Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 20

Silver. He knew he was gaining on his quarry as each time he got a glimpse of the long, glimmering strands, they seemed tantalizingly closer. Then, just as it seemed within grasp, the silver threads slipped away. A mocking laughter came from somewhere ahead of him and he growled with the knowledge that he was being toyed with. 'I've got to calm down. They're planning something.'

Taking a deep breath, the gunman slowed his pace and removed Death Penalty from it's holster. Vincent carefully scanned his surroundings and was surprised at how deep he was in the Midgar ruins. 'I allowed myself to easily become too blinded. I need to calm myself.'

"Aw, giving up already Uncle Vincent?" Yazoo's voice seemed to come from several directions, his tone light and playful. As scarlet eyes warily swept the area, the lean Remnant stepped confidently from behind one of the buildings, "Come now, I was just starting to have fun."

Growling, the raven haired man quickly locked the gun on the Remnant. The playful smirk disappeared from the silver-framed face and his tone was quiet and deadly, "We're not playing by your rules this time, Vincent Valentine." With a quick back flip, Yazoo disappeared into the shadowed alleyway once more, the gunman hot on his trail.

After turning several corners, Vincent became aware of the unusual silence surrounding him. Even his mind was eerily quiet. 'Chaos?'

A low growl rumbled through his being. 'NOW YOU DECIDE TO SPEAK TO ME HUMAN?'

The gunman fought the urge to frown and tell the demon to shut up. He actually needed Chaos' cooperation, much as he hated to admit it. 'Do you know what's going on? Things are far too quiet.'

'THE SLAVE IS STILL HERE, UNFORTUNATELY. HE SEEMS TO BE...WAITING.'

A dark eyebrow raised as a chill ran through him. 'Waiting for what?'

'I DON'T KNOW BUT IT'S NEVER A GOOD THING. WE NEED TO FINISH THIS AND GET OUT OF HERE.'

'Agreed. Can you tell me where the Remnants are?'

The demon gave an aggravated sigh before warning. 'EARS.' Vincent tensed even as he nodded his agreement. Gritting his teeth against the flash of pain, he quietly listened to his surroundings. After a moment, a soft set of footsteps reached him and he took off, wincing at the loudness of his own steps before Chaos removed the modification.

He soon pulled to a stop however, as he came to a small open area. 'This is where Kadaj died. Where this whole mess started. I have a bad feeling about this.'

'SO DO I HOST.'

Scarlet eyes glanced around warily as he raised Death Penalty. Atop a mound of rubble, a black-clad figure sat facing away from him. "Will you actually kill me Vincent Valentine?" A shudder ran through the gunman at the familiar deep tone, his arm freezing, "Hm, didn't think so. After all, a good dog never turns it's teeth on its master," Vincent's breath caught as the seated figure suddenly disappeared, "Perhaps you have finally returned to me?"

The voice was too close, he could feel warm breath brush over his ear. He whirled around, his wide eyed gaze locking onto glowing jade cat eyes, "Sephir..."

The silver haired man smirked and interrupted, raising a finger, "No no, my pet. Have you forgotten already?"

The gunman felt the deadness, the void build inside of him. Sin flared to life too quickly for him to fight before a single word escaped, "Master..."

A triumphant grin appeared on the former General's face as Vincent tore his gaze away, taking several steps back, "NO! I won't...not again..."

Sephiroth watched intently as the gunman's eyes shifted several times in his internal struggle, "So my pet is still in there? You fight him, trying to make yourself something other than what you are. How amusingly foolish. Vincent, return what is mine," His face and voice hardened, "Return to me, Sin!"

A dead black and crimson whipped up to meet the commanding gaze before it disappeared into a brilliant gold. An enraged roar erupted from the raven haired man as his body transformed into Chaos, "You will not have him again, you bastard! DIE!"

Sephiroth let out a bored sigh and smirked again, "Predictable as always," His eyes focused just past the demon and he nodded, "Thank you though for getting that cloak out of the way."

Chaos pulled his attack short as he became aware of another presence. A weight landed on his back, cool metal surrounding his neck before he could react. The pain of the silver spike ran down his spine before the demon fell to his knees, his form reverting to that of his human host.

The former General nodded in satisfaction as Yazoo moved from behind the gunman to his side. "Remove everything but your claw and pants, no use hiding what you are my pet."

"Yes Master."

Yazoo watched with blatant curiosity as garments were mechanically discarded. It was strange to see the dark haired man, once so willful and resolved, now quietly obedient. Part of him found it intriguing but the feeling was dampened by a subtle thread of guilt. He knew from experience that no one deserved to be caged like this. 'But Mother wills it, so it must be.'

The Remnant was so deeply engrossed in his study that he did not notice at first when Sephiroth turned away, head tilted as though listening to something only he could hear, "Seems my wayward puppet has decided to rescue his friend. Sin! You will obey Loz as you would me, I will return soon."

"Yes Master."

With that, the silver haired General disappeared, leaving a shaken Loz in his place. Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to remain standing, the larger Remnant nodded to his younger brother. Yazoo knew that the man was exhausted and quickly stepped to his side. He was impressed that his older brother had held on so long, though the ordeal had lasted less than five minutes. It was a large feat when compared to the fact that Loz had only been able to hold Sephiroth's form for a total of thirty seconds in Vincent's house.

"I will rest soon, little brother," Loz turned and gave a cold grin to the kneeling figure, "Stand. We must be ready for Big Brother's arrival."

~

"Damn it!" They'd lost him, he was sure of it now. The swordsman wasn't completely surprised, the ruins were an unfamiliar maze of unstable buildings and debris. 'Why can't the Fates just let us be?' He pulled back his fist, intent on demolishing at least one building in his frustration. A feather-light touch swept his brow and the effect was immediate as he let out a tense breath and nodded. 'You're right Aeris. This won't help Vincent will it?' A soft, chime-like giggle filled his mind and he relaxed. He peaceful expression quickly vanished as a ground shaking roar filled the air. Cloud knew that sound all too well, "Chaos!"

He quickly dashed in the direction of the enraged cry, pulling First Tsurugi from its sheath. The silence that now reigned over the area brought about an uneasy feeling in the spiky haired blond. 'Chaos is never quiet once he gets loose. Come on Vincent, where are you?'

"Looking for someone, Big Brother?" The swordsman quickly pulled to a halt at the familiar bored voice. Yazoo sat in an empty second story window, casually leaning against the frame and dangling his foot in a carefree manner. "Perhaps Loz and I can help you."

Cloud let out a growl as he pointed the wide blade at the long haired Remnant, "Where is he? What have you done with Vincent?"

A silver eyebrow raised, "Vincent? Hm..." The younger man brought a black, leather clad finger to his chin as though pondering the question before shaking his head, "Nope. No one by that name here, right Loz?"

The blond turned his head as Yazoo focused just beyond him and was surprised to see the larger Remnant only a few feet behind him. He took a quick leap to the side, facing just between the two silver haired men so he could see the both of them at the same time. Glowing blue eyes widened and Cloud tightened his grip on First Tsurugi's hilt as he took notice of Loz's eyes. 'They look like Kadaj's just before he absorbed Jenova.'

Fully aware of the swordsman's gaze, the spiky haired Remnant grinned, "I'm not sure, little brother. Maybe he is wanting to see the new puppy Mother gave us?"

"Ah, yes!" Yazoo flipped gracefully from the window, landing at his brother's side, "Mother knew we were so lonely and missing something in our lives since Kadaj was taken from us. By you, no less," The slender Remnant gave a chilling smirk, "But pets are so much work, they have to be fed, cleaned, and exercised. Perhaps you can help us Big Brother."

"Yeah, we'll leave you two to play," Loz gave a small wave and the brothers turned away.

Cloud immediately took advantage of the opening, dashing in to cut the silver haired men in two. The pair didn't even look back as the wide blade swept toward them. The silver blade screeched to a stop, sparks flying as it came into contact with something metallic. The swordsman felt his breath catch and his blood run cold at the gleaming golden claw that held First Tsurugi tight in its grasp. His gaze ran up a pale scarred arm and locked on a wide silver collar, nearly hidden by thick, raven hair. A trembling whisper escaped him as he tried to peer through the black veil to the man's face, "V...Vincent?"

Loz glanced over his shoulder as the two Remnants walked away, "No Big Brother, this is our new pet. He has already been told he is allowed to play with you for a while so you might as well know his name. You'll probably be screaming it soon," A pair of black and crimson eyes, a cold void in their depths, met with glowing blue, "This is Sin. You two have fun now! Oh and Sin? Be sure to show Big Brother your true form before you're done with him."

Cloud's heart dropped at the dead, droning reply, "Yes Master." With that, both men took a running leap, disappearing again into the Midgar ruins.

____________________________________________________________________________________

haowue
Yeah~seph
I don’t mind seph make vin cry**evil grin**
I mean, only he can do that and I don’t mind, even happy about that.
That’s why I hate Hojo so much. I want give poor vin a big hug.
Thank you for sharing a good fic.^^
Frizz: Yes, poor Vince needs a hug. I am so glad that you are still reading my story and hope you continue to do so!

Anonymous Sister of the Author
dude!! reno stole a car!!! and sapphiredog will NOT be the #1 FAN!!! I WILL!!! i will fight tooth and NAIL to maintain my positions as crazy fangirl and #1 fan!!!!!

RAWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you see blood please calmly ignore it. THANK YOU!!!

ASOTA
Frizz: Yes! Reno stole a car! And he loved doin it...things have been way too boring for him. Um, and watch the blood, Chaos and them are a little bit hungry right now...I don't want to have to get collars for all of them. *Pales as all four demons lock hate filled gazes on her.* I'm joking! *Runs*

SapphireDog
The plot thickin's! NOOOOOO don't take Vinny! Damn Loz for having that damn connecting and damn Yazoo for not being mentally strong enough to make the right choice! My poor Valentine :'( D: Haha ever seen my theory on Sin all i can image is Barret or Cid shouting bout 'What th'a fuck we suppos' to do? Fuckin' exersise the bastard?!' about Sin if they have to fight him XD oh and I don't mind sharing the title :D XD
Frizz: Hmmm...maybe I'll insert that line at some point...would be amusing eh?

SapphireDog
And on another note,

Anonymous Sister of the Author....ILL FIGHT YOU TOOTH, NAIL, PENICL AND.....PAPERCLIP! THE FIGHT IS ON! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA :D jk JK JK I am truly a nice person :) I am willing to share...for now......>.> (this has 'war' has inpired a picture!)
Frizz: *Hides behind her Vincent muse.* Eep!...O.o Did you say picture? Can I see????

lapislazulai
YAY! YOU UPDATED!

Poor Vinny and that blasted collar. I feel so bad for him. But the idea of Sephiroth being his true master is hot. PLEASE write more soon!
Frizz: Hehehe! The hotness has only just begun! I will have some in here again in a couple of chapters. I promise....though I do apologize for the lack of hot stuff in a while. Just needed to get some good storyline out of the way before we get back to the smut.