IMPORTANT NOTES: englis is not my first language. if there is any grammatical,spelling or word of choice mistake please tell me :)
THIS CHAPTER WASN'T REVISE BY A BETA READER!
Cloud was quite surprised to find Reno had a bunch of friends. So far, 50 customers had asked for his service, even Jhony was quite surprised for the blonde's success. As for the Cadet he felt his feet trembling for the throbbing pain the heels were causing. Giving a exhausted sigh he made his way to Reno's table the redhead was a little bit wasted and had his face resting on the surface of the bar's table, Cloud couldn't help but smile. With a cautious hand he moved the Turk in attempt to wake him up. Soon green glazed eyes were looking at him confused
"Cloud, What time is it?"
"Around 5 am, I think that you have work in less than 3 hours you should probably go" the red head looked at his surroundings and started to stand up from his place.
"Well, what a night! I hope I can work with this hangover" his words were lazy and drunk but Cloud understands them all, he nodded and helped the redhead to the entrance. They both started to talk about the night.
" Really, Reno I don't know how can I repay you."
The redhead made a gesture with his hand telling Cloud to not worry about it
"Is the least I could do for the mistakes we made, but you know before I leave I just wanted to tell you something." Cloud leaned closer and listened carefully.
" That day when they took from us the information…it was a surprise attack some of my friends had serious injures. Some other dind't make it back to midgar Please take the information back, if it's in the incorrect hands it could lead to may look as a absurd mission but we must have that information back."
The blond nodded with a serious look on his face he didn't knew how important the info was. The environment of the mission had make him take everything as a joke Reno's words bring him to reality and decided he was going to give his best to end this.
Reno started to walk away but he suddenly stopped and turned around watching deeply into Cloud's blue yes. "Cloud"
"Y-yes?" The blonde stuttered, Reno looked so serious it was almost unnatural to see that kind of expression on his face.
"For your own sake, don't read the information, sometimes ignorance is a blessing" With that said Reno disappeared leaving a really confused Cloud on the bar's entrance.
Reno's little speech let him thinking. Why did Corneo wanted this information?
what kind of info Shinra had to hide? How bad could it be that if revealed could lead to war? Reno wasn't joking, the look in his eyes was horrible, Reno knew Shinra had done something terrible wrong.
I should stop worrying about those things, I have more important affair to take care off, like retrieving that info, if it doesn't spread there is no need for war and negative scenarios.
Giving tired steps he made his way to his temporary room and opened the door slowly, he was about to close it when he heard Jhony calling his name.
"Cloud!"
The redhead shouted reaching the door almost out of breath.
"What is it?" The blond peeked throw the door not wanting to be disturbed he just wanted to rest all morning
" I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I have excellent news. Corneo wants to know you right away. He was amazed just like me, because you became favorite in less than a day"
The blond tried to sound excited but he was not, meeting a mafia guy was scaring not exciting and his increasing fatigue was making him grumpy, those facts didn't help at all to his sour emotional state, but nevertheless he force a smile for Jhony, the redhead soon realize how tired the blonde was.
"It can wait for tomorrow if you want?" The blond only nodded and closed the door on the other's face not caring if he was rude at all, he could hear from the other side Jhony muffled words
" Barret will pick you at 4 pm be sure to be ready and wear Blue, Corneo loves that color!" Cloud growled and sat down on the small bed removing those damned hills, he started to rub his feet and giving soft moans of pain he carefully removed the tiara on his hair and all the woman's clothes. He took out his pajamas and was grateful when the soft fabric touched his skin. Yes finally some man clothes!
Lying now completely on the soft pillows Cloud grabbed his cellphone deciding it was time for Zack's signal text, but when his fingers started typing the message he stopped.
He was nervous, if their were caught Zack could get into trouble and get hurt. In the worst scenario they'll have no place to run, down here everybody hated Shinra and he was sure no one would help them if they needed a place to hide.
He didn't want to be pessimist but the thought of watching his best friend getting hurt just…depressed him somehow. Recently Zack had been in his thought constantly, he was his best friend…Cloud liked Zack. Damn! He liked Zack quite a bit.
Now that he thought about him. He had noticed that Zack had been more possessive and annoying around him. He had been friends with the Soldier for around a year and knew his manners. The black haired was annoying when he wanted Cloud's attention only for him. Also more that usual the solider invaded his personal bubble and touched him in more than a friendly way, which did not bothered the blonde the least, in fact he kind of enjoyed the attention; however for the past months he felt that his relationships with the first class had changed from a brotherly one to something more than that.
He still couldn't define his relationship with Zack , but he knew it was getting harder to hide his feelings when Zack acted like that towards him. Had Zack realize and that was why he was teasing him constantly?
He recalled the day when both were on Sephiroth's office. He still remember the look of longing in those eyes and the words that were willing to scape Zack's lips but nevertheless they never came out, the blond didn't know if he had imagined things but he felt the other's face closer as he was about to whisper some words. Cloud could remember how his heart had started to bit faster and the warming sensation invading his body, and when Zack had said he thought Cloud was beautiful in his own way made the blond's heart warm, a chilling sensation invading his body at Zack 's kind words. Those little actions had lead Cloud to the conclusion that he had fallen for his friend.
-o-
Cloud woke up with a throbbing headache because he had slept late and the fact that he overslept didn't help the situation.
"I shouldn't had work that late" the blonde turned left. His gaze stopped at his watch on the nightstand. It was almost 3 pm, which meant he had less than an hour to dress for Corneo and must important of all, he had forgot to send the message to Zack, what and idiot he was!.
"God! Where did I leave my cellphone?"
The blond searched under the covers frenetically. Finally he spotted the device on the very corner of his bed, he reached for it and flip it open quickly searching for his friends cell number, when he finally spotted Zack's , he started typing "It's time for your appointment at 4 pm" the blond sent the message tagged as important.
He then took out his woman clothes and made his way to the shower.
After 10 minutes he was out and was getting ready for his appointment, he chose the blue silk dress. It was a plain halter dress, with a princess silhouette, the skirt was frilled and it was short, it fell above his knees.
Finally he put the extensions in their place and finished his hairstyle with a small tiara, it shined gracefully on his blond hair and it gave him a look of innocence.
With some difficulty he applied some make up, he put some pink blush on is cheeks and curled his eyelashes, lastly he applied a pink lipstick.
A knock on the door made him stop his ministrations.
"Hi! Are you ready?" There in the door stood Jhony with his idiotic grin on his face, the blonde just nodded.
"Perfect, then take your things I'll wait for you outside"
Cloud closed the door and opened his bag to take out the white stockings he was going to wear, he then took out his hills they were blue pumps, the same tone as his dress. The hills were quite high and the blonde sighed in annoyance, Why did Shinra had to pick up so high hills?! He sat down on the bed and put the stockings and growling he put the pumps on, his feet still hurt from yesterday's torture and he hissed in pain when he made his first attempt to walk.
"Cloud!" Jhony shouted from the other side of the door"We are gonna be late!"
The blonde almost spoke completely forgetting about the device that helped with his voice, he went to the dresser and put the necklace on.
"Almost Finished!"
He tried to walk quickly with his hills and every step was agony but he tried to put that in the back of his mind.
The blond was relieved when he find out that they were going by car to Corneo's mansions, His feet were slowly killing him and he was sure he would have died in the way there. He entered the car shutting the door and gave a surprised yelp when he recognized Barret, the guy who was helping them out.
"Hello, Blondi? How is it going?"
"I'm Fine"
"Really, you look like shit thou…I heard from Jhony you got quite popular in one day, did you overworked or what?"
"Yeah, a lil bit"
"I guess you are ready for the big deal?"
"Of course I'm"
Barret was about to say something but Jhony took the driver's place and they both reminded silent for the rest of the ride, much to Cloud's relieve. He really didn't enjoyed talking to the man.
In less than some minutes they had arrived to their destination. Cloud step outside watching carefully his surroundings, the mansions was quite big and it surely didn't fit with the poor surroundings of the slums.
The trio made their way to the entrance it was a big wooden door with an oriental style, similar to the palaces of Wutai. The door was surrounded by a bunch of guards and the mansion just screamed mafia all over the place. The walls of the mansion were quite tall and Cloud then realized why did he had to infiltrate this way, the security in the place was pretty tight. A rush of anxiety suddenly invaded his system, Zack could be in trouble if something went wrong, he took his cellphone to warn his friend about it but was stopped by Barret.
"Don't do that, keep that thing hidden somewhere I'm sure you are gonna need it, if the guards see you with that…" He made a gun gesture with his hand and Cloud just nodded as he hid his cellphone under his dress. He had a weapon belt in his waist, just in case something went wrong he brought a small gun and his knife with him.
A Guy in black spotted them and approached them hastily "What's your business here?"
"We bring a new girl for Corneo"
"I need the identification of both you" The guard said pointing at Jhony and Barret, they both showed and ID and the guard gave a signal to another man standing near the door, he pulled a lever and the door made a loud cracking sound as it slowly opened.
Cloud was the first to get inside the mansion and was greeted by two beautiful women. "Welcome, please follow us" Cloud looked back at Barret with a questioning gaze, but the man just nodded and the blond couldn't do anything but follow the other two ladies.
They took him to a room were other two girls were seating in a red leader couch, the walls were red and had some oriental ideograms painted in gold a small lamp was lighting the place with a low glow.
"Please wait here, don't go to any other place" Was all the girls say as they quietly pull the sliding door leaving him all alone with the other two ladies. This was bad.
How was he supposed to search for some information when there were people near him? He needed to think of something to leave the room without looking suspicious. Blue eyes scanned the room for recon, it was pretty damn small and there was not other exit beside the front door, but it lack other doors, so maybe it did not had a toilet, and going to the toilet seemed like a perfect excuse.
Approaching the talking ladies in the coach he shyly asked "Excuse me, do you know if there's a toilet nearby?"
The women shock their head "Sorry Honey, we are new here too" one of them replied with a gentle voice.
"I see, I really need to go.."
"I think there is one at the end of the hall, why don't you check out?"
Cloud sighed, "Well you know those girls told me to wait here, what if they come back and I'm not here?"
"Hey don't worry we tell them you just went to the restroom"
"Really? Thank you so much I'll be right back"
"No problem" They both replied with a smile.
That was easy, he really thought those girls would be a big obstacle to spy outside, but it was a piece of cake to get out. He took a step outside the hall listening carefully, everything was quite, and no one seemed to be nearby. He slowly made his way to the end of the hall and checked out his left and right. All clear.
He was searching for a room that looked different from the other's but all the rooms were exactly the same he was just about to turn in a corner when he heard voices coming from the hall. He quickly opened one of the rooms and got inside. In less than 5 seconds he could hear the footsteps just outside the room. His breath hitched as he carefully listened to the men in the hall.
"You were there then?"
"Yeah, it was really hard, those turks are a bunch of bitches"
"Shinra is full of bitches. Anyway, I heard they are making a fuse about the information we got, what was it anyways?"
"I don't really know myself, but it's something regarding General Sephiroth I heard, something about human experimentation…deep shit man I tell you Shinra could get in serious trouble"
"So that's why security has been pretty tight recently?"
"Yeah, Shinra would defiantly try to get it back, that's of course if they can."
"They have it in a safe place I guess?
"The safest place in the mansion, they could never reach it, not over Corneo's death body"
"I guess is in the boss Suit"
"Maybe, I don't know any safer place than that"
The voices were distant now and relieved Cloud stopped holding his breath, that information was very useful, he just needed to get there and have a good time there to search the place, but he had an idea and Zack Fair was going to take care about that.
Searching for his phone he started to type his plan to his friend.
-o-
Sector 7 was a very poor neighbor. Everything was very old, destroyed or looked abandoned. Zack walked by the streets filled with dust and trash feeling pity for the people that had to live down here. If one day he made it to a higher rank in Shinra he would defiantly made something for Sector 7. They didn't deserver this way of life.
He finally arrived to the market area in the sector and asking for some directions he found Corneo's mansion. He was a received by a huge red wood door with Barret waiting for him near the entrance.
"You are Leo Firenze?" The man raised an eyebrow as he inspected Zack from feet to toe.
"That's me" Zack shrugged waiting for the man to say something.
"Turn around I need to check if you have any weapons"
Zack raised his hands above his head and turned around "I'm clean, man"
"I don't care, is an official requirement. No weapons with the boss"
Zack rolled his eyes and gave a small jump when a loud cracking sound was heard. It was the big wooden door that was slowly opening. Barret walked inside and Zack followed close behind.
The mansion was pretty luxurious from the inside a enormous candelabrum was hanging in the middle of the main room and it gracefully lighten the stairs, which were covered in a red carpet, the stair railing had a beautiful gold design, it was a pretty good sight but the ladies that were waiting for him upstairs was the best sight of them all. Zack smirked; this mission was the best Shinra had assigned him so far.
Barret lead them to the top, the two beautiful ladies were dressed in blue, and their dresses were elegant, sensual but not vulgar. "Mr Firenze" they both greeted. Zack bowed his head in respect and immediately Barret was left behind and both ladies move to his side taking one of his arms and leading him to Mr Corneo's office.
It was a small walk much to Zack's disgrace he was enjoying the company of the ladies, they were very nice and both had a beautiful smile. Nevertheless they arrived and Zack reminded alone, waiting for the golden door to be open. He fixed his red tight and tried to calm his nerves. He had to completely act like a cold bastard. Like he was made of stone, as a classical mafia leader.
He had even picked specific clothes to look more like it. A expensive black suit, elegant shoes and of course and elegant watch in his wrist. He was about to watch the time on said device when the golden door was suddenly open and famous Don Corneo appeared, a smile gracing his lips.
" , a pleasure" he offered a hand and Zack took it gladly.
"Same" he shook it with force and Corneo put a hand on his back leading him inside.
"Please take a sit" Corneo turned around, and Zack used that opportunity to scan the room quickly it was a small office, it didn't seem to have a safe and must of all it didn't look like a safe place. Not for Zack's opinion the door didn't even had a clench. Corneo wouldn't keep in here the information.
"Do you drink?" He asked as he opened a whisky bottle. The black haired man look at the bottle in thought he really shouldn't but…well who cared?.
"Sure" The mafia leader nodded and moments later handed the glass to Zack, who immediately took a sip. Corneo sat on his place and studied Zack from head to toe.
"Was it difficulty arriving here ?"
"A little, I have to admit you have tight security in your mansion, having trouble with other mafia houses?"
"As if! My main problem are those Shinra bastard's I know sooner or later they are sending those roaches called Turks to start a fight"
Zack laughed and nodded "I know, those son of bitches doesn't know were to keep their stupid noses"
"I agree but enough of the small talk let's talk about the business at hand"
"I agree"
"I heard from Barret you are interested in having some of my girls?"
"That's correct sir I would pay plenty of money for them, you see man in my mafia need to have fun sometimes"
"I see, have you ever tried one of my girls?"
"I'll have to say no, I find out about your place because plenty of my man travelled from Gongaga just to be here, I decided I'll came to see you and buy some of your girls"
"And Interesting decision I'll love to give you one of my girls but you see I'm no interested in money " Zack frowned and took a big sip from his drink.
"I see, what is what you need I have plenty of things to offer you"
"Weapons" Zack smirked oh he had plenty of those!
"You find your right man Corneo, my specialty is arms trafficking"
Zack could slowly see how Corneo's smile turn wide and almost creepy "I think we have an agreement?" Corneo offered a hand but Zack remind still.
"Not quite yet, I wanna try one of your girls myself, and I want this girl specially for me. Show me the best you got, and I will not only gave you weapons but I'll give you one manufactured by Shinra."
Corneo's mouth was wide open "You have one? But how?"
"I don't say how I do business Corneo. Family secret. Shinra may be a fucking bastard, but believe me Shinra's techonology is the best."
"You have your deal"
Zack smiled "One last request"
"I hear you"
"You have a pretty nice mansion Corneo, I envy you, so much beauty on this building you have quite a good taste" Corneo smiled at the compliment and thanked him "Can I have this session with your girl in the best place you have here?"
"I can give you one of the suits from the first floor those are for my best custo-"
"Don't you have something better? I offer you one Shinra robot if you give me for this night your best suit" Zack poured himself another cup, that damned whisky was so good. The bottle was almost empty and Corneo hadn't even finished his first drink. Zack didn't felt remorse when he drank his drink in one fluid motion and reached for the bottle to serve himself the last drink. He poured the alcohol in the glass as he waited for Corneo's answer. The man was overthinking his request, the mafia's leader attitude reveal he indeed had something to hide in there.
He heard a sighed and was greeted then by the smell of tobacco, when the hell did Corneo start smoking? "Excuse me, may I have another drink from those bottles" Zack pointed at the mini bar next to the mafia leader.
"Be my guest" Zack tried his best to stand straight and made his way to the mini bar. He really shouldn't be drinking on a Shinra's top security mission but damn! Corneo knew were to buy the finest alcohol in all Midgar.
Some minutes later the smoke of Corneo's cigar was heavy and Zack had almost finished his second bottle.
"All right Leo, you have your damn deal, but listen to me…If I see, or hear you doing anything weird in the room. "He looked at Zack with cold eyes "I'm warning you, you'll paid with blood."
"Relax Corneo. I'll just have fun with one of your girls" Corneo send him a wary look and then sighed
"What type of girls would you preferred?" The mafia leader rubbed his temple; he was clearly displeased with the terms of agreement.
Zack finished his drink and gave a soft moan "Blond ones are the best" he smirked and Corneo raised and eyebrow and was about to say something when Zack remembered one important detail "If you have a virgin girl, I swear to god I'll give you two Shinra robot's or more"
Corneo stood up from his place and quietly open the door giving a quick glance to Zack he added. "You are man hard to please ."
He closed the door not saying anything more.
Zack smirked he was definitely sure he would see Cloud enter that door in any moment.
Next chapter is the last.
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