Shopping spree

Sephiroth rolled on his back, staring at the ceiling. He wasn't able to sleep, since several days now. Zack was out to see his new girlfriend and Cloud was still at Kalm, so he was alone. He didn't like to admit it, but he was afraid of being alone. He looked at the alarm clock and frowned. Only 1:30… with a sigh he got out of bed, passing a lazy hand through his messy hair. The city offered him a very beautiful view, the green lights shining in the streets, and he suddenly wished that Cloud could enjoy the quietness and calm of that night. He slipped into some decent clothes and decided to go at his office to pass out some of his solitude on his work.

He strode slowly through the half lit corridors, passing some dozing guards before arriving to his office. On his desk rested a pile of paper work waiting to be done, an envelope and a note coming from the maintenance service, saying that his quarters would be ready to receive new furniture. Meaning that he had some shopping that were to be scheduled… With a grimace, he opened the envelope. It contained the invitation to the annual Shinra, and Hojo had scribbled down it that he /had/ to be accompanied.

'And do not bring up that goofy Commander of yours, the president wants you to be in a decent, feminine company', the note said.

- Awww… And I wanted to bring Cloud… instead, I'll have to bring him to the shopping mall…

He sighed heavily as he sat down, picking up the first paper of the pile, his reading frames gracefully slipped on and began to scan through the document… Three hours later, the pile was done and he glanced at the clock, putting aside his glasses to rub his eyes. Not even bothering to finish the last paper, he got up and walked his way back to Zack's quarters. He noticed the boots at the entrance, Zack was back, so he silently made his way to the bedroom, though it wasn't very necessary because of his loud snoring. The silver-haired man fell on top of the covers, all clothes on, and sleep was eager to take him.

He woke up several hours later, at the smell of bacon perfuming the air. Breakfast. The General got up and went to the kitchen, where Zack greeted him with a smile and a plate full of a very appetizing food.

- You're not working today, Zack?, he asked

- Hell, look at that! Since you can't get out of here, you seem to have lost your time track… It's Sunday, today. No work. Now eat before it could get cold.

As he picked up his fork, the main door opened, and a very dirty, very tired Cloud stepped in. Sephiroth immediately bolted to greet him, but he stopped dead pan when he saw that he was covered in mud. He watched as the weary trooper put aside his helmet and his boots, walking with great effort toward the bathroom. He managed a tired smile when he noticed Sephiroth standing there and answered his unspoken question.

- It rained so hard… and for days, I can tell. The driver got us stuck in a mud puddle. I would have arrived late last night, but we had to push the damn thing out almost all night long… I hope you don't mind if I'm taking a bath before going straight to bed…

- I wouldn't do anything else in your state, Sephiroth added, You look far much too tired. Sleep as long as you need, Cloud.

The bathroom door closed with a soft 'click' and soon the General and his Commander heard the sound of the tub filling. The two looked at each other and returned in the kitchen to eat their breakfast. Sephiroth then remembered the note at his office, and sighed. He didn't want to bring anyone else than Cloud to this party, and he couldn't even call that a party. It looks like more to a gathering of fat, rich and powersick fools… I don't want to make him feel like I'm betraying him… damn Hojo, damn Shinra, damn bal…

- Hey, Seph, what's bothering you? It's not my cooking, I hope.

Green eyes looked up to gaze at Zack, and he took a bite then shrugged.

- No, it's not the food, Zack. I… went to my office last night and I receive a note that my quarters were ready, along with my invitation to the annual bal.

- So at least this year, you will be able to bring Cloud. Hell this damn party is boring!, the dark-haired man said, rolling his eyes.

- That's why I'm bothered. Hojo wants me to bring a girl, but I don't want to. I want to bring Cloud.

And with that, he returned to his meal. None of them talked for a long time, even during the time they took to do the dishes. Zack folded the blanket he used to sleep and gestured to Sephiroth to sit down, but the silver-haired man was looking at the bathroom door with a tinge of worry in his eyes. Zack caught the look and went at his side.

- It's been a long time he's in there… you don't mind…?

- Naaa… After all, you've seen him naked before…

Sephiroth went to the door and knocked softly, calling Cloud's name.

- Cloud? Can I come in for a second?

When he got no answer, he slowly opened the door and slipped into the bathroom. Cloud was still in the tub, but he had a hand towel over his face. Carefully, he lifted it and smiled. The blond was asleep, and it seemed that he didn't had the time to wash himself before he had nodded off. Sephiroth grabbed the floating soap and used the washcloth, gently cleaning his lover. When he was done with the body, he concentrated his attention on his golden hair, working lovingly a lather with the shampoo, rinsing it afterward. Leaving him to soak a little longer, he put his dirty uniform in the laundry basket and chose a fluffy towel from the closet. Cloud was taken out of the bath and muffled into the soft cloth and, like a child, Sephiroth cradled him in his arms and transported him to the bed. Laying the still sleeping figure on the mattress, he discarded the towel, tracing those fine curves with his hands, lifting the light covers over him. After a quick kiss, he left Cloud alone and closed the door, only to face a smirking Zack.

- Now that I've seen him, I may have a solution for you…

********

- Zack… You can't be serious! It's… it's…!!!

- It's the only way he could get in there. I swear, he'll look good in a dress! Anyway, you're supposed to go to the mall, this afternoon, you just grab some man's clothes, slip a dress inside and urge him into the changing boots! He'll need shoes, too, and make-up, and some gloves oh, and don't forget: if the dress is a short one, he'll have to shave his legs, too… I'll take care of the make-up and hair, just buy him a cute dress!

- ZACK! He didn't even accepted, yet. I didn't talk to him about this, I don't want all people in here knowing that I have dressed a man to accompany me to the bal and…

- C'mon, just go talk to him… and see what he'll say…

Just to prove his point of view, the bedroom door opened, and Cloud walked in the kitchen, wearing a dark blue boxer and T-shirt. He yawned and went right into Sephiroth's arms, burying his face into the silver hair. Zack winked and asked Cloud if he had a good rest.

- Yeah… I don't even remember I went to sleep… Odd. But anyway. I'm very sorry, but I overheard your conversation… Why do you want me in a dress, Seph?

Sephiroth sighed heavily, before squeezing him a little closer.

- Next Saturday will be held the annual Shinra bal. I received an invitation, and Hojo wants me to bring a date, a girl, he said. I cannot refuse to go, and I cannot refuse to oblige Hojo's request, you know what happens when I displease him. And I don't want to invite any girl just for the night…

He paused, and gazed right into Cloud's blue eyes.

- I want to ask you to come with me to the bal, first, if you want, second, if you accept the fact that you'll have to wear a dress?

The smile Cloud shot him answered his question. To him, I mean more than any other woman… even for an evening, he thought, and sweetly he licked the sensitive skin just below his ear.

- All right, Sephy, for you… I'll do it. But you'll owe me one. Just let me some time to dress, and we'll be ready to go out shopping.

- Oh, I wanna see that, I'm coming too.

- No, no, no, protested Sephiroth, You have to go to my quarters and wait for the furniture. We'll come back here after, and you will see Cloud's new outfit.

Zack's face fell with an annoyed 'awww', but this should only make the surprise more interesting.

********

The mall wasn't very far from the headquarters of Shinra inc, and it was buzzing with activity. Sephiroth decided to stop in the furniture department. They shopped an hour for different articles, until Cloud sagged in a soft leather couch. It was extremely comfortable, the material was very fine, and Sephiroth nodded in agreement.

- It will be that one, I guess, he said to the salesman.

- Very well, sir, I will prepare and ship the furniture to your quarters, sir.

The General nodded again, and the salesman left immediately. They were done buying the different pieces of furniture needed. The bed, couch, table, chairs etc… And he found out that Cloud was having taste and, discretely, had let him choose the bed sheets and top cover. They were black, made in a delicate satin cloth, smooth at the touch. Also, he bought a duvet quilt, also covered by a dark satin cover and to top it all, an awesome black quilt, made of an heavy material, picturing a white panther gazing at the silvery moon. Sephiroth was amazed the way the blond could pull out everything that pleased him. He ushered Cloud off his comfy position and they both walked to the boutiques. First they stocked on casual clothing articles, trying out different outfits, both advising the other, and Sephiroth even managed to get Cloud some leather pants and an electric blue tank top and some shades, nearly giving him a nosebleed.

But they took a break of each other at some moment, and both wandered around to buy more personal things like underwear… After another hour, they met in the sushi bar, putting down their heavy bags for a quick snack. And then, while they were eating, the General spotted something from the display of a nearby shop. He urged Cloud to finish his meal and they went straight into the dress shop.

*******

- You must answer me at the best of your knowledge, sir. The only lead I have is connected to your family. The president already refused to give me the answers I need. I won't hide it from your, Rufus, but I think that you might be in danger.

The blond looked questioningly at his body guard. Shaking his head abruptly, he flicked his hair.

- I'll try, Tseng, I'll try… What do you want to know?

The Wutaian wandered through his papers.

- First of all, sir, let me resume the situation. Few weeks ago, we started to receive treats to Shinra's life. We tightened the security around your father, but the target wasn't the one we believed... Next, the Commander Zackary Hoecken, mistaken for the General, was shot by a hired sniper, who had accomplice in the person of Alan Parkson. The investigation showed us that the trooper was not the head of the organization, as you may guess. Another attempt, to your life this time, occurred after this, and that's when the Shinra name came up, and some 'old debt' held against the General. And according to Reno, the one he shot the day your quarters were blown, was Toko Jamesion, a trooper reported killed during a mission in Wutai few months ago. What I need to know, sir, is very simple. Tell me about your family. Don't you have any relatives, beside your mother or father, that we should know about?

Rufus walked up to Tseng and sat on the couch, gazing through the small window. A sigh escaped his lips, truthfully, he didn't want to think about all this… But if it could save him, then, he had no choice. Those things hurt…, he thought, even after so many years. Tseng knew it would be difficult, of course, the blond was just a kid when his mother died. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and started the recorder.

- You know… My father wasn't the best husband in the world. He had an affair out of his marriage. Mother knew it, but couldn't do anything. She feared him.

- Was your father violent with her?

Rufus laughed bitterly.

- You could say that. But don't go think he was beating her. No. He was too coward for that. But he was very imposing. The tension was very heavy, until the day she found the courage to confront him. I was there.

- And then, what happened?

- They almost jumped at each other's throat. And father told mother that Arleen had a kid, and then it happened. Mother went totally hysteric. She realised that he cheated on her for years.

Tseng sighed, he knew it was about to turn very bad, but he had to ask.

- What did your father?

- *sigh* He… he slapped her. She fell on her knees, and he told him the only reason he was still with her was because it would cause too much scandal if he left her… The rest you know it. I found her the next morning… she was dead.

The Wutaian wince at the hurt seeping from those blue depths. Katrina Linch Shinra, a wonderful woman, caring and lovely, had been found by her son, bathing in her own blood. She had cut her wrists with a razor blade. Tseng could see that the image was still fresh in the blond's memory.

- You don't know anything about that Arleen, I guess?

- No…

Rufus shivered a little, and Tseng stopped the questioning. He just asked if he wanted him to sleep in his new living quarters, but the blond refused. Nodding his thanks, the stern man walked out of the office. Just then his cell phone ringed. Reno was calling him, unable to join Rude. The familiar voice sounded weak to his ears, and he decided to go straight to his small apartment. It was not especially roomy, and not especially clean, either. The redhead was wobbling back to his bed. His leg was more damaged than they had though.

- Still under medication, Reno?

- Yeah… Err… 'm sorry t'bother ya… I don't wanna be alone. D'ya wanna stay?

Tseng passed an arm under Reno's shoulder, guiding him down on the mattress. His long, red hair spread under his head, and his green eyes glistened with pain. Gently, he lifted the sheets, covering the immobile form. Something stirred in the ebony Turk, he was imagining himself snuggled up to this ivory flesh…

- Ya're blushin'…

- Shut up and sleep, Reno.

His tone was a little harsher than he had wanted it to be, and quickly apologized. The quietness of the atmosphere was perfect for working. He watched a few minutes those green eyes drift shut, and on impulsion, he kissed softly his forehead, waving aside the stray bangs falling over his face. Tseng admired the features twitch in bliss. Beautiful… Wait… No, no… not… Reno?!? Sometimes, life can play some weird tricks, and for the first time, the Wutaian was overwhelmed by the sensation. Maybe it could work out. Maybe… The papers in his hands seemed to be a lot more interesting. Jamesion… wasn't he dead? Well now, he is, for sure… But all of this make no sense! First, Rufus, next Parkson trying to kill the General, Jamesion caught on the bombing sites… Who is behind all this? And I must find a way to find that Arleen… So many questions, and he had to find the answers.

End

Author's notes

Indeed… Who is behind this? And will Cloud have to shave his legs? Where is my Ritalin? I'm very sorry for the delay, but I was so occupied last week… Now I'm gonna sleep… *YAWN* Work baaaaad, sleep goooooood. *curls down in the bed and clutch her stuffed bunny* ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… *mumble* Next chapter: Dance under the spotlight.