Chapter 2

Zack and Cloud hit the road… well Zack carries him XP

Zack had barely slept that night; He was constantly worrying that he and Cloud would be found. Although his SOLDIER senses would have seen them coming a mile away, it still didn't help his mind ease. Zack thought to himself that no sleep was better than no sleep. But now it's time to get going. He knew they couldn't stay in one place for every long. Today was an important day. They needed to cover as much ground as they could so they could stay ahead of Shinra. That is if Shinra was aware that they had escaped. It wasn't likely they had know they had escaped yet though, it has only been hours after they had left, and it is a two day ride by helicopter from Midgar. So the wind was at their back… for now.

Zack had carried Cloud to the inn in town. He leaned him against the wall. Zack took a deep breath of the mountain air and he turned to Cloud.

"Hey bud, enjoy this air, this is gunna be the last time you may enter you home town, until we take Shinra down!.. Wait… what the… Cloud the town!!!" as if Zack had expected a response.

"This town was ashes last time we saw it… and everything seems to be back to normal… This is Shinra's work I know it. I remember what Tseng had said to me back in Banora 'all traces of misconduct must be erased Zack'. Fucking Shinra man, they have no decency. So everything in this town is new huh, that means that stupid old truck at the town's entrance must be new, or newish. I bet it runs Cloudy! What do you think?"

No answer. "Well I think it will. Hop in pal… I'll get you man, I was just joking". Zack went and grabbed Cloud and put him in the passenger's seat. He buckled him in so he would be safe, just in case. " I got good news and bad news Spikey! Good news is the car runs!!! Bad news, I never learned how to drive. Ya know we joined Shinra at such a young age, we never really got a chance."

The truck started just fine and it had a half a tank of gas. "Well buddy let's get going, crank up the tones man!!!" Still no response… this was starting to make him feel very lonely. He started thinking of Aerith again. God did he miss her so much. He missed her smile, he missed her soft touch, he missed her smell when he fell asleep while she tended the flowers. She would always come over and let him rest on her shoulder. That woke Zack every time, but he still pretended to sleep; it gave him a reason to be close to her.

Zack snapped back into it as the truck hit a rock. Before he knew it they were in the wasteland near the Cosmo Cannon. They were making great time. Zack turned the radio, to a news station hoping to hear about their escape to see if they should hurry or hide. He tuned in to Shinra news. He listened and there was nothing new at all, only that a local group of rebels called AVALANCHE h as been causing problems for Shinra.

"That's good news Chocobo!" as he ruffled Clouds hair. "This AVALANCHE is giving Shinra a head ache pal. This may help us get outta here fast with Shinra all tied up."

Zack had pulled into the Canon near a spot that had a large telescope. Zack got out did a few squats to loosen his legs."Cloud your screwed buddy. It's hot as hell here, your pale complexion is gunna get you fried. God forbid I leave you outside for ten seconds huh. Come on bud lets park this truck and hide it. Maybe if we're lucky we will find some nice people who will help us out."

Zack parked the truck behind a big rock. Surprisingly it gave the truck great cover. Zack carried Cloud up the stairs to the town. Damn it was hard in this heat and carrying Cloud. He only had a few hours of sleep. As Zack got to the top of the staris he was greeted by a large group armed and behind a large cat. Zack looked up… this can't end well.

"You from Shinra leave now and we will spare your life!" a voice said.

Zack scanned the group to see who the leader was and who had talked. None of them had moved there mouths.

"Did you hear me!? Leave now!!" there was a light roar at the end.

Zack looked down at the large cat… "What did you say?"

"I said leave!"

"holy shit!!! A cat just talked!!!" in total shock Zack let go of Cloud. With a blink of an eye the red cat had jumped forward and grabbed Cloud by the shirt. "Thanks for saving him bud" Zack said.

The cat looked at him for a minute. He was sizing him up. "They are ok. Put you weapons down."

"But Nanaki!!! Look at them!! They are from SOLDIER!! " a man spoke up.

"Trust me, let them in. Please give them a room and take the blond on to the med center… NOW!" Nanaki let out with a roar.

Zack had awoken for a well needed nap. Next to him almost right in his face was Nanaki. Zack jumped back. Had he really been that tired that he hadn't noticed that The large cat had gotten in the room without him knowing. This bothered him just a bit. Then Nanaki spoke " you aren't with Shinra are you?"

"No. Well I was but I gave in my notice." Zack said with a smirk.

"This is not the time to joke. I have felt your presence around these parts for quite some time. Why have you been here so long. I believe I sensed you being in distress. I'm sorry if you have suffered for my non action." As Nanaki bowed to Zack.

Zack looked at him in disbelief. What was this creature? He had known almost everything before he had even said anything.

"yes I know it is overwhelming. I am the last of my species. As you can see we have superior minds to humans. You could say we had a 6th sense. " Nanaki said as he smelled Zack. "you have been in large amounts of mako haven't you?"

Zack looked at the beast with his mouth wide open. "dude you just blew my mind! How did you do that? Can you teach me!? "

Nanaki stared at him as if He thought Zack was stupid. "Let's go and visit my grandfather, he will hopefully help you out."