocked beyond all measure. Yet having memories of him was enough for her to have faith in his ability even with the effects of his obvious hangover and that's how she found herself sitting at the table, drinking tea.

No matter what she'd told Vincent, she didn't expect the Planet to help her. It had already done everything it could by sending her back. Even if this wasn't help, she'd take it. Maybe it wasn't help. Maybe it was just a natural extension of knowing the abilities of the people you were dealing with. Or instinct. Instinct honed by living two lives.

Whatever it was, it was telling her that they needed to leave Rocket Town. Now. The feeling was not yet so urgent that a few minutes either way would make a difference, but the sense of urgency was increasing as time trickled away. They had to leave soon. And in order to leave as fast as they could, she would not interfere while Highwind prepared his plane. Her memories were shockingly clear on what happened to those who got in the way.

And so, rather incongruously she sat with Cloud and drank the tea. Their few possessions were laid down beside them and Raisa had the small pouch with their gil tucked into her bodice. Fenrir sat beside Cloud his head resting on his forelegs. It was a nice little picture of domesticity if she over looked the bachelor mess in the rest of the room.

"It's ready," there was no hiding the note of sheer pleasure in Cid's voice as he came back into the room. The effects of his hang over seemed to have disappeared and he didn't even seem to mind the bright winter sun that was streaming in behind him.

"Thank you," Raisa said with a smile. "How much for the fuel?"

He named a figure and Raisa nodded, fishing out her gil. She had no idea how much fuel cost but the price seemed reasonable. She paused slightly when handing over the gil. "You can land in Wutai?"

Cid shook his head. "No, not in Wutai. I mean I could, but it would put you down in the middle of the Shinra camps. I don't think you want that."

Cloud hid a smile as he listened to Highwind speak. The man was almost respectful, his words lacking most of the colourful language he had displayed last night. Was the presence of a woman, of his mum, really having that much effect on the pilot? He held back a snicker when he realised it must be. Mind you, he had fully expected his Mum to give the man a dressing down the instant one crass word had come out of his mouth.

"That would not be advisable,"Raisa agreed.

"So I'll take you to the north and will land on the water. You can swim?"

"Well enough."

"Then that's that," Cid concluded. "Come one. Let's get going," he was almost like a little boy showing off his favourite toy. "The brat can tell me where the stashes are on the way."

Sephiroth paused on the last rise on the run into Rocket Town to catch his breath. It would not do for one of Shinra's Generals to be seen entering even a predominantly research out post such as this out of breath. The rumours would run rife if he let that happen and that would only annoy Hojo. An annoyed Hojo always meant trouble for him. It only took a minute or so for his breathing to come under control and after running his fingers through his hair he strode down the hill into the township. The odd sixth sense that all SOLDIERs had told him that Rocket Town would be the end of the chase, but what that actually meant he didn't know.

In practical terms it meant he'd be able to have a decent shower and food. While not fastidious, keeping his hair and body clean had been drilled into him and after spending time crossing the mountains and running over the grass lands, he was feeling particularly sweaty and dusty. Being clean would be nice. Not to mention finally being able to brush the tangles out of his hair. That was going to take a week.

Savagely, Sephiroth shook his head, bringing his attention back to the township. It was almost noon and the winter sun was out in full. It made everything seem shiny and new, even the tents that housed the troops and the research staff. A plane flew overhead and he lifted his gaze to it. It had the most outrageous paint job. Red paint was shockingly bright against the pale blue of the winter sky. There was in the way it flew a sense of joyous freedom and he suppressed a smile at the feeling. It was not appropriate. But as he watched the plane, an autogyro, his gaze lingering on it as it buzzed into the distance, he could not help the sense of peace that came over him. It was similar to the feeling he got when he thought of the picture he still carried and he watched the plane until it disappeared entirely.

It was not until much later that he realised the sense of the chase ended when the plane disappeared and it was then that he realised his target, whoever they were, had been on that plane. It remained a mystery why that made him feel so serene.

Raisa sat in the tiny, cramped cargo section of the Tiny Bronco. The plane really wasn't designed to carry passengers. It wasn't designed to carry much of anything except the pilot but they managed. Cloud had been excited at the beginning, wanting to know what everything did and the sensation of flight was rather disturbing but once they shifted from rising into travelling, it had evened out a bit. Thankfully none of them were travel sick. That would have been… inconvenient.

Once they'd settled, though she didn't like it, Mr. Highwind began questioning Cloud, asking where the stashes were. While she didn't like the content of the conversation, she was surprised at the adult way her boy spoke. He was only ten but he had definitely grown up while she wasn't looking. He gave directions like anyone born in the mountains, referring to trees and other land marks easily which left their pilot rather frustrated but eventually they seemed to sort things out. She hid a smile. It would be… justice if Mr. Highwind couldn't find any of the alcohol Cloud had discovered.

After they spoke, Cloud looked out the tiny porthole, taking in the seemingly never ending expanse of water. The ocean was fascinating and Raisa smiled indulgently. He might have grown up, but he was still her baby boy. They flew in silence for a while before Cid began to talk.

"You know, I probably could land in Wutai but I'd rather not take the chance. I don't think you want me to explain how I got a ninja star embedded in the 'Bronco."

The blonde woman nodded serenely towards their pilot in response. No, this was not the time she wanted that happening. Landing on the water would suit them fine. It was winter but they'd dry out well enough on the shore.

"So why do you want to go to Wutai?"

Ah… the question came up again. Given his importance in the future, Raisa supposed he deserved an answer. "There are things I must do there."

Cid snorted. Raisa let it slide though Wolf turned his head, fixing golden eyes on Mr. Highwind in a gaze that was particularly intense. "I know that may seem odd to you, Mr. Highwind," Raisa continued. "There are times when it seems odd to me. But it is the truth." Oh, it was more than the truth. It was essential that she be in Wutai. She wasn't entirely sure she knew how she could get the Wutai people to listen to her, but her future self had been told something in the Lifestream. The memory was tinged with green but it was important and it was about the Lady of Wutai. Raisa just hoped it was about the current Lady of Wutai. In the Lifestream, sometimes it was hard to tell.

"Eh, I shouldn't be asking," Cid said, pulling out a cigarette. "It's probably better if I don't know." He stuck a match.

Raisa reached out, dousing the flame of his match with her fingertips. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't smoke," she said firmly, plucking the matches from his suddenly slack grip.

"What?!"

"There is only limited ventilation and the smoke would be quite invasive," she replied.

"What!?"

Raisa did not give up the matches and from where he was watching the ocean, Cloud snickered. Even wolf seemed amused at Cid's discomfort.

That killed conversation for a while, until Cid announced that land was sighted. That resulted in a mad scramble from Cloud to at least poke his head into the cockpit to see. He was disappointed when it turned out to be just a smudge on the horizon. Soon after Highwind adjusted their course. "It's still a while yet," he announced as they swung north, "so don't get too excited," he added, giving Cloud a tight grin.

The blond boy probably didn't even hear because even though the land was just a smudge, he was fascinated. Raisa watched for a few moments before she turned her attention back to their Pilot.

"Mr. Highwind," she said, not completely sure what she wanted to tell him.

"Hmm?" He didn't seem to be upset about the cigarette now.

"For the moment, Shinra is paying your bills, aren't they?"

"Yeah, mostly just the fuel because I do reconnaissance."

"I want you to remember something then, for the future." Raisa ignored the way Cloud stiffened. While he was fascinated by the passing landscape, he wasn't so completely lost that he did not pay attention to his surroundings. Even when his surroundings were so limited. She felt a flash of pride. Such skill would serve him well for the future.

"Shinra might be paying the bills now, but they will only pay them for so long as the project suits their interest. They say they want flight technology now, they might even say space but eventually that will not suit. When that time comes, I want you to remember something Mr. Highwind, there are those in this world who appreciate your skills, those who know what it means to have only one desire in life and the will to risk it all for that desire. When they take the Highwind from you, take back your desire and bring it to those who share your passion."

"Wha..?" Cid had no idea what to say to that.

"Just remember it," Raisa advised.

"If you say so," Cid dismissed it but deep in his mind he heard. He already knew Shinra only funded those projects that gained them some advantage. But the airforce and the space program helped them with the war, there was no reason for them to ditch them. The woman had seemed sane enough but he wasn't so sure now.

It didn't matter, in a few hours he'd be free of her. And then she could go and kill herself on Wutai. It would be a shame about the lad but while he seemed sensible, he showed a regrettable tendency to follow his mother. At his age it was understandable but it would be sad.

A couple of hours later, Cid brought them in closer to the coast. While Raisa would be the first to admit she didn't know the first thing about invasions, she could tell that the coast was very uninviting. The ocean crashed up against cliffs that rose in sheer faces for 50 to 100m. Cloud might be okay scaling that but she would not be, nor would wolf. On the top of the cliffs was jungle. It didn't peter out as it approached the cliff face but instead ended in an abrupt drop. There was a small difference in size between the trees on the cliff verge and those further back but not significant and perhaps the undergrowth was not as thick for a few meters because of the wind and salt but the forest was thick enough.

"Yeah, there's a reason Shinra are attacking from the south," Cid answered the unasked question. "The whole coast line is like this, even on the other side of the island. But there are a couple of tiny coves big enough for a transport but not for an army."

She nodded. The notion of swimming had seemed reasonable but now she was feeling her layers of clothing and already feeling her limbs weighed down with them when they were wet. The water would be cold and once they made sure, the wind would cut through them. Raisa shook her head. She could not think of that. They had no choice. They had to go to Wutai and it had to be Wutai, not Shinra controlled Wutai.

After a bit of searching Cid exclaimed triumphantly, before tugging the controls and sending them into a steep rise. "Standard procedure for snooping. Come in high and the ninja, if they are around, will target you the instant you are in range. 'Cept, the propeller's give us enough downdraft that they can't hit us." He said the last with a grin.

"And if there are ninja?" Cloud asked.

"Then we go to the next cove," Cid replied. "But Shinra haven't tried landing troops here, not even a surprise attack so I doubt Wutai thinks much about defence here. They are occupied down south."

He lowered the autogyro and no attack came and with a grin, and a very skilful bit of piloting he pushed them into the cove as it if was the easiest thing in the world. The cove was just a tiny half-moon opening with a bit of beach. The cliff down to it was less sheer but still uninviting and within the cove the waves were gentler. "Open the bottom hatch and drop your gear out," Cid instructed and they did that. There was nothing breakable in their gear and while Cid could get low enough to drop their small packs, he could not get low enough that they could jump to the ground and they did not have enough rope to shimmy down.

Their packs sent little puffs of sand into the air when they dropped and Cloud put one hand on Wolf, restraining him as the animal considered the drop. Then, with more careful manoeuvring Cid pushed the autogyro back, easing the little plane out over the water. "This is as close as I can get you," he announced finally.

With more than a touch of trepidation Raisa eyed the water. It looked deep enough and while there was no ice, it looked cold enough too. "Thank you, Mr. Highwind," she said finally. "You may think this is insane or suicidal but it is essential and I could not have done it without you, so you have my thanks." There wasn't much more she could say and the blond man looked uncomfortable so Raisa nodded one last formal good-bye and jumped. Cloud and wolf followed.

Cid shook his head as the three of them plunged into the water and began flailing for land. As the woman had said, they could swim well enough but their level of skill was definitely that of their hometown. Folks from the mountain didn't swim that well, not like those from Junon. He shook his head, bemused at the turn his thoughts had taken and watched them. He owed them at least that much to see that they made it to land safely.

Eventually he pulled up, sending the Tiny Bronco into a vertical rise and turning it east. They had been most unusual passengers. The woman's words insane but stuck through with a note of deep truth and the boy was a lively lad, bright eyed yet somehow serene. As Cid flicked a few switches on the Bronco, sending it forward towards home, he could not help but wonder if he'd ever see them again.

I know Restores aren't available in Rocket Town but for my purposes they are.

And yes... so CLOSE but yet so far for Sephiroth.

Cheers for reading and it would be lovely if all the people following or favouriting would leave a review! But I will accept all comers and attempt to answer all questions.

Jade