New chapter

New chapter! Yay! So I finally bought kingdom hearts 2. Got ripped though! The game didn't have a price on it and all the games surrounding it were for 39. So I thought, ya know it's been out since April it should be that price by now. Can't find it anywhere under 50. So I bought it and they charged me 50!! GRRRR!! Oh well. Didn't want to wait till x-mas! Anyways, I suppose it was worth it. Love the organization XIII and the heartless. Gives me another thing to do! Well…sorry about the tangent! Let's get this new chapter rolling! Thanks to you all for the fantastic reviews! And thanks for reading! - Annubis

Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.

Chapter 27

"What can we possibly do to stop that thing!?" Tifa hurried down the stairs following Cloud. Vincent was close behind, his dark demeanor returned.

"I have an idea." Cloud smirked. Together they all ran towards the Highwind outside of Midgar, passing by WEAPON.

"I sure hope your idea is a good one." Tifa said quickly as she ran by the giant monster, its screeching pierced the air. She quickly covered her ears.

"Just watch, we won't have to do a thing!" Cloud climbed up the ladder leading to the cabin of the Highwind. "We just gotta hurry and get out of here. WEAPON's doing all the work for us!" Cloud pointed a gloved finger towards the Junon cannon. WEAPON was feet away from it, preparing to blast it.

"Is it going to try to destroy the cannon?" Tifa stared at the beast.

"I sure hope so…" Cloud mumbled and ran into the cabin. "Cid! Get this plane into the air! Get away from the cannon!" Cloud tumbled as the plane ascended quickly.

"Sounds good to me!" The pilot sputtered.

"What's going on?" Aeris asked. She ran to the front window of the ship, peering out towards WEAPON. "The cannon! It's ready to fire!" She shouted. The rest of the group pressed their faces against the glass.

"Oh baby! This better work!" Barret shook his head.

"But…what about the cannon? Won't it take out too much power and destroy Midgar?" Yuffie asked alarmed.

"That's just one theory. There is a small chance that the cannon either won't fire or it will but won't have as much energy as the first shot. If that happens, then the city should be alright." Cait Sith kept an eye on the cannon.

WEAPON opened its mouth, preparing to give a giant blast at the city. The monster was planning on destroying Midgar's defenses and then the rest of the city. A great white light flowed as the creature prepared to blast. It gave an ear splitting scream as the cannon launched its blue energy beam directly in its face. A second later WEAPON's head blasted from its shoulders and a green ooze poured down it shoulders.

"A direct hit! There's now way he's gettin' up after that!" Cid hooted. "It took his head right off!"

"Damn! The beam didn't even go through it like the last time." Barret sighed.

"So…that means Sephiroth didn't get the power!" Red XIII pressed his paws against the glass.

"More good news!" Zack stared at the monster as it slid backwards onto the dirt and rock below. The green sludge seeped around its torso. "…Nasty…" he gawked at the dead WEAPON.

"Zack…" Aeris nudged him in the shoulder.

"It's so gross…" He continued. "Yet…so cool."

"Stop staring!" She giggled. "You're so morbid."

"Well…now what?" Zack turned his attention to Cloud.

"I, I don't know." Cloud sat on the floor and leaned his head against the wall behind him. He yawned. "Meteor…and Sephiroth."

"Can we get 'em!" Zack asked with excitement.

"Boy, don't you ever get tired?" Cid drawled.

"Shinra's…finished." Cait Sith slumped to the floor.

"Meteor will fall…when?" Cloud rubbed his face. He wondered how much more he could take. Things were falling apart left and right. The hard part was yet to come.

"Seven days…" Red padded in circles. "That's what grandpa told me." The red animal lay on the floor.

"Vacation?" Cid grumbled and piloted the Highwind. "Where the hell am I goin'?"

"Red, you would like to see everyone in Cosmo Canyon before you leave, isn't that right?" Cloud turned his head towards the animal.

"Yes. I would like to." The animal looked at the floor. His glowing eye showed a hint of sadness.

"You would like to see Marlene, wouldn't you?" Cloud faced Barret. The large man folded his arms.

"Don't ask me that." Barret grumbled. 'Of course I would.' He scoffed.

"We'll defeat Sephiroth. And then find a way to get Holy." Cloud slowly stood up. "If we can't defeat him, then the planet will die, along with everyone else…We'll just die a few days early." He talked quietly.

"Don't mention losing before you even give it a try!" Barret growled.

"Lose!? How can we!?" Zack threw his arms in the air. "There's just too much we have! We can't let it go. Come on! We all have something to protect, something worth living for." He turned towards Vincent.

"You too." Zack said quickly. He turned his attention back to everyone else. "It's stupid to think that we'll lose. We have to stop him, because we all have something Sephiroth doesn't…" Zack looked at everyone in the cabin.

"We all got friends…" Yuffie grinned.

"And family." Barret added.

"We have the planet to protect." Aeris bit her lower lip.

"And everyone else that lives on it." Zack finalized.

"But…how?" Cloud seemed weak and unsure.

'Why can't I be strong for once?' Cloud wanted to hit himself.

"I imagine everyone would wanna piece of that bastard." Zack looked around the room again. "Am I right? Would you want to sit at home and watch the planet and everyone you love die? Or would you like to grab the bastard by the collar and throw him offa cliff?" Zack smiled.

"…" The room was silent.

"Hell, I know I'd love to beat his ass!" Zack clenched his fists. "I've gone through too much to give up now. Hojo said I had the strength. I believe I can do it." He stared out the window in the direction of the crater.

"All by yourself?" Cloud folded his arms. Zack turned to Cloud and walked up to him. The blonde took a step back, feeling a bit threatened by Zack's advance. Then there was the unexpected. Zack laughed. He grinned and pulled Cloud down putting him in a headlock.

"If it came to it, yeah!" He pressed his knuckles in Cloud's scalp and messed up his hair. Cloud struggled a minute and loosened his head.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because…it's my job." He smiled. "My purpose is to take care of you! Even if no one else goes, I'd still go. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't try."

"Well…just so ya know." Cloud rubbed his hair. "You're not going alone." He looked up at Zack.

"I figured you'd say that." Zack grinned.

"I can't let you have all the fun. I owe Sephiroth." Cloud grit his teeth.

"Well then! Any one else care to join the party?" the ex-soldier smirked. He caught his tongue quickly though as he saw Aeris push her small hand in the air.

"Me!" her green eyes lit up.

"Y, you?" Zack cleared his throat. "But…"

"I have just as much right as anyone else! I'm going whether or not you want me to!" she huffed.

"You heard the lady." Cloud folded his arms.

"She's so stubborn sometimes." Zack rubbed his temple.

"Tell me about it." The blonde rolled his eyes. The two men stared at the woman and shook their heads.

"I'm going too." Tifa announced.

"Tifa?" Cloud turned to her.

"That's right. I have things I need to protect." She shuffled her feet.

"Fine. Everyone. I want you to leave this ship and find what it is you're really fightin' for. Once you do that, I want you to come back and we'll fight for it." Cloud ordered.

"An' what if we don't wanna come back? What if no one comes back?" Cid puffed. He glanced at Zack. "Besides wonderboy here. What if no one comes back to fight? Meteor is jes' gonna kill us all anyways." He rolled his eyes.

"Then I'll let you decide. You all have a choice. I wouldn't blame you for not coming back." Cloud lowered his head. "But I have many things to protect. Memories, people, and I suppose the planet as well. That's just included." He gave a weak smile.

"It's settled then." Zack put a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "We'll all get to leave and go to our homes and see our families, then, hopefully, all come back and finish this."

"Is this okay with everyone?" Cloud raised his head. The room was filled with agreements and nodding heads. "Well…then let's get outta here." Cloud turned to the door and opened it slowly. One by one the party descended from the Highwind and made their ways to the corners of the planet.

"Nanaki! I'm afraid there's some bad news. It's Bugenhagen." A villager approached the red animal in a hurry.

"What!?" Red scurried into the village.

"Ever since he returned from that trip he hasn't been well! Go check up on him!" The villager pointed towards Bugenhagen's home.

"Grandpa!" Red hurried up the stairs towards the giant observatory. His beads clacked together with each leap, his flaming tail grew brighter in anticipation. Red burst through the door and scrambled to the green couch where his grandfather lay.

"Grandfather!" Red sat on the floor next to the old man.

"Nanaki?" A soft, struggling voice called from the cushions. "You're…still here?" the old man coughed. Red XIII had never heard or seen him so weak before.

"I, I can't leave you like this, grandfather! It's my duty as…Seto's son to guard this canyon and its people." Red XIII panted slightly.

"Listen to me Nanaki. If anything, it is not your mission to keep this canyon safe. Look at everything around you. Something dies, another is born. Eternal time is far greater than the span of a human life. You will learn far more than you would staying here in the valley." Bugenhagen removed his glasses. "What you see here…will someday become part of life's dream. For my children…for your children." Bugenhagen raised a hand to pet Nanaki.

"So please…Nanaki. Go with Cloud. And with your eyes…and your ears…" His hand slipped and fell. Nanaki lowered his head. His eyes burned slightly.

"Ohh hoo hoo. I'm alright." The man chuckled. "Now go. You still have much to see in this world. You may even find your life's mate…you never know…" Bugenhagen closed his eyes.

"Grandfather…" Red XIII stared at the floor.

"Oh yes. I forgot to give you this. I think it'll look quite good on you." Bugenhagen reached into the pocket of his robe. His fingers shook as he lifted a brightly colored comb and placed it in Red's mane. The animal had wild hair. He was a marvelous creature, much like his father. Bugenhagen stared at Red for a moment and smiled.

"Ho…ho…" He chuckled quietly and then closed his eyes.

"Grandfather? GRANDFATHER!" Red leapt onto the couch and nudged Bugenhagen with his nose. "Grandpa! Grandpa!!" The fiery animal frantically tried to wake up his grandfather but nothing worked.

"…Gran…father…" he howled and whined quietly and leapt to the floor. With his ears pulled back and his tail low, Nanaki left the room. His tail was a dim light smaller than a candle's flame. Red XIII quietly padded down the stairs, ready to join Cloud and the others.

Tifa stared out the window of her bedroom in Nibelheim. The owner of the house was gone once again and she let herself in. She held onto her doll tightly staring at the well in the center of the town. She felt a chill suddenly.

"How long have you been here?" A cool voice sounded behind her.

"A couple of hours." She mumbled and squeezed the doll. She wasn't wearing her typical outfit. Instead she had on a small t-shirt with an image of a chocobo and a pair of tight jeans with the bottoms rolled to her knees.

"New outfit?" Vincent smirked. Tifa turned to him and blushed.

"My old clothes…" She looked down at herself. "These were my favorite jeans. And this was the only shirt that still fit…kind of." She sniffed. She obviously had been crying.

"Wanted to get out of that stupid mini skirt." She tried to make conversation.

"Why are you here?" Vincent changed the subject. Tifa walked to her bed and sat down, the mattress squeaked under her. Her long hair pooled around her, it not being tied at the end.

"You know…I'm not sure." She looked out the window. "It's like I keep expecting something, but I know nothing will happen."

"Something?" Vincent walked to the window and saw what she was staring at. "Or do you mean someone?" He brought his red gaze to her. He saw her cheeks turn a shade of red.

"What do you mean?" She hid her face.

"Cloud…" He mumbled and backed away from the pane of glass.

"…No…" She shook her head. "I know he's not coming. I don't expect him to."

"Then…what is it you're waiting for?" Vincent pulled back the small bench by the piano and sat down. He stared at the ivory and black keys.

"…I told you. I don't know why I am here." Tifa sighed. A low note startled her. Vincent had hit a key on the piano.

"Being locked up in the mansion…" He started. "You forget what it sounds like."

"A piano?" She questioned. She brought her foot up and curled it underneath her.

"I used to play in the mansion all the time…for her." Vincent continued.

"Her?" Tifa tilted her head. "…Oh."

"…" Vincent stared at the keys.

Tifa looked at the floor. He meant Lucrecia. She felt her heart sink, knowing that once again, she had lost someone close to her. Vincent was not interested in her anymore, not after knowing she was still alive. After a moment of silence the room exploded with sound. Vincent was playing the piano. It was quick and low. It was quite a beautiful sound, but still full of sadness. She could imagine him in the darkness of the mansion, hitting the keys softly, playing his song full of his thoughts and memories. The song was very fitting of him. As if he were to walk in a room it should start playing. Tifa wanted to ask if he had created it himself, but the sound stopped suddenly. Tifa stared at the man.

"…I still remember it." He murmured. She couldn't tell what the expression was he had. "After so many years."

"You still remember everything, don't you?" Tifa spoke up. Vincent turned to her.

"Everything…" He mumbled. He stood up and walked towards her.

"And everyone…" Tifa added. This made Vincent stop.

"…Yes." He did not look at her.

"She's alive." Tifa tightened her hug on the doll.

"Yes. She is." Vincent was almost inaudible. Tifa felt like she dug herself in a hole. "Tifa…"

"So why are you here?" She interrupted.

"I…"

"You weren't just going to visit the basement were you?" Tifa sat up straight.

"Love her…" He finalized and stared at his feet.

"Cause…the basement is a lonely place, Vincent." Tifa ignored his last comment. She felt the tears stream down her face.

"Tifa…" Vincent tried to get her attention.

"Unless you didn't come here because of the Shinra mansion." She looked up at him, ignoring the tears.

"I came here because of you." He sat on the bed next to her.

"…me?" Tifa felt pent up frustration and was ready to burst. "Me!?" She turned to him quickly.

"Tifa?" He leaned back a few inches. Not expecting the burst.

"So…You came here to tell me you still love the woman from fifty years ago?" Tifa turned her gaze away from the man.

"Please…" He knew where this was going.

"I know Vincent. I saw it all over your face that day in the cave!" Tifa turned away from him. "You don't have to tell me. I'm not stupid. I understand, completely understand. It's just like what happened with Aeris and Cloud." She gasped.

'Is this how Cloud felt? Did he go through this when Aeris found out Zack was still alive?' She covered her mouth.

"…" Vincent was silent.

"…They were close and then Aeris found Zack. I suppose I would do the same thing. It turns everything around when you find out that a loved one really isn't dead…" Tifa wiped her eyes.

"I'm…I knew I shouldn't have…" Vincent stood up.

"Shouldn't have what?" Tifa was startled. "Given me a chance?"

"I told Zack…it wasn't a good idea." Vincent lowered his head.

"You wish you would have ignored your feelings for me?" Her voice was tiny.

"…All it does is cause pain." Vincent walked for the stairway.

"And so you're giving up? Like nothing ever happened?" Tifa stood up.

"I'm not giving up. Not on her." Vincent mumbled. That comment really made her blood boil.

"But you are on me!" Tifa stumbled to the floor. "…Just…like…" She gasped for air. She was crying now, ready to give up. "Everyone else."

"I…" Vincent turned to her. He kneeled down and lifted her chin, staring into her shining eyes. "Please don't cry. I hate seeing you cry." Vincent frowned.

"You…hate seeing her cry." Tifa mumbled.

"Damn it, Tifa." Vincent sighed. He felt himself losing composure. "You're making this really difficult."

"…That's a mean thing to say." Tifa squeaked. Vincent closed his eyes.

'Why is it…everything she says hurts?' Vincent took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Tifa. I don't want to be mean." He wiped away a few tears. "But if I continue this, it would be worse."

"I know…" She tried to pull away from him. He grabbed her shoulders quickly.

"No…I'm not letting go. Not this time." He whispered and pulled her into him. Tifa wrung her arms around him tightly like she did with the doll earlier and wrapped her hands around his cloak. She cried even harder feeling the contact with him.

"Please…I don't want to go through with this." Tifa whispered. "What? What is it you want, Vincent?" She looked up at him, her expression killing him.

"A second chance." He said softly, knowing that was not what she wanted to hear.

"For Lucrecia?" She whispered.

"Please. Give me time." He whispered, not looking at her again.

"Time? Vincent…I…" Tifa shoved her head into his chest.

'What an awful thing to say…' She sniffed.

"Can't wait forever…" She sighed.

"I know." Vincent slowly stood up, lifting her with him. "I need time to set things straight, to think." He looked down at her.

"Think…" She whispered.

"I think you should do the same thing." He advised and turned.

"You mean…Cloud?" Tifa shivered. She knew that was a lost cause. "I know what you're trying to do, Vincent. I'm not stupid. Just go to Lucrecia…live with her in her little cave. Tell her all about how wonderful her son was, how great of a mother she was…and how her…Hojo tried to help him out till the very end." Tifa had an edge to her voice. Vincent did not like it, but listened anyways.

"How amazing it will be when her son crashes meteor into this planet, killing everyone and everything. How her science project turned out to be a disaster! How her stupid experiments involved so many lives…including your own!" Tifa poked Vincent in the chest. "How you waited for her…died over and over again for her and she never knew you existed!"

"Stop…" Vincent interrupted.

"You know. Maybe she never loved you at all. Maybe you were nothing to her and that's why she never married you!"

"Stop it." Vincent met her eyes.

"Maybe she wanted you dead, Vincent. Maybe she didn't want to face the pain everyday seeing you alive!" She clenched her fists.

"That's enough!" He yelled and shook her by the shoulders. Tifa almost fell to the floor. The room was silent. Tifa stared at Vincent, shocked at everything she had just said along with how angry Vincent had just gotten. His red eyes were full of hatred and his jaw was locked his teeth clenched. Tifa had a horrified look on her face. She did not know it but Vincent saw the new tears in her eyes.

"I…Tifa I'm sorry." He turned away from her. "But you don't know anything about it."

"…Vincent…" Her voice was dry and raspy. He felt a shiver at her saying his name.

"Tifa." He looked at her.

"Just go, Vincent. She's probably waiting for you." Tifa waved him away and turned back to the window. She felt a tug and she was spun around and fell forward into Vincent's chest. He hugged her and leaned down kissing her softly on the lips. He held her tightly, pulling her closer and closer. It lasted a moment and then he parted.

"Time…" He whispered and then turned quickly leaving the room. Before Tifa could say a thing he was gone. Tifa plopped onto the mattress and squeezed her doll tightly.

"Vincent…" She felt herself crying all over again. Like she lost another loved one in the flames. "I…don't have as much time as you…in fifty years…I'll be different."

Zack walked through the streets of Midgar. His boots clunked softly on the bricks.

He shoved his hands into his pockets looking for that familiar sign. He was on the upper plate in the city.

"It's been a while and things have changed. I hope its still here." Zack frowned. He followed the long path in between buildings. The same path he followed every day after training and working for Shinra.

"Oh! It's still here! Thank you!" He threw his arms into the air and entered the main building. The door opened smoothly and a small bell dinged.

"Can I help you, sir?" A young man sat behind the counter.

"Yeah…um…I lived here about five years ago. I was wondering if I could still get to my stuff?" Zack grinned and laughed nervously.

"What?" The man raised an eyebrow.

"I lived here five years ago and went on a mission. I worked for Shinra. Just got back I guess you could say." Zack took a deep breath.

"And…you haven't been here at all over five years?" The man asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. Is that a problem?" Zack asked.

"Yeah buddy! It is a problem, cause you gotta worry about the rent and bills ya didn't pay! And besides, after so long they woulda taken you're stuff out and thrown it all away…or sold it." The man sighed.

"No!" Zack leaned on the counter. "Ya gotta be kiddin' me!"

"No joke." He stood up.

"But…what about the nice lady that used to work here? The nice old woman…what was her name? Lucille!" Zack bit his lower lip.

"Lucille? Oh…she died a couple of weeks ago actually." The man lowered his head. "She was the nicest lady."

"Oh…" Zack frowned. "Did she by chance ever mention me? My name's Zack!" Zack reached out and shook the man's hand.

"Zack?...Well…you said you worked for Shinra right?" The man brightened.

"Yeah."

"SOLDIER First-Class!?" The guy opened a drawer.

"Yeah!" Zack smiled.

"She talked about ya all the time! As if you were her own son!" The guy began digging through the drawer.

"Really?" Zack smiled.

"She adored you!" He pulled out something from the drawer. It was wrapped up in brown paper. "When you didn't come back after a year she went through you're things. She was so devastated."

"She thought I was dead, didn't she?" Zack felt his heart sink. 'Poor lady…'

"Yeah. It took her forever to finally part with your stuff. I was afraid she was gonna box everything up and keep it forever." The man laughed.

"Why?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

"She never told ya, did she?"

"Huh?" He scratched his head.

"The lady had a son in soldier. He went to the war fifteen or so years back and was killed. I think that is why she had an attachment to you. She was afraid to let go when you never came back, was afraid you had died." The man looked at the wrapped item. Zack's mouth was wide open. He had been shocked to hear the news. The man decided to change the subject. "So…why didn't you come back?"

"…To tell you the truth. I ran into trouble with Shinra. Had some weird things happen and I just finally got out of it." Zack sighed.

"Trouble? You ain't a criminal are you?" He hid the item behind his back.

"No! That's not what I meant. Let's just say I was experimented on by the head scientist there. Wasn't 'released' till now." Zack did not want to get into details.

"I see. That Shinra. Always getting into trouble. Now look what's happened. Chaos everywhere!"

"So…what is that you got there?" Zack pointed at the brown wrapping.

"This? She left it for you." The man held out the box.

"Really?" Zack felt his heart flutter.

"She said it was so important to you that she couldn't bear to get rid of it. Dunno what it is, she wouldn't let anyone touch it." The man sat back down in his chair. "Besides that, you got nothing." Zack unwrapped the box and opened it quickly. He saw the glitter in the light and hooted in delight.

"She's amazing!" Zack leaped into the air and headed for the door.

"I take it that's what you came here looking for?" The man stood up.

"Yes! Yes it was! Thank you so much!" Zack shook the man's hand again. "I'm sorry but I gotta leave now! Someone I have to see!" Zack was gone in an instant.

"Wait! What…about those overdue payments?" The man sighed and fell into his chair. "Ah, well."

Zack sprinted through the streets, excited that he found the item once again. He was so happy; he couldn't wait to show Aeris.

'I can't believe it! She'll be so shocked!' Zack thought to himself. 'But…should I wait to give it to her? Maybe…after I beat Sephiroth.'

Zack frowned he did not know what to do.

'What if we all fail? Then she'd never know…' Zack smirked. 'What the hell am I talking about!? We can't lose to Sephiroth! I won't let it happen!'

Zack slowed his pace as the Highwind came into view. He had made up his mind and he could not wait to see what her face would look like.

"Aeris?" Zack asked when he entered the ship. Everyone had gone their separate ways, including Cid. He mentioned he would be back in a few hours to take the Highwind back to Rocket Town. Zack's footsteps echoed in the empty plane. He had never heard it so quiet. He had been fighting nonstop since he escaped from Shinra.

"Aeris!?" Still no answer. Zack walked to the control panel and picked up the intercom mic.

"Is there a beautiful young lady on board this plane?" He called out over the intercom in a smooth calm voice. He heard a wark from the chocobo stables and then a distant giggle. 'There she is.' He made his way down the stairs and to the stable.

"You lookin' for me?" Aeris voice called out across from the stable.

"Yeah I…was…" Zack stopped and stared at the woman. She no longer wore her red jacket and her hair was not in its typical braid, instead it was let down in long waves. He could see that she had showered and washed her clothes while he was gone. He could smell her perfume across the room.

"What?" She looked around curiously. "Stop staring at me!" she took a few steps back. Zack smirked and walked up to her.

"I can't help it." He kissed her on the cheek. His brilliant blue eyes scanned her. It had been a long time since they were able to be completely alone.

"You're always causing trouble!" Aeris slapped his chest. "Now come on, get outta those clothes."

"What?" Zack's eyes widened.

"I'm goin to wash them, silly." Aeris giggled.

"Oh…" He said with some disappointment in his voice. "Wait…there's a washer and dryer on here!?"

"Shinra…they think of everything." She giggled. "Just a tiny one."

"Okay. Well I suppose I will take a shower as well." He raised an arm and sniffed.

"Gross!" Aeris covered her face and made her way to the chocobo stable. "Just set your clothes outside the door. I'll come back in a minute for them." She turned and left.

'Well…that didn't go as planned.' Zack pouted and entered the small shower room. He shed his clothing quickly and folded it into a neat pile. He opened the door slowly peaking to make sure there was no one outside. He quickly parted the door and, while hiding his lower half, set the clothes outside. He heard the nearby wark of the chocobo and then Aeris voice getting closer. He darted back in and closed the door quickly.

"Phew…" He sighed. 'Why am I afraid to be seen naked?' Zack laughed. He must have looked really stupid. He reflected on the time he ran through Shinra buck naked.

He turned to the shower and blasted it with hot water. The mirror steamed over and the room became a sauna. Zack loved hot showers. He often got complaints while working with Shinra that there would be no hot water once he left the showers. He smirked to himself as he slid into the steaming stream of water. He felt the hot water almost burn his skin. He had not been so relaxed in a long time. Zack covered himself with sudsy bubbles. He wanted to be clean. Wearing that uniform and fighting everyday did not leave him with a very clean feeling. After a few minutes, he felt himself dozing off and leaned against the wall.

'When was the last time I got some real sleep?' Zack yawned. He could not wait to get rid of Sephiroth. After that he would be able to enjoy hot showers and late mornings everyday. A knock on the door startled him.

"Zack? You alright?" Aeris voice called.

"Huh? Yeah! I'm fine." He yawned and shut the water off.

"You've been in there for almost an hour!" Aeris said.

"An hour!?" Zack hoped from the shower and stopped there were no towels. The knob turned suddenly. "Ah! Wait!" Zack panicked. There was no where to go, nothing to cover him.

"What?" Aeris said as she opened the door. Her face turned a bright red. "Oh! Goodness!" She turned away quickly as Zack screamed like a little girl.

"Damn it! Did you see anything!?" Zack screeched.

"No! I didn't look. I didn't!" Aeris lied. She flung a towel over her shoulder and ran out of the room, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the wall next to the door and laughed.

"NOT FUNNY!" Zack yelled. This only made her laugh even harder. He snatched the towel from the floor and wrapped it around his waist. A second later he opened the door. He did not care how much he was exposed just as long as he was not completely naked.

"Aeris. Can you please warn me first?" Zack asked in an angry tone. Her smile quickly faded.

"I…I'm sorry. I was coming in to bring you a towel." Aeris lowered her head.

"I know…I…you swear you didn't see anything!?" Zack crossed his arms acting like a child.

"No." She giggled.

"No as in I didn't see anything or No as in I don't swear I didn't see anything." Zack whined.

"No!" Aeris cracked up. "NO!" She laughed and ran down the hall to her bunk.

"AERIS!" Zack shouted and charged after her. "Okay…if you did see something, why the hell are you laughing!?"

Aeris turned the corner and spun to close the door but it was too late. A strong hand stopped it and pushed it open. Aeris darted to the corner of the room, giggling uncontrollably.

"You, girly, are in soooo much trouble." Zack smirked.

"I didn't mean to!" She tried to get around him, but he closed the door behind him.

"Now. What was so funny?" Zack folded his arms.

"Nothing!" She smirked.

"Not true. Why'd you laugh?"

"Because! The look on your face! And you being there completely naked!" Aeris covered her lips.

"So you were laughing at my face?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

"I promise!" Aeris chuckled.

"Oh! Where are my clothes!?" Zack whined. He was getting frustrated.

"Oh don't get frustrated! They're almost done." Aeris waved a hand at him. She tried to step around him but he sidestepped in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Aeris asked.

"I'm not letting you leave. Not until I get my clothes." He stomped a foot. His wet hair dangled in front of his face. She giggled again. "Why are you laughing?"

"You're cute!" Aeris turned pink in the face. His toned muscles flexed with every move he made. He had beads of water dripping down his form.

"Cute?" He looked down. "Aw, I look cute!? Why can't you say something else? Girls are supposed to be cute."

"Okay…" Aeris smiled to herself. She brought herself against his chest and whispered over his lips. Zack closed his eyes. "You're not only cute, but handsome and good looking, attractive in all aspects, dreamy, and…" Aeris tugged on the towel around his waist and removed it in one swipe. She ran to the other corner of the room.

"Hung like a horse!" She cackled and headed for the corner. She screamed as Zack charged for her.

"AERIS!!" He wrapped his arms around her and pressed himself against her back. "What are you doing!?" He screamed. Aeris could not contain herself she had not laughed so hard in years.

"Give it back! Give it back!" He squeezed her tighter. "My god! Give it back!" Aeris felt tears in her eyes from all the laughing and dropped the towel to the floor. Zack leaned forward even more reaching for the towel. Suddenly Aeris spun around in his arms and pushed against him.

"What are you doing!? You're crazy!" Zack sputtered. She was facing him and backed him against the wall. She giggled softly and stared into his eyes.

"I'm not crazy…" She whispered; a smile crossing her lips. He saw her eyes dart downward a split second and meet his gaze again.

"You are so bad." He groaned. He felt hot from embarrassment. The smell of her perfume was overwhelming. Aeris wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed against him. She kissed him softly on his jawbone. She followed with soft quick pecks across to his ear and down the side of his neck.

"Aeris." He whispered and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. Her green eyes were lit up with amusement. "You're so mischievous." He whispered and brought his lips to hers.

She tasted as sweet as she smelled. He wanted more. He deepened their kiss. She moaned softly, the sound and feeling gave him goose bumps. He broke their kiss and gave soft caresses down the side of her neck and across her collarbone. He gently slid the straps of her pink dress over her shoulders and continued his soft kisses. She ran her hands through his hair, creating more spikes. He brought his head up, kissing her on her lips again. His eyes were bright, almost surreal.

"Zzzack!" She hissed as she felt his hands began to slowly unbutton her dress. Her hands ran down his sides resting on his hips. He moaned in their kiss when he felt her hands lower. He wanted her to continue.

They usually did this sort of thing. Random kisses turned into heated passion, but they never got any further. Zack was usually left disappointed. He never once pushed her and never wanted to, but he had always hoped she would make up her mind and continue. As if reading his mind he felt Aeris hands slid even lower. He deepened their kiss; he never wanted her more in his entire life. He looked down at her hands. He was breathing hard.

"Attention Love birds! I have no idea where yer at, and I don't plan on looking for ya! You got one minute to get your things, including that bird, and get offa my plane!" Cid's voice echoed through the intercom system.

"Oohh…Cid." Zack groaned and rolled his eyes.

'Damn it Cid, have some compassion for once!' Zack pouted as Aeris turned from him quickly and picked up the towel.

"I'll go get your clothes." She said quickly and handed him the towel. She left the room quickly.

"Well…looks like we're on our own for the next week." Zack sighed and sat on the bed, waiting for Aeris to get back. He was glad they had the chocobo, travel would be a lot faster which meant more alone time.

"We'll have to go see her mother…it's inevitable." Zack groaned. He hoped the woman would not kill him because of the pain he put her daughter through over the past five years. "Oi, help me." Zack prayed.

Okay gotta end it there tonight. Sorry I would have had it posted about 4 hours earlier but…got sidetracked with instant messaging! Heh…that last part was fun to write. Was having bad writers block for the scene and had to start out with something silly. Hope you all liked this chapter. Will get the new one posted next week! School starts up again! Eiiii! Anyways! Thanks for reading and reviewing! -Annubis