Hello everyone, sorry it's been a while since the last update. My computer's having some issues that I'm trying to get fixed which is causing delays for every story. Not much for news this time, except that I'm trying to catch up and update some older stories alongside my new projects.

Until next time,

Enjoy!


Chapter Eleven

Sephiroth was relieved when the chopper finally lifted off, taking Hojo with it. The general would gladly take a longer trip back home if it meant avoiding that man as much as he possibly could. As ordered, Zack had stayed behind with him as the general allowed Strife to go back and say his farewells to his mother and their guide. Zack yawned as he leaned against the truck.

"So, how'd it go with professor creepy?"

"It went as expected," Sephiroth replied. "Though, I know he's hiding something. He seemed very disappointed when I told him the lab was destroyed before we got there."

"Why because his precious hideout was wrecked?" asked the ravenette.

"No, he seemed more worried about if I had a chance to see what was in there, which only proves what those from the future said."

"What, you doubted them?" asked Zack.

"No, it's merely confirmation. He wanted me to read those notes. He wanted me to think I was some greater being, which only means he wanted me to head to the reactor next. I know you and Strife discovered Jenova in that room at the top of the stairs. I apologize for sending you up there, but I didn't want to chance going up there myself and losing control."

"I get it," Zack replied. "That thing was pretty sick, and not in a good way."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, "In what way is sick a good thing?"

"Sorry it took me so long sir," Cloud called as he jogged up to them. "I looked all over, but I couldn't find Tifa and Mom was stalling me because she didn't want to see me leave so soon."

"Yeah, moms are great like that," Zack added. He then looked over at Sephiroth and instantly regretted commenting. "I-I'm sure your mom was great too. You're real mom I mean, not that freaky gray alien husk we found in the reactor. I mean-"

"That's enough Zack. I knew what you meant," the general cut him off. "Has anyone seen our final companion yet?"

"You mean Vincent?" asked Zack.

"No," Sephiroth answered.

"I haven't seen him since we left him last night," answered Cloud who realized he was referring to the other infantryman Sephiroth ordered to stay at the Inn.

Sephiroth glared in the direction the chopper had left. "Then either he left with Hojo or he deserted. Either way we can't wait here any longer." With that said he got in the truck and waited for the others to follow.

The drive back was a long one. No one wanted to talk about what was found in Nibelheim, but sooner or later they would need to come up with a proper game plan. Though it was hard to form one with Cloud fighting motion sickness most of the way. A few times they had to pull over and stop so the boy could relax his stomach or in some cases expel what was in it. Sephiroth would remain in the driver's seat, patiently waiting for the boy to be ready to move again while Zack checked on his friend.

"Don't worry Spiky, once you get mako this should go away," he told him as they made their way back to the truck.

"You think so?" he asked before taking a swig from his canteen and swishing it around before spitting it out.

Zack hummed in thought, never having motion sickness himself he had no idea if it were true. After all, mako could cure many things, but not everything. "Hey, Seph? Will mako cure motion sickness?"

The general had to think about that as well. "I'm not sure, there is a good possibility."

"You hear that? The general gives you a good chance," he told the blonde with a grin.

Cloud looked up at the truck and already felt his stomach shudder again. He was not looking forward to the rest of the trip back. Zack helped him up and the vehicle started moving again. Cloud had yet to sit down and was unsteady after going through the motions of getting sick. He ended up falling into some boxes and Zack winced when he heard two distinct 'ow's'.

Standing up and looking over some of them he blinked when he saw both Cloud and Tifa rubbing their heads. He couldn't stop himself from laughing however.

"Tifa?" came Cloud's surprised response.

Tifa looked up at him before blushing, "Uh, Cloud?"

"Yeah?"

"You're right on top of me."

Cloud blushed heavily as he struggled to get off of her where he had landed.

She tried to hide her blush as well, but Zack could see it. He shook his head and decided to help them save face. "So, what are you doing here? This is a Shinra transport. No civilians allowed."

"Well, I needed a ride to Midgar. I'm tired of that small town and everyone else left. All my friends are gone and Cloud was heading to Midgar so I figured I'd just hop a ride with him."

"That's not a good enough excuse," Sephiroth replied while looking at her through the rear-view mirror.

She then brought a finger to her lips in thought. "Well, there was that guy in the red cape who told me to hide in here, so there's that."

"Red cape? You mean Vincent?" asked Zack.

She just shrugged. "I never got his name, but he had long black hair and his eyes glowed red, so I wasn't about to argue with him."

"That's definitely Vincent," Zack nodded.

"I wonder why he wanted you to go with us?" asked Cloud.

"Maybe it has to do with Seph's vision?" his friend suggested.

"Most likely," the general replied.

They traveled for another few hours before pulling off to the side to set up camp. Zack got a fire going while Tifa helped Cloud set up the tents.

"So, there were four of you who were originally sent out, right? Where'd the other guy go?" asked Tifa "And how come there are only three tents?"

"We don't have a clue, the general thinks he deserted or left with the chopper, which is probably what happened." Cloud replied as he tied the last rope to one of the stakes. "And the reason why there are only three tents is because First Class SOLDIERs get their own tents while infantry have to share, sometimes up to four per tent."

"That's horrible," she replied. "Why do they get treated better?"

Cloud only shrugged, "That's just the way things are."

"Well, I'll have it to myself tonight," he said, trying to cheer her up.

"Actually," came Zack's voice from by the campfire, "you two will have to share a tent."

Cloud and Tifa started to blush before the general appeared with their canteens. "On the contrary Zack, Strife shall bunk with you tonight. The young lady will have the third tent to herself."

The other First merely shrugged. Cloud wasn't sure how to feel about that. He had wanted to catch up with Tifa and have some time alone, but the general did have a point. And it was only polite.

The rest of the night was spent eating around the camp fire. Zack was trying to impress the younger teens by telling a scary story while Sephiroth remained silent eating his meal. When the story ended Tifa only laughed. "A frog? That's the best scary monster you could come up with?"

"Hey, you wouldn't be laughing if you had been turned into one. It's a terrifying experience! The world suddenly gets a lot more frightening when you're only a few inches tall and can be picked up by any common bird! That's why I always carry a Maiden's Kiss with me where ever I go."

"A what now?" she asked.

"It's the remedy to turn you back into a human," Cloud answered. "It's basic field knowledge when you enter the cadet program."

"Speaking of cadet programs, you ready to try again when we get back?" asked Zack.

"I was wondering how you could have failed before," Tifa added.

"There are many ways to fail when you try out for SOLDIER," Cloud replied. "I just wasn't strong enough and my endurance was weak, according to my instructor. He said if I got a mako shot now I'd probably die from the pain alone."

Zack huffed at that. "That's a load of chocobo crap. Sure mako shots hurt, but it's not just strength and endurance that makes a good SOLDIER."

"How'd you get in?" asked Tifa.

"It was because of Commander Hewely, right?" offered Cloud.

Zack looked into the fire and expressed a sad smile, "N'ah, I met Angeal after I became a Third. He took me under his wing and it's because of him that I'm where I am today."

"I'm sure you would have made First on your own," Cloud told him.

"Hmm? Oh, you darn right I would, it just would have taken a lot longer. Angeal taught me so much I could never repay him for all he did." He pulled the Buster sword in front of him and watched as the flames danced on the metal's reflection. "I hope to be as good a SOLDIER as he was."

"You will never be like Angeal," Sephiroth replied which Zack turned to look at him with a hurt expression until the general looked back at him. "You will be your own legend. You'll do great things that no one else has ever done, if even a portion of what I was told is true. You provided the means to save the world and your sacrifice was not in vain. Your legacy was carried on proudly."

Zack couldn't help the single tear that fell at hearing those words, but he tried to hide it before anyone could see, though Cloud managed to. "Damn, Seph. You make it seem like I'm some great hero. I haven't even done anything yet."

"Not yet, but you will and without the need to sacrifice yourself if I can help it."

"You said we needed a game plan sir," Cloud addressed the general. "What are we going to do once we get back to Midgar?"

Sephiroth set his finished meal aside and looked at each of them before beginning. "Listen closely; this is what we're going to do."