(Mideel)

Dappled moonlight filtered through an open window and onto a blue carpeted floor. Though the walls of the room were painted a clean white, nightfall bathed them in shadows and deep blues. The smell of salt and sound of waves wafted in through the open window; and a cool breeze twisted over the windowsill. Nobody stood at the window, but in darker corner of the room stood a shadow-cloaked figure. He stood unmoving, two faint blue orbs flickering toward the window.

There were two doors in the room. One stood slightly ajar, as if frequently used. The other one was dead-bolted, nailed with boards, chained, duct-taped, booby-trapped, and rigged with explosives.

Cloud smirked complacently.

'LET US OUT!' was often shouted through the door, despite all the means of keeping it tightly shut; though the shadowed figure seemed not to care. The sound of soft pitter pattering could be heard as a shadow approached the door that remained slightly ajar. The shadow drew closer before the door creaked slowly open…

Having listened for hours to the songs of the night, Cloud was instantly alert to the slightest sound. But the creaking of the door did not bother him; Tifa was next-door so who else would intrude? That cowardly Rufus wouldn't dare to visit him here, and Yuffie was barely a concern. He glanced over at the door, expecting to see Tifa.

Vincent entered, not really concerned. If Cloud did attack him, he didn't think it would be too hard to handle the little blond strictly, though carefully. When he'd entered he'd spotted Tifa sleeping in a room just a little way down the hall, before entering he'd text Yuffie to tell her, glad he'd finally bought a phone.

"Cloud," he said, leaving the door a little ajar.

Almost instantly, Cloud was on his on his feet, sword extended menacingly toward the intruder. He glared into the darkness, intent on finding the face he was certain matched the voice. But when he spoke, it was calmly and unthreateningly.

"Vincent," he addressed the scarlet figure.

"I'm not here to fight Cloud. You have nothing to fear with me," he stated simply, though his right hand was stiff and prepared to grab his revolver.

"Afraid…of you?" Cloud scoffed quietly. The sound was slightly muffled by the carpet in the tiny room. He let his sword drop to the floor in a deliberate, tired sweep. The shimmering stream of moonlight caught his eyes; and they drifted slowly to the open window. "Actually...I could use the company."

"Are you lonely?" Vincent questioned, knowing that Cloud was still a little off, not quite his old self, though he'd regained most of himself. Vincent couldn't imagine being exposed to as much mako as Cloud had been in his past. Vincent didn't want to do anything that might make Cloud angry, or do something stupid, since Vincent knew he was holding the Turks hostage, along with threatening the other's lives.

"Huh." Cloud seemed to find the comment amusing; his eyes flickered back to the scarlet shadow before him. The faintest hints of a wry, cynical grin traced his lips.

Vincent cocked his head slightly, aware of the cynical grin. This Cloud bothered him beyond belief...he'd never shown much emotion or worry towards any of those he considered his friends, but he was concerned--he was very concerned—and he didn't like this Cloud...this Cloud frightened him.

"Here." Cloud turned to the shadows and kicked something forward--another chair. Vincent obviously wanted to discuss something; he wasn't the type to drop in just because.

Vincent accepted the chair and simply straddled it, resting his arms on the back of the chair. "Cloud...why are you looking for a 'gurk'?" he questioned, hoping Cloud wouldn't overreact.

But Cloud did. His dull blue eyes were suddenly ablaze with cobalt fire. He whirled to stare directly at Vincent, body tense and hands shaking subtly.

"Who told you?" he demanded fiercely, jaw clenched in fury.

"Well, actually I overheard it. Rufus was talking to Yuffie and Sephiroth. They're out looking for it now, I just wanted to know why you're looking for a 'gurk' and..." He paused, and his eyes seemed to resemble that of a confused child's. "What is a 'gurk'?" he questioned.

"I--" Cloud's gaze flickered anxiously off into the shadows--or, judging by the distant, vacant look n his eyes, off into another world. They darted back and forth with seemingly no pattern or connection. "I can't tell you." The answer came through gritted teeth.

Vincent blinked. "Then we can't get the gurk for you. We're doing this blind-folded, Cloud. And when there are lives at stake, that isn't fair..." Though when things like this happens, its never fair....ugh some times I wish I were still sleeping in that damn coffin.

"Vincent! It doesn't work like that." His restless gaze flickered to the shadow beside him, and he stared with frustration into Vincent's face, still tense with emotion. "I can't help anyone anymore...it's beyond my reach."

Vincent sighed. Everything was always so difficult. "Well, do you even know what a 'gurk' is?" he questioned before turning and gazing at the second door, cocking an eyebrow. "I'm assuming that's where you're keeping the Turks?"

"I know why I need one," Cloud replied. A trace of fear underlined his voice; he struggled to fight against a rising swell of panic--his body jittered uncontrollably, and his eyes suddenly couldn't keep the horizon in balance. He didn't look at the secured door as Vincent spoke of it, but stared out of the moonlit window. "The Turks and the gurks. Turk, gurk...Gurk, Turk. Both in that room. Ha. Ha-ha!" A sharp surge of laughter seized him. Maniacal laughter…

Vincent was taken aback, eyes wide, as he gazed at the laughing blond before him. Unraveling minds were dangerous...Vincent would know; he'd teetered on that cliff long ago, but luckily he had had a few individuals who helped him regain his balance. "Oh, Cloud..." he muttered sadly.

Slowly Cloud's laughter receded and he seemed to relax, though a sardonic smile lingered on his face and his body continued to shake involuntarily. He exhaled shakily, shaking his head. "Vincent..."

"Let them go Cloud. You don't need to hold them here against their will...we will find you what your looking for, but don't keep them here," he tried to reason with the blond. It was frightening how some one so young, could radiate so much...so much what? It wasn't evil...but it wasn't sane either.

"No!" Cloud shouted abruptly, perverse humor disappearing. "This is the only way, and you can't guarantee me anything! You understand? Nothing!" He got to his feet angrily and paced to the window, then back to Vincent, then to the window... "Get this through your thick skull: it's either a gurk, or their worthless lives." He jerked his head toward the heavily-secured door for emphasis. Eyes narrowed, he jabbed a finger toward Vincent. "Don't try anything funny, or they'll all go BOOM." His blue eyes darted about wildly. "And you can pass that along to Rufus, seeing as how you're all such good friends."

Vincent's eyes narrowed as well. "I am not a friend of Rufus!" He snapped, though his voice didn't raise.

"Whatever, Vincent." Cloud waved a hand dismissively at him, disregarding his comment. And then another uncharacteristic smile spread across his face. "Whaaaaaaatever." And then, suddenly, the crazed light in his eyes subsided for a second. His arms dropped to his side and he stared vacantly into space, the smile falling from his face. Slowly turning toward the window, he paused and placed his elbows on the ledge, leaning forward. His head tilted, and he stared up into the dark expanse of heaven above. A low, involuntary mutter escaped his lips. "'You've gotta have...dreams...gotta have...honor.'" His sides heaved silently with grief; he buried his head in his hands and ran his fingers through his hair in silent pain. It took several minutes for him to become aware of Vincent's presence. "Go," he demanded weakly, not turning around. "Just leave."

Vincent sighed before standing. "Fine, I will. But I will be back, once we've found this 'gurk' you seek," he stated before turning. Pausing at the door, he turned and glanced back at the blond. "Dilly dally shilly shally...don't let your pain control you," he stated before exiting.