*BEEP* FOUR NEW MESSAGES…

FIRST MESSAGE… *BEEP*

Hey man! It's Zack. What are you up to these days? I haven't seen you in forever, you should come back and visit. Aerith and I are opening the community gardens soon, it's going to be great! You wouldn't believe how much has changed… I have to go, Reeve is calling, but I'll call again in a few days, okay?"

*BEEEP* END OF FIRST MESSAGE...

...SECOND MESSAGE… *BEEP*

"...Hello Cloud." There was an audible sigh, "How are you? Veld said you'd been sighted in Wutai, but I couldn't take the time off to check for myself. That was probably for the best; the peace with Wutai is still fragile." There was another sigh and the words 'but I would have gone anyway', went unsaid. "It's been months since you last showed your face here, even Reeve is starting to get antsy, and don't get me started on the puppy. Angeal is worried, but he wouldn't be Angeal if he didn't worry. The implementation of the Cosmo Canyon power system in Gongaga is going well, if you were wondering. There are still some… issues, of course, but we're on track so far."

There was a short silence and when the voice came back on, it had a sharper tone. "I heard you took care of the remnants of Avalanche. I appreciate it, of course, but would it kill you to tell us what you're going to do before you do it?" A quiet chuckle, and the next phrase was heavily laden with sarcasm, "This has been your monthly news bulletin, up next is the weather." The voice was silent for a moment and the sounds of laughter and talking leaked through the speakers; growing louder, then fading again.

"...Come back soon, Cloud."

*BEEEP* END OF SECOND MESSAGE...

...THIRD MESSAGE… *BEEP*

"-know how to use a PHS, Shelke. I am not that old… Hello Cloud. Everyone sends their greetings-" In the background, there was a commotion and a heavy sigh from the person holding the PHS, "My apologies, everyone except for Rosso sends their greetings. Since you last visited, we have rebuilt several more houses to prepare for the Avalanche deserters you messaged about. Weiss and Argento are bringing them in.

"...Will you be at Cid's launch? The Turks are on high alert since that 'anonymous tip' and we're also arranging extra security. But I would feel better if you were there. Like old times... Be safe, Cloud."

*BEEEP* END OF THIRD MESSAGE...

...LAST MESSAGE… *BEEP*

"Everything turned out okay, didn't it Cloud? All that's left now is learning how to live in the peace you've made." There was a soft laugh. "You're not alone- but you already knew that, didn't you. Thank you, Cloud."

*BEEEEP* END OF LAST MESSAGE…

There was a click as the PHS shut, a rustling sound, then the purr of an engine. After a moment, the only sound was the chirping of birds and the sound of a breeze dancing through the leaves overhead. Beside the tire tracks and footprints in the soft soil, a black feather slowly drifted down from the sky.

A/N: And that's it! A year and a half later, and it's finally finished. I don't have any story ideas at the moment, but I might try rewriting sections of this one (because yes, even I realize the beginning was not particularly well-paced, or for that matter, well-written) but that's a somewhat casual project.

Thank you for all of your support throughout the writing of the story, I couldn't have done it without your encouragement!