Shameless self-promotion: If you like this, then feel free to check out 'My Valentine' and 'The Dance'- MV is a one-shot with the pairing SephCloudSeph, and Dance is also SephCloudSeph. Dance is 11 chapters long, two of which have been posted. Has already been written, and so will be updated regularly!
Date- Part 2 of 3
The next day, Cloud was pleasently surprised when Sephiroth invited him to stay another night. Yuffie was overjoyed, ceratin that she'd have grandchildren soon enough. The entire palace seemed a brighter place, as Sephiroth no longer stalked the corridors angrily after a particularly bad date. Cloud was very well respected, though some gossips told of how Cloud had never allowed anyone to bathe 'her'. Cloud was a woman of mystery, and while she seemed open and honest, you had to realize that you knew almost nothing about her other than her name, age, and hometown. Sure, you knew what foods, scents, colors, and places she liked in the castle, but nothing of her history. Some said that she was a crazy murderess from another country, or that she was escaping persecution for some crime. No one dared say anything negative about her in front of Sephiroth though- they were too afraid of what would happen. Still, rumours continued to spread and warp, speculation running rampant.
It had been a week into Cloud's stay when an accidental meeting began the beginning of the end of his charade.
The Meeting
Cloud had snuck out, wanting to enjoy the full moon from outside his room. He had grown used to living a double life- woman by day, and himself at night. Even though he still didn't enjoy wearing the dresses, he had grown used to them and thought of them only as a camoflauge, allowing him to get close to Sephiroth.
He smiled warmly as he thought of the prince. It would hurt to leave him, sure, but he couldn't stay and let them find him out.
'I'll have to leave soon, before he becomes too attached.' It was heaven and hell here- the one person he had ever loved, even from afar, was returning his love. The problem was Cloud couldn't be allowed to have Sephiroth- the queen wanted grandchildren, and Cloud was incapable of that. He had to leave soon, and without telling anyone so no one could follow him or try to talk him out of it.
'It will be as if I was never here.' Cloud promised himself.
He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't hear light footsteps coming up behind him.
"Who are you?" Cloud jerked his head around in surprise, coming face-to-face with none other than Sephiroth himself, out for a late-night stroll.
"Sephiroth!" the name was out before he could stop himself as he sprang to his feet, trying to control his heart: pounding from fear and excitement at having the one he loved so near.
"I asked who you were." Sephiroth said slowly, not really angry. Cloud swallowed, realizing that he couldn't actually give the man his name.
"I'm... a servant for Lady Cloud." he lied quickly, figuring that lie wouldn't be found out so soon. He glanced down, unable to meet Sephiroth's glowing green eyes.
"Lady Cloud, hmm? I wasn't aware that she was from such a rich family as to allow a servant to be assigned to a single family member."
"Yes." Cloud said, not daring to say anything else. He quickly bowed respectfully and turned to run when Sephiroth's voice stopped him.
"I also wasn't aware that the Strife's were a wealthy family. In fact..." Cloud didn't look behind him, feeling Sephiroth approach. "...I know that that name is not listed among the noble families. Tell me truly who you are."
"I'm sorry!" Cloud said, taking off. He was glad for the muscle in his legs as he propelled himself quickly through the gardens, only allowing himself a single look behind him.
For a second, his eyes caught Sephiroths and then he was gone.
Cloud was nervous the next day, though he tried to cover it up.
He failed miserably. Sephiroth asked a few pointed questions about his family, and about the 'servant' he had met. Cloud tried to lie as convincingly as he could, covering himself and trying to make sure that he wouldn't get killed next time he went out without a dress.
Sephiroth was still suspicious however, though he seemed mainly concerned for 'Lady' Cloud's safety. Cloud talked to him the entire day, convncing Sephiroth that it was fine, probably nothing, harmless. Cloud didn't think that he succeeded, but he was mostly sure that Sephiroth would take no further measures unless he got caught again.
He was wrong.
As soon as Cloud was out of earshot, Sephiroth quietly told Zack to look up any information on Cloud Strife that he could find.
Cloud was hiding something, and now he was determined to figure it out.
Cloud's POV (sort of)
Cloud felt Sephiroth's eyes on his back, studying him.
'Maybe I didn't fool him as well as I would have liked.' He bit his lip nervously. The closer Sephiroth studied him, the more sure Cloud was that the man was able to see all his flaws, and see him for what he actually was, underneath the disguise.
'Tomorrow. I'll leave tomorrow. That'll end it.' Cloud thought, deciding that he was safe for just another day, not knowing that Zack was looking up any information on his name that Zack could find in their network of spies.
That night, Zack had finally found out exactly what he had to know- and he was shocked. Thinking back, it made sense, but-
It still took a while to sink in. He winced, wondering how Sephiroth would react when he found out Cloud's secret.
"What do you have for me, Zack?" Sephiroth asked, walking into the almost forgotten sitting room- it was in a small wing of the palace, and therefore not much visited. Any information Zack gave him would stay here.
"Well, I'll tell you now that you probably won't like it. You'll be shocked, at least." Zack said. Sephiroth motioned for Zack to continue, sure that he could handle it. Zack sucked in a long breath, letting it out in a slow 'whoosh' while he tried to think how it would be best to break the news to Sephiroth.
"Cloud Strife- blonde, blue-eyed, comes from Nibelheim. Age, twenty-one. Was poor until Cloud joined a military program in the kingdom of the Ancients, and went on to become a great bodyguard for Princess Aeris. Extremely strong, and very good with a blade- uses a Buster Sword, believe it or not." Sephiroth looked on dumbly.
"Zack? Are you sure you found the right information?" Sephiroth asked. Zack nodded, reaching into his back pocket.
"I thought I was wrong, but then I found this." He handed a small picture to Sephiroth, who took it and glanced at the contents.
It was a faded newspaper clipping, of some social function. Looking closer, Sephiroth realized that this was from the time that Cloud had become a bodyguard- the picture was clear enough to make out the face perfectly, and if the face wasn't convincing enough...
The caption read : 'Cloud Strife, at age nineteen, now Princess Aeris' personal guard.'
"Dead ringer- a bit too much of a coincidence, don't you think?" Zack said softly. Sephiroth nodded, mind still processing the information. He certainly recognized that face, and not just from Cloud her- no, himself.
'Last night- he was relaxing in the gardens. He passed off some story about being a servant for 'Lady Cloud'.' Sephiroth realized.
"What do we do?" Zack asked. He was well aware that Sephiroth had held deep feelings for Cloud when they had believed her to be a woman, but now-
"We find who put him up to this- I doubt he'd come here on his own." Sephiroth said flatly. Zack winced. He knew that tone- Sephiroth only spoke like that when he was hurt and didn't want to show it.
'Well, having some guy dress up like a girl, steal your heart, and then you find out he's a guy and can't bear you children which your mother so dearly wants... I guess he has a right. Damn, it seems like Cloud was just playing some sort of game...' Zack had watched the blonde, and didn't want to believe it of Cloud, but... why else would Cloud be there, dressing like a woman?
'Unless...' The thought made him pause. '... unless he actually likes Sephiroth.' By the time Zack had finished pondering, Sephiroth was already long gone on his way to the guest chambers.
Sephiroth quietly entered the room, shutting the door slowly behind him. It closed without a sound.
'How could this have happened?' he wondered, making his way across the room to the bed, the figure in it sound asleep. 'Why? How... how can this be true?' Before he knew it, Sephiroth was standing at the edge of the bed. He looked down, only able to see a few gold spikes of hair peeking above the covers. Slowly, as not to disturb the sleeping figure, he peeled back the edge of the covers to reveal the person sleeping soundly beneath.
It was, undoubtabley, Cloud.
Sephiroth just stared. The Cloud he had first met had had long hair, little figure, and had been a pretty good-looking woman. The Cloud before him now had short, spikey hair, a strong, masculine body, and was a beautiful man.
His features were soft, almost feminine, but he was undeniably a male.
Sephiroth let the covers drop, not wanting to believe his eyes- not even wanting to believe his heart when it reacted the same way to the real Cloud as the illusion he had been shown the past week.
'I still love Cloud?' he thought, backing away to the wall. 'He tricked me! He made a fool of me, and he probably did it on some bet, but...' Sephiroth bowed his head, sliding down and staring blankly at the ground. 'Why do I still want him with me?'
Sephiroth sat against the wall, thinking, until sunrise.
Cloud awoke, a bittersweet smile on his face.
'Today's my last day here.' he thought ruefully, wishing that he didn't have to go.
But as they say, if wishes were horses, beggers would ride.
'I have to go, so Sephiroth can meet a real woman who can give him kids. I can't do that.' He sat up and stretched, getting all the kinks out of his back. He didn't even notice the other person in the room until Sephiroth spoke.
"Is this how you get up every morning?" The question was soft, but Cloud froze in fear and shock. He turned to see Sephiroth, who was now standing against the wall and regarding him emotionlessly.
"Se- Sephiroth?" he asked, not bothering to disguise his voice- it was painfully obvious that he had been found out.
'Oh, shit. Please, let this just be a dream...' Cloud pleaded to whatever god would listen to him.
"Cloud Strife: Bodyguard to Princess Aeris. A man, not a woman. I want to know why." Sephiroth said, face and tone revealing nothing. Cloud sighed, turning and looking away from Sephiroth.
"I was hoping... that you'd never find out." Cloud admitted. He closed his eyes tightly, not feeling the light sting as tears threatened. He had just wanted a few days with Sephiroth- but now...
Now Sephiroth would hate him. There was no doubt in Cloud's mind.
"Why did you come here?" Sephiroth asked, a hint of anger entering his tone. Cloud swallowed, finding it difficult to do around the lump in his throat.
"I... I just..." Cloud's voice trailed off pathetically, and try as he might he couldn't seem to find it again. He refused to cry, holding back the wetness that threatened to consume him.
"Who put you up to this?" Sephiroth asked, tone no longer angry. It seemed... broken, as though he was certain that this had been a prank and that whoever did it did so just to torment him.
Cloud turned his head around.
"Put me up to it? W- What do you mean?" he asked, sincerely confused. He was grateful for the confusion- it drove the sorrow away for a moment.
"Who told you to come here? Princess Aeris? A buddy of yours? Did they think it would be funny?" Cloud could only stare in shock as realization dawned- yes, Sephiroth /did/ think that this was one big cruel joke, and he was on the recieving end.
"No... it's not like that-" Cloud began, but Sephiroth didn't seem to hear him.
"Get out." Cloud only gaped in shock as Sephiroth repeated his order, then left the room. "I don't want to see you again." That was all that Sephiroth threw over his shoulder. The door slammed behind the silver-haired man, sounding so much more final than everything had seemed until now.
Cloud could only stare at the door, finding himself hoping that Sephiroth would return. No such luck.
Ten minutes after he had woken up, his world had crashed down around his ears.
Slowly, he felt the hot sting of tears make their way down his face. He didn't care- there was no one to see, no one he had to impress. Mechanically, he packed his things and left, sneaking through the halls to the chocobo stables so he wouldn't meet anyone who might ask unwanted questions.
Cloud hadn't bothered to keep up with his female disguise, and had dressed like his old self again. He carefully and quietly saddled his chocobo and attached his packs, then slung a leg over.
Within fifteen minutes of waking up, Cloud Strife was gone.
A/N: Sorry- I know Seph was probably more than a bit OOC, but gimme a break, okay? I haven't played the whole game (Only just got past Kalm) and have seen Advent Children, but that's about it. (Listens as half the angry people scream out 'Then what business do you have with FanfictioN?' Cringes)
Ah, well, I tried! How many want to hit me for kicking Cloud out and making Seph OOC? Don't worry, we'll get out happy ending when the third and final part of 'Date' comes out next week!