Final Fantasy 7 fanfic: Decision Time

[rocklobster]

[Note: This story takes place after Aerith dies on disc 1. It begins when Tifa revives and Barret is talking to her about Meteor.]
Chapter 1: Low Blows
Cid was pacing the Highwind's floor.
"You know, you're going to wear a rut in the floor if you keep that up." Nanaki said.
Cid said, "I know those @#$% in Shinra are up to something. I don't trust them."
Vincent shrugged, "That's old news. We've all dealt with them enough to know that they're untrustworthy."
Cait Sith said, "I have a feeling that Barret and Tifa will be made to take the fall for Meteor. And I know what that means. A public execution."
Cid glared at him. "You shut up!" he thundered. "Don't think I haven't forgotten your role in this!"
Yuffie objected "Cid!"
Cid continued, interrupting her, "First you had to @#$%% go and steal the Keystone, which was bad enough, but then you had to go and kidnap Marlene! Do you realize that if it weren't for you, Aerith might still be alive?"
Yuffie slapped him. "That's enough!" she chastised. "Pointing figures and making scapegoats isn't going to get us anywhere!"
Vincent nodded. "For once, Yuffie has the right idea."
Yuffie thanked Vincent. "It's time to make a plan. We need to rescue Barret and Tifa and find Cloud!"
Cait Sith raised a hand. "I'll go. It won't make much better, but it'll be a start." And with that, he went to his quarters. (Note: I always assumed there was more to the Highwind than we saw, and that everyone had quarters on the ship.)
Yuffie walked off to her room.
Vincent said to Cid, "That was a real low blow on your part. I expected better from you. I know you're irritable, but he doesn't deserve that. He's been beating himself up over Aerith's death ever since it happened."
Cid sighed. "I know, I'll make it up to him."
Yuffie peeked into Cait Sith's room and saw him putting on a pair of Groucho Marx glasses (those glasses with the fake moustache).
That has to be the lamest costume I've ever seen. she thought and shook her head.

[rocklobster]

Chapter 2 (and final): Visitation
Yuffie returned to her room and adopted the lotus position to meditate.
As she breathed deeply, she felt as though she was no longer on the Highwind. She opened her eyes and discovered she was in what looked like a garden. Sitting In front over her was a woman, with someone she instantly recognized on her lap--her friend, Aerith Gainsborough.
And then it hit her. She had seen the woman before. On those tapes at the abandoned house in Icicle Inn. This must be Aerith's mother!, she thought
She asked, "Who are you?"
The woman replied "I am Ifalna. I am this child's mother."
"We were friends when she was alive." Yuffie said. She felt awkward talking to someone who was a complete stranger.
"Yes, I know. I've been watching her ever since I died. But I could not intervene, even though I wished I could. She has a message for you, but she was so tired from her journey here that she cannot give it to you. So I shall instead. You must remain strong, Yuffie Kisargi. As strong as you were when you challenged the Five Gods at Wutai."
"I don't know if I can." Yuffie shook her head. "We're all coming apart at the seams."
"I believe you can." replied Ifalna. "And so does she."
"It's just that I feel as though these people have become my new family. Especially since my father and I weren't that close. But I guess you saw that when we visited Wutai." She was now resting her head on the woman's lap, right next to Aerith. Although she'd never met this woman, something inside her made her feel she could trust Ifalna. Aerith did not awaken, but she did smile.
"And I have more. Cloud is not dead. He is alive."
Yuffie was dumbstruck.
"He is barely alive, to be more precise. When you see Tifa again, you must tell her to tell everyone to head for Mideel." Ifalna continued.
And with that, the vision disappeared. Yuffie discovered she was back on the Highwind.
If I'm going to tell Tifa anything, I'd better make sure she's alive first. And the only way I can do that is to help rescue her and Barret. she realized.
She got up and got her gear together. Then she knocked on Cait Sith's door.
Cait Sith opened the door. "What is it? By the way, I want to thank you for standing up for me back there."
Yuffie put up a hand. "Think nothing of it. I just didn't think it was the time nor the place. Besides, I want to help you. If you think you're gonna fool anyone with that ridiculous attempt at a disguise, you're stupid."
Cait Sith laughed. "I do have a better disguise, but you should wear it." He handed her clothes that made her look like a TV reporter. "We'll need to disguise ourselves if we have any hope of rescuing our friends."
"Cait Sith, can I ask you something?"
Cait Sith looked up at her.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Like you said, I've been beating myself up over Aerith's death. Maybe I'm to blame, maybe not. But I want to do something to make amends."

The end
Note: I wrote this story because I never understood why Cait Sith went through the trouble of trying to rescue Barret and Tifa. Yuffie's actions I understood, but not Cait Sith. So I wanted to see if I could come up with a reason. I also didn't understand how they were supposed to know Cloud was in Mideel. The game doesn't even tell you to head there next, at least not directly.
Okay, let's hear your critiques.

[creed4]

Intersrting, needs a little polish