Disclaimer: I do not in any way at all claim ownership of the characters, plots, or settings of FF7. They are Square Enix's. I do own any and all creatures/people/places/etc that are here-with created by me. Meaning, in other words, MINE!

Review Replies:

DanteMoon: They went very well, thank you.

Otaku Sakura: Yeah, it was my own style of promotion. Basically, if the student beats the teacher, he advances. That sort of thing.

Anna Crumbly: No worries, I understand. But I do have a valid point at least for slowing down. :) Awesome, welcome to the world of DDR. I've been playing for 2 years now. I'm so happy, i'm learning how to do the songs backwards now! Awww, what's your puppie's name?

Kittfox: Lol, thank you for that. I meant more along how he acts and stuff. Once I see the movie, I'll be able to write him. But that was very interesting to read.

Oh Kichijitsu: Oooo, good idea!

Kirallie: Me either, unless he's with Aeris. I'm glad you agree with me.

Nat: I'm glad you liked it. Oh yeah, I think she'll freak too. lol.

Chibi4rei: No! Don't die! YOu have to finish the story first or your life will not be complete!

KivaEmber: Wow! I've never been called logical before, only practical. Thank you!

CloudKitsune17: No, didn't forget ya! one of my fav fans on devart you are! hug

xXTwilightAuroraXx: I like leaving cliffhangers, keeps my readers coming back for more. :P

Kin Uchiha: Naw, I get bronchitis all the time, at least once a year. So, i'm used to it. Rofl! Yes! I hate those kinds too! I mean, come on! Its so...whorish. Completely not Cloud and even Zack I think prefers to go slower then that.

A.N. - For those who read chapter nine, the list of anime/games/book series was just some notes to myself and junk. Sorry about that! I have a terrible habit of writing my notes down in odd places, mainly stories that are unrelated to the notes. :) I meant to take them out and never did. I'll try and remember to not jot my notes down in this story from now on.

Chapter Ten

"Awww, come on! It'll be fine!" Zack tugged on Cloud, arms wrapped around the blonde's waist, who was hanging onto the door frame. "I don't care that she doesn't like guys! I can charm any lady." He leaned back, digging his heels into the ground and yanking hard.

Cloud yelped as he felt his grip go, falling back into Zack, knocking them both down. "You don't understand! She wanted grandkids you know!"

"So we'll adopt!" He stood up, frowning as Cloud resolutely stayed on the ground. With a sigh, he grabbed the cadet's ankles and began dragging him down to the jeep he had waiting. A screeching noise filled the silence and he glanced over a shoulder to see the blonde scrabbling at the floor for purchase, digging in nails and scratching up tile paint in some areas. "It can't be that bad! Really now!"

"Zack! She doesn't know I'm..." Cloud fumbled with words, trying to put it tactfully. "She doesn't exactly know you and me are...together."

The Soldier stopped. "Oh."

"I'm sorry, Zack! Its just, I don't...want to hurt her." He pushed himself up off the ground in a push-up position, a little awkwardly, so that he could twist around enough to look his boyfriend in the eye.

Surprisingly, the Soldier was giving him the biggest smile. "Hey, its cool! My parents don't know about you either! Or any of my other relationships with guys. In fact, I think they still believe me and Aeris are together." With a soft grunt, he dropped Cloud's ankles and hoisted the blonde to his feet. "So how about we swing by Gongaga and break the news to my folks as well! Then we're even. Okay?"

"Uhh...okay."

It was dark outside, the barest hint of pink lighting the horizon. A jeep sat idling, their packs already tossed into the back. Cloud yawned, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes. It was barely past four in the morning and he had been up late trying to talk his roommate out of going, while packing. Yanking open the passenger side door, he slid into the seat and leaned back, eyes sliding shut almost instantly. He heard Zack chuckle and felt him press a kiss to his temple. He smiled and mumbled sleepily.

"I'll wake you in a few hours, okay?"

"Mmmm...love you..."

"Why? Because I'm letting you sleep!"

"Yes."

"I don't know if I should be offended by that." The engine revv'ed to life with a satisfying purr and Zack smiled when he saw Cloud had already slipped into sleep. Turning the radio on low, he pulled out of the compound, rolling his window down the moment he was out of the city and on country roads.

I never realized how much I missed home. Missed this, being away from all the smoke and grime of the city. A wild herd of chocobos dashed past, the leader a large black bird with blazing red eyes. Behind them raced an exhausted predator of the canine-type. It released a mournful howl before loping at a slow pace to a thick set of woods the growing dawn had outlined. The jeep bounced as it rolled off-road, Zack quickly focusing his attention back on the road, cheeks tinging a light red at his blunder. Of course, the roads could use some repairs. The sun crested the edge of the horizon, unhindered from the Soldier's sight by smog and dust for once. Hmm, looks like a nice day.

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A hand covered his mouth, preventing the instinctive yell that tore at the inside of his throat. In a blind panic, he swung out, only to have his wrist caught in an iron grip. Blue eyes glared up, teeth already working to sink into the hand that restricted his jaws. He froze though when he saw it was Zack, and the Soldier had a gun out and ready. Silvery grey eyes glowed, even in the brightness of midday. He tapped the man's hand, indicating for him to remove it. With slow, careful movements, he pulled out the gun hidden under his seat and peered over the dashboard.

The blood drained from his face, breath coming slightly heavier. The jeep had been stopped just inside a small grove of woods, surrounding a large clearing. In the center of the area, a pack of blue dragons basked in the sunlight, batting heavily at each other when they came too close to each other. They grumbled to each other and a pair of dragonlings bounced around, playing tag until their mothers barked at them to come back. He turned questioning eyes to Zack.

The man kept his eyes on the creatures, whispering in a barely audible voice. "We can't leave. They'll be on us the moment I start the engine. We'll just have to wait them out. Try not to move or speak." He settled back in his seat, laying the rifle he held across his lap, the safety still switched off. Cloud attempted to mimic him, but he was still rigid as a pole, every atom in his body preparing for a fight.

Minutes dragged by, the dragons doing nothing more then moving occasionally as the patch of sunlight they were laying in moved. Once or twice, Zack made to turn the jeep on, but never followed through. Instead, he would sink back into his original position and not move for another hour or so. Cloud fidgetted, wincing as pins and needles developed in several areas of his body. If the damned things attack us now, I'll be worthless as it is. My legs are asleep, my ass is asleep, and my back feels like spikes are being driven into every bone. He twisted in his sleat, freezing as one of the joints cracked loudly. Zack inhaled sharply, but the creatures continued their lazy dozing. The two men looked at each other, and let out a sigh of relief.

The sun had dipped far below its apex, close to the sunset before Zack broke the silence. The dragons had finally ambled into the woods as the last of the warming light died away, likely they were following the light and trying to get as much as they could before the cool of night set in and they went hunting. "I think its safe enough to go now, but hang on. We're gonna ride as if the hellhounds were on our tails. And these bastards are fast enough to be just that. Of all the things we could have run into, these were definately not at the top of my list."

Cloud nodded, reaching back to grab his seatbelt, pulling it over him and buckling it softly. Taking a deep breath, Zack grasped the keys and turned them.. The vehicle roared to life and leaped forward as Zack slammed the pedal to the floor. All noise was drowned out as the pack of dragons bellowed unanimously. They burst into sight, charging after the two humans. Cloud twisted in his seat, pointing and aiming his gun. Zack simply pointed his behind him, more concerned with dodging trees as the finished crossing the clearing and entered into the light woods.

The blonde shot off round after round, the creatures only shaking off the bullets and continueing. He managed to strike one in the eye, a burst of red and gore shooting out of the socket, taking it out as a stray bullet from Zack caught another in a chink between the scales on its foot. With a shriek, it fell, taking two of its companions with it. Cloud's gun clicked empty and he cursed, reaching for a new cartridge.

"Cloud!"

The blonde's head snapped up, just in time to stare eye-to-eye with a large male dragon, perched on the framework of the jeep. Its claws dug deeps gauges in the metal as it held on. Its fangs were bared and a steady hissing growl was working from the monster's throat. It reared back, jaws snapping and it struck at Cloud. He ducked, screaming as the beast's lower fangs raked over his back. He dropped the gun, knife appearing in his hand immediately afterward. As the creature retracted, he struck upward, driving the razor-sharp edge up and into the soft and vulnerable area under its jaw. It squealed and thrashed, wrenching the blade from the cadet's hand. Paws rose up to try and scratch the thing loose, the dragon no longer able to fully close its jaws unless it wanted the top of the blade to go into its upper jaw as well.

Cloud watched it with wide eyes as it thrashed around, the squealing of it grating against his ears. A second knife was pulled from a rarely-used sheath, this one much smaller and thinner. He swiped at the thing, sparks flying up where the edge ran harmlessly against its tough scales. One paw caught Zack on the shoulder, causing him to jerk the wheel sharply to the side. Cloud reached out to grab hold of something to steady himself, and one hand closed around teh hilt of the knife, still stuck in the monster's jaw. The movement twisted the blade, tearing a large hole into the thing's underjaw. It bellowed, drowning out all noise.

It turned angry red eyes back at the thing that had caused it so much pain and struck at it again, satisied when its claws met no resistance. Funny, it doesn't hurt all that much. Cloud thought, looking to where the sharp talons of the monster had sliced across his stomach, glistening intestines barely being held in. Isn't that a bad thing though? Oh well, I may as well kill this thing, can't let Zack do everything afterall. Hmm, why is he screaming my name? Its so dark... Heh, some soldier I turned out to be. Couldn't even take on one fucking monster. Worthless...they were all right...I'm sorry.

Zack slammed on the brakes, causing the injured monster to fly forward and roll down the hood. He gunned the vehicle again, looking between the road and his companion. "Cloud! Cloud! Hold on! Oh gods..." A sickening crunch came from under the vehicle as it rolled over the felled beast. He dropped his rifle over the side of the jeep, instead using it to press over the gaping wound in the cadet's belly.

They burst out of the trees, and he sighed in relief as a town came into view. Even as he watched, several men came running out to the edge of the rather large town, guns out and at the ready. A couple of swordsmen sat on chocobos. This must be common for them, if they're keeping so many trained fighters. "Hold on Cloud, we're almost there."

The herd of dragons slowed as they came closer to the town, several dropping out of the chase and milling around nervously. The town and creatures had been uneasy competitors of the land for several generations now and had learned that the other was not one to be trifled with or underestimated. With one last angry hiss, the pack turned and leaped into the sky, winging their way back to the forest they called home. Zack sighed in relief and slammed on the brakes again. He had his seatbelt off and the blonde in his arms before the car had stopped. He leaped out of the vehicle, laying the smaller man on the ground and pressing both hands over gaping wound over Cloud's stomach, gagging as he forced the blonde's innards to stay inside and not out.

"Fetch a healer, quickly!" A man called behind him the sound of boots approaching. Someone retched off to the side after catching a glance of the injured blonde.

A hand closed over his shoulder, trying unsuccessfully to pull him away. "Let go boy, let us take care of this."

"Get away from me!" He shoved the person behind him away, forgetting to hold back in his panic.

The people around him murmured as the newcomer and his injured companion sent the largest man in town flying backward. "He's a Soldier! Look at his eyes!" A little boy piped up. His mother yelled at him to get back.

"A Soldier?"

"Why is he here?"

"What does Shinra want with us?"

Zack ignored them, swiping his hand across his eyes to dash away the tears that were falling. A smear of blood was left behind as he continued his efforts to keep his friend whole until someone could heal him. "Come on, Spike, you can't do this to me. Remember, you and me gotta be partners together. Please..." Why is there so much blood! How can there be so much blood!

Slim hands covered his blood-encaked ones, a soft green light illuminating from them. A warmth spread through Zack's hands and moved into the immobile blonde. The Soldier almost sobbed in relief as he felt the flesh beneath his fingers pulling together, knitting at a rate thousands of times faster then normal. She withdrew, but he quickly grabbed her wrist, halting her. As gently as he could, he took Cloud's shirt off and turned him on to his stomach, revealing the two bloody furrows that ran parrallel to the younger man's spine. His stomache flipped and twisted in upon itself at the pool of blood that had formed where Cloud had laid, for even so brief of a time. It staind the grass crimson and soaked the earth. "Oh gods!"

The hands layed across the blonde again, shimmering once more with the green light. The Soldier watched as once more, the flesh knitted together. "He has lost much blood. He will need to rest for a few days before even considering travelling again. Follow me, Soldier. And bring your brother with you. But carefully, for though I have closed the wounds, they could still reopen at anytime."

The darker-haired man choked on a laugh, even as he picked the blonde up, cradling him carefully to his chest. "He's not my brother, lady." He muttered, falling behind the lady who had saved Cloud's life. He looked up at her finally. She was pale and fair-featured, with thick, dark brown hair. Hazel eyes stared out at him and she motioned him to follow behind her as she turned back to the town.

Everyone else either ran to the town to prepare for their arrival, or hung back in reverance. "I apologize, you care for him so much, I assumed he was. Welcome to Kalm traveler. I am Priestess Leria. I shall show you to a place where you may stay."

"No! He can't stay!."

Time slowed as Zack heard the voice, blood freezing. Before them, barring the way stood a tall, lean man with shoulder-length, mahogany hair. A scar cut across his nose and curved up to bisect his left eyebrow, ruining the other-wise flawless features. His eyes burned a bright reddish-brown, the mako in them making them disturbingly intense. He glared at Zack, hands clenching into fists as he stalked up to the trio.

"Kenji! What are you doing?" Leria demanded. "These are our guests and one is my patient now."

The man ignored her, walking past the priestess to stand inches from the other Soldier. He sneered at him, glancing down at the unconcious blonde. "Hurt another lover, have you? You do seem to have the worst luck in keeping them safe, don't you." His voice dripped malice, even as one hand lifted to scratch at the scar, an old habit. "Get out of here, Zack. If you want to live, you'll leave now and never return." His gaze dropped to the smaller man in Zack's arms. "If you want him whole, you'll leave."

Zack shifted Cloud in his grip, the brunette's last words snapping him out of his daze. He lashed out, catching the 2nd Class Soldier by the throat and lifting him up. A fierce hellfire burned in the 1st Class Soldier's eyes and he bared his teeth in a snarl. "Touch him Kenji, and I will hunt you down like the dog you are. I promise you that."

"BOYS!" Green light shot out, slamming into each man's chest and knocking them apart. Kenji sprawled out on the ground, looking bewildered, while Zack used every ounce of strength and dexterity to stay standing. Leria glared at them. "Kenji! You are not the leader of this town! You have no right to say who may stay and who must go." She looked over at the other Soldier. "Zack I believe your name is. You are a guest here and we will not tolerate you to harrass those that live here. Now, Zack you will follow me! Kenji, you will go explain your behavior to the mayor!"

She spun in a swirl of white fabric and strode off in the direction of her home. Kenji growled as he passed by Zack, fingers carressing the cold blade of a knife along his thigh. His eyes raked over the blonde, still laying immobile in Zack's arms. I can't believe he setteled for that! Dropping your standards these days, huh Zacky-boy? He giggled to himself, eyes glowing with a sadistical gleam. Well, Zack, let's just see if you've learned how to protect one you care for. However, I doubt you have. You always did only look out for your own hide, didn't you? Again, he ran a finger over the scar on his face.

Zack continued to watch him until Leria called for him and the other man had rounded a corner out of sight. He shuddered as an icy chill slid down his spine. I have a bad feeling. He followed the priestess into a building, looking around and figuring it to be her home. "I'm sorry, I never thanked you for all you've done."

"Do not mention it. It is my duty to help all who need it. Here, lay him on the bed in here." She opened a door, holding it open. "You may stay with him in here if you'd like or on the couch. Kenji stays at the Inn, so I suggest you do not go there. It is strange that he should react in such a way, he has never been anything but kind and easy-going."

"Yeah, I know." Temper hotter then the fires of hell though when he sees something he hates with all his being. "I once knew that side of him as well."

"Would you like some tea? He's not likely to wake for a few more hours at least." She asked, tactfully changing the topic. "Have you decided where you'd like to stay?"

"With him."

She nodded, pulling out two cups and setting a small pot on her stove, measuring out and pouring in a mix of leaves that would help calm and relax the mind and body. "I thought so. I'm glad too, because he is likely to toss in his sleep. I may have healed him, but he will still be in extreme pain. Also, all I did will be all for naught if he tears the wounds open again."

She dipped a finger into the liquid within the pot and shook her head, nor satisfied with it yet. She waited a few minutes more before checking once more. She poured the tea into two cups and brought them to a small, two-person couch. "Come, sit down."

He looked down at his blood-stained clothes and shook his head. "I can stand. I need to get cleaned off, ma'am."

"The bathroom is just down that hallway there, on the left. I may have a few things in your size." He gave her an odd look as she hid a smile behind her hand. "I'm a healer, sir. I keep several outfits here in case a patient needs a new set."

He nodded stiffly and padded over to the room Cloud was in, looking in on him. The blonde lay just as the Soldier had left him. "I will keep an eye on him." Leria said, taking his untouched cup and going to place it in the sink. He smiled his thanks and took another long, lingering look. Come on, Spike. If ever there was a time you needed to be stubborn, now is it. Don't let those scratches get you down.

Normally the man liked to linger in the shower, but this time he stayed in it only long enought to rinse off all the grime and blood. He dried off as quickly as he could, running his hand through his still-wet hair to tame it back from his eyes. A small stack of clothes had been placed on a chair beside the bathroom door without him realizing it, his own clothes gone. He frowned before slipping on the other clothes. The pants fit perfectly, but the shirt was a tad too small, making the material cling tightly to him. He pulled at it as he exited, feet taking him immediately to the room Cloud was in.

A soft, mournful song drifted from where the door was cracked open. Curious, he pushed it open silently, leaning against the doorframe and folding his arms across his chest. Leria had pulled a chair over to the side of the bed and was keeping an eye on him, singing softly while working on a small piece of embroidery at the same time. The Soldier watched them for a few minutes before clearing his throat. The woman looked up and gave him a smile before excusing herself. Zack took her spot, reaching out to grab one of the blonde's hands in his.

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"Come on, pick up you old bastard." Kenji growled, pacing around the room given to him in the inn.

Finally there was a click at the other end. "What do you want?"

"I have something of interest for you, professor."

There was a pause. "Kenji?" He could almost feel the pleased sadism coming from the man on the other end. "What do you have for me?"

He chuckled for a moment. "I have something you've been wanting. A better specimen then some local hick or unnoticed soldier. I have a 1st Class Soldier. And a soldier as well."

"You can get them?"

"Yeah. Just have back-up ready for me when I need it. I need to wait until their out of this town."

"Fine." The line went dead and he shuddered slightly. Fucking Hojo, always so creepy. He looked in the direction of the priestess's house and smirked. Finally, Zack. I'll pay you back.

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A.N. - Okay, first and foremost, please try not to hate Kenji too much. He actually does have a rather good reason, at least to himself, for being so angry at Zack. But, I understand if you do. I kind dislike him myself and he's my character. lol. Anyway, poor Cloud! He needs a hug I think to feel better. giggles and huggles the blonde Anywho, been busy a bit. Recently got my WoW account back up and running and I've been playing it constantly. So, that's why my updates have slowed. Anywho, hope everyone is well and still enjoying this little fic and I'll see you at the end of the next chapter. Daily Chapter Question:

If I made a sequel to this story, would you read it?

Oh, and yes, I know I severely changed Kalm around. But that's the beauty of fanfics, I'm allowed to do that. XD

Also, I do have a confession to make. I have been delaying the lemons in this because I get rather nervous writing them. But I will. And it won't be in ten chapters or so, it'll be soon. Just bear with me.