Twelve People One Destiny

Chapter Six: The Emperor's Obsession

"HOW COULD YOU GUYS AGREE TO THIS???????" Cloud screamed as they were led into their room. Everyone stepped back.
"A little jealous Cloud?" Makoru expected to catch him off guard.
"Well obviously!" Cloud paced back and forth. Hwoarang was trying not to laugh.
"Listen we did it because we needed somewhere to stay for the night. Besides it's just one night." Makoru laughed not able to keep her laughter under control any longer.
"Do you KNOW what can happen in just one night." Cloud said turning a shade of purple. Vincent put a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down. You are over-reacting. Besides he's the emperor what could you possibly do?" Cloud looked at the floor.
"Whatever." Cloud's face turned smug and he didn't speak any more. Vincent smiled triumphantly. This is easier than I thought.
* * *
"Welcome to my palace." Hotohori extended his hand to Kaylianna so he could help her up the steps. She walked past his welcome and frowned thinking of Cloud. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing." I've got to do this for my friends... although Cloud looked pretty upset.
"We will be having dinner in about an hour." She smiled at him instead of acknowledging him with words. He was so happy to have her there with him. But he had seen the way some of those men had looked at her. She is so beautiful. She will be my empress. I will not settle for anything less! "In the mean time I would love if you would come sing to me."
"Whatever you wish sire." Kaylianna bowed. He took her face in his hands.
"Call me Hotohori..." he leaned close to her face. As he was about to kiss her one of the servants entered the room.
"Your highness?" The servant bowed.
"Can this wait?" he said not faltering his movements.
"I'm afraid that the cooks have finished early." Hotohori sighed reluctantly releasing Kaylianna's face. Her heart pounded in her throat. "We will be down in a moment." Kaylianna sighed in relief as he turned from her.
* * *
They all ate silently. Cloud stared at his plate ignoring the delicacies in front of him. Makoru ate to her heart's delight while Vincent and Hwoarang stared in amazement. Zidane and Blank felt very out of place and just ate their meal quietly. Hotohori barely paid attention to his meal but instead stared wantingly at Kaylianna who was glancing at Cloud every so often.
"I am finished with my meal. Are you as well?" Hotohori said acknowledging the group of people who sat as guests at the table. They all nodded. Cloud kept his face firmly in a frown, like a wall. "Well then you are all excused to go to your sleeping chambers." The group stood and meaningless chatter flowed through the group. Kaylianna locked eyes with Cloud and was saddened by the cold look he gave her. "Kaylianna?" she continued staring at Cloud. "Kaylianna dear?"
"Oh...yes...?"
"Are you coming?"
"I'll be there in a moment...I have to talk to my friends then I will surely join you."
"I shall await that moment." Hotohori walked from the room. Kaylianna ran down the hall to catch up with Cloud. She wrapped her arms around him. He shoved her off of him to the floor.
"Cloud?" her face was white. He solemnly looked at her. "Talk to me."
"I don't want to waste my breath." She was taken aghast by this remark. "I don't want you hanging on me anymore."
"Hanging on..." Tears formed in her eyes. "But Cloud... I'm doing this for the group..."
"you're doing this for you!" He screamed. "Not for the group and especially not for me!"
"But I-"
"But nothing. Get back to flaunting yourself." Cloud said coldly in monotone. Kaylianna closed her eyes and clutched her chest sadly. She stood and slapped him then ran away from him crying. As she ran Cloud slammed his fist against the wall. Vincent approached him from behind, feeling guilty he laid his claw on Cloud's shoulder. Cloud pushed his hand away.
"I'm sorry man...this is all my fault." Vincent shook his head. Cloud stared questioningly at him.
"I don't want to talk to anyone. That includes you Vincent." Cloud shoved past Vincent and down the hall.
* * *
She knocked on the door trying to keep her composure. Hotohori opened the door and invited her in.
"I'm sorry if i disturbed you...I just wanted to say goodnight. After all I must leave tomorrow."
"Leave? Why?"
"I mentioned earlier. I'm on a quest and I think it is time for me to get going with my group.
"But I don't want you to go." He said sadly. "It is too soon for you to leave me."
"I am sorry, again I must go." Kaylianna turned to leave but Hotohori grabbed her arm.
"I cannot permit it! You will stay here and be my empress! Under my decree, you shall not leave."
"I will leave! Get over this obsession!" Kaylianna screamed at him struggling to get free.
"I will make you stay here with me! There is no other choice." He forced her against the wall.
"You're hurting me Hotohori!" Kaylianna yelled.
"I will not allow you to leave." He simply stated. He forced his lips onto hers and she kicked at him trying to push him away.
* * *
Makoru listened outside the open door, trying to remain unnoticed. She gasped and turned to ran to get help as Hotohori became angry at Kaylianna. As she turned down the corridors she ran into Cloud.
"Cloud!"
"What?" he said trying not to show concern for the panicked condition she was in.
"You've got to help Kaylianna!"
"Why should I?" he crossed his arms stubbornly across his chest.
"Get over yourself Cloud! She is in there telling the emperor that she wants to leave and he is forcing her to stay there with him! He's hurting her. I came to you because I thought you would care." Actually she had just come to him because he was the first person she ran into. After a moment's silence Cloud smiled. He hugged Makoru. She acted stunned.
"Thank you for knocking some sense into me." She sighed in relief as he ran in the direction of the emperor's bedroom.
Cloud stormed into the room and pulled Hotohori off of Kaylianna.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING ASSHOLE?" Cloud demanded.
"Unhand me I am the emperor I will do whatever I please."
"I don't care who the fuck you are I'll kill you just the same as if you were some scum off the streets." Cloud smiled confidently. Kaylianna stood against the wall staring in disbelief. Makoru stood triumphantly in the doorway.
"You... what do you want me to do?" Hotohori glared into Cloud's Mako eyes.
"I'm going to put you down, your going to let all of us leave and if you ever touch Kaylianna again I will personally come and shove your head so far up your ass you won't be able to see straight."
"I will n-"
"Am I not making myself clear. The lady told you she wants to leave that's what you're going to let her do." Hotohori looked at the man hatefully.
"Fine." Cloud put Hotohori down and he bowed. "Truly you are an honorable man. But nonetheless I would be real careful talking to people in a position of authority." Cloud smirked. Little does he know that I overthrew the whole damn Shinra Empire.
"Let's go Kaylianna." He grabbed Kaylianna's arm and pulled her from the room. "You to Makoru." Makoru skipped behind him happily.