Author's Note:
Thanks soooo much too all who fave, watch and review this story and my other. You don't know how much your support makes me feel.
This one took longer because of many, many things. One, I am sick… Two, despite being sick, I refused to turn down what could have possibly my only chance to go zip lining…which included a four hour drive Saturday night, a search for a hotel at midnight… then, on Sunday, a tour that took five hours (over a mile of hiking uphill included to participate in said zip lining) and then a four hour drive back home… so that I could go to school on Monday. Today… That and tests and blah, blah, life in general. Y'know.
So, with that said, I have a little fun contest for my readers. M'kays?
Every chapter title references to certain "symbols" within said chapter. The symbolism could include events, or people or even things that a character refers to when he speaks. Now, here's the trick, there are at least two symbols in each chapter that are referenced by the title (in at least one chapter so far, there is more than two).
So, here's the contest and the prize:
The first person to guess the two symbols alluded to by the chapter titles in three out of the current four chapters, can request me to write a oneshot (preferably a SephxCloud, but I'm fairly flexible).
The first person (if there is one) who can guess the two symbols alluded to by the chapter titles in all four of the four chapters can request a multi. chapter story or oneshot. I'm serious. If you can honestly pick up both symbols in chapter two, I'm impressed. Though, I will ask for details, because I can't just go in some random direction and not have the person who won it be disappointed by the theme, now can I?
Alright, one more note for this contest. It will be done over the PM system. NOT the review system. Okay? But, I would appreciate if you post a review indicating that you have participated (along with your opinion of the story thus far) because I do have limited internet access and it is rather troublesome to try and check my inbox on my phone. So, if you'd do that, when I have a chance, I will know when to check my 'box and makes replies, 'kay?
Speaking of which…
Thank you all who reviewed, and since I'm feeling too lazy to respond, I shall not.
But, I love the suggestions and positive feedback. Many of you have pointed out things that will help my writing develop. Many thanks. Next chapter, I will be sure to reply to reviews but I'm very tired, still have a massive head ache from being sick and can't focus long enough to paitently continue this obnoxiously long author's note any longer. So without further delay….
I enjoy comments and reviews. Please, if you have constructive criticism, do share. Even an "I like" or an "I don't like" are better than nothing. I thrive off feedback.
Rating (chapter): T (sexual references)
Word Count: 3,985
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7, blah, blah, blah. All characters and such belong to their creators. To quote another author, "These are not my characters, I'm just abusing them."
Summary: They call him the Ghost of Wutai. In battle, he emerges out of the shadows and strikes down his foes without mercy. His cause, no one is for certain, just that he has a score to settle with ShinRa and its infamous Trinity. When he makes his boldest attack yet, the events that follow could lead to his ruin. AU, post Nibelheim, dark, m/m slash. Rated M for a reason.
Ghost of Wutai
By Catsitta
Part Four: Our inner demons
Sephiroth loved the way warm water felt against his skin.
Standing in the shower for well over thirty minutes, he let all his anxieties wash down the drain. It was nice for forget for a while, to be lost in a cloud of steam. Every inch of his body felt relaxed. He casually rolled his shoulders and held his face up in the spray. Such bliss.
Water could make even the worst of days feel…calmer.
Reluctantly, however, he turned the dial and the shower came to a fizzled end. Now clean and smelling faintly of soap and strawberry conditioner (a product that Genesis threw his way the day before), the General stepped out in the muggy bathroom, water sloshing onto the floor. No matter what he did, his hair dripped until it was dry. It was a guaranteed fact.
He wiped the mirror with a nearby hand towel and gazed at his reflection.
Another habit he picked up over the years.
Looking back at him were two mako colored eyes, SOLDIER bright as always. These eyes were slightly tilted and framed in dark-silver lashes that glistened in the light. Above these eyes were two, delicately arched brows that matched his waist length hair when it was wet—an off, shimmery shade of gray. These eyes and brows were set upon finely sculpted cheekbones and added a feline elegance to the soft, almost feminine angles of his face. When paired with the sculpted nose and soft lips, these things made the face in the mirror beautiful.
At least, to others.
Staring at himself, all Sephiroth saw was a monster. Even demons could be beautiful. They could take the shape of the most alluring of angels. Yet, that did not change the nature within. He could not change who he was, nor did he have any desire too. It was just… he wished he knew what it might have been like to be normal. To not be a monster in the guise of an angel.
But that would never happen. Nibelheim proved that. He was a creature destined for nothing but war and bloodshed. A tool. A weapon.
Yet, he found his thoughts wandering to the Ghost. Sephiroth wondered if the boy knew the beauty he possessed and appreciated it, or if there was pain inside, a deep, festering agony caused by knowing that he was unnatural. Like him. Did the blond believe himself a monster guised as a fragile child? Did those blue eyes close tight each time he gazed into a mirror? Or did he see an angelic warrior, blessed with a beautiful body, soul and mind?
Sephiroth gripped the edge of the sink. Fury building inside his gut.
Why did he care how the Ghost viewed himself? The boy was a prisoner and a hazard. It would be best to rake him for information then cut his throat and be done. Yet each time he saw that peaceful face, so innocent during his sleep, the silver warrior found reason to hesitate. There was something strange about the blond. A force drew him closer, made him curious to the point of insanity. By Gaia, he wanted to know what made the blond tick!
An odd smile curled on his lips.
He always got what he wanted. This time would be no different.
000X000
"What is your name?" It was the sixty-third time Sephiroth had calmly asked that very question. Of course, for the sixty-third time, the Ghost made a smart ass remark in wutainese…Something involving the General's mother, he believed, it was rather difficult to tell since the boy had slipped into a very, very loose, city slang version of the language. Which, by his guess, was more than likely intentional. So again, he repeated the question, "What is your name?"
This time, the Ghost rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly. Apparently, he was either bored or running out of original insults.
"What is your name?"
"Can we just move on to the next question, already?" The blond asked irritably.
"No." Sephiroth replied, before again saying, "What is your name?"
A twitch. There was definitely a twitch. The Ghost was losing his patience and it was showing through his aloof guise.
"Nathan Kaiser," the Ghost said with a glare, "My name is Nathan Kaiser."
"You're lying," Sephiroth stated before yet again asking, "What is YOUR name?"
Another twitch, "You're an ass."
Apparently, the boy was running low on insults, so he decided to fuel the flames a little, "I am a highly trained, very disciplined SOLDIER General. Men snap to attention when my very name is breathed in their presence. They pale when they see me in the distance. They run to do as I command without daring to second-guess the order. Call me what you will, boy, because I've heard it all and I do not back down from a challenge. And so far, you have barely become a minor annoyance."
The Ghost snorted and wriggled against his restraints.
"Uncomfortable?" Sephiroth inquired with a sadistic purr. "Good."
Suddenly, the coils that held down the blond shuddered and began to unwind. How was that possible? He knew for a fact that the device was secure! Hell, he knew where each and every little hook and facet linked together, and which little chain led to where.
And all of it began to unravel before his eyes.
Cursing, the silver warrior lunged forwards and slammed his palm down onto the Ghost's chest, causing the boy to gasp and pale. As the last of the chains fell away, leaving only the thick straps of leather, Sephiroth narrowed his eyes and glared down at the captive…whom smirked.
"How?" He demanded.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Was the Ghost's saucy reply. Those blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Sephiroth tilted his head and examined the boy's wrists and ankles, both of which were still bound to the device. That meant the Ghost used some other method than the Release to free himself, otherwise, the shackles would have fallen away as well. Instead, the heavy-duty cuffs remained clasped tight, making it difficult for the Ghost do much more than sit up due to the tangles of chains that now hung from said cuffs in a disorganized heap on the floor (still fastened to the framework of the bed too). So much hard work ruined. It would take hours to reapply the binding. Which meant…
"It appears you want some exercise," the silver warrior murmured, settling his gaze on the twisted leg and an oddly hanging arm. "But first…" He strolled over to the bottom of the cot and carefully unbuckled the straps that held down his captive's legs, leaving the ones across his chest for good measure.
Strangely enough, the Ghost remained still. Not one to question the boy's quiet obedience, Sephiroth took the bottom of the blond's foot in one hand and place the other on his knee. Then, in a quick motion, he broke the bone yet again, but the only reaction he received was the slight tensing of muscles. Something like this would make most SOLDIERs cry or at least make some noise of discomfort. Apparently, the blond did not want the General to have the satisfaction in knowing that he was inflicting pain.
Very well. He could play that game.
Sephiroth moved to the top of the cot and captured the useless arm in two hands. Again, the Ghost did not move as the silver warrior gave it a twist and realigned the bone.
What was he planning?
"There…now was that so difficult?" he asked coolly, before moving to refasten the straps over the blond's legs… Only, those legs suddenly lashed out, catching Sephiroth in the chin, sending the General stumbling backwards. The blond wriggled again and like a damn snake managed to slither out from under the restraints. Impossible, was the only word to come to mind as he watched. But apparently, the Ghost was an escape artist to go along with being an exceptional swordsman and materia user.
Was there anything the damn kid could not do?
Catching himself, Sephiroth managed to regain enough balance to weather the series of blows the Ghost landed. It was incredible how fast he was. The boy was a black-and-blond blur even while sporting a broken leg and arm. It just was not possible! Even the General knew that fighting with fractured bones was damn hard to do and damn painful. The fact the kid was able to stand straight was a miracle. Having him throwing rapid punches and kicks was mind blowing.
Unfortunately, for the blond, the General recovered from the initial surprise and slammed a fist into his throat. It had the intended effect, jarring the Ghost and causing the boy to freeze, wide-eyed and gasping. He wrapped strong, pianist fingers around the blond's neck and very, very slowly began walking forwards, forcing the Ghost to stumble back.
A shiver ran up the silver warrior's spine as he saw the battle lust fade from those bright eyes and turn into something more familiar. Fear. Yes, that was much more appropriate.
Now sporting a few new bruises of his own, Sephiroth let his eyes linger on the darkening mark on the Ghost's throat. The blow the General landed would have killed a regular human and possibly even a low class SOLDIER. It was certainly enough to knock unconscious the Second's and a great deal of the First's. Even Genesis and Angeal would have at least faltered and staggered from the impact. Yet once again, the boy defied all reason and showed little more than shock from having a crushing blow to his trachea.
This was becoming a conundrum.
"How?" The silver-haired warrior whispered aloud without realizing that he had spoken.
The Ghost managed a watery smirk.
"I said…HOW!" Sephiroth roared, forcing the boy backwards until his knees hit the edge of the cot. Again, fear flickered on the blond's face as he uncertainly flexed his wrists. once more, the silver warrior's attention fell to the restraints that bound the prisoner. How in Gaia's fucking name had the Ghost fought in the state he was in, with both wrists and ankles chained to the bed? Yes, there was give now that the device no longer held everything together, but still…
Blue eyes flashing with defiance caught the General's gaze after he realized how long he simply stood there, one hand wrapped around the boy's throat. He tightened his grasp—forcing down the explosion of emotions that burst to the surface out of the sheer frustration the situation caused to regain his icy calm.
"You are not in position to defy me, boy," he growled, giving the Ghost a slight shake. Then, unexpectedly, a small shudder escape the blond's lips, and those legs that had held so strong earlier, buckled. Paler than ever before from the lack of oxygen, he went limp in the constricting grip of the General. A strange lance of want seized Sephiroth. The utter helplessness of his captive held an bizarrely powerful appeal when he was aware of how fiercely the blond could and would fight. It was…very arousing.
No. No. Not the time to have those kinds of thoughts…
He released the boy and watched as he wobbled for a moment before collapsing, his chest heaving. Strangely enough, Sephiroth found himself angry at the fact that the Ghost still wore the shredded battle armor from the day of his capture. Prisoners never kept their belongings while incarcerated. Letting the Ghost keep his black attire was similar to allowing him to keep something more dangerous, like a sword or gun. It was not an item of power, per se, but it gave the illusion of strength, hope and escape.
So, he rectified the situation.
000X000
Withdrawing a pocketknife from his desk, Sephiroth came to stand beside the cot. By this time, the boy regained control over his breathing but lay very still, eyes clamped shut.
"I'm surprised…you did not jump to attack while my back was turned," he murmured, inspecting the six inch blade with vague interest. There was something enthralling about the way metal gleamed in the light…
"I saw the knife. You are going to kill me…good. You have realized that I will not break or bend to your will…" The Ghost replied hoarsely, a fragile, almost…insane smile curled on his lips.
Sephiroth let the tip of the blade rest on the Ghost's collarbone…the blond arched is back in anticipation. He welcomed death. He did not fear it. With gentle precision paired with a SOLDIER quick motion, the razor point cut through the cloth without scratching the pale skin beneath.
The Ghost's eyes flickered open.
With similar delicacy applied to the first slice, the silver warrior continued to cut away the shirt, pausing only twice when the blade caught unexpectedly on actual armor.
"Is this some kind of twisted joke?" The blond yelped as the knife came to rest at the waistband of his trousers. He squirmed as the material began to fray around the keen edge. And he nearly leapt up when Sephiroth made a sizeable tear along one thigh.
"I have been lenient with you," Sephiroth said passively, "Had you acted compliantly then I would not have to drop as low as to treat you like any other traitor taken prisoner. A name was all I asked for. If you had given it, then you would have kept this last mark of pride. You are a truly distinguished adversary, worthy of respect. It is quite a shame that I have to do this."
The blond only stared up with confusion and horror, apparently too wrapped up by the whole situation to really react. Well, that is until the General pressed the tip of the knife along the waistband of his boxers.
"SHIT! FUCK OFF, YOU PERVERT."
Sephiroth arched a silver brow. Had the Ghost just slipped up? That exclamation was certainly not Wutainese. Interesting.
"You are only making the situation more difficult." The silver General stated, continuing to cut, slower now. His eyes took in every inch of pale skin and found it mostly unscarred and smooth. Only one true mark drew his attention. A long, thin mark that ran across his belly. Almost like a wound made by a Buster sword…odd. The presence of scar tissue suggested that the injury had to have occurred before the mako enhancements, but what normal kid survived being gutted like a fish?
He really had to stop thinking anything could possibly be normal about the mysterious Ghost.
"Get off me!" The blond yelled, thrashing, catching Sephiroth with his fist. It was a glancing blow, barely enough for the General to take notice of. Apparently, in his panic, the boy was forgetting his technique. The silver warrior caught the two flailing arms by the cuffed wrists and pinned them above their owner's head. Then, with a swift movement, Sephiroth swung a leg over the edge of the cot and came to straddle the boy's knees.
Trapped, the Ghost became very still, like a trapped animal. Amazing how so much fight could be squelched with the simplest of gestures… It really was curious how the boy reacted. Sephiroth scanned his memories and tried to find a logical explanation for the Ghost's behavior. Then, everything clicked into place.
The way the boy shied away from physical contact. The way he kept emotional distance. The way he fought like hell when he had the chance but froze when he realized that he was cornered. Those wide eyes filled with sudden, inexplicable fear when alone and bound with a being stronger than him in the same room. The way he panicked when he realized his clothes were being cut away, his only barrier against a familiar nightmare…
His greatest fear…
Sephiroth smirked upon solving one of the many puzzles floating around in his head.
Yes. The Ghost had a weakness. A terror rooted too deeply to completely ever go away. One that was only too easy for him to manipulate.
He paused, knife still in hand. The material of the undergarment still intact save for the three inch cut along one hip. With new knowledge at his disposal, he lowered his face so that his breath could be felt against the blond's ear and said very softly and almost maliciously,"How interesting… the notorious Ghost of Wutai is afraid of me."
A choked growl emerged from the blond's clenched teeth, his eyes suddenly clamped shut, his breathing short and raspy.
"…but that is not what is interesting… Tell me Ghost… before you decided to play hero, were you but a frightened child? Yes…you were. I can tell. You were small, and before the mako, you were weak. Defenseless. No one could stop someone bigger than you, stronger than you…from taking advantage, now could they?"
Sephiroth listened to the frantic heartbeat of the prisoner and knew that he had found the truth. It made him giddy with satisfaction to know what could break his little prisoner. Now, that did not mean he would stop seeing what the Ghost could endure. Pain tolerance on the physical level was useful information to know. But this…this was a mental breaker. He knew it…
So with a small chuckle, he traced the shell of the blond's ear with the tip of his tongue, eliciting a sharp gasp of horror. Such a small thing…
"All the clues were there," the General continued, readjusting himself so that he had one hand free to run along the toned muscles of the boy's shoulders, chest and stomach. "Such a silly boy, leaving a trail straight to the answer to my greatest question. What is your weakness…your fear…the one thing that would shatter your resolve and leave you helpless…" He raked his nails along the Ghost's side, leaving behind brilliant red marks. "Tell me, before you became the Ghost… who were you? Who was the little boy that cowered in fear in the corner, afraid that his worst nightmare would come alive and haunt him?"
He placed a delicate kiss against the boy's neck before once again speaking, his voice rough from arousal,"Tell me… Or I will find him by breaking you."
The Ghost, now trembling violently, finally found his voice…though, the arrogance was long gone, replaced with desperation as well as disgust,"G-get off m-me. D-don't t-tell me that t-the g-great G-general…the pride of S-shinRa would rape a prisoner."
Laughter. It was the only reply that the Ghost received before Sephiroth shifted and swung his legs off the cot. Confusion and relief played on the boy's features as the silver-haired warrior began to reset the binding/torture device. Judging by his sudden compliance with being tied up again, it appeared that he deemed it the lesser of two evils. Strange how fear could cow the boldest of men…at least, temporarily.
000X000
Angeal and Genesis entered Sephiroth's quarters quietly.
To their surprise, the silver-haired man sat reading…a combat knife lying nearby.
The dark-haired SOLDIER glanced at the trussed blond and paled.
"Seph…" There was warning in his tone,"Tell me that you did not do what I think you did."
The General glanced up and arched his brows,"Hm…oh, the boy? No, I did not do as you presumed I have. Such a dirty mind, Angeal."
Genesis wandered closer to the now sleeping prisoner, examining him with keen interest,"Then why is he only wearing boxers…with a rip in them… if you did not have your way with him?"
Sephiroth rolled his eyes,"He is a prisoner and have deemed to treat him as such. By refusing to comply and answer my questions, he lost the one privilege he was allowed due to his…ah, rank."
Angeal joined Genesis by the cot and gently ran his fingers through the blond locks that were matted with sweat and blood. He frowned when he noticed the faded bruising around his neck. The injury was definitely recent. Discreetly, he checked for other injured…the only thing that caught his eye were pink trails along the blond's ribs… as if someone had dug their nails into the skin but not actually broken it and cause bleeding.
"Did he put up resistance?" the dark-haired SOLDIER inquired, turning slightly to cast a suspicious gaze at his friend.
"Yes."
"Difficult, don't you think…for him to fight back while chained up like this?"
The silver General's eyes darkened,"He's clever enough to slip even the best of bindings."
Genesis perked up upon hearing that and piped in,"You mean he escaped?"
Sephiroth nodded,"Yes. And despite the injuries caused by my device last night, he tried to fight his way free…"
"What injuries?" Angeal asked, his attention focused on finding other wounds. Bruising faded quickly on SOLDIERs which meant that there had to be something else he was missing…
"He broke an arm and leg…" The General supplied nonchalantly, turning his attention back to the book in hand.
The dark-haired SOLDIER examined the boy's wrists and ankles carefully…and sure enough, he noted some minor swelling but barely enough to signify a break of any kind. If those were bones broken in the early hours of the morning, then that meant the blond had a healing factor beyond even the Trinity's capabilities. Angeal was unsure whether to be amazed or disturbed by the fact because while it was wondrous…it also meant the kid went through utter hell in a laboratory somewhere…
He quirked his head to the side.
The name Hojo came to mind… No, he had to dismiss that idea. The thought of anyone possibly going through what Sephiroth did at that man's hands was sheer agony. He wished that fate on no one, not even his worst enemy…especially not on some kid that reminded him of his protégé.
Thinking of his precious puppy, Zack Fair, the SOLDIER shuddered. It would be heartbreaking for him to have his student suffer in the way that the Ghost no doubt was. The blond was just a kid… so small and innocent looking. And those wild spikes were just like Zack's, only his were shorter and not black. He could not quite smother the urge to cuddle and protect the vulnerable kid. It was in moments like these that he regretted his life as a SOLDIER. When children were made the enemy and abused…
Then again, it was that mindset that got him cuffed to the inside of the cell before.
Those big blue eyes were so wide and hopeful. That face so sweet and angelic. Angeal offered him food and drink, of which the blond took eagerly. As he chewed, the SOLDIER sat nearby and watched, trying to worm his way into his heart and hoped that the kid would learn to trust him… Then, before he really knew what was happening, the blond collided with him, somehow free of his bindings.
Next thing he knew he was wrestled against the wall and put into a headlock, all the while the Ghost fumbled to force a manacle onto his wrist…which he did…somehow.
Shaking away the memory, he stepped away and frowned at his companions. Genesis and Sephiroth were in a lively conversation about…bondage? He listened for a moment. It did not take long before Angeal realized that they were not using the term in a…professional manner. They were talking about sex play. And that was when he decided it best to not listen any further. In his opinion, sexual preferences and kinks were to be kept private and between consenting lovers. Not openly discussed in front of or between friends…or in the presence of a prisoner.
Especially a prisoner like the Ghost.
Softly, he whispered,"Hang in there kid. Though, it might be better if you just gave up fighting the tide and tell us what we need to know." Then, he padded out of the room, leaving Genesis and Sephiroth to their discussion and himself alone with uneasy thoughts.
A/N: (I am such a tease, aren't I, eh? Review my pretties and please, participate in my little contest. You never know if you are the first (or perhaps only) one to win.)