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Wolf's Rain FF7 Au (WIP)!

Summary: Basically, Zack, Angeal, Cloud, and Genesis are wolves (and it's like Wolves Rain where they need to hide). ShinRa, in this au, is a pound. They capture wolves and use them for nefarious purposes, under the guise that "they are threats" to the whole population. This fanfic is set after the five escape. The timeline isn't really accurate to any of the games, but the closest would be post-Crisis Core (so Zack and Cloud are grown up). This is my first fanfic I've written on here, so sorry if I have any formatting/spelling mistakes!

Headcannons (besides the four being wolves): Zack and Cloud are neurodiverse (Zack ADHD and Cloud is autistic). I put a lot of personal feelings onto Cloud, as I've always been quite tongue-tied most of the time, have had a lot of trouble saying things aloud (inflexion, expressing myself, misunderstandings: being perceived as angry/rude, etc,) and with social stuff (sensory differences, trouble socializing, etc.). Genesis also is trans-fem and was used by ShinRa's breeders. Angeal is also middle-aged in this au, and so he mentors Zack and Cloud. Sephiroth also is a lizard and basically acts like a type-a-intellectual (good guy Sephiroth). Aerith, like Wolf's Rain, is a flower maiden.

Important Au Notes: As ShinRa is a pound and NOT a military, there aren't SOLDIERS and the Nibleheim incident does NOT exist in this au. Sephiroth, then, is still good guy Sephiroth. He's been used as a Guinea pig for reasearch, but there is NO Propaganda around him. The only propaganda ShinRa spreads is that wolves are dangerous and must be captured. Once again, the Timeline is set approximately post Crisis-Core. As SOLDIERS are not a thing, Genesis and Angeal never go through degradation, and so they are still alive. Zack is also still alive, as no SOLDIERS hunt him down. The Turks DO exist, and they are the ones who identify wolves and capture them.
Tifa also is a character, but since Cloud was captured by ShinRa from a young age (like 6), they don't know each other that well.
Claudia, then, is also still alive, but Cloud doesn't know much about her and therefore she rests an unimportant character.

Oof! With that outta the way, let's jump into it!

Chapter 1: Camp (Wip right now, so it stars in medias res. This is approximately 2 weeks after they escaped ShinRa.)

After walking all day around town, the four decided they needed to find a resting spot—or, at least, Zack did, as he was the first to complain for everyone else. "Hey guys…I'm getting pretty tired to be honest. Let's find a place to stay at, yeah?" Genesis replied back in their usual fashion, "Well? You have a place? I have it way worse with these damn heels-" Genesis was about to finish when her sentence was abruptly cut off by loud, gruff voice. "Have other wolves complained about something like this in the past? Even though they had much more to deal with? No. So let's move, alright?" This was a very "Angeal" thing to say, so it wasn't too hard for Genesis to guess who interrupted them. Angeal was just met with silence. Everyone either deadpanned or ignored him altogether. Even if Angela's remark was pretty off, it made sense. Everyone was tired and hungry. The fact that they were lost to only worsened their restlessness, let alone that there already existed tension between them.

It was pretty clear they needed shelter. Angeal immediately went to work, searching for any vacant houses that weren't too run down. Zack followed and snuff out any traces of produce, especially meat. Genesis stayed with Cloud on the side.

Angeal was pretty used to taking the initiative. In ShinRa, he was revered for the discipline he maintained and the good example led for his coworkers. Now, when none of these wolves had the means for survival, he would find them first. He considered it an obligation. It was no surprise the group would look to him, then, as leader. Regardless of the praise he received, he still found it taxing. Why did he have to be in charge all the time? Why couldn't somebody ease the burden of his position?

Angeal was too busy complaining to notice Zack coming closer. Neither did Zack, as he kept his head low to the ground sniffing for food. It was only when they bumped into each other that they noticed the other.

"Hey! Watch we're you—!" Angeal growled until he saw it was Zack. Zack nervously chuckled and scratched his head. "Sorry, man. I kept my head down to find food, but….yeah, there's a smarter way I could have done that." "You can't just trot around like that with your—your nose to the ground!

Be more careful, please…" Zack kept a cool tone to not heat things up further, "Yeah, yeah! I got'chu man. No prob." Angeal put a hand on his forehead, more annoyed with Zack's idocracy than the pain in his shoulder. Angeal sighed, and after a couple second of silence, said, "Good. Now keep doing your role as a member of this pack." Zack's eyes widened in excitement. That was a reaction Angeal was not expecting. "What? Did you find food?" Angeal said, easing an eyebrow. "No! Not yet, but—but you said the word "pack", right? So, we're like true buddies, right?!" Zack shouted, excited. Angeal was just beguiled.

He thought it was obvious since the first moment they met that they formed a pack. That made sense: Angeal saw packs as a way to better protect a group. But the way Zack saw it, though, was a way to make friends—a kind of union to strengthen the bonds of acquaintances to comrades."Yes…" Angeal continued. "We've always been since we met. I thought it was already established between everyone. It's not something you have to declare later on….it's kind of assumed by everyone." Angeal raised an eyebrow at Zack's ignorance. "You haven't known about this before…?" "Nope! That's so cool though! Kinda like a bro code? I see…I see…" Zack nodded his head at the last part of his sentence to himself. Angeal sighed, shook his head, then spoke. "….You really are a rookie. Guess I have another someone to take under my wing now." "Hey, you keep saying that!" Zack responded, vivsibly angry. "What is that supposed to mean?!" Angeal laughed a little.

He liked youngsters like Zack. They don't know anything, yet are so determined to figure the path they'll walk. "…It means you're simply inexperienced. Part of it comes from your ignorance, the other is that you're young. I'd consider you a pup." Zack was highly insulted. He was a young adult, yet his status was being compared to someone who still needed to be babysat. "That's not cool man! I'm more than that! That's why….that's why I escaped Shinra…and—and am going on this journey with you guys!"

"Okay." Angeal seemed to understand what Zack was saying, though still had a different opinion.

"…But I've noticed this whole time you haven't tied your shoes at all." Zack looked at the ground like a kid beat at an argument. He could do nothing but try and rebutt, even though he knew in the end Angeal was right. "…I can tie them! You just watch…" Zack grit his teeth as he frantically tried to make a ribbon out of his shoelaces. At one point, he almost got it, but his hands slipped and he had to start all over again. Zack finally admitted defeat. "Hey, it's fine. It's not like ShinRa would teach you how to tie your shoes." Zack looked down, not saying anything back. "C'mon, no need to be embarrased. Look…I'll let you in on something that's embarrassing for me." Zack's ears immediately perked up. "….*sigh* Genesis has to button my shirt. I got help at ShinRa, because I couldn't walk around with my pecs out, but now that I'm out, I needed someone's help. Genesis seemed the most promising, as she's had…well, clients before. So, she's used to helping people get clothes on." "So, if that's the case…" Zack said aloud in thought. "Then why are you not a pup, like me?" "…Because I've found shelter. You still haven't found food." Zack was blown away by Angeal's speed and the smoothness of his reply. "Uuuh…where are we stayin'?" Zack asked. "Right here." Angeal replied as he pointed to a nice cottage. "Now go find food, alright? Your shoes have been tied for a long time." Zack looked down at his shoes in disbelief. And with that, Zack got up and bolted off.

Genesis grew bored. She thought Angeal and Zack would be done sooner. Things were only made worse by the fact she had to sit next to Cloud. It wasn't like he was talkative, let alone alike to Genesis in any way. Genesis shifted through topics they could discuss with Cloud in their head, but they were all things only she knew she liked. She had no idea if Cloud was the type to gossip or talk poetry. She landed on ShinRa, as it was something they both had in common. "What was it like for you in ShinRa? What was it you were assigned to do?" Genesis was hoping for a reply for once, but instead, they got silence. Cloud, however, did seem to be in deep thought, which was a change from his usual. Genesis looked away again. "You know….I was used for breeding. I don't know if you even know what that is, or whether you understand anything I'm saying, but…it was sick, to be honest. All my "clients" saw me as just thing to satisfy their sick desires. And ShinRa….ShinRa didn't care. They didn't care if I were tired, if I were hungry, if we're not in the mood…they just…didn't care." Genesis buried their head in their coat. They kept their same calm and melodic tone, but it was clear by the way the covered their face that they were suffering. Despite tears seeping from her eyes and the shame welling up in her heart, she continued, "…I couldn't even help people for good, like Angeal. I couldn't even be used for finding food, like Zack. It's….it's awful. And now…I'm here. I've got no one else to be vulnerable but a clueless cub. ….It's disgraceful, I know. But, please don't blame me. Because…."

Genesis suddenly paused and looked up. Genesis heard Angeal and Zack's footsteps and knew immediately they were heading their way.

Genesis quickly wiped their eyes and put on a smile. "…Nevermind. I was getting ahead of myself."

"Alright. We finished our search." Angeal said. "Yeah! C'mon! I found a buncha food! Let's rest now!" Zack said, with his mouth full of food. "Wow. Seems like there's no point in gathering to eat if you're already having your plate, mutt. So disgusting…" Genesis gave a hot retort, adding extra spice with an eye roll and a flick of the hand. Zack's face soured, and his fast pace turned into a slow saunter. Zack, however, didn't let it get to him. Unlike Genesis, he not take things very personally. Zack figured Genesis had a long day and just needed something to eat.

The four made themselves comfortable around a small, rectangular table. There were no chairs in the kitchen, but there was a nice thick rug they could sit on. You could still seem some of the scratch marks from the previous owner on the table and the plates. It certainly made their presence in this home feel more like an intrusion.

The awkward air was soon forgotten when they ate the meat Zack procured. By the time the others had started, Zack had already finished his portion. Zack eagerly looked at the others, hoping they found the meal as good as he did. "Hmm.…I'm suprised." Genesis said, trying some more. "I hate to admit whatever you found was pretty tasty, Zack." Zack was overjoyed. "Awww, shucks! Guess I got that dawg in me." Zack laughed at his own response a little. Admittedly, it was cringe. Zack knew though that it had to make someone in the room laugh, and, indeed, did Angeal. It did not land for Genesis, though, and they sat crossed-armed scoffing in disgust. Angel said, "That was a good one, Zack— although not for everybody. It's because you were a scavanger, right?" Zack looked initially caught off guard, but then perked up. "That's right! ShinRa's hunting AND scavenging dog! Well—-wolf, but you get it." Genesis was thrown off by Zack's pride. Why would he be proud of himself for something in ShinRa? Genesis' lips curled in a mix of confusion and revulsion. People like that deeply angered Genesis.

The three were so caught up in their own heads that they didn't notice Cloud blankly staring at his plate. He hadn't eaten yet. Zack, looking to see what everyone thought of dinner, noticed first. "Hey" Zack said quietly, as to not embarrass Cloud . "He hasn't eaten yet." Angeal, sitting closest to Zack, noticed too. 'Hey, Cloud." Angeal called out not-so discreetly. "You're even younger than Zack. You need to eat." Cloud looked up, then looked down, still hesitant. Angeal thought his behavior was a bit odd, but when he saw Cloud was expectant of something, he decided he needed to change his approach. "You can, you know. You don't have to wait for someone to tell you." Cloud seemed to understand, and he jumped right in and joined everyone else. "He needs to wait for permission?…How pathetic." Genesis mumbled this so no one could hear, directing the comment more on ShinRa's mistreatment of Cloud more than anything.

Although it seemed odd at first, it made sense to Angeal when he thought about it. ShinRa demanded obedience. And wolves, being loyal, learn it young. Everyone else, being older, could break free a little, but Zack, and especially Cloud, were highly impressionable. Cloud's hesitance around food really highlighted the cruelty of ShinRa's "conditioning". Angeal knew from that moment on that it would be a lot harder to warm up Cloud to his surroundings, let alone people.

"Whew! I'm stuffed." Angeal let out, easing the stiff atmosphere. "Alright. Now time to sleep, all of you. It'll be an early and long day tomorrow." "What? Why?!" Zack asked, sad he couldn't get a later bedtime. "It's only 8:30 at night!" Genesis, having enough with Zack, butted in. "Zack, please. Angeal knows what he's talking about, okay? Yeah, I hate it too, as I can't have my beauty sleep, but stop whining." "Geez, alright". Zack huffed and got up, wiping his clothes. "Good night, everybody. Oh—and I don't care where I'll go. I can literally sleep anywhere." Genesis was quite happy; not at Zack's kindness, but the fact that Genesis wouldn't have to sleep in a worse place than Zack. "Toodle loo~~"Genesis chirped, running up the stairs. "Good night, Zack." Angeal said. "Oh, you wouldn't mind taking the Murphy bed then, would you?" "Nope!" Zack replied. And with that, he sunk on the bed and feel asleep.

"…He really wasn't lying." Angeal thought. "Now time to find me some rest. Despite punishing everyone else to sleep, I really need to, too. I can't keep not adhering to the advice I give, huh?"

Angeal found a nice double, and Genesis found a good twin. Cloud was a bit confused, but as he saw everyone laying in beds, he figured out Angeal was saying it was bedtime. Angeal plopped right down, looking up at the ceiling. He had moments alone, sure, but not to think about things. He was always guarding something or someone. In ShinRa, it was his job to protect the gates outside from any intruders. And now, being the leader, he had to guard his new pack. The only times he though about himself were when he was all alone. He didn't realize…how much he forgot to think about himself. ShinRa had taught him to always do things for others, but what about himself?

What did he need? What did he want? Angeal was shocked at his inability to answer that question.

Hopefully this journey…or whatever they were doing, would help him decide. Angeal still couldn't help but feel …out of place. Everyone else had a goal in mind. That is the very reason they joined the pack: to help them reach that goal. Angeal didn't realize though that he did have a starting place: it was his goal to find a goal. As Angeal was a complex person, however, his brain automatically jumped over the simple stuff. That's why Angeal admired Zack. Zack would reign him in, too, without even knowing it. "He truly has potential…" Angeal said to himself. "I could hone in on his enthusiasm…and use that as a motor for his growth, not a distraction." Angeal suddenly remembered when he was helping Zack with his shoes. "….I only found that shelter right on the spot. Hah…I guess I am not that much different than Zack, huh?" Angeal laughed a little. He wanted to think more about plans for tomorrow morning and for mentoring Zack, but his body gave way to sleep.

Genesis stood near a bedroom window, unable to sleep. "Tch. I can hear him snoring from here. And how does he expect me to sleep?" Genesis said, sighining as they looked at the outside. They tried to use the sights to distract themselves from Angeal, though that only worked temporarily. Frustrated, they ran to the bed and jumped on it, putting their head in a pillow. The angrier Genesis grew, the more upsetting memories came to their mind. "Why did I vent to a total stranger…? What does Cloud think of now? …Some debaseless hooker? Ugh! I'm better than that! And that Zack….so optimsitic. It hurts me to see someone so carefree. Doesn't he know how we're all feeling? We all just escaped ShinRa. Acting all happy like that is just so…off. It totally rubs off the wrong way." Genesis plucked at more unpleasant moments. It was their way of coping, albeit unhealthy.

Their mind would hook onto one negative thing, and then another, then another.

Genesis only expressed these negative thoughts alone. Thats why….They wanted the words to reach someone so badly…but they knew they were muffled by the pillow they forced onto their lips.