A/N: I like this. : ) I need to write Zack as alive and breathing and happy more often. I think most of his appearances has been his death, or he's already dead, except for maybe two. Ahahaha.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII Characters and Places belong to Square Enix.

"Augh!"

The recruit cried out as he was flung back, landing heavily on the practice mat. The whistle was blown then, and the country boy from Gongaga muttered darkly as he glared at the ceiling, his head spinning and his shoulder aching because of the way he landed. He could hear the instructor talking to the class then, saying what he did wrong and what his opponent did right and how they could both improve. Slanting his eyes to the side, he saw the smiling face of one of his new acquaintances.

"Here," the boy offered his hand, which the dark haired boy gladly took. He was yanked up to his feet then, settled into a standing position and his shoulder was patted in a friendly manner. "You know, you leave your left side open when you lunge."

"Do I?" Zack asked, scratching the back of his head. His sparring partner, Kunsel, nodded, smirking at him as he placed a hand on his hip in a know-it-all manner. "Jeez, I guess I have to fix that."

"I'm sure your mentor's told you about it before, yet you haven't fixed it." He tilted his head to the side in a questioning manner, dark brown hair fallen into his flat eyes. Zack shrugged then, grinning and folding his arms behind his head. "Why is that?"

"I dunno. I guess I just wanted to see if I could persevere with all my faults."

"…That could get you killed."

"It could also save my sorry ass."

Kunsel stared at him for a moment, thinking the boy in front of him absolutely insane before the instructor told them to start again. The two got into position, Zack slightly crouched with his legs spread apart and his hands lifted to get into offense or defence, Kunsel in a more boxer-like position. The whistle blew, and Kunsel watched as Zack lunged forward, leaving his left side open like always.

He ducked in to go for the attack when suddenly Zack's knee came into his vision and knocked him in the chin, causing him to fly back. He landed on the mat with a thud, and the whistle sounded as the instructor once again turned to talk to the other recruits. Zack walked over then, helping him up.

"I think I get what you mean now."