Chapter 9

Kotetsu fumbled with the catch in the window as she desperately tried to keep quiet. She had to get away from here to protect Cloud and his family, she had to disappear, make a life somewhere new. She couldn't bring everyone into her dark world, all because they wanted to help her, for some strange reason. She wasn't worth it.

And then it dawned on her.

Her location chip!

This only hastened her attempts to get out of the window. She had to find Reno and tell him about the chips that all of the weapons possessed, and then she could lead everyone looking for them away. Lead them out of Midgar, lead them to the outskirts of the world.

The latch clicked open, and she was out in the night air. She slid down the side of the building on a drain pipe, her hands squeaking rather loudly, which annoyed her slightly. So much for her stealth training. She landed on the ground with a soft thump, and stumbled slightly, apparently not having fully recovered yet. She checked her surroundings as she readied herself to make a mad dash through the shadows of the town, her eyes and ears carefully scanning the area. All seemed clear.

"And where do you think you're going?" Kotetsu almost let out a yelp in surprise, although she had to admit, she was not all that surprised that Cloud had known.

"Cloud!" He had never heard her say his name before which he had only just realised at that moment, and he would definitely like to hear it more.

"I told you, you would be safe here." Kotetsu finally turned round, her eyes glistening in the pale moonlight.

"You can't." Kotetsu felt fear unsettle in her. If Cloud said the safe word again, or any variant of it, she was worried she wouldn't leave, ever. Cloud stepped away from the wall he was currently leaning on and made his way towards Kotetsu. She flinched back, knowing that if he touched her, she would give up on everything, and never be able to leave. "Stop!" Cloud obeyed, looking quite hurt, but a little confused. "They always find." She turned her head and pointed to the back of her neck where he noticed a small, rectangular shaped lump.

"A tracking device?" Kotetsu just stared at him, not really sure what it was called. All she knew was that she would always be find no matter where she went.

"Always find." She turned and began to run as fast as she could from the unavoidable blonde, his footfalls echoing after her through the streets.

"Kotetsu!" He stage whispered, trying not to shout and alert everyone that they were there. He caught up to the limping girl within moments, his arms wrapping around her and lifting her. She struggled, but didn't harm him in any way, no matter how much she wanted to. His grip was too tight however, her wriggling no match for his strength. He turned and headed back to the inn, quite at a loss on what to do. He couldn't tie her to the bed or lock her in her room, he wanted her to trust him, maybe eventually grow to love him. Not associate him with her other tormentors and eventually resent and hate him. But he had to keep her safe, and he couldn't do that if she ran off.

Maybe he could take the chip out?

Kotetsu continued to struggle against the blonde, a few swear words she had picked up leaving her. She didn't want to hurt him, but if that was what it was going to take to get away, she would need to sacrifice. This was too important! She reached her legs back and wrapped them around the back of his thighs and tightly squeezed, causing him to stumble and almost lose his balance.

"Kotetsu. Enough already." Cloud seemed annoyed, but she could tell he understood. She then tightened them further, earning a sigh from the blonde. "Kotetsu, I'm not letting go." She then twisted her body so suddenly, that Cloud almost dropped her. Her arms slinked behind his neck, and she pulled on the back of his knees, hard. His legs finally buckled and they both fell, but Cloud didn't let go. She struggled some more, wrestling with the blonde to free herself, but Cloud held tight, eventually pressing down on the girl with his weight. Kotetsu blushed as she felt Cloud's body flush against hers, his breath dancing on her lips. Cloud steadied himself before he hoisted the girl into the air again, this time throwing her over his shoulder, securing her legs against his chest. "I told you. I'm not letting go." Kotetsu huffed as she let the blonde take her back to the inn. He had to sleep at some point.

...

Cloud ran his finger over the little chip in Kotetsu's neck, feeling for anything attached to it. He figured it was just like any animal information chips that he had seen. Kotetsu sat patiently as Cloud probed around, trying to ignore the sensations his bare fingers on her skin caused. She had often wondered what it would be like to see Cloud without gloves, and she found that she quite liked it. Though there was probably nothing the blonde could do that she wouldn't like...

"It doesn't seem like it would be too hard, and since we are kind of strapped for time, with everyone tracking you and all that, how do you feel about me just cutting it out now?" Kotetsu nodded, understanding the importance of getting rid of the chip. "Okay. It's going to sting mind." Kotetsu laughed softly as she nodded again, of course being no stranger to pain. Cloud got up from his seat and disappeared into the kitchen, his footfalls quiet and soft as he tried not to wake the rest of the inn. They had a couple of guests staying with them which was nice. The inn was bringing back buisness well, thank god...

Kotetsu stared at the door, her thoughts considering escape, and she would have probably left then had Cloud not been about to free her. Free her from her master's constant following and neverending threat of imprisonment and slavery almost.

So she decided to wait until Cloud had rid her of the chip before leaving. She quickly removed the smile on her face, a little annoyed at herself for being so excited about staying longer. Cloud was really confusing things...

Cloud returned with a rather sharp looking knife, a pair of tweezers and a few wet clothes. He walked over to his seat again, but didn't sit down. He sat his tools on the table before dissapearing behind the bar again. He fumbled about for a few seconds before he produced a bottle of clear liquid and a box of matches.

"Okay." He breathed out, trying to calm his nerves as he made his way back over to the table. "If it gets too bad then let me know and we can try something else maybe?" Cloud however didn't know how else to get the thing out without physically removing it. Kotetsu nodded again, shifting in her seat slightly. Cloud ran his fingers through her tangled hair lightly, picking most of it up and repositioning it over her shoulders and out of the way. He then took one of the clothes and poured some of the bottled liquid on it. "This will sterilise the knife and help keep the wound clean." Cloud caught Kotetsu's inquisitive look and felt a need to probably explain what he was doing before he started cutting her up. Kotetsu just nodded her head in understanding as she continued to watch Cloud work. He then rubbed the knife in the cloth for a few moments, his smile distracting her slightly. Cloud then took the box of matches and opened it. "Just to burn the alcohol off the alcohol." Kotetsu nodded again. She watched carefully as the fire burned a sort of blue-ish colour, then yellow. Cloud was taking in every moment of awe in Kotetsu's eyes, wondering when he had become so lucky. He then placed knife gently next to the chip that sat to the left of her spine, jus where the neck and shoulder met. He fingered it a little more, noting how it seemed to be loose and just under the skin. He moved his tools onto his seat, keeping the knife in his hand, and bent over to take one last look. "On the count of three, one." He didn't count to three as the knife pierced her flesh, Kotetsu not even flinching. Cloud didn't like the lack of reaction, but he made quick work, cutting a small 'L' shape down the length of the left side and a little along the bottom of the chip. He used one of the wet cloths to clean up the blood, dabbing the cut until it started to clot a little. He gave the chip a wee push, and watched the corner of it poke out of the incision. Again he cleaned the wound and then took the tweezers, carefully levering out the tracking device, checking now and again on Kotetsu's facial expression, which didn't change much. "There." Cloud dropped the chip into one of the cloths, gave her a new cloth to hold onto the back of her neck, and wiped the chip clean.

Kotetsu watched the chip as it was placed into her hand, Cloud feeling that she might want to see it. She brought it closer to her eyes to get a better look, annoyed that something so small could have helped to ruin her life so hugely. She sighed as she gave it back to Cloud, not wanting to see anything that would remind her of that place...

"You're free." Cloud's words washed over her, followed closely by realisation. They could never find her if she hid. "Now." Cloud held the chip up, smiling a little at his plan. "All we have to do now is a set a fake trail, don't you think?" Kotetsu nodded, clearly excited about this new plan.

...

Kotetsu looked at the sink in front of her, unsure of what Tifa really wanted her to do. She had said to clean the dishes, but she really had no idea how to do that. She inspected the taps in front of her, noticing how they seemed to be the same as the ones in the bathroom. This was a start. She had really only heard of and seen taps when Cloud had shown her how to use them, apparently washing yourself was a part of everyday things.

Who knew?

Kotetsu then inspected the dirty dishes and glasses, feeling quite nervous. She had to get this right. She owed Tifa a lot.

She turned on one of the taps and waited for it to run warm. When it didn't, she switched to the other. After a moment or two, the warm water began to increase in temperature and Kotetsu started her task. She took the plate closest to her and held it under the water, waiting until the crumbs and sauce marks had gone. She placed it over on the worktop at the other side of the sink, and continued through the dishes until Cloud came through to join her.

"You know you need to use cleaning stuff, yeah?" Kotetsu blinked at the blonde, clearly not understanding. "You can't just use water. Like with your hands or hair, you use soap. With dishes, we use this." Cloud held up a bottle of blue liquid.

"Soap?" Kotetsu repeated, trying her hardest to learn more words.

"Yeah." He nudged Kotetsu, indicating for her to move over. "You fill up the sink using this," Cloud held up a black circular drain stopper, "and let the water fill the- " Cloud pulled his hand back from the water quickly. "Fuck that's hot." He put the stopper down on the draining board and immediately took Kotetsu's hands in his, looking at them closely. "You've scolded yourself, isn't it sore?" Kotetsu shrugged as she stared off into the water that was still running into the sink. She then took her left hand from his and shoved it under the scorching water, her expression remaining calm. "Jesus! Don't do that." Cloud quickly pulled her hand away. "We use hot and cold until it is at a temperature you're not going to melt your skin in. Here." He moved Kotetsu back some more and turned the cold tap on. He waited a few moments to allow the water to cool a little before sticking the stopper in the drain. The sink began to fill. As the water level increased, Cloud added the blue liquid, which immediately began to froth and bubble. Kotetsu giggled, slipping her hand around Cloud's waist to stick her finger into the white foam. "You like it?" Kotetsu nodded enthusiastically, a small smile in place. Cloud stepped to the side to allow her a better look.

"Soft." She whispered, doodling little pictures into the increasing bubbles. Cloud watched her for a while, enjoying her little squeaks of joy as the bubbles exploded up into the air when he clapped his hands in them, and how she laughed out loud when he cupped some of the foamy suds in his hands and left them on her nose. "Love!" she cheered, bouncing them in the air as she walked around the small kitchen.

"Kotetsu, I need three more glasses if you're... Cloud! What the hell are you doing?" Tifa stood perplexed as she watched Cloud step back from his masterpiece.

"Beard!" Kotetsu shrieked, laughing like a five year old. Cloud smiled at his work, and then at Tifa.

"What do you think?" Tifa rubbed her eyes in frustration, but he could see the twitching of her lips into a smile.

"Yes very father Christmassy, now can I please have three glasses?" She looked at the pile of unfinished dishes and glared at him. "Now! And stop distracting my dish cleaner and go on your delivery already." Cloud quickly washed three of the glasses and smiled at Kotetsu, flashed the little chip that he had removed from her the night before and headed out into the bar area.

Kotetsu tried to move as smoothly as possible so as to keep her new beard in place. She pretended to stroke it like an old thoughtful man, and giggled at herself before starting on the dishes again.

It wasn't long before Tifa was giving her the thumbs up and Kotetsu was placed on the less fun job of wiping down tables. Tifa had demonstrated what she wanted this time, apologising now and again for leaving her to burn her hands in the kitchen. Kotetsu didn't mind since she got to spend time with Cloud.

And a beard!

"'ere, lass." Kotetsu turned to see an old man in the table next to hers, signalling for her to go over and speak to him. "Haven't seen you around here. What's your name?" Kotetsu stared at the man, unsure of what to say. She couldn't tell him her real name, it might get back to her master, but she couldn't think of any others either.

"Tohru." Tifa called over, "and you can just leave her alone now." The man raised his hands defensively and Kotetsu returned to work.

A couple of hours had gone by, and Tifa had managed to work Kotetsu the whole time. Cloud hadn't been wrong about her being a slave driver. Kotetsu had come to the conclusion that she loved to clean, but hated to serve. She had no idea what any of the drinks or foods were called, so she couldn't really help much at the bar. Tifa had been very understanding, but Kotetsu had felt quite upset about being so useless. She would ask Cloud to teach her later.

"Tifa! Tifa!" Two kids, Kotetsu had learned their names to be Denzel and Marlene, came racing into the bar. Tifa turned to face them, worry clearly set in her beautiful eyes. "There's a man who's here to see you! He says it's urgent!" Tifa set the glass she was filling up down on the bar in front of her current customer and made to make her way around the bar.

"Well hello gorgeous, I was wondering if you could help me?" The deep voice rolled over Kotetsu like treacle, causing her to shudder in fear. "A girl by the name of Kotetsu? She was seen around here, and it would be in both our interests if you returned her to me?" Kotetsu watched through the gap in the kitchen door as Tifa set down the tray of glasses she had been about to bring her to clean.

"Kotetsu?" She rubbed her chin as she pretended to think hard. "We get a lot of people in here. Could you be more precise? A description maybe." Kotetsu admired Tifa's bravery.

"Certainly." Her master's cruel eyes searched Tifa, as if trying to find some kind of weakness to use against her if he needed. He knew Kotetsu was here. She could feel it."A little taller than you, very thin, almost malnourished. Long black hair, different coloured eyes." Tifa shook her head through the whole description, her facade quite admirable.

"Nope, sorry. Can't say I have." She smiled sweetly as she moved the tray along the bar and turned to serve a customer. She checked the clock, noting Cloud would be back within the next ten minutes, if he was on time.

"Why do I have trouble believing you?" Tifa continued to serve, obviously trying to ignore the man. "I know she's here. I also know you have two very beautiful children, and would be a shame if anything was to happen to them." The man reach over and gently cupper Marlene's chin, who seemed to have cottoned on to the fact that this man was dangerous. Tifa never lied unless it was completely necessary, and Marlene's fear was evident. Her eyes darted to Tifa's, a silent plea for help. The ominous man looked up at the gap in the door and locked eyes with Kotetsu.

Caught.

"Don't make me say the words." Kotetsu pushed through the door, interrupting whatever comeback Tifa had at the ready, her head hung in shame. "Ah my little princess, I see that I was not mistaken. Been searching all over for you, and it turns out I had been chasing streams and rivers all along." The sarcasm in his voice held threat, and Kotetsu couldn't help but wonder if he had found Cloud and harmed him. "I'll be leaving now, enjoy your day Tifa Lockheart." Tifa's eyes flew open in surprise at her full name being uttered, the master leaving his mark of fear behind.

"Don't you even think about it." Tifa tried to grab Kotetsu's wrist, but she avoided it, turning and shaking her head.

"No. Don't understand." She pointed to Tifa.

"No, you don't." The master piped in, taking Kotetsu by the scruff of the neck, and marching her out of the Seventh Heaven.

Herro! Here's a new chapter for you all, a little short yes, but the next one will not be so bad. Hope you enjoy

And thank you all for your reviews and I'm very sorry to be taking so long XD

Glad to see people are liking this story though. Thank you!

Enjoy!