Six Weeks Later

A large portion of the SOLDIER members disappeared seemingly over night. Claire had been called to the briefing room and arrived there at the same time as Angeal. Claire had been expecting an explanation for the mass disappearance.

Zack was two minutes late for the meeting, earning him a huff from Claire when he walked in. Claire was sitting on the left side of Director Lazard and Angeal sat on his right

"Zack. It's good to finally meet face to face," Lazard said as he stood up "Lazard, Director of SOLDIER," Lazard reached forward to shake Zack's hand. Zack returned the gesture.

"Heya!" Zack said, informally greeting his boss.

"On to business," Lazard said as sat back down. He pushed a few buttons and the profile of Genesis appeared on the large display screen. The letters M, I, and A were flashing on his picture (Claire knew that they meant 'Missing In Action') "SOLDIER First Class, Genesis. A month ago, he went missing during a mission in Wutai. Know anything about this?" Lazard said to and asked the three SOLDIER members. Claire and Angeal did not respond at all but Zack spoke.

"Not a clue!" He said while waving his hands slightly.

"The mission is currently stuck in limbo. That's why we have decided to send you," Lazard looked up at Zack then to Claire "And Lightning."

"Uh, to Wutai?" Zack did not really believe what he just heard.

"Yes," Lazard said as Angeal pushed himself back, further into his chair "This war has gone on long enough."

"I've recommended you for First," Angeal said without looking at Zack. Zack turned and began a high pitched laugh of amazement.

"Angeal!" Zack shouted as he ran over and hugged his mentor "I love you, man! Ang-" Angeal gave Zack a hard shove back.

"Don't make me regret this, Zack."

"Sir," Zack saluted, with a large smile, as Angeal stood up "Once you two are packed, you'll leave at once. The operation will begin immediately upon arrival at Wutai."

Claire stood up and went to get her equipment ready. She wanted to laugh about how excited Zack appeared to be about going on a mission. She knew that Sephiroth was getting the director to evaluate her during this mission, because he was not able to do it himself. Sephiroth had already been in Wutai for a week, commanding squadron forty-three, or for this mission, Unit B.

Several Hours Later

"Fort Tamblin is straight ahead," Angeal said as he turned to Zack and Claire "Let's hurry. B Unit is standing by."

The three turned to face the path as a set of rapid footsteps approached them. It was a warrior of Wutai, obviously young by all standards.

"You three! Identify yourselves!" the soldier shouted at them. Two more of the Wutai soldiers leaped out of the surrounding bush and the the three charged.

"Just leave it to me!" Zack said as he grabbed his sword.

"Make sure he doesn't hurt himself," Angeal whispered to Claire. Claire allowed a small smirk to appear as she drew her sword and ran up to Zack's side.

Claire and Zack disposed of the Wutai soldiers with minimal difficulty. Zack spun his large sword several times before replacing it on his back. Claire simply sheathed the slim blade she was taught to use.

"All right, next!" Zack shouted cheerfully.

"Calm down, Zack," Angeal said in his classic mentor tone.

"No can do," Zack replied with a large grin on his face.

"The director is watching from somewhere, right?" Zack said as he looked around the area, reminding Claire about the same thing, as Angeal walked by them "I, sorry, we have to make a good impression." Claire stifled a laugh at Zack's comment.

"Zack," Angeal said after stopping "Do you know about dumbapples?"

"No, what is that?" Zack replied.

"Unbelievable," Angeal said in mock amazement "How can you not know about dumbapples? You'll never make first at that rate. But don't worry, Claire will."

"Whoa, wait!" Zack shouted as he ran up to Angeal "What are dumbapples!" Angeal started to run up ahead leaving Zack and Claire a fair distance behind. It took them a couple of minutes to catch up to Angeal "So Angeal, what's the deal with 'dumbapples'?" Angeal stopped and turned to the two young soldiers before speaking.

"The official name is Banora White. The trees bear fruit at random times during the year. Because of that, the townspeople affectionately call them dumbapples," Angeal's gaze moved upward slightly and Claire assumed he was remembering something "The local farms had plenty of them to spare."

"Oh, really?" Zack said with a suspicious tone.

"So you stole them," Claire said bluntly, knowing what Zack was implying.

"We were poor, you two," Angeal said to defend himself.

"Nice excuse," Zack said calmly. Claire, on the other hand, knew what that was like.

"But even then, I had my honor. The largest Banora White tree grew on a wealthy man's estate. It was rumored that those apples tasted the best. But I never stole from that tree, because the wealthy man's son was my friend."

"If he was a friend, you should have just asked for some," Zack said as paced back and forth with his hands behind his head.

"You don't get it do you?" Claire nearly snapped at Zack.

"Honor can be quite a burden at times," Angeal said calmly.

"And what exactly does this have to do with me? Or Claire?" Zack asked with a confused tone.

"No story is not worth hearing," Angeal said after crossing his arms. He uncrossed his arms and started to walk away, beginning to laugh. Claire had started walking as soon as Angeal had, she also saw the joke Angeal had played on Zack.

"What? That's it?" Zack said still confused "Yeah, well, thanks a lot!" Zack shouted as he ran to catch up to Angeal and Claire.

He found the other two crouched behind some bushes. They both had their eyes on the fort that was directly in front of them. Zack slid into the cover beside them and Angeal spoke as soon as Zack was on his feet.

"B Unit will set off an explosion. That's our cue," Angeal stated to the two young soldiers, without turning to them.

"The diversion will allow us to infiltrate," Zack added.

"Right," Angeal nodded "I'll set the bomb inside the fortress. You and Claire will charge the front gate, and-"

"Uh-huh, and? And? And? And?" Zack interrupted with an overly cheerful tone and motion. Claire huffed her disapproval at how immature Zack was being.

"Indulge yourself," Angeal said flatly.

"You got it!" Zack said as he turned back to the fort "That's what I do best!" Zack stood up and began looking around in a seemingly random direction "Come on, B unit . . ."

Angeal drew the Buster Sword and put his forehead against it. Claire had seen him do that before every mission and training session. She speculated that he was performing some kind of prayer but really didn't care enough to ask. Angeal replaced the massive sword on his back after a second. Zack crouched back down and had his curious face on.

"You know, I've never actually seen you use that. Don't you think it's sort of a waste?"

"Use brings about wear . . . tear . . . and rust. And that's a real waste," Angeal said to defend his lack of using the sword.

You're serious, aren't you?" Zack asked.

"Yeah," Angeal replied.

"Why wouldn't he be?" Claire asked Zack.

"I can be pretty cheap," Angeal added to his reply.

"Yeah, no kidding," Zack said with a smile.

A large, loud and bright explosion ended their conversation. Zack and Claire stood and walked ahead of Angeal. Angeal gave them both a quick nod and made one statement.

"Begin Mission."

Zack and Claire leaped from the cliff they had been waiting on and charged towards the front gate of the fortress. There was a battalion of Wutai soldiers and a squad of snipers on the walls, waiting for the two elite soldiers.

The commander of the battalion shouted something in Wutian to the soldiers before waving his troops forward. The snipers began shooting, and Zack and Claire charged forward to meet the enemies.

The battle with the battalion of enemy soldiers lasted several minutes. Many bullets had passed close to Claire's head and limbs but none actually touched her. Zack was able to out maneuver most of them, a few shots grazed his arms and legs.

The soldiers of Wutai had put up a very good fight, but they didn't even get close to harming one of the SOLDIER operatives. When the fight ended, Zack spun his standard SOLDIER longsword before placing it on his back and Claire just sheathed the thin sword she used.

The duo entered the fortress and Zack's phone started to ring. Zack pulled I out of his pocket and answered. After a few seconds Zack responded to the caller.

"Piece of Cake! I bet we could've done it blindfolded!" Claire hoped Zack meant the battle a moment ago "If I take it out, do you think I'll make first?" Zack said after another couple of seconds, making Claire wished she could hear the other side of the conversation as well "Oh, that'll be easy! Just leave it to me-er-us!"

Zack flipped his phone closed and began running. He motioned for Claire to follow him and they began their mission of causing chaos inside the fort.

Claire hoped this war would end soon. She wanted to see her sister and Sephiroth again.

Sorry about taking forever and a half to update this story. I didn't have any kind of writers block, but I did actually forget about it for a while.

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