A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. A bunch of stuff kept me from doing it. My tio (uncle) died, and my abuella (grandmother) is having colon problems and I'm scheduled to have a colonoscopy on the day before thanksgiving and ugh it's just a mess. Any ways here is the next chapter, please enjoy and review.

Also: Though this chapter due to contents is not my favorite, I did have an awfully good time writing it. Enjoy.

Chapter 015

Sephiroth stood, head bowed, eyes fixed upon the drain as he watched the steaming swirling water disappear down the drain. His hair dangled about his face as the hot shower water cascaded down upon him. He'd woken at seven-thirty-five AM, having been called in for a meeting with all of the higher ups, which usually meant a load of work for him. He sighed. He was tired, wasn't at all interested in the meeting and overly disturbed by the dream he had the night previous. He'd fallen asleep at three AM and was woken up from the dream at four AM. He'd tried going back to sleep but the dream was relentless and on reoccurring, he'd only gotten an hours of sleep. 'Why would I have a dream like that? Why would I…' He forced himself to swallow the sour spit that had entered his mouth. '…dream about killing Zack and Cloud?' He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the wall of the shower. 'What's going on with me?'

Sephiroth exited the bathroom fully dressed and as ready as ever to go to the meeting. As he slipped on his left hand gloved he gazed into the bedroom through the open door and eyed the two teenagers sleeping comfortably in his bed. Cloud was lying on his stomach, arms tucked under his chest hands under the pillow, bottom slightly in the air. Zack on the other hand was sprawled out and snoring slightly. Sephiroth smiled sadly before turning and heading out for the morning, being sure to close the door quietly as not to wake up his two lovers.

*

Zack yawned loudly and stretched with a groan, sitting up and looking around. He glanced down to see Cloud curled up next to him. He smiled before looking around to locate a clock, which upon discovery revealed that it was ten AM. He whistled. "Wow, I haven't slept in to ten since I was a kid!" He stretched again before tapping the blond on the shoulder. "Hey, hey spiky, wake up."

Cloud groaned and wiggled upon the sheets before opening a lazy blue eye.

"W-what time is it?"

"Ten." Zack stated standing up and stretching his arms high above his head with a groan. Cloud sat up, rubbed his eyes and looked around.

"Where's Sephiroth?"

Zack shrugged, poking his head into the hall.

"I don't know. Maybe he had to go to work."

Cloud bowed his head before jumping out of bed and smiling.

"I'm going to jump in the shower; I'll be out in a few minutes." He stated exiting the bedroom and entering the bathroom. Zack leaned against the bathroom door.

"Need any help in there?"

"ZACK!"

Zack laughed and walked towards the kitchen.

"I was just kidding!"

*

Sephiroth sat in his seat eyes staring blankly at the file set before him, hardly listening to the President's speech on what Shinar's actions would be against this supposed threat, he wasn't interested. He was so busy thinking about the two teenagers staying in his apartment and the disturbing dream he'd had the night before and the odd feelings that had begun welling up inside of him and making him feel a little ill at heart, that he didn't even noticed Professor Hojo eyeing him from behind his small glasses. Hojo noticed this as well, it was unusual for Sephiroth to let people stare to long at him before he returned their gaze with an icy one of his own—which would make anyone stand down. Hojo turned his attention back to the president, but wasn't listening. He didn't care at all about what the president was talking about, his department wasn't at all needed, or in his opinion his department wouldn't be needed. His eyes shifted towards the blond woman dressed in a revealing red dress who sat several seats down from him. He followed her gaze to see she was eyeing the general who sat directly across from her, her eyes lust filled. Hojo cocked an eyebrow.

*

Zack gently knocked on the bathroom door, munching on a piece of toast, fully dressed. "Hey Spike, I'm going out, I'll see you later okay?" he called before turning and heading for the door. He'd promised Aerith that he'd help her sell flowers that afternoon and he really didn't want to be late.

Cloud poked his head out of the bathroom just as the front door closed. He sighed and exited the bathroom dripping wet from head to foot, fluffy blue towel wrapped firmly around his waist. He used a smaller town to begin drying his hair when the apartment phone began ringing off the hook. He eyed it, wondering if he should answer it or just ignore it. After several loud moments of listening to the phone he walked over and picked it up.

"Hello? Cloud Strife speaking." He blinked and listened to the person on the other line before nodding. "Uh…sure, okay. Yeah I'll be there in a little while." He hung up the phone, slight frown upon his face. He wasn't all that surprised that the lab techs had located him at Sephiroth's apartment, what surprised him was he was being called to the lab to discuss the possibility of future chronic visits. He shrugged his shoulders and headed towards the bedroom to get dressed.

*

Cloud shyly entered the labs, glancing this way and that way with wide blue eyes, still damp locks swaying slightly with the movement. "Well don't just stand in the door way get in here."

Cloud jumped as one of the lab techs usured him in and gestured towards a seat. He slowly lowered himself, keeping his hands in his lap and away from the sides, just in case someone attempted to trap him in the chair—as was heard of from other members from Shinra who had been caught in such traps. The lab tech took a seat opposite him, a cold metal table between them. "Now I've called you here to discuss your options." The tech stated as he began going over Cloud's file. Cloud was still highly confused and it showed upon his pale and freckled face.

"Well, wait, why exactly am I here discussing options with you? Options for what?"

The tech gave him an odd look.

"Didn't the general speak with you?"

Cloud blinked and shook his head.

"No…why?"

"Well it seems, according to the tests that Professor Hojo did on him, the general has been leaking small amounts of mako every time he ejaculates, and you being his lover at this time have been affected by it—as you know since you were down here a little while ago with a minor case of mako poisoning…which unfortunately lead to you being released from the SOLDIER program."

Cloud sat stiffly in his chair, jaw set, eyes unblinking and yet unfocused. Sephiroth caused the mako poisoning? And he didn't tell him? Was he ever going to tell him? Cloud forced the bitter spit that had entered his mouth to slink back down his throat and into his disturbed stomach. "Now, about your options, I know that the general is completely taken with you at the moment, and no doubt doesn't really want to bring you any physical harm, so you can either come here once a week and we can make sure your mako levels remain where they are and you stay nice and healthy or you two can begin having safe sex, it's as simple as that. I know, safe sex, where's the fun in that? But what are we really talking about here? Your health, because that's all that really matters."

Cloud had stopped listening, he couldn't take the techs words any longer, and he couldn't wrap his mind around what he'd learned. He now understood why Sephiroth hadn't cum inside of him the night previous when he and Sephiroth had made love to Zack for the first time, but why hadn't he told him? Maybe it was because he was embarrassed? That wasn't all that hard to believe, Cloud supposed. Sephiroth was in a way a very shy man. He enjoyed his privacy when he could get it, and disliked discussing himself or his bodily functions to…well, anybody. Cloud fiddled his thumbs a little.

"Umm…I think I'll just talk about it with Sephiroth." Cloud stated standing up. The tech stood as well. "I'm sure the two of us can come up with a way to keep this…mako poisoning under control, thank you." He stated nodding his head, turning and exiting the labs.

*

Sephiroth exited the meeting room, folder in hand with every intention of heading for his office to begin his days work—the sooner the better after all—but was stopped in the elevator hall by a small, delicate and obviously feminine hand upon his shoulder. He paused, and glanced over his shoulder, his jade green gaze met by the devilishly red painted smile of Scarlet, head of the weapons department. "My, my general, you left so quickly I was afraid I wouldn't get a chance to talk with you." She said, in her to overly sweet honey voice, her white teeth sparkling between her bright red lips. Sephiroth, in politest of ways turned and back stepped as to remove her hand from his shoulder. Now facing her, he looked down at her.

"Is there something you need to talk to me about Scarlet?" He questioned politely. She smiled and placed her hands on her hips, which of course automatically drew his eyes there—a very male move and instinct which was natural…and obviously what she wanted, for from that position, his eyes had to roam upwards to once again lock onto her own eyes—meaning he'd receive an eyeful of everything she had to offer. Once his eyes had reconnected with hers, he cleared his throat a little and swallowed, his mouth having gone dry.

"Yes, general in fact there are several very important things I wish to talk to you about. First off, I would like to congratulate you on the victory of Wutai—I know, I know that was ages ago it seems, but I am very impressed of how well your men did since, well you didn't even bother to call in for more ammo or guns."

"Well, thank you, but surly this is not what you—" His words were cut off as she placed the pad of her index finger gently over his lips. He blinked, a little startled by her action. She smiled and made a light hushing sound.

"You're right, I didn't stop you to talk about that, or work…at all. I want to talk about, something else." Her finger fell away from his lips and landed upon the flesh of his exposed chest. He gazed down at her, a little dumbfounded. How had a simple conversation suddenly turned into sexual harassment? And how had he become the victim?

"Scarlet, this is wrong." He stated taking a step back. Her hand fell to her sighed and she sighed with a slightly amused glint in her eye, taking a step forward.

"Oh Sephiroth, don't even try and tell me sexual acts are against Shinra's code of conduct." She took another step closer, having pinned him into a corner and gently tapped the end of his nose with her finger. "Because we both know you are not a sexually neglected creature." She slid her hand down along his chest as she stood up on tip toes and pressed her lips against his. His eyes widened and his shoulders stiffened, brows forwarding as her tongue invaded his mouth.

*

Cloud entered the main hall and stretched, he felt a little stiff due to nerves. He sighed and began wondering what he was going to do for the rest of the day. He didn't have any work to do, Zack had gone off to visit his friend Aerith, and Sephiroth was no doubt in his office doing his work—which meant he was NOT to be disturbed. Cloud sighed as he walked down the hall. He supposed he'd just head back to Sephiroth's apartment and pick up the bedroom a little bit, they'd kind of made a mess of it after all. Then perhaps he'd write home and tell his mother the news he'd been dreading to tell her—the news that he hadn't gotten into SOLDIER.

*

Sephiroth's hands flexed at his sides as his tongue was raped by the blond woman's and her hands wandered over his front. He rolled his eyes towards the ceiling trying to think of a way out of the situation. He didn't want to hurt her, thus he hadn't laid a hand upon her—yet—but her hands were beginning to get to touchy feely for his comfort. Her right hand had slipped into his jacket and her left hand was a little too close to his belt for his own personal comfort—or his personal bubble as Zackary would have called it. He broke the kiss with a jerk of his head and breathed in fresh air. "Scarlet! What in the world has come over you?"

"Don't talk." She breathed reclaiming his lips causing a very angry 'hmnphtff' to escape his mouth and enter hers. He gently took her hips as to push her away when something from the corner of his eye caught his attention. He shifted his gaze, and his eyes widened and he froze, mouth still fully connected with the blond woman's.

Cloud stood stock still at the end of the hall, blue eyes wide, mouth hanging agape, hands laying limp at his sides.

Sephiroth made another muffled sound of protest and pushed the woman away causing her to frown before turning her gaze towards the blond male, wiping a bit of saliva from the corner of her slightly smeared red lips. "Cloud." Sephiroth breathed taking a step away from Scarlet, who latched onto his arm. "This isn't what it looks like." He breathed heavily. Scarlet pulled closer to him.

"It's exactly what it looks like." She stated with a smirk. Sephiroth snarled and pushed away from her.

"No it isn't!" he barked at her before turning his attention back to the blond. He let out a grunt as a ungloved fist made contact with the side of his face sending him stumbling back several feet as blood began dripping from his nose. Scarlet yelped and quickly made her exit. Sephiroth regained his balance and frowned looking down at his gloved hand which had drops of blood upon it. He turned his narrowed eyes upon the blond. Cloud was panting slightly, his shoulders heaving as he gritted his teeth, enraged blue eyes shimmering with tears.

"You bastard."

Sephiroth's expression changed in an instant as he shifted from 'attack' mode to 'normal' mode.

"Cloud, please let me explain--"

"NO! You don't need to explain!" Cloud stood up straighter and pointed a finger at other man.

"I don't even know how I can trust you!"

"Cloud this wasn't,"

"SHUT UP!" Cloud yelled, tears falling from his eyes and pouring down the sides of his face. Sephiroth quickly went silent, his mental state having been reduced to a puddle of goo from the situation that had transpired before him, a situation he had no clue on how to fix it. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE THE ONE POISONING ME?"

Sephiroth's mouth dropped open slightly.

"I was going,"

"WERE YOU? WERE YOU REALLY? BECAUSE I'M NOT SO SURE!" Cloud hiccupped slightly. "IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE WITH ME BECAUSE I CAN'T HANDLE YOU, YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST TOLD ME! YOU DIDN'T NEED TO GO AND FIND YOURSELF A WHORE LIKE SCARLET! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ZACK?" Cloud stopped dead, his eyes growing unfocused. He bowed his head. "You…you weren't going to tell Zack where you…you…you just wanted to be with Zack didn't you?"

"Cloud, no it isn't…."

"Never mind!" Cloud snapped waving a hand and turning around. "I get it! You don't want to be with someone like me, someone who can't handle anything on their own. Fine, whatever you'll be glad to hear you won't have to deal with me anymore!" He sobbed, dashing from the hall.

Sephiroth stood rooted to the spot, blood dripping from his mouth, jade eyes wide, lips parted, heart racing, and blood rushing in his ears. 'How could he think any of that? No…Cloud, please let me explain.' He wiped the blood from his nose, taking several uneasy steps backwards at the sound of an elevator door opening. He stepped backwards into the empty elevator and pressed the button that would take him to his floor. 'I'll just explain what happened, and why I didn't tell him about the mako…he'll…he'll understand…he has to understand…he has to understand I didn't mean to hurt him…never…oh Cloud please, please understand.'

"He won't understand."

Sephiroth's stance stiffened and his eyes widened. He glanced from side to side, he was definitely alone. "He'll never understand you."

"W-who…who's there?" He questioned looking around, turning in a circle as the elevator slowly made its way upward.

"Be calm my child."

Sephiroth blinked, pressing his fingers to his temples and rubbing.

"I'm stressed…I'm…I'm crazy." He mumbled standing up straighter. "I'm hearing voices! I'm definitely crazy."

"Not crazy, in tuned. In your vulnerable state your mind called out to me, your mother, the one whom you love."

Sephiroth blinked as the elevator door opened and he stepped out, bumping the Turk commander as he did so. Tseng made a 'oof' sound causing Sephiroth to pause and look back over his shoulder. Tseng looked taken aback, if only slightly, eyeing the general through calculating eyes. From his reddened nose, wide, somewhat chocobo-caught-in-the-headlights look and unsteady breathing. "Sorry." Sephiroth mumbled quickly turning and rounding the corner. Tseng only nodded, frowning as he entered the elevator.

Sephiroth entered his apartment to find a rather confused looking Zackary Fair standing in the middle of his living room. Zack blinked and gazed at the equally confused looking general. "Uh, Seph? What's going on? Cloud just came in here like a bat out of hell and took his things and left."

'What?!'

"I told you he wouldn't understand."

"And to top it all off on his way out he called me a backstabbing bastard. What the hell is up with that?"

Sephiroth closed the door behind him and collapsed against it, holding his forehead with his hand.

"This can't be happening…this can't be happening…no, no, no, no, no."

"What's going on?"

*

Cloud sat on the back of the shuttle, his head leaning against the wall as he swayed back and forth with the motion. His nose was bright pink and his eyes were red and puffy. He sniffed, his fingers hardly hooked on the loops of his duffle bag, which he'd grabbed and packed half hazardly before high tailing it from the Shinra building. He sniffed as a fresh wave of tears fell from his eyes. Not only was he a failure, he'd lost the only person…people who he'd thought loved him and accepted him. He closed his eyes. He was a fool.

Well…please don't kill me. I assure you this really isn't the end of the world. Really, it isn't. And yes, it seems a little like 'ohmygod what just happened like a flash of lightening?' but that was the point. I wanted it to be quick, and confusing and leave them all in a bit of a haze. I believe I succeeded.