<Gabriel> And five years of the strange depression and misery she'd been feeling ever since the incident on the island....

<Sanosuke> Xellos seem to have been the cause of it.

<Gabriel> But it didnt matter.. she wasnt going to let him ruin her life entirely... so she clung on

<Sanosuke> and Rufus was always there to cheer her up... and sometimes Fillia.

<Gabriel> Lina comes home from work and picks up the mail from the box on the ground floor... flipping through it as she rides the elevator

<Sanosuke> rufus had gotten off work earlierthen that so was making dinner.

<Gabriel> "Rufus theres a weird looking letter here for you...."

<Gabriel> Lina sets the mail on the table and sits down to open hers

<Sanosuke> "For me?" He stopped stirring the pasta and went tothe table.

<Gabriel> "Yeah... its some sort of parchment"

<Sanosuke> Rufus openedit up.

<Gabriel> The letter was written on thin parchment... and in a fine handwriting... it was from Cloud

<Sanosuke> Rufus frowned and read over it carefully.

<Gabriel> It told Rufus a little about where Cloud had been.. and that he was returning to Midgar on a matter of utmost importance... it also said that since the mail system in his country

<Gabriel> was so slow...he'd be there shortly after the letter arrived

<Sanosuke> Rufus bit his lip. "Cloud's coming back."

<Gabriel> "Cloud?" Lina asks.. looking up from her magazine

<Sanosuke> "Yah..that's who the letter is from."

<Gabriel> "Wow... we havent ever heard from him..."

<Sanosuke> "Not in five years..." Rufus went back to his pasta.

<Gabriel> "You dont seem too happy about it"

<Sanosuke> "He did try to kill me last time he was here..."

<Gabriel> "He was really out of it that time Rufus..."

<Sanosuke> "ya I know..." He sighed, turning the stove off. "Hope Serge gets home before this gets cold."

<Gabriel> Lina shakes her head... since Rufus changed the subject rather quickly... he must not be happy

<Gabriel> Serge comes in... looking worn

<Sanosuke> Rufus sat down, giving some pasta to them both. "Hey darling."

<Gabriel> "Hey love... whats new?" Serge asks... sitting down.

<Sanosuke> "Cloud's coming back."

<Gabriel> Serge blinks "He is??"

<Gabriel> "From the dead?"

<Sanosuke> Rufus nodded and passed him the note. "He wasn';t dead darling."

<Gabriel> "Oh.. wow... a monk huh? Think he got his head shaved?"

<Sanosuke> "Let's hope... those spikes make me thinkof a bird..."

<Gabriel> "aww. I was gonna spike my hair too..."

<Sanosuke> Rufus grinned. "Yah but yours isn't the same color as his..."

<Gabriel> "I could bleach it"

<Sanosuke> Rufus petted him. "That would not be good."

<Gabriel> 'Aww... no fair"

<Sanosuke> Rufus grinned.

<Gabriel> "Hmph... anyway... wheres dinner? Im starved"

<Sanosuke> "Right here darling."

<Gabriel> "mmm... great!"

<Sanosuke> "How was your day?"

<Gabriel> "Was good"

<Sanosuke> "Anything interesting happening?"

<Gabriel> "Not really... just the usual... those damned humanoids cant keep their noses .. muzzles... whatever.. outta drug deals"

<Sanosuke> "More drug dealers to bust up love?"

<Gabriel> "Yeah..."

<Sanosuke> Rufus grinned. "Good to know."

<Gabriel> "Too many as of late though"

<Sanosuke> "Yah... and sooner or later it runs into my department."

<Gabriel> "more fun for you...

<Sanosuke> "Yah...." Rufus groaned.

<Gabriel> "Hmph... well at least it puts food on the table...eh Lina?"

<Gabriel> Serge asks... digging in as she picks at her food as usual

<Sanosuke> Rufus chuckled, digging in as well.

<Gabriel> Lina eats a little... then excuses herself to her room for the night

<Sanosuke> Rufus finished his food and yawned.

<Gabriel> "Bed time after clean up lovey?" Serge asks... wiggling his eyebrows

<Sanosuke> "Yes.... bed time!"

<Gabriel> "Good.. we should clean up a little if spike is coming"

<Sanosuke> "Awww man...."

<Gabriel> Serge Chuckles and takes his plate out to the kitchen "C'mon love"

<Sanosuke> "Coming dear." Rufus washed the dishes.

<Gabriel> Serge kisses his neck

<Sanosuke> Rufus hugged him. "BEd time?"

<Gabriel> "Mmmhmm" Serge purrs

<Sanosuke> Rufus got into the bedroom.

<Gabriel> Serge changes into his pajamas and pulls Rufus into bed with him

<Sanosuke> Rufus stripped to his boxers and snuggled with Serge.

<Gabriel> "Night love..." serge purrs... nibbling for a moment before passing out

<Sanosuke> "Night." Rufus yawned,drifting off aswell.

<Gabriel> next morning... bright an early... someone is knocking at the door

<Sanosuke> Rufus groaned and didn't dress as he stgumbled to the door.

<Gabriel> There was someone there... he didnt look at all like cloud... but he greeteed him and had the same voice

<Sanosuke> "Ugghh... it's early..."

<Gabriel> He was wearing a simple robe... dyed in the traditional saffron color of a monk... and had a deep tan... as well as only a slight fuzz of hair

<Gabriel> "Rufus.. good to see you"

<Sanosuke> "Cloud?"

<Gabriel> Cloud nods and hugs him... he smells like exotic spices "Its good to see you"

<Sanosuke> Rufus hugged back gently. "Good."

<Gabriel> "Sorry to wake you up so early... but I got in sooner than I expected.... you can go back to sleep... I can return later"

<Sanosuke> "No no...come in."

<Gabriel> Cloud nods "would you have some hot water? I would like a cup of tea... we have things to talk about"

<Sanosuke> "Yea...I can make some." Rufus moved over to the pot.

<Gabriel> Cloud settles down at the kitchen table and takes his tea bowl out of the folds of his sash... along with a pouch of tea and a bamboo wisk

<Sanosuke> Rufus heated the pot. "What needed?"

<Gabriel> "Just some hot water... and a cup for yourself if you want some of mine.."

<Sanosuke> "Thanks... I mean... to talk on."

<Gabriel> "oh.. something important... I had a vision and my guru said I should go warn the people involved"

<Sanosuke> "Vision?" rufus poured the water.

<Gabriel> "Yes... one of armageddon... "

<Sanosuke> "What about?"

<Gabriel> "The world is doomed... it seems... and people... well more like humanoids.... from this city will trigger it"

<Sanosuke> "And how is that?"

<Gabriel> "I do not know... but I felt it wisest to warn you... Lina will be involved"

<Sanosuke> "And...what will happen?"

<Gabriel> "Everything save this city and a few small nations will go up

<Sanosuke> "Go up?"

<Gabriel> "In flames.... everyone will die" Cloud says... calmly sipping at his tea

<Sanosuke> "Man..... how?"

<Gabriel> "My group is in the midst of moving to someplace isolated so they will not perish.... and I can not be sure as to how'

<Sanosuke> "then how do you know it will?"

<Gabriel> "Ive become quite a visionary in my time away Rufus... and others have had similar prophecies"

<Sanosuke> "But they don't know how?"

<Gabriel> "No.. only that Lina is involved... or to them the girl with hair of flames... I recognized her in my vision"

<Sanosuke> Rufus drank his own cup of tea, pondering what Cloud had told him

<Gabriel> Cloud plays with his tea... waiting for Rufus to respond

<Sanosuke> "It's... a little hard to swallow."

<Gabriel> "I know... hard for me too.."

<Sanosuke> "Why not talk to Lina about it?"

<Gabriel> Cloud frowns "I wouldnt know what to say... how do you tell someone they cause the end of humanity's reign?"

<Sanosuke> "WHAT? Her??"

<Gabriel> "She triggers it somehow"

<Sanosuke> "Man.. then maybe we can't tell her..."

<Gabriel> "She has something strange about her... do you know what it is/'

<Sanosuke> "No... I don't.

<Gabriel> "Neither do I... but dont let her leave this city... she triggers the event but her presence also protects this place

<Sanosuke> He nodded. "I don't see why she would leave."

<Gabriel> "no... neither do I... but I ask that you do not leave either... I do not want you to die"

<Sanosuke> "Thanks... a little different from last we talked..."

<Gabriel> "Im sorry about that Rufus.... I know... I am a bad person for what I did"

<Sanosuke> "You were insane..."

<Gabriel> "I let my emotions come before reason..."

<Sanosuke> "Not any more?"

<Gabriel> "No... no emotions that arent necessary"

<Sanosuke> "Soyou're likestone?"

<Gabriel> "Im the man I always should have been"

<Sanosuke> "Good."

<Gabriel> Cloud smiles "yes... its very good.... Im stronger.. smarter.... and I feel so much better...."

<Sanosuke> "Good for you."

<Gabriel> "Now if only I could traverse time..."

<Sanosuke> "For what?"

<Gabriel> "To save myself..."

<Sanosuke> "From?"

<Gabriel> "From the loss I endured"

<Sanosuke> "loss?"

<Gabriel> "Sephiroth.."

<Sanosuke> "Oh... I'm sorry."

<Gabriel> "Dont be... it was my fault... only I should be sorry

<Sanosuke> "So, what doyou want us to do thjen?"

<Gabriel> "I would like to stay here.. and wait... I have no where else to go"

<Sanosuke> "No where else?"

<Gabriel> "Well I could go back.. but that life is over..."

<Sanosuke> "life?"

<Gabriel> "Yes... I am no longer one of them...

<Sanosuke> "The monks?"

<Gabriel> "Yes.. I left the monastary... my leaving meant my quitting"

<Sanosuke> "I see...."

<Sanosuke> Rufus got up and put his cup in the sink.

<Gabriel> "even though it ws a matter of great importance.. you know... " Cloud says with a sigh

<Sanosuke> "What you mean?"

<Gabriel> "Nothing... I just have to figure out what to do with myself"

<Sanosuke> "Well,you can stay here."

<Gabriel> "Thank you... I wont cause problems... and I will find a job and be out as soon as possible"

<Sanosuke> "If you say so."

<Gabriel> "You dont want me here... "

<Sanosuke> "I never said that."

<Gabriel> "No... but you dont want me here.... I will disrupt your lifestyle.. and I believe you arent happy at all to see me..."

<Sanosuke> "Please...stop thinking like that."

<Gabriel> "But is it true Rufus?"

<Sanosuke> "No it ain

<Sanosuke> t."

<Gabriel> "Okay... i wanted to be sure... '

<Sanosuke> "We have pleanty of room."

<Gabriel> "Thank you Rufus... Im sorry for intruding"

<Sanosuke> "I said it's ok./"

<Gabriel> "I know but... Im supposed to be humble and apologetic.... "

<Gabriel> "Im going to have to get myself some new clothes... huh?"

<Sanosuke> Rufus nodded. "Ya...you do.I can get you some."

<Gabriel> "Thanks... I could use a few other things. I wasnt allowed to own anything"

<Sanosuke> "Nothing?"

<Gabriel> "Well...I was allowed to own my bowl... and my beads"

<Gabriel> Cloud fishes a strand of beads out of a fold in his robe and hands them over to Rufus

<Sanosuke> "They're pretty."

<Gabriel> "i carved them.."

<Sanosuke> "Wow..out of what?"

<Gabriel> "Bone"

<Sanosuke> "Of?"

<Gabriel> "Animals... we werent allowed to eat meat so I had to collect bones from the village"

<Sanosuke> "No meat?"

<Gabriel> Cloud shakes his head "vegetarian"

<Sanosuke> "Stillare?"

<Gabriel> Cloud shrugs "Im free now... so I can do as I please... not sure yet though"

<Sanosuke> Meanwhile...Filia stired her cup of tea, frowning ever since she had awoken from a bad dream.

<Gabriel> Val is up with her... having heard her moving about

<Sanosuke> She had fixed him a cup of tea as well, leaving it on the kitchen counter.

<Gabriel> Val sits down with her... looking worried "Another bad dream?"

<Sanosuke> "Yeah.... a fire the affects the human race and all it's works but leaves everything else untouched..."

<Gabriel> Val frowns

<Sanosuke> "It was weird... some humans survived in the dream.. mostly on islands... and in this city..."

<Gabriel> "hmm.. what could it mean.. its not a prophecy is it?"

<Sanosuke> "It might be.. and that's what worries me."

<Gabriel> ".... "

<Sanosuke> She leaned down and rubbed her head.

<Sanosuke> "If it is true..the whole world is in danger..."

<Gabriel> Val frowns and sighs "what can we do?"

<Sanosuke> "I.... I....I don't know." She stopped stiring her tea.

<Gabriel> "Was there anyone in your dream?

<Sanosuke> "Just... a feeling of evil.

<Sanosuke> "

<Gabriel> "But he's dead..." Val says to himself

<Sanosuke> She frowned. "I know...I killed him..."

<Gabriel> "I dont know what to tell you yaya..."

<Sanosuke> "I need to find out what these dreams mean.,"

<Gabriel> Val nods

<Sanosuke> "Oh Val, where's Flea?"

<Gabriel> "Sleeping as usual... "

<Sanosuke> "He sleep alot?

<Sanosuke> "

<Gabriel> Val nods

<Sanosuke> "Oh." She fell silent and sipped her tea.

<Gabriel> "You should go back to sleep yaya... and try to dream more..."

<Sanosuke> "Dream..more?"

<Gabriel> Val nods "maybe it'll give you clues if you can try not to wake up"

<Sanosuke> "clues to what will happen?"

<Gabriel> Val nods again

<Sanosuke> She nodded slowly. "You are right."

<Gabriel> "go ahead Yaya. I'll put our cups in the kitchen"

<Sanosuke> She finished her tea and handed the cup to Val. "You get some sleep too."?

<Gabriel> "Yes... back to cuddling Flea" He says with a soft smile

<Sanosuke> Filia smiled and hugged her son before retreating to her bedroom.

<Gabriel> Val goes back to sleep too ... curling back up with his love

<Sanosuke> Flea stired alittle to lick Val's face.

<Gabriel> Val smiles and snuggles close

<Sanosuke> Filia lay down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling.

<Gabriel> did she really want to have those frightening dreams again?

<Sanosuke> they had scared her bad the first time.

<Gabriel> And it only got worse.....

<Gabriel> Nakago is lounging on his throne... awaiting his daily stream of peasants and beggars awaiting his judgements

<Sanosuke> His lover was lounging by the throne, yawning tiredly. "How many more we got today?"

<Gabriel> "A few more... then we can do some important things...'

<Sanosuke> "Good. Geez... what's with all these beggers anyway?"

<Sanosuke> There were serveral hunched forms in dirty rags... one had on a cloak.

<Gabriel> "I dont know.. I think Im going to deport them.. I dont want to become a kingdom of beggars....:

<Sanosuke> "why not just kill them?"

<Gabriel> "we can sink the boat we put them on..."

<Gabriel> "Give the royal navy some target practice"

<Sanosuke> His lover chuckled. "They'd come back otherwise." He said all this of course to softly for anyone but Nakago to hear.

<Gabriel> "Alright... come forward and plead your case... why should you be allowed to remain here" Nakago says... pointing at one

<Sanosuke> the begger was an old man. "Please sire... I am old. My children were all killed in war... I have no one to support me."

<Gabriel> "You are unable to work?"

<Sanosuke> "Yes sire.... I worked all my life to support my children... when they died the money was gone."

<Gabriel> Nakago turns t hings over in his head then instructs the guard to feed the man and place him on the next boat to the mainland.. "I hear they are better suited to care for the elderly there..."

<Sanosuke> The old man nodded and bowed before him as the guard led him away.

<Gabriel> "Next..."

<Sanosuke> A dirty middle-aged woman waddled to the front.

<Gabriel> "Plead your case"

<Sanosuke> "Sire... I have three children and my husband left me... we have no money... no skills... we're starving."

<Gabriel> "You cant take up a simple job?

<Sanosuke> "I've tried sire... no one will hire me..."

<Gabriel> "How old are your children?

<Sanosuke> "3, 5, and 7..."

<Gabriel> "I will take your oldest on as a palace attendant... you and the other two will be sent to the mainland... I hear there are good jobs there"

<Sanosuke> "But..they're 3 and 5... they can't work yet."

<Gabriel> "You will find yourself a job on the mainland... and perhaps a husband... that will help take care of them..."

<Sanosuke> She nodded slowly. "Yes sire." She bowed and departed to gather upher children from outside.

<Gabriel> "Next"

<Sanosuke> The cloaked figure moved slowly forward.

<Gabriel> "Plead your case..."

<Sanosuke> "I have no case..." The voice was smooth..and low..the head pointed down so his face could not be seen

<Gabriel> "No case?"

<Sanosuke> "I am... just here... to watch."

<Sanosuke> Nakago's lover rolled his eyes and leaned up to whisper, "I think this one's nutty.'

<Gabriel> "a.. okay... well we're sending you to the mainland..

<Gabriel> "Perhaps they have an institute there for loons like you"

<Sanosuke> "And what do I need on the mainland?" The cloaked figure asked.

<Gabriel> "Its not what you need.. it is that we dont need you here"

<Sanosuke> The figure chuckled softly. "Oh but you do..."

<Gabriel> "Oh... and why do I need you here?"

<Sanosuke> "You'll find out in due time."

<Gabriel> "Ship him off... he's nuts"

<Sanosuke> The guards saluted and the figure went with them.

<Sanosuke> "That was weird.." Nakago's lover shrugged.

<Gabriel> "Yes .. it was"

<Sanosuke> "Well, we finished with the rest of them for today."

<Gabriel> "Good.. lets have our dinner then rest.... "

<Sanosuke> "Have the cooks finished it?"

<Gabriel> "if they havent they'll be punished"

<Sanosuke> "What sort of punishment?" He slid into Nakago's lap.

<Gabriel> "The usual"

<Sanosuke> "What I wanted to hear." He kissed the side of Nakago's mouth.

<Gabriel> "mm.. now now.. wait till after dinner..."

<Sanosuke> "Ok. Let's eat then!"

<Gabriel> Nakago smirks and slings Tamahome into his arms... carrying him to the dining hall

<Sanosuke> Tamahome slid out to get into his seat at Nakago's side.

<Gabriel> Nakago starts picking at the plates in front of him.. there is so much food...probably enough to last a family a few weeks.. but its all here for one meal... for only 2 men

<Sanosuke> Tamahome picked at his dish then forked some into his mouth. "Pretty good."

<Gabriel> "Yes.. it is"

<Sanosuke> "MMmm.,..I want to finish fast...what about you."

<Gabriel> "Yes.. I'll eat quicker.. sorry.. I was thinking about that one beggar"

<Sanosuke> "Which one?"

<Gabriel> "The one that was nuts"

<Sanosuke> "What about?"

<Gabriel> "What he said... it bothers me.. a little"

<Sanosuke> "Like what?"

<Sanosuke> He gathered up some more on his plate and quickly devowered it.

<Gabriel> "I dont know... just....

<Gabriel> Nakago shrugs and keeps eating

<Sanosuke> "AWw... a bad feeling?"

<Gabriel> "yes.... bad feeling"

<Sanosuke> Tamahome set down his fork and spoon and stood up. "I really need to help relax you."

<Gabriel> "Yes... yes you do"

<Sanosuke> He walked behind Nakago and started to massage his shoulders.

<Gabriel> "mmm......"

<Sanosuke> "Finished eating yet?"

<Gabriel> "Yes.. now I am...." Nakago purrs

<Sanosuke> "Back to the royal room?"

<Sanosuke> Tamahome was massaging Nakago's shoulders

<Gabriel> Nakago is moaning softly... he's so damned tense...

<Sanosuke> "To the room?"

<Gabriel> "yes... '

<Sanosuke> Tamahome helped him up. "I'll completely relax you."

<Gabriel> "Sounds wonderful" nakago purrs

<Sanosuke> "Good." He walked with him to the room.

<Gabriel> Nakago pushes Tamahome down onto the bed and grins

<Sanosuke> Tamahome removed his clothing, sliding it onto the floor. "Want me to get the oil?"

<Gabriel> "Yes..." nakago says.. and moves off of him to strip and sprawl onto the bed

<Sanosuke> Tamahome slid up to grab the bottle of oil for them.

<Gabriel> Nakago makes sure to wrap Tamahome in his arms before he can wriggle off to somewhere else... he's very posessive and insistant

<Sanosuke> Tamahome does not mind at all, and grins up at him. "The oil my sweet."

<Gabriel> "Mm.. " Nakago purrs... saying very little as he proceeds to pour it on both himself and tamahome... not minding at all that its getting all over the bed

<Sanosuke> His lover grinned up at him happily. "Now... how do you want to be relaxeD?"

<Gabriel> Nakago rubs himself against Tamahome... shivering with expectation "Mmm... please me as you will"

<Sanosuke> Tamahome licked across Nakago's neck.

<Gabriel> Nakago is hard already... and stressed as well.. lucky he isnt giving himself a heart attack from everything he has to deal with

<Sanosuke> Tamahome pulled his arms around him, going back to massaging the back as they kissed.

<Gabriel> Nakago kisses deeply.. melting against Tamahome's firm body

<Sanosuke> The other pressed up against him.

<Gabriel> "I need you so badly..." Nakago murmurs... placing his hands on tamahome's ass and pressing thier groins even tighter together

<Sanosuke> "You have me... mmmm..." His eyes rolled slightly as he knead the ruler's back.

<Gabriel> "Then Im going to take you... " Nakago purrs.... pulling Tamahome's legs around him and rubbing his fully erect cock up between Tamahome's cheeks

<Sanosuke> The smaller man arched back, his arms slipping down to brace against the bed as he opened himself up.

<Gabriel> Nakago presses himself in all the way.. burrying himself into his lover's tight body in one thrust

<Sanosuke> Tamahome made a light squeeking sound as he was penitrated.

<Gabriel> Nakago catches Tamahome's lips again and kisses him a bit roughly... starting to pump his hips slowly

<Sanosuke> The younger man's tongue snakedout.

<Gabriel> Nakago bites at it playfully... thrusting a litle faster

<Sanosuke> Tamahome moaned under the mouth, thrusting his own tongue up.

<Gabriel> Nakago sucks on Tamahome's tongue... thrusting even harder and making small grunts into the kiss

<Sanosuke> He was tightning up around the thrusting even as he was pushed aside.

<Gabriel> Nakago brings his arms around Tamahome... pulling him into each thrust so he reaches deeper.... needing to fulfil his primal urges

<Sanosuke> "Ohhh!!! Nakky..." Tamahome's head went back,

<Gabriel> Nakago bites Tamahome's neck... pressing himself in all the way as he suddenly explodes... sending his hot seed into Tamahome

<Sanosuke> There was a slight whimpering moaned sound coming from the smaller man now, and his cock dripped against Nakago's stomach.

<Gabriel> Nakago licks at Tamahome's neck as he drains into him... pulling his arms more loosely around his body

<Sanosuke> "Feeling any better?" Tamahome purre.d

<Gabriel> "Much... much better"

<Sanosuke> "Mmm...anything more I can do for your mood?"

<Gabriel> "Just stay here with me... " Nakago mumbles... Tangling his limbs up with Tamahome's

<Sanosuke> Tamahome smiled. "Anything you wish of me."

<Gabriel> "Come now love... you arent my slave..."

<Sanosuke> "If you say so." Tamahome grinned.

<Gabriel> Nakago sighs and pats him on the head

<Sanosuke> "Awww...you know I love you."

<Gabriel> "I know... now get some sleep"

<Sanosuke> "Alright darling."

<Gabriel> Nakago curls up around him.. closing his eyes and slipping into a quiet sleep

<Sanosuke> Tamahome stayed awake just to watch him.

<Gabriel> Nakago twitches slightly as he dreams... about what who knows

<Sanosuke> Tamahome kissed his eye softly. "I'm here to protect you..." He whispered.