Disclaimer
Bla bla bla bla… you know all this already, I don't own FF7… *looks awfully desperate*……………………………… Yaoi warning (serious fluff warning too) and surprise! Yes!!! Seph kicks asses in this chapter!!!! Enjoy!
Htress
htresssjenovaproject.com
Hide and seek
Nibelheim
Rude, Cid and Barret were standing in front of the experimentation table. Everything was up and down. The two tanks that were supposed to be there were gone, books everywhere in a rumble. Obviously someone came not so long ago. They searched for clues or any indication, but found nothing. Rude seemed to fumble about a hidden passage behind the library, Barret was inspecting the experimentation room and Cid was looking for anything in the coffin room.
What would have happened to me if Spike hadn't found you? The pilot thought. He looked everywhere, but nothing was worth it. He unlocked the lid of Vincent's coffin. Inside was a thin silver bracelet and a golden ring. Maybe Vincent will be surprised if I bring him back what he left here… He examined the bracelet, one made for a man, the ring he couldn't figure. He pocketed his little treasures, a mischievous smile plastered on his face. I could make him a biiig surprise…
- ?&*?$#%&(*?%((&()?%$*(%?*&!!!!
Barret unmistakable language threw him back to the real world. He made his way through the junk of the experimentation room to the library. Rude was spreading documents on the wooden desk and a safe was opened behind a book shelf.
- This is what he was after? God dammed freak!, exclaimed Barret
- Rude you found something? Cid asked
The bald Turk nodded and handed a book to the pilot who decided that the time was good to return to Katailu.
******
Rocket Town/Katailu
- mmm… ……… Okay, I'll tell him, Yuffie said, putting away the PHS, Vincent, Rude found out something at Nibelheim and he wants you to check it out when we'll come back.
Vincent nodded, his voice was back, but he just didn't want to tempt the fate. He gestured toward the cave. Red XIII lead the way (hey to have a flaming tail is somewhat useful) until they hit a metal door. After trying to open it the civilised way, they blasted it and entered the bunker. It was a rumble of glass and wires, like every bit of this area had been searched through frantically.
They made their way in the meeting room. On the large wooden table was a familiar white garment, bloodstained and torn. The TV was broken, like someone had smashed it with a chair. Nothing useful was found there. The bunker was abandoned, so they decided to split.
Vincent wandered through the halls. In one of the room, the lights weren't blue, but green. He entered, curious to find out what was emitting the familiar green glow… The place was more ordained, he followed his instincts. Nothing can described how stunned he was when he discovered this. His voice refused to work and he collapsed in front of the Mako tank, trembling under the rush of painful memories that flooded him.
Red's ears twitched as he heard a metallic clang. He retraced his steps that lead him back in the halls.
- Yuffie?, he called.
The brunette's head poked from a nearby storeroom.
- Found something, Nanaki?
- I was about to ask the same thing to you… Vincent!
- He won't answer, you know, his voice…
- Forgot…
Red sniffed the air and followed Vincent's scent. They entered the lab, Yuffie called him a few more times, but he didn't came to greet them. When they heard him whimper, they rushed toward him. He was spread on the concrete floor, eyes wide open, focused somewhere else in the past.
- Vincent! Come back!, Yuffie screamed, slapping him, Come on! Snap out of it!
Somehow it worked and Vincent came back from wherever he had gone to. He groaned, Yuffie helped him to sit.
- Are you alright? Nanaki asked in a worried tone.
- Bad memories… I'll be fine, he croaked, let's get him out of here…
- Who?
Yuffie and red turned their attention to the tank. Inside was floating someone… Red moved to the control panel and pushed the big red button with one of his paws. The greenish liquid slowly disappeared and the door opened, letting out the blond boy… Vincent and Yuffie caught him and the ex-Turk used his cape to cover his naked form. They lay him on the floor, waiting patiently for the medicine to worn out. Meanwhile, Yuffie grabbed the PHS.
- Reeve, tell Rude to come to the Rocket Town area… We just found Rufus ShinRa alive.
- Tell him to get a doctor, too, Red added, he is badly injured and suffering from Mako poisoning.
- You heard that, Reeve? Okay, we'll wait outside.
They managed to find two metal poles and fastened Vincent's cape to them. Red brought back the white trenchcoat they found earlier and covered Rufus. Then Vincent and Yuffie grabbed each end of the makeshift stretcher and moved out.
******
Cloud was rummaging through the house, running and bringing back everything the doctor had asked for. Since their team had found nothing at all, they were the first to be back home. Reno was twitching uncontrollably in his chair and Tifa was glaring at him. Elena had warned them before they left. 'Whatever he does, please, do not talk about the sector 7 incident… It had been horrible for Reno, don't remind him. Believe me, he never, never wanted to do this.'
They were interrupted in their silent argument by the arrival of Cid and Vincent's team. Rude and Vincent entered the house with the now awaken Rufus. Cloud lifted him and settled him on the couch, where the doctor started his examinations. Tifa jerked from his chair, seeing Cloud act openly friendly toward an old enemy such as Rufus just overtook her.
- Cloud! What are you doing? She asked in pure disbelief
- Tifa, before you say anything else, know that nobody, and I mean it, nobody deserve to be experimented on by Hojo… Beside, the war is over between Shinra and Avalanche.
Just then Rufus screamed his head off, hissing in pain, gathering everybody's attention. The doctor gave him a tranquilliser, but he continued to cry out. Cloud gave Tifa a stare, like to say 'see what I mean?'. She nodded and came closer.
- Don't touch me! Don't touch me! Stupid jerk, freak, get away! Get away!
Rude stepped into view with Reno near and calmed the boy by saying only four words.
- We've got you, sir.
- R-Rude? ………Reno?
Fear and apprehension faded from Rufus's eyes and the Mako poisoning took him out. Meanwhile Cloud had gotten him something decent to wear. He handed the clothes to Reno as the doctor finished his report to Reeve.
- I'm formal. The surgery will reduce a lot his pain, but he won't be able to walk on his right leg ever again. The bone structure is too damaged, it wouldn't support his weight. The nerves in the right arm had been cut off, he can't move it or feel anything. The damages are beyond repairs. He'll be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life… For the Mako poisoning, he should be fine in a couple of days.
Everybody winced, those weren't great news, even for Rufus Shinra. The boy haven't had the time to do many things when he had been thrown to the head of the massive corporation… in a way the attack of the Diamond Weapon was the payback for what his father did… maybe if he ha been counselled by wise men like Reeve he had taken wiser decisions… But still, he was alive, he could always amend for what he had done wrong.
Barret and Cid retired themselves from the group and went to the village's bar. Now all they had to do was wait for news from Wutai…
******
- Bolt 3!
- Freeze!
- Let's get out of here, now!!!
Sephiroth grabbed Elena and the little cat, leaving the moogle at the monsters mercy and ran toward the exit… only to find it blocked by more monsters. Elena reached her limit and screamed 'Lunar wave!'. Out of nowhere a gigantic wave of green goo hit the creatures and a meteor rain finished the work. However, few of the most nasty pile of tentacles did not vanish and managed to hit Sephiroth twice. He dumped Cait Sith and the Masamune, his arms suddenly growing numb. The little cat jumped on his shoulder pad and cast a Esuna spell. Elena caught him before he hit the floor.
- Sephiroth!, she shrieked, are you okay?
- Ung… My limit's breaking… Stay close…
A bright flash lit up the place, Sephiroth's body began to float and two large feathery wing sprouted from his back. The right one was silver and the other was pitch black, nonetheless the two were as soft as velvet. Sephiroth hovered to the remaining beasts with Cait Sith on his shoulder and Elena in his arms.
- Holy Aura!
A golden ball of light appeared in his hand, expanding as the seconds passed. Suddenly, it engulfed him and Sephiroth hurled himself on the wretched creatures, annihilating them. He flew in an incredible speed, over the rocky mountains of Wutai, until he reached Katailu. He landed near the lake, where he promptly collapsed, totally exhausted.
******
- Reeve, what's that noise? Asked Yuffie
Reeve pulled out a small emitter from his side pocket and frowned.
- I don't understand, he said, Cait is supposed to be in Wutai…
- Maybe Sephiroth's party is back… Where is he?
- Near the lake.
- Let's get going! Exclaimed Yuffie, Cloud? Reeve and I are going for a walk! See ya!
- Don't forget he's already engaged to Shera! Cloud answered, and be back in an hour or so, we'll have dinner and briefing!
So Reeve and Yuffie followed the emitter and soon they found Elena trying to drag a fast asleep Sephiroth home with an annoying Cait Sith yelling her some cheer-up orders like a gym trainer would do to his student. Reeve quickly grabbed him by the collar and turned him off while Yuffie steadied Sephiroth on his two feet.
- What happened to him?
- Reeve, Elena started, did you ever heard about Sephiroth's limit breaks?
- No…
- I can't tell if it's normal, then… He used one of his limit and see the result. He flew us all the way here from Wutai. And he had wings, Reeve, truly amazing! But now, he's asleep and I can't wake him up… Maybe Cloud will be able to tell us more.
Reeve and Yuffie nodded and managed to reach the home with their burden. The house was already filled by piercing screams of pain, and they were coming from the living room. Tifa passed in a hurry in the hall, followed by Nanaki and Rude. As soon as the door closed behind them, Reno appeared and quickly offered his help. Together the four of them took the sleeping man upstairs. Near the couch they caught a glimpse of a fight, Vincent and Cloud trying to immobilize someone who was screaming his head off.
- My gawd… What's happening down there?, asked Elena, It's not Rufus, tell me it's not him who's screaming like that…
- Elena, Hojo didn't even healed him at all. He just let him in a tank full of Mako… Reno answered
- Oh, no… How bad it is?
- The joint in his right hip will have to be broken, that's what hurting him right now… He's supposed to be taken for an emergency surgery as soon as possible, the helicopter should be here in a few hours. Elena, he… he won't be able to walk again. He won't be pleased.
- Isn't anything we can do? Yuffie asked in concern
- The cat-thing had already gathered medicinal plants and right now they are brewing a powerful painkiller… Cloud and Vincent are trying to calm him down… Speaking of which, the redhead added with a smirk, we should go inform him about his wife!
*******
- Come on, Rufus… All the way down…
Cloud held the bowl to Rufus's lips, letting him drink the strange mixture while Tifa was supporting his head. He reluctantly guzzled down the substance, right now he was feeling like he could do anything to escape the pain. His torments dissipated few minutes later and he found enough strength in him to speak.
- I don't deserve this…
- Do not think about it, answered Nanaki, you didn't deserved to be used as a guinea pig by Hojo either.
- Cloud, why?
- I was always told I was too kind for my own good…
- Cloud!, Yuffie interrupted, Come upstairs, I think you should go check on Sephiroth…
- He's back?!?
*******
An hour and a half later
Cid, Barret, Rude and Reno were playing cards, and by the flow of curses that were filling the house, the Turks were winning. Vincent and Yuffie were preparing dinner, Cloud was still upstairs doing God-knows-what…
- ?%&&%$&&?!!! Barret exclaimed, slamming his gun arm on the table.
- Aww f&?%! you guys sure know how to cheat!
- Well, if your game is over, would you please let me dress the table? , asked Reeve, And one of you should go get Cloud and Sephiroth, if he's awake.
Everyone looked at Cid.
- Ok! Damn it, I'll go, I'll go…
- While you're at it, Cid, Vincent added, bring back the others, it will be ready real soon.
Something like an angry mumble answered him an Vincent chuckled softly at his mate's behaviour. In the living room, Tifa was by Rufus's side… maybe a little too close. cid silently made his way to the couch, leaning against it a second or two, enough to hear them wisper.
- …Tifa…
- …Rufus…
- Dinner is ready.
Cid could swear he saw Tifa jump at least 3 foot from the floor and she almost strangled him in anger of being startled like that. Nanaki, who was lay near the fireplace, as soon as he heard the word 'dinner', got up and trotted happily to the kitchen. Cid escaped from the living room, heading upstairs to bring back the two lovers locked up in their little love nest. He knocked at the door. No answer. Carefully, not wanting to disturb anything, he cracked it open. Cloud was slouched on the bed, fully clothed, a book laying on his stomach. He entered the room, surprisingly finding Sephiroth under the covers curled against Cloud's form. Ain't that cute… he thought, burying his hands in his pockets to retrieve his lighter. Instead his hands touched the jewels he found in Vincent's coffin… Oh S%?&, I almost forgot… He shook Cloud until his eyes open and asked him to wake up Sephiroth before calling Vincent over.
- What is it, Cid? Is Sephiroth…
- Yeah, he's ok, just come in already, I have something for ya.
Vincent did so and entered the bedroom, where two very confused and sleepy men were watching Cid rummaged through his pocket to retrieve a small silver bracelet and fasten it around Vincent right wrist. The vampire stepped back and looked at the jewel, eyes bleary, unable to stop the rush of feelings that was taking him.
- Cid… where did you… I thought I had lost it! It's from my mother… She gave it to me after my father's death… Oh God, Cid, thank you!
- Hehehe, that's not all, dear…
Cid fumbled with something in his hand and grabbed Vincent's wrist again, but this time he passed a golden ring around his finger…
- Would you marry me?
Cloud and Sephiroth just fell off the bed, stunned beyond imagination and just as Vincent threw himself on Cid to kiss him, the two bolted downstairs to announce the news.
********
They all ate with appetite, and wished happiness to Cid and Vincent. After they cleared the table, Sephiroth, who scooted the Wutai bunker, related what he saw.
- Hojo wasn't there. It seems he misses some high-tech material and JENOVA cells before reviving her. Unfortunately, he already find her host… The monsters that dwell there are to protect him or her from escaping or being rescued.
- SON OF A BITCH!!!!
Everybody turned his attention to Rufus, who was mad with fury.
- He told me he was dead! He told me his monsters killed him when he escaped! Son of a bitch! I almost forgot… Reno…
Reno started to tremble, deep inside him he was feeling a familiar sensation whenever… he was thinking about this.
- The 'host' Sephiroth is talking about… Reno, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before…
The redhead Turk paled considerably and, eyes closed, he fell on his knees.
- Rude!, Elena yelled, his medicine, quick!
- It's Tseng… he's still alive.
Reno blacked out.
Author's notes
Surprise!!! All my fav yaoi couples in one fic!… Now that explain what was making the little snake that bit Cloud… but for now what's wrong with Reno? Where is Hojo? How will our friends rescue Tseng? Will Rufus hang out with Tifa? When Cid and Vincent will get married? Well, hang on for the next chapter: Reno's secret. (or something like that). ^_^