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Calamity's Child	By : Divanora Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1304 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of it's characters. I may no money off this story.

Chapter List
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A/N - Don't kill me? I am SO sorry - I didn't mean for this story to go so long without an update, but my muse apparently went on holiday. Thankfully, he's back, and with any luck, there won't be such a long dry spell again. I'm still not happy with it, I kind of hate the middle part, and it may be redone, but I couldn't put off getting this up any longer. Once again to my readers, I am sorry to leave you hanging. Now, on to see some reactions to lovely little Rune!
A/N2 – I know the timeline is a bit off. I had to nudge some timeframes in order for things to make sense. So currently, it is about a year after Meteor, and while Denzel should be with Tifa and Cloud by now – he's not. Don't worry, I like Denzel, he'll be here eventually. In the same train of thought – when Cloud finds Denzel, he already has both Fenrir and Tsuragi. So, for the sake of the story, I've determined our blond has been a busy little ex-experiment and put them together first thing after Meteor. It never is mentioned where he gets them from, and let's face it – Fenrir's droolworthy.
Update 28/2/12 - thank you to Nihilatrix who let me know this chapter had gotten turned into a wall o' text. Yet another reason I dislike AFF *sigh*

Traveling with a baby was different than any trips Cloud had made up until this point. Ignoring the fact that he had lowered his speed from 'suicidal' to 'little old lady', he spent most of his time looking around him, paranoid about even the smallest, least dangerous monsters. Keeping a fire materia ready, most of the monsters that got within visual range were fried to a crisp before they even had a chance to run from the noise of Fenrir. Rune slept most of the time, except for when he was hungry or dirty, which was a relief at least, even if he did have to stop at least once every couple of hours for a bottle or a diaper change. Cloud had been worried that the roar of the engine would keep him awake or make him cry, but apparently all the small trips around town had gotten his son used to it. Still, the times that they traveled through safe areas, Rune cradled against his chest, were among the most peaceful times of his life.
The biggest difference was definitely in the towns. Before, he would get suspicious or untrusting looks from most of the people he encountered, because of his glowing eyes and giant sword. Even if he had never actually been in SOLDIER, his whole looked screamed it. Most people were still distrustful of Shinra and Mako in general. But with a baby, it seemed he earned instant trust. Personally, he found that a bit ridiculous and unsafe on their parts – the assumption that he wasn't dangerous because he had an infant was a risky one to make, even if in his case it was true.
Well, he was dangerous, just not to villagers or anything other than monsters and members off Shinra. Unless, of course, they attempted to hurt Rune. Then he'd rip them apart. He had realized, months ago, before his son had even been born, how fiercely protective he was of his offspring. The thought of what Hojo had planned had the experiment worked while he was still in the labs had made him want to go revive the scientist and kill him a couple hundred more times. Once Rune was born, it just got worse. Cloud found himself reaching for Tsuragi if someone so much as looked at his son the wrong way. Reeve and Nanaki had both pointed it out to him, and he'd grudgingly stopped giving villagers death-glares.
Cloud had to admit, grudgingly, that he rather enjoyed it, once he had calmed down and forced himself to accept the fact that not everyone was out to get his son. Not the attention on himself, but he felt a rather absurd sense of pride when complete strangers commented on how cute or adorable Rune was, and he couldn't help the small smiles that crept onto his face when the villagers were fussing over his son. He still kept one hand within easy reach of his sword, however.
It took a lot more time than he was expecting to get to Costa del Sol, with the extra stops and the curious villagers, but he enjoyed the trip more than any other he had been on. As worried as he was about the reception once he returned to Edge, this was the least traumatic trip he had made. The first, when he was fourteen to join Shinra, was stressful because of the monsters he had to avoid, trying to earn and save enough money for both the boat fare and meals on his trip, and the fear of being rejected once he arrived (which he had been; but that was besides the point). He didn't really count the missions he had been on with Shinra, although they had been demanding in their own right, but they were quick, usually via helicopter. The second trip from Nibelheim to Midgar he couldn't remember, and then of course there was the mad hunt across the planet chasing after Sephiroth. His return trip to Nibelheim had been a bit better – but he had still been worried about the future, about the pregnancy, and about the nightmares he was afraid were lurking for him in that ill-fated town.
Yes, this trip was definitely the best out of the ones he'd been on. It was a shame it was nearly over; just the boat crossing to the eastern continent and then a short two day drive to the fledging city. It had probably grown quite a bit by now; Reeve had kept him mostly up to date when he had visited, or told him what was going on through Cait Sith, but it wasn't the same as seeing it himself.
Cloud stared at the receding coast line, lost in his own thoughts, and enjoying the simple pleasure of holding his son. If his past had taught him anything, it was that this peace probably wouldn't last long. For once, Cloud was determined to enjoy it while it lasted.

"Mr. Tuesti? Mr. Strife is here to see you."
Cloud nodded at the secretary – a much more professional one than her predecessor, and into the President's plush new office. It had been impressive to see how far along the new headquarters were in just the few months since he'd been gone. The WRO soldier that had escorted him had pointed out the different areas as they walked, and though it was slightly disturbing to see the similarities between Shinra and the WRO, he knew there were enough differences between the previous Shinra president and Reeve. There was also the fact that most of the departments – with the noticeable exception of the science department – were members of AVALANCHE.
"Cloud! Good to see you!" Reeve, thankfully without his feline counterpart, was seated at his desk, but promptly got up to great his friend. "And how's Rune? My, he's gotten so big! It really is amazing to see how quickly they grow at this age. I know with my sister's kids, every time I saw them they seem to have doubled." The executive grinned sadly and sighed. "I imagine with the amount of work that still needs to be done, it will be the same with him."
Cloud smiled softly as he watched the older man interact with his son. "Well, I would hope you could make some time for your godson."
Dark eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Godson? Cloud..."
The blond shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. "If it wasn't for you, he either wouldn't have...well. Or everyone would have found out what a freak I am. I owe you a lot – and this seemed fitting."
Reeve was surprised at the unusually verbose answer, but was grateful for what the blond had offered. Fatherhood seemed to have done Cloud some good at least. He studied the boy – his godson! – taking in all the changes over the last couple of months. The hair had darkened a bit – thankfully – and the pupils were slightly slanted, but only really noticeable if you were looking. There was only one other person who was likely to notice.
"Vincent will notice his eyes."
Cloud nodded, shrugged. "I plan on telling him the truth about that at least. Vincent was a Turk; I won't be able to keep it from him. But I don't think we have to worry about him blaming Rune for the sins of his father."
The executive snorted. "No, that we definitely don't. He glanced down at the boy in his arms. "Though, it does make me wonder..."
"Wonder what?"
Glancing up, he noticed Cloud's clueless face. "Well, don't you ever think it's a bit strange how much Hojo hated Vincent? And the story he told us about Lucrecia – Sephiroth's real mother? Besides, the 'good doctor' didn't really bear any resemblance to the General."
Cloud raised an eyebrow. "You think Vincent is – was – Sephiroth's real father?"
Reeve shrugged. "It makes sense in a rather macabre way. Hojo found out that the child wasn't his. He decided to use it – and his 'traitorous' wife – by using them in Project J. Vincent is experimented on and then left in a coffin to stew over the fact that he wasn't able to save his lover and the child that may or may not have been his."
Grimacing, the blond nodded. "It sounds like something he would do. But really, why does it matter now, except to serve as more guilt for Vincent?"
"Nothing, not now. It would have been nice, if it were true, to tell him about Rune, to give him family, but..." Reeve sighed as he realized the truth. Even if it was the case, it could only hurt everyone involved.
He was able to play with the infant a while longer before his secretary reminded him of a meeting with Barrett on the possible oilfield he had found, and the blond left, with a promise to try to stop by at least once a week.
He did, however, find a minute to send the soft, nearly transparent hair down to the lab.

Tifa thought she was hearing things when she heard the unexpected but welcome roar of Fenrir's engine. The bar was closed, and Marlene was at school, so the place was nearly empty. Yuffie was there, and Nanaki, listening to the Wutain's gossip about Reeve's newest accomplishments with the WRO. Both of them looked up at the same time she did, and Yuffie squealed with excitement and headed for the door.
They didn't have long to wait before the blond entered, but both women stopped short at the sight that greeted them. Cloud didn't look any different, physically, but he looked nervous, and like he wanted to hide what he was carrying. It reminded the brunet of the boy she had known years ago, when he had brought a stray wolf pup home. She – and the rest of the town – had heard Ms Strife's vehement arguing against it; but the pup had still followed Cloud around for several years, before finding a mate and disappearing into the Nibel Mountains.
She only hoped he hadn't done anything similar now– there was no way she was cleaning up after muddy paw prints in her bar.
"Hi guys. This is Rune. He doesn't have a mother, and his father is dead. So I'm going to take care of him."
Tifa blinked in shock at the pale blond hair and sleepy blue eyes that greeted her. Now she was wishing it was a wolf pup. Though she had to admit the little boy was adorable. She really wasn't surprised at the declaration, stated to simply, as if it was the easiest and most obvious thing in the world.
"Cloud...babies are a lot of work. I know we've taken care of Marlene for Barrett, but she's five, and we only watch her when her father's not here."
Cloud frowned, nodding. "I know Tifa. I've been taking care of him so far. We've just come from the Western Continent without any problems. I can manage."
The brunet raised a sceptical brow. "You've been taking care of a baby?" The unspoken 'when you can't take care of yourself?' was obvious, and Cloud at least had the good grace to look a little sheepish. "Are you sure there aren't any family members that can take him?"
Shaking his head, the swordsman raised pleading eyes to his childhood friend. "No, he's got no one but me. Tifa, I want to do this. I need to do this."
She signed. Tifa knew she'd cave; the combination of the puppy dog eyes Cloud was giving her, coupled with the fact that the boy didn't have anywhere to go, would make sure of that. Still, she wanted to be bitter over the fact that he'd never be holding their child like that. Just because she knew, logically, they were better off as friends didn't mean that she didn't miss the picture of the future she had had in mind.
"Why do you 'need' to do this?"
Cloud looked shocked at Tifa's harsh tone, and even Yuffie and Nanaki looked surprised. The blond didn't know how to answer her – even not being able to say that Rune was his, he had never been good at expressing himself. While he didn't need Tifa's approval, he did want her support. Surprisingly, it was Yuffie who came to his rescue. The petite girl had ignored the conversation until then, giggling and making faces at the baby, but she drew her attention away at Tifa's question. She glared at the other woman, hands on her hips.
"Tifa! If Cloud wants to do this, we should let him. It's obviously something he wants to do, and it's not like any new parent knows what they're doing. Besides," her voice dropped and both of them were surprised at how serious and sad she sounded, "there are too many orphans already, and no one to take care of them."
The blond gave Yuffie a small smile as thanks. The support had been unexpected but appreciated. "Thanks Yuffie. Tifa, I know you're mad, and I know you think it's a bad idea. But I'd really like Rune's Aunt Tifa to be there for him as well."
Damn the boy for knowing exactly what to say. Rolling her eyes, she reached out to take the boy and get a better look at him. Sleepy blue eyes opened, and he wriggled a bit in the unfamiliar hold. A reluctant grin lit her face, and she understood why Cloud had decided to take care of him. "So what happened to his parents?"
"His father died. I...he doesn't have a mother." Tifa raised a sceptical eyebrow at his vague and decidedly evasive response. She wanted to push it but...she sighed. He wouldn't tell her. Cloud wasn't the type to open up to anyone, and even though they had told Avalanche they were 'childhood friends' – they really weren't anything of the sort. They had just known each other since then. He had no reason to trust her with something he was clearly unwilling to talk about. Perhaps if Aerith had lived, he would have eventually opened up to her. Tifa squashed the thought that intruded that she was almost glad she didn't have to witness that. As much as she genuinely loved and missed the flower girl – seeing them have the relationship she had once desired with the blond would have been unbearable.
But the little one that was currently pulling on the end of her ponytail wasn't to blame for any of that. Cloud had enough stubbornness in him to take care of the child just because she said he couldn't.
"Whaaaat! You got the monster that killed his father, didn't you?" Tifa barely flinched at the ninja's wail, but silvery-blond eyebrows furrowed, and the brunet quickly moved to relax the infant before he could start crying. Both her and Cloud shot Yuffie a glare, but she didn't miss the flinch when Yuffie asked about the father. It must have been bad. Perhaps someone he had known in Shinra? It could be the reason he was reluctant to give any names, or search for family. Actually, given the blond hair, the boy could actually be a Shinra. It would explain why Cloud was so anxious to keep his parentage a secret; the Shinra name was still hated, and she wasn't sure how Rufus - who was still 'dead' to most of the world - would feel about an illegitimate son showing up.
"I said he died, not that he was murdered." That seemed to mollify Yuffie, if nor Tifa, but she would save her interrogation. Knowing the blond, he'd just leave and hide if she pushed. Much better to be subtle about it and squeeze information out of him without him noticing. Perhaps she'd get Vincent involved.
Sighing, she handed the boy back to his adoptive father. "Well, I'm sure you're hungry. I'll make you some dinner, and you can tell us what you've been doing for the past few months, and fill you in on what's going on around here."
Cloud gave his typical half smile and nodded. 'Thanks Teef, that sounds great." He sat down, and Nanaki finally padded over now that the fireworks were over. Not that she could blame him for wanting to stay out of their business. As Tifa prepared a snack, Yuffie filled him in on what he had missed; the new WRO headquarters, the status on the survivors and Edge, and the new energy source that Barrett had found. Nanaki added his own information every once in a while, from his travels around, while entertaining Rune by flicking his fiery tail in front of the boy's face. Tifa had been worried about that, but Cloud waved off her concerns, saying that the feline knew what he was doing. With one last doubtful look, she turned back to her meal. Cloud had gotten far too skinny again – he had finally managed to gain some weight before he left, but apparently traipsing around the Planet had taken it right back off. She grinned to herself as he put a plate in front of him – now she could see the reason behind his weight loss. The blond ate mechanically, paying far more attention to the infant. Perhaps she had been wrong; it might be that being a parental figure to the boy was exactly what Cloud needed.

Stifling a grin – something he found himself having to do more and more since Rune entered his life – Cloud forced himself to tear his gaze away from his son. Yuffie was playing with him now, and apparently getting him just as obsessed with Materia as she was. Sure, it was just the pretty colours that caught his attention now, but knowing the newly dubbed "Aunt Yuffie" (or Oba-chan as she wanted the boy to call her. He didn't have the heart to tell her that Rune wouldn't be calling anyone anything for several more months yet) she would have him chasing after them as well once he grew up.
But he had to speak to Tifa. Privately; it wasn't something he wanted to become public knowledge, and as good as Yuffie was at espionage, she was horrible at keeping secrets.
"Tifa...could I talk to you?"
The other two only glanced up then went back to the baby, pretending to have not noticed. The blond was grateful for that at least. They walked into the kitchen, and Cloud started fidgeting. He had tried to plot out in his head what he would say, but now that he had to say it – the words wouldn't come.
"What's wrong Cloud?"
The softly spoken words jerked him out of his contemplation, and he took a deep breath before beginning. "Teef, you know that Reeve had given Vincent and I the files Shinra had on us, right?" At her confused nod, he continued. "Well, one of the things I did the last few months was look through those. I'm not trying to make excuses, but, well..." he trailed off, not wanting to say the next words. He opened his eyes - that he hadn't even realized he'd closed - and looked down into Tifa's concerned gaze. "We could never have had kids Tifa. I'm...what Hojo did, I can't..."
She cut him off with a hand on his arm, before pulling him into a hug. He stiffened; then relaxed into the embrace, accepting it for what it was. It had been a hard thing to accept when he read it, even knowing he did have another option, if he was willing to go through that again, but telling Tifa just made it more real.
"I'm so sorry Cloud. That man got off far too easy."
Cloud had to agree with that, but there wasn't really anything left to say. He pulled away, uncomfortable being comforted by the brunette when his intent had been to ease her pain.
"Come on; let's go back out there before Yuffie corrupts the poor boy."
Tifa laughed; the sound more honest than he had heard in a long time. There was still some sadness in her eyes, but he was sure it would fade in time.

Cloud collapsed into the bed in Seventh Heaven. It had been a very long day, but worth it. Tifa still seemed hesitant, and every once in a while she would get a look in her eyes that he knew was her thinking of what might have been. He knew she still wasn't as over him as she claimed, but there wasn't anything more he could do. To be honest, he hadn't been sure – and still wasn't sure – if their talk had helped or hurt, but it was something he felt he had to tell her, to stifle at least one of her 'what-if's'.
It would be so easy, and so tempting, to just fall into the perfect little happy family, but it would be a lie. And he had lived a lie far too long.
But...wasn't that what he was doing now? If he wanted to be honest, he would tell his friends the truth and claim Rune as his own. By not, he was forcing his son to live a lie.
He lay awake, even as tired as his body was, thinking over the implications of his actions – or lack thereof. Getting up, he walked over to the hastily-erected crib, and stared down at his sleeping son. If he didn't say anything – Rune's real heritage would remain a mystery to everyone except himself (and Rune, once he was old enough). Or he could keep it even from Rune, and let the boy see him as his father, either real or adoptive.
That train of thought he stopped right there. It was lack of real knowledge about his parentage that drove Sephiroth insane. It may be for different reasons, but he would be doing the same exact thing Hojo did, and that wasn't even worth contemplating. No, regardless of what everyone else in the world thought, Rune would know the truth as soon as he was old enough to understand.
But that still left the decision of his friends. The Tifa he had known in Nibelheim, the princess, would have never accepted it, labelling him a freak and shunning him. Now, though, the mature woman would stand by him no matter what. She even supported his lies and his false personality, when she knew it was wrong. However...telling her the truth would mean that he would have to explain how – and more importantly when – it had happened. No matter that it had been Sephiroth and even if she had tried to stop him, he could have easily knocked her aside, without anyone else there.
Cid and Barrett he didn't even want to contemplate. They would both condemn it as unnatural and want nothing to do with him or his son. And they could do more harm if they wanted to – although he thought (or hoped) that their mutual experiences would mean enough to them that they wouldn't betray him like that.
Yuffie...would probably treat him no differently. But her ability to keep that knowledge to herself was suspect. It wasn't that she would let it out on purpose, but she was loud, and she would see no reason why everyone in there group shouldn't know.
And Vincent he had already determined to tell. The former Turk would need to be told about Rune's father, and Cloud wouldn't put it past him to figure out the truth just from that bit of information. Easier just to tell him and get it over with. Out of everyone, even Reeve and Nanaki, he figured Vincent to react the best. They both had to most experience with Shinra and Hojo, and since the man could transform into one of the Planet's WEAPONs, the fact that he had been pregnant wouldn't even rate a raised eyebrow. The other experiment might also have some insight on who and how much to tell his secret to.
Of course, telling Vincent depended on finding Vincent; a difficult task at the best of times.
His mind calmer, now that he had a tentative plan of action, he walked back to his own bed. With the exhaustion no longer held at bay, and the instinctive knowledge that he was in a safe place, sleep came quickly.
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Calamity's Child