The other thing is, this has shonen-ai in it or at least the implication of yaoi. If you don't like or can't tolerate that then don't read.
Oh, and if Sephiroth seems to much OOC, just remember that he is Cloud, and that Cloud is Cloud. ^_^ hehehe! You can work it out. This is set after the end of the game.
:: :: Conversation happening in someone's head.
~ * ~
The Other World
By Jade Tatsu
Chapter 1 - Capture
Cloud was in a pensive mood that morning. At least that was the impression Cid and Vincent got when they finally emerged for breakfast. It was the kid's turn to cook and while he had prepared an adequate meal, he barely picked at it and for someone like Cloud, who usually ate a more than generous serving, that was not a good sign.
"Kid, what's wrong?" It was Cid who eventually broke the silence. Vincent had been loosening up but was still as silent as ever. He probably appreciated Cloud's quiet.
"Nothing," Cloud answered quickly.
"That's not true kid," Cid said indignantly. "You've been quiet all week. Something's eating you. What is it?" Cid's tone clearly said that he wasn't going to let Cloud get away with a vague answer.
"Nothing." Cloud rose from the table. "I think..." he added as he moved towards the door. "I need to think about it for a while. I'm taking a chocobo." With that he disappeared through the door.
"Cloud!" Cid called. "Cloud, get back here! You've got to do the $%^#&* dishes!"
"I cooked," his voice echoed back. "So it's your turn to do the washing!"
Vincent continued to munch his way through his toast. His expression hadn't changed during the exchange.
"Something's wrong with that boy," Cid turned his scowling face towards Vincent. "I know it. He's hiding something."
Vincent nodded, flicking over a page of the newspaper before he reached for another slice of toast.
"Argh!" Cid screamed at Vincent's complete unconcern. He knew the sharp shooter couldn't possibly be that dense. He had to have noticed the change in Cloud and even if he didn't show it Cid knew the man was concerned. "Is no one paying attention to me?"
"Apparently not today," Vincent's voice sounded from the doorway.
"Hey, the dishes!" Cid objected to Vincent's exit. How had he moved without him noticing?
"Uh uh," Vincent shook his head but didn't pause. "I'm cooking dinner so you've got the dishes all to yourself." If Cid had stopped to consider he would have sworn he heard a laugh in Valentine's tone. But as it was he was too busy to hear much of anything.
Cid knew a lot of curses and it took a while to run through them all.
~ * ~
Cloud's chocobo strode easily, its golden plumage ruffling slightly in the wind of its passage. It had been breed for speed and stamina and could easily run all day. It was striding through grassland but it had made a conscious decision to stay away from the mountains in the distance. Unless its rider wanted to, the chocobo didn't feel like climbing today. Not that Cloud noticed, he was too lost in his own thoughts to pay much attention to anything. And riding a gold chocobo he didn't have to. They outran any trouble easily and in most cases potential predators didn't even know he'd passed by.
Why am I feeling this now? He questioned himself.
It had begun with dreams, over a month ago. They were infrequent at first. He could shove their memory aside but they had become more frequent, more detailed until he could no longer ignore them. They were always about him. Sephiroth.
The man was either holding him close, offering him protection, comfort and love or he was the one to give comfort, holding Sephiroth close, stroking his hair, the silver strands like silk between his fingers. But no matter if he was the protector or the protected there was always the feeling of trust, of love. And he wanted it. Wanted it to be real.
That had always woken him up, cold with sweat and shivering at the difference between reality and dream.
But what if the dream is just another facet of reality? The Sephiroth he'd spoken to was so different from the one he knew. The authority was still there, the power but the blinding desire to kill, to hurt, to dominate was gone. The Sephiroth last night was the General Cloud had never known, the General he'd only watched from ShinRa's ranks. Cold and aloof, yes, the General had to be distant but underneath it all there was a man who cared for his fighters, his soldiers.
::But he opened up to you. He loves you.:: Cloud's mental voice pointed out. ::What remains is for you to open to him. Give in to the dream, the one that was impossible here.::
"No!" Cloud cried suddenly, ignoring the way his chocobo cocked its head at his voice. "That would mean..." he trailed off.
There had been other dreams of darkness and warmth. He didn't remember them well but there was always warmth and soft murmurs in the dark. Caressing hands on his skin, the tickle of long silver hair tracing across his chest and sides. The quick breath of another and their smooth perfect skin beneath his own hands. Emerald eyes burning with desire. The smell of Sephiroth filling him, the taste of nothing else. Passion, pleasure, desire satisfied only by the one he was with and the knowledge that he was the one who satisfied the desire in the other's eyes.
::Yes, that would mean that but you cannot say that you don't really want it. It would be good for you, for us! There is nothing holding you here so give in.::
"But this is my world and that was nothing but a dream."
::It is a dream for now but it is a dream of what could be, so it's real enough. You aren't basing your feelings on nothing but for now it's only a dream. When the time comes, you are going to have to choose but until then don't deny what you feel. It's only a waste of time.:: The voice fell silent and Cloud got the feeling it would be content to wait for now.
Don't deny what I feel... What do I feel?
Cloud closed his eyes and reasoned with himself. I guess I don't hate this Sephiroth. He was not the one who caused him pain, who had done such terrible things. And in the end, I guess I know now that it wasn't really Sephiroth at all... What do I feel though? ... Aeris, help me! Why can't I hate your killer, no matter the guise he wears?
::Now that's not fair Cloud,:: the flower girl's voice echoed around him, so perfect in his memory. ::I always knew it wasn't Sephiroth but you needed to discover that for yourself. I only want you to be happy Cloud so what do you really feel?::
It was nice... He began. It had been nice, calming to talk. Having someone actually listen to him without trying to impose their own goals and agendas, without having them try to maneuver the conversation to something he didn't want. Sephiroth was... nice but at the same time he had been insightful. He obviously loved Cloud. But that was his Cloud. Could he love me and could I love him?
He remembered the desire, the sense of safety, love and satisfaction that came with the dreams.
I could love, he decided. But for now, I think to talk is enough, to know that the possibility exists and to work from there.
::A remarkably mature decision but that's not everything you need to consider. It's enough for now though, you're nearly back.:: The voice indicated.
Cloud looked up. True enough, in the time he'd been lost in his thoughts his chocobo had decided to turn for home. It was even now running up the small incline that led to his house. "You get hungry, huh girl?" he questioned the bird before casting his gaze to the sky. It was almost noon. "I guess that's okay. After I've fixed you up, I could do with some lunch and if Cid and Vincent aren't busy this afternoon I think it would be a good idea to talk to them."
"Wark! Wark, wark!"
Cloud laughed but was cut off as a loud shout echoed from the direction of his house.
"God dammit, get your &^%(#@$ hands off me!"
Cid! And true to form Cid did not shut up.
"You bastards! I told you Cloud's not here and if I could bloody well warn him I would. You traitor Reeve! Hasn't the kid given you enough of his soul yet? Or does ShinRa just want the lot?"
Whatever reply there was it was too softly spoken to be heard as Cloud slowed his chocobo but continued to approach. He was very careful to remain out of sight. He had to know what was happening even if Sephiroth's voice was ringing in his ears. '"Remember Reeve. I'm serious about the threat he represents."' Cautiously Cloud peered over the hilltop to the scene before him.
His house was near Costa del Sol but far enough away to offer him and the other residents privacy. But at the moment that was a problem. Reeve couldn't have done this in public. The house was surrounded by blue uniformed ShinRa troops and for the most part their weapons were pointed towards the small group gathered at the front.
Turks, Reeve, Cid and Vincent.
"I said I don't know where Cloud is!" Cid was yelling.
'"Reeve doesn't want them. He wants only me."'
But even as he watched he could see Vincent reaching slowly for the Death Penalty, so slowly that no one had noticed except maybe Cid who was inching closer to the soldier holding the Venus Gospel.
No! They can't fight that many. They'll be killed. No, he reconsidered. Their deaths would be noticed and Reeve doesn't want that. What do I do? They'll be trapped!
~ * ~
Trapped! But he wasted no movement in panic. Instead the emerald green eyes narrowed, cat like, as he flicked them over the group sent to apprehend him.
Turks - Reno, Rude and Elena. ShinRa's running dogs, dangerous enough in their own right but they'd lost a bit of bite when Cloud took out Tseng with frightening ease at the Temple. He nearly took us out too, after Cait got the Black Materia... NO! Don't think of anything good Reeve has done. He was only helping because he had to.
Sephiroth dragged his mind back to the present, running over what he knew of each Turk. Reno - weapon Electro-mag Rod. A dangerous weapon not usually used but completely understandable when you knew he could absorb the electricity. Rude - the Turks quiet, seldom speaking tough guy. Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. He wasn't actually sure what Rude's weapon was although fire absorption was his specialty. Elena - the blond looked almost out of place but she was far tougher than she appeared even if she was a scatterbrain. And her ability to absorb ice could be a bit of a problem. Ice magic was his specialty but it would help her too much.
A half smile flickered across Sephiroth's lips. The fight wasn't going to be easy but it wasn't beyond his capabilities either. There were, after all, spells they weren't immune to and no one had yet proved immune to his sword. He drew his blade, the hiss of steel made a counter point to the tension of battle.
"No Ultima Weapon?" Reno questioned, mocking.
"I don't need that blade." After everything was over, he had discarded the Planet's Weapon. It held too many memories. "And even Masamune is too good for the likes of you lot."
"We'll see about that," Elena cried, impulsive as always, as she launched a fire spell at him.
Sephiroth let it hit, he was too busy chanting other spells to bother deflecting it. Haste, Wall and Regen, interrupted only by a quick Tornado spell to keep Rude and Reno off his back. He threw himself sideways though, when he saw Reno cock and angle his electro-mag rod just so - Pyramid attack and he had no desire to be caught. The yellow energy pulsed passed him, entrapping a tree.
"Your aim's a little off Reno. Shall I show you how it's done?" Sephiroth questioned, running forward to take a quick swipe at Reno. The Turk twisted, catching the blade across his shoulder but not suffering any major damage. Sephiroth leapt back, dropping a few small items before Elena and Rude could flank him.
Rude followed him back while Elena cast a quick cure on Reno. Sephiroth smirked, just as the grenades he'd dropped went off rendering her magic pointless. It wasn't enough to kill them but it was enough for now. Sephiroth dodged Rude's fists, flicking his long blade through the man's defenses to inflict several small wounds but the Turk was good enough never to give him more than a small opening. Time to try something a little more serious than his sword.
Rude retreated as Elena and Reno emerged from the dust the grenades had kicked up. "You shouldn't have done that Sephiroth."
"Really?" he questioned in mock surprise. "Tell Reeve," Sephiroth snarled his voice now more cold than the North Crater. "I'm not returning to ShinRa. I've given them enough." With the last word he hurled an Ultima spell towards them, its green burning with the same intensity of his eyes.
In the green conflagration he heard a voice faintly call "Mage Barrier" before everything was burnt in green fire. As the magic faced, Sephiroth prepared himself. The Turks were dumb enough that Ultima wouldn't be enough to kill them, although it had probably severely weakened their defenses.
He allowed himself a quick chill smile when he saw his spell's final result as the green burning mist dissipated entirely. Rude and Reno seemed unaffected but Elena had several deep and very nasty looking magic burns. She was also staggering. He flicked a fire spell in her direction before anyone could react. It caught the Turk square on and Sephiroth felt a brief surge of satisfaction as she fell and did not get up.
"One down, two to go," he murmured loud enough for them to hear.
Both Reno and Rude's eyes hardened at his words. "No one attacks a Turk and gets away with it Sephiroth. Didn't Don Corneo teach you anything?" Reno questioned before releasing a charge of energy at Sephiroth.
"Only that you guys are easy to fool," he responded, flicking the energy aside but he didn't get a chance to counter attack since Rude had followed the bolt and was attacking with his fists. After a few passes with neither of them inflicting much damage Rude jumped back to Reno's side but Sephiroth was more interested in the fact that he was whispering something to him. Rude talking, in battle?
"You're still not taking us seriously?" Reno seemed surprised as he turned towards Sephiroth with an amazingly open posture. "You should. Use the Ultima Weapon, Sephiroth. Use the weapon you used to rip Cloud apart. Use it!"
"No!" Sephiroth snarled. There were too many images, too many feelings Reno's words were dragging out to swirl through his consciousness and the Turk didn't even know it. Turk... That was it. The image of the Temple of Ancients remained. Tseng falling to Cloud, run through by the... Heh! He could play this game.
Sephiroth raised his blade, angling it across his body and looked down at its sharp cutting edge. "I don't need the Ultima Weapon. Besides, the Masamune has had Turk blood once before, I really couldn't deprive it of the rest. It's just a pity it couldn't get it sooner."
The attack from the front he was expecting. He'd seen Elena twitch and knew she wouldn't have the cunning to remain silent as he insulted Tseng's death. But it was the attack from behind that caught him completely off guard. There were only three Turks weren't there?
A thousand needles pierced him, driving themselves deep into his flesh. A hundred pinpoints of blood stained his cloths. Molten earth fire burned him, searing his skin and eating away at him and the noise... The noise! Sonic waves drove themselves into his mind, rattling his bones. He thought he called out but he couldn't be sure. He couldn't make out anything but he knew he turned to face his attacker because as he staggered, desperately trying to remain upright he found himself looking full at the Traitor.
"Reeve..." he managed to gasp before he was forced to use the Masamune to support himself. His mako green eyes still burned with power. He wasn't quite finished yet.
"Surprised to see me Sephiroth?" The man asked conversationally. "I've been wanting this too long to let you get away."
"No!" Sephiroth withdrew one hand from the Masamune, gathering power for the spell. Cloud, help me! He called silently, although whether to the Cloud he knew or the Cloud he'd just met he didn't know.
"It's too late for that now," Reeve said as Sephiroth felt the bolt from Reno's Electro-mag Rod strike home.
"Far too late," the Turk agreed.
Caught by surprise and completely unguarded Sephiroth fell still drawing the power for his spell in tangible waves around him. The world burned white hot and he couldn't see Reeve anymore. All he saw was amazingly spiky hair that refused to conform and a pair of soft, naturally glowing blue eyes, sparkling with tears despite the love he could see in their depths. "C...c Clo..." Cloud, his mind finished as his body failed. Cloud!
~ * ~
"Cloud!" The soldier pointed, calling frantically to where he had appeared in full view of the house, Ultima Weapon raised in challenge.
There had never been any choice. Vincent and Cid were good, they were better than good but Reeve had traveled with them in one form or another for a long time and he could see them reaching for their weapons. He wasn't about to let them get away. I only hope that Sephiroth was right, Cloud thought as he drove his chocobo forward.
From the looks of things though, that other Sephiroth had been completely correct. Reeve and the troops, even the Turks pretty much ignored Cid and Vincent when he appeared. Cloud shouted, throwing the challenge and as many of the things he could remember being told about to Reeve before the man could react. "What am I Reeve? A security risk to ShinRa's greatness? The man who killed your General? Tell me then, what is Wutai? A conquered nation or one just waiting to strike? You started the war again yet or not?"
That bought a reaction. "How did you..."
"Know? I'm not as ignorant as you think, Reeve," Cloud's voice was like ice. "And I'm not about to be used again." He paused, concealing the spell he was preparing. "If you want me Reeve, you're going to have to come and get me. Just leave the others out of it." With that he wheeled his chocobo and raced off, away from the house, leaving the life and friends he had known for a year behind, trying not to look back as his world shattered around him.
To Be Continued...
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