The guard comes back every day about an hour after he brings food. If he sees I haven't eaten any, he leaves and comes after another hour. Firenze never seems to mind too much about visiting me. I guess his job isn't as interesting as I thought. I relish his coming to see me every day. He's so much different than the other guards. No matter how much I curse and snarl at him, he never uses much violence toward me. The other guards usually just come in to beat me or something else.

I'm still loyal to my cause and those that fight for it as long as they never get close to Weiss, so I am fine with being treated this way. By now, I'm used to it.

I hear footsteps and look up at the cell door. The footsteps are doubled, so someone is with Firenze. I paused in picking off chocobo meat as they came into my view.

Firenze was the first one I saw, "Nero, I go' someone tha' wan's ta talk ta ya."

I glared half-heartedly at him, "If it's Barry or Hogan, I don't want to talk to them."

"Ain't either o' them, pet."

"Don't call him that while I'm here." The second voice didn't have Barry's constant slur or Hogan's slight Wutaiian accent.

I was by the gate as fast as I could get there, "Weiss?"

He stepped out where I could see him, "Hello, Nero."

I gripped the bars of the cell, probably looking every bit like the animal that they've been treating me, "Weiss? Weiss, are you going to let me come home now?"

With one simple word he crushed my hopes, "No."

My hands fell from the bars and I went back to sit on my cot, "Go away..."

"Nero..?"

"Go away! I loved you, Weiss, but you never loved me back!"

"Of course I loved you, Nero. I still do."

I glanced at Firenze who was looking fairly uncomfortable in his spot. I picked up the tray and what little meat was left in it, stood up, and brought it to the cell door, "Here. I'm not that hungry anymore."

He took the tray through the bars, "Ya sure? Ya barely ate any."

I nodded my head, "I'm not hungry." I managed a half-hearted glare at my so-called brother.

My heart ached and it made a strange sensation spread in my left arm. I felt like I had to hit something. Him being there wasn't making me feel any better. Weiss made me feel like I had to cry. The burning in my arm was getting worse the more I thought about it.

Weiss' grey eyes met mine, "Nero. Why do you have those bruises on your face?"

Fuck it all! I forgot! They had taken my mask away when I got in here.

I looked at my Brother, my crimson eyes burning with hate, "Why do you care?" I spat out at him.

He took a step closer to the cell as I took a step back. "Nero... You killed Rosso. I had to do this."

I snarled, baring my teeth and spreading my wings, "It's her fault! She touched you! You are mine! Not hers! No one's but mine! I love you, Weiss, and you love me! You said so! But you..." I trailed off, not sure I could say it.

His voice was soft as he spoke, "I should have told you, Nero…"

I rushed forward, anger soaring through my system, "Damn right! You played me for a fool, Weiss! How could you?"

"I'm sorry, Nero… But you just don't understand."

I snarled, gripping the bars of the cells in tight fists and rattling it, trying to get the damn door open, "What don't I understand! You fucked Rosso! You bastard! I loved you! I would give you anything! I would offer my life for yours!"

Weiss scowled at me and looked over to Firenze, "I'm ready to leave."

"Coward!" I shouted at him, unable to control myself, "I'll get out of here, Weiss! I swear it! When I do you'll pay! You'll pay for letting them lock me up!"

Firenze shook his head and lead Weiss back down the hall.

I snarled as the two of them retreated into the darkness of the hallway. I'll get my revenge if it's the last thing I do. Weiss will regret going against me. I'll never kill him of course. I'll never hurt him.

But he'll wish that I did.