Master Of My Heart

All right, Stage 1 is up. Hope you guys enjoy!

Not a lot to say, just that I hope people enjoy. And thank you for the reviews! Especially sephcounttheways. I really adore your work! I'm about half way through your current chapters of Blonde Ambition and I'm caught up on Kittens. ^_^ I was very happy when I saw that you reviewed! It made my day seeing as how my stories don't seem all that liked.

And of course, thank you to:

Elly Liselle
Sciamachy

Anyways! Enjoy!

Stage 1


Have you ever wondered…

Is there life on some other undiscovered planet?

Perhaps in some other far away galaxy?

How could Earth be the only planet with complex life forms?
Sure, you could take the biblical route, but still… What if?

Well, Cloud didn’t wonder anymore...

“All right! Everybody up!” Everyone in the men’s cellblock roused and quickly, though groggy, stood in straight in front of their cots. Cloud stood, hands firm and flat at his sides. Like he was in the military, though all he was, was a slave. In fact, as Cloud’s herder came down the hall inspecting cells, everyone simultaneously saluted.

“At ease.” The spiky haired brunette smiled. The men’s “squad captain” wasn’t a monster like most of the other species of creatures on this planet, and for that Cloud counted himself lucky.

Yes, an alien planet.

When Earth began to rapidly break down ships of fantastical form and light appeared, rounding up the humans that were “chosen”.

And don’t think this was an act of compassion.

They were all sold into glorified slavery. There were no laws to protect humans, who were essentially trash in this militaristic world: Shin-Ra.

Humans were ushered around like cattle and systematically processed. Tagged and language chips implanted right into the part of the brain where language and speech were learned and processed. This way humans could speak and understand their tongue. And it saved time and money from having to teach “worthless” beings.

Humans were all used for just about anything. From sex, to labor, to target practice.

It was a terrifying existence. Make anyone mad and: “off with your head”.

Cloud was so young when it happened; he hardly remembered Earth, or his family. Cloud didn’t even remember his native tongue. This was the only life he knew. A life of terror, whatever fragments of a happy life with others of his species on his home planet a faded memory. Cloud believed he was about seventeen, which meant the Earth died when he was… Seven?

Cloud wasn’t really sure. Everything was so hazy from back then. Perhaps it was on purpose. Even those older than Cloud couldn’t remember Earth. Just that it existed. Probably for control. If one can’t remember freedom one can’t fight for it.

Cloud had been lucky up until now. He’d worked as a servant to a grumpy old man, but he recently kicked the bucket, so Cloud along with a bunch of others were “repossessed”, in sorts. Now, the life wasn’t easy. Beatings, lashes, starving binges, burns and always, the cold pitch-black cellar.

But there were humans who were viciously abused as sex slaves, so at least Cloud had been saved from that torment. Never minding that he didn’t know what it was, but he had seen the after math of such punishment, and it went without saying, that it was much, much worse.

But now…

Anything could happen.

Now to Cloud’s “squad captain”. Zack Fair. He was unbelievably good to him, to everyone here. He had another block of females under his control as well and Cloud was certain he was just as good to them as to the men. His kindness eased Cloud’s fear somewhat while waiting for another tormentor.

Cloud tensed when Zack stopped in front of his cell and grinned as he retrieved the keys with a hand of deathly black talons. Cloud stared into his bright blue eyes, pupils slit as he opened up his cell door with a clang. His ears were pointed and his skin lightly tanned. He was very handsome, especially compared to others Cloud had seen. He had those “boyish” type good looks, and he was very light hearted in nature.

Zack was not mean. In fact, he was one of VERY few who liked humans. He even took a human as his wife. He was ridiculed and even attacked at times, but he still came out with a smile. He had to be remarkably strong to be able to do that. That girl was so damn lucky. She was no ones slave, just a happily married housewife. Cloud wondered what it was like. To be a housewife to Zack. It seemed like such bliss.

But he could only dream. Even if Zack had seemed to single him out and generally like him, there was nothing Zack could do to help Cloud.

Aerith was special, and so was Zack. It was only natural that they’d hook up. Cloud was just a plain, boring slave without much personality. Cloud was quiet and withdrawn. Aerith was radiant with a beautiful smile, and besides, Cloud wasn’t a girl. So the classic story that Zack and Aerith got to play out was impossible for him.

“I have someone for you to work for.” Cloud’s heart clenched before running off at a million miles an hour. Cloud felt his eyes warm and moist in fear but willed them to dry. Zack saw this.

“Hey, it’ll be okay. He’s a bud… Of sorts.” Zack’s expression became thoughtful as a talon tapped his bottom lip before beaming down at the small blonde. Humans were one of the smallest species on the planet. In bulk, height and well… Everything. Not to mention-the weakest.

“He’s an Ice Prince. So aside from expecting you to follow his orders he’ll pretty much ignore you. You’ll be really free.” Zack assured. Cloud shifted in the tattered, large, knee-length, white shirt that clothed all slaves.

“Now, his name’s Sephiroth. Don’t forget, he gets annoyed when someone can’t remember his name.” Cloud nodded.

‘Sephiroth. Sephiroth. Sephiroth. Lord Sephiroth.’ Cloud paused, remembering that name from somewhere. It was… Really familiar, Cloud was sure he’d heard it before. After Zack clicked into place the collar and chain Cloud was walked out of the slave barracks and out into a large, dim steel room where two large slide open doors let light flood in a rectangle on the floor. Cloud saw a tall man standing by himself and his eyes widened.

Cloud remembered him now.

He was infamous!

How was a hero among the beings of Shin-Ra. He was known for his military prowess and his ruthless, cruel tactics in war. He was probably one of the most powerful beings of Shin-Ra military.

Sephiroth looked more like Cloud’s species than most on the planet (other than Zack and a few others). Ears like his, his eyes were a glowing mako green, pupils narrowed into slits. His thigh length hair was silver and his massive, powerful frame towered over everyone around him. (Cloud was probably to his lower ribs) Honestly, he was a giant. However, he was an object of desire. Not even humans could refute his beauty. He wore all black leather, topped with a heavy black duster. His arms were crossed over his stomach loosely, eyes directed elsewhere.

“Hey Seph!” Zack waved and Sephiroth regarded Zack with a cold stare, lightly purplish lips drawn into a taught line. Zack pushed Cloud forward.

“Here. You said you needed someone to clean.” Cloud fidgeted when he felt Sephiroth’s intense gaze upon him, studying him critically. Cloud decided to just stare at his bare feet.

“I think I’d prefer an older male. They’re stronger.” Cloud frowned, but his eyes stayed glued to his feet.

“Come on. Give him a try. He served the same guy for ten years! He has to be good!” Sephiroth sighed.

“Fine. I don’t feel like arguing with you today. If I’m unsatisfied I’m bringing him back.” Sephiroth released his long arms. Staring at his pasty white hands Cloud saw claws. Those claws scared him. Claws, talons, fangs, all scared Cloud. They could easily tear him apart, and he’d suffered many injuries from them.

It was kind of weird, imagining the great Sephiroth to be even semi-friends with someone as controversial as Zack. But somehow, even this conversation belied to their friendship.

“You won’t! Promise!” Zack winked at Cloud.

After being loaded into a levitating circular disk, the two whirled by buildings, creatures walking, everything. The devices were so strange, but Cloud had grown accustomed to this mode of transportation.

Cloud stood stalk still by Sephiroth’s side, scared and uncertain. When the two came to a sudden stop, Cloud found himself in front of a large two-story home. It was plain, walls flat and white with two steps leading to the front door. No porch, nothing decorative. There was no point in making the outside beautiful when the multiple suns would just ruin it.

Once they were inside from the sweltering heat of the typical Shin-Ra weather Cloud was glad for the cold air, cooling him and drying the sweat starting to run down back back. The walls, tiles, and carpet were all white. His glass tabletops were supported by black rims and legs, as well as all the furnishings were black. It was… Very stylish. Unlike Cloud’s last master who (even though he always worked his fingers to the bone) lived in a run down mansion.

“Down the hall is the kitchen, turn left and you will find the bathroom directly at the end of the hall.” He cast a glance down at the small blonde.

“Scrub yourself. Your odor is offensive.” Cloud nodded and started walking passed the staircase (whose rails were black) to his left, all too aware of Sephiroth’s gaze burning into his back. It made Cloud want to squirm.

Cloud made it into the kitchen and saw the kitchen sink across the room from him, on the island in the middle was where the cooking was done, the countertops made of a polished black stone. And against the wall to Cloud’s right was a beautiful glass top table like the small ones in the living area. A low hanging black ceiling lamp topped the table’s look.

Cloud didn’t know much but he knew Sephiroth had stylish taste. A whole lot more than Cloud was used to, it intimidated him a little.

Cloud quickly turned left down the hall, passing a large finely furnished bedroom with a king sized black bed, instantly knowing that this was Sephiroth’s room. Going into the open bathroom Cloud left the door open (as he’d always been taught by an overly suspicious master) and stripped before stepping into the shower.

Cloud was puzzled when he saw no pad in the large, black, square shower that sparkled from the light above. Standing inside, Cloud looked around when suddenly water shot out from the roof and walls in powerful blasts. Cloud yelped when the searing heat hit his skin with unexpected force and slipped and fell as he scrambled to escape.

Cloud looked up from his place on the now soaking wet, black tiled floor to see Sephiroth, who wore a cold, but disapproving look and shook his head as he strode in. Embarrassed, Cloud covered himself by sitting up on his knees and his hands over his lap. Cloud looked when Sephiroth pointed to a few lightly glowing blue buttons and pressed one of couple times, then another. This was when Cloud noticed the shower was off.

“It turns on by sensing the heat of nude body. I trust you know how to use this pad?” Cloud nodded, face flushed in humiliation. Definitely not a good first impression. Cloud fidgeted, it was uncomfortable to be in here with Sephiroth when he was naked. The man was just very intimidating.

Of course, Sephiroth only looked Cloud in the face and spared no second glances as he left the room.

“Clean up the floor when you’re done, and put on what I lay out for you.” And then he closed the door.

Cloud stared at the door in surprise.

No yelling?

No hitting?

No snide comments?

Zack was right, Sephiroth seemed like he was going to virtually ignore him. But now he had to make sure he was up to snuff for the general or he would be sent back.

Cloud cautiously stepped into the shower that immediately turned on, but this time Cloud was expecting it and it wasn’t too hot or too hard. Locating the soap Cloud proceeded to scrub himself. This was also cool. Cloud’s last master used a high powered hose to wash him down, clothes and all, and that was only when his odor became even more “offensive” since human odor was already a “displeasure”.

Cloud awed over the blue goop, feeling a tinge of excitement race in his chest. Would he get to wash himself once in a while? Probably. Sephiroth’s home was VERY clean. He’d probably want Cloud just as clean.

Cloud was actually starting to look forward to serving Sephiroth.


Sephiroth sat in his office, listening to the shower with his keen ears as he quickly typed. Sephiroth didn’t know what to make of the blonde boy. He was very quiet and definitely shy, if his behavior in the bathroom was anything to go by. Sephiroth didn’t want a slave he would have to baby-sit, so he hoped that once Cloud knew his orders the boy wouldn’t bother him anymore. He was fundamentally not interested in being around the human. A ringing phone pulled the General from his typing and Sephiroth groaned when he recognized Zack’s silhouette on the dark screen on the small machine by his monitor.

“Yes?” Sephiroth said with a sigh and the screen lit up, showing Zack in his usual black attire and his human wife vacuuming in the background.

“Hey Seph! So, how’s the boy? Picked out a name yet?” Sephiroth groaned and leaned back in his chair as he eyed Zack with an incredulous gaze. The man was a ball of boundless energy. Sephiroth could even envision perked ears and a viciously wagging tail that made his lips quirk up just a little. What had been a casual, random metaphor that Angeal had used to first describe the, at the time, second class SOLDIER Zack Fair to Sephiroth had really stuck in the General’s mind and he found that it aptly described the other. Zack detested the nickname though.

“He’s washing up.” Zack frowned.

“So you haven’t even names him yet?!” Zack cried out and Aerith giggled when the sound of the vacuum suddenly loomed closer with louder volume.

“Aa! Aa!” Zack found himself dodging around the vacuum as Aerith cleaned in front of and under the little desk table that their phone sat on. Aerith giggled and Zack chuckled as he placed a kiss on his wife’s forehead in their short flirting session before she left. Sephiroth rolled his eyes slightly when he knew Zack wasn’t paying attention to him.

“Anyway! Come on! You HAVE to like him! He’s short, he’s blonde, he’d spiky, and he’s cute!” All the other species on Shinra didn’t really think of humans as much more than a human would think a pesky dog. So Zack’s description about the boy held a pet like adoration.

“If you like him so much you should adopt him.” Sephiroth jeered.

“But I’ve already got one! And she takes up all my time!” Sephiroth could believe that.

“I’ve work to do. Call back another time.”

‘Or never.’ Sephiroth didn’t care to be bothered at home. Most understood and left him alone, but of course Zack never did. Zack knew Sephiroth didn’t like it but did it anyway, just like an annoying puppy that always wants to play. Zack pouted.

Cloud had caught his eye when the poor boy was brought in with a whole bunch of other humans. Out of all of them he was the most battered and had to spend a good week in the “human hospital” which was basically the same as their animal hospital, literally. The first time Zack found himself visiting the boy he inwardly sneered at the injustice of having to walk by rows of caged animals before finding a small storage room that should have only held about ten humans, but instead bedded up to about thirty.

Most of the humans who ended up in these places died from some of the worst infections and diseases. When he found Cloud worse than ever and delirious with high fever, he had taken liberty of buying a temporary tag for the blonde and keeping him at his house where Aerith could look after him. When Cloud’s fever and wounds were decently recovered he moved Cloud to his assigned cell.

Zack wasn’t sure what sparked his interest in Cloud, or what drew him to the boy, but his heart truly went out to him. Maybe it was because of the fact that Aerith and Zack were unable to procreate, due to severe differences in genetics, maybe the beaten boy hit him to the core like he’d seen his injured son. He just couldn’t get him out of his head.

So Zack had managed to keep Cloud despite repetitive buyers, knowing full well what sorts of things they had wanted to use Cloud for, and then he learned Sephiroth was looking for basically a housekeeper. It clicked and Zack almost wanted to jump for joy. A place where the boy wouldn’t be treated like trash! He knew Sephiroth’s temperament well enough to know Cloud would be okay.

“Fine, fine.” Zack finally gave in and waved before the screen blipped black. Sephiroth sighed and paused when he realized the shower had turned off. Turning back to his computer he began to quickly clack away. This was certainly new for the General, seeing as how he was used to only sharing how house with himself, but the workload had been heavy for months, and he feared it would only get worse with the encroaching war with the Glionarsa planet and his inevitable leave to battle.

Well??? Enjoy??? I’d love to know!