Chapter 3

Zack had flowed the big red beast all the way up to the top of the canyon. At the very top was an observatory. "Damn, you guys ever hear of elevators or something? Or is this part of the cultural appeal or something like that?"

Nanaki turned and looked at him " Do you ever make sense? Or do you just let your mouth run?"

Zack scratched his head " yeah I guess I do tend to talk a lot huh? Well you don't talk much! Everyone's so uptight around here man"

"No that's incorrect. We talk like normal people. I think it's you that is the abnormal one" Nanaki said with what Zack could have sworn was a smile.

"We're here' Let me go get grandfather." All Zack saw was the flaming tail of Nanaki, damn he moved fast.

Zack saw a couch, he grinned and ran and jump right into it. With a loud thud and the sound of cracking wood, Zack found himself on the floor. He had broken the old decaying sofa. Zack's face went blank. "Oh shit'". Zack Quickly ran and grabbed the spot on the couch that had caved in and pulled it up so the couch would look like it was in working order.

A few minutes later after Zack's mishap with the couch, Nanaki had come down with his grandfather. To Zack's amazement he was human. Zack thought this was odd, but he did not question it. He knew he must be Nanaki's only family.

The man seemed to be floating on a rather large orb, possibly materia. The man floated toward Zack. The tiny man stuck his hand out to shake Zack's. " Ho hoo Ho there. Nice to meet you Zack, Nanaki has told me that you were formally of Shinra. How interesting. Ho ho hoo. O my I have introduced myself. I am Bugenhagen."

As Bugenhagen introduced himself Nanaki went to lay on the couch as the two were talking. There was a thud and a cat like squeal. Zack Head had popped out from behind Bugenhagen. He smirked and said " whatcha do Big red??" Nanaki got up and showed his teeth to Zack, showing his displeasure of being the punch line in Zack's joke. Bugenhagen broke in to break the tension. "Zack you and your friend may stay here as long as you like. Please take anything you may need from our shops. I have informed them to give you whatever you want free of charge. Ho hoo Hoo. And before I forget your friend is doing better. We have taken care of him, he should be awake in the next few days."

"Thank you very much. It means a lot to me. I really needed this help… you have no idea. I haven't slept in days. I really appreciate it."

"Ho hoo ho your very welcome. And before I forget again, I'm getting quite old you know. We blew up your truck."

Zack turned and up his hand on his swords handle. "are you setting me up?"

"Ho ho hoo ho hoo! No not at all! We just thought if you were gunna be going anywhere you should use another vehicle. If You keep changing they will never keep up with you. We had give you to extra cans of gas to get you as close as you need to go. I hope that well help."

At that moment Zack had jump at the old man to give him a hug. Bugenhagen hadn't been expecting it, and he was overtaken by Zack's weight. The two had fallen on the floor and Bugenhagen's orb had rolled away.

"whoops. Sorry about that I kind of got carried away." Zack had begun to help the poor old guy up.

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Zack had been gathering his things to prepare for his journey to Midgar. He had gotten a dozen potions he had also gotten Cloud a sword for when he woke up he was going to need it. Ha had remember back when he and Cloud were waiting for Sephiroth to come out of the Shinra mansion, he had let Cloud try out his sword. Cloud really loved it. Cloud had really liked how the weight was making him balanced in his stance, where as the smaller swords Cloud had kind of looked like an idiot with. Zack was grining at the thought of Cloud waking up and seeing his very own buster sword. It was a lot like his, just this one was just plain steel and the hilt was steel with bolts on both sides instead of Zack's golden hilt.

Zack had said his goodbyes and was heading to the buggy he was given with Cloud. He had put Cloud back into the passenger's seat and buckled him in. Zack looked at Cloud, he was defiantly looking better. Zack smiled and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry buddy' well be home soon enough." Zack walked around the buggy and got back into the driver's seat. He started the engine. Zack had been at least a mile away when he saw a red blur running after them. Zack hit the breaks.

It was Nanaki! He ran to the driver side window. "zack… I would like to come with you… if you would let me…" he said out of breath.

Zack smirked and pointed to the back seat, "hop in big red"

They were driving for a little while just passing Gongaga and Nanaki spoke " can you open the window please"

Zack opened the window, " I thought you were a cat, now you're a dog, god damn you're a weird little thing huh."