AN: And so we reach the dreaded chapter. I posted this before a while back but since then I have made changes to it. Please enjoy.

Chapter Fourteen: Nibelheim

They were all gathered in a meeting room on the SOLDIER floor. Cloud stood with his infantry fellows, he stood straight and rigid as Sephiroth walked before them and inspected them, he paused for a long time and stared at Cloud but said nothing as he strode away again. Zack followed after him. "So, where are we going?"

"Nibelheim." Sephiroth replied curtly. Cloud froze, his eyes wide as he watched everyone walk out the door, he took a shuddery breath and lifted his helmet, he put it over his head to cover his face. He wouldn't take it off, not even if someone threatened him.

The atmosphere was tense as they made the journey back to Cloud's home town. He sat in the back of the truck with his knees drawn to his chest and a frown on his face, Zack sat at his side and handed Cloud a canister of water, Cloud declined with a shake of his head. "Hey, you all right?" Zack asked softly as the truck hit a bump, Cloud's hand went to his mouth and he fought back the violent urge to puke. Zack put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "I've got some tranquillisers if you need them."

Cloud nodded but didn't open his mouth in case he really did vomit. Zack handed him the drugs and Cloud took them, this time accepting the cannister. When they had taken affect he sighed in relief and leaned against Zack, burying his head in his chest as he unconsciously sought comfort. "I can't do this." Cloud mumbled, closing his eyes tightly.

"It's fine, the journey won't last forever." Zack replied with a smile.

"No. Not that. I can't go back." Cloud looked up and a flash of pain crossed his pale face. "They'll know. They'll all know!" He shook his head again and fell silent, pressing himself back against Zack.

"They'll know what?"

"That I...failed." Cloud replied softly. "She'll never forgive me."

"Who?"

"Tifa."

Zack tensed a little as he said that name again, his hand hovering uncertainly over Cloud's blond head. "Who is she, really?"

"A...friend." Cloud replied carefully.

"No. She's more than that, isn't she?" Zack shifted under Cloud's weight and looked up at the scenery out the back of the truck. "You keep saying her name."

Cloud's eyes opened a little and he stared at the floor. "Yeah. I guess you're right." Zack glanced at Sephiroth who sat with his arms folded across his chest and his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Zack knew he wasn't.

"Is she...special?" He asked after a long pause in which only the engine could be heard.

"Kinda." Cloud muttered.

"Huh." Zack shook his head. "I had no idea."

"No, well, I doubt she's interested in me the same way I was her." Cloud sat up and leaned back against the wall of the truck, he lifted a hand to his head and swept hair from his face. His eyes drifted closed again. "I made a promise."

"What kind of promise?"

Cloud smiled a little. "To come to her rescue...if she ever needed it." His smile fell again as quickly as it had come and melancholy swept over him. "It's a promise I can't keep." He said and curled up again, knees at his chest and his chin resting on them.

XXX

Fear. That was what the emotion was. Sephiroth was unused to it, it was a strange sensation and it made him agitated. The gates to Nibelheim loomed out of the mist like giant steel guardians. The place was full of memories, of distant cries of anguish, it was hell on earth and he was walking right through its very gates. He paused and looked around, seeing Cloud standing as stiff as a door post with hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides. Pity rose within him, another emotion he rarely felt. It seemed today was a day for the unusual. "It has been a while since you have been back in your home town, correct? How does it feel? I wouldn't know as I do not have a home town...so I wouldn't know..." He gazed once again at the gates, his voice trailing off as he waited for Cloud's answer but before he could Zack cut in.

"Huh? What about your parents?"

Sephiroth considered the young SOLDIER before him, eyes as eager as ever, seemingly impervious to insult and threat. He smiled a little. "My mother's name is Jenova, she died right after giving birth to me. And my father..." He laughed softly and shook his head, one hand moving to it as he sought to fight back a sudden, rather violent onslaught of the voice. It had been getting stronger the closer they drew to Nibelheim, what this meant Sephiroth didn't know but it certainly didn't bode well. "Why am I even discussing this?" He breathed, mostly to himself as he regained his composure. "Let's go." He swept off through the gates, the longer he tarried the harder it would be to complete this stupid mission.

They reached the Inn, he could feel the tension in Cloud as if it were his own and he turned to see a girl of about the same age as him run over. She had long dark hair and a short skirt, she eyed them both curiously and seemed to be searching for something...or someone. Sephiroth looked at the trooper he knew to be Cloud and saw how rigid he was, he wondered why he was so reluctant to show his face, obviously there was some secret here. She talked to Zack, asking strange questions before running off again, leaving Zack looking confused. "We will begin our investigation of the Mako reactor tomorrow, I suggest that you all get some rest as vigilance will be of the utmost importance. Oh, that's right..." He turned to Cloud. "You have permission to visit family and friends if you so desire." He swept into the Inn and went to their designated room, he stood at the window gazing out upon the familiar scenery and feeling a sick sense of dread enter his very soul.

Soul? Hahaha...

"Shut up." He muttered and winced a little as pain lanced through his head, the door opened to reveal Zack looking pensive.

"What are you looking at?"

Sephiroth didn't turn. "The scenery..."

XXX

Subject: If You'd Like... From: Cloud

Hey, do you want to come over to my house? I want you to try Mom's cooking. The thing is, I haven't been home yet since I've been here. I hadn't been able to make up my mind about it, but I decided that I should show my face... but going home alone is a bit uncomfortable, so I was hoping you could join me.

Zack looked at his PHS and frowned at Cloud's message, he lay in bed and yawned as he sat up and rubbed his hair. Cloud wasn't in the bed beside his. He frowned a little and climbed off the bed, standing up and stretching. Dinner with Cloud's mother sounded promising. He grinned and got out his phone again.

Cloud shifted nervously as he stood outside the Inn, he kept checking his phone in case he had missed Zack's reply but he saw no messages. He chewed on his lip as he watched people move back and forth in the square, he wore his helmet so that none of them would recognise him. He earned a few curious glances but most people ignored him. Then he saw her. He held his breath as Tifa ran from her house, he could hear her voice and it was like being hit with a sledge hammer. She was talking to her father. Cloud's hands tightened into fists as the urge to flee almost overwhelmed him. Instead he held his position and watched her, just as he had before he had left. An outcast, doomed to do nothing but watch from afar. Tifa had grown up into a stunning girl, her long dark hair glittered in the sunlight, her smile made his breathing catch in his throat and as she passed him by his eyes fell downwards to watch her hips swinging. He swallowed and shook his head, forcing his eyes away and leaning back against the wall. He closed his eyes and remembered his promise. The promise he had broken. He sank down the wall and crouched on his haunches as he stared up at the familiar sky. He had spent years mooning after Tifa and when he had a chance with her he had blown it. However, he now had Zack. A small smile crossed his face just as his phone beeped. He took it out of his pocket and looked at the e-mail.

Subject: A plan! From: Zack

Sounds good, Cloud. Can't wait to meet your mother, next time you'll have to meet mine. Although to be honest she'll make a huge fuss over you and berate me for not looking after you properly. Hey, does this mean you're going to admit that you love me? :p

Cloud giggled and put a hand over his mouth as he saw the smiley. He shook his head and sighed.

Subject: … From: Cloud
Yeah...I guess I do.

Cloud hesitated before closing his eyes and pressing send. He gritted his teeth as he waited in anticipation for Zack's reply but none came. Cloud let out his breath and sighed in disappointment.

"Say it then."

Cloud yelled in surprise and leapt to his feet, overbalancing and tripping over a small stone. He fell forward and found himself caught by strong hands, slowly he lifted his head and looked up into Zack's beaming face. "Z-Zack...I..."

"Go on, say it."

Cloud flushed bright red and averted his gaze, he extracted himself from Zack's grip and tried to move away but Zack wouldn't let him. "I..." Cloud finally forced himself to meet Zack's gaze, his own eyes drifted down to his lips and he moved closer, standing on tip-toe. "I love you...Zack..." he said quietly and wrapped his arms around Zack's neck, dragging him down to him.

"That's what I needed to hear." Zack replied, closing the gap between them and pressing their lips together. When Cloud drew away he was positively beaming, his cheeks were flushed and his eyes sparkled in the sunlight. He ran his fingers through Zack's hair as the world disappeared around him. Everything was perfect. Joy exploded in his chest and he laughed softly. He wasn't alone. Despite his thoughts about Tifa, he wasn't on his own anymore. He had Zack. A man who loved him. "So, about that dinner?" Zack said quietly, drawing Cloud closer to him so that they were pressed against each other.

"Hm?" Cloud came out of his daze long enough to answer. "Tonight, can you come?"

"I'm not gunna miss a chance to see your mother." Zack replied.

"Good. I look forward to it." Cloud gently extracted himself from Zack and his smile widened. "See you at five then."

"Yeah." Zack watched Cloud turn and run off.

XXX

Cloud waited outside his mother's house, shifting from one foot to the other as he looked around for Zack. It was early evening and the sun was hanging low on the horizon, soon to be swallowed up by the mountains. The shadows stretched out like searching fingers. Cloud heard footsteps and saw Zack coming towards him, his smile lit up his face and he ran to him, taking his hand and pulling him towards the house. He opened the door without knocking and together they entered the house. Zack gazed around curiously, it was a large place with a huge kitchen and living area, all open plan. He let out a low whistle in appreciation and caught the attention of a blond woman at the stove.

She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise before she walked over to them. "Uh..." She began and Cloud reached up and removed his helmet finally. "C-Cloud?!" Her hands went to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. "Welcome home, Cloud!"

"Hi, Mom." He replied and smiled uncertainly, Zack noticed the tension in his shoulders and wanted to put a hand on him to relax him but wasn't sure how well that would go down with his mother.

"Come, come, let me take a look at you." She said and moved closer to her son, inspecting him. Cloud turned his head away, his face heating with embarrassment. "Hmm. You look so handsome." She declared proudly, wiping her eyes on her sleeve as she sniffed. Her eyes moved to Zack and her smile widened. "Hello, I'm so sorry for being rude." She said and extended her hand. "I'm Cassandra Strife, you are?"

"Zack Fair, ma'am. It's nice to meet you." Zack said and took her hand. "If Cloud hadn't told me he was an only child i'd've thought you were his sister."

Cloud winced and rolled his eyes but his mother seemed to enjoy the flattery, she giggled. "My, aren't you the charmer!" She exclaimed. She turned back to her son and swept him once again with her eyes. "So, is this the SOLDIER uniform?" She asked.

Cloud looked away, hiding his face in his scarf and frowning. "No." He said quietly and moved to the beds that were near the kitchen. He tossed his helmet onto one of them. "Mom...I...I never made it." He confessed reluctantly and waited in silence.

"Cloud, it's ok." His mother said softly, moving towards him and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's not the end of the world, everyone fails-"

Cloud shrugged her off and turned around to glare at her. "It's fine. I don't need you to coddle me." He said and moved back to where Zack stood feeling very awkward.

She sighed heavily and put her smile back on. "My, you've grown." She said quietly as she moved towards the kitchen again. "I'll bet the girls never leave you alone." She began pouring water into a large pot and put it on to boil. Cloud and Zack shared a look and Zack cleared his throat to avoid laughing.

"Not really..." Cloud said quietly as he moved to the living room and sat down. Zack joined him.

Cassandra sighed, reaching up and rummaging in a cupboard. "I'm worried about you, Cloud. There are a lot of temptations in the city." Cloud flushed brightly and put his head in his hands, Zack grinned broadly. "I'd feel a lot better if you settled down and got a nice girlfriend."

"Mom..."

She ignored Cloud's attempt to get her attention and began chopping vegetables. "You should have an older girlfriend, one that will take care of you."

"Mom..."

"I think that would be the perfect type for you." She turned and gave Zack a large smile. "I'm sure your friend there has a lovely girlfriend already, a handsome young man like you would be very popular."

"Yeah, I do actually. She's really pretty." Zack said and Cloud almost hit him, somehow he restrained himself. "Although she's a little bit shy." He said, shrugging.

"That's lovely." Cassandra put some carrots on to steam while she moved around and washed the knife she'd used in the large sink. "Cloud? Are you eating right?"

Cloud rolled his eyes again. "I'm all right, the company takes care of me." He muttered.

"Is that so? You can't cook, right? I was worried sick about how you were doing." She paused and turned to face her son who was avoiding looking at her, she frowned in concern. She moved over to the two boys on her sofa and knelt before Cloud, she took his hands in her own and looked into his eyes. "I'll always be your mother, Cloud." She said softly. "No matter what happens." She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Cloud's forehead. "I love you."

Cloud pulled away from her and frowned. "Don't." He muttered.

She looked at him a moment longer before closing her eyes and smiling a little sadly, slowly she stood up. "Well then, I will get dinner on. Zack, will you be staying?"

"If that's ok?" He smiled.

"Of course, dear." She bustled off to the kitchen and Cloud shook his head. "So, Zack? What is it you do and how did you meet my son?"

"I'm SOLDIER First Class, Mrs. Strife." Zack replied. "I met Cloud on a mission up in Modeoheim, we got talking and realised we're both country boys."
Cloud smiled and laughed a little, his mother turned around, looking at him with wide eyes. "What?" He asked, rapidly returning to his usual surly countenance.

"I just-No, never mind." Her smile was a little strained as she watched Zack with her son more carefully than before. "SOLDIER First Class? Isn't that like...Sephiroth?"

"Yeah. We're working together on a mission up at the reactor." Zack replied.

Worry creased her brow. "Is it...dangerous? You know I don't like you going up there, Cloud."

"Mom, for the last time I'm not a child anymore!" Cloud snapped suddenly, getting to his feet and glaring at his mother.

"Don't worry Mrs. Strife, I'll look after him. He'll come home safe, I promise." Zack reassured her gently.

"Yes...thank you." She gave him that same strained smile and turned back to her cooking. She listened silently to the boys as they talked in low voices, they were obviously close but there was something in the way Cloud acted around Zack that made her wonder. He obviously didn't have a girlfriend, what was his relationship with Zack? The way he had smiled at him made her curious, he hadn't smiled like that since he was very little.

"What's going on with Sephiroth?" Cloud asked Zack quietly, checking to see if his mother was listening.

"He's locked himself in the ShinRa mansion." Zack replied, shrugging a little. "Don't know what he's up to in there but I guess time will tell."

"Hmm. Maybe we should go check to make sure he's all right, I don't think he's-"

"Don't you dare go anywhere near that mansion!" Cloud's mother said and made them both jump. She clenched her hands into fists and gave her son a hard look. "That place is dangerous, stay away from it, do you understand me?"

"M-Mom...I'm a soldier in the army, I have to make sure Sephiroth is all right. Its my job." Cloud gave her a confused look and she relaxed a little.

"I'm sorry, I just don't like that place it gives me the creeps." She said softly and shook her head. Zack frowned as he saw a strange look pass over her face as she looked at her son, it looked like fear. Was she afraid of Cloud? Or was it just that she was afraid of ShinRa? He shook his head, perhaps he was imagining things.

After dinner Cassandra invited them to stay, Cloud was about to refuse but Zack interrupted him. "Cloud would love to!" He said brightly. Cloud gave him a glare and Zack smirked in response. That night Cloud fell into his old bed, gazing around the familiar walls that held memories he would rather have forgotten. He rolled onto his side and found himself wishing Zack was with him, he closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He wanted to forget everything before he had joined ShinRa, all the guilt and pain and loneliness. He wanted it all gone. Once again he found himself wishing he could be more like Zack, he wanted to be strong, heroic and confident. He buried his face in the pillow and hugged it.

XXX

The next day they went to the reactor under the expert guidance of Tifa, Sephiroth didn't bother asking Cloud to do it, there was no point as he seemed highly reluctant to reveal himself to these townspeople. He wondered again what would make him want to hide, but he pushed it aside as he gazed up the stairs to the reactor. A chill went through his whole body, almost as if someone were dragging a finger down his spine. A part of him, the part that felt sympathy, the part that felt guilt and pleasure and fear quailed at the feeling. It was ominous, something was happening, something was snow balling out of his control and he was useless to prevent it. Like water sliding through his desperately grasping fingers his fate seemed set upon this dark course, whatever that might be. He set Cloud to keep Tifa in check and took Zack into the reactor. Zack went further up the stairs while Sephiroth gazed into one of the pods that stood in row upon row, they were filled with Mako and inside were strange, twisted monsters. Again, that horrible creeping sensation up his spine, a voice, soft and feminine...

Hahaha

Zack said something but Sephiroth ignored it, pushing the voice violently aside he spoke. "So, these are the cause of the operations abnormality. This part seems to be broken. Zack, open that valve please...why is it broken?" He frowned again at the monster, he wanted to be done as quickly as possible so that he could get out of this reactor, get out of this cursed town and back to Midgar where he understood things.

Hee hee hee...

Zack peered into one of the pod's he uttered a shocked exclamation and fell back. Sephiroth looked at him, brow furrowed. "Normal SOLDIER are humans who have been showered in Mako. You are different from regular people but you are still human. Although, what are these? Compared to regular SOLDIER like you there's a much higher concentration of Mako in these ones."

"They're...monsters..." Zack breathed, obviously sickened by the thought.

Monsters indeed...Hahaha.

"That's right...Hojo of ShinRa created these..." Sephiroth gazed at the pods, so many. How many men were sacrificed to these insane experiments? What was Hojo up to? What did this all mean? SOLDIER's were humans simply showered with Mako, like Zack...but Sephiroth could not remember any treatment like that that Hojo had done on him. Fear, a tingle in the back of his neck, frozen fingers down his spine. What did it all mean? "By using Mako energy he created these unnatural living monsters." He finished, keeping his voice steady, his expression impassive.

Then Zack asked the golden question; "Normal SOLDIER? Aren't you one? Hey, Sephiroth..."

My dear, did you not work it out yet? Hojo creates monsters, he has dedicated his whole life to this pursuit. Can you not put two and two together yet? My poor, sweet little boy.

Sephiroth reeled as it all came crashing in on him. Every piece of information that had been scattered in his head finally clicked together like a puzzle, but the picture was utterly terrifying. He stumbled back a step, eyes wide as realisation struck him like a fist in the face. Genesis, Angeal, Hojo, Hollander...why? Why had no one told him anything? All his life he had worked on the assumption that he was human, that he was normal. "It cannot be..." He gasped, "I'm also..." His breathing hitched, his eyes moved upwards, towards the name engraved upon the steel above a door impossible to open. JENOVA. He felt sick. He felt violated. Lied to. Why? Why? Why? Hatred seethed inside him, scorching like the flames of hell as he tried to crush it, to think rationally.

And now he understands.

"Was I also created the same way? Are you trying to say that I am the same as a monster?"

Hahaha...

Sephiroth pushed Zack away as he attempted to go to his aid, he could barely even see him. His mind was moving too fast, he could barely comprehend every new revelation.

"Now Sephiroth, lie still and it won't hurt a bit. We just need a little sample..."

"Of course you must be restrained, we cannot have you getting out like you did last time."

"No, you cannot have a play mate. You are not allowed to leave this compound. Why? Because I say so."

They couldn't use my blood on Genesis when he was injured.

"Hold still, boy, we are not done here!"

"Good, good..."

"Keep him under sedation, I have something I must check on."

Growing up he had only ever seen the inside of a lab, white coats, cool smiles, false words of comfort. Pain and humiliation and constant torture. Humans. Humans did it. Humanity and their disgusting curiosity, their incessant need to explore every damned thing until it cracked and shattered in their clumsy fingers. "Ever since my childhood I could feel it, I was different to other people. I always thought I had some kind of special purpose. But...I didn't think it would be something like this. Am I even Human?" And he had been different, he had been stronger, faster, better. He was more intelligent, a strategic genius, he had been unrivalled with the sword, his grasp of Materia use was perfect. Perfection. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. He felt sick.

Hahaha...

"Unfortunately, no. You are a monster." Genesis' voice reached through the fog of recollection and forced him to look up, Zack was blasted away and when the Firaga hit him he deflected it with barely a second thought. He watched Genesis warily. "Sephiroth...you were born out of the Jenova Project, a perfect monster." Sephiroth's head began to hurt, Genesis spoke with Zack but he could barely follow it. His chest hurt, breathing was becoming difficult and so was retaining his composure, he would not allow himself to show weakness, not to Zack and certainly not to Genesis. "Pitiful Sephiroth, you've never met your mother and the only thing you know is her name, right? I have no idea what she looks like but what I do know is..."

"Genesis stop!" Zack's shout cut through Sephiroth's head like an ice pick. His mother...Jenova...a two thousand year old monster discovered by scientists and dug up. Used in human experimentation. Too much information, his head was getting worse and the constant laughter from the voice was not helping. Genesis wanted help...he was degrading and only his pure cells would prevent such a fate. He gazed at his long time friend, the one who had so long ago decided to start a prank war with the Turks, the one who had fought him viciously during training simply because he wanted to rip the title of Hero from him. Genesis, the last remaining person who knew him intimately. Genesis...his friend. "Are you trying to confuse me with everything you have said? Or is it what I have been searching for...the truth? Whichever it may be...You will rot." Anger. Hate. Confusion. They crowded his mind like so many rats on a pile of garbage. He turned and walked away.

XXX

The ShinRa mansion was dusty, old books, old equipment and even older air. Stale. Corrupt. Evil. Sephiroth sat in the library, searching through books, tattered copies of diary's, old text books and more. Papers upon papers upon papers, why wasn't anything in this damned place computerised? He read, he barely slept and refused to eat. For days he hid beneath the mansion, a rotting corpse of a time long forgotten, full of monsters like pests and worms. Decay and rot everywhere. Yet he stayed. He stayed and discovered the truth. It hurt. He was surprised by how much it hurt, yet it also brought back long suppressed memories, memories of this old place, memories of pain. Torment and anguish twisted his heart until he could barely breathe, he fought uselessly against the tides of emotion until it all overwhelmed him. In his search for information he discovered a slightly more recent text, it was written in familiar handwriting, neat and to the point. He read the title at the top of the page; Project C. C? He read further and felt something new stir inside him. Cloud...

XXX

Nervously Cloud walked down the wooden stairs into the basement of the ShinRa mansion, the boards creaked under his boots and the air was musty and cool on his face. He had heard that Sephiroth was down here and intended to make sure he was all right. According to Zack he had met Genesis in the reactor and had had an altercation with him, Cloud was concerned. He reached the corridor and walked along it, finding himself passing wooden doors. One of them was open with a slither of light shining through it. Cloud moved closer, peering cautiously around the door and spotting Sephiroth at the desk, pouring over some papers. "S-Sir?" Cloud said softly, causing the man to look up at him in surprise. A smile spread across his face and he beckoned Cloud forward, Cloud went reluctantly and found himself stood beside the desk.

"Did you know that Jenova was a creature that fell from the sky two thousand years ago?" He laughed coldly, the sound warping in echoes and making all the hair on Cloud's body stand on end.

"J-Jenova? Sir? Are you all right?"

"Me? I am fine." Sephiroth said quietly. He reached out and picked up a sheaf of papers, slightly newer looking than the rest. "However, you may not be." He thrust them at Cloud, forcing him back a step as he automatically clutched them to his chest. "You should read through these, it is very fascinating. Hojo's work is..." He trailed off, frowning down at the book in his hands. "Hm." He looked up into Cloud's wide eyed face. "Read." He demanded. Cloud swallowed and nodded as his shaking hands rustled the papers, he looked down at them and his lips parted as his eyes scanned the pages. Project C

Subject: Newborn infant

Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Our research into Project S has given us great insight into the way in which Jenova's cells can be used to enhance a human foetus. Project C will attempt to improve on Hollander's Project G, who was born a human and enhanced with cells during the essential developmental stages. Project S was a complete success, we intend to see if we can recreate it in Project C.

"P-Project...C?" Cloud whispered, looking at Sephiroth who was watching him curiously.

"A mere side line to Project S, yes. An imitation. Hojo was playing when he created it."

"Wh-what..." Cloud swallowed and stared into Sephiroth's eyes. "What does this mean?" He whispered.

"Read." Sephiroth repeated.

Cloud reluctantly dropped his eyes to the papers again.

The child is rejecting the cells. A most fascinating discovery. The Mako is not making a difference.

"S-Sephiroth...I..."

"Shh." Sephiroth frowned at his book before tossing it aside irritably. "Continue reading to the end."

The Subject's body has not improved. It has not changed in the slightest. We have taken samples from the subjects birth mother, Cassandra Strife, for comparison purposes it appears that she is as average as any other human. The results are inconclusive.

"C-Cassandra...Strife..." The papers fell from Cloud's limp hands and floated to the floor, he looked down at his birth date on the front page. "No." He breathed, his heart hammering in his chest until it was all he could hear. "No!" He stepped back a pace and heard Sephiroth chuckle.

"You see when I was six years old I was brought here by Hojo and watched as he took a child from its mothers breast. He brought it here and used it in a potential new project to spite Hollander...unfortunately the subject rejected my cells and became a failure. Isn't that fascinating, Cloud?" He looked at Cloud's white face. "You and I are not so different after all."

Cloud shook his head. "No. It can't...I can't...Sephiroth you're lying!" He screamed suddenly and Sephiroth jumped to his feet, he grabbed Cloud and pushed him against the desk.

"I do not lie, Strife. The experiments that made me were replicated on you. You are a failure. You were never given a number." Sephiroth reached up and brushed hair from Cloud's face, he could feel the boy trembling beneath his fingers and let his desire take control. He leaned in and kissed him. Cloud returned the kiss helplessly, his body trembled with fear and lust as heat stabbed viciously into his gut. He gasped and moaned as Sephiroth's fingers found his hair and yanked his head roughly backwards. "You are mine. Hojo created you for my personal pleasure." He said and lifted Cloud onto the desk easily, Cloud slumped against him, his will drained as easily as water from a broken glass. "So pretty...so perfect..." He whispered and Cloud's eyes fell closed.

"Zack...help me..." He muttered.

Sephiroth released him and laughed. "You call out for a human? Pathetic." He grabbed Cloud's face by the jaw and forced their eyes to meet, his twisted smile widened. "He cannot help you. No one can. You belong to me, no one else."

Sephiroth kissed him again and Cloud tensed, he shivered violently as he was released. "Please..." He whispered, eyes glazed and beginning to turn green.

"No. Not yet." Sephiroth backed away and stared at Cloud intently. "Go. Get out." He dismissed him and turned his back. Cloud had no choice but to obey. He slid off of the desk and stumbled out of the room, his foot stirring up the proof of his own inhumanity.

XXX

Zack looked up, startled as Cloud opened the door to their room at the Inn. "Hey, Cloud, how-" He faltered and his smile slid from his face as Cloud stood perfectly still, his breathing heavy and his head down. "What's wrong?" He said sharply and moved forward, Cloud lifted his head, eyes wide and full of confusion and terror.

"D-Did...did you know?" He hissed, panic flickering in his eyes.

"About what? Cloud, what's going on?"

"No...I guess you didn't..." Cloud brushed past Zack and fell onto the nearest bed, he put his hands to his head and closed his eyes tightly. "She lied to me." He breathed. "Everyone lied."

"Cloud, talk to me." Zack moved forward cautiously and Cloud lifted his head, showing him those acidic green eyes and cat-like pupils. "What...what is going on?!" Zack took a half step back as Cloud sat up.

"I'm a monster." He breathed through his teeth, grabbing his head in both hands.

Zack stiffened, a frown darkening his face. "I've heard those words before." He said quietly. "They weren't true then and they're not true now. Tell me what happened!"

Cloud laughed suddenly, the sound cold and humourless. "Human experiments...Of course...its all so obvious! I was so stupid not to see it before." He shook his head and frowned. "Zack?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm...not human." He whispered, looking up at the man he had fallen in love with. "Hojo...he...took me when I was a baby...I don't know what he did, I don't really understand it but...I-I...I didn't meet his standards. I was branded a failure." His voice hitched and he slumped side ways onto the bed. "I wanna be alone." He whispered.

Zack watched him for a moment before moving and sitting down at his side, Cloud hid his face but Zack lay beside him and wrapped him in his arms. He held him close to his chest and buried his face in his hair. He could feel him trembling. "Cloud, I love you. I'm not going anywhere." He breathed.

XXX

Cloud woke with a start, eyes wide as he stared up at the Inn's ceiling. Beside him Zack slept on, soft snores the only sound. Slowly he stood up, he was still in his uniform but his feet were bare, his toes curled as they hit the cold wooden floors and he stood up. Something was calling...an irresistible voice, something tugging him forward. He couldn't prevent himself from following. The mansion lay dormant, almost as if it were asleep. Cloud saw the gates unlocked and stepped inside, his feet were numb from the cold mountain air and he moved with a sluggish gait as if he were sleep walking but he was still concious. He was being drawn in, his body utterly out of his control yet a peace settled into his mind, he had to answer the call, it was all that mattered. Inside it was dusty, no monsters bothered him as he crept silently across the decaying carpet. It was damp and cold and smelt of rotting wood but he moved forward, up the sweeping stair case and towards the rooms on the right hand side. Through one room and into another towards the large stone fireplace. It opened to reveal an entrance to the basement and he stepped inside, creaking down the ancient wooden stairs and passing several doors. One of them was locked firmly, he only glanced at this one before moving on again. The room he was heading towards was open, a soft light streaming out as if from old gas lamps. He stepped past the threshold and saw what had called him, his ultimate goal. Sephiroth looked up and smiled, but it wasn't his usual smile, it was a smirk. His eyes glowed in the dim light from a lamp sitting upon a desk, it highlighted his silver hair and his beautiful face. Slowly he beckoned and Cloud was helpless to resist.

Come to me, Cloud. My beautiful one...my...

No. This was all wrong. Sephiroth did not look like himself, he was drawn, ragged, half on the edge of insanity. But Cloud stopped before the desk, noting that it was scattered with books. "I knew there was something different about you." Sephiroth said, his voice soft and resonant, beautiful like the rest of him. Those demonic eyes slid over Cloud's body, forcing a shudder from him as if he had been touched. Heat filled his body, a heat he had only felt with Zack. His lips parted a little as if he were about to speak but Sephiroth stood gracefully and moved around the desk, he stood over Cloud, lifting a hand to take hold of his chin. "Cloud, you were made for me." He breathed and leaned down, their lips met and it was as if Cloud had been hit by Lightning materia. His body tensed, his eyes widened and he felt a hot tongue invade his mouth. He groaned helplessly. His eyes drifted closed, his body was flushed with heat, he wanted...he needed... "Sephiroth..." he breathed, unaware of his voice escaping. He sank into the embrace, allowing the kiss despite the dull sense of fear creeping into the back of his mind.

My beautiful, precious Puppet.

"No." Cloud muttered against his lips, eyes still half closed, body still too compliant. Sephiroth chuckled, a humourless sound that sent shivers rocketing through Cloud's body. "Yes." He hissed and pushed Cloud against the desk, he hit it and grunted. Sephiroth turned him around, one hand clutching the back of his neck painfully until he found his face inches away from a slightly yellowed document. He stared mindlessly at the title, his mouth opened as if he were about to scream but no sound came out.

Project C

He re-read the now familiar handwriting and felt a crawling sensation in his spine. It was torture. Sephiroth was torturing him, reminding him yet again of the fact that he wasn't human, he wasn't normal. The information slid past his brain, barely even registering. He closed his eyes as Sephiroth ran his free hand down Cloud's side towards his trousers. He felt his head hit the desk with a thud. He felt them removed, he felt hot breath against the back of his neck, the position one of utter domination.

No... No, please stop...

Fingers slid slowly into his aching, over heated body. A soft sound escaped his lips as his hands clenched into fists above his head. The hand on the back of his neck tightened, the leather glove was cool against him. His hips pushed backwards against the intruding fingers, he recognised the pleasure twisting him up inside as if he had been filled with writhing snakes. He gasped again, Sephiroth chuckled into his ear. "Now I will claim what is mine." He whispered and Cloud heard his belt unbuckling.

Pain. Pain and pleasure slowly building until he couldn't think. His body was useless. Struggling was useless. He was lost. Lost in a sea of confusion, a sea of sickly green light and gasps and pants and sweet, intoxicating kisses. His world filled with roses, vanilla and a myriad of other scents that assaulted him as he was pushed ever harder against the desk. His teeth bit into his bottom lip and his nails gouging at the wood. It was wrong. It shouldn't be happening, not like this. His hero. The man he had so admired for so long...and he was helpless.

Help me. Someone...anyone... Zack...

That familiar twisting in his gut, the gasp that escaped his bruised lips as he was pushed against the wood now at his back. Sephiroth's hands fuelled the fires within him. Pain. Pleasure. Pain. In equal succession. All he could think of was fire, fire and heat and lust and he couldn't take anymore. "AH!" It escaped his lips despite his battle to hold it in, Sephiroth's smile was triumphant and he leaned in, his tongue sliding out and a hand curling possessively around Cloud's throat as he came. Cloud's eyes slipped closed, his chest heaving and his body aching. He was sticky and hurting and so, so tired. The word sent emotions swirling inside him, two opposing emotions; hatred and desire at war with each other as he looked up into those terrifyingly beautiful eyes.

"Mine." Sephiroth whispered and Cloud felt himself slipping, going down and down into a darkness so complete he wondered if he hadn't died.

XXX

Zack woke when the door opened, he sat up, yawning and rubbing the back of his hair as he spotted Cloud move into the room. His first thought was that he was sleep walking, his second was that he had been in a fight, his third was confusion. Cloud was hunched over, clutching his uniform top tightly around his chest, his head was bowed and his feet covered in grime and dirt. Where had he gone without shoes? Zack stood up and moved closer, Cloud didn't look up but violently flinched when he tried to to touch him. "D-Don't..." He muttered, his voice hoarse and shaky. Cloud was visibly vibrating and his teeth chattering, when he finally did look up at Zack his eyes were wild with animalistic terror.

"Cloud...what happened?" Zack asked sharply, his fingers itching for his sword. He inspected his friend closely, his jacket hung off one shoulder and Zack noted very human teeth marks, small round bruises covered his neck and he could see several deep red scratches beginning at the base of his neck. "C-Cloud?" His voice dropped, his eyes widened as Cloud shuffled past him and threw himself on the bed, curling up into a ball and covering his head with both hands. His breathing came in great gasps, Zack hovered uncertainly by the bed, the creeping certainty that he knew what had happened steeling slowly through his mind. "Who?" He muttered, voice dropping, becoming low and hard, his killers voice. He rarely felt true anger about anything much, he had never seen the point in it, but now it seethed through him, making his eyes glow brighter, his muscles tense. Cloud shook his head, his lips pressed tightly closed. He wanted his sword, he would use it against whoever had hurt Cloud, he would slice them into tiny pieces until they were little more than a pool of blood. He moved without realising he was moving but fingers on the back of his uniform stopped him, he felt Cloud press his head against his back, those fingers tightening.

"Please...don't." Cloud breathed, gazing down at his dirty feet. He knew that Zack was furious, he knew that he would gladly run into a battle with even Sephiroth to avenge him but something made Cloud stop him, oh he was concerned for Zack's safety, of course he was but it was more than that. It was the lingering tingles racing across his skin, it was the memory of those lips against his own, it was the sickening fact that, despite it all, he had enjoyed it. He had wanted it. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and held on to Zack, unable to let go for fear that he would disappear forever and he would be alone...so, so alone. Deep down inside he too was a monster. "Please." He muttered again, his voice pathetically weak and his legs shaking. Slowly Zack relaxed and turned around, he took Cloud's face in his hand and brought their lips together. The kiss was soft and sweet and made warmth blossom in Cloud's chest, it was perfect. He sighed at the contact and wrapped his arms around Zack's neck, drawing himself closer, letting his bare, bruised chest press against Zack's own. "You can't leave me. Promise me, you'll never leave me." Cloud whispered, desperation driving his words, his heart. He was afraid. He had never been so afraid in all his life.

"I won't leave you." Zack replied, responding to the kiss, deepening it, turning it into something far more passionate, far more exciting. He guided Cloud to the bed and pushed him gently down on it, he heard him grunt softly as if in pain and drew away. "Hey, you all right?" Cloud nodded, his eyes dark and soft and so trusting. Zack smiled and kissed him again, he wasn't going to allow this opportunity to slip through his fingers. He couldn't bare the thought of someone else's hands over Cloud's body, he had to erase the taint. He had to make sure Cloud was never alone again. Fuck ShinRa. Fuck rules. Fuck everything...tonight he was Cloud's and Cloud's alone.