Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Legend of the Final Materia ❯ Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Shukera searched the woods until she found their camp in a clearing. She thought to herself as she quietly snuck up closer to the outer laying perimeter of the camp. "They were waiting for us!!" When she heard voices, she ducked down behind a thick brush and listened in. Two guys pulling guard duty paced back and forth as they talked to each other.

"They are out there some where, hiding like little scared children. I found out that Commander Shukera is with them."

The second guy snickered, "Yeah, that Nida guy sure came in handy! And that Seifer guy…" They both started laughing and the first guy added. "Yeah, and all that information we got from Seifer. Sephiroth's plan was sheer genus. Now that he allowed Seifer to stay with them, we know all their plans!!"

Rage filled her inside as she listened to the conversation. A sickening feeling entered her heart as she drew her sword and darted from her hiding place. In one swift move she grabbed the first guy who was talking by the throat and began squeezing her fingers together. The other guy tried to run away but she kicked him in the back hard as she spat, "Where the hell do you think you are going!!!" A loud snap was heard as the guy fell to the ground…dead.

Shukera pulled the guy she held by the throat and brought him up to her eye level. She bore holes into his eyes with her own hate filled glared as she hissed, "Where the fuck is Seifer??"

The guy paled and whimpered, "Th…they took him away. We…we were supposed to watch…out for you guys to show up."

Shukera grabbed him tighter as she asked, "Whose idea was it to use Seifer like that?!?!"

The guy half stammered, half choked, "I…I…I can't tell you that!! They'll kill me!!"

Shukera punched him in the stomach with all her strength and the guy gasped in pain. She shouted, "Either you tell me or I'm going to make it hard for you to live!!!" She held her sword in the other hand pointed at him.

The guy began crying, afraid for his life. "It was that Quistis woman and Reno."

Shukera blinked, not sure what she was hearing. "What???" She pulled the guy up to her again. "DON'T YOU FUCKING LIE TO ME!!!!"

By this time three guys came running up from the opposite direction Shukera had entered in. When they saw Shukera, they threw their weapons down on the ground and cheered. "Commander Shukera is back!!!" They ran up to her relieved to see her and saluted her in unison.

Shukera threw down the idiot she was questioning and saluted them back. Before she could say anything, one of the guys began, "When we heard you returned and that they were here in the woods looking for you, we volunteered to camp here."

The second guy added, "We knew Shin Ra wanted to find you badly, so we decided it was up to us to stop that from happening."

Shukera pointed to the two guys on the ground. "What's up with those two??"

The first guy grumbled, "He's loyal to Shin Ra and their new commander of Soldier."

Suddenly there was a ruckus at the back of the camp. The three guys looked at each other then back to Shukera. She smirked, "There are more of us here." She turned and ran towards the commotion, "Come on guys follow me!!"

The guys followed Shukera towards the back of the camp and arrived in time to see Barett holding one of the other guys by the throat with his good hand. Irvine and Zell were holding the other two.

Shukera yelled, "Let them go!!!"

Barett protested as held the guy tighter. "Damned no good for nutten' Shin Ra piece of shit!!"

Shukera shouted as she ran up to Barett, "He was one of my best fighters!! Let him go!!"

Barett reluctantly let him go and threw him on the ground. Shukera helped him to his feet as she asked him, "Is this everyone??"

The guy Barett had by the throat coughed and nodded, "Yeah. We are all on your side Shukera, with the exception of those two assholes you took out!"

Irvine and Zell let the two they held go and they joined the other four. They bowed to Shukera showing respect. The one Barett held faced them. "We knew you were coming so we made some stew for you and your friends."

Barett and Zell eyed them suspiciously. "How we know this ain't some damned trap??" Zell added, "Yeah!! You think we look that stupid??"

Squall nodded as he motioned towards the guys. "Shukera these men were under you when you were commander??"

Shukera smiled proudly, "Yes they were."

Squall sheathed his gunblade. "Then you have the code here as well??"

Shukera looked at Squall surprised. Immediately the guys chorused, "Yes we do!!"

Squall then faced Barett, "It's safe to eat."

One of the guys waved the others on. "Here, it's this way at the center of camp." They passed Barett and Zell as they followed the guys. Barett watched them walk off as he scratched his head. "What code??"

The soldier stopped and faced Barett. "Code of Honor, never fight your true commanding officer. It's a show of the highest respect. Let's go, we will explain everything to you while we eat."

Raijin and Barett glanced at each other as Raijin spoke up, "Someone has to go and get the others who stayed on the ship, ya know."

Barett sighed, "Yeah, I'm goin'. Don't none this make any sense." He turned and began making his way out of the camp. Zell decided to go with him and they left into the night. Soon after they returned, the group was joined by Cid and Cloud. Everyone sat in the middle of the camp eating their stew.