Chapter 14: On The Road Again

--

Aerith gave the two a surreptitious glance as they chatted amiably up ahead, then gave Tifa a look that clearly said, Boys.

She couldn't deny that she was still upset with Zack – why was he so eager to leave after he had gone through so much to come back? Why didn't he want to say goodbye? The thought made her heart ache uncomfortably, and she she pushed the thoughts aside. It didn't matter. He wasn't leaving without her, because she was coming with for once. She wasn't going to be left behind.

Tifa seemed to understand her pain, at least, and Aerith was glad to have a friend who was a girl. Granted, Aerith didn't know Tifa all that well, but they were both in similar situations...sort of. They were both trailing after the men they loved, for whatever reason.

Aerith slowed her pace to let Zack and Cloud get further ahead of them; next to her, Tifa slowed her steps as well, and Aerith spoke in a lowered voice.

"Cloud will come around soon," she said reassuringly.

"Yeah...maybe. I don't know what's up with him lately. He's been acting...really different, you know? But he's looking more...normal again, now that Zack's back." Tifa sounded a bit dejected, and Aerith's small smile faltered.

"Well, being normal is good, right?"

"Yes, I know..." Tifa hesitated. "I just...nevermind, it's kind of stupid."

"No, you can tell me!" Aerith's voice rose a bit, and Zack and Cloud glanced back with questioning looks. Aerith nearly smiled at Zack, but then she remembered she was angry with him, so she sent him a blank look. She saw Zack and Cloud exchanged looks, and they both shrugged before continuing onward, packs strapped to their backs.

Aerith lowered her voice again, looking eagerly at Tifa. She'd never had a friend like Tifa to share her secrets with and for some unexplainable reason, she realized she really wanted that. Zack was great, but she couldn't talk about all those girly things with him. After all, Zack was all about battle, fighting, protecting her and everyone around him. It was sweet, albeit, a bit annoying when Aerith was perfectly capable of taking care of herself...sort of.

"Go on," Aerith continued in a hushed tone of voice again. "You can tell me, I won't say anything, or laugh at you."

"Its just that...why is it that Cloud can act normal around Zack, and not me? Is there something wrong with me?"

"Of course not!" Aerith objected, shaking her head vigorously. "Cloud's just...a boy." she explained, as if that cleared everything up.

Tifa nodded in agreement.

"And besides...Cloud and Zack went through some terrible stuff before. They're like...brothers, right? I mean, we can tell something's bothering Cloud. Perhaps he just wants to work it out, and he knows Zack can help."

"I could help too," Tifa protested, but then shrugged. "You don't think its because Cloud can't trust me?"

"Cloud trusts you – I can see it in his eyes. I think he just doesn't want to get you involved...like it would get you hurt somehow." Aerith finished, feeling a bit bitter again. It was exactly what Zack was trying to do to her.

"Does everyone else realize you're so wise?" Tifa asked, he face brightening a bit.

"I've been forced to grow up, that's all." Aerith shrugged.

"I think we all have," Tifa agreed. "Let's catch up before they try and leave us behind."

Aerith nodded in agreement as Tifa grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward eagerly.

It's nice to have someone to talk to like this, Aerith mused, smiling serenely.

--

"What do you think they're talking about?" Cloud asked Zack, and Zack shrugged in response.

"I don't know...girl stuff probably." Cloud grunted, as though agreeing.

"I can't believe that Barret just let Tifa go. I thought they had big plans to take down Shinra, or something?" Cloud wondered aloud, scratching at his yellow head.

"Shinra's more concerned with the news of Sephiroth, I'm sure. Just like we are. So, we're going to have to be doubly careful. There are a bunch of maniacs out there that would gladly kill us all," Zack added darkly. He wasn't in a good mood. Aerith had somehow managed to get her way, and was now trailing behind him and Cloud, Tifa by her side.

How did this happen again? Oh right, my plan went to shambles the moment I found Cloud drunk and yelling...Zack made a face as he thought this, then cleared it before Cloud saw.

As though reading his trouble thoughts, Cloud placed a firm hand on his shoulder and gave him a friendly shake. "Don't worry, we'll keep the girls safe."

"Yeah, I suppose. I just don't want anyone else getting hurt. Sephiroth is crazy, and he won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in his way..." Zack paused, tilting his head as he heard a rustling.

"What is it?" Cloud asked, but Zack held up his hand to shush him. He waited a long moment, then shook his head wearily.

"I must be hearing things...paranoid or something." Zack tried to chuckle it off, but he had the slight suspicion that somebody was watching them – following them. And his hunches were usually right.

"No, you can tell me!" Aerith's shrill voice reached their ears, and both Zack and Cloud stopped to look back. Aerith gave Zack a blank stare, while Tifa flushed next to her. Zack shrugged, trying to ignore the painful feeling in his stomach at Aerith's look.

"She's still really upset with me," Zack muttered as he started forward again, trying to listen for both the rustling noises he'd been hearing and whatever the girls were talking about. He was only successful at hearing the scuffing of boots on gravel and hushed whispers.

"She'll get over it...er...eventually," Cloud offered, though Zack didn't find his words very helpful or reassuring.

"Yeah, but when?" Zack grumbled. "Honestly, a guy just tries to protect the people he cares about, and everyone gets all huffy."

"That's the price you pay for being a hero, I guess..." Cloud said, deadpan. It took Zack a moment to realize that Cloud was only jesting, and a grin spread across his face.

"I can't believe it, sullen, grumpy Cloud, making a joke. I didn't think it were possible anymore!"

Cloud shrugged, flushing in embarrassment. "I just haven't felt...the same lately."

Zack gave Cloud a long, hard look. "There's no reason you should," he said seriously. "What Hojo did to us...it wasn't right. I wish I had been the one to kill him...I know he said I would have been just like Sephiroth, a monster...a killing machine. I don't believe that anymore though. Hojo was the monster. It would have been the right thing to do, getting rid of him." Zack finished fiercely, a blazing look on his face.

"In any case...he's dead now."

"I suppose." Zack shrugged, rubbing his shoulder uncomfortably, casting his eyes around in all directions. "I swear, someone is following us..." he told Cloud in a hushed voice, glancing back at the girls to make sure they were still safe. Zack tensed suddenly, eyes darting over to the left. Without uttering a word, he slung his sword off of his back, holding it out in front of him. He was aware of Cloud next to him drawing his own sword uncertainly, and the girls behind them pausing.

"Come out and show yourself!" Zack demanded loudly, glaring off in the direction of the noise he had heard.

The group waited, three of the four looking rather confused. And then Tseng appeared. Zack swore inwardly.

"What do you want Tseng?" Zack asked gruffly, lowering his weapon only marginally. Is he here for Aerith? "Get the girls, Cloud." he hissed, determined to keep everyone safe, even if they did get mad at him for being protective.

It didn't take any effort for Cloud to coax the girls over; Aerith placed a hand on Zack's arm, looking uncertainly at Tseng.

"Where's Cissnei?" Tseng asked softly, looking at the group, confused. Zack dropped his gaze, the memory of her death invading his mind with sudden alacrity. Around him, it seemed as though everyone else had stopped breathing.

"She went to help you. Where is she?" Tseng asked more firmly. Zack swallowed thickly, trying to clear his throat.

"Cissnei...she's-" Zack stopped, his guilt building up and overwhelming him again. He couldn't say it.

"She's dead." Aerith finished softly for Zack. He gave her a grateful look. Tseng was staring at them, strangely silent. His face was blank.

"Who did it?" he finally managed to ask, his mouth drawn tight.

"Sephiroth." Zack croaked as he was assaulted by his memories of Cissnei. It wasn't fair. I'll kill him for what he's done.

"Sephiroth." Tseng spat his name like a curse word. He grit his teeth, visibly trying to take control of his emotions. "I'm assuming..." he started off slowly, his voice noticeably calmer. "I'm assuming that you are going after him?"

Zack nodded, still a bit wary. "So you came to look for Cissnei? Not to take Aerith to Shinra?" Next to him, Aerith stiffened, her grip on his arm tightening. Tseng gave Aerith a strange look, one that vaguely bothered Zack.

"No, I would never do that again. It was bad enough to have to do it the first time. I think that now...my loyalties no longer lie with Shinra. Cissnei's death needs to be avenged, don't you agree?"

The whole group looked shocked. Zack was probably the most shocked of all – was Tseng really throwing away Shinra, the company he had been so loyal to for years?

"Zack," Tseng said, seeing the look on his face. "We tried to find you when they sent Shinra after you. We wanted to save you. I didn't want to take Aerith to Shinra, but I thought I had no choice. I know I was wrong now. I've always had a choice. I just...didn't realize it. Zack, let me help you. All the Turks can help you."

"You kidnapped Aerith...I don't know if I can forgive you for that. I don't know if she can forgive you for that. You can help us, but you can't travel with us. Form your own group, whatever. We can...keep in contact with our cell phones. But when the final showdown comes...Sephiroth is mine. Not yours, got it?"

Tseng considered this for a moment, a frown on his face. Finally, he nodded in agreement. "Okay, Sephiroth is yours Zack. Understood. I'll keep in touch."

Zack waited until Tseng was out of sight before he finally relaxed and strapped his buster sword onto his back again. He looked down at Aerith, who was still gripping his arm.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he asked, grinning slightly. She flushed, frowning at him.

"Not entirely Zackary Fair!" she huffed angrily, withdrawing her hand like it had burned and making her way back to Tifa, muttering darkly under her breath. Cloud laid a sympathetic hand on Zack's shoulder, shrugging unhelpfully.

"Nice try, Zack." Cloud said, and Zack snorted, rolling Cloud's hand off his shoulder.

"My name isn't even Zackary."

--

By the time night had fallen, the group had stopped and made a camp in a sheltered area, surrounded by the sound of crickets and the wind blowing. Aerith was rather nervous, though she wouldn't allow herself to go take comfort by Zack. It was only her second time out of Midgar, and the wide open space made her nervous. The air was clean, though, and Aerith was pleased to see flowers in the fields. Cloud and Zack sat in front of the fire, bickering as they cooked dinner. Tifa rose up from the fire, making her way to Aerith.

"Quite the pair, aren't they?" she asked, laughing lightly.

"Yes," Aerith agreed. "They really are like brothers. They even have similar hair."

"It's strange. I would never have imagined anyone having hair like Cloud."
"Do you think it's natural?" Aerith asked, giggling. Somehow, she couldn't imagine Zack spending hours gelling his hair everyday. He was always so busy. Without meaning to, she found herself staring at him again. It was really hard to stay angry with him.

Tifa caught the look, and smiled weakly.

"You know, at least Zack pays attention to you. At least you know he cares, right? Ever since I..." she trailed off, blushing. Aerith looked at Tifa, her curiosity piqued.

"What is it?"

"Well...ever since I kissed Cloud...honestly, though, it was a bad time. Right after the battle...it was so stupid. And he hasn't said anything about it since. I have no idea what is going on in his head. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're lucky that Zack lets you know."

"He wasn't going to let me know that he was going to leave," she muttered bitterly, unwilling to be coaxed out of her anger with him.

"Because he was trying to protect you. Don't you think that's sweet?"

"No," Aerith huffed, shaking her head firmly. "Everyone's always trying to protect me. Its so aggravating sometimes. I'm not always a damsel in distress. I did learn how to take care of myself. Zack wasn't always around, after all."

Tifa nodded thoughtfully, and they both fell silent for a moment. Aerith glanced up at the night sky, and she was suddenly reminded of the first time she had been out of Midgar. Zack had carried her all the way there, out into the cool grass and clean air. He had taken her blindfold off and she'd seen the night sky for the first time in her life. It had been a little scary, but Zack had been there, and it had been okay. He'd shared his worries with her, and they had kissed. The memory of it brought a blush to her face, and she felt extremely bad about being angry with him. Zack was only being Zack, after all...

"What're you thinking about?" Tifa asked, obviously noticing her blush.

"Oh...just feeling bad I guess. About being mad with Zack...you're right, he really is awfully sweet."

"Sooo...how far have to two of you gotten?" Tifa drawled, a sly look on her face.

"What do you mean?" she asked, completely lost. At this, Tifa began to laugh.

"You know...have you guys done anything more than kissing?" Comprehension finally dawned on the flower girl, and she felt her face growing hot again. She was grateful for the dark.

"Er, no...nothing like that," she stuttered, feeling uncomfortable.

"Aerith, I'm only teasing. I didn't really think so."

"Oh..." Aerith chuckled weakly, trying to get the image of Zack, shirtless, with dripping wet hair, out of her head. "I should go apologize to Zack," she blurted hurriedly, eager to get away before the conversation went any further. Tifa waved her away, still smirking.

Aerith walked slowly over to Zack and Cloud, willing her blush away before she got into the light of the fire. Cloud looked up, spotting her and giving her a small smile before nudging Zack, who was immersed in cooking their dinner. Zack glanced up, looking a bit apprehensive.

He thinks I'm still mad at him. Aerith couldn't help smiling.

"Is dinner almost ready?" she asked, gesturing toward the fire and the meal cooking. It certainly smelled like it was almost done, and her stomach grumbled in response. At this, Zack chuckled slightly, his apprehension disappearing.

"Yeah, it's nearly done now."

"Zack...I'm sorry for being angry with you earlier. Do you forgive me?" she asked uneasily, afraid he wouldn't accept her apology.

"Of course," he said, flashing her a genuine smile. "And it's fine...I really should have told you I was going to leave. And I know from now on I can't stop you from doing whatever you want." He laughed again as he said this, and Aerith laughed too.

"That's right, mister!" Zack held his hand out for her, and she slid hers into his, feeling comforted once more. With a loud bark of a laugh, Zack pulled her down beside him, slinging one arm across her shoulders, the other hand tending to the fire. She leaned against him, sighing contently, oblivious to the looks Cloud and Tifa were giving the pair.

"I'm glad you've forgiven me," Zack said seriously, tilting his head in her direction.

"I know you are," she teased, grinning.

And when you think all is well, that is when the danger begins. Are you ready for the journey, daughter? Aerith frowned at the planet's words. It had been so long since she had heard anything from it, and she felt guilty, realizing she hadn't been making much of an effort to speak to the planet either.

What do you mean?

You will see, in due time. Stay safe.

"Are you okay, Aerith?" Zack asked, giving her a concerned look.

"I..." she snapped out of her thoughts, shaking her head slowly. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she assured him, trying to smile, but failing.

Was she ready for the journey?

--

A/N: Alright, well, here's the next chapter! Again, I apologize for the delay. I'm sorry its not that long, either, but I've really just wanted to post this and get it out of the way. Sorry. :/ I hope you all like it though, and that it was worth the wait.

Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts. :D

- Danielle