The Caged Silver Canary [HBD BUNNY!]

Warnings: Dark, abuse, yaoi
Focus: Kuja, Kefka, Sephiroth, Zidane (Dissidia world)




The soft illumination of light barely made it through the grey clouds that smothered the sky, every now and then a streak would wave over the golden cage of the captured epicene beauty. The domed aviary cage stood large and tall in the open ruins of a maniac's castle tower, as if scattered fragments of the insane clown's memory had pieced together some rock and rubble to decorate the otherwise barren land, reflective patches of water covering over dark stone slabs to the very ends of the realm. It was a poor, bleak, dishevelled and destructive mind that this setting could be conjured by, the golden cage in the centre trapping the long silver haired and majestic purple swathed beauty the only thing of colour, magnificence and life.

The irony was not lost on Kuja, as he was forced to perch upon some upturned stone slabs and tiles, that he who once sung songs of and referred to princesses as his canaries, flying willing into his arms while actually capturing them, along with caging his brother and all his friends in his palace dungeons, was now the caged bird to another megalomaniac. One leg was drawn up with his arms wrapped around it, his feathered head buried against his knee as his other long leg rested down the slant of the large tile, his silver capped and pointed boot only some edges away from the watery ground. He truly despised this situation, finding it impossible to face as Kefka left him alone, powerless and helpless to do naught but be kept with the company of his own thoughts that grew less and less meaningful and pointless to him. How could this be? He, Kuja, the ambitious, sadistic narcissist that plotted and planned his triumphs of revenge, cunningly manipulating and taking power over peasants to rulers alike, forcing everyone and everything in his path into the power of his will. He missed his ownership over the Auction House in Treno, the superior feeling over the other nobles yet appreciating them for having finer tastes in life, surely he would be the epitome of all they envied and desired. If only they knew of his exquisite Desert Palace, all the riches and beauty poured into it, the purple and golden hues and intricacy in every marble pillar and smooth polished floor, stained glass with beautiful artworks and glowing candles over angelic statues, winding staircases and high ceilinged corridors. His ornate library, the dungeons, the study, living and bedrooms, he missed them all. Of all things he remembered his palace with the most fondness. Other memories plagued him, like the soft blue glowing lights of Terra, a hated and betrayed origin and upbringing, lonely until he realised he only had and needed himself. He remembered bits and pieces, how once he found the feeling of soft rain to be quite pleasant, as though the raindrops were blessing one of his many victories. He remembered being so driven for his revenge... to pay both Garland and Zidane back for insulting his existence... but did those memories even matter anymore? Did that world even matter? When it seemed he could never even return...

The raindrops here felt like a cold reminder against the bare parts of his skin, as they softly pattered and slid down the pale and flawless form that once constantly used be to flaunted with such pride, that victories and failures here were as constant and as many as the drops that slid off his skin into the water to a deep pool of vast pointlessness.

Kefka of course appeared after the rain had stopped, a cloud of black smoke on the outside of the cage, quickly hazing away to reveal the colourful and majestic lord jester like appearance of the white, red and purple faced clown who excitedly tiptoed closer to the cage and then suddenly threw out his arms. "Hello, my sweet precious little cupcake!"
Cupcake? Kuja twitched in great annoyance and disturbance, a few remaining droplets of water sliding off his silver armour before he raised his head, further droplets glistening down the threads of his long silver hair.
"Did you miss me?" The clown further inquired, keen emerald eyes feeding off the irritation within the deep blue of his cupcakes.
"Like the stars miss their comets smashing into them." Kuja eloquently replied with a lethargic yet ever graceful wave of his hand. "It truly depends on your visitation now, whether I have missed your company or truly prefer my own."
"Oh, my sweet pea, you flatter me! Tell me more about how you have spent your time thinking of me, especially the smashing part!"
"Oh, please. Have you truly locked me away here to hear me regale such simple themes to you?" Kuja gracefully slid down and rose to his feet, a light delicate splash, even without the aid of his powers the lithe elegance was his own. A hand flicked through his tresses, revealing more clearly the beauty of his androgynous features, possessing a beauty beyond both males and females. "Release me, Kefka. I was and still am possibly the only one willing to be your comrade, but I will not take orders or cues from you."
"All well and good, except the part about you being USELESS on the outside." Kefka emphasised this with both fingers pointing to Kuja that made the mages blood boil, who possibly would have instantly entered trance with his powers over being thrown that sensitive word in his existence. "Things were going so well until you LET THEM KILL YOU! What kind of bad guy mentality is that? Boo-hoo, I don't want to fight anymore, I'm even going to sacrifice myself to SAVE one of the annoying goody-two-shoes! So Hero, this is your just reward, my sweetheart."
Kuja's anger faded away as he slowly remembered bits and pieces. That's right, Emperor Mateus was going to kill Zidane and his comrades and then...
"So you're better off here until you regain your proper villain fighting spirit. Destroy everything, Kuja! Hey, it doesn't bother me if you want to even kill the other Chaos members and go up against all of them, I'll even have your pretty arrogant back, destruction is what makes life worth living! Somehow I know you have it in you and I so truly wish to see you shine so gloriously, I may even cream my pants!" Kefka's maniacal laughter shrilly rang out before suddenly he was levitating on his side, arm propping his head up casually as if he were resting on a feathered bed, his tone suddenly taking a darker turn. "Say, who is that little brat to you anyway?"
"Zidane? On another world he is my brother. Though he doesn't matter to me anymore. None of them do..." His distasteful thoughts of Garland, though even him he no longer felt so angry about. It was this place...
"What? That little monkey boy is your brother?" Kefka hopped back down onto his one white and one black pointed shoes, his pale fingers with sharp red polished nails encircling the golden bars of the Kuja cage. "Where's your tail then? I want to see."
"I have nothing I need prove to you, Kefka." Kuja spoke with disdain chilling off his feminine voice. "And what of your counterpart, hmm? That pretty girl, Tera. You have been quite the stalker of her and it seems to me your own inadequacy is what has brought you to caging me instead of the one you truly desire. You can't even capture a helpless little girl and so you resort to caging one who is already defeated with no wings to fly."
"Grrr... I would sing a different tune if I were you, Kujie-pooh." A darkness falling over Kefka's ominous features before suddenly brightening up, remembering things himself. "But what's this? The narcissist selling himself short? You need to take more pride,  my Kujie-coo. I have grown tired of that timid girly bird, she can fly fly away wherever she pleases with all those boring louts, teenagers and tincakes, you're the only one I'm interested in now, my pretty. And my interest runs deep..."
Kuja remained silent as he watched Kefka run a long nail along the edges of his oversized dark purple lipped smile. His arms folded across his chest as he took a sidelong stance, disturbed and intimidated by this clown.
"I am off limits."
"All the more thrilling." Kefka's grin deepened as the darkness suddenly engulfed him and he reappeared behind Kuja. One hand slid around Kuja's slender waist, snaking up into his armour to caress over a smooth chest, finding a tender nipple, while his other hand was devilishly sliding down between Kuja's belts and skirt from behind as Kuja tensed up with the horrid feeling of a thousand snakes crawling all over him.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" He cried, his claws poised in the air like a cat whose back has been licked by a slobbering dog. When he felt Kefka's hand finding his tail, he flashed such an angry white that desperately wanted to be red as he turned to slap the other most viciously across the face, his other hitting Kefka's hand away from him. But Kefka had already been anticipating such movements that he grabbed Kuja's wrist before the impact of those claws could strike, and his hand simply was hit to slide around still beneath the belt, holding Kuja's body pressed closer up against him with their painted lips but a breath away from each other. In truth Kefka was not unpleasant to behold appearance wise to Kuja, there was a handsome and pretty man behind the mask and Kuja could believe there was a method and reason behind Kefka's unfortunate madness. Unlike the other Chaos members had judged Kefka, Kuja could feel sorry enough for him to tolerate him and not so easily hate him. But for Kuja to be touched, handled and treated in such a way by anyone... Only made his skin crawl. Despite appearances, not an ounce of him was promiscuous, having only himself to value in life.

"Just go away!" He desperately demanded, trying to fend Kefka off of him, so wishing for the return of his powers to rain chaos and agony down upon the other.
"Don't be like that, my Kujie. Just let me see it. I promise I can be gentle and treat you with all the special care."
"I am not your doll, Kefka. I am no one's puppet!"
"Puppet, you say? Perhaps some strings are in order for you to realise the attachment." Kefka grinned more as his hand holding Kuja's slender wrist let go to conjure some red silk ribbon, orchestrating it to magically appear and wrap securely around. On Kuja's other wrist yellow ribbon was forming and soon the two would be strung together.
"No..." Kuja's eyes were wide as the red and yellow weaved together, forcing his hands tied together. "No..." He repeated as Kefka forced him around and shoved him forward onto the stone slab, though he managed to place one knee against the harsh coolness, his hands were being forced above his head with more decorating ribbons and colourful scarfs securing to and draping around the rock. "NO!" He cried once more as the reality was sinking in, Kefka's hands unclasping his belt and letting it fall to the watery ground, white drape and all.
"Oooh, it's so soft!" Kefka held Kuja's silver tail in his hands as he kneeled on top and leant against him and soon was rubbing his cheek against the soft cat like fur with a smile. Kuja desperately hoped that was all Kefka was interested in and would take this no further.
"You know some people, I won't say names, question whether you're a real woman or not." Kefka informed and Kuja's heart sunk.
"I'm a man, Kefka. Please stop handling me so. I can reward you after you let me go. You want me to fight, to mercilessly kill in this endless war, so be it. Return my powers and I will show you all the destruction you crave." Kuja even possibly believed himself, feeling about ready to destroy a whole planet. "Kefka?" Though Kefka was distracted, his gaze finally fallen to the milky flesh of Kuja's flawless, smooth, perfectly crafted cute little butt. "Kefka!!" Kefka couldn't hear right now, the biggest puppy eyes of having fallen in love.
"Please, Kefka, not like this..."

A part of Kuja had resigned himself to Kefka, no one had taken such an invested somewhat obsessive interest in him before, other than the ones trying to stop his plans. In this world Kuja was defeated by the futility of everyone's existence, there was no point nor choices to be made. He did not choose to serve Chaos, he was so sorted by the laws of this world, and by going against that, this was his punishment. He had no friends nor allies here, of course amongst the Chaos members were only creatures out for themselves with their own dark ambitions and desires. Kefka was the only one who inferred partnership of comrades, who clung to him as if he was of some true interest. Everyone else looked to him with mistrust, as they should, but worse, they looked down on him. The youngest member of this ensemble, why was that an excuse for them to provoke him and team up against him? He could imagine Emperor Mateus and Ultimecia helping to bind his powers on his rebirth and handing him mognet wrapped to the mercy of Kefka's whims. He despised them so much. Even in death, was there no way to escape this? Kuja felt like such a fool, for a small part of him had actually wanted to trust Kefka, to help him and be his ally, not just use him as he has so many others.

Perhaps in an earlier life time, Kuja would have exploded, but there was so little rage to hold on to, so little of himself left. Kefka continued to marvel the captive beauty beneath him, figuring out how to unfasten Kuja's chest armour by the centre clasp at his back. His bejewelled fingers then did a little twinkling victory dance before brushing the malleable armour to the sides, revealing the flawless pale back of the fallen Angel of Death, the elegant and gracefully captivating Capricious Reaper. The Mad Harlequin was completely smitten with his formidable and beautiful new doll.
"Yes, that's right, my precious. Your lovable royal jester will take such fine care of you, and can even give you a fancy crown to boot! That's right, you deserve it, to rule over all these other tiresome bigots. I think you might be the one who's more powerful than any of them, when in the right mood, and I want to see your joy ruling the side of Chaos, and then together we'll destroy everything!"
"Stop it, Kefka. You are on your own if you continue to defile me so."
"Oh, my sweet pea, do you really think I need your permission?" That darker tone purred around Kuja's ear as Kefka lay down closer over him. "You don't even remember how many times I have used you before..."
"Explain yourself, you disgusting excuse for a creature."
Kefka chuckled as he caressed silver strands, taking a bunch and letting it slip through his white and partially yellow gloved fingers. "All I have to do is wait for you to kill yourself again. Or perhaps you would like me to do it for you this time?” A cool hand now ran down the side of Kuja’s smooth perfectly shaped hourglass figure as Kuja somehow tried to arch away from the touch travelling lower to no avail. “Every death you lose more and more of your precious memories and i will give you delightful new ones until you're nothing but my obedient doll."
"You... bastard...!" Kuja's fists were clenched so tight as Kefka's laughter filled the air above him, disgusted by this creature tainting all over him. "I will remember. Even if I forget everything else, I will remember you and you being my new reason to exist. But never for the reasons you wish. I will destroy you, Kefka Palazzo, ripping you to pieces from the inside out with a cruelty not even you can ever fathom. The mercy which you will continuously beg for will never come!"
"Yes, that's right, release your anger!"
With a sudden burst of energy Kuja was able to shred the ribbons binding him to pieces, an aura growing around him, the spawning of some of his powers, but with this display Kefka panicked, and before Kuja could rise he was being electrocuted with the intensity of Kefka's cowardly fear. Kuja struggled with the pain as sparks clamoured all against him, trying to combat the other, but his powers fizzled quickly and he spent the last of his consciousness trying to burn the feeling of hatred and vengeance for Kefka upon his soul. He already knew how to pretend to act an acquiescent or arrogant servant, he would gain Kefka's confidence and betray him in the finest moment, and he would make sure that the side of Cosmos with his brother Zidane would win this war... Kuja screamed as the last of his life force was destroyed, the last sight he saw was darkness, filling up his vision and becoming completely one with it.
"Is that it? Whoops..." Kefka hadn't held back, forgetting Kuja hadn't truly the strength to fight, and he watched as Kuja's body faded away into shadows. But what's this? A little white light, as if a sweet fragrant mist also seemed to dissolve his angel of death... No, no, no, this won't do. Kuja had to be all darkness! "I'll make the finest soldier out of you yet, my destructive pretty."




The cycles passed and Kuja remained trapped and hidden away in Kefka's secret realm.

My name is Kuja. I serve Chaos... No wait, Kefka? Garland... Zidane... Who is Zidane? Someone I hate? Cloud...

Kuja had lost all memories of his life on Terra and Gaia and tried to piece together his scattered fragments of this world. Unknowing to Kefka, Kuja was actually dying. His creator Garland had put an early clock on Kuja's life span, and Kefka's killing and tortures of him was only hastening him towards that ultimate end.

"Wakey, wakey, rise and shine my Kujie-coo!" Kefka's feather decorated head tilted to the side when his caged bird didn't move. "Oh, don't be so boring! You should be leaping for joy, your hubby is here." Kefka skipped around the cage, a few bounding feather light strides before stopping once more. "Oh alright, if you're going to sulk that much, I'll let you out of the cage for some fresh air." A golden door suddenly appeared with lock, Kefka pulling a matching key from his colourful sleeve before swinging the gate wide open. "Look, you're free!"
Though still Kuja's form remained motionless upon the rock. Red, yellow and black and white polka dot scarfs still decorated the scene, reflective of Kefka's attire, hanging from the slanted golden roof and draped upon the rock and tiles in the centre. Some of the previous ribbons also hung about, the ends drowned in the water.
"Kuja...? I'm not in the mood for games..." Kefka walked the rest of his way to Kuja, the fear behind his cautious steps proving more and more unnecessary. His hand touched the other's exposed back, as Kuja lay semi on his side, his head buried in his folded arms with his legs drawn up a little. His hand hadn't been sliced off yet... "Kujie? You're just begging for me to ravish you..." Taking a hold of an armoured shoulder, he turned the other, emerald eyes flickering to see not an ounce of a stir as he now held Kuja in place by both shoulders. "Don't make me have to get physical..." Not an ounce of life, Kefka felt a pang of sorrow not being able to see his Kujie get all mad and flustered. Remorse, even? "Come on, you know you're my favourite... I even told you so, so don't be like this..." White fingers, with a rare gentility, brushed against Kuja's pale cheek, silver strands shifted to reveal more of that beautiful face. "Hey, I can be good, I can behave, we can go on all the tedious errands together again! You be the leader and I'll follow, hoohoo~ But you gotta wake up for it, I've always believed in you, kiddo..." Kuja had become the exception to Kefka's nihilism. The rest of the world could all burn, the flames illuminating their love high above the sea of corpses, holding hands together atop his highest tower as one by one all the stars and planets twinkling above faded out, Kuja and himself the last to go out the door for the exit of all existence.

From the shadows a new ominous form appeared, a deep purple light glowing in darkness before the solid visage formed of the tall, handsome, long silver haired and black leather clad Sephiroth. His mako green eyes took a slight sweep of the realm before settling upon the sight of Kefka, tormenting the bird in the cage, and appearing to have done so for a long time.

"What, where, who, how?" Kefka perked up, having heard that transporter shroud of darkness appearance in his secret plateau. His scouting hand raised over his eyes, squinting at the menacing appearance, long silver sword held in a black leather clad hand, glinting lamentations of violence and pain. "Ehhh, what IS it that you want?"
"Cloud told me that there was a Warrior of Chaos who had gone missing. An unusual request for my puppet to make of me, he and his companions apparently concerned for the wellbeing of a Chaos member." The silver blade swiped through the air, a mere flex of the strong arm that had the power to cut through buildings as his boots slowly stepped closer towards the cage.
"Oh bully, so you're doing favours for your little Cosmos friends? The puppet for your own puppet, wouldn't you say? Did you manage to regain all of your precious memories to realise what a sap you truly are?"
"Hmph." Sephiroth smirked lightly. "No, after I defeated Cloud, the memories I regained made me all the more happier to continue butchering his friends."
"And Soooooooo? What are you doing here? Go flap about on your killing spree with the rest of them."
"There has been an unnatural balance. It seems neither side can truly win, our enemies constantly revive and so do we before the end of any cycle, the scale is at a stale mate, and I believe I have finally found the cause. Your little experiment... is at an end. Traitor."
"T-traitor? Meee? Not since last Wednesday, honey. Besides, this one's the real traitor." Kefka lifted up a limp Kuja wrist and waved it. "I've merely been trying to help re-educate them on the righteous path of destruction!"
"Release the woman, or meet your death and despair."
I'm a man, somewhere Kuja's conscience weakly protested.
"Missing your mama too much? Trying to find a new one?"
"You're annoying." Sephiroth's eyes narrowed with such distaste while Kefka responded by turning his rear end to him, poking his tongue out, waving his fingers and giving taunting pats upon his own arse with a little wiggle. The giant masamune sliced through the air, severing the cage in half, the gold slowly sliding before falling from the slanted cut to a watery and dusty crash.

The chilling and thrilling sound of ominous and dramatic music seemed to fill the air, choirs of fate as the Dancing Mad Harlequin and the One Winged Angel faced off against the dark skies. Sparks of ice, fire and electrifying magic against propelling severe slashes of speed and force.
"C'mon, c'mon, C'mon! This is gonna hurt!" Kefka taunted, spinning in the air, another attack as Sephiroth dodged.
"You shall drown in the pain. On your knees, you are going to beg for forgiveness."
"I hate Hate HATE YOU! And everyone you know! HaHA! What do you want, anyway, you over compensating mama's boy? Kuja belongs to ME! Find your own pretty boys to play with."
"What has you so interested in this one?" Both warriors both skilfully and artfully fought, as second nature to them it was just as easy to maintain a conversation in or out of a battle.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Kefka skipped about, his irritation powers continuing to work on Sephiroth.
"Very well. To the promised land." Sephiroth attacked with greater force, ready to bring this to an end as both were forced to take on higher forms to destroy one another. Kefka's godlike devil and angel appearance, darker toned demonic muscular features covered by nothing but a red sash over his loins, Sephiroth's one black feathered wing, the core of his form surging with a purple shadowy god like power to draw from and imbue into every tidal cut. Sparks singed the ends of Sephiroth’s black leather coat and lavender feather tipped sash beneath from the blow Kefka managed to deal him. That along with the clown’s laughter fuelled Sephiroth’s next attack, his inhuman speed bringing him directly behind Kefka. One wickedly rich moment for Sephiroth to smirk behind the other’s shoulder as Kefka’s laughter came to a sudden stop, wide eyes moving to the side in realisation before the strike came quicker that it seemed it would.
“Ye-yaargghh!” Kefka cried out as the first blow left him caught off balance in the air to be faced with the oncoming power of crushing planets. Sephiroth’s power increased, seeing this as his moment before he would finally destroy Kefka with the pain. However just before the full blow hit him, Kefka’s own smirk would crawl up his darker skinned lips. “Special delivery!”
“What?” Sephiroth frowned before suddenly being crushed by his own attack, space had warped around him and he felt and suffered the blow of his own destruction. The pain was intense and he soon felt as if he would fall into the shadows, doing his best to hold on. He could never let that clown win…

The fallen black one winged angel slowly descended to the watery ground, dark feathers floating in the place where his wing had vanished. Sadly he couldn’t maintain staying on his own two feet as Kefka appeared to kick him with his bare demonic foot in the back, forcing Sephiroth to one knee. “What was it you asked me to do? Looks like you’ll have to do all the begging yourself! Oh, I can’t stop laughing!”
The sound of tightening leather as Sephiroth gripped his blade to make another swing at Kefka, though the mage sensed this and hopped out of reach, laying on his side, hovering in the air.
“How?” Sephiroth asked, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the trickster, barely standing now after his blade only missed scathing the other by a fraction.
“Other than the fact you shouldn’t have messed with me and have met your match, this is my domain! I can do anything I like here! That’s how I was able to keep my beloved little Kujie-coo in my specially decorated homely little nest. Admit it, are we not the most beautiful two lovebirds you’ve ever seen?”
“He seems dead.”
“Oh no, he’s just a little worn out after our epic love making. I’ll be with you in a moment, my beloved! Kujie and I are not accepting visitors at the moment, it is our honeymoon after all. Maybe try again NEVER!”
Sephiroth’s frown deepened, not having had enough time to regather much strength, though he braced himself, determined to not accept defeat by this mad annoying clown, though it seemed unhopeful as the very floors of this place were being upheaved. Clear water rushing off hovering broken tiles, giant stones and rocks, ready to all come crashing down on him.

“Just…” A faint voice, though so clear with its surprising appearance and forceful will caught both Sephiroth and Kefka’s attention, “GO AWAY!!” Kuja’s voice now filled the air, his arms outstretched, hovering slightly in the air as the power surged all around him, casting the colossal spell of Ultima that could flood the skies and rain down the destruction to destroy whole planets. Though this concentrated cloud with purple spears of obliterating destruction only hovered and rained down upon one entity, and while not in the state of Trance, Kuja hoped it would be enough as he poured the very fibre of his being out to destroy his cruel tormentor, and himself.
“No… NO!!” Kefka cried out before the torment shredded apart his being. What was this deeper feeling? Betrayal? Loss? Humiliation? Since when did he start really caring about someone to feel such pain and fear?
“Boy, you’ve really done it this time, Kujie-coo. But I’ll keep coming back… You belong to me, my… precious little cupcake…” Kefka threatened, reduced to a smouldering fading state, his normal robes all tattered as shadows started to consume him.
“Your grievous pestering knows no bounds. But it no longer matters to me, Kefka, you can do as you please, for I won’t be coming back.”

The feminine silver haired demigod enjoyed watching the satisfying disappearance of his tormentor before his blue eyes shifted to the presence of his mysterious rescuer.

“I humbly thank you for helping to take part and bringing an end to this abysmal play.” Kuja elegantly bowed his gracious gratitude and respect, this practiced motion genuine for the first time before the curtains were finally drawn shut upon his life as he hoped to exit the stage for good.

Sephiroth continued and finally completed his journey to the cage and the epicene beauty, his steps slow and laboured as the scenery around transpired into being of a different plain expanding further out. All Kefka’s decorations and the cage itself even disappeared as Sephiroth looked down intrigued.

This is really a man?

Black leather clad hands and arms regaining strength reached out to carefully pick Kuja up and held him against his strong partially exposed masculine chest. Long silver strands softly caressed against Kuja’s cheek, while Kuja’s silver wept his unshed tears as Sephiroth brought their faces closer together to hear the faint breaths of the feminine younger man still being alive.
“Zidane…” The name softly left Kuja’s lips while Sephiroth’s lips were but a kiss away.
“Hmph. If that is what you desire…” Sephiroth smirked lightly, amused in his cynical way before disappearing them both into shadows.

Zidane had grown anxious about the fact he had not seen Kuja for so long. He had encountered nearly every other Chaos member, yet the Crystal of Life still remained unguarded by his brother. Even if that guarding consisted of threatening its destruction, it still felt wrong not to receive any of Kuja’s poetic tormenting and mocking. He asked all of his Cosmos friends if they saw Kuja could they please not try and kill him, to just flee and just please let him know, but none of his companions had seen him either. As Zidane hung around the Crystal World, his brother finally made appearance, though not in any way he was hoping.

“Kuja!” He ran excitedly towards the sight of his brother, though frowned, drawing his dagger swords and taking up a fighting stance as he looked up at Sephiroth. “What have you done to him?”
“Control your ignorant assumptions. I am the one who has brought him to you.”
Zidane still didn’t trust the Chaos member, but the manner in which Sephiroth spoke to him was not callous but surprisingly rather gentle and somehow sounding with affable patience. It was enough for Zidane to sheath his weapons in good faith before walking the rest of the way to the very tall man holding his brother and would hold his own arms out to take him back.
“What happened to him?” Zidane so changed his questioning as Sephiroth remained true and let him take his brother back, the smaller Genome moving to one knee and supporting his older taller brother in his arms.
“I believe he went against the side of Chaos, and some of the other members found out and left him to the mercy of the one known as Kefka. Emperor Mateus and Ultimecia to be exact. I’ve never been particularly fond of them either.” Sephiroth remembering how they plotted to take over this world together and invited him to join their little party, which he had politely refused. He could handle his own world domination by himself, if he was interested in the world.
“Where are you going?” Zidane questioned, somehow already concerned for this man.
“Hmph.” Sephiroth’s light chuckle as he paused with his back to the other. “I regarded your world to be no more than an illusion. But if every world has their use… The clown has led me to something interesting and useful after all. I will bring this matter to a close. Take care of Kuja… in the meantime.”
“What do you…”
“Sephiroth!” Cloud suddenly burst into the scenery, buster sword drawn with Bartz and Squall appearing closely behind him, weapons drawn as well.
“Guys, it’s not what you think…” Zidane urged.
“Cloud.” Sephiroth smirked back over his shoulder, happy to address and provoke his tedious puppet. “Missing me so soon. I will play with you another time. Perhaps.” The handsome ominous black one winged angel vanished into his dark shadows.
Zidane explained the situation to his comrades that even Squall felt sorry for Kuja and wanted him to wake so he could apologise for mistrusting and leaving him to the other Chaos pawns.
“I owe him an apology.” Squall said in his serious tone.
“Is he going to be okay?” Cloud asked with concern.
“I’m sorry, Zidane.” Bartz said sadly.
“Kuja… What’s happened to you?” Zidane’s white gloved hand gently swept away the fallen strands upon his brother’s cool skin face with such remorse before hugging him tightly. “Please wake up…”




A black and empty void. Kuja’s weightless form slowly opened its eyes though he saw nothing, but he felt a presence that was all too familiar.
“Have you come to gloat, Garland? To laugh? If I had known we would have ended up in the same place I wouldn’t have killed you.”
“Even in death you are still as obstinate as ever.” Garland’s old voice responded which made Kuja smirk with fond pride. “Your time isn’t now, however. They are calling you. They need you.”
“They? Who are they? Since when would you consider anyone to need me? ” There was only silence. “Answer me, you bastard!”
“Your life has been saved and may even be prolonged beyond the limitations I gave you.”
“Why? Why would you do this?”
“It is not I. But… perhaps I would have.”
“What is this? Regret? Remorse? What are you saying, Garland??”

“Kuja!”
Kuja blinked as he could suddenly see his hand stretched out in the air above him, being grabbed and held by Zidane who was so happy and excited to see him come to.
“Zidane?” He could feel his brother’s tears against his hand as he lay in his own familiar bed, the surroundings of his beloved familiar palace all around him. His heart ached for some reason that compelled him to say the words, “I’m useless.”
“No, you’re not useless! Nobody’s worthless, Kuja. You even saved us, remember?”
Remember… the realisation struck Kuja that he actually remembered. He remembered Terra and Gaia, Zidane and Garland… He remembered saving his brother and his comrades… twice. Still, this did not change Kuja’s opinion about himself.
“I don’t deserve to live. I don’t want to live. I have nothing to live for.”
“Whoa, hey! Don’t say that!” Zidane clung on to Kuja’s hand tighter, holding it against his chest, leaning closer with his knee on the bed determined to make him see. “You have every right to live and everything to live for! Who cares what you did in the past, you’re not that person anymore, and if anyone tries to lay anything on you, they’ll have to get through me first! You have so much to live for, your new true wonderful life is only just now beginning!” Zidane smiled so full of optimism and encouragement, truly happy and excited to see this fresh beginning and new life with his brother. Kuja’s hand left Zidane’s chest and reached out to caress the backs of his delicate fingers against Zidane’s soft warm young cheek where tears had been drying.
“I will… never understand you.”
“You will. I promise.” Zidane smiled as he held Kuja’s hand once more with his own, his white gloves removed and he softly kissed his brother’s hand. He treasured Kuja so dearly, and being able to be so close to him made his heart ache with a longing so overwhelming, wanting to be true to expressing all his honest feelings for him. The man was so beautiful, it was hard to believe they were brothers, yet he still knew, never having felt more connected to someone in his life before and feeling so sorry for him. Kuja was the loneliness that Zidane might have been. He could have ended up just as cold and cruel as Kuja had been with the same blood on his hands, but despite what Garland had intended for them, this is who and what they truly are. Zidane was determined to fill that loveless void up in Kuja, the love they were denied to give each other his whole life. Zidane received the unconditional love of his adoptive father, Baku, his friends and troupe to revere as brothers, and he in turn loved the rest of the world and the people in it, able to see the whole world more as one big giant family where you don't need a reason to help someone, while Kuja never received any love nor had any friends, only seeing the existences around him as ones to replace, threaten, torment and insult his own; everyone was an enemy his insecurities drove him to be better than and look down upon all else. Zidane understood, felt sorry for and admired him.
“Zidane, what are…”
“You’re not alone, Kuja. I love you…” Zidane moved in closer, kissing Kuja’s soft lips with all the longing tenderness, compassion and desire he felt as both their hearts raced. Despite Zidane’s flirtatious skirt chasing, princess kidnapping and escorting life, this was both his and Kuja’s first real kiss. Kuja was bewildered and reluctant at first before letting Zidane have this moment, his lips slowly responding.
“Greetings, brothers. Hello, Zidane. Hello, my older brother Kuja, it is an honour to meet you.”
Zidane’s face flashed a vibrant red and Kuja chuckled softly at this sight.
“Mikoto? Couldn’t you have knocked or something first?”
“Forgive me, I am not familiar with this custom.” The young blond haired and blue eyed Mikoto replied with her impassive monotone.
“And I told you there’s no need to be so formal, just ‘hey big bro’ is fine!” Zidane smiled as he stood beside Kuja’s bed, gently patting Mikoto’s head.
“I concur, there’s nothing wrong with a little formality with the pleasantries of respectful words and conversations. We have a younger sister in our midst with her own powerful soul? Garland’s intended next replacement for us…” There was a little anger and outrage in Kuja’s sudden frown.
“Hey, there’s no need to feel threatened, Kuja. Garland is gone and Mikoto is our kid sister to look after now. Her and some of the other Genomes were able to escape Terra, they need our help.”
So that’s who Garland was referring to… Garland wanted what was left of them to live and prosper and for Kuja to lead and take care of them?
“Oh, I am not threatened. I was just angry that Garland seems to have inhibited your emotions because of his failure to control myself and Zidane.” Kuja’s hand reached out to her and she came, letting him gently fold his fingers around his little sister’s for the first time as he smiled. He no longer despised his brothers and sisters, his origin, Zidane or even Garland and himself.
“I have been hoping to meet you, dear older brother Kuja. I want to thank you for giving us all hope and meaning to live. You alone defied our fate."
“Is that so… Then the honour and pleasure is mine, my dear little sister, Mikoto. I hope I can live up to your expectations.” A tear slipped from Kuja’s eye as he smiled gently, and Mikoto in turn managed to make her first smile too. Zidane was so happy to witness this sight for both of them.
“Go see what the other’s are up to, tell them they can all meet Kuja soon too.”
“Yes… Big bro.” Mikoto smiled to Zidane too before he gently ushered her out of the room. “And farewell, Kuja. I hope you make a hasty recovery.” Kuja waved an eloquent hand before she turned and Zidane gently shut the door behind her, exhaling a relieved sigh. Kuja quirked an amused brow.
“Is she a bit of a handful for you? Are you feeling… threatened? Perhaps you want to discard her on another planet?” Kuja mused.
“No! Never! Don’t tease me like that, Kuja… Don’t ever discard me again. I… I….” Zidane’s fists were balled up by his sides and he shook his head, unable to get the rest of his words out as Kuja regretted his teasing, looking away as well, ashamed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey, it’s not your fault, just no more abandoning, okay? We gotta set a fine example for these kids.” Zidane made his way back towards the bed.
“You’ll make a great father, Zidane.” Kuja chuckled as Zidane made his signature step back, alarmed. “But it’s a better thing they have me to help educate them. I won’t let you turn them into a den of unsophisticated thieves running amok.”
“So instead we’ll have uptight, bowing young lords and ladies demanding pocket money to go to the theatres?” Zidane crossed his arms as Kuja chuckled.
“Indeed.”

Zidane’s smile softened as he watched his brother chuckle softly, the life returned to him with a happiness he’s never seen in his brother before. A wholesome one, that is. He climbed his way on to the bed to lay beside his brother, to hug him tightly.
“Hey, Kuja… I was so worried about you… I really love you, please don’t scare me like that again.” Zidane was quite used to and familiar with holding Kuja’s body, having carried and cared for him in unconscious state, while Kuja was still unfamiliar with the touch, tensing up slightly.
“I’m sorry. I was not aware...” He wrapped his arm around Zidane, his rigid arm slowly easing into the hold until it felt natural and warm, soon to hold and cuddling more into his brother with both arms. “Are you this way with everyone?” Kuja asked, genuinely curious as Zidane blushed.
“No, this love is special…” Though he has embraced princess Garnet before and Eiko liked to hug and cuddle up against him when she could, and he would potentially sleep with or date anyone in a skirt who said yes... “It is different… Let me prove it to you…”

Zidane was still blushing as he drew in closer against Kuja’s body, kissing his brother’s cheek before his hand gently brushed against and cupped his other cheek, kissing Kuja’s lips once more. A part of Kuja looked so sorrowful about this and Zidane didn’t know why. Though Kuja made efforts to softly kiss back, Zidane would draw away with a smile. “It’s okay, Kuja. I’m not going to hurt you, ever.”
“What if I end up hurting you?”
The way Kuja spoke with such sorrowful eyes beneath thick lashes, with such a tender expression upon his delicate features made it hard to believe this beautiful sweet creature was capable of hurting anything. He was so cute! But Zidane knew and was well aware of the darker side of his brother that may return every now and again, but hopefully never forever. He would be sure to always quell Kuja’s anger, hate and loneliness.
“I can take a beating.”
Kuja still didn’t understand his brother, but the assurance somehow helped as Zidane kissed him again, their lips locking in a deeper passion, Kuja trying to cope with the coaxing tongue before relaying his own want for Zidane, suddenly envisioning and preferring if he was the one to be tempting his little brother.

This is also why this love is different, you’re the only man I could ever do this with, Kuja…

Zidane’s kisses travelled from Kuja’s lips to his cheek and down his neck, inhaling the sweet scent of his silver, lavender blue hair before travelling lower to his delicate collar bone. A small pleading sigh escaped Kuja’s lips of his brother’s name as he felt gentle warm hands caressing up his torso, his flat chest exposed as the new light cotton shirt with draw strings was raised. Zidane marvelled the sight and treasured every kiss he got to plant upon Kuja’s flawless, porcelain skin, doting upon a tender nipple before his kisses travelled down lower, the crevasse of Kuja’s slender stomach.
“Zidane, you don’t have to… prove anything…”
“I want to, Kuja… I want to taste, adore and care for my strong yet weak older brother. To let him know how worshipped he is…”
Kuja didn’t know if he appreciated being called weak, but he no longer protested as he was wrapped up in Zidane’s deeper kiss. Zidane adored the soft sounds his brother made as his kiss sunk deeper, his lips travelling to the thick end as his tongue caressed and stroked Kuja to completely rise to a full and throbbing state.
“Uh… Zidane!” Kuja’s back arched as his sharp nails dug into the sheets and pillows, trying to restrain himself as the sensation of the pleasure wracked his whole body, Zidane’s warmth moving on from tongue licking to massaging him so completely and tightly in the back of the young genome’s throat. Zidane had never done this before and was so pleased to hear his brother’s soft moaning, feeling his own excitement pressing against the confines of his own pants, longing to be released as he worked himself harder upon Kuja.
“Zidane, I’ll…” A delicate hand with all its feline claws reached out to his brother, wanting him to stop yet unable to do more than affectionately caress his fingers through those soft blond strands. Lying between his brother’s slender long legs, Zidane leant over one thigh, while his other hand caressed under the other thigh of a knee raised, all the way down for his gentle fingers to stroke Kuja’s firm jewels. It was too much for Kuja, his nails piercing into the soft pillow as little white feathers flew up into the air, his other hand doing its best not to cut Zidane the same gripping onto his shoulder, the elixir of ecstasy crescendoing to overwhelming pleasure spilling forth from his lips and loins in an euphoric symphonic cry of pleasure.

“Come here, Zidane.” Kuja panted as he reached more assertively for his younger brother. Zidane smiled with his glowing cheeks, wiping an involuntary tear away that had fallen from his efforts before being embraced tightly against his brother’s loving chest, more tightly and cherishingly than ever before. “I want to protect and take care of you too…” Having felt his brother’s excitement brush against him, Kuja’s hand reached to gently caress the tight bulge, causing Zidane to gasp. Zidane’s golden tail swished about, having hoped Kuja wouldn’t have noticed his own longing, but his brother felt it in his whole hand now, having unfastened his belt and captured his throbbing member.
“Kuja… you don’t…”
“Hush. I want this too.” It was Zidane’s turn to blush and protest as Kuja smirked his smile lightly, his lips more naturally falling into his smirk though his intentions were sweet. With one arm around Zidane, cuddled against him, his long slender fingers began to caress, stroke and massage his little brother. Zidane’s eyes were tightly shut, his fingers gripping against Kuja’s chest as his tail was still sporadically thrashing about and tensing uncontrollably, already feeling ready to come before Kuja had even touched him. His eyes widened when he felt something touch his sensitive tail, winding around it and forcing it to be still, and looking down he saw his tail wrapped and coiled around with Kuja’s silver tail his brother had never shown before. This sight made him instantly spill his seed, arching like a little cat against his brother’s chest as the cried out in a heavenly joyous and happy pleasure.

Sapphire hues were reflected eclipsed as the pair smiled to one another before both moving in to lovingly kiss.
“Thank you, Kuja… I love you…” Zidane purred against his older brother as they lay cuddled within Kuja’s lavish sheets. The fireplace softly crackled across the room, the candles gently flickering and orbs of blue glowing light softly illuminated the purple and golden hues of his ornate and intricate master bedroom. Kuja was smiling as he rested his head against his younger brother’s golden locks, he had never felt so warm in his life before. Is this what love felt like… It felt like something he wanted to hold on to dearly and never let it go.

The next few weeks were spent so happily. Kuja enjoyed giving Zidane and the other Genomes a tour of his majestic, elegant and lavish Desert Palace. Most parts of it, anyway, leaving the dungeons and torture chambers for now, though Zidane was already a little familiar. Kuja didn’t really waste any time teaching the Genomes how to bow respectfully to him, Zidane just smiling and walking along with his hands held behind his back as his older brother really loved to talk. Sometimes Kuja’s patience would tire with repeated questions from the young Genomes, which is when Zidane would happily chime in so Kuja could continue talking about the next amazing thing he owned, had seen, done, thought of or accomplished. It was clear Kuja hadn’t had many to talk to in life, and the other Genomes were all too happy and eager to listen, having had no real lives of their own. But Kuja was also interested in conversation, having been able to finally tell pieces of himself, he was now receptive and interested in his brother’s thoughts, stories, learning's, journeys and feelings.

When the stars blanketed the desert sky, Zidane and Kuja would sit alone over glasses of wine by the fireplace. Kuja enjoyed and would laugh fondly over Zidane’s animated journey recounts with all his friends and random encounters, particularly liking all the parts Zidane was anxiously trying to chase him across the worlds. Kuja would laugh over things like Zidane getting chased while riding a gargant through the tunnels, and enjoyed sharing opinions and experiences over the same places they had been. Zidane was careful to leave out parts that might upset his brother, all the death and destruction, it sometimes slipping through where he’d then reassure the sad and repentant Kuja everything was fine.

“You miss them, don’t you? Your friends and family, your princess…”
Zidane rubbed the back of his head before sitting down with his legs crossed, hands in front of him as his tail swayed slightly in the air.
“I belong here with you, Kuja. This is my family now. You need me more.”
Kuja studied his little brother with his serious determined face a little moment in silence. A part of him wanted to keep Zidane locked up and chained here, keeping him to himself forever. But somehow a part of him knew how horrible that could feel and Zidane didn’t deserve such treatment. Still he could see a sadness creeping up on Zidane that seemed to grow stronger by the day. Kuja decided how he would play his part, adopting an irritated patience worn look.
“Zidane, don’t insult me. I am not some child that needs looking after, and don’t be so arrogant to believe that I need you. I can handle things on my own here. You have more important things to seize…”
Kuja rose to leave, figuring this would do away with Zidane, but it only made Zidane more anxious, suddenly rising too and seizing what really did matter to him, holding him so tight.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that, I want to be with you, Kuja. I want to stay with you and love you…”
Kuja was so surprised at this behaviour, but he was trying to understand his brother too. Despite what Zidane was saying, the sorrow in his voice sounded so conflicted. Kuja sighed.
“It’s alright, Zidane. I believe you. You have done… more than enough for me. Please understand I don’t wish to repay you by making you so miserable, keeping you from your friends and other loved ones. They don’t even know you’re still alive, do they? You’re really such a kind and loving soul… So many people care about you and would risk their lives for you the same. It is a sure testament to the wonderful person you truly are. I can imagine it must feel very isolating for you to come from such a large community of companions to only having me and our developing siblings. Gaia is yours, let me look after those left of Terra.”
Tears were running down Zidane’s cheeks as Kuja held him tightly back, so ashamed of himself unable to be loyal to one person, and so overwhelmed that Kuja understood him, forgave him, could still say nice things about him, believed in his love and still loved him in return. They could both do for each other what others could not.
"Thank you, Kuja."
"I am more grateful to you. You saved me, Zidane." Kuja smiled, gently brushing away Zidane's tears  before they tenderly kissed once more.

Kuja was still curious about how all this came to be. When he first questioned Zidane about being on another world that was not Gaia and Terra, his brother had explained to him his own vague memories of how a certain man named Sephiroth had handed him over. Everyone thought he, Kuja was dead, and were puzzled why he didn’t fade away after being defeated. Very soon after Zidane described that the whole world around them all seemed to vanish into white nothingness, and during that time Zidane could feel the life returning to him before they were back in the debris of the Iifa tree. Questioning Zidane before he left for Alexandria, his brother didn’t know what he was talking about, and neither did Kuja himself enough to question any further, not even remembering a single name of those on another world he must have dreamt of.
“Perhaps it’s best if you don’t send the princess or any of your comrades my regards. They would all probably not sleep well knowing I’m still alive and the princess may send for my execution.”
“Don’t worry Kuja, I’ll handle it all. No one will be executing you! She’s really a very caring and understanding person too, she’ll come around. Might just need some extra time though…”
Kuja was not fazed, seeing his brother being more naive than him over such matters, the darker feelings of hatred and revenge that fester in people. He did not expect anyone to forgive him, and it was just a kind blessing that Zidane did.
“Being understood and cared for by you is more than enough for my existence. Farewell, Zidane.”
“Geez, don’t sound like you’re gonna go dying on me again, alright! I’ll be back again before you know it.”
“You might have a kingdom to run by then. Make sure it’s not one of scampering little troublemakers and layabouts or else my little army will have to take over and reinstate the theatres.”
"Whoa! There's no way I'm gonna become king. The only reason I would want to be king  or the only influence I would want to have over everyone would only be to help them forgive you. I'll do my best. I’ll be missing you and thinking about you everyday…”
“My crimes are unpardonable. And I know, you can’t help yourself. Away with you, Zidane. I believe it’s time I educated our young ones on the play 'I Want to be Your Canary'."
"One day you and the others will be able to see it in Alexandria together. I promise."

Zidane left with a heavy heart after saying goodbye to all his other brothers and sisters, telling Mikoto to look after Kuja too, to mognet to him if anything should happen or his health seemed declining. Kuja seemed less fazed, he was used to being alone, and though there was a feeling of loss and emptiness without his brother being around, he still felt crowded with the other Genomes. They were not slaves he could boss about and disregard but beings that took a lot of energy for him to be considerate of. But whatever kindness he gave them was returned to him, and he felt the joy of seeing all their own smiles come to life. Though Mikoto was much younger, she did a good job of being responsible and looking after the others too.

Kuja surfaced the desert one cool and still night, to gaze up at all the stars, the other distant planets. Other than missing the company of his younger brother, there was something else stirring inside of him that he felt so passionately. Somewhere upon his soul he felt the cry for vengeance upon a menacing harlequin… Zorn and Thorn were already dead though and had caused him no serious grievance, who else could he be thinking of… Though he knew, somewhere out there, his sadistic desires and revenge needed to be sated.

He also harboured the faint memory of a long silver haired man… being held against a masculine chest… For some reason he had a feeling whoever this man was had a part to play in bringing that whole distant world to an end. That this mysterious man was powerful enough to be able to absorb the energy of that whole world and transform it into restoring and prolonging Kuja’s life… This would also explain why Kuja retained more memories than his brother and perhaps any other, aside from the tall, long silver haired man, that he felt was still up there absorbing the power of other planets… Kuja wondered what all that power he was gathering was for and if he would see him again.

“Kefka and Sephiroth… I remember.” Deep blue eyes reflected the twinkling stars as his ambition soared higher than ever before with a smiling smirk.