Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Revival of the Departed ❯ Chapter 26

Title: Revival of the Departed

Author: J'dee

Series: Final Fantasy VII - this part based after Dirge of Cerberus

Rating: Mature - NC-17

Pairs: Sephiroth X Cloud

Story: Alive and well, Zack has returned… but he's not alone. Hojo's experiments on Zack have caused Sephiroth to return alive and well… inside him. Will Cloud be able to kill Sephiroth again when he's housed inside the body of his best friend and mentor?

(Het/Yaoi/Non-Con)

Author's Note: I want to apologize for delays. I've actually hit a serious writing block for this fic recently (despite having it all mapped out).

Disclaimer: Make no money yadda yadda yadda, not my characters ect ect

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Six

 

 

Tifa held the phone to her ear as it continued to ring. She had tried Tseng at work, at his house on his cell but he hadn't picked up. It wasn't like him at all and she rubbed her temples. She looked out the window Cloud and Sephiroth were outside she had heard the door open and knew Cloud did it to protect her. She felt hope that despite his feelings for Zack he still had something in there reserved just for her.

Still neither was in her sight just yet and it worried her as she hung up and went through her rolodex trying to find Reeve's number. She picked up the phone while flipping through the rolodex hitting redial while she located Reeve's number.

 

Tifa stopped as she heard something hit the trashcans and she looked seeing Cloud stagger in to view, the phone to her ear the ringing forgotten as she watched Cloud wipe his mouth and spit to the side shooting a glare in the direction she guessed was Sephiroth's.

“Tseng here.” She blinked hearing his voice answer.

“Where have you been?!” Tifa exclaimed.

She could just picture Tseng raising an eyebrow to that comment. “Excuse me?”

“It's Tifa.” She stated.

“It's three am I take it this is regarding Zack.” Tseng commented.

“Sephiroth woke up.” Tifa blurted out. “Cloud's fighting him right now.”

The other end went silent for a good thirty seconds before Tseng spoke.

“That's impossible how could he-?” He stopped again. “Quinn succeeded then, it's the only logical explanation.” She heard Tseng turn round like he was in bed. “Elena!”

Tifa listened as a door opened and the sound of a shower going made her blink. Elena was in Tseng's shower?

“Tseng?” Elena asked.

“Call Quinn get a report on Jenova's whereabouts instantly I want to know where she is and who she's inside.”

“Okay.”

 

Tseng spoke to her quickly. “Tifa, how is the battle looking?”

“Not to good Sephiroth caught Cloud unaware. But Cloud lured him outside away from me so I could call you.” Tifa explained.

“I'll try to locate Genesis and send him that way. I know he's been waiting for this moment.” Tseng replied. “Do not try to get close unless you feel Cloud needs more weapons. Sephiroth is easily jealous. If he feels Zack is threatened he will strike at those who he believes is hurting him.”

 

Tifa looked on at Cloud seeing him spin, duck and dodge Sephiroth's slashes of the Masumune. Her hand touched the glass. Sephiroth was attacking Cloud which meant Zack had probably heard everything and Sephiroth reacted woken up by jealousy and Jenova's new movements. Her hand moved to her mouth.

“Tifa can you hear me what happened do you know?” Tseng asked.

“Cloud… he and I… we…” She trailed off.

She heard Tseng clear his throat. “Say no more… I understand. I'll be there as soon as I can if I can get a hold of Genesis. Stay out of their way. Sephiroth will probably not think too much of you at this moment.”

“Okay.” Tifa whispered.

“I'll be there as soon as I can.” She heard Tseng end the call and she placed the phone back of the hook.
Tifa looked out at Cloud and Sephiroth the fight didn't look like it was a proper battle but it defiantly resembled a battle of men over a women, she had seen it outside the bar plenty of times before.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Elena listened to Quinn explaining the situation on the other end. “She's gone from you are you sure?” She asked. She heard his quick reply. “You can't locate her at all?” She frowned holding the towel tighter around herself. “Call Walker… you think she would go back to him?” She nodded her head before she hung up and turned too looked at Tseng who was doing up his tie.

“Quinn banished Jenova from his body, he fell in the water during a fight with her in the church he can't hear or sense her at all, but he knows she's not gone, he believes she might be going for Walker to use him to reunite with Sephiroth.”

Tseng looked up at her. “Good job. Call Ezekiel get him to report Clover's status every hour.” He stood up grabbing his cellphone and his car keys walking to the door.

“Tseng do you want me to call Reno or Rude?”

“Not just yet but call Rufus and Reeve let them know. I'll be back later.” He walked out of the door to her apartment it closed behind him.

 

Elena stood there her cellphone in hand. It had only been twenty-four hours since M'adoc that meant Sephiroth had grown stronger than they anticipated despite everything, he had to be gathering the energy from somewhere.

“Can he consume the same energy as Zack then? Even when Zack is in control?” She whispered before flipping through her contact list and brining up Rufus's number. The president wouldn't be too happy at being woken up but he deserved to know.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Cloud glanced up seeing Tifa watching them looking out through the glass and he felt the concern in his heart ache. Sephiroth had hurt her once before and Cloud had managed to get to her while she lay near where Zack's near unconscious form had fallen. He had cradled her unconscious body in his arms. That same dread shot through him and he looked at Sephiroth who stood there watching him that over confidant smirk on his pale features, he understood, he actually understood. Zack would rather die than see anyone he cared about hurt like that again.

“Zack… I'm sorry.” He whispered and charged at Sephiroth sword raised.

 

Sephiroth saw Cloud charge he blocked the blow and Cloud jumped back the buster sword blocking his torso as he glared at him.

A look flashed crossed Cloud's face and Sephiroth's eyes narrowed.

Sephiroth could feel Zack's emotions hitch.

Sephiroth held the Masumune out in front of himself as Cloud leapt up bringing the blade down. Sephiroth leapt out of the way of the blade, spinning round he slashed outward. Cloud blocked the six foot sword and glaring over the metal as it ground together.

“You kill me… You destroy him…”

“If he's willing to take that risk… then so am I!” Cloud spun round ducking under the blade before bringing the buster sword up vertically.

Sephiroth twirled out of the way then behind Cloud grabbing on to the back of the towel yanking it free from the blonde's body.

“Are you really?” Sephiroth whispered in his ear.

 

Cloud sucked in a breath. Naked in front of his enemy was never a good look especially when he seemed to sexually draw the energy from those he came into contact with.

“Such a good look Cloud.” Sephiroth seemed to taunt him.

Cloud's eye just narrowed looking at Sephiroth. “You're not winning again.”

“Oh but I will and I will have you under me again… like the first time.”

Cloud felt the blush but he managed to keep the glare on his face.

“You used Zack's form to trick me!”

“Yet you enjoyed it.” Sephiroth chuckled darkly.

Cloud slashed the buster sword out Sephiroth dodged with ease. Mako green eyes seemed to glow menacingly while the corner of his mouth tilted up in an ever confidant smirk.

“It's not going to happen again!”

“I believe it is.”

 

Cloud didn't even have time to dodge let alone blink before Sephiroth was upon him, the mouth searing his hotly, and all Cloud could see beyond the flow of long silver hair was the black jacket floating off to the side as he felt a hand grabbing on to his length giving it a tight pull.

The action made Cloud hiss between teeth, his face heating up he turned his head to the side so not to look at Sephiroth's smirking face.

Lips coated up his neck and he let out a rush of breath startled, hand gripping the sword he felt the blade pull from him.

It clattered to the ground at their feet as his hand was twisted behind his back. His other hand went to strike at Sephiroth but it stopped as a firm stroke along his length made his hips buck up unwillingly.

“Ah! W-What are you-?” He began but was cut of as the lips that devoured his neck found his mouth and tongue probed inside forcing its way past his lips.

`Tifa…' His eyes flickered up and he saw her face as she looked down shocked by the sudden turn of events.

“I'm taking you what does it look like?” Sephiroth smooth voice seemed to ooze out in reply as he broke the kiss.

 

Cloud heard Sephiroth kick the blade to the side. Cloud's head turned and watched as the blade skittered across the ground. The distraction seemed to be enough for Sephiroth and Cloud's feet were swept out from under him he landed on his back, Sephiroth standing over him Masumune in hand.

Cloud went to jump to his feet when the pain shot through his left wrist and he flinched, hissing out between his teeth. He turned his head to the side to look at the Masumune pinning his left wrist to the ground.

Cloud could feel his heart begin to race seeing the blood.

Sephiroth dropped to his knees over him, he watched the former General unbuckle his belt pulling it off and Cloud's other hand was yanked above his head before being wrapped in the leather before being tied round the blade that held his left wrist so firmly in to the ground.

 

Cloud tried to buck the General off him pulling at his bound wrist, but there was no success, he let his guard down for a moment and it was a moment to long.

“ZACK! ZACK WAKE UP!” Cloud shouted at Sephiroth.

Inside there somewhere was Zack he knew he had to be in there.

“I'm afraid Zack is tired and sleeping it off…” Sephiroth seemed to smirk leaning over Cloud his mouth moving lower down Cloud's chest.

“GET OFF!”

“Oh I plan to.” The sexual innuendo obvious from the smooth voice of his captor.

“CLOUD!” He looked up seeing Tifa the window open as she lent out it, the sheet hiding the curves he had buried himself in earlier that evening.

“TIFA STAY RIGHT THERE!” He shouted. `Please stay there.' He silently begged.

“Such a lovely woman, I admire her compassion, her love for you. I will break you first then I plan on breaking her before I kill you both.” Sephiroth's hand found his length as he began to stroke it the leather glove playing up and down smooth, each stroke the grip tightening.

 

Cloud shook his head. “Don't… you… dare.” He hissed trying to control the shiver that ran through his body.

“Do you want to strike a deal Cloud?”

“I don't cut deals.” Cloud gasped as Sephiroth's grip on his hardening length tightened.

“To bad. I'll leave you both alone if you forfeit Zack to me and me alone.”

Cloud's eyes widened as he looked at Sephiroth. “Forfeit…” He repeated.

“Zack is to be mine.” Sephiroth lent down close, the silver hair cascading over his shoulders like a silver woven blanket as it covered them both.

Cloud could feel the very thought of loosing Zack again horrify him, he had been ready to kill Zack a moment ago, but to lose him to the enemy. It would be worse than death wouldn't it?

“I won't…”

“That's too bad… Then you get to watch as I take her next and break her in half.”

 

Cloud felt his arousal tugged hard and his hips unwilling bucked up in to the hand with a gasp. “Anything but Tifa and Zack…” he whispered. “I won't see you hurt them again.”

Sephiroth's mouth curled up into a smile. “Anything…” He repeated.

Cloud felt the hair as it slid down his body, the blanket of silver covering his throbbing member, he looked down watching, leather gloved hands grip his thighs squeezing and he flinched for a nano second.

The mako green eyes looked up at him that pale body, that pale face stared him down in what felt like forever and the mouth opened.

“Then moan my name. Tell me you want more of this.”

Cloud's hips shot up as the lips took his aching arousal into his mouth.

“AH!” His back arched up.

Cloud felt the pain shoot through his left arm as he moved to fast for his impaled wrist. He swallowed hard, he looked up at Tifa, he wanted her close but he didn't want her hurt at the same time.

“S-Seph…” He began his eyes never leaving Tifa's face. She looked close to crying for him. “Sephiroth…” He felt the groan pass his mouth as he felt the tongue circling the tip of his arousal. “M-more…” He hissed hating himself at the same time.

Teeth compiled as they ran down the arousal and a tongue lavished its way back up.

Cloud's eyes never left Tifa's face. He was going to leave her, abandon her for Zack and he felt the guilt tear him in half.

`I'm sorry…' He mouthed out to her.

Her hand touched the window and he watched as she kissed her fingers before placing them to the glass.

Cloud's hips began to move in a rhythm, thrusting up with a moan. He never realized how safe he truly had been with her shielded protected loved.

`Tifa…'

He gasped feeling leather gloves move to his entrance and he gasped as one figure pushed in to his entrance.

“Hnnnn!” His hips thrust up into the mouth then down on to the finger, his hips rocking moving in time.

`Tifa… Zack… Tifa… Zack…' His head rolled back, his eyes opened and he saw Tifa still standing there.

 

Cloud felt the second digit slip inside and he grunted his hips almost pulled back but he felt the wet feeling of Sephiroth's mouth suck on him.

His head shot back slamming against the concrete hard and he groaned in pain. Fingers thrust in turning round in a slow torturing pumping action. The third joining quickly as the thrusts grew urgent.

“My name Cloud…” Sephiroth warned.

Cloud looked to the former General watching as he unzipped his pants slowly.

“S-Sephiroth…” He whispered and watched the former general's arousal as it was freed from black leather pants.

Sephiroth thrust the three digits in harder and deeper making Cloud gasp his hips bucking up. His now neglected arousal greeting thin cold air.

“AH SEPHIROTH!” Cloud's head rolled back as hips thrust up.

 

The digits left his entrance and he watched Sephiroth crawl over him shedding his trousers along the way. Swallowing Cloud watching the former General as the head lowered, his mouth was captured a tongue slipping past his lips drawing his tongue out of his mouth.

His eyes closed, Sephiroth his enemy, the man he killed, the man housed inside Zack's body, he shouldn't be letting the enemy suck on his tongue.

The former General's hand moved to the blade pushing it down more in to the ground.

Cloud's mouth gaped open as he hissed in pain.

“CLOUD!” Tifa's shout for him, he looked up seeing her worried face.

He hated her seeing this, he hated feeling this helpless and Sephiroth moved pulling back from the kiss, and hips moved over his head.

Sephiroth's arousal hung near his mouth. “You know what to do Cloud.”

Cloud looked on eyes wide and he shook his head. “No.”

“Then I will kill her.”

“Don't you dare!” Cloud shouted and he felt his hair grabbed and his head yanked back so it slammed against the ground hard.

“Then listen to me.” Sephiroth purred. “Take your punishment.”

Cloud's eyes flickered to Tifa and he relented, his mouth opening taking the former General's arousal in his mouth, he felt Sephiroth's hand in his hair.

The ultimate humiliation, Sephiroth's arousal in his mouth, he slowly began to suck on the length that intruded his mouth, eyes closing.

 

Sephiroth groaned hips bucking in to Cloud's mouth, his hand in the blonde's hair, he thrust in to the warmth, back arching. He had wanted this ever since he had watched Cloud and Zack's sexual encounters. Cloud's talented mouth over him taking him in, sucking. It always felt best when his conquest was unwilling, that was his preference.

“That's good Cloud…” He smirked at the blonde, fingers rolling through the spikes. “Now harder.”

The blonde complied sucking harder.

Moaning Sephiroth thrust deeper in to the blonde's mouth and he watched as his right wrist twisted in the binding of his leather belt.

“Sephiroth! Stop it!” he heard Tifa's voice shouting at him. “You're hurting him! Stop it! What do you want?!”

He looked to the ebony haired woman the concern behind the brown eyes and he looked at her nearly exposed body and purred at the sight thrusting in deeper.

“What do I want?” Sephiroth repeated. His eyes flickered over her body, such a womanly body with gracious curves that men would die for, her body he could see why Cloud lost himself in the woman. “I want… you… to come down here.”

`Sephiroth don't you dare!' Zack's voice shot out from the dark.

Tifa's eyes widened and she went to pick up a jacket.

“As you are!” He shouted, his hand yanking Cloud's hair pulling the blonde's head back thrusting in deeper, letting his climax release in the blonde's mouth.

She flinched and he watched her vanish from the window. He pulled back from Cloud's mouth.

“That should be sufficient enough Cloud.”

 

Cloud coughed turning his head to the side coughing and spitting out the semen. He shot Sephiroth a darkened glare.

“You said.”

“You didn't suck hard enough.”

Cloud tried to yank his wrist free and he hissed feeling it yank the blade imbedded in his wrist. The pain shot up his arm and he gasped for air.

Sephiroth's hand moved through the blood oozing on to the concrete. Cloud swallowed he was feeling the effects of the blood loss his head spinning, he was sure he would pass out. But he knew Tifa was coming down those stairs, he couldn't, he wouldn't he would refuse to let unconsciousness take him.

Sephiroth was writing on his chest in blood, Cloud looked to the door, he prayed and hoped Tifa had grabbed a weapon. Any weapon.

Sephiroth slid down his body and Cloud felt his hips raised.

He let out a cry as he felt the intrusion past the ring of muscle at his entrance, his back arched and he watched the blood covered glove grab his arousal and begin to stroke.

Cloud hissed at the grip as he felt Sephiroth's thrusts slamming against his hips.

 

Sephiroth saw the door to Seventh Heaven open and Tifa stepped out, he looked at the woman wrapped in a sheet and he smirked.

“Tifa…” Cloud groaned.

She raced up to him dropping to her knees by his head her hands pushing the hair from his face.

“Cloud…” Her hand stroked his face comforting him. “Just hang on.”

Cloud nodded his head.

Her mouth moved over his.

Sephiroth watched the exchange thrusting inside Cloud deeper with a groan. Tifa pulled back at Cloud's groan of pain and brown eyes turned to glare at him.

“Stop it! You're hurting him!”

Sephiroth chuckled. His hand shot out grabbing her hair pulling her to him.

“Tifa!” Cloud shouted.

Sephiroth's mouth captured her soft lips as he thrust in to Cloud again, harder and deeper.

Tifa thumped him on the chest trying to push back.

He could feel mother in the distance she had found a host, soon they would be reunited, he had to gather strength for her.

Stroking Cloud again he let Tifa's mouth go, pushing her back roughly as he felt Cloud's length shudder. He looked down seeing evidence of Cloud's climax over his glove.

 

Tifa landed on the concrete next to Cloud she looked at him, the pain on his face was obvious. She was a martial artist, in normal situations she would have taken Sephiroth on. She would have attacked Sephiroth herself but if she hurt the former General Zack would be the one who was left to recover from the bruises the cuts.

“Just let them both go…” She whispered.

Sephiroth groaned and she heard Cloud hiss his wrist turning and she watched as Sephiroth pulled his arousal free of Cloud. She swallowed seeing the evidence of Sephiroth's climax.

He stood up and she blinked as he turned round heading towards Seventh Heaven, he paused to look over his shoulder.

“You will abide by my terms if you wish for Cloud to be left alone.”

“Tifa don't…” Cloud looked at her desperately.

She nodded her head slowly. “What do you want?”

“Follow me to find out.”

Tifa's eyes widened. She shot Cloud a worried look.

 

Cloud shook his head. “Tifa!” He shouted at her as she stood up following Sephiroth her head lowered. “TIFA!” He watched as the door shut after them. “TIIIFA!” His head dropped back to the ground and he lifted his right wrist using the Masumune to attempt to cut through the leather slowly so not to damage the tendons in his already numb left wrist.

“Hold on.” He could feel the desperation as his heart raced, the memory of Aerith's death flashing in the back of his mind. Sephiroth would not take Tifa. He would not let it happen again… No one else needed to die.

There was a flash of red above his head and Cloud looked up as he caught sight of the golden metal boot landing by his head.

“Vincent.” He breathed.

Vincent's hand moved to the hilt of the sword. “Clench your teeth.”

Cloud swallowed and the blade was yanked free. His right hand shot over his bleeding left wrist and he jumped to his feet grabbing the buster sword he charged at the door. His eyes narrowed. Sephiroth wouldn't touch her. He wouldn't allow it.

 

Sephiroth turned round and looked at the woman standing in front of the bar he pushed her against the counter. She let out a grunt in pain, Cloud was out of energy but as a martial artist she had plenty, he wondered why he hadn't seen it before, she was right under his nose. He grabbed at the sheet pulling it from her body and she glared. He smirked.

“I can see I will enjoy this.”

Sephiroth's hand shot out and Tifa blocked spinning round her leg shot out and he caught it with his other hand holding on firmly. She looked at him with a glare before jumping up and round he ducked letting her leg go as the other moved over his head, her hand touched base with the counter top as she flipped back landing on the ground at the far end of the bar in a crouch her head shooting up giving him a direct glare.

“Not without a fight.” She vowed.

Sephiroth purred. “Just the way I like it.”

Tifa raced at him and he blocked her furry of fists before spinning behind her his hand touching base with the back of her neck and she fell forward, his arm shot out catching her as she slumped forward and he pulled her close, his mouth moving to hers, even unconscious she still had energy he could drain.

“For mother.” He whispered.

“NO!”

Sephiroth turned his head as Cloud burst through the door and the blade shot forward right towards his stomach. Sephiroth dodged and then there was a flash of red wrapping round Tifa as she was pulled away.

Sephiroth looked to the blade imbedded in the wall. He smirked at Cloud the blonde falling to his knees, pale and ready to pass out.

He watched as Vincent set an unconscious Tifa down in a booth placing the sheet over her.

Red eyes meet his with a glare

“Vincent…”

“Sephiroth.” Vincent glared the scowl on his face obvious.

Sephiroth chuckled and looked to Cloud.

“Till next time… Cloud.”

 

Cloud looked up and he saw the black wing shoot out and wrap around Sephiroth before there was a flash of white feathers and the wing opened to reveal one white wing and one black.

Zack's form stood there and the raven haired man dropped to his knees then on to his hands gasping for air.

“Z-Zack…” Cloud breathed holding his bleeding wrist.

Mako blue looked at him apologetic, before Zack hit the ground unconscious.

“Sephiroth's intentions are getting darker now that Jenova's spirit is on the loose.”

Cloud looked at Vincent who stood by Tifa's unconscious form, he stood up his right hand cradling his left wrist and he sat in the booth opposite her.

“Vincent do you have any-?” He began.

Cloud felt the liquid being drained over his body and he watched the green flash and felt the effects of the potion immediately, he removed his hand from his left wrist and he twisted it round before letting out a sigh at the healed flesh.

He looked to Zack unconscious on the ground. Vincent walked to the former SOLDIER picking him up and moving him to the booth next to Tifa sitting him down, only a small part at the back of Zack's head had the silver through it.

Cloud let out a breath, the two he cherished the most unconscious in the booth opposite him. He just sat there looking at them.

“What do you plan to do?” Vincent asked.

Cloud continued to look at them. “I'm not sure.”

“Can you kill him?” Vincent asked.

Cloud blinked for a moment looking at Zack. “I don't know.”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Tseng had no luck in locating Genesis as the car pulled up outside Seventh Heaven and he stopped seeing the blood on the concrete as he passed on the way to the door.

Pushing it open he stopped seeing the booth nearest the door occupied.

Cloud sat on one side Tifa and Zack unconscious in the other side.

Tseng's eyes dropped to the silver in the back of Zack's hair, his eyes rose to see Cloud looking at him.

“You're late.” Cloud stated.

“We couldn't locate Genesis.”

“Do you have a back up?” Cloud asked.

Tseng sighed. “We have a handful of Turks back on duty. But I'll send Reno over to remove this.” He motioned at the silver.

Cloud nodded. “Sephiroth tried to take Tifa tonight.” He whispered.

Tseng looked up seeing Vincent standing in a darkened corner of the room his arms crossed. “Call AVALANCHE get them here, if you can get any of your own to feed him energy, then do it.”

“That means exposing the secret you have been keeping for all this time.” Vincent spoke up.

Tseng nodded his head. “It does. But this has gone on long enough… We will extract Sephiroth from Zack then destroy his essence.”

Cloud looked up. “How long will it take for you to organize that?”

“Ezekiel has the serum ready, but first… Zack needs to be stronger. He has to go up against Sephiroth alone.” Tseng stated his face a mask of conflict for once.

“If Zack fails then the only essence that will be extracted will be Zack's… and Sephiroth will have won.” Tseng stated.

Cloud's hand moved to his head as he leaned forward in the booth. “I'll call them in the morning… but I doubt Zack will go along with this.”

Tseng gave Cloud a blank stare. “If he remembers tonight then he knows he has no choice but to.”

Cloud lowered his eyes he hoped Zack didn't remember tonight. He hoped like hell that he didn't.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Rufus sat on his couch looking up at Quinn who stood there. Rufus had called Quinn in for a personal report apart from Tseng, Reno and Rude none of the other Turks had seen his living quarters and he preferred it that way.

“You can't see, hear or sense her yet you kept her eye…” Rufus commented.

“Direct contact with the holy water, I think I understand the concept of it now. The reason it wasn't able to hold Jenova away from the likes of Walker was because she still had a physical part of her body or DNA out there alive and in use.” Quinn explained.

Rufus nodded for a moment. “Your eye, so destroy or taint it and her hold weakens.”

Quinn nodded. “I believe so sir. So if we locate all those infected and get them in to that water, she should vacate for good. Because her eye is no longer hers…”

Rufus lent back in the couch with a smirk. “Good work Quinn, we will take out Jenova first and then Sephiroth.”

“Understood sir.”

“Dismissed.

Quinn walked to the door and left shutting it behind him.

Rufus looked to the golden eyes of Dark Nation blinking and looking up at him and he patted the side of the couch. The large Black Panther jumped up on the couch next to him padding away before curling up resting against him.

Rufus's fingers stroked the fur lightly looking out the window. “We're close…”

 

~*~*~*~

 

Tifa slowly regained consciousness and she sat up suddenly and stopped seeing Cloud sitting opposite her in the booth he was wiping the blood written in Sephiroth's handwriting from his chest. She looked to the side seeing Zack's head on his arms on the table next to her and she let out a breath.

“I'll have Reno head over in the morning.” Tseng spoke from behind her. “It's best first thing tomorrow you call AVALANCHE and have them gather here for a meeting.”

 

Cloud nodded his head seeing Tseng open the door. “Where are you going?”

“To check up on Elena and see how she is going in trying to contact Reeve and Rufus.” Tseng replied. “I'll be back in the morning.”

They watched as Tseng left the bar.

Tifa wrapped the sheet round herself as she stood up. “You should rest.” She looked at Cloud.

He nodded standing up he saw her blush as she realized he was still naked and she moved up to him wrapping the sheet round him too.

Cloud looked at her blinking and she smiled. “I'm glad you're alright.”

His hand moved to her face and he lent down capturing her mouth for a moment.

 

Vincent looked away to Zack and he saw the mako blue eyes open watching the two as they headed up the stairs together.

He saw the smile on Zack's face.

“What's so amusing?” Vincent questioned.

Zack lent back in the booth his arms falling over the back of the chairs. “Nothing… I'm just glad they're alright.”

“And Sephiroth?”

“He's gone really quiet.” Zack looked up at Vincent. “I think we have about a day or two before he stirs again.”

“How do you figure that?”

“I think I felt Jenova near by in the area… he woke up when he realized how close she truly was. I think he expected her to return…” Zack looked out the window. “The energy M'adoc loaned me should keep him quiet unless Jenova pops in the area again.” He pushed himself up slowly.

Vincent caught Zack as his legs gave way. “I've got you.”

Zack smiled. “Thanks. I think I can finally sleep now.”

“It would be best that you did.” Vincent helped Zack to the stairs.

 

 

To Be Continued…