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Dark Horizon ~ Chapter 7
-------------------------------------- Cloud passed out as they reached the church. Aeris led Zack to the flowerbed in the center of the main room. "Put him on the ground, there," she said, pointing to a spot to the right of the flowerbed. Zack complied while she deposited Cloud's sword and her staff on a nearby pew. The blond's breathing was shallow and he was still sweating and shivering. Zack brushed a limp strand of hair back off Cloud's face, chewing his lower lip in worry. Aeris knelt in front of Cloud and took his head between her hands. A frown of concentration wrinkled her brow. Softly, she hummed a short, repetitive melody. Zack realized he was holding his breath and forced himself to breathe normally. Soft white-green light gathered around Aeris's hands as she hummed. Slowly, it spread out until it lay like mist over Cloud's entire body. The light glowed brightly for a moment, almost obscuring Cloud's form beneath it, then dimmed as it began to merge with him. By the time it was gone, Cloud was breathing normally again. Healthy colour returned quickly to his cheeks. "How... how did you do that?" Zack whispered. Aeris shook her head, drawing her hands away from Cloud's head. "It's not something I can explain. I'm not even sure how I knew that I could. I just did." Zack sat back on his heels, alternating between studying Cloud and staring in amazement at Aeris. "I don't understand. That wasn't Materia." "No. It was... something else. I can't explain." She sighed. "He'll need to sleep for a while. Can you stay?" Checking his watch, Zack pushed himself to a standing position. "Sure, I can stay a while. We really should be back by dark, though." Aeris nodded. "I understand. Just let him sleep as long as you can." She wobbled tiredly as she stood up. Zack quickly stepped over and put his arm around her waist to steady her. "Are you alright?" he asked, frowning down at her. She managed a faint smile before leaning against his chest. "Thanks. I'll be fine. I think I need to rest, too," she added with a rueful chuckle. Zack tightened his arm around her and led her over to one of the pews. Her soft, silky hair brushed against his arm and he found himself wondering what it would feel like to run his fingers through it. As they sat down, he expected her to shift away from him, but instead, she curled up beside him, keeping her head on his shoulder. "I wish we had more time together, Zack," she said softly. Her fingers traced circles on his thigh. "I'd like to get to know you better, but...." He squeezed her arm gently. "We only just met. There'll be time." And, strangely enough, he did want to know her better. Since the first time they'd met, he'd been fascinated by this unassuming girl who had looked into his soul. Maybe there was some connection between them, or maybe it was just mutual fascination, but either way, he wished he had more time to spend with her. But it seemed like there was always something... or someone... else. Her bangs brushed against his chin as she shook her head. "No," she whispered. "We don't have time. You'll always be running from one to the other, hanging on the edge of...." She shook her head again and chewed on the edge of her thumbnail. "Oh, Zack, there's so much I can't say, so much the Planet tells me, but so little of it makes sense." None of that made sense to him, so Zack said nothing. Gently he stroked her hair. "Want to warn you," she murmured sleepily several minutes later. "Be careful, Zack," she said around a yawn. "S'dark, dark... future...." He waited, but she said nothing more before drifting off to sleep. * * *
"Go'way," Zack muttered. Beep. Beep. Buzzzz. Beep. Beep. Beeeeep. Buzzz... "Oh no please no... lemme'lone..." he whined, pulling the pillow over his head. It had only been a couple of hours since he'd gotten himself and Cloud back to quarters, way past curfew for the blond. And what little sleep he had gotten had been full of dark, violent images that scattered as he woke. Beep. Beep. Buzzzz.... The buzzing didn't stop until he punched his door combination to let his annoying visitor in. And that required getting up and over to the comm panel on the wall, which he did with much groaning and complaining. By the time he'd stumbled out into the living room, his guest was slouching against the back of his sofa. "Whaddaya want?" he growled at the red headed Turk. Reno was without a smartass comment for once. "You look like hell, man." "Hn. What. Do. You. Want?" he repeated, articulating each word carefully. Reno sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "You're in deep this time, Zack. Heidegger wants your ass in his office at 9." That created a mental image Zack could have lived without. The Turk checked his watch. "You got half an hour." Zack groaned and scrubbed his face with both hands. "What the hell did I do?" A thought struck him suddenly and he dropped his hands. "Why'd they send you?" he asked suspiciously. Mako-blue eyes dead serious, Reno replied, "Consider yourself under arrest until your meeting with Heidegger, Zachary Faelan." The blood rushed from his head, leaving a dull roaring in his ears. "C-court martial?" he stuttered. Reno shrugged uncomfortably. "Not quite, s'far as I understand it. But if you don't give Heidegger the right answers...." A gun appeared in his right hand and he sighted along the barrel at Zack. "Being demoted will be the least of your worries." Zack shivered, taken aback by the sudden intensity of the normally easy-going Turk. "I need to shower." The gun disappeared. Reno checked his watch again. "You got 28 minutes."
Zack nodded his thanks and opened the door. Heidegger was sitting behind his desk, muttering over a stack of paperwork. Zack strode up to within three paces of the desk, stopped, and saluted. "Sir." Heidegger looked up slowly, glowering darkly from beneath bushy brows. He didn't acknowledge Zack's salute, forcing him to stay at attention. Zack tried very hard not to grit his teeth in frustration. "SOLDIER First Class Zachary Faelan reporting as requested, Sir." "I know who you are," Heidegger growled as he hauled his bulk to a standing position. "The question is, what do you think you are doing?" "Sir?" Walking slowly around his desk, Heidegger gestured irritably with one hand. "You talk a lot about Shinra always watching others, but apparently you don't think it applies to you, Faelan." A cold, sinking feeling clenched Zack's stomach. "You're walking a dangerous line, Faelan, and the ice is creaking beneath you." Despite the mixed metaphor, Zack understood all too clearly. Heidegger turned and paced away, meaty hands clasped behind his back. "Why have you taken it upon yourself to 'educate' Strife?" Heidegger asked, staring at the back wall of his office. An instant replay of Reno sighting his gun at him ran before his mind's eye. He swallowed and wet his lips. "Sir, I...." he stopped, racking his brain for an explanation. "Do you have a problem with the way Shinra trains its troops, Faelan?" "No, Sir." "Do you have a problem with the way President Shinra runs this company?" "No, Sir." Heidegger turned, pig-like eyes glaring brightly at him. "Then why were you overheard telling Strife that Shinra is corrupt and power hungry?" Cold sweat dripped down the side of his ribcage. "Sir, I --" "Why did you endanger Strife's life by taking him to the slums?" Heidegger interrupted. He paced back over to Zack, stepping toe to toe with him. "What makes you think you are so much better than this company, Faelan?" Hot breath, smelling of cigars, steamed in his face. Zack shook his head faintly. "Sir... I don't, Sir." The back of one meaty hand connected solidly with Zack's left cheek, forcing him back a step. His eyes widened in shock and he clenched his fists, resisting the urge to check his cheek. "Don't lie to me, Faelan! You have a serious attitude problem and I will not have you passing it on to impressionable recruits." This time, Zack stayed silent. "Hn," Heidegger grunted. He stared silently at Zack for a moment. "Your... relationship... with the General has not gone unnoticed, either. Obviously, his attitude has been affecting yours. Adversely so. You forget, however, that he is the General, and you are only a SOLDIER." Zack clenched his teeth, keeping a tight grip on his simmering anger. "And, as such, you are subject to reassignment." Sadistic glee lit Heidegger's tiny eyes. "As soon as you are dismissed, you will report to Professor Hojo. Tomorrow, you will accompany him to Nibelheim." "Noo..." Zack whispered involuntarily. A fist crashed into his other cheek, sending him staggering back. "Do you have something to say, Faelan?" Zack wiped away a trickle of blood from his lip on the back of his hand. As much as he longed to wipe the self-satisfied smirk off Heidegger's fat face, he didn't dare fight back. "No, Sir," he replied thickly. Heidegger smiled. "Then get out of my sight." Zack saluted smartly. "Yes, Sir." Turning on his heel, he walked towards the door. As he laid his hand on the door, he relaxed slightly. The blow he was expecting didn't fall. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out into the hallway. Reno pushed himself off the wall as Zack closed the door. The corners of his eyes crinkled in sympathy as he saw Zack's face, but he said nothing. "Hojo's office," Zack muttered, blotting his lip again. The Turk's eyes widened, but he nodded. Zack knew he wouldn't ask, so once they were safely alone in the elevator, he muttered, "re-assigned." "K'so," Reno swore, slouching against the elevator wall. "Ah, shit, could be worse, I guess." Shrugging, Zack tried to keep his pain out of his eyes and voice. "Yeah, but it's with Hojo," he added. The elevator dinged for the 67th floor. "Good luck, man," Reno said softly. The doors slid open with a hiss and Zack stepped out, alone.
Credit for Zack's last name (Faelan) belongs to MadamHydra. She graciously granted me permission to use it. My story is in no way connected to her's, which is Conflicts of Interest (and a most awesome fic it is too!). I just happened to like the name "Faelan" and she let me borrow it. ^_^ s'ank you MadamHydra!
© 20/10/99 Tavam Shaytar
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