Behind Shinra's Doors
Chapter 1: Sweat and Sex
Zack tightened his grip on Cloud's back ever more, causing his nails to dig into the blonde's skin almost at the point of drawing blood. His name came in echoes of repeated moans from the 19 year old, matching perfectly intoned with his heated thrusts in and out of Zack. He watched his best friend below him in awe at how beautiful Zack looked in pure rapture. Eyes closed and his head lashed back over the pillow moaning his name. All of it causing Cloud to push deeper inside so he can see how far to push him.
Now the pain on his back began to show and Cloud hissed his pain out but he didn't want Zack to stop. The deeper he went into Zack the deeper Zack's nails went into Cloud. This time Cloud's movements were fluid; slow and nonstop almost dance-like and causing Zack to relish in it underneath him for the morning. Soon enough, energy began to drain from Cloud's eyes making him to close them and it soon spread all over his body ending below his hips. He poured himself into Zack excessively and the rocking of the bed ceased to leave the large bedrooms of many beds quiet with just their gasps of breath.
Cloud stilled himself over Zack until the strength in his arms gave out and then rolled to the other side of Zack after he pulled out. All the other boys of the camp were long gone to the first phase of training while only two were left behind to indulge in each other.
Cloud reached over to Zack's drawer and found a pack of cigarettes which weren't his because Zack didn't believe in smoking. They were only there on the account of Cloud. It was hard to enjoy the stick of nicotine because breath left him from his present exercise. Meanwhile, Zack stared at the white ceiling then over to Cloud who was puffing away. He reached over and raked his fingers through the blonde's hair and saw droplets of sweat along the side of his face. Zack motioned over and generously licked the salty sweat turning Cloud on enough to give him a sloppy kiss.
Both youths were worn beyond belief and wondered how they were going to have energy to get through training. Cloud was the first to speak.
"Are you nervous of the General's Chosen are going to be posted up today?"
"Naw! I know I'll make it." Zack turned to look at Cloud. "You'll make it too," Cloud chuckled at his comment. "No, I'm serious, you're better then you think."
"I never met or seen this General so I really didn't give my best on the test. But now that I think of it, I wish I did." Cloud took another puff from the stick before flicking off the ashes.
"Well then let's not talk about it. It won't be posted until near lunch break. Get this: my mother wrote to me asking how training and all was. Then she began on wondering how she doesn't really understand it all and asked how it all is summed up."
Cloud smiled at Zack's kind and oblivious mother. "Sex and Sweat." He simply answered and Zack laughed heartily at the comment.
"Pretty ironic for such a machine like place." Zack mused.
"You'd be surprised what happens behind Shinra's doors." Cloud smiled to himself.
Chapter 2: Tall and Grandeur
As the last of their orgasms were spent the two SIOLDERS quickly left their bunk base for the fields where luckily the rest of the group were having a break.
"Where the fuck were you guys?" Liam called as he saw his two friends running together out of the base.
"Probably fucking each other." Was the low and sultry voice of Cameron from behind. Neither Cloud nor Zack were offended by Cameron's rudeness.
"Awww, jealous are we Cameron?" Zack walked over to the dirty blonde boy. Cameron replied with the same playfulness.
"Always is." He was leaning on a practice sword and squinting his eyes from the beginning sun.
"What's up with our lemon drop?" Liam nudge to Cloud who was quiet this morning.
"Nervous of the listings. Says he won't make it." Zack replied. Liam and Zack laughed save but Cameron.
"Don't worry Cloud, I don't think I'll make it either." Cameron's suave pose was later interrupted by Liam's arms.
"Nooo," he hugged his already cranky friend. "You're going to make the list with us and we'll all be in SOLIDER together and grow up together and marry together,"
"And if we're bored: sleep together." Cameron added.
"And sleep together. But I don't know about you Cameron, heard you're pretty lame in the sake." All burst out laughing except Cameron who was trying to prove that wasn't true. Liam kissed his friend on the head and squeezed him even more.
Their gathering was cut off short by the shrilling sound of their leader's whistle.
"FALL IN!" His associates echoed the command until every one of his students was lined up in perfect rows. As always the boys were lined together with Cloud at the end. He was staring down at the patch of grass and noticing how green it was on such a beautiful morning while all the rest were in awe of the striding sovereign crossing the ranks.
As all were in amazement of their conquering hero walking among them Cloud was oblivious that a general noticed him out of the throng. Cameron bumped Cloud's shoulder twice with the third time actually waking Cloud up from daydreaming.
'What!' Cloud mouthed using the fullness of his mouth but Cameron couldn't tell him. The general was walking away and already disappearing behind the base camps when Cloud was wondering what he was doing wrong. When the command leader gave permission to ease his group's tensions he walked over to Cloud.
"MR. STRIFE!" he bellowed.
"Yes, Sir!" Cloud shot up straighter for his commander.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO JUST NOTICED YOUR DAMN BLONDENESS!" The commander always lashed at you with some physical flaw and for Cloud who had no ugly qualities what so ever it was his so called 'blondness' that the commander picked out on, as if it were the root of all dumbness.
"No, sir." Cloud was really at a loss and was slapped in the back of the head for it.
"THAT WAS THE GENERAL YOU DUMBASS AND YOUR CHANCES OF MAKING HIS CUT ARE NOW PERMENITLY CUT OUT OF EXSITANCE!" The commander said no more and left Cloud in the lowest of shame.
"Don't listen to that jackass! He's just jealous of your great hair, everybody knows it!" Liam's belief that the commander had a sick obsession with hair was regularly stated.
Cloud held back his tears every time he was called down with such vigor and nodded to his friends. The group noticed a different activity was going on as all of their peers began racing to the main building where the mess room was located.
"Fight?" Cameron wondered.
"No, I bet it's the list! Come on!" Zack began towards the mess hall and noticed Cameron's and Cloud's laziness. "Come on boys," he said with a gay British accent. "Cheerio!" Liam was the only one who jogged next to Zack as gaily as he did while the other two walked arm in arm to their meet their fate.
By the time they arrived at the mess hall already, swarms of boys pushed each other to see the small sheet of paper and coming out either booing or shouting in triumph. Zack came out dancing towards Cloud.
"I made ittttt." He sang as he snatched Cloud from Cameron in a tango. "I mmmaaaddde iiiittt." Cloud laughed along with Zack's cheesy accent. "And spin, stop,"
Cloud slipped out of his hands and tripped over his feet. Zack looked around embarrassingly before a hand appeared from below. Zack helped him up quickly and both scattered out of public sight.
"Where's Liam?" Cameron asked after watching the worst Broadway act for the day.
"WHO'S YOUR MAMA? WHO'S YOUR MAMA?" A voice from afar cried out.
"Oh, speak of the devil." Cameron added unemotionally with hands in pockets. Liam jumped out of the throng crushing a little boney guy to the ground.
"Cloud you made it!" Cloud's frown lifted immediately by the mentioning of his name.
"Really?"
"Yah, check it out face fuck!" Liam said.
"What about me?" Cameron's question squandered all happiness from Zack and Liam's appearance. Cloud could read their faces and so did Cameron. The dirty blonde youth chuckled quickly.
"Hey!" He slapped his hands at his sides. "Not everybody is cut out for this work." A smile played across his face but tears began filling his eyes. Cloud embraced him whispering promises how he would stay for Cameron.
"Now, Cloud go! Don't let me slow you guys down!" All the others joined in on hugging Cameron. "Now! Don't all start hugging; you're going to make me cry…Damit!" His tears came down harder. "You're making me cry!" His voice was on the brink of sobs.
"Fuck Face!" Liam wiped his eyes. "You're getting me started!"
"Me toooo!" Zack did the same.
"Let's get something to eat." Cloud commanded. "We'll have a celebration at the bunk tonight in Cameron's honor."
"Honor for what?" Cameron asked.
"For getting me to cry!" Cloud turned away quickly to hide his tears. All four friends walked arm in arm down the hallway, shoving those in their path. Of course it was rude but together the boys created a pack that was feared in the SOLIDER camp.
Cloud began whispering in Liam's ear of what they should do for Cameron's party until the other hand on his opposite side left him. He turned around to see Zack slipping his arm back around him but didn't see why. Cloud glanced over his shoulder and there he saw a tall man with pure silver long hair flowing after him.
The man must have noticed Cloud's eyes were on him because he turned around to see him to. It was only seconds but seemed much long that their stare had lasted. Brilliant green eyes peered through a sharply crafted face meeting Cloud's oceanic blue ones. Eventually the tall man, carrying some form of grandeur stature about him, soon passed into another hallway leaving Cloud in question of his name.
"Dude, who was that?" Cloud asked Zack.
"Ah, Dude? That was General Sephiroth." Zack answered back. Cloud did a double-take at his friend.
"That was the General!"
Chapter 3: A Succulent Lunch
So that was the famous General! Cloud thought. He looked back down the hall to find it empty and absent of the towering silver haired man. Cloud stopped walking with his friends which caused their chain to unlink.
"Hey, Cloud what's up?" Liam asked but it seemed Cloud didn't hear him.
"ANNOUNCEMENT! WILL SOILDER STRIFE COME INTO THE MAIN OFFICE ON FLOOR 66." The lady on the intercom spoke the exact message again as an echo. Cloud bit his lip after hearing the announcement.
"Well, you guys heard her. I gotta go!" Cloud began his way the opposite direction toward the elevators.
"Cloud! You're called every week. Why?" Zack asked as he watched his friend down the hall. All he received back was a shrug from Cloud. The trio pressed on without the worry of their friend, while Cloud waited for the elevator. As the silver doors automatically closed behind him, it gave him a couple of minuets to yawn.
The elevator opened him up to floor 66; the highest floor in the corporate building of Shinra. The same one where the most powerful of the company spend their days. One wouldn't imagine a recruit for SOIDER to even step foot on the heavenly carpet but in fact, Cloud actually knew where was where after having been here for so many lunches and a couple of dinners.
He walked straight out of the elevator and continued on until he came upon a high ceiling room with only a bench and a secretary typing furiously her computer.
"Ms. Rose?" Cloud greeted with a sly grin. The plump little lady shifted uneasily under Cloud's eye.
"Mr. Strife." She greeted back. "You can show yourself in as always." She peeped from under her large framed glasses. Cloud nodded and entered through the thick oak doors. What he entered was a large office about the size of a grand living room complete with a wide view of Migar.
A group of men and some scientists were huddled together around a large desk and looked up to see Cloud standing before them. All of them were puzzled at the SOLIDER standing there until the man sitting down at the desk called out from the group.
"Ah! Please, if you'd mind I have another appointment to attend to, so we must continue this again at the same time tomorrow." The plump old man sat back in his chair not giving his attention to anyone else but the beautiful youth across the room. The other executives looked at each other before exiting the room quietly and quickly as they could. Cloud made sure the door was locked behind them.
"Mr. President." Cloud greeted dropping his voice to a low seductive hush. President Shinra lifted from his spinning chair and straighten the folds of his tie. The two were face to face with each other. The old man greased Cloud's delicate face with his own rough hand before streaming his fingers through his sunshine colored hair. He pulled Cloud closer and closer to him until their lips merged together, meeting with an explosion of hushed moans.
The elder man roughly plunged his tongue down Cloud's throat while his greedy hands searched roughly for the boy's zipper. Once Cloud felt his pants began to be unzipped he was shoved by the president to the desk where he sat, waiting for the old man to unzip his own.
Shinra must have been waiting for this all day because Cloud saw his pulsing length prepared in all. His legs were pried apart and Cloud closed his eyes, beginning to imagine being anywhere but here. The youth let out a short cry, not caring if others would hear outside, with Shinra already pumping in and out furiously. Cloud felt the president dig his teeth on his collar bone sucking the blood to the surface of his skin. The feeling the old man tried hard to rise out of Cloud was pure dramatics, meaning the SOLIDER had to keep a routine count of when to moan and pretend the old man was doing a good job.
Cloud closed his eyes again trying hard to imagine who was between his legs other then this pig of a man. Instead of a beefy built of a person stood a slim and stout youth with creamy skin of silk. It was his hands that Cloud felt run up his thighs and grip his ass causing him to push harder into him. It was his tongue that ran along his neck then to meet his lips. It was his fiery hair that Cloud ran his fingers through. Before he knew it, the pleasure he began to feel halted to a stop as he felt President Shinra drain away into him.
For a while Cloud had to endure the old man's heavy weight on top of him before the elder found strength in his legs. When he got off of him Cloud zipped up his pants again as the other man did the same without a word spoken between them. The youth jumped off the desk, not caring the scattered papers he and the president disarranged on the wooden surface. He fixed his hair while the president spoke.
"I've heard that you've made the cut for the General's elite group."
"Yes Sir." Cloud answered with the most civility.
"This is why I've arranged your accommodations to more of an upper standard then the kind you're use to." Shire eyed his succulent treat while reaching for one of his fat cigars.
Cloud shot up from doing his belt, surprised and shocked. "That's very kind of you sir!"
"Nothing more then a payment." Shinra slurred making Cloud blush a little. The SOLIDER nodded his head in a bow before walking out of the office, feeling the president's eyes on him the entire time. Once he finally closed the door did he feel the release of their gaze. Now in their place were Ms. Rose's skeptic glances but Cloud thought them amusing then worrisome. He winked over to the mousy lady making her jump right back to the computer to hide behind. Cloud laughed to himself and held in it until he reached the elevator.
Cloud glanced at the clock squished in the corner of the elevator. I think I still have time to meet one more person. He thought to himself causing his flawless completion to match that of a dipping sun's.
Chapter 4: The Lover
Instead of pressing the button for floor 3, where the mess hall for the SOLIDERS were; he pressed floor 47. During the time he had to drop down to floor 47, Cloud felt along his neck and collar bone. It wasn't long before he felt a raw spot bruising his skin that was left from the president. Cloud cursed himself silently for allowing that man getting away with marking him.
To hide its presence he pulled the collar of his jacket to conceal the mark of passion from jealous eyes. Soon enough the elevator dipped to a stop and opened her doors into Turk Territory, or originally named floor 47. Level 47 was occupied by Shinra's group of body guards or an elite team that deals with all the dirty work of the company. This is where you begin to see the darker side of Shinra even though its make-up passed by as another floor in a building.
Cloud made a sharp right after he got out of the elevator, with large ceiling high windows behind him. This floor was a little familiar to Cloud but not enough to feel comfortable walking alone in it. He was a bit worried that only his footsteps echoed the halls and not even the humming of computers occupied the floor. The SOILDER was passing the first door on his left: a Janitor's Closet. He almost passed by the closed door before an arm elongated out of the dark room and seized Cloud from behind.
The blonde youth was caught off guard by his capture and tried to pull away from the restraint until he understood who his captor was. The door locked behind them and the person shoved Cloud to the wall, merging his lips with Cloud's own. However the entrance, Cloud allowed those rose bud lips pierce his own without resistance. Both locked their arms around each other as if the other would crumble below without their strength. Until breath came in short supply the two were able to tear each other away.
"Missed you." Reno whispered heavily as he pressed himself close to Cloud. Cloud felt Reno's heart beat race rapidly through his own and wondered if his lover could feel the same.
"Missed you more." Cloud answered with the same out of breath beat as Reno's. A pause of stares broke between the two. Cloud thanked fate so much for giving him such a beauty as his own. Such a period was soon broken with another heated kiss that led to Cloud stripping off Reno's shirt.
With much haste, Reno helped Cloud unbutton his thin white shirt releasing his to Cloud. Cloud lunged to worship Reno's naked skin but was stopped when Reno began tearing away Cloud's own jacket and shirt. Now both articles of clothing fell on the floor as the two young men clashed again in passion. Cloud's nipples grew hard as he felt Reno's own brush against his. He felt that just kissing Reno's mouth couldn't sum his gratefulness in being with him.
His christened a tender kiss on Reno's lips, then above his closed eyes before he ended it on his cheek. From his cheek Cloud traced a line with his tongue across Reno's jaw to his neck where he lavished the tender neck. Cloud's kisses were soft and slow; something that he knew drove Reno to the brink of insanity for anticipation. The TURK'S breathing grew more ragged as his length behind his pant stretched.
With nimble fingers Reno unzipped Cloud's pants in haste and slid them off. Cloud stepped out of the pool of clothing to undo Reno's own while their mouths still clung to each other. Both youths were bare now and ripen for the other to take which neither wanted to delay in indulging.
Reno pinned Cloud to the wall and lifted one taunt thigh to wrap around him. Cloud was in a frenzy to wait for Reno. He closed his oceanic eyes from the heavens, waiting for the moment. Reno slaved over Cloud's neck after he drove into Cloud. The SOLIDER moaned aloud as Reno came in and tightened his hold of his love. Slowly and almost torturous Reno glided in and out of Cloud until he felt a tug from his deity the wanting for more.
Then Reno sinks drastically into Cloud's form. Not even the hold of Reno's fiery hair could sustain as another release for Cloud's rapture. One of his hands left Reno and pushed off from the wall. To hold in voluminous moans Cloud pushed off from the wall while Reno's grips of Cloud's ass strengthen to hold in his own. Both were arriving to their climax when they began gasping in for air.
Reno's emerald eyes lost their strength to open and as did Cloud's. Once both well knew the downhill was coming Reno began pumping furiously into Cloud. Each thrust brought Cloud closer to the edge until he felt Reno drain away inside of him. It wasn't long till Cloud's own liquid poured out.
Now Reno and Cloud stood frozen in place as their heart beats crashed out of their rib cage. Cloud kissed atop Reno's head in praise as Reno dipped his tired head on Cloud's shoulder. Their roomful of gasps was interrupted by a shirking cell phone. It rang to its own.
"You should answer that." Cloud was able to whisper.
"Not yet." Reno shook his head. It rang again. Cloud nudged Reno away a bit.
"Answer it." This was a command. Reno groaned and released his prize to search for his phone on the floor.
"What!" Reno answered.
"Don't say what to me! Where the hell are you?" Only one manager had that much of a leash on his employees.
"I'm on my brake!" Reno whined. "Where the fuck do you think I'd be!" The little voice from the phone began a rage of unreadable words that Cloud couldn't pick up on. Reno received a headache from its babbling and hung up on the talker.
"You shouldn't do that to Rufus. I mean he is your boss." Cloud worried.
"Aw, he's a sucker," Reno stroked Cloud's hair. "Just give him a good excuse and he'll let you off. But now he's really starting to get annoying!"
"Why?"
"I can't go anywhere now without the worry that I'll received another phone call like that."
"Oh," Cloud replied. "Do I have to kick his ass for scamming on my love?" Reno scoffed and began getting his clothes. "No, seriously. I think he just wants your company to stare at you. I mean who wouldn't."
"Rufus doesn't find me attractive, he's my boss." Reno claimed as he belted his buckle. Cloud began dressing himself.
"Now that's bullshit. Finding you not attractive." Cloud chuckled.
"Speaking of jealousy, I see that President still has his way with you." Reno brushed his fingers along Cloud's collar bone. Cloud reached for it in disbelief.
"Reno, I promise I won't—'' He was cut off with a hush from Reno.
"I understand. Nothing is true between you and him and after all he is the president." Reno began tying his shoes.
"But you have a right to tell me 'no' Reno." Cloud addressed it softly, he knelt down to Reno. "I am yours and it's not right to do this."
"Cloud forget about it! Trust me, I am very jealous of it but what can you do?" Reno opened the door. "Here's your shirt." He handed it to Cloud and the SOILDER slid it on. Again it seemed the floor was abandoned with only but ghosts. Once Cloud had his jacket on he tenderly kissed Reno.
"Your eyes are really changing." Reno pointed out with a glide of his hand.
"Well that's what you get with the injections." Cloud answered with a blush.
"Their coming out good I can tell you. Really matches well with your face."
"Thanks," Cloud answered with a smile. "When will I see you again?" A worry clothed Cloud.
"A lot now that you're on the General's Team. You're stationed only a floor above mine and I now know you're guys' schedule. Looks pretty hard." Reno said.
"You know I like it hard." Cloud joked.
"Don't you do." Reno smiled. With a passionate kiss the two parted with one walking deeper into the silent floor and the other into the elevator. Now Cloud pressed for level 3, leaving 47 Heaven for another time.
Chapter 5: The Preparation
Cloud came back a little late from his closet scene with Reno. Five minuets into practice he was exhausted beyond relief. If I would have known I was going to be able to see Reno today I would have not added in Zack. When their day ended with a daily four mile run Cloud collapsed literally by Liam's feet. It was a bit pathetic on his part when his friends, who were only a little winded out, stopped and talked and saw their blonde friend jog towards them and drop onto the sandy floor.
"Damn it Liam! I told you that you should switch to a different deodorant!" Cameron joked.
Most of the group dragged their feet to the camp's base except for those that were picked by the General. The excluded lined up awaiting for their commander's calls.
"All of you will be lead by either the General or his second in command, MARSHAL. You won't be bunking with the others in the camp's base but in the main building on floor 48." A buzz of conversation emerged and their commander tried to talk over them.
"AND JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE CHOSEN FOR THIS TEAM DOSEN'T MEAN YOU DON'T LISTEN TO ME! SO SHUT-UP YOU DUMBASSES!" His last comment was heard with a silence.
"As I was saying, the entire floor is for your lodging and each has a room to themselves, a public bathing room, and a lobby—isn't that nice!" The commander added sarcastically with his listeners beaming back at him. "So come and get your room numbers and lights are out by 10 as always!"
As the trio waiting for their names to be called, Zack, Liam and Cloud gathered in conversation for their party.
"We can raid the kitchen since we're in the same building. Their bound to have alcohol for the rich guys." Zack planned.
"Party at my place!" Liam cried out and was answered with a cheer of shouts. "That sounds cool: my place! Myyyyyy crib. Myyyyy office! Myyyy loooove nes—''
"Okay! We get it!" Cloud shouted and shook his head at Liam.
"You're just jealous that I'm going to do my winning-happy-booty-dance!" Liam said in a 'matter-of-fact' manner.
"OH GODS! Not the winning-happy-booty-dance!" Both Cloud and Zack groaned but Liam began popping.
"NO!" Zack shoved Liam off balance.
"You're just angry that you don't have dance." Liam called out.
"Liam," Cloud began, wrapping his arm around Liam's neck. "That type of dance is strictly for those with booty. And…you're not one of those types."
'Sorry.' Zack mouthed. Liam looked at his friends in shock.
"Gosh!" he shook off Cloud's arm. "Crash my hopes and dreams why don't yah!" The three came out in a laugh.
"Oh!" Cloud remembered. "We need to invite Cameron! He's the star of the party!"
"Oh yah!" Zack agreed. "You!" he called out to a random boy. "Tell Cameron there is a party on level 48 in Liam's room." The boy didn't go away. "And you're invited also." The boy ran off to meet Cameron.
"Bet you he's going to tell everyone about it and everyone will come." Liam said worried.
"Yah," Cloud agreed. "And they're all coming to your place!" Cloud mocked.
"Shut-up!" Liam punched Cloud in the arm.
Cloud continued laughing gaily until he stopped suddenly reaching his arm. "Ow?"
The lights were out in the kitchens giving off an errie-slasher movie-mood to the young men.
"I never thought finding beer was so scary." Zack whispered with Cloud nodding next to him. Cloud was holding the flashlight until two fingers poked his sides causing him to jolt up.
"LIAM!" Cloud shouted but then hushed with Zack's hand.
"Sorry Cloud." Liam said with a retard accent as you might say.
"Here's their wine cabinet!" Zack pointed to the tall wooden closet in the corner.
"Oh wine! Sounds rich!" Cloud added. He opened the wooded doors that shrilled a squeak in the room. All froze in place to listen if anyone heard.
"Sorry." Cloud broke the silence. He dug his head in the deep cabinet and began reading the labels and dates of the wine.
"Cabaret, Rene, Marigget? And actually that's one bottle name!" He called out from the coffin of wine.
"Just pluck the best ones! The guys are waiting back at the rooms." Zack and Liam stood watch around them with Cloud still having the flashlight.
Cloud continued calling out dates and names, handing to Liam the best ones. Soon Cloud found one bottle made in 2005 and handed it to Liam who wasn't there to receive it. "Liam?" He called but none answered. He stood up straight to find his friends standing in shock and not looking at him but behind him. Now Cloud sensed someone was there.
He slowly turned around to meet electric green eyes. The same ones that captivated him this morning. Sephiroth stared him down but Cloud didn't hesitate to lower his eyes. He noticed the bottle of wine in the youth's hand and inside he smiled but kept a hard face for the boys.
Without a word he walked past Cloud and the others and out of the kitchen. As his footsteps ceased from their trained ears Cloud spun around to yell at his friends.
"What the fuck happened to 'communication'!" Cloud strained. Only giggles came from his friends. The trio left the kitchen carrying three bottles of wine and found three six packs of beer in the chef's personal cupboard.
"How long was he standing there?" Cloud asked.
"When you were up to Barceló." Zack chuckled. "It was so funny. He saw us first and we just froze then he saw your ass sticking out of the cupboard and I think you scared him a bit!" Liam joined in the laughter except Cloud who could only smirk at his friends.
They were on their way to the elevator up to floor 48.
"Was he checking out my ass?" Cloud asked with a bit of curiosity.
Liam sucked his teeth. "No! Why?" Cloud shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't mind if he did." Cloud joked with his friends gasping in disbelief.
"Cloud you're so bad." Zack added with a laugh.
That won't be the last time Sephiroth walks in the wrong time! I hope you like where this is going. I'm thinking if I should write the party scene or just go on to the main event. What do you think? REVIEW!
Chapter 6: The Party Animals
Liam's prediction was correct. Everybody did come to celebrate those that were picked and those that weren't. Alcohol ran through the party's blood like a disease, leaving the Wine God to close everyone's third eye and giggle in the corner. All except for Cloud, who was barely able to stand long after having fucked three suitors and not long ran four miles. His legs and body ached to lie on his now new bed but the plea of his stay by Cameron brought him to linger a while longer.
Some brought cards over to play poker using what was left of their money from their family and others managed to bring some girls from the public offices. Not much talking was well heard in that area and especially Liam took pleasure in it all. Of course many young ladies all had their eyes on the smoldering blonde SOLIDER but then again, he was wiped out from past suitors.
Cloud and Cameron were in the lobby alone, trying to get away from the loud noise of the party. To be on the safe side, not a lamp was lighted to draw attention to floor 48 except Liam's room.
"Like your new room?" Cameron asked as he played with the straw in his drink. During the party Cameron hadn't finished his first drink, the same one he's been playing with the entire last hour.
"It's much better then the bunks but, I doubt it will have the same coziness." Cloud tried hard to not even hint that he was beyond limits thankful that he was chosen.
"Oh yah," Cameron laughed. "Memories. It's strange how much a person can go through with just a memory. How much dangers you can face by knowing what you had done that's worth remembering." He looked up at Cloud. "Now that this happened, I believed that the four of us will soon be a memory."
Cloud tensed in eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Cameron went back to his straw and leaned further back in the plush dark purple couch. "Nothing…Do you have any memories to look back into? I've noticed you've never talked about your family, or write to them, or even visit them."
Cloud's relax position towards Cameron didn't tense but his silence presented an emotional strain. "I have family if that's what you mean. But there is nothing to talk about, my father, mother, friends. As you said: they're memories, a time machine to take you back." Cloud got up from the couch and dug his hands in his pockets which seemed to have grown cold instantly.
"Anyway," he walked over to view over the streets of Migar. "Who would want to go back in the past when the present is so much fun?" He smiled over to Cameron, but only gave him an unsure smile. "Let's go back to the party," Cloud rushed over to pick Cameron up. "I've heard Liam was losing in strip poker!"
"Don't you think we should be running away instead of running back?" Cameron joked. As the two entered the lofty room all were gathered near the bathroom door of Liam's room.
"Hey Cloud! Liam's about to come out of the closet!" Zack yelled from the bed, accompanied by others who were snuggling close to him.
"What do you mean?" Cloud asked.
"I knew that bastard was gay!" Cameron peeped with an unexpected perk.
"No, he's doing a bet." Zack corrected. "He's supposed to come out exactly at 10:47. Only two more minuets." Cloud and Cameron were laughing along with the crowed, just as excited what the hell Liam was about to do. Yet again after Cloud took a sip from his water all halted to a silent gasp.
It seemed all were looked at him in the room and for a second he wondered was he wearing any clothes. He never knew why he wondered about that, but the SOLIDER noticed a familiar presence behind him. Slowly the blonde turned around, facing again, the sumptuousness form of the General.
Cloud felt like dropping his jaw and tearing his eyes away from the green ones that stared back. But the youth stood tall, as if in rebelliousness against the commander.
"Tequila Banana is here!" Liam erupted out of the bathroom door dressed in a sarong and a coca-nut bikini top, toped off with a fruit headdress and scary bold make-up smeared all over his face.
When he noticed all were not looking at him but the General he dropped his hands and slowly tried to cover himself. Inside the General felt a little awkward in standing in the same room with this drag queen, almost scared.
"This party is over," he announced quietly which added to his chilling presence. "Tonight was an exception but from now on, lights out by 10" he left the room leaving his underlings to breath. No one spoke for the next three minuets until one brave soul reached out from the sea of uttering fear.
"Did it suddenly get cold in here?"
I've decided to add the party chapter in here, because not only did the story need some more lighter themes but also Sephiroth needed to be seen more, the new Cameron had to begin to come out, Cloud's weaknesses of his family which will be fully shown in the next chapter, and Liam coming out singing in a Columbian-influenced banana commercial costume. I mean come on, this chapter is vital in the story! LOL Anyway I hope you're enjoying this so far. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!
Chapter 7: Nightmares
Night. Probably the most precious times in a SOILDER'S days. It was the bridge that would get them from yesterday to tomorrow, present to future, questions to answers. Or just a period when you can actually not move without being yelled at. However, this group of soldiers was accustomed to a disappointment to this idea of the night.
Every young man slept peacefully in his bed, tangled up in his sheets alone or with another to occupy him through the night. This was the hour when not even the breath of a living form could be heard, pure silence that seemed as if the world has stopped for a brief moment. All broken by the shrilling scream of one.
Zack was the closest to the shriek and jumped from its tone. He knew where the sound came from and bolted out of bed to Cloud's room. Many other boys were already out in the hall with him but none dared to look into the room the sound was coming from. Zack pushed in way in through the door to find Cloud tearing his sheets while he wailed bloody murder. The 19 year old rushed to claim Cloud's thrashing arms without being hit himself.
"CLOUD!" Zack yelled but it had to be repeated four more times for the blonde to settle down and open his blue eyes. His body was glossed in sweat and soon accompanied with the droplets of his tears. Cloud threw his arms around Zack, mumbling words into his chest that were muffled. Zack rocked him to a softer state.
"Fuck! Zack tell your pussy-assed friend to get a shrink for these childish nightmares!" One voice from a crowd of many was agreed with other voices that supported the protester.
"Yah! Isn't he too old for nightmares!"
"FUCK YOU RONNEY!" Zack yelled at the smart-ass but soon stopped when he was the first to see Sephiroth. All others saw him last and parted a path into the room. As if his aura brought the dead none spoke a word or breathed to loudly, all except Cloud who continued to whimper into Zack's torso. Sephiroth looked down at the trembling blonde and for a second his green eyes soften at the sight of him.
"What happened?" His emotionless voice echoed the silent room.
"Cloud had a nightmare sir." Zack said simply.
"I heard a nightmare from the 49th floor." Sephiroth seemed a bit more amazed in horror then concerned. Zack nodded his head 'yes' to his commander. Those that poked their faces in the room thought this was a chance for their benefit.
"Sir, this isn't the first time Cloud has had them."
"He's been screaming like this since the beginning!" another whined.
"This is the fourth one this week and we'll never get the sleep we need with him screaming like this." This was the point that caused a ripple of 'yah' through the crowd.
As a commander who wants discipline and a sense of fairness from his pupils, Sephiroth had only one choice.
"Then he will not reside on the same floor as you are but I will assign him to another room closer where he can be assisted without disturbance."
"Don't take him to a shrink sir! He's not some nut-case, he's just has a hard past!" Zack pleaded for his friend's safety.
"Which is why he will not be taken to a shrink or any doctors of the matter; trust me. He won't be far from you, just a room above you." He looked at the rest of the young boys staring wide-eyed at their leader. "Go back to bed!" he snarled, shooing the jackals away. "You too Liam." Liam, still stained with lipstick dragged his feet back to his room.
"You go to bed also; I'll take Mr. Strife to his room." Zack had a hard time letting go of Cloud but he managed to walk out the door without a pause. The blonde was left alone with the silver haired man and neither spoke. Cloud continued to tremble, not sure on what to do with his hands now that Zack wasn't there to hold on to. Not even Reno, his love, was there to smooth away his ridges. Only an impassive general stood in his room, delivering neither comfort of warmth from his icy stare.
If Cloud could recall the moment from now, he would say an eternity passed that matched how long Sephiroth looked at him and didn't move. Cloud couldn't bring himself to view his mentor in this condition. It wasn't in embarrassment but shock in to how real his nightmare seemed. The silence became a comfort to him until Sephirtoh broke it with the motioning to his dresser.
He pulled out his clothes and threw them next to Cloud before checking for any other possessions of his. "Is this all?" he asked. Cloud didn't answer and the general strode to him and lifted his chin towards his face abruptly. "Is this all?" he said even slower. Cloud nodded 'yes'; now aware of what's happening now. "Follow." Sephiroth walked out the door leaving Cloud to fend for his own clothes and catch up.
He was at the elevator when Cloud ran by his side. "Where am I going?" Cloud asked.
"Your new room is on floor 49. Same as me, so I can deal with your nightmares and not disturb my pupils." Sephiroth kept his eyes on the steel barrier but shifted his eyes to Cloud through a thin veil of silver threads.
"Oh." It puzzled Cloud as to how protective this general was even though it didn't match his tone nor stance. Since when did such a higher power as Sephiroth cared for his SOLIDERS?
That was only part one of Nightmares, expect a part two which Cloud explains to Sephiroth his family. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!
Chapter 8: Nightmares II
Once the doors of the elevator closed behind them an awkward silence stood between the two. Cloud clutched to his clothes and only a couple of letters from his family while Sephiroth stood staring at the doors, making sure his head was tilted downward to let his hair mask his face from Cloud. He continued shifting his eyes towards the trembling SOILDER.
"So what kind of past was Zack talking about?" Sepiroth finally asked. Cloud started from the unexpected question.
"Um…nothing that everyone my age hasn't dealt with." Cloud answered, swerving the true answer from being said.
"Unfortunately I never had any parents so I wouldn't know what you mean by that." It seemed Sephiroth was upset by his distant answer because a chill clung to his voice. The doors opened to a more luxurious floor bearing thick red carpets and finely furnished pieces.
"Is this where you stay?" Cloud asked bewildered by the sight. It reminded him of what a fancy hotel would look like.
"This floor is kept for me. But until you've learned to control your nightmares it will be shared with you." For a brief second Cloud suspected if there were any other intentions in that sentence then caring and protectiveness.
Sephiroth lead Cloud all the way to the end of the hall, away from the open spaced sitting room they came into.
"This is your room." Sephiroth opened the door and didn't bother to let Cloud go in first. The room was much bigger then his former room which he thought was a luxury before this. But now it seemed he was being spoiled. A large bed, a larger dresser that will be holding more space then clothes, along with a decorative mirror, a night stand with a reading lamp—a couple actually, one of each side of the bed! The room carried the same gorgeous red carpet with the walls stained in a wine color. No matter its refined face, the room seemed too dark to Cloud.
Cloud dumped his belongings on the bed and looked around. Even the massive space if offered gave him a lonely air. He looked around, getting use to his new home but seemed even more sadden then before. The SOLIDER glanced at the doorway to find Sephiroth gone and walking away from the room perhaps. He went back to the bed but couldn't let the fact go that Sephiroth left him just like that. Cloud dashed out of the room to catch up with Sephiroth.
"Sir," Sephiroth stopped, surprised of the sudden appearance from Cloud. Cloud seemed a little out of breath not from his very short jog but of the fact that he will be telling his captain, a stranger, something that his friends never had to privilege of knowing. "You wanted to know of my past and I said it wasn't anything special. I lied." Sephiroth could see how much it pained Cloud to tell him this but he stood tall and straight to this scared boy.
"My mother hated the fact that I wanted to go and join SOLIDER, a fight broke between us and I left home three months before I was recruited. I stayed with a friend that took me in. Before that, when my…my father was alive," the tears that welled up in his eyes began to fall. "He…he…" Now the sobs were uncontrollable and Cloud threw himself into Sephiroth's arms.
Sephiroth hesitated to either throw him off as what others would assume he would do, or embrace this child as what he craved to do. Below his chin Cloud pressed his face into his chest, stuttering out his past.
"He beat me long after I bled! And my mother! She could only watch, praying for me to stop screaming so that it may stop my father!" Sephiroth drew one arm around Cloud. "At 14, I was raped by one of his friends…and he knew! He knew and didn't do anything! I screamed 'help' from the room, but he just stood outside the doorway! Taking a fucking smoke!" Sephiroth drew his other arm, pressing Cloud into him. The general leaned his head to rest his cheek on Cloud's head. He sighed at the boy's troubles. How is he able to draw a smile after all that?
"But I got back at him!" Cloud stuttered through Sephiroth's clothing. Sephiroth pulled away from his a bit. "At 15 when I came home he was shouting at me for something. I knew he would begin slapping me and I couldn't bare the wait of it. We were at the top of the stairs. Before he even thought of raising his hand I pushed him down with all my might!" Cloud looked up at Sephiroth. "I killed that bastard! I killed him, and because I liked it so much I wanted to join SOILDER. That was the true reason I joined, and I hate it because that makes me a murderer!" Cloud took in a wheezing breath and backed away.
His normal breathing came back to him and his sobs quieted to a halt. He stared down into the blood red river they both stood on. Sephiroth heard it all without a shed of pity but the embracing of Cloud. Now he wished he could have held on to him longer, to savor the touch and power he had, knowing that he could make all of this stop.
"Am I a bad person?" Sephiroth looked up to find Cloud looking back.
"No." he answered. Cloud nodded his head back down to his feet. With another deep breath Cloud walked back to his room without another word and his closing door echoed the bright lit hallway. Sephiroth stood there, deciding what he should do next. Knowing this secret, this new form of innocence that matched so much to his own growing up tragedy brought him a relief that so one was here he could relate to. He flicked off all the lights and went back to his room, and nothing more stirred in the floor.
Just wanted to get that out of there! Next chapter I am going to introduce the steaming tension brewing between Cloud and Sephiroth. I hope you are liking this so far, and please REVIEW to me so I know that I'm doing an okay job as far as the plot goes. Thanks!
Chapter 9: First Love, First Feel
The blaring alarm clock shattered the heavenly silence of Cloud's room, echoing off the corners of his new walls and awaking him from sleep. He slapped the snooze button for the buzzing to stop and awaken in the sound of his own breath. Sitting up on his bed, it took Cloud a moment to regain his memory and why was he here. Then the notion of his nightmare came back to him, Sephiroth coming to resign him another room in his private floor, and crying into his arms.
Cloud blushed of what he did. I can't believe I cried like a baby in front of him. I don't even have the excuse of being drunk to have acted that way! His raced his fingers through his baby fine hair until the snooze period ended with its shrieking beeping that caused Cloud to jump off his bed fright.
The blonde was thankful for the alarm to have gone off because a moment later would have made him seriously late. The running of his peers' feet outside his door usually woke him up other than his clock, but now that it was just him and the general he didn't have that benefit. It seemed the silent general was long gone when Cloud emerged from his room. The SOILDER didn't know why he felt that but it seemed from instinct that he was the only one in the floor. The notion that only Cloud was on the floor creeped him out so much he quickened his pace to the elevator and never found release of that fear until he heard the beginning of his friend's voices.
Their practicing field was smaller and in another location then his former one with the regular trainees. A metal barrier separated the two fields giving Cloud a sad feeling of isolation from a world that seemed much warmer then this one. His direction of view changed when Liam called out to him from the group of guys huddling together. Cloud jogged his way over to Liam and Zack.
"What happened to you?" Was the first of what Liam said in a heated tone. Zack slapped him for his ignorance. "What?" He rubbed his head with a dense stare upon his eyes.
"Nothing happened," Cloud replied. "Just another bad dream."
"Oh! One of those. Good thing I won't have to wake up from them with you being resigned to a shrink."
"What!" Cloud gasped.
"Ahhhhh! LIAM!" Zack slapped his friend upside the head.
"Ow!" Liam's hand stayed there for protection. Zack didn't say anything for a while but maintained a scornful stare before babbling out his feelings in the fastest manner with a high voice.
"Didn't-I-tell-you-to-keep-it-low-key!" Liam rubbed his head harder mouthing 'sorry' with hurtful eyes.
"It's okay. The general gave me a bigger room then before away from you two." Cloud finally said suavely.
"What?" Both replied. Liam pushed Zack's face that was pressing against his to exaggerate his care of the matter. "A bigger crib!" Cloud wanted to laugh right there but only the rolling of his eyes could do.
"Yah" he said shortly.
"FALL IN!" The command was too familiar to the young men and quickly formed their usual square like formation. Sephiroth stood erect from the grass with arms behind his back and prodding his broad chest outwards prideful. Another young man, the one that called out the commands, strode up and down the front line of men; searching carefully for any flaws within the group.
"NAME IS LIEUTENAT CORGI! I'M YOUR NEW COMMAND LEADER…" He seemed much younger then he sounded as by what looks where pointing towards. His pitch black hair seemed like it was growing out of a short cut with the ends reaching to touch his eyes but only making to his lashes that fluttered brown eyes. He bore a tan skin with fine cheek bones. Cloud noticed from his white t-shirt some ink from a tattoo on his left arm. Early twenties were what he suspected him to be and prime to have a go with Cloud. But the blonde heard a small 'whoa' from Liam.
"What was that?" Cloud asked to his friend who didn't take his eyes off the young lieutenant.
"Nothing!" Liam whined. "I just like his…hair!" Cloud let the matter drop from that but knew of its truth before Liam's hair excuse. The rest of the lesson dragged on with sword techniques. Lt. Corgi didn't waste anytime in ponding all the new basics of what they were going to perfeting all in one day. He walked through the sea of battling parteners and either correct or praise those that caught his eye. Cloud made sure he was with Liam to see how many glances towards the Lt. could make between blows.
Yet no matter how long he was looking at Corgi, Cloud couldn't be able to get passed him with the Double-Side Slash. He was going to try for the seventh time until one hand grabbed his arm. Cloud turned back to see the hand belonged to the silent gerenral who Cloud thought had left a while ago for other buissiness.