AN: Hi all, sorry this chapter is so short compare to the others, but it is necessary. Not to mention I'm preoccupied with finals and such. Thank you for those who reviewed, faved, alert, etc. It is much appreciated. Oh, and also thanks for the 1,000 hits. As a bonus I have a tiny image, nothing too special considering school and all. The link for it will be in my profile since you can't really create a link in story. Anywho, enjoy the story.

Chapter 5: Nightmares

The night was restful until he heard a quiet pained moan and movement beside him. Sephiroth sat up and looked over to the pale beauty. His eyes were closed and he moved lightly like he was struggling against some invisible foe. As the general became more awake, he realized he acted like he was bound to a lab table. A nightmare about that didn't really surprise him. He shook Vincent by the shoulders to awaken him.

His crimson eyes opened, but they were wide with terror. It was quiet unusual to see the stoic Turk with a frighten expression across his features, even in Hojo's tapes. The Turk immediately struggled against the general trying to get away. He brought his claw arm up trying to tear Sephiroth's face. The Soldier swiftly grabbed a hold of the metal limb and the human hand pinning them above the man's head. He straddled upon Vincent's lap to render his legs useless. This seemed to only further panic the pale man. Sephiroth leaned down til his face was merely inches away.

"Vincent," he whispered soothingly, "Calm down. It was just a dream. It is only me, Sephiroth."

The Turk seemed confused before it was replaced by his usual expressionless composure. He took a deep breath to calm himself. The general listened to the racing heartbeat slow to a normal tempo. "Sorry," he heard the man utter quietly.

He release his grip and climbed off the pale man. He shrugged off his apology. "It's fine," he stated and continued with a question, "So what kind of nightmare was it?"

He was curious how much the Turk remembered of Hojo's experiments and which one terrified him so much. Instead of a satisfying answer, Vincent said flatly, "Not a nightmare, just a memory."

The man got off the bed and gathered his attire. Sephiroth glanced at the clock that read five am. He normally get up in hour from now. The Turk went into the bathroom. He could hear the shower turn on, which didn't help his mind. He could easily imagine the pale naked skin with scars crisscrossing thanks to Hojo's videos. When he was close to the man's lips, it took all his will power not to kiss those pale lips. He wondered why he lusted so strongly for Vincent. There were some obvious reasons such as his ethereal beauty, his strength, and the fact he survived the experiments. Having demons under his skin tingling with power that by itself was quite alluring.

As much as he wanted to kiss the nightmares away, he hated the idea of Vincent not wanting him. It wasn't hard to imagine his rejection, since the man loved his mother, and probably twice his age. Though he didn't think it should count since the Turk was asleep for most of it. He hated Hojo, but thankful that he was so twisted. Otherwise he wouldn't have been created and more importantly Vincent would have been dead or beyond his reach. He wonder though if this feeling was 'love' that the Soldiers and his friends, Angeal and Genesis, talked about. He knew and understood lust. He had a large share of one night stands. His mako green eyes moved to the book on the nightstand reminiscing the war to divert his thoughts.

Vincent quickly clean his hair trying to erase the memory from his mind. It was the time when he had three demons in his mind and no Chaos to help. He was on the verge of insanity. He remember Hojo attempting to tranquilize him, but none could get near without injury. He went week upon week not sleeping until finally he became unaware of his outside environment. It gave Hojo the opportunity he needed to subdue his specimen. He knew somehow Lucrecia was there and Chaos was put inside him. He couldn't really remember the details when Lucrecia was there.

The Turk pushed the memories aside and change into his usual attire. He left the bathroom with a towel around his neck to dry his hair. Sephiroth was still sitting in his boxers putting down the book. He asked, "Why chose the Wutari War?"

"Catching up on lost years," the Turk replied simply.

He put the towel aside and pick up the book. He left the room thinking of the emotions in those green eyes that watch him constantly. It wasn't pity, maybe empathy. It most definitely had curiosity. He is too interested. Vincent sighed at Chaos's unrequested response. Didn't you see his expression? When? When he had you pin to the bed! The turk ignored the way Chaos phrased that as he tried to recall. He knew it was Sephiroth once he whispered, but before he could only see a scientist without any features holding him down. No. I see... The demon seemed annoyed, but didn't pursue. He opened the book and began to read.

The sun set rather quickly. Vincent was up on top of the doorway roof. Even though he finished the book, he stayed outside watching the sea reflect the colors of the sunset. He let his thoughts wander on the past wondering how different things would be if he had stopped or better yet kill Hojo. He would have been saner whether or not Lucrecia chose to stay with him. Sephiroth would have few tests, but otherwise a normal childhood. A familiar scent of fresh rain caught his attention. He could barely hear the rustle of the leather attire.

"Hello Sephiroth," the Turk stated without turning around. He could hear the general let out a breath in frustration.

"Zack couldn't find you, so he asked me to. Shall we eat?"

"Hmmm," was the only semi-conformation noise Vincent made as he got up.

"How did you know it was me?" The general was quite curious since he was being very quiet on approaching the man.

"By the leather," pale man stated and under his breath he added, "and by your smell."

A smile touched Soldier's lips when he heard that from Vincent. He knew it was because of their enhanced senses, but he couldn't help being pleased that the pale beauty knew his scent. Together they arrived at the mess hall. They got food and joined Angeal, Zack, and Cloud at the table.

"Oh you found him," Zack commented, "It seems like you two have a homing device to find each other."

Angeal chuckled as the general replied, "Maybe we do."

Vincent rolled his eyes at their antics. The conservation went from the cafeteria food to some of the latest technology. Vincent just listened when it reached the strange devices of this time. Most of their conservation didn't make any sense to him.

Cloud asked excitedly, "Have you heard of the Neo Moki Phone?"

Zack thinks about it a moment then said, "Isn't that the phone that is like a mini-computer? It can even connect to the internet and hold materia?"

"Yeah. That is the one."

"Some of the Turks," Sephiroth added, "are testing the new technology."

Angeal just shakes his head and asked under his breath, "Who needs a phone that does all that?"

"I would like one," replied the black hair Soldier, "Hey Vince, are you one of the Turks testing it?"

Vincent replied flatly, "No."

"Eh," the boy exclaimed, "why not!?"

The Turk pulled the phone Tseng gave him out and explained, "Because this here is complex enough."

Zack takes it and flips it open examining its features. "This is a basic cellphone. At least it has a camera," he sighed giving the man his phone back.

"It takes...pictures? Is that why there are so many buttons?"

The puppy held a face that read 'You're joking, right?'. In no time he realize the pale man was serious. Grabbing his own phone he displays it to Vincent and stated, "Yours is basic. This is a lot of buttons."

Crimson eyes held great distaste and horror as he stared at the phone. Zack pulls out the keyboard and pen that is part of his phone. The Turk turned his gaze from such a complex item to his food.

The boy babbled on, "I can send my reports on this and play games-Ouch!" The puppy rubbed his head where his teacher hit him. "What was that for," he complained loudly.

"Put that away," Angeal commanded, "before I confiscate it. If I see you playing games on it, I will take it."

Zack grumbled as he put it away and then suddenly brighten as an idea hits him. "I can teach you to use you phone," he volunteered.

The thought of trying to learn something else on the phone horrified him. Not to mention it being an over enthusiastic kid who would poke fun at him as his instrustor. "I'm fine since I know how to use the phone book," he stated and was now very happy that Reno taught him about it earlier otherwise he would probably get lessons from the pup.

Angeal chuckled softly as he stood up and Sephiroth joined him. "We have First work to do," the blacked hair First stated, "And Zack, don't forget to do your errands."

Zack nodded without any enthusiasm. The two Firsts left as the boy turned to Cloud, "You'll help right?"

He practically had the puppy eyes going. The blonde Third nodded with a small smile. Zack turned his attention toward Vincent. "Will you help too?" He asked with a pathetic, but effective face expression.

Vincent frowned as he stated, "It's your job, not mine."

"Yeah," the soldier whined, "but you don't have anything else to do right?"

Vincent was cornered with that. He really didn't have anything else really since he finished the book. He wouldn't be able to fall asleep early and if he did, he would wake up when Sephiroth came back. That begging face was definitely hard to resist. The boy had to have practiced. Chaos chuckled at his plight. Letting a little boy get to you? You're getting soft, Vincent. Shut up! He definitely understood Angeal's situation now. How does he manage to resist this face?

"So will you help us, please?" The boy continued to beg.

"Fine," the Turk agreed reluctantly.

Zack beamed a grin. "Great. Deliver this to 226 of the 2nd quarters. Thanks." He hands the Turk a package and runs off with Cloud in tow. Vincent shook his head at the youngsters and wander towards the 2nd quarters. He finally found the room and could hear the ruckus of noise on the other side. He opened the door to see a flash of silver heading towards him and gasps. His right hand instinctively caught the blade between his index finger and thumb. His red eyes narrowed at the knife before quickly scanning the room. He quickly concluded they were playing a knife throwing game to hit the target that was on the door. There was money for the bets they made across the floor. The silence ended suddenly with a rush of comments.

"That was so cool!"

"You're that Turk."

"No wonder they let you accompany us, Soldiers!"

"Do that again!"

He frowned at the overwhelming attention. He stated dryly, "I'm just here to deliver this."

One Soldier took the package; he seemed to be the squad leader. He set it down on a bed. Vincent turned to leave when one asked, "How about you do a knife throw?"

Everyone in the room began to agree and encourage. Vincent decided they wouldn't let him go until he threw the knife. With a sigh, he toss the knife he caught, it hit the bullseye. That caused another clamber.

"Woah!"

"It was just a lucky shot."

"Cool"

"Do it again and we'll see if it was"

With some irritation, he took the second knife offered to him. He noticed a Soldier was about to remove the other knife from the target. He commanded, "Keep the knife there."

Everyone seemed confused, but his order was complied. Vincent swiftly threw the second knife and it embed itself into the other knife's wooden handle. Everyone was stun silent for a moment. The Turk forgot his need to leave for he thought maybe they were upset with the damage to the knife. Then one broke the silence, which made the rest follow.

"That was amazing!"

"No luck needed."

"How you do that?"

"Won that bet!"
"Could you teach us?"

Vincent ducked his head lower into his cloak. He was overwhelmed with the questions and comments. He figured if he showed off they would stop pestering him. I guess I should of thrown lamely.Your pride wouldn't have allowed that anyways. … The door opened loudly as the silver hair general came in.

"What is going on here? It's lights out time or the very least silence." His green eyes widen as he spotted the pale beauty. "Vincent," his commanding tone gone to a more neutral one, "What are you doing here?"

Chaos was muttering darkly about the general, which was ignored by his host. The Turk swiftly stood next to the general as he stated, "I was delivering something for Zack Fair."

That didn't seem to be enough explanation for the general. That was when the squad leader grudgingly filled in the blanks, "We were knife throwing using the target there on the back of the door...And well the Turk open it when the knife was already thrown. He caught it in midair. We were impressed and wanted to see his throwing abilities." He pushed the door close. "As you can see he is quite good. So, many of us want him to teach us."

The room became silent and filled with tension. They were nervous the general would have a negative reaction instead an amused smile flicker onto Sephiroth's face. "Maybe Mr. Valentine will teach you knife throwing later." He pulled the blades out of the target and threw them across the room into the far wall. "For now," he continued, "Put the target over there. We don't need any friendly causalities"

The general took a hold of Vincent's right arm and pulled him out of the room closing the door behind them. The Turk instinctively pulled his arm away, but murmured softly, "Thanks."

"What? You didn't like the attention?" The swordsman teased and then stated seriously, "At least you earn their respect, so I don't have to worry about my Soldiers not getting along with you. Though you shouldn't have ran that errand for Zack."

The Turk shrugged it off indifferent as he followed the other to their room. As they entered, the gunman asked, "When will we arrive at Wutai?"

"Tomorrow afternoon to evening."

Vincent gives a small nod as usual gathered clothes to sleep in and disappeared into the bathroom. Like before he came out to sleep on the other side of bed. This time though he was taking a bit more space than before. Sephiroth assumed that meant he was becoming more comfortable around him despite the nightmare. He once again watch those crimson eyes close as sleep took him.

Sephiroth awaken at his usual time. This must mean Vincent was able to sleep without nightmares. He smiled at the thought and looked over at the pale beauty. To his disappointment, the Turk's face had a slightly pained expression and moved side to side. Remembering what happened last time he attempted to awaken the man. He position himself over the sleeping gunman. It suddenly occurred to him that this position resemble his dream except the man was writhing in pleasure instead of trapped in a nightmare. He could feel the heat pooled between his legs, but ignored it as he gently shook the Turk's shoulders.

"Vincent," he whispered tenderly, "wake up."

Red eyes filled with panic glanced around the room. When his eyes gaze into the green ones, he visible calmed down. Unlike last time when his expression became emotionless, his face relaxed. At peace knowing he was here with me. It wasn't the expression he expected, but it was the one he wanted. He would bet that Vincent didn't even realize his face showed emotion. He wanted to draw more expressions from him like the one in his dream. The Turk interrupted his thoughts.

"Sephiroth," he asked with his voice laced with concern, "Are you alright?"

His expression change minutely to one of concern. It may not have been very strong expression, but it was clear on his pale face. Sephiroth realized how hard he was getting. He got off of the man carefully making sure the Turk didn't notice his hardness. He didn't want Vincent to run from him in any way.

"I'm fine," the general mumbled, "I'm going to take a shower."

He swiftly gathered his leather attire that he left at the edge of the bed. Brilliant on his part even though he didn't expect this to happen. He disappeared into the shower leaving a very confused Turk on the bed.

He dropped the clothes in a pile and added his boxers to it. He swiftly turned the water on warm. He let the water soak him thoroughly before turning the dial to further heat the water. He quickly grabbed his member with one hand stroking it lightly. His other hand was against the tile wall to support himself. He slipped his eyes closed imaging and remembering Vincent's expressions. He visualized the man naked with scars beneath him. His left hand began pumping at a rapid pace. After imagining the pale beauty coming for him, he let himself go with a grunt to distill a moan. He panted for a moment before quickly cleaning himself and the mess made. This was becoming a problem.