Part Four
Everything I am and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be.
I'll never let you down even if I could,
I'd give up everything if only for your good.
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The ship drifted from Hollow Bastion for what seemed like hours, rocking and swaying with each strong surge of the ocean - and luckily for both Riku and Sephiroth, neither suffered from seasickness as the heavy boat rose and fell, back and forth, side to side as it sailed…
The two shared a cabin - at Riku's request - in the lower part of the ship, and simply relaxed on their respective hammocks as the trip progressed. The silver-haired teen was utterly distant and much more quiet than usual, Sephiroth noted with a tinge of worry. Though he supposed it was justified…
He concluded that Riku's inattention must have had something to do with that girl from earlier - Kairi, the boy called her - but Sephiroth hadn't questioned Riku about it. After all, he could read people well enough to know that the teen had no intention of speaking to him about it… or at least, not unless he absolutely had to, if that time ever came.
Their cabin was too bare, completely wooden, decorated - if it could be called that, as Sephiroth highly doubted it was for aesthetic value… - only with coils of molding rope and several barrels filled with clean drinking water. Inside the room was damp, all in thanks to the uncovered portholes, allowing the sea mist to drift in as the boat was slammed by waves in the choppy water…
…but, the state of the room aside, it wasn't entirely unpleasant on the open sea, at least not to Sephiroth. There was something about the soft, salty smell of the cool air over the open ocean that relaxed him considerably, despite his admitted worry over his companion.
Riku had his leg slung over the side of his hammock, laying with his arms behind his head. Sephiroth was simply sitting on his, watching the boy as he stared off into space, listening to the creaking boards of the ship as it drifted.
Sighing, the man stood and walked to one of the portholes, looking out at the dark blue ocean and the clear, nearly starless midnight sky. He took a deep breath of the salty midnight air and frowned… the water somewhat reminded him of Cloud's eyes with the way it glittered, the dim lights from the boat glittering on the surface… it had been such a long time since he saw the blonde with his eyes and his alone…
Without warning, Captain Hook's right-hand-man, Mr. Smee, burst into the door, rousing Sephiroth from his thoughts.
"We're gonna stop for a moment," he said, his voice stuffy and squealing. The man was short and stout, dressed in dirty clothes too small for his ample frame, and frighteningly timid. It was strange… who ever heard of a timid pirate? "M… Ms. Maleficent needs to see you, sir," Smee stuttered, addressing Riku directly.
"Go away," the boy replied, irritated, not even bothering to lift his head.
Smee shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "Um. 's urgent, sir."
Riku growled and slid off his hammock, feet quietly landing on the planks of wood. "Fine."
Sephiroth turned to go with them, but was abruptly stopped by the portly servant's shaky hand. The pirate shook his head hastily, looking more than intimidated by the towering ex-General every second.
"Y-you stay here, sir." Sephiroth glowered.
"Fine."
With a short nod, Mr. Smee quickly shuffled the teen out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Sephiroth growled; he hated the way he was kept in the dark about the goings-on around him… he hated the way he always had to stay behind when they sent Riku off to places unknown, using the boy for whatever reason… but most of all, Sephiroth hated how he couldn't leave.
And… he still didn't know why he was growing so fond of Riku, despite the obvious striking similarity of looks and personality.
He didn't feel as if he was related to the boy in any way, of course…
/No… not a sibling, I have no family… and he couldn't possibly be my son… I've strictly been with men…/ Sephiroth smirked, chuckling quietly to himself, /unless there's a bit about Cloud that I failed to notice, of course./
Sephiroth sobered, scratching his chin thoughtfully as he turned back to the porthole. It was more like Riku was a miniature version of himself, actually, like the teen was an underage… clone…
/…could Hojo have done something…?/ He pushed that idea away as suddenly as it came. /No. Hojo is dead and gone… and an inept scientist to boot. None of the other clones were successful, and Riku is nothing like those atrocities…/
The ex-General continued staring out into the ocean as he went on with his musing, /besides… I've just arrived in this world, and that man was too blinded by his own madness to discover places outside of the laboratory, let alone outside of the Planet…/
Sephiroth frowned, drumming his fingers against the edge of the porthole.
/Perhaps Valentine…?/
He let his thoughts drifted to the ebony-haired, crimson-eyed gunman he remembered traveling with Cloud back then… with that man, Sephiroth knew there was something, some sort of… link… a connection between the two of them. He knew it had something to do with Hojo, and most likely Jenova, but… there was something else…
Valentine wasn't a clone, Sephiroth knew that much for certain. He couldn't sense the abundance of alien cells in the former Turk's body, nor could he telepathically reach out for him… but the man's face looked pained when in that battle with his final inhuman form, Sephiroth remembered. Vincent looked to be grieving something, wearing a similar expression to Cloud's… it was very strange, fighting that one.
After all, Sephiroth had never even met the man before…
With a small sigh, Sephiroth shook his head. /…this is not about me, this is about Riku./
But whatever the case was, Sephiroth didn't feel that same unspoken connection between himself and Riku as he had with Vincent. Sephiroth couldn't deny, though, that there was something which he was unable to put his finger on, and it made him completely frustrated for not being able to pinpoint it. He should have been able to see it, whatever it was… it was probably something blatantly obvious as well…
Sephiroth grunted dourly.
This was something he wasn't prepared - nor wanted - to deal with at the moment.
/Perhaps it's just simple attraction…,/ Sephiroth contemplated, /he is rather beautiful…/ He buried his face in his hands.
/Then why do I keep dwelling on this?/
His glowing aqua eyes rolled upwards, staring at a little knothole in the ceiling of the cabin, all of a sudden feeling depressive and wan.
/Why… it's obvious… because I'm lonely./ Sephiroth chuckled humorlessly to himself at the whining, unexpected sentiment. /Who knew the cold, distant General could ever feel lonesome? Oh, what ShinRa would think of me now…/
The silver-haired man sighed, pressing a palm to his forehead.
/…unfortunately, it holds a sense of truth… I need Cloud… my 'Light'…/ Sephiroth snapped his head towards the door of the small cabin. /The boy needs his Light./
Fed up and frustrated, Sephiroth let the matter drop, deciding finally that the so-called 'connection' between the two of them was simply due to their many similarities, nothing else. Kindred spirits. Yes.
/And nothing more./
Sephiroth made a fist and began pacing in the chamber, briefly wondering how long Riku had been gone and when he would get back. He wanted to talk to the boy some more, perhaps this time about Kairi, and would do so whether Riku wanted to or not. After all, he hadn't said much at all about the girl, other than the fact that they were friends.
With nothing better to so, the leather-clad warrior made his way to one of the hammocks and drifted off to sleep.
He didn't know how long it was he slept when Riku walked in, sword in hand, inadvertently waking Sephiroth up with his heavy steps against the floorboards. The boy looked absolutely furious as he randomly swung the weapon around in angered swipes, muttering and swearing under his breath.
/…that's not the same weapon he used before./
The new sword Riku wielded was dark, a wicked shape reminiscent of a demon's wing, sharp-looking and extremely deadly, not to mention of a type which Sephiroth had never seen before.
Its blade was rather long and pointed, pitch black with threads of red woven throughout it like veins. The hilt had a jewel imbedded in the hub which vaguely resembled a glowing green dragon's eye… it was a very strange weapon indeed…
/…where could he have possibly received that…?/
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as he watched over Riku, the teen violently thrusting the sword into an invisible opponent, twisting it sharply before he retracted the blade.
"Something on your mind?"
Riku jerked abruptly, snapping his head up as he lowered his weapon. "Oh. I didn't know you were up."
"I wasn't." Sephiroth threw his long legs over the side of the hammock and sat up, hands folded in his lap, "but I didn't need the sleep anyway." He knitted his eyebrows together and gestured toward the new sword. "Mind telling me what that is?"
"My other sword," the teen replied shortly. He absently ran a hand through his silky silver hair as he heedlessly tossed the sword to the ground. Catching sight of the older man's gaze, Riku raised his eyes and snapped, "what?"
"You tell me."
"Don't worry about it."
Sephiroth arched an eyebrow once more but said nothing, reverting to simply studying the boy as he paced feverishly back and forth, feet thumping heavily on the creaking wooden floorboards. Riku cast occasional glances at the older man, the looks gradually forming into glares as time wore on.
When he finally stopped pacing, Riku crossed his arms in front of his chest and bore his eyes into Sephiroth's. "Stop fucking staring," he bit out harshly, admonishing the older man through gritted teeth. The silver-haired man steepled his fingers and tilted his head, watching Riku in silence.
"You feel different," Sephiroth calmly observed after a short while, his gaze never straying from the teen. Riku bristled.
"Shut up."
Sephiroth pursed his lips before crossing his legs, switching easily back over to silence. He watched as the teen turned and ripped the top off one of the barrels, scooping up a quick handful of water to drink before repeating the process, this time splashing a bit of it onto his reddened cheeks.
When he was through, Riku shoved the top of the barrel hastily back into place and resumed his fevered pacing.
"What's wrong?" Sephiroth demanded minutes later, the stretch of silence gone on for far too long.
"Nothing," came the hissed reply.
"Mm," Sephiroth arched an eyebrow, "you can't lie to me, Riku." The teen sneered at him, but again stayed deathly silent until Sephiroth heaved an aggravated sigh, taking a shot in the dark.
"Is this about that girl, Kairi?"
Immediately Riku stopped dead in his tracks and stiffened, balling his fists at his sides, eyes glazing over as he firmly set his jaw.
"As I suspected." The ex-General flicked a piece of hair behind his ear and implored, "what happened?"
Riku shivered at the tone in the man's voice. It was calm yet demanding, and the teen knew the Sephiroth wasn't going to let the subject drop until he gave an honest answer.
"She…" Riku sighed defeatedly and murmured, "…she… lost her heart…"
"…how?"
The boy shrugged, arms dangling lifelessly at his sides. "I don't know. Maleficent said that the Heartless took it… but…" Riku trailed off, looking away distractedly.
"So that means she's dead…?"
Riku shook his head before he slumped down to the splintery floor, pulling his legs to his chest. "No, she's more like… a lifeless puppet. She's just this hollow shell…"
/'Puppet'./ Sephiroth flinched at the word.
/"You are just a puppet… you have no heart… and cannot feel any pain…"/ He groaned inaudibly at the words he said to his 'puppet' so long ago, the phrase still so fresh in his mind.
"…is there any way to remedy this?"
The boy bit his lip literally hard enough to draw blood, which Sephiroth noticed only after he wiped the bright red fluid away with the back of one hand. "I don't know… there's 'princesses' that can be used to open a door to 'the heart of all worlds', or so Maleficent says…"
Confusion passed through Riku's face as he hesitantly added, "then she gave me the power to…" The teen sighed and rolled his hand on his wrist, "to… control the Heartless…"
/So that's why he feels different…!/
"She what?! Why?" Sephiroth asked angrily. "What is that witch doing with you, Riku?"
"I don't know." Riku shook his head slowly. "But what I do know is that Kairi's in trouble, and Sora… Sora doesn't even seem to care."
The older one frowned. "What makes you believe that?"
"Well… when I left earlier, I had to go get this puppet. Really. With a heart." Riku snorted, "I know it sounds weird, but he really did have one. I mean… he must have, since he was more alive than…," he licked his bottom lip, "than Kairi…"
"I'm sorry." Riku waved dismissively.
"It isn't your fault, so don't apologize." The boy crinkled his nose in disgust. "Okay, I had to get the puppet… as usual, Sora was there…"
Sephiroth frowned slightly but let the teen continue uninterrupted.
"…and Sora started to yell at him for fuckin' around, basically." Riku also frowned, scratching his head as he continued. "And for some reason, I just… felt playful… and decided to taunt him like I did when we were back on Destiny Islands… so, took the puppet and ran."
The teen rolled his eyes at Sephiroth's admonishing glance, "yeah, it was against better judgment, I know, but… it'd been a while since I screwed with him," the boy smirked. "It was childish, but… okay, I started a game of 'hide and seek', pretty much."
Sephiroth raised his eyebrow and smiled thinly, partially amused at the revelation. "During a mission?"
The silver-headed boy chuckled and waved his hand. "I know, I know." Riku quickly turned serious as he went on, "well, when he found me, he started yelling. Basically it was a challenge, so - naturally - I yell back." Riku shook his head disdainfully.
"I love the kid to death, but he still knows how to get my back up.
"Okay, so I ran off again, but then some freak Heartless stole the damn puppet from me! …and then Sora and I fought side by side - for different reasons, of course." Riku smiled a bit, looking somewhat proud. "He's gotten a lot better at fighting since then, but he's still not as good as I am," the teen added, smugly.
Sephiroth smirked. "I believe we who have silver hair will always be supreme to our counterparts in that respect," he joked, and Riku chuckled at the statement.
"Yeah, probably." The younger one's face turned serious. "Anyway… after that fight, I asked him to help me. I thought he would, you know? I mean, I told him what happened to Kairi, but he refused…" Riku raked a hand through his hair and frowned. "He said something really weird, too…"
"Oh?" Sephiroth tilted his head to the side. "What did he say?"
The boys frown deepened. "…that I was on the wrong side… but… how am I on the wrong side…?" Riku asked, brows furrowed. "I mean… I'm the one who's trying to save Kairi here…" The teenager's face reddened as he went on, "she's friends with both of us, and I'm the one actually helping when he's off screwing around!"
"Riku…"
He shook his head dismissively. "Well anyway… after all that I came back here and talked to Maleficent, then came to see you."
Sephiroth placed an elbow on his knee, bracing his head on his palm as he implored, "why did you come to see me instead of staying with your friend?"
"What, the heartless puppet?" Riku asked sarcastically. "Sorry, Seph, but just in case you didn't know, people who have no hearts don't exactly make great conversationalists."
The older one sat stilly in his hammock, intently watching the boy as he calmed down. There were so many things Sephiroth wanted to ask, but couldn't find it in himself to do so. It was like even the littlest things set Riku off, his reaction sometimes so extreme to even the most trifling of events, and Sephiroth didn't want to upset him even more than he already was…
Riku's age was what the man really noticed. The teen was mature, for the most part, and strong as well, hard-headed, but had an underlying innocence about him which Riku seemed to want to shake.
Sephiroth was skeptical about Riku's claim of loving Sora - of truly loving him - but only because the silver-haired teen seemed so emotionally detached sometimes, vacant instead of dreamy as a teenager in love should be, and always so angry…
Not to mention that whenever Riku returned from Maleficent's little 'errands' - all of which, it seemed, involved the other boy somehow - he was always even more upset…
…it didn't make any sense.
/But why is that so, Riku…?/
The teen felt the older man's eyes on him, watching him again, and he couldn't help but fidget uncomfortably. "What do you want now?"
"How do you really feel?"
Riku's eyes glanced up at Sephiroth through his lashes, head down. "The hell are you talking about?"
The man stood and moved, crouching in front of the other silver-hair, and asked gently, "how do you feel, honestly, about your friend Sora?"
"…I love him," came the simple reply. Sephiroth cupped Riku's chin is his hand, lifting the boy's face to get his attention. Aqua met aqua as the older one gazed deep into the Riku's eyes, startlingly similar to his own - only Riku's were more… human.
"Do you?"
Riku brought his brows together quizzically. "Yes."
The ex-General tilted his head. The boy was telling the truth, he could sense that much for sure, but there was still something wrong…
"And does he know, Riku?"
"…I don't know, " came the hushed response.
"Hm." Sephiroth got up and walked to one of the portholes, once again watching the glittering water.
Both stayed silent for a long while, Sephiroth staring inattentively through the porthole as Riku picked at his shoelaces, the two of them lost in their own - mournful - thoughts.
After a minute, the older man breathed in a lungful of fresh ocean air before he exhaled it, slow and indulgently, then ventured, "is that why you're always so upset?"
Riku looked up at the other man's back as he stared out the window. "What do you mean?"
"When you return from these 'missions' involving that boy, you're always angered at something he's done. Why is that?"
The silver-haired teen brushed a wayward lock hair from his eyes, the expression on his face clearly saying he was deep in thought. He silently mused, eyes never leaving the ex-General, chewing contemplatively on his lower lip as he thought.
"…I guess because he… acts like that stupid Keyblade's more important to him than me and Kairi, the same with that stupid dog and duck." He frowned, deep creases etched into his forehead. "He's changed… he was always the compassionate one, but… it just seems that now he cares more for strangers than… me."
"And you feel as if he doesn't love you?"
"He never said he did," the boy responded quickly, a hint of sadness in his voice. "We… were never… you know…"
"…never…?"
Riku sighed heavily and crossed his arms. "We were never really… together… like that. I tried to tell him what I wanted…" The silver-haired man stayed silent in contemplation as Riku went on. "I had the perfect opening, too, Seph. I had it, then I turned it into a fucking joke because he looked so confused…"
Sephiroth turned around, silver hair falling past his shoulders as he gave Riku a sympathetic look. "You thought you scared him?"
The teen laughed sadly. "Yeah, I mean, wouldn't you be if your best friend basically tells you outright that he's gay and wants to share his life with you?" He shook his head. "I don't even have to think… I know he was scared. He's… you know… naïve…"
"And after all that, you still consider him your 'Light'?"
Riku nodded. "Of course. The way I figure it, even if I'm not his, he's still mine." The boy tilted his head and blinked. "Because… I don't think I could live without him."
"And he doesn't know this…," Sephiroth trailed off, gaze trailing back to the porthole. The teen frowned.
"Why did you ask that, anyway?"
/…because I never told him how I felt, did I? I was a coward who didn't take that chance…/ "No particular reason."
Mr. Smee knocked sharply on the door and abruptly flung it open, face a greasy, fiery red. "Everybody on deck!" he shouted, "we've got company!"
The teen grabbed his lethal sword and made his way out the door. Sephiroth followed closely behind.
They walked through the boat's dank corridors and climbed up ladders, neither one quite aware of their way through the maze of a ship. Pirate Heartless cowered before Riku, even as the boy simply stepped past without casting them a second glance. He didn't seem to notice, but Sephiroth had. There was something quite unsettling about the entire situation - the Heartless weren't that scared of the boy before.
/Of course not… you understand what it's like,/ the ex-General mused, /now that he has the power to control them, as a consequence, he has the power to utterly destroy them…/
Sephiroth hadn't anticipated the amount of Heartless flanking the rails when they reached the ship's deck, and definitely not the other sight he saw. Captain Hook and his pudgy second-in-command stood before a small teenager with wildly spiked brown hair, the former holding a thin rapier at the young one's throat. The boy's deep sapphire eyes were wide as he struggled against the Heartless restraining him, occasionally lashing out at the ones who held his arms.
The silver-haired man raised an eyebrow at the boy's highly decorated - and very bright - red outfit, adorned with numerous chains, the links of which in the shape of a crown. Almost immediately he knew who the teenager was when Riku's face paled upon catching sight of the younger teenager, but quickly regained his color as he stepped right into the middle of the fray.
Deciding he would probably be more of a distraction than welcome, Sephiroth simply headed towards the sidelines, arms crossed, and sighed in mild annoyance as the ocean breeze rustled the bluish-black plumage of his wing, but said nothing as he watched.
"I didn't think you'd come, Sora," Riku murmured with a hint of disappointment in his words - Sephiroth easily chalked it up to their earlier conversation. The brown-haired teen gasped as Riku spoke and struggled harder against the Heartless. "Good to see you again."
Sora pouted, lower lip jutting out rather comically in such a serious situation. The boy was rather cute, Sephiroth supposed… not to mention his hairstyle and eyes sort of reminded Sephiroth of Cloud's…
"Where are Donald and Goofy?" the small brunette demanded, still attempting to pull his arms away. The silver-haired teen sighed heavily.
"Are they that important to you?" Riku asked, aqua eyes flashing, "more important than old friends?" The older teen narrowed his eyes, nearly spitting out his next words. "Instead of worrying about them, you should be worrying about her!" the teenager shouted, sidestepping swiftly to point behind himself at small, red-headed form Sephiroth - somehow - hadn't noticed before.
The girl was slumped over, head lolled off to the side, and propped up only by a wooden box labeled 'PROVISIONS' instead of her own will. She didn't look good at all… her violet eyes were open, at least, but half-lidded and glazed, her thin arms hanging lifelessly in her lap. There was no spark of life at all in her tiny, pretty form to speak of, made even more apparent by the thin lines of drool which led from the corner of her mouth all the way to her chin, her hair hanging limp in her face.
…and at the sight, Sora looked heartbroken. "Kairi!" he shouted, kicking and pulling at his captors.
Riku crossed his arms, looking down contemptuously at the brown-haired boy. "That's right. When you were off goofing around, I finally found her."
Sora struggled harder against the Heartless and finally managed to break one arm free until Captain Hook intercepted, pulling back his rapier to block the brunette with his hooked hand.
"Not so fast," the pirate sneered, nose sniveling, "no shenanigans aboard my vessel, boy." The Heartless easily regained their hold on Sora as tears made their way to his eyes.
"Riku," the young brunette began, voice shaky and desperate, "why are you siding with the Heartless?!"
/He cares, Riku… look at him…/
"The Heartless obey me now, Sora," the silver-haired teen responded with a sigh. "Now I have nothing to fear."
"You're stupid! Sooner or later they'll swallow your heart!"
Riku winced as Sora said the words, but his face again pinched, turning stony as he retorted with a maddening confidence, "not a chance. My heart's too strong."
"Riku…," the smaller boy breathed, pleadingly. Sephiroth growled to himself, Riku's attitude both disturbing and exasperating at the same time.
"I've picked up a few other tricks as well," the older boy murmured, dropping a hand back. "Like this, for instance."
Sephiroth gaped as a green light surrounded the older teen, emanating from his heart to rest right in the palm of his hand. Riku made a fist and pulled his arm backward, uncurling his fingers as his arm fully extended, palm extended straight towards Sora.
To Sephiroth's amazement, Darkness bubbled up underneath the brunette's feet and undulated before sliding out and upwards, slowly forming a perfect, solid black copy of Sora. Despite the shadow's color, it was a perfect replica of the boy with exception of its large, glowing yellow eyes. It was sickening.
Riku sighed and placed his hands on his hips, satisfied. "You can go see your friends now."
Suddenly, a hidden hatchway opened underneath Sora's feet and the Heartless released his arms, dropping him down into one of the ship's many holds. Sephiroth was growing more and more surprised at the way Riku had treated the boy he supposedly loved.
/Something is very wrong here…/
The silver-haired boy made an unreadable face, his shoulders slumping forward as he turned to Captain Hook. "Let's get under way, already," he ordered quietly. As an afterthought, he added, "and keep Sora away from Kairi until we're ready to land…"
Riku walked over to Sephiroth and closed his eyes, holding up a placating hand. "I know what you want to say. Just don't." He turned his head around and addressed Captain Hook once more. "Put Kairi in a hold somewhere, alright? And lock the door."
The ex-General pursed his lips and roughly grabbed Riku's upper arm. "Come with me," he demanded coldly, not giving the teen a chance as he dragged him off to the cabin they shared.
"Leave me alone!" Riku shouted, pulling frantically at the older man's solid grip. "Let me go!"
"Be quiet. You're coming with me and you are going to explain what is wrong with you, Riku."
"NO! Get the FUCK off me, Sephiroth!" Riku spat angrily, landing a solid kick on the back of the taller one's thigh.
Sephiroth didn't flinch.
"You're lucky I'm not carrying you, Riku, be thankful for that at least," the man muttered under his breath as he flung the door to their cabin open. Sephiroth threw the boy to the floor and slammed the portal shut, glaring down at him. "Now tell me… what the HELL is wrong with you, treating him like that?!"
Riku, in return, glared up at Sephiroth. "Fuck you."
The man remained stoic as he towered above the other's prone form. Sephiroth crossed his arms slowly, his wing extending before refolding itself and stated, "I've killed for less, Riku. Do not be insubordinate with me or I will use force."
The teen's face faltered a bit at how coldly the words were spoken and bit his lip to fight back a sneer.
"Leave me alone," Riku glowered.
Sephiroth took in a deep breath, his chest puffing up proudly, and Riku couldn't deny that the man was simply menacing, despite his seemingly emotionless expression. "Well?"
Slowly Riku lowered his head, shamed. "What the hell do you want from me, Seph? You heard what he said…"
"And I agreed with every word. You acted like a child, Riku. I thought you were better than that, but I suppose I was wrong."
Pained aqua eyes gazed upward, threatening tears. "It isn't fair."
"Nothing is ever fair, Riku. That is a simple fact of life. No matter what you do, no matter what you accomplish, no matter how much it hurts, that's how it will always be." Sephiroth reached up to brush an errant lock of hair over his armored shoulder. "What you did was not right. It's inexcusable."
The teen scowled again. "Shut up."
"Did you not see what you did? You made a copy of that boy. A complete replica, using those damned powers that witch 'granted' you with. Why did you do that? It is malicious, Riku, you know damn well it can and will hurt that boy." Riku's eyes narrowed, turning away. "You said you love that boy."
"I do love him!" Riku shouted, face red with anger, "I do love him, and he doesn't care about me! He cares more about those fucking things, and he doesn't give a shit about Kairi, either! I'm the one doing all the work, and what do I get out of it?! Nothing! My best friend hates me and my other friend is practically fucking dead, and now I'm getting shit from you!" The teenager took in a heavy, angered breath and lowered his voice. "I thought that, of all people, you'd be the one to understand."
Sephiroth stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
The boy shook his head, quieting further. "You're chastising me for exploiting powers when you did the same damn thing."
"Be quiet."
"You used Cloud for your own gain. You manipulated the man himself when all I did was conjure up an image. How can you dare judge me for what I've done when you've done even worse?" Riku tightened his jaw, shaking with anger. "You knew Cloud loved you, and that he still loves you, but you still used hi—"
"That is enough! I do NOT have to subject myself to your accusations!" Sephiroth shouted, Mako eyes glowing brightly. "Trust, I am well aware of what I have done. And I have, since that time, regretted every single thing I subjected Cloud to," he added, absolutely seething, totally unaware of how close he leaned over the younger man, one finger pointed inches from the younger one's face.
Riku slapped the man's hand away from himself and stood up, fists clenched so tightly at his sides they shook. "Then do not play righteous with me. We've both done things we regret. We're one in the same, Sephiroth, and you know that I will NOT be deterred from this path until I achieve greatness."
The boy's voice had become deeper and deeper as he went on, but the older man hadn't noticed until the very last sentence when the tone was at its deepest. Riku's eyes flashed amber for a bare moment before quickly returning to their natural state. Sephiroth stepped back to stare.
"What did you say?"
Riku shook his head and blinked, bringing a hand up to his forehead. "I was… just ranting to you about Kairi and Sora, and… I'm… sorry…" The teen frowned as Sephiroth continued to stare questioningly at him. "…what?"
/What indeed…/
"…Seph… can I…?"
Suddenly, Riku reached up, placing his black-gloved hands on the back of the taller one's head, gently lowering him as he looked deep into Sephiroth's eyes.
"Riku, are you alright…?"
The teen lifted himself onto his toes, gaining those few needed inches to close the gap between Sephiroth's lips and his own, pulling the older man into a tender kiss.
It was startling at first, but Sephiroth couldn't bring himself to push Riku away.
Unconsciously, the ex-General closed his eyes and slid his hands down, placing them on the boy's slight waist to pull him forward. He was losing himself in the moment, wrapped up in the teen's gentle touch, the inexperienced, youthful enthusiasm infinitely enticing, Riku's fingers in his hair and lightly stroking his wing, enjoying the sensation of that slender, healthy body beneath his hands…
…Sephiroth wanted more of that sweetness when the smaller one pulled away far too soon.
The man frowned and looked into the Riku's eyes, the anguish and inner turmoil he was dealing with throughout the whole ordeal rising to the surface, and the silver-haired warrior wanted nothing more than to take it all away. He knew what it was like to feel alone and hopeless, discarded, disposable… used for nothing but someone else's gain…
So the taller man bent forward, once again pressing his lips into the Riku's.
/But… why am I doing this?/
Sephiroth slid a hand up the boy's back, the leather easily gliding over the smooth material, feeling the teenager's firm muscles on the palm of his hand. It kept going up, stopping momentarily to massage the crook of his neck before creeping up, burying itself in the Riku's soft, glittering hair. His other arm snaked firmly around the teen's waist, pulling him close to Sephiroth's body, their mouths meshed harder together, and moved a thigh to brush it between Riku's legs.
/…he's too much like me at that age… I'm probably even his first…/
The silver-haired man drew the younger one's lower lip into his mouth, lightly playing with it with his teeth as he ran the tip of his tongue along the soft, pliant tissue, and Riku whimpered lightly, parting his lips.
/…this is disgusting…/
Riku held fast to Sephiroth and gently coaxed him down with him onto the floor, both of them kneeling, and the teen leaned into Sephiroth, opening his mouth. He let his tongue slip past the teenager's lips and into his mouth, caressing and teasing Riku's own.
/Gods, this is so… wrong… he's too young, and just like me…/
Both of them moaned, enjoying every second they spent with black-gloved hands buried in silver hair and bodies molded together, their lips forming an air-tight seal, breathing hard and ragged. Back and forth, mouth to mouth, tongues passed and shared as much of each other as they could.
/This needs to stop./
Riku's hand slipped from Sephiroth's neck and moved down, touching lightly the man's chest before venturing farther still, stopping at the man's backside. He writhed in Sephiroth's grip, letting his body act purely on animal instinct as he rubbed himself into the older one's groin and let out a needy vocalization.
/You're taking advantage of this boy in the state he's in, you're well aware of that…/
Sephiroth pulled away from the kiss and nuzzled into the boy's neck, kissing lightly up and down Riku's throat, pausing only to lap at the exposed flesh in his path.
"…oh… Seph…"
Riku tilted his head back and moaned softly before leaning in to capture the Sephiroth's lips again, eagerly plunging his tongue into his mouth, pressing harder into his body. Both of them breathed harshly through their noses, gasping for air as their faces reddened with the effort.
/He's as old as Cloud was when he… and I… when we first…/
Sephiroth's eyes snapped open at the realization and promptly withdrew his tongue from the teen's mouth, to Riku's great dismay.
/I… can't do this… Cloud…/
He stopped kissing back, the name ringing loudly in his ears.
/CLOUD./
Sephiroth pulled away entirely then, sighing breathlessly with a shake of his head. When Riku leaned in again, Sephiroth held the boy away at arm's length with a hand on each of the teen's shoulders.
"…what's wrong?"
"I can't do this," the older man whispered, hurriedly getting to his feet.
"Why not…?"
Sephiroth shook his head, painfully aware of that dull throbbing in his lap as he sat down on one of the hammocks. It was greatly uncomfortable, yes, and he would prefer relief… but…
"…no. I can't."
Riku crawled forward and sat in front of the older man, resting his hands high on Sephiroth's thighs. "But why?"
The older man's breath hitched in his throat at the touch before taking the boy by the wrists and moving his hands away. "I have Cloud, Riku. He's still waiting for me, wherever he is… it isn't right."
"You should know by now I barely know what's right anymore… I'm lonely, Seph…," Riku whispered, gazing up at him imploringly. "Just like you are… I know you are… we can make each other less…"
"No… I'm sorry."
"Seph, please…"
Sephiroth bit down on his lip, swallowing the lump which formed in his throat. "No. I would only be using you, and I will not do that to you, Riku. I've been used too much in my life to subject anyone else to that anymore."
The teen sat back on his feet and wrung his hands together. "It… doesn't count as 'using' me if I want you to…"
The silver-haired man closed his eyes, eyebrows drawn together. "Tempting as you are, Riku, I can't… please believe me when I say this…"
"It isn't fair, Seph." His heavily lashed eyes lifted. "Why is it wrong when, right now, neither one of us has who we want?"
Sephiroth shook his head. "It's morally wrong, Riku. At least for me." He sighed deeply and placed a hand to his forehead. "It's unfortunate enough that I'm still here in this vessel instead of out there, searching for him." He opened his eyes and looked at the teen.
"Your Light is already here, Riku. I think you should tell him so."
"…maybe…" Riku bit his lip and looked away, ashamed. "…sorry, Seph… I wasn't thinking… no, you're right." He sat back on his heels, arms crossed and frowned. "But you… that… that was my first… real… uh… yeah…"
The older man cringed, feeling a little more than slightly guilty.
"…anyway… I figured something. That may be able to help you, I mean… at least I think."
"…and what's that?"
Riku scratched the corner of his eye and shrugged. "Alright, well… since Maleficent let me control the Heartless… that means I have these new powers, right?"
"I believe so…"
"Okay, then… I guess I can help you to try and find him…?"
The older man blinked. "How would you do that?"
"Maleficent controlled the Heartless before and was able to make those portals, right? Well… maybe I'm able to make them now too, I guess…"
"I see…"
Riku bit his lip. "And if I can, maybe there's some way I can show you how to do it… I know you have some dark powers, since you were able to make that… fire wall…"
"Is that what they are? Dark powers?"
"Probably." Riku shrugged. "I didn't know it before, but… something's different now."
Sephiroth nodded slowly. "I noticed."
The silver-haired teenager smiled sadly and looked up at Sephiroth. "Well, I guess we should do this thing, right?" The older man nodded again and smiled himself.
"Please."
------------------
Cloud scowled as he rolled over again, wing twitching and completely sore. He locked the door soon after Aerith left the room and stripped off everything above the waist, allowing his demon wing free before he slept.
He wished he hadn't, thought, when, hours later, he woke up laying on the appendage, uncomfortably numb beneath him. Cloud attempted vainly to flap it to restore at least some sort of life, but… instead, he only succeeded in causing the entire thing to tingle with that hated feeling of pins and needles. The blonde winced and swore silently, damning the thing on his back.
Something that troubled him about Traverse Town was its perpetual, pitch black sky. If Cloud was obsessive/compulsive about anything, it would be the time. He relied on the movement of the sun in the sky constantly. He figured it was something Zack had done while in SOLDIER, and simply a residual effect of living as the black-haired First Class so long ago.
The blonde stretched, creaky joints popping as he lay on his stomach on Aerith's bed, content with the for the time being, even if he could still hear the girls talking lightly in the main room of the house.
[Gossiping about me, no doubt.]
A loud gurgle erupted from his stomach and Cloud groaned, unwilling to move from the comfortable bed to fetch himself some food. [I'm getting lazy, not sleeping outdoors,] he thought with a smirk.
[…and I smell. Gods.]
His mind mulled over his three current choices of action: staying in bed, taking a shower, or getting food. Again his stomach rumbled, louder this time, just as Cloud made up his mind to go back to sleep.
[…goddammit.]
With a sigh, the blonde pushed himself out of bed and hastily dressed, deciding a shower would be easier to go through with after his stomach shut up.
"Is there anywhere I can get something to eat?" he asked as he walked into the foyer-slash-bedroom. Aerith turned to give Cloud a warm smile, nodding gently.
"Right here. I can make you lunch, if you like."
Cloud drew his eyebrows together. "Lunch? You mean you actually know what time it is?" Yuffie nodded and answered for her.
"Yep! We bought a clock from the Gizmo Shop, see?" she announced, pointing to a rather unflattering orange monstrosity hanging above her bed. "Shut up, Spike, I like orange," she muttered, noticing the blonde's grimace of disapproval. Aerith giggled, a hand covering her mouth.
Looking up at Cloud, the Cetra asked, "so… what would you like?" He shrugged in response.
"Food would be great." Aerith giggled again and rose, striding away down the hallway.
Cloud flopped onto the couch, legs splayed as he let out a heaving sigh. The ninja tilted her head at him, concerned with his . "What's up, Cloudy?"
He rubbed his eyes, shaking his head. "Ah, just didn't sleep that well is all."
"Oh," came the small reply. Yuffie perked up, folding her hands in her lap. "What're ya gonna do today?" Cloud shrugged.
"I don't know. What is there to do here?"
The ninja pursed her lips and pressed a finger to her mouth. "Uhm… you could help Leon and me hunt Heartless? Sora left for a few days, Donald didn't want to stay here much longer since they stocked up on supplies." She tilted her head and grinned. "Is there any stuff you need ta get?"
"Not that I know of." He looked up and saw Aerith in the doorway with a tray full of food. "Wow, that was… fast," he remarked.
The emerald-eyed girl smiled lightly, handing the tray over. "I think it's a Cetra thing," she said with a giggle. "My mom - not Elmyra, Ifalna - used to make entire meals this quick as well."
Cloud nodded acknowledging and gratefully took the offered food and proceeded to dig in, nearly inhaling the entire meal. Three sandwiches, grapes, milk, and a whole lotta pretzels… all of it gone within a matter of seconds as both girls watched, eyes wide in horror.
"What?" he mumbled around a mouth full of food.
Yuffie raised an eyebrow in partial disgust. "Eat much?"
"Huh?"
"She called you a pig, Cloud."
"Eh, materia stealing brat." Yuffie scowled and got up.
"Screw you, Spikey," she muttered, sticking out her tongue before turning her dark eyes over to Aerith. "I'm gonna go to the Synth Shop, see if I can get anything made, 'kay?"
Aerith nodded and shook her hand dismissively. "Be careful."
"I always am!" the ninja grinned and flashed a victory sign before bouncing out the door.
The Cetra laughed quietly and remarked, quietly, "a bundle of energy she is." Cloud rolled his eyes at the ninja.
Aerith took the tray and moved it off to the side before taking his hands in her own, patting them softly. "I'm so glad you're here with us, Cloud. I can't stress that enough."
"Yeah… I never thought I'd ever… see you again, you know…?" The blonde furrowed his brow and took his hands away from the flower girl. "How are you here, anyway? I mean…," he trailed off. Aerith shook her head and looked away.
"I don't know myself. I remember being in the Lifestream—"
"Wait, you didn't get to the Promised Land?" Cloud interrupted.
She shook her head, scrunching her nose in thought. "No, I didn't… I don't understand it myself, really." She shrugged and pulled her braid over her shoulder, running her fingers through the loose ends. "Maybe it's better I didn't. That way I wouldn't have been able to see you again."
Cloud sighed. "Maybe."
The girl tilted her head and blinked. "You sound sad…"
"I am." He raked a hand through his hair but stopped, teasing a few fallen spikes back into place. "I always am."
Aerith shook her head, placing a hand on the mercenary's knee. "I wish you wouldn't be," she said quietly. Her glittering emerald eyes found sparkling blue. "It's over, Cloud… he isn't here anymore."
The man broke her gaze and affixed it on the ceiling. [So… she did know…] "No, you're wrong. He's around, somewhere. I just can't find him."
"No. Sephiroth is dead, Cloud, and he will stay dead."
Cloud glared at her, eyebrows drawn, pushing her hand off his knee. She knew how he felt about Sephiroth, obviously, and the vehemence in her voice against Sephiroth's resurrection… it was mean of her to act like that…
"You were dead too, Aeris. What makes you think that, especially now," he opened his arms out to the side, "the dead stay dead?" Cloud quieted his voice as he went on. "Besides, I know he's alive. I can feel it."
The flower girl pouted slightly, unfolding and refolding her small hands in her lap. "Would you rather I stayed dead, Cloud?" she asked, voice small. The blonde heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes.
"I didn't say that, Aerith…" He tilted his head back and sighed again. "I didn't want you to die in the first place… if I could've stopped him I would have, you know that…"
She turned away from him and stared at a wall. "Do I?"
[Gods, sometimes talking to you is more torture than five years in Hojo's lab… why would you even think I WANTED that…?] "Well… you should…"
"I'm sorry, Cloud."
He gave his characteristic shrug and leaned back into the couch. "Forget it."
"Whoo! I was able to get a Megalixir and a Ribbon!" Yuffie exclaimed excitedly, jumping through the door, but her happy mood died upon sensing the heavy tension in the room. "What's goin' on?"
Aerith shook her head and smiled thinly. "Nothing. Just reminiscing."
"Tch. Without me? You guys suck," she said, grinning. "Oh, by the way, Leon's stopping by later on, Cloud."
The blonde blinked as a slight blush crept to his cheeks. […she couldn't have noticed…] "Why are you telling me this…?"
Yuffie rolled her eyes and put a fist to her slender hip. "Duh, dummy, he just wants to ask you some stuff. He's not exactly the most trusting guy."
"Even though he knows that both you two and Cid know me?" Cloud asked incredulously.
"Heroes can go sour, too," Aerith piped up. "I don't believe you have, though."
Yuffie smirked. "Even if you do look like a freaked-out bedlamite." The blonde blinked.
"Well look who's talking all smart," he snorted, eyebrow raised. Aerith chuckled, shaking her head.
"Blah, blah, whatever, Cloudy-boy." The ninja grinned broadly and winked. "You should probably take a shower… you really stink, Spike."
Aerith shot the other girl a look. "That is not polite, Yuffie!"
The blonde waved a hand and stood. "No, it's alright, I was thinking the same thing." He looked at the pink-clad girl and gave her a ghost of a grin. "May I?" She nodded.
"Clean towels are in the cabinet under the sink, and the bathroom is through the white door in my bedroom."
"Thanks."
Cloud stepped into the bedroom and shut the door, stripping his clothing off and placing it neatly on the bed. He waved his hand as his - very ripe - stench wafted through the room. "Gods, when was the last time I showered?" he muttered, tossing his pants onto the floor. Absently he raised an eyebrow, scanning the articles of discarded clothing.
[I should sort this stuff out… belts in one pile, unneeded accessories and worthless shit in the other…]
The blonde sighed and made his way to the bathroom, pulling out an unnaturally fluffy pink towel from the cabinet and then proceeded to toss it unceremoniously to the floor. Cloud turned and caught sight of himself in the mirror. He sighed at the large batwing gracing - rather, marring - his reflection… he never actually washed it in a shower before, as the Coliseum only had a bathhouse, and Cloud didn't quite know how he should go about it. Watching his movements in the mirror, Cloud fully extended it into the air before attempting to bend it over his shoulder.
[…that should work.]
Turning the water to blazing hot, Cloud stepped into the shower and sighed deeply, finally able to wash away the dirt and grime from months of training, fighting, and killing, mess sliding down his body under the warm, pounding spray, savoring the feeling of getting clean and warm.
After a short bit of indulgence, the blonde turned to scan the walls of the shower, scowling a bit as he examined the bottles of women's shampoo and assorted, scented soaps. […I'm gonna smell like a girl in front of Cid and Leon. Fantastic,] he thought wryly, grabbing a watermelon-scented shampoo.
When he was finished with his unruly hair, the man picked up a bar of soap and scrubbed every single inch of his skin until it was pale and raw, not exactly surprised at how black he had gotten. The water running off his body practically ran grey for nearly ten minutes as he washed, rinsed, and repeated. Several times.
Cloud absently started to hum as he worked, a little ditty he heard once when he went to see a showing of 'LOVELESS' back in Midgar. Cloud frowned as he remembered the place, which led to thoughts of Tifa… and Barret… no one ever mentioned what happened to Barret, and the blonde wondered if he and Marlene were safe…
His thoughts drifted once more to settle on Zack… he missed Zack terribly, his best friend… his savior…
…and… Sephiroth…
Finished cleaning the majority of himself, Cloud only had one more thing to wash… the wing. He repeated his previous action of bending the appendage and then turned the wing under the spray. [I wonder if I have to clean this thing with soap or shampoo,] he thought jokingly.
…at least, he thought jokingly until he remembered there was a four-foot long, leathery, jet-black demon wing protruding from his left shoulder blade.
He grabbed the shampoo he used earlier and went on to quickly wash the thing, cringing slightly at the odd sensation simply touching it made. It wasn't really unpleasant for him, it was just… unusual.
Cloud forcibly removed himself from the water moments later, sopping wet, and nearly slipping on the smooth tile floor. Growling as he righted himself, the blonde grabbed the towel and proceeded to dry his wing's surface, boredly wrapping the towel around his waist and padding out into the bedroom. He hastily dried his lower body before throwing on his pants and boxers, content in leaving his feet bare.
[I really need to buy more clothes…] Cloud sat on the bed and threw the towel over his head.
The blonde hadn't heard the door open through the rustle of his still-wet hair, humming again as he worked, rubbing vigorously with the towel. Yuffie stepped into the room and her eyes went wide, staring slack-jawed at her former leader.
The ninja girl wasn't staring at his body, though.
Her eyes were trained on the single, jet-black batwing protruding from his left shoulder blade.
Cloud slipped the towel from his head back, draping it slowly across his shoulders when he sensed the other presence in the room. He shook his head before he muttered, "I really wish you would have knocked first."
The Wutaian stepped forward, hand pressed to her mouth as her orange-booted feet padded softly across her roommate's carpet, making her way to Cloud's side. Yuffie's struggle for words was so strong it was palpable, and with a sigh, Cloud broke the silence.
"Look. It's a long story, I don't want to talk about it. Like I said before, things don't always go as planned."
Yuffie scratched her head and mumbled, quietly teasing, "man, back home you were tryin' to be Zack… then you took fashion tips from Vinny, now you're doin' body modification like Sephy… when're you gonna ease up and just be yourself, Spike…?"
"…Yuf… I didn't ask for a wing… and especially not just one of them… so please, don't mock me," Cloud growled, hoping the teenager would just let the topic drop.
But all Yuffie did was stare.
Hastily, Cloud got up and threw the rest of his clothing on, buckling belts and strapping on his armor. He hadn't had time to replace the athletic tape around his wrists and knuckles before snapping on his bracers, he realized later, but he felt like had to get out before Yuffie drove him crazy.
The ninja gave Cloud a confused look as he pulled on his cape, tucking his wing as close to his body as he was able. "Hey… what're you doing?"
"Leaving."
The girl blinked and tilted her head. "Where are you goin', Spikey?" Cloud stopped and looked at her blankly. "Well, are ya coming back? What about Squall?"
The man walked passed her and went down the hall, silently wishing she would just shut it already, but Yuffie followed, chewing on her lower lip.
"Hey, Cloud! C'mon, Cloud-yyy!"
Just then, Aerith stepped through the door, a large bag of Potions and Ethers in her arms after a brief trip to the Item Shop. She noticed Cloud's angered expression and furrowed her eyebrows, casting a wary glance at her roommate. "What's the matter…?"
"Spikey has a wing!!" the ninja girl blurted, pointing. The blonde sighed gruffly, scowling at Yuffie. "Oops…"
The Cetra tilted her head. "Is that so?" Yuffie nodded enthusiastically.
"It's a batwing! It looks like Chaos'! And he's only got one!"
Cloud threw his hands up in the air and let them flop down to his sides, now thoroughly agitated. He ungracefully slumped onto the couch in the front room of Yuffie and Aerith's tiny house as both girls went on to stare at him.
[Fuck, now Aerith's going to ask questions…]
The brunette tilted her head to the side and blinked. "Oh," she said - as if it were the most boring news she'd ever heard - and stepped past the both of them to begin restocking a cabinet with the healing supplies.
Cloud simply stared at her as she calmly put the items away. "…you aren't going to ask about it?" he questioned, curiosity barely concealed. The girl shook her head.
"It isn't my business," she replied quietly.
"But… but I wanna know!" Yuffie whined.
Aerith shook her head again and turned towards her friend. "No, Cloud doesn't want to explain. Isn't that right, Cloud?"
The blonde blinked again. [I didn't expect that…] "N… no…"
Yuffie stomped her foot on the ground and crossed her arms, a pout gracing her face. "But… but that's not fair! I wanna know, Spikey!"
"I'm sure he'll tell us when the time is right, if at all," Aerith lightly scolded the younger girl, her calm exterior never fading. Cloud heaved a grateful sigh.
"Thanks a lot, Aerith."
She smiled and bowed, picking up the now-empty grocery bag and padding softly down the hallway.
The ninja girl flopped onto the bed, flat on her back. "You guys really suck."
Cid rapped sharply on the window to announce his presence and stepped in the door. "Shit, with that kid gone, damn Gummi shop's shot to hell," he grumbled irritably. A fresh cigarette made its way to his mouth as he nudged Cloud's leg with his foot. "Scoot over, Spike, share the fuckin' wealth."
The younger blonde complied and the gruff pilot fell gracelessly back into the cushions, letting out a loud, contented 'ahhhh'.
"How's it hangin', Cid?" the ninja asked halfheartedly, not looking up.
"It would be better if I had some goddamn tea," he responded, near-shouting the last few words.
"I'll fix you some!" Aerith's voice floated into the room.
Cid chuckled and shook his head. "Damn Cetra's a life saver."
"Cloudy-boy has a wing!" Yuffie proclaimed from her prone position, one arm flapping into the air.
"No shit?" the pilot grunted, looking Cloud up and down. "Whip it out, son!"
"I don't want anyone whipping anything out in my home," Aerith murmured, a fresh cup of tea in hand. Cloud snorted at the remark.
"I wasn't planning on it. Besides, the thing's so grotesque, I don't know why anyone would want to see it in the first place."
Leon's eyebrow quirked upward as he snorted. Somehow, no one noticed his earlier entrance, during Cid's little request. Cloud looked over to the brunette and flushed, bringing his hands up to his face.
"What if I asked to see it?" the brunette warrior asked with a smirk.
Cloud's face burned hotly and he didn't even bother to suppress his groan.
"It's not that bad, Spike," Yuffie stated, eyes still skyward, body not shifting as Aerith sat precariously on the edge of the bed.
"I hate you, Yuf," the blonde grunted.
Cid let out a harsh laugh, clapping the mercenary on the back, "c'mon, kid, be a pal and show us that sucker!"
"I'm not entirely sure what everyone wants to see, but you're making me awfully curious, too," Squall chipped in, voice bored as ever.
"It's my wing," Cloud grunted, "I'm not proud of it, so I'd rather keep it hidden."
The girl nodded. "Everyone should respect Cloud's wishes. It is his appendage, after all." The blonde shot Aerith a look of gratitude.
[I owe you one, Aer…]
"But that ain't fair!" Cid and the ninja shouted huffily in tandem.
"Guys, please," Cloud grumbled. He clenched his clawed hand in his hair, growing more and more frustrated by the second. Why the hell wouldn't they just shut up about it already?
Yuffie pouted. "Well… okay then, what if we pay you?" she bribed, finally sitting up.
The blonde lifted his head and stared at the dark-haired girl, suddenly much more intrigued in the offer. "…how much?"
Cid grinned widely. "Hell, I'll fuckin' chip in, I gotta see that puppy."
The ninja shallowly bit her lower lip and tilted her head. "Uhm… how 'bout 300 munny each?" The pilot nodded vigorously.
"Fine with me."
Cloud looked between the two and grunted. "Fine. You want to see my wing? I'll let you see my wing." He raised an eyebrow and jerked his chin towards a nearby table. "Munny first."
The two ex-teammates hastily tore through their pockets and pulled out the munny requested, piling the coins onto the end table. "Thanks, I needed that," he said halfheartedly, "need new clothes."
"Seriously, those are all gross," the ninja said, scrunching her nose. "And they stink."
The blonde rolled his eyes as he stood, unwrapping the mantle from his neck. "I noticed."
When the cape was removed he threw it to the floor and extended his wing, all four sets of eyes focused solely on the jet black appendage as it stood in its full glory.
Cid furrowed his brow as he stared, and Cloud scowled to himself. Truth be told, he had expected some sort of reaction from his former teammates, but this… disgust from the older blonde hurt Cloud the worst.
After all, the pilot quickly became Vincent's friend back in the day, unusual as the pair were together, and did so despite all of the monsters Hojo cursed the former Turk with… out of everyone, Cloud figured at least Cid would be one of the most tolerant of his deformity… and not so completely… horrified…
"…what the fuck smells like watermelon?!"
Cloud blinked, immediately remembering the shampoo he used earlier, and very nearly started blushing for accusing Cid of being… well, of being a petty asshole. "Um… that's my wing."
The pilot raised an eyebrow curiously. "Should I even ask?" Cloud shrugged.
"Shampoo."
Again, Cid raised his eyebrow and leaned forward, bracing himself on his knee, and asked in a hushed voice, "shit, Spike, you use that girly stuff?"
Cloud's jaw floundered, the wing on his back flapping of its own volition as he answered. "Uh, it wasn't… I mean… it was all they had…"
"Shit, you should come stay with me, then. Don't want you smellin' like fuckin' fruit the whole time yer here."
"What's wrong with smelling like fruit?" Aerith asked, chuckling lightly at the conversation.
Cid backhanded the younger blonde's forearm and grinned. "Spikey here's a man! Can't have him smelling like a bit—I mean, like a woman!" Aerith and Yuffie frowned simultaneously.
"As long as he doesn't smell like shit," Leon added, deadpan. The room's occupants turned to the resident ice god, shocked at the joke. He shrugged. "It's true."
The ninja tilted her head. "Err… you alright there, Squally?"
"It's Leon."
Aerith smiled. "I think in that case, it would be Leon-y." Cid blinked.
"Does this house have a fuckin' gas leak or somethin'? Shit, everyone's crackin' jokes…," the pilot grumbled, retrieving another cigarette.
"Can I put this thing away now?" Cloud asked impatiently, pointing to his wing. Yuffie waved her hand.
"Yeah, yeah…"
The younger blonde smirked as he grabbed his discarded cape, draping it easily around himself in one practiced motion. "Was it worth the 300?"
Cid rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, getting up. "Welp, tea's finished, saw a wing, lost some money, I'm gonna call it a day," the gruff pilot announced. "I'll see y'all later."
With that, he bypassed the scarred Leon and stepped through the door.
Yuffie tipped her head and suggested, quite out of the blue, "why don't you go shopping with Leon, Cloud?" Turning towards Squall, the ninja added, "you wanted to talk to him anyway, right?" Leon nodded slowly.
"Though shopping isn't my favorite activity."
Aerith smiled lightly and winked. "Maybe not, but you are a good dresser."
"…whatever."
The ninja giggled. "Me-ow, she's right, sexy man." Leon narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, very obviously irritated.
Cloud scooped up his newly-acquired munny and scratched his head, dropping the coins into a pocket.
"Uh… if you want to go with me… I'm ready, I guess." His eyes darted from the flower girl to Yuffie as he asked, trying to keep the plea from his voice, "you guys want to come with us?"
Aerith shook her head and gestured behind her. "No thank you, I have some other errands to do around town," she replied, smiling.
The Wutaian also declined. "Nah, I wanna bug Cid still, I think. You guys have fun, though," she added with a wink.
Cloud looked at the brunette and shrugged. "I think she's mocking us."
"…whatever."
The two warriors walked out of the house, weapons in hand, and heroically ventured off to perform the daunting, arduous task of clothes shopping for Cloud.
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A/N: Revised 5/10/04, added a little over 2000 words… fwee. God, Seph's half is really long… 14 pages and a bit over 6500 words… yeesh.
BTW, I feel pretty stupid now. I forgot to mention last chapter that I completely forgot what the sword Riku was using during the meeting in Traverse Town, so I had to make it up during the fight with Seph. ::blushes:: Whoops.