A/N: Ok well I did mention this in the last chapter A/N but I'll do it again for those of you who may have missed it. In chapter ten I said that in chapter eleven we would learn of the blood/semen results, but I have decided to post that in this chapter. The last chapter was the SOLDIER exam. This chapter is the results, the next will be Zack's love confession etc etc. Just in case you missed my intentions. Now, ON WITH THE STORY!
Note: You know, listening to songs by Within Temptation or depressing Disney songs (corny yes) sort of gives this chapter an interesting feel.
Chapter 012
Zack finished lacing up his combat boots with some difficulty with the lack of light in the apartment. He glanced down the hall where he could hear the shower running. His gaze lingered only momentarily before he stood, grabbed his jacket and quietly exited the apartment, pausing just a second near the door before closing the door behind him.
*
Cloud stood in front of the mirror towel drying his hair when he caught his reflections eyes. He paused letting the towel fall to rest upon his naked shoulder as he leaned forward examining his eyes which reflected their usual healthy blue—save for a small ring of green running around the pupil. A wave of bitterness washed over him. He would never get into SOLDIER; he would never be like his friend Zack, or his lover Sephiroth. He was nothing compared to them…a nobody. He glanced away sniffing slightly before continuing with his towel drying till his blond spikes were spikier then usual and the tips only a little damp.
*
Sephiroth sat upon the bed back slouched head resting in his hands as he gazed down at the clean carpet eyes narrowed wearily. His dreams had kept him from getting a good night's sleep, not because they were busy—he could handle that, but because they were…odd…disturbing even.
They were filled with glowing pools of green, fog mixing in with smoke and scent of blood and steal. Flames licked at his vision as he surveyed his surroundings. And the last thing he saw before waking up were Cloud and Zack dead.
He let out a low grown pinching the bridge of his nose. He vaguely wondered if his years as a SOLDIER general and a killing machine were beginning to catch up with him. Why would he dream of his best friend and lover dead? He loved them both dearly. He sighed hearing the bathroom door open. He stood. Whatever was going on with him—no matter how disturbing—he didn't have time to worry about it. He needed to focus on Cloud. He crossed the room and opened the bedroom door walking out into the hall and wrapping his arms around the teenager's waist. "Good morning grunt."
Cloud let out a grunt. Causing Sephiroth to chuckle as they made their way down the hall. "Doesn't have the same ring does it? I'll stick with Cadet."
Cloud blinked as they entered the living room.
"Hey, where's Zack?"
Sephiroth looked over towards the sofa to find that his Lt. was indeed nowhere to be found. Cloud shifted so he was looking up towards Sephiroth. "Did he have anything scheduled for today?"
Sephiroth shook his head.
"No, not that I am aware of." He paused. "This means he had nothing scheduled."
Cloud laughed at that. Nothing happened in the shinra building that Sephiroth didn't get wind of eventually. "But enough worrying about Zackary, I will locate him later right now it is time for breakfast." He stated releasing the teen and entering the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast. Cloud followed and leaned against the kitchens doorframe watching while his lover moved about the kitchen. It still surprised him that Sephiroth could cook, or at least cook something edible.
"I'm really worried about Zack."
Sephiroth glanced over his shoulder as he set a tub of butter spread, eggs and pepper upon the counter. Cloud frowned slightly gazing down towards the table legs. "I mean, he seems really distant for some reason. He hardly talks to me really anymore and when he does I can tell it's forced. Like he wants to say something but something else comes out instead." His gaze lifted and met Sephiroth's. "Do you know what I mean?"
Sephiroth gave himself a moment to mull over the blonds words while he put a little butter spread into a pan and then began cracking the eggs.
"Yes, I know what you mean. I've been sensing hostility from him for awhile now—but I know he's not stupid enough to start a fight with me so I've ignored it."
Cloud entered the kitchen farther and took a seat at the table.
"Maybe that's the problem! Maybe you shouldn't be ignoring him!"
Sephiroth turned around and frowned.
"Well what am I supposed to do? It's not like I can beat it out of him. If he doesn't want to talk about it then why should I worry about it?"
"Because that's what friends do!" Cloud snapped. Sephiroth sighed and began scrambling the eggs.
"Then why don't you do it?"
"Because he's showing hostility towards you!"
Sephiroth huffed putting the eggs onto two plates before turning off the stove and walking over to the table.
"Fine I'll talk to him, but if he doesn't want to talk about it I. will. Not. Force him." He stated sternly. Cloud stuck out his tongue before digging into his eggs. Sephiroth rolled his eyes. He suddenly felt like Cloud's husband arguing about a family member.
*
Sephiroth sat in his office; he'd attempted to locate Zackary before he began his day of boring and mind numbing paper work but had been unable to locate him. According to a second class who knew Zack, he had gone out on field duty for the day. That news bothered Sephiroth, sure Zack was an eager worker and enjoyed field duty, but he also enjoyed his days when he could waste his time going down to the slums to meet the cetra. Sephiroth sighed. He was one of the many Shinra workers who were supposed to locate the cetra and arrest her—but he along with the Turk commander ignored the orders. As long as no one actually 'told them' where she was, they would leave her alone. A knock at the door roused the general from his thoughts. He looked up from his paper work. "Come in."
The door opened and one of the lab techs entered.
"General, Professor Hojo requests you go down to the labs. I believe he has the results of your tests."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, the lab tech swallowed, obviously uncomfortable, nodded his head and left. Sephiroth sighed, stood and headed for the door.
*
Once down in the lab Sephiroth felt his skin crawl. The Professors personal courters were his least favorite part of the labs. It was dark, and it stunk of chemicals and blood. The stone floors were stained with chemicals and the tables were littered with papers, test tubes and books. Sephiroth felt his fingers twitch as the professor turned towards him, pushing his glasses up the crooked bridge of his nose. "Well, well, well Sephiroth, it seems that your mako levels are off of the charts."
Sephiroth cocked an eyebrow. "I tested the blood sample three times and each time got a different result. The first test showed your mako levels to be in the six thousands, an attainable level but the second test showed your levels to be in the nine thousand range—a level only attainable with at least one hundred years of mako injections and seeing as you've only been receiving them for thirty-years causes many questions to arise."
"What about the third test?"
"It then went back down to seven thousand."
"And the semen sample?" Sephiroth's voice was edgy; he was failing to keep his anxiety out of his voice, which Hojo latched onto, his eyes narrowing in amusement as he gazed at the much taller man over his round rimmed glasses.
"It seems you are ejaculating mako after all, around the equivalent of two or three mako injections—of course the percent and range would differ depending on how much semen is actually ejaculated during orgasm."
Sephiroth felt sick to his stomach. Not only was Hojo talking about a very sensitive matter as if it were nothing but now Sephiroth knew why Cloud's body began rejecting the mako and why he'd gotten a small case of mako poisoning. Sephiroth had poisoned Cloud, and due to the mako milking and then re-injections was causing the teen's system to over react and turn against the mako. Hojo smirked at the obviously haunted expression on the general's face.
"So, what will you do now Sephiroth? Obviously this isn't like your little romps with your failed experiment friends."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he had a sudden inhuman urge to rip the man apart with his bare hands, but pushed the feeling aside.
"I have work to do." He growled dangerously, turning and exiting the lab. He needed to speak with Cloud.
. Damn this chapter was short. Forgive me. The next chapter I can guarantee will be longer though—since quite a bit more emotional shit happens in it. Good or bad I won't say, but it will be longer I promise. So please review. Thank you.