All right, short chapter, but it seemed like a good stopping place. (To me, anyway.) Besides, it's a quick update.

Chapter 2

"Damn, Spike. That's one awesome bike."

Cloud ducked his head a little, hiding a genuine smile at the compliment.

Zack was still entranced by the black machine, reaching out to touch—and starting back in surprise when compartments on both sides of the vehicle sprang open, waiting.

Cloud smirked, having hit a button on his key that opened the sword compartments. In moments, his weapon was disassembled and the individual blades sequestered away in their proper places.

Zack actually seemed speechless for a moment as the compartments slid closed, seamlessly melding into the black of the motorcycle's sides. Then he was bouncing, exclaiming gleefully that he wanted one.

"Let's see what we can design," Cloud offered.

Zack gaped at his younger partner, "You designed this?"

"Designed and built," Cloud confirmed.

Zack whooped once, pumping a fist in the air, "Man, let's go already! I can't wait to feel how she handles!"

Cloud grinned, mounting the massive bike easily despite his small frame. "Fenrir's a he," he informed.

"Fenrir, huh?" Zack paused to evaluate bike and rider for a moment before happily jumping up behind Cloud, "Cool."

Cloud laughed, hitting the ignition and starting out towards the Wastes.

xxxx

Tifa heard Cloud's light laugh and paused in something like awe. She hadn't heard Cloud laugh since they were children. The fact that he still could was something of a shock.

Tifa resolved to make sure Zack always felt welcome in Seventh Heaven. Anyone who could bring Cloud that kind of happiness…

xxxx

"Hey, hey," Zack bounced lightly on the balls of his feet as Cloud swung off Fenrir after him. "Can we spar? I want to see how good you've gotten!"

Cloud grinned, hitting the sword compartment and quickly assembling First Tsurugi. "Let's go!"

He'd missed Zack, and sparring him should be fun.

Oversized weapons met with a sharp clash.

xxxx

Yuffie glanced down from where she stood on the Highwind, bored silly and wondering how much longer it would take to get to Edge when something caught her attention far below.

Flashes that looked suspiciously like light reflecting off metal as well as the figure of someone very familiar.

"Is that Cloud?"

The pilot looked, cursing as he saw what the Wutaian Princess did.

Vincent, sitting in the corner, raised his head, glowing red eyes snapping open even as Nanaki stood to look.

In moments the Highwind was banking around, lowering closer to where Cloud was fighting with someone else—a dark-haired man with a blade much like Cloud's combined weapon.

They clashed time and again, moving fast enough that even Vincent would have had trouble keeping up, and the red-caped man pulled out Cerberus and made his way towards the already-opening hatch, checking that the tri-barreled gun was loaded and ready.

A pause as the two struggled for a moment, the dark-haired man's back to an aiming Vincent.

xxxx