Title: Hysterical Tinge

Pairings: Undecided for now, but probably going to ZackxAngeal, CloudxSephiroth. Genesis needs some love. We are now speaking to each other, that is why he is in this chapter.

Warnings: Descriptions of kidnapping, assault, rape...you get the picture. Remarkably, Zack's actually not too hurt in this one. Physically anyways...

Notes: Thank you to everyone who reviewed/alerted/favorited this story. Naked picture of Genesis to you all.

Genesis: How did you keep getting these?

Sephiroth remained still as Angeal explained everything. He didn't move at all when Cloud demonstrated his abilities. There was a silence.

"Well it's safe to say that this isn't good." Zack, who had been staring at the diminishing garden with awe, turned to with a look of confusion.

"Why?"

"Because natural magic can't be detected like magic done with materia. It has no limit, which is extremely useful when performing great feats of power. Not many people can actually wield that power." He paused to regard Cloud curiously. "Not to mention what would happen if Hojo found out." Zack shuddered at the mention of the doctor's name. "You should have told me sooner."

"It's my fault." Cloud's voice was soft. "I told...begged him not to. I was scared."

"That's understandable. And I am not angry." Angeal sat down on a couch, rubbing at his face.

"You're sure Hojo knows about Cloud?" Sephiroth nodded.

"Yes. I've known that man for most of my life. He doesn't drop hints like that for nothing." Angeal sighed.

"How did he found out so quickly?"

"I don't know. He has spies, maybe. No one really wants to talk to him, so I don't think we have to worry about someone in SOLDIER telling him. Besides, his interest wouldn't be so piqued if Cloud didn't have something special. Which leaves one option: He talked to the people who kidnapped him. Which means there were some survivors." Angeal groaned. This is just what they needed. Zack sat next to Cloud, wrapping an arm around him.

"It's okay, spiky. If anyone can fix this, it's Seph." His eyes were filled with painful hope. "I mean, we can't expect you to just stay here forever." Cloud mentally stated that that option was looking like a winner right now.

"Hmmm. You are both similar in build and appearance. It may be easy to pass him off as a distant relative." Sephiroth stood. "I can get the necessary documents." His eyes focused on Cloud. "It would be better if you don't go wandering." Cloud made a face at Sephiroth's retreating back. "And I saw that." Zack nearly burst out laughing at the frightened look that flitted across his new friend's face.

Later that night, Angeal opened the door to Zack's room. His student was sitting on the bed, head in his hands. Angeal sighed and sat on the bed, keeping his distance for now.

"I told him he would be safe." Zack's voice was muffled. "And now he has something else to worry about. Gaia, Angeal." Zack looked up. "When does he ever get a break?" Angeal took this as a cue to close the distance.

"We will protect him. All of us. You don't have to do this alone, Zack. I am here for you." Zack's eyes welled up with tears. He rubbed at them furiously.

"Geez, all it seems I am doing these days is crying," he grumped. "Why do you care?" Angeal frowned, upset at the question. Then, he realized it wasn't meant as a self-pitying statement. Zack was genuinely curious. He hugged Zack to his chest.

"Because puppy, you are very important to me." It was true. When Zack had gone missing, Angeal had realized just how close the well being of the teen was related to his own personal happiness. A new feeling also had sprung up, one that he ignored and shoved back. "Because you are something special and deserve to be treated as such." Because you think you might be falling in love with you, a small voice added. Again, he ignored it. Zack smile tearfully at him.

"Okay." Zack yawned. "I'm going to sleep. Can you stay for a while?" Angeal smiled, running a hand over Zack's errant black spikes.

"Of course."

Cloud stared out the window, feeling like he was going stir crazy. Despite feeling fear at the idea of leaving the apartment, despite the guilt at betraying an instruction from Sephiroth, Cloud still wanted to go outside. He always had a connection to nature; some of his earliest memories were from gardening with his mother. He closed his eyes. She was dead now. He pressed his forehead to the cool glass. Mind made up, he grabbed an old coat of Zack's. The hallway was dark and silent. It was late after all. An elevator was at the end of the passage. He pressed the button for the entrance. He hummed nervously, tapping his fingers on his leg. The entrance was empty, there was no one there. Seeing the door to the outside world, he quickly ran to it. Heart in his throat, Cloud pushed it open and stepped outside.

There was no plant life in the street. He coughed, pressing a hand to his mouth. He expected the air to be fresh, but it was stale, carrying with it a stench that was nearly unbearable. He coughed even harder, gasping as if he was choking on something. He fell to his knees, tears coming to his eyes. A pair of boots came into his view.

"I don't think you're supposed to be out here, kitten." It was the one they called Genesis. The auburn haired man knelt astride Cloud, pressing a hand to his back. "Breathe in. That's good. And again." Eventually, Cloud's coughing fit subsided. Genesis nodded, smiling, "There. Now, what's a boy like you doing in a place like this?"

"I had to get out. But, when I got here, I felt like I was...I couldn't breathe" Genesis sighed.

"Well, that is interesting. Country folk often have that reaction when they get here." He stood, brushing off his knees. Cloud looked up at him suspiciously.

"Are you saying I'm a hick?" Genesis laughed, the noise a nice contrast to the emptiness of the street.

"I was saying no such thing. Now, let's head back up. We'll keep this our little secret."

Cloud slept on the couch that night. The next morning, Sephiroth came up with the visitor ID that Cloud would need to safely leave apartment. The general entered, only to stop at a sleepy looking Cloud.

"Oh, it's you." The blond yawned, eyes closing. Within minutes, he was asleep again. Sephiroth paused, placing the paper in his hand on the table. No one had shown that type of trust towards him, falling asleep in front of him. He frowned. He approached the sleeping boy. Raising a hand, he let it hover over Cloud's face, not quite touching the teen. Cloud's body heat snaked up to his palm. The scent of something vaguely floral assailed his nose. Hearing someone get up in the other room, he sat quietly sat down on the kitchen chair. Still watching Cloud, he raised a hand in greeting. Angeal raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" Sephiroth shrugged.

"I'm watching him."

"Look, Seph I understand being nervous for him, but you of all people should know how much security..."

"No, that's not what I meant. I was just watching him." Angeal tilted his head, a little confused.

The man examined his nails as he spoke into the phone.

"Have you found them yet?" Hojo rolled his eyes.

"No. You of all people should know how protective they get. I'll be lucky if I get even a glimpse of them."

"But you can do it, right?"

"Of course, of course." The man frowned at the flippant tone.

"Don't do it unless you can get both of them. We need both of them for this to work."

"You don't have to remind me. I know." There was a click and dial tone. The man hung up his receiver.

"Oh, Angeal. You ruined my life," he paused to run a finger over the picture of Zack in front of him. "I can't wait to return the favour."

Oh, this cannot be good. Review please. I love that people like this story. It makes my day.