Chapter 3

AN: Chapter 3 is here! Stratos returns and more things!

Inspiration Songs while writing: Under the Stars – Final Fantasy Tactics, Walk in a Park, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger & Antipyretic – Final Fantasy Tactics

Morning soon transcended into afternoon. The young Striker had a small tour Sumeragi with Jota and Carrera. Instead of walking along side the two, he was carried upon Carrera's left shoulder. The Sumeragi tour lasted a good while. The young Striker was rather tired, but it was still too early to meet up with Nova at the private garden. After a while Carrera set the young male down and gave a smile.

"There ye go, lad!" the large adept called out. GV gave a nod and a simple wave. Turning tail, the braided male descended down the hall ways. There was still sometime before he could speak to Nova.

"Where to go now?" He asked himself. "Outside? Wander the city? I am pretty sure I would need someone to escort me..."

Pondering for a moment, GV placed his hands in his trouser pockets. His mind was wandering all over. Go outside? Go wait for Nova?"

So much on his mind and it was only early afternoon. The young Striker closed his eyes. Even if he did go outside, he would not stray too far. He was ordered to have an escort with him if he did. That being either Viper, Jota, Carrera or even Stratos. Maybe just a stroll around the building would just be fine. Walking over to the door, he slowly pushed it open. It wasn't really cold. It wasn't snowing, either. Entering the brisk outdoors, GV huffed a bit. His warm breath met the chilly air. His boots made contact with the mushy snow that was on the ground. Sure, with his exposed midriff area, he did not mind it. He was kind of use to the cold air on his tummy.

"Well, nothin' out of the ordinary. It is very quiet. Very peaceful."

Stepping out a bit further, he gave a soft sigh. The air felt crisp and almost comfortable. The blond wandered around a bit, not strolling far from the base. However, something felt rather odd. He was unaware of it. Something or someone was lurking in the shadows. A human? Another adept? An animal?

Chill winds would blow around the striker, causing him to feel a slight cold feeling. This was followed by a soft snarl. A figure would land behind the boy, not too far from where he stood of course. Gunvolt looked around. Wondering what that was. His azure met with something in the shadows. He did not have his gun with him. It was damaged from being attacked that day. Instead he got himself into a stance.

"Kuahehehehe..." The voice chortled. There was a rather cold feel in the air. "Thinkin' of goin' alone, shorty?"

GV backed up and against a wall. He shook a bit. Who was there, confronting him? He remained silent. Soon, that figured showed their face. A rather tall human. With long green hair and the hands being wrapped in bandages. A Sumeragi uniform coat was worn on his body. A few scuff marks was on the other's pasty, white face.

"Hey, it's very dangerous, y'know."

"S-Stratos?!"

GV gulped. He did remember encountering the hungry adept before, but something felt rather different. Questions would come later. Relaxing his tense muscles, Gunvolt slouched himself against a wall of a building. This Stratos placed a hand on the other's spiky head and ruffled it. A fanged smile was on his face. GV looked up at the other.

"You're normally in your other form or that is what others say?"

Stratos snickered a bit. Pulling the other into a tight hug he picked up the boy and placed him on his back in a piggy back fashion. Gunvolt was a bit taken by surprise. Sure, he would've struggled or flailed. He decided to stay on the other's back.

"Well, I do like that other mode but hey. I needed some fresh air. Can't go in the garden at th' moment."

All he could do as a response was nod.

"Jus' lemme stay with ya. I will keep ya safe. Boss' orders, y'know."

Sure, it was odd. Stratos was not his hungry self. Maybe they found a way to calm his hunger? Gunvolt sighed a bit. He rested his chin on the other's head.

"Stratos?" Gunvolt asked. "I feel like this is my new home, but what if..."

He paused for a second. Would his friends presume he was dead? Or would they know he was under Sumeragi's care? Stratos grumbled a bit as he gave a fangy yawn. Looking at the other, the taller adept turned to the entrance.

"My nose caught scent of an ivory haired human. I dunno. He was kilometres 'ways from here. Possibly in the outskirts!"

The adept paused for a second. He was motionless. Copen was still around? That did not see good. Looking back at Stratos, well, rather holding onto his head, GV closed his eyes.

"Do you think we can go to the market place before I meet up with Nova in the garden?"

The green haired teenager puffed some warm breath against the cool air. Stratos placed a hand on GV's legs to support him. A small walk to the market place would be a good idea. There was an adept friendly one not too far from Sumeragi. People there handled grim situations very well when it would happen. Stratos would give a small smile and dusted his hands off. Both arrived at the market place.

GV would hop off Stratos' shoulders and walked beside the older teen. For a nice winter's afternoon, GV was amazed at the amount of humans and adepts there. Most speaking to each other, rather than bickering or being shunned. Stratos however gave a small yawn. He liked going to the market, but all that food kind of made him rather hungry. At least he was calm for the moment.

Snow would lightly fall on the ground. Humans and adept clamoured on about. Mainly about the up coming festivals, events and even just how the day was. Stratos was right. It was adept friendly. Places like this was rather rare. The taller adept decided to browse the various food stalls. Gunvolt? He decided to walk over to where the oranges were. Everything seemed to go well. The young male admired the oranges. Though, he had no money to buy any. Maybe he and Nova would return here later. However, when GV would reach for an orange, his azure coloured eyes met with a familiar face.

"What?! H-How!"

Gunvolt nearly fell back onto his rear as he noticed someone he has not seen for a very long time. That brown spiky hair with the red streak. Those orange coloured eyes. That grimacing smile. Could it be?

"Z-Zeno?!"

Zeno was only in casual clothing. A pine green winter jacket and blue, navy and green knit scarf around his neck. GV clasped his hands over his mouth, trying not to utter any other sounds. He skittered behind a fruit stall, causally pulling his braid behind him. He heard GV's squeak. This made him curious. Very curious.

"Geeves? Are you...?"

Glancing around, he noticed the younger male's braid peeking from behind the corner of one of the stalls, which was ran by an heavy set adept male. The seller did not even notice Gunvolt was behind the stall or even cared that Zeno knelt down to the other. Though, it was Zeno's turn to nearly fall onto his rear end.

"GEEVES!"

He was surprised to see his friend he viewed as a kid brother, but more baffled that he was wearing a uniform. A Sumeragi one no less. Questions about that later. MUCH later. Instead, he scooped up the boy and pulled him into a tight hug.

Gunvolt squirmed a bit as he was pulled into the Italian's embrace. Looking over at the other, a nervous laugh escaped his lips. Stratos overheard this reunion. He kept a good distance. Zeno did not seem hostile. Not at all. He would keep a watch on the two just in case anything odd would happen.

"Y-You're alive!"

Zeno was relived. He let the other go and smiled. GV himself huffed a bit. He dusted himself off as he closed his eyes. Looking over at Zeno, the adept just gave him a long stare.

"Z-zeno? Why? How? But..!"

So many questions flooded into his mind. So many to ask. What could he do? What would he say? Would he tell his friend that he was saved by Nova? No, that would be saved for another time.

A few moments later, something or someone was lurking behind them. Not Stratos. No, he was keeping an eye. The fruit seller walked off already, maybe to go on a lunch break. What could it be?

Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. Both Gunvolt and Zeno ducked for cover. Humans and other adepts scattered. Stratos? He was there. A growl escaped his throat as he transformed into his armoured form.

"Shit..." He muttered. The beastly adept had to think of something. To save GV and Zeno.

Turning his body into an insect swarm; Stratos clustered around the two and reformed his body. With his large paws, he pulled both into his arms and vanished on sight. Whoever fired at them seemed to be someone after Adepts and did not like them around humans. In a rather safe area, Stratos returned back to his human mode, huffing a bit. He stared at the two and crossed his arms.

"Yer lucky. Both of ya..."

"You saved out bacon... Su... Stratos." Zeno said. He walked over to the taller, pale adept and flashed his cheesy grin. Stratos expression was neutral. He gave a nod and leaned himself against a wall.

Gunvolt gave a long sigh. Looking over at Zeno, he did not know how to explain this. Him in the Sumeragi uniform and the fact he was gone for a while. Maybe he should tell Zeno something. How, though? Looking up at the other teenager, GV swallowed a huge lump in his throat. Tapping his fingers together, he felt a rather weird feeling in the pit of his belly. His mouth was rather dry.

"Zeno..." He started to stammer. "C-can you keep a promise? I mean, you are on your own turf now, but please..."

GV was rather nervous. His hands felt sweaty. Looking up at the other with his blue eyes, he huffed.

"Promise not to tell anyone. I'm stayin' with them. I mean. I will visit you... are you even staying here or did you move back?"

Zeno held his hands out. His expression faltered to a frown. Did Sumeragi take him in? Was this a trick? Was he kidnapped? No. He shook his head, trying to remain positive. Looking back at the other, he placed a hand on GV's head, ruffling his spiky hair a bit.

"Well, Geeves. Whatever it is. I am not gonna gab to anyone. Plus, I am only on a trip. The secret is safe with me. You being okay is what matters. Anyway... I should head home. You and your friend as well. Geeves? Keep in touch with me. Promise?"

GV gave a soft nod. Maybe he would explain more to the other on why he was with Sumeragi. It was getting late and meeting up with Nova would be pretty soon. Stratos scooped up the smaller adept and carried him in a piggy back fashion. He gave a wave to Zeno.

"See ya, Zeno. Well... for now. Sorry If our meet up was kind of cut off short!"

"No problem, Geeves! Maybe bring your tall friend next time! If it wasn't for him, we'd be sittin' swiss cheese!"

Both parted their ways, with Stratos carrying GV back to Sumeragi. He carried the boy into the garden for the meeting. Stratos however transformed and and would vanish into the greenery. Maybe to hunt or to nap. GV? He rested himself on the soft grass under a tree. The garden was an indoor botanical garden. Similar to a jungle. Stratos liked hanging around it more than the Pharma Lab. Maybe due to he could nap in a tree or chill in one of the ponds. It was a rather beautiful place. The smells of various fruits and flowers wafted in the air. All the silence was broken by foot steps. Then a very familiar voice.

"You made it! Good Good!"

The soft spoken voice of the young leader rose. He sat near the other, giving a warm smile. GV however, nodded. He did not want to tell what happened, other than running into Stratos. Nova gave a smile at the other, his warm, red eyes focusing on the other.

"I do apologise. I had to settle some nettle-some problems. From what I have gathered. Who ever attacked you may know you are alive. Do not worry. Some of our best men are out and about. Not too mention, my Swordsmen can handle these situations. I see Stratos did escort you around, did he not?"

"Well. Yes. At least yeah. He did. Never knew he had a caring streak. I thought he was in pain and hungry..."

Nova gave a soft laugh and rested himself against the tree trunk. He could see the transformed adept in the distance, resting on a tree branch.

"Oh. With or without S.E.E.D he has been taking some lessons by some of our top scientists. He is slowly becoming more and more like his old self. I say 'slowly'."

Gunvolt gave a nervous laugh and closed his eyes. This was one eventful day. Resting a hand on his own lap, he looked over at Nova.

"Nova?" He started to ask. Nova would glance at him. He wondered what the other had to say.

"GV? What is it?"

"Am I safe here? I mean. You did save me. It isn't like I have any other place to go..."

Nova quickly hushed the other as he tapped GV's lips. He was safe. This was his 'home' after all. He would look forwards and gave a soft sigh.

"You are free to stay here, Gunvolt. The holidays are here soon. If you wish to stay. It is up to you. We do some things when that day hits, but I figured it be your first time here. You can stay here. Celebrate with us."

"Well... sure! I mean... That would be great!"

Gunvolt's tone sounded a bit more happy. He then would rub his eyes. He was rather tired now. Getting on his feet, Nova would follow him as well.

"Let us get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day. We may have some plans. Would you care to join me?"

Gunvolt gave a nod. A smile was on his face. It was not a large one, but a small one. Nova would fold his hands together and smile as well. Turning his back, he waved to the other male.

"Jota brewed up some warm tea with honey. Have a cup or two and have a nice bath. I will see you in the morning."

Both boys left the garden area. Gunvolt soon would get ready for bed and call it a day. A good night's sleep would be perfect for this day. Laying his head on a soft pillow and drawing some warm, fluffy covers on his body. He soon drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow would be another day. Hopefully better than what happened.

TBC