A Peek into the Strife Household
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or anything in it.
Summary: Cloud is a 2nd Class SOLDIER, is married to Tifa, and Sephiroth never turned evil. The General stops by Cloud's house and sees a different side of his life…
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Sephiroth stood next to the bar of 7th Heaven, watching traffic outside the large windows, and thinking of how far Cloud Strife had come these past eight years since Sephiroth first met him.
Five years ago, Strife had risen in rank to a 2nd Class SOLDIER, and was often seen with Zack Fair. A year after that and Cloud was happily married to Tifa Lockheart, the owner of 7th Heaven, and had adopted a kid named Denzel. Sephiroth had been unsure that raising a child in a bar had been a good idea, but so far the Strifes had done a good job.
Sephiroth sat down at the bar. Speaking of Denzel, the kid was sitting at one of the tables pretending to read a book, but the General was sure that the kid was watching him. He was not surprised.
His mako-enhanced hearing heard water running upstairs, and then a more audible thump. Sephiroth cocked his head, and then looked at Tifa, who was doing dishes behind the bar.
"What did you send Cloud upstairs for?" He asked.
Before the brunette could answer, a splash and a louder thump was heard, and Strife yelling, "Get your butt back here!"
Sephiroth stood up, just in time to see Skyler, Strife's two year old biological son, running down the stairs, wet and naked. He looked around, and then dashed behind Sephiroth, just as Cloud ran down the stairs, his clothes dripping water onto the carpet. Tifa gasped, then came around to the front of the bar, then stopped.
For a moment, all parties involved stood still. Cloud's blue-eyed glare at Skyler did nothing but cause the kid to grab Sephiroth's trench coat. Cloud then crouched down, and said softly, "Skyler, come here."
The kid only shook his head, making water fly from his blond hair. Cloud looked at Sephiroth. "Sir, can I have my kid back?"
Sephiroth smirked. "Who said you have to ask?"
He reached down and gently pulled his trench coat out of the child's hands, and lightly pushed the kid toward Strife. "No! I donwana!" Skyler screamed slipping away from Sephiroth, only to run into his mother. Tifa picked him up and handed him to her husband, who carried him, kicking and screaming, back upstairs.
Tifa smiled at Sephiroth. "Sorry about that. Skyler hates bathes."
Sephiroth nodded. "That's alright."
Then Denzel mumbled, "Sure, the kid hates bathes. But he loves skinny-dipping in the public pool."
Sephiroth turned towards him, one eye-brow raised. "Your father lets him do that?"
Denzel turned red. "Um, well… uh…"
"Let me guess," the General said. "I was not supposed to hear that?"
"Why?" Tifa asked, who had not caught Denzel's comment. "What did he say?"
Denzel looked at Sephiroth, silently begging him not to tell her. Cloud appeared at the top of the stairs, still holding the squirming Skyler. "Denzel. Get up here and help me wash your brother."
Denzel paled. "But-"
"NOW. Unless you want me to tell your mother what you said," Cloud commanded, putting military weight behind the words.
"Fine," Denzel grumbled, and stomped up the stairs.
When splashing could again be heard, Tifa asked, "What did Denzel say?"
Sephiroth gave her a small smile. "I don't think I'll tell you. I don't want to get caught up in a family squabble."
Tifa smiled. "That is probably a good idea."
This is my first story, so be nice! :D And please review, I haven't got one yet!