Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Mako ❯ Destiny ( Chapter 3 )

*Special thanks to: Rin-chan (I appreciate your reviews so much! And don't you worry, there will be much Cid x Vincent lovin'!); Viciouscallisto (I just love knowing that I'm not the only Cid and Vincent fanatic out there, and I'm glad you like this so far. As for Sehpy and Vincent… you'll just have to wait!)

** Final Fantasy VII and most of the characters within these pages belong to Squaresoft. Some concepts and characters are MINE! Do not use them under any circumstances! **

All warnings are attached to the first chapter. If you don't bothering reading them, then don't flame me about the content you've seen here.

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Cid glared at the dwindling cigarette in his hand, feeling extremely frustrated with himself. He had a growing urge to kill something… though it could have been the alcohol talking, from that strong drink Tifa had given him. But he'd consumed very little of the potent beverage, so his judgement wasn't too impaired. Still…

Growling under his breath, he dropped what remained of his cigarette onto the dirty street and crushed it under the toe of his boot. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and continued after his guides. They were now in a much brighter, noisier, livelier Sector of the city. The crowded streets were lined with bars, clubs, hotels, plenty of casinos, and the random whorehouse. Cid smiled ruefully at the flashy neon signs, then glanced up at Cloud and Zak. They were walking close together, constantly bumping shoulders and brushing fingers together. Cid smiled again.

Now there are some happy people, Cid thought. They don't care about what's ahead of them… only each other.

He tried to shake away the feeling of envy growing steadily inside of him. When was the last time he felt like that? Probably never. Cid saw love as a complete waste of time that would only end in heartbreak, hate, or maybe death. When he had any sexual urges, he found a body willing to satisfy his lust; he didn't even care if they were male or female. Cid nudged down another surge of jealousy as Zak leaned down to kiss Cloud on the cheek. Cid averted his eyes and gazed once more at the various businesses around him. He casually dropped back a few feet to give them more privacy… not that it mattered, as there were people all around them. He lit another cigarette and inhaled deeply, feeling the acrid smoke sting his protesting throat.

Fuck… last one. Now I'm gonna have to spend a fucking fortune on another pack in this shit-hole of a fucking city… probably haven't even fucking heard of my brand of smokes…

Cid was concentrating so much on his cigarettes that he walked right into Cloud, causing the smaller man to stumble backwards. Cloud stuck out his arm to prevent himself from crashing into Zak, who was talking to a very large man. Cid widened his eyes as he realized what he'd just done.

"Shit! I'm sorry… I wasn't watching were I was going…"

Cloud frowned. "That was obvious."

Cid looked insulted, but the blonde boy laughed. "I'm kidding! I guess I should have told you that we were stopping. Why were you walking so far behind us? Are we… we aren't embarrassing you, were we?" His gaze flickered over to Zak.

"What? Oh, Hell no. It doesn't bother me any," Cid said as he threw his cigarette on the ground.

Cloud nodded and smiled. "Well, I'm sorry all the same. You probably shouldn't get too far away from us. It's really easy to get lost in this place. I did it a lot when I first came here."

Zak suddenly reached over and pulled Cloud out of the street, pushing his young lover behind him and the man he had been talking to. Cid turned, watching as a group of SOLDIER pushed by them, their rifles shining in the bright city lights. After several tense seconds, Zak and Cloud stepped away from the building they had stopped at, glaring defiantly after the men. Zak turned back to the man, and then they both looked over at Cid. The man stepped over to him, looking down at him suspiciously.

"You're a bio-hunter? And you're here to protect Vincent? Prove it."

Prove it? How the Hell does he want me to fucking prove it? Who does this asshole think he is?!

Cid stared up at him, trying to decide what to do. Suddenly, and without warning, the man pulled out a wicked-looking knife and moved towards Cid. Muttering and cursing under his breath, Cid lashed out, kicking the knife out of the man's hand and catching it easily. Then he quickly stepped behind him, knocked him down to his knees with a sharp blow with his boot, and then pressed the knife sharply under his chin.

"That proof enough for ya, jerk-off?"

Cloud started laughing as Cid stepped away from the man and held out the knife to him. The man looked confused, but smiled and shrugged. "Okay, I believe you. Sorry I had to do that… I had to make sure you are who you say you are. My name's Barret. I work here as a bouncer. My other job is the same as theirs." He nodded towards Zak and Cloud.

Bouncer? What is this place? Cid tilted his head back to look at the glowing sign above him. He couldn't see the name, but underneath were promises of young, willing bodies…

Oh, gods…

"He's a whore?! Well, this is fucking terrific! I'm going to be protecting some fucking kid who gives blowjobs to rich bastards who can't get it up for their wives!" Cid crossed his arms, glaring at the three men who were now laughing at him. Cloud moved closer, still smiling.

"Okay. So this is a pleasure house… and it's reserved for members of SOLDIER and people who work for the Order of Jenova. So what? It doesn't mean he's actually selling his body. The authorities didn't want Vincent to be free to walk around the city… they're afraid that he might try to kill Sephiroth again. They keep him on the bottom floor. No one knows about him. The only reason we even know he's here is because I'm a fugitive… I used to be in SOLDIER, but I help the AVALANCHE resistance group… and you never saw me, if anyone asks," Cloud added, winking at Cid.

Barret laughed again before motioning them behind the building. "We need to get off the street. We might attract unwanted attention."

They went into the alley, and then Barret gave them each a SOLDIER uniform. Cid frowned at it in distaste. Barret shrugged and said, "If you want in, you gotta wear it. This place is prohibited to the public."

When they were ready, Barret led them into the building. They passed by several rooms filled with drunken men watching the young, lithe dancers removing their scant clothing. Others were filled with more drunken men receiving lap dances from boys and girls who looked no older than sixteen; some of the customers were being led to side rooms by their dancers. Even more rooms were closed, but Cid knew very well what was going on behind the doors, judging by the varying cries of pleasure and screams of fear and agony. They descended three flights of stairs, finally reaching the bottom floor. Barret stopped and pulled aside a thick, black curtain, gesturing down the darkened hallway beyond it.

"If you go straight through, you'll come to another curtain. Last room on the right. He's in there… it's late, so he may be sleeping." Barret moved back and sat down with Cloud and Zak at a low table.

Cloud smiled at Cid. "Destiny awaits!"

Cid pushed the curtain and stepped through. I have such a bad fucking feeling about this!

He walked slowly, trying to stay as silent as possible. He could still hear the strains of music and laughter on the floors above him. Finally, he reached the end of the hall. He turned, looking at the curtain in front of him. This one was a midnight blue, and made of a light, shimmering material. Taking a deep breath, he brushed it aside. The room was eerily beautiful. Despite this being Midgar, a technologically advanced city, the room was lit by dozens of candles, throwing shadowed corners into disarray.

In one corner of the room rested an ornately carved and painted coffin.

Cid edged closer. "What the fuck…?"

He cautiously kneeled beside it and looked inside. He gasped in shook. Lying in the satin bed of death was a young man who Cid could only describe as beautiful, yet inhumanly so. His skin was incredibly pale, with dark shadows dancing across his delicate cheekbones. His hair was long and black as the night, shining in the erratic light of the flickering candles. His chest barely moved with the excruciatingly slow breath he took from sensually parted lips. Strangely enough, Cid could see the tips of small fangs. He felt a growing desire to touch him, to feel his silky hair tangled between his fingers. He reached out, running his fingertips lightly over the contours of the sleeping man's face. He wanted more…

But the growling behind jerked him back to reality. He turned slowly, looking into the single green eye that sent chills down his spine. His fear rose as a demonic-looking animal stalked into the room. One of its eyes was missing, replaced by a nasty scar. The creature appeared to be a hybrid of a lion and a dog. It had deep red fur, and was covered in various tattoos and scars. The creatures tail ended in bright flame and it had the number `XIII' branded on its left shoulder.

The creature moved closer, twitching it's burning tail in agitation. Then, to Cid's surprise, it spoke.

"Why have you come here, human. SOLDIER is no longer permitted to enter this room. Your leader commands it."

Cid tried to respond, warily eyeing the creature's sharp teeth. "Well… I'm actually looking for someone. I think it might be this guy." He jerked his thumb behind him. "Uh… fuck, he's not uh… well…y'know, dead or anything, is he?"

"Why have you come to this place?"

Cid turned as a low, quiet voice startled him. The boy was now sitting up and watching Cid, fury blooming in his vivid crimson eyes.

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