Title: Harem of Quatre 5/?
Author: Phoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own any series seen here. I am poor. This fic is
for entertainment only.
Fandoms: Gundam Wing, Final Fantasy 7, Ranma 1/2, White Cross, Oh My
Goddess this part
Paring: Mentions Sephiroth & ZackXCloud and 4Xsephiroth
Rating: PG 13 this part
Archive: CkoS, WWOMB, GW Addiction if they want it, all others please ask
Warnings: Mentions NCS, kidnapping, evil people, and I wrote it. Can't
deal? Don't read.
Summary: A very large complication interrupts plans to rescue the "Brides."
Silence greeted Kuno's words. How could that be? How could anyone dare to chose such a partner? Sephiroth was a name that struck fear into everyone who sailed the seas. He was known as a pirate with no mercy for those who defied him and cruelty beyond imagination if someone betrayed him. Surely the Prince was not so insane as to pick this man?
"I have also heard a rumor," Kuno's voice quavered; the look on the silver haired man's face was terrifying.
"Spit it out," Barrett growled.
"I cannot confirm this, but it might be true." Taking a deep breath, he told them about the deal between Quatre and his sisters. Or at least what the palace staff was saying. Most would not talk about it for fear someone would tell Rashid. However, there were always a few who found the whole situation too juicy to pass up.
For the listeners, their horror grew with each passing moment. The word "soulbond" echoed in all ears. How could any be so cruel as to prevent a soulbonded pair from being together? And the deal the sisters struck! Such depravity stunned even Sephiroth.
"Let me see if I have this right," a voice from the back growled. Zack stepped forward. Partner of Sephiroth, he was feared as a man second only to his tall lover in viciousness. "Blondie isn't doing this because he wants to, he's doing it because of some sick arrangement with his sisters so he can keep his soulmate?"
The outrage in his voice was echoed in everyone's heart.
"Well this complicates thing," Barrett murmured.
"Why?" Ranma finally spoke up. "If we just run off with those already 'married' to him, it won't affect the deal."
"And what about me, boy?" Sephiroth didn't know what to do. He had come to reclaim his kidnapped lover. Only now he was faced with a terrible choice. Someone had picked him thinking there would be no way to bring the deadly man to Quatre in time. However, she had not counted on what Sephiroth already knew and learned. The silver haired pirate shared a soulbond with Zack and Cloud.
It wasn't something he had welcomed at first. Zack and he always knew what they were to each other; they grew up in the same small town and choose their life together. Falling into bed and discovering their souls were connected seemed perfectly natural, but finding a third came as a shock.
Cloud was a gentle man who disliked fighting yet could be very impressive if forced to display his skills. They found him while attacking a rich merchants ship. He was on board meeting his fiancée from an arranged marriage. The fighting had been fierce. Worse than any battle either man could remember. Eventually, all the defenders were cut down except a small group toward the bow of the ship.
Zack and Sephiroth went to face the brave fighters and found a single man holding back their small army of killers. His hair was blond, spiky in a way that defied gravity. Eyes glowing with fury dared them to try harming those under his protection. Sweat and blood soaked his skin and hair. He made for a defiant, determined figure.
The second they laid eyes on the tired youth, both knew he was a part of them. They couldn't let anything happen to him. Sephiroth offered to let the remaining people live, including Cloud's fiancée Tifa, if he agreed to go with them. He accepted the offer despite protests from the others. It hadn't been easy going in the weeks after though.
Unwilling to give in to a bond he did not want, Cloud refused every advance, every attempt at kindness; the pirates could still vividly remember how much agony it caused them all. They thought of forcing Cloud, yet neither wanted to face what that action might do to him. At last, the blond could fight no longer and surrendered himself to his lovers. The joining filled each man with such a feeling of homecoming none of them could understand why anyone fought a soulbond.
Knowing what a soulbond could do left Sephiroth with greater understanding of Quatre's sudden change in behavior. Usually the ruler was kind, gentle, and remarkably fair. That he would kidnap people and force them into marriage had shocked the entire world. However, the pirate could not find it in his heart to hate Quatre any longer. He would have murdered whole countries if it meant keeping his beloveds.
"What do you want to do?" Zack asked softly behind him.
"This complicates things immensely."
Everyone agreed with the statement. What could they do? If Sephiroth was not claimed by the Prince inside a month, he would lose his soulmate forever. No matter how monstrous the world might think the sailor, damning the ruler to the pain of losing part of his soul was not something Sephiroth was prepared to do. If for no other reason than the world would be drown in chaos if the blond went mad. How could he protect Zack and Cloud then?
"If I allow myself to be captured, I can reach Cloud." He told the assembled men. "You have to find out who where the other new brides are. If we can keep him from taking them, we will have a bargaining chip. Them for the unwilling ones already taken."
"Cold." Zechs said what they all thought.
"Yes," Zack challenged. "But we are here to save those we love. Others can save the new 'Brides'."
Silence filled the room as they considered. Zack was right. They had gathered to save their loved ones. Why should any of them risk life and limb for strangers?
"It is decided then?" Hiei's voice called for a vote.
"I will be captured and claimed. On the third night, use what Zechs has learned to come for us. I will be waiting." A small tremor worked its way into his voice. No one wanted to say anything. The man was going to allow himself to be taken by force so they could save those already imprisoned.
"You're a braver man than I," Ranma said quietly.
"I have something I would die for."
None of them could meet Sephiroth or Zack's eyes as they left. Their ship would be spotted off the coast and the tall pirate captured before his men made their escape. At least that was the plan. So many things could go wrong.
"Shit, I hate waiting," Yohji complained after the men were gone.
"Creator protect them," Skuld whispered in the back.
Then there was only silence as they tried not to think about what was going to happen to Sephiroth.
End Part Five
Phoenix
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