The Mating Habits of Mermen

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7.

For all of you that are keeping up with the rest of my writings I'd like to say that the chapter 8 was short because I wanted to wrap up that time line because another was about to start.

Chapter 5

It had been Sephiroth's extraordinary senses that had spared him from being tackled from behind. The movement had been just below his sensors but tangible enough for him to sweep to the side and to grab hold of an arm and twist behind the other's back and be pushed right up against a boulder.

"HEY?!!? What's the big idea Seph'?!"

Recognizing the voice the silver haired merman pulled back and looked at his attacker.

The 'attacker' turned around while he massaged the abused limb. Spiky black hair, violet eyes, and a dark purple, carrier finned tail and the unmistakable Zack Fair glowing smile revealed…well, Zack Fair.

Zack, the ever energetic and optimistic merman, seemed to take no insult to Sephiroth's rough handling and broke into an even brighter smile.

"What are you smiling at?" questioned Sephiroth.

"He likes it rough" a voice answered him from behind.

Sephiroth turned to see two mermen approaching them. One had a dark, blue tail, shoulder length black hair and dark blue eyes. The other had a long, red carrier finned tail, red hair, and grey-blue eyes. The latter broke out into a mischievous grin as he took in Zack's disheveled state.

Zack however broke into a blush.

"Stop teasing him Genesis." Reprimanded Angeal, but he was wearing an affectionate smile that ruined the serious tone that he had tried to take.

"I'm not teasing him." Said Genesis "I'm simply stating what we all know."

"Where have you've been Sephiroth" asked Angeal in an attempt to change the subject "It's been weeks since we've seen you."

Genesis nodded seeming just as curious but in truth he was trying to draw closer to Zack without him noticing.

"Yeah!" piped Zack as tried he tried to bat away Genesis's perverted hands "What have you've been up to that has you too occupied from seeing…US!" the last word came out as a yelp as Genesis came up from behind him and goosed him.

Sephiroth smiled at the common display that he was used to seeing from his battalion. Zack, Angeal, and Genesis were not only three of his warriors in one of the five legion forces that protected the capitol and he commanded, but they were also his long time friends. A sad look came to his face as he felt guilty for neglecting them all this time. But he just couldn't help it! He was absolutely infatuated with Vincent and feels constant happiness and calm when in his company. And that was a rarity especially after the treatment he had had when he had been younger and had been living under his step father's care.

"I'm sorry as well" he answered "But I have been preoccupied with what could be a dangerous situation."

They were immediately alarmed.

"Are you in danger Sephiroth?" questioned Angeal "Is there anything we can do or assist with?"

"Yeah. Don't cut us out if you need help," cut in Zack with Genesis busy hanging all over him but still exhibiting signs of concern for his friend.

"I do not wish to trouble you."

"Nonsense!" It was now Genesis's turn to argue "If there is a hazard to you or to the capitol it's our duty to protect."

Sephiroth smiled at his friends' persistence. He knew they were quite fond of him and if not a little bit more than protective.

After all they were the closest of friends. They had been through much together. And most importantly they were familiar with his childhood troubles that had been the fault of his step-father.

All three were quite powerful and quite capable of protecting themselves and each other. But still Sephiroth was hesitant about letting them into a situation were his own information and attempts to uncover the opponent's identity had been futile. And only knowing that his adversary had to be quite cunning and powerful to outmaneuver him was more than a little daunting.

Besides his possessiveness when it came to Vincent there were also other reasons to consider.

As if reading his mind Zack quickly spoke up seemingly voicing his thoughts.

"And don't even try to use Cloud as an excuse. He is more than safe with Rufus."

"Yes but still…" Sephiroth tried to argue.

"Cloud is a big boy now" Zack interrupted with a parent's proud tone, "he's nearly 15 cycles old. He no longer needs his parent's constant supervision."

"That's right Sephiroth" confirmed Genesis as he drew his friend to his side "Besides we can take care of ourselves."

Cloud was the only born from Genesis, Zack, and Angeal. The three mermen were bonded together in the only known three-way bond ever to exist among mermen.
When mermen find their intended and mate they become bounded in a life-long bond that is unbreakable: once bonded they become inseparable and seek no other mates or spouses.
But his friends were, as always, the exception to the rule. They were the only individuals to his knowledge to have a successful three-way bond. They loved each other equally. None shares more or less love or affection and they were dedicated to each other.
When Sephiroth asked Angeal as to how this had come to be Angeal answered him without reservation.
At first the first love to emerge and bond had been between Genesis and Angeal. Zack showed no adverse feeling but in fact expressed great joy for them and wished them a life of happiness together. But after a while things started to change between Angeal and Genesis, there was an emptiness between them that needed to be filled. Angeal, feeling that the gap was his fault, guiltily expressed to Genesis that the reason maybe his fault as he had been harboring secret affection towards Zack, their other long time friend. When Angeal had confessed he had feared the worst, but he was greatly surprised when Genesis leapt up and engulfed him in a tight hug with happiness written on his face.
It had turned out that Genesis too possessed feeling for the spike haired merman and was quite happy to hear that Angeal felt so as well. When it came to the question of what to do about those feelings it had been Genesis that suggested the three-way bond. But first they had to see if Zack not only could accept the bond but if he even possessed any feelings for them.
Their answer was what they had been hoping for. It seemed that Zack cared quite profoundly for them both and accepted the idea of the three-way.
The fact that both Zack and Genesis were carriers only served to bring more joy to their lives as they expressed their desire to have each other's children.

So far they were blessed with one, petite, blond beauty who took stole the hearts of everyone. And Genesis loved Cloud all the more because he was Zack's.

Sephiroth knew that the three desired more children to fill their lives, but they'd have to be patient.

Pregnancies were always timed and planned as pregnancy takes a heavy toll on mermen. If unplanned properly unexpected complications could arise risking the lives of both baby and carrier. Sephiroth remembered Zack's pregnancy quite well. Zack had spent the entire duration lying in his nest unable to move much without gasping in pain or losing all perception of balance. The latter usually would serve no danger or difference as they lived underwater. Usually. But lose of balance in mermen is always followed by lose of consciousness and awareness and developing severe migraines.

The entire experience had been quite brutal on Zack, but luckily he had friends and family who loved him very much and took care of him.
It still brought a smile to Sephiroth's face whenever he remembered how much Genesis and Angeal had cooed and pampered Zack throughout his exhausting experience. Those two had been at his beck and call at every word but they didn't seem to mind at all. They had liked taking care of their baby.
And the great joy that came that fateful day when Zack had gone into contractions. The air had been charged with worry and anxiousness. He remembered distinctly how he had tried to calm down an anxious Angeal and how the merman had kept swimming in circles outside Zack's chambers while Genesis was busy delivering the newborn.
Sephiroth also remembered the happiness that had come the moment that small child had been laid in Zack's arms and how he had hogged the small creature all to himself refusing to allow anyone else to hold him.

From the small child's looks it was evident that he took more after Zack than his fathers'. So to this day it was impossible to tell who had sired Cloud. Had it been Genesis or Angeal?

Genesis had once secretly confessed to Sephiroth that when he saw the little bundle tucked safely in Zack's arms he too desired to have one. Not only to sire one but to carry one.

But alas it was not to be.

It had turned out that Genesis's condition was far too fragile to risk pregnancy. When Zack and Angeal had seen the disappointment on his face when he became aware of this they had risked their lives by venturing to the mouth of the Abyss to get Phonaril.

The Abyss is a large crevice in the ocean bed, east of Sthryst Mehr that went miles underwater into the pitch black and hosted numerous protein-rich geysers. The Abyss was known to be the home of the most dangerous and foul creatures known to man. But it was also known to support a type of rare coral widely known to posses properties that could render its consumer fertile and remove all chances of miscarriage.
But the Abyss is a dangerous place venturing to its edge was considered lunacy. Diving into it was suicide.

What Angeal and Zack had attempted had bordered on death-wish.

Genesis, upon finding out, had chewed out their asses. At the time it had been a hilarious spectacle, but then it really had been a dangerous thing to attempt.


That had been 15 cycles ago.
Cloud is a beautiful, young merman that charmed and enchanted many. In fact when he turned 15 many began attempts at wooing and seducing the young merman only to be violently tossed out by his protective parents.

Now thinking about Cloud and his friends Sephiroth couldn't help but turn his thoughts to his precious one: Vincent. He imagined seducing the lovely merman and bonding with him. Had Sephiroth not possessed the control he did the other three mermen might have seen the tell-tale signs of him fawning especially when his thoughts turned to children.
Would Vincent have his children?
His imagination stirred and conjured an image of Vincent carrying his child. Sephiroth damn-near swooned.

"H-E-L-L-O?! Is anyone in there?"

So caught up in his thought Sephiroth had become unaware of Zack trying to talk to him.

"I'm sorry Zack." Sephiroth pulled himself away from his traitorous thoughts to pay attention to what was being said "What were you saying?"

Zack looked at his friend strangely trying to figure out Sephiroth's strange behavior.
Suddenly he hopped up "I KNOW! I got it now."

"Got what?" asked Angeal.

"I know why Sephiroth's been ditching us for the past few weeks." He said with a victorious smile.

"Oh?" Genesis seemed interested "Pray tell what has our Sephiroth so out of gear."

"He's seeing someone." Zack folded his arms triumphantly.

"Where in the world did you get that preposterous idea?" asked Sephiroth.

"Oh my?!" exclaimed Genesis "Who is this mysterious merman who has captured the great Sephiroth's attention?"

"There is no one." Sephiroth said without skipping a beat or divulging any hints to the lie.

"You know something?" said Genesis "I think Zack is onto something."

"And how do you figure that out Genesis?" asked Angeal.

"Well it fits doesn't it?" Genesis began counting off "His mind wandering off in the middle of a conversation, the far-away look in his eyes, neglecting his closest and dearest friends…"

"Who said you are my closest friends!" Replied Sephiroth sarcastically.

"And most importantly the fact that he is blushing."

It was true
Sephiroth had tried to will his face back to its normal pallor but it was too late Zack and Angeal had already seen the pretty, light blush adorning his lovely face and had cooed at it.

"FINE" Replied Sephiroth not looking at his friends "It's true. There is someone."

"REALLY?!" Zack drew closer "Who is it? Is it someone we know? Is he cute? Is he cuter than Genesis?"

"Hey!" Genesis riled up "No one is cuter than ME." And proceeded to glare at Zack who giggled and swam behind Sephiroth to use him as some sort of shield.

"No. It's not someone you know I met him only a few weeks ago."

"But you fell for him instantly, didn't you?" asked Angeal.

"Yes I did. How did you know?"

It was Zack that came forward with an answer.
"Because you, by nature, are a very anti-social person and can't stand to be in the company of others, except us of course, for any period of time. SO…this person must have knocked you over from the very first time for you to keep seeing him for so long."

Sephiroth looked at them as they nodded agreeing with Zack and he smiled.
"You know me too well my friends."

"Is that why you seemed so distracted tonight?" Genesis questioned.

Sephiroth nodded.
"There is also another matter." He said "It seems that Vincent's safety may be in jeopardy."

"So his name is Vincent." Said Zack smiling at how his friend said his mysterious crush's name, it was full of love and infatuation. "Have no worries Sephiroth whatever the danger is we'll help you."

Seeing their persistence Sephiroth nodded.
"Thank you." He then proceeded to recount to them about how he had first met the crimson-eyed merman making sure to include every minute detail he could recall about the mysterious stalker.

Together the four mermen began to ponder ways on how to apprehend the mysterious stalker or maybe to insure Vincent's security.

If only they had known that it was too late.

TBC