Hope you like the update!!! Questions from last time, theres only really one you're all asking and that is... DUH DUH DUUUH:- DID VINCENT SHOOT SORA?!!!

Hope you enjoy


The Battle May Be Wn, But What About The War?

Soku froze and gripped Everent's arm firmly mid-step. "Did you hear that?"

Everent nodded. "Gunshot. Sounds like it was from over there." The dark prince pointed to the west of the camp.

The silveret gasped, "The infirmary!"

The two broke off in a run.


Mickey jumped. "Gunfire?"

Ansem nodded. "It would appear so."

Xikru chuckled, "Why is it I'm always called to clear up your messes?" He sighed. "I'll check it out. Catch you later!" And before anyone could say anything Xikru disappeared through the floor of the lab and all they could hear was his ringing laughter.


Vincent's mouth dropped. Sora had shimmered as the gun was pulled, the bullet flying from its chamber and keening through the air to tear through the canvas opposite and harm no one, Sora appearing beside him to tear the weapon from his human hand with sharp claws and slice him across his chest.

True, Vincent was damn near indestructible but surprise is a human trait and one Vincent rarely experienced. He was shamed to admit, Sora surprised him.

"Vincent!" Cloud cried, about to go to his friends aid when Kadaj stopped him, appearing beside the blond and gripping his upper arm tightly.

"I don't think so, blondie. Sephiroth wants to see you now. Say 'bye-bye' to Vinny!" Kadaj giggled and pulled Cloud away.

"Vincent!" Cloud screamed as he felt himself being taken away. He stretched out his hand and felt Vincent just brush his fingers when Kadaj pulled them apart and Sora surprised them all by shoving his clawed hand into Vincent's chest and wrenching it around viciously. "VINCENT!"

Sora pulled his hand free and wiggled it, the appendage dripping with tissue, skin and blood as Vincent staggered back and hit the floor with a groan.

"Wow… what happened to you, love?"

The assembled party, Vincent not counting, turned to see who appeared to be a sixteen year old Riku walk through the canvas wall and address Sora in a kind, mildly surprised manner.

"R-Riku?!" Cloud gasped.

"No, I'm-"

Loz lunged forwards, his materia and mako enhanced body moving lightning faced as he went to attack the young silveret who dodged back out of the canvas room and then in again by floating out from the ground in a specter-like manner.

"Now that," The male who appeared to be Riku scowled, "wasn't very nice."

Kadaj shook his head, he was done with this, it was starting to give him a headache. "Leave that thing, Loz, we got what we came for. Sora, come on!"

In a flash the three silveret's, Sora and Cloud shimmered with dark energy and vanished leaving an unconscious Vincent and an intrigued Xikru who watched them go with a pondering expression as Soku and Everent burst into the tent.

Soku stared at Xikru who looked at them with a flashy smile. "D-dad?" Soku was understandably a bit shocked to see his dad stood there in what appeared to be quite sexy clothing and looked to be no more than sixteen, I mean how often can you see your dad to be around the same age as you?

"Soku, I don't think… oh my god!" Everent cried when his gaze fell upon Vincent, the crimson warrior laid in a pool of his own blood.

Soku fell to his knees, his eyes darting over Vincent's wound. He gathered the material around the hole in the elder man's chest and pressed it as tightly together as he could, pressurizing the wound.

"Everent, help me!" Soku gasped.

Doing as asked the two teens began to pressure the wound to stop the bleeding as Xikru circled them curiously, "Why not just cast cure?"

"I'm made of dark!" Everent hissed.

"I don't know how, dad… just who the hell are you?" Soku cried as he strove to save Vincent, instant panic setting in telling him his friend was going to die.

Xikru flashed a grin, "I'm you're dad's heart!"

Soku started, "X-Xikru?!"

"One and only! Er… one of two…" Xikru pulled a face then rubbed his hands together. "Okay, love, lets fix you up! Cure!" pointing his hand down the green energy pattern of healing magic leapt from Xikru's palm and enveloped Vincent's wound, re-stitching the skin and muscle tissue as good as new. "Easy!"

Soku stood up shakily, "Y-you… you were in those stories… they always swore that the stories were real but…"

Xikru pouted, "I'm hurt you thought I wasn't real but I can appreciate that hearing your dad and your dad's heart are two different things is a little hard to accept. Anyways, here I am! What do you think? I'm your dad at sixteen years old, when he was his sexiest. Though Sora would say Riku's always been sexy." Sticking his tongue out the silveret laughed, "Hopeless romantic that boy."

"'That boy' is my Papa… and he's missing." Soku informed Xikru sadly, his eyes tearing with hopelessness.

Xikru blinked, "No he's not. I saw him a moment ago. He was in shadow form which surprised me because I thought I fixed that and he was with three silvered haired men who were taking some blond guy away from that guy." Xikru pointed to Vincent.

"Cloud! P-Papa took Cloud?! Where to?!" Soku demanded.

Everent gently put a hand on Soku's shoulder, "Where else? Back to Sephiroth."

Xikru sighed heavily, "Okay, I'm the smart part of Riku and I have no clue what's going on. Can someone explain please?"

"I'd like to know too, where's Cloud?" Leon asked, entering the tent briskly, freezing by Vincent's still unconscious but intact form if a little bloodied. "What the hell happened here? Why is Cloud not here?"

"L-Leon… Sora's gone dark… according to Xikru; he appears to be under Sephiroth's control." Soku whispered softly.

"Sora was with Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo by my understanding. They came to get one thing and they got it." Everent added.

"Leon, they took Cloud."


Cloud wavered as they arrived at the destination. The second they touched solid ground Kadaj released him and he fell to his hands and knees, desperately trying to quell the pressing wooziness. He heard a throaty chuckle above him that came even closer as the figure knelt before him.

"You never did like traveling by darkness…"

Cloud shuddered as his hair stood on end and the voice from his nightmares returned, hard. He didn't dare look up but he'd been addressed so he daren't not. Slowly and filled with fear and terror Cloud managed to lift his head and lock blue eyes with mako-green ones, electric with power that hungered so openly.

"Cloud…" Sephiroth breathed, moving closer, his hands lifting Cloud to his feet forcefully and when Cloud found he couldn't keep his body upright, Sephiroth was more than happy to hold him tightly. "I've finally got you…"

"N-not yet…" Cloud murmured, summoning all of his bravery and courage to aid him as he fought for his friends, the image of Vincent's bloodied body imprinted in his mind.

Sephiroth leant back to look at Cloud with an expression mixed with affront, curiosity and disdain. "What do you mean by that?"

"I-I c-came willingly… so I a-ask in r-return…" Cloud shuddered again, the inescapable dark aura of Sephiroth's nearness seeping over him like ice. "P-please… l-let S-Sora g-go…"

Sephiroth was silent for a moment then lifted Cloud's bowed head with a finger, pulling them flush against each other as he spoke slowly to the blond. "Are you afraid of me?" Cloud started but he had nowhere to run so his struggle was short lived and Sephiroth was surprisingly patient with him. "I asked you a question, Cloud."

"I-I…" There was nothing to be gained by lying, not only would Sephiroth not be fooled but Cloud would lose even more of his determination if he had to resort to lying. "I am…"

"And you do not love me?" Sephiroth shot back the second the last syllable left Cloud's lips. Cloud tried to look away but Sephiroth held him still, he couldn't reply so harshly so he bit his lip and refused to answer. "…I see. So, what do I stand to gain if I let Sora go?"

"..me?" Cloud offered softly.

The silveret shrugged, "I already have you." Cloud made no reply and Sephiroth allowed the blonds' head to fall in defeat. "Come," He took firm hold of Cloud's hand and began to pull him somewhere, "I have much to show you."

Cloud made no resistance as he was led, his eyes falling on Sora's statue-like form stood in the shadows of a pillar of the stone hall. Hollow and lifeless Sora awaited orders from his master and Cloud felt his heart wrench, knowing Sora's fate was all his fault and within his mind he knew the decision he had to make.


"Then what are we doing here?! We have to find him!" Leon cried, practically shaking with adrenaline as his eyes dilated and his body filled with the need to save and protect his love.

"Leon, please-" Soku tried.

"He could be hurt! What if Sephiroth's-" Leon interrupted.

"No! Sephiroth would never hurt Cloud!" Everent cried.

"You don't know that!"

Xikru rubbed his temple agitatedly as an impending headache manifested. Making his presence known he pushed passed Everent and Soku and roughly shoved Leon. "Sit!" He roared and the shocked Leon obeyed, sitting in the empty office chair behind Cloud's desk. "Okay… enough is enough. Your bickering won't help anyone!"

The three looked ashamedly away from the silveret and were grateful for the distraction when Vincent groaned, slowly returning to the world of the living.

"Vincent!" Soku cried with delight, helping the warrior upright.

The gunman blinked blearily, "Why do I feel like shit…?"

"Sora tried to rip your heart out." Xikru supplied helpfully with a cheery grin.

"My son did WHAT?!" Leon gaped and went ignored.

Everent rolled his eyes, "Do you have to say that with a smile, Xikru?" Xikru nodded gleefully.

"Tried to… oh. Did they get Cloud?" Vincent asked softly.

Soku nodded. "We arrived too late and Kadaj took Cloud back to Sephiroth. I'm sorry Vincent." On impulse Soku hugged Vincent tightly, ignoring the way the dark haired elder stiffened at the unexpected affection. "I know you two were close, it's not your fault Cloud was taken. You did what you could."

Vincent pulled away firmly, "Soku… I tried to shoot your father to save Cloud; I don't deserve your embrace. Please, don't…"

Soku's eyes widened in shock then relaxed slowly, "But Sora's still alive… I understand the choice you must have had to make. I can't say I'm comfortable with the idea of you shooting my Papa but I forgive you."

"Thank you…" The elder said softly.

"Okay, love the tender moment there but we have to save Sora and Cloud now. I'm really only here to save Sora so lets get a move on people!" Xikru clapped his hands loudly as he clambered onto the desk to attract everyone's attention.

"And your plan is?" Leon asked from the chair.

Xikru pondered a moment then pointed his finger at Everent dramatically, "You! Hot kid with an emo-angst complex! Your Sephy's kid are you not?"

Everent blinked in surprise. "Emo… angst? Sephy…? Er… yeah?"

Soku giggled at Everent's confusion and Xikru shot the little silveret a wink before looking back at Everent. "Well then, you must know where they are." Everent nodded. "So… lead the way!"

"Alright. Follow me."

Supplies weren't needed and they were soldiers taken to wandering around fully armed for various reasons, Soku for his own protection, Leon out of habit and Vincent out of comfort, so they didn't need to stop off and get anything. They crept silently out of the camp in the ever-moonlight that shone over the area, nearing the tree line and taking cover amongst the foliage.

Everent led them to a clearing he and Soku knew well and they stopped a moment to plan their attack. "I can get us right to the heart of the castle where Sephiroth is most likely to be. From there we can get to the bowels of the castle if we need to."

"And why would we need to?" Leon asked.

"If Sephiroth isn't in the throne room, he'll be below. I've only been to a small part of the foundations for my… disciplining. I know what is down there but I've never seen it so if Sephiroth is down there, we'll be playing by ear."

"Where is he likely to have Sora?" Xikru asked curiously.

"Probably close to hand. Sora's been made into his obedient servant so he'll want easy access should he need Sora."

"So… we find Sephiroth… we find Sora?" Soku surmised. Everent nodded.

"And Cloud?"

"Sephiroth has talked of nothing else than having Cloud back with him since as long as I can remember, he won't let Cloud out of his sight for a long time. We can safely assume both Sora and Cloud will be with Sephiroth at all times."

"Agrh, then we have an accord gentlemen!" Xikru declared dramatically with a little bow and an entirely over the top pirate accent.

Soku sighed, "I always knew my dad watched too much TV."


Sora could see himself moving, following after Sephiroth like an obedient dog but he could do nothing to stop himself. Trapped within his own body as another entity took over he felt himself reliving the last time he'd experienced it and dearly hoped he wouldn't get raped again. He resigned himself to watching with frequent resistances given to the entity's orders and he could feel himself slowly gaining ground as he stopped the darkness from moving to stand behind Sephiroth as the silveret spoke to Cloud and instead the shadow form stayed exactly where it was in the shadows.

Feeling his energy ebbing away he allowed the entity to continue but he knew he was getting stronger and he knew the entity was only able to keep control so long as he was figuring out how to take control back.

Sora himself was no stronger this time than he was last time but he had another incentive this time. He knew Sephiroth intended to do harm to Soku and that thought alone was something that was able to give him inhuman strength to save his son.


Cloud felt so small and tiny as Sephiroth led him into the depths of the castle, a strong arm snaked firmly around his waist, leading him relentlessly yet not aggressively. The blond would have given anything to escape his fate and yet he knew he would never follow through with it, Vincent had already pointed out they could have kept running but Cloud knew he couldn't run forever and Sephiroth would never stop hunting him. There would be no end to Sephiroth's determination to own him and after so long, meeting everyone he had, meeting Leon and falling in love with Leon… no matter how much his heart longed to be with the brunet, Cloud resigned himself to this fate just to save Leon and the others, they meant more than himself and he only hoped Leon would see that.

"Cloud." Sephiroth said sharply, snapping the blond from his thoughts roughly. "There's something different about you…" Cloud's eyes darted upwards to meet the mako green ones with a start as Sephiroth slowed their walk, eying him critically. "You seem as though you have just… given up. Any other time and you would have resisted me, fought with everything you had at every expense but now… you've come to me willingly, no fighting at all." Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. "I'd say I'm disappointed but I fear there's a deeper reason for your defeat than simply giving up."

Cloud bit his lip in fear but could find no reply he was sure Sephiroth would believe. Instead he looked up at the silveret in fear and alarm, unable to hide his thoughts and unable to look away. He might as well have just told Sephiroth everything as the elder was able to read every thought and every memory from the blonds' pure face as though he were reading a book.

There was a sharp smack that resounded down the hall and Cloud's neck whipped around, a painful red mark blooming across his face where Sephiroth had backhanded him. "You've fallen in love, haven't you?" The tone was warningly low, a hiss barely above a whisper as he addressed the blond he let fall from his grasp and to his knees. "Haven't you?!"

The smaller man shook with fear and felt his eyes fill with tears, flashing images of Leon's kind, smiling face looking at him with such love and compassion that he just wanted to run away and back into those strong arms that would protect him from Sephiroth. At least, in his dreams they would. Cloud would never risk Leon's life against Sephiroth's power, which was why he was in the mess he was in after all, because he was protecting Leon and the others.

"Answer me Cloud or a pained cheek won't be all you're nursing!" Sephiroth threatened, raising his fist with a promise to follow through.

Cloud shied further to the floor, falling prostrate in panic and desperation. "I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!" Cloud was screaming, shaking with panic and fear until he wasn't sure he was going to able to remain conscious for very long. "Don't be mad! Don't be mad! Please, don't be mad!"

When the corridor fell silent after the echoing screams from the fallen blond subsided to sharp, gasping breaths it was all Cloud could do to stop from just letting the unconsciousness take hold but he was too scared to even do that. He started painfully when he felt Sephiroth suddenly wrap his arms around him, pulling him close to the broad chest he was captured against and powerless to pull away from.

"You know you've been bad, don't you Cloud?" Sephiroth began softly, his hands so gentle and caring and Cloud was so terrified he was shaking against the human prison wrapped in leather he was caught within. "I know I should punish you for your disobedience but it is your first time with me in so long and you know you've done wrong… if you swear to me that you do not love that man and you love me I will not punish you." It was the only condition and Cloud felt his throat constrict and his tongue became so heavy and swollen he couldn't make a sound.

He'd already given up, why was it so hard to say he didn't love Leon? Was it because he knew he did? But… but he couldn't… not anymore. If he did, that would put Leon in danger. And decisions had already been made; there was no turning back now. Leon would forget about him soon, there would be no regrets.

"Cloud?"

"I… I… don't." Cloud murmured so quietly into the shiny, taut fabric that stretched over Sephiroth's chest. "I don't l-love him…"

The elder said nothing. It was a small victory but bit by bit Sephiroth knew he was winning and he couldn't keep the smirk from his face as he cradled Cloud against him and savored his victory, breaking Cloud this time would be much easier than the last time. Now Cloud had nothing left and yet everything to protect. He would crumble like sand…


I don't think thats as bad a cliffie as the last one, hopefully you won't try and kill me like you did last time tho. XD Tragedy says Hi btw!

I had a strange thought as I was uploading this and adding the finishing touches (mainly the little lines) seeing as I was listening to Maneater by Nelly Furtado and I just thought it kinda somehow... fit to Soku. It a funny way not OMG that is him, cos we all know ickle Soku is NOT a maneater. But here's the list I came up with...

Soku: Maneater by Nelly Furtado (although his jaw-dropping appearance gets him into a hell of a lot of trouble, I can't help but wonder what he'd be like if he used it to his advantage...)

Everent: Love Addict by Family Force 5 (he's addicted to Soku's love)

Riku: Crashed by Daughtry (kinda fits the way he and Sora work in my fic)

Sora: Beautiful Love by The Afters (its just what Sora's love is... beautiful XD)

Leon: Right Here by Staind (he'll always be right there for Cloud 3)

Cloud: Everything You Want by Vertical Horizon (kinda how he views Leon although he's just in denial atm)

Sephiroth: I'm thinking either Pretty When You Cry by Vast (cos of how he treats Cloud) or Follow You Home by Nickleback (cos of how he pursues Cloud)

I would love if when you reviewed it you included some of your own ideas of character themes that fit with the fic X3

Akaiba and TragedyInTheMaking over and out xxxx