(no subject)

[frozenlightning.livejournal.com]

Who: Zack, Lightning and a wise old man
What: Something happens to Zack
Where: The Binah, Wutai and Mideel
When: The course of a day
Rating: NC-17


The young blonde stirred, her grumbles almost continual as she wriggled in the bed, her skin exposed as normal, though the blanket did conceal her to her waist at least. Bringing a hand up to run through her hair, Lightning turned her head to look at Zack, smiling just that little before squirming close to him and nipping at his ear. "Wake up," she purred, her hand tracing over the scars on his chest. It wasn't often she was the first to wake up but when she was, she enjoyed waking him the nice way.

Zack slowly came around with a little yawn, smiling and sliding one of his hands up Lightning's bare back. "Mmm.. mornin' sweetie.." he brought his other hand up to tangle in her hair, to bring her in for a kiss, but, well, it seemed to pass through her hair, and her head, and wound up on the other side. "Huh.. aim sucks in the morning.." he leaned up and nuzzled her cheek, not thinking any more about his hand, "How'd ya sleep?"

"Morning." She nudged at his nose as he nuzzled her cheek, soon leaning in for that kiss she'd missed out on getting. "I slept okay. As well as I ever do." She ran her fingers through his spiked hair, her smile just slight on her lips. "And you?" The teen let her fingers venture back down to his chest as she traced each line of the scars, it having become somewhat of a habit when they were like this.

"I slept pretty well.. I generally do with my Lightnin' at my side." he chuckled, and kissed her cheek. He really loved the blonde, and waking up beside her tended to make his day a great one right off the hop. "Mmm!" he stretched, and smiled at her, "Ready t'get up're d'ya wanna spend a little more time gettin' bedded? Err.. in bed, I mean."

Lightning gave a chuckle, nipping at his neck and jaw a few times before shifting to sit up. "Well, that's up to you. If you want to spend more time in bed, I'm always open to... suggestions," she murmured, resting back on one hand while the other brushed back her pinkish blonde hair. She really did love waking up with Zack next to her; it made her feel safe and at home.

The man chuckled, and kissed the top of her head softly, sliding his hands down, one to her hip, and the other resting against her chest. Moving slowly, he gently pushed her onto her back, leaning over her and kissing the blonde sweetly and tenderly. There were many ways to do that sort of thing, and rougher could be better, but Zack was feeling a little romantic, too.

Laying back as guided, Lightning curled an arm around his neck, the other hand settling on his side as she returned the gentleness of their kiss. "Mn..." Her leg hooked around his waist instincitvely and the younger of the two gave a gentle rock of her hips, just to give him a little insight into her own willing and eager state. Certainly, roughness had its place, but if Zack felt romantic and wanted to be gentle and sweet, then she was more than glad to recieve it.

He smiled at the rocking of her hips, and kissed her a little more firmly, resting his body atop hers. Sure, he'd have to stop to put a condom on, but the man didn't mind that considering the alternative. His hands roamed her body slowly, exploring her as tenderly as their first time, though he knew which buttons to press by this point. "S'a good way to start th'day y'know.."

A low chuckle came against his lips and she seemed to arch closer to each of his touches and movements. "It is, when it's with you," she whispered, a hand skimming down his spine, her back curving just a little as she rolled her hips again, proving her own interest in the act. Lightning really did savour the way Zack touched her since each time with him was different. Never once had they done something and she'd felt bored or unfulfilled.

The man would have found it a personal failing if she'd ever felt either of those things during their lovemaking. Honestly, Zack always did his best to make sure his partner was satisfied. Slowly, he dragged his tongue down her neck, over her collarbone and between her breasts, his manhood prodding her thigh from that position. Obviously he was as into it as she was.

A gasp of pleasure escaped Lightning as his tongue travelled over her skin; a slender hand threaded through his thick black mane. "Zack..." She spoke his name for merely something to say, in no way wanting to distract him from his work. Lightning ached slightly with arousal, and her skin seemed to crackle with power as his trail lowered down between her breasts.

The man's hands rested on her chest, squeezing softly while he continued to lick new spots on the blonde's breasts. Eventually, with a smile, he kissed up to her lips, gently nipping her lower lip. "Mmh? I love ya Lightnin'.." he liked to tell her, even if he knew she knew, even if his actions spoke just as loudly.

Several moans had escaped her, thanks to the teasing attention he gave, but once he kissed her lips and professed his love, a sweet smile appeared for the briefest of seconds. "I love you, too." Her words were solid, like some kind of oath she'd taken, as though she'd sworn on a sword or the like. No matter what, Zack was her world now, and even when the time came to fight Cocoon, she'd be fighting with Zack as her strength.

He made a move to lean up on one arm, to press her back against the bed more firmly, so he could kiss her in a more passionate manner. Except.. well.. he slipped. For a split second, Zack could have sworn that his arm passed right through the bed, and he dropped onto Lightning with a grunt, and wide eyes. "Oof..~!"

A wheeze of pain came and she closed her eyes tightly as he landed on her, gritting her teeth for a moment. "...care to explain?" She seemed to speak with a slight strain in her voice since, hey, Zack was a big guy with a lot of muscle and she was considerably more dainty than he was. Even if she wasn't exactly your regular, run of the mill damsel in distress.

He leaned back, resting on his knees and giving his head a shake. Blinking, the man stared at his arm while flexing his hand, "I.. I dunno.. I went to put my weight on my arm, and fell.." he looked down at the blonde, "Er.. sorry.. I didn't hurtcha did I..?"

"A little... I'm alright..." She shifted to sit up, running a hand through her hair, taking a few deep breaths to be sure she really was alright. "What made you fall? Did you slip on the sheets or something?" Lightning reached out, grasping his bicep and squeezing a little, mostly to be playful rather than anything else.

"No.. I dunno what happened.. One second I was goin' t'put my weight on it, and just.. dropped. Like it wasn't there." he slipped his arm around her, squeezing the girl to make sure it was there. This had the effect of pressing him against her belly, but despite his arousal, he was still a bit worried by that.

Lightning frowned slightly, curling her arms around him, pressing her lips to his shoulder. "Are you sure? That sounds kinda... strange." She did, however, notice that his raging erection was pressed to her stomach and it didn't do anything to calm her own teenage libido as she squirmed slightly in his grasp, moving to lay back and taking him with her.

The man shrugged a little, and moved back down with her, kissing her cheek sweetly, reaching to the nightstand to grab a condom from the drawer. "Well.. if my arm wasn't here, I couldn't have this.." he placed it on her forehead and snickered softly, winking a glowing eye.

Lightning gave him a glare, though it was honestly more playful than anything, and she huffed at the packet resting on her forehead. "You're such an ass," she laughed, obviously not meaning her words as she took the condom from its resting place and tore it open, afted giving Zack a sharp tap on the nose with it, reaching a hand down to uncurl the rubber over Zack's member, using it as an opportunity to stroke her hand along that hot length.

Groaning softly, Zack moved to bite her neck softly, rolling his hips to slide his member against her hand, both working the condom on further, and being quite lewd for her. "You know you love it Lightnin'.." he nuzzled the spot he'd bitten, and chuckled.

"Gods, I hate that you know me so well," she drawled, giving a lusty laugh after it and hooking her legs together around his waist. "Mn... Zack, do us both a favour, put that thing to good use," she gave a rather wicked smirk as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips pressing firmly against his in a heated, passionate kiss.

He returned the kiss just as passionately, and rolled his hips, pressing the tip of his covered length to her clit for a moment, teasing her. "Good use hmm? Seems like you're getting to be just as wanton as I am.." he moved again, and pressed his hips up against hers, sheathing his shaft inside the blonde, until their hips met, grinding hard against her.

The touch of that length against her clit at Lightning writhing in pleasure with an unashamed moan of enjoyment. Yet, the sound that came from the young girl as he filled her so wholly was akin to a feral growl, her hands grasping at his back as nails ran down his skin. "Wanton, huh? Maybe I just want you because I love you, Fair." A sweeter smirk cam to her lips this time as she gave him a firm roll of her hips.

The man moaned softly, his head swimming just a bit when she rolled her hips. It wasn't a feeling of being filled for him, so much as the feeling of her body clamping down tightly on him, holding him so sweet and snug, not to mention the -heat- of her.. Zack couldn't get enough of his lover, "Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact."

Lightning laughed against his cheek as she kissed him there, soon nipping at his earlobe. "Shut up and make love to me, you talk too much," she teased, her hands pressing to his back as she began to roll her hips repeatedly, her eyes soon slipping shut and her lips parting to let moans and gasps and sighs of ecstasy escape.

Laughing softly, the man nodded and pushed her back onto her back on the bed, keeping her pinned while he thrust against her. Moaning softly, he moved at a constant pace, slow but firm, to keep her satisfyingly filled while he moved with Lightning. "Mmh.."

The girl gave him a gentle smile before her lips pressed against his once more and her grasp of him tightened just that little bit. She couldn't hide the fact that she was desperately aroused and while he was always satisfying, she was never one to hold back. Beginning slow, she rocked her hips gradually more forcefully, taking him in deep before letting him almost slip out, soon bringing him deep within again.

As she picked up her pace, Zack did as well, pushing forward when her hips were moving against him, for a more satisfying impact. He rather enjoyed watching the lewd way her body moved while he was 'with' her, looking down at the girl while he moved with her. "H-heh.. god Lightnin'.. yer gettin' too good at this.." which was true, at least in his case.

"Is there s-such a thing... as too good...?" Her words were breathless and shaky as she moved with him, her eyes shut tight and her nails repeatedly clawing down the muscular plains of his back. Something made her ache desperately for this man and she accounted it to her love for him. Certainly, she was young and with youth came recklessness, but she couldn't have made a better choice in being with Zack. Or so she believed in her heart.

The man knew he wouldn't do anything on purpose to hurt her, and would always try to make her happy. "M-maybe.." he managed, panting lewdly, wanting more and more from her. Sure, it was first thing in the morning, but Zack wagered he coulda spent the entire day there in bed with her, making her scream, among other things, and likely spooking Xaon and Kiri. The Moogles were older, and much in love as well, but Zack and Lightning screwed.. well, like teenagers.

Her skin had gathered its own coat of sweat and blonde hair stuck to her as she moaned and writhed beneath her lover. There was little she wouldn't do for this man and, even if she spent her time sheltering her emotions from everyone, at least at times like this she could show Zack truly how she felt about him. She could show him that everything he did made her want him more and more.

He honestly felt he should be a bit more spontaneous with her, when it came to sex. In the bedroom all the time wasn't a bad thing, but pushing her over a counter wouldn't hurt either, if he handled it right. The man grunted softly, and kissed her neck, still grinding hard against the blonde, unable to resist continually sliding himself into her, losing more and more of his thoughts the further they pressed on.

Really, she didn't have all that much experience and, to her, there seemed to be some unwritten rule that it really should happen in the bedroom and anywhere else was excessively kinky. Yet, she also knew if the man bent her over a counter, she'd be shamelessly willing to take him in. "Gods... Zack... so good..." her voice shook as she moaned, her body aching for release.

Really, Zack was the kind of person that, as soon as he knew Lightning liked something, he'd keep doing it. If being bent over a counter or something really got her sparks flying, well, Zack would be there with a ready hand, among other things, to get her making noise in other places. "H-heh.. glad yer.. glad yer likin' it.."

Lightning clamped around him, tightening and releasing continually to further the experience for him. Her hands clawed down his back, soon letting her nails sink into his lower back as she nipped and licked as his jaw, rolling her hips to meet his at each thrust. It hurt her back to move that way, not that she could really feel it right then, but it'd soon enough hit her when they relaxed and when all was said and done.

In Zack's opinion, the best times spent in bed generally involved being sore afterwards, 'cause it meant you'd cut loose and really enjoyed yourself, despite any protesting body parts. The man moaned softly into her ear each time she tightened herself around him, squeezing him in a way that made it hard to draw breath. Hardball, huh? Grinning, Zack suddenly picked up his pace, rocking rapidly against the blonde in a bid to drive her over her limit first, though he couldn't do so without stepping up his own pleasure.

Almost letting the word 'no' slip from her lips, for the mere fact that it was so intense, Lightning grit her teeth, her eyes slipping tightly shut as she continued to meet his thrusts with her own hips bucking against him. Of course, with the way he was moving, she had little power to restrain herself. Lightning's hands cupped his rear and she pulled him tight against her as an almost feral moan escaped her at the climax that washed over the teen's body.

Like he needed more encouragement? The man's body tightened powerfully against hers, and he bit her neck sweetly, moaning heavily as he soon followed her orgasm with his own. During, and afterwards, the man was still rocking his body slowly atop hers, though his head was swimming with the lingering pleasure. "Nng.."

The slower rocking allowed her to sooth her own heady passion and Lightning gently eased herself to lay more comfortably and wholly on the bed, letting out a low sigh of release. "Heh..." She rubbed her thigh up and down his side affectionately, her hands cupping his face now instead as she drew him down for a kiss, smiling sweetly the whole time.

He kissed her gently, smiling, and nibbled her lip a bit before pulling back. Problem was, when he went to stroke her hair, his hand, the one that hadn't vanished, flickered a bit, like a television with bad reception. "Er.. L-Lightnin'.." he watched as his hand seemed to fade away slightly, before, after giving it a shake, it was back, "I.. think there's a problem.."

Squirming enough to remove him from inside her and sitting up properly, despite how damp and sticky she felt, the teen took his hand, looking it over. "...What the Hell is this...?" She frowned as she examined his hand, before looking to his face. "Is there something wrong? Something you've done that could cause this?"

Zack seemed at a loss for words, and it was only habit that made him remove and discard the condom, then he sat on the edge of the bed. "I.. I really dunno.. this's never happened t'me before." the conversation was playing out as if suddenly he had a problem getting it up for her.

"Well... I don't think it's happened to very many people. At least not that I know of," she murmured, leaning into his side and resting her head on his shoulder. "We should probably go find someone who might know something about this... it's a bit... frightening." She scrunched her nose up a little, curling her hand in his.

"You said it.." he sounded worried, but he turned and smiled to her, raising his brows and reaching over to pinch her waist, "'Course, we shouldn't let something weird like this spoil the whole day. I know a guy who knows about these sorta things, we'll ask him. He's over in Wutai." Zack nuzzled her neck, and nipped gently, smiling.

Lightning nodded a little, soon pulling away and heading for the bathroom to shower up. "We'll get cleaned up and head off to Wutai then. I don't want to waste any time in finding a fix for whatever this is." She gave a more solid nod and slipped into the bathroom, aiming to clean up quickly.

Zack stood and stretched, smiling and following her, "What do you consider a waste of time..?" he pressed up close behind her and kissed the back of the girl's neck gently, looping his arms around Lightning. One hand rested on her breast, the other slid over her belly, holding her close and tender, "It's still early, we can just ask Xaon and Kiri to get us moving over the intercom, then spend some time together.."

Lightning gave a slight laugh, settling back against him and reaching a hand to per through his hair, a gentle purr of affection escaping her. "Some time together, hm? What, exactly, do you mean by that?" A smirk crossed her lips and it was quite obvious she was already easily interested in what he had to offer, yet again.

"Mmh, well, we can start in the shower and get ourselves cleaned up a bit. Then, during transit, I'll show you some of the hidden spots the Binah has to.. stow.. cargo." he paused in his talking to continue kissing at her neck, pressing suggestively against her rear.

Lightning smirked, tilting her head to allow him to pay this attention to her neck. A soft purr escape as he pressed against her and the teen took his hands, guiding him into the shower with her. Once the water was running she slicked her hair back from her face and smirked openly at him, curling her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his.

The ex-SOLDIER-turned-Pirate returned his partner's kiss eagerly, his hands falling to and resting on her hips, rather enjoying the feel of her touch along with the water in the shower. If nothing else, well, they'd be clean after a quick makeout session.

She, however, had something else in mind and a hand began to trail down his front. First, she teased over those scars, playfully ghosting her fingertips over his nipples, then gradually she traced her fingers over his toned abs and continued lower. With very little shyness, Lightning curled slender fingers around Zack's 'tattooed' length and gave a playful few strokes, all the while continuing their kiss.

He let out a low moan against her mouth while she teased his length, his abdomen tensing slightly while she worked on him. Zack gently nipped her lower lip, smiling softly in response to everything she was doing. When had she lost that thin veneer of shyness that most people had..? Whenever that was, Zack liked it!

It was probably that night in the royal palace... or perhaps the night after he merged with Ramuh... so many things he'd done had brought her to be who she was when she was alone with only the man she loved. Silently, the young girl broke the kiss and trailed softer ones against his jaw and that scar on his cheek. "I love you," she breathed into his ear, and a moment later, Lightning was knelt in front of him, her tongue sliding along his length.

He shivered at that proclamation, and smiled down at her while she was kissing down his chest. Then he moaned softly, and looked down at her while she licked him, "Ooh.. h-heh.. I love you too Lightnin'.." which really had nothing to do with her going down on him. Sure, he loved her either way, but it was always nice to have her working him over like that.

A slight smile came but she soon favoured her mouth for different reasons. Namely, taking the head of Zack's cock inside and sucking on it. With gradual pace, she took more of his length in each time she bobbed her head, her tongue wriggling against the underside each time she did. Sure, she only did this every so often, but she did enjoy doing it. Mostly because she knew Zack enjoyed it.

The man's strong hands eventually found places at the sides of her head, holding gently while she moved on him. Every now and again his cock gave an enthusiastic throb, and really, Zack had never -not- liked getting head from Lightning. Since the first time, where he'd just meant for her to spit on her hand or something, he'd looked forward to the blonde servicing him like this..

Lightning purred and ran her hands down his hips, a soft, throaty sound coming as she closed her eyes, slowing her pace enough to let her take it further without choking. She swallowed a few times before guiding his length down her throat, her muscles constricting briefly as she tried hard not to gag, soon relaxing as he slid further in.

It was something of a wonder every time she did that. Really, it felt absolutely wonderful to him, but when he tried to think of how she managed to take him that deep without choking or gagging, well, he didn't know how she managed it. Groaning, his eyes closed a bit, and he stroked her hair lovingly, mumbling sweet nothings to her.

She swallowed but once more and then... nothing. At first, Lightning thought maybe her whole throat had gone numb, and that was why she couldn't feel his cock there anymore but she soon realised that there was nothing in her throat nor her mouth. "Uhh...? What the... where... eh??!" She seemed dramatically puzzled by his vanishing genetalia.

Zack, on the other hand, had just been enjoying himself and the feel of her throat squeezing him, when, well, there was nothing. Well, he could feel her breath on his groin, but there was conspicuously less.. groin.. than before. "The hell?" he reached down, and almost fainted when his fingers brushed against smooth, featureless skin. It was kind of a big deal that his genitals weren't there!

Lightning settled back on her heels, blinking a few times at his groin and then up at his face. "Let me guess; this had never happened before either?" she asked rhetorically. The teen shifted to stand, her brow furrowed. "We'll finish our shower, quickly, we'll take the smaller craft to Wutai. It's faster." Her voice was oddly cold but, really, this was her way of not panicking.

"Y-yeah. Don't try tellin' me this happens to lotsa guys." he was visibly shaken by this turn of events, and kissed her cheek gently, sighing. Really, making light of it with a joke was his way of coping. If nothing else, they could have a laugh about it.

"We'll fix everything, okay? I promise." It wasn't often Lightning made a promise, and only ever made ones she was sure she could keep. Swiftly shampooing her hair, she rinsed the suds out and ran a quick clean up of her skin before stepping from the shower to dry off. This hurt her head to comprehend, a little like Zack's explainations about the Lifestream and his death, but this needed fixing.

No shit it needed fixing! The man went through his cleaning a little mechanically, trying to think of what the heck was going on, exactly.. He stepped out a bit after Lightning and dried himself off, slipping into their room to get dressed. "Y-yeah.. I'm sure we'll find someone t'help us out.."

Lightning got into her Cocoon clothes; the brown skirt, the zip-up sweater and her surcoat. Slipping on all of the extras and her boots, Lightning quickly brushed her hair then grasped her weapon and checked the load on it. "Hn. If there's someone who can help but won't, let me deal with them, alright?" She flashed him rather an intense look then strapped her weapon at her hip.

"Er.. sure..?" he had dressed in his piratey clothes again, and even though he had axes, right then he didn't see the need in practicing a new weapon when he had one he was -excellent- with. So, he grabbed up the Buster Sword and placed it on his back with a chuckle, "Take it we're leavin' now then..?" he couldn't let this weigh on him too much. The man had things to do, after all!

"Right." She headed from their room, pressing the nearest intercom buzzer. "Xaon. Zack and I are going to take the bug and head for Wutai. Meet us there in your own time." As soon as she'd finished speaking, in rather an official tone, Lightning made for the cargo bay where their smaller airship was docked.

He followed along, smiling despite the trouble that was going on with his body parts vanishing at random. Sure, he was worried, but it was nice to see Lightning taking command like that. She was sure one tough gal, and he liked every part of her, especially that one. "You wanna fly 'er?"

"Pfft, we'd crash before getting off the Binah. I'm not trained in flight transport." She shook her head, her damp hair swishing slightly as she opened up the craft and settled into the shotgun seat, buckling herself in and burying her hand in her thigh-pouch, pulling out an elastic to tie back the majority of her pink-blonde hair.

Zack set the Buster Sword in the back of the small craft and buckled himself in with a smile. He looked around, and powered her up, settling into his seat with a chuckle, "Here's hoping my hands don't vanish or something, huh?"

She gave him a look and scrunched her nose up. "Don't even joke..." she shook her head with a sigh, fiddling with the hilt of her own sword. "We should land this ship somewhere hidden. it's Cocoon technology, we don't know how different some of our lands really are..." she murmured.

"Yeah, we don't need this kinda thing landing in the wrong hands and boosting their airship science or something.. People can be crazy with the right tools." he opened the back hatch and launched the small ship, slicing easily through the air and towards Wutai.

Lightning wasn't really sure where they were going to find someone who could help return Zack's vanished genitals and keep any other parts from disappearing but, trusting Zack to know just where said people were, she settled into her seat, eyes on the sky as she waited for the trip, that seemed far too long, to end.

Eventually, the small ship made it to Wutai, and he swung it down and around, settling it into some bushes. On the way, he had suddenly come back into possession of his genitals, though his leg had flickered a bit. And, when he got out of the ship, his leg vanished for a long few seconds, causing him to land on his face.

Lightning followed him off the ship, holding the Buster Sword out to him with one hand on the grip of it. "Use it to keep yourself stood... or grab onto me if you're going to fall." She didn't mean to sound as hard and cold as she did but it wasn't easy for her to keep control of herself, and Odin, if she got upset. It was best she kept calmer.

He nodded with a sigh, and rested on his weapon, looking around. "Now.. we're looking for an older guy, who knows how to tell how someone's equating, in regards to Gaia, the planet. I think something's up with me since I was in the Lifestream, I dunno.. maybe he can help. Shin.. something. Shingrow? I'm not sure, but we should ask around."

With a slight nod, she moved at his side as they began to walk, her eyes glazed as she really kept her focus on the man beside her. "As long as it's not ShinRa then it's fine." Lightning sighed slightly, her fingers itching with an overflow of magic she wanted to release, to settle her tension, but she was able to keep a hold on the electricity she harboured.

Zack nodded softly, "Them too," he shrugged, and continued to walk, using the Buster Sword as a sort of cane as he went. If nothing else, he'd catch himself next time he fell. Except.. well, it felt weird.. or he did, rather.. "L-Lightnin'.. I.. I feel funny.." and then Zack simply wasn't there anymore. Poof. Gone. Just like that. The Buster Sword hit the ground hard, and was still, except for the dust settling around it.

His words had her turning her head in time for the Buster Sword to hit the dirt. Where was Zack? "...Zack?" Her voice shook and Lightning swallowed hard. "Zack?!" Making her way to the Buster Sword, Lightning trembled, eyes full of tears as she bent to pick it up. There, beside it, lay Ramuh's Esper Crystal and Lightning choked on her breath as a sob escaped. "No..." Scooping up the crystal, she held it against her chest while her other hand grasped that Sword. "...Zack..."

The man blinked, and put his hands on his hips. He'd only tripped and had since stood up. "Uh.. I'm right here Lightnin'." Nothing. No answer from her. "Lightnin'.. Hey! Lightnin'!" he shouted her name to get her attention, and just couldn't figure out why she couldn't hear him. This wasn't good, now was it?

Slipping the Esper Crystal into her pouch, Lightning lifted the Buster Sword and settled it on her back, just where she could have her own weapon, should she choose to. It was heavy; it made her back ache. Yet, there was nothing that would make the teen just leave it. "Shit... what was that man's name again...?" she asked herself, wiping away the tears.

Zack was close behind her, trying to be helpful even if she couldn't hear him. "Shingrow, his name's Shingrow!" he didn't know what to do about all this, really.. He was glad she wasn't leaving his sword behind, and made a mental note to make it up to her for her having to carry the massive thing. It -sucked- when you weren't used to it.

"Shingar... Shin... ShinRa... no, Gods damnit!" she shouted at herself, pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes. "You're no use to him in this mess, Lightning. Get a grip!" With a growl, she began pacing in the area she was in, desperately trying to recall that name. "Shin... Shingrow...?"

"Heh! Yeah! That's it! Go see Shingrow, he'll know what to do!" he couldn't move anything, and when he touched her, his hands passed right through. So.. was he some kind of ghost now or something..?

"Shingrow." She repeated the name over a few more times before nodding once and turning to head deeper into Wutai. Coming upon a village, she asked around and received various odd looks but, soon enough, she was directed to the residence of an old man named Shingrow.

Zack tagged along with Lightning, but really, he couldn't do much.. He was a ghost or something, and she couldn't hear him.

Shingrow, on the other hand, was a withered old Wutaian man with a bald head and tanned, leathery skin that would likely remind a person of a walnut with liver spots. His eyes were almost closed in a perpetual squint, and while he didn't smile much anymore, his face showed deep smile and laugh lines. He walked with a cane, and while that was currently leaned against a wall, his height was very meager these days, a stoop and slightly shrunken joints causing him to be almost a foot shorter than in his prime.

Lightning, upon seeing the man, felt her brow furrow almost painfully. "...Shingrow?" It was a little strange to be alone with him - especially since Zack should've been there - but the teen would manage until she knew how to help Zack. How to get him back... The old man did puzzle her a little, but with age came wisdom, she assured herself.

The old man didn't look up from his meal, though he pushed away a steaming bowl of noodle soup about as big as his head, picking up a small cup of an herbal-smelling tea, "Yes, I am called Shingrow." he lived in an old-style Wutaian temple, which he had taken care of since his youth, an honest monk indebted to Leviathan, and about the last of his kind in modern times.

"Um... I am in need of... an answer. Aid, as such. Would you prefer I wait until you've finished?" She honestly didn't know how to get this question, this need, across to the man so she swallowed thickly, her hands tensing and her back aching at the feeling of the Buster Sword weighing heavy on her. Truth be told, she wasn't far off crying again, but she was strong enough to withhold it.

"No, if the need is great enough to warrant coming to seek the aid of an old man, his lunch can certainly stand to cool somewhat." he cracked a bit of a smile, and heaved himself to his feet, groping for his cane before stumping over to an array of lit candles, gently blowing them out one by one while he waited for her to find her words.

Lightning shifted on her feet, crossing her arms. "I suppose I should start from the beginning..." the teen explained it all. Everything about Zack dying and being in the Lifestream, all the way to his disappearance earlier that day. Obviously, she gave him need-to-know information but it'd be more than plenty to explain herself and the situation she was in. Honestly, she was stuck and had no way out.

By the time her story was done, he was through blowing out candles. His knees shook somewhat, and he wobbled from time to time, not to mention that he had a bit of trouble with wheezing, but he was wise, and listened easily to her words. "So, if I have it right, your partner was dead and a part of Gaia's Lifestream, then he returned from the dead for no particular reason, and recently vanished, leaving nothing but that sword behind? Strange indeed.."

"I don't expect you'd understand it all and have some quick answer for me, right?" Lightning shook her head, sighing slightly. "Zack, my partner, he told me to find you. Well... we were on our way together then he... just disappeared." The teen pouted a little, her brow furrowed. Really, what was she expecting from this old guy who looked like a mouldy fruit?

"These answers take some time, my child.." he smiled slightly, and wobbled over to her, taking his time, "Why don't you go up the path in the back, to the sacred springs, and pray to Leviathan for guidance in this matter? A creature of the mortal coil given to the Lifestream becomes a creature of the Lifestream. Leviathan may hear your words."

"Pray? You're barking up the wrong tree here, pal. I don't pray." Lightning scoffed and shook her head again. There was little point, she believed, in praying. It would just cause her to get annoyed and worked up. That'd just make it harder for her to listen to this whithered old goat about her partner. Really, she'd no time for prayer. She never had.

"I see. Well, you may go then, he is simply not worth the effort, I understand." he slouched beside his little table, leaning the cane to one side, and pulled his noodles closer, picking up his chopsticks and slurping a large mouthful back. Yes, he was just that casual about it. He wasn't about to try to convince her to spend more time prattling and shuffling her feet.

The teen choked on her own breath, eyes widening. "You know nothing of my feelings for him! Of course he is worth whatever effort it takes to do anything worthwhile in this Hell of a world," she hissed, her hands curling into firm fists. Part of her wanted to slap the man just for those words but she restrained herself for the fact that, with or without her tantrums, she needed all the help she could get.

Shingrow didn't seem all that concerned as he took his time eating a few more large mouthfuls of noodles, and slurping up some soup. "Well," slurp guzzle, "I fail to see why praying is out of the.." gobble, smack, "Question. If indeed you feel as you say, and aren't simply posturing out of ire." he was a crafty old goat, but he hadn't gotten that old being a fool. If she had a temper, he could lead her by the nose.

Lightning growled in frustration shaking her head hard. "Of course I feel how I say! Gods..." She shuffled her feet again, pouting childishly. "What good will praying do, though? I've prayed before; I've prayed until I've known the words of every prayer my people have... it still doesn't bring people back..."

"What does?" he looked over at her, raising a bushy eyebrow, "I certainly do not pretend to know the whims of our mother Gaia, or her children. Perhaps a prayer to Leviathan may shed some insight into this man's predicament. But what do I know? I am just an old monk, enjoying his noodles."

"Leviathan... where am I supposed to pray then? Is there a shrine or altar or... something?" Lightning damn well hated this. Praying was a waste of time. Yet, if it gave her even the slightest chance of saving Zack... of bringing him back, well, she'd pray all day and all night.

Shingrow heaved a sigh, standing, and stumped over to Lightning. With the tip of his cane, he first prodded her in the torso, just below her breasts, then pointed out the back of his small temple, "Up that path, there are small bodies of water. Go and pray there, and hopefully find a bit of reverence when you do so. Gods hate to be disrespected."

Lightning sighed slightly, pouting as he prodded her with that cane. "Well, that's something I've got to agree with them on," she murmured, stepping around him and heading to that path. Silently, she walked, her feet barely making sound beneath her as she took each step. Soon, she came upon these waters, her eyes tired and her back sore as she removed the Buster Sword and pressed the tip into the ground. Both gloved hands curled around the grip and she frowned, unsure of what to say.

Shingrow, for all intents and purposes, remained downstairs in his temple, eating his lunch. The path was quiet, well tended, and serene, the surface of the water still. Incredibly deep, Lightning would be easily able to see the fish darting around below the surface, though she wouldn't be able to see the bottom of the pools.

Lightning watched the fish, sighing softly. "Gods, Zack, you sure stuck me in a position I never wanted to be in again..." she murmured, her hands tightening on the sword. "C'mon, Fair, what do I say? You know I don't pray... give me some of that advice you always seem to have stored up." Really, it would seem as though she was talking to herself, even she believed that, but she knew... she knew Zack could hear her...

Zack could, and while he advised her as best he could, the girl simply couldn't hear him. Shingrow, on the other hand, squatted onto a small stool next to her, having approached unheard, and looked into the waters. "Why not start with 'Great Leviathan, I am here to pray for your guidance, and hope my words reach you.'" his voice was wispy as ever.

"It's worth a shot... it's not like I have anything left to lose anymore," she muttered. Lightning took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. "Great Leviathan... I'm here to pray for your guidance. I hope my words will reach you..." she scrunched her nose up, blinking one eye open and then sighing, looking at Shingrow. "Well, that helped."

"Well, I am here, so I would wager that your words made it." the old man was as serene as ever, and tossed a few flakes of fish food into the pond, some fish scooting up to nibble at it. "From what you told me, Lightning, this man isn't -technically- alive, as you would consider it. A creature composed of the Lifestream, and matched with an Esper..? This has not happened, to the best of my knowledge, in many, many years." he paused, to rub his chin, looking at the water.

Blinking a few times, Lightning stared blankly at him before she caught on. "Wait. You're Leviathan?! I'm in the Twilight Zone... seriously..." Shaking her head, she frowned at his next statement. "Well, he has to be alive... I've felt him... I..." She stopped herself, looking down at her boots to silence that sentence. "Um... then what now? What am I supposed to do?"

"Being manifestly physical, and being alive in the sense that he lives and dies at the same rate as you humans, well, those are different things. I would wager that he simply used a bit too much of himself in living, and couldn't maintain his corporeality. It is quite likely he is here, just unable to be seen or heard, as he has.." what was a good word that wouldn't freak her out, "Become dissolute. In any event, taking him to a place that is saturated with the Lifestream is likely the best bet for renewing him."

Slightly puzzled, she leaned against the Buster Sword almost the same way she would with Zack. Affectionate. Open. "Where is there such a place? I'm not from these lands... I wasn't raised with beliefs the same as everyone on this continent..." Lightning suddenly felt very alone in the world. And what a big world it was... She gripped harder onto that Sword, her throat drying out surprisingly fast.

"I would suggest going to Mideel." it was a simple statement, and that was where the creature sensed the largest concentration of simple energy of that nature on Gaia. Well, there was the North Crater, but Leviathan wasn't about to risk waking the WEAPONs for something like this.

"Mideel? Where is that? I'm not from here, I just told you, I don't know where that is!!" She was getting worked up; frustrated and emotional. She needed Zack and it was already putting a strain on her to be alone in this world. She couldn't help her outbursts... she was scared of losing him forever.

"Mideel would be east of here, on a small island. Look for the glowing pool of ethereal light. And do try to calm down." he touched her forehead with that cane, and it would feel as if she were as soothed and serene as the pool they sat in front of, at least for a moment. "One never accomplishes anything of merit while in the throes of panic."

Lightning settled down for a moment and nodded slightly, exhaling slowly. "You're right. I need to keep a level head." She yanked to Buster Sword from the ground and strapped it to her back again, nodding once to the man. "Thank you. I'm sure I can find my way there." She brushed hair from her eyes and offered a truly sincere smile to him before setting to head back to the 'bug' as she called it.

Zack went along with her, honestly confused and quite concerned about what he'd learned. So.. what exactly -was- he, anyway? Monster experiment? Ex-SOLDIER? Twice-Born? Sky Pirate? Dead Guy? He pondered, taking a seat in the 'bug' and settling in for the ride to Mideel. This was -weird-!

Her hands shook as she keyed in the co-ordinates from a map, and they became truly unsteady as she started up the airship. "I have no clue what I'm doing~" she sing-song-sang to herself, shaking her head. "Oh, well. Here goes nothin'." Lightning began to move the craft up into the skies and, surprisingly, she found pilotting was easy when the ship was telling you where to go.

Zack would have said something snide to her about that, or her singsong voice, but he figured he'd have the chance to later. When he wasn't so immaterial, and she wasn't pissed and hitting him for being immaterial. The flight would be a relatively short one, all things considered, as Mideel wasn't too far away.

Certainly, the flight was short but Lightning felt as though it took years to get there. Her eyes, however, widened at the sight of Mideel. It was a strange place built around what seemed to be a glowing... puddle? Lake? Whatever it was, she assumed it would be the Lifestream. Setting the bug down safely, she climbed from the airship, replacing the Sword on her back, adjusting her own at her hip and walking towards this liquid. Though, a lot of people gave her damn weird looks.

No-one stopped her, and Zack felt curiously drawn to it. Like when you used Materia, the Lifestream in it's raw, mako-form, would subject you to the memories of not only the Ancients, but everyone within. Mako poisoning was less a physical ailment, and more a mental affliction caused by the memories of others washing away one's mind, and losing yourself to the images. "Careful Lightnin', don't touch it.." she probably just had to spend some time there.. Zack didn't know.

The girl had made her way to the edge of the pool, her greenish-blueish sea coloured eyes settling on the liquid. With an outstretched hand, crouched at the bank of the Lifestream, she made to touch it. Careful Lightnin', don't touch it.. She froze as that voice seemed to echo in her mind. "I won't touch it," she whispered, even if it hadn't truly been Zack that had gave her that warning. Instead, Lightning settled back on her rear, crossing her legs and looking out at the pool. This is where Zack had been, huh? Washed away in a pool of... Life. She let out a soft sight, closing her eyes.

Zack sat beside her, and sighed as well, wriggling his toes in his boots. Odd that his clothes had vanished with him.. or were they a creation of the Lifestream's as well? At any rate, as the man sat with Lightning, he felt more and more... whole, as if just being close to the mako energy was helping him to be.. him.

She removed the Buster Sword and contemplated poking at the pool with it but she vaguely got images of Zack having a fanboy hissy-fit over it, so she simply stabbed it into the ground and relaxed back down, resting her palms on the ground behind her as she closed her eyes once again, tilting her head back. The teen pulled the elastic from her hair and smiled as the wind whipped at it. Strange. This was how she felt the first time she set foot out of Cocoon and on the grounds of Pulse.

Over the next few hours, Zack sat, absorbing energy from the ambient mako from the pool, moving around from time to time. Eventually, he came back into being, though it didn't seem all that different for him, and he continued to look out towards the Lifestream, heaving a little sigh. "Damn.. hope I ain't stuck like this forever.."

Lightning had long since settled to lay back on the ground, fixing up an Electrical Shield around herself to keep from being harmed. Of course, laying there so long had her sleepy. It was so strangely peaceful and she was more than content in napping a while. ...Until she heard him. Was that real? Or was it her mind playing tricks again? The teen blinked one eye open and looked completely awe-struck at the sight of a very real, very naked Zack Fair sat beside her. Letting out a sound similar to a whimper, she literally pounced on him, straddling his lap and hugging him tightly, pressing him back to the ground as she hid her face in his neck.

"H-uhgah?!" he really wasn't expecting someone to pounce on him and hug up to him. And why was he naked?! Given Lightning's usual attire, this was, of course, somewhat of an arousing situation for Zack, but he knew when to, figuratively, keep it in his pants. "Lightnin'.." he hugged her tightly, holding on as if he might vanish again. Ramuh's stone had vanished as well, absorbed back into him.

She held onto him as tightly as possible, gritting her teeth to hold in her tears. After a moment more she sat up, looking down at him before thumping him hard on the arm. "Don't ever do that to me again!!" She growled in frustration before a bright blush set deep on her cheeks as she realised he was naked and she was on top of him. In public.

"Well it ain't like I meant to!" he smiled fondly at her, and kept his arms tight around the young woman, despite the stares they were getting. "Thanks for goin' to th'trouble've findin' me though. Pain in the ass and all." he tilted his head, and leaned in, nipping her neck sharply before kissing her skin sweetly, "I love you, and I didn't mean t'leave ya.."

Lightning hissed as her neck was nipped but the kiss had her melting into him, her slender fingers threading in his black mane. "I love you, too, Zack... I was so afraid I'd lost you," she whispered, closing her eyes and giving a faint sound similar to that of a weak sob. She didn't want to break down crying but the fear of losing him had made her sick to her stomach.

Gallant as ever, Zack, despite his nudity, stood and cradled the tough woman in his arms. He held her close, and safe, "Nah, just misplaced me for a bit. I'm a country boy, and yer way too nice to me to just lose me." he managed a smile for her, trying to lighten the mood with a bit of humor. "Where's the 'bug' from here? I'm feeling a breeze, you see."

Lightning gave a laugh and wriggled from his grasp, slipped out of her surcoat, buckling it around his waist like some sort of sarong or kilt, then she laughed more. "I want that back when we get home, babe," she teased, though her voice was soft and light. A tone she rarely used. "The bug isn't far, take my hand and I'll take you there," she offered her hand to him, backing up towards the direction of their airship.

He took her hand and smiled faintly, "We'll pick up where we left off this morning, then, and you can take it back." he smirked softly to her, winking one glowing eye, always one to take up an opportunity to be a lech. The man followed his blonde girl back to the little airship, ignoring everyone else in favour of her.

Having strapped the Buster Sword on her back again, Lightning laugh at his advances. "Yeah, yeah, you just want me to go down on you again," she joked, deciding to take both his hands, her arms outstretched behind her as she walked to the airship. Once they arrived at it, she instantly found her place in the passenger seat, hugging one of her knees as soon as she was buckled in.

He sat in the pilot's chair, chuckling, "Admittedly, I am quite fond of the way you go down on me, and I'd never say no to it.. but I more meant that I want to get back into a hot shower with my Lightnin', and remind her that as much as she loves me, I love her. I'm just better with my hands, among other things, than I am with my words." the little ship was already soaring through the air, slicing through clouds as he headed back for the Binah.

Lightning smiled and watched him from where she sat, her head rested back against the seat. It was weird. She'd only been without him for really one day at most, less than that if truth be told, but it had scared her. Beyond compare. With having sat silent for a good long while, the young girl smiled softly and murmured, "I love you, Zack Fair."

"Well, I love ya too Lightnin'." he'd noticed that as well, having a candid opportunity to observe her. She'd really begun to lose it there for awhile.. Not that Zack had ever wanted to leave the blonde, but he certainly couldn't now. "I needja, y'know, so don't'chu go pullin' a vanishin' act on me."

"I'm not going anywhere, babe. You're stuck with me... and if this happens again, we'll just keep coming back and keep you with me." She watched him with a gentle smile, sighing softly. A moment later a laugh escaped. "I'll bring a change of clothes, too." Lightning couldn't tear her eyes away from him and it just cemented the fact that she was desperately in love with him.

"That, or the next time you jump on my lap, ditch the underwear and grind a bit." he laughed and winked at her, looping the ship around a few small clouds, always heading for the growing dot in the sky that the instruments claimed was the Binah.

"Jackass," she laughed, taking the elastic from her wrist and flicking it at him. "I was real damn upset, Mister Fair. Don't you go about perving," she added, and she laughed more, almost giddy to have Zack back where he should be; real, there, warm and naked to boot!

"I'm not allowed to perv out? Aww, well, there goes like forty percent of my conversational topics." he laughed softly, and smiled to her, "I hope I can make it up to you somehow.. what do you think I could do?" he seemed concerned for upsetting her so much.

Lightning laughed again, unable to hold it back anymore. She hugged her knees up to her chest and scrunched her nose. "Just be there and be you, okay? That's all I want from you." Lightning rested her chin on her knees and smile softly at him, wondering vaguely if any of his ex-girlfriends had loved him even half as much as she did.

"I'll see what I can do!" he grinned at her, finally swooping the ship into the Binah's cargo hold, feeling quite invigorated by the mako. Maybe he should keep some Materia on hand, just in case that was what kept him anchored. "You'll get all that and more, sound good?"

A soft laugh came from her and Lightning smiled at him as she got out of the bug. "It sounds very good. I'd like my surcoat back," she teased, winking at him before heading off out the cargo bay, her hips swaying as she walked. Really, she was the master of faking a cool demeanour, since in truth, she wanted to just cling to him and never let go. Teenagers...

Zack laughed softly and followed her, untying the thing from around his waist, leaving him nude. As he went by Lightning, he set it on her shoulder, and winked back at her, giving the girl a thumbs up, "I don't plan on goin' anywhere, so yer stuck with this." This being his bared backside as he walked towards their room for a shower, and a change of clothes.

An eyebrow quirked as she eyed him up with a smirk, soon laughing at his playfulness as she followed him into the bedroom, stripping off to join him for that shower. "I'd better be stuck with it. I don't plan on letting it go anywhere, country boy," she cooed, flicking her bangs away from her eyes. A smile settled on her face as she headed into the bathroom, stealing a gentle kiss from him as she came near.