Crisis Core: The Female SOLDIER

39

It was only late in the evening when Cloud regained consciousness. Zack was sitting on his bed and Sera was leaning against the wall, staring out the window as she watched the sky darken.

They were discussing about what to do once they managed to find Sephiroth, and what they had seen back at the reactor when the faint sound of groaning caught their attention and they ceased their conversation, turning to Cloud who had begun to wake up, slowly sitting up from the bed he was lying down on and propping his hands on his legs.

"Tifa's safe, don't worry," Zack assured him.

"If only I were SOLDIER..." Cloud stated and Sera frowned, while Zack looked away, ashamed. "Zack? Sera?"

"It's best if you don't become one, Cloud," Sera spoke up, and Cloud looked to her in surprise.

"What? But-"

"SOLDIER is like a den of monsters. Forget it," Zack cut him off and Cloud's attention turned to him. Sera moved away from the wall, walking towards the table where Zack's Buster Sword was propped up against. 'You were right, Angeal...' Sera thought, placing her hand on the sword briefly before turning away.

"What happened?" Cloud asked.

"I don't know, man..." Zack sighed. Sera moved to sit at the foot of Cloud's bed. "I thought I knew, but..."

"I know what," Sera answered, placing her arms on her lap as she looked down at her hands. "Shinra," Sera stated simply. "Shinra was just like the rumors you might have heard from the opposing end, from Wutai. I-We... we thought we were doing the right thing, but..." Sera sighed heavily. "It was nothing but a lie."

Zack and Cloud watched her for a moment, before Zack fell back on the bed in aggravation, "Ahhhh!" He folded his hands behind his head. "By the way, do you know Tifa?" Zack suddenly asked, turning the conversation away to somewhere else.

"Sort of," Cloud answered, turning away shyly.

"Was she the one you wanted to get into SOLDIER for?" Sera smirked, thankful for the change of subject and her smirk widened when she saw him blush.

"Ooh, someone's got a girlfriend~" Zack teased, grinning as he saw the blush on Cloud's face as well, and Cloud shot a look at Sera who only shrugged, unapologetic.

"No wonder she looked like she was going to ask something that day. She wanted to ask about you," Zack commented. "Did you talk to her?" he asked.

"No," Cloud shook his head.

"You should," Sera said, and Cloud and Zack turned to her, but she wasn't facing them, "You never know when you're gonna see them again. Being in the military and all."

Sera clenched her hands tightly. "You at least have people waiting for you back home, after all."

"Sera..."

All was quiet for a moment, and then, Zack stood up from the bed. "We're with SOLDIER, so...fighting's all we do." He paced about the room. "Sorting things out is someone else's job. What's going on? Who's the enemy? It makes no difference to me!" Zack picked up his Buster Sword and swung it, only to pause mid swing and he brought it to his forehead, a heavy sigh escaping.

"You know, I've never seen you use that," Cloud spoke up.

Both Sera and Zack's eyes widened in surprise and they looked at each other, remembering Angeal's reply when Zack had said the same thing back at Fort Tamblin.

"Use brings about wear... tear... and rust," Angeal explained, "And that's a real waste."

"You're a little more important than my sword," Angeal turned to the two as he strapped back his sword. He put a small space between his fingers as measurement. "But just a little."

"Embrace your dreams, and no matter what happens, protect your honor as SOLDIER."

Zack looked back at the sword. "This is a symbol of my dreams and honor," he shook his head, "No... It's more... that's right... I had almost forgotten," Zack smiled. "Thanks, Cloud."

The blonde infantryman sat up in confusion,"Huh?"

Sera chuckled as Zack put his sword down against the table. "Right!" He exclaimed. He then walked back to his bed and did two squats, before jumping into his bed. "I'm gonna crash. Night!"

"I'm gonna get some sleep myself," Sera announced as she got off Cloud's bed before heading out the door. "Night guys."

"Night." "G'night."

Sera gave a short wave before closing the door behind her. Walking towards her room, she paused for a moment, before turning to look out the window in the corridor.

'I hope Sephiroth's alright,' Sera thought. 'I'll go look for him tomorrow. Things will get better in the morning... right?'

Unknown to the female SOLDIER, things were about to get worse from here on out.