Between Worlds

A Final Fantasy VII Fanfic

Summary: Sephiroth was supposed to marry into his social status. But when he falls for Cloud, a slave, what trials await them when Cloud's secret leads him to carry Sephiroth's child?

Chapter 1

"Move it slaves!" Cloud grunted when the chain that connected his wrists to the man in front of him was pulled, the skin already rubbed raw. The rain that pounded against his body didn't help, but Cloud was used to it by now. He had never been sold before, so he was stuck with this same routine.

For twelve years he experienced this pain, but his masters wanted him gone. If he wasn't sold today, they would kill him.

Or do worse.

The Don, the women merchant, always yearned to have Cloud as his personal slave.

Cloud was disgusted by the man, but that was his own opinion. The Don promised him endless food, parties, women, clothing and not rags, baths every day. And in turn all Cloud had to do was warm his bed.

Cloud would sooner slit his throat.

To give him more of a chance this time though, his masters started feeding him more. Due to the hard work Cloud had to do every day, he had muscle. It wasn't much, but it was building. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him.

"Stand!" Cloud walked up the stairs, their bodies protected from the rain from a measly umbrella. He stood beneath the umbrella with the rest of the men and boys, sighing softly in boredom. He remembered he used to fear this day, but now he just wanted it to be over with.

He would be a slave regardless of who he went with.

People started to enter, yelling out prices like enraged Nibel dragons. Cloud knew most of his life he had been characterized as an animal, but these people in front of him were the animals. For hours he just stood there. Billy, a boy he had become friends with was sold to a merchant, Stella, another friend, was sold to an elderly woman.

Cloud already knew, he wouldn't be sold.

He closed his eyes, deciding to sleep. He had learned to sleep standing up during these moments, sometimes sleeping through the entire thing. He was just about to slip into slumber when he heard heavy footsteps on the wooden stand.

No one was allowed up here besides the master.

Cloud still didn't open his eyes though, trying to go back to sleep. He furrowed his brow when he heard the footsteps stop in front of him. His chin was grabbed and his head was lifted. The fingers that gripped his chin were covered in leather, but they were warm. Cloud hadn't felt warmth like that before.

"Open your eyes."

Cloud did, not wanting to be punished because he didn't follow an order. He stopped breathing.

A man, no an angel stood in front of him. His silver hair fell over his black coat, his skin awfully pale. He was handsome either way, his cat like slitted pupils thinning just slightly. His nose was big but not grotesquely. His lips were pulled down into a frown, the slight pinkness of them amplified from the cold.

Cloud looked back to his eyes, breathing calmly as he awaited whatever he had to say.

Too thin was the norm.

"Open your mouth." Cloud almost raised an eyebrow but didn't, opening his mouth as he was commanded. Cloud, unlike the others, had perfect, white straight teeth. He took good care of them despite what others told him.

His chin was released, Cloud looking back down to the ground. The man felt over his arms, squeezing the muscle there. He touched Cloud's waist, for once Cloud's ribs not sticking out too much.

The man lifted Cloud's rag gown to see his legs, touching his ankle. He squeezed, Cloud guessing he was looking for any injuries. He had no injuries from what he knew of. The slaves he was surrounded by never fought.

The man stood again, touching Cloud's back. Cloud had to stop himself from screaming, the marks from his last whipping still fresh.

"We had to whip him last night. Young boy disrespected the Don." Cloud shook when the man removed his hand from his back, trying not to crumble from the pain. The man looked to the blood on his hand, looking to Cloud's master who had come to the man's side.

"What is the Don's bid on him?" The man asked, Cloud noticing his masters surprised expression.

The man never looked away from Cloud's master, waiting patiently.

"T-Three thousand gil."

The man hummed softly, taking out a small pouch. He handed it to Cloud's master, Cloud panting softly as he waited for the pain to pass.

His master opened the pouch, taking out a shiny ruby. He poured the contents into his hand, Cloud surprised to see it was filled with ten rubies.

"I'm sure that would be enough," the man said, Cloud's master nodding once.

This was the first day Cloud felt his wrists not held down by chains. He rubbed his sore wrists, keeping his gaze down on the floor. He looked up when his master told him to, his chin grabbed. A collar was put around his neck, a rope tied around his wrists. Cloud grunted when he was pulled by the man, led off the stand.

They maneuvered through the crowd, Cloud led to a carriage.

"Sephiroth, I believe you have my merchandise." Cloud froze, but the man didn't. Cloud was pulled forward harshly, the butler opening the door. Cloud was pushed into the carriage, the man getting in himself.

The Don walked more quickly, the butler closing the door.

"Sephiroth!" The Don yelled, close to the carriage door. With a whip the horses started to pull the carriage away, Cloud relaxing when the Don was left in the dust.

Cloud kept his eyes on the floor, closing them for just a second in relief.

"Take off your gown."

Or not.

Cloud lifted off his seat, pulling the gown up. He winced when it stuck to his wounds from dried blood, the cloth around his hips his only protection. The man moved to sit in the seat next to him, Cloud wondering if his first time would be him cold and starving in a carriage.

He shivered when warm hands touched his shoulders, Cloud turning as the man lightly pulled on him in a silent order for him to do so.

The man grabbed a cup from the side of the carriage, Cloud closing his eyes. He grit his teeth with a growl when the man poured wine over his wounds. Cloud panted lightly through his nose, the man getting a towel.

Cloud grabbed the seat as the man cleaned his wounds, his entire body shaking from the pain.

When the man was done, Cloud put back on his gown slowly. He was in less pain now, but even so it still hurt. The man returned to his seat, Cloud looking down to the floor.

"Thank you."

Cloud had whispered it so low, he doubted the man had heard him. Cloud didn't look up and see if he heard him, but he felt the man at least deserved some gratitude.

"What is your name?" Cloud wasn't sure if he should say. His name always got him teased, and Cloud knew from experience that all men were the same.

"Cloud."

The man was silent for a long moment, Cloud closing his eyes as he figured he might as well sleep till they arrived to the man's property.

"My name is Sephiroth, you will address me as Master Sephiroth." Cloud nodded before answering verbally with a yes. He took in a sharp breath when his chin was grabbed, his gaze lifted. Master Sephiroth was frowning, Cloud wondering if he had already messed up.

"Look at me when you address me. Say it again." Cloud was surprised. As a slave he was never supposed to look up. It made people with power feel even more powerful. Cloud swallowed thickly, his mouth dry.

"Yes... Master Sephiroth."

Sephiroth grunted softly, letting go of Cloud's chin. Cloud looked back down to the floor, his stomach growling against his will. Cloud hoped Sephiroth didn't hear it, the last thing he wanted to seem like was a beggar.

"When was the last time you ate?" Cloud was about to respond, but he remembered at the last moment he had to look up. He looked up to Sephiroth, Cloud seeing his slitted pupils widen.

"Last night, Master Sephiroth." Sephiroth hummed softly, looking out the carriage window. Cloud looked back down, sighing softly in exhaustion.

He just wanted to sleep.

"How old are you?" Cloud was starting to think that Sephiroth was asking too many questions, but his opinion was put aside.

"Sixteen, Master Sephiroth."

"Has anyone touched you?"

Cloud couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that one, looking up to Sephiroth.

"No, Master Sephiroth."

Sephiroth hummed softly, Cloud looking back down to the floor. He had almost been touched before. His other master put him in a room with the Don. Instead of acting upon the Don's needs, Cloud refused him.

The Don had lost a finger when he didn't listen to Cloud's orders of no.

Everybody knew the man crawled with diseases.

Cloud looked up when the carriage stopped, Sephiroth getting out of the carriage without help from his butler. Cloud followed obediently, looking up to the large mansion in front of him.

It could easily fit an entire army in the first floor.

Cloud grunted when his rope was pulled, his eyes falling to the ground as he followed behind his master. Sephiroth didn't say anything as he led him into his home, Cloud trying not to look around as badly as he wanted to. He was led into a room behind the stairs, the room practically empty.

"Tifa."

Cloud looked up, seeing a woman with a generous bosom walk up to them. She appeared well fed, her clothing neatly ironed and clean. Cloud looked up when Sephiroth took off his collar, his hands freed.

"Wash, clothe, and feed him. Send him to my chambers when you finish." Tifa nodded, Sephiroth leaving and closing the door behind him. Tifa gave him a small smile of reassurance, but Cloud looked away, not in the mood to make friends.

"What's your name?" She asked, Cloud looking back to her.

"Cloud."

Tifa outstretched her hand, Cloud looking at it for a long second. He slowly reached a hand out, guessing he could at least trust her for now. He grabbed her hand, Tifa leading him to a separate room.

"How old are you Cloud?" Tifa asked, Cloud looking to her face.

"Sixteen. You?"

Tifa smiled wider, opening a door. Cloud, if he had been more surprised by things, would have gaped at the sight of the tub in this room.

He didn't know slaves were given things like this.

At least not slaves like him.

"I'm fifteen. Master Sephiroth took me in last year." Cloud nodded once, Tifa letting go of his hand. Cloud took off his gown as she filled the tub with water in buckets near the fireplace, Cloud putting a hand on his cloth.

"Will you be staying?" Cloud asked, Tifa turning to him with a smile.

"Yes. It would be best." Cloud sighed again, looking away from her for a second. Tifa waited for what he had to say, Cloud looking back to her.

"Okay. But I must warn you, I have a condition." Tifa's smile never left, but Cloud saw it falter.

"What is it?" She asked, curiosity and caution in her voice. Cloud knew she thought he had geostigma, the black plague. But what he had wasn't even close to that.

"I'm a hermaphrodite."

Tifa raised an eyebrow, Cloud able to see she was confused. Cloud smiled a little bit at that, slowly undoing his cloth.

"I am both male and female. But you can't tell until you look." Tifa smiled a little bit at that, more calmed than before.

"I have heard of people like that. Never meant a person like that before." Cloud took off his cloth, covering his manhood. He got into the tub, hissing when the warm water burned his freezing toes. He had never felt warm water before. Cloud sunk into it, letting out a breath of relief. Tifa washed him from head to toe, gentle with his genitals.

When she saw his whip marks, she cleaned them gently. Cloud breathed deeply as she did so, trying to ignore the pain. She made him drink a potion, and though Cloud nearly vomited, the wounds healed to mere scars and the marks on his wrists vanished.

Cloud had been afraid of someone seeing his body like this, but Tifa didn't say anything rude. She just cleaned him silently, Cloud closing his eyes in bliss. She washed his matted and dirty hair, Cloud wincing when she pulled too hard on a knot as she started to brush out his hair.

"Forgive me," Tifa whispered, moving the brush through Cloud's hair more gently. Cloud relaxed back, closing his eyes again. When she was done, his hair was a honey comb blonde blob on the top of his head.

"Dry yourself. I will go get your uniform." Cloud nodded, rising up out of the bath. He drained the dirty water, grabbing the towel Tifa left behind. He dried off his body before drying his hair, Tifa walking back into the room.

She stopped, looking at him with awe. Cloud covered his genitals, Tifa walking over to him. She touched his hair, Cloud breathing deeply in relaxation.

"Did your hair always spike up like that?" Tifa asked, Cloud nodding once.

"They usually kept it cut short. Less distraction." Tifa nodded in understanding, letting her hand fall back to her side. Cloud looked to the clothes on her other arm, Tifa handing them to him.

"Master Sephiroth prefers his maids and butlers to be in top shape. It shows he is responsible. It's supposed to attract other women of his status." Cloud almost snorted in amusement but didn't, Tifa helping him dress into the fine clothing.

Cloud looked at himself in the mirror on the wall, raising an eyebrow. His hair was a bright blonde, a color he hadn't seen since his younger years. The clothes were the uniform for a butler, and they fit him very well.

Cloud smiled, standing as tall as his short stature allowed. Tifa smiled herself, clearing her throat to get his attention. Cloud looked to her, Tifa pointing towards the door.

He was fed breakfast, the delicious meal leaving him as happy as he could be. Eggs, toast, and porridge easily filled his small stomach, Cloud standing up as a butler took his plates.

"I have to take you to Master Sephiroth's chambers now. A doctor will give you a quick check up." Cloud nodded, his smile falling. Tifa led him up the stairs to the East wing, knocking twice on a door at the end of the hall.

"Come in."

Tifa opened the door before bowing, Cloud walking into the room. Sephiroth stood next to the doctor, Sephiroth's eyes locking on Cloud once he entered. Cloud stopped a few feet away, looking down to the floor.

"I am Doctor Franz. Can you please look up?" Cloud did, Dr. Franz walking closer. He checked Cloud's eyes, mouth, and ears. He hummed softly, looking to Sephiroth.

"I find no symptoms of disease. I minor cold at most." Cloud looked back down to the floor, not sure what he should be doing.

This was his first time seeing a doctor.

"Can you please strip for me? Remove everything." Cloud didn't really find this embarrassing because to bathe in the slave house, he had to strip with many other men. Cloud stripped down without complaint, his eyes staying on the ground.

"Raise your head." Cloud did, the doctor searching for anything that might make him incapable of working. Cloud was rather relaxed, until he told him to spread his legs. Cloud looked to the doctor blankly, but inside he was frightened.

He slowly spread his legs, the doctor sighing as he put on a glove. He was searching for genital warts, but Cloud couldn't help but take in a sharp breath of shock when his fingers skimmed over his core.

The doctor seemed shocked, pressing his finger against the area. Cloud gasped in pain from the friction, Franz clearing his throat. He pulled his hand away, taking off his glove before looking to Sephiroth who seemed curious from Cloud's reactions.

"A hermaphrodite, sir."

Sephiroth looked to Cloud with interest, but Cloud just looked down to the floor.

"Have you had a menstrual yet?" Franz asked, Cloud shaking his head.

"No."

"Have you been sexually active?"

"No."

Dr. Franz smiled, checking Cloud's manhood and testicles. He also checked his ass, the act making Cloud feel sick. After he was allowed to put back on his clothing, Franz packing up his things.

"Your menstrual is bound to happen any day now. When it does, Sephiroth please do call me." Franz left with that, Cloud swallowing thickly as he put back on his pantaloons.

"Was your previous master aware of your condition?" Sephiroth asked, Cloud putting on his shirt.

"No, Master Sephiroth."

Cloud knew he would have been sold to a whore house if he spoke of it.

Cloud looked up to Sephiroth, his intrigued gaze making his thighs feel warm.

Cloud left on his order, Tifa showing him around.

Cloud couldn't lie to himself. He was already smitten with the man.

Ever since he first laid eyes on him.

Author's note: New story people.