Welcome to the next chapter of Crossfire! For the last couple of days, ideas have been churning in my head. The emotional rides of this month have been indescribably poignant, offering more than enough inspiration. Crossfire has become immeasurably important to me, and the composition of each chapter has taught me something. I shall, never again, compose any adventure without an impenetrable foundation in love.

In addition to Age, I am spinning the webs for other Cloud/Old Snake ideas. One idea was inspired by my decision to play through MGS4: Guns of the Patriots again. It's a crossover between Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid. I don't have extensive details, other than these two elements: it'll feature a turbulent Chris Redfield/Snake/Cloud love triangle, and the adventure will be called Selisona Pi-in honor of an ES Posthumus song. I have created two intimate scenes-one for the Cloud/Snake pairing, and one for the Chris/Snake pairing. That's all I'll say on that, other than the latter scene has a lot to do with Chris' PTSD. I'll be sure to post the new plot bunnies once they're completed. Selisona Pi will follow Age, just so you know. XD

Thank you for reading my greatest work of love. Your support means a great deal to me!

Warning: Blah, blah, blah. Old Snake's not the bad-butt everyone thinks he is, and boy/boy love can be found. If you're allergic to an emotional Snake, and/or yaoi couples, please don't read this. Your decision to leave would benefit all of us. XD

The night had been long. Excruciating. Impossible to deal with, like a body of broken bones. It followed a series of equally painful events, none of which offered the smallest chance for relief. Havoc had broken out over the mortal world, spreading in the form of a devilish tsunami. A mother had been stolen from her child's life, shortly after she confessed her role in it. The flames of Hell claimed her life, and one of her sons cared nothing for that lost flame. So many souls were forced to admit defeat, pressed against the black walls of brutal laughter. Wills were crushed, valor was ridiculed, and the light of the moon was suppressed. Only sadness rang throughout the desolate heavens.

The night hadn't been the least bit kind. Peaceful dreams were absent, and in their wake stood visions of pain. A source of divine, overpowering happiness was in his night's cinematic journey, but the lamp of his life was in danger. His precious life was on a thread, dangling above the mouth of a predator. Liquid Ocelot, to be exact.

Kindness wasn't the night's forte, but a refreshing revelation was uncovered by dark winds. In the days that passed, he couldn't lift his mind from a precious face. His heart throbbed whenever he thought of a certain someone, and staggering euphoria shot through his chilled bloodstream. Astonishment and disbelief rattled him whenever he worried about a certain someone. The questions never stopped, and the fear never simmered. Where was he? Was he all right? Would he whistle any time soon? What was he thinking? Did he need him? What was he thinking? Was he thinking about anything at all?

Fear. Happiness. Disbelief. Bewilderment. All of those welled up inside of him, boiling in the pit of his stomach. All of them assaulted him whenever Snake's face arose, but he couldn't quite pinpoint their foundation. Where did all of those flames come from? Why were they there? Why was he unable to end incessant thoughts of Snake? Why did his heart live off Snake's every breath?

His footsteps echoed throughout the Nomad's hall, all of them slow and steady. He walked as if he had to approach a new planet, a new civilization. He was a wide-eyed portrait of childlike curiosity, stepping onto fragile territory. Nearby voices were instantly identified as Snake's and Hal's. The two of them were sharing their thoughts on the upcoming assignment, worried about the latest triumphs on Liquid's team. He'd have to get in touch with Tifa and the others soon. Surely they uncovered more information on Sephiroth's endeavors. Any information would be useful to the pursuit of peace. He'd learn what he could from his network, and then he'd share it with Snake's team. He'd share his newfound knowledge with Snake. They'd prepare themselves for the upcoming mission, and get right to work.

Not too many words were coming from Snake's end. As he walked towards the Nomad's heart, it was easy to picture him. The old soldier was quiet, motionless, absorbing every bit of knowledge. His face was still, firm, and riddled with unspoken pain. He hadn't said a word about the loss of Big Mama, but undoubtedly held a fierce degree of grief. Hal didn't inquire about his response to the previous night, in accordance to the rhythmic routine he shared with Snake. Snake never pressed him about his emotional burdens, and Hal never pressed him about his. For Cloud, witnessing the old soldier's silence was an indescribably difficult task. So many words were boiling inside of the legend's heart, but none of them were spoken-and none of them had a stable route of escape. He just wasn't used to expressing himself. Whenever Cloud inquired about an intimate matter, Snake would blush and turn away. He couldn't even provide an answer to the bandana mystery!

Did he even know how to express himself, or was he afraid of the stage life offered? Was he allergic to human exposure outside of the battlefield? Was he afraid of being laughed at?

Minutes passed. His steps came to an instant end, along with the existence of time. His blue eyes widened, absorbing the miracle of life. As a baby gazed upon its mother for the first time, he stared at the one named Solid Snake-or, more recently, Old Snake. The older male was several inches away, sitting on his bed while listening to Hal's informative stream. Rapture, shock and confusion slammed right into his skull, stronger than they had ever been before. He sent a hand to the wall, in order to prevent himself from falling. Snake was there, right there, listening to his oldest friend. He was silent, but his eyes spoke with a thousand voices. So much pain burned inside of those eyes. So much sadness burned inside of his frail, gentle eyes.

Seconds passed. Snake and Hal's eyes met his, alerted to his abrupt appearance. Cloud was frozen from head to toe, eyes transfixed on the miracle before him. Nothing else mattered as he stared, unable to understand how such a creature could even exist. He stared at Snake as if he had just arrived from Heaven, or rose from an underground cavern-and into the light of humanity. Words weren't of any use. Thinking didn't do him any good. Nothing was doing him any good! How could he possibly speak to the old soldier?! What words were the right words? How? When? Why? Where?

"I see you have fallen."

Shiva was an inner voice. A motherly, doting mentor that dwelled on the inside. She delivered her opinions and thoughts from time to time, and Cloud eagerly replied. At that point in time, the Strife was at a complete loss for words.

Snake was also at a loss. He was a kitten observing a toy mouse, for the very first time. The toy mouse was new, alarming and fascinating all at once! He had to learn more about it. What was the mouse like it? What did it feel like? Why was it even made? It was all so disorienting and refreshing. Almost too much to handle!

Cloud stared. Snake stared. And Hal watched-with a roguish smile.

"Snake. Snake, please. Please...open your eyes. Please come back to me."

His eyes fluttered open. His body made an instant reach for oxygen, as if he had been suffocating inside of a womb. His arms, legs and chest remembered searing pain, but then soothing energy was recognized. Soothing energy crept deep into his skin, melting into his bloodstream. It was much different from before, but the energy was undeniably beautiful. Warm. And a familiar fragrance revived his senses. It wasn't the stench of scorched flesh, but the aroma of a dream. A gentle, milky, sunny aroma. A fragrance reminiscent of honey, milk and chamomile. It was-

The unidentified cologne of Cloud Strife.

Vision returned to him. His eyes met the tearful, sorrowful eyes of Cloud Strife. His knight, the man he needed more than the air he inhaled, was crying. He was upset, intensely upset, and heartbroken over something. He was someone that pressed himself to his limits, and failed to perform. "I'm sorry," the blonde wept, holding him close, stroking him. Meanwhile, the Mark II danced about frantically. Poor Hal's nerves were probably shot.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, Snake. I'm sorry."

Mouth wide open, eyes gasping for air, Snake stared. He stared at the weeping, disconsolate Strife. He stared at someone that had barely avoided being roasted alive, but only cared for his well being. Cloud made love to him, and he was an old sack of hardened arteries. Cloud lived to see him smile. Cloud lived to make him smile. Cloud was crying over him.

Cloud Cloud Cloud.

"Damn it, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

He wanted to speak, but his dry, scratchy, flaky body wouldn't allow it. So 'Otacon' spoke for him. "What is it, Cloud?" the Mark II asked, peering into the Strife's tear-stained face. Cloud just looked so sad, so horribly sad...he could have broken Liquid's heart. "I'm sorry," the blonde repeated, his voice a whimper. "I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what's wrong with me!"

Gingerly, slowly, Snake placed his hands upon Cloud's shoulders. Cloud peered into his eyes, akin to a child that had accidentally killed his entire family. "I'm sorry," the knight repeated, burying his face into the other's chest. "I don't know what to do. I'm sorry."

He opened his mouth to speak, but his body was the Earth's driest desert. His body started to shake, speaking of the need to vomit. He made another attempt to speak, but a hot wave of poison swept through him. Much to his horror, his body didn't heed exterior circumstances. He committed a social faux pax that was nothing short of fatal, in his book. But Cloud's reaction brought him to tears. The weeping, heartbroken blonde wiped away the dark yellow bile-using the front of his hand, and not the back. He wiped it away as if dust had fallen on Snake's face. "I'm sorry," he repeated, blue eyes drowning in pain. And the vomit? Not even a problem.

Anyone else would have been grossed out.

"I'm asking Shiva for help but she won't answer. My Materia's not working, and Shiva's not answering, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

His arms were gelatin twigs, but he held on. He held onto his guardian, his friend...his mate. He held onto the one that couldn't stop crying, and not over his own well being. He held on with the remnants of his strength, clinging as a baby would cling to its mother. The Mark II watched as they held one another, sharing each other's tears. Two uncomfortable minutes passed before Otacon spoke, evidently crying-but also frantic over the mission's delay. "I'm really sorry, you two," the otaku began gently, hating his role. "But we've got to get moving. Liquid and Sephiroth aren't going to wait around for us."

Nothing could console Cloud. He wasn't worthy of the fragile smile on Snake's face. Tightening his grip on the soldier, he prepared himself for the entrance into GW. Snake tightened his grip on Cloud, earning a tearful smile of surprise. Two pairs of eyes melted into one another, for what seemed like an eternity. Sliding doors revealed the next steps to fate, and two lovers passed through fate's open gate. Blue eyes sought a silent, comfortable corner before their owner made a decision. Into his arms Snake went, placed into the position of a bride. The silent, blushing soldier was carefully placed into the unearthed corner, eyes glowing with unfathomable affection. "Stay here," the Strife instructed, hoarse and weak. "You know what to do."

Eyes burning with unspoken words, Snake watched him turn away-the Mark II at his side. In the manner of an eager puppy, Otacon's gadget followed Cloud without a word. He sat with his back against what appeared to be a tombstone. It was one of many, surrounded by others with a similiar appearance. In the distance, Cloud and Otacon were analyzing the environment. The Mark II was uploading Sunny's program into the GW system, Cloud was studying Sephiroth's marks on things-and his body was seizing up. Muscles were tight, veins were throbbing-

A body struck the ground. Hard. It took him a second to realize it was his body that had fallen, and he couldn't rise. Eyes were flickering-images were flickering-Naomi Hunter's face was on a million different screens-

The Mark II was at his side, screaming-

An explosion struck his eardrums-

"If you touch him, I'll make you beg for Hell!"

Those were the last words Snake heard before painful slumber claimed him.

This was composed to 'Mermaid Princess' of the CHOBITS soundtrack.

In regards to Liquid and Sephiroth's collaboration, Sephiroth littered the GW area with images of Summon monsters-the mighty Belial being one of them. Sephiroth inspired the Mako-infused soldiers with the monsters he summoned-all of which were corrupted, due to his black heart. And outside of the dark battleship, the other freedom fighters are battling against Sephiroth's Summon army. Cloud's comrades are the soldiers' best hope against the mythical deities!

Want to know what happened to Cloud's magic? Shiva disabled it. The legendary goddess took it away to teach her dear friend (whom she sees as her son) a lesson. When he discovered the loss of his magic (aka Materia), he went into 'oh no, I'm useless' mode. Thus, the stream of tearful apologies. Shiva just wishes to teach him a valuable lesson. XD Snake would've given him part of that lesson, but he lost the ability to speak. I couldn't speak either, if I had barely missed being burned alive. And let's not forget about Snake's other ailments.

Speaking of Snake...the poor thing. The part about the vomit wasn't an original part of the chapter, but then I remembered how Snake became sick after his exit from the oven. I also remembered how he laid there, motionless and pretty much crispy. Otacon didn't say a word on his condition, and didn't speak on emotional burdens for the entire game-one of which included the loss of Big Mama. I was intrigued by how close Snake and Otacon were in MGS4, even though they didn't discuss anything on a gripping level. Their closest approach to an emotional conversation was the beginning of Act 4, where Otacon broke down and Snake comforted him.

Who appeared at the end of the chapter? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. XD It's someone that ruffled Cloud's dander, I'll tell you that much. And Cloud only becomes upset when Snake's endangered. And if you're familiar with Act 5, you're probably guessing Cloud won't be in the next chapter. You know what? You're absolutely right, dear ones. XD It's time for the ultimate beat-down!

Please check out my newest plot bunnies. I have struck gold, and I'm pretty darn tootin' happy. XD Let me know which adventure you're psyched about, and provide any suggestions you come up with! XD

Things have calmed down quite a lot on my end, but the love won't end here. Starting with Crossfire, my adventures will glow with a painting of emotions.