Keystone chapter 3

Notes: I wrote up a plan. This fic no longer follows saiyuki, for it dances to the madness in my mind. heheh...

The huddle of four stood in the middle of the large, lavish courtyard- Cloud apprehensive and Vincent defensive as the other two watched the frantic milling of the confused locals. Twice a guard ran up to them and attempted to arrest them, Sephiroth simply pointed out himself as General- 'You did train in my squadron, Lovett', and they dismissed themselves sheepishly.

“What’s going to happen now?” Cloud gasped out, watching the blonde lady now being supported by Zack. “Now that the King’s dead- may he Rest in Peace- what are we meant to do?”

Sephiroth stood motionless for a few seconds, eyes on the spire he knew was now concealing the castle’s priests about to start blessing and cleaning the body. A laborious and disgusting job, especially when the man in question is well larger than ‘merrily fat’.

Zack started as he picked up on what his commander was thinking. “Oh, right, he never really did anything in the first place, did he?”

Cloud stared back. “W… what?”

“So,” Sephiroth said softly, rich voice commanding attention, “Our goal is to find the assassin’s clie-”

“Hojo!” Zack barked out unabashedly.

Sephiroth tilted his head in the man’s direction, ignoring the confused (and slightly scared) Cloud and motionless Vincent right next to them. “I concur...”

“So that the empire’s rulerless,” Zack continued.

“Rufus,” murmured Sephiroth-

“For the sake of the argument, let’s ignore his existence for a second” Zack persevered, grinning.

“We’re assuming Hojo killed King Shinra- May he Rest in Peace- for one of two reasons.” Sephiroth said, addressing the group. “One, to stop the imminent attack on him-”

“And two-” butted in Zack.

“To attempt control of our Empire.”

Zack paled, ever so slightly. “Craphats.”

Cloud, leaning against Vincent, whispered, “So… what am I here for?”

“This is a valuable learning experience,” Vincent replied soberly. He hadn’t been back to this city for years, and his was experiencing a touch of nostalgia.

“What am I learning, that everything goes to crap really, really easily?”

A hint of a smile tinged Vincent’s lips, hidden under his cloak. “And that people with high authority will often displace people, for a reason that is later nullified, it seems.”

“Hey!” Zack objected. “Don’t make us out like we’re …bad guys!”

“It’s true, though,” Sephiroth solemnly intoned. “I do so apologize for it.”

Cloud stared at him for a second. “…Uh… thanks- but seriously, what do I do now?”

Zack grinned at him, all former worries lost. “Aw, C’mon kid-”

“Don’t call me kid!”

“We’re in the hub of the land! The center of excitement! This is where it’s all happening! This is where all the important people live! This is the life!”

“It is really big here-” Cloud agreed hesitantly.

“Go get wasted and get yourself laid!” the dark-haired soldier finished.

“What!”

“He’s a priest,” Sephiroth said, and Zack idly noted his General had only really reacted to the last part.

Vincent, normally still, nudged Cloud in a vaguely accusatory way.

“Uh… not rreally….” Cloud murmured, sheepish.

“Oh!” Zack said. “We’ve already been over this, haven’t we?”

“Yyep…”

“As it is,” Sephiroth interjected, “I do not intent to abandon the two of you after being the catalyst of your sudden upheaval”

“I wouldn’t ‘o let you chuck ‘em out anyways!” Zack valiantly said.

“Not the point, Zack.” His commander argued. Zack pouted.

“The point is?” he said.

“That until we get things sorted, you two are free to wander around the city for as long as you like,” he finished, noting how Cloud brightened up at that.

“A generous offer,” Vincent spoke at last, “But may I seek to stretch your generosity a step further?”

“Huh?” Zack said, intelligently.

“You may recall- In Keystone, the main form of goods exchange was trading. Money itself is virtually nil there. As is such, I have none, as does Cloud.” He finished, looking apologetic and more than a spot embarrassed.

Cloud, however, just blinked up at him. “They use money here?”

“Think about it, Cloud.” Vincent told his ward. “It’s easier than carrying around carrots, and a mite more accurate.”

“I-“ Zack spluttered. “You people do that?”

“Don’t they still trade in Gonaga, Zack?” Sephiroth interjected.

“Shut up!” Zack bristled. “Besides, we use money for most stuff!”

“Ignoring my irate companion for a second,” Sephiroth sighed, “I think this problem is easily solved.”

“Shopping Spree!” Zack squealed suddenly, drawing a confused gaze from Cloud.

“You’re coming with me, Zack, remember?” his commander sighed out.

“…oh.”

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Chapter 4 end. Are you reading this? Go read Mix instead. I put more effort into that fic. Moore eefort. Review if you want. I’d like that.