Jeanne: So hey, we're back. Blame me I had writer's block like bad.
Aerith's Rain: Yep. its entirely her fault but we still love her
Jeanne: I did try to work through it and well look! We're back! So since it's been so long we better put some effort into this!
Aerith's Rain: Yep! I'll do my best
Disclaimer: Jeanneandheralters and Aeriths Rain own nothing.
Cloud trailed after Zack, looking about with interest. It had been awhile since he'd been to the slums and he'd never actually been this way. It seemed cleaner around here, like a breath of fresh air.
"Look! There's the church!" Zack raced ahead, leaving Cloud, Vincent, and Tifa to blink slightly in shock.
"Someone is here," the raven haired man looked around. Vincent hissed slightly, glaring at a particularly shadowy area. "Turk."
"I think Zack mentioned that Aerith was being watched by the Turks once," Cloud shrugged lightly, looking at the spot as well. "It doesn't matter as long as they don't interfere or we don't give away information," the blonde walked off. Tifa shrugged as well, walking after the blonde who had just reached the church doors.
Cloud looked around in surprise before smiling at Zack. Zack's arms were around a girl and they were talking almost too rapidly too follow. Cloud waved nervously at the other two and they walked in.
"Well Zack? Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" Zack smiled, half dragging, half carrying her too them. "This is Cloud, Vincent, and Tifa. They're all good people!"
"Zack you say that about everyone," Cloud rolled his eyes, earning a giggle from the pink clad girl.
"Cloud that's not true!" Zack whined, putting on an expression of mock hurt.
"Did you tell her?" Vincent inquired, observing the interior of the church. Zack nodded and Aerith withdrew a pack nestled amongst the pews. Vincent raised an eyebrow in surprise at this.
"I keep it on hand," she smiled. "Incase I have to make a quick exit."
Zack nodded, taking from her and putting it on his back. He ignored her slight flail of irritation.
"It's okay Aerith, I know you can carry it yourself, but I want to do this for you. Let me do this," he smiled at her gently. She sighed and nodded, following the others from the church. Cloud couldn't hide his amusement, and even Vincent managed a smile.
Tifa grinned. "It's great to have another girl on the team. We can stop the boys from bossing us around."
"Were you planning on waiting for me?" Zack whirled at the sound, his grin becoming even larger.
"Seph! Perfect timing!" Zack clapped, grinning.
"You did not expect me to be late? I'm not the one with the terrible nickname Zackary," Sephiroth looked down at Zack, eyes raised.
"Yeah yeah," Zack huffed, crossing his arms and pouting. "Let's blow this popsicle stand!"
"Ever the puppy," Sephiroth murmured, shaking his head. Those who heard him laughed.
Zack spun around back towards them. "What did he say?" The other's laughed louder, not bothering to answer him.
Outside of Midgar
They managed to find their way out of Midgar without a single problem. This fact was a bit shocking to Vincent considering how noticeable Sephiroth was. He himself stuck out like a sore thumb.
This was so different. It had been a long time since he had last seen so many people, and now he was surrounded by the,. He had gotten use to them, or he was at least tolerating them. The red eyed man resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Zack passed around a bar of chocolate.
However he did snap a piece off when the bar found it's way towards him. Zack took it back. Producing a whole bar, he tossed it at Sephiroth who caught it with ease and quickly opened it. It was a well guarded secret that Sephiroth loved sweets.
Cloud's eyes widened slightly. He was surprised to see the General indulging in some chocolate, he would have thought he would have been above that. But he was getting more used to things like that now, seeing Sephiroth as a person rather than merely the general. Zack yawned, leaning back somehow.
"Life on the open road for us huh?" He grinned, and Sephiroth rolled his eyes, rapidly finishing his chocolate bar.
"I doubt it is as fun as you assume."
"Contrary to popular belief I didn't teleport from Gongaga," Zack pouted, scuffing his boot on the ground.
"I wouldn't have doubted you did it just so you could torture me all the sooner," Sephiroth replied nibbling at the chocolate. He'd already consumed over half of it. Hopefully Zackary would be in a good enough mood to give him more later. Zack rolled his eyes.
"Sadly I didn't think of it. If it was now, I think I'd do anything to annoy you as soon as possible!" Sephiroth arched an eyebrow.
"So you admit you're annoying?" The other shook his head.
"No! No I don't!" Zack protested.
Tifa grinned, looking around, and Cloud sidled up next to her.
"I missed you," Tifa told him causing to Cloud beam at her.
"I'm here now," the blonde replied, looking up at his namesake.
"Lovebirds hurry up! You're falling behind!" Zack called from his place by Aerith and Sephiroth. The flower girl giggled, and smacked Zack on the head. The exSOLDIER merely grinned, waving at the two of them to pick up the pace.
Cloud blushed at being called a lovebird, but for entirely different reasons. A flash of red appeared in his mind but he quickly shook the thought out of his mind.
"Zack," Aerith scolded gently, frowning up at the much taller man. Zack shrugged, grinning lightly. "Where are we going?" She was surprised her feet didn't hurt by now, though walking around in the slums all day might have helped.
"Kalm and then to the Chocobo Ranch," Sephiroth had stealthily stashed the empty chocolate wrapper in Zack's pocket.
Aerith sighed slightly, shaking her head. "Zack, you eat too much chocolate. It befuddles your mind." Zack laughed slightly.
"I'm not befuddled!" Sephiroth shook his head.
"You are, you have eaten two bars of chocolate." Zack pouted but continued walking. Vincent walked a little apart from the other two, feet barely seeming to touch the floor. Cloud frowned, trying not to think of that Turk, and racing to keep up.
"There you are spiky and just in time!" Zack pointed to the horizon. The tiny town of Kalm was barely visible on the horizon but it was enough for Cloud's face to spread into a wide smile. After getting past Kalm it'd be harder for ShinRa to reach them. It was all too easy.
Jeanne: Well, that ends the chapter. The next? Kalm and it's ShinRa propraganda! Will things go so easily for our mismatched heroes as it has been or will ShinRa finally catch up to the famed Demon of Wutai? SUSPENSE! Not really...
Aeriths-Rain: And the next chapter will have better writing from me! honest!
Jeanne: Colette, I don't think they know who wrote what unless they've read something solo by us. Gods I hope they haven't, half my crap is just that. Crap. Anyway! Please review!
Aeriths rain: Yeh! Review!