AN: Okay heads up though there is a time jump in this chapter; it was not the one I had originally planned for. I recently thought I should add this chapter in just to give a little more background on some of the characters and how they meet. So the time jump is only three years, don't worry the next chapter will complete it and will be five years. Oh, I don't know if I should have told you that, I not one for giving away much of the story line no matter how small in advance. Oh, well!

Also always been forgetting to this in the first six chapter but better late than never. I do not own square Enix or any of the chapters, bla bla bla. There now no one can sue me!

The monster roared as multiple slashes suddenly appeared almost out of nowhere across its body. As blood started to pool on the ground at its feet, it finally collapsed to the ground.

The unit of infantrymen sighed in relief and looked behind them. Strangled grasps escaped every mouth as they looked up at the tall man. Long silver hair flowing around him like a wave and the setting sun caught at his long blade, making them wince at the brilliance of it.

The captain finally found his voice, though it trembled so much he could barely speak.

"G-Gen-General!"

Sephiroth turned his graze down to stare at the small group of infantrymen before him. A slight frown line furrowed his brow as he gazed down at the quivering group of men.

"Where is your commanding officer, captain?"

The man cringed beneath the general's stare.

"We-we lost him sir. We were ambushed by Wutai scouts, he went down first. We barley managed to make it back."

"You almost didn't."

"Yes, sir thank-you for your help."

"Your unit number, captain?"

"Unit, 156-90, general."

"See to your men, captain."

"Yes sir."

The captain managed a weak salute, but the general had already turned and was walking away.

The General made it back to the Shinra base on the Wutai content in less than five minutes, but knew that is would take the infantrymen at least a hour. He alerted a 3 class SOLIDER to be aware of their arrival and send someone to escort them back to camp.

Sephiroth also made note to assign unit 156-90 back to Midgar. They were not ready to be out here yet. The men had been in near tears when he had found them and frozen with shock, whether at the monster itself or the horror they had witnessed at being at the front, it did not matter. If they could not keep their heads and at the very least get their butts back without needing assistance in dealing with such a low level monster, then it would be better for them to go back to patrolling the lower sectors of Midgar again. Sephiroth did not have the time to be saving their sorry rear end out here; he had enough on his plate.

As he stepped into his makeshift office/living quarters, his green cat like eyes immediately rested on the classified report folder left on his desk that hadn't been there when he had left. He quickly marched over and briefly scanned over the contents before his eyes narrowed. The door leading into the outer room suddenly swung open making the man who acted as his secretary out here, jump as he stormed out.

"When was this left on my desk?"

His voice sounded darker than he intended, despite his mood he knew people were afraid of him and any annoyance or hostility he showed no matter how small, people reacted like he had draw his Masamune. The man staggered to his feet knocking over his chair in the process.

"Not even an hour ago sir, I left it on your desk as soon as it came in."

Sephiroth softened his voice back to its normal monotone.

"Very good."

He closed the door as he returned back into the small room, pulling out his cell phone in the process.

"Tseng, I just received word."

"No, I can't leave the front, yet. I want you to handle this yourself, bring Zackary with you. He should have just returned."

He hung up feeling an unfamiliar heavy weight on his chest.

Angeal, Genesis what are you doing?

The figure running between the apple trees was fast, almost abnormally fast and quite. His footsteps hardly making a sound, even if that wasn't enough to catch the eye the figure's clothes would. Black, all black from foot to head. Not even his head escaped the black material and the large sword strapped to the figure's back, completed the odd apparel.

Fortunately though no one was around to see him, Cloud had made sure of it. He stopped for a moment and listened than quickened his pace. Helicopters in the distance, he had to reach them before that.

He knew from Zack's memories that they would both be here, in Banora their hometown. Zack would try and talk to them, but they would not return. Things would just go downhill from there. That was what had happened. It wasn't what was going to happen. Cloud would make sure of that.

He stopped in the middle of the village, looking around. Which house was it? That one!

He raced to it and flung the door open and froze. The woman lay dead on the floor, the large buster sword resting on the wall in front of her still form.

Cloud hit the doorframe in frustration, uttering a small curse. He then walked inside, pausing to look down at the woman in regret, then moved and picked up the sword.

"I'll make him remember his dreams and honor. He will not become a monster, none of them will I promise."

He told the dead lady softly.

"That sword does not belong to you."
Cloud turned. Standing just outside the door were two men he had only glimpsed in his past life, but yet knew better than most.

"Why would you care, since you have seemed to have given it up?"

Walking out the door, Cloud confronted the two men. Angeal uncrossed his arms ready to confront as Genesis drew his red blade.

Unbeknown to the three men, a fourth figure was watching from the safely and concealed spot up in the branches of one of Banora's famous apple trees. The hiding spot had been picked carefully, far enough that it wouldn't be detected by the 1st class SOLDIERS, but close enough that she could reach them in five seconds in need be, unfortunately it could just as easily be turned vice versa.

At this distance though Rain couldn't hear what was being said. Not that that really mattered she had a pretty good idea what was going on.

She felt herself draw in a sharp breath as the two SOLIDERS suddenly launched themselves at her brother, but relaxed slightly when she saw Cloud quickly doge Angeal's punch, than fling himself at the older man knocking him on his back with the surprise force of his attack. One hand at Angeal's throat he used the other to block Genesis's blade with the buster. Something Cloud said suddenly caused both men to pause.

Rain now wished she could hear what was being said as more words were exchanged. They must have talked for five minutes, when Rain abruptly felt her hiding place beginning to give her away as the branch began to crack. Deciding to abandon her post rather than let it dump her ungracefully onto the ground risking detection, she quickly slipped silently from the tree landing lightly on her feet.

"Hey kid what were you doing up there?"

Rain froze, before turning to face the familiar voice.

He was just like she remembered. Raven hair, easy smile, violet eyes sparkling yet at the moment they seemed a little sad.

"Zack!" She breathed before she could stop herself.

Zack's eyes seemed to brighten a little as he starred hard at her.

"Do I know you kid?"

A small frown suddenly crossed his features as he took in her appearance.

Rain groaned inwardly. What a horrible day to pick clothes from Yuffie's wardrobe. The clothes and style was obviously that of a Wutai ninja. She had gotten her normal apparel all bloody and torn in an unexpected brawl with a den of monsters the night before.

Rain quickly glanced over shoulder to see what was happening to Cloud and did a double take. The town's center was empty. When had they disappeared?

Zack was now starting toward her, his stance moving from casually to wary.

Rain did the first thing she could think of. She ran!

Zack hadn't been expecting the kid to run nor for her to be this quick. With his mako enhanced speed it was rare that anyone outside of SOLIDER could beat him in a foot chase, yet this kid was managing to stay ahead with ease, though she was not gaining any ground. Zack took comfort in that fact, else this would be embarrassing.

He quickly saw though that this chase had come to an end, when the girl skidded to a stop at the end of a steep vertical cliff that dropped down at least three hundred feet into the canyon. Zack slowed down, placing his hands out in front of him in a gesture of peace.

"Easy kid, I'm not going to hurt you."

"Then why are you casing me?"

Zack grinned, "I'm like a dog, if you run I'm going to case you. Call it a reflex."

Zack could see her tense frame loosen slightly, and smiled while quietly observing the kid's eyes. They were unlike anything he had ever seen, the deepest blue he could possibly imagine. Something suddenly changed in them and Zack thought for a moment he saw a flash of mako, but before he could be sure though the eyes suddenly widened. Zack quickly turned to look behind him and his eyes mirrored the kids.

Coming straight towards them was a figure dressed in black and Angeal and Genesis close behind him.

"Zack, stop him!"

Angeal's voice rang out and Zack atomically moved to obey his old teacher's command.

The figure slowed as soon as he saw Zack and Zack had the feeling of an intense gaze drilling into him. Right as he was about to grab him though the figure suddenly shot into the air high over his head.

Zack's eyes followed him as he landed on the other side of him, and he just heard the kid curse violently, before the figure slammed into her, picking her up and leaping over the side of the cliff.

"Noo!"

Three voices shouted in protest as they moved to the edge. A suddenly blast of air though drove them back, as an airship rose from below. Zack could barely make out the name Highwind painted on the side before it rose above them. Dangling from a ladder at the bottom, the black figure hung on tightly with the kid firmly between his arms.

As the three SOLIDERS watched the ship fly away, Genesis muttered.

"A shame, I don't feel like flying after them."

"Yes, a shame." Angeal agreed, "I would have liked to talk to him more."

"Ya, me too."

Both men turned to look at Zack in surprise, but he was still busy starring after the disappearing ship, his expression both regretfully and admiring.

"Did you hear that kid? She used language even I haven't heard before."

Both men rolled their eyes in exasperation before Zack turned to face them, his face suddenly serious.

Rain had quickly climbed up the ladder and was inside the ship before Cloud had climbed two rungs. She was just rushing from the hanger when Cloud reached the top.

"Rain, quarters now. I'll meet you there."

Rain paused and after a moment's debate, Cloud saw her shoulders sag in defeat. As soon as she was gone he let out a deep breath. That had been too close. He had just barely managed to stay ahead of Genesis and Angeal, seeing Rain cornered on that edge by Zack nearly made his heart stop. Not that Zack would have hurt her. Knowing Zack he was probably just curious why a girl dressed in Wutai ninja clothes was doing in Banora.

Still despite everything, Cloud did not want Rain anywhere near SOLIDER and that unfortunately included Zack. Anywhere SOLIDERs were Sephiroth was in a sense there was well. Sephiroth kept a close eye on his SOLIDERS and knew their doings. He also had a way of seeing the whole picture from the little things others told him and could tell if something was off.

They were not ready for him yet, and Cloud wasn't sure if he ever would be ready. He was content with handling things in the background, without having to reveal himself. That was why he wore a mask whenever he fought. Unfortunately Rain did not think that way.

Getting up Cloud headed for the bridge. As he walked the corridors he felt his tense muscles relax a little. Highwind had become home for the past year. He had been lucky. After they had reached Wutai, six months after they had left Nibelheim, time had moved very quickly as familiar faces once again began to appear in Cloud's life.

The first had been Yuffie, though Cloud had never known Yuffie when she had been quite that young. If Cloud had thought the ninja was hyperactive and annoying when she was sixteen. That was nothing compared to the thief at nine years of age. He had to admit it was pretty gutsy of her to try and steal from Vincent at their first meeting. Many wouldn't even approach the stony man no less try and steal from him.

Despite their slightly rough start, Rain had latched onto the girl and they had quickly become inseparable friends. Cloud was still even now trying to decide if the benefits of their friendship which resulted in the meeting and close connection to Godo, leader of the Wutai and his present status in Wutai outweighed the result of having Yuffie around 24/7. Her father apparently had not had a problem with the Wutai princess accompanying the reunited members of Avalanche no matter how dangerous a situation they found themselves in. In fact he seemed to welcome it, and Cloud could only guess at the handful she would have been trying to be kept locked indoors.

Next had been Cid. It hadn't been hard to find the renowned pilot. It was the one and only time since his rebirth that Cloud had entered Midgar. Cloud had timed it so it was just after the Shinra space launch knowing how it would end and that Shinra would scratch the program. It didn't take Cloud long to convince him to abandon Shinra and join the Wutai, his feeling toward Shinra not being at their most loyal moment. They had not left Midgard empty handed; Cid felt the Shinra at least owed him his livelihood since they had scraped his dream. The Highwind had been his price.

After that, Barret had suddenly shown up in Wutai, without word or explanation except that he wanted to destroy Shinra. It was only later Cloud leaned Barret's village had been destroyed, his wife murdered. Some things did not change, and the changing of events with Wutai had only quickened Barret's fate not changed it. It was then that Cloud realized some things he could not change no matter how hard he tried. The only comfort he could take in it was that Barret had at least managed to save his friend. Still at the cost of his arm, but Marlene now at least would still have her real father alive with her.

Now three years since leaving Nibelheim Avalanche was once again reborn.

As Cloud stepped onto the bridge, he was immediately bombarded with Cid's foul mouth.
"Cloud, what the H#* do you think you were doing! Those were !#* SOLDIERS out there, not some ninny little mamma's boy like you lead us to believe! What would have happened if I and the Highwind hadn't been here to save you sorry A##. What would you and that kamikaze of a sister of yours done then?"

"I suppose that is why I had you wait for me instead of going off on my own, and don't worry I'll deal with Rain."

Cid huffed in disbelief and Cloud raised an eyebrow, unknowingly copying Vincent to a tea.

"I'll put her to work,a month on the Highwind under you. Will that satisfy you?"

Cid grinned, removing the stick he constantly seemed to have sticking out of his mouth.

"Deal!"

Cloud nodded, and stepped off the bridge happy at least to have Cid in a better mood. His flying had a tendency to become rough when he was in a bad mood, making nearly everyone on board sick.

"That was a little harsh don't you think?"

Cloud turned around, standing behind the closing door to the bridge stood Barret. He moved forward turning his wide shoulder, so he could fit his massive barrel of gun arm thought the narrow hallway.

"Aren't you just dumping all of Cid's annoyance at both your actions on just Rain?"

Cloud shrugged one shoulder, "She can take it, and hopefully it will teach her to listen to me in the future."

Barret grunted in disbelief, "Hardly, you two are too alike to expect that from her. You both are too stubborn. Your being one hard hearted brother to be laying down that sort of punishment on today of all days."

Cloud smirked, "Hardly! The punishment won't start until tomorrow, I happen to know Tifa and Yuffie are kidnapping her for the night, once we reach Wutai later tonight, and they would kill me if I did anything to interfere with that."

"You trust those two enough to let them go off on their own?"

"No, but I do trust Tifa. She'll be able to keep them out of trouble or at least minimize the damage. Now if you'll excuse me I have a stubborn eleven year old to deal with."

Barret starred at the retreating blond, who made himself sound so much older than his sixteen years, but he had to be. After all what sixteen year old could commandeering Shinra's greatest pilot and lead a airship full of some of the strangest and strongest fighters, he had ever seen and still be able to influence Wutai's every move. What sixteen year old indeed!

"Godo called, while you were out." Cloud paused, his back still to Barret. "Wutai wants a meeting with its General."

"What did you day?" Cloud turned his head part way so he could meet Barret's eye.

"I said give him a day and he'll be there."

Cloud nodded and started walking down the hall again.

"Good."

Cloud paused outside his and Rain's quarters, hearing voices inside. Yuffie! Cloud sighed, the ninja was continently around Rain and had harassed Cloud almost out of his senses in the beginning when they first moved onto the Highwind, wanting Rain to be her roommate.

Cloud had flatly refused, though the nightmares were almost none existent now, there was still no way he was willing to take that chance. Besides he needed Rain near him. Having someone who needed no words, but still understood him so completely, was like a soothing balm that he had never had in that other life, to a wound that was always stinging and he was loath to give it up.

Even Tifa had not been able to persuade him and that was when Yuffie's pestering stopped. If Tifa could not persuade him then no one could, not even Rain. So now he had to deal with Yuffie being in his quarters most of their free time as payback.

He opened the door; sure enough Yuffie was sitting on his bed facing Rain who sat cross legged on her own bed.

"Out!"

He motioned with a slight turn of his head and the ninja scowled at him.

"All right Chocobo head don't get your feathers in a mess."

It was now Cloud's turn to scowl at the Yuffie's annoying use of nicknames.

"I'll see you later Rain."

Making one last face at Cloud the girl darted past him closing the door behind her with a bang.
Cloud sighed in relief dropping tiredly on his bed and closing his eyes. When he finally opened them and turned his head in Rain's direction, he saw her sitting with her back to the wall her knees pulled up to her chest and chin resting on them, her expression thoughtful.

"What did you tell them?"

"Who?"

Rain rolled her eyes, "You know who. What did you tell Angeal and Genesis to make them go back?"

Cloud sat up, "Deepground. That the answer to stopping Genesis's degradation lies in Deepground."

Rain's eyes widen in shock. "Deepground! Why would you lead them there of all places?"

"Because Vincent once told me after he penetrated Deepground that he found files called Project G. I don't think that is a coincidence, though the experiments on Genesis and Angeal were called after Angeal's mother Gillian, I think Deepground's Project G and Project Gillian are the one and same."
Rain nodded, remembering that too. "It makes sense, but still it is a long shot. What if you're wrong?"

Cloud closed his eyes again, "Than at least they will back within Shinra and Sephiroth's grasp and Zack will not have to kill them."

Cloud opened his eyes again, and Rain winched at the pain in them, "I won't let Zack be forced to kill them again Rain. I won't make him go through that pain again."

Rain nodded remembering the sorrow from the fragments of Zack's memories that Cloud still carried.

"That is not all you told them is it?"

Cloud smiled slightly, her perception to his actions and moods long ago ceased to amaze him anymore. He kept silent curious if she could figure it out on her own. Rain suddenly lifted her chin from her knees.

"You told them about Sephiroth didn't you, about Jenova, and his true origins?"

Cloud nodded, "I thought it might be better coming from friends, who care about him, rather a psychotic father who is trying to turn his own son into a monster."

"True, but there is more to this, isn't there."

Cloud decided to explain everything. She would figure it out in a minute anyway.

"I can't help thinking that if they had been there for Sephiroth, when he really needed them that somehow they could have stopped him, brought him back."

"Cloud," Rain uncurled her legs and moved toward him, and Cloud hated the sympathetic look in her eyes, "you and Zack tried. What makes you think it would have been different with them?"

"Because they were his friends, Rain!"

Rain winched at the harshness in his tone.

"They understood him! At least partially, they were the only people he ever let get close to him. I don't want that to be taken away from him again."

Cloud ran a hand through his hair. Rain didn't say anything for a long time, but when she did it caused Cloud to look up sharply.

"You never just wanted to stop him, Cloud. You always wanted to help him. He was your hero, your idol. You want him to become what you thought he should have been."

Rain was confused.

"If that is what you want why don't you go to him directly? You could do more, and help him by being around him. Why not enroll as a cadet in Shinra, work your way to SOLIDER? It wouldn't be that hard for you. I could help!"

"You are not to go anywhere near him!"

Rain pulled back frightened at Cloud's expression. He got angry with her, hurt her in training, but never had he ever yelled at her.

Seeing Rain's face Cloud immediately felt regret. He started to get up, but Rain turned as far away from him as she could, lying down on her side facing the wall. He slowly took the step that brought him to her bed. Rain felt the mattress dip as he sat down on the edge.

"Rain, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell, I just I don't want you to get hurt. I couldn't stand to lose you."

Rain dipped her head in acknowledge and Cloud knew that was all he was going to get from her. He dug into his pocket, he had been hoping to save this for later, but knowing how Rain could be, now seemed like a good time.

"Hey, come here."

Turning her so she lay on her back and would have to face him he held up his hand. The light catching the object, the ring was broad and silver, set with black stones, not a feminine ring but one that Cloud thought would suit her.

"Happy Birthday!"

Rain sat up quickly as he took her hand and slipped the ring onto her middle figure. She didn't say anything, but her expression was all the thanks Cloud needed. She starred at the ring transfixed.

Cloud stood up.

"Oh, and by the way you have labor duty with Cid for a month."

He left the room as Rain shouting in protest, banging her head on the low bulkhead as she tried to sit up too quickly.

It was only as he turned to walk down the corridor that he saw Tifa leaning against the wall beside the door. She smiled as she came up to him putting her arms around his waist.

"You know now that, that ring is now never going to leave her figure as long as she lives. Girls can be sentential about that sort of thing."

She held up her own hand which held a wolf head shaped ring as proof.

Cloud allowed one of his rare smiles.

"I'm counting on it."

AN: So how did you like it? Please take time to review, it really helps me develop the next chapters and if there are problems with the story line or characters it enables me to fix them. How am I to know if something is wrong or out of place if no one tells me?

Oh and just so you know the ring Tifa is wearing is not an engagement ring or anything like that, they are after all only 16 and 15, but it is the ring you see her wearing in Advent Children. I thought it would be neat if Cloud gave it to her.