Percentage of New Content: 15
Chapter Two
It was hard for Zack to pull himself awake in the morning. More than once he roused up, threw the covers over his head, and dozed again. There was not anything wrong with him; his wound had been examined the previous night and shown to be perfectly fine. But for some reason, he was just sotired. . . . Though, he usually was worn out after those big missions. Once the adrenaline rush passed, he often would be hit by a wave of exhaustion and would sleep and sleep.
It was a knock on the door that finally woke him up for the day.
"Zack? We're going to need to leave soon, to start back to Midgar."
He yawned, raising himself up on his elbows as the blanket slipped off his shoulders. "Yeah, I know," he called back.
Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he pushed himself into a sitting position and ran a hand through his raven locks. He had showered last night, before bed, and now it felt like his hair was completely dry. Hopefully it would cooperate. Judging from the pieces flopping into his eyes, it might not.
He smirked. Seph would have a heyday if his hair was having a bad day. Zack had nothing against Seph's long, silver hair, but he often liked to tease him about tying it back or putting it in a braid to keep it out of the way. And then usually it was Zack's hair that got in the way instead. Seph, in his calm, deadpan way, would duly make note of that fact.
Ah, Zack loved that guy.
He glanced over at the gauze around his right upper arm. It looked fine; there was not any hint of red staining it at all. The cut had been bad enough to require stitches, but it was going to heal right up. That was good; he hated injuries that kept him from going about life normally.
Slowly he swung his legs out, setting his feet on the floor and forcing himself to stand. Wow, his body was aching. It was almost like it was when he had not gotten much sleep at all. It was frustrating when that happened. He yawned again, shuffling into the bathroom.
A slight frown crossed his features when he caught his reflection in the mirror. His skin was so flushed. But it should not be; it had not been an overly warm night. And he did not feel hot right now. Actually, he felt kind of cold. Oh well, he would warm up soon, he decided as he took up the brush to tame his spikes.
Soon he was making a face in the mirror as his generous black tufts became lodged in the brush's hungry teeth. "Ow," he muttered, reaching with his other hand to disentangle the fluffy substance. His fingers quickly became tied up with it as well, and the brush was left dangling from his hair like a flailing fish on a hook as he worked to pull apart the matted locks.
As he labored, he blinked tired eyes at his reflection, unable to stop from yawning again. Hopefully he would completely wake up again at breakfast. Maybe he could sleep on the train. If he still felt like this by the time they left, he probably would.
Now his spikes were starting to settle back into place. Finally! Taking hold of the brush, he pried the piece of hair away from the bristles and then cautiously began to run the object over the wild mane again. Better not do it too much. His hair looked alright now. Messing more with it could make it go crazy again.
He carried the brush with him back into the bedroom. There was not much to pack, so maybe he would take care of it now. Then it would be done and he would just have to grab his bag after breakfast. Knowing Seph, he was probably already done with packing as well.
Unzipping the duffel bag, he tossed the brush in and followed it up with the toothpaste and toothbrush. He could see them landing on top of the few clothes he had brought, which he had not bothered to remove from the bag. Even though he had thought the mission would not take long, it was always better to be prepared in case one got stuck somewhere for a few days. Offhandly he closed the opening again and grabbed for the sleeveless sweater shirt draped across the back of the chair.
As he pulled it on over his white tanktop, he reached up to remove his hair from where it was caught under the turtleneck collar. It spilled back onto the middle of his shoulder blades, settling into place.
Next he moved forward to his boots, plunging a foot into one and then slipping into the other before fumbling with the laces. He smirked to himself again. At least he was not so tired as to tie the laces all together. Once, he actually had, and then had tried to walk, and Seph had been terribly amused by it when he had realized that Zack had not been hurt by the spill.
Now he straightened up and turned, heading for the door. Seph was probably already downstairs, taking advantage of the free breakfast.
And that sounded really good right now. He smirked more, hearing his stomach growl as he stepped into the hall and shut the doorbehind him. Vending machine food was great, but it did not make a very filling dinner. He would make up for it.
It was easy to spot Seph once Zack found his way down to the dining room. Long, naturally silver hair was highly uncommon, and the sun was hitting upon it from where the man was seated in a corner with a picture window behind him. Zack grinned, waking up a bit more as he weaved his way around the tables and over to his best friend.
"Didn't think you'd be interested in the view," he greeted as he plopped down across from Seph.
A grunt was his answer, as Seph set down the menu with a gesture indicating boredness. "I thought you might enjoy it," he said, leaning back. "Besides, it's out of the way." He nodded towards a small yelp, and Zack followed his gaze to where a new and clumsy waitress was struggling to balance three trays of food without sending any of them or herself colliding to the floor.
Zack chuckled softly to himself, picking up the menu in front of him. "Poor girl," he said, "and I poor pity anyone sitting under that teetering glass."
He frowned as his gaze traveled over the items of food that were listed. Weird . . . for a minute there, it was like he was seeing everything double. But when he blinked, it all settled back to normal again. Slowly he shook his head.
Maybe he needed some glasses of his own. As long as he had known Seph, the other had always used reading glasses, a fact that seemed to displease Seph on some level. But if that was Zack's problem, then he would not mind doing what needed to be done to fix it.
"Are you alright?"
He looked up again at Seph's inquiry. The green eyes were studying him from behind the glasses' frames, a slight frown gracing the normally aloof features.
"Sure thing," Zack smiled and shrugged. "Why not?"
"You're starting to look flushed."
Zack sighed to himself. Well, of course Seph would notice. Not much escaped him. "It's kinda warm in here," he answered. Which it was, actually—a lot warmer than it had been up in his room. Maybe that was because of all the people down here. Closing the menu, he began to fan himself with it.
Seph nodded slowly, but he did not look convinced.
"Hey," Zack said, forcing cheerfulness onto his tired tongue, "I'm just fine, Seph. Just kinda worn out after yesterday."
"I can imagine." Seph removed his glasses, folding them and placing them in his pocket. He was not going to press the issue, even though he was still concerned. Zack was probably right, anyway—but telling himself that did nothing to change his feelings. The brunet looked as though he could be coming down with something.
"Did you call the clinic?" Zack wondered. If Seph had, he did not seem worried because of anything he had learned there. Maybe the doc had confirmed again that Zack was okay.
Sephiroth nodded again. "Nothing looked amiss," he reported.
"Then see?" Zack rocked back, spreading his arms. "I'm fit as a fiddle." Which was a pretty weird expression, when he thought about it. Why not a piano? Or a guitar? Maybe it had something to do with a violin being lightweight. But it still sounded odd.
"Hopefully." Seph seemed to be in a pessimistic mood today. But of course it was just that he was concerned.
"So . . . what time does the train leave?" Zack asked, anxious to change the subject.
Seph glanced at the clock on the wall to their side. "In about two hours," he said. "We have plenty of time to eat and get to the station."
"Are the people doing okay after the attack?" Zack wanted to know. Today, other SOLDIERs were supposed to arrive to take their place and make certain that nothing else went wrong. Seph and Zack, meanwhile, were to return to Midgar and pursue the poison angle. After the bodies were tested, they might find themselves returning here. This town was not too far away from Shinra headquarters, but far enough that a train was the quickest way back.
"They seem to be," Seph replied. "I checked on them before the other SOLDIERs got here. They've gone back to work as usual." He gave Zack a searching look. "I thought you would want to join me, but I couldn't get you to wake up before I left. You mumbled something unintelligible and went back to sleep."
Zack blinked. "Yeah? I don't remember that." He grinned sheepishly. "Man, I must've really conked out."
"You did," Seph grunted.
Zack stretched, placing his arms over his head as he saw the waiter coming towards the table. Quickly he lowered them again. He and Seph gave their orders, and then waited for the man to leave before resuming their conversation.
"So . . . do you really think some idiot will try to hijack the train and get these guys' bodies?" Zack crossed his arms on the table. If it was not for that possibility, he and Seph might simply remain here and wait for information from Shinra's forensic and poison experts. But they were needed on the train, just in case the dead men had friends who knew about what had happened the previous day. If so, the friends would likely not want the corpses to be taken by Shinra.
"I don't know," Seph said. "It's wise to be prepared."
Zack nodded. "Yeah . . . true."
"Are you hoping for some action?"
Zack grinned. "Well . . . I dunno. Maybe not today. Yesterday was pretty action-packed."
"That it was," Seph agreed, leaning back. "Maybe nothing out of the ordinary will happen today."
It was amazing, how much more exhausted Zack became over the course of the next two hours. The food kept him awake for a while, but traveling to the station was extremely wearying, especially lifting that heavy duffel bag. Actually, it was not supposed to have that much in it, but as he dragged it on his back, along with his sword, it all seemed to weigh a ton.
By the time he and Seph were finally on the train and it was starting, he felt as if he had been lifting weights for hours.
"I'll be glad to get home," he declared, slumping back against the seat as he glanced out the window. The vehicle was picking up speed now, and the buildings and trees were starting to fly past.
"It might not be for very long," Seph reminded.
"Yeah. . . . But even a couple days there would be nice." Zack reached up, rubbing at his eyes. All the yawning he had been doing was making them start to water. And he was starting to feel so dizzy, for some reason. Maybe he was suffering from fatigue. He and Seph had both been working pretty hard lately, putting down rebellions and uprisings and all that. And some of the paperwork took a long time too.
But surely Seph had been pushing himself harder than Zack did. That was the way it always was. And yet he looked okay.
"Zack . . ."
Huh? Seph was saying something? He sounded so far away. . . . Why was that? He was just sitting on the other side of the window. Zack turned, blinking as he tried to face the other. His stubborn vision was not cooperating!
"Zack, you're not well." Four Sephs were getting up and starting to walk across the space in their booth, heading towards him.
He blinked again. That was too weird! Why wouldn't the extra Sephs go away? He knew that there was only one. "I'm fine, Seph," he said, his words coming out halting and garbled. At least, it sounded like that to him. Why was he having so much trouble speaking? Was he that tired? . . . Maybe there really was something wrong. . . .
The four Sephs finally blended into the one real Seph as he sat down beside Zack. Pulling off his left glove, he reached up and touched his cold hand to Zack's forehead. His eyes immediately narrowed. "You're burning up," he breathed.
Zack moaned at the contact. "Hey . . . your hand's like ice," he mumbled, trying to bat Seph's hand away. Maybe he was sick. He should rest. If he could just lay down on the seat. . . . He slumped forward against Seph's strong form. He could feel the other's heart beating. It was a calm, rhythmic sound . . . something that could lull him to sleep. . . . Like back home, when he had listened to the rain on the roof. . . . His eyes drifted shut.
Somewhere in this web of confusion, Sephiroth gripped Zack's shoulders. "Zack!" he called, his tone commanding. Zack needed to stay awake, if at all possible. But judging from his limp body, that was going to be difficult. Whatever was wrong, it was coming to a head fast.
The lavender eyes opened again, but only partway. "This isn't my room," said Zack, his voice slurred. He looked to Sephiroth, the glassiness obvious. "Who are you, anyway? Does Dad know you're here?"
Sephiroth drew back, his heart twisting as an arrow slammed into it. Now he was ten times more concerned. Zack was not only feverish and swooning; he was delirious.
Sephiroth had only seen something such as this once or twice in the past. It had been agonizing enough when it had been one of the boys he commanded, someone who looked up to him as a teacher and a leader. He had felt so helpless, so powerless to do a thing to lessen the young man's anguish, except to stand by and try to reassure him in a quiet, kind voice that all would be well. He never had known if his presence had done any good. The SOLDIER had passed away shortly afterwards.
On one occasion, he had witnessed Genesis in such a state as well. That had been even more alarming and uncomfortable, considering how close he had thought they had been. Genesis had ranted and raved as a crazy man, grabbing at Sephiroth without recognizing him and trying desperately to get out of bed. Sephiroth had been forced to do everything in his power to keep him down, to the point of physical restraint. Angeal, away on a mission, had not been there to help. The experience had drained Sephiroth immensely, though he always refused to acknowledge just how much. But the phrase delirious, and all that came with it, had ever since left a particular bad taste in his mouth.
Now he was once again seeing it happen to a dear friend.
Without answering Zack's queries, he looked over at the bewildered passengers. They were mostly staring with wide eyed shock, but one or two simply bore pokerfaces, as if the situation did not bother them in the least. Sephiroth did not care in the least about them, either.
"Is there a doctor on board?" he demanded gruffly. "This man has taken seriously ill."
A tall man in the back, with thinning hair, got to his feet. "I'm a physician," he announced as he began to walk over to them. "I'm on my way back to my practice in Midgar after a short vacation."
Sephiroth really could not care less why the man was there. All that mattered was that he was there. He eased his body into a standing position, still holding onto Zack's shoulders, and then gently laid him down on the seat. The lavender eyes blinked at him, puzzled and blank. Zack was in another world.
"Man . . . I gotta get up," he mumbled. "Mom'll be worried. . . ."
"She wouldn't want you to force yourself up if you're not feeling well," Sephiroth answered. For now, the best thing he could do would be to play along. Trying to tell Zack what was actually going on would not help.
"Yeah, guess so. . . ." Zack squinted up at him. "Who did you say you are again?"
Sephiroth hesitated. The prick he felt at the question would have to be pushed back. He would never let on how much it pained him. "I'm . . . a friend," he said at last. "And I've brought a doctor to examine you."
"Oh. . . ." Zack hissed in pain. "Does Mom know?"
What could be said to that? ". . . No, I don't think she does yet. Maybe you'll be feeling better before she comes back."
"Hope so. . . ." Zack grinned weakly. "Hey, you're a nice guy. Maybe when I'm feeling better, we can hang out or something."
"Maybe." Sephiroth glanced to the doctor before stepping aside. "Here's the doctor."
"Okay." Zack winced again, then tried to look up at the older man. "So, you're gonna find out what's screwed up?"
"That's right," the physician nodded. "At least, I hope to get an idea of it." He knelt down, studying the ill SOLDIER. "How long have you been feeling unwell?"
Zack gave a weak shrug. "Woke up like this," he responded. "Mom was right, I stayed out too long in the rain. Now she'll worry that I've caught pneumonia or something."
Sephiroth frowned, shaking his head. This would not get them anywhere. "He's remembering something from his past," he said in a low tone.
"I see. . . ." The doctor looked as though he was going to ask Zack another question, but the other was starting to close his eyes again, slipping back into semi-consciousness.
"You won't learn anything from him right now," Sephiroth grunted. "Let him rest." Anyway, he did not know how much longer he could stand listening to Zack at this point. Just last night he had been happy and cheerful, buying snacks for them at the vending machine. And now . . . to see him like this . . .
He should not be letting it affect him so deeply. Usually he could turn off the pain and lock it away where even he was unaware of it. But for some reason, he could not make his mind do that this time. This was causing an open wound in his heart, and it was tearing further with each passing moment.
The physician nodded. "Yes, that would be best." He reached out, taking hold of Zack's wrist to check his pulse. "Has he previously shown any signs of illness?" he asked, glancing back up at the stern man towering above him.
"He's been unusually tired all morning," was the reply. Sephiroth crossed his arms as he observed, his emotions hidden behind the emerald eyes.
The physician nodded, laying Zack's hand gently on his chest. "His pulse is irregular," he admitted. "It's going faster than normal, almost double the rate it should. And it's still going up." His frown deepened as he noticed the bandage. "What's this?"
"He was wounded in a fight yesterday," Sephiroth answered, and briefly summarized the events of their mission. "The physician determined that it was only a superficial injury and that he would be fine." His own eyes narrowed further. "At the time, I wondered if he might have been poisoned. And after I saw his behavior today, it crossed my mind again."
"It's highly possible, I'm afraid," was the grim admission. The older man shook his head. "In fact, that seems the most likely. His symptoms match with the reactions to some kinds of poison." His tone turned regretful. "And unfortunately, I don't have any way to treat for poisoning here. First we would need to find out what kind it is . . . if it can even be traced." He looked up at the SOLDIER, seeing the tight grip on the muscular arms.
"And if not?"
The doctor gave a sad sigh. "I'm afraid we both know that answer already."
It was an answer Sephiroth would not accept. "I'm going to call for a medical team," he growled, turning away. "They'll be waiting when we arrive at Midgar."
"That's a good idea," the physician said to the retreating back.
He glanced back down at the semi-conscious Zack. The eyes were half-open and glazed as they stared at nothing. Breath was coming in short, quick gasps.
"Hang in there, boy," the doctor said quietly. "You're too young to die."