Ch 3

Cloud has spent the night at the mansion of, what he doesn't know, three vampires. Sephiroth still plots to claim Cloud. Will he succeed?


First outing; a new member

The next morning, Cloud was up early and had left the mansion with Sephiroth for their first outing in years. They went to the fields and trained each other and somehow, they would both end up on the ground, laughing.

To Sephiroth, this was the most fun he had ever since he became a vampire. With the spell's protection, he could enjoy being with his secret crush in the glorious sunlight. The two became fast friends again and enjoyed being in each other's company. For the first time in his life, Cloud felt happy. To the others, they were glad to see Cloud smile again.

Tifa was looking out the window and saw Sephiroth and Cloud laughing while training, smiling herself. Zack and Genesis were also risking their skins being burned to look out the window and saw their room mate laughing and playing with each other like two little kids.

They quickly closed the curtain before busting out laughing at Sephiroth's childish antics. With the boys, they landed on top of each other and laughed some more. They stopped when they saw what kind of position they were in. Sephiroth was on top of Cloud, inches from his face. Both were blushing pink. Oh how Sephiroth wanted to take him right then and there, but then again, it would frighten the blonde boy.

"Sorry about that," he said with a smile.

Cloud nodded and they both got up. Cloud headed back into town, leaving Sephiroth to smirk.

"I should've taken that chance, but... it's light out and Tifa and her friends would've seen me. I'll get my chance..." he mused before he followed Cloud back into the mansion.

Once inside, Cloud washed himself off and grabbed his sword.

"It was nice that you let me stay for the night. Thanks, Sephiroth. Right now, I gotta go check on the kids and Tifa. Later," he said before heading out.

Once he left, Sephiroth smiled.

"We saw you outside," Genesis smirked, coming from his room.

Sephiroth turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

"Ya! You were acting like a total doofus!" Zack added before the two busted out laughing.

Sephiroth gave them an annoyed look before heading downstairs to the library. Upon entry, the candles in the room flickered to life. He grabbed a novel off one of the shelves and began reading while flopping into the chair behind the desk. While he read, his mind kept drifting back to Cloud. The expression on his face, he just had to laugh at. Those innocent, Mako eyes... by the gods, were they beautiful!

His smooth skin was like silk underneath his fingers. Oh how he longed to take him tonight, but there was one problem: if he were to tell him he was a vampire, he was afraid that the blonde may try and kill him or run away. Either of these options would only excite the beast within him.

Unable to read any longer, he put the novel back and leaned his head against the headrest on the chair and closed his eyes.

*****

Cloud got home near dark and saw that the kids have gone over to a friend of theirs' house. Tifa left a note saying she was working late again and will see him tomorrow. He sighed and threw the note away. He didn't care what she did anymore. And she complains about HIM not being home all the time. He put up his Buster Sword and cleaned himself up before cooking his meal.

His outing with Sephiroth was something he was looking forward to tomorrow. After eating his meal, he got into his comfortable most of the night, thinking of the silver haired man. He didn't say it out loud, but he started to like him. His piercing Mako eyes were beautiful, but they gave off an eerie feeling every time he would stare into them. But, his long silver hair that glistened in the sun every time its rays hit it… it was so… oh he couldn't figure how to describe that picture. His soft, rich, baritone voice always seemed to calm him down every time he would feel stressed about something.

But… they were so close to kissing! Oh how he wished he would've taken that chance! He didn't care what his friends thought, he liked him! He finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a fantasy that hopefully one day, he can make true.

*****

With Sephiroth, he opened his eyes, sensing the blonde was asleep and was dreaming of a certain fantasy. He left the library and got into his black trench coat. He soon left thereafter and snuck over to Cloud's house.

He opened the window quietly and crept inside. He stalked over to Cloud's bedside and watched the blonde sleep. Again he was captured by the blonde's peaceful expression on his face as he slumbered. He brushed a stray lock of Cloud's hair out of his face. Unable to stand it, he slowly leaned in and kissed his soft lips. Even in his sleep, Sephiroth felt Cloud kiss him back. After a moment, Sephiroth pulled away slowly, a grin playing on his lips. Cloud shifted in his sleep, a small smile stretching across his face.

"Sweet dreams, my sweet angel," he whispered before disappearing into the night's peaceful darkness.

A moment after Sephiroth left, Cloud started from his sleep, eyes wide. He looked around and saw that the window was open and the soft wind made his curtains billow slightly.

"Was he really here or was it just a dream?" he thought as he wiped the thin sheet of cold sweat from his forehead.

He got out of bed and looked out his window. All was peaceful in the streets except for the occasional stray dog running through the streets. Cloud shrugged and went back to bed. Little did he know… Sephiroth was still watching him.

"Call it a dream, little one. You WILL be mine," he said with a smirk.

*****

The next morning. Cloud awoke to a cloudy day. He looked and frowned.

"I hope the rain holds off until Sephiroth and I come back from our outing today," he prayed as he got dressed. He fixed himself breakfast and sharpened his Buster Sword before heading to the mansion.

"I hope Sephiroth's awake," he thought as he went through the black gate.

As he neared the door, it opened and revealed Sephiroth, all ready to go with his Masamune tied to his side.

"Good morning, Cloud. Are you ready to go?" he asked.

Cloud nodded and followed Sephiroth to Mt. Nibel. They crossed the long bridge and went inside the mountain side. He remembered the day he came in here for the first time. Sephiroth suddenly stopped with a halting arm before looking around, sensing the presence of a few monsters.

"Be on your guard," he said before placing a hand on the handle of the famed blade.

"Gotcha," Cloud replied, unsheathing his sword.

Suddenly, a swarm of the cave-dwelling monsters charged at them out of nowhere, but the two quickly counterattacked with their fiercest attacks. It was all over within a few seconds.

"That was too easy," Cloud said, shouldering his sword.

"Don't celebrate just yet. There's more in here, so stay alert," Sephiroth warned.

Cloud nodded and followed Sephiroth deeper into the cavern, their footsteps echoing off the smooth walls.

"I could take him right here and now if I wanted to… no. I'll wait until the time is truly right," Sephiroth thought as he shifted his eyes to the blonde behind him.

"Sephiroth, you alright?" Cloud asked, noticing the thoughtful on the silver haired warrior's face.

"Oh… yes. I was just thinking about something, but… it's nothing important," Sephiroth replied, snapping out of his thoughts.

"Ok. I thought something was wrong by your facial expression. I was just curious," Cloud said.

"You know, curiosity killed the cat," Sephiroth said with a smirk.

Catching his tone, Cloud returned the favor.

"But finding out is what brought him back," he said with a proud look, knowing he outwitted the ex-General.

Sephiroth chuckled and shook his head.

"Always wanting the last laugh. Just like Zack," he said, still smirking.

"Whatever. Let's just keep going," Cloud sighed before leading the way.

Sephiroth 'hmph'd' and followed the blonde.

"This is why I want you, Cloud. You have a wit about you that I like. Plus… you're cute when you look proud of yourself," he mused.

As they ventured deeper into the mountains, more and more monsters started to appear, but stayed where they are when they sensed something wrong with the silver haired man. When Cloud was out of earshot, he let out a hiss, baring his fangs. The monsters scurried away in a hurry, not wanting to be the next victim. He smirked and caught up to Cloud. At sunset, the two found a quiet spot to crash for the night.

"I'll take first watch. You get some sleep," Sephiroth said, equipping his most powerful spells and two summons.

"Alright. 'Night, Sephiroth," Cloud yawned before getting down into his sleeping bag.

Sephiroth waited until he was fully asleep before heading out to look for a meal. He spotted a Chimera and quickly took it down before feeding on it. He wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, crimson eyes aglow in the night's cloak of darkness. The only light was from the stars in the heavens above. He took to the skies, the cool night air flowing around him. He glided through the air like a ghost, silent and stealthy, searching for his next meal. Finally, he found a traveler who was near death.

Bite marks and gashes covered almost all of her body. Her sword was shattered feet from her. He knelt next to her and took in her features: short brown hair and innocent cobalt eyes, which had almost no life in them.

"...Help me..." she pleaded weakly.

"I will. Tell me your name, first," he whispered.

"...Sarah," she said before passing out.

He lifted her with one arm around her shoulders and gently sunk his fangs into her neck, drinking her blood. After a moment, he released him from her and within a few seconds, she awoke.

"Wha... you... how—"

"I have changed you, dear Sarah. You are now immortal," he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face.

She stood with his help.

"You're a... a vampire?" she asked, unbelieving what had happened.

Sephiroth nodded, smiling. Sarah mauled over the idea of being a vampire, then smiled back at him.

"Thank you. And you are...?" she asked.

"Where are my manners? I am Sephiroth, ex-General of SOLDIER," he said with a bow.

"THE General Sephiroth?!" she gasped.

"Indeed," he said, amused by her reaction.

"Oh my! Where are MY manners? My name is Sarah Claire Koran. I'm a monster bounty hunter. Right now, I'm looking for any Chimeras. Have you seen any?" she said.

"I just killed one about fifty yards from here, but I know where the nest is. Care for a ride?" he said, offering her his hand.

"No thanks. I'll be alright. I ran track when I was in high school. I'm pretty fast, believe me," Sarah said with pride.

"Very well, Miss Koran. One more thing... I have a friend with me and he doesn't about my... secret, so he must not know about it or yours. Understand?" Sarah nodded. "Very well, then... try and keep up," he chuckled before taking to the skies.

Sarah smiled and she started to run after him. To her shock, she was a lot faster than she expected.

"It's probably my new vampire side kicking in! This is going to get good from here on out!" she thought happily with a smirk.

******

The next morning, Cloud awoke to the sun's first light. He slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes from the sleep.

"Good morning!" said a girl's voice.

"Ugh... !! Who said that!" Cloud snapped, fully awake.

"You may relax now, Cloud. This is Sarah Koran, a monster bounty. She was about to be killed by several monsters if I hadn't stepped in. Sarah, this is Cloud Strife, one of my former pupils," Sephiroth introduced.

"Nice to meet you," she said sweetly.


Now that Sarah's a vampire, how will she and Sephiroth keep it quiet?

Review and find out!