Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.
Thanks to my after-post beta SubZeroChimera and my new before-post beta Queen of Jokers!
"A ruler should be slow to punish and swift to reward." -Ovid
Nexus
Chapter 10
"Hey mom, I'm home."
"Hi sweetheart, how was school?"
"Fine…"
"Cloud, are you fighting with those boys again?"
He fidgeted uncomfortably, "I…I'm not…yes…"
"I hate seeing you alone all the time. You're fourteen now and you need some friends. I wish they would just try to see how wonderful you are."
"Yeah, okay mom, whatever."
Giving him a big hug, she reached up and stroked his hair, "Honey is something else on your mind? I know that look."
"It's…It's nothing…"
"Cloud, if something is bothering you, I might be able to help."
"Well, I was wondering," Fidgeting with his hands nervously, he finally raised his eyes to his mother's, "How come you never talk about my father?"
Her face dropped and painful tears churned in her eyes as she turned and ran to the bathroom. Watching his mother fall apart in front of him, he couldn't get to his room fast enough. Diving on his bed, his face buried deep in his pillow, he silently wept. He had hurt his mother, the one person who really loved him, who knew the real him.
In the still quiet of the house, he could hear her crying, that was worse than anything that the bullies in town could do. Taking the pillow, he pulled it out from under his face and put it over the back of his head, futilely trying to muffle out his mother's cries.
A few days later, it was Friday and school was out and the thought crossed his mind that at least the taunts would stop for a couple of days. He could just stay home and leave the rest of the world outside. Walking home a different way than the other kids, he hoped to keep away from everyone as much as possible.
"Hey, Cloud!"
Turning around, he saw Tifa. A quick and nervous look, Cloud quickly searched to see if anyone saw him there with her. Lowering his chin, he spoke quietly, "You're not supposed to be around me, remember?"
With a nonchalant wave of her hand she smiled, "Oh pu-leese, you think I care what they say?"Cloud was hesitant, but Tifa was difficult to resist. "Come on, walk with me. I'm going to the lookout."
"What? I can't, I'll get in trouble with your dad again," He kicked at some rocks and dirt with the toe of his sneaker.
She looked at him and in a mischievous tone, "Really? Oh shut up!" Grabbing his hand, she took off, dragging him with her. When they reached their destination and Tifa's smile widened, "There, now that's not so bad now is it?" Her smile was pleasant and relaxed.
"No, I guess not," Hanging his head, he prayed that no one would see them.
"Oh stop. You brood way too much!" She smiled and then gestured with her hand, "Look around! Everything is really quite pretty, if you look hard enough."
Looking at her smiling face as she stared off into the small valley on the other side warmed him. Taking a seat near the edge, she walked a couple of steps away and he couldn't help but look at her. She was angelic, her skin glowing, eyes glistening and a dazzling smile, he could look at her every day for the rest of his life.
Plopping down next to him, she grabbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. His spine straightened and he began to sweat a little. The feel of her bare arm touching his arm made him blush. Oh, Gaia how he wanted to just kiss her.
"Do you ever wonder what else is out there for us?" Tifa asked, her voice trailing off in deep thought.
"I don't really know, I would like to think there is something," He leaned his cheek on the top of her head. 'Gently,' he thought to himself. She smelled like flowers at the beginning of spring. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and wished that she was his.
"I like spending time with you. You're pretty cool, you know that?" She rose back up and looked at him, gazing into his eyes.
He tried to get up the courage to make a move. 'Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her you idiot!' He smiled a small smile and gazed at her alluring lips. Slowly he began to lean toward her.
"Hey jerk-off! What do you think you're doing, KA-LOUD?" It was Jason, walking toward them. Cloud jumped up ready for the impending fight, "Don't you have some place else you could be… like not here!" Philip, Adam, Dean and Bobby followed close behind him, "Hey look guys; he thinks he has a chance with her!" The accompanying boys began to laugh as they circled around them.
"Stop it Jason!" Tifa screamed at him.
"Cloud, why don't you just leave already, we don't want you here," Jason shoved him, "No one wants you or your mother here! We don't like trash like you here."
Cloud sheltered Tifa behind him with clenched fists. Through gritted teeth he spit out, "Leave my mother out of this."
Looking at Tifa, Jason said, "Your dad is looking for you, the guys will walk you home," Shifting his gaze, he sneered, "I'll walk Cloud home."
"Leave him alone Jason!" She yelled as the other boys pulled her home.
Once Tifa was out of sight, Jason raised his fists, "Well, let's go KA-LOUD." Jason lunged at him and punched him in the shoulder, knocking him back a little. Cloud clenched his fists again and shot forward. Getting a punch on the side of Jason's head, his knuckles made a cracking sound. Stepping back, he flinched and shook his hand from the pain. Jason motioned to him, "Well, I'm waiting momma's boy."
Cloud ran forward wanting to tackle him, but Jason stepped to the side and tripped him as he went past. Cloud hit the ground knocking the breath out of him and Jason was on him in a flash. Standing over him, punch after punch pounded down on him until the bully was finally satisfied; Jason stepped back, spitting on him, "Don't ever touch her again. You hear me?" The bully left Cloud lying on his side, beaten but not as bad as other times. This time it was just Jason. Usually it was three or four of them at a time. Spitting up some bloody saliva, he stood up, dusted himself off and headed home.
Opening the door slowly, he looked to see where his mom was. While she was in the kitchen cooking, he snuck past her to get to the bathroom to clean up.
"Sweetheart, is that you?"
"Yeah mom, in the bathroom, I'll be right out."
At dinner she noticed the new bruises on his face. She took his face in her hands and started crying, "I am so sorry that you have to go through this."
"Mom, it's not your fault. It's me that they don't like," They finished dinner in silence.
Going on to bed, he curled up with his pillow and a book. As he was just drifting off, he heard a light tapping at his window. From his bed he reached over and looked out the window, it was Tifa, "I need to talk to you Cloud. Please."
Letting the curtain fall back in its place, he sighed and the debate in his head started. The voice from the other side of the window pleaded, "Please Cloud," The sound of his name coming from her sounded like sweet sugar to him. Sitting up, he decided to meet her, curious about what she wanted. Staying right at the door, he looked to see if there was anyone around besides Tifa, "Thanks for coming, let's go," She grabbed his hand and pulled him with her. They climbed up to the top of the well. Staring at his eyes, she said, "I am so sorry about earlier. I don't know why they hate you so much."
"I don't either, but that's okay. I made up my mind on what I want to do."
"What is that?"
Climbing a little higher and looking up at the stars, "I'm gonna be a Soldier, just like the Great General Sephiroth!"
She giggled a little, "You promise to come save me if I get in a pinch?"
He looked back down at her, almost getting lost in her eyes. A smile crossed his face, "I'll be your hero. I promise." Cloud didn't kiss her like he wanted; he hoped that she didn't think he was just being silly.
After dinner the next night, his mother pulled him aside, "Cloud, could you please come sit with me?" Sitting across from his mother, he waited, "I have something to tell you and it is very difficult for me, so please bear with me." Cloud nodded his head. Seeing her demeanor as fidgety and nervous he became anxious, "There is a reason that you don't know who your father is." She exhaled loudly.
Cloud leaned forward and watched his mother intently, "Almost 15 years ago, I was with some friends in my home town and we all went to the beach one summer to go swimming," Pausing to wipe some tears from her face, she inhaled and continued, "I got tired so I went back to the beach house and there were two men there and I didn't know who they were." Reaching for some tissue again, she sobbed, "It happened so fast. One of the men grabbed me and held he while the other… well… he…"
She didn't have to continue, he knew where she was going with this. Sitting there, stunned, he didn't know what to think or say. The rage built up within him and he exploded. Jumping up he screamed, "So not only am I a bastard, but I am here because of," He inhaled and paused, he didn't know if he could say it, but it came out very quietly, "…rape," Standing silently for several minutes. The thought of who and what his father was, disgusted him and very quietly he asked, "Do I look like him?"
She raised her head. The stress lines told him the story over again. The painful memories showed in her eyes and she had no more tears to shed, "No you don't. You look like Cloud."
Looking her in the eyes, he teared up, but then he just couldn't look at her anymore, all he could say to her was quietly whispered, "Mom, I am so sorry…" Turning quickly, he felt ashamed and needed to be alone. Slamming the door, he sat on the side of his bed. Taking his pillow, he held it tightly to his stomach and cried. Two days later, he left to join Soldier. He was going to prove to everyone, including himself, that he could do anything, despite his parentage.
They had both spent several days in small, dark cells. Zack winced at the light in Lab 3 as he was brought in by Harper. He was placed into the only chair, and strapped in. Letting his eyes adjust to the light, he looked around and saw Hojo by the desk, "Where's Cloud?"
"Hello, it is nice to see you Z," Hojo said, ignoring his question.
With an indignant snort, Zack retorted, "Fuck off Hojo."
Ignoring Zack's outburst Hojo continued, "Now Z, today is the day that my newest project is starting in its new direction." Clasping his hands behind his back, Hojo's eyes actually appeared to twinkle, "Exciting isn't it!"
"Your mother should have eaten you at birth," Zack flatly stated, staring Hojo down with unblinking eyes.
The doors opened and Charles entered with Cloud. The blond huddled with his head down trying to keep the light out. "Spiky!" Zack perked up.
Cloud looked up, wincing and saying weakly, "Zack." He sounded exhausted and looked just as bad. His eyes were sunken in, and he could barely keep his head upright.
"Specimen C! I was just telling Z that we are starting a new direction of the project."
With a tired tone, Cloud's exasperation leaked out with the words, "Fuck off Hojo…" Zack busted out with a laugh.
Hojo pointed to the table, and Charles walked toward it. Cloud pulled back and somehow wrenched his way loose, running for the door, but in his weakened condition, Charles caught him rather quickly. Fighting the whole way, he got him to the table and Burton and Harding restrained him. "Now all we are missing is my new specimen." Cloud and Zack looked at each other, puzzled.
Cloud inquired, "What new specimen?"
"I am glad to see that you're interested now, but you must wait just like everyone else," He turned his attention back to the objects and papers in front of him on the little side table.
Davis and Drake came through the doors dragging someone. The "new specimen" was semi-conscious, head hung down with his chin resting on his chest and his feet scraping the floor as he was taken to the empty table. At the sound of the door opening, Zack and Cloud both looked at Davis and Drake. Unable to speak at first, they watched as they restrained Hojo's newest toy to the table.
Finally able to find his voice, Zack yelled, "What the Fuck!"
With his face covered in turmoil, Cloud asked, "How…How is that possible?"
"I thought you killed him!" Zack's eyes were questioning and wide with surprise. He looked at Cloud then back at the man on the table and back at Cloud again.
"I did! I saw him fall into the reactor!" Cloud pulled at his restraints.
"I don't think so C. He was incased in a mako crystal infused with the life stream," Hojo boasted. "Isn't it wonderful?" Zack and Cloud were speechless. "I'm glad you both are paying attention now. We will be getting started shortly."
Sephiroth began moving his head around and he sleepily opened his eyes. Upon seeing that he was in another lab he angrily questioned, "What is going on Hojo? I demand you release me."
"Specimen C, Specimen Z, say hello to Specimen S," Hojo waved his hand as he indicated all three of them in turn.
Sephiroth turned his head around as much as he could and saw Cloud on a table just like his. In the other direction he saw Zack sitting in a chair fully restrained, "What…what is going on?!" Alarm and distress covered his face, his voice filled with stress.
"Don't act like you don't know you sorry son of a bitch!" Zack spit out, jumping as much as his restraints would allow.
Sephiroth's eyes were wild with confusion. His chest heaved with rapid breaths, "What are you talking about? All I know is we were on our way to a mission to Nibelheim." He turned his eyes to Zack, "Please, tell me what is going on! How were we captured?"
Rage built up in Cloud's chest. His voice broke up in anger and sadness, "You don't remember anything? You don't remember killing my mother!" He pulled at his restraints even more. His neck began to ache at the angle he turned to see Sephiroth. "You don't remember murdering everyone and burning the town to the ground? How can you just forget about something like that?" Cloud was furious and he shook with anger and choked back a sob.
"I didn't kill your mother! Burn a town to the ground?" More confused than before, he just shook his head, "I swear, I don't know what you're talking about!" Sephiroth pulled harder at his restraints.
"Cloud, don't listen to him!" Zack tried.
"Let's get started. Harding, go ahead and get Z's injections done. We have much to do. Burton, bring the tray," Hojo ordered.
Cloud looked at Hojo and the electronic device he held in his hand. He passed it over Cloud's abdomen and it beeped. From behind him he heard Zack's loud grunts as he received his mako injections. "Zackary, what is going on?" Sephiroth pleaded.
"Z cannot talk now S," Hojo continued to the lab techs, "The readouts are not as I expected. The panel isn't working properly. That's okay, I have an improved version." Turning to Burton he said, "Ready more of the Jenova cell injections. Get me some numbing solution as well."
Burton gave Hojo two large syringes of the purple stuff. Burton reached for some more syringes and filled them.
As soon as the injections were in, Cloud began to shiver. Oddly, Sephiroth started to shiver as well. A few screams filled the room as Cloud's pain reached its peak. Sephiroth then looked stressed as if he were in pain. 'That's a little odd' Zack thought. After all of Cloud's injections, Hojo picked up the other syringe and injected his abdomen right where his scar was. He then picked up a scalpel. Cloud instantly went into a panic, pulling at his restraints, "Please don't, please…" Cloud's pleas were ignored.
"Spiky, look at me!" Zack yelled.
"What is happening? Someone, tell me something!" Sephiroth seemed to be panicked as well.
"Now C, this may hurt a little," Hojo's cold, gloved hand touched his abdomen and he began to cut open where he had put the metal panel. Cloud's eyes stayed fixed on Zack as the room was filled with small pained grunts. Once the incision was fully open, Hojo reached in to retrieve the panel. As his hand was inside Cloud's abdomen and his grunt was louder and longer. Hojo looked over at Sephiroth. The man looked as though he was stifling a scream of his own. Zack watched this whole scene completely shocked and forgetting the pain he was in at the moment. Cloud was still looking in Zack's direction, but his eyes were thankfully closed.
Hojo began the process of removing the panel. Zack watched the Professor watch the silver-haired former General writhe in pain. A thin smile moved across Hojo's lips. Cloud's screams stopped when his hand was removed from his body cavity. Sephiroth stopped his grunts and was replaced with deep pained pants. The Professor picked up the new panel and inserted it into the incision. During the implantation of the new panel, Hojo would periodically look over at Sephiroth. At the movement to his left Zack saw Sephiroth's eyes were closed as well, his face twisted in pain.
Zack's jaw dropped, "Hojo, what have you done? What is going on?" Zack's questions were ignored again.
The noise ceased from both of them when Hojo removed his hands. Pulling his gloves off, he wrote in his notes as he dictated to his assistant, "Mr. Harding, get the blood samples from all three specimens and stitch the blond one up, the new panel should work properly now. These extra results were far better than I anticipated. Phase two of the new project can now begin. I will still need all three specimens well taken care of. Oh, and don't forget to give C his mako injections. Double the dose for him." Hojo walked over to Sephiroth and lovingly brushed his hair from his forehead, "With your help, this project will work for sure."
"Don't touch me! I'm not going to help you with anything, you monster," He said as he breathed hard, a single tear rolled down the side of his face leaving a trail on his pale skin.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."
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