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To my reviewers (and readers): THANKIES! (hugs)
Zell was bored. His mind was blank. Staring up at the ceiling in Squall's Room just wasn't cutting it.
He wondered how the guy didn't go crazy in a Room like this. Man, if this was my room, I'd have posters and colour and… Zell sat up, running a hand through his hair. Well, Squall's Squall. Not much I can do about that…
His first official 'temporary shift' started tomorrow and when he asked Cid what he could do until then, the blonde replied, 'Why don't-cha go stare at the ceiling and quit bothering me!' Deciding to humor the older man, Zell did what he said and stared at the plain, white, smooth ceiling.
He didn't last five minutes.
Zell stood and stretched, feeling antsy and jittery. He couldn't sit still for long periods of time; it was impossible. Maybe…Maybe I'll go practice some moves… Shrugging at the idea, he quickly changed shirts and left the Room. Now…where did he say that room was…?
He was the only one in the hallway; with Squall and Yuffie gone, with Cid and…what was that guy's name again?...Cloud and Aerith working, it was so quiet. Yuffie was a chatterbox and while Cid didn't enjoy his company all that much, he at least talked—or argued—with him. It was only his footsteps as he rounded the corner, past the Control Room.
I wonder…how they're doing… Zell felt a pang in his chest at the possibility of Yuffie and Squall finding someone…anyone…out there. What if that…blue thing…doesn't do anything? …Or what if it does? Everything was so uncertain now, it was killing him. And it's probably killing Squall too. He was one of the most spontaneous and rash people in their circle of friends, with Squall as the complete opposite. If it's not down on paper…or in a schedule…Oh man, he's probably pulling out his hair…
Another part of him wondered if he should have went with them. …but…Quistis…I can't just leave her…Hell, she doesn't even know where she is… He thought of his former instructor as he neared the door to the Training Room. She looked exactly the same as she did before that happened. And she didn't even know who she was when she woke up.
I…I had to tell her…her name…He pursed his lips together, not wanting to remember that day when he found her in Olympia, passed out, under the bleachers. Her name…she didn't even know that…Her Hyne-damned name! His fists were clenched when he came in front of the door and he didn't even realize it. He wasn't sure why that made him so angry; names were important, weren't they? And she looked me right in the eye and nodded and smiled and pretended to get it…
Taking a deep breath, he slowly unclenched his fists. She pretended to know exactly what I was talking about…Nodding and smiling and giving me that false hope for a second………Whoever did that…did this…to all of us…has a sick sense of humor. He frowned, and wished he could unleash his fists on the perpetrator. Maybe then, no one would have to fake it…
He closed his eyes for a minute, trying to relax. It didn't help his energetic state when he thought like that…it only made him more antsy. …Whatever happens now, happens…that's all there is to it. If they find anything…Squall…Leon…whatever his name is now…he has to get over himself…whoever he is…and whatever he's running from…Maybe he'll realize that no one's chasing him at all…
Upon his close proximity to the door, the motion sensors opened the door for him. It was one of the few doors in the entire building that didn't need an access code. The one that he still didn't have because Cid never gave him one. …that grumpy old man…
After the hiss, there was the distinct sound of a punching bag getting pounded. That crinkle of leather…that muffled sound of the impact…It was very familiar to the martial artist. Who's…?
Zell took a few steps forward and saw a dark-haired girl punching and kicking the bag that was barely hanging onto the chains that kept it connected to the ceiling. …ah…what's her name…? T…Tee…Oh! Tifa! He opened his mouth to call her out, but lost his voice when he saw her execute a complicated combination. …Oh…wow…
So he stood there, out of her sight, watching the talented fighter lay a series of kicks and blows to the punching bag that had seen better days. …She's good…Really good… The silence only lasted for a minute, however, as he got jittery again. Watching her made him want to join in. He wanted to try out some of his moves too; he was, after all, the best martial artist Balamb Garden ever saw. When Zell saw her pause, taking a breathing moment before starting another round, his mouth took that opportunity. "Hmm…Not bad for a girl."
Tifa nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of the voice. But she didn't let it show too much. She was still too angry to be surprised. Too angry at everything and everyone who wouldn't tell her anything because she wouldn't understand, would she? Turning slowly, she raised an eyebrow at Zell as she took in what he said. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
He realized then that his statement came out wrong, but he gave her an impish grin. "Whatever you want it to mean."
Her fists, which ached slightly from her motions from before, were now on her hips. "Excuse me? Who do you think you are? And are you trying to get a rise out of me?"
Zell rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah…you got me."
All she could do was roll her eyes at his interruption. "Get out of here. This room is for serious fighters only." She turned away from him and began another routine of punches.
He gave her a look of mock surprise. "What? Are you implying that I'm not a fighter?"
Tifa gave him a smirk, not skipping a beat in her punches. "No. I'm implying that you're not a good fighter."
"You have no idea who you're dealing with here."
"Oh really?" Tifa stopped abruptly, catching the bag when it came swinging back to her. "Prove it."
The two fighters took a few steps towards one another, sizing each other up, until they were standing only a few feet apart. "Alright. Maybe I will. One on one. Right now." Zell started.
She stood there, putting a finger to her chin to over-exaggerate her thought. "Hmm. Okay. I could use a new punching bag."
Immediately, the both of them went into defensive crouches, circling each other with quick feet. There was a buzz in the air as the room awaited the first blow. "A few ground rules before we start…" Zell smiled as they continued to move around each other. "No hits below the belt, alright? Because it's not fair that I can't do it back to you."
Tifa let out a sigh, but he was pretty sure it was a laugh and a hint of a smile. Men… "Fine. No excessive hits to the face, either."
He nodded. "Wouldn't want to bruise that pretty smile of yours…" At his comment, he saw her cheeks turn the slightest shade of pink…She was in a sour mood when I got in…by the way she was treating that bag, she's pretty damn angry at something… "Fine. When down on the floor, no hits." He continued.
…if he think he can sweet-talk me into losing focus, he's so wrong… With the imminent fight looming, all other thoughts were gone; the thrill of the fight was overpowering. Her muscles were already firing. She was born to do this. She was ready. She nodded at his next rule. "When you want the fight to stop, cry uncle."
All Zell could do was smile at her statement and her choice of words. "When I want the fight to stop?"
"Yeah. Who else?" There was a blur of skin and black as her fist came swinging dangerously close to his face. Zell had managed to lean back in time before anything connected and had to take a few more steps back as Tifa kept throwing her fists. Left, right, left, right…
He acted fast, taking a step to the right and grabbing onto her outstretched left hand as she followed her count. He heard her take in a breath of surprise as he reversed her momentum and threw her to the ground. Always a man of his word, he took a few steps back and waited for her to get back up.
It wasn't long before she sprung to her feet and raced to meet him. This time, he threw a fast right jab, which she easily dodged. Before he could bring his knee into her stomach, she bet him to it, holding onto his shoulders to deliver the blow.
She backed up, letting him catch his breath for a second, before coming back to him with her fists ready. As she neared him again, there was a glint in his blue eyes. He stood up straight and caught her fists in his hands. Both pairs of arms strained against each other, but Zell's strength finally pulled through, and with a cry, he sent Tifa back into the wall.
They circled each other, breathing getting a little bit heavy. With steel determination, Tifa sprung forward again, tired of waiting. Expecting her fists, Zell crouched low, but instead, she jumped up and slid into his calves, sending them both to the ground.
Rolling onto their backs before getting up, the two fighters eyed each other. Zell moved fast, covering the distance quickly and sending a kick to her stomach and a left hook to her cheek. She stumbled, but swung her body around in time to catch the side of his abdomen with her own foot.
They moved close to each other, Tifa sending three more punches to his face, Zell landing two more kicks to her arms and torso, before pulling apart. He grabbed both her arms again, as she was getting ready to land another punching combination, and flipped her over, putting his foot on her back and sending her to the ground hard.
Not to be outdone, she charged at him, turning around at the last second to have his chest facing her back. Using her skill and his weight, she quickly bent forward and swung him over her shoulder. As Tifa watched him land, her mind buzzed with endorphins. She knew that she would always remember this. All of it; her combinations, her punches, her kicks, the feeling, the breathing, the hard pump of her heart…No one and nothing could take this away from her. And no one could tell her otherwise.
He got up quickly and she met him half way, a flurry of kicks and dodges and punches and twists and they were moving too fast to notice who's hands were who's. There was a shot to her stomach that almost made her buckle. There was a hit to his face that almost made his teeth rattle. The air was electric as they continued to fight, neither letting up, because neither of them had anything to lose.
Finally, Tifa delivered a high kick to his chin, sending his body up into an arc and then down to the floor. She stumbled back as her leg was brought back down and waited for Zell to make another move.
"…Uncle." Came a pained voice, out of breath.
Her heavy breathing did not stop as she walked over to him. "…What…was that? Speak up, Zell."
"Uncle." He repeated, grinning, looking up at her upside-down face. Man…I'm rusty…I've haven't fought with someone this good since…since……I've never fought with someone this good at any of those Olympia Tournaments Phil puts me in…
She was hunched over, hands on her knees, steadying herself. She felt good. Very good. She smiled, feeling her heart beat fast…she loved this feeling after a good fight...Zell put up a good fight…He was good… Haven't fought like that since…since…
Zell watched as her upside-down smile was lost. …since…when…? She frowned, not able to remember, and suddenly, she remembered exactly why she was fighting to begin with. Because she couldn't remember everything and no one would tell her…That good feeling she had lightened somewhat as her frustration returned.
She shook her head, trying to forget it. It was a good fight. A good fight. Tifa stood up straight, brushing the hair out of her eyes. Her body hurt, as expected, but it was a good hurt, and nothing a Cura couldn't fix. The hurt was distracting; it was better than the other hurt, she supposed. She moved over to Zell's side, offering a hand. "Come on, get up."
He grabbed onto her hand, but didn't need it to pull himself up. "Nice moves."
Tifa snorted at him. "You only wish you could fight like a girl."
He laughed. "Ah, well, I think little bump on your cheek is gonna be a nice bruise by tonight…You know, the one from yours truly…" Zell tried to change the subject, to get her mind off whatever was bothering her. "Oh! And you can't forget about the purple patches you're gonna get from all those meetings with the ground…"
His smile dropped as Tifa looked back at him with sad eyes. "Yeah…I can't forget that…."
There was something in her tone that made him think that she wasn't talking about fighting anymore. What's…wrong? "…What?"
She pursed her lips together before answering him in a hushed tone. "I can remember now. I can remember here and there and him and her…but I can't remember then. Before. Before all of this…Every time I think I remember, I fall short. And no one will tell me why."
Zell looked away. "Why won't anyone tell me?" She asked him, almost begging for an answer. "I have a right to know, don't I? I was there,wasn't I? So, why can't anyone just say it? Dammit, Zell! It's not fair!" Her knuckles ached, but she squeezed her hands into fists anyway. But…what would he know? …he's just like Yuffie and Cid…Her voice, soft and sad, came to him after a pause. "…You remember everything about that, don't you?"
He nodded and swallowed thickly. What would be worse…? Remembering everything…remembering nothing…or being stuck in a limbo…? "Yeah….I do."
Her lip quivered and her voice came out even quieter. "Yeah…lucky you."
Yuffie was moving so fast, she could barely see her own hands. It was all just so exciting! Two new worlds! And we've just landed! Oh! This is so great! If she could keep a tune, she'd be singing. But she knew that Squall had a headache and she figured she'd spare him for now.
They were both preparing medicine/magic bags for the people or animals or things that were harmed by the Heartless or whatever. Cura, Fira…anything they had on board as stock was put into the large canvas bags. And while she was cramming everything in, Squall, just as she knew him, took his time, sorting, organizing, and finding the best place to fit everything little thing.
"Okay! Done! Let's go!" She cheered, throwing her heavy bag over her shoulder. Yuffie moved to the door, expecting to hear footsteps, but got nothing. She turned back around. "Come on, Squall! Jeeze, can't you be messy for once?"
At the sound of his name, he looked up and blinked once, before returning to his task. He should have chastised her for calling him the wrong name, but it probably didn't matter anyway. Nothing does…not even this excursion. Not even that headache. Not even the voice…because I can't deal with it right now…
He heard her get close, but he didn't look up again. He was busy stocking his bag so that he could get the most out of the space provided. Cura…Blizzaga……There. That should do it. It was neat and organized and everything was where he could find it because that was the way he was trained to do things. "Yuffie, I can't afford to be messy. It's easier to find things when I know where they are." He finally addressed her question. Besides, in life or death situations, every second counts…and if I have to waste a minute looking for the right potion, someone could die.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, I wanna do some exploring! I wanna see the people here!"
He shouldered his bag easily. "Judging by your loud landing, I think we won't have to look far. They've probably came to investigate."
"I apologized, okay? It's not my fault that one of the engine's busted…" Yuffie spun back around. "So, come on! We've got people to meet!"
"Yeah." There was that tone in his voice, that sad, defeated tone, and she immediately turned back around to face him. She put her bag down and put her hands on her hips.
"What's wrong?" She asked with a bit of a frown, but she knew his answer before he said it. He keeps giving me that tone…
"I'm fine."
"No. No, don't use that one on me now. You get all freaky when we were driving over here and you keep saying it was nothing! And don't tell me it was a headache either because I know better! What was that all about?"
…I promise…
…Squall…
Leon frowned back at her, or maybe at the voice. "It's none of your concern. I'm fine."
Her lips pursed together, but she willed her anger away. He's going through a lot right now…And he's still Leon…so, he wouldn't tell you anyway…You can't work miracles in a day… "Okay. Okay. Fine. Whatever." She picked up her bag. "Now, can you at least try and be happy when we meet these people?"
He gave her a blank stare and Yuffie smiled. "Perfect! Just the face I'm looking for!" Picking up her bag and her shruiken, she practically skipped out the door. He'll tell me when he's ready…He has to…he doesn't have a right to be sad anymore…
The sun was bright as she exited the ship. When her eyes readjusted, she saw that the sky was a deep blue, that there were trees everywhere with flowers and foliage and the air smelled so sweet…all Yuffie could do was stop and take a deep breath in. Of all the worlds she'd seen, none had had this calming effect on her. …Wow…everything's so pretty… To add to the majestic first impression, bright red birds flew from one green tree to another.
She turned slightly and her heart felt elated, because she had caught Squall actually enjoying the view in her peripherals. If it had been any other situation, she would have teased him…But…he's going through a lot…so I guess I'll spare him until he fixes himself up… "Ain't it nice?"
He nodded, but dismissed her question. "Come on. We have to see if there's been any damage…" It was a beautiful landscape, but his mind had already switched gears to do the task at hand. He tried to not let the familiarity of the greens and the blues and the yellows and the pinks and the purples get to him because that was not what this was about.
Leon walked forward in silence, just the sound of his footsteps and clanging potion bottles echoed. Yuffie closed and locked the door to the Gummi Ship and ran back to catch up with Squall. "Huh. Where is everyone? I thought you said they'd come running to my obnoxious landing…"
He shrugged. "Maybe they aren't here yet." It was strange to him; this world was so quiet…as if no people lived here…just a giant forest…completely untouched by man…This can't be another Deep Jungle World, can it? Yuffie's landing had created a bit of an open space, as some trees were crushed under the weight of the Gummi Ship, so the two of them walked towards the denser forest area in front of them.
"Yeah, or maybe you're wrong and no one heard!" Yuffie chided, finally walking in stride with him. "And slow down, already! It's not fair that you have longer legs than I do!"
Leon rolled his eyes, slowing his pace down so that she could keep up. "How's your headache going…?" She continued, trying to get over the silence. Yuffie looked up at him, but saw that his attention was elsewhere; she repeated her question, louder, "Hey! I said, how's your—?"
He frowned at the trees in front of them. …what was that noise…? "—Yuffie."
"What? I'm just asking—"
"—No, Yuffie." He could have sworn he heard something. Or saw something. Or maybe his mind was playing tricks on him because he hadn't sleep well for a couple of days. Or was it weeks? …no, I'm sure…there was something…
"—if you want a Cura or something because—" She didn't get to finish her thought because a gloved hand was slapped over her mouth before she could continue. "—Mmph!"
"Yuffie. Be quiet." He whispered to her; now he was certain. Something had moved within the thick foliage. He had seen that blur of fast motion as whoever was hiding changed positions.
She frowned at him, trying to understand…She followed his line of vision, focusing on the trees Squall was staring so intently at. …what is his prob—? OH! Yuffie's eyes opened as she saw the movement too. Oh! Jeeze! Someone's there! Her instincts told her that the reason they were being elusive was because they were either scared of them…or preparing an attack on the unsuspecting foreigners.
His hand moved off of her face and instead went to rest on Lionheart. "You saw them too, right?" His voice was still low, trying not be threatening, trying not to cause an unwanted and unnecessary attack. But to be safe, to be true to his training, his hand tightened the grip on Lionheart's handle.
Yuffie calmed down after the initial shock; she was a ninja after all, she should be used to being watched. …but it's usually me doing the stalking… "Squall…" She kept her eyes forward, talking softly. "What do we do?"
His eyes stayed on the forest too. Taking a deep breath, he called out to them. "Hello? …If anyone is there, we're not here to hurt you."
Yuffie saw some movement and took a tiny step forward. "We don't mean any harm! We're here to help—eep!!" Her loud declaration ended off in a squeak as an arrow whizzed past her cheek and embedded itself firmly in the tree behind her.
Lionheart was drawn in a blink of an eye and he dropped the bag to the ground. He did not take up an attack stance and called out to them again. "We are not here to hurt you. Cease fire!"
There was a pause and then some commotion. "Drop your weapons." Boomed a voice from the trees. "If you are not here to harm, drop them."
Yuffie immediately obeyed, sticking one of the sharp points of her shruiken into the earth. She waved her hands in front of her face. "See? No harm!"
Leon frowned at the people he could not see, but followed suit after Yuffie. "We're here to help."
The leaves of bushes and trees were pulled back and the two of them were met with over twenty pairs of eyes. Dark skin, dark hair, with several arrows pointed and bowstrings drawn taut and ready. Jeeze! They were all hiding?! We're outnumbered like crazy! Yuffie could not believe the numbers; she couldn't even detect it! She turned to Squall, who was still frowning.
The voice that spoke before called again. "Drop your weapons."
Yuffie was about to retaliate, to tell him that her shruiken and Squall's gunblade were their only weapons, when she saw the bows and arrows of their unseen enemy lower. She lowered her hands, seeing the threat dissipate. …where are we?
The owner of the voice stepped forward. Upon his head was an elaborate feathered headdress and his face was marked with red dye. He must be the leader… Yuffie analyzed. "W—We're here to help, okay?" She tried again.
The leader nodded, locking eyes with her. "My apologies, my sister…" His eyes darted over to Squall's next, looking right at his scar and through his frown. "…My brother. We have been more careful with new faces since the last white-man arrived…But we too mean you no harm."
Yuffie was about to retaliate again, to ask him what was the point of the arrow that nearly got her face, when Leon spoke. "We've come to aid your injured." He motioned to the bag he had let drop. "That is all."
"We have all the medicine we need to aid our injured…" The leader explained. "But, weary travelers, you are free to stay and do what you have come to do." His arms stretched out in a welcoming gesture. "We are the Powhatans, and I am Wahunsenacawh, the Chief of this tribe. Welcome to our land."
OMG, SORRRY FOR THE LONG UPDATE. But school sucks.
Anyway, hope y'all enjoyed it! =) Zell is such a flirt. And for those who haven't guessed yet, yes, the new world is Pocahontas' world. I actually google'd the name of her dad...=)
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