Disclaimer: Same as always!

AN: Thanks for hanging in there guys! Sorry this chapter is so short, I just wanted to prove that this story isn't dead quite yet. Also, for you "Of Kingdoms and Princes" readers, another chapter is on its way so stay tuned!

After dropping off the last crate in the storage room of the restaurant Zack and Tifa sat down to a hearty lunch made by the proprietress herself. Everything smelled delicious. Set at the table were two bowls of seaweed soup, barbeque beef, barbeque chicken, rice and a few side dishes of what appeared to be bean sprouts and pickled vegetables. There was also a strange dish that Tifa could have sworn were Gyashl greens mixed with Zeio nuts, but she opted to keep quiet as soon as she saw Zack eagerly dip his chopsticks into the bowl.

"Hey, this stuff's pretty good. What's in it?"

Mrs. Kang walked right by as Zack asked the question, leaving Tifa to cringe on his behalf as the answer fled from the old woman's lips.

"Oh that? That would be our special invigoration mix. It's a blend of Gyashl greens and Zeio nuts. Ordinarily those are--"

"...Fed to Chocobos."

The disgust in his voice was well-masked, but still noticeable to his companion, who was desperately trying to stifle a giggle.

"--For breeding purposes! But we've recently found out that it's a fantastic natural remedy for a lack of...let's say vigor, if you know what I mean."

"Wha...?"

"Why, thank you, Mrs. Kang. It's really quite delicious."

With the intention of saving Zack from any further embarrassment, Tifa decided to interject on his behalf.

"Is there anything else I can get you two?"

"N-no thanks."

"Let me know if you need anything!"

Zack leveled Tifa with a pleading look.

"Tell me she was joking."

"Unfortunately for you she wasn't. I was going to say something until I saw you start to eat it. Then I thought it would be better if I didn't say anything since you had already put it in your mouth."

"Maaaaan. I know they used to feed this stuff to Chocobos, but do they really use it to...uh...you know...?"

"I hate to break it to you, but yes. It really is for that purpose."

Raking a hand through his hair, Zack stared down at his plate with an apprehensive look.

"Ugh...how can I be sure this is really chicken now and not Chocobo meat? Or how about that beef over there? Maybe it's really Midgar Zolom meat or something!"

Unbeknownst to poor, unsuspecting Zack, Mrs. Kang had reappeared behind him and upon hearing his guesses at what was really in her lunch special, she punched him quite soundly in the shoulder.

Mrs. Kang could hit quite well for an old lady.

"For your information, Mr. Fair, I'm quite confident that the board of health would not allow me to serve my customers Midgar Zoloms. Moreover, there are some places where Chocoburgers are considered a delicacy. But if it at all puts your mind at ease, rest assured that my chicken is actually chicken, and my beef comes from cow."

Rubbing his shoulder gingerly, Zack shot her a sheepish grin.

"Sorry, ma'am. I was just a little taken aback by the inclusion of Chocobo breed feed in my lunch. I didn't mean any offense."

"Ha ha! I like that one! 'Chocobo Breed Feed'! For a while now we've been marketing it as Herbal Invigoration, but now that I've heard that one, I'm quite sure we'll be calling it that from now on. That'll make us square."

With a gleeful cackle and a much gentler smack to Zack's shoulder Mrs. Kang was off to change the daily side special from "Herbal Invigoration" to "Chocobo Breed Feed", courtesy of Zack.

"Well look at you go. You're quite the witty one, aren't you?"

"I do what I can."

Tifa's smile soon melted into an awkward scowl as she glanced at something over Zack's shoulder that she never hoped to see; Cloud and Aeris walking in -- hand in hand -- smiling. She quickly tucked her head down and stared at the food in front of her rather intently. Zack noticed Tifa's sudden intense interest in her barbecue beef and made a motion that looked like he was stretching. In actuality he was turning just far enough to see what had silenced Tifa. His eyes narrowed as he saw the happy couple. It wasn't jealousy that caused him to react the way he did, but he was indignant on Tifa's behalf. What in the world had Cloud been thinking when he sent Tifa to make deliveries at the same place he intended to take Aeris to for lunch?

"Hey, didn't you say you have errands to run? Should we go?"

Trying not to draw attention to herself she nodded her assent.

"What about Mrs. Kang? Shouldn't we at least thank her for the meal?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll go tell her. You just go to the truck and I'll meet you there."

"Alright."

Carefully slipping out of the restaurant before Cloud and Aeris could notice, Tifa went to the truck and sat in the driver's seat, resting her head on her arms which were folded over the steering wheel. Although she felt the sting of tears building up behind her eyes she refused to let them come out. If for no other reason than that she knew once they started, she would not be able to stop them.

Zack went around back and called to Mrs. Kang. She was busy frying up a batch of food and the sound of sizzling forced her to speak much louder than usual.

"Where's Tifa?"

"She wasn't feeling so hot so she went to the car. She told me to tell you that lunch was great and that she's sorry she didn't come to say goodbye herself."

"Tell her I said not to worry about it! You take care of her, okay?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Don't be shy! Stop by again!"

"Bye, Mrs. Kang!"

Zack was on his way out of the front door when Cloud almost ran right into him coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh hey Zack."

The older man looked at the blonde cooly.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just grabbing lunch."

"Cool. Any suggestions on what's good to eat?"

"I'd recommend the Chocobo Breed Feed. It's pretty good."

"What's in it?"

"I'm not sure. Anyway, I gotta go. Catch ya later."

"Okay, bye."

Cloud scratched his head in confusion. He wasn't used to Zack being quite so distant. Usually he was a little friendlier.

"Oh well. Must be an off day for him or something."

Shrugging it off he returned to the table, Aeris smiling at him adoringly.