Chapter Two
=] Well, I am actually enjoying writing this. I mean, at first I was like "Zack and Tifa?!" And now, I am like =D I mean, with the story line I've come up with, I am really enjoying it. I enjoy it more than, my CloudxTifa story. Should I love you. Bye the way, read that, if you like that pairing. =]
Eva Von Dee-- I'm glad you get my reasoning for Zack coming back. =] And I am happy to do this. I'll update ALMOST everyday IF possible. =]
darkangel8694 - Dude, if you make an AMV, I must see. =] And Thanks. ;[ I wish people would review more. =] Be sure to review every chapter. =] I'll love you forever.
I HAVE A ZACK AMV. ITS PRETTY GOOD. Go to .com/videos/v16364038JyPGTZ8e?confirmed=1
I made that. =] Tell me what you think in the reviews =] I
PLEASE REVIEW EVERYONE. I'LL LIKE LOVE YOU FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY!!!! :] Oh, I know that there were a few errors in the text. But I went and fixed most of them. Well, like I said, PLEASE REVIEW! =]]] OH! And any Sephiroth fans. Please read : Fallen Angel. =] By me! =]]]]]]
Yay! DarkAngel! =]
Zack looked around him. He felt like a little kid all over again. Everything he could taste, touch, or hear, he did. When he saw the snow, he couldn't help but make a snow ball. Then he, of course, decided to throw it at Tifa. She didn't seem to mind much. She laughed at him mostly. She did throw a few snow balls back at him. He realized it was somewhat cold, then looked over at Tifa, who looked like she was freezing. He then remembered he was full of mako, making him immune to a lot of things. Cold, seeming to be one of those. When they reached the dock for the ferry, there was a little hot chocolate stand. Tifa bought them both a cup.
The ferry came, and that was where they were now. Excitement pulsed threw him. The salty smell of the ocean, the calls of the birds. The little splashes of water that landed on him every so often. Tifa seemed to be in deep thought beside him. She was staring at the ground intensively, rather tense.
"Are you okay?" He asked her. She looked up at him, surprised. "You kinda seem...out of it." His hair fell in his face and he glared at it, then pushed it roughly back.
"Well, how am I supposed to explain why you're back?" Well, that was true; what was she supposed to say? "I mean, I have to think of an excuse, wait..." She looked at him, feeling defeated. Nothing made a lot much sense. Her ideas circulating through her head were more like nonsensical conspiracies theories than anything else. She sighed, tilting her head to the side. Curious. "Why are you back?"
He gave her a nervous smile; he didn't really know why he was even nervous, but he was. He pursed his lips thoughtfully, staring at the ground. After a few seconds of thinking he spoke. "Well, the planet detects something bad. Something bad is going to happen, and it thinks that my strength will help." He smiled. "And after that, I still get to live."
She eyed him, a sad expression over her face. "Did they send you...because Cloud didn't want to come back?" She was looking at him like she had just realized something. "Did you see him?"
"See who?"
"Cloud..." She whispered the name, and by the look on her face, it seemed that she hadn't said the name in a long time.
He gave her a concerned look. "Why would I have seen Cloud?" What was she talking about?
"Cloud's dead, Zack." She said it harshly, as if he would remember seeing him if she was cruel.
"What?!" He jumped up and then paced in front of her, deep in thought. "Cloud was dead? ...Why didn't that bastard ever come and say hello? Asshole," Zack paused, his expression bewildered. "Wait, Aerith would have said something," he mumbled, shaking his head. Zack turned to face her. "Since when?!"
Tifa looked at him in surprise. "Since five years ago." She looked down at the ground, avoiding his confused gaze. "He died in a bike crash..."
Zack snorted. Tifa's head snapped up to protest, but he quickly covered her mouth and sat back down beside her. "Uhm, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but...I'm afraid that our blond headed friend has punked you." She was staring at him in anger and hope. "I never saw him, and Aerith would have said something." He looked back into her distraught, worn burgundy eyes.
Tifa was still at a loss for words. He rolled his eyes at her, and then laughed, not really amused. "Still, if he died in a bike crash, then there must have been some major problems. I mean, you actually believed that?"
She was silent, anger written on her face. Zack saw this and knew it wasn't directed towards him. It was directed towards Cloud. Hell, he'd be mad to. Death wasn't something to lie about. Or to play around with.
"Okay. We're here. Let's go." The driver looked very deliberately between Tifa and Zack, looking particularly at Zack. He coughed. Zack sighed and reached into his pockets and pulled out some money. He froze, staring at the wadded cash in disbelief.
"What?" Tifa whispered. Zack shrugged.
"I'm surprised to still find I have money on me. How odd," he mumbled, handing the crumpled paper to the man. Tifa stood up abruptly and Zack followed her. She didn't even bother to turn around to make sure he was.
Zack concluded that they were in Junon. The whole city was rebuilt. And by the looks of it, Shinra had nothing to do with any of it. Tifa slowed down a bit, and he almost ran into her; he walked beside her then tried to start a conversation.
"So, who did all this?" Zack gestured vaguely around himself.
"Oh." Tifa looked around her. "That was the work of the WRO. Shinra is done." She saw the confused expression on Zack's face and continued, "Reeve is the organization's president. The WRO is a new Shinra in a way. Except they aren't anything like it. Rufus, he still has an important job. Vice President. He does a good job. I do have to say that. He is trying to fix his mistakes. Which is coming a long way." She sighed, shrugging.
Zack nodded, he remembered Reeve. "So, what about –" He was caught off guard.
Before he could try to defend himself, someone was already knocking him over; they both fell to the ground with a thud. The only thing he could see was red...lots of red. Reno.
"Damn it Reno! Get the hell off me!" Zack tried to punch him off, but had no success. The Turk was trying to pin him to the ground. He heard Tifa sigh. And heard someone else grunt.
"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?!" Reno yelled, "You bastard! I am going to kill you myself! I looked over the WHOLE, I mean the WHOLE damn planet looking for you and that blond-headed bastard! But no! You were 'dead' and Cloud, well...he was with AVALANCHE! I got docked a WHOLE year because of you! I knew you weren't dead!"
Zack finally pushed him off. "I WAS dead, dumb ass!" He hopped up then realized that he didn't have his sword. "Oh, that's just great! I'm as useless as you now, Turkey." He shot a glare over at Reno, who glared at him.
Reno stood up and then brushed himself off. He looked over at Tifa, who was looking at Zack, amused.
Zack shrugged off the tackle and then laughed. "I'm surprised you actually tackled me. You might be a Turkey, but you look like a chicken." Rude chuckled and Reno glared at his partner. Zack continued, "Man Rude, I feel bad for you."
"Shut up. Ass." Reno hissed, then sighed. Zack rolled his eyes at him. Reno hadn't changed a bit. He was still vulnerable, hot headed, not just his hair. And no doubt he was strong, but sad for him, Zack was stronger.
Tifa spoke next, "We have to go." She started to walk away when Reno spoke again.
"Wait, I mean, why are you alive?" He sounded intrigued; he then looked at Zack like a totally new person. Like he saw something he didn't earlier.
Zack cleared his throat. "The planet detects something bad to happen soon, and it thinks I can help." He saw the surprise on Reno's face and then continued. "If I were you I'd get ready for the worst."
Reno didn't speak after that. He just stared at Zack. There was an important thought that occurred to the Turk, and it kept going through his mind. Zack could see that. His eyes said it all. Tifa looked at Reno and then Zack again.
Rude was just standing there in his Turk stance; legs spread a little, hands straight down holding each other. Rude was always a man of few words, Zack knew that. That might be why he liked Rude; he got straight to the point, and didn't play around.
"Zack, come on, let's go." Tifa gazed at him, something clearly on her mind, and he wished he knew what. He really did want to help her. Tifa deserved happiness. He nodded and followed her in silence. Her car was something else. It looked fast; he knew his eyes lit up when he saw it. Zack loved to drive fast. Tifa turned around and smiled knowingly at his eager expression.
"I'm driving." Tifa said as she got in the driver side before he could trudge over, so Zack sat on the passenger side. He closed the door, and she started the car. There were no words exchanged between the two. The only noise was their breathing, the car, and the pouring rain again.
Zack was staring out his window, staring at the rain. It could wash away dirt, or wash away blood. So why couldn't it wash away pain? Or sins? Zack sighed on the inside. The planet had faith in him.
The planets strangled hope helped him. He liked to be depended on. It made him feel useful.
___________________________________
It took about an hour before they got to the bar. Zack seemed amused with the little bar, and that the fact that she owned it. Tifa saw that in his face. When they were inside, Marlene was on the couch with Nanaki by her side. Denzel was no where to be found. Tifa sighed. Poor Marlene, she was always alone. Denzel was her best friend, and he just left her.
Zack looked at the girl with the strong resemblance to Aerith in surprise. "Who's that?" He looked a little more relaxed, he wasn't standing straight up. He just looked like...Zack.
"Her name's Marlene, she's our friend's daughter. We take care of her though..." Tifa took off her coat and then put it on the rack. She motioned Zack to follow her into the living room, so he did. Tifa wasn't sure how exactly she was going to explain all this. She was sure Marlene wouldn't mind. Actually, she was sure no one would mind. Zack never did anything to anyone, so he would be easily accepted. Cl-he had always spoken of Zack's amicable personality whenever he had ever mentioned him.
When Marlene turned her head and saw Tifa, she jumped off the couch, her eyes lit up. She was smiling so hugely, Tifa thought her face would get stuck like that. She embraced her with so much force that Tifa coughed. She pulled away and then saw Zack. Who was standing there just watching the scene in front of him.
"Who's that?" She asked. And stared at him for a moment then something in her eyes changed, like reassurance.
"I'm Zack. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand, and she took it.
She gazed at him for a moment. "I know..." She whispered. Tifa eyed her for a moment, she seemed like she remembered him from some where. Marlene quickly smiled. "I'm Marlene."
Zack released her hand, then smiled. Tifa looked between the two of them. It was like they were talking to each other, without words. Marlene looked over to Tifa then her face turned to one of astonishment. "Oh! Nanaki!" She turned on her heel and ran to the couch. Nanaki greeted her and she stroked his head.
Tifa looked back and forth between Zack and Marlene. What was that all about? Marlene said that she knew him.... it was like...she had no idea. Then a thought struck her, when she was Zack, and spoke to him, she felt as if she knew him as well, there was something about him..oh whatever, she didnt know. It was something she was going to find out though.
Zack looked at Tifa, and she motioned him to follow her in the bar section. He did.
Something wasn't right; Marlene seemed too comfortable with him being here. She walked over and stood behind the bar counter. Zack sat in a stool in front of it.
"So...." He began; Marlene smiled when he looked at her, amused by the awkwardness. "What do you want me to do around here? I don't have any special skills, except fighting...but I'm sure I can handle a job…."
Tifa thought for a moment, "Well...I have the bar." A thought occurred to her, the old organization SOLDIER. "Maybe you could organize SOLDIER," She said slowly, wiping her glass meditatively. "Reeve was going to put it back together, but...Cloud...died." She whispered the last word in anger. She bent her head over so Zack and Marlene wouldn't see, and wiped betrayed tears from her eyes.
Zack glared at the counter in front of him, Tifa saw anger in his eyes, she could understand why. Zack actually died. Living was a privilege. Cloud wanted to fake his death, and not appreciate life. Tifa sighed then shook her head.
Cloud. Saying the name didn't hurt as bad as it had earlier. It was like a little prick that quickly went away. It still hurt her to think about him. But not for the same reasons. He didn't want them. She knew that now. But how could he have just left, and make all them worry? Make all them think he was gone forever.
"I think I could do that..." He said after a moment's silence. His eyes were back to their regular happiness. "I mean, hopefully we can have it ready by the time it happens."
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Quick note: I am most likely gonna be doing it Zack's POV. I like it better. Tifa is okay to. But I mean, I like Zack's better.
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It was a week before all of AVALANCHE showed up together. Zack was helping out with the bar. He even helped Marlene with homework. It had been raining for the whole week, and there was no end in sight. Tifa was going about her usual business.
Zack was great to have around. He helped constantly. He got bored easily though.
He was sitting with Marlene at a booth when the members of AVALANCHE walked in. Barret was the first, and when he saw Marlene with Zack he glared at the former SOLDIER.
"Who are you?!" Barrett growled. Zack looked wide-eyed at Barret, then looked at Marlene. It took him a second, but he finally realized what Barret was mad at. Zack stood up, walked over and offered his hand to Barret.
"I'm Zack Fair. It's nice to meet you, I was just helping Marlene with some homework." He smiled. Barret's face changed, he took Zack's hand and shook it firmly.
"I'm Barrett Wallace, Marlene's father." He looked Zack over then spoke again. "You kinda remind me of him…" The black man quickly shook his head and then smiled. He let go of Zack's hand then walked over to Marlene.
Yuffie and Vincent walked in next. Vincent looked at Zack and then stopped right in front of Yuffie. She ran into him and mumbled something. Vincent looked Zack over, then walked over to stand right in front of him.
Zack put his hand to his side. He kinda already knew Vincent, "Hello."
Vincent raised an eyebrawl, "I remember you. You were another one who interupted me in my sleep...hmmmm." He gave a look that was saying he was trying to remember something. "Your Zack Fair."
"Yup...and you are....."Zack scratched the back of his head, "I remember you, I just never got your name." Vinecent gave a light chuckle then answered.
"Vincent Valentine.--" He was cut off by the hyper active ninja Yuffie.
"I remember you! You were in the Wutain war! I beat you up!" She smiled, then stood beside Vincent, and nudged him. "Vinnie, it's not nice to be rude." She stuck out her hand and they shook hands.
Zack snorted, "Vinnie?" Vincent glared, then looked over at Yuffie who was eyeing him, then looked at Zack quickly.
"It's nice to see you again, Zack." He walked over and sat in a booth.
Yuffie was right behind him, whispering something like, "Wait, you know him?"
Reeve walked in and then stopped abruptly. He stared at Zack in amazement. His eyes were wide with disbelief. He looked Zack over at least five times. He opened his mouth, and a cracking sound came out, but no words. He was standing right in the doorway, blocking anyone from coming in. Zack scratched the back of his head then smiled. He wanted to laugh at Reeve's reaction, but decided not to, seeing that it may not be the best thing right now. He'd definitely make fun of it later.
"Will ya move?! Damn! You're in the middle of the fucking doorway!" Cid's country voice broke the moments of silence. Reeve was roughly pushed forward. Cid walked past him, with Shera behind him, a baby in her arms. Cid looked at Zack then shrugged. "I'm Cid." He nodded in Zack's direction and Zack nodded back.
"I'm Zack Fair." He looked at Shera, she smiled; the baby in her arms squirmed. She let out a faint cry and then stretched her arms out toward Zack. Shera gasped. Cid stared. The baby smiled and then stared at Zack intently.
"She's never...wanted to be held by anyone but me and Cid...." Shera whispered. She walked over so fast Zack didn't even realize she was there until she was putting his arms in the right position to hold her daughter. Cid chuckled. Barret grinned. Tifa was in the back of the bar, in the kitchen area, so Zack didn't see her small smile. Marlene laughed. Reeve still didn't utter a word. Yuffie stared, a hint of jealousy in her eye.
Zack smiled down at the little girl in his arms, she reached up and grabbed a strand of his hair, yanking it down. She didn't grab it too hard – it was just enough so she could pull his head closer. Shera was right beside Cid, staring in amazement. Zack was nervous. So, so, so nervous. He had never held a baby. He didn't know what to do with it. He stared in her little eyes and a warm feeling came over him.
"How old is she?" He asked, Shera, who didn't looked away from her baby. Cid was staring at Zack. Like there was something he could see that the other people in the room couldn't.
"She's a year and a half." Shera answered slowly. "Her names Savvy...."
"Hi, Savvy." Zack whispered. He looked up at Shera again. "Can she talk?"
Cid answered for her, "She knows everyone's name, almost. She can't talk that good yet though....She gets Barret's name confused with Barrett sometimes..." Cid grinned. "Not like he has any hair for one though."
"Shut the h –" Barret began.
"Dad!" Marlene shouted then pointed to the baby. "There is a CHILD here!"
Savvy looked up at Zack. She yanked on his hair again, then she opened her mouth and spoke, "Unka Zack." She laughed then stretched her arms out to her dad. Cid took her carefully. Shera was still staring at Zack in disbelief.
"It seems even the children are drawn to you." Reeve finally spoke. He walked up to Zack and patted him friendly on the back. "When Reno told me you were back, I didn't…I couldn't believe him. Not after the report they had filed on record of your death, so many years ago."
"Naturally, who believes Reno?" The SOLDIER asked half jokingly, half serious. Tifa emerged from the kitchen and then smiled. Her hair was tied up in a messy pony-tail. She had on a white apron over her regular clothes.
"Tifa!" Barrett walked over and crushed the girl in a hug. Yuffie pushed him out of her way and hugged the bartender. She muttered something to Tifa, her eyes pleading and her expression apologetic. Tifa waved a hand. Yuffie smiled again and hugged her even tighter.
Zack turned his attention back to Savvy, who was staring at him. Her purple eyes were looking right into his. He looked at Cid who noticed the same thing.
"I don't know why...but she likes you a lot." Cid mumbled. He didn't seem mad, he just seemed surprised.
Zack walked over to Vincent. He was still sitting at an isolated booth. He sat down across from the gunman and grinned, "So you're with the ninja?"
Vincent looked at Zack and nodded. His expression was contemplative.
"How?" Vincent asked after a moment's silence.
Zack was dreading telling everyone this. It was boring to his ears now. He had explained it so may times, he wanted to come up with a new story just for the heck of it. He sighed on the inside. Then he looked at Vincent again.
"I'm going to explain it to everyone soon." The blue-eyed man answered. Vincent looked over to the side and saw Yuffie holding Savvy. The corners of his mouth went up a bit. Zack chuckled to himself then stood up.
Tifa was in the kitchen, washing dishes. Zack smiled for the fiftieth time that day. "Need help?"
The sound of his voice startled her, and she dropped the plastic bowl. Zack bent down to get it, and so did she. When he turned his head up to look at her, they bumped noses. Her breath was on his cheek. A chill went up his back. They both blushed then pulled away so fast they hit heads. They both fell on their butts and looked at each other for a moment. Zack couldn't help himself. He laughed. She was glaring at him, her face was still red. He couldn't contain his laughter. That had to be one of the most awkward moments of his life.
"What's so funny?" She demanded. She jumped up grabbed the plate and resumed her position at the sink.
Zack stood up still chuckling. "I'm...not quite sure..." He was grinning from ear to ear. Tifa turned to look at him and sighed, defeated.
"I was wrong, you are nothing like Cloud," She said it in a way that didn't make him wonder. Her tone was somewhat relieved.
Zack smiled at her. No, he wasn't like Cloud, he didn't live for the past. He lived for today. He wanted to live life to the fullest – because Zack knew better than most – that at any moment, it could be taken away.
Suddenly, Zack stopped. Something didn't feel right. The atmosphere was different. There was something lingering in the air. Zack was so still. Panic rushed through him, but at the same time, relief did also.
A voice was in his head suddenly, or rather, two were.
"This is my last gift to you, this is all I can do." Aerith spoke quietly, and disappeared from his mind.
"This will be...entertaining. Don't you agree?"
Zack froze. That voice. He knew that voice. He remembered almost all of the things it had said. He was trembling. Before he knew it he was gripping the counter for support. Was she stupid? Sending him?
Aerith must have been out of her mind. Sending him!
"SOME GIFT! WHAT ARE YOU STUPID! WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE JUST BROUGHT BACK THOSE ADVENT KIDS!" Zack was screaming at the ceiling before he could stop himself. He was angry. More than angry...furious.
A/N I KNOW I KNOW. THIS CHAPTER BLOWS. IT SUCKS. DONT WORRY TIFA AND ZACK'S RELATIONSHIP COME SOON!!! I HAVE TO GET THE STOTY GOING FIRST!
=]
Please review.
And who do you think Aerith brought back. I'm sure most of you know thouh. =]
GO DARKANGEL~
