Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Mekina. Had some fun with this part and I hope you like it :D
Once everyone finished eating, you left money on the table along with a nice tip for the waitress before going back to the inn. As you walked out the door, you examined the town since you weren't paying attention the first time you left the inn. There were several buildings that lined the street with small lights resting on their walls. It was a peaceful sight.
"Come on, don't just stand there!" Zack called to you.
Complying, you ran over to them and entered the inn, then went up the stairs to your rooms. After Angeal unlocked the door, you walked in and saw the other two SOLDIERs.
"Where have you been?" Genesis asked, never taking his eyes from his book.
"At the restaurant across the street," Angeal replied.
"I see. And without us?" A small smirk curved at his lips in a somewhat teasing manner.
"You took too long and we got tired of waiting," Zack crossed his arms.
"You were waiting for us?" Sephiroth looked to the three of you. "My apologies. I suppose we may have lost track of time."
"Ah, it's cool," you said before curiously glancing from one to the other. "So how did the fight go anyway?"
"I won once again," Sephiroth answered, looking at Genesis from the corner of his eye with a smirk. Genesis narrowed his hues at the book in annoyance before shutting it.
"I believe I was the victor, Sephiroth."
"Guys..." Angeal warned, giving them a look. He had already experienced enough moments like this one to know that it probably wouldn't end well if it continued. Best to nip it in the bud while he still could. Feeling a little guilty for asking, you frowned slightly . I should have known that would happen.
Zack looked at everyone in the room before lifting up the bag he was carrying. "Would now be a good time to mention we got you guys takeout?"
Leaving the SOLDIERs to their food, you walked out of the room and went into the bedroom. Turning on the light, you looked around the room and let your eyes stop on a door. Hoping it was a bathroom instead of a closet, you opened the door. Smiling once you spotted a shower, you locked the door behind you, and took full advantage of it while it was free for the taking.
...
"What to do now..." you mumbled, sitting on the bed.
Having cleaned up, you didn't know what to do with yourself when finished. Absentmindly, you reached a hand up and played with your necklace between your fingers as your mind wandered. And then you remembered your sword. Ever since you woke up, you had yet to see it. Eyes widening, you looked around the room. How could I not notice that sooner!? Jumping to your feet, you continued searching for a few seconds more before relaxing, and let out a sigh of relief. It just fell behind the table... Walking over to the table with the hilt of your sword sticking out behind it, you retrieved it, and placed it gently on the wall after examining it.
No chips or scratches, but a bit dirty... briefly running your fingers along the smooth blade, you then walked out of the room, wondering what everyone else was doing.
Walking back in the room, everyone was lounging around with the TV now on. Angeal and Sephiroth seemed to be the only ones that noticed your presence, and greeted you with a silent nod which you returned. Zack was focused on the show, and Genesis kept to himself reading LOVELESS. Going over to join them in watching, you sat on the ground near Zack. There was some kind of horror movie on, and Zack seemed to never take his eyes away from it. You all watched in silence as the sound of a chainsaw filled the room, soon followed by a man screaming in agony as it cut through his body.
Oh no... Closing your eyes, you still saw the scene play through your mind. Now it's stuck in my head and I'll probably have a nightmare about it... Nooo! When you heard another person scream, your eyes shut even tighter. After a moment, you eventually looked back to the screen, and tried not to flinch through the bloody parts. In the end it wasn't that scary at all, just people getting cut to pieces.
"Well... that was one jacked up movie," Zack said as the credits began to roll. In reply, you moved closer to him, grabbed the remote, and switched the channel. "Wait, go back to the last channel!" Zack turned to you with puppy dog eyes, and holding in a laugh, you tried to ignore him. He then pushed you over, beginning to fight for the remote.
"Hey!"
Eventually getting it out of your hands, he then went back to the channel he wanted. It was another horror movie. Staring at the TV for a moment longer while still laying on your back, you watched Zack press the info button to see what it was about. Once you saw the name of it, you quickly got off the floor and tackled Zack, fighting for the remote. By now, the three 1st class found you both more entertaining than the movie.
"Calm down you two," Angeal chuckled. You both ignored him and continued fighting for the remote until you finally got it.
Quickly jumping to your feet, you ran to the other side of the room. Zack ran after you as you switched past a few channels to North Park before leaving the room. After a few minutes of fighting for the device in the bedroom went by, you ran back in the other room the next time you got it. Going over to the couch, you hid the remote under the cushion then spun around and dropped to the ground, panting lightly. Zack came in the room seconds after.
"Okay... I'll let you win for now," he sat next to you and started watching North Park as you smiled victoriously.
As North Park continued, none of you expected for it to turn out so violent, gross, and strangely funny. At a first glance when you saw those kids, you thought it wouldn't be anything like this. And as the minutes of several more people spontaneously combusting into flames went by, Sephiroth asked the same question that the rest of you were thinking.
"What is wrong with this show?"
"My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess..."
"If this was real, I don't think the gift of the goddess would be able to save them," Zack said.
"If this was real, even before they took to flame, they would have already be too far gone to receive the gift," Genesis told him.
When the show ended you decided to turn in and wished the others good night. Getting into bed, you watched as your sword gleamed softly from the light of the moon for a short while. When you were done admiring it, you pulled the covers back and got more comfortable, gazing out the window while slowly trying to fall asleep.
...
"Come on, it's time to go back to HQ. The ride will be here soon," Angeal said as you opened your eyes.
"What time is it?" You asked, half asleep.
"5:30. If we leave now we'll be able to get back before noon."
"Okay, Angeal..." Tiredly rubbing your eyes, you sat up.
Angeal chuckled to himself before going over to Zack to wake him. With an eyebrow raised wondering why he laughed, you went into the bathroom and looked at yourself in the mirror. Staring in silence at your messy bed hair, a small smile tugged at your lips and you couldn't help but laugh. That would be embarrassing if anyone else saw me like this...
After a few minutes, your hair was somewhat decent again. Washing up, you then left the bathroom, and laughed at the scene playing before you. Angeal was trying to pull Zack out of bed, but he refused to let go of the headboard. Though it didn't take too long for the 1st to get him out. With Zack finally getting himself ready, the two of you took went to the lobby to join the others.
"What took you so long?" Genesis asked, sitting on a couch while Sephiroth was in an arm chair near him. All Angeal had to do was say Zack's name for the red SOLDIER to understand.
Several minutes later, Zack came down the stairs and into the lobby.
"Alright, let's go!"
Zack then ran out of the inn with the rest of you staring after him. Now that he was up, he seemed far too energetic compared to how he was just minutes ago. Returning the keys of the rooms back to the innkeeper, you all took your leave after him. As the front of the town was neared, a helicopter a little ways a way from the entrance came into view. Now boarding the helicopter, you flight to HQ began.
...
"So it wasn't AVALANCHE behind the attack, but Wutai... and they even had a summon?"
"Not just any summon either," Angeal glanced at you. Silently stepping forward while retrieving the glowing orb from your pocket, you gave it to the Director to examine. "It's Shiva."
"Intriguing..." he held it between his fingers. Placing the materia on his desk, he looked at you then to Zack. "Since it seems that you and Zack have successfully aided them, know that I will be keeping a closer eye on you both."
Following his gaze to the 2nd, you shared a smile with your friend for a moment before turning back to the Director as the rest of the report continued.
When done, the group left the office, and everyone said their farewells before going separate ways. As you walked down the halls, you glanced out a window in thought. The 3rd's should be training by now, you had the rest of the day off, and you were trying to think about what to do next to pass the time. "I guess I could go for a walk and try to find something to do..." You said to yourself as you left your room and went into the Shinra halls.