The two soldiers spent the rest of the day scouting the surrounding area, stopping only for brief rests and meals. At one point, they came across a small river that had clusters of brilliant flowers colored red and gold growing` along its banks.

Zack stopped to pluck one and holding it up to admirer its beauty asked. "Cloud, do you know what kind of flower this is?"

"Ummm," Cloud looked at the flower searching his memory for any pictures he might have seen when studying botany. "Oh yeah, that's a Promise Lily, wow they're really rare. It's said that the men of Dentiri always bring their loved ones a promise lily before going off to war. It's supposed to gift the soldier with good luck so he makes it back home safely."

"Huh, really?" Zack wondered. "So Cloud," He turned and with a gallent flourish and roughish smile presenting the flower out towards the younger man. "Pretend that you're my girl and I give you this flower." He placed the flower in Cloud's hand clasping his own hands around Clouds. "How would you feel?"

"I-" Cloud looked down at his hand that was enveloped in Zack's own.

"I-if I was a girl," He said a little flustered by Zack's question and proximity. "I'd be happy, but, also sad I suppose, because you would be going away and I might never see you again-If I was a girl of course." He added stepping hurriedly away from Zack, but still clasping the flower.

"Hummm, I guess I'll just have to give one to her when I come back then instead of going away." Zack said, putting his hands behind his head and smiling out towards the other side of the river.

Cloud bit his lower lip as an uncomfortable squirming sensation started to build in his stomach and then wriggle up his throat. He tried to stifle it, but against his own volition, felt the question spill out.

"What girl?" Cloud asked regretting it instantly as Zack looked over his shoulder.

"Aearith, of course." He said picking another lily. "She loves flowers and well, because I'm not around very much, I like to bring her things so she knows how often I think about her…"

"Are, are you in love with her?" Cloud blurted. God why did he have to ask that? He didn't really want to know that did he? What if Zack said yes! He'd never be able to tell Zack how he felt!

But maybe she's his sister or something That pitifully hopeful voice said. Remember how he touched you back at the glade? Would someone who doesn't love you stroke you like that?

Would someone have a sex dream about his sister?

Well, yeah, I'm sure it happens all the time-

Shut UP!

"Hey Cloud? Cloud, you ok?" Cloud glanced up to see mild concern reflected on Zack's face.

"Yeah I'm fine." He replied in a gruff mumble. "So is she your girlfriend or something?"

"Yup, we've been together for almost a year now." At these innocent words, Cloud felt a red hot poker embed itself into his chest and twist; slowly burning him from the inside out. He twitched slightly as Zack continued talking about Aearith and the many things he loved about her.

God, why does it hurt so much? He wondered. It's not like he even loved me, he doesn't even know…

Cloud was finding it suddenly hard to breath. The burning sensation had spread from his chest to his eyes and for some reason he was having a hard time focusing on the earth under his feet. He wanted to scream, lash out, yell, run, beg, anything that would erase this horrid feeling, but instead he suffered in silence, brushing the tears from his eyes. The promise lily falling to the ground to lie abandoned in the dirt behind him.