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Ashen Skies	By : Cynthia Category: Final Fantasy VII > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1380 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all characters are the property of Square Enix. I do not profit from this fanfiction, it’s for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 32
- 33
- 34
"Ashen Skies"
Chapter 33
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Warnings: Yaoi, both moderate and explicit (end of chapter)
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Author's note: "Vater" = "Father". I'd like to give our couples a bit of attention before the proverbial shit hits the fan again, so expect some sugar in this chapter, followed by a good dash of spice. Balancing plot and smut is a challenge, at times.
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*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can’t get enough of this world and the characters.
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            The data that I was able to obtain from the WEAPON that day could lead us to a breakthrough in defense and security. Assuming the WEAPONS will never retreat to hibernation, it may still be possible to re-colonize our world some day—outside the Ancient City. If we can learn how to artificially replicate Aerith's ability to hide human life from the creatures' senses, we could conceivably create our own "safe zones". These could work as protective bubbles, if you will, around settlements. True, people won't be able to take strolls on the countryside anymore, but then the wilds of Gaia were never perfectly safe to begin with.

            There's a chance. It may be slim and I may not see it happen in my lifetime, but some day, we may be able to build safe cities. We could spread out and multiply, again. I can only hope that future generations will show a little more wisdom and restraint, if we can salvage a future for them to enjoy at all. I look at these children and I sometimes see regret or uncertainty in their parents' eyes. Reproduction is part of life...a primary drive for continuation of the species. However, many of the parents in this colony quietly question their decision to bring little ones into a world that's doing its best to wipe us all out.

            I wish I could offer them sincere comfort. There are no absolutes and there are no guarantees. There has to be survivors remaining out there, somewhere in the world. As morbid as it sounds, perhaps when these few survivors are gone and this colony is all that remains, the WEAPONS will go into hibernation or simply shut down and be re-absorbed. When they perceive the threat of humanity to be gone, will they sleep? Or does the planet intend the WEAPONS to replace humans as the primary evolved life forms on its soil?

            Vincent demanded I leave the data processing lab and get some rest, last night. I hadn't slept in over forty-eight hours and he found me face-planted at the keyboard, with a cold cup of coffee by my hand. I don't even remember falling asleep. I've been so excited about the possibilities; I hardly notice how time flies when I'm at the computer or in my workshop. I'm lucky to have a partner that keeps me from overworking myself.

            Of course, I've been so caught up in finding some way to make something useful of these data readings; it never occurred to me that Lazard had different plans. While I've been trying to formulate a way to harness Aerith's unique abilities for security purposes, the SOLDIER Director has been making plans to put a complete stop to the WEAPON rampaging.

            I have to hand it to Lazard; he doesn't dream small and he's sure as hell not afraid to take risks. In that way, he and his half-brother are very much alike. I would never dare tell either of them that to their faces, though.

-Reeve Tuesti

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            Rufus stared at the map and the pieces representing their forces, stationed near the base of the Northern Crater. He looked up from the display at his half-brother, a frown adorning his ashen lips. "So, this is your plan? And you're sure the Cetra will cooperate?"
            Lazard planted his hands on the table and bent over it with a sigh. "Mrs. Fair isn't the problem I foresee. The problem is going to be convincing her husband to allow her to try it."
            Scarlet sneered. "If the knuckle-dragging fool tries to 'forbid' her from following through with this plan, have him incarcerated."
            Lazard's lips thinned in annoyance. Scarlet's illness made her even more defensive and he was convinced she now searched for things to get angry about, from day to day. "He's a man deeply in love with his wife, and his protective attitude toward her is no worse than Aerith's concerns over his penchant for being reckless. I suggest you check your resentment at the door when we have these meetings and focus on the bigger picture."
            "What resentment?" She scoffed.
            Lazard smirked without humor. "The resentment you have for their unconditional devotion to each other—a thing which you have never and will never experience in your lifetime."
            Scarlet and Rufus glanced at each other with silent exasperation and they shared a nasty smirk. "Don't delude yourself," Scarlet said with a superior shrug of her shoulders. "I have no illusions about my life and Fair and his Ancient are welcome to their fairy book romance. When this alleged 'devotion' they share interferes with our plans, it becomes a liability. You know I'm right, Director." She began to cough and she fit her oxygen mask over her mouth and nose to help her breathe.
            Lazard found the logic difficult to argue with and he reminded himself that he couldn't allow his personal feelings get in the way of doing his job. He had grown fond of the Cetra and Zack Fair was difficult not to like. Perhaps Scarlet made a good point, after all. He couldn't afford to be enchanted by their relationship and they certainly weren't the only couple in the colony with an infant to care for.
            Rufus demonstrated his talent for driving the point home like a wooden stake. "If the Lieutenant makes an issue of this, you'll have no choice but to arrest him. We can't let one man's love for his wife destroy the only realistic opportunity we've had to end all of this."
            Lazard bowed his head and sighed. "I know. I'm prepared to do whatever needs to be done, but first Aerith has to agree to the plan. We can't force her to do this."
            "I disagree," Scarlet said. "We could always send her down with an armed escort and hold her beloved Soldier boy and child hostage to ensure her good behavior."
            Lazard lifted his head and stared at her from behind the frames of his wire-rimmed glasses. "I'm going to pretend I didn't just hear you say that."
            "Yes, let's not get overly vigorous," Rufus added, for once agreeing with the Director. "Convincing the planet to stop killing off humanity is going to be a delicate task. I'm sure the Cetra will perform better without a threat to her family hanging over her head."
            Lazard couldn't quite contain his surprise. "You're in danger of sounding human."
            Rufus snorted. "And you're in danger of sounding like you aren't a eunuch. I'll believe it when the armies are moving out."
            The Director scowled and he reached into his blazer to retrieve his phone. He selected the second contact on the list and waited for the other party to pick up. "Reeve, it's Lazard. We're calling another mass board meeting and this time, I want all SOLDIER officers to attend, as well as Mrs. Fair. Yes, I know. I don't think we'll have an issue like that this time. The meeting will take place in two hours."
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            This time, all the SOLDIER officers were present for the meeting as requested and Lazard began to explain his plan to them, gesturing at the map spread out over the large table to demonstrate.
            "We all know the Cetra were known to have strange powers and a special connection to the planet," he said, his tone commanding attention. He nodded to Aerith, sitting across the room next to her husband. "Mrs. Fair has confirmed this. We've begun testing and we now know for certain that she can manipulate WEAPON senses and make human presence virtually undetectable to them."
            Aerith reached under the table and squeezed Zack's hand for comfort as everyone looked at her. She felt exposed and vulnerable, but she had agreed to this knowing she would be put under the spotlight. Zack returned the pressure of her hand and his strong, warm presence lent her courage.
            "I don't know how far I can extend it," she admitted softly, blushing under the scrutiny. "I don't think I could hide a whole army, if that's what you're thinking. I need more practice."
            "Hiding the army wasn't my intention," explained Lazard. "The only one you need to concentrate on hiding is yourself."
            Zack frowned. "What are you getting at, Sir?"
            Lazard looked down at the map again, thoughtfully. He glanced at Shalua and something silent passed between the two of them before he spoke again. "Miss Rui's younger sister has a unique ability called 'net diving'. It allows her to interact with energy networks in ways that we can't match with our technology."
            "And what's this got to do with Aerith?" Cid demanded impatiently. "I thought we were here to talk about some battle strategy you've got cooked up with the Ancient, not jaw about some kid's web surfing powers."
            "Shelke's abilities are significant to my proposal," assured the Director. "She's been inside the Crater and she knows the way down to the core."
            Everyone stared at him. Sephiroth's gaze strayed to Shalua and he narrowed his eyes in thought. "She used the Lifestream, didn't she?"
            "Yes," answered Shalua solemnly. "She wanted to help, if she could. She didn't tell me she was planning it. She's convinced that someone with the ability to communicate with Gaia could reason with it, if they can reach the inner core of the Crater where the presence is strongest."
            "And Aerith is the only one alive that can do that," Lazard finished. "That we know of, at least."
            Zack began to shake his head. "I see where this is going and no way. You aren't martyring my wife."
            "Zack, I don't think that's what he's suggesting," Aerith soothed.
            "Aerith is the only one that can get to the bottom of that crater alive," Lazard pointed out, "and she's the only one who can speak with the planet. I'm not suggesting she martyr herself; I'm asking her to use her abilities and try to ease the planet's anger; show it that humankind isn't the treat it perceives. We've tried force and that hasn't worked. Now it's time for negotiation, if possible."
            "Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do," Zack said warily, "and on the surface it sounds like a neat plan, but I think if Aerith could tell the planet to stop killing us off, she would have done it by now. Getting her closer—"
            "Will help," Aerith interrupted laying a hand over Zack's tense shoulder. "Zack, it's true I can hear the cries of the planet and the voices of the Lifestream, but ever since this first started, it's all blended together and garbled. It's like trying to sort out one voice from hundreds. When I get closer to the Northern cave, it seems to clear up a little. That's where the WEAPONS are born and that's where Gaia's presence is strongest."
            Zack looked decidedly unhappy. "But what he's talking about it crazy, Aerith! Even if you could just march right into the crater without getting smushed by the WEAPONS, you've got to find your way to the bottom. Even if you do that, there's no guarantee Gaia is going to listen to you! The verdict's been out for a long time and I don't think the planet's going to back down just because one person asks it nicely."
            "But she's more than a 'person'," Sephiroth reminded, gazing at Aerith thoughtfully. "She's one of Gaia's chosen ones. The planet's rage might be appeased when it learns that the beloved Cetra race has survived, after all. Aerith at least has a chance to communicate with Gaia and explain that the whole of humanity wasn't at fault for the dealings of a fanatical group of mutated terrorists."
            "The only reason this began was because Gaia perceived humankind as a threat to itself and the world," agreed Vincent. "To a primal being such as that, it seemed logical to eliminate the danger and start anew."
            "How would you know?" Barret asked with a frown at the gunman. Vincent's ruby gaze flashed yellow for a moment, reminding all that he harbored a primal being himself—one that was created to gather souls for Omega to begin with. "Oh."
            "It's too risky," Zack protested stubbornly.
            "Don't interfere," Scarlet warned.
            Lazard quickly spoke up again when Zack narrowed his eye on the blonde woman and visibly prepared to tell her where to shove it. "Aerith, this is your decision to make. We don't draft citizens into the service and you're no exception. I imagine humanity can live here quite comfortably for some time, but eventually our population will grow too large for this city and we'll need to expand out into the world again. Mr. Tuesti has some interesting ideas that could one day help us do that, but it could take generations for the research to lead to a viable solution. If you can do this, all of the misery, death and hiding will end for good. I want you to consider that."
            Aerith looked from Lazard to the assembly of other familiar faces. Some of them she liked, some she didn't know very well at all and others—like Rufus and Scarlet—she avoided. All of them were counting on her to do her part. She looked at her husband, who sat silently watching her with a tense jaw and a gaze full of love and concern. She reached out to trace his handsome features, brushing aside a dark lock of sooty hair that dangled over his good eye.
            "I know you don't want me in danger," she whispered to Zack, "but Director Lazard is right, Zack. I want to raise our children under the open sky, some day. I want them to see the world, not hide from it. I can't do it without you, though. You have to help me not be afraid. I need your courage."
            Zack's lips parted and he sat torn, obviously wanting to shelter her from danger but wanting to be supportive, too. He caught up one of her hands in his and turned it over to kiss the palm, shutting his eye. He nodded and heaved a little sigh. "I just can't say 'no' to you. I'm with you, no matter what happens."
            Yuffie sniffed and hastily wiped her eyes. "Hormones," she excused when Tseng raised an eyebrow at her.
            "I hate to step on your moment of cavity-inducing, grand romantic gestures," Genesis said caustically, "but have either of you really considered what you're being asked to do?"
            "I thought I made that clear," Lazard said tiredly.
            "You made it clear that you want to toss Aerith at the planet like one would toss a bone at a rabid dog for a quick getaway," Genesis countered. "With all due respect Sir, if it's human sacrifice you want to achieve, you could at least muster a little flare. Rattle some bones and toss them into an active volcano, for example. At least it would be over with quickly."
            "Your sarcasm is both inappropriate and unwelcome," replied the Director sternly. "Aerith and Zack aren't being sacrificed."
            "Oh?" challenged the red-headed Soldier, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.
            "No," insisted Lazard. "If anyone's to be sacrificed in this plan, it will be us."
            Genesis stared at him with a frown, stricken by a rare moment of witlessness. "Us?"
            "Yes, us. The armed forces protecting this colony." Lazard looked around at the assembly as comprehension began to spread. "In order to give Aerith a chance to reach a depth that will allow her to communicate directly with Gaia, we will provide a distraction. While the WEAPONS are busy with us, Aerith and Zack will enter the crater and descend to the bottom, with Shelke Rui acting as their guide through her net diving ability. First, we need to test whether Aerith can detect the girl's spirit when she's having one of her out of body journeys, but I'm confident that she can."
            "So we're the bait, yo," Reno sighed. "I knew I felt like a worm wriggling on a hook when I got up this morning. Now I know why."
            Angeal's brows drew together in concern. "What about the colony? It's going to take all the manpower we have to act on this plan of yours, Sir. Who will protect the civilians?"
            Tseng answered before Lazard could. "As we've already ascertained, if the planet withdraws the protection of this place, our military forces can't protect the colony. Our numbers aren't strong enough to withstand a full-on WEAPON assault here. Military presence within this city would make no difference."
            Lazard nodded in agreement. "That's correct. Assuming the protection of this place remains intact, the civilian population will be safe as long as they stay here. I want a voluntary recruitment campaign run while we're making preparations and Mrs. Fair should continue to exercise her abilities, until we're prepared to act. The President and I have a list of people we don't want involved in this fight and Mr. Tuesti, I think you should know you're one of them."
            Reeve sat up straighter in his chair, his expression betraying shock. "Now, just a moment, Director...I think you're making a mistake."
            "Your research and engineering skills are too important to the survival of our species," explained Lazard. "If this plan fails, your theoretical invention could be the only hope humanity has left, Reeve. Don't ask us to risk that."
            "But you just said this will essentially be humanity's 'last stand'," argued Reeve. "You're going to need all the help you can get. My theories aren't guarantees for the future and I think we should focus on the present. Our top priority as of now is to keep our people alive, and that's what I intend to do."
            Lazard opened his mouth to argue, but Vincent spoke up first. "Reeve's knowledge and strategic skills will be a valuable asset in the field. We'll have fewer casualties and a greater chance for success, if he's allowed to participate."
            Reeve cast a quietly thankful look at the gunman, seeming a bit surprised by his support. Vincent returned his glance and shrugged, as if to say he believed in him, even if he criticized him regularly.
            "I...see," said Lazard.
He glanced at his half-brother and Rufus waved a hand negligently, beyond caring. "If he's so eager to die, let him. Most of us won't survive to care what happens to the rest of humanity, anyhow."
"Well, aren't you a morale booster," Genesis grumbled.
"Are there any questions?" Lazard prompted, his expression saying he wanted this meeting over with.
Everyone looked at each other, considering the magnitude of this last, desperate plan. Cloud gave Zack and Aerith a little smile and a nod when they glanced at him uncertainly. Neither of them was very keen on the shy young fighter losing his life to provide a distraction for them, but as always, he demonstrated his quiet bravery and he didn't ask to be cut from the list of participants.
            "Doesn't look like we've got any deserters in this crowd," Barret observed when nobody objected to the plan or declined participation in it. "I s'pose it's as good a plan as any, but how are you planning to get the WEAPON'S attention without a full-on assault of the crater, Director? We've gotta watch how much ammo we use and spread it out, or it's gonna be one helluva short fight."
            Lazard considered the question, lowering his eyes in thought. "I'm counting on the WEAPONS' thirst for blood and their uncanny knack for sensing when prey is nearby. They've unerringly tracked us all to the ends of the world, so there's no reason to believe they won't be attracted to a massive army approaching their place of birth."
            Reeve was frowning in thought as well and he began to stare at Genesis until it made the Lieutenant uncomfortable.
            "Stop leering at me," demanded Genesis. "It's disturbing."
            "I'm not leering, I'm thinking." Reeve finally looked away, only to settle his gaze on Cloud. "I think a luring tactic would bring us a greater advantage."
            Cloud and Genesis looked at each other, neither one of them looking particularly thrilled by the way the engineer watched them as he said that.
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            When the meeting cleared out, Rufus hung back to speak with Lazard. Once they were alone in the boardroom, the President made his intentions clear.

            "Scarlet and I are participating in this strike. Remove our names from the cut list."
          Lazard stared at the other blond, thinking he was only trying to start an argument. "That's just ridiculous. I'd sooner send a pregnant woman into combat than—"
            Rufus suddenly shoved Lazard against the wall and pinned him there, pressing his forearm against the Director's throat with surprising strength. "I refuse to stay behind, withering away to nothing and drowning in my own blood. Our forces are a disposable distraction for this fight and I'm as good as dead, already. I will go out my own way, Lazard. That means I will be combat piloting for this raid and I swear to Ifrit, if you try to stop me I will make what remains of my time a living hell for you."
            The sheer determination in his eyes made as much of an impression as his unexpected attack and his vehemently uttered promise. Lazard stared at his half-sibling and a dose of reality jarred him. Rufus was really, truly dying. Though he might have declared such an event to be cause for celebration not so long ago, now he could summon no joy for it. As much as they hated one another, Rufus was his only family left in the world.
            "Okay," Lazard agreed softly, prying the other man's arm away from his throat. Rufus began to cough and Lazard impulsively supported him and helped him to a chair. "If you're that determined, then I won't argue with you. Here, sip this."
            Lazard reached for the half-filled glass of water that sat on the table near Rufus' seat, but the President waved it away when he tried to give it to him. Rufus pulled out his handkerchief from his pocket and covered his mouth as his coughing fit grew violent. Lazard watched helplessly, suffering conflicting emotions of anger, pity and regret as Rufus struggled to catch his breath.
            "You're...making the right choice," Rufus finally said when the fit ended. He pulled the cloth away from his mouth and grimaced at the fresh blood staining it. His gray eyes met Lazard's and he smirked at him. "Stop looking like a kicked puppy. That's Lt. Fair's signature expression and he may decide to sue you for copyright infringement."
            Lazard nearly cracked a smile at that, but the sick feeling in his stomach put him in ill humor. "Rufus, do you really think you can concentrate enough to pilot an aircraft through a fight? Aside from the obvious issue with the coughing fits and oxygen requirements, your medication could impair your concentration."
            "I've flown with...worse distractions," insisted Rufus. He motioned at the glass in Lazard's hand and he gave a bare nod of thanks when the Director relinquished it to him. He took a couple of sips before continuing. "Given the opposition we face, I doubt I'll be in the sky long enough to suffer significant distraction. I'll make my mark before it ends, however."
            Lazard bowed his head. There was really nothing left to say on the matter, and it was too late to try and develop brotherly affection.
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            After the meeting, Cloud went with Reno to the house he shared with Tifa and together, they explained what was going on. Tifa listened to it all with introspective silence, waiting until they finished before speaking her thoughts on the matter. Reno stood mute and frowning by the wall when he finished saying his piece, evidently having decided to leave the pleading up to Cloud.
            "So this is it, then. This is our last chance."
            "Maybe," agreed Cloud softly. He looked up from his teacup and gazed at her with earnest blue eyes. "You don't have to fight though, Tifa. You could stay here in the city, safe with the colonists."
            "For how long?" she demanded. She reached across the table and covered one of his hands with hers, squeezing gently. "We have no idea how long the WEAPONS will leave this place alone, Cloud. If Aerith can't get through to the planet, it could just be a matter of time before this place is destroyed like all the other sanctuaries. I want to fight."
            "I don't want to see you get hurt," Cloud said stubbornly.
            Tifa smiled fondly at him. "That's the way you've always been, but just because you don't want to see it doesn't mean I'll never get hurt. Reno's being supportive of me, so why can't you?"
            Cloud took one look at Reno's unhappy face and he shook his head. "No, he isn't! He hates this! Just look at him."
            Tifa did look and Reno failed to school his expression in time for her to miss the discontent on his face. She sighed and got out of her chair, approaching him with faintly chastising eyes. "You said you understood, Reno."
            The Turk spared a murderous glare of blame on Cloud before shrugging. "Yo, I didn't say a damned word, toots."
            "But you were thinking it," she pressed. "I can tell by the look on your face. Reno, I don't want you distracted in a fight, worrying about me."
            "So don't go, then," he offered simply. "Problem solved."
            She sighed again, shaking her head. "You know it isn't that simple."
            "Hey, I was just being honest with ya. Why are you all over my ass, anyways? I'm keeping my personal feelings out of it and I'm not the one trying to talk you out of it." He gave a purposeful nod Cloud's way.
            Tifa turned to regard her friend, who had the grace to look a bit ashamed of himself. "Cloud has always been protective of me. He's like my brother and I know he's just trying to do what he thinks is right."
            "But I'm not?" Reno demanded. He snorted. "Bird boy ain't the prince you think he is, Tif. Ya wanna know how far he was willing to push it, to keep you off the combat field?"
            Cloud's look of instant dread and betrayal suggested he'd said or done something awful, but Tifa couldn't imagine what that was. "What are you talking about?"
She saw Cloud give a mute shake of his head out the corner of her eye and she looked at the blond full-on, frowning suspiciously at him. "Cloud, what is he hinting at?"
"I'm not hinting," Reno said before Cloud could answer. "I'm flat-out telling ya, Blondie's a lot more ruthless than I am. So tell her, Cloud. Tell Tifa about the suggestion you made to me, that day she tested Reeve's equipment."
            "Stop trying to shift the blame to him," demanded Tifa sternly. "Whatever Cloud said, he's not my boyfriend and—"
            "He asked me to knock you up on the sly," Reno informed, cutting off her sentence.
            The house became so silent, you could have heard a pin drop. Tifa looked from Reno to Cloud and the guilty look on the latter's face suggested that Reno wasn't entirely fabricating his accusation. "Wh-what?"
            "That's right," persisted the Turk. "Blondie there was so wound up over the thought of you going into combat, he tried to convince me to sabotage your birth control. After what Reeve said about forbidding pregnant chicks from fighting, I guess your buddy figured It'd be a good way to keep you home without an argument."
            "Then that conversation we had about your 'friend' considering sneaking a pregnancy on his wife?"
            Reno shrugged. "Ya got me...I was talking about us."
            Tifa's head whipped around and she stared at Cloud with wide, betrayed eyes. "He's telling the truth, isn't he?"
            "I wasn't thinking rationally," Cloud tried to explain. "It was a stupid idea and I wish I hadn't—"
            "Of course it was a stupid idea!" she snapped, glaring at him. "How dare you try to take my choices away like that? Cloud Strife, I have never been so disappointed or angry with you! It just...OOH!"
            "I'm sorry," he said miserably. "It's just...the last thing your vater said to me was to keep you safe and—"

            "That's no excuse for what you tried to do! If Vater knew you would resort to something like this, he'd skin you alive! I think you should leave, now."
            Cloud stood up unhappily. "Tifa—"
            "No." She turned her back on him and crossed her arms over her busom. "I'm really mad at you and I don't want to hear your excuses!"
            "I told him it was a bad idea—" Reno started to say, but Tifa snapped a glare on him and shut him up.
            "You too. Get out of my house. Both of you! Take your sperm and your double standards with you, you...you...MEN!"
~**********************************************~

            Cloud and Reno stumbled out of the house, chased by the sound of Tifa swearing in Nibel. Reno winced as the door slammed shut behind him and he reached into his blazer pocket for his cigarette container.
            "Damn...she's really pissed off. I only know a couple of those words she shouted." Reno lit the rolled cigarette and took a drag, shutting his eyes with pleasure as he inhaled the calming smoke.
            "I think she invented some new ones," sighed Cloud, scuffing the ground with his boot.
            "Looks like we're both in the doghouse, yo."
            Cloud lifted his gaze from the ground and glared at the Turk. "Thanks to you. Why did you say that to her?"
            Reno shrugged and thumped some ash off the tip of his cigarette. "Self-preservation, man. She was all over my ass and I didn't do anything to deserve it. I guess I'm sick of her always thinking her precious Cloud can do no wrong and her boyfriend is a lying sack of shit. She trusts you like she'll never trust me. I don't mind telling ya, it stings."
            "We grew up together," excused Cloud, feeling some pity for the redhead. "I've had my whole life to build her trust. You've only had a year and you're a Turk."
            Reno looked at him with a bitter expression. "Yeah, well...the 'I don't approve of your career choice' excuse is starting to get old fast, bird boy. I've done some shitty things in the past and my company ain't run by angels, but I've never lied to that girl and I've never cheated on her. That isn't enough, though."
            "Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Cloud grumbled. "You brought this one on your own head. You thought ratting me out would make you look good and it blew up in your face. Serves you right."
            Reno's mouth twitched and he coughed into his hand, disguising a chuckle. "All right, so I fucked up. So did you, Strife. Question is, will she get over it or am I gonna have to move in with my partner and his girlfriend?"
            "I wouldn't count on getting back in your house for at least a night," suggested Cloud with a frowning glance behind them at the dwelling. He could still hear Tifa cussing inside and he grimaced. Tifa only swore like that when she was royally pissed off. "That's as bad as it gets, with her. Don't push your luck."
            Reno sighed. "Got it. Well, I guess I'd better head over to Rude's and ask if I can crash on their couch tonight. Uh...sorry for narking on you, man."
            Cloud shrugged. "You hurt yourself more than you hurt me. See you around."
            He started to walk home, but he paused when he saw the covertly longing way Reno looked back at the house. Cloud sighed and approached the Turk again. "She loves you," he said in a low voice. "Give her a little time. She'll forgive you—especially with what's coming. She won't want to go into this fight with hard feelings."
            Reno nodded, trying to look unconcerned. "It's cool." He took another puff of his cigarette and began to walk away.
Cloud went the opposite direction, having nothing left to say on the matter. When he made it into the house, he went up to the bedroom and he temporarily forgot all about his childhood friend's anger with him. Sephiroth was stripped to the waste and in the process of removing the rest of his clothing. The fresh towel waiting folded on the bed indicated that he had plans to bathe, but Cloud had better ideas.
"Um...can you leave the boots on, please?" Cloud blurted.
Sephiroth turned to regard him and he graced him with one of those crooked, sensual little smiles reserved for Cloud Strife alone. If he minded Cloud's obsession with him in boots, he never said so.
~*******************************************~

            Meanwhile, Zack and Aerith were having their own conundrum over the recent events. They ate a cheerless dinner and Zack was unusually quiet throughout the meal. Aerith finally couldn't stand the silence any longer and she spoke up while Zack was bathing Kirsten.
            "Are you okay?"
            Zack paused and looked at her. "I don't know how to answer that without being a jerk."
            "Well, it's really a 'yes' or 'no' question," she hedged. "I just want to know how you feel."
            He sighed and he adjusted Kirsten's position in the little tub. "I feel terrible."
            Aerith came up behind him and embraced him around the waist, resting her cheek against his broad back. "Why?"
            "You're kidding, right?" He was beginning to sound annoyed and the only time Zack had ever been short with her was when she snuck out to try and talk to a WEAPON, back when they first met.
            "No. I want you to talk to me. Tell me what's on your mind."
            Zack drew a slow breath and he lifted the infant out of the tub, swathing her carefully as he spoke. "All right; I'll tell you. When all this started, I knew having a family was out for me. I was fine with that, too. I just wanted to do my best to protect other people's families, you know? Then I met you. Now all I want is to raise lots of fat babies with you in the country somewhere, but oh no wait! Instead, we're going down into the asshole of the world to try and convince the planet to stop exterminating us like cockroaches. Meanwhile, all my friends get to play 'decoy' for us and most of them are probably going to die. We might not make it back out of that crater and this beautiful little girl we made together will be an orphan."
            Zack turned around to look at her, cradling Kirsten protectively. His blue-violet eyes were intense with emotion. "So that about covers it. Happy?"
            "You blame me," she accused softly, her heart aching.
            Zack's anger melted and the baby began to whimper. He tried to sooth the infant and Aerith at the same time. "It's okay...Daddy's not mad. Shhh." He looked at Aerith as he patted the baby's back and he forced a little smile her way. "Really. It isn't you. It's...all this. We just can't seem to catch a break and I get tired of being Mr. Optimistic all the time. Once in a while, I just need to rant."
            Aerith relaxed a bit. "I didn't mean to make you upset."
            He shook his head and bent over a little to give her a soft kiss on the mouth. "Hey, I love you. I know it didn't sound like it a minute ago, but I'm grateful as hell to have you and Kirsten in my life. I was just blowing off some steam, all right?"
            Aerith was about to respond to that, when the sound of someone knocking at the front door distracted her. "I'll get that."
            "Wait," Zack said, shifting the baby in his arms. "Let me answer it."
            Aerith clucked her tongue at him, amused despite the moment of angst they'd just shared. "Zack, really...nobody is going to come and nab me. They have no reason to, since I've already agreed to the plan. You've got to stop worrying so much."
            He reluctantly conceded, keeping a wary eye on her as he followed her out of the bathroom and into the main part of the house. When Aerith opened the door and found Reno of the Turks standing there, Zack hurried to her side and she almost rolled her eyes.
            "Hello Reno," she said politely, curious but not particularly concerned. "Are you here to abduct me? I should warn you, my husband won't like it if you are."
            "Not right now," answered the Turk with an amused little smirk at Zack. "Down boy...I just came to ask the lady for a favor, yo."
            Zack wasn't impressed. "I think people have asked Aerith for enough 'favors' lately."
            Reno whistled softly. "Wow...you're almost as cranky as Sephiroth now. Relax, Fair. It's just a little thing and I'll be out of your hair in no time."
            "Please, come in," invited Aerith. She gave her husband a gently admonishing look as she stepped aside for Reno. "Zack is just under a lot of stress. What do you need?"
            "Flowers," answered the redhead. "I need some fast and I know you've got the best garden in the joint. I'll pay ya for them."
            She smiled at him. "What did you do?"
            Reno scratched his head and shrugged. "I um...told the truth. Ya know, I don't get you chicks. You tell us to be honest with ya and then when we are—"
            "We get in trouble for it," Zack finished for him, finally regaining some of his humor.
            "Right," agreed Reno, snapping his fingers. "I don't get it."
            Aerith sighed. "That's because you don't know how to pick your battles. You take it too literally and you don't know when to be honest with us and when to be quiet."
            "I'm no psychic," protested Reno. "So anyway, think you could help me out, Aerith?"
            "I think that can be 'arranged'," she said with a teasing grin. "So, what do we want this bouquet to say? 'I'm sorry I called you fat', or maybe 'I'm sorry for being an insensitive jerk'?"
            Reno chuckled. "How about 'please don't make me sleep on my partner's couch, 'cause I don't wanna hear him sexing his girlfriend up at night'? Think you could swing that?"
            "Hmm, it's a challenge, but I think I can manage that."
~****************************************~

            While Reno discussed the fine art of putting together "I'm sorry" bouquets with Aerith, Cloud was practicing how to say "I love your penis" to Sephiroth without speaking the words out loud. He thought he had it down to an art, if he did say so himself. The General was seated on their bedding with his back against the wall and his legs still encased in his boots—as per request. Cloud was lying partially across the taller man's thighs, busily demonstrating his message. Sephiroth grunted softly and stroked Cloud's hair as the blond sucked him off with practiced skill. Ordinarily, Sephiroth wasn't the vocal sort and his praise was hard to come by. Whenever Cloud cut loose on him however, Sephiroth's generosity grew substantially.
            "You're a whore with that mouth, Cloud," panted Sephiroth as the blond stroked his thighs and took his length down his throat. He showed his appreciation by curling the fingers he had inserted into the blond's rectum, pressing the spot that always made Cloud see sparks.
            Cloud moaned around the stiffened flesh he was pleasuring and he lifted his bottom a little, begging his lover for more. Sephiroth happily obliged him and he began to rhythmically pump his fingers, pausing now and then to stimulate the gland inside of him. Cloud's grateful whimpers and moans blended in with the sucking sounds of his mouth and he vaguely realized Sephiroth was getting very close to his peak. He half-expected the bigger man to stop him, but Sephiroth allowed him to keep going. The deep, resonant groans and whispered encouragement piqued Cloud's lust even further and made him want to beg Sephiroth to fuck him.
            Cloud almost stopped when Sephiroth reached under his hips with his other hand and started to stroke his cock. He remembered himself a second later and he resumed his thoughtful licking, sucking and head-bobbing.
            "Unh...Cloud," Sephiroth gasped, signaling that he was about to come. His scrotum tightened up and Cloud quickly took him down his throat, swallowing as he shot his load. The salty gush gratified him as it hit the back of his throat. The motions of his fingers and the stroking of his hand paused while Sephiroth came, but the breathy moan that escaped his parted lips was reward enough for Cloud.
            He gentled the motions of his mouth and he slowly released the softening cock. Cloud struggled to his knees, careful not to accidentally dislodge his companion's fingers from within him. He stroked Sephiroth's chest and he licked perspiration from his neck, trying to ignore his unsatisfied need. After catching his breath, Sephiroth turned his head and kissed Cloud on the mouth, stroking inside languidly with his tongue. He rubbed his prostate again and Cloud shuddered, moaning into the kiss.
            "I've neglected you," Sephiroth observed breathlessly, observing the flush of desire on Cloud's fair, youthful face. "But don't worry, Cloud. I intend to see to your needs, too. How do you want it?"
            Hotter words had never been spoken, as far as Cloud was concerned. Of course, asking him how he wanted it was a rather redundant question, in his eyes. Cloud always wanted it however Sephiroth was prepared to give it to him. Instead of answering him, the blond dipped a hand down and covered the hand that was stroking his cock with such possessive familiarity. He stared into Sephiroth's eyes for a moment before kissing him on the lips with submissive invitation.
~**********************************~

            Sephiroth got the message. Cloud never had to speak much to get what he wanted out of their encounters any more. His expressive eyes and the way he kissed, moved and touched him spoke far louder than words to the General, these days. He admired the smaller man's masculine beauty and he stopped stroking him off for a moment to trace his tempting, parted lips with his fingertips.
            "Gaia, that mouth," murmured the General when Cloud kiss and suckled his index finger teasingly.
Sephiroth had never considered himself a lips man, but Cloud had the most talented, sensitive pair he'd ever had the pleasure of interacting with. Sapphire eyes opened a slit, watching him sleepily from beneath golden lashes. Cloud really knew how to make a man want to break his dick off in his ass. Sephiroth reluctantly pulled his finger out of Cloud's mouth and he resumed petting his jutting arousal. Cloud again rested one hand intimately on top of the one Seph was stroking him with and he reached the other between the General's thighs to fondle him in return.
It was no surprise to either of them when Sephiroth's spent sex began to harden again under the blond's loving ministrations. He never told him so out loud, but all it really took from Cloud Strife was an inviting gaze to make Sephiroth's pants feel uncomfortably tight. That gaze was on him now and combined with the sight of his naked, tight muscled little body and the feel of his hand fondling his stiffening cock, it was rapidly causing a loss of composure.
The final nail in the coffin of his self-restraint came in the form of damp, desperate little kisses over his jaw when he discovered the best angle to access Cloud's g-spot with. Cloud's warm breath tickled his skin as he panted and moaned, rocking back to encourage the stimulation. Sephiroth didn't bother instructing him. His patience snapped and he withdrew his fingers from inside the blond so that he could position his body himself. Sephiroth situated him so that he was facing away from him and he urged him onto his hands and knees. Cloud barely managed to comply in time before Sephiroth got to his knees and positioned himself.
His erection was still slick with Cloud's saliva and the additional lube he'd used when fingering the blond ensured a smooth breach. Sephiroth's mouth curved into a pleased, sensual grin as he drove his cock into his companion's tight, gripping heat and Cloud cried out. He took it slow so as not to hurt his lover, but he didn't stop until he was fully encased to the hilt. Sephiroth bowed over Cloud's trembling, arching back and he stroked his hips, stomach and thighs while he waited for him to adjust.
"Is this what you wanted, Cloud?" He kissed a tensed, freckled shoulder and he reveled in the feel of the blond clenching helplessly around his shaft. "Or perhaps I misread you."
He started to withdraw and his gamble immediately paid off. Cloud grabbed the hand that was fondling his nipples and he shook his head desperately, struggling for the breath to speak with. "N-no...don't stop. Please, Sephiroth."
Though it was tempting to draw out the anticipation for a little while longer, Sephiroth was lacking the patience to do so and his body's urges couldn't be denied. He gripped the base of Cloud's dick to keep him from coming before he was ready to let him and he withdrew slowly to the tip. He eased back in just as slowly, letting the blond feel the glide of his rigid flesh inside of him. Cloud whimpered and pushed back against him, prompting Sephiroth to smack one of his pale, smooth little butt cheeks in warning.
Cloud laughed.
The sound surprised Sephiroth so much that he went still over him. It was a brief huff of amusement, quickly stifled, but it was a laugh, nonetheless. He found himself smiling crookedly as Cloud hastily apologized and tried to act intimidated. Sephiroth rubbed the firm roundness of the reddening cheek thoughtfully.
"So being disciplined is amusing to you now?" queried Sephiroth in a sensual purr.
He withdrew and thrust again, keeping the action deliberately slow and patient. Cloud moaned and clamped down tight around him, until Sephiroth grimaced with faint discomfort. Among Strife's many erotic talents was the ability to clench his ass in an almost punishing grip around Sephiroth's girth, making withdrawal difficult, at best.
"It startled me," Cloud informed him, turning his head to look over his shoulder at him as best he could. "I won't laugh anymore, just don't take it out."
"I doubt that I could if I wanted to," Sephiroth grunted. "Fuck, you're tight."
            Cloud smirked, knowing good and well that his lover's use of the expletive meant he was riding a fine line of control. Sephiroth saw the smirk and he decided to play a card of his own. He reached beneath the blond's erection and he fondled his balls. The stimulation had the desired effect of distracting Cloud and soon, he loosened up enough for Sephiroth to begin moving again.
            "Not fair," grunted Cloud as Sephiroth began to thrust. His words faded into a shaken moan as the General began to put more force into it.
            "What was that, Strife?" Sephiroth demanded, somehow retaining a tone of authority despite the unsteady quality of his voice.
            "Unnnhh...ahhh..." Cloud bowed his head and moaned helplessly, his wits deserting him as his lover rolled his hips with smooth, firm motions.
            Sephiroth smiled in satisfaction and he nuzzled the blond's soft hair, taking him harder. "That's...what I thought you said."
            "S-Sephiroth," Cloud panted, rocking desperately against the thrust of the other man's hips.
            The plaintive tone of his voice was music to Sephiroth's ears and he changed the force and angle of his thrusts a bit, trying different methods until Cloud gasped sharply and shuddered. Satisfied with the response, he kept going and he ignored the blond's begging when he reached his peak. He denied Cloud his release and took great pleasure in the way the smaller man grabbed a pillow and bit into it to muffle his cries. He kept going until he was on the verge of climax himself and then he released the base of Cloud's erection.
            Cloud bucked against him desperately as Sephiroth began to stroke him off and started fucking him with sharp, quick motions. Cloud's struggle to contain his cries of pleasure was both amusing and arousing to Sephiroth. He slicked his finger over the precum dribbling from the tip of his cock and he grunted encouragement as Cloud tensed all over, coming hard. The spasms eased Sephiroth into his second orgasm too and he bowed over the blond, gripping one of his hips with his free hand as he filled him.
            "Mmm, perfect," breathed Sephiroth when he regained the power of speech.
He allowed his companion to fall onto his side and he spooned up behind him, kissing his shoulder and stroking his body with leisurely, sated care. Cloud rolled over to face him and he snuggled close. Sephiroth had intended to get cleaned up and at least pull the top sheet off the bedding for cleaning, but the feel of Cloud's naked body fitting so perfectly against his distracted him. He rubbed Cloud's back impulsively, taking time to enjoy the feel of him.
"Tifa's mad at me," yawned Cloud after a few moments.
"Oh?" Sephiroth wasn't the sort to gossip or talk about feelings, but he didn't mind listening when Cloud wanted an ear.
"Ja. I said something really stupid to Reno and he told on me."
Sephiroth's mouth twitched. "How old are the two of you, again?"
"I know, it sounds childish," sighed the blond, "but Tifa's really defensive about having her turn on the battlefield and she gets mad if she thinks we aren't supportive. Reno tried to make me the bad guy by telling her what I said and now she's pissed off at both of us."
"Hmm. What did you say?"
The blond cringed. "I...well, I sort of told him he should think about getting her pregnant, so she can't join the army."
            Sephiroth's expression remained neutral. "I see."
            Cloud pulled away to look at him searchingly. "You don't think that's awful?"
            "I think you feel bad enough about it without further burden of guilt. Knowing how close you are to your friend Tifa, she'll realize there isn't time to hold a grudge against you for a poor choice of words spoken out of fear for her."
            Cloud seemed to find his words comforting. "Hope so."
~**********************************~

            Reeve hurt everywhere. He almost thought he would pass with only a warning for his daring behavior the other day, but as soon as he got sufficiently rested up, Chaos manifested and reminded him in the lewdest of ways that he wasn't forgiven for his stunt. After humping him silly and feeding like a glutton on him, the demon rudely shoved Reeve into the bathroom, told him to get cleaned up and bid him good evening. It was a miracle the engineer didn't drown himself in the bathtub, but he managed to bathe the scent of sweat and sex from his body without passing out. A sip of one of the healing potions he kept in the medicine cabinet eased the sting of various bite marks and the burning sensation in his ass, but Reeve Tuesti bit back a groan with every step as he tugged his bathrobe on and made his way to the bedroom.
            "Oh, good," Reeve sighed in relief when he found Vincent lounging in the bed, waiting for him. The gunman's ivory body was covered to the waist with the sheets and he regarded Reeve quietly. "Not that I don't find your alter-ego to be utterly charming company, but I'm glad you're back, all the same."
            Vincent watched him mutely as Reeve climbed into bed, too worn out to even remove his bathrobe. Reeve's damp head hit the pillow and he shut his eyes as he reached out blindly for his pale lover.
"Turn the lamp off, would you?" He prepared to snuggle Vincent's lean, cool body and drift off to sleep.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
Reeve frowned and opened his eyes, squinting at Vincent with a confused brown gaze. "I don't think so. Oh, right." He squirmed closer to the gunman and planted a hearty kiss on his lips. "Good night, Vincent."
No sooner did he shut his eyes again than an ominous warning issued from his companion. "You haven't fulfilled your agreement."
Reeve blinked his eyes open again and he found himself looking up at Vincent's hovering face. His thoughts scattered and despite his exhaustion, he couldn't look away from that beautiful countenance. He reached up to stroke the silken, raven strands of hair that fell around Vincent's face and he tried to comprehend his meaning.
"What agreement?"
The gunman almost looked like he was ready to smirk. "You've appeased Chaos, but I'm still unsatisfied."
Remembering the warning he'd received the other day while collecting data from the WEAPON, Reeve winced. "Oh, that. Vincent, I'm really, really sore—and exhausted. Honestly...not to be crude, but my ass feels like it's been set on fire and run over a couple dozen times by a plow. I don't think I can take anymore tonight and if I try, I may require medical attention."
"You exaggerate," snorted Vincent—though his ruby gaze slid over Reeve with concern he couldn't quite disguise.
            "Maybe a little," confessed Reeve, "but my ass really is sore, and we need to try and be conservative with healing potions and materia charges. I'd hate to think someone could die in the fight to come because I wasted a life-saving potion or Cure charge on my rear."
            "Did I say anything about entering you?" demanded Vincent in exasperation.
            "Well no," Reeve answered. Vincent usually bottomed, in fact. "But the motions are still...you know."
            "I understand," Vincent assured him. "And I expected you to be too drained to fulfill your promise to me, to be honest. Not tonight, at least. I just wanted assurance that you've learned a lesson about toying with me."
            At once, Reeve felt bad. "Wait just a minute, I never said I wouldn't take care of your needs."
            This time, the gunman did smile a little. He reached out with his golden claw and he dragged the sharp points along Reeve's chest, tracing the open V of his robe before working on the belt of his robe. "I wouldn't ask you to, really. I can wait—but I want this removed."
            Reeve shivered and despite his condition, he began to get aroused. He helped Vincent remove the troublesome robe and he rolled onto the raven-haired man, kissing him. Vincent murmured against his lips and combed the fingers of his human hand through his damp hair.
            "I really can wait...at least until morning," Vincent assured him in his low, resonant voice.
            Reeve kissed the smooth skin of his companion's throat and jaw, hardening completely against his pale thighs. "And that's why I'm doing this, instead of going to sleep," he assured softly.
He felt Vincent's erection pressing against his beneath the sheets and he supported himself on one arm, sliding his free hand between their bodies and down. He smiled down at Vincent as he fondled him and the gunman's crimson eyes grew heavy-lidded with pleasure.
"I think I can muster enough energy for you," Reeve promised huskily.
Vincent offered no further arguments.
~*********************************~

-To be continued
- 32
- 33
- 34
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Ashen Skies