Sephiroth nuzzles Zack's neck. Kisses Zack

Zack whimpers softly and cuddles against Sephiroth

Sephiroth says, "something wrong love?"

Zack says, "No.... I'm just afraid you're gonna leave me..."

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth cuddles with him

Cloud Strife watches the two and sighs softly

Sephiroth hears a sigh and looks around

Cloud Strife says, "I can't find him..."

Sephiroth says, "he got loose?"

Cloud Strife says, "yes..."

Sephiroth says, "damn"

Zack looks at Cloud... then hides his head in Sephiroth's chest

Sephiroth says, "how?"

Sephiroth looks at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "I left him alone... I shouldn't have. There were needles strewn all about..."

Sephiroth says, "there were?"

Cloud Strife nods

Sephiroth blinks slowly

Sephiroth says, "Cloud..."

Cloud Strife says, "A few of em... were still full.... I'm quite upset... I counted at least a dozen used, freshly..."

Sephiroth says, "how many did he use?"

Cloud Strife says, "I think he's committed suicide..."

Sephiroth says, "oh gods...."

Cloud Strife bites his lip

Cloud Strife says, "He... knew I needed him...."

Sephiroth says, "we can't be sure he really used them..."

Cloud Strife shakes his head violently

Sephiroth says, "how would you know?"

Cloud Strife says, "he used them... he used me.... "

Sephiroth gets up from Zack and goes to Cloud

Sephiroth says, "but... if he took that many... he would not have been able to get out of the area..."

Zack frowns and stays quiet... knowing he caused a lot of what is happening to the kid

Sephiroth says, "he would have dropped right there..."

Cloud Strife shakes his head again

Sephiroth says, "oh?"

Cloud Strife says, "Its useless trying to argue"

Sephiroth says, "I was asking... I'm sorry"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't give a damn anymore...."

Sephiroth gets dressed

Sephiroth says, "look... let's go back and look for him... ok?"

Cloud Strife says, "Why? So I can sit and nurse him back to health again... only for him to do it again? If he wants death so badly let him have it...."

Sephiroth says, "You know that's what he wants?"

Cloud Strife says, "He obviously doesn't want me"

Sephiroth says, "how do you know he wants death though"

Cloud Strife says, "He was abused... why wouldn't he want death?"

Sephiroth says, "but I still don't see how he got away from the area. If he took a dozen right then and there... he'd still be there... come... let's find out"

Sephiroth hooks Cloud's arm

Sephiroth says, "well Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Why?"

Sephiroth says, "just to find out. I mean... that many should have been instant conking out where he was...."

Sephiroth looks at Cloud

Sephiroth says, "I mean... think about it. So... come on"

Sephiroth starts to lead Cloud off

Cloud Strife sighs and lets Sephiroth drag him

Zack watches wondering if he should go

Sephiroth walks back to Cloud's place where Rufus last was seen

Sephiroth says, "ok... show me where you had him tied up"

Cloud Strife points at the bed

Sephiroth looks at the bed

Sephiroth says, "hmmm"

Sephiroth picks up a needle

Sephiroth says, "blood... he did use it"

Cloud Strife picks up a pillow and cradles it against his chest... visibly upset

Sephiroth says, "then where is he?"

Sephiroth places his hand on Cloud's shoulder

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know"

Sephiroth gently massages Cloud's neck

Sephiroth says, "Cloud?"

Cloud Strife sighs and squeezes the pillow tighter

Sephiroth slips his arms around Cloud as he stands behind him

Cloud Strife finds himself totally enthralled by Sephiroth's proximity

Sephiroth says, "tell me... what happened... please"

Cloud Strife sniffles and clutches the pillow violently

Cloud Strife says, "he died..."

Sephiroth closes his eyes

Cloud Strife says, "I came back and he was so bad off... I decided I had to let him go..."

Sephiroth says, "I'm sorry... Cloud..."

Cloud Strife says, "I ... didn't know what to do with his body..."

Cloud Strife sniffles and puts the pillow against his face... muffling his tears

Sephiroth says, "why did you have to lie? Was it for Zack?"

Sephiroth pulls Cloud into his arms, sitting on the bed

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't want him to die... just... I had to "

Sephiroth cuddles Cloud in his arms

Cloud Strife relaxes... feeling warm and safe in Sephiroth's embrace

Sephiroth says, "he couldn't stop... could he? He was doomed from before he met you... wasn't he?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes...."

Sephiroth says, "don't blame yourself then"

Cloud Strife says, "He said he loved me... did he? I've never known love..."

Sephiroth says, "I think I know love"

Cloud Strife says, "Zack loves you...."

Sephiroth says, "I know"

Cloud Strife seems quite disappointed by this

Cloud Strife says, "he... he was crying.... Was sad cuz he thought you were cheating on him wasn't he?"

Sephiroth says, "yeah... sort of... but... he told me to have fun with her..."

Cloud Strife sighs

Sephiroth sighs

Cloud Strife says, "At least you an him are happy...."

Sephiroth says, "I was depressed today... even when he was in the room"

Cloud Strife says, "Why?"

Sephiroth says, "No clue... I just was"

Cloud Strife says, "Oh.... Well I have a reason... my life always sucks..."

Sephiroth cuddles Cloud

Sephiroth says, "where is... the body?"

Cloud Strife says, "I stuffed him in the basement of the complex... in a janitor's closet... Great place to put someone you loved... or did I?"

Sephiroth says, "we should do something with it... "

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... he deserves a proper burial"

Sephiroth says, "yes"

Sephiroth stands up, holding Cloud

Sephiroth says, "do you think you loved him? Or was it both of you were in pain and clung to one another?"

Cloud Strife wants to just bury his face into Sephiroth's chest and profess his feelings... but realizes he shouldn't do that to Zack... no matter how much of a bastard the guy is

Cloud Strife says, "I tried... we were just in pain I think"

Sephiroth says, "Then let us bury him. Show me where you put him"

Sephiroth strokes his fingers through Cloud's hair

Cloud Strife leads Sephiroth to where Rufus is stowed... he's wrapped in a blanket and still fully clothed

Sephiroth sighs softly

Cloud Strife says, "Why'd he do that?"

Sephiroth says, "why'd he?"

Sephiroth looks at the body and closes his eyes for a moment. Sets Cloud on the ground so he can get ready to bury Rufus

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "Where we gonna put him.... Isn't someone gonna Miss him?"

Sephiroth says, "no... ShinRa was falling apart cause of him... and he can still bug his sister... you and I will be the only ones to miss him"

Cloud Strife nods

Cloud Strife says, "I'll miss him... for the brief period of peace I had with him...."

Sephiroth picks the body up in his arms

Sephiroth says, "how long did that last? And why did you lie about this when I was with Zack?"

Cloud Strife says, "Cuz... Zack... he always feels bad when he knows things have gone bad for me"

Sephiroth says, "he does care Cloud... so... if he knew?"

Sephiroth starts to walk with the body... going outside to pick a good spot

Cloud Strife says, "He woulda gotten upset.... More so than he needed"

Cloud Strife watches Sephiroth quietly

Sephiroth looks at a spot

Sephiroth says, "does this look good?"

Cloud Strife nods

Sephiroth sets it down

Sephiroth says, "any shovels or anything?"

Cloud Strife says, "In the storage shed"

Cloud Strife points...

Sephiroth says, "ok"

Sephiroth goes and gets two and brings them back

Sephiroth says, "did he say anything to you?"

Sephiroth starts to dig

Cloud Strife says, "He was too far gone...."

Cloud Strife begins to dig as well

Sephiroth says, "what did you find?"

Sephiroth piles the dirt to one side

Cloud Strife says, "Not even a note"

Sephiroth says, "no... I mean with him..."

Cloud Strife says, "With him?"

Sephiroth continues to dig, looking at Cloud

Sephiroth says, "yes"

Cloud Strife says, "I grew up a little. I had to hold him... while he died... he wasn't... dead when I found him.... He just sorta went to sleep.... "

Sephiroth says, "and then?"

Cloud Strife says, "then... I wasn't sure what to do with him... I cried... for a while... I didn't want him to leave me...."

Sephiroth says, "when did you know he was dead?"

Cloud Strife says, "he twitched a little...and I thought he was coming outta it.... But when I felt for a pulse there wasn't any"

Sephiroth says, "no breathing?"

Sephiroth finishes digging and looks into the hole

Cloud Strife says, "No... He was gone. I made sure"

Sephiroth looks at the hole

Sephiroth says, "this good?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah"

Cloud Strife looks at Rufus

Sephiroth picks him up gently

Cloud Strife reaches out to touch Rufus one last time

Sephiroth says, "How does he feel?"

Cloud Strife says, "cold..."

Sephiroth places the body gently into the grave

Cloud Strife watches silently

Cloud Strife says, "I'm alone again.... "

Sephiroth puts an arm around Cloud and looks down at the body

Sephiroth says, "was he awake when you found him?"

Cloud Strife says, "No... He was barely hanging on...."

Sephiroth says, "you got there in time to see him die?"

Cloud Strife says, "He lingered for about 15 minutes... I just held him"

Sephiroth says, "so... he didn't know you were there?"

Sephiroth picks up the shovel... about to cover the grave in dirt

Cloud Strife says, "No.... I hope he doesn't think I abandoned him.... I left him asleep when I came to the bar"

Sephiroth says, "but... you didn't wake him up..."

Cloud Strife says, "I couldn't... he wouldn't wake up"

Sephiroth says, "he didn't want to?"

Cloud Strife says, "I did try at first.... Then I figured I should just let him go"

Cloud Strife watches Rufus slowly get covered up

Sephiroth says, "just allow him to die?"

Sephiroth finishes covering him up and pats the grave. Stakes the shovel in to mark the spot

Cloud Strife says, "I guess... we should get a better marker"

Sephiroth says, "I suppose"

Cloud Strife sighs

Sephiroth says, "Cloud... I'm sorry... but we all knew this would come I think"

Cloud Strife nods and looks at the grave

Sephiroth puts an arm around Cloud

Cloud Strife sniffles

Sephiroth says, "he just slept.... Oblivious to you and even his own death?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes..."

Sephiroth sighs

Cloud Strife whimpers

Sephiroth hears him whimper and pulls him to his chest

Sephiroth says, "shh..."

Cloud Strife begins to cry... burying his head in Sephiroth's chest

Sephiroth strokes his fingers through Cloud's hair. Feels the tears through his light clothing

Sephiroth says, "shhh...."

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "I don't wanna be alone again..."

Sephiroth says, "That's why you two were together... cause you were both lonely..."

Sephiroth picks him up

Cloud Strife says, "now I'm lonely again... can I go with him?"

Sephiroth cuddles Cloud

Sephiroth says, "if you really wanted that... you would have used the unused needles..."

Cloud Strife says, "I guess you're right... I know what I want in life.... Just.... Its not there... whenever I reach... it flits away..."

Sephiroth says, "what do you want?"

Cloud Strife says, "I can't say... "

Sephiroth rocks Cloud gently back and forth

Sephiroth says, "please tell me... It's my fault your town is gone..."

Cloud Strife closes his eyes... feeling insanely wonderful at Sephiroth's gentle comforting

Cloud Strife says, "No... I'll be fine... I've been okay so far..."

Sephiroth says, "no you won't... you are suffering"

Cloud Strife says, "I'll find Tifa and apologize... she thought she loved me too... perhaps she did...."

Sephiroth says, "Will that make you happy?"

Cloud Strife says, "Nothin ever does"

Sephiroth frowns. Cradles Cloud in his arms and walks to a tree... sitting under it and putting him on his lap

Cloud Strife feels quite happy right now... but isn't gonna say anything lest he ruin lives

Sephiroth softly kisses the back of Cloud's neck

Cloud Strife says, "What are you doing?"

Sephiroth says, "trying to help you feel better"

Cloud Strife says, "Its gonna make me feel worse in the long run... you know don't you?"

Sephiroth says, "I'm sorry"

Sephiroth sighs and sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "how long have you?"

Sephiroth says, "have I?"

Cloud Strife says, "known... have you known?"

Cloud Strife wonders if he stupidly gave himself away

Sephiroth says, "known?"

Cloud Strife says, "nothin..."

Sephiroth nuzzles the back of his neck

Cloud Strife says, "quit it Seph..."

Sephiroth sighs

Cloud Strife says, "you're gonna make me feel worse...."

Sephiroth says, "I don't want that. I...I... what am I doing?"

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

Sephiroth hangs his head

Sephiroth says, "I'm sorry..."

Cloud Strife says, "It felt nice"

Sephiroth kisses his neck again. Leans his head on Cloud's shoulder

Zack watches Sephiroth obviously cuddling Cloud from afar... and feels his heart breaking

Cloud Strife says, "Maybe you shouldn't be doing this Seph...."

Zack leans heavily against the tree he is standing by

Sephiroth says, ".... I've been feeling depressed lately... and I didn't know why... I think it is because you have been so sad..."

Cloud Strife sighs and leans back into Sephiroth's chest... wishing it was always there for him

Zack notes the grave and jumps to the conclusion that Sephiroth will be replacing Rufus for now on...

Sephiroth slips his arms around Cloud, pulling him closer

Zack says, "*quietly so only he can hear* Perhaps its best that you make the kid happy ... I mean... its only right.... "

Sephiroth kisses the side of his cheek Zack can't see

Zack says, "I was the cause of his pain... its only right that in healing him I should get hurt... "

Sephiroth nuzzles Cloud's neck

Cloud Strife allows himself to melt into Sephiroth's arms... wishing he could do more

Sephiroth says, "I want your pain to go away Cloud..."

Cloud Strife says, "the only way it can right now is to hurt someone else. And I can't let you do that... Seph... I'll be okay... really"

Sephiroth says, "no you won't... I know you Cloud..."

Sephiroth kisses his neck

Cloud Strife says, "Seph I gotta grow up and learn to take care of myself someday... don't do this to me"

Sephiroth says, "ok..."

Sephiroth lets go of Cloud

Cloud Strife stands up and looks at sephiroth

Cloud Strife says, "There's gonna be someone else for me someday"

Sephiroth hangs his head

Sephiroth says, "I feel depressed... I still do not know why..."

Zack sits down under his tree and pulls his knees to his chest

Cloud Strife says, "What's eating ya Seph?"

Sephiroth says, "I don't know"

Cloud Strife says, "Is it your relationship still bugging ya?"

Sephiroth says, "I... don't know. I just feel depressed"

Sephiroth lies out on the ground

Cloud Strife Sits by Sephiroth

Cloud Strife says, "Anything I can do?"

Sephiroth says, "I think I need my real body... but... Zack will not let me go anywhere near the Promised Land"

Cloud Strife says, "Because he loves you? Is afraid something might happen?"

Sephiroth says, "I don't know. He just says he doesn't want me to go"

Cloud Strife says, "Why don't ya talk to him?"

Sephiroth sighs

Sephiroth says, "I... don't know"

Sephiroth sniffles and looks up at Cloud. Brings a hand up and touches Cloud's cheek softly

Sephiroth says, "I need to be held... and cuddled... not just the object of lust..."

Cloud Strife takes Sephiroth's hand and kisses it softly...

Cloud Strife says, "Do you think he just lusts for you?"

Sephiroth says, "He seemed to"

Cloud Strife says, "you gotta talk to him...."

Sephiroth sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "He lusted for me... said he loved me... but don't judge him on what he did to me"

Zack sighs to himself... knowing he probably screwed up again

Sephiroth closes his eyes

Sephiroth says, "I want to hold someone and cuddle them... and for them to love that..."

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "I want that from you.... But I just cant...."

Cloud Strife kisses Sephiroth's hand again

Sephiroth smiles softly

Cloud Strife says, "I need to go home and clean up Rufus' stuff... and get rid of it.... Its gonna upset me more"

Sephiroth says, "ok..."

Sephiroth curls up in the grass

Sephiroth says, "I'm just gonna lie here"

Cloud Strife says, "I have a couch if you need someplace to crash...."

Sephiroth says, "it's ok"

Cloud Strife looks at Sephiroth then walks back towards his building... tripping over the sobbing Zack on the way

Zack grabs Cloud by the ankle and yanks him to the ground... pinning him somewhat roughly

Zack says, "Why are you taking him away from me?"

Sephiroth curls up more in the grass

Cloud Strife says, "huh? Im not... I pushed him away.... Lemme up"

Zack lets Cloud up... and puts his head in his hands

Sephiroth still feels depressed

Zack says, "You are... I watched you two... but I guess its only right..."

Cloud Strife says, "Zack... Rufus just died... he was only comforting me..."

Sephiroth sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "Look... sephiroth is upset... go comfort him? "

Zack shakes his head

Sephiroth continues to sniffle

Cloud Strife sighs and prods at Zack

Sephiroth is still depressed

Cloud Strife says, "Go on Zack... let him know you love him... unless he's right and its all just lust...."

Zack tries to strangle Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "gurk"

Sephiroth sniffles

Cloud Strife breaks loose and leaves the inconsolable Zack by himself

Sephiroth says, ".... Am I cared for?"

Sephiroth sniffles, holding his arms around his body

Zack crawls the distance between himself and Sephiroth and touches his hand

Sephiroth says, "...."

Zack says, "Seph?"

Sephiroth says, "Zack?"

Zack says, "Is what Cloud says true?"

Sephiroth says, "what?"

Zack says, "he says... all you think I love you for... is lust...."

Sephiroth says, "..."

Sephiroth closes his eyes

Sephiroth says, "I feel depressed..."

Zack says, "Please don't think that... I mean... I am an ass...."

Sephiroth says, "...."

Zack says, "Tell me what you want... you wanna be with Cloud.... If that makes you happy then do it... I can't keep you from being happy"

Sephiroth says, "I want to find my body..."

Zack says, "Then do that... I didn't want ya to go cuz I was afraid I'd lose you.... But it seems I already have"

Sephiroth says, "..."

Sephiroth closes his eyes

Sephiroth says, "I hear mother..."

Zack says, "Be happy Seph... that's all I can tell ya... if I don't make you happy... I want to..."

Sephiroth says, "hold me..."

Zack puts his arms around Sephiroth

Sephiroth sniffles

Zack cuddles him

Zack says, "Ain't you happy with me?"

Sephiroth snuggles into Zack

Sephiroth says, "I love you... I am just depressed"

Zack says, "You wanna be with Cloud?"

Sephiroth says, "I don't know what I want"

Zack says, "Look Seph... let your heart guide you... don't put anyone before yourself"

Sephiroth says, "I get even more depressed when I see Cloud so sad... and I get worried when I see you sick"

Zack says, "Don't worry bout us... make yourself happy before you try making anyone else that way"

Sephiroth sniffles and lays his head on Zack's chest

Sephiroth says, "If it was just myself... I'd be with Jenova"

Zack says, "Jus know Im here for ya... as is cloud Im sure... I see the way he looks at you"

Sephiroth falls asleep on Zack's chest