Okay, this has got to be the most random chapter I've written so far. Well, the ending anyways, so I shall justify myself by saying I haven't gotten much sleep lately, and I am in a state of deliriousness. Yeah... *Smiles mischievously* Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter, which I have dedicated to chibipinkbunny, for the love of Chocobos, and Ziggy Pasta, from the very flattering and constructive reviews, and continuous support to my story. Thank you both!!!

Enjoy, Yellow Wings...

Fenrir sat, watching interestedly as Zack carefully sat Cloud on his back, then mounting himself, sitting behind his unconscious friend, making sure he was comfortable. Before Flint got on

Fifer, the energetic white Chocobo who was bouncing and warking impatiently beside him, he reached into his pack, revealing a small chest, opening it, and taking out a wrapped parcel.

"Here." He said, giving it to Zack. "The Black Mako is safer in your hands. If I fall behind-" Zack took it, pocketing it "You won't fall behind." He gave a reassuring smile, "Jeeze, you act like

your gonna die all the time, what's with you?" he said confidently, "If you expect death every second, there'll be no surprise when it actually happens, and what's the fun in that?" Flint

frowned slightly, a smile twitching at his lips. "I'm not sure you've got the right idea behind death Zack." Zack shrugged, watching a Flint mounted. "I never said it was the right one." He

informed, urging the Fenrir into a lope, leaving Flint slightly confused, only to follow on Fifer who seemed to bounce with every step.

Small scattered fragments of sunlight broke through the ashen skies, and thin fingers of colour could be seen through the broken clouds as the sun rose, alone in the sky, and for an

instant, they were bathed in warm sunlight, only to be plunged in darkness once more as the sun disappeared above the clouds. The snow was falling lightly now, softly, lazily drifting to

the ground, rendering the world silent. It was not an uncomfortable silence, but a grateful one. One of the rare moments, that Flint could really appreciate the beauty of Gaia. The land

before him, was a landscape of pure white, no indentations disturbing the natural beauty save for the footprints that were left by the Chocobos, slowly being covered by snow. He looked

over at Zack to see him sleeping soundly, snowflakes settling on his eyelashes as he dreamt, his mouth slightly agape, and Cloud leaning against his chest, his arm gently bumping

Fenrir's side as they walked. Flint unzipped his jacket, placing it over Zack's shoulders, smiling slightly as the boy gave a soft sigh. He pulled up beside Fenrir, bending down and retrieving

the reins that had fallen from Zack's limp fingers and tied them to his saddle bags, then tucking Cloud's arm in front of him, giving Fenrir a scratch on the neck, smiling as Fenrir warked

quietly, as if not to disturb his riders, and nuzzled Flint's jacket. Flint inspected the boy, who looked so at peace in slumber. His eyes flitted under their lids, his lips were parted, and even

when sleeping, the slightest hint of a smile lit up his face. "Cloud." He mumbled, sleep clinging to his words. "I'll protect you." Zack said, his fingers curling around the material of Cloud's

jacket as he resumed sleeping. Flint smiled, saying in barely audible words,

"Angeal would be proud of you."

Zack floated lazily through sleep, unaware of where he was or why, just content to lie in darkness, warm and soothing darkness. He realized subconsciously that he had only just entered

this realm of sleep a moment ago, and something warm had been placed around his shoulders, shielding him from the numbness that had settled in his arms from the bitter cold. It had

interrupted the nightmare, shattering it and bringing him what he wished, the darkness that took away all pain and fear, and replaced it with something else, a feeling Zack could only

describe as protection. He felt his body relax, his senses mollify, his mind calm, and for once, in a long while, he felt he was at peace. Being protected, instead of protecting, he felt safe

and warm in this haven of darkness, and wished he could stay there forever, drifting through it, endlessly.

Suddenly, a smell drifted through the darkness. It was odd, as he could see the smell, as well as scent it. It was a delightful shade of golden yellow, and made his heart swell when he

saw it. He didn't know why, but the colour made him feel increasingly proud, and happy at the same time. As soon as the finger of colour reached him, a wave of emotions washed over

him. Pride, happiness, protection, responsibility, guilt, worry, protectiveness, and something almost like a brotherly instinct. He began to feel confused as all of these emotions wrapped

him in the warm golden light that seemed almost familiar.

It reminded him of the sunny beaches of Costa Del Sol, the sun kissed sand that spread over the beaches like a blanket of sun. It reminded him of a Chocobo's feathers, that sunny yellow

colour that shone brightest when being bathed in the sun. It reminded him of Aerith's flowers, so warm and bright as they fed off the sunlight that leaked through the church's roof. It

reminded him of Cloud, the mess of blonde spikes that gently bobbed when he talked, or drooped when he was embarrassed, as if they had a mind of their own... The smell however,

reminded him of chicken noodle soup, and that alone brought him to his senses.

"Food." Zack groaned, blindly rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Jeeze kid, you sleep like a rock." Flint said as he watched Zack's eyes snap open. "Cloud? Where's Cloud?" he asked, jumping to his feet and nearly upsetting the pot of soup that Flint

was stirring over a bed of hot coals. "Easy Zack, calm down, he's right there." Flint said, pointing his stirring stick to the inert form that slept against a tree stump beside him. Zack let out

bated breath, sitting down and looking at Cloud one more time before eyeing the soup hungrily. "I thought this would wake you up." Flint said with a small chuckle as he continued to stir,

his eyes fixed on the pot. "Where are we?" he asked, looking at the exhausted Chocobos who'd tucked their heads under their wings. It was late afternoon, and beginning to get dark.

"Well, I can't tell you exactly where, but if I had to guess, I'd say we'll make it to North Corel by mid-morning tomorrow. We're making good time, if we can keep up the pace, we'll reach

Midgar faster than I thought." He explained, pulling out a weathered map and pointing to an area near the mountain pass they would need to get through before entering North Corel.

About three quarters of the way there. Zack nodded, watching as Flint distributed the soup into three bowls. Zack tended to Cloud first, gently tilting back his chin and opening his mouth,

pouring small amounts down his throat, and stopping when Cloud turned his head away, giving a small moan like a defiant child. "Had enough there Cloud?" He looked down to the bowl,

a little more than half-empty. "Good job Cloud, mind if I finish up the soup?" Cloud didn't respond. "I'll take that as a yes. Thanks Spike, I'm really hungry." He said, pouring the access

soup into his own. "I know, I know, I'm always hungry." Zack said, as if hearing Cloud mumble those exact words, just as he had many a time before. He continued to chat with Cloud,

having a completely one-sided conversation with himself. Flint chuckled to himself, watching as Zack began to have the infamous debate that had travelled throughout SOLDIER

headquarters ever since the bald man had joined the Turks. Would Rude look good with a toupee?

"I dunno Spike, your point is valid, but I really can't see the guy wearing one-" he stopped, his eyes flashing. "Flint. Douse the fire immediately." Flint did as he was told, knowing Zack's

senses were far more superior to his own. Their Mako infused eyes glowed in the oncoming darkness, Zack's slightly brighter. "I hear something- it's really close-"

WARK!

"What the hell?" Zack quickly brought out the oil lamp from Flint's pack. There was a slight commotion as Zack fumbled with the matches, then lit it. The area around him immediately

lighting up, only to reveal a rather fat looking Chocobo with black feathers and golden feet, holding their food rations in his mouth. The Chocobo burped, quickly munching the last of the

food in a very pig-like fashion as he stared at the disbelieving travelers with wide brown eyes. WARK! He exclaimed loudly, and took off at an impossibly fast pace. Zack just stared at the

bird as it waddled away, warking tauntingly as it disappeared into the darkness. "HE ATE ALL OF IT! THAT DAMNED SON OF A %#&! ATE ALL OUR FOOD!" Flint yelled to no one in particular.

Zack only stared slack jawed at the place where the bird had disappeared, and fell to the ground, laughing uncontrollably. "What-the-hell?" he said through fits of laughter. Flint looked at

him worriedly as tears came streaming out of the man's eyes while he rolled on the ground, holding his chest as he was consumed in yet another wave of laughter. He finally managed to

recover himself, his laughter subsiding to a dull chuckle. "What was so funny?" Zack bit his lip, refraining himself from another fit.

"That had to be the most random thing that ever happened to me."

See what I mean? I'm delirious I tell you! *Giggles maniacally whilst rocking back and forth on ground, hugging knees* Anyways, hope you enjoyed my friends, another chapter, coming up soon!

Lucifer