Crisis core

Chapter 3: briefing and worries.

Kairi played on her piano, trying to finish writing her song, still half way there. That was when her phone rang.
she answered it.
"hello?" asked Kairi.
"kairi, come to the briefing room." said Angeal.
what has she done now?
"okay, have I done something wrong?" she asked.
"no, sweetheart, course not. Just come over here." he said and she hang up on him and head over there.
"hey, daddy." said Kairi, and he smile and held her.
"you remember Director Lazard, don't you?" he asked her, and she nod, but said nothing.
"Kairi...." he warned.
"hello." she said meekly.
"You've turned into a beautiful young woman." said Director Lazard kindly.
"thank you." she said quietly.
Kairi then st down beside her dad, as they wait for Zack to show up, and eventually he did.
"Zack. It's good to finally meet face to face. Lazard. Director of SOLDIER." said Director Lazard.
"heya!" said Zack as he shook his hand, and Lazard nodded his head.
"On to business." he said and Director Lazard click a button on his computer and a picture of Genesis came onto the big screen.
'uncle Gene....' thought Kairi.
"SOLDIER first class, Genesis. A month ago, he went missing during a mission in wutai. know anything about this." said Director Lazard.
"no clue." said zack, and Kairi just shook her head sadly.
"The mission is currently stuck in limbo. That's why we decide to send you two." he said.
"uh....to wutai?" asked Zack, and kairi looked confused but said nothing.
"yes. This war has gone on long enough." said Director Lazard.
"I've recommend you two for first." said Angeal, kairi looked to him shocked, as if he has grown a second head. Zack on the other hand made an excited exclaim.
"Angeal! I love you, man! Ange-" said Zack as he hugged him, but Angeal push him away amusement on his face.
"Don't make me regret this, Zack." said Angeal.
"sir!" said Zack.
Angeal stand up.
"Once you're both packed, we'll leave at once." said Angeal.
Zack left in a hurry.
"kairi, close your mouth, you're not a fish." said Angeal not looking at her.
"bu-but i'm not ready." she said looking down, trying to fight her tears and then she felt him tipping her chin up so she was looking at him.
"i say you are, i know it doesn't feel like it, but I know you're ready." he said gentle. Then he gave her a hug.
"why don't you pack, and see if you can find Zack?" he told her and she nodded, leaving.

"how has she been since what happened in the training room?" asked Director Lazard.
"not good, violently nightmares, mostly with what Billy did to that puppy she had found." said Angeal.
"Hopefully this will distract her some." said Director Lazard.
"that is what i'm hoping for." he said and then gave kairi a small smile as she returned with Zack.

Once they got into Wutai.
"Fort Tamblin is straight ahead. Let's hurry. Unit B is standing by." said Angeal, and then he turned to kairi.
"Stay close, kairi." said Angeal.
she nod.
"You three! Identify yourselves!" shouted a wutai privet.
Zack got his sword.
"leave it to me!" said Zack.
after they fought them, and put them down.
"All right, next." said Zack.
"Calm down, Zack." said Angeal.
"No can do." said Zack.
then he turn to kairi and gave her a smile.
"You're starting to use your materia. That's good." he said, and she nod.
"But don't over use them." he told her.
"i know." she said and he nod.
"The director's watching from somewhere, right? I have to make a good impression." said Zack.
"Zack.... Do you know anything about Dumbapples?" asked Angeal.
"No. What is it?" asked Zack.
"Unbelievable....How can you not know anything about Dumbapples? You'll never make 1st at this rate." asked Angeal and walked away.
"whoa, wait! what are Dumbapples!!!?" asked Zack, and then he turn to kairi.
"Do you know what they are?" asked Zack.
"no. course not." she lied, trying not to laugh at this.
Kairi caught up to him.
"That was cruel, daddy." she said.
he smile.
"i know." said Angeal, and she smile, amused by it.
Soon Zack caught up to them.
"So, Angeal, what's the deal with dumbapples?" asked Zack.
"The official name is Banora white. The trees bear fruit at random time during the year. Because of that, the townspeople affectionately call them dumbapples. The local farms had plenty of them to spare." said Angeal.
"Oh, really? So, you stole them." said Zack.
'That exactly what i said.' thought kairi.
"we were poor, Zack." said Angeal.
"nice excuse." said Zack.
"But even, then, I had my honor. The largest Banora White tree 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's son was my friend." said Angeal.
Kairi loved that story, it had been often her bedtime story when she was little.
"If he was a friend, you could've just asked for some." said Zack.
he chuckled.
"Honor can be quite a burden sometimes." said Angeal.
"Annnna what has this got to do with me?" asked Zack.
"No story is not worth hearing." said Angeal crossing his arms, and then he turn away laughing.
"what? that's it?" asked Zack.
Kairi rolled her eyes at this.
"yeah, well, thanks a lot!" said Zack.
Once they knelt down, hiding in the brushes, out of sight.
"Unit B will set off an explosion. That's our cue." said Angeal. Kairi nod.
"The diversion will allow us to infiltrate." said Zack.
"Right. I'll set the bombs inside the fortress. you and kai will charge the front gate, and..." said Angeal.
"And? and? and? and?" asked Zack excitedly.
"And indulge yourself." said Angeal.
"You got it! that's what i do best!" said Zack.
Kairi rolled her eyes, but worried.
she saw Angeal take his buster sword out.
"You know, i've never actually seen you use that. Don't you think it's sort of a waste?" said Zack as Angeal held kairi closem shushing her gentle.
"Use brings wear...tear...and rust. And that's a real waste." said Angeal.
"You're serious, aren't you?" asked Zack.
"yeah, i can be pretty cheap." said Angeal.

"yeah, no kidding." said zack and then he looked to Kairi, who had her eyes closed.
"Is she okay?" asked Zack.
"she'll be fine. Kairi had a tough start at one point in her life, she had been abused horribly. Even now she struggles with herself and her confidence." said Angeal.
then he turn to her, shaking her shoulder gentle.
"hey, bunny princess, you're safe, it's okay." he said and then there was an explosion, and kairi opened her eyes.
"begin mission, and you..." he said, turning to kairi now.
"Stay close to Zack. I'll catch up when i can." he said and kiss her head gentle.
she nod and they got over the wall, now they just need to finish the war up and kairi can go home.