The goner

A firm knock at the door woke up the two sleeping figures lying comfortably entwined on the king-sized bed. With an annoyed grunt, and a low growl when the silver-haired man realized it was only 5:00 am, he put on a shirt and a loose pair of pants. Cloud watched his lover get out of the bedroom to answer the door, burying himself deeper into the still warm sheets, closing his eyes. Whoever was on the other side of the door would probably receive the coldest welcome of his life anyway, so he waited for Sephiroth to return… He certainly didn't expect to hear him rummage through his closet to put on his uniform.

- Seph? What are-

- Shhh… Sleep. If I don't come back by tonight, call Zack and tell him to come here.

Cloud nodded, but he wasn't able to return to sleep this morning. It was Sunday…

*******

Sephiroth followed the two assistants to the lab, where Hojo was already waiting. The scientist motioned to the examination table. There he removed Sephiroth's trenchcoat, gloves and sword, then he proceeded with the normal check-up. After three hours of taking reading on different machines, Hojo began to draw blood from Sephiroth, and injected him again Mako along with other stuff that he had no idea what it was. Not until he got up. He swayed, his vision began to blur, all he could hear was Hojo cackling behind him. Tranquilizers… Why? Everything turned black after this.

When he woke up, he was locked up in a large room with no exit apart of a wide metal door. The drug was still coursing through him, and he stood up with difficulty. Sephiroth looked around for another option, but suddenly an intercom buzzed.

- Well, are you ready?

- To what?, he answered angrily

- To fight, of course… Why do you think you're made for?

The silver-haired man reached for his sword, but it wasn't strapped to his back anymore. The metal door opened slowly, and a loud roar filled the room. Obviously there was a dragon on the other side, and Sephiroth thought that he wouldn't be surprised if the beast had been malnourished since they captured him…

- Oh, and if you're searching for your sword… well too bad. Remember that, ungrateful child. I'm not tolerating your childish behaviour anymore, this time, you won't get away.

Sephiroth paled as he saw the beast being released, and thought he hadn't a chance. The next second, he was thrown against the wall.

********

- Say… What's your name again?

- Aerith

Zack scratched the back of his neck nervously and asked her if he could come to see her again. The brunette chuckled and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

- I'm always here, Zack, you can come whenever you want. And please, take one with you, for your friends.

She handed him a white flower that Zack put on his breast pocket. He watched a last time the crumpled church and waved his goodbyes to Aerith. Sometimes patrol duty could lead to very pleasant encounters. He was a little late, but being the second-in-hands of the General, nobody could get him in troubles for this, except the General itself. He was about to get on the train when his cell phone rang.

- Hoecken speaking.

- Zack? It's Cloud…

- Hey! Spike what's up?

- It's Sephiroth… Someone came to get him at 5 this morning and he hadn't came back yet. He told me to tell you to come here if he wasn't back…

- /Shit/… Listen, I'll be there in about an hour, okay?

He just hear Cloud sigh before hanging up, and Zack hopped on the train.

*******

- Cloud, you should go to sleep, you're about to fall off the couch…

- 'm not sleepy… mumbled sleepily Cloud

- It's right, you're not sleepy, you're sleeping already… Come on, you big baby, all the way to bed…

Zack cradled the blond and carried him to the bed he shared with Sephiroth. After making sure he was asleep, he grabbed the unused pillow and returned to the couch, letting his PHS on the small table nearby. He hadn't told Cloud yet, but when Sephiroth was in the lab for more than half a day, it meant that Hojo was in a good mood for experimenting, and that the General was in for a terribly rough ride. He knew this, of course, and he also knew that Hojo would certainly call him to pick up his commanding officer. All he had to do was to wait. He propped the pillow behind his head and closed his eyes.

*bip bip bip* *bip bip bip*

Zack groaned and grabbed the PHS.

- Hoecken *yawn* speaking

- Commander, go immediately to the infirmary surgery block C. The General had been transported there. You are to bring him back to his quarters and leave, is that clear, Commander?

- Yes sir.

As soon as he'd heard the word 'infirmary' he'd jumped up to attention. He tossed the PHS back on the couch and shook Cloud violently to wake him up. He explained briefly to the blond and they both bolted off.

*******

The only reason why the General had been transported to the block C was that he had lost too much blood to be alright. When Cloud and Zack arrived, his perfusion was not finished yet, and Sephiroth seemed to be asleep. Dr. Cooper explained.

- Professor Hojo gave him a lot of tranquilizers, that probably saved his life. If his heart had pumped at his maximum, he was dead before passing these doors. I gave him another one. The Professor would kill me if he'd heard me but, I want him at least two days in bed, okay, Zack? Anyway I don't think he will be able to get up tomorrow morning.

After he finished, Zack and Cloud lifted the man on his feet, the commander grabbed the Masamune to strap it at his back and they left. They carried him to the bathroom first to treat his injuries, clean up a second time his serious wounds and tighten the bandages he was covered with. Then they tucked him warmly in his bed, careful not to hurt him even more or wake him up. Cloud stayed by him and when Zack returned to the couch to sleep, he pulled Sephiroth into a tight embrace, petting his hair gently. Confused jade eyes opened and he tried to move, but he felt his heart pound violently in his chest. He had survived… However, he couldn't tell why.

- Calm down, Sephiroth…

A smooth hand was brushing his hair, scratching his neck and a soft humming was coming to his ears… Cloud… Reassured, he took a hold on the nearby sheet and nuzzled the warm body next to him, hiding his face and falling asleep with a contented sigh. He looked so much like a child, all snuggled up, clinging to the warmth and security Cloud offered him. Sephiroth didn't have any nightmares that night.

********

Few days later

Cloud brushed away the sweat on his brow. The sun was high today, and it was far too hot to practise, so the students had been dismissed. Cloud was returning to Sephiroth's office, wanting to say 'hello' to his love before going up ahead to prepare a light diner. He knocked lightly to the door and heard the General answered a wary 'come in'. Cloud stepped in and Sephiroth smiled brightly, standing up to greet his small lover.

- Hi love!

- Well, hello Cloud… Shouldn't you supposed to be out training?

- Naaa… Too hot, so I'm free all afternoon. I'm going to prepare you a good refreshing meal for tonight.

- Mmm… Sounds good…, purred Sephiroth, But tomorrow we have to train, your arm must improve, Cloud. Say, how it is today?

Cloud rubbed his arm nervously. The General caught the distress look and he gently passed a hand into his blond hair.

- It's still hurting…

- I can't take the blows… I-I went to see the doctor yesterday. He said that I'll need a special combat glove before training again.

Sephiroth sighed. That meant that Cloud would not be able to take part to the field exam of SOLDIER set for the next month. He rubbed the blond's back.

- It doesn't matters… You'll have your chance later, and it will give me more time to prepare you. When you'll pass the test, you'll be the best First class of all, I promise.

- Thank you…, said Cloud as he passed his arms around the General's neck.

The two kissed lightly before the blond finally let go if him, but only to grab a rubber band and a brush hidden in a drawer of the desk. He made quick work of it, and in a matter of seconds, the General had now a high ponytail, that was allowing the small breeze to blow over the heated skin of his neck. Cloud giggled and took his leave. He was still giggling when he met Zack in the hall. And few seconds later he heard the Commander burst out laughing.

- Ha! Ha! Ha! A ponytail?!? Oh God!, he exclaimed

Sephiroth's cheeks took a light pink taint, and he 'hmph'ed.

- It's hot, he said, and you won't tell me how to tie my hair…

- Okay, okay… It' just a little unusual, that's all. Suits you well, anyway. Here are your reports, sir. Do you think you'll be ready for tomorrow?

The General sighed and sat down back in his chair. Zack saluted and left. Tomorrow was another day. He had to accompany the President to the N.2 Mako reactor for a quick inspection. Nothing was as boring as to have to listen to the constant babbling of that man. At least he's heard that Rufus was going too, whose feelings toward his father were a lot alike to Sephiroth's, so that meant that Tseng would be there too. With an annoyed grunt, he picked up the first sheet of the pile and looked forward the meal that Cloud was surely already preparing… Only two hours left…

*******

Cloud had keep his word. The cold tuna sandwiches and the salad had been very refreshing. The humidity was heavy, and so by after he ate, Sephiroth took a shower and slumped on the couch, wearing only his pair of silk boxers. Cloud himself was already in his light nightclothes, anyway. Quickly they slipped in each other's arms, enjoying the quietness of the evening. Cloud had his head pressed to his chest, letting Sephiroth nuzzle his hair, and soon enough the silver-haired man's breathing slowly started to even.

- Love, aren't you supposed to go out tomorrow morning?, asked sleepily Cloud.

- Mmm… not b'fore 10:00… 'n you?

- I must be on guard duty at hangar 5 a 8:00…

- 'll stop by…

The blond tilted his head up and brushed his lips over those of Sephiroth. The silver-haired man smiled, picking up his young lover to the bedroom. Tired beyond the words, he just had the time to snuggle up against Cloud before he fell into oblivion. The next morning, he woke up alone in the bed, but he was rested and ready to face a day that would certainly be long and boring.

********

- C'mon, Seph, we'll be late!!!, yelled Zack, pounding on the door.

Sephiroth got out quickly with his Masamune and looked suspiciously at his commander.

- You're coming? I didn't knew…

- I'm here because Robinson is bedridden with the flu. Come on!

- Go ahead, I have to pass to the hangar 5 first.

- No time, sorry, sir.

Sephiroth sighed. Zack was right. He followed the dark-haired man through the corridors to the main door. The sun was shining today, the shadows cast by the Shinra Tower were hiding the two military trucks that were here to escort the limousine. Armand Shinra was already in his luxury car, and Tseng was just closing the door behind his son. The Wutaian stood next to the car and waited for the first truck to move out. The General stayed by the door, absently thinking at Cloud, and winced. He'd told him he would stop by. Shaking his head in despair, Zack went to the first truck and opened the door of the passenger seat for his commanding officer. He wouldn't remember anything after that but the searing pain and the screams.

End

Author's notes

Oohhh… Cliff-hanger… *Receive a yaoi encyclopaedia square on the forehead and faints*

- Geez, the reviewers are out to kill… Htress, what's the next chapter title?

Sephiroth shakes Htress with no avail. Cloud stops playing playstation.

- Cliff-hanger?

- Yeah. Any idea for the title of the next chapter?

- What about 'undercover threat'?

- Fine with me. Just let me write it and I'm coming back to kick your sorry @$$ at Ergheiz.

Next chapter: Undercover threat.