"Man, Angeal, what a day!"

"It was, heh… certainly something. I'm sure the infantrymen back at Kalm will remember this and laugh. But come on, let's get out of the rain; we wouldn't want to catch a cold."

"Yes Mum!" The tapping of the rain on the roofs softened their laughter as Angeal playfully swatted Zack over the head. Zack grinned, shoving Angeal's arm away before turning his brilliant gaze towards the the Shinra building, his blue eyes vibrant against the dreary sky. "I can't wait to get back and tell Kunsel all about this one. I'm sure he'll love it! I mean, a behemoth who could vanish? At first I thought it was some sort of nightmare! Who knew a cat, some trash, and shadows could such a good impression..." Zack turned towards Angeal. "Right Angeal? Angeal...?" Looking around, Zack found himself alone in the middle of the road. How he got away so quickly, he wasn't sure, but what he was certain of was that he wasn't far. Zack squinted, trying to find the familiar black uniform against any of the shops. "Angeal…? Ah, there you are!" Taking towards an alleyway, Zack saw the Buster Sword shining from the faint glow of the clouds and the silvery trickle of rain which dripped down the blade to the pavement. Angeal, on one knee, was focused on the ground. Zack trotted over, glancing in dismay at the puddles that spat at him upon stepping on them, and slowed, caution and curiosity taking over. "What're you looking at?"

"Nothing," Angeal replied easily in a hushed tone. Perplexed by the sudden tenderness of Angeal's voice, Zack tilted his head and furrowed his brows. Getting to his feet, Angeal faced Zack, a brown mass cradled in his arms. "Just a child who needs some care."

Zack's eyes widened in curiosity, gazing over the soaked brown mass before drawing back. His mouth gaped opened. "That's not a kid– that's a dog!"

"A puppy," Angeal corrected softly. His eyes never left the small creature who had its head nestled in his chest.

"What're you going to do with a puppy, Angeal? I don't think Genesis would want to fight for a place to sleep." Zack had heard of Genesis complaining whenever Angeal brought home unexpected roommates. That much he learned from Kunsel.

"I'll just keep him until the rain stops." Angeal waved his hand to reassure his friend before gently placing it on the puppy's head and rubbing along its back soothingly. "I'm sure Genesis would understand." Smiling, he added, "We can dry him off and see if we can find his family after the weather clears. I'm sure they're worried." The puppy whined and needed at Angeal's chest; Angeal's eyes grew big with concern before he smiled reassuringly, murmuring to it with all the tenderness of a mother while petting its head.

Zack watched in disbelief and then smiled and shook his head, shrugging his shoulders in humored defeat. "I wouldn't even want to convince you otherwise. Alright, I'm sure we can take care of him, but let's get him out of the rain; wouldn't want him catching a cold!" Angeal looked up, his eyes reflecting mild surprise before chuckling and nodding.

"Can't wait to get out of this weather!" Reno sighed. I barely heard him over the choppy blaring of the helicopter. Lifting my head, I found that the area was white with falling sleet; I could hardly make out the rocky cliffs and boulders jutting out of the ground. Lucky I'm not the pilot! I squinted and found snowy bushes dark and grey underneath the harsh white, and further along the clearing was a black hole from within a cliff face. That was my destination.

"Are you sure you can do this alone, Zack?"

I smiled at the familiar voice behind me. "I got it, Cissnei, don't worry." I stiffened when I felt something press against my back, her hand, and shuddered against the warmth. My arms felt heavy and my feet stung from the cold; I leaned back against her palm, appreciative of the small comfort. This sleeveless outfit was not meant for the chill of the North.

My focus darted from the warm glow which had left my back to my sides; small, black sleeves had wrapped around them, the white cuffs within them feebily trying to hide soft hands turned pink from the biting cold. I smiled, not only because I was grateful, but in sympathy too, because the Buster Sword was freezing cold. "Remember," she instructed in my ear, her breathe creating white clouds of heat on my cheek, "we'll be over at the Icicle Area if you need us."

"What is he gonna die or something?" Reno shouted over the blunt racket of the propellers. "Get off of him Cissnei, and you get off the chopper Zack!" The red-haired Turk faced away from us and whirled his hand in the air in circular motions. "We gotta mission here, let's go!"

I laughed before turning my head towards Cissnei; her auburn hair and eyes reflected the white and grey surrounding the helicopter. She smiled up at me; I don't think I could have needed anything more at this point in my life. Seeing someone smile was quite the change of pace. I shifted my gaze across the harsh landscape, the biting chill and harsh ice pelting into the snow giving off an unwelcoming air. I knew that somewhere the sun was out and spreading its warmth everywhere it touched, from the birds flying above in lazy circles to a little patch of flowers far below the sky where no one would look. No one but the sun and… I sighed and shook my head. "There's nothing like spending summer in a cave in the North!" I laughed.

"Be sure to take a vacation sometime." Cissnei withdrew her arms and held onto a pole by the seats to steady herself. "Be careful, Zack, and be wary of tonberries." I gave her my most reassuring grin before lunging into the slick snow and ducking into the cave, the echo of the helicopter fading as I descended the dark winding passageway.