Sephiroth opens an eye and looks over at Cloud

Cloud Strife is barely breathing... one would think him dead to look at him

Sephiroth says, "Love?"

Sephiroth bites his lip, swallowing

Cloud Strife gurgles slightly... trying to answer

Sephiroth sniffles, but knows Cloud is still alive

Zack strides into the room... stopping a moment to stare at Cloud and Sephiroth... but then continuing on to the huddled Reno

Reno whimpers in his corner

Zack crouches down beside Reno and examines him

Zack says, "Reno?"

Sephiroth wonders who walked into the room

Reno rolls onto his back and looks up

Reno says, "Zack?"

Zack is speaking in a gentle whisper

Zack says, "Yeah... Zack... Im here now"

Reno sniffles

Reno says, "you're... alive?"

Sephiroth wants to get down of the wall so he can go help Cloud

Zack says, "Im alive... but I gotta help Sephiroth and Cloud real quick... okay?"

Reno says, "okay"

Sephiroth says, "uh? Who's there?"

Zack goes over to Cloud and lifts his head

Sephiroth says, "Zack?"

Zack says, "Just me... you all forgot me didn't you?"

Sephiroth says, "You're alive?"

Zack says, "Yeah... I barely survived"

Sephiroth says, "help us, please? Tifa and Rufus stuck us down here"

Zack says, "can I trust you Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth says, "yeah, I was temporarily insane 5 years ago..."

Zack examines Cloud

Zack says, "He doesn't look too good.... You gonna take care of the kid?"

Sephiroth says, "yes, please let me down and get me some materia"

Zack lets Sephiroth down... and hands him some restore materia

Sephiroth takes it and goes to Cloud. Casts a cure spell on Cloud and helps him down off the wall

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Sephiroth weakly

Sephiroth slowly takes the two nails out of his chest and casts another cure spell on him. Picks Cloud up into his arms

Sephiroth says, "love?"

Cloud Strife says, "Im alright... "

Reno curls up on the floor, still bleeding

Zack smiles at Cloud and Sephiroth

Zack says, "so you finally gave in....."

Sephiroth says, "you feel any better?"

Zack says, "I gotta help Reno.... "

Sephiroth blinks

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth kisses Cloud's forehead

Cloud Strife says, "I feel okay...."

Sephiroth says, "I hope so..."

Zack goes over to Reno and removes his shirt.... The pockmarks from the bullets highly visible

Zack says, "This will hurt Reno..."

Reno looks back up at Zack

Zack pulls the nail out and presses the shirt over the wound

Reno says, "uhh, what happened to you?"

Zack says, "I got shot up a little...."

Reno says, "I want to go home..."

Zack says, "We will..."

Zack swings Reno up into his arms

Zack says, "You don't look too good... youre so thin...."

Reno wraps his arms around Zack's neck and sniffles

Reno says, "they don't feed me much"

Sephiroth goes and finds his and Cloud's clothing. Gets himself, then Cloud, dressed

Zack says, "You two are coming with us I hope... I got a place we can hide in... Until the time comes when you help me avenge him..."

Sephiroth looks at Zack, and wonders what he means. Sets Cloud on his feet

Reno buries his head in Zack's warm neck and sobs

Cloud Strife feels his knees buckle a little and grumbles

Zack says, "C'mon... hey Seph can I borrow your cape?"

Sephiroth says, "alright"

Sephiroth takes off his cape and hands it to Zack

Zack wraps the cape around Reno

Zack says, "We'll talk more when we get to my place... "

Reno continues to hold onto Zack

Sephiroth says, "Lead on"

Sephiroth follows Zack to Zack's house

Cloud Strife remains glued to Sephiroth the whole time

Reno says, "home?"

Zack opens the door and rests Reno on the couch

Reno looks up at Zack

Zack says, "Yeah... home... not too great though... until this blows over none of you can leave"

Sephiroth looks around the place

Sephiroth says, "ok Zack..."

Sephiroth looks down at Reno

Sephiroth says, "Turks can't heal with Materia, can they?"

Zack says, "No they cant...."

Sephiroth says, "...."

Sephiroth puts his arm around Cloud

Zack says, "I'll be right back Reno... I gotta get some bandages and such"

Reno says, "ok"

Zack grabs Sephiroth and Cloud and hauls them into the bedroom with him

Sephiroth goes with Zack

Zack says, "I gotta talk"

Cloud Strife blinks

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Zack says, "Reno is really bad off.... What was he doing there? I don't think he's gonna make it"

Sephiroth says, "He... uh... sort of belongs to Tifa and Rufus"

Cloud Strife says, "He got hurt like that cuz of me... the nail... he got punished"

Sephiroth says, "they forced him to do all sorts of sick stuff..."

Zack nods

Sephiroth says, "and they hurt him for.... Stuff"

Zack fishes through his drawers and pulls out a sewing kit

Reno waits for Zack

Zack says, "I gotta get back to him... clean cloud up if you like"

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth picks Cloud up

Zack goes back in to Reno... after grabbing a bottle of whiskey off of his dresser

Sephiroth says, "come on, I'll wash you off love"

Sephiroth carries Cloud into the kitchen

Cloud Strife says, "Hmm.... alright.... No funny stuff though... my head hurts"

Reno looks up at Zack

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Zack says, "Alright Reno... this will hurt a little"

Sephiroth sets him down and gently removes his clothing

Reno says, "I know"

Sephiroth grabs a towel and gets it wet

Zack removes his shirt from the wound... and pours some whiskey into the wound

Sephiroth starts to wipe the dry blood off him

Reno grits his teeth

Cloud Strife says, "Seph... Reno's gonna die?"

Sephiroth looks at Cloud grimly

Zack presses the rest of the bottle into Reno's hand and sets about sewing up the wound

Sephiroth says, "don't know... but did you look at him?"

Reno drinks the bottle down

Cloud Strife says, "he looks terrible"

Sephiroth finishes cleaning off Cloud and puts his clothing back on. Nods silently

Zack examines Reno's other wounds

Sephiroth says, "I think he's lost allot of blood... and he looks malnourished despite his physique"

Zack says, "Why did they do this...."

Reno says, "Because they could..."

Cloud Strife says, "yeah... and we didn't help him any... we got him killed"

Sephiroth stroke's Cloud's hair

Zack says, "They will pay Reno..."

Sephiroth says, "he's still alive. Don't say that if the person still lives..."

Reno says, "yes..."

Cloud Strife sniffles

Reno looks up him

Cloud Strife says, "Did you think I was gonna die?"

Sephiroth nods

Sephiroth says, "I was very sad"

Zack says, "You're covered in blood Reno...."

Reno reaches his hand up and touches Zack's cheek

Reno says, "I know. Zack, kiss me, please... I haven't felt that in so long"

Zack frowns at the almost desperate sounding plea from Reno. Kisses Reno softly... stroking his fingers through his love's hair

Sephiroth kisses Cloud's cheek

Reno kisses back and sniffles

Zack is about to break down into tears because he is sure Reno knows he is dying

Reno strokes Zack's cheek, getting blood on it

Zack says, "I wanna clean you off Reno... you're all bloody...."

Reno says, "alright"

Zack slips his arms under Reno and lifts him... then carries him to the bathroom

Zack says, "I don't think you can stand in the shower"

Sephiroth sits down against the wall and sits Cloud in his lap

Reno says, "yeah..."

Cloud Strife says, "Seph what would you have done had I..."

Sephiroth says, "gone insane again..."

Zack spreads a towel on the ground and sets Reno on it... then gets a warm wet washcloth

Cloud Strife says, "Would you have killed those two?"

Sephiroth says, "or died trying"

Zack begins daubing at Reno's body with the cloth. Frowns because Reno's skin is so cold

Reno says, "I've missed you so much... you've been missing for 5 years..."

Zack says, "I know Reno.... Cloud and I were a little... busy to say the least..."

Reno says, "I heard... I managed to see some of the records... but, Rufus had me..."

Zack examines his torn nipple

Reno shivers a little

Zack sighs

Reno says, "I feel so cold Zack..."

Zack says, "Shh... I'll keep you warm"

Zack moves around to his back and examines the lash marks....

Reno takes his hand

Reno says, "you always do..."

Zack shakes his head

Zack says, "When did they nab you?"

Reno says, "Rufus never did... he and Tifa just beat me, fucked me, conditioned me... when? Rufus nabbed me soon after you... were reported dead..."

Zack says, "My poor love...."

Reno says, "Tifa came in more recently... she hurt me worse..."

Zack says, "I tried Reno... to get away... but this was the soonest I could come"

Reno clutches Zack's hand

Reno says, "I know... Tifa was who nailed me... and ... cut me with the glass..."

Zack says, "She'll pay as well... I won't be lenient on her... even if she is a girl"

Reno nods

Reno says, "alright"

Reno yawns

Zack says, "You're tired... C'mon... lets put you to bed"

Reno says, "Very..."

Reno slips his arms around Zack's neck

Zack lifts Reno and carries him into the bedroom

Zack dresses Reno in a spare pair of clothes

Reno says, "I love you... "

Zack says, "I love you too Reno..."

Reno says, "I used to think of you all the time"

Zack says, "I'll be here for you now... I won't let them take me away again"

Reno smiles slightly

Reno says, "Hold me ... I need to be held"

Zack tucks Reno in and strips down to his boxers... then crawls in with Reno. Puts his arms around Reno and holds him close

Reno slips his arms around Zack again, pressing his rather icy flesh into Zack's warm body

Zack kisses Reno on the forehead. Sighs inwardly... feeling how cold his lover is.... Knowing the end is near...

Zack says, "Sleep my love... I'll always be by your side"

Reno closes his eyes, leaning his head into Zack's chest

Reno says, "I know... I'll sleep love..."

Zack says, "We'll get you something good to eat in the morning"

Reno suppresses a slight sad chuckle

Zack o O (if you last that long...)

Reno says, "food would be nice"

Zack frowns

Reno says, "they didn't usually feed me..."

Zack says, "They will pay... I promise you"

Reno says, "thanks love"

Reno breathes slowly, drifting off to sleep

Zack o O (we both know...)

Zack says, "Reno... it's best you die here in my arms... than under their boot..."

Sephiroth lays down on the floor, draping Cloud over him

Cloud Strife curls up on Sephiroth's chest and sighs

Zack sighs and pulls the blankets around Reno, looking at his lover's pale face in the dark

Reno breathes softly into Zack's chest

Zack says, "Please be here for me when I wake.... I've waited so long to see you again... please stay... I know you're sick and hurting Reno... perhaps you should just go... at least I'll know I saved you from dying at their hands... You got to be in my arms one more time.... If you're gonna go..."

Zack sighs and holds Reno tightly... hoping that his warmth will see him through the night

Zack says, "So many things I wanted to tell you Reno... I wanted to say how much I missed you.... How long I had waited to hold you. You were all I could think about.... I almost didn't drag Cloud along... because I wanted to get back to you..."

Reno breathes softly into Zack's warm chest

Zack says, "And when I finally did get out... I got all shot up... Im confused and I really wish you were with it enough to explain... why weirdo cloud stole my clothes and sword.... And why he and sephiroth are together... But I guess I will get my answers in time..."

Reno wouldn't know any way

Zack says, "Six years ago... or was it seven? I was recuperating so long... you were such a fiery little bastard.... Now ... you're so..."

Zack sighs and snuggles against Reno... trying to ignore how cold he feels. Drifts to sleep... still clutching Reno tightly

Zack wakes. Feels how cold and stiff Reno is and knows immediately. Sobs softly as he pries Reno's arms off of himself

Zack says, "Why did you have to die Reno...."

Zack strokes his fingers along Reno's cold cheek and sniffles. Tears begin to slowly stream down his face

Sephiroth is asleep still with Cloud draped over him on the kitchen floor

Zack cradles Reno's body in his lap and helplessly strokes his fingers through his hair... begging this to be all some sort of sick dream

Sephiroth opens one eye, hearing something

Zack sniffles and rocks Reno's body gently... grief flooding through him

Sephiroth cocks his head slightly to listen, but can only hear Cloud's breathing in his ear

Zack says, "Reno... at least I got to hold you... an hear you talk... and see you... one last time"

Sephiroth hears Zack's voice... makes out the words and gets a chill. Clutches Cloud tighter and closes his eyes

Zack gently lays Reno's body out and looks at it

Reno is dressed in some of Zack's clothing...

Zack says, "You're so cute in that.... I'll have to get you your own clothes though... so I can..."

Zack puts his hands over his face and hangs his head

Zack says, "they will pay..."

Zack stands suddenly and goes into the kitchen... hastily trying to wipe the tears from his cheeks...

Sephiroth breaths in and out, still clutching Cloud tightly

Zack looks down at cloud and sephiroth. Sighs and sits down... cross-legged

Cloud Strife wriggles a little in Sephiroth's arms

Cloud Strife says, "Mm... Mmmph.... seph your squeezing me to death!"

Sephiroth sniffles

Zack winces a little at Cloud's choice of words

Sephiroth opens his eyes again. Lets up on his arms a little

Cloud Strife props himself up a bit and looks around

Cloud Strife says, "Oh... now I remember... we're at Zack's house...."

Cloud Strife notices Zack. Leans down and whispers to Sephiroth

Sephiroth listens

Cloud Strife says, "Hey... Seph... Zack... he's been crying... he's just sitting there..."

Sephiroth sniffles

Zack sighs

Sephiroth kisses Cloud's forehead

Cloud Strife says, "lemme sit up... Seph..."

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth let's Cloud sit up

Cloud Strife sits on Sephiroth's chest and looks at Zack

Cloud Strife says, "he died?"

Zack sighs again

Zack says, "You never did know how to tiptoe around stuff like that Cloud..."

Sephiroth sighs and wonders why Cloud is so blunt

Cloud Strife says, "sorry...."

Sephiroth gently slides Cloud off of his chest and sits up himself

Zack says, "I don't know when he died... but he died in my arms..."

Sephiroth says, "... you were asleep?"

Zack says, "Yeah... I shouldn't have gone to sleep...."

Sephiroth says, "..."

Zack says, "I should have stayed awake... in his last hours... I knew he was dying...."

Sephiroth says, "did he?"

Zack says, "I think so... the kiss... he gave me last night was so desperate..."

Sephiroth says, "..."

Cloud Strife frowns and sniffles as well... since he feels responsible...

Sephiroth closes his eyes and raps his arms around Cloud

Sephiroth says, "anything else he said?"

Zack says, "When I asked him about what he wanted for breakfast he laughed.... He knew he wasn't gonna be around for breakfast..."

Zack puts a hand on his head

Sephiroth sniffles

Zack says, "Since when did you get a heart sephiroth... first I see you cuddling the squirt... now I see you sniffling..."

Sephiroth says, "don't know Zack... but, you knew he was going to be...."

Zack says, "Well its nice to see you finally gave in... At least you have someone...."

Sephiroth looks at him

Zack says, "Yah... I knew he wasn't gonna live... from the moment I laid eyes on him in the basement"

Sephiroth says, "how did you know from then?"

Sephiroth looks a little surprised

Zack says, "I just... knew... it was a feeling I tried to push away"

Sephiroth says, "you don't deal well with... death?"

Zack says, "No.... I always hope... Seph... it's not like me to give up"

Sephiroth says, "yeah, I know. So you had a hope that something would happen?"

Zack says, "I hoped he was gonna pull through..."

Sephiroth says, "... how?"

Zack says, "I kinda... killed him though.... I couldn't take him to the hospital..."

Sephiroth says, "huh?"

Cloud Strife sits there and quietly fingers the small scars on his chest

Zack says, "If I had taken him to the hospital they would have gotten him again... "

Sephiroth says, "what if he had asked?"

Zack says, "I would have done anything for him... I loved him. And I will do anything... I gotta kill Rufus and Tifa"

Sephiroth nods

Sephiroth says, "yew. He must have known that his only chance at life would mean he would be caught by them..."

Zack says, "You are gonna help me I hope?"

Zack says, "They almost killed Cloud..."

Sephiroth says, "yes, of course I will help Zack. Anything you want to talk about Zack?"

Zack says, "You two are probably wondering... why... how we two got together... as Im wondering how you two did as well"

Sephiroth says, "yeah"

Sephiroth stands up

Sephiroth says, "why didn't you even say to him you knew he was dying?"

Cloud Strife looks up at Sephiroth

Zack says, "I couldn't... come to terms..."

Sephiroth says, "with the fact that he was?"

Zack says, "yeah...."

Sephiroth says, "what about him?"

Zack says, "I think he knew..."

Sephiroth says, ".... Did he just hint?"

Zack sighs

Zack says, "He kept telling me he was cold... he sounded so desperate... so all I could do was take care of him... and hold him. He practically pleaded for me to hold him... he didn't want to... die without feeling it again"

Sephiroth bites his lip

Sephiroth says, "he said it without saying it... but, you knew what he really meant?"

Zack says, "yeah..."

Sephiroth says, "he didn't want to die without your arms around him..."

Zack sighs

Cloud Strife wraps himself around one of Sephiroth's legs

Sephiroth strokes his fingers through Cloud's hair, looking sad

Sephiroth says, "Zack, not to be rude, but what are you going to do with him?"

Zack says, "I... Im not sure... Its not like I can walk out of here with a body"

Sephiroth says, "...."

Zack says, "especially if they are all looking for him.... "

Sephiroth says, "yeah..."

Zack goes back into the bedroom and looks at Reno...

Sephiroth says, "well, we'll watch over a few things in the kitchen..."

Reno is just the way Zack left him

Zack says, "you just look like you are sleeping...."

Reno isn't breathing... or would be sleeping

Cloud Strife presses himself against Sephiroth's leg.... Feeling quite miserable

Sephiroth strokes Cloud's hair

Sephiroth says, "I feel that way too Cloud... but I got no one's leg to clutch"

Cloud Strife says, "You can clutch me.... If you need to"

Zack clicks a piece of materia into his armlet and casts a barrier spell on Reno

Sephiroth squats down and clutches Cloud tightly

Zack says, "Sleep well Reno.... "

Reno never wakes though...

Zack goes into the kitchen again and looks at Cloud and Sephiroth again

Sephiroth holds Cloud still

Zack says, "Aren't you two cute... when do you think we should go after them?"

Sephiroth says, "as soon as we are.... Forgive me ... rested...."

Zack nods

Zack says, "You two saw a lot... I'll tell you about Reno and myself if you like..."

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth sits back down

Sephiroth says, "I'd love to know..."