Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 6

Vincent sighed as he felt his body relax under the shower and closed his eyes. He ran his human hand through his hair and grimaced as he felt the oily and matted raven locks. How long had it been since he had washed? He shook his head when he realized it had been over a week. Despite covering himself from practically head to toe, the ex Turk was very aware of his state of cleanliness usually. Snatching a bottle of shampoo, he began to scrub at the long strands. It was several moments before he was content that all the blood, grime, and dust had been washed away.

As he rinsed off, Vincent realized that the two in the basement had also not been cleaned for who knows how long. Sighing in frustration, he realized, 'It wouldn't do for them to get sick by being caked in dirt, sweat, and...' A light blush crept up to his cheeks and he tried to ignore the memory their activities earlier. He glanced around the small bathroom, trying to come up with an idea as to how to get his 'guests' to a shower without having to worry about their escape or injury. He sighed when he realized that he did not have the time or means to alter the bathroom for captives. 'Guess it will have to come down to an intimidate and separate plan.'

Nanaki looked up as Vincent walked in, still in the same black and red but a little cleaner then he had been. His nose twitched, noting the calm though it seemed the man had something on his mind. "Is there something troubling you my friend?"

"They need a shower."

Nanaki gave a fanged smirk and nodded, "True enough. So how do you want to do it?"

"I will take care of it as long as you watch the other on the monitor."

"Ah, so you're going to separate them? Perhaps that is best, I don't know if they would get clean if they showered together."

Vincent allowed a small smirk before turning toward the stairs, "Loz first."

~

Yazoo stirred slightly at the familiar hiss of the door, but his eyes snapped open at another all-too familiar noise. The click of a gun being readied. Rolling off the edge of the bed, he quickly crouched on the balls of his feet, one hand on the floor and the other held out to the side for balance. Blue-green cat eyes glared from behind a veil of silver, he appeared ready to murder the one that had woken him. Scarlet and amber eyes stared back at him over the top of a gleaming gun. Yazoo wasn't sure but he thought he detected a faint amount of amusement in those depths. "Fast reflexes, good."

The Remnant nodded at the compliment before slowly standing, his body and expression still guarded. A dark eyebrow rose from the pale face watching him and he smirked at the realization that he was still naked. Secretly keeping his eyes on Vincent, he stretched, working out a few kinks in his muscles from the lack of activity for the past couple of days. He almost laughed as a light blush began to creep up on the gunman's cheeks. The dark haired man seemed to notice the hidden amusement and appeared displeased, as Death Penalty was raised a bit higher and the cold front Yazoo recognized was slammed up. 'Damn, guess I will have to wait a little longer to play with him.'

"Get on the cot Yazoo."

The Remnant shuddered as the deep voice vibrated through the room, the chill in the words making him check the steel walls for frost. 'Hmm, wonder what power that voice has when its driven by something other than distrust?' He quietly walked to his own bed and lay down, sighing as the steel bars slid over him. He looked to Loz for a moment, aware that his brother had been awake the entire time. He smirked when he saw the familiar look of relief in the larger man's eyes. Neither of them wanted to lose the other, particularly so soon after they had lost their youngest brother.

Vincent's attention was now focused on Loz, "Stand and gather both sets of garments. They're getting washed and so are you."

"Did you hear that little brother? Uncle Vincent says we smell bad!"

Both of the gunman's eyebrows raised at the name and Loz laughed. Even Yazoo couldn't hide a small snicker at the joke. Vincent just shook his head slightly and followed the fighter out of the room. Nanaki entered the cell afterwards, sitting just inside the entrance, "You know, for two of the strongest men in the world, the two of you sleep an awful lot. That is, while you're not busy aggravating my friend."

Yazoo simply relaxed his body and closed his eyes, finding the calm serenity that came to him easily. He had relied on that peace for many years while under the pain and torture of the labs and the ability had helped him in numerous occasions since they had escaped. It was what he fell to when he felt the rare desire to talk to anyone but his brother, it kept his emotions out of harms way. As he spoke, his voice was a calm monotone, "We sleep to conserve energy. It was bred into us at the labs that if they were done with us, we would sleep. I suppose it was a way of keeping us from causing trouble or thinking too much on our own. As for aggravating Vincent, it helps to pass the time."

Nanaki smirked, "I do suppose the two of you get bored in here. If you would like I will speak with Vincent about arranging some activities for you. However, be aware that if either of you tries to pull anything, this boredom will be nothing compared to if you provoke Vincent."

"Fair enough I suppose." Yazoo opened his eyes to look at the fire wolf. "Perhaps you can help me with something. Do you know why Vincent did not kill us? We have done so much, hurt so many. I do not think anyone else would have done as much as he has."

Nanaki settled himself on the floor, crossing his front paws. "I am sure that no one else has the understanding of what you boys have been through as much as Vincent or I. Even I was not under the tender mercies and nightmares of the 'good doctor' for nearly as long as him." He noted the look of curiosity in the young Remnant's face but shook his head, "That is not my story to tell though. You will have to ask him yourself. However, as far as why he took you in, I only know that Aeris asked for it. We owe that girl far too much to deny her such a request."

Yazoo mulled over the words, wondering just who this Aeris was, although the name sounded familiar to one the scientists had spoken of in the Midgar labs. Shifting to get a little more comfortable, he decided he would just wait until Vincent returned to ask any further questions.

~

Loz moaned in relief as the warm water washed away all the stress and grime of the last week. His eyes glanced toward the doorway, where a shadowed figure leaned against the wooden frame. "You just gonna stand there the entire time?"

Silence was the only reply he got. The Remnant simply grinned and shrugged his shoulders as he continued to wash.

Scarlet eyes never strayed from the man's face, watching how easily emotions were displayed on it. The brothers were as different as night and day, yet it seemed they complimented each other. While all three had been a deadly combination, Vincent was beginning to realize that these two were nowhere near as dangerous without the obsessive guidance and leadership Kadaj had possessed. A quiet laughter called his attention back to Loz. "Something funny?"

"Yeah, just thinking about the look on your face when I called you uncle, Vincent."

"Hmm." Vincent simply shook his head. "Anybody tell you that your emotions are too uncontrolled?"

A look of pain and sadness crossed the larger man's face, "Yeah. All the time at the labs...was why I was labeled a failure. Both me and Yazoo were."

"Why was he named a failure?"

Loz paused, casting an unsure toward the cloaked gunman for a moment, "I think brother should be the one to tell you."

"Fair enough." Vincent had to give the man credit, he was definitely loyal and respectful when it came to his younger brother. He looked over the fighter, noting that the man was made mostly for strength in hand to hand combat. In the fight against Cloud in the Forgotten City, he had seen the Remnant move with speed, but it was obviously from the Haste materia in the strange weapon he had worn. Loz's fighting was definitaly more the style of Tifa. Yazoo, however, seemed to follow a style similar to his own. Speed and accuracy, using the cutlass on the gun only if the enemy got too close. His eyelids closed and there was a flash of memory of those blue-green eyes staring at him with hunger and need when he had first walked in on them. 'HMMM, I WONDER,' Vincent closed his eyes and frowned, 'Shut up!'

'WHAT THOSE EYES WOULD LOOK LIKE...'

'Shut up!'

'WITH MY CLAWS RUNNING DOWN THAT PRETTY...'

"SHUT UP!!!" Loz jumped as Vincent shouted, looking at the man with curiousity and a touch of anger. He hadn't said a word since the gunman spoke last and wanted to know why he had yelled at him, "What the..."

Vincent just waved toward him impatiently, "It's nothing Loz. Are you finished?"

The silver haired man nodded and toweled off. The gunman held out a bit of black fabric to him, "Wear this while your other clothes are being washed."

Loz smirked as he put on the clothes, they were definitely something he would have picked out. The black cotton pants were loose and the tank top fitted with a low neckline, showing a portion of his chest. He preferred his leathers in battle but these were definitely fine while they were in the cell. He gave the gunman a taunting smirk, "How did you know my size hmm? You been checking Yazoo and me out?"

Vincent gave him a scalding look and raised an eyebrow, "Maybe I can just read your mind Loz."

The man looked at him in disbelief but as the gunman held his gaze, he fidgeted nervously. "Um, maybe I should get back to the cell."

Vincent smirked behind his collar.