A/N: I'm so sorry for taking so long with this chapter; I've been really busy with school work and other problems that needed to be sorted out. Anyway following some reviews and with the help of GNXmike (to whom I am incredibly grateful for all the help and ideas) I've updated the last chapter (which is another reason why this chapter took so long) there are a couple of bits in this chapter that won't make sense unless you read the updated one, so please go ahead and do that before reading this one. Sorry for taking so long
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy
It was strange how much of his strength could vanish after one attack, Hellmasker must have been more powerful than he remembered, either that or he'd gotten stronger, or rather he was weaker than before. Despite the situation Chaos still didn't want to admit that he was weak, even as he cradled his left arm while sobs of agony shook his shoulders, sending twinges of pain from his wing through his body. As he felt his host fade into unconsciousness he couldn't help but feel relieved, he was worried of course for his host's welfare. After all his host had saved him in those desolate wastelands of Midgar, but another mind pressing against his would have only added to his torment at the moment, like his host he wasn't strong enough to keep out the thoughts of others anymore, and Cloud's blazing hatred for him did nothing to ease his already growing unease. He could sense children in this den.
With a low whine he rolled onto his back and stretched out his uninjured wing, he sighed as he felt the bones cracked and relaxed, watching the spatters of his blood running down the walls. He wasn't sure if he could be around children, he'd never been introduced to a human child so he wasn't sure how they'd react to his current form, forming a successful bond with a child would have been difficult enough if he'd been at full strength, but now he was like this, it would be especially difficult. But he thought suddenly most children would have now endured things that some adults could not stand. Perhaps I will be accepted? The urge for sleep suddenly left him as he reached out his mind and carefully probed Cloud's memories, although he felt no guilt in doing so, being discovered would only decrease his favour in Cloud's eyes (even though it was pretty low to begin with). Several of Cloud's more recent memories included more silver haired humans, but from the brief images he saw he realised that they'd been destroyed either by Cloud's hand or the strain of holding a consciousness in their body that was far more powerful than their own. Despite himself he couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for them, in his eyes they hadn't caused so much damage. But he couldn't stop a shiver run down his spine as he looked in their green eyes.
Swiftly skipping that particular memory, he searched through the most recent ones until he found one of a young male and female playing together with another female with a large toy clutched in her hand. So Cloud he thought this is your family, from looking at your memories I can see that none of them resemble you or Tifa in the slightest. These children are not yours, and yet… he watched as Tifa came outside laded with trays of food and drink. You care for them as if they were your own, adoption perhaps? Adoption wasn't unheard of amongst his kind but it was rare for a couple not to possess the ability to mate, unfortunately orphaned children were common. Males often scraped amongst themselves to find out who was stronger and most died in these battles, not long after the female often killed herself so to be reunited with her mate once more. The children of such parents accepted the traditions but never got used to or understood the depth of them. Chaos himself had once considered adopting a child; one in particular had caught his eye. A shy young male with black skin and golden eyes, but on the day he was going to claim him as his son, everything burned around him and he found the child's body lying in the ruins of a den. His neck had been brutally slit.
Chaos whined and shook his head distractedly, thinking about that day would only disturb his dreams, and he needed the sleep in order to start recovering. But just as he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes, Cloud burst into the room and stood in front of him, glaring menacingly down at him. this menace however was wasted on Chaos who had admittedly spend most of his waking hours in terror and agony, a feeble glare from a human wasn't going to unsettle him now. Opening one eye lazily he stared up at the human, who was rubbing his arm distractedly, since he was one of the few people who knew the true reason behind this action, Chaos felt the need to smirk. What is it you want human? Chaos snarled, not bothering to physically speak to Cloud. I was about to retire.
"It's Vincent"
Chaos sat up abruptly and moaned at the pain that flared into existence once more, what's wrong with him?
"I'm not sure" Cloud shivered and Chaos felt his lips twitch of their own accord "he just started coughing up blood, Tifa's sitting with him now" Cloud's expression briefly softened before returning to it's stony mask "help him"
Chaos growled low in his throat and Cloud took a tiny step back, it was small but the demon noticed and grinned savagely "you're afraid of me" he rasped, using his own voice would hopefully remind Cloud who was dominant here "even when I'm lying defenceless you tremble before me"
Cloud was trembling, but it was an effect of the poison now flowing through his veins, he didn't fear the demon, but it was impossible to predict his next action. "Help him Chaos" he growled back "he saved you, now you have to return the favour"
Chaos shifted through Cloud's memories once more and watched as his host, pale and sweating choked and coughed up a worrying amount of blood into a bowl, while Tifa held him comfortingly, very so often wiping the sweat from his brow. As Chaos returned to his own mind he considered his problem, the energy needed for a successful recovery was much more than the amount needed to heal his host. But surely the energy would be better spent on helping himself recover then later on when he was able to walk help assist the humans in caring for his host, on the other hand the option of immediately healing his host could be possible. With a snarl he tried to make contact with his host's consciousness but the strength required was too great and he sank lower on the bed, barely managing to prop himself up on his right arm, he could easily ignore the pain from that arm.
"Well?" Cloud was glaring at him impatiently "are you going to help him?"
So it's not a question whether I can or not Chaos thought as he stared into Cloud's blue eyes, it's a question of whether I will, Cloud obviously thinks I am more powerful in this state than I truly am. Or rather if I refuse he wants me to feel guilty about it even if I give a valid reason, whatever I say he won't believe me unless I agree to help. But such an action could cost me my life. He thought over the image of his host coughing up blood, or cost my host's life. He looked away briefly and Cloud fell on the action like a dog snatching a bone.
"So you won't help him?" Cloud's face was a picture of pure rage "you'd just leave him to die!"
"I thought you said you didn't know what was wrong with him" Chaos replied smoothly and hid a smirk as Cloud bristled.
"He saved your life and you're just going to sit there!"
"I can't do much else if you haven't noticed!" Chaos snapped back, his voice rising in spite of himself "and you don't know if he saved my life, I could be dead tomorrow for all you know!"
"This is all your fault" Cloud was visibly shaking now; his fits clenched tightly "it's your fault this happened!"
"So…it's my fault that Omega nearly destroyed the planet" Chaos said quietly "it's my fault that Hojo possessed the body of Weiss to try and join with Omega and that myself and my host almost died trying to stop him" he leaned forward slightly and bared his teeth, feeling the green venom running over his lips "you can blame me for causing you unhappiness, you can blame me for the poison now coursing through you, but you don't you ever suggest that I am the root of all the problems on this world. You humans are the ones who create your own downfall, and it's beings like my host and I that have to pick up the pieces after you've tried to use or destroy what should be left alone" Chaos slowly sank down lower on the bed until he was lying once again on his side, his speech had taken a lot out of him and he could feel his eyes closing.
"Chaos? Cloud? What's going on?"
Chaos's eyes shot open and he stared at Tifa in amazement, Tifa, why are you not with my host? Talking physically was once more too difficult for him.
"He's sleeping now" she glanced at Cloud who shook his head slowly, still glaring at the demon.
"He won't help him"
"Chaos?" Tifa looked at him desperately "please, why can't you help him? I know you can do it"
He could feel unconsciousness loaming behind him, managing to keep his eyes open was becoming a real struggle. Shakily he shook his head, a little moan of despair entering his voice, I can't. It's too much, I'm not strong enough. I'd die if I tried to help him. He looked at Tifa pleadingly, please understand I don't want him to suffer, but I just can't. He started to cry then, tears of exhaustion and pain streamed down his cheeks, he was sickened by his reaction, no proud demon would have cried in this situation. But now he'd finally reached his limit and felt shaken by the horror of it.
Warm soft arms slowly wrapped round him and he sank into their embrace willingly, breathing in Tifa's comforting scent as her hair brushed his cheek lightly. He briefly sensed a quick flash of anger from Cloud but it soon vanished as Chaos felt something drip onto his face, he looked up to see Tifa crying. Her tears pouring down her pale cheeks. "What are we going to do Chaos?" she sobbed "you're hurt, Vincent's sick. I don't know what to do!"
Chaos looked away guiltily, he knew it wasn't his fault that all this had happened but yet he still felt responsible. If it's easier for you he said quietly, I can leave, I can fend for myself. It was an obvious lie, he couldn't even stand by himself, but it had the desired effect on Tifa who wiped away her tears and smiled shakily.
"I'm sorry, it's just that…you both seemed so…"
Immortal, Chaos suggested and Tifa nodded
"I never thought you could be hurt like this, it just seemed so impossible" she smiled "guess I was wrong, wasn't I?"
Chaos wasn't listening, he was thinking about his host and what could have happened to him to cause those particular symptoms. Internal bleeding was serious even when you had three demons inhabiting your consciousness to help aid the healing process, his host was strong but the battle had taken its toil on him. Chaos shook his head; he couldn't think straight right now, unconsciousness threatening to drag him into its waiting embrace and he was losing the will to fight against it. Listen to me. He muttered and Tifa looked at him, surprised by the suddenly serious note in his voice, it'd be better if my host was moved into this room with me. That way I can help start the healing process, in any case it'd be easier for the two of you if we were both in the same room. He was still too proud to fully admit that he needed help. But Tifa seemed to understand and nodded.
"We'll bring him in here later, now get some sleep, you look like you need it" she leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek.
Chaos felt his face flush and a warm feeling spread through him as she moved back and a soft involuntary purr escaped him. I will. It took a lot of effort not to stammer as she smiled at him and left the room.
Cloud didn't follow; he stayed watching Chaos with undisguised hatred in his eyes, don't think she'll ever love you. He seemed to be saying, humans don't tend to fall in love with monsters.
Still filled with warmth, Chaos no longer cared about Cloud's insults, he felt very tired. Just before his eyes closed he muttered quietly, who's more of a monster, you or I? He smirked as Cloud's face twisted with fury and drifted off into sleep.
Cloud's jealousy is really fun to write for some reason :)
meganoodledoodle
