Disclaimer: Square Enix owns everything, but Mekina... I hope you're enjoying the story so far.
With an hour down and a couple more to go 'til arriving at the destination, you were talking about the mission.
"Since there are two ways the monsters can get into the village, we'll be splitting up in two groups," Angeal said.
"So... who's going with who?" Zack asked curiously.
"I'll guard the South while you two guard the North," Angeal answered.
"And since they only come out at night, we just wait at the entrance until they show up?"
"You got it," Zack nodded to you, moving his hands behind his head. "This is one of the easiest kind of missions to get. Just gotta be patient and let the monsters come to you. But if nothing happens, then we got a long night ahead of us."
"How often has that happened to you guys?"
"A couple of times," Angeal answered, earning a curious look from you. "For the most part though, we usually come across something."
"I hope they don't take long to show themselves," you murmured. Staying up all night, waiting for something to attack that actually wasn't was the last thing you wanted to do on you first mission.
...
When Mideel was reached, you had about an hour left of daytime to spare, and Angeal had already parted ways, leaving Zack and you near the village entrance. After your eyes trailed over the village, you soon looked to the setting sun.
"Pretty, huh?" Zack leaned against a tree, gazing at it too.
"Very," you said before moving to sit on the ground. The longer you watched the sun, the more your nervousness became replaced with a calm feeling. You never knew why watching the sky always managed soothe you. Even as a child, it was able to have the same effect.
As the waiting game continued, you both went into conversation, learning more about each other.
"Where did you live before joining SOLDIER?"
"Gongaga!" He replied with a grin and you tried to hold back a laugh. Zack gave you a look.
"Sorry... but Gongaga?" You snickered.
"Got a problem with how it sounds?" He frowned. You said nothing, only laughing again. His frown deepened, but it only lasted for a few seconds, fading when you began asking about his hometown.
"What's it like there?"
Looking to the gradually darkening sky, Zack reflected on his home with a fond look in his eye. "Well... it's in the west continent. We have huts for houses, and the town is surrounded by trees. Everyone gets along great there..." after a moment, he added. "There's also a Shinra reactor not to far off from it. How about you and your home?"
Returning your gaze to the ever setting sun, you replied silently. "Midgar, I guess."
"You guess?" He asked quietly.
You shrugged. "I lived in an apartment there for a while, but it was only temporary. I kind of moved around a lot over the years until I made it to Midgar, so I was there for the longest time."
"I see..." he brought a hand up to his chin as he mulled your words over. "Did your parents have one of those jobs where you had to relocate a lot?"
Awkwardly, you shifted slightly in place. "No, they didn't." Zack seemed to notice you begin retreating into yourself because he sent a curious look your way. His brows then furrowed a bit. Feeling bad that you were leaving him hanging after he revealed things about himself, you quietly added in. "It was my decision to move around."
"And your parents were okay with that?" He seemed kind of surprised, and you soon found out why. Zack continued to reveal more about himself, thinking that it might make you a bit more comfortable to get out of your shell. "When mine found out where I left, they didn't exactly take it well at first."
You blinked at him. "They weren't okay with you being in SOLDIER?"
"Not at first... Well, they still worry, but they cooled down a bit."
This made you wonder how yours would have reacted to you wanting to join. Somberly, you smiled. "They sound like really nice parents to have."
"Yeah," a warm smile came to his face. "They are..."
Zack's method began to show progress, for after a moment of silence had passed, you finally spoke of yours.
"My parents didn't have to worry about SOLDIER... They're gone."
"Gone as in they're still alive, but away...?" Part of him wondered if he should have even asked. You only shook your head. His eyes softened at this. "Damn... I'm sorry, Mekina."
"It's alright. But I think if they were still around, they'd probably worry like your parents do," you smiled softly at him.
Chuckling, Zack scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, they probably would. Parents love to do that."
Imagining them still of this world worrying about your safety was quite an odd thing to think about. You recalled hearing how kids hated when their parents nagged and worried over them, talking about how overbearing they could be. That wasn't something you minded experiencing... it was actually a thing you longed for. It felt so weird thinking about this kind of thing now when for so long you tried to push it aside.
And out of all places, it had to be on my first mission. This was not the time or place to deal with this. A bit of moistness took to the corners of your eyes, but you blinked them away. Gripping your necklace close, you gently held onto it, seeking the small amount of comfort it usually brought. When you didn't say anything for some time, Zack looked over, catching the expression you wore.
"Hey, you doing okay over there?"
You had to remember you were on a mission, and couldn't risk being distracted by these thoughts or putting them on Zack. "Yeah, I'm okay."
When a few more minutes of silence went by, Zack spoke. "You know... if you ever need to talk to about something, don't be afraid to speak to me. Talking about things usually helps people feel better, and keeping things in can actually end up doing more harm than good," he told you before taking a look around the area. No signs of monsters yet.
Quietly, you pondered over his words. You knew he was right, and that he wanted to help you, but the idea of just unloading your past on someone else made you feel guilty. It was odd how you only knew him for not even a day, and you already felt like you could trust him. He truly did seem like a nice person. Beginning to have second thoughts about whether or not to say anything, you considered taking him up on what he just said, and glanced at him.
"I... what if we get too distracted to notice our surroundings?"
"I got it covered," he gave you a thumbs up. "It might still be a little too early for your hearing to kick in all the way, but after a few more mako treatments, you'll be good to go. And from the looks of things, we got a lot of time to kill, so I'm all ears." Despite the sun going down all this time, it wasn't too dark yet, so you knew he was right. Even so... he confused you.
Gaia, how can someone be so nice? His concern and friendliness overall touched you. How can he care about someone he hardly knows? You didn't understand it. But part of you wanted to give talking a try. Staying silent for a while longer, you pondered over the best way to word things before starting. Taking in a breath, you spoke.
"Okay... I'll try to keep it short though."
You told him about what happened to your parents, and even showed him your treasured possession your mom gave you. Hearing how your parents died had Zack frown, but seeing the warmth you had as you looked upon the necklace made him smile. You spoke of how you ran away after your adoptive parents passed, and how you tried to survive on your own. After that was when you hesitated, ashamed of what you had once done. With the thought of being able to feel better after getting it out, in mind, you continued.
"I had to do things I'm not the most proud of. I started stealing, and... that's why I always tried not staying in the same place for too long. When you get caught, there's usually someone that will remember your face. And nothing good happens when they catch you. Especially when that person is also a thief, and isn't doing any better off than you are." You didn't say it, but things turned out violent a couple of times. However, if those occasions of when you got caught or stolen from didn't happen, you probably never would have tried learning how to fight as soon as you did. You guessed it could be considered as some good out of all this.
There was something Zack just had to ask though. "So what made you want to join SOLDIER?"
Briefly becoming quiet, you reflected on the distant memories. "...When I wandered around, I kept hearing about SOLDIER. So many people admired them. People always looked up to them because of how strong they were. They helped the weak, and could even be scary... but they were always respected. I wanted to be like them." Being saved by them also may have played a rather big factor in that decision.
Zack quietly watched as you finished. "Do you feel any better after letting that out?" Going quiet for several seconds, you focused on how you felt after revealing all of this. The heaviness remained, but the faintly light feeling you now had could not be ignored completely.
"A little," a small nod was given to him, followed by a smile. "Thanks for listening, Zack."
"Anytime, Mekina. Now come here," kneeling down at your side, he brought you into an embrace, shocking you. Accepting this comfort he was trying to give, you carefully returned the gesture, and closed your eyes when your vision began to blur.
"...Thank you, Zack."
"Don't mention it," remaining like that for a moment longer, he then released you. "If you ever need anything or wanna talk, just tell me, alright?" He then ruffled your hair.
"Hey!" Quickly, you moved away to fix your hair with a small smile. "Alright... the same goes for you too, Zack." And you meant it. When the time arises, you would do everything you could to help him.
...
Having been dark for nearly an hour now, you were paying close attention to the trees and brush. Zack and you caught the sound of a twig snapping just mere moments ago, and were now waiting to see if something would happen. Zack moved to the source of the noise when nothing else was heard, taking his broadsword off his back as he did so. With your hand on the hilt of your blade, you slowly drew it to your side. When he got a little too close, whatever was there made a lung for him.
Jump rolling to the side, he got back up, and struck the beast in its right flank. Just as it was hit, two more made themselves known from the trees, and you moved, striking the one closest to you in its arm. It had no legs, but long arms of green and red.
"Headhunters," Zack said, finishing the one that first attacked with a swing at its back, causing it to become still.
"What an interesting name," you slashed your blade at the other arm of the headhunter you were dealing with, further disabling it. Stabbing the monster in its red underbelly, you quickly pulled back as it collapsed, and avoided the next one that dived at you. Jumping further back when it tried again, you struck at its head which it evaded by moving to the side.
"They sound like they'd be more of a threat, don't they?" Zack lifted a hand and casted fire at the creature, bringing it cause to let out a cry before connecting his sword into its chest. Joining the other two on the ground, it spasmed before dying. "They usually travel in small groups."
"Do you think there's more of them?" You glanced at the 2nd.
The spiky haired SOLDIER nodded. "Probably. That was a little too easy."
At this, you gave a low hum in agreement. I wonder how Angeal's doing?
