Well it's about time I update this thing, right? sorry it took so long. This summer's been so busy. I rarely have time to myself these days. I'm also trying to find a job and that's taking up much of my time. but on a positive note I managed to sneak a few hours for myself over the weekend and I was able to finish this chapter. Hope you enjoy what's in store!

Also, I'm trying out line breaks for this chapter instead of dots. If it works out better then I may use them for all of my stories in the future, but we'll see.

A small group of birds scattered as Zack pushed open the doors to the Sector Five church, Cloud following behind. He wasn't sure what to make of it. It appeared run down and deserted. How did Zack expect to meet anyone in here? But a gentle humming soon corrected him. At the end of the isle, past the rows of wooden pews was a large patch of flowers growing up through the middle of the floor. As they got closer Cloud saw that the wooden planks in the center were missing. Whether they had been torn out intentionally or rotted away naturally he couldn't tell.

At the edge of the field, with her back turned was a girl in a white sun dress. Her Chesnutt brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and her brown boots were sticking out from her dress as she bent over to tend to one of the flowers. Zack smiled and started whistling along with the tune she had been humming.

The girl looked up with a start, only to smile and set down her gardening tools before standing and heading to meet him.

"Zack, where in Gaia's name have you been?" she asked as he threw his arms around her in a protective, yet gentle hug.

"Oh, just took on a mountain with a chopper, wrestled with some northern storms, made some new friends, battled a couple'a zoloms, same old same old."

She only giggled in response, "Oh Zack. Must you exaggerate so much?"

"Actually," Cloud corrected, "he's not," he stopped when Zack gave him a wide-eyed looked and made a slicing hand gesture at his neck with the flat of his hand out of the girl's sight.

"He's not what?" the girl asked.

"Uh, not exaggerating as much as he normally does," Cloud corrected himself. "You should have heard him tease me about motion sickness on the boat ride over from Costa Del Sol."

The girl scowled at the teen, "Really Zack. He's just a kid. Must you be such a bully?"

"Wha, I'm not a bully! If anything I'm like a big brother to 'im, ain't that right Spiky?"

"Sure, that's why you challenged me to that wrestling match," Cloud replied.

She turned and glared at Zack who held his hands up defensively, "It's not as bad as it sounds, honest!"

"Zack, I swear," she began, but Cloud only shrugged. "That's okay. I beat him in the end," he replied with a smug grin.

The girl smiled warmly back at him. "I'm glad to know he's met someone who can stand up to him and put him in his place. I'm Aerith by the way."

"Cloud Strife," he replied. Suddenly this meeting wasn't as bad as he thought it'd be. When Zack mentioned he knew someone in the slums he didn't expect to meet someone so nice.

Zack then scratched the back of his head, wondering how to address the favor he wanted to ask. Aerith was onto him quickly. "What do you want to ask me?"

The SOLDIER forgot how clever she was. "I was wondering if you could watch Cloud for a bit, at least until I can figure out how to adopt him."

Aerith blinked in surprise at him. "I never took you for being a father figure at such a young age, aren't you a little busy being a SOLDIER?"

"No, not like that," Zack corrected. "I want to adopt him as a brother, since well…" he went silent for a moment.

"Since my family was killed when my town was destroyed," Cloud finished.

Aerith's hand shot up to her mouth in shocked sorrow. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

Cloud merely shrugged while staring at the floor. "It hurts, but there's nothing I can do about it, so why bother getting upset?"

Aerith looked over at Zack who merely folded his arms and shook his head. "That's not healthy Spike. People become cold-hearted that way. You can't shut yourself off from your emotions like that." He then turned to Aerith. "See, I can't always be around to cheer him up when this happens. We've already had a close run-in with the general and it's only a matter of time before one of my other friends stumbles by for a visit and sees him and then it'll all be over."

Aerith sighed, "Zack, I wish I could, but the Turks have been watching me rather closely. I imagine it may be because you weren't around to visit, but still. It's not safe for him to stay for the time being. He's safer with you right now."

Zack sighed in defeat. "Fine, but in return if anyone asks, he's your little brother."

"And where did this come from?" she asked with a suspicious look.

"It's what I told Sephiroth when we bumped into him at the grocery store the other day. He looked kinda scary and that was the first thing that flew out of my mouth," he told her sheepishly.

"You know that won't work," she scolded him. "The Turks know everything about me."

Zack began to deflate, even his spikes began drooping.

"But," hearing that word gave him a bit of hope, "I could just say that my mother decided to take in a child who I found with no home or family. She knows I have a big heart and the Turks would believe a story like that. However it may be tricky if they figure out we took him in after Sephiroth saw him with you."

Zack smirked at this. "That won't be a problem. I can just talk my way out of it. I'm good at that."

The flower girl giggled, "Yes you are."

They spent the rest of their time together tending to the flowers and chatting. Cloud didn't really care much for their lovey-dovey moments, but Aerith kept him busy by showing him how to properly trim the plants and educating him to be able tell weeds from flowers.

"You're pretty good in a garden," she praised him.

"My mom used to have a garden behind the house. It was small, but we'd grow some vegetables so we wouldn't have to keep buying them," he replied while trying not to get too upset while talking about his mother.

Aerith frowned, feeling bad and placed a hand on his shoulder. She then gave him a warm smile. "You should smile when you talk about her, because I don't sense any sadness on her end."

Cloud was about to ask her what she meant when Zack's PHS rang. The SOLDIER looked down at it and sighed when he read the text message. "Hate to cut this meeting short, but duty calls."

"Please don't stay away for so long next time," Aerith pleaded as she hugged him goodbye.

"Can't make any promises, but I'll try," he replied.

Ever since taking on a student, Angeal Hewley had adopted a wutain form of meditation. It had been odd at first, but the benefits to clearing one's mind did wonders for relieving stress, especially when that stress came from looking after Zack Fair. Even if Zack was a First Class, he still had much to learn. With him currently away and with some free time on his hands, Angeal found it the perfect time to relieve of the stress the pup had put on him this week.

That's when the knock came. With a single, low groan, the commander stood up and opened the door. He was surprised to see Sephiroth of all people.

"What can I do for you," he asked his friend.

"May I come in?"

Angeal stepped aside to allow him to enter. He offered him a seat, but the general declined. "I won't be here long, I merely have a request."

"It must be important if you came in person," Angeal replied.

"It concerns your pupil."

The ravenette let out an exasperated sigh. "What's he done this time?"

"It's not what he's done, it's what he's hiding."

"Oh, do tell."

"I've ordered he see a counselor regarding his last mission, but he has yet to schedule an appointment."

"I see." Angeal folded his arms in thought. He hadn't spent much time with his pupil since the meeting a few days back and nothing seemed off about his student then, but the teen knew how to hide his troubles. "I'll stop by and talk with him."

"There's something else as well," Sephiroth added, he then shook his head, "Never mind, it's probably nothing."

"Don't worry Seph, I'll try and talk to him. One way or another he'll be back to his old self."

He waited a few minutes after saying farewell to his general before leaving himself and texted his student before making his way to Zack's apartment.

"Zack, we need to talk. I'm heading to your apartment now. I expect to see you there."

Zack and Cloud burst into his apartment only to collapse in a panting heap. It was bad enough they had to move at breakneck speed to beat Angeal to his apartment, but staying out of sight made it even more challenging.

"I can't believe we pulled that off," Cloud gasped.

"I don't know much longer I can handle this," Zack panted back. "Our luck's bound to run out sooner or later."

A knock at the door signaled Angeal's arrival. Cloud jumped up in a panic as Zack called out, "Just a minute!"

Angeal heard a crazy commotion coming from the other side of Zack's door before said teen appeared. "Hey Angeal, just uh, trying to tidy up a bit."

"Well that's a first," his mentor replied as he made his way in.

His keen eyes scanned the room for anything suspicious, but found nothing. He looked over at his pupil who was just closing the door. "For someone as energetic as yourself I'm surprised such a simple task could take your breath away. Back in your days as a Second you'd run the simulator nonstop and never get tired."

Zack's gaze darted around the room, trying to figure out an explanation. "Well, I haven't been getting much sleep lately."

"Ah, I see. That wouldn't have anything to do with your last mission, would it?"

Zack tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Angeal folded his arms and gave him a stern look. "It's okay to show sadness Zack. We've all experienced loss on missions. There was nothing you could have done and from what the reports showed it's a miracle even you survived."

Zack knew what he was getting at now. "You're here to get me into counseling, aren't you? I don't need it. I told Sephiroth the same thing."

"Sephiroth is the reason I'm here. He gave you an order and you've yet to comply."

"Because I don't need it, Angeal! I know there's nothing I could have done. It's not like we would have made a difference anyway."

"What does that mean," Angeal asked.

"You were at the meeting," Zack replied. "I told Lazard about the kid and that we were too late."

Angeal watched as his student struggled with his emotions. Zack was trying to keep himself in check, but his voice was shaky as was his fists. He approached him and placed a strong hand on his shoulder. "Zack, it's okay. Just breathe."

"Why'd they have to die, Angeal?" He couldn't help the tears that fell from is closed eyes. "Why'd they die in such a stupid way? It wasn't in the heat of battle, and it wasn't to protect others. It was a stupid freak of nature! I didn't even think about them when I crawled out. I knew they were dead, but I didn't even take a minute out to honor them or anything, I was just worried about my own stupid life."

Angeal's heart bled for his student. Zack had seen death on the battlefield and he had taken a few lives of villains in self defense, both were trying passages for any SOLDIER, but he had never lost comrades in such a way and it was a painful rite of passage. One Angeal had experienced as had the rest of those among First Class. All he could do was embrace Zack in a comforting hug.

"You did the right thing Zack. Had you stayed you would not have survived. The storms in that area are treacherous."

"But I was the commanding officer in the group and I left them behind. What sort of leader does that?"

Angeal sighed as he let go and pulled Zack away to make the teen look him in the eye. "In the Wutai war Sephiroth had to do just that. He was leading a battalion of choppers into the heart of the enemy camp for a strike attack. They knew he was coming and fired on the choppers. His was struck and he was forced with a difficult choice. He had to leap from the chopper in order to survive, but the others within weren't as lucky. Sephiroth pushed on for them and made sure the enemy paid for what they did. He hated that he had to leave them to die, but if he had stayed with them he would most likely not be here now."

Zack sighed as he wiped his eyes, feeling embarrassed for crying. Angeal just waited for him to take it all in. "Thanks Angeal. I guess I do need to schedule counseling."

"Glad to hear it," Angeal replied as he headed for the door. He then stopped and looked at the closet door before looking back at Zack. "I'll be calling tomorrow to make sure you set up an appointment ASAP."

"Yes sir, goodnight," Zack replied as Angeal let himself out.

Once he was sure Angeal was out of hearing range, Cloud emerged from the closet. "That was close," he replied. He had heard everything, but seeing that Zack was still upset he tried to get his friend's mind off the subject.

Another knock came at his door and Cloud rushed back into the closet as Zack opened the door. He was surprised to see a secretary. "This just arrived at the front desk for you sir," she stated as she handed him an envelope.

"Thanks," he replied before closing the door.

He opened it and read the letter before he smirked. "Hey Cloud, I think this is for you."

The boy emerged from the closet again and was confused. "But, who knows I'm here?"

"Nanaki and his gramps, that's who."

At the mention of those names Cloud smiled as he took the letter and read it. He then tilted his head. "What does that even mean?"

"Beats me, read it out loud," Zack replied.

Cloud cleared his throat:

"Lonely cloud, who felt the world was lost,

Friends were made with passionate flames

The price was steep and you paid too high the cost.

But fear not, for those dressed in red,

Have saved the pure, the ones whom believed were dead.

Little cloud, who feels alone in the sky,

Return to the place where you awoke,

Please, don't be shy."

"Can you make any sense of that chocobo scratch," asked Zack.

"It sounds like he wants me to visit," the blonde replied.

Zack shrugged, "Well I could ask for some leave time, after my counseling, that is."

"You'd do that?"

"Why wouldn't I," Zack asked. "It sounds like something important. Neither one of them spoke in riddles when we were there, so this must be a code or hidden message that they'd know only we would get, or at least understand that it was an invitation."

"True, it's hard enough sneaking around here unseen."

"Then it's settled. I'll take some vacation time and we'll head out for Cosmo Canyon."

Next Time: Sephiroth gets suspicious, Zack deals with his issues and Cloud meets a new friend.