Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.
A/N: Gi Spectres, Sneaky Steps, Stingers and Hegs, if you've played the game, these are the monsters that are in the cave under Cosmo Canyon, if I remember correctly. It has been a while since I played, but I tried to put the monsters in the right place this time. Don't forget to send me your choices of baby names!
Thanks to my wonderful beta SubZeroChimera!
"Disappointments are to the soul what thunderstorms are to the air." –Johann C. F. von Schiller
To You I Give My Heart
Chapter 19
~Shinra Express~
"Alright, both of you just sit down and listen."
Bugenhagen moved around the room gathering various items including bandages and healing salve. Sitting down, Zack took a drink of the water from the glass that was pushed into his hand as he closely watched the four-legged, red creature across the room. Equally, Nanaki studied him. Of all the things to throw his way, Gaia sure kept him on his toes.
"Zack, I called you up here because there is information that Nanaki has that affects you and Cloud."
Diverting his eyes from the sight across from him, he looked to Bugenhagen. This didn't sound good but if it were important enough for the old man to behave so solemnly, then he couldn't afford not to listen.
"Nanaki, tell him what you told me."
Shooting a glare at the former Soldier, the cat-like creature remained silent until Bugenhagen nudged him, "I ran into a Shinra patrol of infantry and a few Turks." Looking back at his Grandfather, he continued, "I was in hiding, so they didn't see me, but one of the Turks relayed orders to the soldiers that they were to investigate Cosmo Canyon and keep it occupied until they found the whereabouts of the escaped specimens."
There was that sinking feeling; that shot of pain right through his gut. Shinra was coming back here and there was no telling what they would do and who they would harm. Leaning forward, Zack raked his hands through his hair, ignoring the sting of his wounds on his arms and shoulders as the blood dried and his cuts mended slowly. Letting out a sigh, he fought back his tears as he asked, "How long do I have until they get here?"
"The patrol I left was at least two days away, on foot. But taking into account that they are using transportation, they could be here as early as tomorrow morning."
"Morning?!" Nausea waved over him as the panic attack slipped past his defenses and he began shaking uncontrollably.
With a curt nod, Nanaki answered him, but then countered with a question, "I take it that you are one of the specimens?"
Wild eyed, Zack looked up and wiped at his face. They were always going to be specimens. A soft touch of a hand on his shoulder caused him to jerk away. Again, he put innocent people in jeopardy, and this village was going to burn for his stupidity and weakness, "I'll gather what I can and we will leave immediately."
"Zackary, before you go, I have something to tell you."
There were those words again, only not coming from Harding. Last time he refused to listen and he could have gotten Cloud killed. This time, he was going to listen.
"Up in the mountains, there is a forest; around here we call it the Frog Forest. There was a man who used to live there many years ago before he died. He did research on the naturally strange properties of the indigenous creatures, so there is a house there somewhere. No one goes there because it is so dangerous, and Shinra doesn't because there is no mako."
Zack's shocked look got a giggle from the old man, "You still want to help us?"
"Yes Zackary. Why wouldn't I? You have done nothing to call for me to act otherwise." Handing the larger man a wet washcloth, Bugenhagen finished, "Nanaki will go with you, he is also wanted by Shinra since he is the last known of his species. He also knows the terrain and working together, you can keep one another safe and out of Hojo's hands."
"It's up in the mountains?"
Finally speaking without malice in his voice directed at Zack, Nanaki said, "On the top of the plateau, to be more specific."
Putting his glass of water aside, "How will I get Cloud on top of a plateau? I can't fly and she can't exactly climb."
"I know a way up, it is difficult, in that there is no doubt, but with the help of a chocobo, maybe you can get your woman up there safely."
"How will Cloud get her medicine? I mean it isn't like the merchants can bring it to us?"
Opening the door, Bugenhagen motioned for Zack to leave as he said, "Let me worry about that. I will make sure that she is able to get it."
Standing and feeling awkward, he wiped his hands on his pants. Glancing from Nanaki to Bugenhagen, he started for the door when Nanaki said, "I will meet you down by the entrance to the caves and the stables."
Nodding, Zack took his leave and as he got further from Bugenhagen, the quicker he moved. No one said anything to him, just moved out of his way as if knowing what was happening. Perhaps they did, but he couldn't afford to let his emotions for them cloud his judgement and urgency in the matter of his and Cloud's safety.
Bursting through the door to his home, Sharna stood in the middle of the living room holding a small bag. Another larger bag was on the floor next to her feet as Cloud sat, leaning over on the arm of the couch, "I've got you a surplus of Cloud's medicine in this bag," she said, holding up the smaller bag, "It will last for a little while until I can get more." Indicating the larger bag, the young woman added, "I packed all of her clothing and sandals in here, with her hair brush and ribbons." Tears filled her deep brown eyes as she continued, "Don't forget to watch her vitals and any contractions, there are a few medical supplies, she doesn't have but about another month before the baby comes."
Stepping forward, Zack embraced the young woman, "Thank you." She nodded her head as her face remained buried in his chest.
After a long few seconds, she stepped back and sniffed, "I'll let you get packed now, you don't have much time."
"Right; we're gonna miss you," Zack stepped aside and she walked to the door, "Thanks for everything."
With a smile that was more sadness than anything, she turned and left. Heading into the bedroom, he grabbed the other large bag and dumped his things in it, not wanting to leave anything for the villagers to have to explain away.
"Well Chocobo, it was bound to happen sooner or later. At least we got a heads up before they just showed up at our doorstep." Shouldering the bags, he pulled Cloud up to standing, "Let's go, a big furry cat-thing is waiting and he is going to take us somewhere away from here." Helping her out the door, he added, "We don't want the village to suffer, so we can't stay."
Getting Cloud down to the stables, Zack noticed that they were alone, no Nanaki. Walking with the blond down to the chocobo's pin, he addressed the chocobo and smiled tightly, "Hey Marshy. This is Cloud," Giving a small squeeze to her waist, Zack leaned down to the side of Cloud's face, "This is Marshmallow, but I just call her Marshy." Sitting Cloud down, he began harnessing the chocobo and spoke, "See Marshy, I told you her hair looked like a chocobo tail."
"Do you always talk to chocobos?" Turning quickly, Zack noticed it was Nanaki, "I suppose that as long as you don't expect them to talk back…"
With a half grin, Zack sneered, "Says the talking cat."
A growl accompanied the remark, "Come on now Shinra, your friends will be here soon enough."
"You can call me Zack instead of Shinra," Turning to leave, Nanaki broke eye contact and didn't look back. Without saying anything else, Zack hooked up the trailer, spread out a blanket and lay Cloud down in it. Strapping his sword to his back and tucking the bags on either side of her, he took the chocobo's reins and they began walking to the old part of the caves.
"Grandfather said he would meet us near the entrance to the closed off part of the caves. No one has been there in many years, but he says that this is a quicker way that will take us directly to the pass."
While walking and watching the red beast in front of him, he began to wonder what would be different if he hadn't been so gravely injured by Sephiroth. How would their lives be different if he and Cloud were not captured by Hojo? Becoming hypnotized by the swaying glow of the fiery tail, the former Soldier failed to see him stop, and almost ran him over.
Bugenhagen spoke, interrupting the stare-down as they both glowered at one another, "You must work together, so finding a common ground is essential." Looking back and forth between them, the old man sighed and continued, "It is very dangerous through here, so you must stay vigilant."
Nodding, Nanaki said, "Yes Grandfather."
Turning and opening a large canister, Bugenhagen hit a button on a device that looked to hover over the opening. A loud click and a metal door swung open. The smell of stale air rushed into the area. Marshmallow reared back, not wanting to go any further, but with Zack's insistence, she moved forward slowly.
Passing through the doorway, it felt like he stepped back in time, a violent period of unrest. Bugenhagen's voice broke through, "Move quickly, don't linger in one area for too long. The sooner you get to the other side, the sooner you can get to the forest. Be careful, both of you."
Turning their backs to the doorway, Bugenhagen slid the door closed and the click of the latch echoed in the empty space. Clearing his throat, Zack tried lightening the heavy mood, "I always wondered what was on the other side of that door, but I think that I'm over that now."
Taking several tentative steps forward, Nanaki half-heartedly offered, "You can always go back."
He stared straight ahead, letting his enhanced vision get used to the darkness, his thoughts went to Hojo and Zack countered, stating flatly, "I like the alternative less."
Without moving any farther, Nanaki's voice fell, "I concur."
Silently moving again, they fought through the first wave of Gi Spectres, Hegs and Sneaky Steps, getting them closer to the exit. Curiously, Nanaki seemed to have a look of question on his face, his eye appeared to water as he spoke, "Why are GI Spectres here? Grandfather never said anything about this."
"What is going on?"
Shaking his head, Nanaki began walking again, "Nothing, nevermind."
Shrugging his shoulders, he wanted to ask about it, but figured that Nanaki didn't want to talk about it with the way he just walked off. Having just met, Zack didn't blame him for keeping to himself, but the lack of conversation was beginning to get to him so after a while and many battles later, Zack commented, "Bugenhagen didn't say that this place was a maze," Zack wiped some blood from his sword on the side of the Stinger his had just slain and turned to meet the gaze of his traveling companion, "You wouldn't happen to know where we're going would you?"
Shaking the fur on his back, Nanaki answered, "I dare to say this at the cost of many future remarks from you, but I can get us through... I can smell the exit."
Harnessing his sword again, the former Soldier tilted his head in affection, "Ah, that's so sweet that you were thinking of me." With a quiet growl, Nanaki turned and continued to walk through the cave system when Zack followed, pulling the chocobo's reins, he asked hoping for any kind of response, "So do you have a nickname?"
"No."
"Do you mind if I give you one?"
"Yes."
Completely ignoring him, Zack began, "How about Kitty?"
"No."
"What about Fluffy?"
"No."
Furrowing his eyebrows, Zack wanted to lighten the mood, but his companion was making it difficult so he offered a new suggestion, "Sour Puss?"
With a low growl, Nanaki bristled, "No."
"Let's see, there has to be something-"
Turning on the large man behind him, Nanaki eyed him viciously, "My name is Nanaki, and that is what you are going to call me. There will be no nickname for me … Shinra."
Not wanting to be called "Shinra" Zack decided to drop it. He hated the silence. Glancing back at Cloud, she looked around as they worked and fought their way to the back of the caves. Not really having time to watch her like he wanted to, he diligently kept the chocobo on the path as he dodged the attacks of various monsters.
"Are we there yet?"
Stopping in his tracks, Nanaki turned slowly toward the grinning former Soldier, "Do you take any of this seriously?"
Smile dropping from his face, that question did him in, "Of course! Why else would I be here, with Cloud, walking through a monster infested cave with a talking kitty cat-dog thing!"
"I suggest that for the rest of this trip, you stay quiet, otherwise, you are liable to find it very difficult to talk with no vocal cords."
Flinching, Zack cringed at the thought of Hojo's many threats of the same thing. Lowering his eyes, he thought of Cloud and how she needed him for everything. Glancing back, he watched her for a moment and turned back to Nanaki, "Sorry... I just hate the quiet."
For the first time since they met, Nanaki looked like he might actually break out in a smile, "I can tell, but for now, let's just stay quiet until we get to the pass. We don't want to attract unwanted attention from the inhabitants of this cave."
Zack hated to admit it, but he needed Nanaki's help and if he didn't do as he asked, the red beast might leave them. Watching Nanaki turn and begin walking again, Zack quickly added, "Okay Red, I'll save it up for when we get out of here."
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."
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