InsaneJournal

“Zack, look at me.”

The aforementioned boy refused, clenching his hands into fists and staring at the ground instead.

“Zack…” the tone was laced with warning, though there was an undercurrent of weary frustration and sorrow.

“I just-,” the dark-haired boy tried to say, confusion whirling through his head, “I just don’t get it! Why?” he asked his sensei, turning to look at the silver-haired man. “Why would Genesis do something like that? Why would he betray us to Stone? Now, Angeal is…”

Sephiroth could only sigh, shaking his head. “I don’t know, Zack. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

“Well, why do I have to get new teammates!?” Zack demanded in a burst of anger at the unsatisfactory answer, though he knew his teacher could not have given him one.

“Zack, we are at war. You know that.” Sephiroth stated patiently as though they’d had this argument before, which they probably had. “We need as many teams out on the field and doing missions as we can get.”

“Yeah, I know.” Zack replied, all the fight leaving him at the expected response. “When do you think they’re going to get here, sensei?”

“Soon,” was the laconic reply.

“And who are they?”

The long-haired man smirked. “You’ll find out when they get here.”

Zack growled, scowling in frustration at the older man. Every time he asked that question, he received a similar answer. He opened his mouth to make a smart ass remark, when a call caught their attention. Turning, Zack looked to see who it had come from, only to gape for a completely different reason; amazement.

“Zack!” the blonde boy called again, a small smile lighting up his face. Walking next to him was a pretty brunette girl, a mischievous smile on her lips. Both of them were wearing Konoha hitai-ate.

“Cloud!?”

“Hey,” Cloud said as they finally caught up, “it’s been a while.”

Zack could only stare in dumbfounded surprise. At least, until the brunette spoke, “Well now, Cloud, you never told me he was cute.” She gave Zack an appraising eye as Cloud spluttered and turned an interesting shade of red.

“Aerith!” he exclaimed, scandalized.

“What?” she queried with pure innocence, though anyone could see the laughter lurking in her eyes. Mock realization then spread across her face, and she took on an earnest look. “Are you worried I won’t love you anymore, Cloud?” she asked seriously, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Suddenly, she latched onto the young boy, pulling him close in a tight hug, and proclaimed, “You’ll always be my favorite, Cloud!”

The young Namikaze struggled, before giving it up as a lost cause and slouching in defeat. “Aerith…” he complained as the girl smothered him with affection. Zack was busy trying not to die of laughter.

Finally, Sephiroth decided to cut in, clearing his throat to catch the attention of the three pre-teens. “I think it’s about time for introductions. Zack, if you would please begin…”

Clearing his throat while trying to stifle his chuckles, Zack stated, “My name is Zack.” Cloud looked askance at him curiously at the omission of his last name. “My likes are my friends, games and pranks, and fighting. My dislikes are rude people, those who don’t know how to have fun, and my clan. Hobbies are spending time with friends, whether it be having fun or training. My dream, is to one day prove myself better than what my clan would believe me to be.”

They all nodded, before Sephiroth signaled Cloud to introduce himself. The blonde glance around a bit before starting. “My name is Namikaze Cloud. My likes are my friends,” he paused to give smiles to the other two genin, “my family, fighting and chocobos.” Zack sniggered at this, prompting the other boy to elbow him in the ribs- hard. “My dislikes are bullies and being weak. Hobbies are training, being with my friends, and breeding my chocobos. My dream, is to one day be someone strong enough that people are proud of me.”

Zack and Aerith both gave him encouraging smiles, then Aerith spoke up without prompting. “My name is Aerith! My likes are my friends, plants, and healing. My dislikes are those who are cruel to the innocent, people who trample my flowers, and needless fighting. My hobbies are tending to my garden, healing, spending time with my friends, and cooking.” Zack lit up at this. “My dream is to support my friends and be there to help them when they need me.”

Sephiroth hummed thoughtfully and straightened, introducing himself, “My name is Sephiroth. My likes are fighting and strategy. My dislikes are undisciplined shinobi,” he gave Zack a quick glance, which was responded with a stuck out tongue. “My hobbies are practicing sword kata and playing Go. I have no dreams for the future.” His two new students gazed at him curiously at the last point, seeming slightly surprised.

Putting on his, as Zack had put it, ‘Commander face,’ Sephiroth continued, “We will meet at O’nine hundred tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.” He took once final appraising glance of his two new students, before turning to leave. “Dismissed.”

The three children stuck around for a bit, looking at one another in silence. Zack finally decided to break the stand still, slinging an arm around his two companions and leading them off, “So, Aerith, you said you like to cook?”

The girl broke into a round of good humored giggles as the blonde beside them sighed in exasperation.