Disclaimer
… I' sure you know I don't own FF7 characters… This fic may contain yaoi stuff, so be warned. This occur after 'knocking on heaven's doors' and 'second chance' so one year and a half after the game… If you don't feel like reading the two other fics, well, let's just say that Sephiroth's not dead or mad and Lucrecia had been a baaaaad girl cheating on Hojo so Vincent is Sephiroth's father. Very bad girl. Sigh. Hey look at the time! I have said enough… enjoy!
Htress
htress@jenovaproject.com
Lurking in the shadows
Rocket Town.
- $%&*?%$?&??%%$#@&))(&*?*(*&?%%$ ! I said quiet!!!
- But, captain, how are we supposed to work on the airplane without doing any noise…?
- If you can't, get the f?%& out of here!
The crew and mechanics bolted off the area in a matter of seconds and everything returned quiet. Cid Highwind looked at the deserted workfield and took a puff. Damn workers… told'em not to come back 'til he was better…
- Cid… 's cold…
A barely audible sleepy mumble brought him back from his reverie. Hidden under a rumble of blankets, Vincent Valentine was calling Cid in his sleep. The man came closer and kneeled down near Vincent's head was supposedly resting (because he had covered it up, Cid couldn't be sure where it were) and asked if he was awake. The mass stirred then went limp again. Obviously he was not, so Cid retrieved another sheet in the closet and spread it across the bed, making the count up to four. The pilot sighed, wondering how Vincent was breathing under all those layers…
He left the dark haired man to his agitated sleep and went to the kitchen. He knew was Vincent had. Nothing alarming, just a cold. And he was lucky, because drenched as he was, everybody else should be gripping with pneumonia. The result of three hours of walk under the autumn pouring rain. Cid had warned him, though, and swore a blue streak when he came back two days ago. Sipping his tea, Cid grabbed the newspaper and let the morning pass lazily.
******
Meanwhile at the far end of the town, a hunchbacked figure watched carefully as two huge dragon attacked the villagers, destroying everything on their way. Eventually people started to scream, startling Cid who send his cup flying before grabbing his Venus Gospel. When he stepped out, his eyes went wide.
- Godamnit! What the &?$%%&& is that? VINCENT WAKE UP!!!, he shouted before running for the beasts.
Gripping firmly his spear, he managed to thrust it deep inside the ribcage of one the dragon, avoiding its waging tail. The monster countered with a slash sending Cid few yards away, disarmed. The pilot just had the time to crouch as the dying dragon rushed toward him. He heard women shriek, the ground shook and then a familiar cracking sound ended the rumbling, the anticipated impact never came.
Death Penalty in hand, Vincent stood just behind Cid, wearing only his black pants and tank top. He glared at the other monster and started firing again while Cid was retrieving his Venus Gospel. The two charged toward the next dragon, who fell quickly under the massive attack of Highwind. As soon as the beast bit the dust, the ex-Turk ran toward the woods and started shooting like crazy before disappearing into the shadows.
- Vincent!, Cid called, you f*&?%ing fruitcake, come back here!!!
And he did, as fast as he had bolted off, he jumped back in front of the pilot, darting pass him, followed by an aggressive… little snake. Vincent jumped in a nearby tree, under the quizzical look of Cid.
- Don't tell me you're afraid of this tiny weenie snake… You're hopeless…
Cid easily killed the reptile with his spear, cutting his head neat. When he turned, he was glared at by an angry Vincent, who started to yell at him. Anyway, that's what he looked like. Because although his lips moved, no sound came out. He seemed to Cid that his friend hadn't noticed that. Maybe because everybody around was still screaming. The pilot tried to restrain himself, but Vincent finally made a squeaking sound that send him in a fit of giggles. The ex-Turk gritted his teeth, but Cid grabbed him by the shoulders.
- Vincent… hihihi, stop wastin' your energy… You lost your voice!!! I can't hear a damn word of what you're trying to say!
Vincent then grabbed the snake's head and showed it to Cid.
- Sorry, Vince, I don't understand. Let's go home. I'll try to figure out how to soothe that sore throat of yours, maybe then I'll understand. And take that, I don't want you freezing to death again.
Cid wrapped his coat around Vincent's shoulders and lead him toward the house. In all the commotion, nobody noticed that some high-tech parts of plane were missing.
******
Vincent handed back the sheet to Cid. He couldn't speak, but at least he could write.
I can swear I saw Hojo in the woods, I chased him and then that golden ringed snake appeared out of nowhere.
- You sure you don't do anymore fever? You killed the bastard some time ago…
The ex-Turk bared his fangs and pointed the word 'swear' on the note before slapping Cid on the back of his head with his claw. He bolted off to the bedroom.
- That's it, go back to sleep you grumpy, touchy vampire!
In his state, Vincent couldn't answer to this with his casual 'I'm not a vampire', so Cid just took the opportunity to tease him a little. But as he said himself, a mute vampire is also a touchy one… and the bedroom door closed with a loud bang. Cid winced. Maybe I got too far… I'll apologize later. He picked up the note again. Golden ringed snake… Sounds familiar. Hey! Isn't what bit Cloud a month ago??? Then he realised why Vincent was so upset… That thing could have killed him like it nearly did with Cloud.
- Vincent! Vincent I'm sorry… Would you please come back?
Naturally, he didn't get any answer…
******
- What? He saw HOJO? You sure he do not have a fever? Okay. Gimme time to call Reeve and we'll catch up with you at Rocket Town. What? You'll come here? Why? Okay, okay tell him not to beat you to death… and stop teasing him!!!
Cloud turned off the PHS and looked at Sephiroth, who had stopped pilling wood. He watched as Cloud dialled another number on the phone and confirmed what he heard few seconds earlier. He sat on one of the largest log, lost in his thoughts. Don't tell me that bastard is still alive…
- … anyway. Hey, are you listening, Sephy?
He looked up, so caught he didn't notice that cloud was talking to him.
- Sorry, Cloud, I have some difficulty to stay focused…
- You haven't slept properly for days, Cloud scolded, no wonder it's getting on you now. I can finish this on my own, you know, and we have a couple of hours before everyone arrive. How about you having a most needed nap? When I'm done, I'll fix something to eat for both of us.
- Maybe, Sephiroth answered wearily, maybe it could help…
Cloud watched Sephiroth enter the house and he resumed his task. Within an hour, all the logs were piled and Cloud was slaving over the stove, brewing a well-earned vegetable soup. The sweet scent filled the house, and lured the silver haired man to the kitchen.
- Had a good nap? Cloud asked, deposing a steamy bowl on the table.
- I had that dream again.
- No… the one with JENOVA…
Sephiroth nodded sadly. They looked at each other, finishing their meal in silence, after what Sephiroth returned to his armchair, resuming his reading while Cloud added some logs into the fireplace. Feeling himself surrounded by a sweet warmth, the silver haired man allowed his eyes to close once more, his body relaxed as the lack of sleep hit him. The book he was holding slipped from his limp hands and he fell fast asleep.
*plok*. Cloud stopped picking at the fire and looked back. He smiled and slumped on the couch. Since there's nothing else to do… he too made his way to dreamland.
*****
- Cloud… Wake up, you lazy! A soft voice chuckled
- Mmmm… Tifa?
- Yes, come on now! Everyone is waiting…
Reeve, Yuffie, Cid, Vincent, Red and Barret were sit down around the kitchen table and were talking, well all except Vincent. We know why. But they don't (except Cid). Cloud greeted them all, scratching the back of his head.
- Well good to see you, guys… Cid, Vincent. Hey! Where's Sephiroth?
*squeak* (yes, this is Vincent…)
Cid tried to compose himself while everyone looked at Vincent… who turned into a bright shade of red as he put his hands over his mouth in embarrassment. The roar of laughter that followed resonated through all the house.
- Fa… Vincent! I told you not to force your voice…
They all turned to see Sephiroth in the doorway, holding a small jar and a red scarf. He handed the items to Cid, who was still trying not to laugh. Vincent bared his fangs and snatched the scarf and jar from Cid's hands.
- Aww… touchy…
The ex-Turk moved for the bathroom, and the others then dared to stare at Sephiroth in disbelief. Reeve broke the silence.
- Were you about to call Vincent 'father' or I imagined it?
- Cloud didn't tell you?!? Cloud! Why didn't you tell them?
- Baka!!! You know more than everybody here… I was sick as hell…
- …… ok I guess you have a good excuse. Since Vincent can't speak, I'll explain.
So Sephiroth explained how Lucrecia cheated on Hojo. And how Vincent reacted, because he still don't remember that night at all. And they laughed again, until Vincent came back from the bathroom, handing back the jar and the scarf fastened around his neck. Then he sat back on his chair, took a pen and a notepad out of his uniform and started to write. The reunion was beginning.
******
- So you say there's a possibility he could hide somewhere near Katailu or Rocket Town?, asked Sephiroth
Vincent nodded, eyes closed. They were briefing for several hours, and he was starting to doze off despite all his efforts to stay awake. Finally he lost the battle and fell fast asleep.
- But what will he do with such material?, exclaimed Tifa, It's not like he could recreate Sephiroth… I mean, he doesn't have JENOVA cells anymore, we killed the thing, right?
Sephiroth's face turned ashen with horror. No, of course Hojo couldn't recreate him, but, put all the high-tech pieces together, add Mako monsters running loose… He can't be trying to… No, no, no, no, no, no… He clenched his fists and mumbled a stream of insanities causing even Cid and Barret wince. Cloud froze as everybody stared at him.
- Seph???
- Vincent, tell your son to behave, there's children, here!, Cid said, pointing Yuffie
When they didn't get answer from the black haired man, they didn't worried, after all, he lost his voice, no? So nobody noticed he was out of it. Finally, Sephiroth regained enough composure to announce what he just figured out.
- Tifa is right. He cannot recreate me. I'm afraid that our dear Professor is trying to revive JENOVA… But he'll need an host…
- WHAT?
Just then someone knocked at the door and Reeve stood up to open it. To everybody's surprise, Rude, Reno and Elena entered and settled themselves around the table, handing Reeve some documents. After some insult show, Reeve succeeded in calming everybody down, saying that he asked them to help. Those papers contained the coordinates of potential Shinra bunkers, where Hojo could be conducting his demented experiments. Sephiroth, Cait Sith (they brought the moogle with them) and Elena were going to Wutai, Cloud, Tifa and Reno were heading for Gongaga, Barret, Cid and Rude to Nibelheim, Yuffie, Red and Vincent were set to search around Rocket Town and Katailu.
- I'll stay here and inform each team with the PHS, Reeve said, But I suggest we start the search tomorrow…
- What for? That ?&%ing bastard won't stop… we have no time to loose! Cid protested
- Well, if I'm correct, answered Reeve, Vincent here is sleeping for nearly an hour now…
Cid raised an eyebrow and turned, as everyone did and waved his hand right in front of Vincent's face. Nothing. He didn't even twitched.
- Just like Cloud did… Sephiroth chuckled
- What? Tifa asked
- It's just that…
- No! It's nothing! Cloud protested, but Sephiroth ignored him.
- Last week he came back with a little cold, I rubbed his back with this salve and… he fell asleep face first in his plate… you should have seen the mess. And he didn't even wake up when I washed his hair.
That was enough to send everybody into a fresh fit of laughter. Well, all except Rude, Vincent and Cloud. The sudden noise woke up the silent man who blinked several times to brush away the remnant of his sleepiness, with no avail. Sephiroth offered him to go in his room and Vincent accepted.
- Thanks, he said in a raspy voice.
After he disappeared in the guest room, Cloud after him to make sure he was ok, Sephiroth gestured everyone to the living room, where they all struggled to get the couch since no one wanted to sleep in the same room as Cloud or Cid. Finally, Rude ended up in Cid and Vincent's room and Reno got stuck on the floor of the master's chamber. Elena and Tifa shared the couch, Reeve was settled in Sephiroth's armchair and the rest of the gang was spread on the floor, Red XIII in front of the fireplace.
They were all up before the sunrise, packing up supplies and checking on weapons and materia.
- Let's kick asses! Cid exclaimed
And they all went their separate ways, determined to stop Hojo once and for all.
End
Author's note
Mmmm… Let's see, who will find Hojo? Let me just say that there will be big surprises ahead! Remember what Seph said about a host? ……… stay tuned!!!!