Well hello again my wonderful readers. You guys are amazing, I mean this story has had such a great response in very little time. It is absolutely mind blowing!

As I said before, exams are done with for now, and I have received the last of my grades for the semester and am proud to have completely passes all of my classes with out being on a borderline this time!

Anyway, so this chapter was originally going to be longer, but it ended up becoming too long with too much going on for just one chapter, so I've split it into two chapters. The events will be the same as if it were going to be one, only a more manageable reading size.

As as always please remember to leave a question, comment, or review after the chapter.

Thank you.

Now, without further interruption, I give you the next chapter!

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything

Warning: None for this chapter, but some will becoming for future chapters.

Chapter 3

A few hours after being confronted by Mr. Lockhart, Cloud found himself staring at the fire, hoping that he could just wake up and find that all of this was just a dream. He knows what his own actions lead to on a personal level, but he couldn't understand how that could be so bad for the village. Unless there is something that they are hiding from him. It wouldn't be the first time if that were true.

His eyes waver from the fire as Zack reenters the room. The black haired neko has been nervously pacing the length of the small house ever since they were allowed back inside. Every once in a while he stops and runs a hand nervously through his hair, but within moments he is back to his pacing.

This time, as he walks past, Cloud gently grabs his hand, and pulls him around to the other side of the couch. He urges Zack to take a seat, and once making sure that his mate has done so, Cloud leans over rests his head on Zack's side, deeply inhaling his scent.

Zack stiffens at his motion, not quite sure how to respond. "Cloud?" A low sigh is his only response. "Cloud, are you ok? I mean I know that this is all my fault, and I never should have let myself be lost in my instincts. But that is my own fault; I'm worried about you. I know that his wasn't your choice, and I'm not the one that you wanted to be mated to –"

"Zack, stop." Zack looks at Cloud in surprise. "It is not your fault. I took the initiative and followed through with it. I should be the one apologizing to you."

"Cloud no, listen to me. You didn't know what was going on. I'm the one that took advantage of you. You should have had the right to choose who you became mates with." He hangs is head in shame.

Cloud reaches a hand up and gently pushes Zack's head so that he can look him in the eyes. "Zack I made my choice. I didn't want something like what happened to Tifa to happen to me. So I chose Zack. When I figured out what was happening, I could have stopped you but I didn't. I didn't Zack, because I chose you. I wanted to become you're mate."

Zack's mouth hangs open with an unvoiced thought as Cloud's words sink in. He had wanted to be Zack's mate. Even though they've hardly known each other more than a month, he still chose Zack over every other potential mate. And now, they would soon be able to hold the fruits of their labors. A thought that stumps Zack for a moment.

"Cloud, you know what this means, don't you?" Cloud cocks his head in question. "Mr. Lockhart said that I 'forced the heat to stop.' I guess that means that we have a litter on the way. I don't know about you, but I defiantly don't think that I'm ready to be a parent. I mean look at us, neither of us is ready. You're only 15 and now you have to carry who knows how large of a litter for how knows how long. And I'm barely over 17, I hadn't even thought about starting a family until I was a lot older." He gives Cloud a helpless look. "What are we going to do?"

Cloud looks away. His are eyes downcast as he considers this. "We'll do whatever we need to. This wasn't supposed to happen, not now at least, but we can work with it."

Zack frowns a bit at these words. "What do you mean that this wasn't supposed to happen yet?"

Cloud turns away, making to stand. "It's nothing."

This time Zack grabs Cloud's hand. "It doesn't sound like nothing. If something is off you need to tell me." He sees Cloud slump, as though being scolded. "I just want to be able to help you, and I can't do that if you don't tell me what's going on."

Cloud turns back to Zack, still avoiding his eyes. "This wasn't supposed to happen. The heat. It wasn't supposed to come for at least two more years. At least, not for me."

Zack's eyes widen in shock. "Cloud! This is important, you should have told me sooner. What if something goes wrong because of this? I don't want to lose you because of something like this."

Now Cloud's eyes widen at what Zack says. "We'll worry about that if it happens. But for now, let's just worry about the here and now. Not about the future. We'll worry about that when it comes."

Zack pulls Cloud back to him. Planting a quick kiss amidst the multitude of spikes on his head. "Yeah, but we don't have too much time to relax before it's time to worry. After all, nine months will pass faster than we think.

"Twelve." Zack looks at Cloud confused. "Twelve months. That's how long we have before the litter comes." Seeing that Zack is still confused Cloud continues. "Just because I can have kittens does not mean that I'm a like a female Zack. I guess things just work a bit differently for people like me, or at least that's what I've been told."

Zack chuckles and brings Cloud even closer. "Twelve months it is then. That just gives us more time to prepare and have as much fun as we can before we worry about little ankle biters everywhere."

Cloud looks up at Zack, his eyes wide with questions. "And just what exactly do you mean when you say 'fun'?"

Zack just grins before leaning down to kiss him again.

…...

The week that follows flies by quickly for Zack and Cloud. The only times that it seems to slow down, is when one or both of them need to pick up supplies from town. There they are greeted with glares and whispers. People go out of their way to avoid the two of them as much as possible, even more so than usual.

It is one of those days when both Zack and Cloud set off into the village together to buy the supplies they need, and to try and figure out just what they will need once the litter finally comes. They know that they have some time, but they would rather be prepared ahead of time in case anything were to go wrong.

As they pay for that days groceries, everything sees to stop as four figures cross a ridge near the edge of the village. Still too far away to see clearly, they still prove to be an impressive sight. Even from here, the villagers can see their long coats blowing in the wind, and the impressive height that these figures must hold.

Almost as though pulled by an invisible string. The villagers start to abandon their daily jobs and make their way into the village's square. Watching as the figures descend the mountain and make their way ever closer to the village.

As the figures draw closer, a weight seems to settle in Cloud's stomach, making him nervous and anxious. As Zack holds his hand as they make their way to join the others in the square, Cloud's first instinct is to refuse to move, but knowing that Zack will be there with him makes him feel more secure, so he lets his mate lead him into the semi-circle of villagers.

Within a few minutes, the figures enter the village and Cloud feels his blood run cold. Though the four figures are hooded, and their faces are unknown, Cloud knows exactly who they are. Their long white and black spotted tails are a dead giveaway.

These four are some of the fabled snow leopards that live in the mountains surrounding Nibelheim.

Even though Cloud has never seen another one of his own kind, a deep-seated fear keeps him from wandering too close to them. He makes sure that his own hood is up, hiding his ears, as well as any indications of who and what he is. He wraps his tail around his waist, hiding it too from sight.

As the four stop in the center of the square, Cloud notices something significant about how they stand. Three of them stand respectfully behind the tallest figure, the one whom is obviously the leader, and probably the most dominant in the group.

The tallest of these figures pulls back his hood revealing himself to the gathered crowed. His long silver hair is immediately caught in the wind and whirls around him, giving him a more ethereal look. Bright green eyes scan the crowed, as if searching for something, or someone in particular. His white and black spotted ears swivel around, trying to catch any sounds that may offer him any help in his search.

As he scans the crowd, Cloud tries to resist the urge to duck down, or even run from the gaze of this person. As the figure scans his section of the crowd, Cloud feels the figure's eyes on him, and while he refuses to lift his eyes to meet that gaze, he knows that he has been singled out with that gaze.

Abruptly he feels the gaze leave him and he risks a quick look up, just in time to see the figure begin to speak.

"I am Sephiroth. Apparently this village has something that belongs to me, and I would like it back now." He pauses, his surprisingly light and almost gently voice hanging in the air. He sees a few puzzled looks, so he continues, "It has come to my attention this past week that there is another snow leopard here, or at least there was. I am here to find that person and bring him home." He scans the crowd once more, waiting for a reply that seems to be lost. "If any of you know where I might find him, I would be most appreciative."

Fear expands rapidly inside of Cloud. This Sephiroth person has come here because of him. Somehow that man found out that he was here, and now he has come to take Zack away from him. He holds on tighter to Zack's hand, knowing that Zack will understand his fear about all of this.

When still no one replies to Sephiroth, his ears go back and a menacing edge finds its way into his voice. "Fine then. I know that he is here, or somewhere near here. After all, as you all should know, a Bearer in heat can't get to far on his own. And I assure you, that you know what I am talking about. After all, you should know that when a snow leopard neko goes into heat, just like their roar, their heat can be sensed from miles away. Hence why I am here today."

He makes sure that to meet the eyes of everyone he can in the crowed, and after seeing the contemplative, knowing looks he knows that his prize is near. "If you know anything, anything at all I urge you to come forward now. If not, I will find this Bearer one way or another, even if I have to tear apart this entire village to find him. Do I make myself clear?"

He resists letting a satisfied smile show when he sees the fear and suspicion fill the eyes of those watching him. And with this knowledge, he turns and leaves the village, the three others falling back into their original positions behind him.

….

As soon as Sephiroth is over the ridge and out of sight, it is as if a spell has been broken and the villagers return wordlessly to their previous activities. All except for two, that is.

Cloud pulls Zack back to their humble home and slams the door behind them. He runs throughout the home, making sure that every window and door is shut tight and all windows are covered so that no one can see in. He turns back to Zack, fear in his eyes.

Seeing this, Zack does the only thing he thinks he can do right now. He walks over to his mate and slips his arms around him, holding him close. They stand like that for what to them seems like mere minutes, but in reality it is actually a few hours of fearful silence.

A knocking at their door interrupts their embrace, and Zack motions for Cloud to stand back as he opens the door. A small brown haired neko dashes in, quickly shutting the door behind her. She looks between Zack and Cloud, fear and regret evident in her own expression.

Aerith walks over to Cloud and gives him a small hug. She leans in close and whispers in his ear, "Never forget who you are or the ones you love." She retreats from him, giving him a sad smile before walking over to Zack. There she repeats the process, only this time she whispers, "Be strong, your story is not yet over yet."

Turning to see both of the male nekos looking at her with mixed looks of concern and confusion, she blows them a quick kiss before quickly making her exit out the door.

Before the two can hardly react to her abrupt arrival and departure, the door opens one more time, only this time a less popular figure enters. Mr. Lockhart turn and looks at them, fear and desperation obviously controlling him. He does not make a move, but simply stares at them for a good minute.

Eventually he seems to find his words. "You must leave. Both of you. Now." Perspiration begins to gather on his forehead. "I want both of you out of this village right now. You have brought this upon us, and now it is up to you to rid us of it. And the only way that is going to happen, is if you leave right now."

Zack takes a step forward, inadvertently causing Mr. Lockhart to take a step back. "If you want us to leave, then fine, we'll leave. All we ask is that you give us until morning to pack our belongings and gather enough supplies for this trip."

Mr. Lockhart looks quickly between Zack, Cloud and the door. Desperation taking an even stronger hold. "Fine, fine. Whatever you want. Just be out of here by dawn or I'll throw you out and to those beasts myself."

He turns away without another thought, running from the house as if being there will condemn him to the wrath of Sephiroth.

Once he has left, Zack calmly turns back to Cloud. "Looks like we'd better get packing before old stick in the ass comes back." He heads towards their room, and starts digging for bags for clothing and food, knowing that they will have to leave most things behind.

Cloud walks into the room in a daze. "But Zack, where will we go? The nearest village to here is over two days away. Do you honestly think that we can make it that far before they find us?"

Zack stops his packing before walking over to Cloud and gently taking his face in his hands. "We'll be fine. As long as we leave early enough, there should be enough snow by midmorning to cover most of our tracks. Besides, I know exactly where we are going to go." A small ray of hope shines from Cloud at those words. "You see before I left Midgar, I had a mentor there named Angeal. He left a while ago looking for an old friend of his. Now I've only heard from him once, right before I left, and he told me where I could find him if I ever needed him. Well it looks like now is the time to go find him. And it shouldn't take us too long to get there."

He sees the hope starting to fade a little. "Don't worry Cloud, we'll make it. Angeal is a good friend of mine. He'll make sure that we find somewhere safe to stay."

Cloud looks up at him, his bright blue eyes shining once again with a tinge of fear. "But what about Sephiroth. What will we do if he comes after us?"

Zack sighs and ruffles Clouds hair for a moment. "Don't worry too much about him. If he does manage to find us, just remember that I used to be a SOILDER before. I think I know how to handle a guy like him."

Dun Dun Dun!

Sorry to leave you hanging, but what are authors for? :P

The next chapter should be up soon, so please stay tuned for more!

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