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 took waaaaaay longer than it should have to write. Writers block is evil and it weren't for a certain reader, I would still be staring at this story like an idiot. Thanks Saria19 for helping me through this chapter, kicking me a few ideas and inspiring me to write on this again. I swear that I never give up on a story, but I have to admit that this one was getting fairly frustrating. So please forgive the late update and it's shortness, but hopefully this will be butt he first of many updates in the near future.
Thanks for all who read and review, and those who PM me. You're the reason I keep on writing. So hopefully, this chapter wont disappoint.
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): M(sexual references, implied rape)
Word Count: 2,762 (short chapter… )
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.
Chapter ten: Does honor remain?
Zack woke up in darkness. Blinking slowly, the First took in his surroundings. It did not take long for him to remember that he was in the hospital recovering fromthe injuries suffered after attempting to free Cloud. Across the room from where he lay was a wall clock. Eleven-hundred hours. The raven-haired SOLDIER squinted and glanced behind him, flinching as his muscles ached in protest from the movement, and noticed the blinds were open.
It should not be dark.
Then he heard the low rumble of thunder and the room flickered with off-blue light. Every so often, rain would tick against the window, and wind would whisper. A storm was rolling in.
000X000
Sephiroth hummed softly as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He felt rather good. Likely because of the refreshing nap he took after asserting his control over the Ghost…his new plaything. Sleep was a scare occurrence these days and rarely did the moments of fatigue-induced unconsciousness ever leave him feeling awake.
He lifted the mug to his lips, sipping the scalding liquid as if it were tepid.
As he wandered back towards his office, there was certainly lightness to his step that could almost be considered peaceful or contented. Sephiroth, as he sipped his drink, happened a glance at his gloved hand and smirked. Beneath the leather were bandages… His mind quickly returned the events of the early morning when he first woke and found Cloud curled in his shower.
"I won't apologize because I'm not sorry!"
Such a brave, foolish little warrior. He refused to be broken…yet he also seemed to want it. To be shattered, destroyed, his life ended completely. It was interesting to watch Cloud as he fought his internal debates, struggling to come to terms with his desires to live and die. His eyes flashed and dulled with every rise and fall of emotion. His face contorted prettily with every moment of guilt and self-loathing. And then there were the spikes of rebellion, of fire…of passion. Yes, the Ghost was an interesting individual. A puzzle worth solving… and picking apart piece by piece.
Mildly amused, Sephiroth turned on the water, immersing both of them in the cool spray. As SOLDIERs, the temperature did not affect them greatly, but when warmth replaced the cool, the General had to admit he was more comfortable.
"Then we will have to do something about that, now won't we?" Sephiroth smirked, his mako-colored eyes gleaming with intent. Cloud growled, his now wet spikes plastering against pale skin, framing those perilous blue pools.
"Don't touch me."
"You're my toy now, Ghost. I can touch you if I want and there is nothing you can do about it." The silver General stretched, rolling his naked shoulders, making every muscle in his sculpted body ripple with strength. His own pale locks were quickly soaked and soon clung to his torso, the silver strands glistening. But he did not move to place a single finger on the skittish blond.
"Put your filthy hands on me again and I'll break every bone in them." It was obvious that he was not making an empty threat. Cloud was quite capable of doing so, and while weaker than he was in Wutai, the little swordsman was very dangerous. Sephiroth liked playing with dangerous toys. So, he tilted his head to the side before his arm darted forwards to catch the boy by his hair.
Surprise filled those angry eyes for a moment, but that was quickly replaced with pain when the General slammed his head against the shower wall. Cloud blinked, drawing in a shocked gasp of air before being held by his spikes a good inch off the floor. "I will do as I please." Sephiroth purred mockingly.
Cloud struggled for a moment then grew very still. A few heartbeats later, he curled his body, lashing out with his feet to land, unfortunately, glancing blows to his enemy's chest. His hands grabbed a hold of Sephiroth's wrist and he dug in dull fingernails until little, crimson rivulets joined the water pouring down their bodies. Suddenly, there was a SNAP and the General let out a hiss of agitation as the bones in his wrist were fractured. That only led to him tightening his grip.
"Impertinent creature," he murmured, at last releasing the Ghost. The blond backed against the wall, but Sephiroth had other plans. A wicked smile graced his features. "I told you that I would correct your behavior if need be."
He caught Cloud's wrists with his hands, ignoring the minor pain his own injury was causing, pinning the smaller male's arms above his head. Blue eyes were stormy as Sephiroth forced a knee between the Ghost's legs, his thigh pressed against Cloud's manhood. The silver General lowered his face so that his lips hovered beside Cloud's ear, his breath hot against the blond's neck.
"You should have apologized."
The memory faded away when someone knocked on his office door. Sephiroth sighed, he had just gotten himself comfortable in his big chair and now he had to stand up. Such were the troubles of being a General… Standing, setting his coffee on the corner of his desk, he gave his visitor permission to enter. In stormed Angeal with a non- too-happy Genesis trailing behind like an apologetic child.
Filling up the room with his presence, the dark-haired Commander was imposing to even Sephiroth. His features were set into that of a dark-brand of fury and every inch of his body was tense with control.
"Angeal…Genesis… To what do I owe the pleasure—?" The silver General's silky words were cut short by his second-in-command slamming both palms flat against the desk.
"Where is he?" Angeal roared, his normally cobalt eyes no longer their trademark dark-blue, but gleaming with mako. In his rage, the chemical taint that cursed every SOLDIER's system stained his irises nearly the same color as his student's. A fleeting moment of thought caused Sephiroth compare Zack to the honorable man that stood like a demon before him. With his eyes shining like that, they looked related. Which was ridiculous of course, being as one was from Banora and the other Gongaga, but the similarities were there… "I said…WHERE IS HE!" Snapping from his thoughts, the silver General blinked at his friends.
"Zackary is in the medical wing. The Turk, Reno, has been keeping a watch over him in your incapacity."
"I know where he is…" Angealsnapped,"Where is Cloud? The one who put him in there!"
"The Ghost? He is somewhere secure."
"He tried to kill Zack."
"He managed to kill many others. You're quite fortunate that the Ghost proved merciful in his case."
"Where is the Ghost?"
"I told you, someplace secure." Sephiroth replied coolly,"Someplace he cannot and will not escape as long as I have this." From his coat pocket he withdrew the little remote with the blue and red buttons. "The good doctor apparently helped design the little Ghost and this was created as a failsafe mechanism."
"What does it do?"
Sephirothsmirked,"The red button is a 'Stop' of some kind. With one push, the Ghost's actions are ceased as his very muscles are seized by involuntary movement. It forces him to collapse onto the ground and stay there for a short period of time." He let his thumb roll over the other button,"The blue is a 'Command' reinforcement. I am uncertain how it works, but should I tell the Ghost to follow and press this button, he has no choice but to follow. Though, I have learned that it does not work on verbal responses. He can and does complain despite complying with orders."
Angeal shifted, his eyes narrowing with suspicion,"And how do you know this?"
The silver General merely smiled darkly in response.
The big warrior blanched with horror when it dawned upon what transpired.
"You did not…"
"Hn?"
"Sephiroth, of all the dishonorable, disgusting things to do to the boy…" His voice was a growl,"Why? Please, I have to know why."
"Quite simple. We needed answers, he was being stubborn, and Genesis was quite right. He is my type. Powerful, beautiful and immensely sexual. The little warrior was quite…enjoyable. A few threats here, a kick there and then, complete surrender." His voice became slightly distant and his eyes grew smoky as he revisited his memories. Cloud had left his mark during his struggles as had Sephiroth on him, but by night's end they were entwined in passion, his little toy but a puppet to his body's desire.
Sephiroth chuckled. Yes, he very much enjoyed his playtime with the blond. If he had his way, there would be many more nights like the last. It had been a long time since he had a man or woman who responded beneath him as the Ghost had, even if it were an effect of Hojo's (or someone else's) tinkering.
"That, and our little prisoner needed to learn an important lesson. He is a no longer a hero. He needs to learn that his actions have consequence and since torture does not affect him as it does the average SOLDIER, I improvised."
Angeal shook his head, obviously enraged by Sephiroth'sconfession,"What you did is unthinkable. Inhuman. Cloud is a child who has been hurt and needs our help, not our vengeance. Zack believes the boy is good at heart and holds no qualm against him despite the attack. If you would step back and treat the Ghost like a human being, he would respond better and be more likely to help us. As of now, if this information is leaked by the Turks…your career is over. Hell, all of our careers would be over because we know about what you have done!"
Genesis, whom had been mostly silent up until this point, quirked a brow and asked,"So the Ghost was a good fuck? He had to be…Why am I even asking? You're in too good of a mood for him to be anything but."
A lecherous grin widened upon the silver-warrior's features.
"One could say the good doctor and his friend did one thing correctly when they…ah, modified my plaything."
"Your plaything?" Genesis arched an arrogant brow. "We are like brothers, Sephiroth and brothers share."
"GENESIS!" Angeal looked appalled to be in the same room as the other two men as his dark-blue eyes flashed dangerously, before darkening into a furious cobalt. There was no mako shine tainting his gaze, giving it the light that everyone saw and felt drawn in by. Without that ethereal glow, the big SOLDIER's gentle nature seemed almost like a distant memory. "I cannot believe you…or you either, Sephiroth. This…this is beyond wrong. Dishonor does not even near the extent of wrongness you have committed. He is a prisoner of war, yes, but—"
Golden and mako green eyes settled upon him, cutting his words short. Neither Genesis nor Sephiroth appeared to have the least bit of interest in what he had to say. Nearly shaking with anger, Angeal gritted his teeth and turned on his heel, storming out of the room before the situation turned into a bare-knuckles brawl.
As the door slammed shut behind the First, Genesis glanced back at the silver General.
"Well, answer my question."
Sepiroth sighed, suddenly concerned about the upset he caused his dear friend.
"I doubt that sharing the Ghost will make Angeal any less…angry."
Genesis snorted,"Let him brood for a while, he'll get over it. He always does. I'm guessing it has something to do with the long hours he spends locked inside his apartment." A wicked chuckle built in his throat,"Now, details, Seph. Details." The red Commander propped his elbows on Sephiroth's desk and smirked, looking up at the silver warrior with an innocent expression on his pretty face.
"No." He was not interested in sharing that information with the man.
"What?" The auburn SOLDIER straightened up and scowled.
"I said: No. Please do leave my office." Sephiroth motioned with an easy flick of his wrist towards the door.
Insulted, Genesis snarled an insult at his brother-in-arms, before upturning his nose and stomping out with as much dignity as he could muster. He did not whine or beg, or from what Sephiroth had seen, cry. No, the red Commander was either happy and flirty or angry. His mood swung from one to the other in an instant. Whether he acted upon these swings or not was as predictable as the weather in Wutai: Impossible.
Feeling too relaxed to give a damn about his friend's feelings; the silver General shrugged and began to read the first document sitting on his desk, waiting for a signature.
000X000
"How are you fairing, pup?"
Seeing Zack awake and moving again was enough to cool his burning temper. Angeal could not stay mad when the raven-haired SOLDIER was around; the puppy was just too full of youthful energy and affection. Even with bruises mottling his precious lover's face, he was still beautiful to his eyes. It was impossible for him to look anything but.
Yes. Angeal Hewley was very much in love with his student. Nothing would ever change that. But, he had also thought the same about his friends. They were closer than brothers, each balancing out the each other in both battle and in personality. They needed each other. Yet, Angeal found himself wanting nothing more than to distance himself from the rest of the Trinity.
He would not ignore the rape of a young man just because Genesis and Sephiroth were his friends. True, the auburn Commander never touched the boy outside of battle, but given a chance, Angeal feared the man would take the same path as the General. After all, he was a sexually driven creature…all SOLDIERs were. Many blamed it on the mako and perhaps there was truth in it. But SOLDIERs thrived on the burn of both pain and pleasure of which could only be found in either the heat of combat or of passion.
Never once did Angeal think that sexual drive would lead his closest friend towards such a dark path. But he knew that, at least in Sephiroth's case, that the Ghost's rape was not rooted entirely in that urge. No, power…control…revenge. The silver-haired god of war was never one to give up on any of those things. He likely found the dehumanization of the blond an amusing and satisfying act. Which sent a shiver down his spine.
"I'm fine, 'Geal, but you're looking kinda tired." Zack's concerned voice brought the dark-haired Commander out of the depths of his mind and back into the sterilized hospital room. "C'mere. Sit next to me." He patted on the edge of the bed, his aquamarine eyes filled with understanding.
A shaky smile managed to work its way onto the Commander's lips and the big First sat down beside his apprentice. The puppy beamed, flashing all his teeth, before grabbing Angeal's arm and snuggling against him. With his head resting against a broad shoulder, Zack closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh. "Everything will be okay, 'Geal."
"How can you be so sure?" It was rare for the dark-haired SOLDIER to sound so uncertain and vulnerable.
Zack wriggled a bit to pressed even more of his body against his lover's,"Because, sometimes hoping is not enough. Sometimes, you just have to tell yourself that everything will be okay because it has to be. You'll break if something goes wrong. You need to know things will turn out fine in the end."
"You're tired pup. I should leave."
A whine was the raven-haired First's response,"Buuut Angeeeeal."
"Very well…" Zack always did know how to crumble his mentor's defenses.
"Thanks, 'Geal…I love you."
"I…I love you too. So very much."
A short silence followed before Zack's eyes flicked open and his expression became oddly grave.
"They hurt him…didn't they?"
There was no need to say a word or even make a motion. Angeal knew that his silence would be answer enough. Zack's eyes grew damp but he held in the tears.
"I promised him that no one would ever hurt him again…and I failed…again."
"Shush, pup. Don't upset yourself."
"I…I won't. I just wish there was something I could do to help him. He's just a kid and so much has happened to him. All he needs is a friend so he can learn to trust again."Angeal stroked his lover's hair before shifting and lowering the SOLDIER against the bed.
Zack had murmured the last statement before falling into a deep sleep.
A/N: ( Well, review? I do like it so very much when you guys review. This chapter is a transition into more plot based stuffs…)