Jeanne: A rather short update but hopefully it doesn't disappoint to much! We've three characters introduced in this chapter! I'm not telling who though!
Aerith: I will its.. -mouth covered by Jeanne-.. -GLARE- Well, i hope you like this chapter!
Jeanne: Ehehe -laughs nervously and moves away from Aerith- Yeah.
Disclaimer: They own nothing.
Cloud groaned, unhappy with his lot in life. Short, scrawny, blonde, and motion sick. It wasn't a very good combination in his opinion. Fortunately he wasn't decorating the road with Mideelian Mini-Wheats or anything of the sort.
"Cheer up buddy!" Zack clapped Cloud on the back lightly, grinning. "We don't have much longer!"
Cloud managed a glare at that, wrapping his arms around himself. " You aren't helping." He muttered, frowning at the way Tifa waved at him. Life was easier for her. Their other companion seemed really happy just to be outside, staring up at the sky with a look approaching wonder on his face.
Zack shrugged lightly, stashing the Cure materia he had used on the blonde, when he wasn't looking, away. He didn't like seeing his friend bent over the back of a truck. "Okay I'll hush," Zack laughed, turning his gaze towards Tifa.
The woman was watching the scenery fly by, eyes alight in wonder. They'd long since passed the edge of the Nibelheim region, the landscape changing with the difference.
Midgar was but ten hours away, and Zack could imagine Sephiroth waiting impatiently, though none would be able to tell, for their arrival. The silver haired man didn't know about the additions to their group but hopefully he'd receive it well.
Vincent was sat opposite, claw tapping out a pattern on the edge of the truck. Tifa smiled at him, then made eye contact with Zack, signaling that she had seen the Cure. It was helping her friend, he had never traveled well.
Zack flashed her a grin. "Gil for your thoughts?" the raven haired man asked Vincent, eyebrow raised.
"It has... changed significantly," Vincent gazed at the barren wasteland that surrounded Midgar.
"Not as green? I know what you mean," Zack shifted in his seat, his leg bouncing impatiently. He'd always hated being stuck in a vehicle. "I know the only place in all of Midgar where flowers grow. I'll show it to you when I have the chance," Vincent nodded, pleased at the offer. It had been even longer since he'd seen real flowers.
Tifa smiled, wrapping her arms around him, seeming to sense that he needed comfort. She always tried to be maternal, and seeing Cloud again after all those years only brought those instincts back stronger. She grinned as she moved away, returning to gazing out. She could see the city now, and stared up at the plate. as they got closer the smell of it hit her. She frowned, moving closer to her companions for comfort. Cloud smiled at her. "Nearly there, and I wasn't sick once."
"Sure wasn't buddy," Zack's leg stopped it's erratic bouncing now that his escape was in sight. Nothing calmed him better than a good conversation with Sephiroth and the thought of visiting Aerith.
Cloud couldn't help feeling slightly proud, alongside his relief that he would soon be safely back on solid ground. He wondered whether he could avoid being sent so far in future. He smiled at the others, stretching his shoulders as they drew closer.
The vehicle attempted to pull up into it's designated parking space but a very angry fellow prevented them from going further. While it was a common occurrence for people to be arguing in the parking area, it was still annoying.
Eventually the two people involved in the argument, only one of which had actually been talking, walked off together. The quiet one discreetly smacked the angry man upside the head earning another round of curses.
Zack chuckled, having recognized the two men but chose not to comment. The raven haired man leaned over into the cab, a smile on his face. "Thanks for the great driving Gin! It's always a good ride when your behind the wheel," the brunette in the driver's seat nodded, grinning a bit.
"Zack! We've got to get Tifa and Vincent up to the General's office before someone questions them," Cloud hissed anxiously glancing about.
Zack nodded. "Don't worry, I'm already on the case... " He frowned then grinned. "If anyone asks you're a hostage Tifa." Noting his friends frown he laughed. "She'd be a cute hostage..." He nodded in acknowledgement of her smile at him. "Fine, I lead the way, they follow. You bring up the rear. Just follow Tifa…" He smiled at Vincent. "Ready to meet your friend's son?" Vincent nodded and Zack began to walk, bouncing a little in anticipation of being reunited with his friend.
Of course luck dictated that neither spiky haired SOLDIER had extreme amounts of luck. So, being unlucky, they ran into Turks. The self-same Turks who had been arguing in the parking area not even ten minutes ago.
"What where you're going Fair!" the red head snapped, arms crossed as he pouted furiously at the bald man standing next to him.
"Sorry Reno," Zack rubbed the back of his head, grinning. Reno snorted and his eyes drifted to Cloud, he almost brightened visibly.
"Who's your blonde buddy Fair?" Reno inquired, gazing at the chocobo headed male. Zack jumped at the chance to distract the Turks from Tifa and Vincent.
"This is Cloud, Cloudy meet Reno, he's the Second in Command of the Turks and a buddy of mine," Zack forced the two too shake hands, grinning the whole time. Zack had an annoying habit of doing that.
Cloud sighed, more than a little flustered. "Hello Reno." This was pretty much standard for Zack, he seemed to have friends in every department, even those that SOLDIER didn't normally like. He moved away slightly, only tolerating this as it stopped Reno questioning about Tifa and Vincent. Though the man with Reno seemed interested in Cloud's friend. It was all he could do not to growl protectively.
"How's Tseng and Ciss?" Zack inquired, distracting the two Turks even further. Reno replied that both were 'fucking' fine and dandy. "Thanks for telling us guys," Zack ushered the group away, sending one final grin towards Reno and Rude.
"They seem," Cloud groped for the words appropriate for the duo. They arrived at Sephiroth's office, effectively cutting off his word search.
Cloud couldn't help but feel relieved as Zack knocked on the door.
"Come in.." The General called, recognising Zack's distinctive pattern of knocks. Zack poked his head around the door, and then signaled the all clear and ushered in his friends.
"Sephiroth, this is Tifa, and this is Vincent. Something went wrong on the mission, and they are going to help explain it." He looked up at Vincent, seeing the way he was staring at Sephiroth incredulously. This was her son.
Sephiroth leaned back in his chair a bit, eyes narrowed slightly as he eyed the two newcomers. It had taken him long enough to get used to Zack and then Cloud was introduced into the equation, though the blonde wasn't as bad as Zack. "Very well. Explain," the General gestured towards the two seats in front of him.
"What about me Seph?" Zack whined.
"We can stand Zack," Cloud muttered, standing behind Vincent's seat. Zack sighed, and plopped onto the floor next to him. The raven haired SOLDIER didn't want to stand any longer and the explanation was a long one.
Aeriths-Rain: -Waves dramatically- Hey! Hope you enjoyed it!
Jeanne: Yeah! Enjoy, review, flame, whatever suits your fancy!