Got A Secret, Can You Keep It?(Ff/kh)

Chapter 22

Notes: I apologize that there isn't much action, and we're on chapter 22 already. But this will be a long story and I want to develop the relationship between the characters, instead of just throwing them all together. I hope that you guys can understand and that you still enjoying the future chapters. Thank you!

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You were angry, no, furious! Normally you could keep yourself level headed when things like this happened. But having Zack doing that was a whole different thing.

Cloud had ran after you, so it didn't take him long to grab your elbow and stop your from continuing. "Wait," he tried to stop you, but you were so furious that you tore your arm from his hold. It wasn't his fault, but right now you couldn't control your fury. Would be act the same way Zack did? "He's such an idiot, don't think too much of it."

You glared at him as you growled. "Don't think too much of it? I can understand for other people to act the way he did, I do. But having any of you to treat me like that..." You tried to take deep breaths to control yourself, but it wasn't working. More than being furious, you would hurt and Cloud could see it. "I worked, no, risked my life to be where I am. It wasn't luck, or...Or that I bought my way  to obtain all I have now. I worked for it,  just like the two of you. But Zack doesn't acknowledge that. Despite being in the same rank, he doesn't see me as an equal."

"I'm sorry," finally the man of the hour arrived and he was so ashamed that he couldn't even see you in the eye. "It wasn't my intention, I just.."

"Just what?" You snapped, sent him a glare, "what Zack?"

He exhaled, "I just didn't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?" You let out a sour laugh, "so you think I am incapable of keeping up with you?"

"It's just that..." He tried to find words, but he came up with none. "You're...You're..."

"Zack..." Cloud warned him, already feeling what words would come out of his mouth.

Tightening your jaw, you nodded. "I see, I see where I stand. To you I am nothing but a frail girl, which you're afraid to hurt." You would have preferred to feel the fury, the anger but you felt a stabbing sensation in your chest. "I expected this from someone else Zack, not you. I wasn't asking for anything other than for you to recognize me as your equal but I suppose that as long as I am a woman I'll never receive that respect from you, is it? To think that I wanted to apologize for how acted...For.." Shaking your head sadly, you glance back at Cloud and then continued to  leave.

Zack was about to chase you but Cloud held him back. "Leave her, think about what you're going to say to her or you're going to mess this up even more."

"I didn't mean it...It's so hard," how could he explain it?

Cloud stared at him, probably understanding him. "I know, but you need to understand that she isn't just a woman or your friend. Give her credit for what she's worked for. If she wasn't strong enough, she wouldn't be here. You know all the things she has to face, she doesn't need that from us. So, if you really care for her then treat her like the First Class Soldier she is. That is all she deserves."

This time Cloud left, clearly torn by what happened. It wasn't entirely that  Zack underestimated you for just being a woman. Though that was some part of it, it was because you were their friend. They were used to protecting each other, not to hurt eachother. But what Zack didn't understand was that you weren't a fragile woman, or just their friend.

No, Zack needed to understand and treat you like a fellow soldier. Not because he had to or because he was your friend  but because you earned it.

--
Since you didn't have anything else to do for the rest of the day, when the night arrived you headed out to the bar.

Seventh Heaven seemed to be the most popular of the bars around here. But since Zack and Cloud seemed to know the owner you decided to find something else. The last thing was to be the center of attention or to see Zack and have something similar like you did early.

The bar you found wasn't as busy as Seventh Heaven, but that was what you were looking for anyway. You occupied one of the empty tables and made your order, and waited for it to be ready.

However, before you received it the chairs on your table were occupied by none other than Reno, and Rude along with a few others.

Reno's smirk widened as leaned forward. "This is the last place to see you, yo!"

But he seemed friendly enough and quite honestly it was welcoming. "I'm still adjusting to the new...Life and I didn't have anything to do."

He threw his arm around your shoulder playfully while he raised his drink to his lips bad took a large gulp. "Glad you're here. By the way, [Name] this is Gippal, and Balthier. Guys this is [Name]."

"First Class Soldier and first woman to obtain such a title." Gippal informed rather interested, he extended his hand for you to shake. "It's such a great honor to meet you," be paused as he retreated his hand, "and I don't say it to mock you."

Balthier nodded, obviously aware of the news. The male leaned back, placing his feet on the table and pushing the chair back a little. "Don't we me wrong, but it's not surprising, really. But it's definitely a nice change." And his eyes did a sweep over your body, noticing how your clothing hugged it.

Gippal and Reno seemed to notice but decided not to point it out probably because they didn't want to make it akward. "I heard you're from the same place as Zack, so if you need anything to be delivered come to us."

Delivered? Furrowing your eyebrows, you leaned forward, but your order was then brought to you. You waited for the waitress to leave before you spoke. "What do you mean exactly?"

Gippal and Balthier looked at each other. "We're not delivery boys, if that is exactly what you're thinking. But since we travel a lot, on our journey we deliver whatever Zack and Cloud wish to deliver. And we do it as a favor, and because you're a friend of theirs, we'll do the same too."

But you didn't have anything to deliver, you still had yet to be paid and as much as you wanted to send your family something, you couldn't at the moment. If you were honest, you weren't entirely...You hadn't thought much about them if you were honest. Partly because you didn't have time, and when you had time you occupied your mind with other things.

Letting out a long breath, you slump back on the chair. "I appreciate the offer, and I'll probably take it but since I just started here I don't have much to send." Oddly enough, you still had what King Regis had given you when you left, which wasn't enough.

Reno laughed, "they're still going to stick around for a little longer. But enough of that, let's celebrate! Drinks are on me yo!" The red head motioned for the waitress to approach and he ordered a couple of alcoholic beverages.

You didn't know these guys, but it wasn't just a bad idea to get to know them. In this new journey you were taking, it would be nice to have people you could trust. But there was nothing more satisfying than to see people who didn't see you as a weak girl, and considered you as the First Class Soldier you were.

As the males drank happily and talked, a smile tugged on your lips. It felt nice to be part of something like this.