CHAPTER V (A): TRAINING TIME
"All right!" Zack cheered, but then he remembered, "Oh, could Amber be taught to use her weapon, too?"
"Huh?" Tifa, surprised, "Why?"
"Well, Sephiroth killed her parents," Zack explained, feeling sorry as he looks at Amber, "So, she should have a chance to get Sephiroth bac."
Zack was about to finish his sentence when Cloud suddenly snapped at him, "Zack! I can't believe you!"
Zack is surprised by that as Cloud continued, "I can't believe that you are going to risk another person's life in this! Sephiroth CAN'T be easily defeated, Zack! Amber might get killed herself!"
Zack is shocked when he heard that, but then Amber explained to Cloud, "No, Cloud. It was I, myself, who wanted to go."
Surprised, Zack stares at Amber as she continued, "I wanted to go myself. Zack didn't need to ask me to go, because I've already decided to go!"
This surprised everyone, including Zack.
"I see," Cloud uttered, then thinks for a moment, "Do you really want to go?"
Amber answered, solemnly, "Yes, I do."
Zack looked at Cloud. Cloud was thinking again.
"All right then. I'll get Vincent to teach you how to use that pistol of yours."
Amber is surprised as she looks at her pistol that was in its holster, which was exposed so freely to anyone.
"Oh." she laughed, feeling a little silly.
"That's great then. When do we start?" Zack asked, impatiently.
"We'll start your lessons tomorrow morning. We'll tell Vincent about this ourselves," Cloud informed them.
Tifa then advises the two, "Now, get some rest, kay? You will need as much energy as you can get tomorrow, especially you, Zack."
"Okay, thanks. Goodnight," Zack said before he waved at them and walked to the door.
"Goodnight," Amber said to Cloud and Tifa before she followed Zack.
*********
Zack and Amber are walking together towards her house.
"Thanks for standing up for me, Amber," Zack said as they were walking.
"It's nothing, really," she answered him, walking ahead of him.
Just then, they reached her front door.
"Well, um, I guess this is, um, goodnight," Zack said to Amber, shyly.
She turns around to look at him, smiling her warm smile, "Yeah, I-I guess so."
"Well, goodnight. Get as much rest as you can, okay? Just like Tifa told us, we'll gonna need a lot of energy for tomorrow."
"Yeah, I will," she answered, still smiling. She then opened the door and entered through the door. She turned around and slowly closed the door. But before she closed the door, she looked at Zack, "Thanks for everything, Zack. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She then closes the door. Zack continues to stare at the door after she did. He then slowly walked to the mansion. Taking a few steps, he stopped and started thinking to himself again.
"Why do I feel like this?" He looks back to Amber's house, "Why did I just feel like. I couldn't say goodnight to her?"
He shook his head and walked on, "I wonder."
Inside Amber's house, after closing the door, Amber stood behind the door, still in the same position as she was as she closed the door. Finally, she turned around and leaned on the door.
"What am I feeling? Why did I feel like I couldn't say goodnight to him?"
She looks down to the floor, "Do I. Do I."
"Do I like her?" Zack wondered.
"Do I like him?" Amber asked herself.
*********
The next morning arrived. Zack is outside the mansion, having some practice swings, trying to get use to the sword's weight. Then, Cloud comes out of the mansion. Following behind him was Vincent.
"So, you're already preparing yourself," Cloud, impressed.
"Yeah, I am," Zack answered, still swinging the sword around.
"It's smart of you to start off by getting use to your sword's weight, because if you don't, you will have problems trying to control the sword," Cloud explained.
Amber then arrives, "Good morning!"
Everyone greeted her back as she stopped in front of Cloud and Vincent, "So, when do we start?"
Cloud then announces, "Okay, Zack. I think you should be used to your sword's weight by now. Let's begin!"
A few hours passed. Zack and Amber have been in training, non-stop. Vincent had been teaching Amber to concentrate her aim on her targets by relaxing herself and staying calm by taking in easy breaths. Her targets were seven wooden planks of different sizes but same range hanging on a string. Zack was taught to stay calm in every battle that he may find himself in and also to swing his sword properly, so as not to hurt himself or loose his balance when he attacks the enemy because there are chances of his enemy dodging most of his attacks.
Now, Zack and Amber are taking a short rest. They are sitting together under a tree on the mansion's front yard, where they were training earlier. Zack has his right leg stretch out, while the other tucked in his arms as he rests his head on them. Amber, on the other hand, has both her legs tucked in her arms.
"So, how is your aiming now, Amber?"
"It's getting better, I think."
"Well, I'm sure that it'll get even better if you try harder."
"Thanks, Zack," she replied, blushing a little before she continued, "So, how was your training?"
"It's going well, too. Cloud's a good teacher. I think I should get better pretty soon," Zack answers her, smiling excitedly.
"That's good to hear."
There was a short pause.
"Do you want any drinks, Amber?"
"Oh, no, it's all right. I'm fine."
"Ah, come on," Zack gets up, "It's all right. I don't mind getting you a drink."
"Oh, okay then," she said softly.
"So, what would you like?"
"Oh, just a glass of water. That's all."
"All right, a glass of water, coming up!" Zack shouted before running off into the mansion.
Amber smiled happily while watching him as he did. When he disappeared into the mansion, she blushes a little, still smiling.
*********
Hours passed as Zack and Amber were training to use their weapon, Zack's Ultimega Sword and Amber's Star Achiever. This time, Zack was taught to attack his target, a thick log standing upright, and also to be quick on his feet for his sword's weight may affect his agility on the field. Amber was taught to aim her targets, which were still wooden planks hanging on a string, however this time, of different distances but of the same size. As evening arrives, Zack's training was about to be done but Amber's was already done.
"Well done, Amber, you're done your training. The rest you'll have to learn on your own on the field," Vincent announced.
Amber bows her head to Vincent, "Thanks, Vincent. I'll do my best."
"That's great, Amber!" Zack shouted, feeling happy for her.
Looking at him, she smiled at Zack with her cheerful smile. Zack smiled back at her.
"Amber, why don't you go inside and rest?" Cloud suggested to Amber.
"Okay," Amber answered.
Amber wished Zack good luck in his training before going inside.
"Okay, on with your training, Zack," Cloud shouted as Vincent walked to Cloud's side.
"Right!" Zack shouted.
It wasn't long before Zack was done with his training. Cloud had gone inside the mansion. Zack was going to follow when he saw Vincent still standing at the yard, looking at the targets that Amber had been practicing her aiming on. Suddenly, Vincent took out his gun, the Death Penalty, and shot all the targets off the string they were hanging onto. Each of the planks went flying in the air before hitting the ground. Zack was completely amazed.
"What quick and accurate aiming!" Zack thought to himself as Vincent put his gun back into its holster.
Vincent turned around and walked pass Zack into the mansion. Zack shook off his amazement and followed him.
*********
CHAPTER V (B): NIGHT BEFORE THE BEGINNING
Zack is looking for Amber. He enters the dining room where he saw Tifa cooking dinner, wearing her cute apron again.
Tifa saw him, "Oh, so you're done?"
"Yup," Zack answered her, smiling happily.
She smiled back, "That's good."
She continued with her cooking, "So, ready to fight a monster?"
"Not quite, but I think I'll do fine."
"Well, I think you'll just do great."
"Thanks," Zack said. He then looked around, "Have you seen Amber?"
"Yes?" Amber, suddenly, as she entered the room.
When she realized that Zack was in the room, "Zack, are you done?"
Turning towards her, Zack answered, smiling happily again, "Yup, Amber, I've finished my training."
She smiled back, "That's good."
They stared at each other for a short while when Tifa shouted, "Amber, do you want to help or not?"
"Oh, sorry, Tifa. I'm coming," Amber rushes over to where Tifa stood.
Zack watched her as she did, "Huh? What's going on?"
"Amber's helping me cook dinner," Tifa explained.
"Really?"
"Yeah, she wanted to learn how to cook and so, I'm teaching her," Tifa explained to Zack. Looking at Amber, "After all, every girl should know how to cook."
"Well, that's great, Amber!" he said to her as she started to blush, like a little schoolgirl.
"Well, actually, I think she just wanted to cook for you, Zack!" Tifa teased.
Both Amber and Zack were surprised as their faces started to blush.
Zack quickly exclaimed to Tifa, who was laughing joyfully, "Hey, stop teasing us!"
"It's a joke, Zack," she explained, still laughing, "Sorry for teasing you, Amber."
She continued laughing for a short while before she asked Zack, "Zack, why don't you go and do something else while Amber and I cook dinner?"
"Okay," he answered. Then he looks at Amber, "I'll be looking forward to it."
Amber blushed again. Tifa saw this.
"Don't worry, Zack. I'll let her cook some dishes for you to taste."
Surprised, both Zack and Amber blush again as Tifa laughed once again.
"Hey!"
*********
Dinner was done around half an hour later. Now everyone is in the dining room, seated in their seats, except Tifa, Amber, Cait Sith, RedXIII and Cinna. Tifa and Amber were busy serving the dishes. After they were done, Tifa sat beside Cloud, while Amber sat beside Zack.
"Okay, everybody, let's eat!" Tifa announced.
Cait Sith, being a cat on the back of a giant stuffed mog, ate his dinner on the mog. RedXIII and Cinna were not good at sitting down on normal chairs, so they chose to eat their dishes on the floor. Although they would be eating like dogs, they did not mind it.
"Zack, why don't you try this?" Tifa, looking at Zack while pushing a dish of a nicely boiled fish towards him a little.
Zack looked at it as Tifa explained, "This one was done by Amber."
He was surprised. He took a glimpse at Amber, who was blushing a little.
"Go ahead, kid! Tell us what you think about it," Cid said.
"Yeah, come on, Zack! I'm sure Amber wants to hear it from you!" Yuffie exclaimed.
Zack took another glimpse at Amber. She was blushing even more.
He then faced at everyone, "All right!"
He took a pair of chopsticks and picked a piece of the fish's meat. Everyone, especially Amber, anxiously watched him as he put it into his mouth. He took a few bites.
"Wow, this tastes great, Amber!" Zack said loudly as he looked at her, smiling.
She smiled; glad to hear that from Zack. Zack then took another piece of the fish's meat.
"Since you liked that one, how about this one?" Tifa holds out to him, a dish of stir-fried vegetables, "This was also done by Amber."
"All right," Zack answered, excited.
He picked some of the vegetables with his chopsticks. Everyone once again watched him anxiously, especially Amber, as he put them into his mouth. He took another few bites.
"This is delicious, Amber!"
Amber once again smiled, feeling really glad and happy now.
Tifa laughed before she announced, "Okay, everyone! That is all for Amber's cooking! Now, let's eat!"
*********
Before half an hour, everyone was done with their dinner.
"That was great, Tifa!" complimented Cait Sith.
"It was delicious," Barret said.
"It was really good, Tifa!" Marlene exclaimed.
"Amber's wasn't bad, too," Cid said as he spied Amber blushing a little.
"Well, thank you, everyone," Tifa said as she and Amber slowly cleaned up the dishes.
"Oh, let me help," Zack said, as he got up and started to take some empty dishes from the table.
"Oh, if that's the case, then I can relax for today," Tifa said as she put the dishes, that she was carrying, into the sink. She turns to face Zack and Amber, "You and Amber don't mind helping me to clean the dishes, right?"
When Zack and Amber heard that, they both blushed.
"Okay then," Tifa said before walking out the room, "See you two later."
Everyone followed her out, leaving Zack and Amber standing with the dishes. They looked at each other for a moment and then continued to clean the dishes up. Zack went to collect the dishes on the table while Amber started to wash the dishes that were in the sink. Since there were two sinks, Zack could wash the dishes together with Amber. They slowly washed the dishes for a while.
"They were really good, Amber," Zack suddenly said, surprising Amber a little. He then looks at her, "Your boiled fish and stir-fried vegetables. They were really nice."
She blushes a little, "They weren't that nice, Zack."
"No," Zack said, surprising her again, "They were really good, Amber. You're really a good cook"
Amber blushes again, "Thank you, Zack."
*********
It is the next morning now. Everyone has got up early today. Cloud had planned that they leave for the crater that morning. Zack was practicing a few swings with his sword in front of the mansion. Cid was sitting under the tree, smoking a cigarette while watching Zack. Yuffie was squatting down on the roof of the mansion, looking towards the horizon. Everyone else was inside the mansion, except Amber. She still hasn't come out from her house. A few minutes passed before Zack went to rest under the tree with Cid.
"Getting tired, kid?"
"No, I'm just taking a rest before we leave for the crater."
"You'd better be prepared, kid. The monsters in the crater were tough when we went in there for the first time. Who knows how tough the monsters will be now. And there's also Sephiroth. I tell you, kid, he isn't somebody that you want to mess with. He's a very powerful fellow."
Zack thought to himself, "I knew that already. After all, I defeated him several in the game, but I wonder what will happen when we meet with Sephiroth."
Just then, Amber arrives at the gate of the mansion, "Hi, Zack! Hi, Cid!"
"Hi, Amber," Zack greeted back as she ran towards them.
"Excited?" Cid asked Amber.
"Yeah, kind of," Amber answered as she sat next to Zack.
"Well, you'd better be prepared. Like what I've just warned Zack, the monsters in the crater are tough and Sephiroth is a very powerful fellow that you wouldn't want to mess with. Not even for a second. But I guess I didn't need to warn you about him. After all, you faced him once before."
"Yes, I did," was all that Amber could say as she thought to herself, feeling a little worried.
When he noticed her worried face, Zack said, "Don't worry, Amber."
She looked at him as he continued, "We'll all be there with you. We'll all be fighting against Sephiroth together."
She then smiled at Zack, happy to hear that.
Cid shook his head, laughing softly to himself, "Kids these days."
A while later, Cloud came out from the mansion. He looked at Cid.
"Cid, get the Highwind started. We'll be leaving soon."
As he got up, Cid answered, "Roger that."
He then headed for the Highwind. Cloud then looks at Zack and Amber.
"You two ready? We'll be heading for the crater soon."
"I'm ready, Cloud!" Zack answered.
"Me, too," answered Amber.
"Good, I just hope that you two are prepared for whatever that we might encounter in the crater."
"We'll be fine, Cloud. Right, Amber?" Zack said as he looked at Amber.
She nodded in agreement. Cloud just smiled as he entered the mansion again.
*********
Around half an hour later, everyone has gathered at the bridge of the Highwind.
"It looks like everyone's ready, Cloud. Let's go!" Yuffie shouted.
"Cid," Cloud, looking at him.
"Got it!" Cid answered as he operated the controls to bring the Highwind up into the air.
As the Highwind slowly rose, Tifa walked up to Cloud.
"Cloud, what do you think will happen when we get to the crater?"
After thinking for a short moment, he answered with a serious face, "I don't know, Tifa. I don't know."
"All right!" Zack cheered, but then he remembered, "Oh, could Amber be taught to use her weapon, too?"
"Huh?" Tifa, surprised, "Why?"
"Well, Sephiroth killed her parents," Zack explained, feeling sorry as he looks at Amber, "So, she should have a chance to get Sephiroth bac."
Zack was about to finish his sentence when Cloud suddenly snapped at him, "Zack! I can't believe you!"
Zack is surprised by that as Cloud continued, "I can't believe that you are going to risk another person's life in this! Sephiroth CAN'T be easily defeated, Zack! Amber might get killed herself!"
Zack is shocked when he heard that, but then Amber explained to Cloud, "No, Cloud. It was I, myself, who wanted to go."
Surprised, Zack stares at Amber as she continued, "I wanted to go myself. Zack didn't need to ask me to go, because I've already decided to go!"
This surprised everyone, including Zack.
"I see," Cloud uttered, then thinks for a moment, "Do you really want to go?"
Amber answered, solemnly, "Yes, I do."
Zack looked at Cloud. Cloud was thinking again.
"All right then. I'll get Vincent to teach you how to use that pistol of yours."
Amber is surprised as she looks at her pistol that was in its holster, which was exposed so freely to anyone.
"Oh." she laughed, feeling a little silly.
"That's great then. When do we start?" Zack asked, impatiently.
"We'll start your lessons tomorrow morning. We'll tell Vincent about this ourselves," Cloud informed them.
Tifa then advises the two, "Now, get some rest, kay? You will need as much energy as you can get tomorrow, especially you, Zack."
"Okay, thanks. Goodnight," Zack said before he waved at them and walked to the door.
"Goodnight," Amber said to Cloud and Tifa before she followed Zack.
*********
Zack and Amber are walking together towards her house.
"Thanks for standing up for me, Amber," Zack said as they were walking.
"It's nothing, really," she answered him, walking ahead of him.
Just then, they reached her front door.
"Well, um, I guess this is, um, goodnight," Zack said to Amber, shyly.
She turns around to look at him, smiling her warm smile, "Yeah, I-I guess so."
"Well, goodnight. Get as much rest as you can, okay? Just like Tifa told us, we'll gonna need a lot of energy for tomorrow."
"Yeah, I will," she answered, still smiling. She then opened the door and entered through the door. She turned around and slowly closed the door. But before she closed the door, she looked at Zack, "Thanks for everything, Zack. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She then closes the door. Zack continues to stare at the door after she did. He then slowly walked to the mansion. Taking a few steps, he stopped and started thinking to himself again.
"Why do I feel like this?" He looks back to Amber's house, "Why did I just feel like. I couldn't say goodnight to her?"
He shook his head and walked on, "I wonder."
Inside Amber's house, after closing the door, Amber stood behind the door, still in the same position as she was as she closed the door. Finally, she turned around and leaned on the door.
"What am I feeling? Why did I feel like I couldn't say goodnight to him?"
She looks down to the floor, "Do I. Do I."
"Do I like her?" Zack wondered.
"Do I like him?" Amber asked herself.
*********
The next morning arrived. Zack is outside the mansion, having some practice swings, trying to get use to the sword's weight. Then, Cloud comes out of the mansion. Following behind him was Vincent.
"So, you're already preparing yourself," Cloud, impressed.
"Yeah, I am," Zack answered, still swinging the sword around.
"It's smart of you to start off by getting use to your sword's weight, because if you don't, you will have problems trying to control the sword," Cloud explained.
Amber then arrives, "Good morning!"
Everyone greeted her back as she stopped in front of Cloud and Vincent, "So, when do we start?"
Cloud then announces, "Okay, Zack. I think you should be used to your sword's weight by now. Let's begin!"
A few hours passed. Zack and Amber have been in training, non-stop. Vincent had been teaching Amber to concentrate her aim on her targets by relaxing herself and staying calm by taking in easy breaths. Her targets were seven wooden planks of different sizes but same range hanging on a string. Zack was taught to stay calm in every battle that he may find himself in and also to swing his sword properly, so as not to hurt himself or loose his balance when he attacks the enemy because there are chances of his enemy dodging most of his attacks.
Now, Zack and Amber are taking a short rest. They are sitting together under a tree on the mansion's front yard, where they were training earlier. Zack has his right leg stretch out, while the other tucked in his arms as he rests his head on them. Amber, on the other hand, has both her legs tucked in her arms.
"So, how is your aiming now, Amber?"
"It's getting better, I think."
"Well, I'm sure that it'll get even better if you try harder."
"Thanks, Zack," she replied, blushing a little before she continued, "So, how was your training?"
"It's going well, too. Cloud's a good teacher. I think I should get better pretty soon," Zack answers her, smiling excitedly.
"That's good to hear."
There was a short pause.
"Do you want any drinks, Amber?"
"Oh, no, it's all right. I'm fine."
"Ah, come on," Zack gets up, "It's all right. I don't mind getting you a drink."
"Oh, okay then," she said softly.
"So, what would you like?"
"Oh, just a glass of water. That's all."
"All right, a glass of water, coming up!" Zack shouted before running off into the mansion.
Amber smiled happily while watching him as he did. When he disappeared into the mansion, she blushes a little, still smiling.
*********
Hours passed as Zack and Amber were training to use their weapon, Zack's Ultimega Sword and Amber's Star Achiever. This time, Zack was taught to attack his target, a thick log standing upright, and also to be quick on his feet for his sword's weight may affect his agility on the field. Amber was taught to aim her targets, which were still wooden planks hanging on a string, however this time, of different distances but of the same size. As evening arrives, Zack's training was about to be done but Amber's was already done.
"Well done, Amber, you're done your training. The rest you'll have to learn on your own on the field," Vincent announced.
Amber bows her head to Vincent, "Thanks, Vincent. I'll do my best."
"That's great, Amber!" Zack shouted, feeling happy for her.
Looking at him, she smiled at Zack with her cheerful smile. Zack smiled back at her.
"Amber, why don't you go inside and rest?" Cloud suggested to Amber.
"Okay," Amber answered.
Amber wished Zack good luck in his training before going inside.
"Okay, on with your training, Zack," Cloud shouted as Vincent walked to Cloud's side.
"Right!" Zack shouted.
It wasn't long before Zack was done with his training. Cloud had gone inside the mansion. Zack was going to follow when he saw Vincent still standing at the yard, looking at the targets that Amber had been practicing her aiming on. Suddenly, Vincent took out his gun, the Death Penalty, and shot all the targets off the string they were hanging onto. Each of the planks went flying in the air before hitting the ground. Zack was completely amazed.
"What quick and accurate aiming!" Zack thought to himself as Vincent put his gun back into its holster.
Vincent turned around and walked pass Zack into the mansion. Zack shook off his amazement and followed him.
*********
CHAPTER V (B): NIGHT BEFORE THE BEGINNING
Zack is looking for Amber. He enters the dining room where he saw Tifa cooking dinner, wearing her cute apron again.
Tifa saw him, "Oh, so you're done?"
"Yup," Zack answered her, smiling happily.
She smiled back, "That's good."
She continued with her cooking, "So, ready to fight a monster?"
"Not quite, but I think I'll do fine."
"Well, I think you'll just do great."
"Thanks," Zack said. He then looked around, "Have you seen Amber?"
"Yes?" Amber, suddenly, as she entered the room.
When she realized that Zack was in the room, "Zack, are you done?"
Turning towards her, Zack answered, smiling happily again, "Yup, Amber, I've finished my training."
She smiled back, "That's good."
They stared at each other for a short while when Tifa shouted, "Amber, do you want to help or not?"
"Oh, sorry, Tifa. I'm coming," Amber rushes over to where Tifa stood.
Zack watched her as she did, "Huh? What's going on?"
"Amber's helping me cook dinner," Tifa explained.
"Really?"
"Yeah, she wanted to learn how to cook and so, I'm teaching her," Tifa explained to Zack. Looking at Amber, "After all, every girl should know how to cook."
"Well, that's great, Amber!" he said to her as she started to blush, like a little schoolgirl.
"Well, actually, I think she just wanted to cook for you, Zack!" Tifa teased.
Both Amber and Zack were surprised as their faces started to blush.
Zack quickly exclaimed to Tifa, who was laughing joyfully, "Hey, stop teasing us!"
"It's a joke, Zack," she explained, still laughing, "Sorry for teasing you, Amber."
She continued laughing for a short while before she asked Zack, "Zack, why don't you go and do something else while Amber and I cook dinner?"
"Okay," he answered. Then he looks at Amber, "I'll be looking forward to it."
Amber blushed again. Tifa saw this.
"Don't worry, Zack. I'll let her cook some dishes for you to taste."
Surprised, both Zack and Amber blush again as Tifa laughed once again.
"Hey!"
*********
Dinner was done around half an hour later. Now everyone is in the dining room, seated in their seats, except Tifa, Amber, Cait Sith, RedXIII and Cinna. Tifa and Amber were busy serving the dishes. After they were done, Tifa sat beside Cloud, while Amber sat beside Zack.
"Okay, everybody, let's eat!" Tifa announced.
Cait Sith, being a cat on the back of a giant stuffed mog, ate his dinner on the mog. RedXIII and Cinna were not good at sitting down on normal chairs, so they chose to eat their dishes on the floor. Although they would be eating like dogs, they did not mind it.
"Zack, why don't you try this?" Tifa, looking at Zack while pushing a dish of a nicely boiled fish towards him a little.
Zack looked at it as Tifa explained, "This one was done by Amber."
He was surprised. He took a glimpse at Amber, who was blushing a little.
"Go ahead, kid! Tell us what you think about it," Cid said.
"Yeah, come on, Zack! I'm sure Amber wants to hear it from you!" Yuffie exclaimed.
Zack took another glimpse at Amber. She was blushing even more.
He then faced at everyone, "All right!"
He took a pair of chopsticks and picked a piece of the fish's meat. Everyone, especially Amber, anxiously watched him as he put it into his mouth. He took a few bites.
"Wow, this tastes great, Amber!" Zack said loudly as he looked at her, smiling.
She smiled; glad to hear that from Zack. Zack then took another piece of the fish's meat.
"Since you liked that one, how about this one?" Tifa holds out to him, a dish of stir-fried vegetables, "This was also done by Amber."
"All right," Zack answered, excited.
He picked some of the vegetables with his chopsticks. Everyone once again watched him anxiously, especially Amber, as he put them into his mouth. He took another few bites.
"This is delicious, Amber!"
Amber once again smiled, feeling really glad and happy now.
Tifa laughed before she announced, "Okay, everyone! That is all for Amber's cooking! Now, let's eat!"
*********
Before half an hour, everyone was done with their dinner.
"That was great, Tifa!" complimented Cait Sith.
"It was delicious," Barret said.
"It was really good, Tifa!" Marlene exclaimed.
"Amber's wasn't bad, too," Cid said as he spied Amber blushing a little.
"Well, thank you, everyone," Tifa said as she and Amber slowly cleaned up the dishes.
"Oh, let me help," Zack said, as he got up and started to take some empty dishes from the table.
"Oh, if that's the case, then I can relax for today," Tifa said as she put the dishes, that she was carrying, into the sink. She turns to face Zack and Amber, "You and Amber don't mind helping me to clean the dishes, right?"
When Zack and Amber heard that, they both blushed.
"Okay then," Tifa said before walking out the room, "See you two later."
Everyone followed her out, leaving Zack and Amber standing with the dishes. They looked at each other for a moment and then continued to clean the dishes up. Zack went to collect the dishes on the table while Amber started to wash the dishes that were in the sink. Since there were two sinks, Zack could wash the dishes together with Amber. They slowly washed the dishes for a while.
"They were really good, Amber," Zack suddenly said, surprising Amber a little. He then looks at her, "Your boiled fish and stir-fried vegetables. They were really nice."
She blushes a little, "They weren't that nice, Zack."
"No," Zack said, surprising her again, "They were really good, Amber. You're really a good cook"
Amber blushes again, "Thank you, Zack."
*********
It is the next morning now. Everyone has got up early today. Cloud had planned that they leave for the crater that morning. Zack was practicing a few swings with his sword in front of the mansion. Cid was sitting under the tree, smoking a cigarette while watching Zack. Yuffie was squatting down on the roof of the mansion, looking towards the horizon. Everyone else was inside the mansion, except Amber. She still hasn't come out from her house. A few minutes passed before Zack went to rest under the tree with Cid.
"Getting tired, kid?"
"No, I'm just taking a rest before we leave for the crater."
"You'd better be prepared, kid. The monsters in the crater were tough when we went in there for the first time. Who knows how tough the monsters will be now. And there's also Sephiroth. I tell you, kid, he isn't somebody that you want to mess with. He's a very powerful fellow."
Zack thought to himself, "I knew that already. After all, I defeated him several in the game, but I wonder what will happen when we meet with Sephiroth."
Just then, Amber arrives at the gate of the mansion, "Hi, Zack! Hi, Cid!"
"Hi, Amber," Zack greeted back as she ran towards them.
"Excited?" Cid asked Amber.
"Yeah, kind of," Amber answered as she sat next to Zack.
"Well, you'd better be prepared. Like what I've just warned Zack, the monsters in the crater are tough and Sephiroth is a very powerful fellow that you wouldn't want to mess with. Not even for a second. But I guess I didn't need to warn you about him. After all, you faced him once before."
"Yes, I did," was all that Amber could say as she thought to herself, feeling a little worried.
When he noticed her worried face, Zack said, "Don't worry, Amber."
She looked at him as he continued, "We'll all be there with you. We'll all be fighting against Sephiroth together."
She then smiled at Zack, happy to hear that.
Cid shook his head, laughing softly to himself, "Kids these days."
A while later, Cloud came out from the mansion. He looked at Cid.
"Cid, get the Highwind started. We'll be leaving soon."
As he got up, Cid answered, "Roger that."
He then headed for the Highwind. Cloud then looks at Zack and Amber.
"You two ready? We'll be heading for the crater soon."
"I'm ready, Cloud!" Zack answered.
"Me, too," answered Amber.
"Good, I just hope that you two are prepared for whatever that we might encounter in the crater."
"We'll be fine, Cloud. Right, Amber?" Zack said as he looked at Amber.
She nodded in agreement. Cloud just smiled as he entered the mansion again.
*********
Around half an hour later, everyone has gathered at the bridge of the Highwind.
"It looks like everyone's ready, Cloud. Let's go!" Yuffie shouted.
"Cid," Cloud, looking at him.
"Got it!" Cid answered as he operated the controls to bring the Highwind up into the air.
As the Highwind slowly rose, Tifa walked up to Cloud.
"Cloud, what do you think will happen when we get to the crater?"
After thinking for a short moment, he answered with a serious face, "I don't know, Tifa. I don't know."