"Oh, buddy. You wake up? It's still night."

Stopping the motorbike, A First class SOLDIER looked after his comatose friend. He could notice Cloud responded sometimes though it's just few word with an empty gaze. Dragging him on shoulder, Zack thought if he should ask doctor to take care over the blond in next village before continuing this long journey. Staying at the doctor's house for 1-2 nights would be a good idea.

But, wait! No gil on pocket—poor he is and damn the scientist who stole it! Well, if the doctor was nice, helping people would be no strings attached. But who knows? He couldn't guarantee it. And speakin' of money, he had to economize his gasoline or he'd be ended leaving the motorbike in the gas station!

"Hold on, I see a river. We can rest and drink."

Reaching it, Zack cupped his hands up to give Cloud a drink. It was the first sign of any kind of life from the blond man, as he weakly drank the fluid in. He made sure his friend didn't choke as he did it several times before he drank for himself and splashed to his face.

Cool… The water was so chill tonight.
Alrighty! He made a decision to wash the younger spike tomorrow morning. Heck, when did the last time they take a bath?

damn, it's been over a month and I've yet to reach Midgar.

No map on his hand and he relied on signpost for his route to next destination. Step by step. No helicopter to carry them from Midgar to other destination easily and faster as always as in the past, sorry. And would the city be the safest place? Dunno… He had another purpose why he wanted to be there if it's not for running away as far as possible from Shin-Ra base.

The raven-haired soldier then leaned Cloud on a sturdy tree while the blond's head was still stuck on his shoulder as he wanted to rest too. Too much off guard, he thought. He couldn't let himself asleep in this open space, the troops were probably around. He wondered if he was lucky enough to find an empty house and a blanket inside to be shared for the two of them.

Sighing, he then stared at the sky. His mako infused eyes widened to notice how it was so full of stars. Wow… You wouldn't view it even on Midgar's top plate! And wait a minute, he forgot to mention a starry sky to her. Yeah, showing her the sky isn't only the azure one with white clouds.

Aerith, would you love it too?

No way, he missed her so much. It seemed like yesterday when he just heard her voice through cellphone. Couldn't help, he wanted to throw away this loneliness. Cloud is next to you, Fair!

"Can you see the blinked sky?" Zack pointed with a shrug to lift Cloud's head though it didn't work. But, the best thing to keep the blond's mind always steady is to keep talking to him. "People say the stars would lead the way home. That's bedtime story —seems I have to believe it now mhh…?!"

Paused a bit, eyes then rolled to the Chocobo Head. "Hey buddy, whaddaya think when you see the stars?"

Of course, there's no voice heard from the chocobo-head guy. Zack sighed again and patted his friend's head. He still wanted to keep babbling but the peaceful night made him go calmer. Still being vigilant, he slowly shut his eyes to sleep. "Take a rest, Cloud, our journey is still a long road."