"Something always comes up," Magdalena observed sardonically. "What is it this time?"

"Simon wants to talk to his parents to fund this... um, expedition while Erratic and Politesse want to visit their parents." Storm's eyes flicked to Sephiroth involuntarily.

"I can stay back here if it makes others uncomfortable for me to go along," Sephiroth said.

"We stick together, man," Magdalena said to him. "Like it or not, you're stuck with us, and we're going to take you wherever we go. It's an unspoken rule. No one gets left behind."

"So we've decided to delay the expedition for a while, until, say, tomorrow." Storm decided not to tell Magdalena or Sephiroth of his 'vision'. He had told Lucrecia, and she had accepted quite calmly. Those two, however, would likely question him more deeply, most likely probing more than would be comfortable. "Today, we're going to see President and Vice-President Reeve, and then we'll get to visit Auntie Elena."

"Uncle Reno is absolutely cool," Magdalena grinned. "He cheats, lies, and gives in all sorts of debauchery."

"So does Erratic," Lucrecia said.

"That's right. Erratic's a really cool guy, too. And you can discuss with him men's butts, too."

Lucrecia rolled her eyes. "Let's just go."

"It is different from before," Sephiroth said softly.

"Did you say something?" Lucrecia asked him.

"Every time I came here as a general, everyone would be working like robots, almost mechanically. It has a much different feel now... more relaxed and open."

It certainly wasn't relaxed when they got to the top floor, however. Scarlet was arguing with her husband - loudly - over whether Simon should be alllowed on the expedition.

"Scarlet, honey, our son's a grown man now," Reeve said placatingly. "And he can handle himself. The corporation won't fall apart just because he isn't here for us to delegate work to."

"Delegate work?? Who cares about delegation?? They've brought back Sephiroth, darling, and as far as I'm concerned-"

"As far as I've heard, Sephiroth is pretty much sane."

"So what?? Simon's been hanging out with such unhealthy company!! He was spotted at the Red Dragon, darling, the Red Dragon!!"

Simon, sitting close by and all the while listening to his parents with a patient look on his face, visibly cringed when his mother swung to him.

"What the hell were you doing there???"

"We were picking up Erratic," he answered.

"Do you realize that reputation you have to uphold?? What were you thinking??"

"That Erratic's technique of kissing guys works well on girls, too," Simon unwisely muttered beneath his breath. Storm faked a wince while Magdalena tsked. Scarlet's eyes went very wide and she started screeching at her son.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY??"

"Nothing, Mother. Absolutely nothing." Simon began to get off his chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"YOU'RE NOT EXCUSED!! SIT BACK DOWN ON THAT CHAIR!!!"

Simon ran out and into another office with Scarlet hot on his heels. President Reeve followed them with an alarmed look on his face. As soon as the three of them were inside, Simon ran out and slammed the door behind him, locking it audibly. Storm and Magdalena clapped their hands in admiration when they noticed the words "Vice President Scarlet" on the door.

"That was very nicely done," Storm congratulated his friend.

"Thought so myself," came the smug reply.

"Scarlet is noisier than I remember her," Sephiroth observed.

"Father says it's because of menopause." Simon waited for a while before tiptoeing to the door and pressing his ear against it. "Dad?" he ventured.

"She's all right, son." Reeve came out, combing his hair back into place. "A little ruffled, is all." He straightened when he saw the ex-general of SOLDIER. "Sephiroth," he said in greeting. "You're looking well. Life with the youngsters must agree with you."

Sephiroth inclined his head. Reeve motioned for them to enter his office, closing his wife's office door shut. Then he made sure his own door was shut to keep out other ears. "Married life seems to do a lot for you as well. How has Shin-ra been?" Sephiroth asked. He could still remember killing the former President.

"In chaos when Rufus took over... but it's all smooth now. We're a government now, not so much a company anymore." Reeve winced. "It's harder governing than running a corporation. I understand you will be joining Avalanche on their second expedition to the City of the Ancients."

"That's right."

"I'm getting too old for this," Reeve sighed.

"You put Cait Sith out of order, didn't you, Dad?" Simon asked.

Reeve shrugged. "I didn't have much use for him anymore. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"You mean you don't want a live security camera trained on you all the time."

Simon grinned sheepishly. "Do I have your blessings to go, now, Dad?"

"Of course, of course. Run along now, all of you."

As they all filed out, Reeve said at the last moment, "Wait, Sephiroth."

Sephiroth stopped, turning warily.

"Please keep an eye on my son for me," Reeve requested.

"You trust me enough despite all I've done?" Sephiroth sounded slightly amused.

"What you've done is thirty years past, Sephiroth. I can see you're no longer the same man."

The silver-haired man bowed. "I'll do that, then," he promised.

"I don't ever want to hear another one again, do you understand?" Elena told her son. "Never!"

Even though she was scolding him, she sounded like she was doing so only half-heartedly.

"Yes, Mother."

"Good. Now sit down and you can all tell us about the expedition that's due soon."

Politesse chatted gaily, ever so often trying to bring Runner into the converstion. Rude sat as silent as ever, never one to speak much. Reno was discussing with Simon and Blazer the rougher points of Erratic's sex life, causing his own son to cringe. Magdalena pitched in often, and quiet enthusiastically, too.

Sephiroth watched them, wondering what Reno and Rude thought. He had little doubts of how Elena felt, considering it was he that killed Tseng. He noticed the ex-Turks occasionally glanced at him, though he couldn't discern their expressions. But he watched Runner and Politesse... just like how Tseng and Elena would have been. Elena looked so pleased as she spoke with Runner, obviously approving of whatever relationship he had with her daughter.

Then, he wasn't sure how, the young men began debating heatedly and Reno was next to him, his aquamarine green eyes observing Sephiroth carefully. "You're not the same as before."

Sephiroth nearly sighed aloud. Didn't anyone have anything more original to say? "I certainly hope not," he replied.

"So... how'd you get back here then?"

"I haven't the faintest idea."

Reno blinked in surprise. "Didn't the kids resurrect you or something?" he asked, frowning.

"They don't know much of the details themslves."

Reno sighed wearily. "That's kids these days for you. They never pay attention to details anymore."

"Agreed. How has life been treating you? I'm quite curious as to how Erratic and Politesse share the same mother."

There was a slightly pained look on the ex-Turk's face. "I married Elena. But... we didn't suit, you see, so we settled on a divorce when Erratic was about two and she sort of drifted to Rude. They got married a couple of years later." Reno chuckled a little, but it had notes of bitterness. "Can you believe that? First, Rude was my best man when I married Elena, then I was his best man when he married Elena. It's kind of ghastly, if you think about it."

Sephiroth could see that Reno was hiding some details, but suspected they were personal. Everytime Reno glanced at Elena, there was a sort of wistfulness, as if he regretted divorcing Elena. Reno was visibly proud of Erratic and come to think of it, Eratic did have some of his mother's features. Elena was now discussing Tseng with Politesse. That was strange. Tseng was long dead... why did she have to bring him up now?

It is sad, isn't it? How some people can't lay the past to rest? the voice in his mind said sadly.

Elena was sighing and smiling bittersweetly as she compared Runner's features to Tseng's. Reno averted his eyes and Rude's face turned to the direction of the huge family portrait that hung over the mantle. It was the same picture Sephiroth had seen sketched on the wall of his room. Erratic and Politesse, as children hugging their mother on a sofa while their fathers stood behind. Now he understood. Rude and Reno both loved Elena, and while she loved them both, perhaps equally, she still couldn't let go of Tseng's memory. A wave of pity washed over Sephiroth.

"Well, it's about time we left," Simon said, standing up. "We're going to the Gainsborough shrine."

Storm began to say something to Lucrecia, but she nodded. "Yes, my parents will be there. Akiranni has never seen the shrine before."

It was a short ride to the Shrine. Sephiroth felt only trepidation as he walked on the flower-lined path. There was a statue of Aeris there, made with special marble as to have colours. Her eyes were green, and even though it was just a lifeless statue, it looked as if she was alive, standing there with that basket of flowers held in one hand and the Princess Guard in the other. He recognized her... remembered clearly when he had fallen from above... stabbing her in her back.

For a long moment, he wondered what she would do if she were still alive. Would she forgive him? Condemn him, perhaps? Would she hate him as so many others did? Try as he might, he simply could not imagine those green eyes filled with hatred. Was he being too hopeful? Why was he even asking these questions? She was dead, and no one could bring her back anymore. It was all his fault...

You're doing it again, his angel reminded him pointedly.

"I cannot help it, glorious angel," he sighed bitterly. "The memories are harsh... the flames of Nibelheim still burn in my mind."

That's interesting to hear. Put them out with a nice bucket of reality, then.

Vincent and Yuffie were there already, watching Akiranni as she walked around the statue of Aeris.

"She was kind of small, wasn't she?" the teenager said a little critically.

"She was petite, but she had a loving heart," Yuffie told her. "She gave up her life for the Planet."

"Were you there when she died?"

Vincent and Yuffie nodded. "Cloud was pissed," Yuffie added. She turned and saw Sephiroth, staring bemusedly at the statue. At first, her thoughts seethed. How dare he come here, of all places?? He had killed her, taken away a beautiful innocent life... drove masamune into a heart so pure and open...

Then her hateful thoughts took another turn. What would Aeris do? Would such a gentle person really want revenge on her behalf? No, Yuffie decided. Someone as loving as Aeris would never wish hatred and anger upon another. She would forgive him and put her dark past behind her so she could move on to a brighter future... she wouldn't hate Sephiroth, even if she was the one he killed. In fact, considering his past, she might even be moved to help him. Yuffie wished that could have happened. Aeris was so kind she could have melted a heart of stone. No matter what ill had been done to her, she could look past all that to reach out...

But they'd never know if that would be possible now. Wait a minute... Wasn't that exactly what was happening now? Storm and Lucrecia were next to Sephiroth, gentle smiles on their faces... gentle smiles that looked so much like Aeris'...

"Well?" Vincent asked Yuffie.

"Well what?"

"What do you think?"

"Were we discussing something, dear?" Yuffie sounded abstracted.

"Never mind," Vincent said. Then he asked curiously, "What were you thinking of?"

Yuffie nodded towards Sephiroth, who was still observing the statue, as if trying to imprint the image of it into his memory. "She would have forgiven him."

"Who? Oh, Aeris." Vincent looked thoughtful. "You're right. She would have, wouldn't she?"

"Isn't that what I just said?" Yuffie looked sad. "I wish Cloud and Tifa would see that."

"Tifa would. Cloud mightn't."

There was a steely determination in Yuffie's eyes. "I think it's about time we tried to get through to those two." She turned to Vincent. "What do you think?"

A smile appeared on those dark features. "Why, dear heart, what a splendid idea. We could even get Cid to come along and curse it into their thick heads."