Reno moves silently through the woods... on the trail of the escaped patients

Cloud Strife decides its time for a bath... and searches out a suitable spot in the stream to do so. Strips down and wades into the pool... gritting his teeth at the cold

Reno approaches the stream and ducts behind a tree when he spots someone

Cloud Strife splashes around in the water... trying to get used to it before he goes any further

Reno peeks out from behind the tree... trying to stay hidden... and catches site of the naked young man

Cloud Strife is unaware of the Turk's presence... too busy chasing a small fish that caught his eye to be worried about anything else

Reno . o O ( he's beautiful..... wow )

Cloud Strife misses the fish and lands face down in the water

Reno is taken away by Cloud's beauty and think he looks even better all wet

Cloud Strife shakes the water out of his hair and sits there.... wishing Rufus was around to play with him

Reno wants to approach Cloud... but stays hidden

Rufus Shinra approaches Cloud from the woods

Rufus Shinra says, "Dearest.. you are being watched"

Cloud Strife says, "watched?"

Rufus Shinra points over to where Reno is hidden

Reno blinks

Cloud Strife looks to where Rufus is pointing

Reno . o O ( is he talking to the air... Woah... he's looking this way! )

Cloud Strife says, "Who?"

Reno tries to hide himself better

Rufus Shinra says, "A Turk"

Cloud Strife catches a faint rustle of movement... and tenses

Cloud Strife says, "Turk.. hmm.. armed?"

Reno . o O ( how the?? )

Rufus Shinra says, "He's got some sort of electric rod at his side... wait... I know him... its Reno"

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... ? I don't like the sound of electric rod.. "

Cloud Strife slowly moves towards the bank where his clothes are

Reno . o O ( what the???? how the hell did he know my name and my weapon! )

Cloud Strife says, "No long distance weapon... that's good though. unless he has materia...."

Rufus Shinra says, "Very. he might"

Cloud Strife picks up his clothes... keeping a watch on the spot where Reno is hidden. decides he should try and lead Reno away from this Area... as Zack and Sephiroth are sleeping not too far from here

Reno steps out from behind the tree... knowing he's no longer in secrete

Reno says, "alright... how did you know?"

Cloud Strife watches Reno... holding his clothes over himself as he hasn't had time to change

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus told me"

Rufus Shinra says, "a proof I'm really here love"

Reno says, "Rufus?"

Reno blinks

Reno says, "but I heard he died"

Cloud Strife says, "He did"

Reno says, "When did he tell you?"

Cloud Strife says, "just now.... he's standing there"

Cloud Strife points to Rufus

Reno says, "wha??"

Rufus Shinra chuckles

Rufus Shinra says, "he can't see me"

Cloud Strife says, "No one else can see..... "

Reno . o O ( normally I'd think he's just some cute psycho... but if that's true how the hell did he know who I was )

Reno says, "um.... see what?"

Cloud Strife says, "See him..."

Reno says, "but he's dead... what is there to see?"

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Reno approaches Cloud

Cloud Strife tenses

Reno says, "you have me at a loss.. you know my name but I don't know yours"

Cloud Strife says, " Name is Cloud. You think they would have told you who you were hunting"

Reno says, "they did.. but it said you were mute on the list. and that the other two... one was a rapist and the other and arsonist"

Cloud Strife says, "I never wasted my time talking to them"

Cloud Strife scratches his ear...

Reno says, "oh.... well.... you still have to come back"

Cloud Strife says, "Am not going back.... "

Reno says, "why not?"

Cloud Strife says, "Have to avenge....."

Reno says, "avenge?"

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus"

Reno says, "but... didn't he die from the chemicals he had put in his body?"

Cloud Strife says, "He died from broken soul..... "

Reno says, "broken soul?"

Cloud Strife says, "I will kill the man who broke it....."

Reno says, "and who did that?"

Rufus Shinra puts his arms around Cloud in a comforting way

Cloud Strife says, "The president. I will make it so he may rest easy"

Reno says, "wha??"

Reno blinks

Reno says, "wait a minute.. I can't just let you go do that...."

Reno gets closer to him

Rufus Shinra says, "we can't let him stop us"

Cloud Strife says, "back off"

Reno says, "why are you going to kill the President?"

Cloud Strife says, "To avenge Rufus"

Reno says, "why? for what?"

Cloud Strife drops his clothing and puts up his hands... ready to defend himself

Cloud Strife says, "For making Rufus die"

Reno notes Cloud's lean naked form and tries to contain himself

Reno says, "how did he make Rufus die?"

Cloud Strife says, "He hurt him.. broke him.... "

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Reno blinks

Reno says, "he hurt his own son?"

Rufus Shinra says, "yeah... he's evil Reno..."

Cloud Strife says, "Raped... beat...."

Reno lifts his eyebrows in shock

Reno says, "Raped????"

Cloud Strife scars all over....

Reno starts to feel sick and stumbles back a pace

Cloud Strife says, "He was the only ..... person who cared and now he his gone!"

Rufus Shinra says, "I'm here"

Reno says, "I thought you said he was next to you?"

Cloud Strife says, "I know.... but you are gone to everyone else. Rufus... you know its not the same... you are blurry.. "

Rufus Shinra sighs

Rufus Shinra says, "I know"

Cloud Strife whimpers and holds back tears

Reno says, "blurry?"

Rufus Shinra frowns and hangs his head

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "I love you still... you are the only person who wants... to be with me... "

Reno sees Cloud crying and feels moved to comfort him. Reaches his hand out and puts it on Cloud's shoulder

Rufus Shinra looks from Reno to Cloud and sighs

Cloud Strife looks at Reno and draws back

Rufus Shinra says, "you sure just me Dearest?"

Reno . o O ( poor kid.... )

Reno sighs

Reno says, "look.... I want to help you... especially since you are not well"

Cloud Strife says, "I am perfectly fine..."

Reno says, "perfectly fine?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't belong in that place... and I am not going back"

Reno says, "why don't you belong?"

Cloud Strife says, "I am not insane... just different"

Reno says, "but... you are talking to the air"

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus is here"

Reno says, "how?"

Cloud Strife points at Rufus

Cloud Strife says, "right there"

Reno looks

Reno says, "I still don't see him"

Rufus Shinra kisses Cloud

Reno looks back at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "He's with me...."

Reno says, "are you sure he's there?"

Cloud Strife says, "Positive"

Reno says, "well... you did know where I was hiding... my weapon... and who I was"

Rufus Shinra says, "yeah Reno.... I'm here"

Cloud Strife nods

Reno says, "Ghost?"

Cloud Strife says, "I guess you could call him that..."

Rufus Shinra says, "It's true is why"

Cloud Strife doesn't seem to be at all phased by the fact that he's completely naked

Reno says, "is that what makes you so different?"

Reno admires Cloud's naked form

Cloud Strife says, "Am different because I prefer to live here.... Than in a dirty city.... "

Reno says, "oh well"

Reno looks around the woods

Reno says, "I can understand that I guess"

Rufus Shinra notes that Reno was admiring Cloud and wonders

Reno looks back to Cloud

Cloud Strife keeps an eye on Reno and bends down to pick up his clothes

Cloud Strife says, "I am not going back and you are not going to stop me from going to Midgar and getting my job done"

Reno watches Cloud silently

Reno says, "Well... can I help you then?"

Cloud Strife says, "Don't trust you"

Reno says, "and why not?"

Cloud Strife says, "You were sent to hunt me down...."

Rufus Shinra looks to Cloud

Rufus Shinra says, "I think he's starting to like you dearest"

Reno folds his arms over his chest... the flaps of his unbuttoned coat whipping slightly

Cloud Strife says, "Humph... no one likes me... just wants to drag me back and lock me away again...."

Reno frowns

Reno says, "that's sad. Listen kid... I don't want to hurt you... I really want to help... but those other two need to get sent back... they are not well"

Cloud Strife says, "don't feign pity"

Reno says, "I'm not"

Rufus Shinra says, "Reno isn't the type to feign anything. He's very sarcastic at times... but he keeps his word"

Reno sighs to himself

Cloud Strife says, "And I could care less about the other two"

Reno . o O ( poor kid has been mistreated so often it seems )

Reno flips out his cell phone

Cloud Strife growls

Reno calls Rude and tells him where Zack and Sephiroth are... but doesn't mention Cloud. closes the phone again

Reno says, "there... they are being retrieved and brought back"

Rufus Shinra says, "see love?"

Cloud Strife growls softly

Reno says, "why are you upset?"

Cloud Strife says, "I suppose so.. I still do not trust him "

Rufus Shinra says, "why don't you trust him.. other then the fact that he's a Turk?"

Cloud Strife says, "I trust no one... Except for you... "

Rufus Shinra says, "ahhhh"

Rufus Shinra kisses his cheek

Reno says, "well... trust.... hmmm"

Reno sighs

Reno says, "you don't have to trust me but I will help any way"

Reno keeps his arms crossed... a bang falling across his left eye

Cloud Strife says, "you move the wrong way even once and I will kill you"

Reno says, "fine kid"

Cloud Strife says, "Am not kid"

Reno . o O ( wrong way? I'd better be careful )

Reno says, "sorry... Cloud right?"

Cloud Strife says, "yes that is my name"

Reno nods

Reno says, "shall we be off then?"

Rufus Shinra says, "yes.. on to Midgar"

Cloud Strife says, "Midgar... yes"

Cloud Strife pulls on his clothing

Reno says, "Will you warn me what wrong way means?"

Cloud Strife says, "you will know"

Reno sighs

Reno says, "yeah... I'll be dead... "

Cloud Strife says, "Humph..."

Cloud Strife starts walking

Reno follows him.. not too close cause he does not want to spook him

Rufus Shinra watches them for a few moments then follows

Cloud Strife frowns slightly as the forest thins and they move out onto open grasslands

Reno looks around and sees a Chocobo

Reno says, "hey... we can get a ride from here to the caves.... "

Cloud Strife waits for Rufus to catch up

Cloud Strife says, "What is that?"

Rufus Shinra stands next to him

Rufus Shinra says, "it's a Chocobo"

Reno places the Chocobo lure in its slot

Reno says, "a Chocobo"

Cloud Strife says, "A Chocobo? Looks like a big yellow chicken..... "

Cloud Strife licks his lips... having not eaten since the fish

Reno sneaks over to the Bird and jumps on its back.. gripping it as it struggles slightly

Reno says, "ok.. we got a ride"

Cloud Strife says, "ride?"

Cloud Strife looks at Rufus

Rufus Shinra looks back at Cloud

Rufus Shinra says, "yes... to Midgar"

Cloud Strife says, "I have to get on that thing?"

Reno says, "yes... why?"

Rufus Shinra says, "What's wrong?"

Cloud Strife frowns

Reno says, "Cloud?"

Reno moves the Chocobo over to him

Cloud Strife draws back...rather unsure

Rufus Shinra says, "it will be ok dearest.. trust me"

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus... its... "

Rufus Shinra says, "what is it?"

Cloud Strife says, "how will you follow?"

Rufus Shinra says, "Don't worry about me... I'll be there"

Reno waits patiently for Cloud

Cloud Strife gets onto the Chocobo... quite timid about it

Reno says, "it will be ok Cloud... please do not worry"

Reno spurs the Chocobo onward for the caves

Rufus Shinra watches them leave and hopes for the best.. following slowly

Cloud Strife squeaks and puts his arms around Reno for support

Reno smiles to himself as he feels Cloud's arms around him. Reno watches the cave grow closer as he steers the Chocobo for it

Reno says, "we're here"

Cloud Strife slides off the Chocobo and drops to his knees... shaking

Reno gets off and watches the bird run away

Reno says, "are you alright Cloud?"

Reno squats down next to him

Cloud Strife says, "Not... like..."

Reno says, "I'm sorry"

Cloud Strife shivers

Reno offers his hand to help Cloud up

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus?"

Reno sighs and drops his hand back.. thinking Cloud does not want help

Cloud Strife stands up and sniffles

Reno says, "Are you ok?"

Reno . o O ( why do you cry? Is there any way I can help you? )

Cloud Strife says, "am fine....."

Reno says, "shall we get moving then?"

Reno sighs... hoping he can cheer Cloud up

Cloud Strife says, "Yes..."

Cloud Strife looks around for Rufus. cries softly

Reno says, "Cloud"

Reno takes a slow step toward him... afraid Cloud might take it the wrong way

Cloud Strife looks at Reno.... tears glazing his eyes

Reno puts a hand out to him... wanting to wipe away his tears

Cloud Strife sniffles and tries to compose himself

Reno gently wipes Cloud's tears away

Cloud Strife blinks

Reno says, "you don't really need to cry"

Cloud Strife says, "why no?"

Reno says, "because.... you should not have to be sad"

Cloud Strife says, "Why? Person I love is not here..... mebbe he never was real....."

Reno says, "in either case... you should find away to cheer up"

Cloud Strife says, "Why?"

Reno says, "Because... no one should have to be sad all the time... especially you"

Cloud Strife says, "Leave me alone... what do you care"

Reno sighs

Reno says, "I just want to help. please allow me to help"

Cloud Strife says, "Why do you wanna help?"

Reno lowers his eyes

Cloud Strife staggers to his feet

Reno says, "I... when I watched you bath in the stream.. I sort of felt oddly draw to you"

Cloud Strife says, "Humph..."

Reno sighs

Reno says, "you don't believe me"

Cloud Strife says, "Why would you?"

Reno says, "I don't know... but I do"

Cloud Strife growls

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus went away cuz of you"

Reno says, "he did?"

Cloud Strife sits down and curls up into a ball

Reno sits down and looks at Cloud.. feeling oddly sad about this

Reno says, "I'm sorry"

Cloud Strife says, "sorry for what?"

Reno says, "you are now mad at me"

Cloud Strife closes his eyes...

Cloud Strife says, "He's not here.... "

Reno says, "what did he say to you before he left then?"

Cloud Strife says, "He said.... he'd be here... But you just think Im a lunatic.... so what's it matter?"

Reno says, "I do not think that you are just that"

Cloud Strife says, "Whatever"

Cloud Strife stands up and walks into the cave

Reno stands up and follows him

Cloud Strife picks his way through the dark... tripping a lot since caves aren't his forte

Reno moves to his side to keep him from falling over the edge

Cloud Strife is running on anger and pain... which isn't the best thing in the world. looks around..

Cloud Strife says, "dark..."

Reno helps Cloud out of the cave and looks at the swamp

Cloud Strife blinks. surveys the swamp

Reno says, "There are giant serpents here"

Cloud Strife shrugs

Reno takes out his rod

Cloud Strife squishes into the water.. grimacing that the water is seeping into his boots

Cloud Strife says, "Yuck... "

Reno says, "are you armed?"

Cloud Strife says, "Don't have or need a weapon"

Reno nods

Reno says, "then lets start to run before the serpent gets us"

Cloud Strife squishes through the swamp....

Reno starts to run

Reno says, "Come on Cloud"

Cloud Strife picks up his pace a bit... but Refuses to run in such unsure footing

Reno watches the serpent coming towards them

Cloud Strife blinks

Reno says, "Cloud!!"

Cloud Strife starts to Run... floundering in the muddy gunk

Cloud Strife says, "I HATE THIS!"

Reno watches the Serpent erupt next to Cloud

Cloud Strife slides to a halt

Reno bounds back to Cloud's side and casts Turk light on the Serpent

Reno says, "Cloud... we need to run"

Cloud Strife looks at the snake

Reno casts Turk Light again on the serpent

Cloud Strife starts to run again... having regained his senses

Reno watches the Serpent sweep down and sink it's fangs into him

Reno says, "arrgg"

Reno bashes the serpent...breaking free.. and running after Cloud. gets out of the swamp by Cloud and collapses.. bleeding from his chest wound

Cloud Strife looks at Reno

Cloud Strife says, "Stupid"

Reno sighs and looks at his wounds

Cloud Strife says, "Stupid.. risk life for me....."

Reno says, "I'm not stupid... I wanted to help you... and I'll be fine with treatment"

Cloud Strife says, "I should leave you here. Don't need pathetic person who pretends to care..."

Reno takes off his blazer and shirt and sets about bandaging his wounds

Reno says, "Cloud.. you just don't believe me... but I do"

Cloud Strife says, "I am hungry..... there is nothing to eat here....."

Cloud Strife takes off one of his boots and empties the water

Reno stands up a little shakily

Reno says, "well... there are Chocobos up ahead"

Cloud Strife says, "To eat?"

Reno says, "you can if you want... they are tasty"

Reno puts his zap rod away

Cloud Strife sniffs the air

Reno says, "let's get them"

Reno heads out for where the Chocobos are

Cloud Strife looks at the big yellow birds

Reno says, "you want to eat them?"

Cloud Strife nods even. eyes Reno

Reno says, "you going to get them?"

Cloud Strife stalks up to a Chocobo

Reno watches quietly.. feeling the beginning effects of the poison

Cloud Strife pounces at the Chocobo .... missing terribly

Reno takes out his Zap rod and zaps the nearest Chocobo.. killing it

Cloud Strife starts to de-feather the bird

Cloud Strife says, "you hurting?"

Reno says, "I'll be ok"

Reno helps Cloud de-feather the bird

Cloud Strife says, "Can't let you die"

Reno looks at him

Reno says, "who said I would die?"

Cloud Strife says, "you pale"

Reno sighs and sets about making a fire

Reno says, "I got poisoned by the serpent... I'll need to clear it from my system"

Reno watches the fire take form and looks back to Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "how?"

Reno says, "how?"

Reno looks at the bird

Reno says, "are we ready to cook it?"

Cloud Strife pulls off a chunk and sets it in the fire

Reno sits down by the fire... keeping himself warm

Reno says, "night is coming"

Cloud Strife says, "I not spend night alone in a long time"

Reno looks to Cloud

Reno says, "Alone meaning?"

Cloud Strife says, "not being held...."

Reno nods slowly

Reno . o O ( I would like to hold you... but you don't want that from me.. do you? )

Reno watches the fire, his blue eyes reflecting the light

Cloud Strife picks a piece of Chocobo out of the fire and gnaws on it

Reno says, "is it done?"

Reno reaches out for some of the meat roasting on the fire

Cloud Strife says, "Good... "

Reno takes some meat and munches on it as well

Reno says, "yes.. it's good"

Cloud Strife smiles vaguely. finishes his meal and lies back... looking at the stars

Reno continues to eat. closes his eyes as a rush of pain from the poison hits him

Cloud Strife looks at Reno.. somehow sensing his pain

Reno finishes his food and lays down... really not wanting to let on how bad he feels

Cloud Strife moves over to Reno and looks at him

Reno looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife takes the bandage off of Reno's chest and examines him

Cloud Strife says, "Stupid"

Reno says, "what are you doing?"

Cloud Strife looks around. gets up and wanders off a bit... returning a few minutes later with some plants in his hands

Cloud Strife examines the herbs he has. puts some in his mouth and chews them up... making a face at the bitter taste

Reno looks up at Cloud... starting to doze off

Cloud Strife presses his fingers to the wound... trying to squeeze some of the puss out

Reno grits his teeth... feeling the wound gush

Cloud Strife pours some clean water on the wound from a flask.... then spits the herb mush he's made out of his mouth and rubs it into the wound

Reno grits his teeth more... feeling it burn

Cloud Strife says, "Hurts?"

Reno says, "yeah"

Cloud Strife says, "Good.... that mean it killing infection"

Reno nods

Reno says, "I hope so"

Reno passes out at that moment

Cloud Strife re-bandages Reno's wounds and moves to the other side of the fire... then stretches out

Reno wakes up a few hours later. smiles

Reno . o O ( you saved my life Cloud... )

Cloud Strife dreams quietly on the other side of the fire..... twitching every now and then

Reno moves over to Cloud and lays at his side

Cloud Strife is sleeping deeply... something he doesn't do very often

Reno falls asleep at his side

Cloud Strife wakes up and groans... picking the rock out from under his side

Reno is still asleep at Cloud's side

Cloud Strife blinks... noting Reno is lying beside him

Reno looks much better

Cloud Strife says, "Stupid..."

Cloud Strife sits up and stretches... then picks through the remains of the fire for leftovers

Reno wakes up and yawns

Cloud Strife looks at Reno and hands him the last bit of Chocobo

Reno looks over at Cloud .. taking the meat... and smiling a little

Reno says, "thanks... I think you saved my life last night"

Cloud Strife shrugs

Reno eats his meat

Reno says, "Cloud... I'm serous...."

Reno sighs

Reno . o O ( he cares not that I'm showing care for him... but he did care for my wounds )

Cloud Strife says, "I save your life cuz you saved mine... "

Reno says, "I saved your cause I care about you"

Cloud Strife says, "Why?"

Cloud Strife cocks his head to one side

Reno says, "I'm not sure... but I find you enchanting"

Cloud Strife blinks

Cloud Strife says, "What's that mean?"

Reno says, "well... I don't want to see you get hurt"

Cloud Strife blinks. picks a coal out of the fire and tosses it back and forth between his hands

Reno frowns

Reno says, "doesn't that hurt?"

Cloud Strife says, "No.."

Reno nods slowly

Reno says, "alright"

Cloud Strife tosses the coal to Reno

Reno catches it. drops it... holding his rather burnt hand

Cloud Strife chuckles

Reno says, "damn it... ouch"

Reno looks at Cloud

Reno says, "how come you are not burnt?"

Cloud Strife says, "you don't know much do you?"

Reno says, "I know how to fight"

Cloud Strife says, "I can fight... and have an intimate knowledge of the forest...."

Reno says, "I don't know much.. that's true... but I can fight..."

Cloud Strife says, "I can fight .... "

Cloud Strife stands up

Reno stands up as well

Reno says, "so... we can both fight"

Cloud Strife says, "Let's see whose better"

Reno says, "fine... I might have been hurt... but I bounce back fast"

Cloud Strife says, "Lets go then"

Cloud Strife grins

Reno gets into a fighting stance and grins as well

Reno says, "bring it on"

Reno waits for Cloud to attack

Cloud Strife studies Reno for a moment... evaluating him... then ducks in for a quick attack at a seemingly unprotected area

Reno dodges to one side and brings his fist down ion Cloud's back as he passes

Cloud Strife says, "Itai!"

Cloud Strife whirls and swings a hammer fist at Reno

Reno ducks and catches the arm

Cloud Strife growls

Reno says, "had enough?"

Cloud Strife tries to sweep Reno's legs

Reno jumps and twists Cloud around by the arm

Cloud Strife grimaces

Reno pins him to Reno's chest... facing away from him

Cloud Strife pants... realizing he's lost....

Reno lets him go

Reno says, "had enough?"

Cloud Strife nods

Reno smiles a little

Cloud Strife lowers his eyes

Reno says, "no need to look down"

Reno looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife shifts on his feet uncomfortably

Reno gently moves a hand out to touch Cloud's chin

Cloud Strife shifts his gaze up to meet Reno's

Reno smiles softly

Reno says, "feel better?"

Cloud Strife doesn't quite understand what he sees in those eyes. nods

Cloud Strife . o O ( that look.... was in Rufus' eyes..... )

Cloud Strife blinks back tears

Reno moves his hand to Cloud's cheek... seeing the tears

Reno says, "you seem sad"

Cloud Strife says, "you....."

Reno says, "I?"

Cloud Strife lowers his eyes again

Reno takes his hand away

Reno says, "what troubles you?"

Cloud Strife says, "Nothin....."

Reno sighs

Reno says, "shall we get moving?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... I'm sorry"

Reno says, "sorry for?"

Cloud Strife says, "being..... "

Reno says, "being? you mean being yourself?"

Cloud Strife says, "I see.... what you.. want.."

Reno blinks

Reno . o O ( what do I want? to love you? )

Cloud Strife says, "your eyes.... "

Reno says, "and this upsets you?"

Cloud Strife says, "I.... I don't know... Rufus.. he....."

Reno cocks his head to one side

Cloud Strife sniffles

Reno moves his hand back up instinctively to wipe Cloud's tears away

Reno says, "please don't cry"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm sorry... it's just..... he was ... so much to me..."

Reno nods

Reno says, "he was everything to you?"

Cloud Strife says, "but I guess he's gone now... he knew....."

Reno says, "knew?"

Cloud Strife says, "The way he held back... the way he didn't come with us .... he knew you had interest in me... "

Reno says, "and that made him want to hold back?"

Cloud Strife says, "He could have never given me... anything more than hugs and kisses..... he wanted me to have more... I told him it was okay... My stupid... stupid lust... made him.... want me to have more....."

Reno looks at Cloud.. trying to get the full meaning of his words

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't need more... I had him....."

Reno sighs

Cloud Strife says, "Did I?"

Cloud Strife puts his hands on his head

Reno says, "Did you?"

Reno makes a comforting motion with his hand to the side of Cloud's face

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know... mebbe ... I am insane..... "

Reno says, "Why do you say that?"

Reno continues to make a comforting movement

Cloud Strife says, "He....."

Reno says, "he?"

Cloud Strife sniffles. starts walking... sniffling

Reno walks at his side

Cloud Strife says, "I'm insane... go way..... before you get hurt"

Reno says, "I'm not afraid of being hurt. I don't want to leave you alone to get hurt"

Cloud Strife says, "Why... Im only going to have to go back to that place"

Reno says, "why do you say that? "

Cloud Strife says, "And spend my time alone again... in my room. I belong there............"

Reno shakes his head

Reno says, "why?"

Cloud Strife says, "Because.... I saw Rufus... talked to him... he wasn't real.."

Reno says, "but... there is no way you could have known who I was unless he was real"

Cloud Strife says, "How do you know that? I coulda read about you or heard about you... hell mebbe Im a subconscious telepath"

Reno . o O ( that's true... maybe it's cause I have been believing you )

Reno says, "perhaps. but still... you don't see him any more"

Cloud Strife says, "It doesn't matter.... I did see him.."

Reno says, "if you saw him for insanity then you are now cured"

Cloud Strife says, "No..."

Reno says, "if he's a ghost.. he just wandered off"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm insane, Can't you see?"

Reno sighs

Reno says, "then I just don't care"

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "No one does now... that he is gone. I'm alone again"

Reno says, "I care about you.. I don't care if you are insane"

Cloud Strife says, "I still have to go back... I can't be loose....."

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Cloud Strife says, "I have to do what I started... then go back to die in captivity. Where I belong...."

Reno says, "well... you could just go some where where no one lives"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't want to be alone...."

Reno says, "no one belongs there... Cloud... you are not insane"

Reno places his hand carefully on his shoulder

Cloud Strife says, "Zack and Sephiroth belong there... I'm one of them...."

Reno says, "yes... they do.... but not you"

Cloud Strife says, "how do you know?"

Reno moves his hand up to Cloud's face and caresses it gently

Cloud Strife says, "Why do you care so much... even when I push you away?"

Reno says, "I do not know... there is something about you.... something I see in you"

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Reno and leans into him

Reno blinks for a second... shocked that Cloud is now leaning on him

Cloud Strife sniffles

Reno slips his arms around Cloud to help support him

Cloud Strife says, "You believe in me... but you don't know me.... "

Reno says, "I know enough"

Cloud Strife says, "How are you feeling?"

Reno says, "I'm feeling good thanks to those herbs you put on my wound"

Cloud Strife smiles

Cloud Strife says, "I learned herbs... from trial and error... poisoned myself a few times"

Reno smiles when he sees Cloud smile

Reno says, "but you are still here"

Cloud Strife says, "I was lucky. I drug myself into a stream and stayed there ... till the fevers passed..."

Reno says, "yes... so.. how did you wind up a captive any way?"

Cloud Strife says, "I killed a man.... who was destroying my home..... "

Reno says, "that's not a bad thing"

Cloud Strife says, "He wounded me... quite severely... They got me... and deemed me insane because I wouldn't talk....."

Reno says, "I killed a bully when I was a kid... and wound up badly hurt too. you just didn't want to talk it seems... you are talking fine now"

Cloud Strife says, "I did talk... in a way they didn't understand"

Reno says, "how was that?"

Cloud Strife says, "body language.... "

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Reno says, "ahhhh"

Cloud Strife says, "I was dubbed a mute.. and turned over to the director of the asylum"

Reno says, "Hojo?"

Cloud Strife nods

Reno can't help running his hands slowly and gently up and down Cloud's back

Cloud Strife says, "he gave me what I deemed as a rather thorough physical... then deposited me in a room..... Rufus arrived nearly a month or two later"

Reno says, "and then what happened?"

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus.... he was the first person who wasn't scared of me. well... he was a little... but he still got closer than most would"

Reno says, "how did you meet him?"

Cloud Strife says, "I found him huddled in a catatonic state...."

Reno says, "bad memories?"

Cloud Strife nods

Cloud Strife says, "he had a lot of pain"

Reno says, "was that what killed him in the end?"

Cloud Strife says, "I had a lot of pain... not nearly as much... Yes... he drugged himself to death pretty much"

Reno says, "and didn't care?"

Cloud Strife nods

Cloud Strife says, "I spent a lot of time before Rufus came.... sedated and or restrained"

Reno says, "because you didn't get along with people?"

Cloud Strife says, "They wanted me to do things I was not happy with"

Reno says, "such as?"

Cloud Strife says, "You know... psychologists... any kind of scientist... likes to poke and prod....."

Reno sighs

Reno says, "when did you start talking?"

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't want anything to do with them. Rufus... I talked for Rufus. Anyone else would get a row of teeth and growls..."

Reno nods slowly... still rubbing Cloud's back ever so gently

Cloud Strife says, "he said he loved me.... but never wanted to live for me....."

Reno says, "I'll live..."

Cloud Strife says, "take it slow....."

Reno nods