DISCLAIMER: I don't own FF7. Second chapter, and as requested there will be an argument. I fiddled with their ages, Sephiroth is 28 and Cloud has just turned 20. I have decided to keep Elmira as Aeris's mother.

//Radio//

'Thought'

"Speech"

(Speech over PHS)

&&&

I winced as the clock radio clicked on.

// GOOOOOOD MOOOORNING MIDGAR! This is Catastrophe Kitty coming at ya LIVE from A.N.I.M.E Radio// I tuned out the D.J as she read the play list for the first hour of the morning, noting the times my favorite songs would be on, but ignoring the rest. I knew without looking he hadn't been back, his side of the bed was cold. And if he had been there, he would have wrapped his arms around me, snuggled closer and muttered 'Turn that thing off before I blast it with Bolt 3.' My smile fades as my brain begins to work. He's been out all night. Doing what? What was so important to keep him away?

&&&

I walked down the corridor, my brain-cells straining to function.

Okay, Item one, Apology, Item two . . . see item one. Anything after that . . . Hell I'd be lucky if I was still awake. I opened the door of our apartment and winced as the obnoxious voice of Cloud's favorite D.J came to greet me.

// It's going to be a cold day today peeps! Make sure you have a coat! Or a loved one, ya know what I mean? Heh, heh, This is a perfect day to stay home with a mug of coca and a good book// I groaned and stumbled into the bedroom, and my breath caught. He was still in bed, eyes closed, his unruly spikes splayed across his pillow contrasting sharply to its crisp whiteness. His forehead was wrinkled in thought and his mouth was pulled down in the most adorable pout I had ever seen. I opened my mouth to say something, anything! But nothing came out.

"Good morning Sephiroth." I could almost see the icicles hanging off his words.

"Good morning Cloud." My head was screaming 'APOLOGIZE!' but I couldn't force my mouth to form the words.

"Where were you last night?" In my haste to prove myself not entirely hopeless, I blurted out the answer without considering the implications.

"Doing paperwork."

&&&

I shot up.

"Paperwork?! You skipped our dinner for Paperwork?!" I was outraged, I was hurt, and . . . I wasn't completely dressed. I stalked over to the closet and picked out a uniform.

"Well excuse me for having more important things to do!" My heart shattered with those words.

"More important-?" If my voice was Ice, his was fire, storming the castle and taking no prisoners.

"My entire schedule does NOT revolve around you Cloud!" I couldn't take it anymore; the pain was too much. I pulled on the clothes, strapped on my armor and checked my Materia.

"Excuse me for thinking my 20th Birthday warranted a place on your oh-so-full agenda." I didn't even wait for him to form a response. I grabbed my sword and stormed out. I just had to get away, somewhere, anywhere I didn't care.

&&&

I felt like running myself through with Masamune.

'Oh BRILLIANTLY done! You couldn't have been more of an ass if you'd been trying!'

// Cancer! Your scope for the day! Smoothing ruffled feathers takes longer than you want to spend. If you have the ability to make others comfortable, it would be wrong not to use it. With everyone happy, the day proceeds according to your plan. // I brought my fist down on the Chocobo shaped clock, it made a satisfying crunching noise.

&&&

I wandered aimlessly through the slums. I didn't have anywhere in particular I'd needed to be. I'd taken the weekend off. I'd THOUGHT that I'd be celebrating my birthday with my, well, what could I call him?

Lover? Oh yes a very good one to, very creative.

Boyfriend? Hmm, a little too girly there.

Soulmate? I nodded.

"Well at least I think he is." I punched the thief trying to pick my pocket absentmindedly.

"I wonder if Zack's girlfriend will let me crash with her?" I'd met her once or twice. She seemed like a nice girl, a bit TOO cheerful, but otherwise quite charming. I couldn't believe how calm I was being, I knew I'd pay for it later. But now, it felt good to be empty, to not feel at all, to be completely serene.

&&&&&&&

I opened the door of my house to see the golden locks of none other then Zack's friend, Cloud Strife.

"Hello Cloud! Come on in!" He smiled, but it seemed as if his eyes were frozen, not moving, nothing within them.

"Thanks, um . . . I know this is kind of abrupt, but . . . Can I stay here? Just for the night?" I nodded.

"Sure! I'll go make up the guest room, gimme a minute okay?" I ran up the stairs and nearly ran over my mother.

"Mom, guest." Her eyes crinkled in a smile, and she bustled downstairs. I could hear her fuss over him, even from the door of the guest room. I frowned; the poor guy had looked so . . . well dead. Almost like, he'd had no reason for living. I shook my head, I'd call Zack and ask him if he knew what was wrong.

&&&&&&&

I watched Sephiroth pace his office; we hadn't heard anything about Cloud's whereabouts. Nothing from anyone we'd sent to look for him.

brrrrrrriiiiiiinnnngggggg I winced as the PHS informed me someone was trying to talk to me. I answered it before the obnoxious thing could make more noise.

"Hello?"

(Hi Zack!) I grinned, it was Aeris.

"How are ya babe?"

(I'm fine, but I've got a friend of yours over here that isn't doing to well.) I thought for a moment, it might be Cloud, but . . .

"Oh?"

(Yeah. Cloud Strife? He showed up about an hour ago, my Mom's making him eat something. Zack, he looks DEAD.)

"What do you MEAN Dead?" I held up my hand to forestall any questions from Seph.

(Like he doesn't care about anything! His eyes are lifeless and he speaks real softly.)

"You got him covered right?"

(Yeah, but I hope whoever did this to him doesn't show up. I'm not sure the poor guy could take it. Oops! I'll talk to ya later okay? Love you Zack!) I put the phone in my pocket and turned to face my friend . . . who looks so lost and alone that if it weren't this bad I'd probably laugh.

"Well Seph, you got lucky. He's fine."

&&&

I slumped against my desk, Cloud was safe. Thank god. But, would he come back? I looked at Zack; his face was unreadable, telling me I had to figure out this one on my own.

"What should I do?"

"Besides begging for forgiveness?" I blinked.

"Would it work?" He shrugged.

"I wouldn't know. I've never forgotten Aeris's birthday." I winced at the pointed reminder.

" . . . " He sighed.

"Well you can't talk to him face to face yet. He's in a delicate emotional state." I stared at one of the only two men I could actually call a friend.

"Zack . . . Help, Please?"

&&&

Yay! Second chapter done! I'm so proud!

Thanks to Collarander and htress for being my first reviewers!

Please review and make me happy!