Insomnia

Reno was running fast through the halls, a blond boy scooped in his arms. Cloud was babbling and tossing, his body trying to fight the poison. Sweat was glistening on his forehead, he was very pale, and the Turk could tell that it wouldn't be long before the blond start to throw up. He punched the code on the panel and sprinted to the bathroom, ignoring the annoyed grunt of the General. The redhead positioned Cloud over the toilet and rubbed his back. Sephiroth entered soon after that as the blond clutched the sides of the toilet and heaved, expulsing the Mako.

- What happened to him? And Who are you?!? Why did you bring him here?!?

- An accident, Reno of the Turks and because Tseng told me to. Now stop asking questions and give me a hand!

Sephiroth shook himself and he helped the Turk to carry Cloud in the bedroom, where they lay him next to Zack. The violence of his heaving fit had taken a lot out of him, he was shaking badly, but he wasn't responding to any call. Sephiroth just had the time to put a damp washcloth on his face before he fainted. The General pulled the covers over his student and his Commander and left the room, closing the door behind him and Reno. He motioned to the redhead to sit down on the couch.

- Tell me exactly what happened, and what Tseng told you.

- You know that Hojo wanted to administer your student a Mako treatment. Well he put him in tank 9, your tank, and started the program. However, it didn't go as planned, the Mako rate was incontrollable, Hojo was forced to shut off the power to prevent a major Mako leak in the tower. They discovered that a derivation had been installed to ensure a 100% rate in the tank. For now, we don't know who and why, but we're sure it has something to do with the failed attempt two days ago.

- Do you think it might be someone working from the inside?

- It is a possibility, confirmed Reno.

A weird silence fell on the two and Reno started to make his way out, but Sephiroth stopped him.

- You didn't answered to my other question…

- Errr… Y'know… Tseng told me not to screw up anything… So I guess I'll just leave you be, he… B-but can I ask something?

Sephiroth raised an amused eyebrow as he saw Reno turn a shade of bright red.

- Is Tseng… on the same side, I mean, you know what I mean… Ummm… Err… Aww… Just forget that I asked. Have a good night, General.

The General passed his head through the doorway, he called the Turk one last time.

- Reno… Just ask yourself the same question.

*******

Zack recovered rather quickly and two days after his awakening he was already running loose in the apartment, but was still on broth diet for the week. Cloud, on the other hand, did not have his chance. He was constantly raving, turning and tossing, and most of the time he couldn't keep whatever Sephiroth was feeding him. The time Zack took to start walking again, his fever had stopped, but he continued to cry out for his daddy. Eventually, came the day when both of them were recovered enough not to need a constant watch. Zack got up that day, all his strength back and the pain only a bad memory. He put on his uniform and walked up to the couch, where Sephiroth was working on his daily paperwork.

- I must say… I feel a lot better today, Seph. Thanks a lot. I'll go back home, and tomorrow you'll find me in my office, 'k? Hey, are you listening to me?

He came closer and shook the silver-haired man, no response. He must be very tired, after all, he did looked over both of us night and day… he thought. Zack circled the couch and stood up right in front of Sephiroth, waving a hand in front of his face. After making sure the man was asleep, he reached for his reading frames he gently took off, then he lifted the sleeping man to his feet, dragging him to the bed, where he lay him, next to Cloud. The blond sensed his presence and rolled over, snuggling against him with a contented sigh. Zack smiled, picked up few things and left, closing the lights behind him.

*******

Cloud stayed in bed for the rest of the week, under the watchful eye of Sephiroth. The General had taken the time to rest, now that Zack was gone, while his lover was sleeping, he could lie down next to him and sleep too. However, he wasn't allowed to go out. The recent threats to his life were too recent to yet let him resume his public appearance.

The investigation was at a dead point. Tseng had ordered a constant watch on Aranson, who seemed to be acting a little suspiciously. The Wutaian had also moved in with the young Rufus, the President was worried about his son, and they were now working in the same office. The blond was petting Dark Nation, thoughtfully reading a paper while his bodyguard was reviewing again and again the report on the shot attempt and the sabotage of the tank 9. The reports on Aranson's whereabouts weren't out of the ordinary, everything lead up to a dead end. It was rainy outside today, the water was flowing on the large windows and Midgar looked like an underwater city. An ordinary day.

When the window exploded, they both were taken by surprise but Dark Nation jumped before his master and cast a barrier around him just before the assassin could aim at the boy. Tseng fired three times, but he saw Rufus rear back, he had been touched. The man fell on the floor and the next second Dark Nation and the ebony Turk were on him, the dog baring his fangs. It was already preparing a thunder spell.

- Who sent you!, he yelled, Answer me, and quick, or I swear I'll let the dog eat you alive! Who is behind this!?!

The man laughed weakly.

- He, he, he… Isn't it… obvious? Shinra… is claiming his… dues…

- Then why did you attacked the General!?!

- Old debt…

Tseng decided he had heard enough, anyway he doubted he could get something clearer from the man. He released him.

- Dark Nation, your lunch!

The dog growled, and while Tseng was going to Rufus, he heard the familiar crackling sound of the thunder, drowning the yells of the assassin. The Wutaian crouched down and lifted the blond in his arms, placing him on the couch. The barrier had been effective; only a scratch above the shoulder. Dark Nation came back and hopped on his master, curling around his feet and cooing worriedly toward Tseng.

- He'll be alright, don't worry.

********

Sephiroth yawned. He was bored. Out of his mind. The General stretched, looking at the neat pile of documents, all done in least than three hours. With no one to interrupt him, it was only a matter of habits… Cloud was out today, he was passing the written exams for SOLDIER, even if he wouldn't pass the fighting test. His arm was still too weak, and he hadn't gotten the armoured bangle and time to train before those test. However, if he was getting a high score, he could be rapidly promoted to a high rank among the troopers, one in which where, instead of using a gun, they were using swords. Sephiroth smiled, snuggling in the warm blanket he'd brought with him. Anyway, Cloud wasn't to come back before a couple of hours… He sighed and hid his face from the annoying light, softly snoring his way back to dreamland.

- Sephy! Sephy! Zack's there and wants the papers you had to do this morning!

Cloud trotted to the living room and spotted the papers on the desk. He took them and returned to the door, where Zack was waiting for him.

- Thanks, Spike, and again, congrats! Sephiroth was right, you are the best candidate, if it were not for that stupid accident… Well, you'll have your chance next time… See ya'round, Pokey-head!

Cloud chuckled and jumped into the bedroom happily.

- Seph! Guesse what! … … Seph? Hey, Sephiroth? Where are you?

Intrigued, the blond returned in the living room and that time he noticed the mound on the couch. Since the time they were together, Cloud found out that Sephiroth couldn't sleep well without warmth. That was the main reason he had at least three layers of sheets on his bed. Cloud crouched down and took a silver strand between his fingers, passing his hands under the blanket to lightly scratch the sensitive skin of his neck.

- Cloud?

- Yeah… Had a good nap, love? By the way, you'll be happy to hear that your student got the best score at the written test today…

Sephiroth smiled and sat up, taking Cloud into his arms and kissing him deeply. The two just stared at nothing for a long time, before the silver-haired man got up to prepare something to eat.

- Since you don't have any guard duty tonight, why don't we go outside and train that arm of yours?

- But you're not allowed out, yet!, protested Cloud

- I'm bored! I need to do something else than papers, to move a little, or I'll go crazy, I swear!

Cloud wrapped his arms around his lover's waist, pressing his cheeks on his back It has been a long time since he'd last trained with Sephiroth. Squeezing a little more, he smelled the air, enjoying the sweet aroma of the soup that were brewing.

*******

Later that night

Rufus stared out at the darkening sky, rubbing his shoulder. The wound wasn't deep or very painful, but it was keeping him from sleeping. Finally he slipped in a dark blue pair of pants and shirt, leaving his bedroom to join Tseng and Dark Nation in the living room.

- Having troubles to sleep, sir?, the Wutaian asked, flipping off the TV.

- I've slept half of the day, Tseng, what did you expected? I need to go out…

Tseng smiled warmly and got up, soon followed by Dark Nation.

- All right, sir. I know I can't stop you. But I must say it can be very dangerous, I know of a place where we could go and walk around safely. I'll tell Reno to follow us discreetly. Just in case.

- Let's go, then, sighed Rufus.

They took the elevator down to the back exit of the tower. Walking past several buildings, they climbed down some stairs and passed through an old wooden gate an reached a small stream. Further they came out into a small park, where real grass and trees were growing. As they were approaching, they heard several wrestling noises and Tseng spotted the Masamune resting against a nearby tree. He gestured to Rufus to come closer and they both assisted at Cloud and Sephiroth's training. The General was having the best of the fight, mainly because Cloud's arm wasn't at his best. After several minutes, Cloud yelped in pain and flopped to the ground, bringing Sephiroth on top of him. The older man hurriedly pulled him up and rubbed his hand.

- Sorry… Are you alright?

The blond nodded after a while and let himself being held tenderly. In the bushes, Rufus was wide-eyed. He poked Tseng, knowing that the Wutaian had some knowledge he hadn't, and murmured as he saw Sephiroth bend down and press his lips to Cloud's.

- What is he doing?

- Isn't it obvious, sir?, chuckled Tseng, I think we walked in a very private training session… Rufus, sir, you must understand that Sephiroth needs his privacy… Let's go back.

- Wait, he's giving him something!

Indeed, Sephiroth had given Cloud a small package the boy was already ripping off, under the amused look of the General. He was soon helping his student to put on his new combat gloves, made to measure for him, armoured and engraved. Sephiroth smiled as Cloud read the message.

- 'To Cloud, May my strength be worthy of your heart and may it protect you in the battles ahead. Forever yours, Sephiroth.' Oh, Sephy… When did you…? Wait, it's Zack who went out to command and get it?

- Hehehe… Yes, you guessed, chuckled Sephiroth, I took the measures when you were still sick last week. I gave the order to Zack and I had the message taken to the blacksmith who made my shoulder pads. Does it fit?

- Perfectly…

Cloud shifted position to be shielded again by those strong arms. Their hands were suddenly entwined together as they reached for another kiss, more passionate, and Dark Nation pulled Rufus backward a little. Tseng laughed softly and urged the Vice-President to leave the place before the two lovers could really get on it or worse, notice their presence. The blond was silent on his way back, but when they reached the main door, he stopped the Turk.

- Tseng… Did you know…?

- Yes, sir… And I think I knew it even before he could realise it. Sir, I must ask you, please, do not mention this to anyone. It may not be for the best…

- I understand, I can see it is difficult for you too, Tseng. You love him too, ne?

- In a way yes, he's more like a smaller brother to me…

Tseng couldn't finish his sentence as he saw Reno trying to crawl his way up to him. Dark Nation growled and cast a barrier around Rufus. Both the Wutaian and the blond ran up to the wounded Turk, but Reno stopped them and the dog cast again the spell. Seconds later two explosions shook the ground. Debris were falling all around, and soon Sephiroth and Cloud showed up, worried and confused. They spotted Tseng and Rufus, but as they were about to join them, a shower of dust and metal fell on them, the General shielded his little trooper from the scrap metal falling from the damaged tower and got hit by some. Eventually that deadly rain stopped, and they all gathered around Reno.

- Reno! Reno! What happened?

- Sir, I was following you, but I saw a suspect walking out of the barracks. What I didn't know was that they were two. I was caught between them. One is dead, the other escaped…

- No, Reno, your leg… it's broken!

Just then a squad of trooper, lead by Zack, arrived, and the Commander looked very worried. They were searching the area for something and when they spotted Sephiroth, Tseng, Rufus, Reno and Cloud, everyone sighed. They were safe.

- Sir! Sir! Thank the gods you're alright!, exclaimed Zack, We thought you were in your quarters when it exploded! Seph? Are you all right? You're bleeding pretty badly… Sephiroth?!?

- Got him!

Cloud stopped the General in his fall, and lay him on the ground, checking the gash he had on his forehead. It was indeed bleeding a lot and deep enough to need the use of materia. The squad had no choice but to escort them all to the sickbay.

********

When Sephiroth woke up, he was strapped down on a medical stretcher, and someone was talking to him. That fact alone was proving that Hojo wasn't around, so Sephiroth just lay still. His head hurt, and everything seemed to turn around.

- Just stay still, sir, I'm closing the wound, now…

The silver-haired man let the wooziness win and closed his eyes. Dr. Cooper finished to stitch up the side if his head. If the General hadn't fainted, the doctor would only have to use the restore materia… but he had been hit hard, and it was imperative that the doctor could examine him to see if the shock had done more damages. But gladly, it was not very serious.

- I'll give him a tranquilizer and keep him here until the morning. Just in case something would happen.

Zack and Cloud nodded, and both stayed at their superior's side.

End

Author's notes

OOOooooohhhh… Sephiroth' home got blasted… And Cloud's ok! He will go on his first mission without Sephiroth in the next chapter, called: An angel's longing. And I'm starting the sequel to 'Peace upon us… Please?'. Maybe it will be a very long chapter or few short chapters. 'Memories of gold'.