Life as a SOLDIER

Disclaimer: I always loved Thanksgiving…but isn't it a bit too early for Thanksgiving?

A/N: Never too early for anything! Geez, Disclaimer, go with the flow! …-smiles- Heh, Heh… Uh, let's continue!

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Semi-Disastrous Preparation
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Cloud blinked awake. The last thing he remembered was attacking Reno and Rude inside that room. "…what happened…?" he asked, sitting up.

"Oh! You're awake!" said Zack happily. "That's good. I worried while you were asleep. You seemed to have fainted from exhaustion. But at least your flu is getting better. You feel better, right?"

Cloud put a hand to his forehead cautiously. "Yeah… I feel just fine…"

"Good, I knew that cure-all would work," said Zack. "It's a program we SOLDIERs all use to cure everything. It usually doesn't work on illnesses, but you're feeling just fine, so I can stop worrying."

"Thanks, for taking care of me," said Cloud shyly, smiling at the pillow.

"It's no problem," said Zack. "So what are we gonna do today?"

"Oh, that's right!" said Cloud, hopping out of the bed and going to his laptop. "I got an e-mail from Tifa inviting me to come to her Thanksgiving dinner! She said I could bring you!"

"She did? That's nice of her."

"The problem is, I'm not sure if we'll be able to come," said Cloud sadly. "I'm not sure if we're allowed to leave Shinra for Thanksgiving…"

"No, we're not," said Zack.

Cloud hung his head slightly. "What am I gonna tell Tifa? She always invited me to Thanksgiving dinner… I never could make it because she always had company, but this one time I might be able to make it, I'm turning her down…"

"Well, you wouldn't have to turn her down…" said Zack slowly, walking towards the window.

"What do you mean?" asked Cloud.

Zack stared out the window for a few minutes, then turned to Cloud. "You do know the penalty for breaking rules, don't you?"

"There's a penalty?" asked Cloud in confusion.

"Well, yeah, you know, the usual lecture, a good ol' roughing up, and boring paper work. But it's nothing, if you're willing, Cloud…"

"Willing for what?" asked Cloud.

Zack looked left, right, then left again, and said quietly, "We could sneak out of Shinra tonight, go to Tifa's dinner party, and be back here by Friday morning. No one would know we're gone…"

"But isn't that a bit risky?"

"You want to go to this party that bad, right?" asked Zack. Cloud nodded. "All right, then, it's settled," said Zack happily clapping his hands. "We could go right now and be there by this evening, or leave tonight and get there by Thursday morning. What say you?"

"Which way is less risky?" asked Cloud.

"Hmm… I'd say the tonight option, but I'd rather get over there right now and spend a longer time with Tifa."

Cloud looked down, thinking about it for a few seconds. I'd rather not get caught out in trouble, especially is Zack's involved… I don't want him to get in trouble too… But I do want to see Tifa again… We'll go right now! Cloud looked up and nodded. "Yeah, let's go right now."

"Okay! Come with me," said Zack, leading Cloud away from the room. "We'll take Fenrir out and ride her to Midgar right now, during breakfast, while everyone's looking in the different direction."

"Ooh! Could I try riding Fenrir this time?" asked Cloud.

Zack hesitated. "Well…"

"Please?" begged Cloud. "Let me try!"

"Oh, all right," sighed Zack, though he smiled fondly at Cloud. "After all, I did make Fenrir for you. It's fair I should let you ride it now."

"Okay! Let's go!" together, the two hurried to Fenrir, who was parked outside of Shinra. "I've always wanted to ride this thing," said Cloud excitedly, looking back at Zack.

Zack climbed on and held on to Cloud for balance. "You know how to start it, right? Remember how I did it?"

Cloud nodded. "Yeah, it's a piece of cake!" he revved up the engine a little, and asked, "How fast can Fenrir really go?"

"Pretty fast. About 190 mph. Why?"

"Let's go that fast!" yelled Cloud. He revved the engine again and took off into the distance at 190 mph. "Yahoo! This is pretty fast!"

"Waaaaaahhhh!" wailed Zack, grabbing onto Cloud tighter. "Not so fast!"

"What are you talking about? This is fun!"

"Please slow down!" yowled Zack.

"Oh, okay," said Cloud, slowing down to about 80 mph. "But wow, this motorcycle is pretty fast!"

Zack panted slightly. "Too fast for my taste…"

Cloud read some passing signs. "I'd say we're nearly there."

"I'd say so too…"

"Yeah, I guess so," agreed Cloud. He squinted at a sign. "What does this 'yield' mean?"

"Stop… STOP!" yelled Zack suddenly.

Cloud brought Fenrir to a screeching halt. In the road before them, a huge truck drove by. "Wow, that's a big truck," he commented.

Zack sighed with relief. "I thought we were goners…"

"Well, now that the truck is gone…" Cloud revved Fenrir and took off.

"AAH! SLOW DOWN, PLEASE!" screamed Zack as the sped off onto the road towards Midgar.

Cloud sighed and slowed the motorcycle down to about 80 mph again. "Really, Zack, where's your sense of adventure?"

"It just ran for cover…" sighed Zack, sagging slightly onto Cloud.

"We're almost there," said Cloud reassuringly, looking ahead at Midgar.

Zack checked the review mirror, gasped, and looked towards the right. "Oh, my god!" he howled. "Break! Break!" But it was too late….

CRASH BOOM WHAM WHACK SLAM…

Seven and a half hours later…

"Oh, my god, they could've been killed! If you didn't show up in time, Aeris…!"

"I did all I could, but I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Man, that was one hell of an accident!"

Zack shook his head. Ugh…what happened…? Am I dead…?

"Oh, I think Zack's coming to!"

"Huh?" asked Zack, lifting his head slightly. "What happened to me? To Cloud?" he shot up. "Oh, my god…! An accident! This car crashed into us! Oh, dear, is Cloud all right! No one's dead, right!"

"Zack, calm down," said Aeris. "Cloud's fine, and so are you."

"But--But we toppled all over…! We're not dead!"

"No, you're not," said Aeris with a smile. "I'm glad you're awake."

"Nothing was too wrong," said Tifa. "Just a bit shaken, that's all. It wasn't a serious accident… Oh, just an explosion, the car's wheels becoming completely busted, and…"

"And what?"

"I'm sorry, but we couldn't save Fenrir," said Aeris sadly, indicating a broken handlebar and a flattened tire on the table..

"I could probably fix it," said Cid reassuringly.

"Oh, come on! It would take a genius!" wailed Zack.

Suddenly, Cid stood up straighter and fixed his goggles so they looked professional-like. "I could fix Fenrir for you," he said in a more serious voice.

"Are you sure!" asked Zack, looking around. "Where's Cloud!"

"He's in the other room," answered Cid, sounding more casual.. "Asleep, he was completely shaken too, even though he's just fine."

"Really…? We're just fine…thank goodness," sighed Zack, falling back onto the bed. "I should probably think twice before letting Cloud drive… Boy, does he love speed…!"

"If you're feeling better, I'll go check on Cloud," said Tifa, leaving the room.

"Yeah, me too," said Cid, following her.

Aeris watched him leave, and turned to Zack. "You must have come here in a hurry to get here so fast," she commented.

"Heh… We left earlier this morning," said Zack. "We wanted to go to Tifa's Thanksgiving dinner party. She's still holding it, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is," answered Aeris. "And she even invited me to the party. I'm not a meat eater, but I'll eat what I can. I do love to eat."

"I know you do," said Zack, smiling at Aeris affectionately. "You know, I've missed you," he said, getting out of the bed.

"You always do, silly," said Aeris. "Now, you go check on your friend too, and I'll go check on the dinner."

"You mean you already started it?" asked Zack.

Aeris nodded. "Turkey takes a while to cook, you know."

"I didn't know you'd have the guts to go through with cooking a turkey," said Zack. "You love turkeys."

"I do love turkeys. Who ever said we were using a meat turkey in the oven?" asked Aeris with a wink.

Zack winked back. "Right," he agreed, walking to the room Cloud was in.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Tifa asked.

"Yes, Tifa, really, I'm fine," said Cloud. "I don't think that accident was too serious."

"Dude, Tifa, just calm down. You really do worry too much."

"I do not!" insisted Tifa.

Cloud sighed and got out of bed. "Well, now that we're here for the Thanksgiving dinner, what'll we eat first?"

"Wow, straight to the point, are we?" asked Tifa. "Fine, as long as your feeling better."

"Ah, Zack!" said Cloud suddenly, perking up at the sight of Zack. He ran over to Zack and asked, "Are you all right! I'm sorry, I should've paid more attention to the road!"

"You should have," agreed Zack, "but I'm just fine."

Tifa cleared her throat loudly. "As long as your feeling better," she said loudly and pointedly to Cloud, "we can go see what's cooking, and how you can help!"

Cloud laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Hah… I'm sorry, Tifa…"

"So you should be!" sniffed Tifa. "Come on!" she added more cheerfully, leading Cloud downstairs.

"She's a ferocious temper, that one," Cid said, nodding towards Tifa. "I wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alleyway."

"Hmm-hmm," nodded Zack in agreement, and the two went downstairs to the warm bar. "Wow, it smells good in here!"

"Yeah, I agree!" said Cloud.

"If course it does!" said Tifa. "We've been up since six preparing everything. It'll all be fantastic! We're cooking a HUGE feast! And for a special treat, we're gonna have a barbeque!"

Cloud looked up suddenly. "Barbeque?" he repeated.

"That's right! A barbeque just for little ol' you!" said Tifa affectionately.

"Really?" asked Cloud, looking happy.

"Yep! A barbeque on Thanksgiving!"

"Yay!" cheered Cloud. "I love barbeques!"

"Isn't it kinda unusual to hold a barbeque in winter?" asked Cid in confusion.

"CAN IT, GOGGLES!" yelled Tifa, then smiled at Cloud. "You love barbeques, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do!" agreed Cloud enthusiastically.

Zack smiled. "He's so cute when he smiles."

Aeris poked her head out from the kitchen door. "Cid, I'm gonna need your help, you're the tallest one here."

"I am?" asked Cid. "Uh, sure I'll come and help you. What do you need help with?"

"I need you to reach the sugar for me. It's on the top cupboard, and I don't want to ruin my dress…"

"A gardener is afraid of getting her dress ruined," teased Zack.

"Taffeta, Zack," said Aeris.

"…taffeta, Aeris," said Zack in confusion.

"No, silly, the dress is taffeta! It wrinkles so easily," giggled Aeris.

Cid looked between the two, shrugged, and entered the kitchen, calling over his shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll get you that sugar."

"Thanks," said Aeris.

"What's the sugar for?" asked Cloud.

"For pie. Pumpkin pie," said Aeris. "I love pumpkin pie… I'm gong to get fat from eating too much," she said with a cheerful smile.

"So am I!" agreed Cloud. "I love eating, especially on a barbeque!"

"Why don't you go outside and get the grill ready?" suggested Tifa.

"Okay!" agreed Cloud, rushing out the door.

CRASH

"Ouchie…" muttered Cloud, rubbing his bum and looking up to see to whom he crashed into. "Gulp… Uh, hi Sephy."

Sephiroth stood in the doorway, glaring down at Cloud. "Who didn't invite me to a party?" he asked indignantly. "I had to fly all the way over, freezing my ass off! Is this how a friend treats another friend in Nibelheim? Do you KNOW what leather does when it freezes! It tightens up real bad! I was about to become as stiff as a frozen penguin!"

"A frozen…? Oh, never mind," muttered Cloud, standing up. "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you about the party, Sephy."

"Oh, you forgot? Suuure, you remember to invite Zack, but you forget your other friend!"

"Oh, Sephy, I--"

"Not another word!" said Sephiroth warningly, raising a hand. "I forgive you."

"Oh, okay, Sephy," said Cloud.

Sephiroth sniffed the air. "Ooh, is that pumpkin pie I scent? I'm definitely staying here!"

"But aren't you afraid you'll get fat?" asked Tifa. "I mean, you look like one of those effeminate men who worry about things a woman worries about, like figures and hair and such."

"Well, then I happen to be one of those 'effeminate men' who never gain weight! I don't get bulges!" he said loudly.

Both Cloud and Zack exchanged uneasy glances, looking at their waistlines. "I'm not pudgy," said Cloud quietly, poking at his belly.

"I'm not pudgy either," said Zack, poking his belly too.

"Anyway, when's dinner ready?" asked Sephiroth.

Tifa glared at Sephiroth indignantly. "Excuse me, but we're still cooking everything! It'll all be ready by tomorrow afternoon. THEN we can start Thanksgiving dinner. Now, I have to go check on the food." With a mock half-bow of her head, Tifa left to the kitchen, flipping a towel over her shoulder.

Sephiroth raised his eyebrows. "Wow, that's one sassy mink. Can you really handle her, Cloud?"

"What? Oh, yeah, I can," said Cloud, who was glancing at Zack with a smile.

Cid was shoved out of the kitchen by a sugar-covered Aeris. "A completely careless buffoon!" caterwauled Aeris. "How could you be so clumsy!"

"Look, Cid's sorry he sneezed and fell over!" said Cid. "He wasn't paying attention, and he acknowledges that. Can you accept Cid's apology?"

"Why is Cid referring to himself in the third person?" asked Aeris.

"What are you talking about?" asked Cid.

"My brand new taffeta dress!" hissed Aeris. "My taffeta dress! Do you have any idea how much gil this dress cost?"

"Uhm… Cid's sorry, he has no idea," laughed Cid.

"IT COST ME ABOUT 5,000,000 GIL! AND YOU RUINED IT BY DROWNING…IT…IN…SUGAR!"

"Wow, Cid said he was sorry!" said Cid, backing up a little.

"It makes you wonder how a meager gardener got her hands on such money. Probably been digging around the city for loose change." Sephiroth sniggered at his own joke.

His joke didn't impress Aeris; on the contrary, it seemed to make her even more angry. "RAAAAAARRRRRR!" she roared enraged. Suddenly, Aeris had become a mini-demon! And everyone else in the room was chibis! Aeris-the-demon roared some more, crawling around the room.

"Ah!" squeaked Cid. "We're doomed! Cid's doomed!"

"Oh, god, Cid's gonna die!" squeaked Cloud in shock as Aeris-the-demon picked up Cid.

"This should be interesting," squeaked Sephiroth, pulling out a wineglass from nowhere.

"What's going on in here?" squeaked Tifa, looking into the room.

"Oh, don't worry, this'll wear off soon," squeaked Zack calmly. "Cid, just let Aeris eat you, it'll all be over soon."

"Oh, sure, just let Aeris eat Cid!" yelled Cid ironically. "Easy! Really easy! Like Cid always wanted to be eaten by a demon!"

Aeris-the-demon gave no signs of giving up; instead she tossed Cid into the air and ate him.

"AAH!" squealed Tifa and Cloud while Sephiroth and Zack looked on interestedly.

Aeris-the-demon chewed for a couple seconds, then made a retching sound. "Cough…cough…hack…spit!" Aeris-the-demon spat Cid out. And everything was back to normal.

Cid was on the ground, covered in spit. "Ugh… Oh, ooh!" he said in disgust. "Eew! Cid's been slimed!"

Aeris fixed her jacket and calmly walked back into the kitchen. "Come along, Tifa," she said, her voice calm and ethereal again.

"Uh--de--you--sure," stammered Tifa, following Aeris into the kitchen.

Cloud gaped blankly at the kitchen door. "And you knew this?" he asked Zack.

Zack half shrugged. "Well…yeah… You see, that's one of the magical abilities of the Cetra, according to Aeris. When they get really, really angry, they become little demons, and everyone nearby becomes chibis. Shocked me the first time too," he chuckled.

"Oh," said Cloud.

Sephiroth just laughed to himself in his seat, refilling his wineglass.

"By the way, Cid, why were you speaking in the third person?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Cid, taking out a packet of cigarettes.

"Just earlier, you were talking in the third person."

Cid stared weirdly at Zack. "Weirdo. I don't talk in the third person. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be outside smoking," he said, holding up the packet of cigarettes as he headed for the door.

Zack and Cloud exchanged glances. "Well…that was interesting," said Zack.

"Hmm-hmm," agreed Cloud, nodding.

"Well!" said Zack, clapping his hands. "Let's see if we can help the ladies with the preparations."

"Okay! I'll go get that grill set up and everything!" said Cloud excitedly, rushing out the door.

"AAAW!" squealed Zack, putting his hands to his cheeks. "He's soo cute when he's happy like that! Just like a Chocobo!"

"Non! Spikey is WAY cuter then Cloud," argued Sephiroth. "Spikey gets excited like that when you mention blood."

Zack gave Sephiroth a shifty-eyed glare. "No one asked your opinion."

"No one except for me," answered Sephiroth coolly, drinking his wine.

"Eh, suit yourself," said Zack, walking into the kitchen. "I'm easy."

"Glad to hear it," answered Sephiroth sarcastically. "Wow, I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner…"
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And I can't wait to get the next chapter typed up. What a surprise, I actually managed to find time to get typing and update today! Good news, eh? Let's hope it lasts! Onward!