So now the two were on the bird, Cid guiding it while Vincent sat behind him. When they would occasionally hit a hard bump or such, he'd grab onto Cid with his claw. Of course, once the danger of falling passed, he'd let go. "Cid, I want to thank you again." Vincent said as they neared the cliffs of the waterfall.

"No prob, Vince." Cid got the chocobo to slow down a bit. "OK, hold on, this is gonna be a hard ride."

Vincent put his arms around the pilot, and looked up. //I will be there soon Lucrecia. Please be patient.// He often heard his love talk to him, and she understood all he said.

//*Be careful Vincent.*// a voice in the ex-Turk's head spoke to him.

//Lucrecia? What is wrong? Is there danger?//

//*Danger....and pain....be careful, my Vincent...*// Vincent shook his head as the connection ended.

Cid noticed. "What's up Vince? You OK back there?" He noticed the loosening arms around him tightened a bit.

"I'm fine. Lucrecia just said that I'm in danger, but she didn't say from what."

"Probably from falling. You started to let go a few minutes ago. OK, hang on, this is the worst part!" Cid got the chocobo to go faster on the almost straight part of the cliff. He felt Vincent grab a little tighter. They finally reached the top and began to plummet quickly.

Cid hoped the chocobo wouldn't trip, or else they would have a very hard landing. Vincent was pushed more onto Cid as gravity took hold. He suddenly realized that he was getting aroused, as his cock kept rubbing against Cid's butt.

Cid noticed it too, and tensed. "Vince?"

"Y-Yes?"

"That better fucking be your gun right now." The pilot's voice was very angry.

"I-I..." Vincent swallowed. He remembered how Cid had told him that, as a child, he was raped by an uncle. Right now, he could almost FEEL the pure anger coming off Cid in waves. "I was just thinking about Lucrecia and..."

"Whatever." Finally, they reached the bottom of the cliff, next to the lake that was connected to the sea. Cid got off the chocobo and walked to the water's edge. "I'll be here." Cid tried to contain his anger, but it was difficult. At least he hadn't reacted instinctively. Vincent would probably have a black eye now, if that had happened.

"All right Cid." Vincent tried not to be hurt by Cid's cold tone. //He has a right to be mad. It is my own fault for letting my body get out of hand. I shall apologize when we leave.// Vincent walked to the waterfall, and slipped behind it, to where the natural cave was.

No matter how many times he came, he was always struck by how beautiful it was. Before him was the altar of his Lucrecia, made of marble. "Lucrecia?" His love was nowhere to be seen.

//*Run...now...*// her voice spoke to him.

"Where are you Lucrecia?!" He yelled, looking around. //Run? From what?//

"Mr. Valentine." A familiar voice caused him to grab his gun and glare into the shadows. "Still as slow as ever, eh Turk?"

"Hojo." Vincent spat the name. "What are you doing in this place?!"

"Just looking for you." Hojo walked out of the shadows, holding a gun aimed at Vincent. "Put your weapon down, Mr. Valentine, or you'll never see Lucrecia again."

Vincent wondered how Hojo could prevent him from seeing Lucrecia, since she was part of both the physical realm, and the Lifestream. But he decided not to risk it. He carefully set his gun down. "What do you want with me?"

Hojo laughed, "Revenge, Mr. Valentine. You killed my clone that day, you and your companions. So now I'm here avenge him." He suddenly pulled the trigger, and Vincent felt something hit his leg. He looked down and saw it was a dart.

He tried to remove it, but his vision became blurry. "Wha?" was all he managed to say before he collapsed.

Calmly, Hojo walked over to the ex-Turk. "It seems that you are once again my prisoner. Only this time, I plan something....different..."

***

About two hours later, Cid was pacing back and forth. //Where the fuck is he? He usually only takes about an hour...// Cid stopped and put out his cigarette. //It's probably my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so pissed at him. He wasn't trying to do that...it was just a normal reaction.// Deciding to check on Vincent, Cid jogged to the cave and went in.

He gasped as he saw what was going on inside. Vincent was naked, tied on Lucrecia's altar. He was gagged and looked like he was crying. Hojo was standing next to him, using a scalpel to cut up his cock. "Vincent!" Cid yelled. He didn't have his spear, but he did have his fists. "What the fuck are ya doing to him, bastard?!"

Hojo looked up at Cid with an amused look. "Who are--oh, Cid. How have you been, boy?"

Cid shivered as Hojo called him "boy". He was only 10 years old when he first heard that. "Fuck you! Let Vincent go!"

"I do not think so. I am in the middle of something very important." Hojo turned back to what he was doing.

Vincent screamed into his gag as tears fell down his face. //Gods....make him stop...Cid...help me...!//

Biting his lip, Cid forced himself to run over to Hojo and throw him back. "Stay away from him!" He began to untie Vincent when a certain sound grabbed his attention.

Hojo scraped a dagger against the floor of the cave. "Remember this? I gave you a few scars with it when you were young. But then you had to cry out and your father found us." He took off his jacket quite calmly, still holding the dagger.

Cid's breath was now labored. Memories that were long since buried were relived. //He's going to do it again...oh gods...// Suddenly, his legs gave out and he fell on the floor. His brave spirit seemed to have dissipated in the time frame of a few seconds. He was terrified of Hojo now.

Vincent wondered what was going on, until he saw Hojo unzip his pants, and Cid's reaction. //Gods...was...HOJO his uncle?!// Parts of over a dozen conversations finally began to make sense. //No wonder he too wanted to kill that madman...gods Cid, that is why we were such friends. You understood what I was going through. You needed to be with someone who hated Hojo as much as you did.//

The pilot was now whimpering on the floor, backing away from Hojo as much as he dared. His mind was so full of fear, that he could only remember what happened that day. He knew that if he disobeyed, he would be hurt even more. He had to obey, no matter what.

"All right Cid, take off your clothes boy. I want to see what you look like after all these years." Hojo's voice droned on.

Hesitating only slightly, Cid stripped. He had forgotten that Vincent was there until he turned to set down his clothes. His blue eyes begged for help, as they shone with unshed tears.

Vincent felt his fear of Hojo slowly leave him. //That bastard abused Cid...how dare he?!// Anger began to grow, but it was slow.

Cid sniffed as he turned back to Hojo, now naked. He tried to cover up his manhood, but Hojo shook his head, so he kept his hands at his sides. He refused to look up.

"Very nice, Cid." Hojo came closer and walked around him. "I never thought you'd be the type of boy to work out." He traced Cid's six pack stomach. "And to think that you wear so many clothes. You should be proud of your looks, boy. I knew you'd turn out to be very handsome." He grabbed Cid's hair and kissed him brutally.

Fearing punishment, Cid didn't fight the professor. Hojo let him go and continued to examine him. The man's fingers poked and prodded Cid's body, from his smooth back, to his most private spots. //Please don't....please Uncle....please....// he silently pleaded.

Hojo grabbed Cid's cock, not being very gentle. But Cid knew better than to make any noise. "You've certainly grown in this aspect. But look, you can still the scars." He pointed to the marks on Cid's cock and his thighs. "I would like to ask you something, my boy, will you answer truthfully?"

"Yes....sir...." Cid refused to look up.

Vincent watched the scene unfold. His best friend, who refused to take any crap from anybody, was acting totally submissive to Hojo. He then noticed that the marks Hojo had been cutting into him were identical to the ones Cid had. //Is that a mark that he abused him? Was he going to do the same with me?//

"Tell me boy. Have you had any relations since me?"

"Once sir."

"Really?" Hojo smiled. "With whom?"

Cid swallowed hard. "A woman. She was one of my crew mates."

"Was it that brunette with the green eyes?" Cid nodded. "I remember her. A spunky piece of woman. She reminded me of an old flame, and I almost took her for myself. Perhaps now I will."

Cid suddenly growled, "Don't you fucking touch her!"

Hojo slapped Cid hard. He punched him in the stomach and watched him go down. "What have I told you about talking back to your betters?!" Hojo turned Cid onto his stomach. "Now I'll have to punish you."

"Please no sir!" Cid's voice cracked as he sobbed. "Uncle, no! Don't do this to me again!"

Grinning, Hojo saw his organ become larger. Memories of him entering Cid when he was just a small, innocent boy ignited his lust. "I will do as I please. You know you have no choice."

Cid's cries for mercy chilled Vincent's heart. //Cid....That damn bastard! I'll save you Cid!// A red aura formed around Vincent, as Chaos broke free. The demon was usually only angered when his master was hurt, but he felt his master's anger. Chaos formed and it ripped the ropes as if they were but string. Hojo was about to thrust into Cid when he saw the beast. Chaos roared, remembering its hatred of the professor.

Hojo screamed as the beast tore him apart. Cid felt blood land on him. It was warm. The only warmth he had ever felt from Hojo. Finally, the screaming ended and Cid looked up. Vincent was standing where Chaos had been, still naked. He kneeled next to Cid and gently helped him sit up. "Are you all right Cid?" His red eyes tried to see if he had any injuries from being shoved on the hard floor. Cid was shaking, still terrified of his ordeal. Vincent grabbed Cid's chin and looked into his eyes. "Answer me Cid!"

"Vincent...." the pilot grabbed onto Vincent and tightly held him. "He was gonna do it again! He, he--"

Vincent put his arms around the pilot, pulling him onto his chest. "He's dead Cid. He'll never hurt you again." Cid cried where he was, his salty tears covering Vincent's pale chest.

After a while, he finally calmed down, and looked up. "Thank you Vincent."

Vincent refrained from stroking Cid's hair. "You are entirely welcome Cid." He wanted to hug the pilot again, not to comfort, but to enjoy him. But he knew that if he tried, he would be rejected. //Understandably so. And even if he didn't, it would only be because he is too hurt. I can wait. Wait until he is healed.// Vincent helped Cid stand and got him to the altar. He felt a warm breeze fill the cave. "Lucrecia?"

"Yes Vincent, it's me." The figure of Lucrecia began to form out of a green mist. She smiled benevolently at Cid, who was hiding behind Vincent. "Do not fear me, Cid Highwind. I mean you no harm."

Vincent handed Cid's clothes to him and turned back to Lucrecia. "Was Hojo the danger you warned me of?"

"Yes Vincent. I could not say more, because his presence prevented me from being able to materialize. I am glad you and your friend are all right."

Cid finished dressing and said quietly. "I'll...I'll be outside for when you're ready to go Vincent." He walked out, leaving the two alone.

"Vincent, you must take care of him."

"Cid?"

Lucrecia nodded. "Yes. You and I, we were injured by the professor. But at least we were adults. He was hurt when he was just a boy. And he was a complete innocent." Lucrecia pointed outside. "Watch over him."

"Why are you so concerned?" Vincent began to put on his clothes.

Lucrecia walked over to him. "Because I know you love him." She saw his surprised look. "I know you are not abandoning me. If anything, you're honoring my memory. Because you know you can love again." She kissed his cheek, then turned. "May the gods smile upon you..."

She disappeared again, leaving Vincent alone. "They all ready are."

***

Outside, Cid washed his face in the water. He turned around and saw Vincent coming towards him. "Ready Vincent?"

"Yes Cid." Vincent watched as Cid got on the chocobo and pulled him up. The bird warked, then began to run back up the cliff. Vincent tried to get as back on the chocobo as possible, so his cock wouldn't give them any more trouble. But since they were going up, Cid slid back a bit.

Cid felt Vincent try to get further back. "Don't worry Vincent." His voice was soft and kind. "I understand." Vincent placed his arms around Cid, sighing. "Vincent? What are ya gonna do when I drop you off?"

"I don't know. Probably just stay around the mansion, as always." Vincent closed his eyes as they reached the cliff edge. The sun was extremely bright and hurt his sensitive eyes. Cid held the chocobo still.

"Vincent...could you stay with me?" Cid asked softly.

"If you wish." Vincent decided that he should make his move, to make sure Cid knew what he was getting into. He gently put his human hand on Cid's head and turned it. Before anything could be said, he pressed his lips against Cid's. The pilot was too surprised to do anything. But Vincent's gentle touch was too much. He gave in and opened his lips, allowing Vincent to get his tongue inside. The two kissed passionately, until they had to stop to breathe.

"Vincent..." Cid looked into the crimson red eyes.

Vincent hugged Cid closer. "I love you Cid. Do you love me?"

"Yes, I do. I never thought I'd let another man kiss me...but...." Cid turned forward, but he snuggled on Vincent's chest. "Let's go home, yeah?"

"Home...anywhere with you is home."