Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 42

Yazoo paced the room for several moments, his mind in overdrive and his steps faltering at each harsh cry that would echo down the dark tunnels. As a particularly pained scream reached him, he clenched a fist and slammed it into the wall. "Shit!"

He grimaced as he felt the skin on his knuckles break and a painful jolt in his wrist reminding him of his earlier injury. 'Hurting myself further won't help Vincent.' He leaned against the wall with a sigh, letting his head fall back on the cool stone. 'Vincent won't be able to break the bracer because of the feedback. I mean, just look at how the burns from Chaos bled through to his body. I can't imagine what firsthand damage would do.' His eyes roamed the cavern, avoiding the dark, bloody writing on the wall. 'And I don't have the strength to do much either. I'd be dead before I lay a hand on the thing. And it would be pointless to wait for an opening. Obviously, Sephiroth wants me gone soon to purge his 'pet' of all weakness. Damn it! Why couldn't we have been left to die with Kadaj?'

The Remnant felt the familiar sting of tears and blinked them away. Crying would do no good at this point, for him or anyone else. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm himself and let his fingers wander over the uneven ground, simply emptying his mind and allowing himself to just feel. As his hands moved slowly across the cold surface, he felt where stone changed to fabric, finding the traveling packs sitting just beside him. He kept his eyes closed, seeking that peaceful tranquility inside himself, that place where no one and nothing could touch him. As his fingers wandered across the smooth seams, something ragged and tattered brushed the back of his hand, a cloth sticking out of the opening of the pack.

Blue-green eyes opened with curiosity, looking at the fabric that now rested between his fingers. The bright red cloth was worn and well-used and a wave of recognition washed through the silver-haired man. 'Vincent's cloak.' He pulled it out and surrounded himself in the warm cloak, feeling shielded and closer to the dark-haired man. A subtle cinnamon scent, something that was uniquely Vincent, seemed to permeate the fabric and gave the Remnant a rare sense of comfort and safety. "Vincent..." He whispered into the silent cavern.

Suddenly, the travel pack tilted, spilling its contents on the floor. Yazoo jerked at the seemingly loud sound, watching as several items scattered in the small room. He felt a nudge at his foot, looking down to find a water canteen had rolled to him. Picking up the dark container, he listened to the liquid moving inside, the nearly hypnotic sound drawing him more easily into that serenity that he held within himself. 'This is probably Vincent's too. We didn't pack canteens.' He held tightly onto the bottle and wrapped the cloak closer around him. His eyes clenched shut as a sudden, heart-wrenching scream broke through the fragile tranquility he had managed to find. He finally broke down, pained sobs shaking his body as he curled up on the floor into the bright red cloak.

As the tremors began to calm, Yazoo felt worn and exhausted. His whole body ached from various bruises and cuts and his heart felt shattered. There was a lump in his throat that he could not seem to get rid of and his eyes felt dry and raw. The sound of water sloshing in the canteen drew his attention once more and he eyed the container. Was it safe to drink? He gave a wry smirk. A little stale water wouldn't hurt him. Twisting open the lid, he tilted his head back and took a long drink of the cool liquid. As he set the container aside, a strange tingling sensation spread through his body. Then, suddenly, his world flashed white and was filled with the scent of flowers.

~

"Come on big sister! Get your skinny ass up!"

Yazoo frowned, his silver brows furrowing in irritation, "Kadaj, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me your sis...KADAJ!"

The slender Remnant bolted upright, wide eyes scanning his surroundings. Wherever he was, it was white, not blindingly bright but soft and comforting. A carefree chuckle made him turn his head, finding his little brother Kadaj looking at him with such love and happiness he could only stare in shock, "Is this real?"

The younger boy tilted his head, giving that familiar smirk of his before going down to one knee and caressing the slender man's cheek, "I don't know Yazzie. You tell me."

Blue-green eyes misted over as he felt the gentle touch on his face. With a sob, he leapt up and hugged his younger brother, nearly tackling him to the ground. They remained there for several moments before another voice reached them, "Kadaj, we don't have much time."

Yazoo looked up to see an unfamiliar woman, dressed in soft pink and long brown hair braided down her back, "Who are you?"

A soft, chime-like giggle echoed before she turned a compassionate gaze to him, "My name is Aeris."

"Aeris? Then you're the one that asked Vincent to take Loz and me in?"

Her smile seemed to become a bit sad but she nodded, "Yes, I had hoped that Vincent's nature would draw both you and your brother to him, lead you away from the taint that attempts to take over this world. As you know however, things did not quite work as we wished."

Yazoo looked at her curiously, "We?"

It was Kadaj that spoke this time, "Yes we, brother. I didn't want either of you to fall for that bitch's trap like I did." His next words stunned the long-haired Remnant, "I am glad that Big Brother killed me when he did."

Yazoo shook his head, "Why would you be glad to die? You left us, Loz and me. Don't you know how much it hurt to watch you fall? We tried to follow you even then."

Kadaj gave a sigh, "If left long enough in that man's clutches, a person can lose their soul, lose their chance of ever reaching this place of peace. Would you have rather me live in that madness you see in Sephiroth's eyes or die with a chance at this tranquility, Yazoo?"

Yazoo hung his head, burying his face in his younger brother's shoulder as he mumbled something. Kadaj gave a laugh, "Brother, I am not psychic. You are going to need to speak a little more clearly."

"Can you come back with me? Cloud came back, why can't you?"

Silver hair swayed as the younger man shook his head, "It doesn't work like that Yazoo. Cloud was a very special case and shouldn't have died on that rooftop. Don't worry though, you'll see me again. Now come on, we have some important things to talk about and little time to do it in."

Yazoo nodded, meeting his brother's steady gaze. It was strange seeing Kadaj so calm, at peace without the obsessive drive that had been in him since he was very young, "Do you know how I can get Vincent and Loz away from him?"

"If you get the bracer away from him, Vincent will know what to do. Loz..."

Yazoo watched with concern as his brother refused to meet his eyes, "Kadaj?"

It was the woman's voice that broke the tense silence, "Your older brother is too far gone, Yazoo. His only hope for happiness is to come here as Kadaj did. And it will have to be soon."

An angry growl worked its way out of Yazoo's throat as he turned, coming face to face with Aeris, "You mean he has to die? Why? Haven't we been hurt enough as it it?"

Kadaj placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder, forcing him to look in his eyes. “Yaz, Loz has been getting slowly absorbed by Jenova and Sephiroth since they took over. I know it hurts; I hate the fact that he has to be taken from you like I was. I don’t want to. But it has to be done.”

Yazoo jerked away, sneering at the thought of killing the only one left that meant everything to him. “No. I…I can’t. I can’t kill the last of my family.”

Aeris tilted her head sadly, “Yazoo, its-“

”Don’t tell me it’s the only way! Don’t you dare! There has to be something, anything!”

Kadaj flinched at his brother’s tone, Yazoo never being the one to shout. Looking at the man, the youngest of three saw that his beloved brother’s shoulders were shaking as his fist clenched. Silver locks draped over blue-green eyes, covering the man’s pale face. ’I can’t. He is all I have. I can’t lose him…’ Tears spilled over soft cheeks as the broken man fell to his knees, the painful decision weighing heavily on his shoulders, fists smacking the ground with bruising force as his head dropped to rest against the soft grass.

Kadaj dropped down next to him, laying his head down on the broken man’s back, wrapping his arms around the thin waist, ”Yazoo… you won’t be alone. You will find that there are people that can forgive and forget. Not only that, you will have Vincent Valentine with you, and I know that he’ll protect you at any cost.”

Yazoo shook his head, “I can’t save either of them. I’m not strong enough to do it by myself.”

Aeris knelt down in front of him, placing a soft hand on equally soft silver strands and soothingly brushing her fingers through the,. “All you need to do is believe Yazoo. Believe in Vincent’s strength and power, and believe in the fact that he cares about you more so then he lets on. He will protect you from Jenova’s taunts and threats. She will try to use Loz against you. Don’t let her.”

”Yazoo, you can win this. Please, don’t give into the madness like He did. The only way to kill Him and remove Jenova from this world is to use the power that is deep in your heart.”

Yazoo lifted his head, hand coming up to wipe his eyes, “What power?”

But Kadaj only shook his head, not answering his brother’s question, only tightening his grip for a moment before standing. “It’s not my place to say my dear brother. The only thing I can tell you is to be happy, and make the right choice. Don’t let Loz suffer anymore then he has.”

Yazoo felt warm hands touch his face, wiping the tears from his cheek as a soft kiss was pressed to his forehead, an instant calm filling his mind. His eyelids where beginning to grow heavy, the gentle scent of flowers drifting through his senses.

Honey orbs looked into his with care and warmth as his slid close, that sweet voice drifting around him, “Sleep Yazoo, we will meet again, do not worry. Kadaj is safe with me…”

“Yeah big sis! 'Till next time Yazzie…”

Before his mind went blank, his lips moved in the barest of whispers, ‘I love you, brother…’

-

The sound of water falling swam around his mind, subtle greens and blues flowing together. Soft humming reached his ears as Yazoo opened his eyes and watched the colors flow around him in a sea of white. The tune was easily recognized as he looked around trying to find the source of the lullaby. He remembered the words that Vincent had told him, picking up where the humming left off as he whispered, eyes still scanning, “I will carry you on and through the night…Fear not the darkness…”

A heavenly voice suddenly wrapped around him, drawing him into a loving embrace as chestnut locks floated around him. He realized then that he was on his knees, surrounded by warmth that felt oddly familiar yet so distant, like a lost memory, ”My dearest son so pure, here I will remain…my love strong and sure…”

Yazoo brought his arms up, wrapping around silk fabric that covered a small frame. She was cool to the touch yet so warm. His head lifted slowly, catching teary hazel eye before seeing anything else. They were filled with sadness and loneliness. Looking at her face, he took a sharp breath. Soft, heart shaped face and light peach skin. Her bangs flowed from the side and sweeping over her face as the rest of her hair was place in a golden ribbon.

’This…this is…Lucrecia…’

”Yazoo…my beautiful boy… I do not have long.” Her hand reached up to cup his cheek, almost like a whisper. ”Be strong, don’t lose your way. Never give up, even if it seems like all hope is lost.”

The boy nodded, to shocked to say much of anything.

”I want you to stay with Vincent…keep him from losing himself. He needs you as much as you need him.”

Her lips pressed to his cheek, arms gripping tighter around his shoulders. Her tears hit his cheek as she held him, the swirling blues and greens around them started to take shape, the sound of water growing louder when he caught sight of a stunning waterfall over her shoulder.

”Tell Vincent to come to me…one last time. And come with him. There, you will find peace with yourself my little one…”

The scent of jasmine surrounded him, again throwing him into blissful darkness.

____________________________________________________________________________________

SapphireDog
:O

Son of a bitch! Im torn between that being fucking hot or it being fucking gut renching sick! Urg I love you though! *glomps and refuses to let go* Yay for sword smex!

*fans self*
Frizz: I think feeling both at the same time is not necessarily wrong. Ack! let me breath!

Kerianya
Oh dear, fiances that interfere with a lady's writing? Luckily my fiance has the prescence of mind to keep out of my way. I have enough trouble focussing as it is.

As for the Sephiroth and Vincent smut, there is absolutely no need to apologise for the lack of cuteness. I think that you summed up the true definition of their relationship: reluctant pleasure, with a healthy dollop of blood for the half-vampire. It was disturbingly delicious, and the addition of my sweet Yazzie only made things better.

I'm off to go finish up my own story now and post it up. It'll give me something to do until your next update, which I eagerly anticipate, as always :D

Kerianya
Frizz: Yes, no fluffy cuteness for Seph and Vinny in this one. But I still love it all the same. Good luch with your story...hopefully your muses aren't as fickle as mine.

Kuragari
*sigh* missed another chapter... oops. Anyway, Loved both chapters... even though you succeeded in making me cringe through both once again. ^^ I'll just be sitting here, biting my nails until you update! ^^ *sits and starts gnawing on nails* see you soon!
Frizz: That's alright hun. Post when you can, I love hearing from you no matter what. Just make sure not to bite your nails till they bleed! I used to have that nasty habit.

Anonymous Sister of the Author
sankyuu for the secret sapphiredog!! *gives you some of your beloved coffee*

and yes, mr. cocky, you are nuts... i'll call my pscyhologist, and see if she can make an appointment for you as well...

SANKYUU FOR THE FAST UPDATE!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

ASOTA :)
Frizz: Yes, he's so nuts. Don't bother sending him to your psychologist. He'll just send the poor woman to the mental ward.

ofoa
buy my ponies no silly I work near a toy store I am given my ponies where I repair them and train them to be my mercenary army I currently am back down to 2 ponies as one of them was sent to a child but my new robo kitties are vicious and love the taste of fresh doggie bring it on MR COCKY the great wonderful and mighty is ready with his growing robo army so girls are you ready mua ha ha and I am not insane I am in gatlinburg but I am sanity impaired

most importantly keep up the good work honey
Frizz: Thanks hunny...and watch out, if ASOTA pulls out an EMP your robo army is screwed!