Forgotten Daze
FF7 Fan Fiction

Chapter 9

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Zack slunk into his room silently, closing the door behind him so as not to wake anyone else in the house. He paused after the action, one hand still on the door, and let his forehead rest lightly against it. His thoughts had been muddled for days now, and the silence of the house threatened to sort them.

He wasn't even sure what emotion it was that had been plaguing him ever since Cloud had stopped talking. He hadn't allowed himself to dwell on it long enough to be able to define it. There was something about the ambiguity of his emotions that made him feel better. As long as he could stay neutral, impartial to everything that was happening, the less he would have to deal with reality.

Zack pushed himself off of the door, turning slowly. The night was dark outside the farmhouse windows without the constant light of Midgar. It reminded of his home, a place that now seemed like an eternity away. The bittersweet memories that started to return to him only darkened his mood, and Zack scowled, forcing the thoughts away like all the others.

He shouldn't be homesick. Zack slumped down on his bed before he fell on his back, staring out the nearby window. He was sure Cloud was homesick too. Hell, all of the soldiers Shinra had taken in had to be. Of course, it was more acceptable for those like Cloud to yearn for their homes. The entirety of Shinra had long ago decided that he himself was far too strong for such an emotion.

Zack nearly laughed. The stigmas of SOLDIER? He was too young when he joined, he was /still/ too young. He had spent nights in the barracks when he first came to Midgar, he had heard the dismal, muted cries of the young boys around him. They had to be strong. They had to be something they weren't. Those same boys, the ones that shed tears when no one else looked, he had watched them grow along with him, and turn into the hardened examples of military force that they had become.

A sickening notion came over him as he realized instantly what he had done. Even while trying to brood on something unrelated, he had drawn it back to what he least wanted to face. Every recruit that came grew up within a week, a /day,/ the very instant they saw their idol. /That/ was why he couldn't care about his family back in Gongaga, that was why he was driven so hard and degraded so badly while training, all because of his disposition that he had refused to change all during his training… He had to be the perfect SOLDIER, just like Sephiroth.

But he wasn't. He wasn't like Sephiroth. He refused to be like Sephiroth. Zack sat up abruptly, sneering into the darkness. How had he let himself bring /three/ separate problems into one? He let out an exasperated sigh as he threw his legs over the side of his bed, resting his elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands.

Damned if he was going to let himself brood over more than one thing.

He relaxed slightly as he sat, his hands falling into his lap. He couldn't keep doing it. He had to do /something,/ he had to say something, tell Cloud something.

Zack cursed out loud, and his hands went back to his face, rubbing his temples in a vain attempt to keep down the headache that was starting to form. What could he possibly think? What could he possibly think was going on?

It was that thought alone that caused him to cringe, the familiar wave of emotions hitting him once more. Guilt, anxiety, remorse? Perhaps a dash of irony? Zack frowned. He was getting off topic.

He knew that not telling the truth was just as bad as lying, but he couldn't get himself to believe it. What was he supposed to have done? Told Cloud the day he met him? The day he forced him to open up? The day he trapped him with his own words in order to squeeze the truth from him?

Even after everything he had told him, the blond was still set on his fascination with their god-like general. Even though he understood everything he had said, that it was nothing but some distant, intangible feeling and ideal put onto a human face, that the two Sephiroths could never exist together, that it would do nothing but hurt him in the end, Cloud hadn't backed down.

Maybe there truly was something else there. Cloud's determination, his shameless protection of a man he knew nothing about … perhaps it was something to be admired.

That left himself, then. Zack strained silently, listening intently for other movement in the house. With the slight otherworldly feeling that he was the only one around for miles, Zack stood and walked for the door, opening it in silence. The hallway was soundless as well as he came upon the balcony doors, walking out into the night as quietly as he could.

He sat on the cool wood, looking out over the dark fields. The chill night air relaxed him slightly, another reminder of his home and his childhood. His thoughts continued to fall, growing darker with the night.

What could Cloud possibly think was going on? Telling him to stay away from Sephiroth as though he were some disobedient child. Cloud knew they were friends, what did that say? What could that mean? That he was better able to deal with Sephiroth's true nature than Cloud?

Zack grimaced. That was almost believable. It seemed so obvious, it was such a glaring error, Cloud had to know. Was it why he was avoiding him? Had he finally crossed the line at Rainer's house, talking about Sephiroth once more, while Cloud knew what was between them?

What he had told him was true. He didn't want to see him get hurt. But it wasn't just the reality of Sephiroth that would hurt him now. Cloud hadn't seen their general's true side yet, but he also hadn't seen his own.

They were friends. /Friends,/ of course. Even Sephiroth himself had warned against naming it anything else. Zack ran a hand through his hair.

How had he let something happen to the point where if he so much as told someone the truth, it would ruin everything? There was no chance to save himself, no clever lie he could make to change what was going on just so slightly that it might not hurt Cloud as much as it would. There was no excuse for simply leading the boy on, even regardless of his attempts to steer him away from his infatuation with Sephiroth.

The night was long.

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Rainer stumbled back, tripping over his own feet and landing on the ground with a thump. The boy frowned, scrambling to his feet quickly and brushing the dust away.

Zack smiled. "You should work on your balance, too."

The boy didn't seem to share his amusement, and returned to his newly taught stance, waiting for the next lesson.

Rainer had gotten the notion of becoming a SOLDIER stuck in his head, and although Zack found it almost morbid to watch a child so young try so desperately to wield a weapon, he wasn't one to smash a child's dreams, or turn down his demanding requests.

Zack smiled unconsciously, imaging the boy with spikes. The situation was nearly identical. Well, more positive, anyway. Although he was sure the child could learn to worry himself to death and suffer inwardly if he really tried.

The boy fumbled for a moment, unable to even keep a steady footing with the large weapon. /That/ hadn't been Zack's idea, the boy was merely fascinated that such a weapon could exist. Zack, not wanting to get into another discussion over why his weapon was completely functionless, let the boy have his way.

"Isn't it hard to actually hit anything with the sharp end?" Rainer asked, swinging the sword around him with both hands. "Do you sometimes mess up and end up thwacking someone with the long side?" He asked again. Rainer's spinning slowed as he pondered for a moment, turning to Zack. "It's all for aesthetics, isn't it?"

"Aesthetics?" Zack looked to the boy in disbelief.

Rainer sighed. "Looks," He replied arrogantly.

"I know what it means!" Zack growled. "But you shouldn't! And that's not why I use it!"

Rainer shrugged and resumed his spin, holding the weapon outstretched in front of him. The force kept him going one turn too many, and the boy staggered back again, gracefully avoiding another crash to the ground.

Zack felt eerily subdued as he watched the boy struggle. The entire situation was uncanny, too familiar. A brief insight flashed before him. Was he creating a surrogate Cloud to make up for the one who refused to so much as look in his direction? The boy attempted to lift the sword once more. This time the top-heavy weapon sent the boy backwards a few feet, before toppling him into his rear. The sword hit the dirt with a dull thud, and Rainer sat still, a look of anger and determination on his face as he glared down the instrument.

No, he had agreed to meet Rainer again before Cloud gave him the cold shoulder. The boy kicked the sword away from his legs, struggling to stand once more. He looked to Zack, ready for whatever the SOLDIER had in store for him next.

Zack forced a smiled again, holding up one hand to signal their stop, and moved to sit on a nearby patch of grass. Rainer's stance drooped, but he mimicked the older man's actions, taking his seat on the ground once more.

There was a pleasant silence as they both rested. Zack was reasonably content as he looked away from the town and into the dark green horizon, but after only a few moments he heard Rainer fidgeting nearby. The SOLDIER was almost surprised that his attention span had outlasted the child's.

"So, where's Cloud?" Rainer asked, examining a nearby stone.

Zack hid a quick grimace. "He's … busy."

The boy watched him curiously, a slight look of doubt in his eyes. Zack forced his expression to remain flat, and finally the boy accepted it, turning his attention back to the rock he held.

"What are you guys going to do when you go back to Midgar?"

Zack shrugged, smiling slightly. He hadn't realized how willing the boy was to accept Cloud as a SOLDIER. "Who knows. SOLDIER stuff, I suppose."

The boy looked to him, grinning. "Do you think you'll still be there when I join?"

Zack's smile grew, but he said nothing. The two continued their mock practice, Zack slowly coming to understand that the boy's interest in becoming a SOLDIER was based far more on spending time with himself and Cloud than it was a desire to join the ranks of Shinra.

It was growing late in the afternoon when one of the smaller soldiers from Zack's makeshift platoon rounded the corner of the dirt road, waving to his commanding officer as he approached. Zack stood and walked toward him, closing the distance.

"Sir."

"What is it?"

The soldier came to a stop in front of Zack. "You're wanted back in town. The mayor's called for you."

The SOLDIER nodded. "He's finally come to a decision?"

"It seems so," the young man broke his posture as he spoke, relaxing in his leader's nonchalant presence, "finally."

"Thanks, I'll head down there in a bit."

The younger man flashed a quick smile, and turned away, heading back to town. Zack watched him for a moment, quite aware that Rainer was at his side, listening intently.

Zack sighed and looked down, meeting an awed expression.

"What's going on?" Rainer asked.

Zack put a hand on his head. "Nothing, I've got some business to take care of. I'll take you home first."

He moved to grab his weapon, but Rainer stood still.

"Where are you going?" he asked, determined.

Zack looked to him over one shoulder. "I've got to meet with the mayor."

"Why?"

"Because he's called for me."

"Why did he call for you?"

"I don't know, that's why I'm going."

The boy narrowed his eyes, relentless. "You told that soldier that you thought he came to a decision."

Zack sighed. "Yes, I did."

"So why are you going there? What's going on?"

"We have business, Rainer."

"Does it have to do with that SOLDIER somewhere in the mountains my mom talked about?"

"Rainer … "

"Yes?"

Zack walked to the boy. "It's not anything important. Just forget about it."

The boy pouted slightly, a thing which, regardless of which Cloud did it, manipulated him into submission.

He sighed heavily, letting the tip of his sword his the ground. "Yes, it's about the SOLDIER. That's why we're here. Happy?"

"No."

Zack scowled and heaved his sword onto one shoulder, starting his walk back into town. Rainer followed closely.

"What decision do you think the mayor's come to?" he asked. Zack only frowned. Rainer only repeated the question. "What decision is it? Why can't you tell me?"

"It's not that I can't /tell/ you--"

"Well if you can, then do it!"

Zack stopped abruptly, turning on the boy. "You know, you're way too young to be so--"

"You're way too old to act like my father and try to protect me from things I'm going to find out anyway!"

The SOLDIER looked down to the boy. "Where did you learn to use people so well?"

The boy grinned. "So you're going to tell me?"

Zack mirrored the expression. "No."

They continued their walk.

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Cloud opened the window as far as it would go. He had found the small strip of sun across the hardwood floor, and felt it imperative to place himself in it as best he could. The day was beautiful, it was weather like he hadn't seen in months. The sun seemed like a far off myth back in Midgar, and it was truly a remarkable thing to be able to inhale deeply and fully.

There was also the hope that somehow the warm sunlight would force him out of his current state, although Cloud soon realized that even the warmth and contentment he soon felt couldn't stop the cold, sinking feeling that continued unabashedly within him.

He hated the feeling. He hated the fact that it was simply because he was being too pig-headed to do anything or say anything that might resolve the issue that was causing him so much distress. He knew Zack, he knew how he acted. He knew that if he so much as approached him with the intention of apologizing for his strange behavior, Zack would pick up on it, grin madly, and the entire situation would be forgotten and forgiven without either of them speaking a single word.

So why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he just approach him? Cloud buried his face in his arms, blocking the sun from his eyes. How could he apologize for something when he didn't even understand what he had done? He didn't know why he felt the way he did, he didn't know why he had acted the way he did, and he sure as hell didn't understand why he was turning into such a large problem.

There was something going on. Something that Zack hadn't told him. Maybe that was why it bothered him so much, that he knew Zack had something on his mind, that something important was going on, but he hadn't been told. Was he really that upset that Zack hadn't told him something, that he had a secret? Cloud assured himself that he wasn't.

It was just the contradictions. That Zack could be so condescending as to condemn him for his feelings toward Sephiroth, yet turn around and make a fool out of himself in front of every somewhat attractive human being that crossed his path.

He wanted to turn him away from Sephiroth. But why? They were friends, he had said it himself. Why would he be friends with someone if they were as terrible as he claimed? Cloud closed his eyes, hating the thought that came to his mind. Perhaps it was because … Zack wanted Sephiroth himself?

The idea was sickening, yet it comforted him slightly. The jealousy was then at least placed in the right spot. Still, he hated to think such a thing.

Cloud nearly groaned out loud, turning his head in dismay. He was being jealous, stupid, and stubborn. All he had to do was apologize for acting so strange and for getting so angry and everything would be fine.

Cloud sighed as he stretched his arms outside the window, the afternoon sun warm on his face. He almost smiled as he thought, realizing how childish he truly was. It was so minor, so completely insignificant, yet he had worked it into so much.

There were things far worse than minor tiffs with others, especially when the others happened to be one of the few people who cared about your well-being. His course of action was obvious, and Cloud hoped he had the nerve for such a confrontation. He also hoped that Zack was as forgiving as he gave him credit for.

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It was late in the day when Cloud came across Zack. He had left for a short walk, feeling slightly claustrophobic in the dilapidated house, and had inadvertently happened upon a set of black spikes in the distance.

Cloud had turned quickly, more than willing to head back to his boredom, but caught himself, chastising himself for being so weak. With an immense reluctance, he had forced himself to continue the walk, bracing himself for what he knew wouldn't be nearly as intense as he imagined.

Zack sat alone on the side of the dirt road, perched on top of a pasture fence. Cloud approached carefully, making sure the SOLDIER knew of his presence. Zack remained turned away, but he continued regardless.

Dissolving the last bit of fear he still held, Cloud swiftly scaled the fence and sat down beside the dark haired man, following his gaze across the grass. He saw Zack turn out of the corner of his eyes, but continued to look forward.

Zack's head drooped slightly as he returned to his view. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Cloud paused to give the question real thought. Finally he nodded, even though it couldn't be seen. "Yeah."

Zack repeated the motion, and Cloud fell silent, thinking over his words. Finally he turned to his friend again. "I'm sorry for how I've been acting." The SOLDIER turned as well, meeting his eyes. "I guess I've just been … really stressed."

They both turned away again, the words alleviating some slight tension between them. They were silent for some time before Zack finally answered.

"Yeah, I can understand."

Cloud's head drooped slightly. "And I guess I just can't deal with most of what's going on right now. Everything's coming to a head."

There was another moment of silence.

"Well … I'm sorry too." Zack said, his eyes focused ahead of him.

"For what?" Cloud asked, almost surprised. For days now he had wanted his friend to apologize, but now that he finally had, the blond remembered that Zack hadn't done a thing.

The SOLDIER remained silent, and Cloud began to grow fearful. Was something truly wrong?

"Zack?"

Zack shifted uncomfortably next to him. "You know … I don't normally …" he sighed and scratched his head, still looking forward. "I don't normally end up messing things up so much."

Cloud paused for a moment, waiting for him to continue. He didn't. "What are you talking about?"

The SOLDIER sighed and began what felt like Cloud to be a practiced monologue. "I've always been cursed with good luck. Being in the right place at the right time, getting away with things by the skin on my teeth, that sort of thing. I've always been careful and resourceful enough not to get myself into anything that … that could really ruin things. And I don't even mean just for myself."

The blond looked to the ground, suddenly feeling embarrassed. What had he done? Zack fell silent once more, and Cloud worked up the courage to turn to him again.

"Zack … ?"

The SOLDIER didn't hear, and Cloud forced himself to speak again, nearly silent.

" … You know I'm the introspective one, what's going on?"

"Everything you said is right, you know," he said abruptly.

Cloud watched him carefully, at a loss for where the conversation had turned. "What are you talking about?"

Zack shook his head, frowning slightly. "About me. Everything you said."

The blond tried to make sense of the words, the idea failing to penetrate. Zack only stared out into the fields, not avoiding his gaze, but simply looking, suddenly somber and melancholy.

What had he said about him?

Zack suddenly let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "God, I shouldn't … I shouldn't have ever …"

Cloud felt the words come, unasked. "Shouldn't have ever what?"

"Everything you said about me is true," He repeated emphatically, sliding off the fence and to his feet, watching him coldly. Cloud recoiled instantly, feeling the blood rush to his face as he was confronted. Zack shook his head in exasperation, turning away.

"Zack, I'm…" he fumbled, suddenly nervous. "I'm sorry."

Zack remained turned away, and Cloud felt his nerves break underneath him, the words beginning to slip easily.

"I'm really tense lately, I can't help it," the blond continued. "This is my first real mission since I've gotten here, SOLDIER cuts are coming up in a matter of weeks and I'm in no shape to even /compete./ And you ... I mean ... I can't handle things sometimes, it's just you give me such a bad time about /my/ shit, but you can't even admit to /your/ shit!"

From his vantage, the SOLDIER almost looked as though he were amused. "I guess we both just have too much shit, huh?"

Cloud sighed, almost giving into a smile. "And I can't even give you a bad time about it! You're either more naïve than you give me a bad time for being, or you're so freakishly happy and content with your life that nothing can bother you!"

"You know, they've probably had just as many meetings about my demeanor as they have about my hair," Zack said quietly. Cloud's slight smile began to fade as he noticed the lack of humor in his friend's voice. Anxiety picking up once more, Cloud looked around for support, and realized he was on his own.

"Well--"

"I'm just sorry," Zack cut in once more, still facing away. "Everything's gone to hell, and I can't even think of a way to blame anyone else for it."

"Sorry for /what?/" Cloud asked, his confusion overtaking his emotions.

"For what I've been doing," Zack answered.

Cloud's eyes narrowed in increasing anger. "What have you been doing?"

Zack turned suddenly, anger on his own face. Cloud's fell at once, surprised by the emotion.

"I didn't want things to end up like this. I let things go too far."

"What are you /talking/ about?" Cloud cried. "Give me a straight answer!"

His tone, Cloud realized, didn't help the situation. Zack's gaze darkened. "It's not the easiest thing to talk about, Cloud," he stately flatly, the tone silencing the words that would have come from his mouth. Zack turned again, somber once more. "I almost think it would just be simpler to forget everything."

Cloud slid off the fence slowly, staring at the ground by Zack's feet. Things were really that bad? He ruffled his spikes absentmindedly as the unnerving thought that the frenzy he had worked himself into over something he had finally convinced himself was miniscule was actually real only ruined his nerves further. The blond fought for words for a moment, before Zack began to leave.

He was silent as he began to walk away, and Cloud followed suit, leaning back against a nearby post in the quiet afternoon.

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The streets were quiet in the early twilight, and Zack walked toward Rainer's home with more cheerfulness than he had for some time. Of course, that didn't go very far considering the sourness of his mood, but, Zack had to admit, it was /slightly/ better than it had been. He had never underestimated the sheer power of simply blocking out emotions and thoughts.

He didn't want to think about what he had said, how Cloud was too sensitive for any sort of confrontation in the first place, and how he didn't deserve to have to deal with everything he had done. Zack paused in the road for a moment, realizing that thinking of what he /didn't/ want to think of was still thinking about it. He scowled and resumed his march, focusing his thoughts on the young boy he was going to visit, and the house that was now in view.

As he approached, there was a sudden shuffle somewhere beyond his sight, and Zack stopped in his tracks, his ears perked. The sound ended just as soon as he stopped, and after a moment of listening, Zack continued, though much slower. Rainer didn't have nearly enough stealth training to sneak up on him yet.

No sooner had he taken another step that the shuffle broke out again, slightly louder, like someone dragging their foot across the road. The SOLDIER did his best to identify where the sound had come from, somewhere in the back of the small alleyway between Rainer's home and the small, ramshackle building next door.

Zack waited for the child to appear, sure that his patience would last longer. The road was completely silent in his hesitance, and a sudden twinge of anxiety hit him. With a firm determination, Zack stepped forward, ready to call out to the boy to end his game.

A sudden pounding came from nearby, inside the boy's house. Zack stopped, looking to the door, which quickly flew open, an energetic Rainer bounding out.

"You said you'd come at four!" the boy cried, struggling to appear angry. "It's almost eight! What were you … " The boy slowed to a stop, his words trailing off as he saw the look on the SOLDIER's face. Zack stood erect, his eyes focused on something behind the house. "What's going on?" Rainer asked quietly.

Zack's dark expression didn't fade as he turned to the child. "Go back in the house."

Rainer watched him in confusion for a moment, before turning back inside without question. Zack was behind the small home by the time the door slammed shut around front. With a sneer already set, preparing for some nightmarish rogue creature to appear from the mountains, Zack brandished his sword, looking for the imp.

The alley was completely bare, and Zack waited for a moment in what quickly felt like exaggerated menace, before letting his weapon drop, sighing at his cartoonish situation.

The SOLDIER turned to the setting sun, letting his sharpened nerves relax. His constant struggle to maintain the right perspective on their trip was failing. If he relaxed too much, he saw the shadows of their enemies around the corner. If he watched the road carefully, he ended up alone in a dead end with nothing in sight. He took a deep breath and hoisted the weapon back on his shoulder, letting his mind settle slightly before retrieving the boy.

Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck bristled, a feeling of dread washing over him. Zack turned his head quickly, looking back to the house. The backdoor stood open, and all around him the fields were silent.

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Cloud sat on the balcony overlooking the fields. The country night was quiet without the hum of reactors, something he hadn't been away from his entire life. Unaware of the time, Cloud had let himself stare off in a daze, his mind for once absent of troublesome thoughts.

His earlier conversation with Zack had resolved few issues. The blond sighed at his own conclusion. As if a conversation that ends with a briefly alluded to problem only then brought to his attention and the storming off of his only friend could be so benign.

Once again, Cloud realized, he was determined to be the better of them, and to simply never, ever, speak to him again. Such were the troubles of so called 'friendships,' the blond thought bitterly. Maybe he /had/ been justified in his desire to cut himself off from all such relationships. They were too much work, too draining, and far too complicated.

Cloud stopped abruptly in his self-examination, realizing with futility that his thoughts had once again picked up their incessant desire to ruin all moments of silence he won.

The blond hugged his knees to his chest and buried his face, mumbling to himself and thinking of someone to blame for his inability to simply let things go.

Somewhere below him, the front door was slammed open, and heavy footsteps pounded through the house, searching madly. Cloud ignored it, looking back to the moon. What was that old cliché? This was the same moon everyone else looked at? He sighed inwardly, unsure who it was he wanted to share the view with.

Low voices began to pick up their intensity around him, something of mild interest happening. Cloud shut his eyes. Whatever it was, he didn't care. He didn't want to be involved any longer, he didn't want to be Zack's partner here, he didn't want to have to be bothered with anything.

The shuffle continued to move closer, the house waking up at once. Cloud found himself unconsciously straining to hear where they were headed. A low voice was speaking as doors opened and closed, and even through the walls he could hear the anxiety begin to mount.

He forced himself back to the horizon, determined not to care.

A low, muted voice could suddenly be heard clearly as a door opened. "Cloud?"

The blond turned around, looking to the shut balcony door. He was being looked for?

The voice cursed and shut the door to his room, and the footsteps picked up once more, heading away from where he sat. Cloud returned to looking out into the night, pushing away his interest in the situation. They could do without him, whatever it was. Contrary to recent, popular belief, he wasn't even a SOLDIER.

The footsteps stopped suddenly, pausing in thought. Cloud knew at once which soldier it was, and held in an angry groan. The steps picked up once more, heading back towards him.

"Cloud?" Zack opened the door slowly, looking to the blond.

"What?" Cloud asked, his eyes on the horizon.

"Come downstairs."

The blond turned slowly, glowering slightly at the audacity of the request. Zack's expression was flat, and Cloud instantly understood the importance of the situation, his prior interior monologue forgotten. He stood and followed the SOLDIER inside.

"What's going on?" he asked as they reached the stairs. Zack shook his head in front of him.

"Everything's going to hell."

Cloud continued to follow silently, his interest inadvertently peaked. He couldn't hold down the memories of their previous conversation, but he chastised himself quickly for being so selfish as to think it could have something to do with him.

Together they reached the front door and walked into the lawn, already swarming with their fellow woken soldiers. At their entrance, they all turned, silenced immediately. The mayor stood a few feet away from the group, his pajamas tucked into a pair of dress pants, and a wild, frenzied look on his face.

Cloud now hoped to god it /wasn't/ about him.

"What's going on?" he asked, stopping behind as Zack reached the soldiers. The mayor looked to him fearfully.

"He has his own militia," the older man said. Zack turned to him, scowling crossly.

"He has a handful of disgruntled rebels, that's it."

The mayor returned the malevolent look. "I suppose so, they must be so untrained and immature as to have already managed to /beat/ your pathetic army--"

"They haven't beaten anyone!" Zack spat, advancing slightly on the other man, who quickly withdrew.

The soldiers looked between themselves uncomfortably, and Cloud continued to stand off to the side, watching the scene unfold with amazement.

"What's … "

Zack looked to him suddenly, a look on his face like he had never seen. He looked like a real SOLDIER, determined and able and angry, his eyes suddenly darker than they had ever been. Cloud almost shivered under the gaze, so unaware of who his friend truly was.

"The SOLDIER here has friends. And they've already attacked."

The mayor regained his pride as Zack was turned away. "You should know who you're facing when you take something like this on! There's no excuse for letting your guard down like this!"

"We would have already been in there if you had signed the god damned forms you're so adamant about filling out!" One of the soldiers near the mayor yelled. "We could have been done if we hadn't had to wait around so long for you to decide if you wanted to save your town or not!"

Zack turned to the soldier, who fell silent. "Pushing the blame back to those who blame us won't help."

"Even if it /is/ their fault," another mumbled.

The mayor was holding onto his rage as best he could. "Even so, you think this would have happened if they hadn't seen you with the boy?"

Zack was turned away from them all, and Cloud felt his stomach tighten. "The boy?"

"His mother said he was going out to 'practice what you had taught him.'" The mayor said gravely, though his anger was still apparent on his face. "Don't you have any code of conduct you adhere to on these kinds of jobs?"

Zack looked calm as he faced away from the older man, though Cloud knew the anger that had to be welling up within him. Cloud felt his own irritation grow, angry at the man who had been the single cause of their delay, now blaming Zack and his alleged ineptitude.

The SOLDIER remained silent, at a loss of words. Cloud's stomach knotted tighter, he had never seen Zack fall silent in an argument. Of all people in Antei, Zack was the least one at fault. Even if they were at odds with one another, the blond couldn't hold himself back as he watched the mayor with untold anger.

"What is this doing for us?" He asked suddenly. All eyes fell upon him, but the blond couldn't contain his words, and continued. "Standing around blaming us for delaying our mission is only delaying us /more./ If you want us to do something, then leave, and let us get started."

The mayor mumbled something he couldn't hear, but Cloud could feel a slight release of tension. He still was unsure as to what had happened, but regardless of all he thought, his allegiance was fully behind Zack. The SOLDIER remained quiet, standing off to the side, focused on something in the distance.

"Never before," the mayor said, his voice picking up volume. "Never before have I seen such a /blatant/ disregard for procedure and lack of authoritative--"

"We're going." Zack said abruptly. The mayor fell silent as the SOLDIER turned, his voice deeper than before. "This isn't your business any longer. You signed the forms, this is Shinra's problem now. Cast all the stones you'd like, but as of now your opinion doesn't matter in the least. You have no say in any matters, and if you continue to try and obstruct our business here, I'll have you incarcerated myself."

The mayor's nose wrinkled instantly in apparent disgust, but Zack turned quickly and began walking toward the house. The soldiers began clamoring at their officer's departure, and the mayor stood a few yards off, watching the scene with indignation.

Zack's expression was hidden in the darkness. He walked toward the building, pausing as he reached Cloud's side. The blond was suddenly speechless in his threatening presence.

"Thanks," Zack said, his voice slightly back to normal. Words begged to be spoken, but Cloud was unable to think of them.

"Zack--"

"I'll take the responsibility," he said flatly, again sounding like a true SOLDIER.

Cloud felt his mind begging him not to ask, but the words came regardless, barely audible. "For what?"

Zack closed his eyes in silent resignation. "They took Rainer because of me."

His words once again failed him. "Zack … "

The SOLDIER shook his head slightly and turned away, opening the door and disappearing inside.

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Notes Version 1.0: AHAHAHAHA IT'S DONE. Consider this a graduation present. Expect far more updates from here on out, as well. Except for the two weeks I'll be in Japan and the near month of moving to college. But other than that, updates. The main point of this story for myself is to finish it, so don't worry. If I don't, I give everyone permission to hunt me down and … yell at me until I do.

Notes Version 2.3: Good lord, maybe now people can understand why I can't put the main pairing of this fic in the description! I am sorry about that, but I'm afraid … it's the story. X3 I'll make it up to you with some citrus scented chapters in the near future.

…Maybe.