Disclaimer: I own none of these characters.
Warning: Some blood, and minor, (gasp), cursing.
Chapter Two: Repaying the Unknowing
The house was quiet for a long time since Leon had returned. Where he'd gone, he still kept from Yuffie; who had made her place beside Clouds' bed. On her lap rested a large, open medical kit, the contents pushed to the sides as she'd sought out needles and a long coil of coarse black thread. She stretched the thread, the frown unmistakable on her face as she thought over how to use it.
Her thoughts of doctoring were interrupted, though,as Leon stepped into the room, a steaming pink cup held tightly in his hands. He didn't look at Cloud, but moved around the guest bed and over to the small couch where Yuffie sat in a slight daze. He held out the child's cup, raising a brow as he looked down at the girl.
"What?" she piped, looking up at him, the thread still taunt in her fists. She glanced at the cup, then reached out for it. The thread fell forgotten back on the medical kit as Yuffie clasped the warm cup in her hands, blowing on the contents.
Without a word, Leon's gaze settled over the sleeping form on the bed. For a moment, had Yuffie been looking, the small sad expression the brunette let slip would have been seen. However, as the girl was sipping the hot drink, she failed to notice. They remained in a silence that was neither favored nor uncomfortable; it simply wreaked of the task to come.
His hand dipped down before her, reaching into the kit and pulling up the coil and the needles. He remained standing as he chose a middle-sized needle from the small gray packet and attempted to thread it. The stiff black thread moved easily through the eye, and Leon tugged it through until he was satisfied with the excess length. He let the needle fall, the thread sliding over his fingers until he gripped it.
The small piece of metal dangled helplessly, swinging slightly as Leon made his way to the bed.
"Why can't we just take him to the hospital, Squall?" Yuffie remained on the small couch, the cup half empty, her eyes narrowed on the floor. "Wouldn't it be safer…"
There was a pause before Leon pulled back the covers, stepping aside to let the girl see. The bandage hadn't held for long around Clouds' stomach, blood had stained the comforter and had seeped through the bandage so much that it was dripping onto the white sheets underneath.
"He won't make it," said Leon as he slid a small knife from the bedside table. He slit the bandage, tugging the scraps he cut off and dropping them on the ruined blanket. "If we do this now, he'll have a better chance."
Yuffie made a small sound, but set her cup down, rummaging through the kit again and pulling out gauze and medical tape. She moved to the bed, watching as Leon removed the bandage and revealed the long gash that trailed across Clouds' once-perfect stomach. The gash was slanted, cutting across his navel, going from just below his ribs on his left to meet the near centre of his hip on the right.
"Made by someone who didn't know how to use a blade," muttered Leon as he stole a short length of the gauze to wipe around the wound. He tossed the used bit with the other scraps and motioned Yuffie to set the stuff down with a blood-slick hand.
"I want you to hold down his arms." He commanded.
"Why?" She crawled across the bed to where Cloud lay and settled her knees on the closer arm, reaching over him to press her hands down on the other.
"We didn't give him any pain killers," Leon muttered, moving on to the bed to sit on the man's legs. They looked awkward where they had positioned themselves, but it was a necessity- if Cloud thrashed too much, he could worsen his condition, and Leon didn't need the rest of the bed being messed up.
The office was too warm for Seifer's liking. He growled some as he leaned against the wall, wishing with all he had that Sephiroth would kill the damned fire and turn off the heater. Why did he have both on at the same time in the first place?
"Are you uncomfortable, Mr. Almasy?"
His voice almost sent shivers down his spine.
"Ah. Nah, m'good." Seifer waved a gloved hand.
This seemed to amuse Sephiroth, as his dark leathered chair turned, revealing the intimidating man with the insanely blue eyes. "Then do quit fidgeting."
Seifer nodded absently, turning his gaze to the large windows at the back of the room. What a waste of space; all that was there was the fireplace, the window, the desk and its chair. Save the two men and those things, it was completely bare.
"Why don't you decorate this place?"
"It takes money from my pockets, Mr. Almasy, and out of your pay. Would you rather I take a grand off your check and put it into my personal décor?"
He waited for Seifer's reply, but got none, and laughed softly. "I see."
He turned again, the faint sound of pen scratching on paper filling the hot room. Seifer frowned, tugging on the collar of his jacket, loosening it some in an attempt to cool himself, if possible.
"Shit. This place is hot." He complained at last.
"Then step outside." Sephiroth offered it blandly, then his chair suddenly spun around. He gave a childish grin as he cocked his head, silver hair falling over his eyes.
"Oh, and Mr. Almasy, I'll need to you to do a little task for me." His voice was surpsingly calm for the look his eyes held.
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Well, it involves our little Cloud..." started Sephiroth.
"So?"
The silver haired man smiled thinly at Seifer, something glinting in his eyes. "You are aware of the sum he owes me?" He was graced with a nodding response. "Of course you do. Now, are we aware why he owes me this sum? Ah, yes. You aren't. Quite to your misfourtune." Sephiroth waved a hand, turning his chair back to face his desk and the cackling fire.
"Mr. Almasy, do you recall that pretty woman who worked here not too long ago..?"
Seifer's attention was unwillingly caught. "Yeah, I do." Of course he knew her, she'd never left his mind, and she was the reason he wanted nothing but pain to befall Squall.
"Then maybe...it would please you to know that my little Cloud helped you lose her..?" The dark chair turned again, as slow as if time had stopped for Seifer.
That pretty boy? That man who didn't seem capableoftending himself..? He..? Seifer couldn't wipe the slightly unpleasant look of shock from his face. The devil in white simply smiled wide.
"Yes, now...I have this task I wish for you to do..."
Yuffie glanced down at Clouds' face, noting how he seemed to be sleeping well. "He's not gonna be happy, Squall." She whined, feeling bad that they had to pin him to help him.
"Tough."
He shifted so that he was sitting on his own leg on top of Clouds', his other leg bent to help keep him balanced in case Cloud decided he really wanted them off. He leaned over some, looking down at his hands to grab the swinging needle.
Leon looked prepared to be bathed in blood; he'd removed his leather jacket, changed his good white shirt to something that looked like it had been pulled out of a trashcan, and managed to find a pair of holey black jeans. His hair was even pulled back, which surprised Yuffie; she couldn't recall the last time she's seen him without long strands of brown falling over his face.
He let his hand follow the thread, seeking any knots that might be in it. After finding none, and traveling the whole twelve feet of the coil, he leaned over Clouds' stomach again, readying the needle.
Without so much as a warning to Yuffie, he pinched a part of Clouds' flat stomach, bunching the torn skin as much as he could, and shoved the needle through the edge of the wound.
Blood spilled over the pale skin, spreading smoothly and dripping over the man's sides. Leon guided the needle, repeatedly stopping to tug the thread after. Cloud remained still, fortunately, and didn't give any sign that he was uncomfortable.
Yuffie complained that it was pointless to remain pinning him down, and Leon was annoyed enough to look up from his work to tell her to stay quiet and continue holding him; his eyes then narrowed on his task, never really noticing his hands were becoming redder by the moment.
It was hard to see what he was tending after a short while, and he cursed quietly, looking around helplessly for something to wipe it clear. Yuffie released Clouds' arms and slid off the bed to rush from the room, leaving Leon sitting on the legs ofthe older man.
It was odd, honestly. Leon had always thought himself a friend of Clouds'- Cloud had helped him countless times. But never once had Leon offered him the same courtesy. He'd never been there to help Cloud, and it made him sick to think this was the only way to repay him.
His dark eyes lay on the blondes' face, the bruise had become a nice deep purple-black, and was yellowed around the rim. His face was pale, from lack of blood or exposure; Leon could easily blame both.
And... he wanted to hold this man suddenly, knew that all he had to do was reach up and pull him into an embrace. He didn't mind the blood. But at the thought, his mind stumbled back intoits hardened shell of seclusion. Though a blush had set itself aflame on his cheeks.
No. There was no more room in his heart. No room to spare for someone else, someone who would eventually leave, too.
There's nothing to gain from it...
He shook his head, slouching a bit as he heard Yuffie speeding back up the hall.
She'd returned quickly enough, baring an armful of rags. And she proceeded to dump them beside Leon, grinning as if she'd done the world's greatest feat. He rewarded her with a dark glare, hiding his blush easily. She eeped softly, skittering to the side of the bed and then to where she had been before, looking a bit sheepish as she did.
Once she was back in place, the brunette shook a rag out, minding the liquid on his fingers and wiped it across the half-stitched wound.
Maybe Leon had pressed too hard on it, but at the touch of the rag on his raw flesh, Clouds' body jerked, a pitiful groan slipping from him. This caused Yuffie to panic and press on his arms.
"Gawd, Leon, he could bite me or somethin'!" She squeaked.
Cloud moved again, this time as if he were waking. Leon frowned deeply as he dashed away a few more puddles of blood and lifted the needle, giving a testing pull to the thread.
A short whine came from Cloud.
Leon pulled the rest of the waiting thread through and watched with mild concern as Clouds' body reacted to it. He gritted his teeth as he found where he'd left off and gripped the torn sides, pushing the tip of the needle against it.
Clouds' face contorted in pain as the needle went through his skin again, the thread following after, both pulling his ripped flesh back together, like some worn-out doll. He felt miserable as the grogginess of sleep gave way to the fire that burned throughout his middle, making him writhe suddenly as more sharp jolts etched up his body.
His eyes shot open suddenly, just as Leon punched the needle through a stubborn part of his stomach. He cried out in surprise and agony, trying to force himself up, but only being hindered by someone pushing down on all four limbs. Yuffie was over him, looking down with wide eyes. She made a small sound as he'd tried to push up, forcing her knees and palms down hard.
"Get off!" He growled, he'd gripped the sullied sheets in the process, pushing up to tryand wiggle his arms from the girl's grip.
Another piercing pain through his abdomen pulled a scream from him. He gritted his teeth, unable to move his legs, nor his arms. "Gehoff…" He panted as he glared up at Yuffie; she simply bit her bottom lip and looked up, forcing her weight into her arms and legs.
"No can do." She said.
Leon shifted his position on Clouds' legs, forcing the needle in again; pushing it through as Cloud gave an agonized cry, then proceeded to do it again.
In, aheartbreaking scream, and then the needle was out.
The house looked bland from outside. He wasn't impressed as he stood across the street, simply a dark silhouette against the brightening sky. This whole thing seemed boring to him.
"Do not kill anyone, just leave a reminder."
Pft.
What fun was there in simply giving them a fright? He wasn't about to leave a horses' head in a bed, or leave black spots everywhere. What'd Sephiroth think he was? A lap dog?
…Probably.
Seifer crossed his arms, the white leather of his jacket making a soft squeak in the crisp morning. It was some time around three, he didn't know for sure; not that he cared. All he knew was that he'd been standing there for almost an hour, listening to very faint screams.
A smile itched its way across his face at this happy little thought. Screams. It was a familiar sound, and he relished in the fact he'd helped cause a lot of them. He was doubly pleased that he knew exactly whose voice he heard.
However, at this moment, he was waiting. Waiting, not acting, not causing pain to the ones he wanted to, and not making anyone scream. Grumbles came from the weakening shadows behind him, making him tilt his head.
"Quit your belly-aching." He growled at thethree men Sephiroth had sent with him.
"Yo, we didn't know we was gonna have to sit out inna dark all night." One complained as he lounged back in the damp grass of someone's yard.
"Then leave," offered Seifer, shrugging some. "I can do this on my own."
"Awe, but boss said we's gotta make sure you don't split this kid in half like th'last one," the same man grumbled. He was getting on Seifer's nerves. And fast.
"Look," he snarled, finally turning. "I don't care what your boss said. I know what I'm doing. Either stop complaining, or join the fool inside who's screaming."
The men looked confused. "But, there ain't no one screamin'…"
Seifer sighed, irritated. There was nothing he could do. He wasn't free to just slice one of them in half. Sephiroth would take it out of his hide (he'd provoked Sephoroth's wrath once before after he had cut up a goony who'd insulted his masculinity).
A small smile played on his lips as he remembered that night. It hadn't been anything too serious, just some kid who thought he was better. Whichwas what Seifer had easily pointed out, he hadn't been better.
It was quiet, and he was pleased. No one was talking, no one was screaming. It was complete and utter silence, save the rustle of leaves as the chilly wind caressed them.
Wait.
It stopped..?
He jerked forward then, rushing across the street to stand in the driveway. He looked up at one of the upper story windows, a furrow in his brows as he watched one light after another flick off.
Did I miss my chance?
No… A grin slid across his lips as he watched one light remain. Just his luck. He took a few steps back, judging the height from the window ledge to the ground.
It wasn't so high.
Well…not too high.
It was a simple jump, one to the car, and from the car to the low roof under the window. He gritted his teeth as his boots screeched on the tiles, and he had to balance himself before standing upright. The light remained on, and from the level he was now, he could clearly see the forms inside. One pacing- this caused him to grin- and one laying on a bed.
Come on…leave the room…He urged quietly. Just leave, so I can do this…
The form paced to the side of the bed, at least what Seifer could make of the bed through the corny yellow curtains. He pressed close to the side of the window, trying to listen to any words spoken, but none were, so he was simply left listening to the night.
Leon had planned on staying beside Cloud after the patching up they'd done. But Cloud seemed to be sleeping fine; no doubt from the pills Yuffie had managed to find. He frowned, his eyes narrowing on the older man's face.
What am I to do with you? He asked quietly, his arms crossed over his chest. He sighed irritably after a moment, then leaned down a bit to find the knob on the lamp. His fingers found the corse button, and he clicked the light into a duller setting. The light made the room seem less...femmy, at least to Leon, who now was doubting he'd ever let Yuffie remodel anything in his house again.
Speaking of that little devil, Leon's mind rolled, Time to get her out of here...He moved from the guest room, carefully shutting the door as he did.
It wasn't in his best interest to let kids run around his place, but he'd managed to live with Yuffie visiting whenever she felt like it. This had somehow accumulated to her visits lasting days on end, and often ending with him snarling his annoyance, and demanding she go back to where ever it was she lived. Though none of this seemed to bother her, and she kept coming back, bringing friends with her often.
All this made the young brunette feel rather...old.
I really don't need this any more. His mind grumbled as he entered the living room. The TV was happily tossing infomercials at the young dark-haired girl residing on his black leather couch.
"Off." He growled instantly.
"Awe, but Squaaaall--"
"Leon; get off this instant."
"Why?" She replied huffily.
"My house. My rules. You signed the paper." He answered, reaching the television and turning it off manually. He then crossed the floor, grabbed his jacket and shrugged it on. "I'm leaving now, and when I get back, you'd best not be here."
"Where ya goin'?" She inquired, turning on the couch to follow him with her eyes. She leaned over the back of the couch, so close to sliding off it made Leon wince at the thought of the leather ruining.
"A few jobs, Yuffie. I made a deal with someone that I'd do some things." He headed down the hall to the door, a large bag slung over his shoulder. His boots made a sudden loud clunking noise as they stepped off carpet and onto wood. He reached the large mirror that stood before his door, meeting his grim reflection. We meet again, eh? His mouth twisted in a rueful smile as he shoved his hand through his hair, fixing the shaggy locks.
"Be careful, Squallerz," said Yuffie, waving agleeful hand from the couch.
He twitched, ignoring the alteration of his name, and turned to step outside into the clear morning air. He walked to his car, surprisingly quick, and drove off without ever noticing the three strangers that lounged in the grass across the road.
The figure leaning over the bed had left. Finally.
Seifer eased himself in front of the sill, sliding his hands down the glass to find the edge. When he found it, he hooked his fingers over it as best he could and gave a sharp tug up, the whole frame groaning as it was moved.
He cursed silently, but managed to push the window frame up, the curtains quickly being sucked out by the wind, only to billow partially inside and out. Holding it up with one hand, he slid inside the room, his eyes locked on the door for a time as he set one foot on the cream-colored carpet, carefully pulling the other after.
It made him sick just looking at the pink, frilly-looking wallpaper. The scent of blood rested on the air, but was heavily mixed with something he recalled as lilac. Lilac. He was tempted to cover his nose; the scent reminded him of something he deemed unpleasant.
Best to get this done quick, he reasoned, leaning over the peacefully sleeping Cloud Strife.
"Aw, who looks like a princess?" he whispered,grinning, "You do. Oh yes…yes you do." He reached a gloved hand into the pocket of his trench coat, pulling out a dagger with a long and thin curved blade. He tilted it in the light from the bedside lamp, smirking at the small roses embedded in the hilt.
Boss said not to hurt you... 'fraid I don't think I can keep my end of that deal...But...Heh...
"Pretty dagger," he whispered, lookingdown at Cloud. "For a… pretty princess."
The sarcasm in his voice was lost as he lifted the dagger over Cloud.
The blade glinted as he brought it down.
"Are you done, Mr. Almasy?"
Sephiroth had gotten a call shortly after four AM, and it had irked him, until he knew who it was from. Seifer had generously guaranteed that the task had been done. That the message was sent, and the fun would begin.
He laughed shortly on the phone, smiling at no one as he lay back in his cushiony chair. Strands of silver fell in his face as he turned his head to look out the large windows that adorned the back of his office.
"Report here at noon, Mr. Almasy. I will have you're payment then." He waited quietly as Seifer said a few short words, then hung up, leaving Sephiroth smiling brightly. He closed his cell phone and tossed it on the large black desk he sat behind.
Leaning back in his chair, Sephiroth clasped his hands. "The ball is rolling now. And I wonder how long it shall be in play." He smiled some, the chair spinning slowly so that he faced the large windows overlooking the city, its lights hazy in the morning, but still clear as they were in the night.
After a moment, he twisted in his seat, enough to reach around and pull the laptop off his desk and sit in his lap. His fingers glazed over a few keys, sending the message for a screen to pop up. At first it remained blank, but an image formed gradually. Sephiroth smirked some, he had his key. The key to getting what he wanted, to ruining Leons' end of the deal, and to finally getting rid of Cloud Strife.
"Yes... my little treasure." He chuckled some as he watched the slim figure on the screen slam fists against the door of the room, screaming out- he was actually glad he didn't have the volume on. Ah well.
He clicked out of the camera screen and moved the laptop back to his desk.
...Cloud. I shall have what I want, you will see. No one will stop me. Not you nor your little…friend.
/-TBC-/
And in the meantime…
Check out a preview!
(Cause I loves y'all so much.)
Chapter 3 Preview: Can't Cover It Up
"Who are you?"
"Who am I?..."
"Y-yes. Who are you?" she asked, looking up at the bleak gray walls, her eyes then veered off to the still bundle on the floor at her feet, her stomach bunching and her nerves coiling stiffly.
The voice simply laughed through the speakers, makingher shiver as she sat there on the stiff cot.
"I am your nightmares."
She bit her lower lip, "That isn't much." Her voice wavered, though, and her attempt at bravery failed.
The voice was drowned out by shrill static. There was a pause where the static seemed to rule, and then the voice overshadowed it, booming with mild irritation.
"I am not playing games, child." The door to the room swung open. "Let me show you what you have to look forward to…"
"What do you mean you can't find Sora and Kairi?"
/-Preview End-/
(Look for the rest in the next chapter.)
A/N: Sooo…there's chapter two, and a preview, cause I kind of was sad when I finished this one.
Mm, I had fun writing anything involving Seifer. Don't know why, though. Chapter three might take a while longer to be up, but I do hope you enjoyed this one. Though nothing really big happened; it's just me deepening my plot. (Heheh.)
Ah well. Thanks for the helpful helpfulness before, much appreciated.