Disclaimer: I still don't own Final Fantasy. Surprise, surprise.
Author's Notes: Well, I should be working on my paper right now, but I just had to write something. So here I am, slacking off yet again. *sighs* I'm hopeless, I know. Anyway, I'm in a joyful mood since I just downloaded "Every Heart" from Inuyasha. Those of you blessed enough to have heard this song before can understand my joy. It's right up there with "Change My World" and "Cruel Angel's Thesis", ain't it? ^^ Oh, oh, oh, oh- it just got to the first really good part!! *hums along* Nagai nagai ... *bobs head randomly* do do do do dooo do do dodododo doooo ... -_-;;; Oh, well. On with the fic!! Enjoy!!
Chapter 39:
A Safe Distance
It was hell.
That was the only logical explanation. There was no way that such a hellish place existed on earth. Not even the slightest chance. Well, okay, maybe the slightest chance, but definitely no more than that!
Zack panted heavily and wished with everything he was that he would be able to stop running anytime soon. Sometime within the next fifteen minutes. A small voice in his mind reminded him that everyday he had been running for at least five hours on end, so why should today be different? He told that voice to shut up. What did it know, anyway?
A distant voice yelled at him to run faster. He felt like passing out from exhaustion, and they wanted him to run faster. It was a cruel, cruel world. He knew he wasn't the only person being yelled at, either. He was one of the better runners, but even so there was a limit to how much he could do in one day. And he had been at this for at least three days now.
Not only running, of course. There was also the strenuous physical tests they put everyone through, as well as giving them just enough food to live on, and letting them sleep barely five hours a day. It was stressful, and painful, and frustrating, and irritating, and suddenly Zack wasn't so sure he wanted to be a SOLDIER anymore.
Sephiroth, on the other hand, seemed to be holding up just fine. He never complained about the work they were given, either. When Zack complained, all the stoic boy responded with was a general comment on not whining. Please. He never whined. He merely calmly explained the unfortunate situation that they were in. That was all. Was it his fault if Sephiroth didn't seem to mind running for hours on end each day? Any sane person would mind that. Anyone.
Well, that was the answer. Sephiroth had obviously lost his mind. Obviously. No other explanation would work.
More voices began yelling, and Zack ran even faster. What was wrong with those people? Couldn't they see that a break was needed for mental stability? Even only for five minutes. At that point, Zack wouldn't have cared if he could stop for only one minute, but his lungs were burning. This was like child abuse. He was seriously oxygen-deprived.
He kept his legs pumping faster and faster, trying to finish the route before any more time had passed. The route their instructors had given them was, of course, impossible to complete. That was intentional, he assumed, since if they didn't complete it within the allotted time frame they were made to do more work. And, guess what the allotted time frame was? An hour. One measly, puny little hour was all they got to run more than forty miles uphill. That was crazy, and downright cruel.
Zack happened to glance up and immediately ducked. He had almost gotten thwacked by a low-hanging tree branch. He looked up and saw Sephiroth looking back and shaking his head. Zack glared at the other boy, who merely turned around and ran even faster.
That didn't stop him, though. Oh, no. Sephiroth deserved a good, long, hard glare for the way he had been acting. Did he think he was the only one who missed Midgar? They had been so happy to get out of that hellhole, but for what? For this? The air might have been nicer, but they were too busy killing themselves to notice!
Not that Sephiroth cared either way. Zack had a feeling that boy wouldn't care if the world exploded around him, so long as it didn't disturb him too much. What was his problem, anyway? Was it so wrong to want to talk at night, after a tough day? Zack tried to make conversation, but Sephiroth either told him to shut up or ignored him completely. Where was the friendship in that?
Zack sighed. Friendship. Was it even possible to be friends with such a hard-headed, stubborn, obnoxious person? He tried and tried to make Sephiroth be more open, but it never worked. And now that he had other things to think about, like how exactly he would kill the next person who yelled at him to run faster, the other boy had shut down. Refusing to talk or socialize in any way with any of them. Zack had known Sephiroth would be cold to the others, but he had hoped...
What was the use, anyway? What did it matter what he had hoped? He sure wasn't getting it now. It didn't matter how much he wanted to befriend Sephiroth. It was a useless effort in the end. What was the point of even trying to be friends with him, anyway?
Zack shook his head to force those thoughts away. What was he thinking? How could he even think something like that? Of course he was friends with Sephiroth! So he was quiet, and a little weird. Big deal. Zack himself was known for being weird. There was nothing wrong with that. Besides, they had to stay friends. They understood each other, even if Sephiroth didn't want to admit it. Plus, they had Aeris to think about.
Aeris... what was she doing? Was she mad at them for leaving? He hoped not. He didn't think he could take it if, after all of this work he had to do, he got home and she was angry with him. Oh, no, just the thought made him depressed. He was sure she would be. She didn't want to spend time alone, after all. She was with her other friends, but would she see it like that? No way. She would surely be upset with him.
He sighed and felt like hitting himself in the head. He might have if his legs weren't killing him, but they were and he decided it was enough pain for the time being. Oh, why was he so stupid? He knew this would make her upset, just knew it! And what did he do? He went and left her anyway! It was so... so... ugh, so stupid!
A horrible thought struck him. What if she was somewhere, alone, crying or something? Or in desperate, desperate need of him to come and help her? Oh, this wasn't helping. This was NOT helping. He was worrying over nothing, he was sure of it.
But what if she was? In danger, or stuck somewhere? She's too nice to ask for help, she'd probably just stay there and not want to disturb anyone! Oh, why did she have to be so nice? Couldn't she just be selfish for once?! That was why he had left, she had told him that she would be fine. Yeah, right. Why was he so stupid?!
His thoughts were cut off when he tripped over a rock, and immediately stumbled over himself in an attempt to stay standing. Of course, who would be right in front of him ready to break his fall?
"Hey!" Sephiroth exclaimed, falling face first in the dirt. He jerked his head around and glared at Zack. Zack grinned sheepishly and gave a small laugh.
"Hey, Seph. Just thought I'd drop in." The comment didn't amuse Sephiroth, and Zack frowned. "Well, I thought it was funny."
"Get off of me, Zack," Sephiroth said.
Before either could move, an instructor came running up and asked them what they thought they were doing. Zack opened his mouth, but no, he didn't want any excuses. They were clumsy and inept fools who did nothing right. Well, they would learn something when they had to clean out the kitchen that night. Maybe that would teach them something.
As their instructor walked away, Sephiroth sighed. He pushed Zack off of him and sat up.
"You've really made a mess of things now."
"Aw, come on, Seph. It's not that bad. At least it's not the bathrooms." Both shuddered at the thought. "Besides, it shouldn't take that long."
Sephiroth glared. "We wouldn't have to do it at all if you would just pay attention to what you're doing."
"I was paying attention!"
"Were not."
"Were too."
"Were not."
"Were too."
"Were- oh, this is stupid," Sephiroth said. He stood up and looked down at Zack. "Well?"
Zack tried to stand up and almost fell over again. Sephiroth reached out a hand to steady him.
"Thanks."
"You're hopeless."
"I try."
Sephiroth shook his head and began running again. Zack followed him, but from a safe distance. He kept his mind carefully blank and focused on avoiding anything that looked like it might trip him up. No need to make things more difficult than they already were.
Author's Note (part 2): Okay, so it's a weird place to end it, big deal. I thought I should tell all of you to go see "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". It rocks! The book is so much better, of course, but they kept a lot of stuff in. They took out some really funny parts though, like Lockheart's Valentine's Day, de-gnoming the Weasley's yard, and Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party. Ah, well- at least they kept in the most important parts! And, in case you were curious, Tom Felton is so hot!! You know, the kid who plays Draco Malfoy. Damn. That's all I have to say. ^^
Author's Notes: Well, I should be working on my paper right now, but I just had to write something. So here I am, slacking off yet again. *sighs* I'm hopeless, I know. Anyway, I'm in a joyful mood since I just downloaded "Every Heart" from Inuyasha. Those of you blessed enough to have heard this song before can understand my joy. It's right up there with "Change My World" and "Cruel Angel's Thesis", ain't it? ^^ Oh, oh, oh, oh- it just got to the first really good part!! *hums along* Nagai nagai ... *bobs head randomly* do do do do dooo do do dodododo doooo ... -_-;;; Oh, well. On with the fic!! Enjoy!!
Chapter 39:
A Safe Distance
It was hell.
That was the only logical explanation. There was no way that such a hellish place existed on earth. Not even the slightest chance. Well, okay, maybe the slightest chance, but definitely no more than that!
Zack panted heavily and wished with everything he was that he would be able to stop running anytime soon. Sometime within the next fifteen minutes. A small voice in his mind reminded him that everyday he had been running for at least five hours on end, so why should today be different? He told that voice to shut up. What did it know, anyway?
A distant voice yelled at him to run faster. He felt like passing out from exhaustion, and they wanted him to run faster. It was a cruel, cruel world. He knew he wasn't the only person being yelled at, either. He was one of the better runners, but even so there was a limit to how much he could do in one day. And he had been at this for at least three days now.
Not only running, of course. There was also the strenuous physical tests they put everyone through, as well as giving them just enough food to live on, and letting them sleep barely five hours a day. It was stressful, and painful, and frustrating, and irritating, and suddenly Zack wasn't so sure he wanted to be a SOLDIER anymore.
Sephiroth, on the other hand, seemed to be holding up just fine. He never complained about the work they were given, either. When Zack complained, all the stoic boy responded with was a general comment on not whining. Please. He never whined. He merely calmly explained the unfortunate situation that they were in. That was all. Was it his fault if Sephiroth didn't seem to mind running for hours on end each day? Any sane person would mind that. Anyone.
Well, that was the answer. Sephiroth had obviously lost his mind. Obviously. No other explanation would work.
More voices began yelling, and Zack ran even faster. What was wrong with those people? Couldn't they see that a break was needed for mental stability? Even only for five minutes. At that point, Zack wouldn't have cared if he could stop for only one minute, but his lungs were burning. This was like child abuse. He was seriously oxygen-deprived.
He kept his legs pumping faster and faster, trying to finish the route before any more time had passed. The route their instructors had given them was, of course, impossible to complete. That was intentional, he assumed, since if they didn't complete it within the allotted time frame they were made to do more work. And, guess what the allotted time frame was? An hour. One measly, puny little hour was all they got to run more than forty miles uphill. That was crazy, and downright cruel.
Zack happened to glance up and immediately ducked. He had almost gotten thwacked by a low-hanging tree branch. He looked up and saw Sephiroth looking back and shaking his head. Zack glared at the other boy, who merely turned around and ran even faster.
That didn't stop him, though. Oh, no. Sephiroth deserved a good, long, hard glare for the way he had been acting. Did he think he was the only one who missed Midgar? They had been so happy to get out of that hellhole, but for what? For this? The air might have been nicer, but they were too busy killing themselves to notice!
Not that Sephiroth cared either way. Zack had a feeling that boy wouldn't care if the world exploded around him, so long as it didn't disturb him too much. What was his problem, anyway? Was it so wrong to want to talk at night, after a tough day? Zack tried to make conversation, but Sephiroth either told him to shut up or ignored him completely. Where was the friendship in that?
Zack sighed. Friendship. Was it even possible to be friends with such a hard-headed, stubborn, obnoxious person? He tried and tried to make Sephiroth be more open, but it never worked. And now that he had other things to think about, like how exactly he would kill the next person who yelled at him to run faster, the other boy had shut down. Refusing to talk or socialize in any way with any of them. Zack had known Sephiroth would be cold to the others, but he had hoped...
What was the use, anyway? What did it matter what he had hoped? He sure wasn't getting it now. It didn't matter how much he wanted to befriend Sephiroth. It was a useless effort in the end. What was the point of even trying to be friends with him, anyway?
Zack shook his head to force those thoughts away. What was he thinking? How could he even think something like that? Of course he was friends with Sephiroth! So he was quiet, and a little weird. Big deal. Zack himself was known for being weird. There was nothing wrong with that. Besides, they had to stay friends. They understood each other, even if Sephiroth didn't want to admit it. Plus, they had Aeris to think about.
Aeris... what was she doing? Was she mad at them for leaving? He hoped not. He didn't think he could take it if, after all of this work he had to do, he got home and she was angry with him. Oh, no, just the thought made him depressed. He was sure she would be. She didn't want to spend time alone, after all. She was with her other friends, but would she see it like that? No way. She would surely be upset with him.
He sighed and felt like hitting himself in the head. He might have if his legs weren't killing him, but they were and he decided it was enough pain for the time being. Oh, why was he so stupid? He knew this would make her upset, just knew it! And what did he do? He went and left her anyway! It was so... so... ugh, so stupid!
A horrible thought struck him. What if she was somewhere, alone, crying or something? Or in desperate, desperate need of him to come and help her? Oh, this wasn't helping. This was NOT helping. He was worrying over nothing, he was sure of it.
But what if she was? In danger, or stuck somewhere? She's too nice to ask for help, she'd probably just stay there and not want to disturb anyone! Oh, why did she have to be so nice? Couldn't she just be selfish for once?! That was why he had left, she had told him that she would be fine. Yeah, right. Why was he so stupid?!
His thoughts were cut off when he tripped over a rock, and immediately stumbled over himself in an attempt to stay standing. Of course, who would be right in front of him ready to break his fall?
"Hey!" Sephiroth exclaimed, falling face first in the dirt. He jerked his head around and glared at Zack. Zack grinned sheepishly and gave a small laugh.
"Hey, Seph. Just thought I'd drop in." The comment didn't amuse Sephiroth, and Zack frowned. "Well, I thought it was funny."
"Get off of me, Zack," Sephiroth said.
Before either could move, an instructor came running up and asked them what they thought they were doing. Zack opened his mouth, but no, he didn't want any excuses. They were clumsy and inept fools who did nothing right. Well, they would learn something when they had to clean out the kitchen that night. Maybe that would teach them something.
As their instructor walked away, Sephiroth sighed. He pushed Zack off of him and sat up.
"You've really made a mess of things now."
"Aw, come on, Seph. It's not that bad. At least it's not the bathrooms." Both shuddered at the thought. "Besides, it shouldn't take that long."
Sephiroth glared. "We wouldn't have to do it at all if you would just pay attention to what you're doing."
"I was paying attention!"
"Were not."
"Were too."
"Were not."
"Were too."
"Were- oh, this is stupid," Sephiroth said. He stood up and looked down at Zack. "Well?"
Zack tried to stand up and almost fell over again. Sephiroth reached out a hand to steady him.
"Thanks."
"You're hopeless."
"I try."
Sephiroth shook his head and began running again. Zack followed him, but from a safe distance. He kept his mind carefully blank and focused on avoiding anything that looked like it might trip him up. No need to make things more difficult than they already were.
Author's Note (part 2): Okay, so it's a weird place to end it, big deal. I thought I should tell all of you to go see "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". It rocks! The book is so much better, of course, but they kept a lot of stuff in. They took out some really funny parts though, like Lockheart's Valentine's Day, de-gnoming the Weasley's yard, and Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party. Ah, well- at least they kept in the most important parts! And, in case you were curious, Tom Felton is so hot!! You know, the kid who plays Draco Malfoy. Damn. That's all I have to say. ^^