Author's Note: This is a really short chapter. Mostly because E~D() is slightly impatient and secondly because I just figured I needed to update something. I'll have more Authors' Notes at the end.
Chapter 5: Welcome Back
The day of leniency hadn't done much to help Sephiroth, he still felt incredibly exhausted and guilty for having left Cassandra to the tender administrations of Hojo. The morning was bright though with promise and Sephiroth could only hope that seeing his friends again would remedy some of his angst.
The train pulled into the station and students of all ages poured from it. Laughter and the noise of many voices filled the once quiet station. Sephiroth waited, watching as well as listening for his friends. Finally a black-cloaked figure and a boy with chocolate coloured hair emerged from the train, apparently being the last off.
Sephiroth waited patiently for them to approach him, even though he felt like doing nothing more than running over to them.
"I said no!" Sephiroth was able to easily pick their voices out of the clamour surrounding him.
"But why? It's not like its bad." Zack whined as Rydia turned on him.
"Because Zackery." Rydia stressed Zack's name. "That's why."
Zack winced and then catching sight of Sephiroth, bounded over.
"Hey, Seph! Its great ta see ya!" Zack smiled brightly.
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow at the abbreviation of his name, but said nothing, not wishing to argue the matter and change Zack's relieving, cheerful demeanour.
"See he doesn't mind." Zack stated proudly turning back to Rydia, who had taken her time in catching up.
"Humph." Rydia snorted, repositioning the large book bag slung over her shoulder. "I don't care though. You will call me by my proper name or hence forth I shall only address you as Zackery."
"Ok, ok. Point taken." Zack hung his head in defeat, and then brightening he asked, "So how was your summer, Seph?"
"Boring." Sephiroth stated simply and then began heading back towards the Academy.
"Well that sucks. I'll have to tell you all about mine and maybe you and me together can convince Rydia to tell us about hers." Zack said enthusiastically, skipping along beside him.
"I already told you it was boring. All I did was more studying." Rydia sighed in complete annoyance.
"Ugh. Your both so boring." Zack said, pulling his hands down his face.
"Oh, you know what?" Zack cried excitedly, jumping in front of Sephiroth and walked backwards so that he could view his friend's reaction better.
"No" Sephiroth responded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly at Zack's antics.
"When I got home, my ma had a big birthday party slash coming home party. It was a really belated birthday party, cause my birthday is in February. But my ma said that sending a card is so impersonal, but I had totally forgot about my birthday in the first place. Can you believe it?" Zack spoke quickly in his excitement, his eyes widening dramatically.
Nearly tripping over a stone, Sephiroth reached out to steady his friend to prevent both of them from meeting the hard ground beneath their feet. After Zack was steadied but didn't turn to walk normally, he continued, "Say when's your birthdays?"
"October thirty-first." Rydia stated.
"July thirteen"
"Cool. My ma was teaching me about the zodiac and stuff so lets see if I remember... Rydia your a Scorpio and Seph your a..." Zack's face screwed up in thought, as he not only tried to remember but to also mount the Academy steps backwards.
"A cancer." Rydia supplied helpfully.
"Oh yeah, thanks. And I'm an Aquarius." Zack stated proudly and then finally turned around to walk normally.
Rydia rolled her eyes and Sephiroth broke into a grin.
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"Good morning class and welcome back." Mrs. Lockport welcomed.
Sephiroth was surprised at how happy he was to see the teacher again.
"I hope you've all had a good summer." Mrs. Lockport looked around at each of her students before continuing. "You'll notice a few changes this year. In addition to your one-hour lunch break you'll all now have an additional two hours of free time after supper to be spent as you please. Although for those of you with high grades, you may be expected to tutor younger or struggling students. It will also provide an opportune time for extra study or once you begin your fighting classes in the next years, a chance to practice.
In addition some of your classes have been changed. Instead of separate reading and writing classes, they will now be combined to allow room for geography and extended gym classes, which will also include learning to ride chocobos."
The class cheered at the last and Mrs. Lockport smiled.
"WARK" ~ Chocobo from Final Fantasy 7Author's Notes: See I told you it was short. And yes I know that the quote this time really sucked but I couldn't find anything better and relevant on short notice. Also I could really use a Beta reader, but for right now updating will be sluggish cause I'm terribly busy. Please Please Review!!!
E~D(): Don't worry we all make mistakes. And no I wasn't mad and yes I do have a bit of writer's block but if you read my profile you'll find I'm really very busy. And lately I have been even busier because I have to get the income tax ready to go. Plus I just had a new baby on the weekend and I've been paying attention to her and especially her mom cause she prolapsed and I was afraid she might get sick. So if I don't all of a sudden update soon enough its cause the stupid taxes are holding me up. But you're welcome to harass me if it takes me longer than a month to update. K?
Chibi Sephy: Well with Sephiroth's past your bound to run into as you say, "OC's". I'm also glad you like how Zack is in it; I have big plans for him!