A/N:
Okay so that took me awhile, even though I got a lot of reviews...THANK YOU:
RinaluffsPokemonboys, isamu-michi, ObsessiveCompulsiveValkyrie, mom calling, TornAngelWngs, and vx-Luna-xv.
I'll try to update sooner. Summer's just been super busy for no reason.
Disclaimer: I wish owned these characters. I really do.
His boots tapped the wooden floor restlessly, desperate to get out. The room was dark, and his head felt like combusting. He didn't understand why he was there, but that thought was hopeless. He knew why he was here. Why he was staying was quite a different question. The warm, sweaty hand tapping his shoulder made him jump from the hard surface his head was leaning on.
"Don't be such a wallflower."
Cloud blinked and turned around to see Zack, smiling smugly with a glass in his hand. The black haired boy downed the remnants of his drink and placed it on the counter. Cloud simply yawned. "…sorry?"
Zack moved next to Cloud and sat on the nearby bar stool. "No need to be sorry. I guess this just isn't your place."
"I guess." Cloud shrugged and took a light sip of his drink. "Maybe I just have a one track mind."
"That committed to SOLDIER, huh? I know how that feels. Back in Gongaga, all I wanted was to get out, to be a hero. Midgar has a way of getting to you." Zack tapped the counter, signaling the bartender for another drink. "You need to relax too."
The SOLDIER felt the counter shake as Cloud began to laugh, his face finally brightening in the club. The strobe lights streamed across his pale face ridden with amusement. "Gongaga?"
Zack's face turned stern, "Yeah…hey! I told you I was from the country!"
"I know…it's just such a backwater name. Worst than Nibelheim."
The older boy rolled his eyes and gratefully took the drink from the bartender's hand. He brought the glass to his lip and hungrily sipped the deep brown liquid. "I wouldn't say that…" He felt a sudden glimmer of mischief. "So…tell me about Nibelheim."
The music around Cloud was pounding. "Um, there really isn't anything to tell. It's by the Nibel Mountains, has a Mako reactor, and that's about it."
"That's not what I meant! You obviously left there for a reason."
Cloud looked away, "…maybe because there's nothing there."
"Ah, touché." Zack lowered the glass and looked sternly at the blond. "But it seems to me that you're hiding something."
The boy shook his head fervently. "No! …well I mean, I guess it's no big deal."
Zack's curiosity was ignited. "Then tell me."
"…promise you won't laugh?" Cloud sighed seeing Zack nod. He took Zack's glass and downed the remaining alcohol. "There's this girl."
There always is. "…well, go on."
Cloud coughed, "I left home…I left home for her."
And to Zack's extreme surprise, he didn't burst out laughing. Maybe it was the sound of extreme sincerity in Cloud's voice or maybe he was actually that committed to keeping his word. Or maybe it's the alcohol. He somehow thought that was the best answer. "And joined SOLDIER?"
He only nodded.
Zack shrugged, "So…you're not here to save the world or become famous. You just wanna impress girls?"
"No…" Cloud shook his head. "Just one."
That statement was too much. Zack's small chuckle exploded into a fit of laughter. The only thing that seemed to calm him was the stern look on the blond boy's face. "Sorry! Sorry, man!" He shook his head to rid himself of laughter. "She's just… Well she just better be amazing. I mean, we're in the largest city in the world, and you're not even looking at another girl." Cloud remained silent, somewhat confused by his sense of loyalty and Zack's questioning. Zack sighed. Who is this chick? "So…Strife…"
His light blue eyes looked up dully, "What?"
"Could you not live up to your last name… for once?" Zack groaned at his unflinching form. "…or not. Let's get out of here. You look like you should be on suicide watch." The older boy jumped energetically out of his seat, but wobbled down to the ground from a sudden lack of balance. Whoa…did I really have that much? "…hey…Cloud? Mine helping me back to HQ?" Zack fumbled to grip the bar stool. His loose, clumsy grip dragged his lean body back up. His face looked pale, almost greenish in color, not a good sign.
The blond shook his head. "Sure. But you really should drink less."
"Hey! Who's the SOLDIER here?" Zack pointed to himself enthusiastically. "You should follow my lead, my advice!"
"…okay." Cloud grabbed Zack's arm and leaned it against his neck, carrying his friend's sloppy figure out of the club.
" Soldier Zack?"
There was a large grumble as an answer. The boy rolled over in his bed, sheets flying in all directions, haphazardly falling from the small twin bed. His mind felt like exploding as if each vessel in his brain was being drummed with a sledgehammer. The light was starting to clip his eyes. "Ughhhhh…."
"Zack, GET UP!" The loud, aggravating voice was kicking him now. The boot in his side, although still causing splitting pain in his ribs, was nothing compared to the absolute horror in his head.
Shit… "Urrr…what time is it?"
The voice was softer now, but still piercing. "Late enough that you missed your first drill."
The phrase shot panic through his body. Ignoring the searing pain, Zack jumped up from the bed, facing the silver haired man in front of him. "I did? Was Angeal pissed? Did Lazard find out?"
"Yes to all of those," He answered coolly. "I suggest you get up and talk to the Director." The silver haired man was sighing, eyes rolling in utter disgrace of Zack's position.
"Er, thanks Sephiroth." Zack looked around his bed for a split second, another though coming into his head. …Nope, no girl this time. Well at least that's one good thing. He did notice, however, he was still in the same clothes from last night. "I'll go talk to him right now. Hey…why isn't Angeal here?"
Sephiroth was heading out of his room. "Your babysitter had other business. Hurry up, we have a mission soon with the Turks."
"Turks?" The hangover was really disappearing now. "Which ones?"
"Ask Lazard." Sephiroth disappeared, dragging the long Masamune with him.
Zack grunted, "Sheesh, try to be a littler friendlier, General Sephiroth." He gave himself a long look in the mirror, patting down some of the frizzier spikes. His complexion was still a little off, but he gave it no further thought. This wouldn't be the first time he was in this state. Sipping a remedy, Zack soon found his way to Lazard's office. He knocked softly, a little reluctant. Hope the boss isn't too angry. I do want to make it to first…
"Come in."
He obeyed and calmly opened the door. Nothing's wrong, Zacky. You just over slept a tad. "Director Lazard." He gave the thin man a slight salute.
"Please spare me the formalities, Fair. I realize you were out late last night and missed one of your earlier SOLDIER duties." Lazard wasn't looking at him directly. He shuffled through the massive amount of papers on his desk and straightened his glasses. "Consider this assignment a chance to redeem yourself and put you back on the running for first."
An immediate smile formed. "I was almost promoted to First Class?! Oh cool!" Zack jumped and gave himself a celebratory fist pump. "That's awesome!"
"Almost being a keyword. I definitely have to rethink many decisions after your behavior last night."
His high left. "I'll nail this assignment! Just give say it, and Zack's on the job! General Sephiroth said we were working with the Turks?"
Lazard nodded and picked up a folder on his desk. "Here's the mission briefing." He suddenly stood up and went to the front of his office. Zack reached out to grab the folder, but Lazard placed it firmly against his chest. "This mission is of vital importance to Shinra. It is the company's whole future."
Wow, and I could be the one to help them with it…and become a first in the process! "Of course…and what am I doing exactly?"
"You're mission is to find something very specific." Lazard handed Zack the folder and gave him a proud smile. "You have to find an Ancient."
A/N:
hope you liked it! Sorry it's short...and it took me awhile...sigh. I'll get started on the next chapter. Review=love
bye!
~Mira