Title: The Kadaj Chronicles

Author: Chibi Envy Chan
Pairing(s): Cloud/Kadaj, later on Zack/Cloud/Kadaj, Rude/Reno, Vincent/Yazu, Yuffie/Aerith, LozxTifa, TsengxElena, RufusxScarlet, Wesley(OMC)/Hikari(OMC), Sephiroth/?
Warnings: shounen ai, male/male relationship, spoilers for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Summary: The three clones are back. What does that mean? Why are they camped out at Cloud's and Vincent's homes? Who are those two mysterious ghosts and are they hostile? What is their involvement with Sephiroth and Zack?

There will be male/male relationships. You have been warned repeatedly.

Episode Eleven: Kadaj's First Present

While Niisan readied himself for bed, Kadaj made himself useful. He put away Cloud's jacket and other things without complaining though he was tempted to throw Tifa's gift in the fire place. The blond thought of her as a younger sister. No need to get angry over it, but if she kept pressing the issue, there was no guarantee he'd hold back, dead or alive.

The last one to go underneath the tree was an oddly wrapped pressed. It looked like a child wrapped it. There was too much paper and tape, mainly due to the severe wrinkling of the paper. "Must be Yuffie."

Yuffie tended to overdo things as the youngest clone discovered. Sure, she was a good ninja, but when she wasn't sneaking around, she tended to be loud and hyper, sometimes obnoxious. Kadaj searched for her chocobo scrawl.

Green eyes widened as he read the name of the sender, Vincent. Out of all people, he thought the former Turk to have better wrapping skills even with one good hand. That must mean Yuffie's gift had a card instead of a tag, and all of the gifts with cards were decently wrapped. Who would have thought?

There was one present Kadaj didn't recognize. He moved the item on its side as he was tired. Moving stuff took a lot of concentration on his part.

The writing he recognized anywhere. It was a present from his Niisan, but to who? It wasn't that large and was very boxy. Was it a book or something deceptive?

"Go ahead and open it."

Kadaj went through the tree in complete shock, much to the amusement of the blond. He glared at Cloud but then realized it was Niisan's gift to him. "But it isn't Christmas!"

Cloud chuckled as he approached the pouting clone. If he could, he would scoop up Kadaj into his arms. He was too cute for his own good. Did he, Cloud Strife, think of Kadaj as being cute?

"Some people open their gifts on Christmas eve."

The clone didn't need to be told again as he tore through the colorful wrapping with such gusto and energy he didn't know he had. He nearly dropped his present when he finally saw the front.

"I didn't know what to get you," Cloud sheepishly admitted. What did a ghost need or want?

"How did you get this?"

The blond scratched the back of his head. "It took awhile, but I managed to track it down. You don't like it, do you?" And he thought he picked out a good gift.

"Not, it's a great present. I'm surprised. That's all. Can we put this in the main room?"

"Sure," Cloud said, taking it from Kadaj and placing it in a visible place. That way, Kadaj could look at it whenever he wanted. Turning, he saw the clown pouncing on him. To both of their surprise, they went down in a heap.

"Thank you!"

In spite of the cold, Cloud smiled. "That's only part of my gift. You'll receive the rest tomorrow."

"There's more?" Kadaj gasped, thinking he was hearing himself. He pinched himself only to realize he can't feel much pain as a ghost. "Really?"

"Yes, now go get some rest. I have a big day planned for the both of us, and I don't want you to be falling asleep on me." Before Cloud could say another word, he found himself alone as Kadaj had disappeared through a wall.

"So much like a child," Cloud whispered and stood up.

Thinking about their previous conversation, things made sense. He spent less and less time with Kadaj. He needed the extra money to buy nice gifts for his friends. Then there was Tifa. She came over a lot, now that he stayed in one place. Kadaj probably thought she was taking him away. Thankfully, he cleared up that with the clone without too much casualties except…

Cloud groaned. He realized he had called out Kadaj's name at the bar. They weren't idiots so they'd know about Kadaj's return.