Comrades

Chapter Two

As Angeal walked across the lobby of the Shinra Building, a voice called out to him.

"Mr. Angeal!"

He looked round. A woman came towards him. "Mr. Angeal," she said, stopping. "May I ask you something?" She seemed breathless.

He nodded. Was this a member of that fan club he supposedly had?

"Oh, thanks! I was wondering, is it true that Sephiroth single-handedly defeated one hundred fifty six soldiers in the battle of Fort Dulcim?"

He resisted the urge to sigh at this time waster. "I don't know. Fort Dulcim...oh, I remember that one. I don't have a number, but I think he took out most of the army."

"Thank you," she said, and walked off, going over to a pair of infantry men who had been watching them talk. "So there!" she said, but Angeal walked away before he heard any more of their conversation.

All the trouble in the world, and that's what they were thinking about. He headed out the front doors and onto the street, making a beeline for the train station.

"Angeal!"

Oh, bother. He turned around. "What is it, Zack?"

Zack caught up to him, "Where are you going? A mission? Can I come too?"

"I'm paying a visit to my mother."

"Oh," said Zack. He looked concerned. "Is that what you were thinking about. Is she okay?"

"She's fine," said Angeal. "Just a visit. One has to check on their parents now and then, right?"

"Yeah," said Zack, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"Maybe you should write yours."

Zack laughed sheepishly.

"I'll see you later," said Angeal. He walked away.

Well, he hadn't completely lied. He was heading to his hometown, so he probably would have dropped in on his mother anyway, out of filial duty, not to mention politeness. And, of course, it would simply be less suspicious.

It was evening when Angeal walked up to the outskirts of Banora village. He briefly debated whether to drop in on his mother now, or wait until after he'd spoken to Genesis. He decided Genesis was the priority at the moment. His mother didn't even know he was here, so it wasn't like she was waiting for him. And besides, he thought, as he started walking, he didn't want to wait to see Genesis. Who knew what state he was in?

The path brought Angeal to a long, wooden building at the edge of town. It was a warehouse, used to store apple juice before it was sold and shipped off. The door was unlocked, so he went inside, hoping he wouldn't encounter any Banora citizens. Not that it really mattered. He'd told the director of Soldier where he was going, so if he decided to do anything rash, Shinra would know where he was anyway.

It was quiet inside, and there wasn't much light. He walked into a spare room and looked at the dark brown grandfather clock standing there.

"You came."

Angeal looked up.

Genesis stood in the doorway opposite him, his hand resting on the doorpost. He looked both troubled and relieved.

Angeal scanned him for injuries.

Genesis gave a wan smile. "My woes are not visible, my friend."

"Where are they, then? What unforgivable thing did Shinra do? Genesis, please just tell me what's going on. What's happened? You better not have deserted because of a pride issue."