Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Valentine Redemption ❯ Part 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Warning: This is a sequel to a previous story so naturally it will have yummy yaoiness in it. If you do not like it, do not go any further. If you do, it is your own fault and I will feed any negative comments to my pet tonberry. So ha!

A/N: This is the Sequel to "The First Christmas". I have to give credit to Ezri-Candy for inspiring me to write this. Without here, I probably wouldn't have been making a sequel to the story in the first place. So thanks a lot Ezri. ^.^ *gives a chocolate bar and a Sephy doll*

Anyways, this is about what happens not much longer. More characters involved in the story this time with more background to a few things. Well Enjoy! ^.^

Disclaimers: I do not know any of the characters in here, merely toying around with them. Though maybe if Ezri builds up her army enough we can storm Squares building and claim them for our own*winks at Ezri*

Chapter 1

About a month and a half has passed, letting another well-known holiday come to pass. New Years Eve for the four had been quite interesting to say the least, Cloud once again ending up being the target for the week to pick on. No one had realized that Cloud was a light drinker, on few occasions that he did actually drink. So naturally the blonde man had gotten to the point of a drunken stupor and more or less making a complete fool of himself, though the young ninja was not far behind. Mako within the blonde's blood had helped him slightly against the alcohol that he poured into his body, but because of the fact that he was a light drinker and drank not too often only let him drink little before going into a drunken stupor.

AS I had said, it was now a month and a half after Christmas with a well-known holiday being today. Valentine's Day, a day for lovers, had finally peeked its head out. The ex-general was actually ready for this holiday; the day was all planned out for his lover and himself. Cloud was thrilled to finally have someone to spend it with and actually acknowledging the holiday, unlike years gone past. Naturally, Vincent had planned out the day, just as the silver-haired man had, for his little ninja knowing from past experiences of how much Yuffie loved this holiday…

A soft yawn echoed throughout the room dispersing the silence that had settled in within the now sunlit room. Bright, make blue eyes fluttered open just slightly, afraid of any sunlight that may try and hurt his sleepy eyes. Blue eyes met black for a short second before the blonde man blinked. Upon further inspection, he noticed that it was a black rose that sat gently on the pillow next to his head at eye level. A bright smile could not help but trace across his lips, a bare hand reaching out to pluck the rare rose from the pillow. "Mmm," he hummed out, letting the smell of the beautiful rose flicker across his senses and become embedded. "Valentine's Day…" he heard himself murmur which only caused him to smile more. A faint knock at the door broke the slight trance he had put himself into as well as causing his head to turn to look at the closed, wooden door. "Come in." At that, the mysterious knocked pushed open the door and entered.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Sephiroth's deep but cultured voice purred out gently; a breakfast tray nestled in both hands. The silver-haired man walked to the bed and sat down, the tray resting on his lap for the moment. The blonde-haired man couldn't help but smile brightly, sitting up immediately so he could receive his delicious looking breakfast. The tray was placed upon his lap but the silver-haired man captured his lips before he could try and eat, the blonde's chin held firmly in a soft, bare hand. A purr reverberated through the blonde-haired mans throat even after the kiss stopped, the blonde still spell bound by the kiss.

"I will never stop loving your kisses Seph," the blonde purred out, using one of his nicknames. It caused the looming silver-haired man to grin as well as chuckle.

"I will never stop loving the way I can still entrance you by them, Cloud." A bare thumb rubbed at the blonde's lower cheek before being removed. The bed sprung back to its original state, the weight that had been pushing it down now gone. "Eat up before it gets cold. After your done eating, take a shower then meet me downstairs. This will be a Valentine's Day you will never forget." Once said the silver-haired man turned on his heel, soldier still in him, and proceeded to leave the room.

"Thanks Seph… and Happy Valentine's Day," the blonde quickly murmuring behind him. He could see the smile it put on his lover's face without even looking at his face. The blonde merely watched as his lover left before scarfing down his breakfast, loving the delicious taste of it all.

A soft hum could be heard resonating from the kitchen, causing Vincent to stop for a moment before entering. Where have I heard that before? He thought to himself as he listened. It sounds so familiar… As the tune progressed, the ebony-haired man became more intrigued to know where he heard that. Then the wheels in his head clicked. Lucrecia… Once figuring it out, he slowly made his way into the kitchen. Sephiroth didn't even flinch, knowing who had just walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Good morning Vincent," he said politely, the song now hidden away in his mind once more.

"Good morning. Do you mind if I ask where you heard that song?" the ebony-haired man inquired, still slightly intrigued to know how the man had heard it.

"I don't quite know. Ever since I was a child, I had always known that song. It game me a few minutes of comfort back then when I had nothing else," the silver-haired man replied, setting the pan he used in the dry wrack. Vincent began to say something else but was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

"I will get it." He walked past the table, a cup of coffee being set in the front of the ebony-haired man; pale hands dried off by the white apron upon him.

"Hey Seph, do you know where my blue button up shirt is?" Cloud called from upstairs just as the Sephiroth was opening the door.

"Yeah, it's…" He stumbled back after being punched directly in the jaw. Just as he looked up to see who the hell punched him, he was sent into the living room by a foot hitting him in the ribs. The wooden table broke underneath the weight and impact of him.

"What the hell are you doing here and alive?!" a familiar female voice growled out. Sephiroth looked up at a chocolate-haired woman with wine colored eyes.

"Tifa! What the hell do you think your doing?" Loud, hurried footsteps echoed through the now still, silent house.

"Cloud, thank god you're…" she was cut off.

"What do you think you are doing coming into Vincent's house and attacking Sephiroth?!" Enraged make blue met with confused wine.

"I…I came to see how you were doing and I found him at the front door… Wait… Why are you defending him?"

"I think it would be best that you leave for now Tifa," Vincent interjected, standing between the blonde and the brunette.

"Vincent why are you…" She was cut off again.

"Tifa, I agree with Vincent. It would best that you just leave for now." An understanding, yet stern female voice said.

"Yuffie!" there was a slight whine to her voice.

"Just leave Tifa! You have caused enough damage," Cloud's enraged voice finally said, arm outstretched and pointing to the door. Tifa looked at all of them, then Sephiroth and all of them again before she turned on her heel and left. Once she was gone, the blonde-haired man quickly ran into the living room.

"Are you alright?" concern lined his voice. His hand grasped tightly around his lover's, helping Sephiroth get up from the floor.

"Yeah, I am fine," he replied, running a hand through his silver locks. "I am sorry about the table Vincent; I promise I will replace it."

"There is no need to Sephiroth; it was not your fault." Vincent looked at the silver-haired man, seeing how the incident surprised him and hurt him more than physically. "Yuffie, I suggest that we talk to her and try to explain the situation. However," he turned to Cloud, giving him a serious look," you are going to have to talk to her Cloud, sooner or later. Yuffie and I can only explain so much." The blonde looked back at him for second then adverted his gaze. An awkward silence settled between the four for a few minutes.

"Let's go find that shirt Cloud," Sephiroth broke the silence. He grabbed onto Cloud's hand tightly and made his way towards the stairs, a slight stiffness now within his steps. The blonde let himself be led away, head bowed and tilted to the side way from Vincent's or Yuffie's gaze.

Once the two were upstairs Vincent let out a frustrated sigh, a hand rubbing at his temple slightly. Crimson orbs closed, he trying to think of what exactly they could tell the chocolate-haired fighter. The trance of thought was broken though as an arm wrapped around his waist and a hand touched at his cheek slightly. Upon opening his eyes, a smile tugged on his lips at seeing his ninja trying her best to ease some of the stress now upon him.

"Let me talk to her first, Vincent. She may listen to me more. You know woman to woman thing," the young ninja said gently. He gave a faint nod, understanding what she was saying. Before he let her run off to talk to the fighter, he claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. The kiss was returned with exact fervor. It was broken after a moment, the young ninja whispering a quick "love ya" as she made her way out of the mansion. The ex-Turk let the smile stay for the moment, returning to the hot coffee that still sat on the table.

Tifa paced back and forth in the front of the Mansion gates, arms folded across her arms. Why are they defending him? I mean, didn't we just kill him a few years ago. Do they not remember everything that he did? All the pain he caused this world? The frustration of it all did not leave her, wanting some answers and soon. Slight relief passed over her at seeing the young ninja bound her way, a smile plastered on her face.

The gate opened with a faint creak, Vincent still not having fixed it, as Yuffie pushed it open. "Guess you are wondering what that is all about huh?" The young ninja scratched at the back of her head, slowly walking from the mansion to talk with the fighter. Tifa merely nodded, following after the ninja with ease. "It is kinda a long story, and one that should be more told from Cloud than me. Anywho… to put it shortly, a year and a half ago Cloud came here to stay for awhile so I insisted that he stay with us. Then one day, about a year ago, Cloud stumbled upon Sephiroth in the snow almost dead. He ended up saving him and brought him back to the mansion to be doctored to complete health. At first things were really weird between us but pretty soon things were normal. Yes, I know how can we live with someone that almost destroyed the planet? Sephiroth was not himself those days and he was given a second, I am not quite sure how but I am sure that Aeris has something to do with that." The whole time Yuffie spoke, she wouldn't look at Tifa only glance at her from time to time. Long before the journey was over, the ninja had known about the feelings Tifa had for the blonde, hell everyone knew except for him. She also knew that Tifa didn't have much hope for ever being with him, thinking that Aeris was always on his mind. However she didn't have the heart to tell the fighter as well as one of her friends that the man she fell in love with had fallen for the ex-general years ago.

Tifa stopped, taking in the information slowly. The two had stopped just at the well that still stood in the middle of the small town, it fighting all sorts of dangers. A strong wind had now started up, causing the freezing cold to blow at both of the women's frames as well as the snow that still blanketed the tiny town.

"Why did Cloud protect Sephiroth the way he did?" Tifa turned to look at the ninja, arms crossed over her chest to fight off the cold.

"That is not my place to answer, Tifa. Look, why don't you get a room at the inn and I will tell Cloud to swing by before it gets too late. He can explain a lot more than I can. I would stay and chat more, but today is Valentine's Day and Vincent has something special planned that I wouldn't miss for the world. Just relax for the day, alright." Yuffie walked over to the brunette and hugged her tightly. "I will always be here for you," the young ninja whispered softly before letting go. The brunette merely stood in the cold wind, watching as Yuffie made her way back to the mansion. Many questions were still on her mind that she wanted answered but she knew she would have to wait. "Guess I should get a room…" the usual optimism in her voice long gone. She slowly made her way towards the inn, hoping to have answers soon.

Cloud stared blankly at the wall, hands dangling from between his knees as he sat on the edge of the bed. Why did you have to come here Tifa? I have a new life now, one without you in it. I know you still love me… but… but I can't return the feelings… I have Sephiroth now. The blue shirt still sat on the bed, the silver-haired man finding it with ease. Running water echoed into the room but he didn't hear it, too lost in his own thoughts. Sephiroth let the scolding hot water run down his frame, head and one arm propped against the cold tile shower wall as he tried to clear his mind.

Most people believed that the ex-general was an insensitive bastard and had been that way all his life, but that was far from the truth. The silver-haired man merely put up an ice barrier to keep people out, being hurt by too many all his life. All he ever knew was hatred when he was growing up, the bastard Hojo having no compassion in his body at all for the young boy. He had never known what a mother's gentle touch felt like since his mother died soon after his birth. After a few years of schooling, he was put right into Soldier to become an undefeatable killing machine, working for Shinra to take over nations left and right. But when he was first put in there, he didn't fit in with anyone. How could he when he was the youngest soldier in there and surpassed most of the other Soldiers without having to go through the regular Shinra army? Most people respected him for how hard he worked, however a lot of the Soldiers were scared of him, which prevented him from making friends. It was hard for him to make friends anyways; he had been locked away from the world for most part of his childhood. By the time he had made it to Soldier First Class, his heart and whole demeanor had been shrouded in a case of ice so as to never let anyone get close to him. The only human contact he had, had been occasional one night stands to get rid of the sexual frustration that infrequently built up in him. However, one particular man managed to dig through that ice and touch his heart and that was Zach Darklighter. How the dark-haired man managed to break through was a surprise on its own. But somehow the man managed to break through and let him live a little. Now mind you that whenever the silver-haired general was not in his apartment with the dark-haired man, he would close up and become the hard, emotionless man that everyone saw him as. Zach was also responsible for him growing interest in his newfound lover. That he was grateful for. Cloud was someone he could fall back upon when Zach had found someone special of his own, the beautiful flower girl Aeris Gainsborough. The love between Cloud and Sephiroth, Aeris and Zach had only so much time to grow before the mishap at the very spot he lived at had arisen, claiming two of the lives for good while entrapping the other in a horrid experience of pain and insanity.

"Will I truly be able to live in peace?" Sephiroth whispered out into the tile wall, seeing if the dead Cetra would answer. A gentle, warm feeling spread throughout his body, which canceled the effect of the scolding water.

"Do not worry… Sephiroth," a soft voice whispered in his ear, the feeling slowly melting away. The words did not comfort him as much as he wished them too. Letting out a sigh, he pushed himself away from the wall and began washing himself remembering that his lover was waiting outside for him still.

It didn't take him long to finish his shower. Using a black towel, he quickly dried his nude frame off. Pale, large hands wrung out the water from his silver hair before he slipped on some black cotton pants. Shirt in hand, he made his way back into their room. Coldness had settled within the room, the window open and letting air inside the once warm room. Quickly tossing on his shirt, he went to the window and looked outside. The snow beneath the window was still untouched, which was a good thing on his part. Upon inspecting just above the window, he could see where snow had once been. Turning so his back was against the windowsill, he let his bare hands grab just above the window where the roof started. He then hoisted himself up onto the roof, careful not to slip from the snow. Deep, mako green eyes looked up and saw the blonde sitting curled against himself on the very top of the roof. It seemed as though he had not noticed him just yet, too lost in thought. Carefully walking his way over, he sat down next to Cloud with legs pressed against his own chest, arms wrapped around knees, and slightly tilted head resting on it so he could look at his lover.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, the cold, harsh winter wind blowing at each of their forms however ignoring it. Sephiroth's long, silver hair fluttered freely in the cold wind while Cloud's blonde hair merely brushed against his bare skin. Cloud was the first to break the silence.

"I… I am sorry for her actions… She didn't have the right to hit you." The usual confident, energetic voice of the blonde was now replaced with a soft, almost childish sounding voice.

"In aspect on how I am living now, getting a second chance, no she didn't have the right to hit me. However, in my state of insanity, I killed some of those closest to her and I did deserve it. She does not know that I am starting a new life nor does she know the truth of what happened those five years ago. I do not want you upset over this cloud for there is no need. Yes, this does hurt me inside to know that I am still seen as a monster but I can get over it. I have you, a place to live, even a family of my own that takes care of me. This is what I came back for. I don't expect life to be so simple and easy as it has been, but as long as I have you by me I can live with what is thrown at me. Many people in this world will probably always see me as a monster, a madman for destroying their lives but that is something I will just live with." Cloud looked up at him but then turned away again, a shiver spreading through him. Shaking his head, Sephiroth wrapped an arm around the blonde pulling him closer to him. "Don't worry about it alright." A smile traced his face, his free hand ruffling up the blonde's hair.

"What will I tell her?"

"The truth. That is all you can tell her Cloud." Cloud began to say something but stopped himself, snuggling into his lover's embrace. The smile brightened on the silver-haired mans lips, actually content at this moment. The two stayed like that for a while, enjoying the beginning of the wintry afternoon.

Snowflakes began to fall from the white sky, the sun hiding behind the many clouds above. A soft, gentle wind helped spread the snow over the small town, letting it pile up on the already existing snow. A few snowbirds could be heard singing sadly off in the mountains, filling the silence that would have spread over the town.

"You two are going to freeze up there if you don't get inside. I don't think Vinnie would be too happy with statues on top of his house," the young ninja yelled out, breaking the moment into a mere memory, after seeing wisps of silver hair in the wind. Sephiroth turned his head slightly, mouthing `We will be inside soon' to her knowing that Cloud was too comfortable, though cold, to truly care at the moment. With a shake of her head, she trekked across the rest of the yard and entered the mansion.

Vincent lifted his head up at hearing the door open then close. The newspaper that was in his hand, he folded up and placed on the table. He didn't even get to ask how it went before the young ninja began to speak.

"She is not going to like this Vincent, not one bit. She loved Cloud ever since she was young. I know that she knows that they will never be together, but she is going to be a mess when she fins out that he loves Sephiroth. Tifa hates him for everything that he did to her, even if it wasn't his fault. This isn't good Vincent, not at all." Yuffie began to pace back and forth, starting to ramble on about how it wasn't good. She didn't happen to notice that the ebony-haired man was now up out of his chair and walking towards her. "What if this gets out that he is still alive? It wouldn't be good at all. I would hate…" A finger pushed against her lips, silencing the ninja.

"Do not worry of that now, love. Cloud and Sephiroth will figure this out and we will help, but not until tomorrow. Do not argue Yuffie. I want you to go upstairs and pack a few things for a small trip we are going to take," he whispered softly, looking at her with gentle crimson orbs. A nod was all she could do, entranced once more by those eyes. Grinning slightly, he gave a soft swat to her butt getting her to run up the stairs to their room. Going back to the table, Vincent drank the rest of his coffee not wanting to see it go to waste. Then he made his way up the stairs as well, needing to talk to the silver-haired man.

A blanket was wrapped around Cloud, the cold being too much for his body to handle though he could handle a lot. He couldn't help but let out a sigh, the day going perfect to completely wrong ever since Tifa showed up. This was supposed to be a special day between him and Sephiroth; it was Valentine's Day for Christ sakes. But of course the day had to go wrong, just like every other Valentine's Day had gone wrong. Just for once, he wished that he could just be left alone by the outside world. He valued his friends and missed them from time to time but right now he wanted to be lost in this town away from humanity. The blonde finally had what he wanted, a true family. Finally he had some place to call his own with two people who cared for him deeply while the last was his very own lover, the lover he once had before. He merely wanted to escape humanity in this small town.

Cloud curled into the blanket, the top of his face the only part to be seen. A gentle smile slowly tugged at his lips, feeling his lover curl up against him with strong arms wrapping around his frame. The coldness in his bones dissipated, warmth flooding his senses causing him to be content. All worries left him; sleep tugging at the fringes of his mind. Suddenly though, part of the warmth left him and he felt un-whole. Sephiroth had gotten up to talk with Vincent about something. The blonde merely curled up more into the blankets, only blonde spikes sticking out of the blanket.

"If you need to contact me for any reason, just call me on the PHS. We will not be back until tomorrow morning. I appreciate that you understand. Hopefully this mess will be solved tonight so then perhaps the two of you may still salvage what you can of this day." Vincent gave the silver-haired man a gentle smile.

"Yes, I hope so as well. I merely hope that Cloud will be able to get over this whole deal. As you can see he is already having a touch time with it," he said sadly, taking a quick glance at his lover. "Have fun on your trip, I am sure she will love it." Both gave a slight grin to the other, nodding a goodbye before both turned from another. Vincent headed towards his bedroom while Sephiroth went back to his lover, hoping that the rest of the afternoon could be spent lying like this.

A/N: Hope you liked the first part to this. I am sorry if I messed up on anything. I had to retype it onto this computer, which I must say is a pain in the ass but oh well. The next part should be done shortly so you shouldn't have to wait too long.

Please, Please*gets on knees and begs*Review. I thrive on getting comments from people. Its what gives us writers the will to write*makes puppy dog eyes* Thanks for reading it though, hehe ^.^ *Waves, jumps on Vincent's back and piggy back rides back to her room*

~Angel~