Living in Darkness

Chapter 5
Prelude

Cloud sped along, almost to the point of recklessness in his need to put some distance between himself and Sephiroth. The wind through his hair, and the speed of his ride did little to calm his frantic frame of mind. He didn't want to believe it was his own desires drawing him closer to Sephiroth, but he had seen the terrible truth in his eyes when he had told him he wasn't being controlled. That terrible truth, he'd known himself before Sephiroth had spoken those words, he just didn't want to accept this fate and had foolishly lied to himself in his fear of the inevitable. How could he feel such a potent need for an evil being who had caused so much death and destruction?

Throwing dust and gravel through the air, he skidded the Fenrir to a halt, turning off the engine, it's rumbling sound being replaced with the eerie silence of the dead planet. He shivered slightly, looking off into the dark distance, wondering how much longer he could resist temptation. He had to stay as far away from the man as he could, which meant that he would have to run and keep running. The decision came to him so easily, but how far he could get before Sephiroth caught up to him, he didn't know. It was foolish to think he wouldn't eventually be captured again, but he had to try.

Cloud climbed off the bike and out of habit he checked the compartments in the Fenrir to see if his supplies were intact, honesty expecting them to be gone, but was surprised to see he had more than enough to get him through until he could find anything else he might need. In fact, it looked like there was a whole lot more than he remembered. He thought back to what Sephiroth had said, thought back to what he saw in that gaze as he held him fast. There had been playfulness and a hint of twisted excitement in those powerful green eyes.

"That son of a bitch. He wants me to run," he said softly in astonishment. He'd gone as far as packing extra supplies in his bike. 'Why would he want me to run?' he thought, climbing back on the Fenrir, looking toward the bleak horizon with doubt. "Because, it's another twisted game he wants to play," he answered his own questioning mind after contemplating for a brief moment. He gunned the engine, looking back in the direction he had left behind, half expecting to see Sephiroth giving chase, but only saw shadowed, desolate land. 'If it's a chase he wants, then that's what he'll get.' Cloud took off with a look of determination, fixed on making Sephiroth work hard to find him. Cloud smiled for the first time since waking up to the lifeless planet, not even aware that he was doing it.

~*~*~*~*~*

This was going to be interesting to say the least, seeing how far Cloud could get before he pulled the defiant blonde back into his grasp. He didn't know why he bothered playing this little game. Toying with Cloud was indeed stimulating, but it was becoming increasingly tiresome as well. He knew Cloud desired the same as he, but he was stubbornly fighting instead of just surrendering to the pull. It only made Sephiroth want him all the more, and soon these soft caresses and stolen kisses were not going to satisfy him any longer. After this hunt was over, the games would end, even if it meant he had to take him by force. Promise be damned.

Sephiroth thought a few hours head start for Cloud would suffice before he started the hunt. He could sense Cloud effortlessly, honing in on what he was feeling at any time he chose. Right now he was feeling confident and eager for the chase. That confidence would shatter once the hunter was on his trail, putting the pressure on him to flee faster. Oh, how he would savor his prey when he cornered him, blocking all means of escape. He chuckled at the thought, his body quaking with a desire so strong it was almost unbearable. It was strange how Cloud invoked this deep hunger within him, but he'd always had an acute attraction to the blonde and a lasting, if not unusual respect as well. The only kind that two enemies could possibly share.

Walking leisurely through the mansion, he thought of his plans to find another planet to conquer and destroy. This one was only the beginning of his destiny, and many more would follow. Sephiroth knew Cloud would be resistant, maybe he would even try to battle him again, attempt to be the hero that he had failed to be for his own world. Cloud's resolve and determination was one of the qualities that attracted Sephiroth to him, but in the end it would be a futile endeavor. No one could stop him now, he was much too powerful, and he would carry on his mothers legacy unchallenged.

He wandered into Cloud's bedroom, smiling as he recalled how Cloud squirmed in his grasp not so long ago, fighting with every fiber of his being to resist the lust that had been consuming him. He sat on the bed and lay back, chuckling softly with sadistic amusement. He had taken away Cloud's nightmares on a whim soon after their short physical encounter, but they had soon been replaced with dreams of him, Cloud's own buried hungers and longing making themselves known to him in his subconscious. Sephiroth watched him deep in the nights as he slept, like he had before when the nightmares had been haunting him. It was devilishly gratifying to see the man toss and turn, moaning his name in such a way that made his own body burn with an intense passion so strong that it made him shiver with anticipation.

'Perhaps I should forewarn my fleeing prey, let him know that he will soon be pursued relentlessly,' he thought, making himself more comfortable on the bed. He closed his eyes, smiling softly as he concentrated his thoughts, reaching out for his escaped captive. Effortlessly he sought him, feeling exhilarated with the connection to Cloud's mind. His smile widened with evil intent and he sent Cloud a message.

~*~*~*~*~*

Cloud....

"What the fuck?!" Cloud shouted, nearly wrecking the Fenrir when he felt the invasion within his mind. The cold chuckle that followed made him shudder, but he managed to force it away and he answered the call of the hunter.

What do you want?

Must you ask that again?....Are you being a naughty boy, Cloud? Didn't I tell you not to run?

You know damn well this is what you want!

Indeed.....I couldn't resist the game.

Twisted bastard!

Tell me, Cloud. Do you want to be captured again?

I.........No..

Hmmm, hesitation. That is interesting.

Shut up! Get out of my head!

Sephiroth's deep laugh made him clench his jaw, but he didn't respond to it, focusing on the road ahead with narrowed eyes and trying to wish his tormentor away. The laugh abruptly stopped and silence followed, but he could still sense the presence lurking. The quiet stretched, making him more than a little nervous.

"What are you up to?" he muttered to himself. He gasped, and his hands gripped the handlebars tighter when he suddenly felt a tingling sensation making it's way down his body.

What are you doing?!

Wait and see.....I think you'll enjoy this.

"Shit," Cloud growled, swerving the Fenrir to a stop when he felt the same sensation in his groin. Jumping off the bike in haste, he got on his knees and grabbed his head, squeezing his eyes closed.

Sephiroth, stop!

I don't think I will.

Even the distance between them couldn't stop Sephiroth from manipulating him to his will. It was like invisible hands were caressing and stroking his entire body, and he took a shaky breath before trying to shove the intruder out of his mind. Sephiroth was having none of it and his hold only became stronger and more determined. His seductive voice wasn't helping matters either, and the extra attention that was being paid to his quickly hardening erection.

How does it feel?

"St....stop. God damn you!" he shouted at the invisible force.

Do you really want me to stop?

He could actually sense the man smiling and the sensation only got more pronounced and determined. The bastard could actually be there it felt so incredibly real. 'What is the point of running when Sephiroth can still have his way?'

.....Hmmm, you're right. What is the point?

Sephiroth.....Not like this...Just stop.

The pleasure left him, and he felt both relieved and at the same time a little disappointed. The latter making his stomach twist with sick guilt.

We wouldn't want to make a mess in your pants, now would we? his voice teased playfully within his mind.

"Bastard!" Cloud shot, gasping for breath as he stood back up on shaky legs.

You are right, Cloud. It will be more rewarding in person.

What makes you think I'll give in? That is, if you even catch me.

Don't be so foolish to think you can stay out of my grasp. Enjoy your freedom while you can, Cloud. Because when this hunt is over, the games end! One way or the other.

.......We'll see.

That damn chuckle brushed his mind again before he felt Sephiroth retreat. He allowed himself a sigh of relief and numbly straddled the Fenrir. He knew he should get moving, but he was still shaking from the bizarre experience. His body hadn't lost it's arousal either, and he cursed himself for being so weak again.

He started the bike, looking off into the distance, having less hope than he had before. Sephiroth wouldn't even let him have that much, but he wasn't about to give up. He took off with a roar of the engine, knowing that the chase had officially begun.

~*~*~*~*~*

After a few hours of travel, Cloud knew he was going to have to stop soon for fuel for the Fenrir and a bite to eat. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he really thought about it. He hadn't eaten breakfast, too interested in what Sephiroth had been so secretive about. He would have to siphon fuel from other vehicles, but that wouldn't be a problem. The problem was finding one and he searched for the closest town.

It wasn't much further before he found a small town to stop at, and luckily there were vehicles. He decided to fuel up first in case he had to leave in a hurry. After a lengthy search he found the supplies he needed for the job and went about the task. He glanced around at the empty town as he filled up a gas can, feeling a stab of sadness at the sight, knowing that just weeks ago this town was probably full of people. People that hadn't deserved the fate that they had gotten. For those poor souls, death did not bring peace because Sephiroth destroyed the life stream as well after he snuffed the life from the population. Yet he had been spared, only to be the monsters plaything. He would have preferred death and the unknown to this existence.

Taking the full can to the Fenrir, he continued to scan the area nervously. He felt a shiver run down his spine, sensing that he was being watched. He muttered a soft curse and fueled up the bike, trying to ignore his uneasiness. 'He couldn't have possibly caught up with me already,' he assured himself, but with little success. He just couldn't shake the feeling, no matter how hard he tried.

The Fenrir fueled, he contemplated leaving before he ate, but changed his mind. Damn if was going to let fear of capture keep him from doing what he wanted. He sat by his bike, eating dried meat, wondering if he should enter some of the houses in the area for something more substantial. 'It's not like anybody else needs it anymore,' he thought dryly, and then automatically felt bad for thinking something so morbid and uncaring. That decided him. He would wait until he got to the next town to search through houses.

He took a drink of water and put the last piece of meat in his mouth with an unsatisfied sigh. He was about to stand up when that feeling came over him again. He stayed still, listening to the silence closely. The slightest rustle behind him made him jump up with graceful speed, and his sword was out as he spun to meet his predator.

"SQUAAAAAAAWWK!" The chocobo jumped back a few feet, frightened at the sudden movement Cloud had made.

"Shit," he muttered breathlessly, looking at the animal with wonder as it bounced, crying in fear. He sheathed his sword, putting his hands up trying to calm the poor animal, talking in a soothing tone of voice until it started to settle down.

"Here boy," he said softly and clucked, putting his hand out. The chocobo tilted its head slightly as if in thought, deciding if this person was safe to approach. Deciding he was, the animal stepped forward slowly and leaned its head down to be petted. Cloud ran his hands through the soft feathers and the beautiful creature made a soft tweeting sound of contentment.

The planet wasn't as dead as it appeared to be. He doubted that he would find any humans alive, but Sephiroth must have decided the creatures of the planet were of no consequence. He petted the chocobo a little longer, feeling a little less lonely, for a few minutes anyway. He didn't want to linger though, not sure how far behind Sephiroth was.

"Sorry, I don't have any greens for you, boy," he said with one last scratch to its head. "Go on now," he urged, slapping it lightly on the back to get it moving.

"Squaaaawk." The chocobo ran off to who knew where, and Cloud climbed back on Fenrir smiling softly after the feathered creature. He watched until it was out of sight and his smile faded. He looked up at the dark sky and saw it was getting darker. 'Must be getting close to late afternoon.' Looking one last time in the direction the chocobo had went, he started the engine, wondering how much longer his luck was going to last. He left the town without another backward glance.