22.

Yazuu regarded his handiwork with a sinister smile. He'd inspected every strand of Christmas lights in the house until he found one sporting tell-tale tooth marks: feline, by the look of them. Almost deep enough to penetrate the plastic coating and reach the wires within. Then, using his most delicate touch, he'd draped the strand across the bare metal portions of Rufus Shinra's wheelchair, making sure the worst segment lay just in front of the rear wheel. That should put an end to his evil deeds once and for all! Now to find an extension cord…

A flicker of motion distracted him from his final arrangements. A large shadow had passed in front of the kitchen window, backlit in a flare of silver.

Frowning, Yazuu abandoned his project and hurried to get a better look.

The dark figure turned a corner, long silver hair trailing behind like a comet.

Yazuu broke into a trot. As he reached the hallway, he ran headlong into Kadaj.

"Gyaaa! You trying to kill me?" Kadaj growled, regaining his balance with effort.

Yazuu searched the brightly-lit hall beyond him. "Did someone just come by here?"

"No, I was just coming back from the kitchen. I didn't see anyone."

"You're sure?" Yazuu asked, openly puzzled. "You didn't pass a tall man with long silver hair?"

Kadaj regarded his brother with mild concern. "I'm supposed to be the delusional one. Maybe you should eat something other than sugar?"

"Maybe," Yazuu conceded. He had to admit, he'd been feeling rather light-headed ever since deciding on a plan to off Rufus Shinra. He sighed and followed Kadaj back toward the kitchen. "Hey, Kadaj, do you know if there's any –" He'd been about to say "cheese left?" when he realized his little brother was nowhere in sight. "That's odd…"

"Hey, Yazuu?" Loz intercepted him by the buffet table. "Have you seen Kadaj?"

"I…thought I did," Yazuu hedged, looking around with a sense of deep misgiving.

"It's weird, I was just going to ask if he wanted to come play outside, but he left the room just as I came in. And you know what's even weirder? I thought I saw –"

"A tall figure with long silver hair?" Yazuu asked blandly.

Loz blinked at him. "Yeah! What's that about?"

"I don't know, Loz. But I think we'd better find out."

From the main room, a sudden cry of "Son of a bitch!" brought the two remnants out of the kitchenette at a run. Yazuu changed direction with graceful ease as he realized the cry had nothing to do with a mysterious figure and everything to do with an attempted murder-by-electrocution. Being in a generous mood, he hauled Loz along with him as he veered sharply toward the stairs. Yazuu glanced up –

The tall shadow glided up the last few steps and disappeared down the second floor hall, possibly aiming for the bathroom.

"Come on!" Yazuu shouted, sprinting up the steps three at a time.

But when he and Loz arrived, there was no sign of the stranger.

"What are you doing?"

Yazuu startled and nearly drew his gun before recognition set in. "Kadaj?!? What are you doing up here?"

"I asked you first," the youngest brother replied, sticking his tongue out.

Yazuu glared down at him, tossed his hair, then said, "All right. Now, don't get your hopes up, but I've been seeing someone who looks like Sephiroth."

Kadaj frowned, gave Loz a critical once-over, then said, "I know you're seeing Loz, but I don't think he looks that much like him."

Yazuu smacked himself in the face, counted to five, and said in a forcibly calm voice, "I mean I've been catching sight of a tall, dark figure with long silver hair, but I can't seem to get close enough to make sure. Kadaj, I think he's here."

Loz gripped Yazuu's arm in excitement. "He's here? Santa's here?"

Yazuu turned and, this time, smacked Loz in the face. "No. Not Santa, you two-year-old."

"Sephiroth." Kadaj breathed the name like a prayer, his eyes a-glow with reverence. "I'm gonna find him!"

Loz reached out to stop him, but barely managed to touch Kadaj with his fingertips before the little remnant was gone at a run. "Damn! Yazuu, do you think we should –" His voice cut out, and he stared open-mouthed at his hand.

"Do I think we should what?" Yazuu grumbled, turning to look at what held his brother's rapt attention.

Snagged on Loz' glove, a meter-long silver hair fluttered in their little brother's wake.