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Crystal Clear	By : MystIc19 Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1058 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 22
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- 24
The annoying beeping of the alarm clock stirred the SOLDIER awake as he blindly sought out the device trying to put an end to the sound. Finally managing to turn it off he let out a sigh while slowly cracking his eyes open but not attempting to get out of bed just yet.

The small figure beside him stirred a bit while letting out a small sound that sounded like a cross between a yawn and a whine.

Smiling Zack ran his fingers gently through the blonde�s hair as he felt the recruit tighten his hold on his waist.

�Time to get up Spike,� he spoke softly into the comforting silence while still running his fingers through the others hair.

�Mm,� Cloud mumbled sleepily while pressing his face against Zack�s chest, �just five more minutes.�

�Ok five minutes it is,� Zack replied with a bit of a chuckle. Cloud never was a morning person, and while he was always on early watch shifts most of the time it didn�t mean he was all that fond of them. And today was just another early start, though this one was slightly different. It was the first time that the recruit would be going away on an actual assignment, and it was the first time that the two of them would be getting ready to head out together. That thought somehow brought a smile to Zack�s lips.

He had to admit that he had been surprised when he learned that Cloud was going to be going along on the small mission to Nibelheim, but he was also really glad. He didn�t want to leave Cloud and he knew that the recruit really didn�t want to be separated from him even though he had finally given in beforehand. So it seemed like the perfect way to jump over that hurdle, the two of them going together. Though there was a certain person that he was none too thrilled about tagging along but�there really was no arguing against Sephiroth once he had his mind made up.

Glancing about the dark room Zack rubbed his eyes still trying to wake up fully. He felt like he could easily drift back off to sleep with Cloud cuddled up beside him and being under the warm blankets, so he decided he had better get up before that did in fact actually happen.

�Cloud,� he began again while shaking his boyfriend. He had given him about ten minutes extra instead of five, but now they really needed to get up. �Wake up babe.�

The recruit stretched a bit before mumbling something incoherent before resting back against the SOLDIER.

�No no, come on,� Zack started with a laugh while sitting up a bit causing the blonde to slide off of him and onto the pillow.

�Zack,� Cloud whined while finally cracking open his eyes.

Grinning Zack leaned down before placing a ton of kisses over the blonde�s face as he ran a hand up his side, tickling him just a bit.

�Stop it,� Cloud replied as a laugh escaped from him while trying to push Zack away.

�Hmm?� The other began while continuing his assault.

�I�m awake I�m awake, I�m getting up!� Cloud continued while trying to dodge Zack�s fingers that were sneaking up his shirt and attacking his side.

Zack placed one last kiss against the others lips before pulling away, �good,� he simply replied with a triumphant smile while sliding out of bed.

Cloud gave a bit of a groan while pushing himself up and running a hand through his disheveled hair as he blinked his eyes briefly. He watched Zack disappear into the bathroom where he heard shower water starting. He had just climbed out of bed before Zack reappeared flashing a smile and walking towards the recruit and taking hold of his hand.

�A shower will help wake you up,� he stated while leading the boy into the bathroom.

Cloud lazily followed as he gave a simple nod. Stepping into the steam filled room he stripped away his clothes before stepping into the warm spray of the shower water. It felt good against his skin so early in the morning and was a pleasant change from the cool air he had just been in once he had exited the warmth of their bed. He closed his eyes while stepping up a bit further, letting the water spray across his face and wet his hair.

The sound of the shower curtain moving in the background didn�t phase him but he did open his eyes when he felt a pair of arms slide around his waist from behind.

�We�ll save time this way,� Zack spoke before placing a kiss on the recruits shoulder.

That was perfectly fine with the blonde however. In fact he preferred it really. There was something really relaxing and comfortable about the simplest thing of taking a shower with his boyfriend. Perhaps it was just the intimacy of the moment or something. No matter how innocent it was really.

They emerged from the shower shortly after and tried to hurry and get ready. After all the General probably wouldn�t be all too happy if they were late.

�Ready?� Zack asked while slipping on his gloves and doing a once over on the room.

�Yeah I think so,� Cloud replied while kneeling beside his duffel bag. He was pretty sure that he had everything, besides they shouldn�t be gone to long anyway.

�Then let�s mosey!� The SOLDIER exclaimed while walking towards the bedroom door but not before stopping to pick up his bag.

The blonde let a bit of a chuckle at Zack�s energy so early in the morning before grabbing his bag and rising to his feet and following the other out of the room.

�Not forgetting anything right?� Zack asked once they had crossed through the living room.

�No I think that�s everything,� the blonde answered while taking a final glance at the apartment. It felt a little weird to be leaving it, even if it only was for a little while. Even when he was staying in the barracks with Kyo he was often here even before he moved in. So it really was like his home, aside from his home in Nibelheim. Then again, he felt more comfortable here than he did there�strange, or maybe not at all really.

�Ok,� Zack spoke up while opening the door and letting Cloud pass through first before closing it and locking it behind him.

�It�s still dark out,� the recruit began while messing with his damp spikes.

�Yeah I know,� Zack began while turning and beginning to walk away from the apartment with the other, �don�t worry though you�ll get to rest on the way there.�

Cloud gave a bit of a nod thankful for that bit of information. He remembered when he left Nibelheim to Midgar, it had only taken a few days to get there so the trip really shouldn�t take too long. He was hoping it wouldn�t, but then again to him it may seem like forever considering he got motion sickness so easily. He cursed to himself mentally at that thought, hopefully he would get lucky and it wouldn�t bother him so much this time.

They stopped at the cafeteria first to grab a drink, Zack saying he needed coffee to help jump start him while Cloud instead opted for a hot chocolate. He really didn�t understand how Zack could drink coffee, he himself didn�t care much for it, and Zack drank it black which was just even more nasty in the blonde�s opinion.

�It�s something you acquire a taste for,� the SOLDIER explained while laughing a bit at Cloud�s hatred of the drink.

The recruit remembered Zack saying that exact same thing to him when they went to the bar that one time and he had tried a beer for the first time. He had been right with that though.

As they exited out of the cafeteria Zack draped his arm around the blonde�s shoulders as he began to chat away about something. The facility was already beginning to become busy in the early morning hours, the halls starting to fill with people. And Cloud couldn�t help but to smile, Zack was always ever the affectionate type. And this was how he always was, holding the blonde close by him, just to be near him in some way and having some sense of contact between them. And it didn�t matter who was there or where they were, it didn�t change anything. And the blonde loved that, Zack loved him whole heartedly and it was the best damn feeling in the world. If there were any people who shot strange glances at them or anything he didn�t catch them, or care for that matter.

They exited out of the building before making their way out to the runway area. A heavy feeling washed over the recruit as he remembered seeing Kyo here for the last time before he boarded the plane that took him to Wutai.

It was pretty quiet now though, not as noisy as it had been when he was there before. There was no sound of plane engines on or anything and just a steady howl of the cool morning air. There were a few maintenance people about doing routine checks on the equipment and some SOLDIERS that seemed to just be passing through.

The ones that they passed up quickly acknowledged Zack as he gave them smiles in return along with a simple hey. It was strange because at one time Cloud was the one quickly acknowledging the SOLDIER and making sure to address him the right way. But now that they were together he had kind of forgotten just how high in rank Zack really was. True he never forgot it, he knew that Zack was Sephiroth�s second, but he didn�t see how people interacted with him on a daily basis. He had just known Zack for Zack, for himself, and not just as a label of first class SOLDIER. But the person behind that title, and he was glad that he was the person that was allowed to be that close.

�Are we late?� Zack spoke up questioningly snapping the blonde out of his musings. He glanced up at the other before turning his focus forwards to see General Sephiroth along with Jin standing just a few feet away from them.

�Yes, however you�re lucky because it looks like our means of transportation isn�t ready yet,� the General explained while turning jade eyes toward the two.

Cloud quickly cleared his throat before speaking up, �Good morning sir.�

The General simply nodded at the blonde before Zack placed a kiss into the messy spikes before walking over to Sephiroth.

Cloud instantly blushed before turning his focus back to his drink.

�If possible we�ll only make one stop before Nibelheim, if we don�t take many breaks it�ll cut down on the time,� Sephiroth explained.

�Do you know what�s our halfway mark?� Zack asked.

�No, we�ll play it by ear. See how far we�ve gotten by midday,� he replied while turning to look at one of the small choppers not too far away, �I�m not sure if we�ll even have a flight.�

�What?� Zack asked while raising an eyebrow, �Why not?�

�Heidegger,� Sephiroth simply replied, �I requested one but it seems like it wasn�t honored.�

�So,� Zack began while crossing his arms over his chest, �ground travel. That may take a while.�

Cloud looked between the General and Zack as they conversed feeling completely lost about things actually. He and Jin hadn�t been told about to much of anything aside from they were going along. Speaking of Jin he had been pretty quiet actually. Glancing towards the ex SOLDIER he noticed that he was listening to the General and Zack as well though he had a blank expression on his face. He was probably still tired.

Looking away from the two talking, gray eyes turned to meet blue. Cloud glanced away briefly, before looking back to see Jin give him a warm smile. He gave a small smile in return before going back to his drink only to find that it was empty.

�We�re already behind schedule,� Sephiroth continued slightly annoyed.

�I�ll go see what the hold up is,� Zack volunteered while beginning to walk away from the group.

�Sir?� Jin spoke up causing the General to shift his eyes in his direction, �Don�t we need a plane to reach Nibelheim? I mean it�s in the mountains so is there really any other way?�

�You don�t need to fly to get there, it would probably be faster but it�s not absolutely necessary,� Cloud explained before closing his mouth and looking to the General, �Sorry sir I didn�t mean to jump in.�

�It�s fine. You know the area, that�s one of the reason�s why I wanted you to come along,� Sephiroth explained. �I�m not against ground travel entirely. If that�s the only way to get us going now then I�m perfectly fine with it.�

The blonde nodded a bit before the General took off in the direction that Zack had gone without saying anything to the two. The recruit gave a bit of a confused look before Jin spoke up.

�Maybe he�s going to check up on Zack,� he offered once he noticed Cloud�s confused expression.

�Yeah,� Cloud replied while looking back to Jin.

�So,� the ex SOLDIER continued while moving just a bit closer towards the recruit, �are you excited about getting to go back home? It�s been a while right?�

Sure it had been a while�but not long enough in the blonde�s opinion. �I guess�I haven�t really thought much about it. I�m just glad to be on the assignment,� he explained softly.

�Yeah me too,� Jin added with a bit of a laugh, �it�ll give me a break from my dad.�

�What did he say about you going?� Cloud couldn�t help but to ask curiously.

�Mm,� Jin began while glancing away and focusing on some of the maintenance workers, �I didn�t tell him. Since it�s not definite if I�ll be reinstated to SOLDIER I didn�t want to go getting his hopes up�or listen to him lecture me.�

Cloud nodded. He could understand that, Sergeant Okuda wasn�t a very reasonable guy. If anything if Jin had told him he would�ve just probably stressed him out and made his son nervous about the whole assignment. He was sure there wouldn�t have been any words of encouragement thrown his way.

�Besides I�ve lived in the city all my life,� Jin continued while focusing his attention back on the recruit, �it�ll be nice to visit a small town.�

Cloud had to admit, Nibelheim the town itself wasn�t too bad, it was the people that lived there that mad him despise it so much. But from someone who lived in the city forever they may like the quiet change of pace. �It�s not anything spectacular,� he found himself saying despite his current thoughts.

Jin laughed while shaking his head, �it doesn�t have to be. But that doesn�t mean it�s not still a nice place�it�s still home for you, even if you�re not that fond of it right?�

Cloud was about to respond before catching the look that crossed across the others face. Was he talking about himself? He said he had grew up in the city, maybe he liked it just because it was all he knew�but maybe he really didn�t like the place? The blonde remembered Jin mentioning that his mom and dad split before he was even born, which is why he held his mothers last name. Maybe the place held a lot of bad memories for him�who knew. Now considering everything that had happened between them, Cloud realized there was a lot of things he didn�t know about Jin aside from the fact that he had been his rival since coming to Midgar and later finding out that he secretly had a crush on him. But that was pretty much it�did he really know the real Jin? Maybe he never gave him the chance to know him, and that thought somehow made him feel a little guilty, and he wasn�t sure why.

Catching the recruits confused look Jin gave a smile to mask the expression that was on his face before, �anyway I�m sure I�ll like it.�

�Are we ready?� A voice asked from behind the blonde causing him to jump a bit and turn around before meeting Zack�s grinning face.

�Oh uh, the General left off to somewhere,� Cloud replied while Zack nodded.

�Yeah he�ll be here in a second, we�re going to be driving so it�ll take a little longer but, not a problem,� Zack explained while casually slipping his arms around the blonde�s waist.

�Alright,� Cloud barely had the time to reply before Zack had caught his lips in a brief kiss.

Jin let out a long irritated sigh almost, one that he didn�t try to quiet in the least, if anything it sounded a bit overdone as he crossed his arms across his chest and looked away at nothing in particular.

Zack looked over blonde spikes at the other before a small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Cloud noticed and poked him in his stomach to gain his attention causing the SOLDIER to snap his eyes back down to the boy.

�Zack please don�t make this difficult,� he began quietly while looking into blue eyes pleadingly.

�I won�t,� Zack began with a shake of his head, �but I�m also not going to act differently around you just because he�s here.�

�No I�m not saying to do that,� Cloud replied with a shake of his head. He didn�t want Zack to not be around him just because it made Jin uncomfortable, after all Zack was his boyfriend and Jin was just going to have to accept that. But he also didn�t want Zack to try to make Jin upset either�he really didn�t like this situation.

Smiling Zack pressed another kiss to the blonde�s forehead, �don�t worry, things will be fine,� he said reassuringly before pulling away once he heard the sound of an engine start up in the background.

The three turned their focus to the sound noticing one of the military trucks pulling up just as the General appeared once again walking back to the others.

�Let�s go,� he spoke sternly while motioning for them to get inside, �we�ve wasted enough time.�

They climbed into the truck, which looked like more of a cargo truck really. There were various boxes and things inside but it was still big enough to fit all of them. Maybe those were supplies or something for them.

Cloud took a seat and Jin followed after sitting in the seat across from him while Zack took the seat right beside the blonde. Sephiroth followed along lastly slamming the door behind him and sitting in a seat along the side where he could see the three of them clearly.

The driver said something that the recruit didn�t catch but Sephiroth just waved whatever it was off as he pulled out some maps and began to look over them.

Without any notice the truck lurched forward and began to drive off, seeming to get off on a bumpy start. Glancing around Cloud frowned when he noticed the only windows were on the back doors and even those were really small. He knew he was going to need some air pretty soon, he didn�t really like the idea of being cooped up in a metal box.

�Still tired?� Zack asked catching his attention while wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

�A little I guess,� he replied. It was still early but he had sort of woken up from standing in the morning air and from the hot chocolate he had drank.

�You can sleep, we�re going to be driving for a while,� Zack continued while letting his thumb caress the boys arm.

�Listen to Zackary, he�s been on enough assignments to know the procedure. But by all means if you�re tired it�s perfectly alright to sleep,� Sephiroth explained while never taking his eyes from off the maps.

�Yes sir,� Cloud replied as Zack gave a bit of a chuckle. Letting out a sigh Cloud leaned his weight against the SOLDIER as he felt the arm around him tighten. He figured he may as well go to sleep if he could, after all if he remained awake he was sure his motion sickness would set in and that wouldn�t be fun. His eyes fell closed as he tried to not concentrate on the rocking of the truck but instead of the warmth coming from Zack. And like any other time, if Zack was by his side, he seemed to have no problem falling asleep.

xxx

�We haven�t been here in a while, I�m glad we came back.�

Sighing Cloud closed his eyes briefly before opening them again to look back out at the ocean. �Me too,� he replied quietly with a smile as he felt a kiss against his neck and arms wrap around his waist from behind.

It was a perfect evening, a cool breeze was in the air and the blonde was at his favorite spot with his boyfriend. He wished he could pause the moment.

A cool drop of water landed on his hand and he glanced down at it curiously before frowning when another one hit his hand.

�It looks like it�s starting to rain,� Zack spoke while pulling away from the other.

Cloud would�ve suggested they just stay, but it had turned from sprinkling to a heavy downpour. It seems his perfect moment was ruined.

�Come on let�s head back!� Zack shouted over the sound of the heavy rain.

Nodding the blonde took the others hand as they turned to make their way back. But�something looked different, there were no buildings or ramps that he was accustomed to seeing whenever they came to their special spot. It was just�darkness. The only thing he really could see was the wall and the ocean when he turned back to look, and then the steep sides of jagged rock that led down to below.

�This way is faster,� Zack continued while pulling the boy along with him to the steep sides, seeming to be non affected by the eerie darkness.

�What?� Cloud asked once he realized the direction Zack was going, �Down there! Zack that�s dangerous!�

All he could see beyond the sides was the dark ocean that�s waves seemed to be becoming a lot more forceful, crashing against the sides.

�It�s fine,� Zack spoke calmly, �just stay here I�ll go and bring the bike around.�

No�he didn�t want him to leave. He was�scared. He didn�t want to be left alone.

�I�ll go with you!� He insisted while squeezing the other�s hand tighter.

�It�ll be too hard for the both of us to make it down, just wait here,� his boyfriend explained again while letting go of his hand and starting down the steep sides.

Cloud watched anxiously as Zack made his way down the rocky path, and with the rain making them more slippery he was even more concerned. He was drenched and cold but that didn�t matter, he didn�t care� he just wanted to make sure Zack made it down safely.

He couldn�t see much anymore and Zack had disappeared from his sight but had yet to come back around on the bike. Looking down the steep path Cloud�s heartbeat sped up. �Zack?� He asked quietly to himself as his eyes scanned the area. �Zack!�

Where was he? Was he ok?

Turning back around he glanced out at the darkness that seemed to be taunting him. He sat down by the low wall as the rain continued to pour down waiting for Zack to ride up on his motorcycle and get him. For him to embrace him and maybe laugh at him for him being so scared.

But it felt like he was sitting there forever and Zack never came. What happened? Where was he? He didn�t want him to leave him, he wanted to go with him.

�Zack,� he cried softly while pulling himself up and moving to the steep path. He began to move down the sharp rocks while trying his best not to slip. He made it about halfway down before the rocks gave away from beneath him. He grabbed onto the ones in front of him and tried to hang on tightly as everything below him seemed to crumble away, as if it were never there.

His heart pounded against his chest as he glanced down, there was nothing to catch him, nothing to support him. The only thing was the dark crashing ocean that seemed to be waiting to swallow him up.

He felt himself beginning to slip as he tried to hold onto what little he could while closing his eyes tightly. Where was Zack? He needed him�and he was gone. He trusted him, he let go of his hand when he shouldn�t have�it was his fault. His fault that Zack was gone, he should�ve held on�he shouldn�t have let him go.

He couldn�t hold on any longer, the rocks were too wet. Opening his eyes right before he fell he glanced up to see a figure standing at the top of the path and screaming out to him.

�Looks like�he didn�t leave me after all��

xxx

�Zack!� The recruit called out while sitting up quickly and snapping open his eyes.

�Cloud? You okay?� Zack�s concerned voice asked as he gazed at him from the opposite side of the truck.

�Yeah,� the blonde began with a shake of his head, �sorry I just�I had a weird dream.�

Zack was now sitting beside the General, it looked like they were going over some papers and Jin remained in his same spot. But all eyes turned towards him at his small outburst and he felt himself becoming a bit red.

Giving him a smile Zack continued, �it�s alright. You woke up just in time actually, we were going to stop and get something to eat.�

�Oh ok,� he replied quietly while running a hand over his face. What a weird dream, it didn�t make any sense to him at all. But then again when did dreams ever really make that much sense? Shrugging it off he let out a small yawn before stretching a bit as he caught the SOLDIER�s eye from across the truck.

He had moved to sit beside him again while pressing a kiss to his cheek, �what was your dream about? you said my name,� Zack began curiously.

�Yeah well�you were in it,� Cloud began while turning to face the other who hade a mischievous grin on his face. �Zack!� He began a little loudly before quieting down, �it wasn�t that kind of dream.�

�I�m teasing you,� Zack began with a chuckle while wrapping his arm around the blonde again.

�Zackary,� Sephiroth began with a sigh while shaking his head a bit.

Cloud cleared his throat while glancing down once he realized that the General had heard and had caught on to Zack�s suggestive question. Though he didn�t seem angered by it, Cloud supposed the General just knew Zack really well.

�So where are we going to eat?� He asked trying to take the focus off of the current situation.

�I don�t know, we�ll stop and see what there is,� Zack answered before Sephiroth spoke up.

�It doesn�t matter to me either way. Zack was the one who insisted we stop now,� he explained while glancing up to the SOLDIER.

�Well yeah people are getting hungry,� Zack shot back, �besides we could use a break,� he continued with a bit of a stretch to show that he needed to get out of the truck.

�Very well, we�re taking the next exit,� the General replied.

They drove for about another twenty minutes before they stopped and climbed out of the truck. Cloud was thankful that they did stop when they did because he already felt himself beginning to feel a bit nauseous, maybe it was his motion sickness or maybe he was just hungry�or a combination of both.

�Where are we?� Jin asked while looking around.

�A city not too far off of Midgar,� Sephiroth replied, �lesser known obviously.�

�We just got out of Midgar?� Cloud asked in surprise while Zack gave a laugh.

�Midgar is a huge city Spike,� he answered while ruffling the blonde�s hair, �it takes a while to get out of there. Especially when driving.�

�Let�s try not to be here too long,� the General began while looking to Zack, �go and get something to eat, make sure you don�t lose either of them.�

�What, you�re not going?� Zack asked a little confused.

�I�m going to see if I can get some items here, it�s a long trip, just in case we encounter anything we�ll be prepared,� he explained as the SOLDIER gave a nod.

�Alright then, I�ll play babysitter,� Zack added with a grin gaining a glare from both Cloud and Jin.

�Meet back here at the truck within the hour,� the General said finally before taking off further into the city.

�Let�s not go to far, I don�t really know the area that well,� Zack began while motioning for the two to follow him.

�Have you been here before?� Cloud asked while walking up beside him.

�Well more like passing through, I know the place just not too well,� Zack replied.

�Well that�s reassuring,� Jin spoke up with a roll of his eyes.

�It wasn�t meant to be,� Zack answered with a smirk, �but if you just stick with me I�m sure I can get you to a restaurant and back to the truck without to much of a problem.�

Cloud remained silent as he glanced at Zack then to Jin. He honestly hoped that they wouldn�t keep back and forth with smart remarks, they didn�t have to like each other but he hoped they could get along during the assignment.

It didn�t take them long before they entered a small restaurant that didn�t seem to busy, which meant they could get in and out quickly.

�Hello!� A young woman greeted them as they walked into the building, �will you be eating here?�

�We only have an hour,� Jin began while glancing at his watch.

�Should we just get something to go?� Cloud asked.

�It�s fine, we�ll stay,� Zack replied while smiling back at the girl who seemed to blush before leading them to a table. She gave them their menus and then brought over some glasses of water before scurrying away and giving them some time to decide what they wanted.

�Zack are you sure we have time?� Cloud asked a bit worriedly. He didn�t want the General getting upset with him.

�Yeah it�s alright,� Zack replied with a smile, �I do this all the time.�

The blonde nodded feeling a bit more comforted at that, he figured Zack knew what he was doing, after all this was just another day to him, Cloud was the one who was new at this.

�Interesting,� Jin mumbled while dropping his gaze to the menu before him.

�Say something?� Zack asked sharply while shifting his eyes in the other�s direction.

�Hmm,� Jin began while looking up briefly with a small smile, �more just thinking out loudly.�

�What are you going to get?� Cloud asked the SOLDIER trying to diffuse a possible confrontation.

�I don�t know yet,� Zack began while turning his focus back to the menu, �what looks good?�

�This maybe,� the recruit answered while leaning over and pointing at something on the menu, �it looks like what we usually have when we eat at that one Wutainese restaurant.�

�Oh yeah, I think I�ll get that then, good eye babe,� he began with a smile as Cloud just smiled sheepishly.

The girl came over and took their orders shortly after and about five minutes later had come back with their dishes. She set them in front of them before smiling widely and telling them to enjoy before seeming to blush again when Zack said his thanks.

�She likes you,� Jin stated once the girl walked away and he started in on his food.

�What?� Zack asked while looking across the table at the other.

�That waitress,� Jin began simply, �she likes you. Don�t tell me you didn�t notice.�

Narrowing his eyes briefly the SOLDIER continued, �No. I didn�t.�

�Really? That�s odd,� Jin replied as his eyes widened briefly before he turned his focus back to his food.

�Even if so who cares, why would you say anything?� Zack continued to ask while keeping his gaze firmly on the other.

�No reason, I was just pointing it out,� the ex SOLDIER replied casually.

Taking a drink of his water the blonde glanced at Jin and then at Zack who seemed to be trying to kill him with just a look. But it wasn�t like Jin was wrong really, the girl did look like she liked him, he had noticed her blushing too.

�It�s not a big deal,� Cloud decided to jump in.

�Yeah, nobody said that it was. Sorry to have brought it up,� Jin continued with a shrug.

A silence fell over the table after that and Cloud couldn�t help but feel like he had to be the one to say something. After all he sort of felt like he was playing the mediator between the two.

�So uh, since it�s going to take a while to get to Nibelheim, what will we do at night?� He asked.

�Well for the most part probably camp out, there�s no way we�ll sleep in the truck. That�s probably why Seph went and got some extra supplies,� Zack explained. If he was angry before it quickly melted away when he was talking to the blonde.

�We didn�t do that when I went to Mideel,� Jin broke in.

�What did you do then?� Cloud asked curiously.

�How could you know you didn�t even stay on the assignment long enough to know what they did,� Zack spoke quickly not even giving the ex SOLDIER a chance to respond.

Jin gave a bit of a laugh as he began to poke at his food a little angrily, �I was there long enough.�

�No I don�t think you were,� Zack shot back while still keeping a somewhat mocking smile on his face.

�I was there long enough to know the procedure,� Jin continued while dropping his utensil and looking back to the SOLDIER.

�I don�t know where you get off thinking you are like an expert or something when you haven�t even completed one mission successfully,� Zack replied while leaning back in his chair.

�I would�ve if I wasn�t demoted for some dumb ass reason,� Jin quickly fired back.

�Aren�t you trying to get back in SOLDIER? I think General Sephiroth said if you can manage this one successfully, then maybe you can be reinstated. But don�t forget that I have to give my consent to before that can ever happen.�

�Oh great so then what�s the point of me trying you�ll just screw me over!� Jin shouted a bit angrily.

�Here we go with the whole I�m out to sabotage you idea,� Zack began with a bit of a laugh.

�Stop,� Cloud tried to jump in but it seemed his voice fell upon deaf ears.

�You don�t want me to be in SOLDIER, you can�t just let that one stupid thing go!� Jin continued, his gray eyes flashing with anger.

�If you could stop acting like an idiot and shouting at your superior then maybe I would say you have a reason to be in SOLDIER, but you�re just proving otherwise,� Zack explained calmly.

Jin fell silent for a moment and let out a sigh while crossing his arms over his chest. He looked off to the side still looking pretty upset, and it seemed like he wanted to say something else but he was trying to hold back.

The recruit was staring wide eyed at the two before sitting back further in his chair, not daring to say a word.

�Look,� Zack began with a sigh while tapping the table with his fingers. A serious expression crossed over his face and Cloud was wondering what it was exactly that was running through his boyfriends mind. �Me and you obviously have some problems between us. There�s no question about that. You think I purposely kicked you out of SOLDIER because I held a grudge against you for liking Cloud. And I have a problem with you because I think you try to get too close to him, and honestly I don�t trust you.�

�Zack,� Cloud began quietly, wanting to interject but the SOLDIER shot him a look letting him know he wasn�t done and he quieted down.

�So this is where we�re at. And we have to be around each other for this mission. Question is do we put aside our differences for now and make it through this. If that�s the case and everything goes fine and you complete the assignment, I�ll give my consent to reinstate you, but the final choice isn�t up to me�understand that. Or, we can continue on how we are. It�s your call.�

The blonde held his gaze on Zack reading the stern expression on his face. He was sort of surprised to see him handle the situation the way he did, but then again not at all. After all Zack knew how to take matters into his own hands, he had that leader quality, something that Cloud wished he had. The confidence and strength that the other seemed to exude. Their was something in those blue eyes that the recruit couldn�t identify as he watched Zack keep a firm gaze on Jin.

�Fine, I can manage that,� Jin spoke up softly while turning gray eyes back to the SOLDIER, �I can put aside my differences for this mission. But I can�t promise anything beyond that.�

�Neither can I,� Zack answered immediately, his face still holding its seriousness, �cause I meant everything I said. I don�t trust you.�

Standing up from his seat Zack dropped some gil onto the table, �let�s go. I�m sure Seph�s on his way back if not already there.�

Jin rose quickly while exiting out of the restaurant, not waiting for the two at all.

Cloud was the last to get up as he looked at their barely touched food. He tried to take in what had just happened. It all came so quickly. And he had to wonder if their truce would in fact work or not.

Offering the blonde a grin Zack draped an arm around him as Cloud instantly placed his arm around his waist in return.

�I�m sure that�s the only bump in the road,� Zack began comfortingly as the recruit nodded and they made their way to the door.

�Have a nice day!� The waitress called to them before they exited. But Cloud caught the surprised look on her face before they exited and he couldn�t help but to smile.

They made it back to the truck within a matter of minutes to see Jin just now climbing aside while the General stood outside.

�Is everything alright? This one looks distressed,� Sephiroth asked while nodding his head in Jin�s direction and turning jade eyes to Zack.

�It�s fine,� he replied with a sigh while letting go of Cloud and nodding for him to step inside the truck. Climbing in he took a seat but not before catching glimpse of the ex SOLDIER. He had his arms folded and was looking at the ground as if it were the most interesting thing in the place�and well actually maybe it was.

�I�m sorry,� he spoke quickly.

�What?� The recruit asked before looking out the door to see the General and Zack talking a few feet away from the truck.

�I didn�t want to make this mission bad or awkward and�� he began with a sigh before the blonde spoke up.

�It�s alright, it�s just the beginning. I guess I was sort of expecting you two to get into some sort of confrontation but�now I think that it�s over and everything will be fine from here on out.�

Looking up Jin gave a bit of a smile before nodding.

Cloud couldn�t be entirely angry at him, he could tell Jin was trying not to be a problem, and that thought alone made him feel good and he couldn�t really hold any bad feelings towards him. He was trying to imagine himself in his shoes and he had to admit that it was a pretty strange situation to be in.

�I hope you enjoyed the break because we won�t be stopping again for a while,� the General spoke as he climbed inside the truck while Zack loaded some things into the back. Cloud guessed they were whatever items Sephiroth had picked up while they were gone.

Once Zack was done he stepped inside the truck closing the door behind him as he took up the spot beside Cloud again. Sephiroth said something to the driver and they were off again. The General going over his papers and Jin rummaging through his bag as Zack began to doze off. And Cloud�he was paying close attention to every bump and sway of the truck. That nauseous feeling crept back up into his stomach and he closed his eyes trying to push it away, but if anything that seemed to make it worse and so he opened them again quickly.

He managed to deal with his queasy stomach for a few hours but it seemed like forever. But there wasn�t really anything he could do to help it.

�Strife,� he heard a low voice speak up and he lazily glanced up at the General.

�What�s wrong?� The man asked while keeping a close eye on him.

�N, nothing sir I,� he began before clutching onto the seat when he felt the sudden feeling that he was going to fall off.

�Cloud what�s the matter?� Jin asked once he heard the General speaking to him.

�Driver,� the General spoke to the man at the front, �stop, now.�

Blinking his eyes open the SOLDIER raised an eyebrow wondering why they had stopped.

Opening the door the General motioned for Cloud to step outside.

�What�s wrong?� Zack asked in concern once he started to fully wake.

Cloud didn�t answer and instead hopped out of the truck as quickly as possible as he threw up the food that he had just ate along with a bunch of other stuff he was sure.

�Cloud?� He heard Zack�s voice come from behind him as he rubbed his back soothingly.

He was bent over resting his hands on his knees as he felt the bile rise up his throat again and come out of his mouth. This was�not good. Not at all.

�Is he alright?� Jin asked after a while, stepping out of the truck.

�If he�s sick I guess we have to take him to a hospital,� the General explained.

�Spike, how are you feeling? Do you think it was what you ate?� Zack continued to ask while still rubbing his back and pushing the hair away from his face.

�No,� the recruit began with a shake of his head, �I�I just get really bad motion sickness sometimes. I�m sorry.�

He was hoping that he would get lucky and it wouldn�t bother him but who was he kidding really. And he didn�t want to be a problem, he just knew that the General was upset for him delaying them even further. He was probably going to send him back to Midgar now.

�Babe why didn�t you tell me?� Zack asked worriedly.

�I thought it wouldn�t bother me so much�I don�t know why,� Cloud replied guiltily while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, hoping that no other surprises decided to come up. But maybe he had just lied to Zack, cause the reason why he didn�t mention anything honestly was because he didn�t want them to tell him to stay, he wanted to go on this assignment, he needed to go he�just had to be with Zack.

�You should probably try to drink something bubbly to settle your stomach,� Jin suggested while stepping up beside the recruit, �like club soda or something.�

�Yeah that sounds good actually,� Zack agreed.

�If we can stop again at the next exit I can run in a store and grab one for him,� Jin continued.

�Yeah alright,� Zack began with a nod before looking towards the General, �one more stop?�

Holding back a sigh the man looked back to the SOLDIER who was giving him a huge grin that seemed to say �pretty please.�

�One more stop,� he spoke while climbing into the truck.

It seemed like Nibelheim may be a bit further off then they thought.

xxx

A/N: Chap 23! I wanted this chapter to focus on the feel of how it was starting off and I tried to put small references to the familiarity of things and how just the smallest things are catching Cloud's attention before they leave Midgar. I'm sure you understand why. So sorry if it was a little slow. And the dream thing...did you guys understand it? I like to do foreshadowing if you haven't noticed that already, but if you didn't grasp it I will explain it in the final chapter. Anyway, I might extend this just a bit...it depends on how much I think I can cram into one chapter, so 25 chapters...don't hold me to that, but if it is extended it won't be too much really. I'm just trying to figure out if I want write about more of the journey there or just get straight to Nibelheim. I don't know what do you guys think? Either way it's nearing the end. Till next update! Ja ne!
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