Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any related characters or themes. I also do know own the OC's because they are based on real people. They own themselves lol.

Authors Note: Hey! Been awhile since I've written a FFVII fan-fiction hasn't it! I've been so torn between shows, movies and books lately that I haven't been able to write anything! I finally got inspiration this evening. This story is for UnderdogAngel who is such an amazing friend and author (go check out her stories) and who just turned 18 like…a few weeks ago. Haha yeah this is late but all well lol. I hope you like it.

Please leave a review, let me know what you think. I know I'm a little rusty.

THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Chapter one: A different year aka to be cheerful or not to be?

The Winter Solstice, a week long celebration celebrated all over Gaia. A time of joy, good cheer and frivolity. Despite being a relatively world wide celebration, different regions of the world celebrated the Winter Solstice uniquely different from neighboring regions. Thus the Winter Solstice always tended to be quite a chaotic time for the employees at The Shinra Electric Trading Company. Having such a diverse group of employees often lead to chaos, arguments, a few brawls but in general an all about merriness.

Tseng of the Turks, who was not the kind of man who would usually fall victim to such stupidity and frivolity that comes with the holidays, did in fact celebrate Winter Solstice. He would decorate his office with traditional Wutainese ornaments which usually consisted of several circular tasseled laps which were painted elaborately, rugs and wall scrolls and several decorative swords or blades of some kind, all of which were usually in some shade of blue or white.

Zack Fair, who was a native of Gongaga went all out for the holidays and would spend most of his time trying to get those who did not catch the holiday bug to start partaking in the celebrations. He often walked about with yellow flowers attached somewhere on his persons and could randomly be found playing with fire and odd yellow looking fruits. No one asked in fear of being told a very long tale of Gongaga Winter Solstice traditions.

Reno of the Turks whose background story was relatively shaky and otherwise classified (meaning only Tseng and the upper heads knew about it) tended to shift his traditions, taking part in any and all traditions if invited and not putting anyone down for their ways of celebrating, even if it wasn't exactly to his tastes. He had willingly done an odd dance involving flowers, fruits and grass skirts with his friend Zack one year, of course he'd also convinced the other man to go streaking with him through the streets of Midgar that year as well. When not involved in some kind of shenanigan Reno usually spent his Winter Solstice dancing in the streets with the other hard partiers or getting drunk and then crashing on his partner Rude's sofa.

All in all the Shinra building became a place of bright lights odd decorations, many traditions and all around joy. But not everyone (even after being badgered by Zack Fair) took part in the holiday cheer. The one person, without fail, who would not take part in any type of holiday cheer was none other than the great General Sephiroth. The man who was never quite social would become more of a slab of steal, his mask unwavering. He tended to snap at people and would become seemingly more unpleasant than he already was. Zack, who was pretty much his only remaining friend had once asked his mentor why Sephiroth was so closed off to the idea of celebrating the holidays. The answer had been a simple one "He didn't grow up that way." but it didn't make it any less sad. Zack, who was a determined kind of guy, would make it a point to try and include the older man every year, even if it usually ended up in a yelling match, broken bones or a declaration of a dissolved friendship. This year however, Zack had learned his lesson rather quickly. No one knew why he was avoiding the general, and no one asked after receiving a glare from the usually upbeat individual.

Zack Fair sat in the recreation hall with Reno and Rude, not feeling at all like celebrating. It was so unlike Zack to not start bothering people a few days before the holidays that Reno had grown quite concerned. Rude, though not voicing his opinion was also rather concerned by the SOLDIERs unusual behavior. Reno was looking worriedly across the round table the three of them were sharing towards the younger man. Zack was slumped over, his head resting on the table looking rather pathetic. The red head sighed before leaning forward a bit. "Come on, what's the matter with you yo?" He asked. All he received in reply was a quick shrug of the others shoulders. He leaned back a bit, his eyes darting about the room trying to find something to talk about to get the other man talking. He wasn't used to the silence, save from Rude. "You haven't even touched your cheesy cucumber slices!" He pointed out, which was true, they hadn't been touched and were no doubt cold and hard. He received no reply. He smiled a bit. "Want me to get you a fried orange instead?"

"Not hungry." The younger man mumbled quietly. Reno frowned. What was wrong with his friend? Was Zack sick! Was there something horribly wrong and he wasn't telling anyone about it? No, no. That was silly. If anything were wrong Reno would be one of the first to know…not because he was Zack's friend, no, because he was a Turk and a nosy S.O.B. As Reno began to panic and struggle with a means to get the other talking he spotted his salvation walking into the recreation hall in the form of five beautiful young Turklets he knew. He jumped up and quickly waved his arms wildly.

"YO! SHY, CLAY, ANNEKE, KELS, DESS!" He continued to wave frantically, but was half pleased when he saw Zack shift and lift his head to glance back towards the girls, who were now heading over towards their table due to Reno's excessive arm waving. Reno fell back into his seat grinning from ear to ear as the five girls stopped by their table.

"What do you want Reno?" Anneke asked in a irritated tone, arms crossed across her chest. He had trouble reading her, he could never tell when she was pretending to be annoyed or angry or when she really was. She was an odd one he'd admit. The oldest out of the girls, and the most crafty when it came to technology.

Anneke was a tall Turklet who specialized in computer hacking, was thin as a board and had short dark brown hair and a heart shaped face. She was half wutainese and had an over all olive complexion.

"What makes you think I want something Nikki!" He asked giving her a look, which she returned.

"Because you dunderhead." His green eyes shifted towards a small blond girl whose figure was hidden beneath the tacky black Turk uniforms (or at least in Reno's opinion). She was a bit of a spitfire Reno had learned quickly. She was an all business no games type of girl who could give just as good as she got. "You were waving your arms in the air like an idiot and yelling at us." She said mimicking his arm gesture before placing her hands on her hips. He deadpanned.

"Damn, got me again Clay." He said smiling embarrassed at her. She shot him a look before huffing. She was always the meanest to him and he never could figure out why. What had he ever done to her? Well, okay so he'd put peanut butter in her sock drawer, turned her slacks into extremely short, shorts. Was that a crime? Was that deserving of such coldness?

Clay was the second shortest girl with golden blond hair that she usually wore in two braids that framed her face. She had worn glasses for the longest time, but soon switched to contacts which showed off her lovely bright blue eyes. Her skin was pale, her cheeks rosy. She specialized in stealth and hand to hand combat but was pretty good with a sword as well.

"So, what you need Reno?"

Reno beamed.

"Glad you asked Shy!" He said standing and walking around the table, causing the girls to spread a bit, wrapping his arm around the round portly girls shoulders. "I need to borrow some sunshine!" He squeezed her gently while smiling down at her. "Got any to spare?"

The girl blushed slightly before smiling back, her eyes crinkling at the corners and her dimples appearing upon her rosy red cheeks.

Shy was a small girl with a full round figure (thick hour glass shape Reno always thought) who also had curly dark red hair, which she usually straightened. She specialized in communications.

"For you, of course."

Reno smiled before squeezing her again.

"Oh I knew you would!" He released her. It had been no secret that for the longest time Shyanne had, had a thing for Reno, but it never went anywhere. It wasn't that she wasn't a likeable girl, in fact Reno thought she was rather sweet and had one hell of a body. Hey, he wasn't a pig, he could appreciate curves and fullness, he just couldn't give her what she was looking for. Of course there was also the issue with her also having a huge crush on the recently deceased General Angeal Hewley. "Our friend here," He grabbed Zack's shoulders and shook him. "is not being usually cheerfully annoying self! Come on girls help me cheer him up." That was all the encouragement Dess and Shy needed before jumping upon the SOLDIER and poking and prodding him asking questions and in general trying to cheer him up. After a few minutes Anneke joined in as well, though she was less touching and merely waved her hands in front of his face, which oddly enough made her butt wiggly. Reno stared for a moment before he received a sharp sock in the ribs. He coughed as the air was knocked out of him before smiling and looking down at the blond who was glaring at him. "Sorry." He mumbled.

While everyone (minus Clay who was standing idly by snickering ever now and again) poked and prodded at the sulking SOLDIER the remaining Turk looked thoughtfully towards the poor young man. "Zack?" She questioned causing everyone to stop and glance at her. "Did something…happen…in the slums?"

Zack's blue eyes widened in surprise as he eyed he girl.

Kelsey was a small, thin little thing with short brown hair, blue green eyes and a seemingly always cheerful disposition. She did not have a specialty as of yet, being a relatively new recruit to the Turks.

"Y-yeah." He mumbled. He hung his head and starred at his boots for a moment before jumping up and smiling as he looked down at her. "But everyone's right! I need to stop sulking! The holidays are almost upon us and this place isn't hardly ready! I'll get to it!" And he quickly made his exit. Kelsey turned and watched him go, a look of mild curiosity and confusion gracing her pale face. She tilted her head to the side.

"Well…what the hekk was that all about?" she heard Clay mumble from behind her. Kelsey frowned sadly as she eyed the door where the SOLDIER First Class had just exited. 'Oh Zack.'

Zack walked down the hall quickly, hoping to avoid being followed before he came to rest at an intersection and slumped against the wall. He rubbed his gloved hands over his face, ruffling up his spiky hair slightly. "I can't deal with this right now." He groaned out to himself before pushing off the wall and stalking off blindly down one of the halls.

Back in the recreation hall Reno was utterly dumbfounded. Not because of Zack's sudden mood change, he'd grown used to those, but because he'd just lost a Fit-Ritzle-Komi match to a girl, let alone Clay! "What the! Nchg. You cheat!"

The blond smirked and leaned back.

"I don't cheat, you are just a sore loser."

He growled and slammed his hands down onto the table.

"I WANT A REMATCH!"

Kelsey, who was seated at the very edge of the bench, back turned towards the group, facing the door, glanced back over her shoulder.

"Don't you think it was odd?"

Anneke glanced over at her.

"What?"

"The way Zack was acting? He was obviously upset." She looked back towards the door. "I think he was just showing face to keep us all from worrying."

The half wutainese girl blinked before humming to herself as she thought over it.

"You might be right about that."

Kelsey sighed.

'I just hope he's okay.'

Authors Note: Ah well there is the first chapter. I'm thinking this story will only be about five chapters if that. Well, hope you enjoyed it. Drop a review let me know. Oh yeah, can anyone guess what cliché culture or tradition or race I was basing Zack's kind of celebration on? You get a cookie if you can.