Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 47

The caverns had fallen eerily silent after the screams died down, Cloud and Nanaki growing more concerned with each passing moment. There was nothing they could do but wait there like sitting ducks, pondering what the hell was happening in the caves beyond the one they were in.

Nanaki paced by the fallen Remnant, ears pinned flat against his skull, “What is this all about? It is strange to see Chaos act almost… human.”

Cloud snorted, plopping down against the wall with his blade resting next to him. Sapphire eyes glowed under the pale light the Mako gave off as he stared at the whimpering silver haired man. “Yeah, I highly doubt Chaos could ever be ‘human’ Red.”

Nanaki stopped by Yazoo’s head and sat down, being sure to keep his distance in case the demon came back, not wanting to further anger the creature. There was blood still dripping down thin sides and into the steadily growing pool with each broken intake of breath.

”That’s not what I meant. I am merely saying that he seemed almost scared for Yazoo is all.”

Cloud scowled and dragged a hand through blond locks, “As much as that should surprise me, it really doesn’t. He has been locked in a man whose emotions are so out of whack that only Shiva knows when the demons would start to be affected themselves.”

Nanaki chuckled as he stretched out on his stomach, tail flickering against the cool ground, “So, you believe that it is because of Vincent that Chaos is now showing something other then blood lust in his nature? You may be right, but there is another possibility.”

A blond brow lifted, “Oh?”

A soft golden eye glanced at the bleeding man in front of him. Yazoo’s body had started to tremble lightly, tiny shivers shaking his lithe body as lips quivered. Every so often his fist would clench before relaxing, as would his brows as they drew together and his face would show obvious distress and discomfort. Beneath tightened lids, eyes shifted restlessly in dream, perhaps nightmare.

”Ever since the Remnants were brought under Vincent’s care, he and Yazoo have been, to even my surprise, rather close. I believe they even had a moment…but that wasn’t any of my business. But my point is that Chaos seems to be connected to this boy some how.”

The blond sword man sighed, head falling back to rest on the stone behind him as his legs were drawn up to rest his arms across his knees. This had his mind working over time, trying to peace together anything that could give away answers. It seems, though, the more he thought about it, the more questions he got that all didn’t quite have answers. What was with the glow that surrounded the Remnant? Why was he so important to the demon? And what-

Cloud’s line of thoughts were interrupted by another angry, pained yell erupting from the tunnel, louder then the last. And what the hell was going on in the next cavern?

A low moan left the unconscious Remnant, drawing the attention of the fire wolf and the ex-SOLDIER. "Loz...'daj...stop. Vin...come back...please. Don't...leave..."

Yazoo's body began to shake even more, the soft, painful sounds rising into a terrified scream. Cloud immediately went to the wounded man's side, reaching for the Remnant. Nanaki started to protest but the blond shook his head, "He needs help, I'm not going to leave him like this."

As the swordsman's hand touch the pale skin, the golden energy that had surrounded Yazoo's body lashed out, wrapping around his arms and holding him tight. Cloud vaguely heard Nanaki call out his name before everything went black.

~

'Where am I?' Glowing blue eyes swept the vast darkness, looking for anything familiar. A shift of light drew his attention, the blurry image focusing until he recognized Yazoo. The Remnant looked younger though, somewhere in his early teens, and he had heavy chains and shackles binding him to the cold steel floor, making him unable to raise himself higher than to be on his hands and knees. Cloud tried to call out to him but his voice would not come. 'What is going on here?'

"Number two, if you don't start cooperating, perhaps I shall bring number one and three in here and see what they think of your...true nature."

Cloud shuddered at the terrifyingly familiar voice, watching as Professor Hojo stood above the bound boy, a smug grin on his face. The scientist knew the boy was protective of his brothers and didn't want them to see what became of him during the experiments. A low growl brought his gaze back to the chained figure, the swordsman watching as the teen raised his head, hatred and contempt in the silver-veiled gaze. His eyes though made Cloud pause, the brightness of the golden centers nearly overpowering the blue-green edges. 'His eyes are the nearly same color as Chaos'!'

The scientist gave a huff, turning to the open door, "Fine, I guess you are too far gone to care about how much it will hurt them to see you so unstable. Perhaps I should just go ahead and tell them about how you killed their favorite nurse." The growls grew even harsher for a moment, "Oh I know you think I made you do it, but it was all you little one. Your lack of control over the effects of V-005 killed her."

The door slammed shut, leaving Yazoo whimpering on the floor. Cloud watched as the boy attempted to dig into the chains on his wrist with claw-like nails, succeeding only in tearing his own flesh. 'What did those bastards do to you?'

~

Cloud was suddenly torn away from the Remnant's body, his arms heavy and numb though the rest of his body screamed in agony. A small cry left him as he slid across the floor, stopping only a few feet shy of crashing into the wall.

"How morons like you survived when you can't follow a simple warning never ceases to astound me, manling." Spiked strands were grasped harshly by clawed hands as the swordsman was lifted to eye level with the demon, "When I said not to touch him, I wasn't doing it for his health or my own. I was doing it to save your miserable excuse for a hide, human. The next time I'll just-" The golden eyes went wide and the blond was dropped like a heavy sack of potatoes. Chaos went to the Remnant's side, studying his wounds intensely, a small smile forming as he realized the openings had begun to close, "Well, maybe you're good for something after all, manling. This gives me an idea at least but...damn it! Of all the times I manage to have some freedom, the one time the host actually needs to be out, he's fucking blocked!"

Nanaki turned a worried eye toward the fuming demon, "Blocked? What do you mean?"

"I mean the damn slave has placed a barrier around the two of them. He isn't draining the host anymore, I can't feel the same pull of energy from him but other than that I have no idea what is going on in there. It is frustrating and I can't concentrate enough to break through the barrier because of the pain I feel from the Shinga-Chi."

The fire wolf's golden eye shifted from the demon to the prone Remnant and back again, "You feel his pain? Is this a part of that title you call him?"

A frustrated sigh left Chaos as he looked down at Yazoo, "Yes. Our bond causes me to feel everything he does but because it is only half complete I cannot control it or heal him. His body is not ready to handle the amount of my energies necessary without some sort of medium. The host would be able to act as the medium since it seems human energies are acceptable to help the Shinga-Chi heal."

Nanaki blinked, "Vincent is able to convert your energy?"

A small smirk appeared on the demon's face, "How do you think he's able to go for months on end without sleep? He isn't entirely aware that he can tap into my energies just as I can pull on his but it does take a toll on him to do so. Eventually his body does need to replenish its own energy rather than use mine, he is no Shinga-Chi. The host does not take my energies without consequence."

Cloud finally began to regain the feeling in his arms and pushed himself up, "Would this...Shinga-Chi thing have anything to do with why Yazoo had your eyes?"

Chaos paused, looking at the swordsman with curiosity, "When did you see his eyes look like mine, manling?" Both the demon and the fire-wolf listened with interest as the blond told what he had seen when he touched Yazoo. When Cloud mentioned something called V-005, a strange smirk appeared on the steely-gray face, "Bastard scientist was lucky he didn't end up with his entire laboratory collapsing on him. Those samples he took were weak, if the Shinga-Chi had been awakened with my blood at full power or even what it is now...well, I would almost have felt sorry for the bastard."

Nanaki finally felt he had to ask, "Chaos, can you tell us what a Shinga-Chi is? It's obviously something important."

"I was wondering which of you would ask first." The demon sat cross-legged on the floor, motioning for the blond and red wolf to do the same, "In order to properly explain, you need to know how things used to be, when demons and humans coexisted on this plane. I won't say it was a peaceful existence, far from it, but there was an understanding. We of the upper hierarchy would help control the more animalistic lower demons and the human villages would send us...gifts. Often times it was the most depraved of their criminals, the ones that they could no longer show mercy to, so they would send them to us as food, entertainment, whatever we decided to take them for. Every once in a while though, they would send the strongest, the most beautiful, or the most handsome of their communities. These often became pets to the demons that were lucky enough to receive them. We demons don't...feel things the way you humans do but we do get attached to what we deem ours and so those with pets began to become worried over the idea that these mortals would only be with them for a short time. It wasn't long before several started to tamper with their pets, trying to find a way of making them live longer."

"Now do not misunderstand, we demons may enjoy torture and pain but when we claim someone as ours, we will do just about everything to make sure they remain content. Those that did not wish to have their lives extended were either freed or allowed to live out their lives with their master or mistress. Soon enough, those that wished to remain at our side gained their wish. Through a series of bonds created, they became something not quite human but not demonic either. As the bonds were tested and strengthened, we began to notice changes in our pets. They began to move faster, they could see the spirit energies that flow in a living being's blood, they could even tap into that energy. That is how they gained their name, Shinga-Chi. Roughly this means Blood-Singer in your language. We demons believe that a person's soul is directly tied to their blood, it is where their greatest strength lies and where we get our greatest sustenance. When we found that the Shinga-Chi could absorb the energies of those around them without having to kill them it provided us with a peaceful way of existing with the rest of humanity. We grew even more appreciative when we found that if they bred with one another, the offspring would be ready for a bond without having to go through much of the physical modifications that had been necessary for their parents."

"Soon though, humanity's distrust for anything different began to show itself. The Shinga-Chi were shunned, forbidden from entering the villages for fear that they would steal the souls of those they came into contact with. I believe that your myths of vampires was started by those that feared the Shinga-Chi. It did not help their distrust that many of these gifted humans were able to tap into the abilities of the demon that they were bonded with and this only fed into the idea that these beautiful and often times peaceful creatures were pure evil." Chaos' gaze dropped slightly, a hint of sadness in his golden eyes, "Their shunning hurt many of the Shinga-Chi, driving some to commit one of the most painful acts for a demon. They let themselves waste away, refusing to eat or even rise from wherever they lay. Their pain and despair broke through even the most stoic of the bonded demons and drove them to do the same or go mad. Many died along with their Shinga-Chi while others had to be killed in order to keep war from breaking out. Our efforts were in vain however, war was already well on it's way. Those few short centuries of peace were lost forever."

"It turns out that once a Shinga-Chi's demon dies, they return to a mortal lifespan but retain many of their abilities. When we killed our crazed brethren, we realized then that humanity's capacity for ruthlessness rivaled our own, they tortured the 'freed' Shinga-Chi they caught and turned them into a weapon to destroy that which they deemed evil. Then they were set out against us, for not only could they absorb energy from living beings, they could drain them to the point of death. What we had made to try to create a peaceful existence with humanity was now being used by the very same humans to wipe us out."

"Many were enraged, wanting to destroy the humans that dared to do this but our strongest and wisest came together and made a plea to the Planet. She listened. We would be given our own place within the Lifestream, something untouched by humans where we could exist though it would be something like a dream. We would lie dormant until such a time when our existence could be accepted by humans or when humanity no longer roamed the Planet's surface. The Shinga-Chi, however, could not follow us, they had to be freed to live out mortal lives once more. I had believed that the bloodlines were lost or too far thinned for any true Shinga-Chi to surface again but apparently the bastard scientist made a lucky choice in the womb to carry the half-breed." A ghost-like smirk appeared on the demon's face as he looked down at Yazoo, "When he created the Remnants from his cells, he apparently tapped into the old blood with this one."

Neither Cloud nor Nanaki knew how to respond to Chaos' story. It was alot to take in. The silence reigned for several moments and both the blond and fire wolf jumped when Cloud's PHS suddenly rang. Cursing, the swordsman flipped open the phone, "Yes?" A loud, frantic, female voice could be heard by all in the cavern and his eyes widened as the ex-SOLDIER realized how long they had been in the caverns. "Yes, we're fine Tifa. Don't worry...stop yelling! Now, what?" The woman's voice was quieter as she asked several questions. "No, I don't know what happened to Sephiroth. He's still alive apparently but..." Blue eyes glanced at the cruel gleam in Chaos' gaze, "I don't think he's going to be causing anymore problems." There was a pause before Cloud nodded once, "I will, just stay out there for now. I don't know if it will be safe for you guys to come in here right now. We'll be fine. Bye."

As the swordsman turned his full attention to the demon, he inwardly shuddered at the look of sadistic glee on the steel-gray face, "I heard what she said to you, manling. Are you sure you want to see what the half-breed's condition is? I can guarantee you won't like it though I have very much enjoyed causing it."

Cloud nodded though his expression was wary, "I have to, if I don't, we won't be able to believe that it is safe to breathe easy."

"Just remember you asked for it, human."


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A/N: Wow, Chaos got talkative. Hope you guys enjoy that bit of history!

SapphireDoG
*snicker-giggle-snort*

Cloud you dumb ass. I swear he wants to touch anything that glows or shimmers :o just like a bird. Heh heh heh. Seph's in shhiiiiiitttt XD tehehe Can't wait for the next chapter :D
Frizz: Hehe, he has the classic blond syndrome! Ooooo Shinnnnyyyy! Mussttt toouuuuch!

Kuragari
*palms face* apparently I'm reviewing every other chapter now... anyway... loved both chapters... even though you're right, that one was a nail biter. I had to giggle evilly when I heard Chaos 'punishing' Sephy. lol, made me smile. Can't wait to read the next chapter... after all, Yazoo is still bleeding!!!! be back soon!
Frizz: Well, you will have to wait to see what has become of Sephy for one more chapter

fyrbyrd
This time I kept this one for seconds, because I was scared for Yazoo, still am.
Frizz: Sorry that I still havent resolved it but I hope this is informative at the very least

SapphireDoG
Chapter 14 retake yo. (yes, I am reading the memories and about the past XD )

Haha I just realized something... Sin sounds like the fucking Cheshire Cat in this chapter XD hehe

Alright. I'm done.
Frizz: hehe, i never thought about it but you're right!

viva_rose
i love you! so nice to come back to a fresh new chappy!
Frizz: Love you too hun! Your welcome!

Anonymous Sister of the Author
i hope they can help yazoo!! and YAY!! YOU GO CHAOS!!! WOOT!!

YOU BETTER SAVE YAZOO!!! or else.
ASOTA
Frizz: hehe, he's doing what he can!

AnimeFanGrrl-4-Life
* * * * * * *
KYAAAA!!! OMG OMG OMG!! Update soon please!
This story has only gotten better. Don't stop, bring on the angst!

Waiting for the next chapter as usual.

Fan-of-u-4-life
* * * * * * *
Frizz: Sorry it took a while but I hope this was worth the wait!

BreaXStrify
so...::coughs::

i just sent a review for Tainted Love...and as i have stated before...

::falls to knees to worship:: YOU ARE AMAZING XS!

and....idk if sin should live or not....i kind of what him too...but i'm kind of like :S vincent needs to move on....

AND OMG&G what is Chaos doing to Sephy ::tries to look around the corner:: DX whatever it is i hope it's like hardcore torture with lots of pain and rainbow bandaidz!


nahahsd;flksjdl; update soon?
~¢¾
Frizz: So glad that you like this hun. i always love hearing from a new reviewer. Thanks for the vote and I hope you don't mind me holding off Sephy's punishment for another chapter!