Immer: After the craziness in the previous chapter, I figured a chapter like this would be a good cool down.
Title based off of Breath by Breaking Benjamin.
Chapter Three The Death Of You
FFVII
Cloud had opened his eyes, body tensed. This was an odd time for the scientists to enter and poke prod. Usually it was done at night, and continued on until early hours of the morning.
He guessed it was about early afternoon. Give or take, he didn't exactly have a clock to read. However, he had windows that showed him the sky. The sky taunted him with freedom. Freedom was just within reach, however he was stuck inside his glass cage.
The doors opened, and a scientist brought in guests. Cloud felt his heart race when he recognized one of them. She had grown since the last time he had seen her, and her chest was the most prominent. The last time they saw each other was when they escaped the colony.
The other, Cloud didn't recognize.
He had blonde hair, and was a little taller than him. He would probably be a few years older than him, Cloud guessed. The way he carried himself made him seem important. And yet his arrogance oozed with every step he took.
Behind him was another young man. His bangs parted in the middle, the only part of his hair that stayed down while the rest spiked up. His blue violet eyes were bright and heart warming, much more welcoming than the blonde.
"Tifa...?" Cloud focused on the girl. He moved closer to the glass, almost pressing against it with his forehead.
"Cloud! Are you all right? I've been so worried since they took you away!" She ran up to the glass, pressing a hand against it. Cloud raised his own hand to meet hers.
It's been so long since I've felt a touch that wasn't malicious. And this is the closest I can get with two inch glass between us.
"I'm fine. I miss the outside. And you look great. I'm sorry about what happened to your mother." He hadn't had the chance to apologize after all these years.
"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault. I started the soldier program, I'm doing really good. I wish you were training, too. I brought a few friends along, they helped me get this chance to see you. They wanted to meet you for a while, now."
"I am Prince Rufus ShinRa, pleased to finally meet your acquintance." The blonde introduced himself. The ambition in his voice spoke volumes of his personality.
"I'm flattered to meet you." Cloud refused to use titles, remembering the few times he met with the father, and rather not enjoyed his visits.
The way that fat king eyes me like a piece of meat is unnerving.
"You don't have to lie, I can tell that you're not. I see you've met with my father, I take it? He's such an eye sore, I am afraid. You will find that I am nothing like him." Rufus smirked knowingly.
"I'm already liking you more, then." Cloud felt relieved.
"It is unfortunate that fathers cast huge shadows for their children to overcome. For myself, I have to prove that I am not some spoiled fool as people see my father as. And as for you, I envy you, Cloud Strife."
"Why do you envy me?" He stared, not used to hearing that.
"Because you can create your own fate. Without the knowledge on who your father is, you can freely choose what to do for your life, while mine is already set in stone. I just have to learn to make the best of it and exceed expectations."
"It is that reason why I envy you, then. I would rather have everything decided for me. Whenever I make a decision, I end up putting myself and everyone I care for in danger." Cloud bitterly recalled the rescue incident.
I don't regret it. I just wish the consequences weren't this.
"If you want it that way, then I have an offer. If I can get you out of here, a free man, then I want you to sign up for the soldier program. I think you will make a valuable asset in the army."
Cloud openly laughed. Rufus had balls, he would give him that.
FFVII
The helicopter ride was eerily quiet. Cloud was sure everyone knew he accepted Sephiroth's gift. He was curled up in the vampire prince's lap, arms still wrapped around strong shoulders, face buried against a chest as much as possible.
I betrayed them. I am no longer human. I can never walk side by side with them, even after all their trouble to rescue me.
Cloud didn't understand why he went along with what Sephiroth wanted. But he had run out of time, and he had to decide whether or not to keep his sanity or kill everyone he held dear. And some weird part of him wanted the gift Sephiroth offered, a part of him wanted this for a long time.
For years after he first bit me, I wanted to feel that sensation again. In my teens, I imagined it while I jacked off. I still don't understand my sick head for those awkward stages.
And with the rising guilt in his chest, he was equally embarrassed. It didn't help he still wasn't satiated. Cloud hadn't been given a long window of opportunity to drink, he only took enough to stop the process of him becoming a ghoul, or worse a demon.
"So...yer one of 'em now, aren't ya Blondie?" Barret broke the awkward silence.
"...I'm sorry. I know it was selfish of me, but I didn't want to die and...by then I was out of time." Cloud pulled away from Sephiroth far enough to meet his friend's gaze.
"Shit, I'm not blamin' ya or anythin', man. Besides, woulda been a waste of a rescue mission. We had planned ta kill that son of a bitch, but fuckin' Angeal got in the way. So, honestly, I'm not gonna waste my ammo since he was all we had left to save you."
"But why save me? I thought..." Cloud was confused, they had all gone to such great lengths for him.
"What, did you think we would abandon you, laddie?" Cait Sith sprung away from Yuffie's side to sit in Cloud's lap. "You're part of the team. And we're family."
"Yeah, who was the one who bought me medicine for my motion sickness all the time? You did, Cloud. Even if I forgot, you already bought some for me." Yuffie managed a small smile through her obvious discomfort. She had her medicine, but she still felt dizzy.
"And who kept me from doin' somethin' stupid? Eh? Or challenged me to be the best leader, even if it meant makin' the worst decisions? You, Blondie." Barret added.
"And who had my back when I was down in a fight each and every time? You covered for me, even if I was back up on my feet seconds later." Tifa spoke up from the cockpit.
"And you always come up with great ideas to help modify me! Make me better and all that so it's easier for me to keep everyone safe. You, laddie. You were the glue that held us all together and made us work as a team." Cait Sith grinned.
"But those are all just small things. I'm not a thief, or that great at hand to hand combat, or even a gun. I can't tell which way is north or west, all I am is the tank with a sword." Cloud stopped short as he realized he was showing his insecurities.
"And you don't have to be like us. We're all different, so it's good to be unique. You cared about everyone the moment this team was formed by Rufus. While we all hated working together, you found ways to open our hearts through kindness, Cloud." Tifa's voice was enough for everyone to know she was smiling.
"Then...why did Zack and Reno help?" Cloud blinked in surprise.
"For me, it was cuz Rufus ordered me to ensure you lived no matter the cost. Somethin' he told me before I was transferred over to Junon. Well, though you're technically a walking corpse..."
"Have you forgotten there's a vampire prince and a dhamphir here as well?" Sephiroth spoke for the first time, the warning threat in his voice made Reno clear his throat.
"Ahem, anyway...Rufus did say if there was no other choice, then let ya turn. So, I'm followin' orders. And cause what Angeal did was kinda fucked up, yo."
"But...now your career is ruined. You can't go back. All of you can't..." Cloud felt the guilt rising again.
"We all knew what we were doing, Spikey. Even though I wasn't part of the plan, I wasn't going to stand back anymore. Watching you in those chains made me think of that glass cage they had you in for years. And seeing your friends have your back, snapped me into taking action." Zack admitted, adding a smile. "And honestly, Spike, it was worth it in the end."
Cloud was speechless. He hadn't expected anyone to come to his aid at all in the trap. Not only did his team and best friend risk it all for him, but Sephiroth had as well. Normally, a vampire wouldn't walk into a trap for one individual. In the past, ShinRa's SOLDIERs tried that method, but each one of the traps failed.
But he did. Sephiroth came for me. I don't understand why...
"So why did you willingly walk into the trap? You're the first vampire I've seen do that." Zack eyed the vampire prince with wary curiosity.
"I have my own reasons." Sephiroth replied with indifference.
"Oh come on, at least tell us. We rescued you when we didn't even have to. So, you kind of owe us." Zack pressured, putting on his best puppy eyes and pout.
For a quiet moment Sephiroth hesitated. He didn't want to spill his secrets, but he knew the soldier had a point. So reluctantly he answered. He gave them enough information to satisfy them.
"...I knew he was special since we first met. It was rash of me to infect him without a plan in place, but I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity."
"Tch, he had a bleedin' wound. Ya probably smelled him and couldn't hold back." Barret grumbled, earning a glare. Green eyes flashing with malicious intent in the dark.
"I wouldn't make an enemy out of him if I were you. The only reason he's not slaying you all is because you released him and Cloud." Valentine warned, his voice startling everyone, since they nearly forgot he was there.
"And he cares for all of you. I would hate for a fight to get out of hand in this closed space." Sephiroth added, the venom clear in his voice, his body tense.
"Please don't harm them." Cloud stared at the prince, and emerald green met his gaze. "I am grateful that you came to help me, but if you harm my friends then I will be the death of you."
They stared intensely at each other, as Cloud's words were processed. Sephiroth saw the same flame in those deep blues, he was glad to see the color survived the change instead of turning crimson. And slowly the prince relaxed his muscles, giving in.
"I won't harm a hair on their heads." Sephiroth assured, hiding his bitterness of allowing someone have this much leverage over him. But he wouldn't stand for losing Cloud over his pride.
"...Thank you." Cloud leaned into Sephiroth, resisting the urge to sneak another bite. He knew if he did he wouldn't be able to stop himself if he fed now.
I would rather have a little more privacy than this. And I don't know if Valentine had a recent feeding or not.
"So where are we headed? We've been flying for a while now." Zack glanced around as he tried to hide his nervousness, and failing. He wasn't used to seeing his best friend cozy up to a random stranger. It didn't help the stranger happened to be a vampire, and a prince no less.
"We're headed to Cosmo Canyon, laddie! It's the only neutral territory we can hide at for a while." Cait Sith bounced from Cloud's lap to Zack's.
"And what do we do from there?"
"Well, we've got a few days to figure that out." Tifa answered, her voice hopeful. She was the only one who seemed to have hope.
"Few days? But isn't there a tracking device in the chopper and the cat?" Zack was puzzled.
"We already planned ahead, yo. We tampered with both of 'em before the rescue mission started. Should give us a couple of days head start, at least." Reno explained, not really looking forward he would spend those days with a couple of vampires, but didn't openly complain.
Silence filled the rest of the ride until a few hours later when they landed. The natives of Cosmo Canyon, some humans and dhamphirs, and talking cats welcomed them with the promise of sanctuary. They seemed nervous at the sight of two vampires, but Valentine vouched they wouldn't bring any harm to the community.
The lone vampire hunter had high amount of respect in the community. Even had his own area that was specifically for him for his visits. This was where Valentine brought Cloud and Sephiroth under the pretense it was the safest place for them.
"Thank you, Valentine." Cloud said as he entered the large tent. There was a neat desk, and a large sleeping bag.
"Here no one should bother you. The locals tend to stay out of range of my gun. Too many times my targets attempted to catch me unawares." Valentine replied, noticing the horror on Cloud's face and added. "I am currently not on the job, so there shouldn't be an issue."
"I hate to seem rude, but why are you going out of your way for us?" Cloud inquired. He hoped with no one else around, Valentine would be a little more at ease to answer.
"The same reason why I followed Sephiroth into the warehouse. Which, I won't disclose here. Too many ears around us."
"Want me to tell him when the time comes?" Sephiroth offered.
"It would be for the best. I have a job I might be taking up soon." Valentine turned to leave. "Feel free to stay here, I'll be sleeping somewhere else."
The instant he left Cloud tackled Sephiroth. Forcing himself to hold back from feeding drove him insane, especially with having the prince so agonizingly close. Sephiroth chuckled at the blonde's eagerness, not even resisting as he was pinned down and fangs buried into his shoulder.
"I am amazed at your willpower to hold back. You held on until now, and here you are feeding like a suckling babe." Sephiroth laughed breathily. His laugh turned into a hiss as Cloud licked at the wound and then switched to the neck, the same spot as before and reopened it.
A hand roughly gripped silver locks and pulled to expose more of the pale neck. Sephiroth groaned from the rough handling, and to his amazement he enjoyed it, coupled with being fed from added to the pleasure. He felt and heard the gulps Cloud was taking, for the moment not minding the amount being taken from him.
He really would be the death of me someday.
FFVII
The following day, Sephiroth braved being outside, keeping to the shadows. He was grateful the canyons provided a lot of shade for him to stick to. His eyes never strayed from Cloud as he spent time with his friends. He too stayed out of the sun, being extra careful.
"I think he's a dhamphir." Valentine stated as he moved closer to Sephiroth's side. He could tell Sephiroth had recently fed from an emergency stash in the tent he was given. His scent changed, as if tainted from the foreign intake of blood.
"What makes you think that?" Sephiroth diverted his gaze from the blonde to meet the crimson gaze.
"His eyes didn't turn red. Within the first forty eight hours the eyes turn red after first feeding. His eyes are still blue." Valentine explained his theory, eyes staring at Sephiroth curiously.
"You're a dhamphir and you have red eyes." The vampire prince pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
"My eye color was originally red brown. The longer I hold off from feeding, the more the red takes over."
"I almost forgot you were a special case."
"How would you feel if it is true? It would mean your first turning became a dhamphir, not full nobility."
"You know I'm not like the others. It doesn't matter to me if he's dhamphir or not. All that counts is he's tied to me now." Sephiroth shrugged. "But if you're curious, you can test him. I trust only you to test him, anyone else will be begging for forgiveness when I'm done with them."
Without another word exchanged Valentine moved closer to the group. At his approach, they all turned to him with wariness. As veteran hunters, they knew when one of the creatures of the night came to them with the intention to do something, usually fighting to the death.
"Cloud, how about a friendly spar?" Valentine's words caught them off guard.
"What are you playing at?" Zack eyed him suspiciously.
"I am curious to test the strength of a newborn prince." The lone hunter answered, but it wasn't his only reason.
"Hold up, he's a prince now?" Yuffie piped up.
"Not by birth. But because his sire is royal blood, Cloud is technically a prince. However, he would be considered the fifth heir in line to the throne since he's now the youngest."
"There's something more, isn't there? About why you want to spar with me." Cloud caught on something was up.
Before he came over here, he talked to Sephiroth. Are they planning something together? Or just want to test my strength?
"...You are correct. I want to test a theory, if you're a dhamphir or not." Valentine came clean after slight hesitation.
"But I thought a dhamphir is born naturally from a human and vampire parents?" Tifa tilted her head.
"Yeah, that's all what my intel has on dhamphirs, laddie." Cait Sith was equally as puzzled.
"That is the the more common way a dhamphir is created, yes. However, there are the rare occasions a dhamphir is created during a turning when the human spirit is too strong. If the virus doesn't kill them and they feed from their sires, then the human heart remains. This type of dhamphir is different."
"How so?" Cloud had never heard of this. But he recalled something Sephiroth told him the previous night at the warehouse.
"That's it, let the fury rise within. Let it consume you until there's nothing left but ashes of your human heart."
Those words were starting to make sense to him now.
"They obtain the strength of a vampire, if not stronger. The length of time in between feedings is longer than a natural born dhamphir, and still can walk in the sunlight. Unlike natural born dhamphirs, they can turn a human. But this can only be done once, while a vampire is limitless in the amount."
"How rare does this happen? We talkin' one in ten or what?" Barret crossed his arms.
"One in ten million. So very rare this breed don't have a name yet. As far as I can gather, this has only happened two other times."
"How do you know so much about this? You speak as if you knew one of them personally."
"I am one of them. The other one I have heard legends about, and the resources about that individual were solid. But I never found them." Valentine confessed.
"And you think I'm lucky number three?" Cloud was doubtful.
"Hence why I want to spar with you. I've fought many vampires in my lifetime. I know the difference between myself and pure bloods." The dhamphir had the experience to understand within a few seconds in a fight.
"Okay then. Let's do it." Cloud stood up. He had been curious to test his new strength, but had been afraid to ask his friends or Sephiroth for a match.
The second he stood up Valentine lunged. In a blink of an eye the lone hunter sent in a powerful punch, not even bothering to hold back in his speed or strength. Without any trouble Cloud raised his arm to block, then used the momentum to twist the arm as he used it as leverage to swing a high kick.
Anticipating the kick, Valentine used his height to his advantage. He raised one of his long legs, using his knee to hit the backside of Cloud's knee and intercepting the attack. The blonde managed to keep balance on the tip of his grounded boot, finding the awkward stretch he was in hurt his legs and back.
Vincent pushed with a great deal of power to send Cloud flying. He landed on his back as he skidded in the dirt a few feet. He pushed with his hands while his legs went high as he pulled a Zack Extroadinare classic roll. It was like a back flip but in a roll, and in an instant he was back on his feet.
"Cloud!" Tifa's panicked yell distracted him, and even Valentine stopped short at the terror in her voice.
He glanced down and realized he stood in the sunlight. Cloud blinked, staring in disbelief. He knew he should feel pain, but there was none. Cloud glanced up, first thing he noticed was Valentine with a proud glint in his eye. Beyond him, Sephiroth stood out among the others, as he had one foot out into the light.
The prince hissed in pain as he drew back with burning hate at his own weakness. At the same token relief was in his eyes, relief that Cloud was safe and not suffering from the sunlight that cursed every vampire's existence. It was a strange concept for Cloud, to see an actual vampire show genuine concern over someone else.
He willingly stepped into the light for me. Why?
"Shall we continue, Cloud?" Valentine didn't feel like stopping now. Not when his theory was proven correct.
"Yeah, why not? The fun had just began." The blonde nodded with a playful smirk.
This time when Valentine lunged, Cloud met him halfway. His confidence renewed with the fact he could still walk in the sun. To him freedom tasted like the moment after a rainstorm, fresh air and the warmth of the sun warming his skin. He had feared for the moment he turned he would be forced in a cage of darkness, never to feel the sun ever again.
I just wish Sephiroth could enjoy it with me.
Cloud wondered why he had that urge, and if he had lost a portion of his sanity from the turning. Or maybe he drank a little too much of his sire's blood that it's messing with his head.