Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Hearts Second Chance ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: whitetiger9953 
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 06.13.2012 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.2K | Visits: 231 | Status: Work In Progress
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 06.13.2012 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.2K | Visits: 231 | Status: Work In Progress
Sephiroth had spent the better part of the morning finishing reports and preparing miscellaneous documents needed for the next few days. With his appointment with Hojo fast approaching this afternoon he needed to make sure things would go smoothly in his absence. Leaning back in his chair he rubbed his tired eyes. He hated these sessions because they always left him weak for days.
The ringing of his phone interrupted his downward spiral into depression. Picking up the phone he frowned at the blank screen as he heard the ringing continue. Realizing it was the encrypted phone he shared with Zack he dug it out of his coat and answered.
“Hey, missing me yet?” Zack asked happily.
“No.” Sephiroth answered honestly.
“Aw, come on.” Zack whined, “You know you‘re going to miss me. I know you have one of your appointments with the mad doctor tonight.”
Sephiroth had been grateful to have Zack as a friend since the first day the young man had found him unconscious in the lobby of his apartment. Zack had stopped by to give Sephiroth an important report when he had happened upon the scene. Zack had managed to get him upstairs to his apartment and had taken care of him for the two days it took to gain consciousness. Ever since Zack had made it a point to make sure he had arrived home safely, “Yes, but this time I have another to help me.”
“How is Cloud?” Zack asked a hint of concern in his voice.
“He is doing well. Have you found the escapee?”
“No.” Zack said quietly. “I have found some interesting information though. The subject is female, appearing to be in her late teens to early twenties, and seems to be suffering from Mako poisoning. She escaped with a man with black hair wearing a long red coat, and a claw on his left arm. That’s not all.” Zack sighed angrily. “The scientists are claiming the escapee’s burned down the entire village of Nibelheim, and took Cloud’s mother hostage.”
Hearing the doubt in Zack’s voice, Sephiroth knew there was more to the story than the scientists were admitting to. He wondered who this girl was and what Hojo was hiding concerning her.
“Sephiroth, I searched the village. I know the scientists started the fire, I also found tunnels beneath the Strife home. One of the exits emptied on the outskirts of Rocket Town. No one is talking there but I did notice Cid Highwind is gone with the airship.” Zack said with a whispered tone as if someone would overhear their conversation.
“When you write up your report leave the last part out. What leads will you be exploring before returning?” Sephiroth asked already knowing the answer
“We’re at a dead end so the scientists have told us our job is done and to go home.” Zack hissed obviously hating being told what to do by those men.
“Than if your duty is done you are ordered to come back to Midgar.” Sephiroth said.
“Yep. See ya soon.” Zack said as he hung up the phone. Sephiroth closed the phone and put it away. Picking up the copy of the file he had given Zack, Sephiroth shuffled through the papers trying to find anything he could use to search Hojo’s database for more information on this girl. Hours later when his clock chirped to remind him of his appointment he still had found nothing helpful.
Lilly followed Vincent down the overgrown trail glaring at his back. She was still a little pissy over their hurried goodbye and the fact that they would have to walk most of the way. The cabin Vincent had instructed Cid to take them to was high in the mountains just below the cloud line. There were no roads into the location making it the perfect hideout for the members of Avalanche. Lilly was still unsure of who they were or what their purpose was but that didn’t really matter. Her only concern was watching over Sephiroth.
Lilly laced her fingers together behind her head then stretched her arms high above her head. Quickly dropping them when she felt a cold breeze on her ribcage. Grabbing the hem she tugged on the shirt Yuffie had given her. On the young girl the shirt had hit her mid stomach but since Lilly was a little bustier the shirt hit her just above the bottom of her ribcage. every time she raised her arms the shirt barely stayed below her breasts.
Upon thinking of Yuffie, Lilly looked up and shot Vincent another glare. Yuffie and Mr. Strife had all but begged Vincent to stay for a couple of days but he had refused. Probably because Yuffie had started to irritate him. Every time Lilly and Yuffie got together Yuffie was always showing her some kind of ninja move. The last time they had been alone Yuffie was trying to figure out how to unsheathe Lilly’s swords. They had even discovered that the harness for the sheaths was backwards or rather upside down. From the front they looked like suspenders hooked to her belt but on her back they crossed where the sheaths crossed with the hilts down by her waist. That was the reason for the locks on the sheaths holding the swords in.
Reaching back she fingered the guardless hilts. She had asked Vincent if she could have the gloves Cid had given her in Rocket Town, but he had told her she was still a little to weak. Even though she hated him for saying so, she knew he was right. They had had to stop frequently for her to catch her breath during the three days they had been walking.
Vincent turned to look over his shoulder at Lilly when he heard her breathing a little heavily. He knew he had been pushing her a little harder than he should have, but she needed to gain her strength quickly. They should be near a village soon, then they could acquire transportation to the edges of Midgar. After that he had an idea of where they could hide while they observed the situation with Sephiroth and Cloud. He wasn’t surprised Lucrecia’s son was now the General of Soldier, he was even a little proud to know the boy had grown into an influential man. The only thing that bothered him was the fact that Hojo was still involved in the boys life. Vincent would like nothing more than to get his clawed hand around the bastards throat.
Lilly was starting to pant as she prayed Vincent would stop soon. She really needed a break but she wasn’t going to admit it. She wanted to appear strong in his eyes. She knew she was attracted to him but the man was impossible. During these last days she had tried to start a conversation with him only to have him turn and give her a quiet look then ignore her, it was starting to piss her off. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice it when Vincent stopped walking.
Slamming into his back with a humph she staggered back ready to loose a string of insults and profanity when she saw his face. Following his gaze she saw a small village, she sighed in relief, maybe they could actually sleep in real beds tonight. Hell she’d be fine with a lumpy mattress on the floor.
“Please tell me we are going to be staying the night here.” Lilly panted.
Vincent looked down into her hopeful eyes. He was about to agree when Chaos spoke up for the first time in three days.
Yes. Was all the demon said. Vincent looked down at the village and said, “Very well we will see if they have accommodations.”
Cloud stood in Sephiroth’s kitchen chopping up ingredients for tonight’s dinner. It had been a week since he had had his first Mako treatment and he was still not allowed to go home, per Sephiroth’s orders. Cloud couldn’t help the smile on his face at this fact. The doctor had released him the day after the unsuccessful treatment but it looked like the General didn‘t want Cloud to leave. Looking at the clock he couldn’t frowned, Sephiroth was an hour late coming home. Cloud knew he had a session with Hojo but Sephiroth had assured him that everything would be fine. Cloud had just sat the pan on the stove top when he heard the door open. Walking into the living room he was about to great Sephiroth when he saw the way he sagged against the door.
“Are you okay?” Cloud asked walking up to the man.
Sephiroth looked up at him with dull eyes then they slid shut as he dropped to the floor. Cloud ran up to the unconscious man and shook him. “Sephiroth.” He was so cold it scared Cloud. Rolling him over he made sure he was breathing, then he stood reaching under Sephiroth’s shoulders and lifted his upper body. Cloud grunted from the dead weight of his lover, and dragged him to his room nearly tripping over a frantic cat. Once in the room it took Cloud a couple of tries but he managed to get Sephiroth into the bed. By now Sephiroth had broken into a cold sweat. Stripping him, Cloud ran into the bathroom and got some cold wet washcloths and wiped him down. Then covered him with the blankets on the bed. Nicodemus was now sitting on Sephiroth’s chest mewling, unhappy with his masters unresponsive form. Cloud reached up and stroked the cat, “It’s okay little one, he will be back on his feet soon.” The cat rubbed its head into Cloud’s hand. Sometime during the last couple of days they had come a tense truce, both understanding they would have to be nice to each other. Cloud and Nicodemus sat on the bed watching Sephiroth knowing it would be a long night.
Throughout the night Sephiroth went from sweating and thrashing in the bed, to ice cold and barely breathing. By morning both Cloud and Nicodemus were emotional wreaks and still Sephiroth slept. Cloud was beginning to worry there was something seriously wrong and was about to call the mad scientist who caused this when Sephiroth’s phone rang. Picking it up he noticed it was Zack. Flipping it open, “Zack where are you?”
“Cloud?” Zack asked clearly confused.
“Of course it’s me you idiot. Now answer my damned question.” Cloud shouted.
“Whoa, calm down a minute and tell me what’s going on.” Zack said sternly.
Taking a deep breath Cloud told Zack what had happened.
Zack laughed a little. “He should be fine by tomorrow. It usually takes him a couple days to recover from one of Hojo’s experiments. If he is not conscious by tomorrow morning call me, I should be back in Midgar by then.” When Cloud didn’t immediately answer Zack asked hesitantly, “Cloud are you going to be okay with this? I know your treatment didn’t go very well.”
“Are you sure he will be fine?” Cloud whispered looking down at Sephiroth‘s pale form on the bed.
“Yes.” Zack said firmly leaving no room for doubt.
“Okay. I’ll call you in the morning to let you know what is going on.” Cloud said still not convinced everything was going to be fine.
Sephiroth groaned as his body protested him waking up. Opening his eyes he looked around the dark room. The last thing he remembered was seeing Cloud standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Trying to sit up he felt something laying across his chest preventing him from rising. Looking down he was surprised to see not only Cloud laying across his chest but Nichodemus was curled up under Cloud’s chin. Looks like he worried the both of them. Reaching up he ran his hand through the spiky blonde hair tickling his chest. Cloud gasped, opening his eyes and sitting up causing Nichodemus to tumble from his body. They both sat there on the bed staring at Sephiroth with wide eyes. Reaching over he scratched his cat behind its ear reassuring the animal he was fine, then he lifted his arm signaling Cloud to lay back down. Cloud dropped back onto his chest and held on tight. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“It’s okay.” Cloud mumbled as Sephiroth stroked his hair. Sephiroth was surprised when both Cloud and his cat fell back to sleep so quickly. As he watched them he realized how messy their appearances were. Sephiroth couldn’t remember the last time his cat looked disheveled, and even Cloud’s normally spiky hairdo looked like the boy had ran his hands through it repeatedly. Closing his eyes, Sephiroth kept stroking Cloud’s hair while he drifted to sleep.
The ringing of his phone interrupted his downward spiral into depression. Picking up the phone he frowned at the blank screen as he heard the ringing continue. Realizing it was the encrypted phone he shared with Zack he dug it out of his coat and answered.
“Hey, missing me yet?” Zack asked happily.
“No.” Sephiroth answered honestly.
“Aw, come on.” Zack whined, “You know you‘re going to miss me. I know you have one of your appointments with the mad doctor tonight.”
Sephiroth had been grateful to have Zack as a friend since the first day the young man had found him unconscious in the lobby of his apartment. Zack had stopped by to give Sephiroth an important report when he had happened upon the scene. Zack had managed to get him upstairs to his apartment and had taken care of him for the two days it took to gain consciousness. Ever since Zack had made it a point to make sure he had arrived home safely, “Yes, but this time I have another to help me.”
“How is Cloud?” Zack asked a hint of concern in his voice.
“He is doing well. Have you found the escapee?”
“No.” Zack said quietly. “I have found some interesting information though. The subject is female, appearing to be in her late teens to early twenties, and seems to be suffering from Mako poisoning. She escaped with a man with black hair wearing a long red coat, and a claw on his left arm. That’s not all.” Zack sighed angrily. “The scientists are claiming the escapee’s burned down the entire village of Nibelheim, and took Cloud’s mother hostage.”
Hearing the doubt in Zack’s voice, Sephiroth knew there was more to the story than the scientists were admitting to. He wondered who this girl was and what Hojo was hiding concerning her.
“Sephiroth, I searched the village. I know the scientists started the fire, I also found tunnels beneath the Strife home. One of the exits emptied on the outskirts of Rocket Town. No one is talking there but I did notice Cid Highwind is gone with the airship.” Zack said with a whispered tone as if someone would overhear their conversation.
“When you write up your report leave the last part out. What leads will you be exploring before returning?” Sephiroth asked already knowing the answer
“We’re at a dead end so the scientists have told us our job is done and to go home.” Zack hissed obviously hating being told what to do by those men.
“Than if your duty is done you are ordered to come back to Midgar.” Sephiroth said.
“Yep. See ya soon.” Zack said as he hung up the phone. Sephiroth closed the phone and put it away. Picking up the copy of the file he had given Zack, Sephiroth shuffled through the papers trying to find anything he could use to search Hojo’s database for more information on this girl. Hours later when his clock chirped to remind him of his appointment he still had found nothing helpful.
Lilly followed Vincent down the overgrown trail glaring at his back. She was still a little pissy over their hurried goodbye and the fact that they would have to walk most of the way. The cabin Vincent had instructed Cid to take them to was high in the mountains just below the cloud line. There were no roads into the location making it the perfect hideout for the members of Avalanche. Lilly was still unsure of who they were or what their purpose was but that didn’t really matter. Her only concern was watching over Sephiroth.
Lilly laced her fingers together behind her head then stretched her arms high above her head. Quickly dropping them when she felt a cold breeze on her ribcage. Grabbing the hem she tugged on the shirt Yuffie had given her. On the young girl the shirt had hit her mid stomach but since Lilly was a little bustier the shirt hit her just above the bottom of her ribcage. every time she raised her arms the shirt barely stayed below her breasts.
Upon thinking of Yuffie, Lilly looked up and shot Vincent another glare. Yuffie and Mr. Strife had all but begged Vincent to stay for a couple of days but he had refused. Probably because Yuffie had started to irritate him. Every time Lilly and Yuffie got together Yuffie was always showing her some kind of ninja move. The last time they had been alone Yuffie was trying to figure out how to unsheathe Lilly’s swords. They had even discovered that the harness for the sheaths was backwards or rather upside down. From the front they looked like suspenders hooked to her belt but on her back they crossed where the sheaths crossed with the hilts down by her waist. That was the reason for the locks on the sheaths holding the swords in.
Reaching back she fingered the guardless hilts. She had asked Vincent if she could have the gloves Cid had given her in Rocket Town, but he had told her she was still a little to weak. Even though she hated him for saying so, she knew he was right. They had had to stop frequently for her to catch her breath during the three days they had been walking.
Vincent turned to look over his shoulder at Lilly when he heard her breathing a little heavily. He knew he had been pushing her a little harder than he should have, but she needed to gain her strength quickly. They should be near a village soon, then they could acquire transportation to the edges of Midgar. After that he had an idea of where they could hide while they observed the situation with Sephiroth and Cloud. He wasn’t surprised Lucrecia’s son was now the General of Soldier, he was even a little proud to know the boy had grown into an influential man. The only thing that bothered him was the fact that Hojo was still involved in the boys life. Vincent would like nothing more than to get his clawed hand around the bastards throat.
Lilly was starting to pant as she prayed Vincent would stop soon. She really needed a break but she wasn’t going to admit it. She wanted to appear strong in his eyes. She knew she was attracted to him but the man was impossible. During these last days she had tried to start a conversation with him only to have him turn and give her a quiet look then ignore her, it was starting to piss her off. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice it when Vincent stopped walking.
Slamming into his back with a humph she staggered back ready to loose a string of insults and profanity when she saw his face. Following his gaze she saw a small village, she sighed in relief, maybe they could actually sleep in real beds tonight. Hell she’d be fine with a lumpy mattress on the floor.
“Please tell me we are going to be staying the night here.” Lilly panted.
Vincent looked down into her hopeful eyes. He was about to agree when Chaos spoke up for the first time in three days.
Yes. Was all the demon said. Vincent looked down at the village and said, “Very well we will see if they have accommodations.”
Cloud stood in Sephiroth’s kitchen chopping up ingredients for tonight’s dinner. It had been a week since he had had his first Mako treatment and he was still not allowed to go home, per Sephiroth’s orders. Cloud couldn’t help the smile on his face at this fact. The doctor had released him the day after the unsuccessful treatment but it looked like the General didn‘t want Cloud to leave. Looking at the clock he couldn’t frowned, Sephiroth was an hour late coming home. Cloud knew he had a session with Hojo but Sephiroth had assured him that everything would be fine. Cloud had just sat the pan on the stove top when he heard the door open. Walking into the living room he was about to great Sephiroth when he saw the way he sagged against the door.
“Are you okay?” Cloud asked walking up to the man.
Sephiroth looked up at him with dull eyes then they slid shut as he dropped to the floor. Cloud ran up to the unconscious man and shook him. “Sephiroth.” He was so cold it scared Cloud. Rolling him over he made sure he was breathing, then he stood reaching under Sephiroth’s shoulders and lifted his upper body. Cloud grunted from the dead weight of his lover, and dragged him to his room nearly tripping over a frantic cat. Once in the room it took Cloud a couple of tries but he managed to get Sephiroth into the bed. By now Sephiroth had broken into a cold sweat. Stripping him, Cloud ran into the bathroom and got some cold wet washcloths and wiped him down. Then covered him with the blankets on the bed. Nicodemus was now sitting on Sephiroth’s chest mewling, unhappy with his masters unresponsive form. Cloud reached up and stroked the cat, “It’s okay little one, he will be back on his feet soon.” The cat rubbed its head into Cloud’s hand. Sometime during the last couple of days they had come a tense truce, both understanding they would have to be nice to each other. Cloud and Nicodemus sat on the bed watching Sephiroth knowing it would be a long night.
Throughout the night Sephiroth went from sweating and thrashing in the bed, to ice cold and barely breathing. By morning both Cloud and Nicodemus were emotional wreaks and still Sephiroth slept. Cloud was beginning to worry there was something seriously wrong and was about to call the mad scientist who caused this when Sephiroth’s phone rang. Picking it up he noticed it was Zack. Flipping it open, “Zack where are you?”
“Cloud?” Zack asked clearly confused.
“Of course it’s me you idiot. Now answer my damned question.” Cloud shouted.
“Whoa, calm down a minute and tell me what’s going on.” Zack said sternly.
Taking a deep breath Cloud told Zack what had happened.
Zack laughed a little. “He should be fine by tomorrow. It usually takes him a couple days to recover from one of Hojo’s experiments. If he is not conscious by tomorrow morning call me, I should be back in Midgar by then.” When Cloud didn’t immediately answer Zack asked hesitantly, “Cloud are you going to be okay with this? I know your treatment didn’t go very well.”
“Are you sure he will be fine?” Cloud whispered looking down at Sephiroth‘s pale form on the bed.
“Yes.” Zack said firmly leaving no room for doubt.
“Okay. I’ll call you in the morning to let you know what is going on.” Cloud said still not convinced everything was going to be fine.
Sephiroth groaned as his body protested him waking up. Opening his eyes he looked around the dark room. The last thing he remembered was seeing Cloud standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Trying to sit up he felt something laying across his chest preventing him from rising. Looking down he was surprised to see not only Cloud laying across his chest but Nichodemus was curled up under Cloud’s chin. Looks like he worried the both of them. Reaching up he ran his hand through the spiky blonde hair tickling his chest. Cloud gasped, opening his eyes and sitting up causing Nichodemus to tumble from his body. They both sat there on the bed staring at Sephiroth with wide eyes. Reaching over he scratched his cat behind its ear reassuring the animal he was fine, then he lifted his arm signaling Cloud to lay back down. Cloud dropped back onto his chest and held on tight. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“It’s okay.” Cloud mumbled as Sephiroth stroked his hair. Sephiroth was surprised when both Cloud and his cat fell back to sleep so quickly. As he watched them he realized how messy their appearances were. Sephiroth couldn’t remember the last time his cat looked disheveled, and even Cloud’s normally spiky hairdo looked like the boy had ran his hands through it repeatedly. Closing his eyes, Sephiroth kept stroking Cloud’s hair while he drifted to sleep.