Living in Darkness

Chapter 6
Hunt


Cloud saw no other chocobos that day or any other creatures, and it made him wonder if it had all been a figment of his imagination. Was it something Sephiroth had planted to give him some hope, only to tear it away? He knew the silver haired monster was cruel enough to do it, but had he? He didn't contemplate it for very long though, getting his mind on other things, like staying ahead of Sephiroth as long as he could. He pushed the Fenrir to high, neck breaking speeds, looking back once in a while to see if Sephiroth was on his heels. The hunter had been blessedly silent since he'd invaded his mind and body earlier that day. He didn't know if he should be relieved for it, or worried. For all he knew, Sephiroth could be aware of his location at this very moment and was just toying with him to amuse himself.

Cloud really had no conscious thought of doing it, but he found himself heading for Edge, entering the empty city with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. The further he got in the city, the harder the memories bombarded him. He didn't want to remember, but he had no choice. This was by far worse than everywhere else he had been so far. This city had been his home, and it had been so full of life, hundreds of people bustling through the streets everyday, none of them being aware that they would die so horribly. 'Why did I come back here?' He pulled to a stop in front of 7th Heaven and the answer came to him. He knew he would get no peace in coming here, but at least he could try and remember happier times.

He parked the Fenrir behind the building before climbing off the bike, walking slowly toward the door, pushing himself to do so. The door was unlocked and he stood just inside the entryway, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. He went straight for the bar and sat on a stool, looking at his reflection in the large mirror that covered the wall, the soft glow of his Mako eyes making him look away. 'I'm part of him, and I can't escape it.' He shivered, both from the chill in the air and the unsettling thought. It was enough to drive him mad if he let it, but he wouldn't allow himself to feel powerless. 'It's best not to dwell on the situation,' he thought to himself as he stood from his seat. 'There's nothing I can do about it, but try and fight, and I will.'

He trudged his way upstairs, wondering if the power was still working, but thought it better to leave any lights off. The last thing he wanted to do was give Sephiroth a beacon to his location if he happened along. It was bad enough that he could enter his mind when he chose. He went into his bedroom and his eyes instantly fell on the picture sitting on his desk. He picked it up with trembling hands, his heart twisting painfully with deep sadness. It was a picture that had been taken just months before the Geostigma had started to show itself, before Sephiroth had took the planet as his own. Tifa, Marlene and Denzel looked so happy and carefree, yet he didn't have so much as a hint of a smile on his face. He had been too busy wrestling with his guilt over Aeris' death, and only now did he realize how much it had hurt everyone else around him, especially Tifa.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, touching the picture lightly, and felt the tears stinging his eyes. He dropped the picture with a hitch of breath, pulling his sword out with a yell of fury. All his anger and sorrow flooded out of him as he brandished his weapon, breaking the desk apart with one powerful strike. He didn't stop there, tearing apart every piece of furniture that was in the room, tears freely running from his eyes.

"It's my fault!" he shouted with self loathing, breaking the mirror hanging on the wall with a quick swipe so he wouldn't have to see his tear streaked face. The walls were next as he swiped and stabbed at the plaster, leaving gaping holes behind. With a final angry cry, he plunged the sword into the floor and collapsed to his knees, breathing hard, not feeling any better for his effort, only worse and completely exhausted. Catching his breath, he looked over at the window and saw the sky was becoming darker, a sign that night was falling. With a deep sigh he got up on his feet, roughly pulling his sword from the wood floor and sheathing it. As tired as he was he needed to keep moving, at least long enough to get some distance from Edge. Sephiroth wasn't stupid and would probably expect him to be here. As if on cue he heard a nearing rumble of a motorcycle and fear trickled down his spine.

"No, no, no," he whispered urgently, making his way quickly downstairs and out the door.

Yes, yes, yes, Sephiroth chuckled within his mind. You were foolish to come here, Cloud. So very predictable of you.

Shut up! Cloud sped from 7th Heaven, knowing he would probably never see it again. He could still vaguely hear the other bike over the roar of his own, but couldn't tell which direction it was coming from. The only thing he could do was try to flee the city without being cornered. He just prayed he could do it.

Can you feel me clawing at your back?

Cloud briefly glanced over his shoulder, but saw nothing except dark buildings and the empty street. Where are you, Sephiroth?

Wouldn't you like to know? I think I'll surprise you.

I don't like surprises. Sephiroth chuckled smugly within his mind, the sound of it chilling him to the bone.I'm not giving up!

I don't want you to. I want you to fight me with everything you have before I make you my own. I need to earn my trophy before I take pleasure in it.

Cloud bit back a curse and concentrated on the task at hand. He wasn't going to allow himself to be baited again, no matter how much Sephiroth taunted him. He turned a corner that would take him toward freedom, but it would not be so. He gasped as he braked, tires squealing in protest against the pavement. In the middle of the road blocking his escape was the hunter, his silver hair blowing in the wind like a wraith.

Are you happy to see me, Cloud?

"Dammit," he muttered, and the chase began as he spun the Fenrir and headed back in the other direction at top speed. Sephiroth had no trouble keeping up, pulling up beside him with a twisted smile on his lips.

This is fun. Sephiroth continued in his mind. We should have done this long ago.

"Get out of my head!" Cloud shouted, drawing his sword, swinging the blade at his pursuer. His attack was blocked easily as Sephiroth drew Masamune with lightening speed. Cloud continued his furious blows, attempting to get past the other bike, but his maneuvers were blocked every time he tried, in fact Sephiroth seemed to be controlling what direction they were headed with barely any effort.

Any sins you want to confess, Cloud? Sephiroth laughed, kicking out at the Fenrir as he swung his weapon toward the front tire. The bike spun out of control as the tire blew and Cloud jumped off, landing gracefully on the ground with a growl of anger, weapon ready. The Fenrir crashed to a stop against the church where he had spent so many days and night wrestling with his inner demons, trying to relieve his guilt over the death of Aeris.

"Is this where you planned on trapping me all along?" Cloud asked mockingly as Sephiroth climbed off his motorcycle.

"I think you already know the answer to that," he answered softly with seduction, circling Cloud like a vulture, his eyes lidded heavy with lust. Keeping his sword up defensively, Cloud moved with him, ready for the attack that was sure to come. "I found your feathered friend. Would you like to see him again?" His smile was wicked and cruel as he pulled a cloth bag from under his long coat. He sliced it open with his blade and tossed it carelessly at Cloud's feet. The chocobo's head rolled out of the open top, its dead eyes staring up at him accusingly.

"You're sick," Cloud whispered, looking at him with narrowed eyes. "You just can't stand to let anything live."

"Only you, Cloud. Only you." Unable to control his anger any longer, Cloud struck out, his blade coming inches from Sephiroth's stomach. "That's it, let it all out," Sephiroth urged, blocking Cloud's quick, precise blows.

"You took everything from me!" Cloud yelled, wildly striking at the source of his misery, each of his blow deflected.

"The pain you're feeling is weighing heavily upon you. I can help, just stop fighting me."

"No!"

"Stubborn," Sephiroth sneered, going on the attack, his strikes fierce and deadly. "But, I expect no less from you." With a quick series of attacks, Sephiroth backed Cloud inside the church as he continued to block and strike with persistent determination. Catlike, Sephiroth jumped, landing on a pew behind Cloud, chuckling manically with delight. Cloud spun, shouting as he swung his weapon down, the massive blade only leaving splinter wood behind as it cleaved through the pew. A few feet away Sephiroth smiled, beckoning him with Masamune. "Let's end this, Cloud. It's time to go home."

"I don't have a home anymore," he answered, his voice empty, his eyes filled with pain. He ran headlong at Sephiroth with a bellow of rage, thrusting his sword with all the strength he could muster. The steel pierced the monsters body as Masamune ran through his own with deep, burning agony.

"Neither of us can die, Cloud," Sephiroth said softly, seeming to feel no pain from the steel embedded in his stomach. "Shall we continue this pointless battle, or will you accept the gift of life I've given you?" Masamune was ripped from his body, and he fell to his knees with a groan of pain. Sephiroth pulled Cloud's sword from his own body, making a slight sound of annoyance as he did, then offered the hilt to him with respect. Cloud felt his wound repairing itself as he numbly took the offered hilt, sheathing the sword without a word.

"Why me? Why did you have to pick me?" Cloud asked mournfully, looking up at the dark angel that smiled down at him.

"I've already told you that. Have you forgotten?" He got down on his knees to face him as he spoke, pressing himself close to the blonde, wrapping his arms around him. "You are worthy, Cloud. This is your true destiny."

"No," he said weakly, struggling in Sephiroth's arms.

"The sorrow and loneliness will break you if you don't let me in," he said sternly to the writhing man, tightening his hold. "Let me in," he whispered, brushing his lips against Cloud's cheek. His struggles slowly ceased, turning into shudders of desire and he turned his head, claiming Sephiroth's lips in a kiss of surrender.

"Take me home," Cloud murmured breathlessly with a low needy whimper.

"I will. Sleep now, Cloud," he said, his voice soothing as he brushed his hand over Cloud's face, putting the exhausted man into a deep, dreamless slumber.