A/N: I've just realised I've had no disclaimer put on this fanfic (stupid of me), so I've stuck it on Chapter 1, but you already knew Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz were Square Enix property. If they were mine though…heh heh, never mind.


Ame ni Matte

Wait in the Rain

Chapter 5: Blame

Kadaj hadn't cried for a long time. The eldest brother Loz on the other hand, was a different story. The two brothers curled up against each other, their eyes glued shut with watery tears that glistened in the passing streetlights as the driver of the rusty car drove home. Kadaj had confused the driver (who had uncertainly introduced himself as Chris), demanding for him to stop the car, screaming for his other brother, banging on the windows with such violence, the shorter-haired of the two had to restrain him.

Realisation that their dear brother was going back to the dreaded lab was only just sinking in; Loz had bitten through most of his fingernails in worry, and Kadaj, his rage dissipated from the vehement mood swing before, had resorted to a quiet, sorrowful mood, hugging his knees and opening his wide eyes to stare out of the rain-spattered car window like a lost child. From time to time, he'd call for his niichan and, distressed that there was no answer, would weep in anguish into his waiting arms.

The youngest brother lifted his head up, leaning it in the warm nook of Loz's collarbone. He sniffed. Where he expected an elegant and sharp chin, with a curtain of silver that tickled his face, he felt an angular jaw, with a taut shoulder and sharp collarbone. It was only after Yazoo was gone, that the two – especially Kadaj – realised how much they needed him. Who would wipe Loz's eyes for him, and reassure him when he was scared? Who was going to hold Kadaj's hand when he was frightened, keep him company when he woke up in the dark, helping him to overcome the nightmares that followed him?

Kadaj was so absorbed in his disheartening thoughts, half conscious with eyes threatening to close, that he only vaguely realised the driver had stopped the car. It was still quite dark, but there were several dim lamplights around where they had parked. The back door opened.

"Listen, uh…" Chris, the driver, was looking very awkward, deciding to meet Loz's gaze. "…This is uh, Midgar's Sector 5 Slums…"

"Do you live here!" Kadaj got out the car, looking round at the depressing street. Fragments of glass littered the ground, and no one but them were present.

"…I hate ShinRa with a passion, but I don't want to do anything against them," Chris muttered apologetically. "I can't keep cover for you two if you belong to them…"

"You're leaving us?" Loz exchanged looks with his brother, biting his lip worriedly. "What do we do?"

"You might as well have your money back," said Chris, handing the bag of gil to Loz. His eyes were darting, looking anywhere but at the children. "I'm really sorry that I can't help…" At this point, he looked even more uncomfortable as Kadaj wiped his eyes, looking round helplessly at where they were. He shivered in his pyjamas and trainers as a harsh wind blew through their empty surroundings. Chris stuck his hands in his pockets, giving an air of aloofness and looking as though he wished for nothing more than for Kadaj and Loz to disappear.

"There's a train you could catch, perhaps…ask your way round, most people here are friendly, they'll help you…I've got you this far, and I have my own worries…" His cap shielded his darting eyes. Loz nodded with obedience, but Kadaj was doing the exact opposite, racing after the man who was running to his car hurriedly.

"Come back here, chicken wuss!" the youngest shouted, his voice cracking in rage and an equal amount of fear. "You've done nothing except take me further away from my brother! Come back here! You have to!"

Kadaj knew it was no use though as the car drove off, its swerving a sign of the driver's haste and discomfort. Loz joined Kadaj, watching in silence as the vehicle disappeared into the dark and the sound of the wailing engine faded. The two had never felt more alone, abandoned in a place they knew nothing of, with no Yazoo to take care of them. Loz snivelled a little into the unclean sleeve of his cotton pyjamas before sitting down on the pavement with his bag, hugging it for some sort of reassurance.

"…We'll be okay, Kadaj," the eldest muttered more into the material of his bag, "we can ask for directions, a-and…"

"Niichan's the only one who can take charge properly." Kadaj spat the words out with intentional hurt, sitting several metres away from his brother, looking elsewhere, afraid to turn and see only one brother was accompanying him. Loz kept silent for a few minutes, and occasionally glanced at Kadaj apologetically. He was the eldest, he had to take over for Yazoo's absence, no matter what Kadaj said.

It was unknown to the brothers how long they sat in silence, crying without trying to let the other know, eyes fixed ahead of them, trainers scuffing the road in impatience and unease. A few moments later though, Kadaj glared at him with passionate ferocity that had evolved from the miserable state before. The youngest brother spoke with hurt and green orbs flashed dangerously, accusingly.

"…I hate you, Loz," he stated with meaningful spite. "It's all your fault."

Loz swallowed, fidgeting more with his fingers and attempting to ignore Kadaj. The youngest was now on his feet, standing before him with evident stream of tears leaking from narrowed eyes.

"It's all your fault, Loz!" Kadaj screamed. His fists were balled, eyes screwed shut. "You got in the car before niichan did, s-so niichan got left behind instead of you…!"

Loz's eyes widened, watching as Kadaj cried in front of him, no longer trying to keep it silent. He sobbed with the innocence Yazoo had a soft spot for, rubbing the eyes that Yazoo would look fondly into. Loz looked away, unable to see his younger brother cry anymore.

"You're the oldest," whispered Kadaj, peering through the gaps between his fingers. "You should have been more responsible, if you had been more responsible, niichan would be here with me instead of you…"

The words stung Loz painfully, and stringing together words that made no sense, Loz blinked away tears of bitter realisation. He wasn't a responsible brother, he hadn't protected either of his siblings, what kind of brother did that make him? He rested his forehead on his knees, feeling something running down his nose and drip into his lap. Kadaj's rage hadn't finished, and through the sobs, there was a shout of "You're a stupid brother, Loz, you don't even count as a brother to me…!"

"I'm sorry, Kadaj…" Loz hugged his knees tighter, wishing for something to block out those painful words that hurt even more because they were true.

"I'll never see niichan again, and that'll be entirely your fault!" Kadaj whispered with intended malice, but as he blinked, another brother made his appearance. Long silver strands cascaded round his elegant face and down his back, and green orbs stared at him almost hungrily. For the briefest moment, Kadaj felt something well up in his stomach, flipping pleasantly, as though he was happy…he could see his beloved niichan, his dear Yazoo…!

…Kadaj's eyes snapped open in fear as Sephiroth smiled, the gaze boring into him.

It wasn't Yazoo at all, it was Sephiroth he was seeing in his head…Kadaj screamed, falling onto his knees and weeping. He was lost, so lost without Yazoo…the General was still smiling at him, watching with amusement, seeing the consequences of Kadaj when separated from Yazoo.

"Kadaj! Kadaj, are you okay?" Loz was at his side, his strong, burly arm wrapping round Kadaj's cold frame. The sky was heavy with clouds, a strong reminder of how Yazoo would protect little Kadaj from threatening storms and rain. "Talk to me, Kadaj!"

He rubbed the child's back with guilt-ridden reassurance, noting how light the street was becoming. Day already, where the night before had so many terrorising events, it was surprising it all happened in such a short time. Kadaj was still crying, surrendering to Loz's warm frame and hugging the eldest brother with a grip of comfort and apology.

"…I'm sorry, niisan…" he muttered into Loz's pyjama top. Loz nodded uncertainly.

"…No problem, Kadaj."

Kadaj rested against his brother, giving Loz a few moments to think through their situation with growing anxiety. He wondered how Yazoo could remain so calm about worrying things, finding delight in taking charge…

Loz absently noted that a couple of people had walked past them quickly, telling him that it was the early morning and the day's work was beginning. He quietly grew quite angered at the fact that the nervous driver Chris had told them people would be friendly, but as far as Loz had seen, every businessman had deliberately kept their gaze off the children. The knot of nervousness tightened, but for the sake of Kadaj, Loz maintained his 'brave' face, which Yazoo always said made him look as though he was in pain.

His stomach grumbled, and Kadaj giggled softly. Loz laughed nervously in response, mumbling, "…Are you hungry too, Kadaj?"

"Mmm."

A pair of slippered feet stopped in front of Loz. He looked up to see a middle-aged woman gazing back at him curiously. She had an enviously warm looking coat wrapped round her, and swinging off one arm was a shopping bag. Her cheeks were tinted a slight pink from the cold, and a pair of deep, friendly eyes studied the two children.

"Why would two children be out here so early in the morning and especially when it's so cold?" She bent down and ruffled Kadaj's matted hair affectionately. "You both look so upset, and you'll freeze yourselves."

Kadaj watched with inquisitive orbs as the woman put down her shopping bag. Loz sneakily cast a glance in there, biting his lip at the sight of food.

"…Did someone leave you behind?" she asked. Kadaj nodded in fierce agreement.

"Yes, someone did! The driver was a chicken wuss!"

"Driver?" repeated the woman. "You were abducted? Poor dears!"

"He tried to take our money too – " Here, Kadaj snatched the bag of gil from Loz and shook it for emphasis " – and said that his name was Chris."

The woman blinked. "Your abductor told you his name?" She smiled as Kadaj nodded excessively, and caught sight of Loz casting a longing glance at the shopping bag. "My name is Elmyra by the way, and I don't live far from here. Why don't you come round for tea, and you can tell me all about what happened to you both."

Loz's face brightened at the mention of tea, but Kadaj frowned at the word 'both'.

"I have another brother, you know. He's actually been abducted!"

Elmyra stared in horror, gaping at the brothers and covering her mouth. Loz sniffed, and Kadaj nodded sadly. The two shifted guiltily, knowing that the only reason why Yazoo was going back to the lab was to spare them from it.

"He was my favourite brother as well…" Kadaj joined Loz with the tears, and Elmyra reached into her handbag, taking out a tissue and dabbing at the children's eyes. Kadaj let his eyelids close. Having his face wiped felt nice, and if he kept his eyes shut and blocked out Elmyra's worried talking, he could imagine that it was his niichan Yazoo who was wiping his face clean.


A/N: Kadaj and Loz are in the safe care of Elmyra now, though I missed writing Yazoo in this chapter. I can't write Elmyra at all…

Next chapter: A new character! Not time for Aerith/Aeris (whatever you want to call her) just yet, but make way for everyone's favourite creep, Hojo…!