Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

CHAPTER 2

Yazoo slowly began to drift back into the waking world, his entire body screaming in agony. He quickly bit his lower lip to distract himself from the urge to groan at the pain. 'The scientists would have too much fun if I admitted to the pain. At least it just feels like they broke every bone in my body instead of those mako injections again.' As he became more aware of himself, his memory came back and blue-green eyes flashed open. This wasn't the lab! He and his brothers had escaped from there a couple years ago. Unless...had they be caught and taken back?

Yazoo turned his head, trying to get some idea of where he was. Relieved when he saw his older brother's unconscious form, he called out softly, "Loz! Loz, wake up!" The spiky haired man simply gave a snort, then fell silent. Yazoo stared at him for a moment, refusing to blink. Loz's eyes snapped open and quickly met his brother's.

Yazoo had to smirk. His older brother always knew when he was being stared at. That little paranoia gave Yazoo a way of getting his attention without having to say a word, which he preferred to speaking more often than not. The younger brother raised at eyebrow and glanced around the room. Loz just shrugged, he had no clue where they were either. Both men studied the room and their bindings, searching for any sign of weakness or who was holding them. Yazoo was the first to notice the creature sleeping in front of the doorway. Signaling to Loz, he nodded toward the figure. As the two brother's stared at the creature, they both nearly jumped out of their skin when they heard a voice echo in the quiet room. "You know, it's impolite to stare at others."

The fire wolf sat up, smirking in his unique way. "And how are we feeling this morning gentlemen?"

"'We' feel like shit!" Loz quickly replied, "Where are we? And why are you holding us here?"

"After the stunt you two and your brother pulled, why would we not want to keep an eye on you? As for where you are, I believe that will have to wait until the owner of the building returns to tell you." Nanaki stretched for a moment, yawning as he did so. Both brothers were somewhat confused as to how calm and assured the fire wolf seemed around them. Most who met them either wanted to kill them or run as far away as they could. "Well, if you boys are hungry?"

A rumbling came from Loz's direction and Yazoo was thankful that, after so many years of masking his emotions, he could keep himself from snickering. The wolf however openly laughed. "I will take that as a yes. If you would excuse me..."

Nanaki turned and scratched at the door. A small beep sounded and the door hissed open. After it closed behind the wolf, Loz turned his attention back to Yazoo. "It appears we have gotten ourselves in trouble, dear brother."

"Yes, it does."

"We failed Kadaj...and...mother..."

"Don't cry, Loz." Yazoo said almost automatically as he laid his head back on the cot. For them being prisoners, this was actually fairly comfortable. It seemed they had been healed, given a well-lit and spacious room, comfortable places to lay on (even if they were forced to remain there), and it appeared they would even be fed. This was definitely not what he thought of as imprisonment. Hearing his brother's sniffles, he sighed, deciding that the only thing he actually wanted was to be able to comfort his brother. Testing the strength of steel bindings, he was frustrated to find that he couldn't get them to budge an inch even. "We will find a way to make it up to them."

Loz gave a sad sniffle in reply.

~

Nanaki shook his head after the door closed behind him. Those two acted more like pre-pubescent children than murderous adults. 'Well considering they were probably raised in labs by Hojo and his merry group, they would probably have some psychologically stunted growth.'

The fire wolf decided to check the computer screens before heading upstairs. One of the monitors showed the room with the two Remnants. It was obvious that they were talking but Nanaki chose to not let his curiosity get the best of him. Even prisoners deserve to have a private conversation. His attention turned to another of the monitors. The sight there only brought sadness to his golden eyes.

A figure lay in the middle of the large room, thrashing about as though fighting an invisible enemy. Ragged and torn wings stretched and flailed as the demon set his rage against Vincent who now lay somewhat dormant inside the creature. These rooms had been designed so that Vincent could let Chaos loose and give his own spirit a chance to rest without having to worry about innocent bloodshed. It was only a temporary fix but a much needed one.

Nanaki walked away from the computer and headed up to the kitchen. To his surprise, a knock came on the door. He cautiously padded over to the door and looked through one of the lower windows. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw none other than Tseng standing out on the steps. The wolf felt his hackles raise instinctively, he hated anything to do with Shinra and the fact that this Turk was standing outside of his best friend's house did not make him feel easy.

Nanaki sighed and mentally shook himself. The monopoly of Shinra was gone, the evil taint of Dr. Hojo was slowly being left behind. Perhaps it was time to look at people a little differently. His curiosity over the Turk leader being there and actually knocking finally got to him and he called for Tseng to enter.

Perfect professionalism is all that most would see from the calm Turk as he entered the door. Long, back hair that never seemed to tangle or catch on anything flowed a little past the man's shoulder blades. His suit didn't have a ghost of a wrinkle and his black shoes were so polished Nanaki could see his reflection in them. The fire wolf, however, noticed a slight tension in the man's eyes and the scent of nervousness hung around the man despite his calm appearance. What would he have to be nervous about? Nanaki wasn't sure if he would ever fully understand humans. "Greetings Mr. Tseng. I am sorry if you wanted to see Vincent but he is unavailable at the moment. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Tseng let out a small sigh then turned to face the creature before him. The fire wolf noted the small amount of disappointment in the amber eyes and this made him even more curious, "Greetings to you as well sir. I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I have seen you several times with Cloud's group but only know you by the name they recorded in your files, Red XIII."

Nanaki paused, unsure of how much he wanted to reveal to one that he had once counted among his enemies. 'Damn it! Why am I allowing myself to remain so suspicious? I would be able to smell it if Tseng was up to no good.' The wolf gave the man before him his full attention, "My name is Nanaki, although some of my friends still call me Red. I do believe this is more a lack of being afraid of mispronouncing my name more than anything else though, so I will respond to either."

"Nanaki it is then. As for the reason of my visit here, I merely wished to extend my gratitude to Mr. Valentine. He could have left my partner and I to the mercies of the three Remnants but instead chose to help us. If I may ask, when would be the best time to find him?"

Just then, a ground shaking roar vibrated the house. Tseng's eyes widened as he automatically reached for one of his guns. Nanaki cursed Chaos' timing and quickly moved to evade what would be a very tense situation if the Turk found out Vincent's secret. Vincent preferred as few people to know about Chaos as possible. "Vincent is taking care of that problem. There is a monster that has been causing a lot of trouble for people and he placed it in a holding cell until he could find a way to dispose of it."

The hand on the gun made a move to unholster the weapon, "Perhaps he requires some assistance? It sounds like quite the beast."

"It is but Vincent asked to do it on his own."

Tseng seemed to mull over this a moment and hesitantly removed his hand from the gun. Nanaki took advantage of this, "If you wish, we will be coming to Edge in a week. You can meet up with Vincent and give him your thanks then. I am fairly sure he will not want it but..."

"I understand Nanaki but I am in his debt. Not just for my life but for that of Elena's." Tseng's eyes shut themselves to the memory of what the brothers had done to the female Turk. He would have gladly exchanged his own life at the time to give Elena a chance to escape. It appeared though that Fate had something else in mind. The Turk leader pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, "I suppose I will take my leave. Please call me when Mr. Valentine has time to see me."

Nanaki nodded, more than a little surprised that the man was leaving his personal number. He gave a nod to Tseng and after the Turk left he padded over to the kitchen. He knew the two brothers were in definite need of food. His own stomach gave a growl and he barked a laugh, "I suppose I am as well."

~

Yazoo lay in the silence, the occasional sniffle crossing the room. His mind was thinking over their situation, after all he could do nothing but think. How was it that they had survived the materia explosion? Why had someone decided to take them prisoner instead of just killing them immediately? Were they to be tortured before death? No, he didn't believe that. Too many things spoke the opposite.

Just then a roar cut through the near silence, both Yazoo and Loz jumping in fright. The rage in the sounds caused an unusual amount of fear to work its way into his heart. Perhaps they were being well kept to feed whatever was making that noise.