Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Venus ❯ Doctor! Doctor! ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Impiety

PLEASE NOTE: This chapter is not beta-d, if you would like to do me a favor and beta it, it would be very much appreciated.

I do not own FFVII.
WARNING: This story contains mentions of sex and the sex trade, drugs, BoyLove, crappy writing, Final Fantasy VII being used out of context, and swear words.

The title is owned by the BLOOD BROTHERS.

Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 10.23.2008 | Pages: 9 | Words: 9.8K | Visits: 185 | Status: Work In Progress

DEFCON:

The measurement used by the Shin-Ra Government to measure the activation and readiness level of the SOLDIER and Turk armed forces. DEFCON 5 is the usual level during peace times, and DEFCON 1 is only initiated when Gaia itself was threatened by outside forces. DEFCON 3 is an increase force of readiness just about normal. All radio communication is changed to classified call signs to prevent interception.

If the road to hell was truly pathed with good intentions then Zack would be half way there already. Nervously I removed the Aviators with trembling fingers, it wasn't deliberate, my whole form was shaking to its core. A scattered side-effect of casual drug abuse.

"This is um… Kuraudo… um…" Oh god he couldn't seriously be doing this, out of the corner of his chocolate coloured eyes I could see a fierceness that I couldn't disobey; holy shit I could already see his plan. What an idiot. And I was going to go along with it, I am the greatest contradiction.

"Sutoraifu," I interjected. "One would think you'd remember your own boyfriends name by now!" I flounced. Oh god, how could I be going along with this? I should have opted to wait with his motorbike. Or begged for cab fare, or gotten some one to draw me a map so I could get back to the familiar Eastern suburbs.

Warning! Initiating DEFCON 4 all stations are to be alert and ready. Intelligence and surveillance to sector 7. Target acquired. Young male. Blonde. Short. Suspected insider. Code yellow, elevated significant risk.

Zack cracked a goofy grin. It was irritating; here I was - the blonde -- and the young SOLDIER could get away acting like one.

"Sorry babe… Hey, its only been a week, and I thought we settled on using my last name anyway?" He joked and I forced a laugh, pulling myself into plain sight of the trio before me, throwing an arm around Zack's waist. I could feel his body tense. And I dug my nails into his side, a taste of my fury that would soon explode.

"Oh Zacky, how could I stay mad at you?" I looked into his dark eyes, I made sure he could see the burning hatred in mine, I was going to break every bone in his body. Shylock would have nothing on me, a mere pound of flesh simply would not do… I wanted his fucking head on a silver platter incrusted with fire ants and arsnic.

Revenge aside... Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal. Ho, ho, ho. I bet you're wondering all about them.

This trio was the backbone of METEOR, Metropolis Elite Taskforce (of) Engagement, Order (and) Restoration. Meaning it was their goal to get rid of scum like myself. Not that I knew it at the time. I could feel the vague nausea of being out of my depth.

I only recognised the silvery god like creature before me, then again who couldn't?

To call Sephiroth anything less then beautiful should have been a crime, seductive in the way that a single kiss from his pale lips could kill you in a matter of months, and yet with his skill he could have you slain five times before his lips left yours. Completely forbidden and so desirable.

He was feminine in his movements and had the grace usually reserved for 30's movie starlets. Sephiroth had something that you had to be born with in order to possess, it was beyond beauty in so many more ways. Not just beyond… but surpassed, even his most minute movements were defined by grace and restraint.

No small wonder he was the poster boy for ShinRa, seeing him up close gave me gooseflesh; when you meet someone that well spoken about you don't know where to look first. And little details strike you and send shivers down your spine. The silver haired man had a tiny freckle just above his lip on the upper left. I could not help but stare… And I broke my eyes away from it in shame, as his feline orbs laid themselves upon me. He had the eyes of a predator, evaluating his prey, the strange green-blue (not dissimilar to the colour of Mako) glittered with a hint of amusement. I almost panicked, I felt so sure he could see though our ruse. His aura was powerful in it self, invisible but very real.

What more fan service could you want?

As I said, Sephiroth was the poster boy for ShinRa. He was in charge of the Divisional Protection and Narcotics Agency with in METEOR. Or as those in the loop say the DPNA.

When I say in charge I mean, head honcho, nothing in his department got by him. Apparently… There is lots of important details I'm going to leave out, information about the General comes at a high price, and isn't easy to come by either… (But I know enough about Sephiroth to fill several novels. Just send me your questions, 300 gil for every sentence. Once a prostitute always a prostitute.)

Genesis was the next along, he was one of the most infamous lawyers in the whole of Gaia. During his services for ShinRa he had both Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth (both gallant experts in their field) at their knees crying, this is all in a single day.

"Heh, it seems that Zachary's memory is still as flawed as ever. Now tell me, what does Genesis start with?" I was immediately surprised by his seemingly good nature and clever tongue.

Genesis was gorgeous in a genetically-modified-way, like those beautiful big red shiny apples you can buy, straight out of Paint Shop Pro and rotten to the core. His perfect crimson locks had not a single hair out of place, and his cold eyes sparkled with laughter. An opponent not to under estimate. A glance could tell you that Genesis was in control, he didn't allow his human flaws to slip past his arrogant façade, he was an actor, dramatic and poised. Like a serpent ready to strike.

"Uhhh,' said Zack, pouting, pressing a finger to his pink lips. You could tell that he was acting now, it still made me cringe and I dug my finger nails deepen into the SOLDIER. "J wasn't it? Naw, kidding. G-man… You really need to get over that. It was only once."

I blinked stupidly, at what appeared to be an inside joke.

"Thrice. And on official paper work." But the flame headed SOLDIER just winked and gave a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Angeal, he was most defiantly the most masculine, which seemed fitting, he made up for Sephiroth and Genesis' sheer femineity. He was handsom, in a stoic no-nonsense kind of way, but gave no hint as to whether he was buying my act as his companions seemed to be. I could sense that it was unnatural for him to seem so tense. He raised an eyebrow and I felt his heavy eyes on me. My pulse raced and I could feel my pores tense with nervous sweat. Would these men really harm me if they found out the truth? Undoubtedly, they reminded me of dozing cats, at first glance they looked harmless, but really they were all perfectly poised and ready to strike unexpectedly.

Sephiroth was the brains, Genesis the law, and that left Angeal as the muscle.

He was head of the Shinra Police department, every droog and SOLDIER you saw out there was under his thumb. He was the lowest in terms of hierarchy but had the support of literally hundreds of stupid pretty boys like Zack, who owed their loyalty to him rather then ShinRa itself.

So lets recap. Sephiroth hunted the big time dealers, Valentine, Fenris, the De'Large brothers, The Family, Doctor Gonzo nutters to name a few, Angeal framed them and brought them down with his sheer strength and numbers, and Genesis made sure they ended up on death row or taking up space in prison. Got it? Good, then we can move on.

"Please, Zack, Kuraudo, take a seat," said Angeal, his voice was far to polite compared to his previously friendly tones and gestured with a broad hand towards a seat between the two god like creatures that were Sephiroth and Genesis. With an encouraging shove from Zack I took my place. Inside I felt sick, terrified. A sitting duck in a hunters convention. I pulled my left hand into the crisp sleeve of Reno's shirt, I could feel Valentines mark burning.

"Please, call me Cloud," I said gently as possibly, masking my fury and fear with immaculate manners.

Sephiroth folded his long white hands on the table top, evaluating Zack who now sat across from me.

"Well, Cloud, that is an interesting name," was the silver haired mans voice menacing or was it just a sudden rush of paranoia? "Where are you from?"

My lips parted and my mind raced, where the hell did the name Kuraudo originate from anyway!? Who the fuck would call their kid that, I got enough shit in school for being named after condensed vapour. Zack beat me to speaking, barking out all to quickly.

"Wutai!" Great, the Wutai war only ended three years ago, and before his days in the DPNA, guess who was a great war general? Famed in defeating the guerrilla terrorists across the continant.

'Way to go Zack, ten points, go team, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!' delicately I found his foot under the table and crushed his toes with my feet. If he felt it, it didn't show.

Instead Angeal gazed at me with morbid curiosity…

"Fascinating…" Murmured a bored looking Genesis, and he appeared to roll his eyes, resting his elbow on the table and cupping his chin on his hand. "If you don't mind me, now that Zack is here its time to get down to business."

I relaxed a little… Foolishly.

Error: Data Corrupted, skip scene?

YES.

It was an entire hour later and a hot chocolate sat in front of me which I clumsily sipped with my right hand. Zack had relaxed completely, I couldn't tell if it were an act or not, and settled into the conversation between the deadly trio.

They spoke of complex things that at the time I didn't understand. Bored as I was, I was glad when the conversation had moved from myself and onto more 'work' related topics.

I only half listened to their strange chatter.

"How's the canary trap down in Edge going?" Angeal asked, his expression was one of extreme boredom, before him a mug of Echo Screen tea was clasped in his hands, already drained to the dregs, a hippy drink, highly addictive and apparently arosed your 'magic' ablities from their dormant slumber.

Canary trap:

A canary trap is a method used for exposing information leaks, you give a bunch of suspects slightly altered versions of a document and sit back and wait to see which gets leaked and then trace that document version to whomever leaked it.

"Not good… The Dirge files haven't made it to the press yet," Genesis said with the most bored expression. "It was a flawed plan to begin with, Valentine supporters would have known the information was faked no matter if it 'proved' his innocence or not."

Genesis was drinking an Irish coffee with a good douse of liquer, perhaps a bit to much for during the week.

"Wait, who were they given to again?" Asked Zack with interest. For once he seemed in his league, keeping up with this compatriots. He was drinking a strong long black with a double shot of cafine, and was on his second; Zack shouldn't be allowed that crap for obvious reasons.

"Tseng of the Turks, Reeve of course, the infernal Lucretcia woman…" Sephiroth answered his voice just as bored as Genesis. He was drinking a glass of sparkling white wine.

"What is most infurating," interjected Genesis. "Is that we know that Reeve has been supporting Valentine for years, we just can't pin him. No information. And no clue how they are communicating."

"What about the means of steganography?" Asked a suddenly interested Angeal who flew a dirty look in my direction. So far I had been ignored. It seemed that they were cocky enough not to care if I heard their conversations.

Steganography:

Is the science of writing hidden messages in a way that only the sender and the recipient would realize the hidden message.

Zack who was clearly as clueless as I was about this term threw Sephiroth a curious look.

But it was Angeal who answered.

"Secret messages, Puppy," I stared at Angeal with a sudden jolt of jealousy, I was taking my role as 'boyfriend' far to seriously, what was that about? The other two men snorted in amusement and I could feel Sephiroth looking at me again. Was there something that I was missing?

Nervously under the table I picked at the frail stitches in my hand and looked down at my drink again.

Zack, although blushing, ignored the comment.

Genesis shook his head, after throwing another curious glance between Angeal and I.

"We have looked over everything, shopping lists, paintings, coffee grains, we don't know how Reeve is warning Valentine of our movements or how he even knows them in fact."

I wondered myself, this all seemed far to surreal, especially after last nights drug trip. I couldn't help but think of the silly comics that Vincet starred in. How once he was warned of a long time plot to kill him by a man who had a message tattooed to his head and then let his hair grow back and then decapitated and sent to the gunman. I dosed off.

And then it hit me…

I am not an intellectual, but the answer seemed so clear I wanted to shout it in those smug faces…

Warning! Initiating DEFCON 3 all stations are to be alert and ready. Secure call signs are to commence; intelligence and surveillance are not to take their sights off Target. Code yellow, elevated significant risk.

I kept my lips sealed.

I'd solved Valentine's riddle, I was excited, but I remained poised. Genesis still spoke and he paid no attention to me.

"The whole of Gaia is on DEFCON alert 3, an over reaction on your part Sephiroth."

DEFCON:

The measurement used by the Shinra Government to measure the activation and readiness level of the SOLDIER and Turk armed forces. DEFCON 5 is the usual level during peace times, and DEFCON 1 is only initated when Gaia itself was threated by outside forces. DEFCON 3 is an increase force of readiness just about normal. All radio communication is changed to classified call signs to prevent interception.

Sephiroth only smiled and looked at Genesis with a wistful expression.

I tried not image their faces, if only they knew what I knew…

"There is no measure to extreme. I've been waiting my whole life to capture him…"

I smiled to myself and wondered, did they know that this Vincent was only the sadistic son of the man they spoke of? A man living in his fathers shadow with no real force under his belt other then his immoral almost vampiric name sake? The answer they were looking for was in plan black and white.

"Carpe diem," Angeal said with a smile.

"Seize the day?" Zack questioned, confused.

Oh come on…. I couldn't help but think.

But the red haired man shook his head.

"That's a poor translation, it means something more along the lines of 'enjoy, make use of, seize.'" His voice was almost challenging and Sephiroths smirk widened.

"I disagree," he said, his sounded blood thirsty, "'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may'."

I was confused, didn't Sephiroth and Zack mean the same thing?

Still it was a small unimportant matter, why couldn't they see what I see? Cloud, the dumb whore… Just ask me, I dared inside my head, I'd really give Angeal something to mope over.

Angeal and Genesis's grim expressions seemed to agree that Sephiroth was not making any sense and just contradicting everyone else.

For a moment everything was tense between the three men, yet Zack sat comfortably, enjoying the contrast of attitudes with the backdrop of the busy café.

And in a sudden all three men were chuckling almost breaking out into peals of laughter.

Their relationship was strange, to put it best.

I felt nervous with my new revelation on my shoulders and hoped that Zack decided to leave soon, I no longer wanted to part with this new knowledge. I could use it, it would be so easy...

The four once again began to chatter about the continuity of evidence, De novo's, and AVOS. I quickly found myself day dreaming.

It wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be, and completely not worth the drama between Reno and Zack.

Remember right at the beginning how I told you never, ever to forget our anti-hero, our dark Valentine? It must be hard because for the moment he was the centre of attention. But think. Its sitting right in front of your nose. Come on, really, really think. Hard.

Kitten, comic books, steganography, Valentine and Reeve.

Valentine Comics, they were communicating though Valentine comics. Think about it before you scoff. Those comics had been around since the fiends father started gaining attention. Sure they could investigate the comic makers studio, but they never found anything. But there was eerie contrast between the story line and events yet to come.

… Oh, I think I forgot to mention, other then being the mayor of Edge and leading Gaia's leading opposition party to Shinra (the WRO - World Regenesis Organization) he's also a comic book artist. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, Shinras METEOR to the WRO's HOLY (Head Order (and) Liaison, (and) Yielding).

Reeve Tuseti.

But really I had no time to dwell on comic book artists and their suspect ways… Because from across the table chimed dun-dun-dun-darrr-dun-dun-DARRR, you know that ShinRa victory tune they always used on the news, I forget what its called but I fucking hate, thankfully the polyphonic rendition didn't last long because SOLDIER reflexes are quick.

"Angeal speaking," At the time I just scoffed to myself at how rude it is to answer your mobile at the table. Sephiroth, Genesis and Zack watched with silent apprehension. "Of course, yes I'll bring him… We'll be… 10 minutes at best. Okay…" I panicked.

Warning! Initiating DEFCON 2 all stations are to be alert and ready. Secure call signs are to commence; intelligence and surveillance are not to take their sights off Target. Increase forces in sectors 7 though 9. Prepare for maxim readiness. Code red, I repeat, code red, high risk of attack.

I was a sheep in wolves clothing, a sitting duck completely scattered coming down from a drug binge and of course in true fashion I'd relaxed to the point of forgetting that I did not belong here and despite the likely hood of these men buy Zack shady ruse if I'd survived this I would probably ripped apart by Tifa anyway…

There's this saying right? You probably know it, 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'? It was that kind of situation but more like out of the frying pan and into the deep freeze.

A well fitting saying, because after the handsome Angeal snapped his ShinRa issue mobile closed he immediately looked at Zack and spoke several fateful words that made my blood turn to ice.

"Theres' been a change in todays state of affairs," Zack swallowed and for the first time in hours glanced at me in anxiety, "The boys think there might be a traitor among us-" The dark haired man said slowly.

I stomped on Zack's steel toed boots once again.

"-With in the Turk's." I think it took a moment for both of us to recover from possible heart attacks. I swallowed. I might be safe but could it be possible that Reno… No I didn't dare to think it.

"We have to leave right now." And Angeal leapt up from his seat and he drained the dregs of his tea. I tried to nudge Zack's feet, what was going to happen to me?

But I promptly found they weren't where I thought they were. I was filled with dread, those weren't Angeal's boots I was kicking was it?

I paled.

"What about Cloud?" Zack said calmly glancing at me once again and focusing his eyes on his superior.

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair with an air of extreme amusement.

"I'll drive him," He smiled, which looked at lot more like a smirk to me but I wasn't about to argue.

"Will you now?" Genesis snapped coolly his eyes never moving from the silver haired General, who ignored his remark but continued to smirk his eyes fixed on the uncertainly rising Zack.

"I'd kiss your beloved good bye Zack," his voice was so menacing. "This sounds dangerous, you never know what might happen." My head spun that sounded like a threat and so much more.

Zack walked slowly around the table and put one hand on my shoulder and I suppressed an urge to flinch. I was suddenly filled with the bitterness from earlier in the day. He was such a patronising cunt, and he leaned down and kissed my neck softly and quickly. The look on his face showed that he was entirely humiliated, but I was more concerned with the fact that I could feel his dark eye lashes brush against my bare skin. It made me shiver. In a bad way of course.

"Now, now, I thought you two were lovers," said Genesis, his demure sulkiness had vanished. "Cloud," (I twitched it was the first time that Genesis had even paid the slightest piece of attention to me not to mention say my name) "stand up and give Zack a real kiss." His voice was high and mocking. Blushing, more infuriated then scared I trusted my legs to stand up and I turned to face the young SOLDIER shame burning on both our faces. With the ease of an expert I locked my arms around his neck and his hands flew to my waist I leaned into him once again, standing on the tips of my toes to reach his lips. I was immediately annoyed - he smelt like pear soap - and brushed his nose with mine focusing all my attention to my facial muscles keeping them poised and seemingly innocent - sweet would be the word. Our lips touched and parted for each other like familiar friends, unlike the night before there was no struggle for dominance nor lust or desperation, just tiredness. I let my eyes shut. A symbol of trust - I never shut my eyes for customers; and I allowed myself to calmly reach my touch into the soft coffee tasting confides of his mouth. Somewhere in the middle I lost myself. It was so comforting - kissing is the best kind of game. I confided in myself this is what I wanted one day. Someone lovely to kiss.

We broke apart when Angeal gave an impatient cough, embarrassed I let go of Zack hiding my face hide under my hair. Zack's arms remained on me for a second before hastily letting go - instantly I dropped to my seat. I knew he was confused - people who hate each other don't usually kiss like that. Wordlessly he ruffled my hair and left with Angeal. Sephiroth was the first to break the silence.

"Now, now Cloud, don't cry," his tone was almost enough to make me scream.

If I had been my self pre-Valentine I would be smirking thinking about how hard it would be to get into Genesis's pants and would have whispered "Truamatised homophobe?" Into Zacks ear. But tears gathered into the corners of my eyes as soon as Sephiroth said 'cry'. Zack wasn't the homophobe I had first met and loathed. Why had he changed?

Why was he so goddamn nice?

There had to be a plot going on and by the sounds of the three men who had once sat at this table - they were probably behind it.

I faked a giggle.

"Oh, I'm not crying. I'm sure my baby will be fine." I wondered if I was pushing it. Stretching the lie until it would snap.

"The funny thing is… Zack never told us about you until today," Genesis smile had too many perfectly while teeth. "And here we were thinking that he just liked to play around with Angeal."

"WHAT?" I couldn't control my out rage. But this was Zack. I bickered with Zack, I was cruel to Zack.

But then that fucking ring tone went off again and the smirking Genesis answered his mobile - identical to Angeal's in every way.

"I'll be right there," He said simply before shutting it, "It appears they need me at the court house." He started at Sephiroth.

I knew know that I had underestimated them all terribly.

"It appears its time to leave now Cloud," the silver haired man rose from his seat and watched as Genesis very rudely walked to the door throwing a look over his shoulder and the words "Au revoir," and was gone.

Bewildered I glanced at Sephiroth, all too confused why I was suddenly left alone with him. But he seemed not to notice me and began to leave the café, I hurriedly followed him. On the street he approached an illegally parked silver Kompressor (That a Levrikon as in the car darlings, like the monster from the fantasies) and unlocked it.

"Get in," he said finally, emotionless. I got more and more worried.

The inside of the car was dark as the paint job and it smelt faintly of leather cleaner. The man took great pride in keeping the million gil ride in perfect condition.

"I suppost it would be back to Seventh Heaven then?" He said lazily. "Oops." He wasn't convincing. The car started with a pur. Some how I wasn't surprised.

I took me that long to realise. This was the gun between my teeth. I was so fucked.

"So you knew all along…" I murmered.

Warning! Initiating DEFCON 1 all stations are to be maximum readiness. All men to their stations. Prepare for attack. Secure call signs are to be used at all times; intelligence and surveillance are not to take their sights off Target. We have him in our sights. Forces at stations 7 though 14 be ready to attack on my order. Code red, I repeat, code red, I wish you all good luck…

"Of course we did," he snorted in amusement.

"Are you going to kill me?" I kept my voice neutral. But the man merely chuckled and started to drive slowly.

"Oh no. There's a job for you yet."

"Valentine." I sighed.

Sephiroth smirked but said nothing.

"I don't know anything about him really."

"Oh there isn't anything about him that I don't know already," then, I wondered, what do you want with me?

I was scared. On the verge of pissing myself scared.

"Of course, in order to repay my colleagues, and I for our sparing your life, we have a little job for you."

I stayed silent.

Zack.

How much did he know about this? Was he the one who was behind it all along? Sephiroth said nothing and I did not dare to say another word. I stared out the window for a long time. The sepia tinted world outside the window didn't match the tense atmosphere in the car.

I started to recognize the suburbs around me. Almost home now, and I was still unbelievably calm. I must have been in shock.

"How much does Zack have to do with this?" I asked timidly and the man once again chuckled darkly.

"Everything and nothing. The others too, your little Turk friends."

"It appears that everyone works for ShinRa these days," I said bitterly.

"Even you, little Cloud, or do you like Princess?" He was laughing now and I was almost crying again.

He stopped the car and I knew where I was straight away. Sephiroth undid his seat belt.

And in a commanding tone said, "Show me your hand."

Bitterly I wrenched off the glove from my left hand and tossed it to the floor, Sephiroth snatched my sweaty paw and leaned over me. He laughed airly and carefree, dropping my hand.

I hated him. Zack, Reno, Valentine, and his disgusting trio. They were all beautiful men. People said I was beautiful. That's why clients came to me, they were never good-looking. Good-looking men could handle steady relationships. My clients were old, or rich, but all ugly. They rarely hurt me. And never as badly as these guys. I was attracted inexplicably to beauty, unable to escape its fatal whispers. I hated it. I loved it.

Sephiroth planted a soft almost air kiss on my cheek. Like a Mafia don on the cheek of a doomed henchman. It was the most subtle of threats. His lips didn't touch my flesh but my mind was screaming, Geostigma!

"Call me when Valentine shows up again, or you'll live to regret it."

I exited the car confused. What did he mean call him?

"Oh, and not a word to the others about what you've learned today…" I wondered if he was talking about the café or the car. I didn't feel like talking at all.

I had to go though the main entrance of Seventh Heaven, passing the gilded dragons and lush ferns. I was dazed and very confused, not to mention on the verge of a serious mental break down.

Had I been wrong all along? Wasn't the big bad guy really ShinRa? Surely Valentine wasn't the bad guy… Really?

The door opened loudly with an audible BANG. I hoped today Tifa was at her home nursing a headache from the night before. But no, as luck would have it, she was standing in the lobby… and I knew she was waiting for me. What made my blood freeze was Valentine - dressed simply in black dress pants and shirt with a crimson tie. They both stared at me before Tifa started to shout.

"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN YOU FUCKING SON-OF-A-!" but her shrieks were silenced with a chop of the devil's hand - who then slowly made his way towards me. Chuckling darkly while placing one hand gently on my shoulder, he stooped down to my ear whispering softly "I've been waiting for you Kitten," he said my 'stage' name so seductively-

The door flew open again I with another loud BANG and I turned around to see it was Reno; staggering, slightly blood stained and completely drunk. Disturbingly and amusingly Vincent, at the sound of the door, let go of my shoulder and his right hand flew to his hip resting above a .39 millimetre platimum gun; the make and brand was simply known as Death Penalty (the stuff of legends really, it had a limited release; only 200 ever made) made by the gun smith Cid Highwind himself. But what had disturbed me (especially when I had just started to warm up to the freak) is that he whirled around behind me. As if to us me as a human shield.

I shuddered but managed to give Reno a death stare; I finally had a valid reason to hate him.

Reno's usual shirt-and-jacket was open showing a smooth well muscled chest - and once again I experienced the same complex as I did in Sephiroth's car. I felt my breath hitch slightly, and for a moment was I drawn away and wondered if his SOLDIER buddy looked that nice underneath too.

But I dispelled those troublesome thoughts. Reno was a traitor.

The red head opened his big dumb mouth with a wicked smile, he must have been tripping on LSD because I could see a little yellow square of blotting paper on his tongue (the idiot clearly didn't know you can swallow it - then again he might have just took it) and while leering at us all said:

"Jesus Christ Tifa - its fucking bat country in here -YO!" and fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.

Valentine just snorted and put one hand around my waist, leading me forcefully out of the room. I was sullen and compliant but I still attempted to sneak a glance at the advancing, furious Tifa.

Reno was fucked.

I, on the other hand, was about to be fucked.

But what I realized then, in all redundancy, was that Sephiroth, Genesis, Angeal, Zack… Well they never paid the bill at the Trembling Cup.

Pretentious is the word. I'm a fucking twat. Looking back at this day, hell, writing this its so obvious. I'm a pretentious little prat who needs an attitude adjustment, hell, even that sounds fucking pretentious. I hate retrospective insight.