Birds of Prey

Title: Birds of Prey
Author: Reichi
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Cloud/Kadaj
Comments: o-o I know. I am an upload FREAK. x3;; I cant help it. Recently, I've become really bored, so I just keep on writing more and more in my word processor, and keep posting it. o___o; I'll probably finish it by Monday, because I dont work all weekend, but everyone else I know does. x_x; This chapter has a surprize at the end, that the whole story has been leading up to. ;D Enjoy. [ In my veiw, i think this chap. is sort of short. ;/ I'll probably add another one tonight xDD ]
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and Final Fantasy VII are owned by Square Enix, so none of these characters or places belong to me. Okay? None of these are mine. Hear me yet? NOTHING HERE IS MINE!! -Points to SquareEnix- ITS ALL THEIRS NOT MINE







Chapter Four; Sweet Redemption.





A week passed.


A very long, painful week.


Often times when driving, steadily along a given path, map memorized in every detail, Cloud allowed himself to be emersed in the warmth of Kadaj, who spent much of the time fast asleep, curling to his back, unknowing of his surroundings, sudden personal-boundries and bruises. The only thing that Kadaj offered him these days, other times spent in cool silence.


Somehow, they managed it to Rocket Town. It had been the only place that Cloud thought of in such short notice… Not to mention that Fernir was beginning to make odd, clanking sounds when he gassed it over thirty miles an hour. The large bent rocket rising in the landscape had been a sight for sore eyes, and stomaches.


Cloud brought the motorcycle to a careful stop and turned off the engine, rousing the teen leaned against his back. Kadaj’s feline eyes spread open, looking around apprehensively. Apparently, he’d never been here before.


“ Where the hell are we? “ He asked, the first thing he’d said all day. Cloud dismounted Fernir after knocking the kickstand out, almost sending Kadaj crashing forward into the steering colomn.


“ This is where Cid lives. “ The blond said shortly, “ I’m going to see if he’ll let us stay for a while. “


Kadaj snorted indignantly, eyeing the precarious rocket looming over the entire city, and then the obvious cluttered house not far away from where Fernir had been parked, “ It looks filthy here… which one is this ‘Cid’? “


“ The guy with the spear. I believe he stabbed a piece of tree through Bahamut’s head. “ Cloud said, giving Kadaj a very blank stare before knocking on the door. A series of loud yells emitted from inside, one dominating and male, the other shriveling away and female.


“ I’ve got it! I’ve got it! “ A woman pried the door open, dressed in a labcoat, her large eyes peering up at him through large rimmed glasses, “ Ooo! Cloud! Its been such a long time since I last saw you! How are you doing? “ Her eyes skimmed past him, to Kadaj lingering a couple feet behind, “ And whose that with you? “


“ Just… an aquintance. Is Cid here? “

“ In the back room. He’s a little… caught up at the moment. But come inside, and I’ll fetch him for you! “ She stepped aside, little hearts practically racing around her head when Cloud went past her, Kadaj slipping by with a steady glare. She blinked, rather dumbly, and smiled none-the-less.


“ Just sit down, and I’ll go see if he’s in a better mood… Hold on. “ She disappeared down a dark hallway, her light voice distant, “ Cid, Cloud is here to see you! “


“ Cloud?! “ Cid practically shoved her back by the face, looking through the doorway and chewing anxiously on his toothpick, which appeared ratty and bent, “ What the hell you doin’ all the way out here? “


“ I need a place to stay for a while. “ Cloud murmured, monotonious, “ A break from Midgar, if you know what I mean. “


“ Well, I dunno ‘bout that… are you sure Tifa can manage the children by herself—“ His eyes stared past him, and the little twig nearly fell out of his mouth, “ Holy fuckin’ shit! What the hell is that guy doing here! “


The Blond glanced at Kadaj, who seemed very disinterested in the sudden fascination about him. Polishing a piece of dust away from the shoulder-pad of his uniform, “ Don’t flip out, Cid. He’s not going to hurt you. “


“ Like hell he will! “ Cid scampered away, returning with his rusty spear in hand, aiming it over his head like some kind of tribes-man, “ Get the fuck out! Out! Out! Out! “


“ Cid? “ The woman sat on the floor, wiping off the smudges on her glasses, and replacing them daintily, “ Should I start making the tea now? “


“ Shut the fuck up, stupid. “ Cid’s eyes had gone wild in outrage, the spear in his hand shaking slightly, “ And as for you, clone. Get the fuck out of here before I stick this in your fucking head and hold you over a –fucking- open fire! “


“ Cid. Stop. “ Cloud stepped in front of him, grabbing the spear with ease and moderately attempting to disengage Cid’s deathgrip, “ I told you, he wont hurt you. “


“ Get him out! “ The ends of Cid’s ears had turned red, “ Now. “


“ I cant, “ Cloud said lowly, boring his Mako-blue eyes deeply into Cid’s own, flustered and mildly psychotic , “ Trust me. He doesn’t have a weapon, and I can overpower him… not to mention you as well. Please. We’ll work for somewhere to stay until the chao’s in Midgar wears down. “


Cid narrowed his eyes evilly and looked over at Kadaj, who waved at him with arrogance. He sneered, “ Fine! Then you two’ll be working hard for your keep. You a good friend, Cloud, but I aint letting you stay free. You start tomorrow morning. And you, bitch, get to making some tea and food! What the fuck is wrong with you, are you retarded? “


The scientist sighed and removed herself from the ground, wondering over to the ajoining kitchen and taking the nessessities for a simple herbal tea. Cid, on the other hand, tossed the spear into the corner of the room, where it jolting through the wood floor and wavered back and forth with a withering ‘tang’.


“ You owe me big time. “ He fumed, turned on the heel of his boot with his hands clenched tightly and muscles popping underneath the pastel blue shirt, slamming the door hard behind himself.


“ What charming friends you have. “ Kadaj sneered with a soft nasal voice, arms crossed and hip thrown out to one side. “ I would have rather left than stayed here with a beast like him. “


“ We can go back to Midgar, where Barret and Tifa will kill you upon sight. “ Cloud sat on the dusty couch, rising a couple of puffs from between of old cushions. Kadaj stared at him, and something passed over his features.


“ Loz. Yazoo. “ He breathed, his eyes wandering down Clouds darkly clad frame to his old, filthy boots. “ I wonder where they are. “


Cloud sighed heavily and patted the space beside him. Kadaj declined and instead sat on the opposing side.


“ They left you behind, during our fight. They ran and left you for dead. “ Cloud said simply. Pain contorted the Teens features, and he leaned forward so that his long, leathery fingers slinked through the silvery wisps of hair upon his head.


“ I thought they cared about me. “ Kadaj said, his voice muffled and directed toward the floor, “ After… After ShinRa told me the truth… they didn’t seem interested in reviving Mother anymore. “


“ The truth. “ Cloud repeated, resting his cheek against his open palm and watching him placidly, “ And what exactly would that be? “


“ That I’m a puppet, like you were. “ His bright green eyes flickered upwards like embers of a fire, locking momentarily, “ That… I was just something they were using… to try and find the Promised Land. It didn’t work though; ShinRa died before it could be achieved.”


“ Rufus, dead? “ The blond thought that he may never hear those words… it almost sounded like music to his ears. With a rueful smile, he flicked a piece of grass off of his boot, “ I imagined that the day would never come. I didn’t know someone could last that long with Geo-Stigma to begin with. “


“ He had the best doctors looking after him. “ Kadaj finally leant back, running his hands down his face.


“ I was studying it. “ The woman in the kitchen said, without looking back. She was pleasantly stirring the tea, “ Geo-Stigma. Even thought I majored in inter-galactic technology, I took a side-coarse in the immunities and weaknesses of the Human Body.”


“ Really… “ Kadaj swallowed and drew one long leg up underneath himself, looking even younger than he had when Cloud first saw him. He watched this, his nagging urge to comfort carefully restrained; the Teen didn’t even allow a touch to be transferred between them, be it punch, comfort or accidental.


“ Yes! “ She babbled on, pouring the steaming mixture into the cups and bringing them over, “ I couldn’t seem to discover the source though, but it disappeared all at once. Even those at the very brink of death, the final stages of the disease, were pulled back in a single day. “


“ I see. “ Cloud remarked, taking the cup with a nod of thanks, and tossing a small pillow at Kadaj when he ignored the woman entirely, “ Take the tea, Kadaj. Be nice. “


The youth scowled heavily, taking the cup and immediately setting it on the coffee table, “ Thanks. “


The woman bowed deeply with a corny little smile tinting her cheeks a annoying shade of red. Cloud slid his gaze in a random direction at nothing in particular, and took a long drink of the scalding hot tea.





“ Fuck, Cloud. “ Cid slurred when he slumped in his seat after grabbing another beer from the rickety fridge. The first time he’d spoken in half an hour; Kadaj had gone to bed after having his fill of food, the door snapping shut, sharply and methodic. Cloud was using his fork to move around some cold carrots, “ What the hell are you thinking, bring him here. “


“ I couldn’t let him die, Cid. Not after Sephiroth, you know that. “


Cid chuckled and took a long swig, “ Your too valiant for your own good. Sometimes ya gotta kill something worth killin’, like that piece of work you brought in here. “


“ You don’t understand. “ Cloud looked up, and raised a single eyebrow. Cid mimicked him, drinking at the same time.


“ What? “ Cid asked when he slammed the bottle down, wiping his mouth on the back on his hand, “ Whats your point here? “


“ Cid. “ Cloud said slowly, peering down again at the half-empty plate with his left eye twitching in annoyance, “ I… have feelings for him. That’s why I saved him. “


Cid blinked, and took another drink. The bottle was half empty by now, yet the way Cid drank seemed rather mechanical, So, you saved him because you wanted a fuck-toy? What the hell was wrong with Tifa? “


Cloud blushed brightly, face-faulting, “ That’s not what I mean! I’m trying to imply that .. I love him, damn it. “


“ Oooo! “ The woman burst in all of a sudden, looming over the sink and scrubbing the plates thoroughly. Hands immersed in the water, she looked back with a huge grin plastered onto her pale face, “ Cuuute!… Super kawaii! “


“ I didn’t say you could speak, woman! “ Cid turned and chucked his half-empty beer bottle at her head. It missed narrowly, and instead shattered on the wall, spraying its contents and glass all over the floor, counter and sink. Cid grimaced and turned back around slowly, clearing his throat.


“ Well… Cloud. There are certain things you should allow live… “


“ Cid. “


“ And that guy in there just –happens- to be one of those things… “

“ Cid! “


“ I think its best that you do him off as soon as possible, quick and clean, like that. “ Cid drew his rigid finger across his throat, smirking at Cloud, “ I’m only kidding with you… halfly. “


“ Don’t joke around about it. “ Cloud frowned heavily. He never did care much for Cids type of sense of humor. The pilot just waved it off with his hand and rose, stretching his legs out and heading to the old fridge again.


“ You want one? “ He waggled a beer, sloshing around the contents noisily.


“ No thanks… I’m think I am going to go to bed. “ Cloud rose, politely taking the plate to the sink and depositing it into the sudsy sink. The woman nodded in thanks, and begun to scrub it clean as well.


“ Hey! “ Cid pointed his finger in his face, with a lop-sided grin pulling his unshaven mouth upwards, “ I don’t wanna hear anything strange tonight, got it? “


“ Sure, whatever. “ Cloud smiled at him weakly, removing his gloves as he went the same direction Kadaj had, fifteen minutes ago, “ Believe me; nothing like that’ll happen. “


The blond slipped into the room before Cid replied, blinking in the sudden darkness with his pupils aching to stretch with the small amount of light sifting through the half-open shutters. The bed in the room was of fair size, almost like a futon with a normal mattress tossed onto it, a heap of comfortable and clean blankets tossed into the center. Pieces of silvery-moonlight hair was protruding from the top, presumably where the pillow was.


“ You awake? “ Cloud asked softly. He waited a couple of moments, removing the most restricting parts of his outfit as he did so, laying them on a small recliner in the corner and standing above the slumbering figure. He –seemed- to be sleeping, but, as Cloud learned the hard way, Kadaj was a light sleeper.


Easing onto the mattress, a reasonable distance away from Kadaj, Cloud yanked up whatever amount of blankets had been spared, and dared to reach a hand out to touch the finely-woven silken hair spread out, almost by accident.


“ Damn you. “ Cloud whispered, drawing his had back to himself and tucking it with the other. Kadaj stretched onto his back casually, the alluring form of his body arching upwards with a soft stretch and sigh, relaxing back and turning his face toward Cloud.


“ I know. “ Kadaj answered, his soft and quiet, almost drifting away at the end. Cloud blinked, followed immediately by a scowl.


“ I thought you were sleeping. “ Cloud said, accusingly.


“ I was. You woke me. “


Cloud rested his head on the pillow with a quiet ‘fwap’, his eyes drinking in the light, “ It wont make you weak, you know. “


The Teen’s eyes pried open again, staring at him blankly, squinted with his sleepiness. He turned his cheek and drew his hand up against his own cheek, the fingers curled a tad bit, “ I don’t believe it. “


“ Its not making me weak. “


“ Your different. “


“ How? “ Kadaj was staring at his mouth, “ You were tested on more than I ever was. I haven’t shown weakness. “


“ You spared me. “ The teen said, breathing in, “ I heard what that guy was saying out there. You should have killed me. “


“ No.” Cloud pulled himself onto his elbows and slid closer on his stomach. Kadaj kept on talking, staring at the spot that Cloud had been in.


“ I told you to kill me. To leave me. And you didn’t. Now your running from your friends just to keep me safe. Why don’t you let them have me? “


“ You know why. “ Cloud didn’t care about ‘personal space’ anymore. The Teen was rejecting… whatever the hell he was feeling. The Blond could tell… he reached out and snagged Kadaj’s face between his hands, half dry moist travels slickening his palms. The youth was about to say something, more idiotic admitions of defeat and longings for death, so Cloud silenced him with a searing kiss, completely unrestraint and needy; there was no need to hide it anymore.


“ Stop it. “ Kadaj whispered quickly. The quivering tone of voice signaled his close defeat.


“ No. “ Cloud said sternly, dipping in for another kiss, “ I wont. I cant, damn it. You wont be weak for loving; it makes you stronger, because it gives you hope. If you use it as your fuel to go on, then –nothing- can ever stop you. “


Kadaj’s mouth parted a little, but he said nothing. His full, pale lips were slightly moist from the previous kisses, almost wanton and sensual, to the point where they were entirely irresistible.


Silence. Cloud waited anxiously for the Teen to do something, -anything-. Finally, he couldn’t stand it anymore. Two weeks of fighting and hatred, one week of uncanny friendship, boiled up feelings brewing over the edge at an unstoppable rate.


Cloud leaned and stole another kiss, combing his long-fingered hand through the silken hair, like running his hands through cool, clean water. Tilting his head, he sought to further the kiss, yet Kadaj was unyielding.


“ Please! “ Frustation pent up, Cloud finally allowed the tiniest of tears to fall, raining onto the Teens smooth, hairless cheek, “ Please, Kadaj… I love you. I… I know that you can feel the same, if you just allow yourself. Please… there’s nothing to be strong for anymore. “


Kadaj narrowed his lovely, feline eyes and drew in a breathe around Clouds longing mouth, wriggling about and extracting a hand from where it was trapped, beneath the sheets. Cloud knew it was there, looming closer to him, wondering vaguely if the youth was going to hit him, like he had times before. Reject him, toss him out of the bed and be finished with him. His heart was breaking with every fleeting second that passed, and after everyone he loved who’d died… one more defeat and he may never recover fully again.


“ Please “ He whispered a final time, that hand, nearly as pale as his hair, appeared in the corner of his eye. So he shut them, a waiting whatever Kadaj so decided to do with him.


The touch was soft, unexpected. The Blond was waiting for a sting, not the cool, soft hand that caught the tears, silently leaking out of his eyes, fluidly. Cloud released the breathe that he wasn’t entirely aware that he’d been holding and lunged forward, almost slowly, and captured that mouth again.


It felt –so- much better that Kadaj was responding to his simple kisses, uncertainly following his lead and mimicking every brush of his lips, the way to mold his lips against his partners and sigh when a tongue would slither past his lips shallowly at first, then daring further once the teen allowed it.


Cloud moaned happily in unspeakable pleasure, something so simple and gentle sending the most shocking sparks up and down his nerves, blood pounding in his ears and –other- certain places. Unintentionally, but it had been so long… since he’d even felt this way. It had been like a dam had been broken.


“ Mmph… “ Kadaj breathed deeply once Cloud released him, attacking the smooth skin at his neck. The Teen threaded his fingers through the soft, blond hair and chewed on his lip when Cloud attached his lips and nibbled here and there. He managed to find a sensitive spoke somewhere near his shoulder, of which the Teen muffled a choking moan.


“ Kadaj. “ Cloud whispered once he made it to his collarbone, adorning the flesh with soft kisses.


“ Mmm… “ The Teen arched himself softly, the Blonds hands spreading across his lightly toned torso, roaming over the hard buds of his nipples firmly. Causing Kadaj to breathe in sharply with heightened breathing and move his slim hips stiffly, engorged flesh pressing the material of the thin form-fitting black under shorts and directly into Clouds stomach.


“ How far? “ Cloud asked him, roaming his broad hand down the shallow ribcage, caressing the skin just above the peaks of his hips. Goose pimples rose over his torso, spreading to his arms slowly.


“ I… I don’t know. “ The teen answered, opened his eyes a fraction and eyeing the blond, roughened swords-calloused hand creating almost a scratchy sensation across his flesh. Cloud made a noise and came back up for another deep, soul-surging kiss.


“ We don’t… you know. “


“ I know… “ Kadaj shifted his hips, stretching his torso out. The smooth skin practically shone in the fair lighting, cascading through the window thinly, “ G-go on… “


Cloud was suddenly, very slightly tinged with nerves, though he didn’t hesitate as he eased his fingers past the edge of the material, conforming to the back of his hand while fingertips crept down the warm, lower stomach, coming across the fine, short and crinkly hairs, gliding through and touching the very root.


Kadaj made a sharp noise, his head thrown back against the pillow as Couds other hand eased down and slid the constricting pants further down, enough to wrap his hand around the pulsating length and give it a first, long and slow stroke, from base to tip, and back again.


“ Ahh.. “ The teen buried his face against Clouds shoulder, his hot breathe forming a patch of moisture on his chest, though the thick sweater. Another stroke, and his hips were pulsing forward upon their own accord, his muscles tightening until his hand cascaded down to the base again.


Another slow stroke, and Cloud decided to experiment. He drew his hand up quickly twice, Kadaj’s whole entire body clenching with pleasure. The reaction made the corners of Clouds mouth turn upwards, faintly, and he continued it with a steady pace, the Youth moaning fiercely and grappling at him.


It only lasted a couple of minutes. Cloud held him close, his arm growing numb from lack of blood under the Teen’s weight, his entire body clenching and arching, pressing and choking back harder moans as he came, falling slack into the sheets and the front of Clouds SOLDIER pants.


The final shudders of his orgasm were coursing through him gracefully, relaxing and curling to the Blonds chest, silken head tucked right underneath his chin.


“ First time? “ Cloud asked after a couple of moments, finally deciding to wipe his hand on the under sheets. Kadaj mumbled sleepily, tilting his head to breathe easier.


“ How did you know? “ He said, curling a hand into the front od Clouds sweater.


“ Sensitive.” He moved the arm underneath Kadaj to an easier spot, flexing his fingers.


Kadaj moved about slightly, most likely from the odd position of his vinyl shorts, and kicked them off with surprising ease. Thusly, he couldn’t help but accidentally brush a leg across the hero’s front, mumbling once more.


“ What about you? “ He asked shyly, eyes shut peacefully. Clouds embrace only tightened.


“ I can wait. “ He purred softly, “ Sleep now. I’m sure Cid’ll work us hard tomorrow. “


Kadaj whined; an art form that he had perfected, yet only snuggled closer to the warmth about him, easily slipping off into a deep sleep. Cloud followed shortly after him, his mind finally at peace.




To be Continued...