"Are you serious? your not pranking us are you?" Tifa gasped in disbelief. Aerith herself was in skepticism with the news her boyfriend has provided.
"No, I'm not pranking any of you. Reeve is even letting me go there to ask the doc myself to see if it's possible." Zack replied to his friends' and girlfriend's concern. "Speaking of which, I need to get ready before Cid gets here."
"So you're leaving now?" Cloud asked concerned since Zack skipped on breakfast to get to his meeting with Reeve. "At least eat something before you go, even you can get fatigued."
"You worry too much Cloud, but I get it. I'll get a snake before Cid picks me up. I promise." Zack started heading to the stairs, but he stopped when he heard his girlfriend called out to him.
"W-wait Zack, let me come with to help you pack." Aerith rolled after him. He was waiting for her to reach him, and when she did, he carried her down the stairs to their room; leaving both Tifa and Cloud alone on the roof.
~.~.~.~
Tifa leaned her head on Cloud with a sigh. "Well, that was a lot to take in. First Aerith's surprise and now Zack's trip to New Mideel."
She felt his head nod. He had nothing to add about the subject.
"Oh, by the way, What made you get back late? did something happen during your delivery run?"
She saw him look away, he was either avoiding answering the question, or was recalling the event. He was relieved when she saw him looking back at her to reply.
"You won't believe me."
"Try me."
"Alright, but I warned you." He took a deep breath and continued. "As I was heading to Junon, something attacked me-"
"Wait, what?!" Tifa jerked her head off Cloud's side in surprise.
"Let me continue. As I was saying, I was riding through the usual route. Then I was suddenly attacked that caused me to skid across the pavement and get knocked out till nightfall. When I woke up, I was healed, and nothing was stolen."
"Well that's good to know, but what attacked you?"
"That's the thing, I don't know. What I do know is that they were two figures and were using materia. And... I think one of them had a black wing."
"Cloud while I do believe that you were attacked, I think that last part is due to Zack's prank."
"I did skid the pavement, so maybe you're right. Still, we should tell the others to watch their backs, just in case."
Tifa agreed with him, She will need to send some text messages to Reeve and the others later. For now though, maybe she and Cloud can finally have some time to themselves.
"Say Cloud, are you tired yet?" She teased, reaching her arm behind his back, rubbing his spine.
"Aren't you busy with the bar?"
"We're closed till 4 PM, and the kids will be back around 2 PM. So we have some time to ourselves. What do you say?"
Cloud wrapped his arms around her waist and carry her up to his eye level "Your wasting time then." He teased her as he moved back inside.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
11 AM, The City of Edge, Kujata Avenue...
Vincent loaded his guns and made sure he had everything he needed for the New Mideel trip. He grabbed a checklist that he wrote and looked it over. A change of clothes, ammo, weapons, the essentials, and a souvenir? He looked at the last line of the list again, he noticed that it wasn't written in his handwriting. Now that he thinks about it, it reminded him of a certain ninja's writing.
"Yuffie..." he sighed frustrated, she was hiding in the room. He could feel her somewhere.
"Yuffie, come out... I know you're in here." She still ignored him, at least she's not letting her skills dull. Either way, he didn't have time for her games. "Fine, I'm leaving."
He announced, but just as he tried to leave the room, Yuffie dropped down right in front of the door, blocking his exit. "You jerk, leaving without saying anything to me."
He slammed his arms on the wall with her trapped in between. "Got you."
He gave her a cocky grin, giving her a quick peck. He enjoys catching the proud Wutai ninja off guard. "Satisfied?"
Yuffie, with her blushing cheeks, simply nodded as a reply. Seeing this he pulled away, letting her go free.
"Now then, if you'll excuse me. Cid is waiting for me in the airship hanger." Vincent gave her another peck, this time on her head, before leaving the room with his bag. "I'll get you a souvenir."
"Y-you better." She shyly called out, smiling to herself.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
12 PM, 7th Heaven Bar, Garage...
Zack was taking one last check on his backpack. With him currently was Cloud who was helping him with Garm, Zack's motorbike.
"You salvaged this near the Church? Great find, but why the name 'Garm'?" Cloud questioned as he examined the bike's engine.
"Aerith really picked it, she said it was the name of a very old summon that no longer exists on Gaia." some bandages, potions, and spare clothes were put back in the backpack while he continued his chat with Cloud.
"Interesting, well I see no problem with the engine, You're good to go."
"Thanks for helping me out Cloud. Now then, I really need to go before Cid calls again. Where are the girls?"
"Sorry Zack, I have no idea." Cloud shrugged, looking over at the garage door.
Aerith had asked Tifa for a favor as he and Cloud left for the garage to check on the Garm. That was over an hour ago, and he wasn't going to leave without seeing his girlfriend first.
Just then both Tifa and Aerith arrived, the brunette being a bit winded from the rush. Aerith seemed to be carrying something, but Zack couldn't tell what it was, as they got in to see him off.
"Sorry, we're late. I just had to make sure it was ready." Aerith apologized as she rolled closer to her boyfriend.
"Ready? was is?" the curiosity was getting to him as he glanced at the hidden item in her hand. She was hiding in on purpose so he couldn't tell what it was.
"It's a good luck charm. I just want you to have a safe trip this time." She took out a pink ribbon that had her name stitched on it in a darker shade. "Plus it'll keep some people away."
Zack chuckled, she was either joking or serious, whichever it was it was still cute. He reached out his arm, letting her have an easier job putting it on. "Is it in some way enchanted?"
Tifa answered in her busy friend's place. "Sadly it would stop you from getting negative ailments."
"Too bad, it would have helped."
"Maybe next time," Aerith concluded as she finished, she had tied the ribbon around his wrist, just above his glove making sure the name was visible. "Good Luck."
"Thanks, Aerith. I'll see you all as soon as I'm done." Zack mounted his bike, starting the engine; fastening his goggles.
Cloud opened the garage door then moved out of the way. "Try calling us when you get there."
"Will do buddy. Bye guys!"
Soon enough, Zack raced out the garage. Making his way to the WRO's headquarter. His goggles blocking the dust and wind from hitting his eyes directly. An adventure was waiting for him.
