"Flame, your late."
Zack yawned, stretching before dropping to one knee and zipping up his shoe, then lacing it.
"Sorry Seph. Over slept."
The general looked un-effected by the excuse. "We woke you many times Flame, and you refused to say much more then sick things about women getting into a pool naked."
Zack grinned sheepishly, as Cloud let out an exasperated sigh. "Zack!"
"Hey, I don't control my dreams. Not my fault my minds been on some attractive young woman sense we-"
Cloud clenched a gloved fist before reaching for his riffle. Zack shook his head.
"I'm only kidding Cloudy. Losses up! Man, when are we leaving?" Zack's head turned to face the silver haired Sephiroth. The man turned from his companion, looking at the mountains.
"Once the guide gets here we are leaving."
"Listen Sephiroth," Cloud spun around, not realizing people had been behind them. "If something should happen…"
"…Trust me." The general told the man. Zack glanced at Cloud. The blond boy, face hidden by his Shinra uniform, had his eyes fixed on the man.
'Probably someone he knows' Zack though.. He could hear feet pounding on the tiles of the town behind him, and soon they were clomping up the path towards the mountain. Zack turned his head to look at the person who approached.
"I'll be all right, Dad! I have two men from SOLDIER with me!"
Zack's eyes widened at the sigh of the girl. A pale, brown leather skirt, vest and "cow boy" hat were proudly being worn by this woman, the vest over a plane white shirt. She smiled pleasantly, crimson eyes dancing in excitement. She looked from her father, to Zack, then to Sephiroth.
"Hi. I'm Tifa. Nice to meet you!"
Zack's jaw dropped, and he could hear Cloud gasp behind him. He had to do something. For Cloud. If this girl got hurt…
"Tifa?! You're the guide?!" He exclaimed, eyes wide. The girl looked over at him, frowning in confusion.
"That's right…I just so happen to be the number one guide in this town…" She just stared at him like he was mental.
"It's too dangerous! I can't involve you in something like this!" He told her, knowing it to do no good. Sephiroth would just say-
"Then there's no problem if you protect her." The general told Zack, looking bitterly down at the man. He turned from them all and started towards the mountain. " ...Let's go."
"Wait!" a new voice cried. Zack and Cloud, who had both started to follow Sephiroth, turned to the owner of the new voice. Unlike Tifa's father, who was a slim man and appearing in his late 30's, this new person was short and plump. He didn't look much older then 17, at the most. The general never stopped walking.
"Ummm... Mr. Sephiroth! Please let me take one picture for a memento!" The man called. No luck. Cloud looked at Zack. Zack shook his head and looked at Tifa. The boy did too.
"ahh, Tifa, can you ask him for me too...?" He asked, eyes that of a begging 4 year old. Tifa frowned, then nodded and trotted past Cloud and Zack. Zack started to grin sleepily again. Cloud growled and smacked his friend.
"None of that!" the blond commanded. Zack rubbed his arm, scolding.
"Fine. Your no fun Cl-"
The general and Tifa begun to walk back towards Zack and Cloud. Zack stopped his sentence.
"Um…Mr. Guard?" The young man asked, looking at Clouds short form. Cloud looked over at the village boy. "Could you move?"
Clouds shoulders almost slumped, and Zack felt his heart tug as Cloud nodded and walked away. The poor boy. This had been his dream. He had stolen it.
"Cheeeeese!"
