Chapter 11

"That's not correct." Aeris was frustrated. For two long grueling hours the only things that came from that man's mouth was 'that's not correct' or 'that's horrid' and she was sick of it. Swords were so difficult for her to manage. No matter how hard she pushed herself, she couldn't seem to handle this pathetic piece of scrap metal. She dropped the sword and fell to her knees, on the verge of tears.

"Aeris, get up, this isn't the time to slack off." He brusquely grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up. A moan slipped through her lips as her muscles rebelled against the jerky movement. She did NOT want to be here. She wanted to go home and crawl under her sheets and wait for the nightmare to pass. A stubborn growl from her mentor drew her eyes to him.

"Look, if you want to get stronger you have to put your weakness behind you." Aeris was about to shoot back at the General until a familiar voice rang through the training area. Both heads turned to see Zack standing in the doorway wearing only navy blue sweat pants adorning his built hips. Yawning, he stretched his hands above his head, showing off his muscles to the avidly staring girl.

What a body! I haven't seen anything like that before. It must have taken a long time to build those muscles. I wonder what it feels to be lying in those strong arms. I bet it would feel so safe and warm .Like a lover's embrace...Wait…What am I saying!! Lover?!

Now noticing the intense violet eyes staring into her emerald's, she immediately stepped backwards, running smack into the General , "thanks for ruining my escape plan," she muttered under her breath. A silver eyebrow gracefully became a high arch as he picked up what she said. Putting the thought aside he shoved her out of the way. She toppled to the ground, furious.

"Why you!!!" But before she could say anything else, violet eyes were in front of hers once again; this time a hand was out stretched. She smiled softly and took the hand.

"At least there are SOME gentlemen still left on this planet." She hoped that would irritate him, and it did. He casted a death glare at her and leaned over to Zack, "it's your turn." Zack smiled and nodded at his superior, gladly taking up his slack. Once he knew the door was shut and it was just the two of them, he let out a relaxed sigh. As he looked at the girl, she scrunched her face up and turned her back to him. Zack cocked his head at her actions.

"Are you mad?"

No answer

"Aeris?"

Still nothing more than a shuffle of feet

Thinking quickly, he moved with his stealth ability right behind her. Just as she let out a sigh, he picked the flower girl up in his arms and squeezed her tight.

"ZACK!!! PUT ME DOWN!!! I HATE PEOPLE PICKING ME UP!!!" Aeris squealed. Zack smiled full of delight. He eventually put her down and looked at the tousled girl standing before him. Her cheeks were pink with emotion and lips gaped in disbelief. He let out a small laugh and walked backwards a bit than turned fully around, walking to the door. He looked over his shoulder at the girl, who was still wide eyed and dazed.

"You coming?" Zack flashed a flirtatious smile, causing Aeris to redden.

Why is he doing this to me? Does he…like me? No, he can't….or can he?

Zack whistled, bringing Aeris out of her daydream.

"Huh?"

"If you would please follow me miss." Zack gestured with his hand for her to follow, giving her a menacing smirk, "This way."

--

"Atttenshun!" several cadets rushed to salute their drill instructor. A metallic noise bounced around the walls and the smell of stiff chlorine filled the air.

"As you know, you need to be able to swim to survive. And you need to survive so you can swim." The cadets looked around at each other, seeing if the others could understand what the drill sergeant was talking about.

"Now, go to the locker room and get your suits on, we are going for a crawl." Again, the cadets looked for answers in their counterparts. They looked again at the sergeant. "You know, a dip, dive, float, glide." The group shook their heads. The sergeant took a deep breath, "YOU ARE GOING TO GET YOUR ASSES IN THE POOL AND SWIM!!!!" the cadets smiled in understanding and chatted until a booming voice broke them up, "NOW PRINCESSES, NOW!" They all ran around like a freshly stirred ant hill, leaving the sergeant to roll his eyes, "what a bunch of cupcakes." He turned and sat on the bleachers, stringing a silver whistle around his neck.

"Come on you bunch of muffin asses, let's go!" all the cadets tumbled out at once, creating a human tidal wave. The sergeant stood in front of the pile of boys, shaking his head at the sight. One cadet caught his eye. Yellow spiky hair poked out from underneath the melded bodies.

"You, chocobo head, come 'ere." The bodies began to rustle and muffled 'owws' were heard until the puzzle was solved. All the boys now stood in a straight line and the chocobo feathers were now as clear as day.

The sergeant walked up to the boy and squinted his eyes, "What's yer' name boy?"

The boy shuffled for a bit, "Cl-Cloud sir. Cloud Strife." The sergeant stared at him.

"Can you swim Cloud?" the boy nodded solemnly, "Good." Without warning, the sergeant hoisted Cloud up and threw him in the pool. Composing himself over the shriek of Cloud hitting the water, the sergeant dusted his hands off, "Who's next?" all the cadets took a step back and that caused the sergeant to throw each and every cadet into the water. Soon the pool was flooded with squirming, shrieking bodies. The sadistic sergeant laughed and told the boys to start swimming laps until he said stop. The boys groaned and he added on time. He smirked and sat down to watch the boys struggle in their lanes. He heard a door open and was met by a half naked Soldier.

"Heya Sergeant Miller, I see you are using the pool." Zack glanced over at the cadets who were trying to drown one of the weaker ones. Take one for the team lil' buddy. Zack snickered and looked back at the man.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be teaching class?"

Zack pulled his hand through his messy mane and looked over his shoulder at the nervous girl standing behind him. "Oh, I see. Well, I'm trying to get these boys use to the water."

Zack nodded, "I know what you mean. It's vital to know how to swim. That's why I gotta teach this one." Aeris perked her head as he mentioned her.

Sergeant Miller motioned for Zack to sit. Aeris followed suit, sitting away from Zack. She watched the boys in the water going back and forth. She didn't know how to break the news to Zack. She should have told him in the beginning, but she didn't. Thirty minutes later, Sergeant Miller called the boys out and into the dressing room than moved them along to train them, leaving Zack and Aeris on the bleachers, alone.

Oh God, why me?

She continued to look at her hands resting in her lap until she slowly looked over to see Zack's nose barely touching hers. Her eyes grew wide and her breath quickened, her heart pounding in her chest.

A chaste smile graced his lips as he leaned closer, shutting his eyes slightly. By now Aeris' heart was demanding to get out of its prison.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.

She felt his warm breath tickle her lips.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh God

He tilted his head slightly to the right

Is he…going to…kiss me?

She held his stare

Do it

He returned it

Do it

His hand reached up to brush her cheek

Do it

A smooth voice lulled her into purgatory, "Are you ready?"

Oh Gods yes

Quicker than the speed of light she was sinking. She opened her eyes to see a rippling watery silhouette gazing at her from the edge. She felt her body drift down, down, down.

Water surrounded her, there was no place to go. Struggling for the air she could not get, she felt her body go limp. This was it. She couldn't hold her breath anymore.

I can't believe...

The water was dragging her down. Down to her watery grave.

It's over…

A black curtain closed over her eyes as she lost consciousness, the last thing she heard was a body hitting the water.

--

Pink eyelids fluttered open revealing precious green stones. They darted around, taking in the surroundings. White walls enclosed her, making it feel like a cage. She tried to move, but it was no use, she felt paralyzed. It felt like a weight was put into her lungs, every breath she took was harder than the last. She closed her eyes for a moment, wondering why she was there. Then she remembered. Suffocating. Violent watery hands twist around her neck, molding to it, strangling her with every move she made. The fear was coming back to her, but then vanished as quickly as it came when she felt a feathery touch upon her skin. Something was wiping her tears off. She moaned as her muscles did when she tried to shift her body to a more comfortable position. She felt her strength return slightly. Whispers bounced around her body.

"I can't believe you. Didn't you know she couldn't swim!" She heard movement above her

"No, I didn't." Sorrow was dripping from the voice

"Damnit, she could have died. DIED! I can't believe how irresponsible you are! You will be punished for this Zackary, you know better."

Zackary? Ah…Zack!

"I take full responsibility sir, I apologize greatly." Her vision was clearing up and she saw tangled black hair covering a beautiful face that was ruined by the tinge of despair. Anger ran through her veins. He almost killed her! She fully awoke and stared hard at the man before her. He looked at her with puppy eyes and lowered his head, scorning himself for his undesirable deed. Her vision was going red. What was this that she was feeling? Anger, regret, sorrow, pain? Where were these emotions coming from? Never had she experienced emotion so strong before. Before she knew what her body was doing, a loud smack was ringing through her head and she felt heat on the palm of her hand. Zack's face was in total shock.

I slapped him!

The man standing beside Zack stepped forward, his mouth agape and his eyes wide. She withdrew her hand to her chest and sat slowly on the bed. Zack's breathing hitched. It sounded like he was going to…

Before she could finish her thought she saw a glimmer run down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly, praying no one saw it.

"Permission to leave sir?"

The man thought hard, replaying the events, "Go to my office." Zack nodded respectfully and retreated, still wiping away stray tears.

She was left with the most powerful man on the planet, but in that moment, he was just an object taking up space in the room. She felt the bed shift as she saw silk ribbons the color of the moon dance before her. Looking up, she met turquoise eyes, searching her soul. They stayed like that for a few moments, until he decided to break the silence.

"How are you feeling?"

She shifted, "I hurt."

Sephiroth stitched his eyebrows together, "Where?"

Aeris drew the hand she slapped Zack with to her breast, feeling the pain in her heart, "Here"

Sephiroth felt rejected again. He bowed his head and stood up.

Turning to walk out, a small voice stopped him, "Why do I hate him?"

He turned his head around to see her still clutching her heart, staring in a daze at the wall. She sniffled and scrunched her face, "Why do I want to hurt him?" She began to breathe erratically. Sephiroth had no experience with emotion. He stood there, hands by his side, watching this young vibrant girl become tainted by these unstable emotions. If human emotion was this troublesome, than why bother…

He breathing stopped.

All he could hear was his treacherous heart pounding in his ears. Fragile arms draped around his waist and wet cheeks pressed into his chest.

….Why?

Immobilized and unsure of what to do, he cautiously led her over to the bed and sat down. Her grip on him grew tighter and her crying became intense. He slowly brought a hand to her hair and stroked it gently. Something surged through him.

…Why?

He could only question himself. He felt the need to protect her, to hold her and to…

…love her

He reprimanded himself for thinking such thoughts as he found himself gently swaying to the sound of one heartbeat, to him, it was their heartbeat and theirs alone. They had become one.

--

The only sound he heard was the ticking of the dreary clock in the General's office.

Tick, Tick, Tick

He felt his life pass away, waiting on his General. He couldn't stop thinking of Aeris. One moment he was going to kiss her, the next she's drowning. He hated himself. He should have asked her if she could swim. None of this would have happened.

Damn you Zack

Slowly the door opened and the General walked in. Zack continued to stare at the floor, not wanting to see the look on the General's face.

"What should your punishment be?"

Zack shrugged, he couldn't bring himself to talk for he was concentrating on holding back his tears.

"I asked you a question Soldier." Sephiroth's voice had a venomous bite to it

"Discharge," came the whispered replay, he lost control of his tears as they rolled down his face.

Sephiroth let out a sigh, which startled Zack.

"Last time I asked you that question, you told me to throw you in a pool of Hojo's socks." Sephiroth let a smirk slip. Zack's face remained remorseful.

"Listen, I'm not going to punish you." Zack's eyes slowly rose to the General's eyes, "but, I do order you to talk to her and apologize. You can find her in the garden. You may compose yourself beforehand." Zack curtly nodded, feeling the gravity of the General's words.

"You are dismissed." Zack took his leave. Sephiroth looked at the stack of paper on his desk.

Damn secretary…

--

Zack stared at himself in the mirror. He took a shower and cleaned up, wanting to look his best for Aeris. He sprayed cologne on his collarbone and took a deep breath. He screwed up, but he was going to make it better. He walked outside his room and headed down to the garden. When he arrived, all he could do was stare. The woman he nearly drowned was full of life. She was wearing a white dress trimmed with blue lace with a pink bow nestled between her breasts. She was sitting with her legs to the side, touching the pink and white petals of a lily. He could pick up that she was singing to herself, a soothing melody. He mustered up all his strength and began to walk slowly to her.

Their eyes locked.

He continued to walk until he too was sitting. They gazed at each other for quite some time before she turned back to the flowers.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" she smiled at him, her eyes burning with life. All Zack could do was nod. Again she reached out and touched the velvet petal, but was interrupted by a masculine hand enveloping her own.

"I'm so sorry." Zack squeezed her hand, waiting for a response. Aeris laughed and placed her other hand over his.

"It's my fault as well. I should have told you from the beginning, I was meaning to tell you beforehand but…" A slight blush made itself known on her cheeks. Little did she know, the same blush appeared on Zack's face. He slid his hand up her arm slowly, savoring every touch of her delicate skin.

He reached her shoulder and massaged it with his thumb, sliding his other arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. Their bodies touched. His hand slid up to her head, weaving his fingers through the dark walnut hair. Hot lips brushed up her soft neck. She looked at him one last time before closing the distance, but was interrupted as an explosion went off. Zack abruptly stood up taking Aeris with him.

"Oh God!"

Aeris looked at him, "What! Where was that?"

Please don't let it be him

"SEPHIROTH!!!"

--

His office was covered in black smudge as he glared at the hole in the wall. Slowly he turned his powerful body around to face the two responsible for this. The fiery redhead was definitely the one in charge.

"Yo, sorry man, didn't mean to blow off your wall." Sephiroth was irked at this response, still trying to get the soot off of him. What was once porcelain skin was now covered from head to toe in black grease from the explosion.

"Don't address me with such carelessness! I am not a simple Soldier. You Turks just don't get it." Sephiroth just gave up this fight. Reno always did this type of stuff. God forbid he tried this again.

"What did you want with my trash can?"

"I told ya, to see if you got a love life, you know, office love, passing notes to the secretaries, doin' a lil' sumthing sumthing if ya know what I mean." Sephiroth rolled his eyes, Reno went as far as to blowing up his office just so he could look through his trash. Wow.

"Just how was this suppose to work?"

"Well," the Turk started, "the plan was to put a flame in your trash can and it would set off a fire and when you run out, we run in and obtain the object of our choice. I just didn't know it would set off an explosion." Why on earth would Tseng let these mongrels in the Turks he had no idea.

"Reno?"

"Yeah boss?"

"You could have just asked for my trash, because your little bomb, incinerated everything that was in it."

"What bomb?"

Sephiroth tried hard to keep his composure, "Just last week you came in and tried to video tape me, and I held Masamune to you and you threatened that the camera was a bomb and you would set it off if I didn't lower my weapon. I lowered my weapon and I grabbed the camera from you and threw it away."

The redhead looked up to the sky as if a thought bubble appeared above his head. Rude reached over and popped his imaginary bubble putting Reno into a depressed mood.

"And another thing genius, FIRE BURNS PAPER!!! If you wanted to go through my trash, you wouldn't be able to because by the time you got to said trash can, the fire would have destroyed all the papers."

Reno shrugged it off and turned around, "till we meet again General."

This was so stupid. Reno, was so stupid. Who the hell wants to know about his love life?

Two bodies burst in his room, worried at his scathed body.

"Sephiroth! Are you okay? He nodded as delicate arms wrapped around him for the second time.

He was taken aback, "It's okay, I'm just covered in smog, nothing to worry about." Aeris was happy with that response.

"I'm going to take a shower now." Aeris giggled as he walked past her.

Oh, a shower sounds fun

Aeris was shocked at her own thoughts. Here she was so close to kissing Zack and this thought of the General in the shower came across her thoughts. She was utterly confused with her emotions, constantly switching from one man to the next.

Aeris and Zack were yet alone again. Zack turned to her and smiled.

"We should go train some more, if you're up for it." Aeris nodded slightly.

"As long as it doesn't involve water," Zack blushed and walked out the room, Aeris close on his heels.

They stopped by her room, allowing her to change. Walking through the halls, they looked at the paper covering the walls.

"I completely forgot about the ball!" Aeris squealed, reading one of the flyers, "I need to get a dress!" Aeris looked between Zack and the exit door, wondering what she should do. She started to turn towards the door, but a strong arm grabbed hers, "after training, then we will go together." Aeris smiled and continued to the training area once again.

--

"I want this one! No, I think this one is prettier!" Aeris couldn't decide what dress she wanted. Zack just grinned at her adorable antics. He clearly thought she would look amazing in either one. He picked out his dress clothes earlier, right after he asked Aeris to go with him. He saw her settle for a beautiful shimmering green dress, the color of her eyes. After they bought it, they began to walk the streets of Midgar, arm in arm.

"So Zack, tell me, why did you join ShinRa?" Violet eyes meet green ones

"To meet you of course." That chaste smile appeared on his lips. Aeris playfully slapped his arm.

"The truth silly," they stood on the corner of the street, waiting for the pedestrian sign to flash.

"Well, I came here to better my life, I guess. Life at home was rough 'cause we were poor. And ShinRa was recruiting and said they could make my family's life much better," the sign flashed it was safe to walk and he began to move, "I wanted to make my parents proud, so I joined Soldier, hoping life would become livable, but, I was wrong." He paused and looked to the sky, "Life became painful when my mother passed away," he felt a comforting squeeze on his arm, "my dad grieved himself to death, so, here I am, all alone."

"I'm here with you." Upon Aeris saying that, she felt hard muscles clash with her body as she was pulled into a hug in the middle of the crosswalk, the light tempting to change. They stood there even though the light changed. Horns honked and angry drivers shouted expletives, but neither heard them. For no one was allowed in their secret world. Once they left each other's arms, they continued their walk back to the base, this time, hand in hand.
--

Hey guys, this is the first glimpse of Zack and Aeris' relationship! Please review and tell me what you think. This chapter is long, in my opinion, and yes, the next chapter will involve the Ball...Yay! Anyway, please please please Review…..I miss reviews popping up in my e-mail box (sad face) I appreciate all my readers and thank you for taking the time to read….tootles

jazzy