A/N okay another short chapter, the thing is its a talky kind of chapter. Also since I forgot last chapter I have to make these acknowledgements now before I forget. Kudos to Velkan Wulf for nailing nearly every variation of Locke and Hilda and Duelist of Dawn for guessing the two correctly once. Locke was one of the protagonists from ff6 and Hilda, although having many variations, I was referencing Princess Hilda from FF 2.

Also to help Firefly with his/her confusion. Don't think of it as a deal, more of an ultimatum really.

Nothing else to report, so on with the read.

Ch 30

Everything ached. My head felt like it was tearing itself in two. Every one of my muscles was stiff and a few didn't even respond when I tried to get up. I could breathe better, but I still felt out of it. My chest had the worst of it though. I sat up and looked to see a circular scar near my heart. I finally sat up and groaned. Looking around I was in the dull greenish tent everyone had slept in the other night. I felt a spike of pain and I yelled out, it was the stupidest idea to use a third level lighting spell with a sword fucking stabbed in me. Sephiroth could take fifty of those and still act as if he was bitten by a mosquito.

"I am a god damn moron," I grunted. Then he decided to interrupt. Make a deal my ass, everything is going against me. The Planet, Sephiroth, my own god damn mind...Nothing is ever going to be easy for me.

"Nate?" I look over to a few beds down to see a wide eyed Aeris. Despite everything I had been through, I couldn't hold back the smile on my face seeing her alive.

"So I guess my plan worked?" Before I knew it, I was in a crushing hug with the flower girl.

"You're alive!"

"And so are you!" I cheerfully replied. It may have sounded like a stupid response to her, but to me it meant so much more.

"I have to get everyone else. Stay here." She ran off and I chuckled. It wasn't like I could go anywhere. I shifted in my bed until the sheets were off. I was very surprised to see that the rest of my body didn't have any bandages, it didn't even have scratches. Did the battle with Jenova really go that easy? Did Sephiroth participate?

"Look who finally decided to wake up." I look and see Barret now at the tent entrance. "You have a lot of shit to explain."

"Barret, I just woke up, cut me some slack." I whined. I have enough on my mind as is.

"Fine. But only because I'm going to get a good laugh." Barret sat in a chair across from me.

"What are you talking about?"

"Wait for it..." Seconds later I was suddenly tackled and squeezed. Causing me to try to scream in pain, but I couldn't let anything out.

"Nathan! I can't believe you!" I was hugged tighter.

"Yuffie, dear god I'm still healing!" Suddenly I feel a slap across my numb face and finally fell back, my pain threshold finally giving out. Lucky for me Yuffie pulled back.

"I would hit you harder, but Aeris says you still have to recover." I opened my eyes to see Tifa put her glove back on. The rest of the gang piled in.

"Good to see you're awake," Said Cloud.

"Me too," I said.

"You really gave us a scare there kid," Cid said.

"Well, I recovered as you can see." I tried to sit up more but my muscles tightened instead causing me to tilt of to the side.

"I can see that." Cloud chuckled. "Aeris was healing the past two days to make sure your nerves weren't ruined."

"Two days?" How in the hell does five minutes in my head translate to two days?

"And you still need another day before you're allowed to travel. Seriously Nate, you don't know how bad you were." Tifa explained.

"It's only a sword wound with some lung damage, we can keep moving." I assured. I had almost been stoned before and I was able to travel.

"You seriously don't know how bad you had it Nate. Your stunt shot nearly every nerve in your body. Cure spells are powerful but you had a metal sword inside you as well as casting a level three lightning. If we didn't help you sooner, you wouldn't be able to feel anything right now and you'd be partially paralyzed."

"Oh," Was all I said, the severity of the situation finally sinking in.

"Why did you go on your own?" I look up to see Cloud with a stern, yet sad expression. "You saved Aeris, but you could have had the team back you up."

I didn't want to explain to him that if I took him Sephiroth would have gone too. I needed Cloud and everyone else out so Sephiroth couldn't interfere when I would.

"I...I knew Aeris was going to die." I said. Everyone's eyes seemed to widen.

"Nathan?" Nanaki asked. I gave him a small glance before continuing.

"I didn't trust you Cloud. When you started acting different, you reminded me about how I was. You had hurt her already, and you were confused about yourself at Gongaga. I thought if you got near her, you were going to finish the job...so I waited to prevent that." I made a very bold lie. Now was not the time to be found out. The only way I could get out of this was to divert attention to Cloud's mental stability. It left a very bad taste in my mouth how it sounded so natural.

"Nathan? That's horrible. How could you-"

"He's right." Cloud interrupted Tifa. "Tifa think about it. Did you really believe I was going to be perfectly fine?" Tifa didn't answer, Cloud continued.

"Nathan knows how he was when he lost himself. I still lifted my sword against Aeris when we found her. He was right to be there." The mood was darker now. Everyone thinking about the whole ordeal.

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you." I said.

"In the end your distrust saved Aeris." Nanaki mentioned.

"Don't be sorry Nate, you did what you thought was right." Barret added.

"I can't say I never suspected you Nate. It's only natural." Cloud said. I felt horrible for making him feel bad about his person.

"Okay everyone's sorry can we just move on. I hate this gloomy stuff." Yuffie cut the mood and got everyone back on track.

"She's right...Sephiroth is still alive. He said he would head north. We will follow tomorrow after Nathan is rested. We'll take shifts if he needs anyone's help, the rest will gather supplies and information. Nanaki, you're first shift." Everyone agreed and left besides the red feline. It was a while before he had decided to speak.

"You were very reckless. Your plan could have failed at any time." I sighed.

"I saved her, that is all that's important."

"You couldn't have done anything else? Set traps, block him off?"

"Nanaki, I am an ordinary guy, what the hell do I know about traps? Sure I was a day ahead but what the fuck could I make with travel supplies? And Sephiroth came from that glass floor room. In all honesty Nanaki, I was lucky to even push Aeris out of the way. That platform was literally made for isolation. Cloud was the only one there so no one would be able to help her." I explained. I knew I could have done better, but the past is past. Aeris is safe.

"I guess the ends justify the means then. What will you do now?" He asked.

"I still have to travel with you guys till the end. After that everything should take care of itself."

"But Sephiroth would be revived in two years." He argued.

"Nanaki, in two years there will be a disease called Geostigma. It is Mako tainted with Jenova cells that washed over the world. It is fatal, and no cure was ever found for two years. It wasn't until a spring appeared in Aeris's garden that had water that countered the effects. But with Aeris alive, she can make the water at will. The cure can be distributed early and Geostigma will only be a small nuisance." Nanaki absorbed the information. One of the features I admired about him.

"Okay, but didn't Hojo do something in three years?" I nodded.

"He is absorbed into the mind of the leader of Deepground, Weiss the Immaculate. He was a very powerful special op SOLDIER. Deepground was sealed under Midgar until they escaped three years later. Hojo, as Weiss, took and killed thousands of people to bring OMEGA Weapon to take the souls of this world and find a new, more habitable planet."

"How will you stop that?"

"Easier than saving Aeris. When we fight Hojo and we defeat him, I make sure that every part of his body is burned to ash, then I will crush the ash into dust, then blow up the dust just to make sure the dust is turned into atoms." I said grimly. Though for some reason I felt a ping of joy from my words.

"Are you so sure we'll succeed?" He asked. I would have said yes, but I felt my wound act up a little and fell back into the bed. Nanaki cast a Cure spell and I felt better. My memories flashed for a second back to when I was pierced by Sephiroth. Out of all the battles everyone had been through, it was then I felt my weakest and most vulnerable to death. Thinking now... I could die at any moment if I kept traveling with Cloud and the gang. Then who would help when everything seemed off? When the group was lost I got them to the right location quick. Without me they still would be the best...but wouldn't have an ace anymore.

"Nanaki... I want you to do something for me." He looked up. "I am going to tell you as much as I can about everything that's going to happen. I want you to remember every detail I tell you."

"What is this all of a sudden?"

I sighed. "Nanaki... the way I have been doing everything. I realized... I have a high chance of death. I need to make sure someone knows what's going to happen before. I'm not saying I am going to die, it's just I need to be smarter now. This will be a good last ditch back up plan."

"...I understand." He said simply. Nanaki's entire shift consisted of me explaining to him what would happen in the coming times. Cloud breaking down, the hunt for their Huge Materias, the WEAPONS emerging. I told him about the novellas On the Way to a Smile and how Dirge of Cerberus would work if I didn't interrupt, it would give him a base if I caused a big change.

"So you don't know how it ends officially?" He asked.

"The vaguest I can get Nanaki is that in two hundred years you're still alive with your children."

"Children?" He nearly shouted. "How do I have children?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Wasn't there a female you knew a year ago? I can't remember her name but she was your species, you protected her at Cosmo."

"Deneh..." Nanaki mumbled. "I had forgotten..."

"She's alright, whatever the hell your ritual does she's on some kind of altar. You can visit her when all this is over."

"So I'm not the last... she's still alive." Our conversation was cut short when Cloud came in.

"Nanaki you're good." He nodded and walked out.

"So you're my next keeper?" I asked in good humor. I saw a small smile tug at Cloud's lips before he forced it down.

"No, we have supplies but we decided to help the diggers, they said anything we found we could keep." He walked off and I went to back staring at the top of the tent when my next helper walked in.

Just my luck when it was none other than Cait Sith.

I kept my expression neutral and went back to staring at the tent. I still didn't want to confront Cait on what had happened. Especially with me being too weak to move a muscle without getting hurt. But I guess it's inevitable if I need to keep fighting with everyone.

"So..." I drew out. I didn't know how to start the conversation really.

"I guess this is kinda weird suddenly talking now huh?" Cait replied. The cat grinned. Well I guess he isn't mad... I think.

"I guess...where do you want to start?" I asked.

"I really want to know when you found out." Thank god I had a plane ride to sort something out.

"I suspected you when we first met."

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Everyone was cool with talking animals when Nanaki came in. But a cat too? Then when you got shocked by that Trine attack back in Nibel, you short circuited. You are a machine, being controlled by someone. When you finally revealed to be a spy, I could only think of one man with the expertise to operate you." I looked at the cat. "So Reeve, how good was I?"

The cat shook his head and smiled. Something I wasn't expecting. "You really are a pocket genius. First your portable technology, and now your deduction skills. Shinra would have hired you on the spot." He still believed that lie about the MP3 and phone being my inventions? Well I hadn't done anything to disprove him...

"I have one question though," I asked. "Why do you choose to keep fighting with us? You're our enemy, and when you were found out, you used hostages to make us take you with us... not something a typical Shinra employee would do." The cat seemed to look down with a sad smile. Can Reeve transfer his emotions through Cait? I never could figure that out.

"I find it odd... you all fight to save the world with everything against you. You won't receive any recognition, you will always have Shinra in the way, and you all will continue to experience hardship. Yet everyone keeps going. I wonder why you all do of this?" I laughed. Reeve was a genius, but being in the company narrowed his views.

"Sometimes Cait... people don't do things for money, or recognition, or power. For some people, they just want to do the right thing." I could see the look of contemplation on the cats face. "Are you having a change of heart?" I asked.

"I... I know Shinra does a lot of bad stuff, I ignored it until now. But with everything that's happening, it s like everything they do could cause more destruction rather than help the people." The cat's Scottish voice started getting lower. "I find myself questioning what side I'm fighting for now."

"Cait... Reeve... whoever you want to be, you've helped us so much since you joined. I can't blame you for taking the key, it was your job. Seeing you now, I just want to say you're taking a step in the right direction. We'll need all the help we can get, and unlike a few of the guys I'm willing to ask a former enemy." This seemed to make the cat take a step back before regaining his bearings. It was a while before he responded.

"...I'll help as much as I can!" The cat stood on top of the mog while it did a macho pose. I laughed and shook my head.

"But I don't want to be called by name. I don't want to cause you trouble, so call me Cait again."

"Deal." So Reeve was turning around. This is good, he'll probably start to slow his reports and we can get away with more things.

"By the way, if we are ever back in Shinra when this is all over, I want my stuff back." The cat smiled.

"That may be hard. Your phone design is amazing, I already had prototype's ready to be tested. Energy efficient and longer range communication. Your music player is so advanced as well, I dare say it is Shinra grade; the president has been using it almost nonstop. How did you make them?" I smiled.

"Trade secret Cait. Until I get them back I won't tell you." The cat huffed and turned away. I guess Cait is going back to normal. This went better than I expected. That's one more loose end tied up. Reeve was finally coming around; good to know he's still a good guy at heart. But still Rufus has been using my music player? Damn it, I'll never get it back now. I need to get Reeve to make a double if I survive everything.

Soon enough Cait went off to help the diggers. I wonder who's my next watcher...

"This entire digging thing is shit. What the fuck would I use a mop for?" Cid yelled out. When he had discovered a tough looking pole weapon he was almost ecstatic, only to find out years ago it was a mop and not as good as the dragon spear he had procured at Wutai.

"Stop complaining and just keep diggin," Barret yelled out.

"This sucks, I hate digging," Yuffie whined.

"Is that it, or is it because you haven't gotten anything?" Nanaki joked. Most of the team had already found old elixirs and other odd items. Yuffie was the only one to not find anything.

"It's not fair! Vince found that awesome gun; I want to find cool stuff. The only one I can take cool stuff from is Nathan, and he isn't here."

"Well it's your turn to watch him." Cloud said. Yuffie huffed and went to the tent. He was resting at the moment, Cloud sighed. At least this gave everyone time to relax while they waited for Nate to heal. It surprised him to hear why Nate wanted to protect Aeris... but it was true. Cloud thought himself a liability. Nate knew that feeling too, that lingering possibility they would hurt one of their friends and go too far. Nate knew they were both risks and took precautions. Cloud couldn't blame him; after all, Cloud had admitted not too long ago he was afraid of himself too. But he was going to keep going. After all everyone already said they would support him.

(Two days before)

The group was sitting in the large tent. The unconscious body of Nathan was on one of the beds while everyone was standing around.

"So... why did you leave?" Cloud asked Aeris.

"I did it for all for you guys." She said, looking at the rest of the group. "I wanted to make sure you were all safe, I couldn't bear the thought of any of you getting hurt."

"Why didn't you let us help? You didn't have to go alone." Tifa asked.

"If I made a sacrifice for you all, none of you would have to die. I wanted you all to be safe..." She looked over at Nate's body. "But I guess it was never going to work, and Nate almost died."

"It's not your fault." Vincent responded. "Sephiroth is a powerful tactician. He knew when to strike and how. It was by sheer luck that he took your blow."

"We all can't make the right decisions. We can only look back and learn from them. At least no one was killed." Nanaki said. Aeris had a sad smile.

"Everyone, listen to me." Cloud called. Everyone looked at him.

"I am Cloud, ex-SOLDIER, born in Nibelheim. I came to settle up with Sephiroth. I came here of my own free will... or so I thought... However…" He hesitated, trying to think of the right words. "To tell you the truth, I'm afraid of myself. There is a part of me I don't understand, that part that made me give the Black Materia to Sephiroth." Instantly the tension in the room rose. Everyone had been ignoring that detail for a time now.

"If you hadn't stopped me, Aeris would have..." He shook his head. "There's a person inside of me, a person who is not really me...That's why I should quit this journey, before I do something terrible." He looked away, fist shaking in frustration.

"But I am going. He destroyed my home town, he almost killed Aeris and Nathan, and is trying to destroy the planet... I will never forgive Sephiroth." He finally looked up at everyone.

"I have a favor to ask of you. Will you all come with me? To save me from doing something terrible?"

"Cloud...you may have had problems. But we are all here for you. We all chose to help you on this journey and we won't back out now." Tifa said.

"We got your back. No matter what," Barret added.

"I'll keep helping you as much as I can from now on." Aeris said.

"You can't kill him alone, you will need our help." Vincent chimed.

"I can't wait to whup Sephiroth, he'll never see it coming!" Yuffie smiled.

"I said it before; you're all crazy and stupid. But what fun would it be traveling if y'all weren't," Cid said.

"Don't count me out!" Cait yelled, jumping on his Mog's head.

"Then we still have a chance. We must get the Black materia back before Sephiroth uses it. When Nate is better we head out north through the snowy fields."

I groaned. But not from pain. Yuffie had finally left and she doted over me whenever I made the slightest sound. But it was funny to see her worried a little bit. Now I had Vincent as my last watcher until everyone decided to go to bed. Most of the time it was pure silence. It wasn't unwelcome, but it would get a little awkward. I couldn't help but fidget when he would look in my direction for just a second and turn back.

"I don't understand," I heard him mumble.

"What?"

"Why nearly die for her? You don't love her, you don't have any connections. You don't gain anything..." I raised an eyebrow.

"Vincent, are you okay?"

"It doesn't make sense why you took the hit... why did you do it?" He looked at me. Even with all of the questions he had the same passive face. Him asking me this though reminded me he was a Turk for years. He must still be in that mindset.

"Vincent... you don't need a reason to help people." I stated. "I know the logical kind of person. You were taught to distrust everything, look underneath everything. But sometimes Vincent... you don't have to think about what you gain from doing something. You don't need a reason to help people."

"...You are an enigma River. Your deduction skills are almost on par with Turks, discovering the cat's identity." I panicked when he mentioned that. It was the last thing on my mind that Vincent knew I called Cait Reeve.

"You fight smart. You are helping this group with little to gain. I wonder why..." He glanced at me, but then looked away.

"I acknowledge I won't understand you... or many of the others in this group. I am different from you all. You're all too trusting of each other...but maybe there isn't a secret lurking in every corner."

"So... you suspected me?" I asked. He nodded.

"I don't care now. When I kill Hojo I will leave. But seeing how you all interact, it's... odd."

"It may be a confusing thing for you Vincent. But we all have something in common. It's how we all are able to get along." He looked down when I said that.

"I doubt any of you have something in common with a monster." I flinched. Vincent still blamed himself for everything that had happened to Lucrecia. I do hope he forgives himself somehow. Getting to know him... as much as I could know without him fully describing his past, he was a decent person.

"Maybe you could tell me about the times before you were experimented on... before you became what you are." I wasn't given a response for a long time. It was almost night when his shift ended and he went off to his bed to sleep.

"Perhaps... I may tell you." I heard as he walked off. I looked back at the tent top. It didn't take long for me to get drowsy. It was easy to fall asleep. I hope that I can get everyone to trust one another. After all, the smallest change in how everyone views each other could be the defining factor for teamwork in the future, especially when it came to killing Hojo and Sephiroth.