A/N

Hey all! I'm trying to update in a timely manner again. Love the few reviews, way more reads! You guys are pretty awesome. We're over 200 views and for me this is just amazing. Especially so soon into the story!

Yukio: Thanks! I do plan on finishing this up in a good manner; hopefully keep you guys without having to make you wait too long! This is a different Cloud then I'm used to writing, so it feels good knowing someone likes him!

Guest: Everyone has to move on eventually, but this chapter should be a treat to you then! This is all about them developing their friendship and getting close! (Well as close as one can to a ghost!) Hehe I am glad you are picking up on the title thing and I haven't even gotten to Cloud's story yet. Guess I'm writing the story right! Love the review thank you!

Time to Say Good-Bye

Cloud woke up the next morning with a headache. He hadn't meant to sleep in so long, and he was disappointed when Zack hadn't woken him. He had one day left with him and he was going to let him sleep all day? As the blonde stretched he scratched his neck with a yawn. Oh man, this was going to be a long, hard good-bye.

He found the other sitting on the couch in the living room. He was watching the TV that Cloud had left on last night. Looking up when Cloud approached he offered a weak smile. "Morning sunshine, have any plans today?"

"Yes, we're going to eat, then the park, then the movies, and then we can come back here and watch shitty TV." Cloud trailed off after each activity. He was deep in thought and Zack leaned back with a smirk.

"What happens after shitty TV?"

Tears again, he could feel them building. "Then you can leave."

Zack nodded and stood with a chuckle, "Alright, lead the way. I'm going to follow you all day long."

Cloud felt good knowing Zack wouldn't leave him. He wanted to enjoy his company until he possibly couldn't anymore. He had already filled Aerith in on the situation, though she didn't know how to help. Her best piece of advice was to let the poor ghost go, but she didn't understand. Cloud had never connected with someone so well.

"I want to go eat. Let's go to the pancake shop." Zack followed his blonde friend as Cloud walked out the door. He didn't spare a glance back, didn't say anything, but he walked out and left the building. It was the middle of winter, so he was cold but none of that mattered.

All that mattered right now was letting Zack have one last day on Earth. They made small talk about the weather, about friends, about the party last night, but nothing felt quite right. Cloud was quiet, depressed even if he tried to hide it. Zack could tell and in turn it affected him, which in turn affected Cloud since he was a medium. The negative energy seemed to thrive between the two heavily.

As they approached the place a smile made its way to Zack's face. "Hey, Yuffie and I went here once when we were kids. Mom gave us ten dollars and sent us here to shut us up. The food is really good! You have to get the strawberry shortcake pancakes, they're the best!"

Cloud grinned as he walked inside and was greeted by a long, dark haired waitress. "Welcome to the ChocoCafe. How many for you today?" Cloud almost said two, but instead he held one finger up and bit his tongue. Zack seemed to notice and snickered behind a hand. "I'm Tifa and I'll be your waitress today."

She bowed before leaving and Cloud looked up interested. "So that's Tifa."

"How do you know her?" Zack asked scanning the small crowded café.

"She is one of Aerith's friends. There's a girl Aerith is watching right now that Tifa is helping with. I didn't realize she worked so close to me." Cloud watched Tifa from afar before shrugging and looking back at the other. "So I'm getting strawberry shortcake pancakes? What do I get to drink?"

"Strawberry milk of course, what else would help the syrup go down?" Zack asked as if it were the most ridiculous question in the world.

"You have a thing for strawberries or something? That's a little much." Cloud was unsure about this.

Zack leaned back in the booth and crossed his arms against his chest with a smirk. "Well you asked me, didn't you? If you didn't plan on listening why would you ask me?"

He was only teasing, Cloud could tell, but it sounded like a challenge at the time. "I asked because I didn't think you would give me strawberry milk."

The raven haired man grinned to himself while Cloud ordered. Cloud knew he looked stupid talking to himself; people were already beginning to stare. "Enjoy!"

The food was set down in front of him and Cloud pulled his cell phone out before turning it off and holding it up to his ear. "I can hear you now." Zack stared at him confused. "I look stupid using the head set, people are staring." Cloud's eyes met Zack's for a moment and he grinned. It was the perfect plan.

"Oh I see how it is, make me talk like I'm on a cell phone."

"What's it matter, people can't see you." Cloud muttered as Zack stuck his tongue out. "You're on the other side, so you don't have to hold your fingers to your ear, Zack. Seriously, what are you doing?"

He almost forgot about the real phone to his ear as Zack started "talking" to his hand phone. "I'm talking to you so I don't look stupid!"

"You're dead! No one can see you anyway!" Cloud shouted standing. People started looking at him again, odd looks on their faces. He blushed darkly and sat back down shutting his phone and looking out the window.

Zack was dying of laughter as he watched Cloud go from pale to red. It was one of the cutest things he'd seen. Cloud scowled at his partner, but he didn't bother speaking to him. He would only get mad and things would get worse from there.

"Shut up and eat your pancakes, kid."

Cloud could have said a few things to him, but decided to shove a fork full of pancake into his mouth instead. Chewing slowly he savored the taste before swallowing and staring at his plate. He'd never tasted anything so sweet before yet not so sweet at the same time. The berry taste was brought out by the syrup and the syrup gave it a sweetness that the berry couldn't contribute to. He found trying to describe this test was really difficult.

"Wow, this is amazing!" He shoveled the food into his mouth quickly and ignored Zack's laughter from across the way. "I've never had anything so good."

Zack shook his head with a smirk, "I've never seen you eat so dutifully before."

"I've never had food this full of flavor before!" Cloud countered downing his milk. "How come I've never been in here before?"

The raven haired man was very content watching his blonde friend inhale his stack of pancakes. "You obviously don't eat a lot of food then, right?"

"Oh shut up, Mr. Know-It-All." Cloud muttered eating some more of his pancake. He only managed to finish half the meal. If Zack had been alive he could have finished it. The thought made him blush unexpectedly.

The two sat silently while Cloud paid the bill and sighed. He had just gotten paid and he had gone through most of what he'd made. Maybe they'd skip the movie. He could rent one and make Zack stay with him until it was over, but then that wouldn't be too fair would it?

"What's going on in that head of yours? You seem to be confused or…sad maybe?" Zack was always the perceptive one. Cloud knew he couldn't get anything by him, but he sure as hell could try.

"I was trying to decide what we are going to see." It was already two; he was wasting his time sitting and doing this. He didn't have much and he didn't know how long Zack could wait for him. "I think I'm in the mood for some action, maybe a comedy."

Zack grinned before putting his chin on his knuckles, elbow resting on the table. "I want to see a sappy, shitty romance about two lovers who are destined to be together."

Why? Why would he want to see something so stupid and insignificant? "A romance? I didn't think you were the type to be interested in something like that."

Zack shrugged, "It sounds good right about now. Everyone needs a good feeling every once in a while."

A good feeling, huh? Cloud looked up with a nod, "I suppose you're right." It would still be odd watching a romance movie with someone that wasn't technically there. It would look like he was alone, and that would make him look stupid. "Except for the fact no one can see you, so it would look like I was a pervert going alone."

"Who are you talking to?" A voice made him jump out of his skin. Yuffie stood behind him giggling slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you, sorry."

Cloud looked down at Yuffie before Zack shot him a glance, "Take her."

She was two years younger than him! That would look even worse. "Do Genesis and the others know you're here?" In nicer terms he was making sure she didn't run away again.

"Of course they do! I don't always run away you know!"

She was dressed much like she was when they first met. How was she not freezing? It felt like it was below zero and there was still snow on the ground. "Aren't you cold?"

"Nah!" The girl made a sound much like disbelief. "Are you?"

"There's snow on the ground of course I'm cold." He growled to himself looking away from Yuffie to watch Zack. He had an odd expression on his face.

Looking up he finally met Cloud's gaze, "She likes you. The last person she looked at like that was Hollander."

What? No, no, no! Cloud froze and looked back at the small girl, "So what are you doing out here then? You should probably be sleeping or playing video games, something normal teenagers do."

Yuffie giggled, "I was looking for you, duh! I wanted to go to the movies today, but everyone is busy. Would you want to go?"

"What a coincidence? We can go too!" Zack toned in loudly. "Let's do it!"

Cloud clenched his jaw and shook his head, forcing a smile, "I'm busy today. Maybe we can go another day though?"

Zack's jaw dropped as he stared at the blonde headed for home. Yuffie looked disappointed but she nodded, "Very well! I'll keep you to that one!"

The raven haired man ran after Cloud calling him desperately. "I don't mind if you like my sister! I really don't! I think you would be really good for her!"

They weren't back to the apartment yet, and Cloud could feel that familiar feeling clench in his gut. This couldn't be happening like this, no way in hell. "It wouldn't work."

"Why not? You're not too much older than her and she's sweet! You guys would get along so well, and I know you're a good guy."

They stopped in front of the apartment as snow began to fall. "It wouldn't work, Zack! I'm gay!"

The few people that were outside looked up confused and a bit disgusted. Cloud flushed red before running inside the building. Could he look like anymore of an idiot? He couldn't believe he had yelled something like that. Cloud slammed his front door and turned in time to see Zack there.

"Wait what? When did you become gay?"

Cloud looked at the floor and kicked at his carpet. "I've been gay since I was like thirteen. You've been making jokes about it since you got here. I thought you knew."

"How would I know something you didn't tell me?" Zack demanded crossly. He sounded like he was reprimanding child.

Cloud was unsure of how to answer this question. "You just made a lot of jokes about it. I thought it was obvious."

His father had always known, always told him he was worthless for it. Why wouldn't Zack know? It's not like he tried hiding it, but then again he wasn't in a relationship either. "I make a lot of stupid jokes. You should have said something!"

They didn't bother him, so why would Cloud have spoken up. "I guess I just didn't think about it."

The two were silent for a while and then Zack smirked, "Then I suppose you and my sister wouldn't go well together, huh? Considering she isn't a man and all."

Cloud cracked a smile, "I guess I can't say anything on the fact that you don't understand."

Zack shrugged, "I'm gay too. I was never for the woman thing. They're too needy."

Cloud smirked and nodded, they were. "Sorry we didn't go to the movie."

The raven haired man stopped smiling and looked away, "I don't think I would have made it anyway."

Wouldn't have made it? "Ghosts don't sleep, Zack. You're fine." The other rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

Zack looked at Cloud sadly, "Something is pulling me away. I think it's time I move on. I've done everything I wanted and it's all thanks to you."

He couldn't leave yet! Cloud felt tears sting his eyes. This was the only person he had connected with in years! What would he be left with if Zack abandoned him now?

"Don't go, Zack. Please."

"Aw come on buddy, don't look at me like that. I have no control over this at all! I can't help that we met under circumstances like this. I know for a fact, I would have loved you in life."
Cloud shook his head desperately, trying to get the other to understand. "I don't want to be alone again! Don't leave me!" He wanted to reach out and grab the other, but seeing as that wasn't possible he settled with taking a step forward. "Why can't you stay?"

"Aren't you the one that told me I had to move on? Ghosts can't stay among the living forever, right?"

Cloud looked at the other and couldn't stop those tears from falling. "You can't leave."

Zack grinned softly as he began to fade. He was more transparent, his eyes the only vibrant thing left. "I have to. Good bye Cloud Strife, it was very fun hanging out with you. Maybe we'll meet again?"

He stared at the male until there was nothing left. Cloud was alone again in his living room, standing and crying alone. He looked stupid and he felt even worse. "Zack…."

There was an incessant beeping, the smell of chemicals sucked. There was a cough, something moved to his right. Had Yuffie left the television on again? Electric, blue eyes opened against the bright light and his head began pounding. "Shit." Was he hung over?

"Zack!" Thin arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Raven hair as dark as his own clouded his vision for a second.

"Yuffie?"

The hospital, he was in the hospital. When did he get here and why? "I didn't think you'd ever wake up, Zack! I missed you so much! Thank you for waking up, thank you!"

He was confused, but his sister wasn't making sense. He knew she was crying and he knew he felt…odd? "I'm confused." That was all he managed to say.

"Zack, you've been in a coma for two months."

And from there his entire world fell through.

A/N

Bam! Wasn't expecting that, right? Okay, so you probably were, but hey I liked it. I'm leaving ya hanging here till after my final on Monday! Love you guys.