Chapter Nine: "…Sephiroth—That’s Who We’re After."

"Thanks for the breakfast," Tifa said, leaning back from the table. "That was great. But not as good as your cooking," she added.

Sabin laughed. The two of them had shared a late breakfast in the town’s small restaurant, taking some time to relax after the long trip. "I’m glad you think so," he replied, gulping down the last of his drink. "But really…" He scratched the back of his head, looking a bit uncomfortable. "I brought you here so we could talk."

She returned his gaze innocently. "Talk?"

"Yeah. It’s about Cloud." By nature he wasn’t used to being subtle or sensitive—he had to say what was on his mind. "I want to know how much of that story he told us is true."

Tifa seemed surprised by his sudden question, and she looked away. "What do you mean?"

"All of that stuff about him and Sephiroth," he explained. "In Nibelheim. Were you really there?"

She swallowed hard and set her hands in her lap. "I was there. He wasn’t."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Most of the story is true," she said in a low tone, feeling awkward and upset. "Sephiroth did come, and I did guide them to the reactor. He did destroy Nibelheim." She closed her eyes briefly before continuing. "But Cloud wasn’t with him. There was a member of SOLDIER with black hair, and two normal soldiers, like he said."

"But Cloud wasn’t with them?"

"No. He wasn’t." Tifa’s hands tightened around each other. "I hoped he’d come; when Sephiroth asked me to lead the group, he said he had with him someone that knew me. But I never saw Cloud. So how could he know everything that was happening? How did he know about the monster, and the fire, and the picture we took?" She shook her head. "It doesn’t make sense, unless there’s something wrong with me."

Sabin pulled his seat around the table to sit next to her. "I don’t think it’s you," he said sympathetically. "Lucca did mention Nibelheim five years ago, but that doesn’t mean anything. For all we know he could’ve come from one of those monster egg-thingies."

Her face paled, and he could have kicked himself for having spoken so thoughtlessly. "Sorry," he apologized quickly. "I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I…" He shook his head in frustration. "Why don’t you tell me your version of the story."

"I already told you; our stories are the same, except it wasn’t Cloud. The other SOLDIER looked like him a little, but other than that… I think his name was Zack." She pressed her hand against her forehead, trying to recall memories she’d tried to repress for years. "Yes: Zack was the one that saved me when the bridge collapsed, and Zack who followed me up to the reactor." She smiled a bit ruefully. "I guess I always wondered how things would have turned out if Cloud had been there, not Zack. But he never came."

Sabin nodded, but it was clear that his concentration on the matter was less than it could have been. He met her eyes cautiously. "Tifa," he started slowly, "it’s obvious that you care for him, but you’ve got to remember what’s going on. He’s not the same Cloud from Nibelheim. A lot of things have happened to him, and it could be dangerous for you." She started to object, but he continued. "Do you know what the general told me when we met back in Midgar? She said to keep you away from him, or you might end up dead. I know you don’t believe it, but I take that threat seriously, and so should you."

Tifa shook her head, refusing to believe the Cloud from her hometown could ever hurt her. "You don’t know him. Cloud would never do that. Back then he was like…like my personal bodyguard or something."

"But that was back then," he reminded her. "Years ago. And—"

"Sabin," she interrupted, growing uncharacteristically angry, "why are you so determined to make me not trust him?"

"It’s not like that," he insisted, almost too defensively. "I’m just worried, that’s all." He took her hand, an action that surprised her. "I’m worried about you; worried that you’ll let your…your feelings for him get in the way of your judgement."

Tifa blinked slowly. "You haven’t known me long. How do you know my feelings?"

"I came to Seventh Heaven two months ago," Sabin pointed out. "I’d like to think that counts for something."

"Yeah." She glanced away. "Something."

He licked his lips, at a lost for words. After an awkward silence he said brightly, "Well, we’d better get back; I told Aeris not to stay out too long, and Nadia ought to be awake by now. We’ll have to organize some kind of plan."

"You’re right." She carefully pulled her hand out of his, looking distraught. They paid the tab for the meal and left.

Celes had stayed away from the others the rest of the trip, and only when they’d reached Costa del Sol did she approach them. Locke had hoped for a chance to speak to her, but as they left the boat it was obvious that she’d meant what she said in "we don’t need your help." She steadily avoided his gaze and kept a distance.

"I really blew it, didn’t I?" Locke said to his partner as they entered the town, Celes and her two friends striding quickly away.

"It’s no fault of yours," Glenn replied calmly. "We are what we are. And I thought you had your own grudges against Shin-ra."

The muscles in his jaw tightened with the memory. "I do, but I try not to blame those not responsible."

"That wasn’t always your outlook."

Locke scowled, but realized that his friend was right—he’d always blamed Shin-ra for the damages done to him, from the top executives to each individual soldier. But Celes was different—he didn’t blame her, because to him she seemed as much a victim as he. He wondered what it was that made him think this way.

"Anyway," Glenn was saying, "I’m going after Sephiroth with or without their help; I’ve been keeping track, and we don’t have much time. Though we could benefit from a group effort it won’t help if none of us can trust the other."

Locke nodded. "Yeah. Guess so." He wiped his forehead, as it was sweat-soaked from the inferno-like heat. He shed his coat and cap. "Damn, it’s hot here. Where are we?"

"Costa del Sol," Glenn replied. "It’s a resort town, I believe." Despite the intense sun he looked unnaturally cool, even with his long hair and thick cloak. Locke was very jealous. "People wanting to forget their troubles—to forget life."

"Maybe this isn’t such a bad place to be waiting," his partner mused with a smirk. "We could both use a vacation. Let Sephiroth come after us."

Strangely enough, Glenn almost smiled. "You might be right about that."

Celes twisted her hair behind her, annoyed by the affected the humidity had on it. The entire city was sweltering, making her tight uniform unbearable. The residences were indifferent. She hadn’t imagined Costa del Sol to be exactly the way it was—having never been in so tropical a climate, the extreme temperature surprised her. The houses were all made of stone and thatched roofs, and many shops and venders had their merchandise displayed on carts along the road. Everyone was clad in outfits that—to her standards—didn’t quite pass as undergarments, and had an air of lazy listlessness that somehow annoyed her. They had no idea what was going on.

"I got us a room at the inn," Lucca said, returning after a brief absence. "The guy said he hasn’t seen Cloud, so I guess that means we beat them. We’ll just have to wait."

"Good. I’m going to find something to eat."

Before she could go, Lucca took her arm. "Celes," she said in a low voice, "are you sure it was a good idea to blow off Glenn and Locke like that? I mean…we could use their help."

"Not theirs," she replied immediately. "Do you know what would happen? They’d help us find Cloud and they’d kill him." Her eyes narrowed. "I know their type, and I’ve seen Glenn fight. Trust me—we’ll be fine on our own."

Lucca sat down in the street, exchanging a glance with Nanaki as Celes moved away. "Are you thinking what I’m thinking?"

Nanaki flicked his glowing tail in the dirt. "If you’re thinking that she’s made a mistake, then yes."

"Great minds think alike." She ruffled his ears, even knowing that it annoyed him. "Come on—I could use some food myself."

When Sabin and Tifa returned to the inn, they found Aeris sitting outside the room and speaking to a man and his daughter. They all looked upset. "—you give him this?" the girl was asking, placing a small object into Aeris’ hand. "It’s a thank you."

Aeris smiled faintly, though her eyes were weary with fatigue. "I’ll tell him. Take care of yourself."

"I will. You take care of Mr. Cloud." Then she and her father thanked her one last time and left.

Only after they were gone did Tifa approach with Sabin a step behind. "Aeris," she inquired, "what’s going on? Who were those two?"

She blinked, looking both anxious and relieved at their return. "Tifa, you’re back. Look, we, uh, had some problems, but it’s okay now."

"What?" Tifa felt her stomach twisting. "What happened? Where’s Cloud?"

"He’s okay now—he’s asleep." She then went on to describe the scene at the beach. "It was kinda spooky—he kept saying, ‘let her die’."

Tifa wrapped herself in her arms, feeling goose bumps all along her skin. She felt as if her mind was tingling, something very ancient and familiar buried with the tale she’d just heard. "You said he’s asleep now?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Aeris nodded. "Yes, and he’s been doing a lot better, I think. But…but I don’t think you should go in there right now. He’s resting."

"Resting?" Sabin stared at her, trying not to become suspicious. "Aeris, are you sure that’s all that happened? Where’s Nadia?"

"Nadia went out," she replied, "and yes, I’m sure that’s all that happened. He’ll be okay." She smiled in an attempt to reassure them. "Don’t worry, okay? I’ll take care of Cloud, and you guys can work on a plan or something. Nadia won’t be long, and then we’ll go after Sephiroth together."

"But Aeris—"

"Right? No worries." Aeris slipped inside the inn room and left them out, and neither knew what to do. They exchanged glances.

"I’m sure he’s fine," Sabin comforted, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "There’s not much you can do, Tifa."

She leaned her back against the wall, letting her head knock against the wood. "Damn it. What did all those bastards do to him? How am I supposed to help him when I’m not even there when he needs me?"

Aeris dropped into a chair by Cloud’s bed, watching him as he slept. At least he looked peaceful now. She sighed, glancing down at the item Pricilla had given her; it was a materia of a deep red color, such as she wasn’t quite familiar with. She could sense, however, that it was very powerful, and wondered how a young girl had acquired such valuable magic.

Cloud sighed heavily in his sleep, and her attention shifted. He was a strange man, she reflected, watching his face that was full of secrets. And not only in his past; there was something very mysterious about him; from the demented outbursts to the way he spoke, all his manner and actions seemed wrong to her, as if they weren’t his. When she looked into his eyes she saw a young man struggling against something deep inside him that he couldn’t understand. She saw frustration, anger, and uncertainty.

But the emotions he showed were indifference and arrogance, and an obsessive hatred of his enemy. Why were the two sides so different, and so conflicting? What forced him to act so foolishly when his eyes were so afraid? She refused to believe it was simply male bravado that hid these things, and she wanted the true answers to be hers. She wanted to understand him, to know his secrets and everything about him. She wanted to find the Cloud that no one else had the chance of seeing—the Cloud that laughed during his battle with Bobbie, and sacrificed his own comfort to carry her across the long plains in their journey to Junon. That was the Cloud she wanted to find.

"I’ll find it," Aeris promised, leaning in close so that she could whisper in his ear. "What happened today—that wasn’t you. It couldn’t have been you. I won’t leave you until I find the real Cloud, you hear me? I’ll never leave." Any fear left over from that morning’s incident she locked deep inside her mind, determined to keep it for herself alone. She made a resolution to never let that happen to him again.

Nadia laughed, gulping down another drink. She was seated on the bar of a small tavern, surrounded by a group of soldiers that were on leave. She’d gathered quite a crowd with her flirtatious manner and sleeveless outfit. She was also enjoying herself immensely, as she missed being important and having at least Edgar’s company to lift her spirits—he always had a way about him that made women feel special. For now she would settle for the attention of a few drunken guards.

One of the soldiers joined her on the bar, slinging an arm around her waist. "Ya know, gorgeous," she said, pulling her close, "most of da’ commanders’ on duty now. My quarters ‘is empty. If ya wanted to…you know…"

Nadia pushed him off, and the others laughed as he sent several glasses crashing to the floor. "No thanks, pal," she replied coyly, accepting a drink from a different man. "I don’t go for soldiers." She took a sip from her new glass then paused, realizing that it wasn’t alcohol.

"Something to sober you up, miss." She glanced down to see a skinny red-haired man in a navy suit; dark sunglasses perched on his forehead. He was smiling grimly. "Enjoying yourself?"

She froze, eyes skipping about the room to land on another navy suit. He was watching her. Her gaze swung back to the first, and she said loudly, "Reno, you old dog. Back at the bar, I see. Looking to pick yourself out a—"

"Sorry, no time for formal greetings." He took her wrist and pulled her from her perch. "Didn’t expect to see you here, miss. Who are you with?"

Nadia struck a haughty pose. "I’m here by myself," she snapped. "Just trying to have a good time. You have a problem with that?"

"No, but your brother does. He’s been looking for you."

"I’m sure."

"Listen," Reno said with an ironic grin. "I’ve got a gun in my belt right now, and I don’t mind puttin’ a bullet in your head. To us, you’re a traitor. I don’t care whose daughter you are. Now, are you coming with me or am I going to have to drag you?"

Nadia gulped down a lump in her throat, knowing she didn’t have much of a choice. She took a deep breath. "Sure, Reno. Just let me say bye to my boys."

"Sorry." He began to drag her toward the door, much to the soldiers’ disappointment. "Can’t keep your brother waiting. Hey Rude!" He waved to his bald partner. "Don’t drink too much, ya’ hear?" The man only nodded and turned back to his table.

Nadia shivered, sensing a pair of eyes on her. Just before Reno pulled her out the door she caught sight of two men seated in the corner of the tavern, their liquid blue eyes watching her carefully.

Reno led her through the town and to a large door embedded in the rock face of the mountain, which was guarded. He was allowed through without complaint. Then it was up elevators and stairs and down twisted corridors, until she had no idea where she was or if they even had a destination. Finally she found herself in a large room with windows over-looking the ocean and dozens of computers and screens set up on lines of white tables. Technicians bustled about busily. Standing near the windows was a blond man in a white suit, as always the mutated gray panther at his side. It began to whine softly as the pair approached, alerting its master’s attention. He turned, and his eyes darkened.

"I found her in town," Reno reported, pushing her ahead of him. "At the bar. She was alone."

Rufus regarded her with a cold gaze before speaking. "Nadia. I heard you were kidnapped."

"Not exactly," she retorted hotly, hands on hips. "But I’m surprised to see you here. Midgar get too boring for you to dictate?"

"I arrived last night," he said. "You missed quite a party. I am, after all, the President now."

"And I suppose Junon’s nice this time of year."

Rufus smiled grimly, but his eyes were always narrowed and cruel. "Actually, I’m after something more important than what father was interested in. I feel sorry for him, not being here to see everything. He’d be proud."

Nadia considered this a moment, and decided on a course of action. Her brother, she knew, loved to brag about his advantages, and if she asked the right questions she’d be able to find out a lot. Cloud and Sabin don’t think I’m worth anything she thought bitterly. They think I’m just some priss that’ll get in the way. I can be just as useful as any of them. "So," she started, ready to absorb everything she heard. I only hope I can stay sober enough. "You about to start up another reactor?"

His face changed, just the reaction she’d expected. He dismissed Reno with a wave of his hand. This is it, she thought, almost excited. Rufus can’t stand to have people get the wrong idea about him. If I’m wrong he’ll have to correct me, or he won’t say anything at all.

"Another reactor? I think not." Rufus’ voice held an almost dangerous edge of anticipation. "When we get there we’ll only need one from then on—it’s more Mako energy that we’ll ever need in a thousand years, and make Shin-ra that much stronger. Finally we’ll be able to put that sick bastard Edgar out in the slums where he belongs. These aren’t times for a king to be ruling. He has no vision."

Nadia held in any retort she could have made, painfully so, as she had to bit her lip to do it. "You’re talking about Sephiroth," she hazarded, swinging the conversation.

Rufus stared at her a moment, as if detecting the game she was playing. The malice quickly returned to his voice and expression. "You’ve got that Cloud guy with you, don’t you?" he made a guess of his own. "And the Ancient, I’ll bet. I didn’t believe they were dead." His gaze intensified. "You do, don’t you? What are you doing here?"

She gathered herself up—he was, after all, her brother, and wouldn’t ever have the strength to hurt her. "And what if I do?"

"You’re making a mistake," he growled, pitch dropping to a hissed whisper. "That son of a bitch killed Father, and he’ll kill you too."

"That’s a lie." But his words staggered her internally, and it took a moment to regain her complete composure. "Cloud didn’t kill anyone. It was Sephiroth—that’s who we’re after." She struggled to bring the conversation back to him, to renew her original plan. "And you’re after him too—that’s why you’re here, isn’t it? The Turks were following Sephiroth. Is he the one with all the Mako?"

Rufus glared at her a moment more, his mind whirling and planning. Then he smiled. "You were never brilliant, Nadia," he said, "but you always had a lot of common sense. Yes, we’re following Sephiroth. He is the offspring of Jenova, an Ancient, and through certain sources we have learned that he is searching for a place of boundless Mako energy—The Promised Land. I intend to find that place. And I will." He turned to the window, gazing at the fresh morning ocean. "Unlike that drooling boyfriend of yours, I have plans for a better planet, to unite all the cities under the great rule that the empire Figaro once held. They will follow me or they shall be destroyed." He looked briefly at her, as if seeking approval.

"You’re sick," Nadia snapped, but by now her head was pounding with the effects of the alcohol and her own fear. "You’ve always been sick, but it won’t happen that way. Cloud’s going to kill Sephiroth, and the only promised land for you will be hell."

The anger was there, just beneath his skin’s surface, but it did not show itself, and he did not act upon it. "Tell your murdering friend Cloud," she started slowly, "that he may try himself against Sephiroth all he wants, and it won’t make a difference. I’ll always be there, and I get what I want, got it? Shin-ra is unbeatable." He turned away once more. "Tell him that."

"Are…are you letting me go, then?"

"For now."

Nadia took several backward steps, waiting for him to change his mind and have her arrested, but he didn’t. The panther at his side was watching her quietly. Finally she turned and quickly left the room, her stomach churning, sweat on her brow.

When Cloud awoke he had only a vague memory of the events that had taken place between him and Pricilla on the beach that morning. Aeris refrained from saying too much, and constantly assured him that everything was fine now. He wasn’t convinced, but accepted the explanation she gave. Then she left him alone for a while to think for himself. For several minutes he only let his mind wander before something caught his attention: the flowers in his belt. They were still there, still alive. Their scent somehow made him think of Aeris. It made him angry suddenly, knowing that they had stayed with him for so long. In a flash of involuntary movement he snatched the blossoms and crushed them in a gloved hand, so that when he reopened his fingers the petals were crumpled and torn. He let them fall to the ground, and, gathering his things, left the room. As he had hoped, the first person he met was Tifa. She was sitting just outside his door, half-asleep in a chair with her head lolled back. He watched her for a moment before tapping her shoulder. "Hey."

Tifa opened her eyes lazily, then jerked to life as she recognized his identity. "Oh, Cloud. Are you all right now?"

"Yeah, fine." He squatted down so that they were a little more even in their heights. "Listen," he said quietly, "I just want to apologize to you Tifa. I’m sorry."

"Sorry?" She rubbed her eyes, clearing away the remnants of a dream recently ended. "What for?"

He shrugged. "For everything, I guess. I don’t know—I just feel like I should say something." When he tried to meet her eyes she looked away, as if upset about something. He frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"No," she replied quickly, her gaze dancing almost fearfully to him for only a brief moment. "I was worried, of course, but if you’re okay now, then—"

"Why do you look at me like that?"

Tifa flinched, risking another glance back. "What do you mean?"

Cloud leaned forward, putting his hands on either side of her chair so that his face was just below hers. His voice was quiet but filled with anxious questions. "Tifa, is five years really that long? Why do you look at me as if you’re afraid of me? Like you’re hiding something?"

She choked on a response, made nervous by his face so close to hers. She could feel heat spreading up her neck. "Cloud, I—"

"Cloud! Tifa!" Sabin appeared at the end of the hall, and was about to announce something but stopped at the scene. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Nadia just came back," he said. "She’s got news for us. Come on." He turned and left.

Cloud stood and followed, sending Tifa one last look over his shoulder. After a moment she joined them, but still did not meet anyone’s gaze as Nadia relayed what had happened. "I know this sounds funny," she added at the end, "but there were two guys at the bar that looked suspicious, and I have a feeling that they’re somehow involved. They were really creepy, and they were watching me a lot, but I didn’t recognize them. Gave me the shivers."

"What did they look like? I mean, other than ‘creepy’." Cloud was obviously interested but distracted at the same time, casting quick glances at Tifa ever so often during the tale. His blue orbs shone discontent.

"Well, they were wearing some funky armor," Nadia explained, trying to help her description with hand motions. "Andy they were both pale. I couldn’t really see much of them because it was dark, but they both had blue eyes that really stood out."

"Then they must have been in SOLDIER," he concluded. "They probably recognized you, being the President’s daughter."

She pursed her lips. "Yeah, maybe."

Sabin crossed his arms. "You don’t sound very convinced."

"I’m not. It feels like there should be more to it than that." She frowned, trying to remember more details. "One of them had really long hair, really pale, and—"

"What?" Cloud’s attention was there in full, and the muscles tightened all over his body. "Like silver hair?"

"I really don’t remember."

"But Sephiroth doesn’t have blue eyes," Aeris pointed out. "You said they were green, like mine."

Nadia shrugged. "I was kinda drunk at the time, so I don’t really know one way or the other."

Cloud insisted that they go back to the tavern, and after withstanding his arguments they finally agreed. By now most of the soldiers had gone, and the two strange men with them. When questioned the bartender only said he didn’t know them or where they’d gone. He did know, however, that the President was preparing for a journey across the sea, and that the boat would leave that night. The group gathered and elected to follow if they could. "Rufus may know something we don’t," Aeris suggested. "And they’re headed for Costa del Sol, right? Lucca told us to meet her there anyway."

"Getting a boat will be the hardest thing," Sabin mused. "They’re expensive, and we don’t have that kind of money."

"Then we’ll just have to stowaway," she replied brightly. "Sneak aboard and hide out. It’ll be fun."

"Fun?"

"We don’t have much of a choice," Cloud agreed. "If we can find our way into the base and get on that ship, we’ll be able to keep track of Rufus and Sephiroth at the same time."

Aeris’ face lit up suddenly. "And I’ve got just the way. Come on—I know someone who’ll help us."

"Have you ever been in a place like this?" Lucca asked her furry companion as they made their way down to the beach. "It’s so hot. I feel like I’m melting."

"You don’t have mats of red fur to contend with," Nanaki rejoined irritably.

"True." She stopped suddenly, catching sight of a familiar man on the beach. "My god, will you look at this," she declared boldly, strolling up to him. "We’re here one day and you’re already on vacation."

Locke stretched out on the beach chair he was lying on, shirt, jacket and cap lying in a pile beside him. He was also wearing a pair of ridiculous looking sunglasses. "Hey," he replied wryly, "I’m just glad to be back on dry land. Besides, I’m not the only one." He pointed to another figure lounging by the water’s edge, surrounded by bikini-clad women and speaking to Glenn, who had also relieved himself of most of his garments. Lucca was surprised by how muscular he was, harsh sunlight glinting off sweat on carefully trained biceps and shoulder muscles. But the first man was what caught her attention the most—it was Professor Hojo.

As Lucca was staring at them blankly, Locke explained. "We saw him when we went scouting around, and Glenn wanted to talk, so I’m just chilling—or, ‘roasting’ might be a better word. Anyway, you should go over there."

She nodded vaguely, and Nanaki trotted a bit behind her as she neared the doctor and his guest. Their words became clear to her. "—Don’t know what you’re dealing with," Hojo was saying, and though Glenn’s features were tight and serious, his partner’s were tipped with a faint smile. "It won’t be as easy as the last time, will it? You don’t have anyone to betray anymore."

"When I have killed all of your children," Glenn replied darkly, "I will come back and kill you. That is a promise I intend to keep."

"Yes, I know." Hojo’s words were disdainful and indifferent. "Your duty as a ‘hero’, am I right? How very noble." He settled into his chair. "But you’ll not beat me this time. They won’t fall for the same trick twice." He glanced upwards, noticing Lucca for the first time. "Oh, Miss Rannel. You’re still alive, are you? Splendid." He waved a hand toward Glenn. "I’m sure this hulk will fill you in—you know how I hate to repeat myself. Now." He closed his eyes. "I intend to enjoy myself until the President arrives. Good day to both of you."

Nanaki snorted indignantly at having not been noticed, though he didn’t quite expect to be. He followed Glenn and Lucca back to where Locke was, and sat on his haunches as the content of the conversation was retold. "The Shin-ra are keeping track of Sephiroth," Glenn explained. "Supposedly two men left the headquarters the night of the President’s death, one with Jenova and the other with Sephiroth’s sword. Hojo claims to be alone but I believe he has Scarlet and the Turks working with him. In any case, there have been reports of members of SOLDIER missing their check-ins, and several have gone missing. Hojo believes they are all following Sephiroth for something he calls the ‘Reunion.’ I’m not sure what that is yet."

"Reunion…" Lucca shook her head. "I have no idea."

Locke couldn’t help but laugh. "Great minds at work."

She struck the top of his head. "You’re no help either, Locke," she admonished, "so don’t go bad-mouthing me. It’s not my fault Hojo’s a paranoid old crone."

"He might hear you, ya’ know."

"I don’t care."

"A helpful suggestion would be appreciated right now," Nanaki interrupted. "Can the battle of the sexes wait?"

Both contenders glared at him, but he’d made his point, and they turned serious. "We have to wait for Cloud," Lucca said. "If they show up and we’re not here, they’re not gonna like it. Besides, I want to check up on that brute." She remembered something then, and turned to Glenn. "Hey Glenn," she inquired, "what did Hojo mean by the ‘last time’? I know you’ve tangled with SOLDIERs before, but…"

Glenn blinked slowly. "It’s a long story."

"I’m willing to listen."

"I’m not a very good story-teller."

"You won’t get it out of him," Locke intervened knowingly, crossing his arms behind his head. "I’ve tried, and he’s a stubborn jackass. Part of being a hero is acting like a stubborn jackass. Told me that himself."

Glenn chuckled barely and shook his head. "You know me too well."

"I’ll get it out of him eventually," he continued, "but until then I’ll just have to settle with ‘it’s personal’ and ‘you wouldn’t understand.’ Too bad, really, but I live with it."

"We should find General Celes," Nanaki suggested, feeling the need to say something constructive. "She’ll have a good idea on what we should do."

They others agreed, but before they went anywhere Locke halted them. "You’re forgetting one thing," he reminded them. "Celes wants my head on a platter, and Glenn’s too. Think she’ll be happy about being a team?"

"I don’t really care what she thinks," Lucca replied calmly, surprising them. "She may be a general, but she has to learn something about people. The truth is that we need you guys—both of you. She can’t face Sephiroth alone, and Nanaki and I don’t have much in the way of magic."

"I could teach you," Locke volunteered.

She glared at him. "Thanks, but no thanks. Anyway, I’ll talk to her. Can you two put up with her on this?"

Locke shrugged. "Sure, what the hell. Sign us up. Right, Glenn?"

Glenn nodded, a somewhat distant look in his eyes. "All right. If she accepts us, we will go with you."

They all met on the waterfront as Aeris left to find her "friend," and they were puzzled when she returned with a young girl. "This is Pricilla," she introduced. "The girl I told you about. She says she can help."

"Mr. Dolphin will help," she corrected, smiling broadly at them.

Aeris explained. "Pricilla has a dolphin friend that can jump pretty high—high enough to lift someone onto the iron beam there. Once at least one of us is inside they’ll be able to open up a path for the rest."

"There’s a door in the mountain," Nadia suggested. "Near the end of town. That’s where Reno took me."

Cloud crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. "That’s your brilliant plan?" he asked incredulously.

"Well, at least it’s a plan."

"I’ll go," Tifa volunteered. She detached the Mithril Gloves from her belt and handed them to Sabin, then started to take off her shoes. "They know Cloud, Aeris, and Nadia, and I don’t think the dolphin could carry someone as big as Sabin." Sabin scratched his head at her comment. "So I’ll go, and find a way to get that door open for you."

Cloud watched her, scrutinizing. "Trying to impress us?"

"Trying to get the job done," she shot back lightly, grinning at him over her shoulder. I want him to know I’m okay. I’m not scared of anything. "Just be ready for me, okay?" She waded out into the water, carefully scanning the tower and its electric field. If the dolphin could jump high enough she would be able to grab the higher beam, passing over the security devise. It wouldn’t be easy.

"Just hold onto his fin!" Pricilla instructed from the beach, pulling out her whistle as Mr. Dolphin swam over curiously. "He’ll take you up."

"Be careful," Cloud muttered under his breath, and when Aeris glanced over she could tell how tense he was. He’s really worried about her she thought gloomily. And he got rid of my flowers…

The whistle blew, and Mr. Dolphin—with Tifa clinging to his back—leapt high in the air. At the jump’s zenith she let go, landing somewhat shakily on the metal beam. There was an anxious moment as she struggled to keep her balance, but she recovered quickly and was fine. She waved to her friends below.

On the beach, Sabin had been working on a project of his own. He’d stuffed her Mithril Gloves into the thick-soled boots, and used the laces to tie them together into a tight bundle. He chucked it at her with a powerful throw, carrying it with perfect accuracy to its original owner. "Take care!" he called after it.

"Meet me by the door!" she hollered back, catching the projectile. Making sure she was balanced she started to follow the beam across.

Cloud sighed, forcing aside the anxiety that had crept upon his mind. "Well, come on," he said loudly. "Let’s go."

Tifa watched as the group left the beach, Pricilla waving to her one last time. Then she went on, making her way across the narrow catwalk and into the mountain structure. There she paused to replace her shoes and gloves before continuing.

The corridor she followed was short, and opened out into an immense airfield dotted with cargo boxes and shacks. But dominant over the scene was a huge machine, covered in gears and propellers; an enormous airship like none she’d seen outside a television screen. With the late morning sun beating overhead it was an awe-inspiring sight, and she stood there for quite some time, amazed.

"Admiring my bird?"

Tifa spun around, coming face to face with a tall blond woman dressed in a pilot’s baggy outfit. At first she mistook her for Celes, as her face was very similar. A closer look proved otherwise. The woman pushed her goggles onto her forehead and said, "You look a little lost. Can I help you?"

"Well, actually, I was just…" Tifa stuttered for an answer, and a plan. "I was just admiring the ship. It sure is…big."

"Biggest damn airship in the world," the woman replied, eyeing her carefully. "What’s a trussed up girlie like you doing on my airfield?"

"Actually…" She was caught by a sudden inspiration, and struck a post that accented her figure perfectly. "I’m with Rufus on this trip. Going west for some sun time." She winked effectively, then decided on a more accusing tone. "What’s a shitty grandma like you doing insulting the President’s girlfriend?"

The blond straightened, clearly not impressed and repressing her temper. "I own that ship," she replied tersely. "The name’s Daryl Highwind. I didn’t see you on our way from Midgar."

And answer sprang to mind so quickly that she imagined a moment that it had been supplied by some unknown source. "You spent most of your time on the bridge. You didn’t even see Rufus until we were well off, didn’t you? It’s not flattering, but no wonder you never noticed me."

It as a dangerous bluff and she cringed internally at having guessed so boldly. But to her amazement the woman looked convinced, if not annoyed. "Well, I guess you look like his type. But you shouldn’t be up here, miss. I’ll have you escorted back."

"I can find the way myself, thank you." Without waiting for a response Tifa turned and started quickly for the airfield’s exit. Sudden she knew exactly where to go and what she had to do. Inside the main complex was a pair of perpendicular hallways. Moving quickly and purposefully she entered the door on her left—the soldiers’ locker room. All the uniforms were slightly larger than her size, but shoving her gloves into the shoulders helped. She didn’t really know her way around, but somehow she found the door that led outside.

"What’s going on?" the guard asked as she opened the huge metal door.

"I’m here to relieve you," Tifa replied in the closest approximation of a man’s voice that she could manage. The ploy was rather obvious even to her.

"Finally," he grumbled, stepping inside. "What happened to Gary? He gone out to the bar again? That damn fool." He motioned for her to take his place. "Next time he’s gonna be late, make sure he let’s me know, okay?" And without so much as a question he was gone.

Sabin patted her on the shoulder, and she jumped. "Hey, sorry," he apologized, signaling for the others to come from around a nearby building. "Good job. Any trouble?"

"Actually, no." Tifa frowned. It did seem strange that no one had spent too much in questioning her—after all, she was alone and had no proof of her identity what-so-ever. Cloud passed her then, and the hair on the back of her neck prickled with apprehension. She stared after him wonderingly. Was it possible that he had something to do with it?

"Come on, Tifa," Aeris called, waving for her to catch up. She hurried after them and kept watch as they changed into soldier uniforms of their own. Then they were underway, letting Tifa lead the way out toward the docks.

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