Yeah, so I've got a multi-chapter in the works now. OMG. Anyone remember that Cloud-in-Wutai thing? Guess what decided to visit. Follow the tags for the old chapter.

Title: We and the World (2/??)
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Characters: Cloud, Zack, Sephiroth. Eventual OT3 threesome.
Etc.: For an AU challenge: "What if Cloud's mother had moved to Wutai, and Cloud met Sephiroth at the end of the Wutai War?" Got in over my head a bit, but I found a way. Who knows when it'll be done. Oh, yeah, pulling a Laurence Yep: plain text for Eastern Standard, italics for Wutanese.
Disclaimer: If Final Fantasy VII was mine, then Chofi-verse would be canon. But it's not. You should all be happy.


The boy's faces were now a sickly whole. Cloud bit his lip, an old habit. The faces came into focus for a moment, then swam together again. He could hear constant chants of "foreigner, foreigner" getting louder as he neared them. He shifted his pack, making sure he had enough room. He got closer still. He was ready.

---

"I hope for your sake my future girlfriend isn't punctual."

Sephiroth shot Zackary a look.

"We're being out-paced by palanquins." Zackary pointed to one that had passed them. "Two guys carrying someone else! We're Soldiers, damn it!

"What if she gets beat up? You might not have to worry about the brass, Mister Silver-General-of-Shinra, but us regular guys do. You're being so selfish. You're not thinking about me and my girlfriend."

Sephiroth had just enough time to dismantle the statement before Zackary clapped him on the back. He froze. Contact still riled him, but the reactions were coming under control. Zackary's touch no longer caused the reaction to harm the intruder. Zackary's behavior made him want to harm something well enough. His "Kidding, Seph, kidding" and complementary grin registered a little after instinct threatened to take over.

"They wouldn't attack. At least, not physically," Sephiroth said. Explaining things to Zackary was rote by now. "They'd reserve the violence for us, I'd think."

"The bushido nuts, sure, but not the guys on the street," Zackary countered. "Come on, a little faster? For me?" Zackary donned his "puppy dog face", which did not look like a dog at all. It was either coddle him--again--or have to endure.

Better to indulge Zackary then have him act like a spoiled child. Sephiroth changed his pace to something closer to double-time.

"You're the bestest boyfriend ever!"

Sephiroth felt his pulse quicken. He attributed it to walking faster.

---

"Well, Kuraudo, how's the spy business going?"

Cloud ignored him.

"Oi, foreigner, answer! Spy! Traitor! Shinra dog!"

He was close enough now. Cloud swiftly kicked the closest boy in the shin and ran. His wooden geta made a satisfying crack when it connected with leg bone. He'd be sure to remember the sound.

One of him, five of them, but they'd give up the chase soon. Until then, his life was running. Cloud turned a corner. He heard the clatter of his geta on the road, the thud of the package hitting him with each stride, and his breathing, but no one following. He allowed himself to slow down. The house the delivery was for could be reached by another route.

---

Zack saw someone in a shabby yukata race past them. She--someone with a frame like that had to be a girl--clunked. Well, wooden shoes would make you do that. Small. Nice legs. Too bad he couldn't see her face.

Next came along a group of boys, one with a limp, trudging along and muttering about a chase before parting ways. Of course, they ignored Seph while one spat on the ground in front of him. Joy. Zack turned to Sephiroth. "So, what the hell do you think that was about?"

Sephiroth looked at the boys, then towards the direction the girl had run off to. "Your damsel in distress just saved himself."

Zack blinked. "Him? Himself? You sure?"

"Quite."

"You're the bestest boyfriend ever, so you wouldn't mind expanding us to a threesome, right?"

Seph didn't answer. Typical.

"Wanna tail him?" Damn it, the first cute thing he'd seen in forever would not escape.

"I've indulged you enough for one day. I'm going back." Sephiroth turned on his heel. Dancers would kill to learn how to do it like he could. "Do whatever you like, so long as you're back by tomorrow." He walked off.

Zack rolled his eyes as he watched the retreating general. Two steps forward, one step back. Well, fuck that. He was going hunting.