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Walking Out on Destiny	By : HarliqueenNight Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2575 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all things associated are owned by Square Enix and Testuya Nomura respectively. I own nothing save for the characters and places created for the sake of this fan fiction and recieve no profit in the creation of this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 34
- 35
- 36
A/N: and so it continues. Um…right in the feels guys, be prepared. Song for this Chapter is Fiona Apple's cover of the Beatles' Across the Universe.
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Walking Out on Destiny Season Three
Episode Five: Long Live the Queen
Sephiroth was not asleep. It was almost daybreak and he could not sleep. The sound of Cloud's raised voice in the other room yelling at an invisible target, thin high notes choked with a hurt that almost clouded the anger in that gentle voice. Sephiroth could not sleep knowing that he was relieved with that sound. Relieved not only that Cloud was fighting with Zack, but because he had not caused it to happen. Zack had called just as Sephiroth was nearly forced to answer the question of Angeal and Zack's fidelity and had saved him from being the one to hurt the blonde. Sephiroth's superior hearing could catch guilty but angry words from Zack's end but could not piece together what was being said over Cloud's rage. It had been going on for nearly an hour and showed no signs of ending. Which meant either Zack was too stubborn to apologize or Cloud was too stubborn to accept and talk it out. Sephiroth couldn't blame him; he had a right to be hurt, a right to be angry. If he had been anyone else, he was certain he would be angry too. However, the guilt of being relieved by any of this was keeping Sephiroth awake. He hadn't told but worst off he wished he had. He wished he'd put the final nail in Zack and Cloud's relationship because then he could've taken Cloud. He could've taken Cloud away from Angeal's stubborn honor and Zack's young indecisiveness. Cloud didn't deserve the tango that Angeal and Zack was doing. He didn't deserve to be involved in something that was supposed to have already been taken care of. Cloud was new, he was naïve, he was young. He deserved to learn the proper way what relationships were supposed to be like, just as Sephiroth had. Yet Angeal couldn't control his feelings and Zack couldn't get over the sting of rejection by the person he loved and trusted most…and Cloud was the one paying for it in uncertainty and sadness. Sephiroth could think of a list of reasons to blame Zack and Angeal for the fight that was happening now, but he could not help but blame himself for being grateful for their flaws.
"Zack…" Cloud said, voice hoarse from the shouting. "I love you…"
And that was the tragedy of it all. Sephiroth sat up and rubbed his temple. Cloud really did love that silly boy and it stung every time because he knew it was honest and open
"I know…just…why didn't you come home?" Pause. "I see…Just…I know you want to make it up to me but…ok. I'll see you tomorrow. But Zack, just please talk to me next time. Answer the phone. No…no I'm not coming home tonight. I can't right now. Just…I'll see you tomorrow ok."
And there it was. Cloud would forgive him and he would return to the puppy's arms. Except…
Sephiroth looked down at the open text on his phone with disdain. Angeal's name plastered in the from space and the words beneath him glared up at him in the darkness like the final nail in a cross he was being forced to bear. Angeal had slept with Zack tonight and now he knew. There's a screaming rage inside of him that made him want to strangle Angeal not only for his idiocy but for involving him in it when he was so close to Cloud's feelings. He picked up the phone, staring at the text message and went to delete it but hesitated. He could show Cloud this text message right now and put a stop to this foolishness. He could save Cloud more heartache and tell him that Zack betrayed him, but a thought came to mind. What if Zack wanted to come clean to Cloud? Zack had always been honest about every mistake he makes and Sephiroth couldn't imagine Zack keeping it from him. It was frustrating considering how they had betrayed Cloud's trust, yet at the same time he understood why it happened. Angeal would not admit to loving Zack and that was the problem. He was holding in everything that could've been said while Zack was single and it was overflowing. Angeal may have been a lab experiment just like them but he was still human, still flawed. He could be angry as he wanted to be at Angeal, but he couldn't fault the man. He supposed the real problem was that it was Cloud this was happening to. It was Cloud and that made him irrational about all of it. Hell, he couldn't even understand his attraction to the boy much less explain why anyone would hurt him.
The more he thought about this the more circles he went through. He shut off his phone and tossed it onto the floor, flopping down on the bed with a huff. He stared at the green glow coming through the screen of his window, letting the serene silence of the room calm his nerves. Cloud would go back to Zack because Cloud loved Zack, not him and that's the way it is. Cloud was young, just a kid and far too young for him. He was naïve, wiry, frail little thing. He was innocent. Sephiroth would hurt him worse than Zack.
Sephiroth heard the shuffling of feet and he looked back over his shoulder to see Cloud standing there tiredly, his eyes slightly puffy and red.
"Hey?" he said gently. "Did I wake you?"
Sephiroth shook his head.
"You, um, mind if I stay here tonight?"
"I didn't end well?"
"No, I…he wants to talk but I just don't want to go back there tonight."
Sephiroth nodded. "You can sleep here, though Aerith is in the only guest room so you'll have to sleep in here."
Cloud smiled and nodded. He walked across the floor to the large window, his feet making light taps against the polished wood floor. "Can I…?" he gestured toward the screen obstructing the view of the ciy.
Sephiroth reached to his small nightstand and used the remote to raise the screen. It revealed a gorgeous view of Midgar bathed in emerald from the night emissions from the Mako towers. Cloud breathed an enamored sigh as he took in the sight of the beautiful sky scrapers of the city and pressed his hand childishly against the glass as if he could somehow touch the place with his fingertips. Sephiroth got up to join him in looking at the view. It had been a long time since he had been fascinated by Midgar's skyline but something about sitting here, viewing it with Cloud brought some of that childish wonderment back. Cloud glanced at the far expression on Sephiroth's face and smiled a bit, toying with the lightening Materia around his neck. He was enamored with the way the glow of the city darkened Sephiroth's shining jade eyes to an almost chartreuse shade. He caught himself and turned away, his cheeks tinged the slightest pink. He'd come all the way here to build a life, at least that's what he told himself. But if he had to be honest, the reason he'd come was standing next to him so close he could smell the mako and flesh of the older man when every breath he took. He loved Zack…but Sephiroth had been his reason to survive everything Nibelhiem had done to him and now he was so close. Dammit. Cloud rested his forehead against the cool glass and watched the comings and goings of the nightlife of Midgar. People walking, cars passing, the sound of horns, screeching tires, trains, and music. The sound of life itself in a city that did not know sleep and therefore did not know the beauty of wakefulness. A city where night was everlasting and did not understand what sunrise was like. Did Sephiroth know what sunrise was like, did he ever pay attention to the way the sky would become alive with color until it became so blue you could fall into it and never stop? Cloud wanted all these things to be new for Sephiroth so that he could share them with him as his friend…or as lover. He shook the fantasy from his head and sighed. He was such a kid.
"Almost makes you cry," he whispered. "The city all lit up like this, lit up with people's hopes and dreams….all their freedom…"
"Yeah, its breathtaking sometimes."
Cloud nodded and looked up at Sephiroth. "If…if I would've asked you, you would've really told me the truth, wouldn't you?"
Sephiroth frowned at the statement and nearly flinched at the questioning gaze directed at him. "Yes…I told you there is no reason for you to lie to me and there's no reason for me to lie to you."
Cloud's smile nearly made his heart stop. "Then it's fine. Thank you Sephiroth," he whispered turning his back to the glass, his head bowed. "I'm glad you're my friend."
Sephiroth saw it before it happened. He saw the mist cover Cloud's eyes and he reacted before it had time to make it down his cheek. He gently wiped the tear away with the pad of his thumb and turned Cloud to face him, leaning in slowly so that he could be heard clearly without frightening the boy away. They stood like that, inches away from each others' faces. Cloud's eyes were aglow in the darkness like flawless gemstones cut with care and love of nature showing a different world. Sephiroth wanted nothing more than to fall into that world without consequence and claim it for his own sanctuary. He leaned forward, unable to stop himself any more.
"Don't cry, Cloud." He whispered as his lips fell upon Clouds and somehow he'd known the boy wouldn't pull away. Feeling the tender softness, the slight nervous quiver and then the confident reciprocation, Sephiroth knew that he was not alone in this strange fascination, this strange feeling of being romanced simply by being in the same room. Cloud's small hands found their way upward, one on his shoulder and the other to thread in his hair. Those hands so small and so gentle against him, he could not help feeling that small possessive urge. It was not as aggressive as it had been in the past, but tender a certain need to simply be close and he did not deny it. He carefully pulled the smaller boy closer to him and lifted him off his sleep in a smooth unhurried motion that allowed for Cloud to resist. Again, he just knew that he wouldn't and he was right. As he was lifted off his feet, Cloud's legs wound around his waist and allowed himself to be pressed against the glass with a soft sigh against Sephiroth's mouth. His hands finding better purchase wound around him, one hand burying itself in the nape of his neck, caressing his scalp and worshiping his hair with small tugs. Sephiroth held Cloud's thigh for support leaving his other hand free to touch a warm cheek flushed from their contact and hair he'd always wanted to feel this way. He ran his tongue across Cloud's lip and the blonde's lips parted almost immediately, accepting Sephiroth's advances and deepening the kiss. Cloud moaned gently and his hold around Sephiroth's shoulders tightened.
Neither of them knew what this would mean or if it would mean anything all. Neither of them knew how they would play this off the next morning or if they could. Neither of them knew how Cloud would handle his problem with Zack or if he'd even speak of this to the other boy. All that mattered right now to either of them is this connection they had felt and how much they'd both unknowingly longed for it and how desperate they were for it to end. So under the everlasting night of Midgar's emerald skyline, two silhouettes remained intertwined tasting the fruits of longing just a little before they had to return to the real world.
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Lucrecia watched the fluctuations of the kinetic and psychic wavelengths of Sephiroth's and Cloud's readings. She's secretly implanted a nanomachine that would consistently update her on Cloud and Sephiroth's respective states. Watching it now, she could not help the giddiness she felt when they're wavelengths aligned perfectly before her and knew that they were somewhere together. The perfection of it was something that gave her such deep satisfaction and she closed the laptop, sighing blissfully at her triumph. Hands gently touched her shoulders and lips touched her neck in tentative motions. She tilted her head to the side and chuckled in amusement.
"One night and you're already attached to me?"
Shalua hid her face in Lucrecia's neck. "It's just flattering that you would choose me for this, doctor."
Lucrecia laughed condescendingly. "You don't give yourself enough credit. I was like you once; afraid of my male counterparts and my superiors, but soon you'll realize what a brilliant mind you have and you will accomplish so much."
"I think its best I have you to guide me."
"Oh come now, the nano machines were your idea and they are functioning perfectly. I have no idea what I would do without you, Shalua."
Shalua smiled.
Lucrecia turned so that they were facing each other and she admired Shalua's naked form. The girl was beautifully built. She was by no means curvaceous, but her bone structure was something to be thoroughly admired, her breasts were ample for her frame and were very supple. She would be perfect for child rearing someday if she so chose. Her hair, down from that egregious ponytail was strawberry blonde that glimmered with flecks of true blonde within. Lucrecia did not understand the fashion of today that required your hair to look as messy as possible. She preferred this natural refinement Shalua hid under modern clothing and hairstyles. She leaned forward and caressed Shalua's cheek, neck and down to her supple breasts with a calculating smirk.
"Since you are awake now, shall I show you more of what the Jenova cells have allowed me to be able to do?"
Shalua's breath came in small pants as something strange and alien slithered up her leg. It had been horrifying at first, the way Lucrecia's arm could warp and become that terrible thing and she had wanted to run, but Lucrecia was a forceful lover, dominant like a man and she could not escape it. Once she was in the doctor's grasp she'd been had over and over until the violating feeling had become connected to sinful pleasures her virgin mind and body had never experienced. Now it was something she was shamefully addicted to. She could no longer say no, she could no longer run, she belonged to the doctor and she would do anything to further her research.
Lucrecia smirked as her eyes faded to crystalline jade, her mind at peace with the idea of her experiment going well and the fact that she had infected Shalua with the Jenova parasite through this copulation and therefore had gained a servant who would have no choice but to die for her. She pressed herself against Shalua, forcing the girl back as she towered over intimidatingly. The wonders of science were so satisfying.
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Rufus managed not to flinch this time as he shot the deer down with complete accuracy. Lady ShinRa smiled with pride as the deer staggered before falling over. His first hunting trip with her and her son was proving a natural at marksmanship. She ruffled his hair.
"Good boy, now go tag your kill."
"I have to touch it?" Rufus said in disgust.
"Yes, you do. Are you a ShinRa or not?"
Rufus shuddered and went over to the deer to do as his mother told him. It had been a successful day and Rufus had been in constant awe of his mother's terrifying accuracy. She could shoot the head off of a beetle without breaking its shell if she wanted to. Rufus was nowhere near it, but he had been improving quickly as the day progress. He had to get over the shock of killing something at first, but after pulling the trigger no longer made him anxious, he'd been steadily excelling at the art. He was satisfied with his skill and he was ecstatic that his mother praised him. He'd never received such a thing from his father. The good part was that it wasn't an over emotional reaction, but a ruffling of the hair or a firm well done with that tone of pride he'd often craved from his father. He found that this version of his mother, this person who was so powerful and imposing, was the one he preferred and often imagined himself to be here one day. He wanted that cold calculating side but he also wanted that soft warmth she showed only to very few.
Lady ShinRa held up her finger to answer her phone. She pressed it to her ear as Rufus passed her cane to her. "Yes? Ah Tseng you're already here. We'll be back to the house in a moment, be patient for me?" She hung up and smiled at Rufus. "Well, looks like you're getting a late Christmas present."
"You got me a present?" Rufus asked curiously.
"Yes, something you asked for a while back, but I'm certain you don't remember."
"Mother, I've asked you for a lot of things," he said smiling.
Lady ShinRa chuckled. "Never let it be said you're not a spoiled brat. Come now, let Wesley get the deer, we'll have it served for dinner tonight."
"Ah venison."
They made their way back to the house and found Tseng sitting comfortably in the parlor, a metal box next to his feet. His head was tilted slightly to the side with his eyes closed and his hair to one side. Rufus found himself staring longer than was appropriate and he almost jumped when those piercing grey eyes opened. He averted his gaze to the floor quickly and tried to control his flushing cheeks. Tseng stood and bowed to Lady ShinRa who nodded to him and began to remove her gloves.
"I am surprised Tseng. I expected you to take longer."
"A simple trip to my homeland was not exactly a demanding feat, Lady."
"Of course, no task is to much for you and that's why I like you. So much like Vincent," she said softly. "Well, go on then."
Tseng motioned for Rufus to come forward and he knelt down by the metal box. He carefully unlocked it and pressure released from it. He let the lid lift itself carefully and Rufus curiously knelt down to peer inside. His eyes widened when he realized what it was. A large guard hound kit was curled with a oxygen canister next to it. It slept peacefully most likely from tranquilizers and made a loud purring sound in its sleep. Its little tentacle was limp letting Rufus know it was completely unconscious. It was an intimidating size, almost dwarfing his father's Dobermans. Rufus wanted to wake up but Tseng stopped his hand from touching it.
"It's heavily drugged and not yet tamed. We saved that task for you. Once its awake it will nto be friendly and it will be dangerous. You will have to break this animal to you before it will be of any use. Do it incorrectly and it will be useless, however assert your dominance over it correctly and it will be very loyal."
"How do I do that?"
"Well there are no books on it. The tamers simply say you have to be the more intimidating one," Tseng closed the canister. "I suppose it's just the same as breaking a dog, show it who is the alpha male."
Rufus looked back at his mother who had sat down. She smiled at him.
"Satisfied?" she asked.
Rufus allowed his composure to drop and he ran to his mother wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly. Elloria hugged her only son tightly and looked at Tseng, her expression breaking into a distressed and frightened one. Tseng sympathized with her, knowing how she felt. She wasn't afraid of what was to come, no not all. That was not who Lady ShinRa was. She was frightened because she knew if things happened the way they all knew they would, she would leave Rufus alone and unprotected for the wolves. She hugged her son just that much tighter and closed her eyes in attempted to school her face. Yes, the burden of knowing everything you are leaving behind when you go to face your death was not an easy one to carry and now Tseng was being trusted to watch over Rufus once this happened.
Rufus pulled back and looked at his mother who smiled calmly. "Let's go out to eat, just us two today?"
Lady ShinRa frowned. "No Lazard?"
"Nah, hes busy! Come on, just you and me and Tseng too! Like a…well like a family. I mean he is to be my guardian and we haven't done anything fun together before."
Lady ShinRa laughed and looked at Tseng a pleading light in her eyes. "Would you care to join us Tseng of the Turks?"
Tseng knew he couldn't refuse and he did not want to. "I would be honored."
They took one of the car to a well-known restaurant, Tseng being the gentleman and aiding Lady ShinRa in climbing the stairs. As independent as she was and how much she enjoyed walking, she still had difficulty with the stairs. They sat in a private area eating, chatting and drinking wine. Rufus had been raised on the stuff and had developed a fine taste for it. He made the waiter send it back several times before he tasted one that suited him and Lady ShinRa scolded him for being bratty. He complained that all the wines tasted strange at this restaurant. The evening progressed well and it was refreshing for Tseng to see Rufus and Lady ShinRa interact. Rufus needed this; he needed this connection with his mother. Despite the light heartedness of the situation, Tseng couldn't relax. He kept sensing something wrong and was on high alert despite him not spotting anything immediately suspicious. Late into the evening, Elloria caught his attention.
"I think the wine is not blending well with the medication. We should call it a night Tseng."
"Understood," he flagged down a waiter. "The bill and please order the car around."
Once they paid, Tseng aided Lady ShinRa only to find her unsteady on her feet. She squeezed her eyes shut trying to find control of her body. "I can't possibly be this drunk."
Tseng tilted her head back and saw her pupils widely dilated and her face slightly pale. He was alarmed immediately and lifted Lady ShinRa off her feet. He pressed the panic button on her pants suit and looked back at Rufus to order him to follow but found the boy holding his stomach and hunched over. The boy looked up at Tseng with unfocused eyes.
"Tseng…something's wrong," he managed to say before he went on his knees. "I'm so tired…"
"Fuck!" Tseng spat as he began to feel the effects of the drug as well. He swayed and quickly lowered Lady ShinRa to the floor near Rufus. He drew his weapon just as the lights in the restaurant went out and tried to focus his eyes on everyone as people shrieked in surprise. Tseng kept the ShinRa's behind him as they succumbed to the drug's effect. Tseng was starting to see double and quickly pressed his own panic button in his cuff. He fought the side effects hard and steadied the gun in his hand just they began to approach him.
"This one's still awake," he heard a voice said.
"The boss said only the lady and the kid. Leave him there."
Tseng's was about to unsteadily pull the trigger but a quick jolt of electricity went down his spine from the color and he immediately dropped. His eyes struggled to see the faces but it was too dark and he could do nothing but watch as Lady ShinRa and Rufus were stolen from him as he lost consciousness. He saw Rufus's helpless pleading face as his eyes closed.
"Rufus…"
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"Open the Goddamn door!" Cid screamed as he pounded on Hojo's office door.
The Professor cursed under his breath as he rose from his work and Vincent sat up from the couch. He opened it and Cid rushed in.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure, Captain?"
"Fuck yer hospitality, we need to get to intelligence now!"
Vincent stood up at the panic in Cid's voice. "What's happened chief?"
Cid was about to answer but paused. "Vincent? Yer out the house? Yer ok?"
"Focus, Cid," Vincent said.
"Right, um it's Lady ShinRa and Rufus. Someone stole 'em last night! They're being held hostage. Tseng got jumped and he went down hard. By the time anyone got there, they were already gone. The President is pissed and Tseng is…Tseng's in a lot of trouble."
Vincent glanced at Hojo who had a certain rage about him he had never seen before. Hojo was out the door before Cid and he could react fully to the news. They followed him as he stalked to the elevator, his mind calculating all that could've happened in such a short time to Elloria. Vincent was doing the same, gauging the time of the capture, who could've pulled it off and how to track them down. Cid had never seen such closed of expressions on anyone and he regarded how similar their faces appeared, the telltale glow of mako in Vincent's angry eyes tinted by a strange amber that shined through his contacts and the frightening jade Hojo's dark orbs took on. Cid almost didn't feel comfortable in the elevator with them.
When they reached the intelligence floor, the Devil Three were already there, surrounded by the whole of Turk and the ShinRa executives. Lucrecia stood silently among them watching a large screen with a face of amusement. Hojo walked in on the screen showing Lady ShinRa being struck with the butt of an assault rifle and Wutainese spewing from concealed faces. Tseng stood rigid, his face blank as he soullessly translated to the president who did not in the least look concerned with what was happening on the screen. Rufus's hoarse voice could be heard yelling for them to leave his mother be. Vincent stared at the screen as flashbacks of Lady ShinRa lying on the floor with her head bleeding from gunshot entered his mind. He remembered how heavy she'd been, how limp she was as they tried to get her help before she died. He shook his head to clear the images and tried to listen to what was being said.
Tseng cringed as Rufus was struck and every Turk in the room was strung taut. Reginald ShinRa stood relaxed. "They are part of a Wutainese rebel group and they demand ransom and the cessation of all offensive measures against Wutai. In exchange Lady ShinRa and Rufus will be returned unharmed."
"Is that so? And if we refuse?"
Tseng licked his lips and asked the terrorists. The reply did not surprise him, they would die. However President ShinRa's reaction did.
"I do not negotiate with terrorists. You would know that if you did any research."
Elloria screamed at the camera. "Reginald he's your son! I don't care about my life but dammit think of your son!"
Tseng painfully translated the president's reply, his eyes looking into the frightened and betrayed ones of Rufus. The terrorists looked at each other and chuckled. They tugged Rufus and pushed him to his knees so that he was facing Elloria and put a gun to his head in front of her. The panic they saw on her face shook them all save for Heideggar and Reginald. Scarlet barked orders at the tracking team to move quickly.
"Reginald, this is getting out of hand!" she snapped. "That is my sister and my nephew they're threatening. That is your family! Do something!"
"They say that if you refuse they will shoot them right now," Tseng relayed, looking at the President, begging him to do something to stall this.
"Reginald, I have been ever faithful to you and this company not once did I stray! Do not do this; do not destroy everything I worked to have. Do not fucking do this to us, don't do this to him! He needs you; he needs you to be his father!"
"If he truly is my son, a little gunshot won't hurt."
A round went off and the Turks in the room were deathly silent as Rufus screamed from the burn of the shot going through his shoulder. He was pulled back to his knees and held in front of the camera, tears streaking down his face. Lady ShinRa struggled to go to him. Tseng turned away, trying to contain his anger.
"Mr. President, I implore you, these are not Wutainese terrorist. Wutainese terrorist would never kill a woman in front of a child. Whoever these people are, they WILL kill your son and wife!" he said desperately. "They will kill them both; I beg, you do not let this happen."
They shoved Rufus onto the floor and Lady ShinRa rested her head on his, begging him to shush. "It's ok, its ok, it won't kill you. We'll be alright, ok. We'll be alright and you will survive this."
Rufus cried into his mother's neck as the kidnappers tied the wound painfully tight to keep him alive. They shouted at the camera giving and ultimatum.
Tseng did not even return to the screen as he repeated their words. "Do not test us, President ShinRa, you will not win. If you do not decide now we will kill your wife in front of your son and then your son."
Vincent shoved the person tracking over and took over the computer. It shouldn't have taken that long to find them! These people were stalling and someone's life hung in the balance. He quickly pinpointed their location to an abandoned warehouse within Midgar City limits. He stood pushing past the Turks and going to Hojo programing the location into the man's phone.
"I know where they are, we need to go now!" he whispered harshly.
"I say again, I do not negotiate with terrorist." Reginald said firmly.
Tseng did not repeat it; he looked back at the screen feeling more helpless than he ever had in all of his life.
"Tseng!" Cid called. "Come on! Hojo knows where they are! They're going ahead. Come on!"
Tseng quickly raced to the door along with a Reno, Cissnei and Guns. However before they left the room they heard a scream from Lady ShinRa. They all stopped and turned as she was gripped by her hair and pushed face to face with Rufus, the barrel of a gun pressed firmly against her head. Rufus cried and screamed for his mother, begging her not to leave him alone.
"Shh, Rufus, shh," she said calmly. "It's ok, it's ok, my little prince. You understand now, right? You understand why your father is capable of."
Rufus weakly nodded as he pressed his forehead to his mother's. Elloria kissed his forehead and nodded. "Yes, you got it now. It's ok. Just…Rufus…I love you. I love you so much and I'm sorry for not protecting you. You were all I EVER wanted in this world and you will become everything I dreamed of. This will not stop you, this will make you stronger."
"Mother, please, please…"
"Mr. President do something!" Reeve shouted.
"Don't let them do this! Please Reginald, stop them!" Scarlet shrieked.
"Rufus…look at me." She whispered as she heard the man laughing at her. Rufus stared directly in her eyes. "Rufus…this is not your fault."
BANG! Blood splattered the screen and everyone was silent save from a shriek from Cissinei. Scarlet fell to her knees as Lady ShinRa was limply dropped to the floor in front of Rufus. Rufus didn't scream, he didn't cry, he simply stared at the place his mother once knelt. His eyes were glazed over in shock and he didn't even resist as they yanked him away from his mother's body, her grey matter and blood splattered all over him. Lazard covered his eyes as his brain tried to process what had just happened to his mother and was caught by Genesis as his legs gave out. Tseng left the room as fast as he could. Not Rufus, no, he'd failed her, he'd let her die, but not Rufus! Not him!
The terrorist heard gunfire coming from the below them where they were holed up in the office. They saw something terrifying ripping the guards they had posted to shreds. Animalistic growls and howls echoed off the metal walls and they saw a great beast ripping off the head of one of their men. A seemingly ordinary man in a lab coat walked past all the carnage and when he was shot at he simply continued walking. He lifted his arm and it mutated into a claw and array of tentacles that grabbed and snatched at the people around him. His eyes were glowing like evil itself. The leader turned and shouted for them to go help the others while he took Rufus and drug him from the room. He forced the dazed boy to stumble down the stairs and head for the exit. He and a few others made their way to the car they had initially kidnapped the ShinRa's in only to have it smashed into it by a speeding black car. Cid leaned back from the air bags and rubbed his head.
"Dammit ,Tseng," he cursed trying to stop the ringing in his head
Tseng kicked the door open his gun already out and he pointed it at the men. His head was bleeding from the impact and he may have had a concussion but none of it mattered. He spoke slowly to them in his native tongue as he approached them. "I do not know who you are, I do not know what you are, but you are not Wutainese. You're filth, dogs for hire who took money to separate a mother and her child. You don't deserve mercy."
"So you're going to shoot us?"
Tseng gave a breathy laugh, his eyes wild. "No…not for you."
He fired, killing the guards around the leader who shoved Rufus away from him and made a run for it. Tseng ran after him faster than he thought he was capable and suddenly found himself on top of the man. The man struggled as he stared into glowing amber eyes that had nothing to do with the Mako in Tseng's system. Tseng reared his fist back and punched the man hard enough to knock him cold.
"Death is too swift for you," he whispered climbing off the man. He went to Rufus who sat there unmoving. He crouched down in front of the boy and touched his face gently gaining no reaction. "Rufus…I'm so sorry…I'm sorry I failed you."
Rufus said nothing. He continued to stare off into space with his mother's blood slowly drying on his skin. Tseng carefully wrapped his arms around him and lifted him off the floor. The boy's head limply lay against his shoulder and Tseng was surprised when he heard a faint whisper.
"Take me home Tseng…"
Tseng knew immediately where he meant. He would do so, but first the other Turks had to arrive. After giving Rufus to Cid to watch over, he went inside the warehouse hoping that camera still worked so he could send their location to the others. When he got inside the office he saw the final stages of Vincent returning to himself and the painful popping of his bones echoed in Tseng's ears. Tseng stood stock still as Vincent slowly turned in his direction, garnet gaze glowing beneath a blood covered face. Tseng took in the sight, the curve of Vincent's neck and the muscles of his bare chest. Tseng walked slowly towards him, never breaking eye contact. When he was near he carefully wiped the blood from Vincent's face, his thumb lingering on Vincent's lips. He had gotten so much taller, almost meeting Vincent in height. Those intense garnet eyes overpowered his weakened greys and he saw the recognition he'd fought so hard for within them.
"Tseng…" Vincent whispered. So many things to say to the young man, so many things and yet all Vincent could think of was "I'm sorry."
Tseng felt a well of exhilaration and sorrow and he acted on it pressing himself against Vincent and kissing him as he'd always dreamt of doing in different circumstance. Vincent, more surprised than anything, wrapped his arms around Tseng and did not pull away. Tseng had become much taller; he was solid but still felt thin and frail as though he would break in Vincent's arms. Tseng pulled back uncertainty and pain of years and years of grief darkening his gaze. Tseng lowered his head and shook his head and gently pushed away from Vincent and Vincent understood. Business first. Tseng went to check the camera to find it still functioning and contacted the others knowing they would still be in the room.
Hojo slowly approached Elloria's limb body with heavy feet and heavy heart. She lay unmoving a terribly ugly hole in the side of her head. He knelt down and turned her so that he could see the beautiful half of her face. He tentatively closed her eyes and lifted her body so that she was in his arms. How long has he thought about doing this? How long had he wanted to hug her to him and show her what a man's love was truly like? He nestled his face into her hair, not minding the blood and his heart broke with how perfectly she fit against his body.
"I'm such a fool…"
"You were never the fool Elloria," he whispered placing a chaste kiss to her forehead. "Never the fool…"
He held her body close even as the other Turks and teams arrived. He placed her carefully in the body bag when prompted and brushed her hair out of her face before they zipped her up. He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose and walked away from the scene. He walked away from it all of it with a gaping wound within him that he could not ever hope to suture. He let his glasses fall from his limp fingers and did not turn around to get them. Once outside, Vincent came from where he was hiding. He couldn't think of anything scathing to say to the gunman and did not admonish him when he put one of the blankets around the man and lead him away to where Cid had procured a car.
"I…I can't say anything," Vincent whispered as they walked. "I lost my best friend…and you…you lost the only person you were truly ever in love with."
"This…Vincent Valentine, is why I will never rejoin the human race…not even if I knew how."
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Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Vincent watched Hojo as he worked silently to make Elloria ShinRa beautiful again. He'd reconstructed her face and was now carefully putting make up on her still face. He kept silent vigil as Hojo worked and grieved within silently.
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind
Possessing and caressing me
Rufus sat staring out the hospital room window. Tseng had not been able to take him home for the doctors said he was in a severe shock and most likely would take time to come out of it. He wasn't in this place, he wasn't living in the present. In his mind he was still in the parlor, hugging his mother for dear life and he wanted to stay that way. This was where nothing hurt.
Jai Guru Deva OM
Nothing's gonna change my world…
Tseng lay within Sephiroth's arms curled so tightly that he could barely breath, but he did not move. He stayed there wrapped in his brother's understanding warmth as everything within him warred and raged. He kept thinking about Lady ShinRa and how she'd all but raised him, about the look on Rufus's face when he came too late, about the feel of Vincent's body against his and the thrill of being reconnected in spite of everything. Leviathan help him, he couldn't decide what to feel and he clung tighter to Sephiroth.
"It's ok, Tseng," Sephiroth whispered. "Everything will be alright."
"Qǐng yuán liàng wǒ, Wǒ hěn bàoqiàn," he whispered over and over. (Please forgive me, I'm so sorry.)
Nothing's gonna change my world
The funeral was a grand affair. Her body paraded through the streets of Midgar for the sobs and condolences of the people to greet her. Those who owed Lady ShinRa their lives threw flowers in the road for her. Rufus did not attend the ceremony and neither did Tseng. They sat in Rufus's hospital room, Tseng placed valiantly at Rufus's said as the boy continued to stare out the window. Tseng reached out and touched the boy's hand.
"Everything will be alright, Rufus."
Rufus managed to grip Tseng's hand.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Cloud stared at Zack's empty apartment. He knew where Zack was and he couldn't blame him. Angeal was torn up about Lady ShinRa's death and he couldn't find it him to be angry. Simply closed the door and locked it, leaving the key under the mat guiltily. In all his suspicion, he'd done a terrible thing to Zack and he didn't deserve to be so welcomed in Zack's home. He left and went to join Aerith at her flower shop to take his mind off things for a while.
"I'm….such a terrible person…"
Nothing's gonna change my world…
Vincent had left Hojo to grieve, the man wanting to be alone and being inconsolable. He traveled to the hangars of Midgar with his disguise in place not wanting to deal with any part of what he'd been feeling. He didn't even want to think about his plans. He just wanted one thing and the only one to give it to him was standing before the Isola corvette class. Cid stood staring at the painting of Lady ShinRa and her Queen Couerl with a sad smile. Vincent approached him, his steps echoing in the empty hanger.
"I'm gonna decommission her, ya know. Gonna donate her so they can make that memorial museum they're talkin' bout."
"That's a kind thing to do, Chief," Vincent said softly.
"Yeah, wouldn't seem right to ever fly her again. Not when her main lady'll never see the skies again with me. I can't….Vince I'm just a human. I can't take losing someone like that!" he suddenly said. "When I lost you..I was done. I'd lost one of the only friends I had in this fuckin' piece of shit world. Then when I get ya back, I lose the woman who gave me and my daddy wings. I lose the woman who believed in us when nobody did! God, Vince why the hell does this keep happenin to us!"
Vincent met Cid's azure gaze. "Because…we all belong to ShinRa. No matter what we do, we will always belong to ShinRa."
"Somethin's gotta give, Vince. Who will it be next? One of yer boys?"
"I can't…"Vincent struggled to find his words. "I can't think about that right now…don't force me to."
Cid relaxed and pulled Vincent to him in a solid hug. "I'm sorry Vince, I keep forgettin' ya just got here. I keep forgetting you missed ten years of the bullshit."
Vincent buried his face in Cid's neck. "heh….you had the nerve to get a bit taller."
"And you had the nerve not to age gracefully, ya pretty bastard."
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Tseng opened his eyes to find Rufus out of bed and dressing. He sat up in surprise and gently called Rufus's name. Rufus paused in straightening his shirt and looked back at Tseng with eyes so cold it almost made Tseng shudder. A soft smile graced his face but did nothing to warm the frosty stare.
"I think we should go home now…its three weeks, my father will try to label me incompetent if I wait any longer."
Tseng nodded slowly. "Yes, sir."
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A/N: so this is the rest of the other chapter. I hope you enjoy and I hope her death wasn't t shocking. It was meant to be abrupt cause I wanted it to jar you out of the mood for a moment. I hope you enjoyed this. Next chapter is a slight time skip. I'll try to write it as quickly as I can.
- 34
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- 36
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Walking Out on Destiny