Sorry for the loooong wait again everyone. Between Quadratic Equations, Inverse Operations, (*Insert other algebraic expressions here*) writing stories nearly every week in Language, (Currently working on a fairy tale with Cloud and a kitsune Sephiroth) and getting my mind horribly violated, (Don't ask) I've practically lost my writing spirit 'till now. Enjoy!
Zack looked over at Sephiroth who was leaned against the wall of the helicopter with his arms crossed against his chest and his head leaned down so he would be looking at the floor if he had his eyes open.
"Least he isn't acting weird anymore." He thought to himself. "Though weird is usual for him. I wonder what that whole thing was about back there. One minute he's brutally massacring Wutai troopers and the next he's acting like a content feline. Maybe he's part cat. Would make sense from his eyes and grace in battle."
"Nice day, isn't it, Sir?"
The voice of the pilot snapped him out of his thoughts as he turned his head to the front of the plane. "I guess so. Why do you ask?"
"Just making small talk. The Great General doesn't seem to be one for conversation."
He turned his head back to Sephiroth, who was still in the same position as before. He let out a cheerful chuckle before facing the pilot again with a small grin on his face. "You don't know the half of it. Say, what's your name and rank?"
"Vindr and I'm a Second-Class."
"A Second?" He raised a raven-colored eyebrow as he tilted his head. "Usually, they leave these sorts of jobs to the Thirds or infantrymen."
"Well," Vindr scratched his head in embarrassment while making sure the helicopter kept on its course with the other hand as a blush crept across his face. "I mainly got this rank due to my technological skills. I'm basically useless in battle."
Zack walked over to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. "You just have better skills in technology rather than combat. Remember your honor and do not make yourself suffer for shortcomings."
He gasped with his mouth hanging open slightly that a First-Class would even talk to him. "T-thank you, Sir."
He smiled playfully. "The name's Zack." He said as the helicopter landed on a deserted helipad at the top of ShinRa Tower.
"Hm, I would have thought people would come to congratulate you two." The pilot said as he scanned around.
"This mission was very hush-hush." He walked over to Sephiroth who still hadn't budged an inch. He waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, Seph, we landed." Still having not garnered a response, he poked his face which rewarded him with a snort and a slight shift of his body. "He's...asleep?"
"Myths flying around rumored that the General never sleeps. I guess they're wrong." Vindr said as he walked up to them.
"And who's the one who told me not to fall asleep on a mission?" He muttered under his breath before bringing out his cell phone and dialing a number. "Angeal, we have a problem."
The dark-haired man gave Genesis a weary look before mouthing "It's Zack." to him which earned him a snicker from the red-haired man. "What's the problem, Zack?"
"Well, Sephiroth...kinda fell asleep on the helicopter ride back to the tower."
He widened his eyes. "He what?!" He yelled in disbelief.
"You heard me." Zack chirped playfully. "He's out like a log and I'm not going to try waking him up and facing his wrath."
He sighed in annoyance. "Well, bring him back here."
"Through the main building? You think people will react positively to their hero being carried through the halls like a baby?"
He chuckled at the thought. "Of course not. Sephiroth, Genesis, and I found secret passages through the tower when we were younger, helps to get away from our fan clubs. Looks like you'll need to know about them now since you're a First."
He carefully slung Sephiroth over his shoulder while keeping a grip on his phone. "Wow, he's awfully light."
"Well, for one who only eats mako, what do you expect?" Angeal replied calmly.
Now it was Zack's turn to be surprised. "He only eats pure mako?!"
"If he eats anything else, we haven't seen him. I don't know how he can handle it. You'd think he'd have enough of that stuff from his monthly appointments with Hojo."
"Right." "Yet another thing to ponder about later." He thought to himself. "Anyway, where's the nearest secret passage that leads to Sephiroth's room?" He said as he hopped out of the helicopter with Vindr following him. The wind at the top of the tower ran through his spiky hair and made Sephiroth's fan out slightly as he took in the view while waiting for a response.
"Go through the door on your right if you're facing north. Remove the third section of floor you come across and press the bright green button under it. Follow the passage that is revealed and you'll be right across from Sephiroth's room."
He obeyed his mentor as Vindr waved goodbye to him and slid the panel of flooring back into place before heading into the dark hallway that used to be covered by a wall. He brushed cobwebs out of his path.
Suddenly Sephiroth reached his arms up to the ceiling with a serene expression on his face.
Zack gave him a weird look before moving the hand that held his phone back up to his face. "Okay, Angeal, Sephiroth is really starting to freak me out now."
"What's he doing?"
"He's reaching up to the ceiling looking like there's someone he really likes up there." He said before gently putting his arms down.
"He's probably just dreaming. Are you there yet?"
"Yeah." He said as he bumped into a wall. He felt around on it in the darkness and felt a handle. He turned it and the door that was a bookcase on the other side flew open. He looked down each side of the hallway before closing it behind him and approaching Sephiroth's room. He noticed the number pad and iris scanner on the side of the door. "Hey, Angeal, what's the combination to Sephiroth's room?"
"259676."
He put in the number and watched as the system accepted it. "Now to try for the eye scanner." He muttered before holding his breath as he moved Sephiroth's face up to the scanner and gently opened his eye. He let out a sigh of relief as the words, 'Access approved' flashed across the screen and the door slid open.
Zack walked in and gently deposited Sephiroth on the black sheets of his bed. He noticed as he sat down next to him that the silver-haired man immediately snuggled up to and held what looked to be an old, worn, light-blue worm plushie. "Hey Angeal, did you know Sephiroth had a stuffed toy still?"
"Light-blue worm-looking thing?" When his student responded affirmatively, he continued. "He's had that old thing for ages. He never told us what it is or how he got it though."
"Weird." He looked down at the peaceful-looking general. "He looks so innocent and defenseless in his sleep. Not the anti-social shell or the heartless warrior when he's awake." He cautiously put a hand on his silver hair and ruffled it slightly. "He's actually kind of cute, like a naive child." He removed his hand and stood up. "Guess I should get going." He whispered. "Bye, Angeal." He said into the phone before flipping it closed. He softly shut the door as he walked out, not noticing the stuffed toy gently caressing Sephiroth's cheek by itself while he slept.
For anyone wondering, Vindr means wind in Norse, chosen because Zack meets him in a helicopter. Sephiroth's room code is based on a mixture of things. Approximately how old he is,(25) number of letters in the word Nibelheim,(9) number of letters in Jenova,(6) number of letters in Genesis,(7) and number of letters in Angeal.(6)
