Chapter 18
Mistaken Disrespect
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, but all OC's (as of now) are mine.
A/N: Title of this chapter doesn't sound too inviting, does it? Makes it sound like someone's going to get hurt if you ask me? I'm not sure yet. I think it's a bit weird that I name my chapters before actually writing them.*Shrugs* Anyways, here goes nothing.
Mistaken Disrespect:
By mid afternoon the sun was burning down on the troop, making it uncomfortably hot and miserable. By then, Daitona and Sephiroth had taken the lead, and even they were becoming tired.
Daitona had by then, unzipped her heavy vest and had all her hair pulled back. "Dang, could it be any hotter?" she panted.
Sephiroth glanced at her. "Much," he sighed.
"Lets take a break. We're not getting anywhere like this." Daitona motioned for her cadets to stop.
Sephiroth shook his head then also did the same for the SOLDIER's. "Take a break."
The entire mass all went for the shade of the near by trees.
"Sephiroth, this isn't working. You can see that, can't you? By the time we face the enemy, everyone's going to be so tired and wore out that we'll loose pathetically. We made good time this morning, but then it got hot," Daitona said lazily and dropped all her stuff to the ground, she followed suit seconds later.
"What do you suggest we do then? You're right." Sephiroth sat his stuff on the ground then lied down in a patch of grass.
"Its not entirely safe.but then again it'd also be an advantage. We could travel at night. I can see in the dark, can't you?" Sephiroth nodded. "That would cut campfires all together, and the enemy would never know where we were. The night is also a little.a lot cooler, so we'd also make better time."
"It sounds good to me. Go tell Otto your idea."
Daitona grunted and fell back on the grass. "You go tell him. He likes you better."
"Oh really? That's an understatement in itself. That man's horrified of you, after the way you talked to the General," Sephiroth laughed and shielded his eyes from the sun.
"Well, well, well. Aren't you two the lazy ones. Why did we stop?"
"Well, if isn't the man we were just talking about," Daitona grumbled, she also shielded her eyes so that she could see Otto.
"You were talking about me? What about?" Otto asked gruffly. When it came to Daitona, any time she talked about you it couldn't be good.
"A suggestion." Daitona's voice successful gained Otto's attention again. "It's too hot to march now. Everyone's tired. I think we ought to move during the night when it's cooler."
Otto took her words into consideration. "It's not a bad idea, but aren't you afraid that some of the men might wonder off?"
"Sephiroth and I can see in the dark, so can all SOLDIER's. Isn't your squad also SOLDIER?" Otto nodded. "Well, your trailing us as it is. If anyone tried to skip out on us, someone's bound to catch them," Daitona pointed out.
"What do you think Sephiroth?"
"I think it's hot."
"I mean marching at night," Otto growled at the younger man.
"It's fine with me. I trust Daitona's decisions."
"Fine, then I'll go give the order." Otto walked off towards the troops.
"Well, look at the bright side of all this. At least now I won't have to wake you up in the mornings," Sephiroth teased.
"Oh, be quiet," Daitona grumbled.
The rest of the day was spent resting. When nightfall finally came the troops were put back in their ranks and they marched. And they marched, and they marched till the sky started to become light again. Only then did they stop.
They had made good time and had moved many miles. Daitona's idea proved to be the best choice. The troops weren't as tired either. And as luck had it, they had stopped next to a clear stream and a fairly clear area in the woods.
"My feet are killing me," Daitona whined as she pulled her boots and socks off. "If only they weren't too big."
"When we get to the next friendly fort, we'll see about getting you a smaller pair of boots, or you can always order them if they don't have the right size," Sephiroth suggested.
"That's a good idea, these blisters hurt." She stood back up then and went to the stream that was a short distance away. She sat back down on the grassy bank and dipped her aching feet into the icy mountain water. It was cold but it felt good.
"Commander?"
Daitona turned her head as found a cadet that she had met before. ".Z- Zack, right?"
The cadet nodded his head.
"Did you need something?" Daitona asked.
"Not exactly.I just thought I might warn you." Zack almost winced at the look the commander was giving him. "There's been talk.lots of talk. Some of the cadets still resent being led by you. Because.because.well-"
"I'm a girl. Go on." Daitona didn't mean to sound as threatening but she couldn't help it at the moment.
"There's been a lot of talk about an attack.or more like an ambush. They want to scar you."
"Do me a favor?" Daitona asked.
"Sure. What do you want me to do?"
"A few things. Go get you sword, then grab my boots and belt. Do you think you and one of these 'talkers' could use some sparing practice?"
Zack narrowed his eyes in thought, then smiled. "I'll get right to it, ma'am!" He saluted then hurried off.
"Here," Sephiroth said from behind Daitona and dropped her boots and belt next to her. "Now, what was that all about. Zack didn't do anything."
Daitona smiled ever so slightly. "I know. I AM suppose to be training these guys aren't I? Don't step in this time. I don't want the cadets thinking I need someone to protect me."
"I see, but I can watch, can't I?" he asked childishly.
Daitona laughed softly as she put her belt back on then her boots. "Do you think I could do this bare foot?"
Now Sephiroth laughed. "Do as you like, but." He stopped when Daitona pointed.
Zack and another cadet came to where the two commanders sat, Zack still had that silly smile on his face.
"This is Chavez.the one you asked for."
Daitona nodded, then stood up. "Chavez, you'll spar with me after I give Cadet Zack a lesson. Understood?" Daitona asked dangerously.
Zack gulped and Chavez grinned thinking that the commander was all talk. Really, how good could a girl be?
"There's a clearing just outside where we're setting up camp. That should be efficient for your purpose," Sephiroth offered.
"Sounds good. Lets go then."
Daitona led the way out of the makeshift camp, out of the woods into a small clearing. The grass was short, but there were some longer areas that looked clumped.
"Draw your sword," Daitona instructed and moved further into the clearing. She turned back around in time to watch Zack pull a huge Buster Sword, from his back. "Dang that's a big sword," Daitona laughed and drew one of her daggers.
"You sure you want to fight me with." Zack stopped as the dagger glowed and turned into an elegant sword. "A katana? Are you sure it won't break?"
Daitona frowned, but decided not to comment and simply drew out her other sword. "Now, you better listen carefully if you don't want to get hurt, and don't worry about me. I doubt you'll be able to hit me, but if you do.I can assure you that you are better than any other cadet here, so long as it's not a cheep or uncalled for shot."
Zack nodded, then waited silently for her first command.but it didn't come from Daitona, it came from Sephiroth.
"Daitona on defense, Zack, go for a chest stab to your right, Daitona, your left!" Sephiroth commanded.
Zack lunged forward and stabbed the huge buster sword towards his commander.
Daitona snorted. 'He closed his eyes!' Before he was within two feet from her, Daitona brought her swords up and crossed them in defense. Instead of waiting for the blow she pushed her swords forward to lock Zack's buster sword between hers.
The sheer force that made Zack's sword to stop made his teeth raddled as his sword did. His arms ached from the movement and the amount of pressure being put on by the commander.
"Back off Daitona." She did as told and circled around Zack as a praetor would its prey. Sephiroth knew well that Daitona was playing it easy and that she intended to scare the crap out of Chavez before the day begun. "Daitona on the offensive! Zack, guard your feet!"
Zack stood and watched as Daitona dashed forward then took a swipe at his feet with one sword.
"Guard your middle!" Sephiroth yelled as Daitona spun and brought her other sword up for the next attack at Zack's stomach.
Zack barely blocked with his sword; Daitona's sword skirted across the buster sword in a rain of sparks. After the attack she jumped back a good distance.
"I thought this was suppose to be a lesson?" Chavez said indignantly.
"It is," Sephiroth answered and never took his eyes off the spar. "Training to voiced orders. Zack was luck I knew what Daitona was going to do, other wise he would have been hit."
"You mean she always follows up a low attack with a mid attack?" Chavez inquired.
"Not always. Most of the time if she misses she goes for the same target again. And most of the time she doesn't go for a low cut, it's cheep. If this were a real duel she'd go for the kill in the chest or head."
"That sounds simple enough," Chavez smirked.
"Anything but simple. Are you even watching? For what strength her swords lack, she makes up for it in her own strength and speed." 'What disrespect. This cadet's going to get himself killed acting like this. I can read Daitona's moves only as much as she lets me.'
"Show me what you can do Zack. Just for my curiosity," Daitona said.
Zack nodded, and brought his buster sword up into and attack position. Daitona let him have his way, for the time and blocked his every move while watching. There were many flaws in the defense as he attacked, but Daitona was just seeing how he could do. After about five minutes she motioned for Zack to stop.
"Well, how'd I do?" he asked wryly.
".ok. You have a lot of flaws and you move too slowly. You need to work your arms more. I'll point out your mistakes the next time we spar, but now it's Chavez's turn," Daitona sighed, it was getting hot and the sun was just about ready to come up.
Zack grinned then went to where Chavez stood with Sephiroth.
"You're up," Sephiroth said and gave Chavez a push.
With out hesitation, he waltzed out onto the field.
"He's going to regret this the rest of the week," Sephiroth sighed as Chavez readied his own set of katana blades.
"I can't believe she's that strong. That first block.I thought my teeth were going to fall out!" Zack laughed.
"Technique. You need to work on that. All your movements were slow and predictable. I'm surprised the army let you have that big old sword," Sephiroth commented. "Did you watch her movements?"
"Ha! Fat chance. When she ran at me I didn't know where she was till I head that sword whistling towards me!" Zack wiped his forehead. "You weren't really telling me what to do on that follow up attack, it was a warning."
Sephiroth smirked. "You are right. She always goes with a follow up attack when she misses. It comes as a natural reaction to her now, and you are luck she was moving slow enough for me to see it. Most of the time she attacks with the same speed that you could hardly see her in."
"Wow."
"Sephiroth, humor us, will ya?" Daitona called.
"Whatever you want. You're in defensive again. Chavez, aim one attack mid- high and the other mid-low."
Daitona stood still and blocked both attacks easily enough, but Chavez decided that wasn't enough. He force Daitona to retreat one of her blades and he slashed at her feet; successfully cutting Daitona's left leg.
Daitona quickly pulled out of the attack and went to one knee to look over the cut. It wasn't bad, but he had pulled a cheep shot and she didn't like that one bit.
Chavez had a mock grin on his face as he slowly advanced on the bowed commander. It was kind of hard to see her since he was walking straight into the rising sun's light. Daitona looked small, and was only a dark figure in his vision.but then her looked up at him.
"Uh-oh." Sephiroth hummed.
Chavez stopped dead in his tracks. Daitona's eyes were a blazing aqua green and with the sun to her back like that.
"She's a demon," Chavez breathed and staggered backwards.
Daitona stood in a fluid movement then slowly advanced on the retreating form before her.
"Aren't you going to do something?" Zack asked nervously.
Sephiroth shook his head. "Not a chance. She'd only hurt me. She's making a point and I can't stop her or I will ruin what reputation she has. I'll guarantee he'll have nightmares of her eyes after today. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now."
In a blink on a eye, Daitona darted forward and disarmed Chavez in a matter of a second then landed her fist in his stomach. She let him drop to the ground gasping in pain.
"Don't ever question my skill of authority again. That is unless, you care to have another such session as this," Daitona warned then left Chavez laying there and returned to Sephiroth and Zack.
"I think that was successful.in a way," Sephiroth commended.
Daitona put her swords back in their sheaths and yawned. "I'm beat."
Zack notice her eyes had dulled back to a normal glow of a SOLDIER. "That was amazing," he stammered.
Daitona grinned then headed back to camp. "I'll send someone to get him later."
****
The march to Fort Dal'fa took five days. They arrived a mile from the fortress at about midnight on the fifth day.
"My scouts have already searched the area and we're safe for now," Otto advised.
Tension was running high and was putting everyone on edge.
"Has anyone been near the fortress yet?" Daitona asked.
"No, and there was no sign of the enemy," Otto answered.
Daitona bit her lower lip. She knew they were in a bad position and.
"We have to attack tonight," Sephiroth spoke what Daitona thought as she thought it; she almost didn't hear him.
"I agree.but first be need to get up close to see what we're up against," Daitona said warily.
"You two go then. I'll stay here with the troops. Get back here as quickly as you can, then we'll device a plan of attack," Otto said.
"If we're not back in two hours, something's probably happened. It shouldn't take us that long. Well be back." Sephiroth nodded to his words then walked into the dark wood with Daitona trailing silently behind.
****
"Sir, the enemy arm has been sighted about a mile from the fortress. We await your orders."
The man sitting at the head of the tactics table was silent in thought. "Has there scouts made it here yet?"
"Two young SOLDIER's, just a bunch of kinds if you ask me, sir."
"SOLDIER's? How can you be sure?"
"Their eyes glowed, sir. They got away when we sent a team to capture them. One of them was a girl for sure."
The other man laughed huskily. "Oh well. Those damn Shinra send a bunch of kids to defeat us, well have to show them we mean business. Put the soldiers on high alert and have the men on the walls prepared to shoot on sight of the enemy."
"Yes sir!"
"Capture as many of them as you can, alive. We need to make a point to Shinra."
****
-End Chapter 18-
A/N: Hehe.I'm evil. So the battle's not going to be as big of a surprise, or is it. Remember, this is Sephiroth and Daitona we're talking about. I'm sure they can come up with a plan of attack that'll be a surprise, don't you? I still need help with names, but I also need help with name's for the enemy in person and their fortresses.and friendly one's. I'm terrible, aren't I?
Mistaken Disrespect
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, but all OC's (as of now) are mine.
A/N: Title of this chapter doesn't sound too inviting, does it? Makes it sound like someone's going to get hurt if you ask me? I'm not sure yet. I think it's a bit weird that I name my chapters before actually writing them.*Shrugs* Anyways, here goes nothing.
Mistaken Disrespect:
By mid afternoon the sun was burning down on the troop, making it uncomfortably hot and miserable. By then, Daitona and Sephiroth had taken the lead, and even they were becoming tired.
Daitona had by then, unzipped her heavy vest and had all her hair pulled back. "Dang, could it be any hotter?" she panted.
Sephiroth glanced at her. "Much," he sighed.
"Lets take a break. We're not getting anywhere like this." Daitona motioned for her cadets to stop.
Sephiroth shook his head then also did the same for the SOLDIER's. "Take a break."
The entire mass all went for the shade of the near by trees.
"Sephiroth, this isn't working. You can see that, can't you? By the time we face the enemy, everyone's going to be so tired and wore out that we'll loose pathetically. We made good time this morning, but then it got hot," Daitona said lazily and dropped all her stuff to the ground, she followed suit seconds later.
"What do you suggest we do then? You're right." Sephiroth sat his stuff on the ground then lied down in a patch of grass.
"Its not entirely safe.but then again it'd also be an advantage. We could travel at night. I can see in the dark, can't you?" Sephiroth nodded. "That would cut campfires all together, and the enemy would never know where we were. The night is also a little.a lot cooler, so we'd also make better time."
"It sounds good to me. Go tell Otto your idea."
Daitona grunted and fell back on the grass. "You go tell him. He likes you better."
"Oh really? That's an understatement in itself. That man's horrified of you, after the way you talked to the General," Sephiroth laughed and shielded his eyes from the sun.
"Well, well, well. Aren't you two the lazy ones. Why did we stop?"
"Well, if isn't the man we were just talking about," Daitona grumbled, she also shielded her eyes so that she could see Otto.
"You were talking about me? What about?" Otto asked gruffly. When it came to Daitona, any time she talked about you it couldn't be good.
"A suggestion." Daitona's voice successful gained Otto's attention again. "It's too hot to march now. Everyone's tired. I think we ought to move during the night when it's cooler."
Otto took her words into consideration. "It's not a bad idea, but aren't you afraid that some of the men might wonder off?"
"Sephiroth and I can see in the dark, so can all SOLDIER's. Isn't your squad also SOLDIER?" Otto nodded. "Well, your trailing us as it is. If anyone tried to skip out on us, someone's bound to catch them," Daitona pointed out.
"What do you think Sephiroth?"
"I think it's hot."
"I mean marching at night," Otto growled at the younger man.
"It's fine with me. I trust Daitona's decisions."
"Fine, then I'll go give the order." Otto walked off towards the troops.
"Well, look at the bright side of all this. At least now I won't have to wake you up in the mornings," Sephiroth teased.
"Oh, be quiet," Daitona grumbled.
The rest of the day was spent resting. When nightfall finally came the troops were put back in their ranks and they marched. And they marched, and they marched till the sky started to become light again. Only then did they stop.
They had made good time and had moved many miles. Daitona's idea proved to be the best choice. The troops weren't as tired either. And as luck had it, they had stopped next to a clear stream and a fairly clear area in the woods.
"My feet are killing me," Daitona whined as she pulled her boots and socks off. "If only they weren't too big."
"When we get to the next friendly fort, we'll see about getting you a smaller pair of boots, or you can always order them if they don't have the right size," Sephiroth suggested.
"That's a good idea, these blisters hurt." She stood back up then and went to the stream that was a short distance away. She sat back down on the grassy bank and dipped her aching feet into the icy mountain water. It was cold but it felt good.
"Commander?"
Daitona turned her head as found a cadet that she had met before. ".Z- Zack, right?"
The cadet nodded his head.
"Did you need something?" Daitona asked.
"Not exactly.I just thought I might warn you." Zack almost winced at the look the commander was giving him. "There's been talk.lots of talk. Some of the cadets still resent being led by you. Because.because.well-"
"I'm a girl. Go on." Daitona didn't mean to sound as threatening but she couldn't help it at the moment.
"There's been a lot of talk about an attack.or more like an ambush. They want to scar you."
"Do me a favor?" Daitona asked.
"Sure. What do you want me to do?"
"A few things. Go get you sword, then grab my boots and belt. Do you think you and one of these 'talkers' could use some sparing practice?"
Zack narrowed his eyes in thought, then smiled. "I'll get right to it, ma'am!" He saluted then hurried off.
"Here," Sephiroth said from behind Daitona and dropped her boots and belt next to her. "Now, what was that all about. Zack didn't do anything."
Daitona smiled ever so slightly. "I know. I AM suppose to be training these guys aren't I? Don't step in this time. I don't want the cadets thinking I need someone to protect me."
"I see, but I can watch, can't I?" he asked childishly.
Daitona laughed softly as she put her belt back on then her boots. "Do you think I could do this bare foot?"
Now Sephiroth laughed. "Do as you like, but." He stopped when Daitona pointed.
Zack and another cadet came to where the two commanders sat, Zack still had that silly smile on his face.
"This is Chavez.the one you asked for."
Daitona nodded, then stood up. "Chavez, you'll spar with me after I give Cadet Zack a lesson. Understood?" Daitona asked dangerously.
Zack gulped and Chavez grinned thinking that the commander was all talk. Really, how good could a girl be?
"There's a clearing just outside where we're setting up camp. That should be efficient for your purpose," Sephiroth offered.
"Sounds good. Lets go then."
Daitona led the way out of the makeshift camp, out of the woods into a small clearing. The grass was short, but there were some longer areas that looked clumped.
"Draw your sword," Daitona instructed and moved further into the clearing. She turned back around in time to watch Zack pull a huge Buster Sword, from his back. "Dang that's a big sword," Daitona laughed and drew one of her daggers.
"You sure you want to fight me with." Zack stopped as the dagger glowed and turned into an elegant sword. "A katana? Are you sure it won't break?"
Daitona frowned, but decided not to comment and simply drew out her other sword. "Now, you better listen carefully if you don't want to get hurt, and don't worry about me. I doubt you'll be able to hit me, but if you do.I can assure you that you are better than any other cadet here, so long as it's not a cheep or uncalled for shot."
Zack nodded, then waited silently for her first command.but it didn't come from Daitona, it came from Sephiroth.
"Daitona on defense, Zack, go for a chest stab to your right, Daitona, your left!" Sephiroth commanded.
Zack lunged forward and stabbed the huge buster sword towards his commander.
Daitona snorted. 'He closed his eyes!' Before he was within two feet from her, Daitona brought her swords up and crossed them in defense. Instead of waiting for the blow she pushed her swords forward to lock Zack's buster sword between hers.
The sheer force that made Zack's sword to stop made his teeth raddled as his sword did. His arms ached from the movement and the amount of pressure being put on by the commander.
"Back off Daitona." She did as told and circled around Zack as a praetor would its prey. Sephiroth knew well that Daitona was playing it easy and that she intended to scare the crap out of Chavez before the day begun. "Daitona on the offensive! Zack, guard your feet!"
Zack stood and watched as Daitona dashed forward then took a swipe at his feet with one sword.
"Guard your middle!" Sephiroth yelled as Daitona spun and brought her other sword up for the next attack at Zack's stomach.
Zack barely blocked with his sword; Daitona's sword skirted across the buster sword in a rain of sparks. After the attack she jumped back a good distance.
"I thought this was suppose to be a lesson?" Chavez said indignantly.
"It is," Sephiroth answered and never took his eyes off the spar. "Training to voiced orders. Zack was luck I knew what Daitona was going to do, other wise he would have been hit."
"You mean she always follows up a low attack with a mid attack?" Chavez inquired.
"Not always. Most of the time if she misses she goes for the same target again. And most of the time she doesn't go for a low cut, it's cheep. If this were a real duel she'd go for the kill in the chest or head."
"That sounds simple enough," Chavez smirked.
"Anything but simple. Are you even watching? For what strength her swords lack, she makes up for it in her own strength and speed." 'What disrespect. This cadet's going to get himself killed acting like this. I can read Daitona's moves only as much as she lets me.'
"Show me what you can do Zack. Just for my curiosity," Daitona said.
Zack nodded, and brought his buster sword up into and attack position. Daitona let him have his way, for the time and blocked his every move while watching. There were many flaws in the defense as he attacked, but Daitona was just seeing how he could do. After about five minutes she motioned for Zack to stop.
"Well, how'd I do?" he asked wryly.
".ok. You have a lot of flaws and you move too slowly. You need to work your arms more. I'll point out your mistakes the next time we spar, but now it's Chavez's turn," Daitona sighed, it was getting hot and the sun was just about ready to come up.
Zack grinned then went to where Chavez stood with Sephiroth.
"You're up," Sephiroth said and gave Chavez a push.
With out hesitation, he waltzed out onto the field.
"He's going to regret this the rest of the week," Sephiroth sighed as Chavez readied his own set of katana blades.
"I can't believe she's that strong. That first block.I thought my teeth were going to fall out!" Zack laughed.
"Technique. You need to work on that. All your movements were slow and predictable. I'm surprised the army let you have that big old sword," Sephiroth commented. "Did you watch her movements?"
"Ha! Fat chance. When she ran at me I didn't know where she was till I head that sword whistling towards me!" Zack wiped his forehead. "You weren't really telling me what to do on that follow up attack, it was a warning."
Sephiroth smirked. "You are right. She always goes with a follow up attack when she misses. It comes as a natural reaction to her now, and you are luck she was moving slow enough for me to see it. Most of the time she attacks with the same speed that you could hardly see her in."
"Wow."
"Sephiroth, humor us, will ya?" Daitona called.
"Whatever you want. You're in defensive again. Chavez, aim one attack mid- high and the other mid-low."
Daitona stood still and blocked both attacks easily enough, but Chavez decided that wasn't enough. He force Daitona to retreat one of her blades and he slashed at her feet; successfully cutting Daitona's left leg.
Daitona quickly pulled out of the attack and went to one knee to look over the cut. It wasn't bad, but he had pulled a cheep shot and she didn't like that one bit.
Chavez had a mock grin on his face as he slowly advanced on the bowed commander. It was kind of hard to see her since he was walking straight into the rising sun's light. Daitona looked small, and was only a dark figure in his vision.but then her looked up at him.
"Uh-oh." Sephiroth hummed.
Chavez stopped dead in his tracks. Daitona's eyes were a blazing aqua green and with the sun to her back like that.
"She's a demon," Chavez breathed and staggered backwards.
Daitona stood in a fluid movement then slowly advanced on the retreating form before her.
"Aren't you going to do something?" Zack asked nervously.
Sephiroth shook his head. "Not a chance. She'd only hurt me. She's making a point and I can't stop her or I will ruin what reputation she has. I'll guarantee he'll have nightmares of her eyes after today. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now."
In a blink on a eye, Daitona darted forward and disarmed Chavez in a matter of a second then landed her fist in his stomach. She let him drop to the ground gasping in pain.
"Don't ever question my skill of authority again. That is unless, you care to have another such session as this," Daitona warned then left Chavez laying there and returned to Sephiroth and Zack.
"I think that was successful.in a way," Sephiroth commended.
Daitona put her swords back in their sheaths and yawned. "I'm beat."
Zack notice her eyes had dulled back to a normal glow of a SOLDIER. "That was amazing," he stammered.
Daitona grinned then headed back to camp. "I'll send someone to get him later."
****
The march to Fort Dal'fa took five days. They arrived a mile from the fortress at about midnight on the fifth day.
"My scouts have already searched the area and we're safe for now," Otto advised.
Tension was running high and was putting everyone on edge.
"Has anyone been near the fortress yet?" Daitona asked.
"No, and there was no sign of the enemy," Otto answered.
Daitona bit her lower lip. She knew they were in a bad position and.
"We have to attack tonight," Sephiroth spoke what Daitona thought as she thought it; she almost didn't hear him.
"I agree.but first be need to get up close to see what we're up against," Daitona said warily.
"You two go then. I'll stay here with the troops. Get back here as quickly as you can, then we'll device a plan of attack," Otto said.
"If we're not back in two hours, something's probably happened. It shouldn't take us that long. Well be back." Sephiroth nodded to his words then walked into the dark wood with Daitona trailing silently behind.
****
"Sir, the enemy arm has been sighted about a mile from the fortress. We await your orders."
The man sitting at the head of the tactics table was silent in thought. "Has there scouts made it here yet?"
"Two young SOLDIER's, just a bunch of kinds if you ask me, sir."
"SOLDIER's? How can you be sure?"
"Their eyes glowed, sir. They got away when we sent a team to capture them. One of them was a girl for sure."
The other man laughed huskily. "Oh well. Those damn Shinra send a bunch of kids to defeat us, well have to show them we mean business. Put the soldiers on high alert and have the men on the walls prepared to shoot on sight of the enemy."
"Yes sir!"
"Capture as many of them as you can, alive. We need to make a point to Shinra."
****
-End Chapter 18-
A/N: Hehe.I'm evil. So the battle's not going to be as big of a surprise, or is it. Remember, this is Sephiroth and Daitona we're talking about. I'm sure they can come up with a plan of attack that'll be a surprise, don't you? I still need help with names, but I also need help with name's for the enemy in person and their fortresses.and friendly one's. I'm terrible, aren't I?