"YAHOO!!"

A shiny black motorcycle recklessly sped through the stone-paved path of a huge residential estate. The gardeners and maids that walked mindlessly on the lane came to their senses and jumped out of the way as the big bike passed them. The driver waved at them gaily but was repaid by glares and silent curses. By now, they were supposed to get used to the racket the man on the bike causes; but each time he goes around, the damage only gets worse. He happily ignored this as he quickly turned the handle bars to perform a drift when he saw the mansion. The wheels screeched as the monstrous bike slid towards the steps of the huge house. The driver snapped his foot off the pedals and he slightly kicked the edge of the stairs just as the bike was about to collide with it. Dust clouds began to surround the area accompanied by the groans of the housekeepers at the thought of the cleaning that has to follow. Some shot angry glares at the rider while some rushed to their respective posts. The chores they had to do had doubled since the day the young man acquired the gruesomely loud machine. When the dust began to dissipate, the driver jumped off the huge machine and took off his helmet. He ran a gloved hand on his black, spiky hair and threw his helmet off – which was swiftly caught by an old butler. The man breathed a huge whiff of clean air and grinned at the beautiful mansion.

"Ahh...there's no place like home." His eyes went to the old man and to his revving motorcycle. He took the keys from his motorcycle and threw it at the waiting butler. "Park it somewhere wont you, Sebastian."

The butler raised a hand to address the man but the driver waved him off. The old servant bowed his head reverently to the young man and went off to park the bike into a garage at the back of the manor. When the young man stepped into the front doors of the intricate house, he was greeted with twenty maids who lined into two columns forming a straight path to a marble staircase ahead.

"Welcome home, young master!" They chorused.

The man smiled at each maid with a flirty glint as he passed them by. The maids fluttered like little squirrels being fed with sugar-coated peanuts, and this amused the young man. Girls weren't a problem for his suave looks and sweet talk. He was an image of youth; women and money were always available to him.

"You're late."

A manly voice filled the hallways and the two lines of maids that faced the youth immediately turned forward. Standing at the top of the marble staircase was a man with the build of a soldier. His body emitted a powerful aura that commands respect and reverence. His blue eyes were full of wisdom, and like the young man, he too had shining black hair. Although the house workers looked in awe the young man just stared at him with eyes that exude boredom. They bowed simultaneously and a polished hand dismissed them all. Again they bowed their heads lowly and scattered in a uniformed pattern. Piercing blue eyes stared at the young man and a sigh came out of his weary lips. He was tired of the young man's constant barging in unfashionably. He studied the young man and instantly questioned his skill as a father.

"Hey Pops…what's up?" The young man greeted while sticking his little finger in his ear and blowing the residue that came out with it.

The man's eyebrows crossed at the way the youth addressed him. He took out a knife from his pocket and instantly threw it at the young man with the speed of a silver bullet. The black-haired youth grinned and swiftly caught it just as it was about to pierce his flawless face.

"What? Is this the greeting a man's supposed to give his son?"

"I couldn't say calling your father jargon names a proper greeting either." The older man regained his stand and he smirked at the young man. "Welcome home, Zack."

Looking up to his own familiar sapphire eyes was a young man filled with energy, good looks and a stature that were solely inherited from him. Zack Fair was the perfect person to take over the vast riches and businesses that he held now. It was a shame that, despite the traits that he conferred to his son, worldly ways got the best of the youth's unwavering attention. Zack walked up to his father and returned the knife with a mock bow.

"Here you go, Mr. Angeal aka Father."

He stressed the last part just for the heck of it. Angeal took his knife back with a shrewd glare at Zack.

"Has anyone ever told you about the journey that we should undertake today? You are to…"

"…to meet Aerith Gainsborough, sole heir of the Gainsborough Corporation. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Geez! I know, I know." Zack annoyingly threw his arms up as he talked. "I couldn't believe you're setting me up with a snotty, rich girl like her. I doubt her body gained any progress since I last saw her."

"Watch your mouth!" Angeal said in a menacing tone. He strode past him in a regal manner. "She is not one of those classless women that you cavort with during your business trips, if you call your mindless jaunts as such. Ms. Gainsborough is a refined lady who may, hopefully, alleviate you of your crude behavior.

"Psh. Yeah right…hahaha!" Zack replied, amusingly. He rubbed the end of his chin when a thought occurred to him. "I bet I could get Ms. Refined to bed a—."

The youth was cut short when the knife that he caught earlier traced the line of his neck. He swallowed hard as Angeal shot a look that threw daggers at him.

"Hold your tongue, boy. I shall not tolerate unlawful deeds under the Gainsborough's abode. If ever I hear complaints against you from Ms. Gainsborough herself I shall transfer your inheritance to charity."

"Ok, Ok! Geez! I was kidding!" He sighed heavily in relief as Angeal retrieved his knife. Zack threw an arm over his father's shoulder and tapped the older man's chest with a derisive worried face. "Watch your blood pressure, Dad."

"You really have no fear in me, do you?" Angeal said, frowning rather disdainfully.

"You? Nah…that's what I love about my old man." He replied, grinning.

"This old man is going to kick your behind if you don't obey his instructions."

There was a short awkward pause before the younger Fair took his arms off his father.

"Oh man…don't talk like that, Dad. It's embarrassing." Zack waved a gloved hand at his father as he headed towards his room. "Well, smell ya later! I've got to get packin' stuff…"

Heaving an intense sigh, Angeal averted his attention to Sebastian as he approached the older Fair. "Am I doing the right thing, Sebastian?"

"It would seem that the young Fair could be rebellious and disrespectful mayhap for the reason that the people he had been in contact with are not of the highly sociable type, uncouth and loutish…if I do say so myself." Angeal frowned slightly at his words. After seeing his distressing face, Sebastian thought to be more optimistic. He knew that Angeal had been through many troubles involving his son but he still loved him. The old butler smiled softly at the troubled man. "However, I strongly believe that he will change once he meets Ms. Gainsborough. A woman of her standards would definitely, if not absolutely, change our young master."

Angeal nodded and smiled. "Let us hope so…"

"I must return to my duties, sir."

The old butler bowed and took his leave; however, as he was about to disappear in the corner Angeal spoke again.

"Sebastian…" A slight blush formed in Angeal's cheeks which he hid by facing the other way. "Am I un-cool?"

"Times do change sir. I think ours has already passed," Sebastian replied, beaming.

"Yes, yes…ahem. You may resume…whatever it is you were…doing."

The old man bowed again as he finally vanished from sight.

Sneak Peek: Let's go back to Cloud and Aerith who were getting to know each other a little better. Everything is going smoothly…or so they thought. What they don't know is another figure lurks around the church. What is this suspicious person's purpose?

Next Chapter!

Chapter 10: Songs and Secrets

See you then!