I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to write for this again. I had such a horrible writer's block with this it wasn't funny. Not as bad as the block I'm still suffering with Fool's Checkmate, but close. Writing this update was quite relaxing to be honest. The new Linkin Park CD also might have something to do with it, but either way I'm not complaining.
Our favorite spikey-haired duo are finding out how hard it is to lay low. Too bad they still got a ways yet before they can set out. Fortunately for them, Boulder's cabin has a lot of secrets for them to stumble on. Both pleasant and unpleasant. x3
Enjoy!
"Follow me."
Boulder started for the barn, but stopped when Cloud wasn't following. "Don't fight when you can hide. They come around here sometimes, but I suspect because of you two they're roaming the area more often."
"How do I know you won't lead them right to us?" asked Cloud.
Boulder was getting real tired of this kid's mistrust. "Look, if you want help getting back to your time you've got to trust me. I won't sell you out. I swear it on my son's honor."
This earned a glare from Cloud, "Why not your own honor?"
"Because you keep questioning my loyalties, now shut up and follow me before we're spotted."
Cloud grumbled, but followed, still keeping his sword at the ready. Whether he'd use it on a trooper or Boulder first, he didn't know.
Boulder led Cloud inside the barn where Feather raised her head and squawked a greeting to them. The older man shoved a stack of hay to the side as he picked up a rope that was connected to a trap door and pulled on it. The door lifted up, revealing a ladder that led down to a secret room below.
"Hide down there. I'll go get your friend."
Cloud didn't like it at all, but he didn't really see another choice. He climbed down as Boulder closed the door behind him, plunging him into near darkness. Bits of light from the floor above filtered through, casting dots of scattered light over the hidden bunker.
He raised his sword as the door lifted only to lower it when Zack descended the ladder and Boulder closed it behind him. Darkness covered the entrance as Boulder pushed the stack of hay back over the trap door.
"Stay quiet," Boulder told them as he retreated from the barn.
Zack looked around the dimly lit room and smiled when his eye caught sight of something. He hoped Boulder wouldn't mind if he borrowed it. He walked over to the sword and examined it. It was a well-made weapon; a buster sword in fact, but not nearly as big as the one he had. Zack was about to pick it up when he heard voices coming from outside. He motioned for Cloud to come over as they listened in.
Boulder was impressed with the kid's extreme sense of hearing. Not two minutes passed after he exited the barn then a squad of twelve infantrymen rounded the trail leading from the forest. The captain approached Boulder and pulled a booklet from his uniform, showing his Shinra badge and authority.
"Inspection."
Boulder rolled his eyes. He should have seen that coming. "Weren't ya here just last week? I thought yer so-called inspections were only a monthly occurence."
The captain glared at Boulder as he pushed his way past. "With rogue soldiers running wild out there, you think we wouldn't increase our patrols?"
Boulder glared at the man's back, but kept it well hidden behind a polite smile. "Well, at least I know I'm safe with you boys hanging 'round. SOLDIERs aren't exactly the kind of people you want to mess with. One wrong move and you get a sword pointed at your throat. Wouldn't want to get on the bad side'o them."
"Enough!" the captain barked. He had inspected Boulder's home a few times in the past and knew from experience that the man really knew how to ramble.
From their hiding place Cloud and Zack could hear every word. Zack looked over at his friend, catching what Boulder had said. He could see the small smirk on his friend. Cloud felt a little better knowing Boulder could take a hint. His smirk vanished when one of the other infantrymen spoke up.
"What's this?"
The captain approached the bike and let out a low whistle. "That's a fancy motorbike ya got there. How'd ya get it?"
Cloud's heart nearly skipped a beat. Fenrir! He had forgotten it parked against the cabin. He would have beaten his head against a wall if it wouldn't have made noise. Zack silently placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder and kept listening.
"That's a friend of mine's. He lent it to me to get around," replied Boulder as he walked up next to it.
"Don't you have a chocobo for getting around?"
"Yeah, but she ain't feeling well. Been havin' the runs for the past few days. She's in the barn now, but she smells so bad even I can't get near her. It's hard enough when I have to go an' feed her. I about passed out this mornin'."
Some of the troops who had been standing a bit close to the barn took a few paces back, not wanting to get a wiff of the stench. Zack fought to hold back his laughter while Cloud just closed his eyes and nodded with relief. He had been wrong about Boulder.
The troops made their way inside the house next and went through each room, checking things over and helping themselves to whatever food they could find. On the outside Boulder just leaned back against the door frame between the kitchen and the living room and seemed calm and collected. On the inside he was fuming. How dare these Shinra pigs barge into his home, turn the place upside down and wolf down his food like they owned the place! But as long as they were in the house he knew the fugitives were safe. Hopefully the captain would buy his story and avoid the barn, but there was always that odd chance.
Despite the rumor that Shinra footmen were idiots, the captain was pretty smart. He looked over at the sink and noticed something odd. "How come there are three plates here?"
Boulder looked over at the sink. Zack had almost finished the dishes when he had come in to get him, there were only three dirty plates left over from their breakfast. Thankfully, Boulder could think on his feet and had an alibi thought up on the spot.
"I've been gettin' behind on my chores while Feather's been sick."
The captain glared at Boulder as if trying to detect any trace of dishonesty but waved it off with a shrug and dropped the subject. Boulder was secretly glad he had put the blueprints away that morning.
Back in the barn, Zack had become curious to see what else Boulder had hidden down in the bunker. He found food and water along with some ammo and a couple of different guns along with several sacks of feed for Feather. There was a rope with a grappling hook, a fishing net and a First-aid kit. Zack was surprised to find a few viles of Mako in the kit along with some cure materia. From what Zack knew, Boulder was just a normal guy. Why would he need Mako? His gaze shifted back to the sword. He couldn't resist it any longer.
Carefully he picked it up and held it like he used to hold the buster sword. Bringing the flat of the blade up to his face, closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. Cloud had been paying attention to what was going on outside when movement caught the corner of his eye. He watched as Zack slowly swung the blade, testing its weight and balance. Until just now, Zack hadn't realized how tense he had been without a sword. Now everything seemed to melt away as he felt his shoulders relax as he continued to swing the blade.
Cloud watched his friend, relieved to know that their fighting styles were still very close, but differed. Still, he knew he could match Zack's moves step for step in a pinch. He was forced out of his thoughts as Zack, in his relaxed trance, failed to see the metal pipe that was sticking out of the wall as he struck it, causing a loud metallic clang to echo.
Zack's eyes went wide as he fumbled with the sword and Cloud jumped to his feet.
"I'm sorry!"
"Shhh!"
Cloud clamped a hand over his friend's mouth as the two listened.
. . .
The captain had been checking Boulder's bedroom when he, along with all the other troops heard the loud noise.
"That came from the barn," one of the troops called up to the captain as he made his way back down the stairs. Boulder tried to hide how nervous he was.
"That's just Feather actin' out. She gets agitated when her stomach don't agree with her."
The captain wasn't buying it this time. "Let's check out the barn."
Cloud heard them approaching from outside as their footsteps grew louder. He was ready for a fight and a small squad of troops seemed simple enough to deal with, especially after felling forty with little to no effort. Still, this was Boulder's home and despite his earlier mistrust, Cloud didn't want to endanger the peaceful life that the man had set up for himself.
Outside Boulder was trying to keep them away. "I wouldn't go in there. Feather don't like strangers just bargin' in. You'll regret it, I'm tellin' ya!"
But Boulder's warnings went ignored as the captain pointed towards the barn. "We ain't on a field trip. Our mission is to inspect, so get inspectin'. Search that place top to bottom. An over-sized chicken with a shit problem ain't gonna stop my troop, now get to it!"
With looks of disgust the troopers obeyed and entered the barn. Cloud and Zack remained perfectly still as they watched the shadows from the men move overhead as their feet blocked out the light. Feather had been startled awake from the metallic sound and was in a bad mood. It was even worse now that strange people had entered her home. She let out a low sound that was close to a growl as they neared her stall. She scratched one of her feet against the wood floor, showing just how agitated she was.
"It doesn't smell that bad in here," said one trooper as another took a wiff.
"Yeah, he's right," replied another.
"I think Boulder's hiding something," voiced a third. Cloud gripped the hilt of his sword, ready for anything.
Three other troopers approached the hay stack, which looked suspicious to them and began poking it with their guns while the captain approached the bird and glared at her while she gave him a warning hiss in return.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with this bird, she's just having a bad day, aren't'cha?" He went to pet her beak when several things happened at once.
The three troops had started moving the hay stack out of the way as Cloud readied himself to strike. Zack took a step back after finally prying his friend's hand away, needing to breathe, only to step on something. The entire barn erupted into chaos as a fowl stench filled the air along with a dust cloud.
The troops poured out of the barn choking and gagging while Boulder just stood there, covering his nose. "I told ya," was all he said, though even he was surprised by the commotion.
The captain was the last to exit and was gagging up a storm. His hand was bleeding from a nasty bite wound, courtesy of Feather, who had given the stranger more than enough warnings to back off.
"You autta just put that bird out of her misery!" shouted the captain as he called for his squad to leave. Boulder just shrugged as he offered to bandage the man's hand before they left. The captain refused, in an attempt to protect whatever dignity he had left and began to move out.
Once the troop had vanished from sight he hurried over to the barn. There he found a panicked and very angry chocobo stomping around her stall. He went over and tried to calm her. "Easy there, girl. It's alright, did those dumb, ugly troopers get your feathers ruffled?"
Fearther squawked in return and rubbed her head against his chest before looking up at him with pleading eyes. He took a wiff of the area and realize what was bothering her now. "Peee-you!"
Boulder waited a little while longer to make sure the troops were gone before checking on the other two. He moved the hay stack and pulled the trap door open. "Relax, it's just me," he called down in case he was greeted with the sharp end of a sword.
When he made it to the bottom of the ladder he looked around and could only offer the two his sympathy. Needless to say the breakfast he had made went to waste.
"Come on, let's get you two cleaned up."
. . .
A few hours and a hot shower later, Cloud and Zack were both feeling a little better. While they had been upstairs freshening up, Boulder had been busy trying to get the stench out of the barn. He had let Feather out to roam in the flowered meadow as he disposed of the broken canister that Zack had stepped on.
Said pup was still drying his hair as he entered the kitchen to get something to drink. "Man, that was close. If I hadn't stepped on that stink bomb who knows what would've happened?"
Cloud, who had been trying to forget the whole event looked up from where he was sitting, slouched over at the table. "I would call it luck, but I'm not so sure. I still feel pretty rotten."
"Yeah, my stomach's not to happy with me either, but at least it scared off the troops," Zack replied with a smile. "Talk about a bunch of wusses. Our sense of smell is so much stronger and we could take it, but those guys fled like a bunch of roaches."
Cloud gave his friend a deadpan look. How exactly did throwing up define as 'taking it'?
Boulder made his way into the kitchen and smirked when he saw them. "Shooo, that was some stench, ey? Sorry I didn't warn you 'bout the stink bombs down there. I sorta forgot that I even had 'em. The one you opened was past its expiration date. That's probably why it smelled so bad, but at least it did the trick. Those guys won't be back for a while...if ever. Hehe."
"So, why do you have all that stuff down there anyway?" asked Zack.
"You can never be too careful," Boulder replied, "and after what happened last time I'm not taking any chances."
"Last time?" asked Cloud.
"Boulder's a time traveler too, remember?" replied Zack.
"Oh,... right." Cloud laid his head back down on the table. For some reason he had the feeling that Boulder was referring to something else.
