Yes Zack was searching for Sephiroth. In this story we are going to go along with the idea that Zack doesn't know that the others are alive (that includes Cloud). (If you played Kingdom hearts just think of when Radiant Garden was taken by heartless. They got separated and people died.) He just assumes they died as well. Yes I didn't write the fight scene last chapter. It just sounded cooler to come back and have him in trouble (plus I wasn't in the mood to do a whole fight.) I apologize again for the shortness!

Chapter 7

Empty

Aerith had retreated to the small house in the third district. They had lived here for a short while before Radiant Garden had returned. She was sitting on the small bed in the corner. Her hands were neatly folded in her lap and she was slumped forward in thought.

The room hadn't changed at all since they'd left. There were still boxes and crates stacked one on top of the other and pushed into a far corner. The old containers nearly brushed the ceiling. Other then that, the room was empty except for a small table with an old tablecloth. The lone front window was jammed shut and the curtains had been removed. She hadn't bothered to turn the lights on. This way she could see through the glass and watch those who passed by. She didn't want to risk missing Cloud.

She shifted onto her left hand and stared through the foggy glass. Searching for Cloud didn't seem to be getting her anywhere. She hadn't mentioned it to anyone but she doubted that he had wondered of on his own. It was better to think about where he had gone then to wander blindly through the dark streets after someone that wasn't there.

A shadow fell through the window and she squinted to make it out. No good, there was too much glare from the moonlight. She got up and leaned against the cold glass. She could just make out a bright shade of red. Reno, she told herself. She watched him leave through the large doors that led to the second district. Apparently annoying Leon wasn't as much fun as he hoped. She thought with a small smile. Steeping back from the window she watched as her foggy finger prints slowly faded from its surface.

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Sephiroth had returned to the castle in Radiant Garden. Unlike the rest of this world the castle was still surrounded in darkness. Although his face didn't show it, he was disappointed. He had wanted so much to be rid of the annoying Soldier. But he could feel that something was out of balance. Why else would he have stopped the battle he had wanted to finish for years?

He had reached the lift stop, of course the lift was below ground and only a single cable ran down the shaft. The blue crystal of electricity was still sparkling wildly it almost seemed to glow red. Sephiroth slashed it lazily with masamune. The lift purred to life as the cage moved upward. The cable creaked and whined as it ran through the hidden pulleys. It was only a sign of how rundown this place had become.

The top of the cage had come into view. The gears gave a high shriek as it came to a stop, forcing him to squint in annoyance.

He found the imbalance that he had felt before. His brow furrowed in annoyance as he stared into the lift. It was empty. Cloud had disappeared without a trace.

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"You alright? Wake up yo!"

Zack gave a low groan and dared to open his heavy eyelids. He was in a dimly lit room that was strangely clean. From what he could make out the room had three exits. Two doors that led to unknown room and another that opened out to a small balcony. Everything matched perfectly. The wallpaper was a deep forest green that was a reflection of the bedspread's color. A small clock, of a slightly different shade, was ticking away on the far wall. He was lying on a small one person bed that had been shoved into the corner.

He groaned again as he slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard. Some of his loose hair flopped over his forehead with the sudden motion. There was a small table in the center of the room with two chairs beside it. A man with red hair was sitting in one with his feet propped up on the other. He seemed to smile when Zack sat up.

"Thought you were dead for sure yo. That wasn't the best place to take a nap." Zack looked at him quizzically but quickly shut his eyes tight when a searing pain ripped through his stomach. He dropped back down onto the overly fluffy pillow.

"Sorry about that." The other apologized. "I know a healer, but I couldn't track her down." He got up and paced towards the door. "What happened anyway?"

Zack watched as he wandered around the room. He didn't really seem to care but Zack tried to explain any way. "I got to close to Sephiroth" he decided against saying much more. Every word hurt as it moved through his throat.

The man didn't really seem concerned with what he had been told. Apparently it didn't surprise him. "So you're a Soldier." He had noticed the mako in Zack's eyes. Zack only nodded. He felt so tired. "Name's Reno."

"Zack…"His eyes blinked shut and he relaxed into the soft mattress. He was too weak and needed more rest. Reno shook his head and stared out the balcony window. Below was a small alley way with a narrow waterway running through it. He watched as someone tramped underneath the awnings and turned a corner. Reno thought aloud to himself. "That Leon guy has got issues."

Short again I know I'm trying to stretch between my next chapter. Then we'll get some cute Cloud stuff and some more action.If there is anything you want to happen in the upcoming chapters just write my e-mail address. (Don't do it as a review because it could spoil stuff. But review as well!) If nobody does I may take a while to think up the next one. Sorry. But I'll keep writing my other fic (unless I suddenly get an idea for this). Goodnight fellow FF lovers. Please I love to hear what you think.

I do not own any of these people or places but this story is mine.