- 2 -

"Always stays the same, nothing ever changes."

He's late again. Cloud sat on a comfortable black leather sofa. He was beginning to get impatient and this showed by his slouched position. His head lay on an armrest and his legs were crossed while he picked at a blonde lock. Finally, he heard the door open after what had been an hour of wait. Soft footsteps approached him slowly as he turned to fully face the couch.

"You're late again."

A firm voice answered the accusation.

"You know what we've been doing. You should have been there anyway; you just stayed because you were sick."

"Sephiroth, you know how I feel about that."

"Yes Cloud, I do. Just forget it; I'm tired so come here."

Cloud stood but made no movement to step into the silver-haired man's arms. This winter is colder than usual thought the blonde. The elder man just scoffed and went into the bedroom. Cloud sighed and looked at the floor; things hadn't always been like this. There had actually been a time when they had been happy, and even though sometimes, kindness and understanding shone through Sephiroth's uncaring exterior, it was getting harder, and harder to see that inner light. Maybe we shouldn't have gotten so involved in those experiments at work. It's too late to back down anyway, but who was it really too late for? Well, Sephiroth is the one who's gotten promoted, and soon he'll be starting those classified projects he told me about.

------

The past year had started off without much difference from the others. For Cloud, it was just one more year filled with the same things and all he had to look forward to were replaying events again and again. Soon, seasons had changed and august had arrived, as hot as ever. He was 17 and would turn 18 in three days. It didn't matter much though, birthdays had never been much reason to celebrate in his family, come to think of it, he wasn't a cause to celebrate. It wasn't that his parents were particularly cruel or cold people, it was just that Cloud didn't think he should be celebrated when he had so many flaws, and lacked so many things; things that he was apt to see in others, and things that were always paraded before him though he could never obtain them.

On the eve of his birthday he had gone out to spend the day alone. The sooner the day was over, he reasoned, the better. So he had driven his newly bought motorcycle, a last attempt to show caring from his parents, to a building on the older side of town. He remembered his parent's story of this building, according to their memory, it had been changed many times, and each time something was built in its place, it was always torn down. At first, the structure had served as a prison, but had been demolished to make way for a church. Long ago, when people still had the drive to visit the house of God it had served its purpose well, but again, that had been very long ago. About thirty years back, the church had been officially closed due to a murder that had never been solved and was in turn, enlarged and converted to a private facility in use by the government, but it had exploded in a freak accident and all residents had been evacuated. No one knew why they had to leave their homes behind, but according to the old residents who had returned years later, the police had urged them into silence, it was rumored some had been killed for refusing to keep quiet. Time passed and the incident, as well as the building had been forgotten, save for the few vagabonds that went there for shelter. The inside of the building was usually deserted though; legends and shady rumors weren't as easily forgotten as material things. Therefore, this had become one of Cloud's favorite spots, it was quiet and desolate, and a nice place to think away from the noise that accompanied home. He had arrived infused with memories and was trying to shake them off when he entered the towering, gray building. As he climbed flight after flight of stairs, thoughts began to fade away; it was going to be five in the afternoon. By now the sun had begun its daily descent, never aware of the moon that followed stealthily behind. Finally, after climbing five flights of stairs, the golden-haired man reached the top. He was greeted by lazy breezes of summer air and a spectacular view of the ocean.

I suppose I also like this place because of the view.

Cloud sat at the edge of the building and looked longingly to the horizon. How he wished that he could be somewhere and well, someone else. It would all be different and he wouldn't have to be trapped in this miserable body of his. He could have friends and talk cheerily with people, and it wouldn't have to be him people looked at. His blue eyes sparkled in the sun's light. He put his back against the cement roof and looked at the clouds with a vacant expression shadowing his face.

I wish this day was over already and it would never come again. What will I do when I finally realize that I can't be –

"Hello? Who are you?"

The blonde spun quickly around and stood with flowing grace to face a jade-eyed man.

"I have the same question for you" said Cloud hesitantly.

The stranger had flowing silvery hair and ivory skin, his overall appearance demanded attention, and that's just what his leather outfit did, leaving his chest exposed for all to see. Cloud thought this man was just another one of the few who came to speculate and prod around the old structure; see if what they had heard was true, but he wasn't quite sure. It was easy to wonder who the man was, he had the look of one who would fall into daydreams yet he was also menacing in a way, as if an uncontained anger burned deep inside of him.

The stranger took a defensive stance and crossed his arms.

"My name is Sephiroth. "

Cloud looked at the other with a blank expression and nodded.

"What are you doing here? Came to see if the rumors were true? Because you're intruding."

"Actually, you're the one who's intruding."

Cloud smirked and challengingly said: "Oh yeah?"

"Yes, in fact, I'm here to close this building off. "

The man flashed Cloud a badge and stared at him.

Cloud could only scoff and make for the stairs.

Sephiroth took Cloud's wrist before he could walk away and turned him to examine his face more closely.

"You know, I could arrest you for being here."

"What's stopping you?" Responded Cloud defiantly.

Sephiroth shrugged, smiled, and released Cloud's wrist.

"From now on, this place is off limits, don't come here anymore."

Cloud turned away without responding and proceeded to leave the building. His only stop was at the base of the edifice to gaze curiously upward and then take a glance at his watch; it was nearing seven. I suppose they won't be there by the time I get home; I really don't want to see my parents.

------

"Where have you been, Cloud! We've been worried sick about you."

There was a pause and hesitation then Cloud decided it wasn't worth it. He kept staring fixedly at the wall, nodded, and then made to go up the stairs and into his room.

"We're not done with you yet!"

Cloud maintained his cool and looked coldly at his mother.

"What?"

"You can't just leave like that Cloud, you're not even eighteen yet, who knows what could happen!"

"Mother please, you weren't even here thirty minutes ago. If something horrible would have happened here, at home, in this safe, safe home of yours, then who would have known? I'm as safe in the street as I am here."

"Cloud, listen to your mother and stop this whining of yours. You're acting just like you did when you were five years old."

The figure in the doorway sighed and turned his stare to the wall once more. I'm never going to get anywhere with them.

"Look at me!"

A hand came swiftly down and before it could make contact with his skin; Cloud caught it.

"Hit me and you'll see how quickly I can leave, give me one more excuse."

There was tense silence and then Cloud's father dropped his hand.

"Go to your room."

Gladly. He hit the mattress and stared at his window, past his window and into the night.