Harsh Words

Morning had always been Zack's favorite time of day. It was peaceful and quiet and, standing there on the outdoor training grounds, it felt as though he was the only person in the world.

He moved through the drills he had memorized long ago, relishing the feeling of his sword in his hands again. It had been far too long since he had last held it; six months ago, when he had gotten back from Wutai, he'd been unable to wield it, for every time he tried, he would relive what he had done with it.

He finished and stuck his sword into the ground, breathing a little heavier.

"Your form is off."

Zack turned and gave his commanding officer a half-hearted glare. "I know, I know…"

Sephiroth came over and pulled the sword from the ground. He swung it effortlessly and then handed it to Zack.

Zack took it and slid into fighting stance. He watched as Sephiroth moved into his own a few feet away.

He took a deep breath. This was going to be the first time he'd fought anyone and even though it was just sparring, he couldn't keep from being anxious.

Sephiroth was watching him, standing perfectly still. He knew Sephiroth well enough to know that he was measuring him, looking for weaknesses. That didn't ease his mind any, since he probably had weak points all over now.

"Are you prepared?" Sephiroth asked.

Zack nodded and charged him. Before he knew what had happened, he was flat on his back and his sword was lying on the ground a few feet away. Sephiroth had just disarmed him in one pass.

"Pathetic…" he said, between gasps for air.

He tried to sit up, but pain shot through his back. He squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip to keep from crying out.

Great…he thought. Not only had Sephiroth just handed his ass to him, he was injured, too.

Sephiroth appeared in his field of vision. "Are you all right?"

"I…don't think so," Zack said, the pain coming through in his voice.

Sephiroth crouched beside him and closed his eyes. Zack heard the familiar sound of materia charging and a green glow came from Sephiroth's wrist. Sephiroth put a hand on his chest and he felt the comforting warmth of a Cure spell seep into him.

He sighed as the pain dissipated, and Sephiroth withdrew his hand. He got up and brushed himself off. "I'm glad no one else was here to see that. I'd never hear the end of it…"

He retrieved his sword and stood at the ready again, but Sephiroth hadn't moved.

"That is enough for now," Sephiroth said, and headed back toward the building.

Zack shouldered his sword and ran a little to catch up with him. "Seph, what-"

"Perhaps you should find another sparring partner," Sephiroth said, interrupting him.

Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Another…what?"

"Someone closer to your own level."

There was a tinge of disappointment in Sephiroth's voice and that was all that was needed to send Zack over the edge he had been teetering on.

"Damn it, Sephiroth!" he yelled, stopping. "I already made a fucking fool of myself! I don't need to be ridiculed too! I know I'm out of shape, and, damn it, I know you're better than me! Quit fucking rubbing it in!"

Sephiroth had his back turned and was silent.

"Now you're not going to say anything? Stroked your ego enough for one day?"

Sephiroth merely walked away.

"Fine! Leave!" Zack yelled after him. "Go find someone else to talk down to! I'm sure that won't be too hard for 'The Great Sephiroth'!"

He stalked over to one of the benches and threw himself down on it, propping his sword up next to him.

"Fucking Sephiroth…Thinks he's better than everyone else. Someone should show him…"

Zack stopped abruptly, realizing what he was saying. What the hell had gotten into him? He knew damn well that Sephiroth didn't think that way.

And when Sephiroth had suggested he find someone closer to his own level, that hadn't been disappointment Zack had heard; it had been guilt. Sephiroth felt guilty for hurting him and he had probably suggested that because he didn't want it to happen again.

"Shit…" Zack muttered.

He almost ran after Sephiroth, but he would have already been in the building and discussing this in front of a bunch of people wouldn't be a good idea. So, he got up and walked slowly back. He would talk to Sephiroth once he got to the office.

Half an hour later, Zack had changed into his uniform and was standing outside the office door, wondering what in the world he was going to say for himself. He sighed and punched in the pass code. The door slid open and he entered.

Sephiroth was seated at his desk, working, and he didn't even look up as Zack entered. He was making it a point to ignore him, it seemed. But Zack had noticed him stiffen slightly.

Zack sat down at his own desk and stared down at it, feeling horrible. The seconds ticked by and the sound of the clock seemed fifty times louder in the overwhelming silence.

Zack took a deep breath and looked up at Sephiroth. "Seph…I'm sorry."

Sephiroth made no move that showed he had heard, but Zack knew he was listening.

"I didn't mean those things," he continued. "I was just…frustrated."

He got up and went over to Sephiroth's desk. "I'm not used to losing that bad, ya know?"

He shook his head. "Now it sounds like I'm making excuses, so I'm going to shut up. But I really am sorry."

Sephiroth looked up at him, a barely schooled expression of hurt on his face. Zack realized, with an odd wrenching feeling, that he had cut Sephiroth far deeper than he thought.

"Tell me why I shouldn't strike you down where you stand," Sephiroth said, and Zack could hear the anger burning just below the surface.

Zack forced a smile onto his face. "'cause ya'd miss me too much," he said, almost succeeding in keeping all the fear from his voice.

Sephiroth looked at him for what seemed like ages, the clock ticking even louder than before. Then, he nodded slowly. "Watch your tongue from now on, Zack."

"I will," Zack said. "I promise."