Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Alliance ❯ Chapter 20

“Alliance”

Chapter 20

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(Warning: Possible spoilers for all FF7 game/movie titles)

*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can't get enough of this world and the characters.*

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Cloud carefully took hold of Zack's broken wing and very slowly extended it. Zack groaned in pain and the blonde bit his lip and looked at him with aching blue eyes.

 

“Sorry. I know it hurts but I need you to hold it together for me, Zack.”

 

The sable-haired fighter nodded and took a deep breath. Reno crouched at the other side of the bed and stroked Zack's hair, soothing him the only way he could. The redhead watched his blonde lover gently feel along the span of the wing to determine where it was broken.

 

“I've found it,” Cloud murmured, his eyes distant as he concentrated. “Reno, you're going to have to hold him still while I set this. As soon as it's set I'm going to cast a Curaga spell on him to mend it.”

 

The Turk looked at Zack dubiously. “I'll try, but I'm not even sure Rude could hold this guy down.”

 

“Just put your back into it,” Cloud encouraged. “Zack, try your best to hold still, okay?”

 

“Hold it a second,” Reno urged. He stood up and undid his belt, tugging it out of his pant loops and rolling it up. “Here, Wolfy. Bite down on this.”

 

Zack allowed the Turk to fit the rolled up belt between his teeth and Reno sprawled out on top of him, pressing down with his entire body to hold him still. The redhead gave a nod to Cloud and the blonde took a deep breath and counted to three. He pulled on the wing he gripped and fitted the broken bone together firmly, as quickly as he could.

 

Zack's distorted scream of pain made both of his companions wince in sympathy and Cloud wasted no time in activating the cure materia he had equipped. Zack held relatively still and Reno was pretty sure he hadn't been much help with that. The black-haired fighter trembled as the green glow of Cloud's spell covered his wing.

 

“There ya go,” Reno soothed, stroking Zack's hair as the spell did its work. “You're a tough bastard, that's for sure.”

 

Zack shut his eyes and sighed with relief as the bone mended and the pain lessened. He felt as weak as a kitten, as if all his strength had gone into holding still for Cloud. The blonde got something out of the medical kit and Reno took the belt out of Zack's mouth. The redhead held a glass of water to Zack's lips while Cloud handed a couple of aspirin to him.

 

“Down the hatch,” Reno prompted. “Gotta break that fever of yours and materia ain't gonna do it.”

 

Zack struggled to sit up, his arms shaking with the effort. Cloud helped him and steadied him while he put the tablets in his mouth and took the glass of water from Reno. The Turk saw how much his hands shook and he steadied the glass for him, helping him drink. When he finished swallowing the pills, Zack drew his wings back in with a groan.

 

“Shouldn't have done that,” the fighter panted as the action cost him the last of his energy.

 

“Should he be this weak?” Reno whispered to Cloud as they helped Zack lay back down and he lost consciousness almost immediately. He thought it was odd how a man that had carried him so far with a broken wing was now trembling like a newborn and passed out.

 

“He's worn out and feverish,” Cloud said. “He needs rest.” The blonde looked at the boarded window, noting how the light coming in through one of the cracks was growing dimmer. “We're going to need food. I don't know how long it's going to take to get help and I'm not going to try to move Zack until he's got his strength back.”

 

“Well, good luck with the food, yo.” Reno said sourly. “When I checked the cabinets all I found was some crackers that went to funk.”

 

“I'll go hunting,” Cloud said.

 

“In this?” Reno sputtered. “Alone?”

 

“Someone's got to watch over Zack and you don't know how to hunt.” Cloud insisted.

 

Reno sighed. “Okay, then. I'm just kind of worried, man. I heard Zack say over the comm. unit that he breathed in some of that shit from the canisters they were chucking at us. What if that's got something to do with his fever?”

 

Cloud swallowed and looked down at his unconscious lover, reaching out impulsively to stroke his hot cheek. He shook his head. “I don't know. He should have gotten checked out right away but he blew it off. All we can do now is try to break his fever and keep an eye on him. Help me get him out of these wet clothes, will you?”

 

“Are we like, taking them all off?” Reno asked as he started unfastening Zack's scabbard and body armor. “Don't think Zack'd be too thrilled to wake up starkers with me alone with him. You want him to feel safe, right?”

 

Cloud smirked. “Zack's not shy. I don't think he'll care and I know even you've got enough self-control not to molest a sick person. Besides, we can leave him in his underwear. They're probably dry enough.”

 

“You sure he's even wearing any?” Reno asked in all seriousness.

 

Cloud nodded and bit his lip. “He'd probably be uncomfortable if he went without it.”

 

“Oh-ho! So I was right…your boy's hung nice, eh?” Reno grinned. Rude refused to go commando too, on the grounds that he needed something to hold his junk.

 

“Now's really not the time to talk about that,” Cloud muttered. “We're not doing this to perv on him.”

 

“Maybe you're not,” teased the redhead. When Cloud sighed, he let up. “Sorry Blondie…I guess I'm just trying to lighten the mood a little. We're up shit creek without a paddle and I know you're worried about Zack.” He pulled the scabbard and shoulder guards off and set them on the floor.

 

Cloud unzipped Zack's shirt and pulled it open. “It's okay. Just promise me you'll take care of him for me.”

 

“You know I will,” Reno said seriously. He helped Cloud roll Zack onto his side so that they could pull the shirt off. The boots and socks came off next, followed by the pants. Reno tried not to stare at Zack's body but it was bloody hard to resist, with him lying there in nothing but a pair of dark blue boxer briefs.

 

“Reno,” Cloud grumbled when the redhead's blue-green eyes fixated on Zack's endowments. He tried to keep his tone annoyed but he started grinning before he could help it, amused by Reno's helpless fascination.

 

“Uh…yeah…sorry about that,” Reno muttered, clearing his throat.

 

~Oh yeah…Wolfy's got a nice, big set on him. Shit, what a time to start getting a hard-on!~

 

“Are you blushing?”

 

Reno shook his head and averted his face. “Why would I do that, Blondie? Ya know I've got no shame.”

 

“You are!” Cloud peered at Reno with a little smile.

 

“Okay, I'm blushing `cause I'm getting a stiffy,” the redhead snapped. “And I knew if you noticed it you'd get pissed, all right?”

 

Cloud sobered. “No I wouldn't. Sometimes it just happens.”

 

Reno looked at him suspiciously. “You're not mad? I mean, I was just giving your boy here a good eye-fuck when it happened.”

 

“Do you want me to be mad about it?” Cloud crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“No, but I'm surprised you aren't. No offense babe, but you can be a real prude sometimes.”

 

“I know,” Cloud admitted. “Don't worry about it, okay? Like I said, I know you won't do anything to him without his consent.” He pulled the covers up to Zack's shoulders and tucked him in. “I'm going to try not to be too long but it might take a few hours for me to catch anything.”

 

“Just watch yourself,” Reno said, “and while you're out there, see if you can get any reception to call for someone to come get us.” He gave Cloud a lingering kiss before the blonde got up and left.

 

~**************************************~

 

Hours passed and it grew dark outside. Reno kept checking Zack's temperature and he sighed in relief when the other man broke into a sweat.

 

“Fever's broken, Bird boy,” the Turk said as he dabbed Zack's face with the wet cloth he kept in a bowl of water by the bed. “Now we just need Cloud to get his tight little ass back and for you to wake up.”

 

He wondered how the others were fairing against Deepground and he wondered where Genesis flew off to. He knew that they'd send out search parties to look for them but that likely wasn't going to happen until morning, when they'd have some light. That was, assuming they didn't get overwhelmed by the enemy.

 

He tried not to think about that possibility. Deepground might have some genetic freaks and fancy moves but his team was full of trained professionals. Of course, with two of the strongest fighters out of the picture now, the alliance didn't have as much of an advantage.

 

“Damn, I hope Cloud's okay,” Reno sighed. He stood up and walked out of the bedroom, moving back into the main part of the house to poke at the fireplace. Hell, if nothing else the smoke from the chimney should act as a pretty good beacon for the search parties. Reno wondered if the cabin owner had any emergency flares stashed somewhere. If the guy was a mountain climber, he probably did. Deciding it would keep his thoughts occupied, the redhead began to search the house.

 

In the bedroom, Zack began to wake up. His thoughts were a confused jumble and the only thing that was clear to him was that he'd been fighting…and he wanted to fight some more. He sniffed the air and growled low in his throat as he picked up the lingering scent of cinnamon and cloves.

 

~*********************************~

 

Cloud was dragging his prize back to the cabin when he realized someone was watching him. He looked up at the cold, clear night sky, obeying his instincts. There was Genesis, standing on one of the thicker branches of a bare tree. Cloud dropped the hooves of the small deer he was dragging and reached for his weapon.

 

“If I wanted to attack you,” Genesis informed him, “I'd have already done it.”

 

“Then what do you want?” Cloud demanded, keeping his eyes narrowed on him.

 

Genesis came down from the tree, landing lightly on the snowy ground. “I wanted to find you,” he said calmly. “It would have been a waste for you and your companions to die in the wilderness. Call it curiosity. I was interested to see if you all made it.”

 

“Well, now you know,” said Cloud. “Unless your planning to give us a hand, I don't have time to talk to you.” The blonde began to drag his kill again, keeping his sword ready in case Genesis decided to attack after all.

 

“I have information.”

 

Cloud stopped and looked at him. “What kind of information?”

 

“About the gas weapon that Deepground is using against civilians and your army. It was clever of your people to wear those masks, but they sometimes slip, don't they?”

 

Cloud thought about Zack and closed his eyes. “How much does it take for the gas to start changing someone?”

 

“Not long,” Genesis explained, “but the effect it has differs from one person to the next, depending on genetics. It's immediately deadly to some, while it triggers mutations in others. Sometimes it causes the mutations and kills them at the same time. Still others only experience temporary behavioral changes. Their ability to reason gets compromised and they are reduced to a primal state until it wears off. Some are naturally immune and suffer no ill effects at all.”

 

“What about someone who's already got a mutation?” Cloud asked.

 

“It won't trigger further mutations, but it can still kill them or effect their behavior.”

 

“So why isn't anyone in Deepground using gas masks when they use this stuff against other people?” Cloud couldn't believe they were crazy enough to risk getting the business end of their own weapon.

 

“Vaccination,” Genesis answered simply.

 

“Figures,” Cloud grumbled. He continued dragging the carcass and Genesis followed him. He wasn't as worried about Zack now as he was before. His lover hadn't shown any of the symptoms Genesis described, but he still wanted to get back to him and check on him to be sure.

 

“I don't suppose you've got the formula for this vaccination of theirs, do you?” Cloud highly doubted it but he was trying to figure out what Genesis's motivation was.

 

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

 

Cloud stopped again and stared at him.

 

~***************************************~

 

Reno found flares and a flare gun, too. He took the box out of the closet and carried it back into the main room, intending to fire a couple outside just in case Cloud needed some help finding the cabin again. He yelped out loud and almost dropped the box when he found Zack standing on the opposite side of the room, near the short hallway that led to the bedroom and bathroom.

 

“Cripes, I take back what I said about you and stealth, Zack!” Reno gasped as he set the box down on the floor. “I didn't hear you get up. You've made a helluva fast recovery. You sure you're okay to be out of bed?” He studied the fighter with concern. He looked okay…he didn't seem to have any trouble standing and his wings were out again. There was something off about the way he was standing, though…not to mention the way he was looking at Reno. There was also the fact that he was still in his underwear and he didn't seem to notice his lack of dress at all.

 

“Cloud said you weren't shy but I figured you'd at least ask where your clothes went,” Reno smirked. He started to tell him that his clothes were hanging in the kitchen to dry but he was unsettled. His smirk died as Zack stared at him wordlessly. There was something decidedly unfriendly in that lupine, blue-violet gaze and Reno was prompted to recall how much Zack reminded him of a wolf in human form.

 

“Okay, I think someone got outta bed too soon,” Reno said. He didn't like the way Zack was moving towards the door and he inched over to it, putting it to his back. “Where do you think you're going, man? I can't let you go out there like that! Especially after I just got your fever broken.”

 

Reno frowned with confused amazement as he noticed something else: Zack was entering a state of arousal right before his eyes. Reno tried not to stare but the sight of that tempting bulge in Zack's underwear growing more pronounced by the moment was mesmerizing.

 

“Uh…so yeah…can't let you out the door, man. Sorry. I could open that bottle of scotch I found earlier and we could—WHOA!”

 

Zack lunged for him and put both palms flat on the door, on either side of Reno's head. The Turk stared with wide eyes as the fighter's lip curled.

 

“Yo, did you just growl at me, Fair?” Reno gasped. It wasn't the sort of growl he'd associate with playfulness or sex, either. It was animal-like and feral.

 

~Shit…this could be bad. Did the gas do this to him? Is he gonna sprout a tail and a set of fluffy wolf ears, next?~

 

“Take it easy, baby,” Reno said softly, in his most persuasive, seductive tone of voice. “Why dontcha just tell me what you're after, okay?”

 

Zack was breathing heavily, his eyes flashing with two kinds of lust. He looked Reno over, his gaze settling on his throat.

 

“Come on, Zack,” Reno swallowed, “Ya don't wanna attack me.” He remembered the way the fighter had bitten Cissnei's rapist on the throat and he had a terrible feeling he might be next.

 

The black-haired man gave a start and looked at him with a trace of confusion on his handsome features. Reno guessed it was a reaction to hearing his name and he spoke it again.

 

“That's right, Zack. You're still in there somewhere, right?” Reno dared to reach out and put a hand on his shoulder. Zack looked down at it, then back at him. He growled softly and Reno considered the erection he was sporting between his thighs. He had to keep him from running out the door until Cloud got back and they could work out what happened to him. Sex was one way to keep him busy, though he wasn't sure what Blondie would think of him using that as a distraction when Zack wasn't in his right mind.

 

“So let me guess,” Reno said. “You either wanna fight your you wanna fuck. Is that it?” He slowly let his hand slide down over the hard muscles of Zack's chest and stomach and he lowered his eyes, remembering something about wolves and eye contact. He had no problem at all letting Zack be the alpha male here…especially since his weapons weren't on him at the moment and the man could probably snap him like a twig if he got the chance.

 

Reno traced the treasure trail of dark hair that started below Zack's navel and he tensed a little when the sable-haired fighter nuzzled his neck, sniffing at him. Zack's hands moved from the door to Reno's shoulders and he nuzzled the exposed part of his chest next, his hands pulling at the material of the shirt to bare more of his skin.

 

Reno was swelling in his pants too by the time he mustered the nerve to cup Zack between the legs and fondle his package. Zack pulled back to look at him and the aggression in his eyes softened into something else. He licked his lips and pushed against Reno's stroking hand.

 

“Yeah, that's what you want, isn't it baby? You don't wanna go running out in the snow. Let's just forget about that idea and have a little fun here, yo.” Reno knew he was probably making a stupid move by coming onto a guy that was acting like an animal; especially when he wasn't sure what was causing his behavior. Zack could really tear him up if he wasn't careful. On the plus side, this had the potential to be one of the best fucks on record, too. He saw the tip of Zack's cock peeking out of the waistline of his underwear as it swelled fully erect and Reno smiled, unable to resist temptation.

 

Zack's breath caught as Reno circled the exposed head of his cock with the pad of his finger, rubbing the sensitive slit in the tip with slow, gentle circles. The redhead risked a look into his eyes and saw the dazed pleasure there.

 

“How about a lick, wolfy?” Reno purred. While a voice inside his head that sounded suspiciously like his partner's asked him what the fuck he was doing, Reno took another risk and licked Zack's chin slowly. When the fighter didn't try to bite his tongue off, he did it again, then licked him on his parted, gasping lips. He traced them with his tongue before gently delving into his mouth. He pushed his hand into the fighter's underwear and squeezed the impressive length of his cock, moaning softly as his lust flared brighter.

 

Zack growled again, but this time Reno could tell it was a good kind of growl. Reno broke the kiss to murmur more seductive words to him. “You like the way I'm petting ya, Wolfy? Feel good?” Gaia, he might as well be a bitch in heat, he was so horny. Reno began to unconsciously rub his own straining crotch against one of Zack's naked thigh as the fighter pressed him against the door and started kissing his neck. He held back a yelp when he felt Zack's teeth nip his skin. As hot as this was, he still had to be careful and he hoped to hell Zack's current state of mind wasn't permanent.

 

Reno was being dragged to the floor then and he realized with a moment of panic that he had to at least get him and Zack lubed up before it went too far. He knew from experience that a cock that size needed to be good and lubed to fit without serious pain.

 

“Easy baby,” Reno said gently as he started searching through his pockets. “Fuck…where'd I put the junk?”

 

Zack growled aggressively again and Reno licked him on the jaw quickly, hoping to appease him long enough to get the damned lube out. “It's okay,” he assured Zack as calmly as he could. “I'm not fighting ya, Wolfy. I just want to get ready for ya, okay?” He tactfully reached down to fondle the man that was moving restlessly on top of him. “Shhh, easy. Yeah, that's it,” he encouraged. His other hand kept searching his pockets as he distracted Zack with a hand job.

 

“Thank Shiva,” Reno breathed when he found one of the gel packs he was looking for. He realized then that poor Zack seemed to have forgotten how to remove clothes along with how to speak or use human reasoning. The fighter was pulling at Reno's shirt with his teeth, worrying the material with frustrated little snarls.

 

“Take it easy,” Reno murmured, trying not to laugh. “Sheesh, no wonder your pal Angeal used to call you a `puppy' all the time. Here, lemme take care of that for ya.”

 

Reno shrugged out of his ruined shirt and threw it aside. He almost went straight for his pants next but something warned him not to make himself that vulnerable until he'd at least lubed up Zack's cock. “Hold on a minute, baby,” Reno purred as he tugged Zack's underwear down over his hips. “You'll like this. Trust me.” He kissed him and snapped open the lubricant, squeezing it out into his palm. This time, Zack kissed him back and the fighter stopped growling as if he understood he was going to get what he wanted.

 

Reno reached down and started slicking the lube over Zack's jutting cock. He let the other man's tongue into his mouth and he sucked on it as he stroked up and down his rigid flesh. Zack made a primal sound of pleasure and instinctively pumped into the touch, his breath quickening with excitement.

 

When Reno was satisfied that his companion was lubed enough to slide in without too much trouble, he undid his pants and pulled them off. His earlier instincts paid off big time because as soon as Zack realized there was no longer a barrier of clothing between himself and his goal, he grabbed Reno and flipped him onto his stomach.

 

“Oh shit,” Reno gasped as he felt Zack's hands grab his hips and position his ass in the air. He barely had time to get to his hands and knees before the other man's cock nudged into his body. The redhead moaned and clenched his fists, forcing his body to relax and accept the intrusion. To his surprised relief, Zack didn't just drive all the way in and start going to town on him right away. Some part of him must have retained enough logic to ease it in slowly.

 

“Thanks, Zack,” Reno sighed with sincere gratitude. Another moan burst from his lips as the next push made it go a little deeper. Zack withdrew again and bowed over him before easing in again. His breath was hot and heavy against Reno's ear as he slowly and steadily pumped until he could enter him completely without making him cry out in pain.

 

Zack's next thrust let Reno know in no uncertain terms that now that he'd adjusted, he was in for a hell of a ride. The man drove into him hard and deep, nearly pushing Reno back onto his face on the floor. He did it again as soon as he withdrew and Reno shouted with aching pleasure as Zack started taking him with hard, forceful thrusts.

 

“Zack…baby,” Reno panted, his eyes glazing over. Oh, yes…a good, hard fuck was just what he needed and Zack was giving that to him in spades. Each snap of the black-haired man's pelvis sent a burst of sensation through Reno's dick and spine. The thick girth of his cock put heavy pressure on just the right spot as it slid back and forth inside of him and before long, Reno was biting his lip and flushed with ecstasy.

 

He knew Zack would be just as good at the hard fucking as Blondie and Rufus were, and he briefly wondered how quickly he'd end up in a wheelchair for life if he ever had Cloud, Rufus and Zack take turns on him all night long.

 

Reno's moans seemed to make Zack happy, because every time he came out with one the black-haired man nuzzled his neck, as if rewarding him. His hand reached down and under to grasp the redhead's cock and stroke it, prompting Reno to wriggle his ass and whimper gratefully. The redhead matched Zack's thrusts, pushing back against him encouragingly. He felt Zack's other hand leave his hip and the next thing he knew, it was holding onto his ponytail and tugging it firmly. Reno tilted his head back obediently and Zack's mouth covered his in an aggressive kiss. He felt the ex-Soldier's wings fanning the air slowly and it only made everything more erotic.

 

Reno was quickly losing control and his muffled cries grew louder and louder against Zack's lips as the other man's thrusting and fondling started driving him over the edge. Zack released his mouth and let go of his ponytail to grasp one of his hips again and Reno bowed his head and moaned the fighter's name. His breath shuddered and he tensed up as he came in Zack's stroking hand with the next powerful shove of his cock.

 

Zack groaned—the first human sounding noise he'd made since Reno found him awake. His cock pulsed inside of the redhead and he filled him with his release, gasping and trembling. Both men collapsed on the floor after that and Reno became aware after a moment or two that Zack was quite heavy.

 

“Hey Wolfy, you're smushing me a little,” Reno murmured breathlessly. He squirmed beneath the heavier man and sucked in a sharp breath when the movement made Zack's sated cock shift inside of him. “I'm gonna start getting turned on again and I've still got to shoot a flare for Cloud,” Reno pleaded.

 

Whether he comprehended the words or the tone of voice, Zack rolled slowly off of him and lay on his side, kicking his underwear the rest of the way off as he reclined. Reno also rolled on his side and faced him, studying him for a moment. Zack looked slightly confused and Reno thought he saw a bit more comprehension in his gaze.

 

He glanced down and realized he probably shouldn't pull Zack's underwear back up for him until he could get him cleaned up. Getting the fighter to cooperate with him was likely going to be a chore, too.

 

“Are you starting to feel more like yourself, baby?” the redhead murmured.

 

Zack lowered his eyes, appearing to struggle inwardly.

 

“It's okay if ya can't answer out lout right now,” Reno said. “Why don't we get you back to bed. It's a lot more comfortable than a hard, dusty floor.” He sat up and motioned for Zack, hoping he wasn't wrong about the other man's ability to understand simple things. The black-haired fighter slowly followed, his eyes wary and puzzled on Reno as the redhead stood up and kept motioning to him.

 

“Come on, hot stuff. It's all right,” Reno coaxed in the gentlest voice he could muster. He winced a little at the soreness in his nether region and decided that as soon as he got Zack settled, he was going to down a couple of aspirin and hit the scotch a couple of times.

 

“Come with me.” He slowly backed up, gesturing for the other man to keep following him. He suspected that Zack obeyed more out of an animal-like sense of curiosity than tameness. Either that, or he was starting to snap out of it.

 

He eventually got Zack into the bedroom and he pulled the rumpled covers down and patted the mattress. “Here, nice and soft. Come on, Wolfy.”

 

When Zack only cocked his head at him quizzically, Reno sighed and got onto the bed himself. He stretched out and patted the mattress again. “See? Come on, you were laying on this when ya woke up. It's fine, yo.”

 

Zack looked at the space beside Reno and then looked at the redhead again. He approached the bed and climbed onto it beside him. Reno leaned over the bedside and reached for the washcloth floating in the bowl that he'd used to keep Zack's skin cool.

 

“Nice and easy,” Reno soothed as he rang the material out a little and cautiously wiped Zack's package clean. The fighter looked down and watched him do it and his shaft began to stir a little from the attention. Reno gulped and hurried it up, knowing he'd end up on his knees and pounded again if he enjoyed a bit of play.

 

“There ya go.” Reno pulled the covers up over him and started to slide out of the bed and try to get him to stay, but Zack turned around and caught him around the waist, pulling him firmly against his body.

 

“No…bad wolf,” Reno grunted. “Come on, man, I've gotta go shoot one of those flares! Cloud might depend on it to find his way back. You remember Cloud, right?”

 

The name seemed to strike a cord of recognition in the fighter's eyes and he mouthed it clumsily.

 

“Yeah, he's your…uh…mate, I guess. You don't want him stuck out there by himself, lost in the snow?” Reno was sure of it now; Zack's ability to comprehend language was steadily improving. He didn't know if it was because he'd fucked away most of the aggression or if his condition was just temporary but it was encouraging to see more comprehension in his eyes.

 

Zack appeared to consider the problem and he loosened his hold on the redhead and let him get out of the bed. Reno sighed with relief and patted Zack on the head. “Good boy. Now…uh…stay. Don't go anywhere, okay?” Reno backed out of the room, feeling a little stupid for literally treating poor Zack like a dog. The fighter watched him leave with that innocent, puppy look of curiosity and Reno felt even worse. “I'll come right back when I'm finished, Zack.”

 

Reno closed the door and hurried into the main room, hastily picking up his discarded clothes and tugging them on. He grimaced as he pulled his underwear and pants up, knowing he'd probably be burning downstairs for a day or two from the rough treatment.

 

~It was worth it, though. God, that was good.~

 

Reno grinned as he mentally reviewed it and he started getting hot and bothered again. The Turk gave himself a mental nudge and shook his head. He picked up Zack's underwear off the floor and he almost gave into the urge to smell it.

 

“Snap the fuck out of it,” Reno grumbled at himself. Deciding he should wait until he was finished with the flare and the aspirin and the scotch before returning Zack's undies to him, Reno pocketed them and went to the box still sitting on the floor. He retrieved the flare gun and one of the flares and he put his shoes and blazer on and went out the door. He paused at the threshold when he heard a wolf howl somewhere in the distance and he looked back into the cabin uncertainly, wondering if he should get his gun or his EMR from the kitchen, first.

 

Deciding he wasn't going to be outside long enough to need them, he walked through the door and went down the steps. He moved a few paces away from the house and aimed the flare gun into the sky, careful to point it away from the trees and cabin. Just as he fired it, he spotted a familiar figure approaching from down the hill and he felt a little stupid.

 

“In the mood for fireworks?” Cloud asked dryly, grunting as he dragged a deer carcass up the hill to the cabin.

 

“I didn't see ya until I already shot it,” Reno excused. He hurried to Cloud's side and pocketed the flare gun as he helped him drag his kill. “I was worried you might be lost, Blondie. Thought I'd shoot a beacon up just in case…and besides, if anyone's looking for us they'll see it.”

 

“Yeah, friends and enemies alike,” Cloud agreed with a sigh.

 

“Oh. Fuck, I didn't think of that.” Reno groaned and shook his head. “Well, hopefully our boys and girls are keeping Deepground too busy for them to come calling. Did ya happen to get in touch with anyone while you were out?”

 

“Yeah, but not who you're probably hoping for.” Cloud's stony expression gave Reno pause.

 

“What's that mean?” asked the redhead.

 

Cloud bent down and lifted his kill in his arms, grunting a little as he carried it up the steps. Reno opened the door for him and followed him inside.

 

“Ran into Genesis,” the blonde explained. “He told me a little bit about that gas Deepground's been using as a weapon and he claimed to know the formula for a vaccine.”

 

“Huh. So did he give ya this alleged `formula'?” Reno asked, following Cloud into the kitchen and from there, into the cellar.

 

“No.” Cloud hung the deer up on the hook hanging from the ceiling and stopped for a moment to catch his breath. “He says he'll give it to the WRO himself but I'm not counting on it being authentic until Reeve's people can confirm it. Knowing Genesis it's actually a concentrated dose of the virus or something.”

 

“So, what'd he do after he dropped that bomb on ya?”

 

Cloud smirked humorlessly. “He recited a line from a poem and took off. Oh, and he said he'd contact someone on our side and let them know where we are, but I'm not counting on that, either.” His blue eyes grew concerned. “You're walking kind of stiff. Did you fall or something?”

 

“Er, no. About that, we've gotta talk.”

 

“Is Zack all right?” Cloud's worry increased.

 

“Well, physically yeah, he seems peachy,” Reno answered wryly. “His fever went away and his wing didn't look like it was bothering him. His mind is kind of whacked right now, though.”

 

“In what way?” Cloud frowned at him.

 

“Well, he kinda thinks he's a wolf. Or at least, he's acting like he does. His fever broke and he woke up all…snarly. He's in bed now…I…uh…I got him calmed down and he's pretty tame.”

 

Cloud's gaze sharpened. “Damn, and I thought he'd get by without any symptoms. Genesis told me this could happen.” His eyes scanned Reno and he recalled that the Turk was moving gingerly. “Reno, did he hurt you or something?”

 

Reno grimaced and reached into a blazer pocket. As Cloud watched, he produced a dark, balled-up article of clothing and shook it out. Cloud stared at the familiar pair of boxer-briefs and he blinked.

 

“Why are you carrying Zack's underwear in your pocket?”

 

“Music ain't the only thing that soothes the savage beast, Blondie.” Reno looked wary and a little sheepish. “He was in the mood to fuck or fight, so guess which one I picked to get him settled down?”

 

Cloud's expression was blank. “And you decided to keep his underwear as a souvenir?”

 

“Not a bad idea, but no,” Reno chuckled. “I just picked it up off the living room floor after I got him off to bed and I was planning to put it back on him when I went to check on him again.”

 

“So Zack went feral and you had sex with him, took his underwear and left him alone in the bedroom?” Cloud persisted.

 

“I know it sounds bad,” Reno stammered. Shit, he knew Cloud would think he'd taken advantage! “What was I supposed to do, man? I didn't want to hurt him and I don't have the strength to hold the guy down!”

 

“Well for starters, you shouldn't have left him alone! He might have slipped out of the cabin while we were bringing the deer in.” Cloud didn't wait for a response. He hurried up the stairs and to the back of the house to make sure his lover hadn't run off.

 

Reno followed him, feeling like an utter dumbass. It was a cold comfort that Cloud's anger didn't seem to be directed at the fact that he'd had sex with Zack. Instead he was mad because Reno hadn't kept a closer eye on him. Either way, he was in the doghouse now.

 

“Cloud, if he got out he couldn't have gotten far,” Reno offered as he came into the bedroom behind the blonde. He stopped in relief. Zack was there, sleeping soundly in the bed. Cloud hovered over him and stroked his hair.

 

“We got damn lucky,” Cloud whispered to Reno. “Look, until this wears off, we can't let him out of our sight for long. Unless you want to clean the carcass in the basement it's going to have to be up to you, Reno.”

 

The Turk heaved a sigh. “You got it, Blondie. So, you're not mad at me for fucking him?”

 

Cloud's expression softened and he shook his head. “No. I just hope he wasn't too out of it to remember it. I've been waiting for you two to hook up, actually.” He looked away uncomfortably, his customary blush rising in his cheeks.

 

Reno chuckled, his mood lightening as he leaned over the blonde and kissed him. “Well, I can always refresh his memory if he forgets about it,” he murmured against the soft lips. “I don't think he will though. He knew his name when I said it and I'm pretty sure he was partly aware of what he was doing, yo. Maybe you won't believe this, but I wouldn't have done it if I thought he was totally out of it.”

 

“I believe it,” Cloud answered softly. As coercive as Reno could be when he wanted something, he was the kind of guy that would want his partners to remember having sex with him. Besides, he knew Zack had been in the process of setting him up for seduction before this happened.

 

“Go skin your kill and get cleaned up,” Reno suggested. “I'll stay here with Zack and make sure he doesn't try to go join one of the local wolf packs.”

 

~********************************~

 

“Sir, I'm sure they'll be fine until tomorrow,” Reeve assured the president when he returned to Icicle. “Cloud and Zack are both skilled outdoorsman and there's no way that Cloud would have let either him or Reno out of his sight. We'll never find them in the dark.”

 

Rufus paced the floor of the house they were using as their strategy base and sighed. “First thing in the morning, then.” He started to sit down but thought better of it. Instead, he tugged his coat more firmly around him, making sure it was covering him to the knees.

 

“Of course,” Reeve agreed. “Now, I assume you'll want us to move after the Deepground forces that retreated from the field as soon as we've located them, yes?”

 

“Absolutely,” Rufus nodded. “We've beaten them back but they'll regroup. I have no intention of allowing them the chance to recover and I want every last one of them killed or rounded up for imprisonment. This time, we won't give them a chance to come sneaking back to cause damage again.”

 

“There's still the matter of what we discussed earlier, Sir,” Tseng reminded the president softly. Rufus still hadn't seen a doctor to be sure the gas he'd inhaled wasn't harming him, but Tseng was tactful about reminding him because he knew that the man didn't want his business advertised in mixed company.

 

“I'll consider it,” Rufus said, his gray eyes telling Tseng to drop it.

 

Rude walked into the house and paused at the door. “President, Directors, I may have Reno and the others' location.”

 

“How did you manage that?” Reeve questioned with raised brows. “Did you get through to one of their cells?”

 

“No sir, but I know someone that's found them. He says he also has something for you.” Rude stepped aside to make room for someone else and when the newcomer walked through the door, Reeve dropped the pen he was holding in shock.

 

“Well, isn't this special,” Rufus murmured with an intrigued expression.

 

“Your comrades are fine,” Genesis said coolly. “You'll find them in a cabin at the foot of Gaea's Cliff. As for the gift I have for you, there are conditions.”

 

“Such as?” Reeve queried.

 

“Weiss isn't to be killed.”

 

“Weiss?” Repeated Reeve. He looked more exasperated than anything else. “Doesn't anyone ever just die anymore?”

 

Genesis smiled faintly. “Evidently, some are harder to kill than others. That's my offer to you, Mr. Tuesti. Weiss is a sick man and I'm in his debt. I want to see him get well again.”

 

“I see,” Reeve sighed, sharing a look with Rufus. “This isn't just my call, you know. Why don't you tell me what it is you're offering in exchange for Weiss's life?”

 

“Immunity from Deepground's biological weapons,” answered the auburn-haired man.

 

Rufus snorted and rolled his eyes. The others looked at him questioningly and he waved a dismissive hand. “Never mind. Reeve, for the sake of our operatives I can agree to those terms. You make your own choice.”

 

“If what your offering turns out to be genuine, you have my cooperation,” Reeve said to Genesis.

 

~*******************************~

 

“Koibito, you've been in there for over an hour,” Tseng's voice floated through the bathroom door, laced with concern. They were sharing one of the larger Inn rooms while Icicle was their base.

 

“I'm fine,” Rufus assured him. He stood naked in front of the bathroom sink and stared into the mirror intensely. When he spotted nothing out of the ordinary, he sighed and twisted to look down at his backside. “Tseng, I think I'd like to spend the night alone.”

 

The door suddenly burst open, forced by a skilled blow from the other side. Rufus whirled around and stared at his Wutaian lover as Tseng advanced with tense features. He had no time to cover up with his bathrobe and he backed up against the wall.

 

“Sir, I really must insist that you tell me. What…is going…on?” The Turk leader's dark eyes, normally so soft and gentle on him, were hard and stern.

 

Rufus debated over whether he should just show him or put him in his place. He saw the sincere concern lurking behind Tseng's eyes and he sighed. Tseng had been his lover for longer than anyone and he knew him better than most. The president didn't answer verbally but he turned around, showing the Wutaian his naked backside.

 

Tseng stared. “Is that a tail, Koibito?”

 

“It would appear so,” agreed Rufus, his face flushing with humiliation.

 

The Turk examined the thick, powerful appendage sprouting from his lover's bottom where his perfectly normal, human tailbone had once been. “It…appears to be a cougar tail,” he observed in a mystified tone.

 

“Very astute of you,” Rufus said crossly as he turned around to face him again. His new limb swished behind him with cat-like agitation. “Are you happy now? You were right; I was lying about being un-effected by the gas. Perhaps you can fetch me a ball of yarn to play with, Tseng.”

 

The Wutaian was stunned and this was one of the rare occasions where his expression showed it.

 

~***********************************~

 

-To be continued