Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Licking the wounds ❯ Chapter 1

“Licking the wounds”

~* Part of the “Pass the Cloud” project *~

**************************************

*Disclaimer: The world that this story is set in and all characters therein 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.*

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

 

A week ago, he'd gotten a visit from Aerith in a dream and she told him that the Planet had another purpose for the three men spawned by Sephiroth's legacy. The way she'd explained it, Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz weren't “ready” to be absorbed in the Life stream and it basically spit them back out at the Northern Crater again. He of course couldn't bring himself to leave it alone—telling himself that it was because of how dangerous the three men were and trying to deny that it was at least partially because he felt empathy with them.

 

He'd learned by now not to try and lie to Tifa, so he told her honestly what was going on and Gaia bless her, she'd understood. With her typical “big sister” demeanor, she'd lectured him on being careful, told him not to trust Kadaj and his gang and insisted that he let her know when he decided what he was going to do with them. Cid thankfully was available to take him to the crater using the Shera—otherwise Cloud probably couldn't have transported the trio out regardless of his Mako enhanced abilities.

 

He and Cid had argued most of the way there. The pilot wanted him to just kill the young men and be done with it. He reckoned they'd caused enough trouble and there was no point trying to reform people that were spawned by a combination of a malevolent planet devourer and a deranged lunatic. Cloud finally got it through his skull that the Planet wasn't finished with them and they wouldn't get absorbed back into the Life stream even if he did play the role of executioner.

 

Cid still didn't like it but he didn't retract his offer to help, and he piloted the Shera into the crater and helped Cloud find the trio at the bottom and load them onto the ship. They'd found them unconscious and drenched with Life stream. Their clothing was ripped in several places but still serviceable. Even their weapons were there, scattered around them. Cloud and Cid had argued again when the blonde began to gather the weapons and load them onto the ship.

 

“Are you fucking crazy, kid?” Cid had snapped, “It's bad enough that you wanna baby-sit these psychos but you want `em armed, too?”

 

“They'd just get replacements,” Cloud had shrugged. “Believe me, they're in for a rude awakening. Their purpose was the Reunion and that's all over with, now. Maybe you don't trust Aerith, but I do.”

 

Cid had thrown his hands up in frustration and grumbled through the rest of the affair. He calmed down a little once they touched down outside of Icicle and gotten the trio safely into the Inn, but he still thought Cloud was doing a boneheaded thing and he made that clear to him. He told him to watch his back, helped him unload Fenrir from the air ship and then he left Cloud alone with his charges. Three hour later, the trio was still in a coma-like sleep and Cloud was still trying to figure out what in the hell he was going to do with them.

 

Cloud scratched his head and stared down at his sleeping charges with a sigh. “What is it with you people and that damned crater?” They of course couldn't answer but it was almost funny, in a twisted way. No matter what he did, it seemed that Cloud Strife couldn't get free of Sephiroth and everything involving the man or Jenova always managed to swing back to the Northern Crater.

 

“Maybe I should just have a cabin built here, since I always end up coming back to deal with some bullshit having to do with Sephiroth,” the blonde muttered as he stood over the bed where he and Cid had lain the three brothers side-by-side. He studied them silently for a while, watching their chests rise and fall evenly in sleep.

 

Loz was handsome and the most rugged of the three, while Yazoo was graceful and beautiful to the point of being practically girlish. Kadaj didn't possess Yazoo's startling, ethereal beauty or Loz's impressive physique—his features were the most interesting to Cloud because they combined youthful masculinity with beauty. He had a build that was slightly heavier than Yazoo's but a bit lighter than Cloud's. His eyes were what had always arrested the blonde fighter the most—they were almond shaped, intense and slit-pupiled. They were a darker green in color than Sephiroth's had been but they were bright and full of life.

 

Cloud tilted his head and stared down at the youngest one. Kadaj's long bangs were covering half his face. Cloud impulsively reached to comb the glossy silver hair aside and he was a little disconcerted when his fingertips brushed against the teenager's ivory skin. He caressed Kadaj's cheek almost against his will, marveling at how silky smooth it was.

 

With another heavy sigh, Cloud pulled his hand away. He knew that part of the reason he felt drawn to these men were because they were a part of Sephiroth, who the blonde had been painfully infatuated with before he'd lost his mind and turned into an enemy of the planet. Kadaj was particularly appealing because he'd been selected to be Sephiroth's vessel and there was something about his aura that attracted Cloud.

 

“Damn,” the blonde fighter mumbled as he looked out the window and watched the snow falling gently outside. He checked his watch and estimated that there was perhaps another hour of sunlight left. He thought he should go outside and enjoy it while he could but he was too apprehensive of leaving the brothers alone. He couldn't make an educated decision over what to do about this mess until they woke up and he had the chance to talk to them and gauge their mental state.

 

He yawned, tired from the journey and the task of retrieving the trio from the crater. On consideration, he realized that it might be a good idea for him to have a nap while he could.

 

~I should probably call Tifa too. I don't want her to worry and start thinking she needs to come up here looking for me. I'd rather not get her involved in this.~

 

Though he wasn't in the mood to talk on the phone, he walked to the chair that his jacket was hanging over and pulled the cell out to dial home. “Hey Tifa, can you hear me?” he said when his friend picked up after a few rings. “Yeah, I know the reception's shitty. I think we might get hit with a winter storm soon but don't worry, I'm at the Inn and I've got Kadaj and his gang. No, they're unconscious. I know…Cid already chewed me out. Don't worry, I've got their weapons hidden and they aren't going to be in any condition to win a fight with me when they wake up. Okay. I know…I promise that isn't going to happen. Say `hello' to Denzel and Marlene for me, will you? I'll call you when I know more. I'm going to take a nap and order room service later. Uh…no…I hadn't thought of that. I'll tie them up or something, I guess. Okay, bye.”

 

Cloud turned the cell off and replaced it, then walked to the secondary bed in the room and sat on the edge of the mattress. He rubbed his eyes and considered what Tifa had said. She was worried that one or all three of the brothers would wake up while he was napping and either try to take him by surprise or escape. He'd actually considered that risk earlier but he was so tired it slipped his mind again until Tifa said something and he forgot to ask Cid to leave behind some cables or ropes for him.

 

~Hell, I don't carry cuffs around with me. If I'm going to tie these assholes up I'm going to have to make a run to the supply store and try to get some sort of reinforced steel cable. They should have it. Rope isn't going to cut it, especially for the big guy. I'll probably have to keep one of them near me too as a hostage, in case the others want to try anything stupid.~

 

His eyes immediately fell on Kadaj and he dragged his fingers through his hair and swore softly as a little spark of desire shot through him. Logically, it made sense to use the leader of the gang and the youngest of the three. The one redeeming quality he'd found in the trio during the struggle against them was their unshakable loyalty to each other—particularly to Kadaj. Both Loz and Yazoo could be controlled if Kadaj's safety was at stake and Cloud knew that Yazoo was too limber to hang onto very well and Loz was probably too strong.

 

~Those are some interesting excuses you're making, Strife.~ The inner voice in the back of Cloud's mind sounded hauntingly like Sephiroth's, right down to the arrogant, sensual timber. ~You know that you could probably use any one of them as a hostage when they're in a weakened state. Tell me, are you really choosing for practical reasons or is it an excuse to molest the one that has my aura?~

 

“You're pretty mouthy for a ghost,” Cloud grumbled, though he knew it wasn't really Sephiroth he was hearing but his own unwanted thoughts and his imagination applying the General's voice to them. No, it really was the most logical choice to use the smallest, youngest member of the trio to ensure the good behavior of all three. It was his own guilt over his attraction to the young man that was making him doubt himself and his decision. He knew it was dangerous to let that guilt drive him to make a riskier choice.

 

He throttled his inner voice ruthlessly and pulled his jacket on. He had to hurry. He had no idea how long his guests would be out. Deciding it would be a good idea to keep one of his smaller swords with him, he fished his key ring out of his pocket and went outside to where Fenrir was parked under a protective awning. After retrieving his weapon of choice and making sure all of the compartments were locked and secured, he hurried across the road to the supply store. He told a fib to the clerk and said that he was thinking of doing some mountain climbing with friends, to avoid any suspicion. He picked out a sturdy length of flexi steel running rope, along with four climbing harnesses, a set of locking carabineers and just for appearance sake, a set of pulleys.

 

He was spending a ridiculous amount of money when he probably could have restrained Kadaj in his gang using only the cable. When he'd spotted the harnesses his mechanical creativity took hold and thought up a restraint system that would wear well and enable him to restrict their movement range without keeping them from being able to use the bathroom, eat or drink. It would also make it easier for Cloud to guard them without having to keep a constant eye on them.

 

On his way to check out, he spotted a rack full of leather collars bedecked with bells. They were meant for sled dogs. The blonde shrugged and grabbed three of them, as well as a set of padlocks to keep them from being easily removed. He blushed a little, realizing that the only thing missing from making this whole ordeal a bondage kink scenario was the sex. He hadn't intended to go this far but the bell collars would alert him if any of the trio woke up and started moving around while he was resting.

 

~Maybe this is overkill,~ Cloud considered as he paid for the supplies. Still, it seemed like an awfully elaborate system and as he left the shop and headed back for the Inn, he couldn't help but smirk wryly.

 

~I guess I've got to overdo everything, these days. Oh well, better safe than sorry. If I've got to treat them like junkyard dogs until I figure out what to do, I will.~

 

The desk clerk noticed that he carried a weapon as well as the equipment and he asked of Cloud had rats in his room or something.

 

Cloud paused and grinned a little. “Yeah, big rats,” he answered.

 

“Well, that won't do!” The clerk said with alarm, “I can book another room for you and send in the exterminator, Mr. Strife.”

 

Cloud declined quickly, thinking of what it would look like if the Inn owner or employees spotted him dragging his “friends” that he'd claimed to be drunk in a matching set of harnesses. “Don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle.”

 

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

 

Using a pair of wire cutters from the tool compartment of his bike, Cloud diligently set to work as soon as he got back to the room. He measured out each length of cable evenly and started with Loz first. Before long, he had all three of the brothers locked into their harnesses and collars. He secured Loz and Yazoo's leads to the right and left legs of the heavy oaken bed they laid on, hoping it was solid enough to restrain them for a while. Fighting another yawn of exhaustion, he moved on to Kadaj and lifted the teenager's limp body into his arms.

 

He carried him to the other bed and paused, gazing down at his sleeping face for a minute. The remnant's lips were parted and inviting and Cloud had to give himself a mental shake. He pressed his lips together grimly and laid Kadaj down before securing the teenager's end of the lead to his harness. With that accomplished, Cloud slipped into his own harness and secured it before attaching the other end of the lead to it. He adjusted the length of cable, taking up the slack until he was satisfied that the young man wouldn't be able to move more than seven feet away from him. He looped up the slack and snapped it into the clip on the side of his harness so that it wouldn't be in his way.

 

He put the keys on one ring and dropped them in the same inner pocket of his jacket as his room key and motorcycle keys. After looking around thoughtfully, he shrugged and decided to just wear the jacket, so that anyone trying to take the keys from him would have to dig around in it and he would feel it. The heating vents kept the room from getting outright cold but it was still cool enough for him to wear the jacket comfortably—he just wouldn't need to use the bedcovers for warmth.

 

Finally able to relax a little, Cloud lay down beside Kadaj and watched him for a moment before closing his eyes. He was asleep in minutes and he had the strangest dream concerning the three silver-haired remnants, a sled and himself cracking a whip while yelling: “Mush!”

 

The blonde grimaced in his sleep and unconsciously curled his fingers into Kadaj's silky hair.

 

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

 

Kadaj stirred and opened his eyes slowly. “M-Mother?” he whispered, trying to pull his thoughts together and focus his eyes. He winced at the dim light given off by the single lit lamp that rested on a bedside table on his side of the bed.

 

~Bed?~ He struggled into a sitting position and he vaguely felt someone's fingers slide through his hair and heard the jingle of bells. ~I was…dead. I'm sure of it! Where am I? Where are my brothers?~

 

At first he assumed that the fingers he'd felt in his hair must have belonged to Loz or Yazoo, but as his eyes began to focus and he was able to clearly see the room he was in, he spotted both of his fellow remnants lying still and quiet in another bed against the opposite wall. The room felt like a cabin with its wood panel walls and floors and there was a single window against the wall where his brothers lay. It appeared to be nighttime and it was snowing outside. Kadaj felt something around his neck and he reached up with a frown, feeling thick leather and odd metallic balls that jingled musically when his fingers touched them.

 

“Yazoo…Loz,” he said in complete confusion, frightened that they might be dead. He stood up on shaky legs and tried to cross the room to check on them, too distracted to notice the harness fastened snugly on him. Before he could take more than a step, he was rudely introduced to the fact that he was restrained when his lead was yanked roughly and unceremoniously from behind. He hadn't the strength or balance to keep himself from stumbling backwards and he tried to twist around, ending up falling sideways onto the bed and landing across a pair of hard, leather-clad thighs.

 

The mystery of whose hand had been in his hair was answered as Kadaj stared up the length of the body he'd landed on and met Cloud Strife's unyielding blue eyes.

 

“Big brother,” the remnant murmured in confusion, one hand splayed over the blonde's left thigh. He noticed the harness around Cloud's pelvis, waste and thighs and then realized that he and his brothers were wearing the same kind of device. He tried to get up but the other man's left hand was tightly holding onto the lead of cable connecting them to one another. Kadaj was too weak to break away and he fell against Cloud's thighs, panting softly. “W-what did you do to us?”

 

“First, stop calling me your `brother',” Cloud said in a stern voice. “It's creepy and we're not related to each other in any way. Just because I have some Jenova cells in me doesn't make us siblings.”

 

Kadaj frowned at him but before he could argue, Cloud held up his other hand for silence and continued: “Second, shut the hell up and listen to me. I'm going to explain this as best as I can. Argue with me and it's your ass, got it?”

 

The teenager blinked, working his mouth as he tried to come up with some sort of response. The cocky attitude that Cloud was used to getting from Kadaj was gone but he wasn't foolish enough to think it was a permanent change. Kadaj was clearly bewildered and Cloud frankly couldn't blame him. Maybe it wasn't such a fantastic idea to try to explain everything just yet—not only because Kadaj was so disoriented but also because he'd just have to explain it again for Loz and Yazoo.

 

Seeing that he had the young man's full attention, Cloud gave him the shortened version of the situation. “You guys are being given another chance. For some reason, the planet decided you're better off alive than dead and the Life Stream dumped you off in the Northern Crater. A friend of mine and I came and got you and what happens from here is up to you three.”

 

When Cloud stopped talking, Kadaj moistened his lips and struggled into a sitting position. The blonde didn't yank him back down and he studied the harnesses linking them together, noticing the locks on the fastenings. Seeing that for now, he couldn't get free from Cloud, he thought about what the other man had said—at least as much as he was able to in his disoriented state of mind.

 

“Are my brothers…” He struggled to finish the sentence, his thoughts sluggish like his body. Something was wrong and it wasn't just his weakness or slow thoughts. He could work out what the matter was later; his immediate concern was for Loz and Yazoo.

 

“They're just unconscious,” Cloud answered. “They'll wake up on their own time. I'm keeping you near me to make sure they don't try anything stupid when they do.”

 

Kadaj's eyes narrowed, his temper beginning to build slowly. “This all sounds…like a lie to me,” he said. He couldn't even muster a threatening tone—even his voice was weak sounding. “How could you have known all of this, without a connection?”

 

“I never said I didn't have a connection,” replied the blonde with a smirk, “It's just not to you guys. I've got a friend that talks to the planet and that's how I found out what happened to you. It had nothing to do with any `brotherly connection' you might think we've got.”

 

“You don't understand what `brother' means,” Kadaj snarled. “You're confusing us with lesser creatures. Don't you feel it, brother?” The teenager leaned over Cloud's reclining form, staring at him intensely.

 

Cloud kept his gaze steady with difficulty. There was some truth in Kadaj's words and for the fist time, he began to understand that the trio might never have meant it in a biological sense when they kept referring to him as their “big brother”. There was a certain urgency in Kadaj's gaze…a hunger that was more than simple attraction or arousal. He refused to admit it out loud but Cloud felt it too. It was like calling to like…Jenova cells attracting each other and Sephiroth's legacy forcing the bond tighter.

 

Kadaj began to act more like himself as he slowly recovered from his lethargy and confusion. “You know, you can't hold us forever,” he whispered. “Sooner or later our strength will return. What will you do then…Cloud?”

 

He frowned as he spoke the other man's name, unused to the feel of it on his tongue. He liked it. He really liked saying that name and he wanted to say it again. It was really so fitting and so much more…what was the word for it…sensual? On some level he understood why Cloud had said it was “creepy” for he and the others to keep calling him “brother”. Strife was thinking in human biological terms rather than ecclesiastical ones, so naturally he would be repulsed by it if he was as attracted to them as they were to him.

 

“I'll find a way,” Cloud answered in a hard tone. “My advice to you and your brothers is to find something else to live for. The Reunion failed and it's over.”

 

Kadaj laughed softly, the sound a little unstable. “The three of us aren't exactly brothers in the way you're thinking, either. But, I'm sure you already knew that. We aren't a normal family.”

 

Cloud stared at the young man, understanding his statements on a personal level that was almost profound. What was it that Tifa had said to him when she found out he had geostigma? Something about fighting together only working for “real” families. He wasn't really Denzel's father but he was raising him with Tifa, and Marlene lived with them too but her adopted father was Barret. He and Tifa shared parental roles together but they weren't husband and wife…hell, they weren't even dating.

 

“I get that,” Cloud whispered, having nothing else to say in response.

 

Kadaj leaned even closer and shook his bangs out of his eyes. “You'll never have the same connection to them that you have to us…and Mother. Can't you just love us?”

 

Cloud's mouth hardened and his eyes narrowed. “Jenova may be your mother but she's NOT mine and she never was. I was injected with her cells but my puppet strings are cut, now. You talk about love but you didn't seem to have a problem with the prospect of me wilting away from geostigma.”

 

Kadaj faltered briefly, which surprised Cloud. Regret and confusion flickered over the teenager's fair features. “I don't know why that happened,” Kadaj said. He shrugged. “Mother must have done it for a reason. Maybe she wanted Him to get your memories and powers, too.”

 

There was little doubt of which “Him” Kadaj was speaking. Cloud shuddered involuntarily at the thought of becoming just another part of Sephiroth's mnemonic legacy and he was again thankful to Aerith and the planet for healing him and other infected people of the disease. “Well, good thing for me her plans failed. It's a good thing for you too, believe it or not. You and the others don't know what love is, Kadaj.”

 

The silver-haired remnant's pupil's dilated and his mouth trembled. “Is that right? You have no idea…no idea how much I love Mother. Don't tell me I don't know what love is!”

 

Cloud sat up and grasped the young man firmly by the arms, shaking him. “No, you don't. All you three have ever known is obsession. You've been Jenova's willing slaves since the day Sephiroth's rage and hate split all that he was into three parts and created you! You think it's love because you're put together that way, to worship her. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe she didn't love you? She wanted Sephiroth back and she was willing to sacrifice her youngest `son' to get that! Wake the hell up, Kadaj!”

 

Kadaj swallowed, glaring at him with hateful, bright eyes that slowly filled with tears. “I know she doesn't love us the way we love her,” he choked. “But since you're such an expert, why don't you tell me what the hell `real' love is, since you think I can't feel it!”

 

Cloud relaxed his grip on the young man's arms, struggling to define it. “Love is…when you cherish something,” he explained slowly, his eyes unfocusing as he thought of all of his friends both alive and dead. He'd even loved Sephiroth and his heart still ached over the actions he'd had to take in the end. “When you love something, you feel like you can't do without it.”

 

Kadaj stared at him and tears dripped down his pale cheeks. Cloud looked deep into the teenager's eyes and he sighed heavily. “Wow, I guess you really DO love Jenova.” It didn't matter if it was pre-programmed into the young man's genetic code or not—the pain in his green eyes spoke volumes and told Cloud that everything he'd just described was exactly what Kadaj felt for his Mother. The blonde's heart began to ache with pity as well as empathy. It was a horrible thing, to love something so corrupt and destructive that deeply. He knew from personal experience.

 

“I know, you think it's disgusting,” Kadaj said in an aching voice. “She became a part of you, but she MADE us and now…now I can't hear her anymore.” His breath quickened with panic as he said the words. That was what felt so wrong—he could still feel his Mother deep inside and her strength still flowed through his life current, but he couldn't hear her reassuring voice anymore. Somehow, she'd been muted and it was frightening. He'd never gone for a moment of his short life without hearing Jenova's thoughts and feeling her desires.

 

Cloud looked at him with sympathy in his sapphire gaze. “Like I said, the three of you are going to have to find another reason to live. You're free to make your own choices now, Kadaj.”

 

“I…I don't want to,” the younger man whispered, his eyes wide with desperation and fear. “Why won't she answer me?” He curled his fingers into his hair and rocked back and forth as he began to sob.

 

If Cloud didn't feel so sorry for him he might have rolled his eyes.

 

~It's one fucked up relationship but Kadaj isn't really acting any different than most people his age would be if they'd lost a parent. I remember that feeling, myself. Oh, hell. If he's this bad what's it going to be like when the big crybaby of the group wakes up? And people accuse ME of being full of angst.~

 

Cloud made a decision, then. He was going to have to separate these guys before Loz woke up, at least until he got Kadaj calmed down. Otherwise he'd have two people sobbing in the room and feeding each other's misery. Yazoo had always seemed to be the mellow one but Cloud feared that if both of his brothers started wailing, he might just follow.

 

He crawled over the bed and reached out to pull out the drawer of the nightstand, knowing from past stays that the rooms here were usually stocked with a complimentary pen and pad of paper for taking notes. He found a pen but there was no paper. There was, however, a phone directory. He took it out of the drawer and flipped through it until he found a page that had enough blank space on it to suit his purpose.

 

“Here,” he said to Kadaj as he spotted a box of tissues and handed it to him. He frowned and swallowed an annoying lump in his throat when the young man looked at him with agonized eyes. He didn't know what to say to him and Cloud had never managed to get rid of his compassionate streak. Kadaj took the tissues and the blonde tore a piece of paper out of the phone directory and made a note addressed to Yazoo and Loz.

 

“Yazoo and Loz,

 

Kadaj is with me in another room.

The gil is for room service. Don't leave the room and don't make trouble.

Will explain everything in the morning.

Don't piss me off. Not in the mood.

 

-Cloud Strife (NOT `Big Brother)”

 

Cloud looked over his note and frowned, wondering if it would be enough to keep the older two remnants in their place until morning.

 

~Maybe I shouldn't risk it. Yazoo would probably just stare at the snow outside with a stoned expression on his face but Loz is impatient and kind of simple.~

 

“B-brothers,” Kadaj whispered as he got out of the bed he was sharing with Cloud and crossed the floor to his comrades' bed, “Mother can't talk to us anymore.” Kadaj began to lightly slap Loz on the cheeks and Cloud pulled on the lead to drag him away from the other man, horrified by the possibility of the muscular fighter waking up prematurely and bawling right along with the teenager.

 

~Well, that cinches it.~

 

“Come here,” Cloud murmured as he pulled the resisting swordsman toward him. Kadaj stumbled and Cloud caught him, flushing a little as the slighter man dropped into his lap. “Let them sleep. They just need more time than you did and if you wake them up too soon they won't get as much rest as they need.”

 

Kadaj studied him and sniffled, nodding reluctantly. He closed his eyes as the blonde reached out and smoothed his bangs out of his eyes. The gentle action was soothing and Kadaj wondered why Cloud was being so nice to him.

 

~He just pities me. I know he's disgusted with me and I'm a pathetic wretch now.~

 

Honestly though, Cloud was very different from he and his two brothers, despite the link between them. Kadaj couldn't understand him anymore than the blonde could understand how much he loved Mother or how much he wanted to be near him. It didn't really matter right now…the deafening silence in his mind and heart where Mother's comforting voice used to be was agonizing to him.

 

“Come on,” Cloud said as he eased Kadaj off of his lap and reached smoothly under the pillow to draw the sword he'd hidden there.

 

Kadaj frowned, misunderstanding. “So, you're ending all this now.”

 

Cloud looked at the silver-haired young man then looked at his sword. “You…think I'm going to kill you?”

 

Kadaj wiped a tear from his eye and shrugged, trying to bring his flaring emotions back under control. “What else?”

 

This time, Cloud did roll his eyes. “How about moving you to another room so you don't wake the other two up, for starters? I'm not going to kill anyone unless they force me to, okay? You really didn't expect me to keep an eye on you three unarmed, did you?”

 

Kadaj stared silently at him and Cloud sighed and stood up before him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Let's go. We'll check on them in the morning and if they're awake, we can work this out.”

 

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

 

Cloud had completely forgotten about the mountain climbing harnesses both he and Kadaj were wearing—let alone the fact that they were secured to each other by the cable. When he approached the desk clerk and requested an additional room for the night, the old man raised his eyebrows at him and Kadaj and Cloud wanted to smack himself on the forehead. As if the harnesses and lead weren't questionable enough, it was obvious that Kadaj had been crying.

 

“He has night terrors and he sleepwalks,” Cloud improvised with a sidelong nod at Kadaj. “I figured it would be easier to get another room and keep from waking our other friends up if he does it again.”

 

The clerk accepted the explanation with a nod. “Can't have him doing that and wandering off down a ski trail, can we? Smart of you to use your gear that way to keep him safe. Okay Mr. Strife, do you want a room with a double bed or two singles?”

 

“A double,” Cloud answered reluctantly, questioning his own judgment even as he said it. He wanted to keep close to Kadaj for cautionary purposes, but the close contact carried dangers with it that had nothing at all to do with the risk of a fight breaking out.

 

Again the clerk nodded, probably assuming that his choice had to do with keeping Kadaj from wandering away and falling down the mountain during the night. He selected a keyring and slid it over the counter. Cloud paid the man and took the key.

 

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

 

-To be continued

 

“Are you hungry?” Cloud asked as Kadaj sat down on the bed and stared at the wall. The young man mutely shook his head and lay down, obviously fighting the urge to keep crying. Cloud sighed softly and got into bed next to him. He was torn between annoyance and pity, understanding his pain while at the same time confused by it. Kadaj had the body of a teenager but in truth, he was only a year or so old. He and his brothers existed only because Sephiroth refused to be absorbed into the Life Stream.

 

Cloud stared at Kadaj's back and chewed his bottom lip with indecision. He felt compelled to try and comfort the other man but he knew that it would lead to other things if he did it. The question wasn't whether he wanted that to happen but whether he could handle the guilt that would no doubt follow if it did.

 

Kadaj rolled onto his other side so that he was facing Cloud and he studied the blonde with fascination that he couldn't hide, even through his tears. He'd always thought that Strife had the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen and the blonde's fine-sculpted, fair features were as amazing to him as his vivid blue eyes were. Compelled by his attraction to him as well as the need created by the Jenova cells in his body, he reached out and traced Cloud's features with his fingertips. The blonde didn't pull away or complain about it, though he looked a bit surprised.

 

“What do we live for now, Cloud?” Kadaj whispered.

 

Cloud shrugged. “Being a pain in my ass, I guess. Seriously though, there's a whole world out there that none of you have ever bothered to really look at. Maybe you should try just living for each other, for now.”

 

Kadaj considered the advice and couldn't find a flaw with it. He could do that…live for his brothers. It would be hard, though—there had never been a time for any of them that they weren't guided by Mother. His fingers weaved into Cloud's soft hair and the blonde's eyes closed in obvious pleasure, the pale golden lashes fluttering.

 

“Teach me how to live,” Kadaj demanded in a whisper.

 

Cloud's eyes opened and gazed at him mutely for a moment. His arm went around Kadaj's waist and he pulled him close, so that their bodies were touching. He hesitated for a moment, uncertainty crossing his features. Kadaj waited silently, unsure of what he was going to do.

 

“First, you have to learn how to feel something besides hate,” Cloud murmured. He gave in to the incessant pull of desire and brought his hand up to slide his fingers into Kadaj's hair. Cupping the back of the young man's head, he closed the short distance between their faces and kissed him.

 

Kadaj went still for a moment, pleasantly surprised by the gesture. He felt Cloud's tongue stroke the crevice between his lips and he parted them instinctively. The warm organ slipped gently into his mouth and caressed his own, slowly and sensually. Kadaj responded with fascination, his groin tightening in his worn leather pants. For a long while, the blonde didn't do more than stroke his hair and kiss him, but it was enough to make Kadaj's breath quicken and cause his heart to pound faster in his chest.

 

The teenager protested breathlessly when Cloud withdrew his tongue from his mouth and pulled his lips away, but the fighter was just moving his lips to other areas. Kadaj arched his throat when he felt Cloud's soft lips pressing against it. He closed his eyes and parted his lips. A strange whimpering sound escaped his lips as the blonde nibbled his earlobe. Kadaj frowned at the sound, having never made it before. It happened again when his companion pulled the zipper of his body armor down to his navel and his warm, calloused hands stroked his chest and belly.

 

Cloud heard the startled sound and pulled back to look at the young man, studying his face as he gently caressed the silken skin of his chest and stomach. Kadaj looked a little bewildered, though pleasure was also evident in his expression. It was obvious that the young man had never experienced intimacy like this in any form and Cloud was unreasonably amazed with the knowledge. All of that flirtatious seeming sensuality the young man expressed so often was pure instinct, not experience.

 

~Why am I so surprised that he's a virgin? When would any of these guys have found the time to screw anyone? They spent all their time from the minute they were born until they died just trying to find `Mother'. Shit, this might even be his first hard on!~

 

Cloud was even more determined than before. He wanted to show Kadaj what real pleasure was and that meant he'd have to pay very close attention to what he was doing and not rush it. He fondled the teenager's left nipple and kissed him softly as he gasped. He took his time, stimulating the hard bud until he was satisfied that he'd made it tingle enough, then moving to the other one to do the same. He ran his tongue over Kadaj's jaw before kissing it, then dragged his mouth down to his throat and alternately licked and kissed there. He used his other hand to unbuckle the straps criss-crossing over the young man's chest so that they wouldn't be in the way.

 

Kadaj unconsciously pushed his fingers through Cloud's hair and he tilted his head back and sighed. The blonde's mouth was so gentle and tender against him and it felt…Kadaj couldn't think of an adjective for what it felt like, since he'd never been kissed like this before. Oh, he wanted him, even though he had no idea how to satisfy that want. Cloud pulled his zipper down further, until it stopped against the climbing harness around Kadaj's hips. The silver-haired fighter whimpered softly as Cloud's mouth traveled to his chest, while his hands parted the leather of his bodysuit and pulled it off his shoulders.

 

Kadaj gave no objections as Cloud freed his arms from the sleeves of his outfit and pulled his gloves off. He didn't know there was anything to object to and it certainly didn't feel like something wrong. How could anything that felt this good possibly be wrong? For the first time since realizing how silent Mother was, he didn't think about the lack of her voice in his mind. All he could do was feel as Cloud slowly, patiently and methodically kissed and licked his shoulders, arms and fingertips. It was almost like the blonde was soothing invisible wounds, licking them clean with care and love.

 

Cloud realized he could only go so far with this as long as they were both wearing the harnesses. Deciding that Kadaj probably wouldn't try to get away now if he released him, he covertly dug around inside of his leather jacket with one hand while continuing to explore the young man's body with his mouth. He found the ring of harness keys and pulled it out of the inner pocket, nimbly inserting and turning them in the locks one at a time until all of Kadaj's fastenings were open. He never paused with his kisses as he removed the teenager's harness and then worked his own off.

 

After tossing both harnesses over the side of the bed, he pulled the zipper down further, the backs of his fingers brushing against the bulge of Kadaj's crotch. His tongue delved into the young man's navel, provoking a swift gasp of amazement from him. Kadaj's fingers were stroking his hair with hesitant encouragement and the teenager shifted restlessly beneath him as Cloud rolled him onto his back and began to peel the rest of the outfit off. Remembering the boots, Cloud stopped long enough to tug them off of his companion's feet before pulling the outfit down his legs and off completely.

 

Kadaj was now entirely nude and Cloud admired his slim, toned body with hot blue eyes for a moment. The teenager stared up at him without fear, his chest rising and falling heavily with excitement. By the look in his bright, azurite eyes he didn't know what to expect next, but he clearly wasn't unwilling to find out. Cloud ran his hands down his chest and hips, lowering his body so that he could resume kissing where he left off. He smiled a little when he trailed his lips over the young man's hips and heard Kadaj whisper his name in a questioning tone. It was very tempting to take the stiff, flushed cock in his hand and stroke it, but Cloud wanted to save that kind of stimulation for last.

 

~Thank Shiva he hasn't lapsed into calling me `brother'. Knowing that he doesn't mean it literally doesn't make it any sexier.~

 

Kadaj felt goose bumps spring up on his skin as the blonde's slow, sensual kisses traveled to his thigh. Cloud's hands were stroking his hips as his tongue swiped the skin. Kadaj felt the blonde's warm breath stirring the silver pubic hair surrounding his erection and he squirmed a little, wanting something he couldn't name. His fingers slipped out of Cloud's hair as the other man's progression took him too far down his body for him to reach, leaving Kadaj with nothing but bed sheets to hold onto. He wanted to remove the blonde's clothes and see his naked flesh, but he was too fascinated with the feel of the licks and kisses against his skin to try it.

 

Cloud kept going until he'd kissed every inch of the front of Kadaj's body. He would have rolled him over and given the back the same treatment too but he was growing impatient with arousal. He sat up and took his jacket off, staring down at the teenager silently. He was pleasantly surprised when Kadaj reached up and eagerly began to help him. The jacket joined the harnesses on the floor and Cloud let the other man unzip his blue, sleeveless sweater and pull it open. He stretched out on top of Kadaj and kissed him as he shrugged out of his sweater. He rubbed insinuatingly against the young man, the leather of his pants stroking his naked erection and making him gasp into Cloud's mouth.

 

Kadaj hungrily explored Cloud's naked chest and back, familiarizing himself with the feel of the blonde's lithe muscles. He groaned unwillingly as Cloud continued to rub against him and he slid his hands down the blonde's stomach and felt the soft, thin trail of golden hair below Cloud's navel that disappeared under the waist of his pants. Kadaj began to sweat lightly with arousal as he started to work on getting his companion's pants off. Cloud broke the kiss and propped himself up on one elbow as he reached down with one hand to help him. Kadaj stared into the blonde's sapphire eyes with wonder as their combined efforts resulted in his pants getting opened and tugged down over his hips. He looked down and saw the blonde's thick, hardened sex and he licked his lips and boldly curled his fingers around it.

 

It was bigger than his but not so much that it frightened him. Kadaj brushed his thumb over the tiny hole at the tip of the flushed cap and a clear bead of moisture formed. He was a little startled when Cloud groaned softly and told him it felt good. Feeling more confident, Kadaj rubbed the sensitive tip for a moment before gripping the shaft and squeezing it. Cloud's lips sought out his again and his kiss was more aggressive than before. His tongue thrust into his mouth demandingly and he rocked his hips to push his cock into the teenager's stroking hand. After a moment, he broke the kiss and gazed into the young man's eyes in a questioning manner.

 

“I…want to be one with you,” Kadaj moaned in confusion, not knowing how to express his desire. Somehow he knew that verbal consent was what Cloud was waiting for.

 

As clumsy as the request was, Cloud felt a thrill of need in response and he reached down to gently disengage his companion's hand from his cock. “You will,” he promised huskily. He moved down the silver-haired man's body again and murmured for him to relax and be still. Kadaj drew a deep breath and nodded, watching him with eager curiosity. Cloud stopped when his face was hovering over the remnant's erection and he gripped the base of it, making his companion tense involuntarily. “It's okay,” he assured Kadaj just before he lowered his head and sucked the member into his mouth. He kept his lips tightly sealed around the girth of it and worked his mouth up and down slowly, starting with a gentle rhythm to give him time to get used to it.

 

Kadaj's eyes went wide and staring and he grabbed fistfuls of the sheets and moaned. He'd never felt anything so wonderful in his life and he impulsively bucked his hips. Cloud quickly cupped his hips and held them firmly still. “Ah….oooh…that's so…oh, I c-can't,” Kadaj gasped raggedly, unconsciously struggling against Cloud's vice-like hold on his hips. The blonde's tongue swirled around the head of his cock and it made Kadaj's whole body go taut and tremble. He tossed his head and whimpered his captor's name as Cloud licked, sucked and teased his throbbing cock.

 

Kadaj licked his lips and closed his eyes, unable to hold back the humiliating sounds that continued to burst from his mouth. He felt utterly helpless and he loved it, even as his responses embarrassed him. Cloud seemed to know just how to stimulate him to make his body react however he wanted—as well as make him cry out in a breathy, wanton voice. As the delicious torture continued, the pleasure grew to astounding heights and Kadaj fought against Cloud's hold on his hips as the pressure in his balls built.

 

“Oh…p-please,” Kadaj whimpered, panting heavily as he raised his head and stared down the length of his body. The sight of his cock sliding in and out of Cloud's mouth undid him and the young man hollered the blonde's name as the pleasure gathered in his pelvis and seemed to explode. Cloud released the organ from his mouth and stroked it hard and fast with his hand. Kadaj was baffled as he watched creamy white fluid spurt out of his bucking cock and splatter on his belly. It felt so good he couldn't even breathe.

 

“You're okay,” Cloud soothed, rubbing the young man's hips as he groaned and shivered. “Just let it run its course.” He kissed a tense thigh and waited for the young man to recover.

 

“W-what was…” Kadaj gasped in bewilderment, a little frightened by the sight of his seed. His two older brothers had experimented with this sort of thing, he knew, but he had never done it before.

 

Cloud saw the concern in his companion's eyes and he smiled at him reassuringly. “Take it easy. You just came, that's all. There's nothing wrong with you.”

 

Kadaj relaxed a little and let his head fall back against the pillow. “So that was normal?” he asked breathlessly.

 

“Absolutely,” answered Cloud. “Just try to relax. I'm going to take it as slow as I can.” He smeared the teenager's spent cum over his fingers, confusing him.

 

~Take what as slow as you can? Didn't we just—~

 

Kadaj jumped when a slick finger pushed carefully into his rectum. Evidently, what they'd just finished doing was just a prelude to the main event. There was more to “being one” with Cloud than he'd realized and he grunted with discomfort as the blonde's finger breached him. Cloud murmured to him and Kadaj tried to relax. The intruding digit slid in deeply, then retreated only to thrust again. At first it was very uncomfortable, but after a few moments Kadaj felt his muscles relax around the finger and it slowly began to feel good. Just as he got used to it, another finger joined the first, stretching his entrance further and making him groan.

 

“That's good,” Cloud encouraged as he watched his companion take a deep, steadying breath. “stay as relaxed as you can for me and just breathe evenly.” He curled his fingers searchingly inside of the young man until he found what he wanted. Kadaj tensed again but the expression on his face was openly amazed rather than uncomfortable. Another moan burst from his soft, parted lips and he parted his thighs further and squeezed the bed sheets. Cloud stimulated the spot patiently, kissing his companion's tense thigh as he worked to prepare him.

 

Kadaj put one of his hands over his mouth to stop the cries that were getting louder and louder. Each stroke felt like an intense shock through his body, but it was anything but painful. It was making his dick harden again and he wondered if he'd end up coming on himself again soon. Just when that delicious pressure was building to a peak again, Cloud stopped and took his fingers out. Kadaj blinked his eyes open and panted, disappointed that it was over with. His disappointment turned to confusion as Cloud positioned his legs up and back, spreading them wide.

 

The blonde instructed him to hold that position and he pulled off his boots and finished removing his pants. Kadaj obeyed even though he had no idea what was about to happen. Cloud stretched out on top of him again, his hard body pressing him down. The blond scraped the rest of Kadaj's seed off of his stomach with one hand and reached down. Kadaj realized that Cloud was coating his own erection with the fluid and before he could ask him why, the other man propped himself up on one elbow and shifted.

 

A loud groan burst out of Kadaj's mouth as he felt Cloud's sex pushing into his body. The blonde muffled his cry with a kiss and brought his hand up to twine his fingers through the remnant's. Kadaj squeezed the supporting hand and tensed against the intrusion in his nethers.

 

Cloud broke the kiss and murmured, “Don't fight me. It'll go in a lot easier if you try to open up for me.” He kissed the teen's perspiring cheek and whispered encouragement as he pulled back a little and gently drove forward again. Kadaj panted and whimpered but the resistance Cloud felt lessened and the muscle stopped squeezing his cock so hard. “Good,” the blonde said softly. “You're getting it. It'll be okay.”

 

Kadaj did his best to relax completely and as soon as he did, Cloud's thick hardness slid the rest of the way in smoothly. The blonde held still within him, kissing him and murmuring softly to him. The discomfort faded just as it had before with the fingers and Kadaj sighed in relief. He examined the feel of the other man's cock resting snugly inside of him and he flushed as he thought it was a lot like being…claimed. He almost began to panic at the realization, but his quivering passage stopped aching and started to feel…good. While he was distracted by the change, Cloud moved slowly, withdrawing his slippery hardness to the tip and then pushing it back in deeply.

 

Kadaj gave a startled gasp, staring up at the other man with wide eyes. Cloud continued to pump forward and back within him slowly and steadily, holding him with his sapphire eyes. “How is it?” he said a little breathlessly.

 

“It…it's…good!” Kadaj moaned, and he put his free arm around the blonde and squeezed the hand that was still entwined with his. Cloud smiled at him and groaned softly with pleasure. Kadaj thought he was surely going to die from this in the end. It felt so incredible and he thought he could live happily with Cloud gently pumping inside of him forever. The blonde began to thrust harder and faster, making Kadaj pant his name. The remnant's stiffened cock was trapped between their stomachs and Cloud's body rubbed against it with each thrust. Kadaj's hand moved from Cloud's back to his ass, squeezing one of the firm cheeks with unwitting encouragement.

 

Cloud's heavy breath tickled Kadaj's face as he stared down at him and pumped more firmly. The remnant couldn't break the blue gaze and he moaned, whimpered and gasped helplessly as he stared up at the stunning blonde. He stopped squeezing Cloud's ass and intended to explore his chest with his hand, but the other man caught it and locked their fingers together, his weight pushing down more firmly against the teenager. Now both of Kadaj's hands were held prisoner and Cloud held them down on either side of the remnant's head. Kadaj found himself unreasonably excited by the restraint and he groaned Cloud's name again and lifted his head to kiss the hollow of his throat.

 

“Kadaj,” Cloud gasped, thrusting hard and deep. The smaller man yelled raggedly as he hit his prostate and Cloud kept it up, shoving his cock in at the same angle over and over again. Kadaj pleaded breathlessly with him but Cloud didn't relent, knowing it was pleasure and not pain that was making his companion writhe. He felt Kadaj struggle to pull his hands free and he held them harder, letting the remnant know he was in charge. It seemed to increase Kadaj's arousal and the teenager bit him on the shoulder and groaned heavily. Cloud ignored the sting and kept his thrusts steady, hard and deep. He gasped ragged encouragement when he felt Kadaj tensing against him.

 

Kadaj screamed at the unbearable pleasure as he spurted hard against the man rutting above him. Cloud kissed him deeply, muffling his hoarse shouts of ecstasy. He caressed Kadaj's tongue with his own and waited for his orgasm and cries to fade before releasing his lips. He'd held off as long as he could but Kadaj felt too damned good for him to last any longer. Cloud tensed above him and shoved forward up to the hilt, groaning as he came inside of him.

 

Kadaj went still, a stunned expression on his face as he felt Cloud's cock buck inside of him and the warm spurt of his release. It felt like…an infusion. He didn't know how it was possible, but he could FEEL his body rejuvenating as it absorbed Strife's cum. The weakness steadily went away as Cloud's cells joined with his. The blonde collapsed on top of him and finally released his hands, and Kadaj combed his fingers through the golden hair. His stunned expression hardly faded as the last of Cloud's seed was greedily drank up by Kadaj's body. Cloud didn't seem to notice it or he didn't care, so Kadaj assumed it was normal.

 

After a few moments of recovery, Cloud levered himself up and kissed his companion leisurely. “Are you in any pain?” he whispered, sure that the young man had to be at least a little sore with how rough he'd gotten by the end.

 

“No,” Kadaj said without hesitation, looking up at him with an awe-filled expression. “I feel…amazing.”

 

Cloud smiled at him and carefully pulled his sated member out of his body. He rolled onto his side and pulled the young man up against him. “I'm glad I didn't hurt you,” he murmured against the remnant's ear as his hands explored his body possessively. He yawned and sat up to reach for the covers. Pulling them over the two of them, Cloud put his arm around Kadaj again and closed his eyes.

 

The teenager lay silent for a while, contemplating what had happened and wondering if he could learn to live without Mother's guidance. At least he had his brothers and maybe Cloud too, even if the blonde wouldn't be permanently in his life like Yazoo and Loz. He finally closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, comforted by the feel of the strong arms around him.

 

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

 

The next morning Cloud didn't try to put the harness back on Kadaj after they got dressed. “Don't make me regret trusting you to behave,” the blonde warned sternly.

 

Kadaj shrugged, a little embarrassed by the way the stern tone of the other man's voice made his body tingle. “I've got no reason to fight you anymore,” he said softly. “I just want to see my brothers.”

 

Cloud nodded. “Good. I expect you to help me talk some sense into them if they try to be stubborn. I just hope they accept things the way you did.”

 

Kadaj blushed outright at that, knowing that Cloud meant he hoped they would cooperate but unable to help thinking about whether he'd use the same methods on them to ensure it. “They'll listen to me,” he said as he turned away to hide the humiliating flush on his cheeks.

 

Cloud stepped up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You're going to be all right. I know you don't believe that now but you'll see. It'll get better eventually.”

 

Kadaj nodded and allowed the other man to guide him out of the room. He was comforted by the fact that Cloud was holding his sword casually rather than defensively. Why it should matter to him whether the blonde trusted him was a mystery, but he was oddly happy about it.

 

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

 

Kadaj entered the room first, with Cloud standing behind him. Both of his brothers were awake and they stood up as soon as they saw him come in. Loz's harness was lying broken on the floor a few feet away and Kadaj smirked. Even in a weakened state, the powerfully built man couldn't be restrained. They'd evidently taken advantage of Cloud's offer and ordered breakfast, because two plates with leftover food particles lay stacked on the little table next to the door.

 

“Brother,” Loz said, starting forward eagerly.

 

“That's close enough,” Cloud quickly said. “You can get reacquainted with each other after I've explained what's going on.”

 

Yazoo studied his youngest sibling with shrewd, dark malachite eyes. A slow, sensual smile curved his shapely lips. “It seems that little brother is no longer as innocent as he once was,” he purred. “However could that have happened, I wonder?” His eyes met Cloud's and his smile didn't fade.

 

“Huh?” Loz puzzled, looking from Yazoo to Kadaj with confusion.

 

“Never mind,” Kadaj said hastily, warning Yazoo with his eyes to mind his own business. “Can either of you hear Mother anymore?”

 

Yazoo lowered his eyes and shook his head, and Loz made a curious whimpering sound and said; “We thought it was just us. Where did she go, Kadaj?”

 

Kadaj felt his hopes drop. He thought there could be a slim chance that he was the only one affected and that with time, he'd hear Mother again. Now he knew it was permanent. “Mother is…gone. Not completely, but I don't think she'll ever be able to talk to us again.”

 

“Why?” Loz asked simply, his handsome features utterly devastated. His jade eyes filled with tears and he hastily scrubbed at them with his sleeve.

 

“Because we failed,” Kadaj answered huskily. “We failed her and now she'll never regain her glory. We…we have to find a way to live with that.”

 

“It's HIS fault,” Loz said angrily, pointing at Cloud. “He got in the way—“

 

“Does it really matter anymore?” Yazoo cut in, hugging Loz around the waist. “Don't cry, Loz. We can leave this world together.”

 

Cloud stared at the graceful, long-haired remnant and felt horror stir inside of him. “What the hell are you talking about…suicide?”

 

Yazoo shrugged fluidly. Cloud swore and crossed the room, rudely shoving Loz aside and grabbing Yazoo by both shoulders. “I didn't break my balls getting the three of you out of that crater just so you can blow your brains out. You're here for a reason.”

 

“What reason would that be?” Yazoo asked with maddening calm.

 

Cloud faltered. That was a good question, actually. He had no idea why the planet gave the three men their lives back. “I don't know,” he admitted, “but it sure as hell isn't so you can just kill yourselves again. Maybe you can do some good to the world you tried to destroy. Maybe it was compassion that drove the planet to do it. You're free now and you should take advantage of that and live your lives.”

 

“How?” asked Loz in a choked voice as he hugged Kadaj.

 

“Like everybody else, dipshit,” Cloud said impatiently, provoking the big man to cry harder.

 

“Don't talk to him that way, Big Brother,” Yazoo admonished with a glare. “He doesn't understand. Punishing him with cruelty won't change that.”

 

“Don't call him that anymore,” Kadaj sighed warningly. “We'll call him by his name from now on.”

 

Cloud was surprised but grateful. He looked at Loz, who Kadaj was trying to comfort, and he felt like a bully. Yazoo was right, it wasn't Loz's fault that he was a little slow. “Okay, I'm sorry for calling you a dipshit,” Cloud sighed. “I'm going to help you guys get on your feet. First, Kadaj and I are going to tell you what happened and after that, we can figure out what you want to do.”

 

The two older brothers reluctantly agreed and Cloud braced himself for a long morning. It didn't take very long to explain the circumstances and Yazoo had already figured most of it out himself when he woke up. After explaining everything, Cloud decided to go ahead and let Yazoo out of his harness. It didn't make sense to keep the calm, slim brother restrained when the other two were free. None of them seemed interested in a fight—they were too devastated by the change in their lives and too confused over how they'd live without Jenova's guidance.

 

“There's lots of work if you know where to look,” Cloud reasoned when he moved on to how they were going to live their lives. “You can take up bounties in different towns to earn money, hunting—“

 

“—People?” Loz interrupted with a smile.

 

“Uh…no, not people,” Cloud said hastily. “Mutated animals. Most towns pay good money for keeping the population down and making it a safer place to live. You guys could also get work as bodyguards if you wanted to. There's plenty of ways to earn a living until you find something you'd like to do as a career.”

 

The three brothers looked at each other thoughtfully. “That doesn't sound so hard,” Kadaj said.

 

Cloud was encouraged by the optimism. The sorrow on their faces hadn't lessened much, but at least the trio was considering options other than trying to destroy the planet or commit suicide.

 

~Still, I'm going to have to keep an eye on them once in a while to make sure they aren't doing anything twisted. It would be really easy for these guys to get into illegitimate business and fall back on old habits. I've gotta keep the Turks away from them too, now that I think about it. I don't need those guys giving them any bad ideas…especially since Loz thinks of violence as “playing”.~

 

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

 

Cloud paid for the room for a full week and gave Kadaj some extra gil for food and clothes. He gave the men their weapons and told them they could get a nice start here in Icicle, taking out roaming beasts for cash until they were ready to move on. He had just enough funds left to keep Fenrir fueled up for the ride home, buy food on the way and get a room somewhere if he needed to. He'd blown a lot of money trying to help these guys but he didn't regret it, especially after the night he'd shared with Kadaj. He called Tifa to let him know everything was all right and he'd be coming home soon, then showered and made preparations to go.

 

Kadaj stood under the awning and watched him as he secured his sword in Fenrir's compartment and got ready to leave. Cloud felt a slight ache inside when he looked up from his work and met Kadaj's eyes.

 

“You've got my cell phone number, right?” He asked.

 

Kadaj nodded. “You really have to go?” The words dragged out as if he hated to say them. Cloud understood; it was hard for the young man to admit any weakness or show affection.

 

“Yeah, I've got responsibilities at home and my business isn't going to run itself.” He looked around covertly to see if anyone was nearby, then walked to Kadaj and put his arms around him. “If you need me, you can get in touch with me. Even if you don't, I'd like to hear from you now and then. Maybe we'll run into each other again soon.”

 

Kadaj stared at him and worked his lips, wanting a kiss but too inexperienced and uncertain to act on it. Cloud must have picked up on it because his gloved hand reached up and cupped his chin and he lowered his mouth to his. Kadaj closed his eyes and put his arms around him as he kissed him slowly and deeply. It lasted for several minutes, until both men were aroused and Cloud almost decided to delay his trip home for another lovemaking session. He forced himself to break the kiss and he stared into the remnant's eyes.

 

“You've got each other,” he murmured, “I know you'll look out for each other and get by. Just be strong, okay?” He traced the teenager's kiss-swollen lips and pale features, smiling a little as he released him and turned back to his motorcycle.

 

Kadaj nodded at him and watched him pull his goggles down and start the engine. Loz and Yazoo came out of the Inn and joined him as he watched Cloud Strife ride out of his life. He felt Yazoo's arm steal around his waist and he leaned into the oldest sibling's embrace gratefully. “We'll see him again,” Yazoo comforted, his tone confident.

 

“We'll play again,” Loz agreed, putting his arm around Kadaj as well.

 

Somehow, Kadaj knew they were right.

 

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

 

-The End.