This chapter is dedicated to our 1100th reviewer:
naru-chan 92

Family
Disclaimer: We do not own any characters of Final Fantasy. They are the property of Square Enix and Sony. We do not make any money from the writing of this story
Pairing: Sephiroth/Cloud
WARNING: This is about male pregnancy (possibly) and male/male relationships. We are letting you know now what the relationships WILL contain. So, if you are AGAINST such pairings, please find something else more to your liking, you have been WARNED.

Flames will be ignored.

Special thanks to: sakurablossomhime, bookworm4ever81, Nomnom2, GrimCharmer, LazyLamia, makoslits, wolfawaken, Yumi-nachan, AlienBlondie, ladynikkie, Zetran, Queen of Light 17, and to those who have read and didn't review thanks for reading thus far. We hope you enjoyed it.

Notes: I know it's been a long time since our last posting and I apologize, but unfortunately, I lost my flash drive that contained all current and future chapters to this fic and some of my others. Then real life kicked in.

I had an uncle pass away last December after many months of being in and out of the hospital from his ongoing battle with cancer. I, myself, have been ill with sinus infections and almost having pneumonia. And just recently, I got a nasty case of strep throat, with a sinus infection that moved into my chest, on top of an ear infection. I fell into a funk and lost my drive to write.

However, during this time, I did manage to write the next chapter to Family. Then I started to focus on A Mate for Sesshoumaru. Then in my stupidity, I lost my flash drive somewhere in my room (blushes).

And would like to thank everyone for being patient. So, without any further delay, here is the next update.

ArchNemesis

Enjoy!

oOoOoOo

Chapter 45: Facing Your Fears

Another week had gone by, and Tseng decided it was time for him and Elena to part ways with AVALANCHE. Professor Gast had warned him about not straining or stressing himself as his body was still healing, but he had added that it was safe for him to return to work, if he did light duties only. So Tseng had spoken with Cid, requesting to be dropped-off at Healin Lodge, Rufus' last known location.

Watching from the decks of the Shera as it soared through the clear skies, Tseng and Elena glanced back at the cliff they'd been standing on. They had a long trip ahead of them, and they needed to reach their destination before night fall. Thankfully, Zack had been kind enough to gift them his jeep in order for them to get to the lodge quickly, explaining to Tseng that he wouldn't need the off-roader anymore because he was in the market for something with a little more room once Aeith gave birth. Tseng understood Zack's reasons, and was grateful for the assistance.

Upon arriving at Healin Lodge some several hours later, they were alarmed to discover that all was quiet—too quiet. Looking at each other, Tseng and Elena exited the vehicle, and armed themselves.

Approaching the main door, they noticed that it was ajar. Peeking through the crack, Tseng saw a body on the floor, and his heart began pounding at the thought it was Rufus lying there hurt, or worse. He had to find out, and pushing the door wider, he entered and hastened over to the prone figure, realizing when he got there that it wasn't Rufus, but Reno, and next to the red head was his partner, Rude. Placing a shaky hand to Reno's throat, Tseng breathed a sigh of relief at finding a strong pulse.

Elena had come in after him, checking the perimeter while he'd checked the bodies, and she reported that there were no signs of forced entry, meaning that whoever did this to the men had barged their way through the front door. And knowing Reno and Rude wouldn't allow just anyone to simply walk in, Tseng became a little nervous, because whoever it was, they were obviously a fearful adversary if they were able to overpower those two.

"Watch them. They're starting to come around. I'm going to see if Rufus is here," Tseng ordered, before cautiously making his way through the two-story multi-room structure.

Heading straight to the master bedroom, Tseng found it to be very different from the last time he'd been there. Instead of a boudoir appearance, the room now took on the feel of an actual hospital room, set up with stands for IV lines and other monitoring devices. The empty bed had been slept in, but was left unmade, but that didn't worry Tseng too much because he knew his lover wasn't the neatest person in the world, rarely keeping his penthouse in order and clutter free.

Backing out of the bedroom, Tseng ventured to another room. Inside he found bullets and shell casings scattered around on a desk, a couple of batons lying about on the floor, and atop of the dresser he saw plastic explosive charges, wires, digital timers and other volatile paraphernalia. Knowing that Rude was constructing several bombs that would have a bit of kick, Tseng smiled and shook his head. He had obviously found where Rude and Reno were sleeping.

Exiting the room and closing the door behind him, Tseng inspected two more empty rooms but came across nothing more than dust and cobwebs, and a few boxes and chairs which were strewn about the once immaculate bedrooms. The bathrooms that he entered smelt stale, because the windows were firmly shut tight and didn't allow even the faintest wisp of wind to circulate and refresh the air. Tseng noticed that the towel racks were bare, and rust was forming around the chrome of the drains in the sinks and tubs, clearly indicating that they had not been used in a long time.

The very last room that Tseng searched surprised him. Inside, it was filled with toys, but not just any toys, they were toys from his own apartment—Tsume's toys. Tseng searched the room for his son, going to the closet first as that was where Tsume usually hid. But he found it empty. Frantically pushing the clothes aside, Tseng found the hidden lever that released a secret door, knowing it led to a bunker that had an emergency exit far beyond the meandering road below the lodge.

Fortunately for Tseng, he didn't have to go that far, because just inside the underground shelter was, "Tsume!"

"Mommy?" Big blue eyes blinked rapidly in the semi-darkness for a moment, and then Tsume ran in to Tseng's out stretched arms. "Oh, Mommy, Daddy said you died," Tsume mumbled into Tseng's chest, soaking his shirt with tears.

A bark sounded, and seconds later Tsume's pet Dalmatian ran forward and jumped excitedly at Tseng, wagging its tail excitedly in greeting.

Normally, Tseng was not sympathetic to emotional upheavals, and he would look on without a care, but since getting pregnant his hormones had become a mess, thus he found himself crying now openly alongside his son and not caring if anyone saw him. But the happy reunion had to be put on hold as, gathering his wits, Tseng asked softly, "Where's Daddy, Tsume? He didn't leave you here alone did he?"

He better not had, or I will give him the tongue lashing of his life, Tseng thought to himself.

"I-I don't know," the child sniffed sadly. "Uncle Rude came in and told me to hide when he heard all the noise up'tairs. Mommy, where's Auntie E'na? You gonna get Daddy back, right?" he asked, his tears still falling freely as he voiced his concern for his missing father.

"Shh, little man, dry your eyes. Aunt Elena is here with me. Right now she's making sure that Rude and Reno are alright, and don't worry about Daddy, I'll make sure he comes home," Tseng answered. "Now, get your stuff and we can go upstairs."

Quickly doing as he was told, Tsume grabbed his pre-packed backpack and also a smaller bag, which he used to carry his puppy.

Walking back up to the main floor where Rude and Reno were, Tseng found they were now conscious. Borrowing one of their phones, he called the other members of his staff, and twenty minutes later Shisune and Cissnei arrived with relieved faces.

"Tseng! Elena! Thank goodness you're alright," Cissnei said happily, giving her friend a hug.

As always, Shisune remained quiet, but the slight smile she wore was enough of an indicator that she was relieved to see her boss and friend alive and well.

"I need a favor from you," Tseng said to them.

Both female Turks looked at Tseng with curiosity. It was extremely unusual for him to ask for favors from anyone—yet here he was asking them.

Up until now, Tsume had been hiding behind his mother's towering frame, but now Tseng gestured for his child to stand in front of him.

The women's reactions were instantaneous.

"Oh, who's that, Tseng?" Shisune asked, gushing at Tsume.

"He's so cute!" Cissnei exclaimed, causing Tsume to blush.

Smiling proudly, Tseng answered, "This is my son, Tsume, and I need for you both to watch him until I return with Rufus."

oOoOoOo

Walking back to his room, Cloud thought about what Tseng had told him—that he was a male carrier too. Cloud really didn't know how to process that information. He did feel a deep sense of sadness for the Turk though, for having lost his unborn child.

He didn't know how Tseng was able to handle that loss and emotional pain, thinking that if it happened to him, he'd probably try to kill himself. But then again, Cloud didn't really know how he would deal with things if he was ever placed in that type of situation.

Stopping at his mother's room, he checked to see if he could retrieve his jewel, but much to his disappointment, Stephanie was sound asleep. His mother merely smiled and told him to come back for her a little before dinner.

Cloud wasn't happy leaving without his daughter, as he felt that she was growing up too quickly for his tastes. Even his private alone time with her was gone, because since his captivity his milk had dried up, and he was now unable to nurse his baby as he should, leaving him feeling like a complete failure at being a good parent.

Back in his own room, Cloud threw himself on the bed, sighing in defeat and trying not to cry over what could not be changed, but before he could spiral further into depression, his cell phone rang.

Finding it strange that someone would be calling him this way rather than seeking him out, he flipped the device open and glanced at the display, which read: Private Caller. "Hello? …What do you want? …No… Tell Rufus that I said no. I'm finished… What? … What does he think that I could possibly do? He should get Zack or Sephiroth to handle this, not me. I never completed my training… But… Are you sure, Reno? …How? …Dammit… What now? …Okay, thanks for letting me know."

Replaying the conversation several times in his head, and wondering what to do about it, Cloud reasoned that he couldn't bother his friend Zack because he had enough to worry about with Aeirth due to give birth in a month or two, And he really didn't want to bother his husband over what could potentially be nothing at all. So there was nothing for it but to go and do this on his own.

Slipping off the bed, Cloud stripped and redressed, donning a pair of black cargo pants and a clean sleeveless black shirt. And then, once he had equipped his sword belt and tied-up his black heavy combat boots, he was out the door.

oOoOoOo

Held captive within the skeletal frame of a towering structure, the wind ripped around Rufus, tugging at his hair and pulling at his clothing. The young executive had remained silent and tight lipped since being taken; knowing that he would be a dead man if his kidnapper knew he had what was being searched for.

Maybe being dead wouldn't be such a bad idea, Rufus lamented sadly, as he tortured himself with the knowledge that it was his order which had killed his lover and unborn child. To end his torment, all he had to do was inch forward just a little bit to the edge, and then plummet to his death. But the one thing that stopped Rufus from killing himself was his heir, the son that Tseng had gifted to him—the only remnant of his lover.

Not knowing what else could be done to keep his captor from discovering the truth; Rufus did what he was best at—stalling. "Say, Kadaj, I have a question for you," he said as calmly as he could.

"Well, I got an answer."

Smart ass, brat, Rufus thought, as he gritted his teeth and fought the urge to flip the kid off. "You said that you needed Jenova cells in order to be whole again. What do you mean by that?"

"Him. He's coming back… for me and my brothers."

"Sephiroth—The Nightmare?"

"So they say. I sense him. He's calling me. I can feel him reaching out to me, and I want him to find me." Pacing along the open edge of what was once a wall or a window, Kadaj looked out over the city of Midgar. "But I don't understand why Mother would want him more than me—it's unbearable."

To Rufus' ears, Kadaj sounded like a spoilt, rotten little terror, craving for some attention from his parents. "You poor thing," he cajoled, doing his best not to laugh.

"Mother traveled here a long time ago and nothing's changed! You'll all meet the same end! I will do whatever Mother asks."

"Do you honestly believe that we will just sit back and allow you to destroy this planet? We will stop you," Rufus said, fed-up of the conversation now.

"Oh, please, sir… Is that all you can do, talk?" Kadaj suddenly strode across to Rufus and said maliciously, "I killed him, you know, and the girl too. And I discovered something about your dark headed Turk before he died." Leaning down to Rufus' ear, Kadaj whispered, "He was pregnant."

Scoffing, Rufus didn't allow his face to show how much the comment had upset him. He couldn't let the boy know how much more his heart had just been ripped apart. So he kept a disinterested sneer on his face.

"Just as I thought, you don't care about your employees. You're not sorry at all," Kadaj taunted, standing back up and moving away again.

"Sorry? Why should I be sorry? I never had this much fun before," Rufus said coldly.

"Well, the fun ends today," Kadaj declared, raising his left arm.

Watching, Rufus was stunned when he saw the boy produce the one thing that should never be in his possession—a summoning Materia. Where in all of Gaia did he get that? Rufus mused in horror, as the skies opened up and a monster descended from the Heavens.

The answer, when his mind thought about it, was something that Rufus was not expecting, but it was the only logical answer: Hojo. He knew the scientist had been working on a Materia project in the lab, but he hadn't realized the man had gotten so far advanced in his trials. Somehow, Hojo had managed to biogenetically engineer this thing that was flying above, using Cloud and Sephiroth's DNA. Yes, the game was over, and Rufus was about to end it now once and for all.

Pushing himself from his wheelchair, Rufus threw off his covering and revealed to Kadaj the very object that he sought. And then without a word, he tossed it, and himself, over the side to oblivion.

oOoOoOo

Racing through the streets of Midgar, Cloud knew that he had to stop the youth—the one who had Jenova's essence, but he wasn't sure if he could do it alone. Then overhead, Cloud saw the glittering haul of the Shera, and heard a voice calling down to him.

"Cloud, I brought you Materia!" Yuffie exclaimed excitedly.

On board the craft, Barrett was shouting at the pilot. "Yo, Cid! Park this turkey!"

It wasn't a comment to which Cid took to kindly. "Shud'up! If you want off, then jump—get off my back."

Tifa hid a smile behind her hand as she watched Vincent step next to his lover, like a silent sentry letting Barrett know that his brusque command was not appreciated.

Sephiroth joined them on the bridge, watching the scene that was taking place below, realizing that this was something that his husband was going to have to do all on his own.

Zack, and a heavily pregnant Aerith, had followed close behind their friend with worry clearly on their faces. The dark haired man had a protective arm around her body, and he was alert for any danger that might present itself.

"Sephiroth, did you know about them?" Vincent asked his son, as he too looked downwards.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Sephiroth replied, a little confused by what his father was asking him.

"Did you know that Kadaj, and his brothers, are yours and Cloud's, sons?"

"What!" Sephiroth exclaimed loudly, his emerald green eyes widening from the information he'd just been given. "How can that be? Stephanie is the only child that Cloud and I have successfully conceived. Those hell spawn that you can see are not ours!" Sephiroth seethed, pointing down to where his husband was fighting. "How dare you make such a false claim?"

Vincent was taking aback by the venom in his only child's voice, and it hurt to be accused of lying. Why would he speak anything but the truth? What would he gain by being deceitful to Sephiroth? He opened his mouth to object, to pull Sephiroth up about questioning him, but Zack spoke first.

"No, Seph, Vincent's right," Zack interjected. "I saw it for myself. Remember when we were trying to escape from the Shin-Ra facility? I called that night, and told you what I saw in Hojo's hidden lab. So, if you don't believe me, or Vincent, then go ask Professor G… you know he's been nothing but honest with us ever since we found about Cloud being pregnant. And right now is not the time to be angry at your father for voicing the truth, because Cloud needs our support, not us bickering amongst ourselves!"

Sephiroth conceded that his friend was correct, as he always was. Zack knew best how to soothe his raging ire, and he had done so once again. Closing his eyes, Sephiroth hung his head in shame at having to be reprimanded for his childish behavior in front of those he considered allies, but it had simply been worry over the one he loved which had driven him to his outburst.

"We've been through so much already, and I just want it to be over," Sephiroth admitted ruefully.

"And it will be," Vincent said, going over to stand in front of his son and crossing his arms over his chest as if in contemplation, though really he was resisting the urge to hug his son to him. He knew Sephiroth would blanch at shown affection, especially in front of everyone there.

"We already know that Hojo is dead. Kadaj and his gang are remnants of what Hojo had planned for you and Cloud. Whatever the outcome of this battle, we will be able to live in peace and no longer have to look over our shoulders in fear of being hunted," Vincent proclaimed bravely, not knowing how those words would come back to bite him on the ass.

oOoOoOo

Heart pumping from the free-fall, Rufus' only thought was that he was not going to live to see Tsume grow up. He hoped that Rude and Reno would make sure that Cloud and Sephiroth raised his son.

However, his deadly descent and despondent thoughts were stopped abruptly by a safety net.

Once he was back on solid ground, Rufus turned to thank Reno and Rude, assuming it were they who had saved him. But he received the shock of his life because there, standing in front of him, was his lover.

Not bothering to acknowledge Elena, who was standing beside her boss, Rufus surged forward and claimed Tseng lips in a fiery passionate kiss that made Elena blush. Wrapping his arms around his taller lover, Rufus whispered in his ear, "I thought you were dead. Tseng, please don't ever leave me again. My heart would never be able to take it."

Tseng didn't promise Rufus anything, knowing that any given moment he could die because of his profession, but he did swear that he would stay by his side for as long as time permitted.

"Come on, let's go, your son is waiting for you," Tseng answered, leading the way towards the awaiting helicopter.

oOoOoOo

The motorcycle chase ended at the very last place Cloud expected. But he didn't have the luxury of time on his side to go looking about the ruins of the Shin-Ra military complex, a place that he had once called home. Nor did he realize what his husband and father-in-law had to escape from, because Cloud's whole focus was firmly fixed on the boy that he wanted to stop, who was now running in twists and turns amongst the rubble and broken masonry. Cloud didn't know why, but he felt compelled to try and sway the teen from doing something that would endanger not only himself, but the very planet.

For one heart beating moment, Cloud thought he had lost his quarry. Standing precariously on the side of a building, he peered out over the edge and saw Kadaj hanging on by one hand. The boy was slowly losing his grip, but he seemed reluctant to save himself by dropping the black box which his other hand was holding securely.

Looking up at his pursuer, Kadaj realized he nothing left to lose. Throwing the box up into the air, watching as Cloud instinctively sliced it open, Kadaj launched himself from his dangerous perch to dive after his prize… access to Jenova's cells.

"My reunion—that you're dying to see," he taunted, as he fell backwards towards the ground.

With vivid clarity, Cloud suddenly realized what the youth meant. Not sparing another second, he dove off the edge after Kadaj—wanting to stop him, but already knowing it was too late, watching helplessly as Kadaj pushed the remains of Jenova into his body. And as he gracefully landed on a broken piece of metal, and brought his weapon down, Cloud gasped as his blade was met with resistance.

"Good to see you… Cloud."

The spikey headed blonde's heart almost stopped. His nightmare had just become flesh and steel.

oOoOoOo

Everyone's mouth's had fallen open at the drama being played out below, and Cid muttered an extremely foul curse. All of them stared unbelievingly at what they were seeing… There with Cloud, standing on a crumbling tower, was another Sephiroth, with Masamune in his left hand about to strike.

"Seph, what the fuck gives?" Zack asked, clearly exasperated from the turn of events.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Sephiroth replied, "That's me, or what appears to be me, and he has my sword."

The former General tried to call upon his magnificent blade, but the summoning spell to retrieve it was… gone. However, he couldn't be worried with that because, at that very moment, his doppelganger began a barrage of attacks on Cloud, causing Sephiroth to grip the edge of the vessel in vexed frustration. He had to do something… now.

oOoOoOo

Not able to put up much resistance, Cloud fell to the ground with a grunt. Blood splattered underneath him, oozing from various wounds as he fought to catch his breath and retrieve some little energy.

"Get up you traitor!" Kadaj spat as his raised Masamune for the killing blow.

Glaring up at his attacker, Cloud felt time slow down, and the world around him vanished into darkness. Everything faded out of Cloud's vision. But he could hear a voice inside his head… the voice of his husband. "Seph?"

Cloud, I know that you can defeat him. It's not me, I would never hurt you.

Blinking away the tears of defeat, Cloud was back to facing off Kadaj. Pushing himself up, he startled the other boy by surrounding him with the six rotating blades from his trusty Buster sword, and once that was done Cloud launched his own attack against his aggressor.

Beaten back time and time again, Kadaj tried one last desperate attempt to kill Cloud. Swinging his katana in a high arc, he soon realized that he was too exhausted to make any damaging impact against Cloud, who was standing strongly on his feet, and who easily caught and dislodged the distending blade with his own.

Feeling cold steel enter his body, Kadaj dropped to the asphalt of the ruined section of Junon, and put up no resistance as Cloud gathered him carefully in his arms. Now, being in such close proximity to Cloud, Kadaj could suddenly feel their connection—the connection that he had been searching for. "You? Mo-ther?"

Knowing he was the victor, Cloud felt a sense of sadness for his beaten opponent, and unbidden tears sprang to his eyes as the boy called out to his mother, his tears mingling with the rain that had begun to drop in earnest.

Lifting a hand weakly, Kadaj caressed the beautiful face that looked down upon him in sorrow and, for the first time in his short life, he smiled as he saw the love and sadness that swirled within the depths of his mother's bright blue eyes. And as Kadaj's heart stilled, and his hand fell limply to the ground, Cloud began to cry even harder.

After a few minutes of grieving, Cloud gently placed the boy's head on the cold wet ground, setting the body down as if Kadaj were merely sleeping. Then, standing, Cloud looked upwards, to where he knew his family and friends were watching and waiting for him.

From up high above came the elated shouts from the bridge crew of the Shera, and everyone else cheered excitedly in recognition of Cloud being victorious. And the jubilant outpourings continued… until a single gunshot stopped them cold.

And Cloud slumped over.

Yazoo let the smoking gunblade drop to the floor as he struggled to remain upright, trying hard not to succumb to his injuries and the overload of Materia in his body, like Loz, who was already lying at his feet, unmoving.

oOo TBC oOo

A/N: Well, how was that?

ArchNemesis & Mitts

oOoOo Teaser for Chapter 46 oOoOo

"Well, Zack, I guess congratulations are in order," Sephiroth said to his friend.