For info: I'm using information from the Final Fantasy Wiki to infer that Professor Gast was the one who secretly put Jenova in the Nibelheim reactor so that his esteemed colleague Hojo had no access to her. I'm fairly sure if Hojo had known where to find Jenova, he wouldn't have wanted her anywhere away from his Science Department, that big creep.

Also, please don't kill me after this chapter.

Published on: 08/14/2012

Chapter 3

Cloud's PHS buzzed. He raised his head with a snort, having nearly fallen asleep on his book. Damn, he had bought the thing because it was a recent bestseller and he wanted to learn a bit more about Genesis, but this compilation of his theories on LOVELESS, edited by the man's fan club after his death, was a bit overwhelming. Who knew you could deduce so much from poetry?

He snatched his phone from the bedside table and accessed his new email, yawning.

"Hey Spike, our friend seems to be getting better. Want to come see him on Friday? Sourpuss will be there too! (that should convince you to come, right? (: )
Zack"

Cloud snorted and tried not to laugh at Zack's nickname for Sephiroth.

'What do you think, Rain? Want to be there, too?'

Rain didn't appear to be laughing, though.

'It might be best. If Sephiroth starts to get curious about you, it could get very ugly very fast.'

'Oh, come on! What have you got against the man? He has never had a reputation for being anything other than scrupulously fair and just. He seemed interested in your info, too, so I hardly think he is going to harass me for leaking Shinra data.'

Rain kept silent. Cloud put down both the PHS and the book.

'Come on, Rain,' he said, suddenly very serious. 'You promised you'd explain things to me soon. How about we begin now? Why do you dislike Sephiroth?'

Rain made a strangled sound, despite the fact that he was physically incapable of choking.

'Dislike!'

There was such a mix of emotions in this word that Cloud started. Disbelief, bitterness, and above all an incredibly deep sorrow were bleeding from Rain's mind. His brother made an obvious effort to control himself, probably not eager to repeat the Modeoheim incident. Cloud was left gaping from the near overwhelming grief he had only been allowed to glimpse.

'Rain…'

'I don't dislike him, Cloud. Dislike is no word for what I think of Sephiroth.'

'Why?' he could only ask, helpless.

'Because of possibilities,' Rain answered bitterly. 'Possibilities and potential and wasted lives. Because I'm afraid this is fate.'

'I don't understand.'

'Cloud. I'm from the future.'

It came from so far out of left field that for a few long moments, Cloud's mind stayed blank. Rain could as well have been talking about the weather outside, for all the impact it had on him.

'Uh… sorry, what?'

Rain sighed.

'I don't know how else to say it. It's not like there is any way to make it seem less crazy than it really is. I came from the future, Cloud.'

'… No way.'

'I am not joking. This is real.'

'You can't! You can't be serious! That kind of stuff doesn't happen in real life!'

'You met a man with wings. You live in a city where the sun refuses to shine. You have had someone talking in your head since you were six. What is impossible, Cloud?'

Cloud fell silent. He felt very dizzy, suddenly. But this was Rain. His brother may have had his own brand of humour, but he was sure he would never play such an elaborate joke. And he wouldn't lie, not to Cloud. He couldn't believe that.

But if he was neither joking, nor lying…

'You are actually from the future.'

'Yes.'

'… Oh, Planet.'

He got up, unsteadily walked to the sink and concentrated on remedying his suddenly dry mouth.

'Okay. You are from the future. Right. Then what are you doing back here… or "now", I guess? Were you a scientist or something? Did something go wrong in an experiment?'

Classic movie scenario, right? Rain snorted.

'No, I am definitely not a scientist. It had more to do with the apocalypse.'

'… The apocalypse.'

'And the Planet wanting me to do something about it, if I had to guess.'

'… Guess?' Cloud asked faintly.

'I didn't exactly get a warning. One minute, the world was ending, and the next I was in your head. Breathe, Cloud.'

The reminder was not exactly pointless.

'Right. So, the world is going to end. Uh, do I get to know when?'

'Never, if I get a say in it. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure there was a glitch. I doubt me ending in your head was part of the plan. Still, I would rather not have involved you in this mess.'

'You said the same thing about Angeal, and I told you it was fine.'

There was a beat of silence.

'Wait. The apocalypse wouldn't have anything to do with Angeal or… or Sephiroth, right? Except… please don't tell me that it's why you don't like them.'

Rain didn't answer.

'Rain!'

'What do you want me to say, Cloud?' he snapped, and Cloud once more spotted the rampaging emotions behind his barriers. 'That no, your hero doesn't have the potential to end all life on the planet? To destroy the planet herself? That it's not a given that he'll do it if nothing is done to stop him? Do you want me to lie to you?'

'No!' Cloud yelled, horrified. 'You can't say something like that. You don't know that!'

'I saw it, Cloud! I lived and fought through it! How dare you tell me—'

His anger and pain were nearly full on filtering through and Cloud could already feel the headache coming. He concentrated on not swaying under the assault.

'But the Sephiroth right now is not the one who would do that! He can't be! I don't know what could cause him to do that, but right now Sephiroth is a good person!'

'One who didn't hesitate to hurt someone he once called a friend!'

'He was doing what he thought was right! Rain, please… You know I hate fighting with you, but you have to hear me out! You say Sephiroth has the power to destroy everything… but what if you can make sure he won't? Think about what good he could do if he's so powerful!'

'I am trying not to!'

It was nearly a shout, and so painfully raw Cloud felt tears come to his eyes.

'Do you think it's easy, looking at him now and seeing what he could have become? But I'm done hoping, Cloud. I have no faith left. He took it all already.'

Cloud closed his eyes against the tears and focused on breathing through the emotional turmoil—both Rain's and his.

'Please, Rain…' he pleaded. 'Please, please, leave it a chance. For me. On Friday, promise me you'll keep your heart open and look at him, really look. And if you see nothing in him worth redeeming, if you can tell me it's already too late, then I swear I'll help you to the best of my ability. But if there is still hope, please, please don't discard it.'

Rain said nothing. He just hovered there, radiating anger and bitterness, and still that same gaping grief that Cloud thought he understood a little, now. And then he retreated to sleep without a word, taking his raging emotions with him.

Cloud took a painkiller for his headache and prepared himself to a sleepless night.

When Friday evening came, Zack led him to a dingy hotel in the lower city. Cloud had seen the place when they had brought Angeal there, but no one had thought it wise to let him try to shake off potential tails on his own, not even Cloud himself. Rain could maybe have told him how to do it, but he was still in "power nap" mode.

He had not awakened since their argument, and Cloud was for once not looking forward to having him conscious. It was the first time in his life he had ever fought with his brother and it nearly made him sick with guilt. But he would still hold his position until Rain could tell him he was wrong and be a hundred percent certain of it.

Meanwhile, he had had a lot of difficulty sleeping these past few days. Finding out your brother was a time traveller sent to basically kill your life model to prevent him for destroying the whole planet would do this to you, he guessed. But he could hardly explain that to Zack, who looked worried about the bags under his eyes.

"You know," the First finally said when they exited the hotel elevator, "if it's because of all this, I'm really sorry I got you involved, Spike."

Cloud huffed and sent him a friendly shove.

"Stop that! I swear everyone I talk to lately will spend their time apologizing. I am here because I want to, okay?"

Zack smiled, genuinely moved, and looped an arm around his shoulders.

"You're an awesome guy, Cloud."

"I know. You can bask in my awesomeness, if you want."

Zack barked a laugh.

"Careful, little guy, I may be rubbing off on you!"

Cloud growled and made to pinch him for the jab at his height, but Zack evaded and knocked on the door they had reached, snickering. Cloud pouted, and tried not to feel too much dread as he prodded Rain awake.

The door opened before Rain had fully regained consciousness. Kunsel appeared in the opening, nodded to Zack and moved aside to let them come through.

"Hey, Cloud," he said as Cloud followed Zack in.

There was a hint of surprise in his voice. He had apparently not been warned that Cloud was involved. Cloud smiled back, rather surprised himself to see Kunsel in civilian clothes. It was not everyday the SOLDIER Second was seen without his helmet, so without the uniform? That was downright unexpected.

"Hi."

Kunsel made to get out.

"I'll be in the lobby, in case you were somehow followed."

"You got it!" Zack answered. "Thanks, Kunsel, you're the best!"

The SOLDIER smiled and closed the door, his footsteps fading in the corridor.

Cloud turned back to the room with no small amount of trepidation. Rain was awake and silent, nothing filtering from him.

The room was rather small, especially so with three large SOLDIERs in it. Angeal was sitting on one of the two beds, his back against the headboard. Sephiroth was already here, in the same uniform as last time, leaning against a wall out of sight of the door. Cloud tried not to stare at him, especially since the SOLDIER's intimidating gaze was already on Zack and him.

The mood would have been rather solemn if Angeal hadn't been smiling.

"Hey, Puppy. I was beginning to think you would ditch me here alone with Sephiroth."

Puppy? Cute nickname. Cloud wouldn't have pegged Angeal as the joking type.

Zack smiled bravely, but Cloud could tell he was affected to see his friend so light-hearted. Sephiroth had reported his gaze on the ex-SOLDIER, a hint of annoyance seeping through. Cloud found a chair on the opposite side of the room and sat to get out of the way. Zack went to sit on the free bed.

"Hey. How's it going?"

Angeal huffed, amused.

"No need to tiptoe around it. Sephiroth wasn't nearly as tactful. As I was saying, I feel fine. More than fine, in fact. You should know, Zack, you saw me sleeping. I haven't slept that well since… since the start of this mess."

Sephiroth tipped his head to Zack.

"Can you confirm it?"

"Yeah, after the first night, he slept like a baby while I was there. Kunsel said he napped a lot during the day, too. He didn't even need the sedatives."

Angeal leaned forward and sat crossed-legged. He rubbed his neck.

"I won't lie and say I'm all better. I still have brief moments of disorientation, but they are barely flashes compared to the perpetual fog I used to navigate through. My thoughts are considerably clearer."

"So it really was the wings, then. Good call, Cloud," Zack added, grinning at him.

His happiness was contagious and Cloud found himself smiling right back.

"Yes, it appears I do owe you my thanks," Angeal added. "Strife, was it? My thanks and my apologies, too. I'm glad you weren't harmed by my fault. Honour dictates I do not let such a debt unpaid. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."

"Uh…" Cloud could only answer, flummoxed.

He could see nothing left of the short-tempered, irrational man he had met before. Had the wing really made so much of an impact? No wonder Angeal had come for help, even despite what Zack had told him of the man's pride! And speaking of, Zack seemed nearly overjoyed to hear his stilted words about honour and debt.

Sephiroth, though, was frowning.

"Let's not rush to any conclusions. Before anything, I would like to know if there is any risk of a relapse. Strife, would you have any insight on this?"

Cloud gulped under the full weight of the slit pupils' piercing gaze, but to his relief, Rain didn't react hostilely to the scrutiny. He merely answered, and Cloud tried not to feel wounded by his monotone.

"It's difficult to say, but I'm pretty sure nothing will happen without a new trigger. There might be circumstances in which it would come back, but if he is aware of it, he might stand a chance of fighting the full effects."

"Circumstances?" Sephiroth repeated, raising a stern eyebrow.

Angeal had gone solemn too, obviously not liking the possibility of another instance of his ailment.

"Do you have any information, any at all, on these circumstances you speak of?" he asked, tense.

Cloud looked at his hands, pretending to think about it. Rain seemed reluctant to share the information, he could feel him weighing the pros and the cons of it. Finally, he yielded.

"If you were to come too close to the source of the J cells, I'm pretty certain it would happen again," Cloud said.

Instantly, Rain's hackles rose.

'I don't like that look at all,' he hissed.

Cloud nearly forgot how glad he was to hear him speak to him again under the adrenaline that flooded him at his brother's alarm. He soon understood what he was talking about as he noticed the incredibly intense look Sephiroth was subjecting him to.

"The source of the J cells," the SOLDIER said slowly. "And how would your contact have heard of such classified information?"

"More importantly," Zack barged in, and Cloud was ever so grateful, "where is it, that Angeal can make sure to never go there? Cloud, any idea?"

Still shaken, Cloud shook his head. If Rain knew, he was not telling anytime soon and, after Sephiroth's reaction, he couldn't really blame him. But Zack's face fell, and Rain relented a bit.

"But I can tell you that to my knowledge, no one in Shinra knows either," Cloud was only too happy to add.

Now they looked downright confused.

"Huh?" Zack said. "But these cells they inject to new SOLDIERs…"

Cloud shrugged, mimicking Rain's bodyless answer.

"Probably spawned in laboratory from a limited supply, or something."

"I very much doubt Hojo would…" Sephiroth began, but Cloud was already shaking his head.

"No, Hojo doesn't know. Hollander doesn't either. That I can guarantee."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, hummed, and fell in a pensive silence.

"Well," Angeal sighed. "At least I'm warned. Thank you, Strife."

Cloud nodded.

"How about it, then?" Zack asked Sephiroth. "What do we do, now?"

"I still feel disinclined to let you leave Midgar," Sephiroth told Angeal. "We can't completely dismiss the possibility of a relapse, and your main way of transportation is gone. Without it, it would be much easier for Shinra to track you."

"But," Zack said slowly, "Angeal could come back to Shinra now, right? The wings are gone, and he never outright opposed the company. He even helped against Genesis."

Even he seemed doubtful, though. Sephiroth averted his eyes and Angeal shook his head.

"I very much doubt Shinra would be disposed to accept me back as anything else than a guinea pig in the labs. I'll pass, thank you."

"But…!" Zack tried to argue.

Angeal moved to sit on the edge of his bed and took Zack's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Zack, but those days are gone," he said gently. "Even if I had the opportunity, I would not want to keep working for Shinra. Not when I have seen first-hand what they are capable of."

Zack kept his head down, but there was a stubborn frown on his face.

"There are good people in Shinra, though…"

"Yes. Like you, Sephiroth, Strife and Kunsel. But I wonder how long good people can stay in this company."

He was looking at Sephiroth as he said that, Cloud noticed with no small amount of trepidation. Sephiroth was looking right back, impassive.

"A fugitive with nowhere to go, fighting even to remember who he is. You are in no position to make that remark, Angeal."

Angeal lowered his head with a sad smile.

"That's true. But what is there in Shinra?"

"Truth."

They all glanced at Sephiroth, surprised.

"Truth?" Zack repeated. "What kind of truth?"

Sephiroth was looking at Cloud, eyes intense.

"Strife, your contact seems to have access to information I have been trying to get a hold of for months now. Do you think he would be willing to negotiate with me?"

Rain had retreated further in his mind, but Cloud could still feel the anger and the anxiety emanating from him. Even if he was not saying anything, Cloud knew better than to make foolish promises.

He sighed, shoulders slumping.

"I'm sorry, sir. I would really like to help you, but my friend actually doesn't trust you at all. When he realized you had been there the other day, well… it didn't go over well. I only persuaded him to help Angeal, nothing more."

Sephiroth's gaze slid to the ground.

"I see," was all he said.

He showed no outward reaction to the news, but Cloud could guess it was disappointing to him.

"I'll… I'll ask," Cloud could only say. "I'll try to tell him it's important for you. I can't… really guarantee more."

"I understand. Thank you."

An uneasy silence settled in the room. Finally, Angeal got up.

"Well. As for me, I intend to stay here a few more days to fully recover. I'll also consider my options, but despite what you say, Sephiroth, I doubt staying under Shinra's nose is really a good idea in the long run."

Sephiroth didn't answer. In the end, there was no ideal solution. Zack got up too.

"Angeal…"

Angeal smiled at him, a bit sad.

"It would probably be best if none of you came back to see me. You are putting yourself at risk. And poor Kunsel has sacrificed enough of his leave days to babysit me."

Zack lowered his head.

"So. I guess this is goodbye, huh. Think we'll see each other again, one day?" he asked, valiantly trying to smile.

Angeal put a hand on his shoulder, then engulfed him in a bear's embrace.

"Time will tell, Puppy. Don't forget me, okay?"

Zack managed a not too shaky laugh.

"Yeah, not a chance! You take care of yourself, Angeal."

"You too."

Angeal turned to Sephiroth.

"And you too, my friend. I don't like your looks, these days. You push yourself too hard."

Sephiroth closed his eyes and sighed, nearly inaudibly. For the first time, Cloud saw a hint of weariness on his face.

"Don't patronize me," he answered, but there was no bite to his voice.

He made to turn to the door but Angeal held out a hand to him. For a second, Sephiroth didn't move. Then he took it, and shook it. They stayed like that a few moments, looking in each other's eyes, and at that point, Cloud could really believe that they were good friends.

"Take care," Sephiroth said.

Then he let go, put on his helmet and got out of the room. Angeal sighed.

"I understand more and more what you said in Modeoheim," he told Cloud. "I hope when the time comes, I'll be able to help him. In the meantime, keep an eye on him?" he added towards Zack.

The SOLDIER nodded with a crooked smile.

"Yeah, you can count on me. I'll do my best!"

He made to get out too, and Cloud rose to follow him. He shook hands with Angeal, though he was still quite intimidated.

"Goodbye, Strife. Again, thank you for everything. I hope we meet again someday."

"Yeah…" he said, though he wasn't sure he really felt at ease with the man. "Goodbye, sir."

Cloud ducked under the arm Zack was holding the door with and went a bit further in the corridor, giving the two men some privacy. Sephiroth was nowhere to be seen.

'Rain?' he asked tentatively.

He had felt him waver when Sephiroth had shown signs of tiredness. Cloud had looked at his idol today, really looked, and he had seen nothing of the monster Rain had seemed so afraid of. Sure, Sephiroth had kept to himself, and he had been somewhat cold towards Angeal, but he had never been so steely when talking to Cloud. Now that he thought about it, he probably held some grudge against Angeal and Genesis for leaving him alone in Shinra. That made sense. But that only went to prove he had been somewhat wounded by their behaviour, didn't it? How could that pain belong to someone meant to destroy every life on the planet?

'Stop it!' Rain hissed suddenly. 'Just… stop it, Cloud.'

Cloud complied sadly.

'What have you seen? Please, Rain.'

'I don't… I don't know. I don't know anymore. I need to think about this.'

Rain retreated as far as he could go. Though it upset him, Cloud let him do so. Before long, Zack joined him and they began the sad journey back. Even Zack's smile was miles away from his usual carefree one.

There had been no warning, nothing at all.

One moment everything was fine, and the next…

It happened in the middle of the night.

Cloud woke with a start, pain exploding in his head and leaving him gasping for breath, his eyes wide open but seeing nothing. He stumbled out of bed, barely feeling himself hit the corner of some furniture. His first reflex was to reach for his sword, but there was nothing to fight. Nothing but the overwhelming pain that was making him feel light-headed and the bile rising to his throat.

He staggered blindly to the bathroom, still seeing nothing but blackness and frantic flashes of light he knew were only in his head.

When he had completely emptied his stomach and the pain started to recede, he was left slumped against the toilet, out of breath and trying not to faint.

What the hell had that been?!

He automatically reached for Rain, and recoiled when a new, white-hot spike of pain struck and actually forced a strangled scream out of him. What? Wait... He reached inward again and again, desperately trying to get through despite the feeling his head was about to burst. Each time he was left feeling as if he was sticking his fingers in an open wound, frantically searching for a limb that wasn't there anymore.

Rain was gone.

He retched bile for a very, very long time.

He was shaking like a leaf. Distantly, he could feel it. He was curled up on the floor near his bed. From the corner of his eyes, he could see a grey daylight beginning to seep in from the window. In a few hours, he'd be expected for duty. Except he couldn't, he couldn't do it, he couldn't...

He was alone.

For the first time in as far as he could remember, he was completely, truly alone. Not matter what was happening in his life there had always, always been the faint presence of Rain, of his brother, and he hadn't always been able to help, far from it, but just knowing he was there, that soon, soon, Cloud would be able to talk to him, share with him... And now he was gone and there was none of that left, because how did you search for a voice in your head?

He felt himself start to hyperventilate again and clung to his PHS as if to a lifeline. He couldn't stay alone, he felt he was going crazy. He wanted to call his mom, to tell her all about how Rain was missing, except she believed that Rain had just been a figment of his imagination and that he had been gone for years, and she'd just think he was already crazy and get worried out of her mind. And he was not crazy, he was not, and he loved his mother, but she was always so down-to-earth, there was no way she'd believe him.

So he did the next best thing and called Zack.

It took quite a few rings to get through and Cloud was starting to panic again, totally forgetting that most sane people were asleep at that time of the day. Sure enough, when he finally picked up, Zack sounded very sleepy.

"... Spike?" he mumbled.

"Zack," Cloud answered, and he was so relieved to hear his voice he nearly started bawling right there and then.

Something in his tone must have been alarming, because Zack instantly seemed wide awake.

"Whoa, Cloud, what's wrong? Where are you?"

"At home," he said in an altered voice, trying hard not to break down. "Zack, could you... could you come over? I need..."

He stopped then, unable to keep going or even to remember what he was trying to say.

"I'll be right there. Don't move, okay? I'm coming."

His voice was serious and worried and reliable and Cloud was trying not to think that Rain had always been there for him, too.

"O-okay..."

They hung up and Cloud went back to his battle against the tears pushing at his eyes. He couldn't just cry like a baby. He had promised himself he'd become strong, both for himself and for Rain. But it was so hard right now not to remember that he was only fifteen in a strange city far away from home, and suddenly utterly alone.

Zack was there in a record time of just under three minutes, and Cloud had totally kept his eyes on the time displayed by his PHS screen. The knocks came harsh and hurried, and he forced himself to get off the ground and stagger to the door. The panel slid open, Zack took one look at his face and barged in, taking him by the shoulders.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

Cloud felt himself begin to shake more than ever. Gritting his teeth in a mask of pain he couldn't even hope to hide, he shakily pressed the button to close and lock the door.

"So-someone... very important... is gone..."

Zack's mouth fell open in a wordless expression of sorrow. He engulfed him in a hug and no matter how much Cloud fought against it, the tears came. He started sobbing uncontrollably, desperately trying to stop. He didn't want Zack to see him like that. He didn't want to be a burden to him. He had only wanted to talk to someone, anyone, just to lighten the burning loneliness, and because he wanted so much to talk about Rain with someone who would just understand...

"I don't even know what happened," he sobbed. "One moment he was there and the next... I don't know what to do, Zack!"

Zack stirred him to sit on the bed, settling next to him.

"Wait, wait Spike," he murmured. "Slow down. D'you mean you and him were attacked or something?"

Cloud shook his head.

"No, there was... There was no one here. He just... he just disappeared, and I have no idea what happened or if he is even still..."

He closed his eyes, fighting both the tears and the urge to run once more to the bathroom. Rain couldn't be gone forever, he just couldn't!

Zack was pressing a comforting hand to his shoulder.

"Who are we talking about, Cloud? A friend? Someone from your family?"

Cloud had only ever told him about his mother, and he could see Zack was trying to figure out who could be so important to him. He shook his head again.

"You don't know him... Wait," he realized suddenly with a mirthless laugh. "Yes. Yes, you do. I told you about him. The person who helped me help... your friend."

Even now, he remembered to have enough sense not to say Angeal's name. Rain would have been proud. But Zack's eyes had widened.

"Your contact?" he hissed.

When Cloud nodded, he jumped from the bed, suddenly unable to stand still.

"Cloud, do you realize? Someone who leaks Shinra information, then suddenly disappears... This is bad!"

"I really doubt, I mean..."

Cloud felt his own eyes widen. He had not even thought of it himself, because there was no way anyone in Shinra would be aware of Rain's existence in the first place... was there? Except Rain had always alluded that Shinra was a frightening organization and that it was capable of far more and far worse that most people believed it to be. What if they had realized someone was leaking information and they had traced it back to Rain somehow? But how would anything like that even be possible? Especially since there hadn't been anyone in the room when Cloud had awoken, of that he was sure.

But after all, what other option was there?

"I..." he gasped, not knowing anymore. "I..."

"This is bad," Zack repeated, quickly doing one or two squats.

Then he whipped his PHS from his pocket.

"I need to warn Sephiroth. Angeal too; if he is still in town... Damn."

Now Cloud was beginning to feel really alarmed. He had never seen Zack so worried.

"Zack..."

His friend turned to him, grim.

"We could all be in danger, Cloud. If Shinra learns about us and decides we have been conspiring or something... Damn."

He had not thought about that, not thought about that at all. He felt a chill go through him. If Shinra had taken Rain, why would they not know about Angeal too? And Sephiroth, if Sephiroth was in danger because of this...

Zack was on the phone. He sighed, relieved, when the line was apparently picked up.

"Hey, it's me. Yeah, sorry about the time, man!" he laughed, sounding completely plastered.

Cloud raised his eyebrows, impressed. If anyone was screening the call, they were sure to dismiss it as a drunken shenanigan.

"Waitnodon'thangupyet!" Zack said in a breath. "I forgot to tell you I was going to that place, like, right now, and if you could come by that would be really..."

He suddenly got the phone away from his ear and Cloud heard the chilly answer from where he was sitting.

"Good night, Zack."

Definitely Sephiroth's voice. Zack sighed and closed his PHS.

"Well, hopefully he got the message..."

He turned back to Cloud.

"Hey... we need to be going. And I don't know if... just in case, pack what you would not want to leave behind, okay?"

Cloud gulped, but nodded. He didn't have much to pack anyway. The only "thing" he had ever cared about bringing with him anywhere was gone.

While he was quickly stuffing a bag with a change of clothes and some money, Zack got back on the phone. After a while, he shook his head, a worried frown creasing his brow.

"Can't reach Kunsel. I just have to hope the guy will be okay. You ready?"

Cloud swung his sword on his back and nodded. His face was still crumpled by grief, but determination had joined it. If there was even the slightest chance Shinra was involved in Rain's disappearance, then he had a shot at finding out what had happened to him.

They got out and sneaked in the sleepy upper city. It was still the wee hours of the morning and—Cloud checked his PHS—the first train wasn't due for another twenty minutes. He stayed close to Zack while they made their way to the station and tried not to pay to much attention to the utter silence in his head.

Thankfully, Zack was the type who could banter in the most tense of situations. It eased both of their nerves, and certainly made them less suspicious to the few early birds crossing the streets and waiting on the train platform.

Still, they were tense as they made their way to the decrepit hotel Angeal had been staying at. Cloud was about ready to burst with nerves when they finally made it and were greeted by a very sleepy employee.

"Room?" he asked in a bored tone.

Clearly, it wouldn't have fazed him to get new clients at the time most were starting to wake up.

"Nope," Zack greeted cheerfully. "Room 32 still booked?"

The man had no qualms in checking—so much for his clients' privacy.

"Sure."

"Thanks. Let's check it out," Zack told Cloud.

He nodded and they made their way to the third floor. They took the stairs, neither of them could have borne to wait for the elevator.

"Hopefully he's gone and someone else booked the room," Zack breathed.

It had been a few days since the last time they had come, it was possible. Zack made a beeline for the door and knocked firmly. After a while, a wary voice came from inside.

"Who is it?"

Zack deflated. Even Cloud could recognize Angeal's voice.

"Guess," Zack sighed.

A moment, then the door opened a crack and a single eye scanned them. Angeal opened wider and silently motioned them inside. His feet were bare and he was only wearing pants and his undershirt, but it was obvious he understood they would not be here if the situation was not worrying. He closed the door and turned to them.

"What happened?"

"Cloud's contact has disappeared."

Angeal's face became as grim as Zack's had been when he had learned the news.

"How? Were there signs of struggle, or...?"

Zack turned expectantly to Cloud, who found he couldn't answer.

"Huh..."

"It makes a lot of difference if he was taken willingly or not," Angeal said. "If he decided his loyalty was to Shinra after all..."

"No!" Cloud loudly exclaimed. "No way! You think he would have betrayed you? No way, Rain is not like that! He choose to help you, he would not have backed down now!"

Angeal was frowning.

"Betrayed me? Wouldn't that be betraying you too?"

Having seen Cloud's breakdown earlier, Zack caught up rather quickly.

"Cloud, have you known this... Rain... for long?"

Cloud deflated, realizing he was saying too much. He hadn't even meant to use Rain's name; it felt extremely weird hearing someone else say it.

Two precise knocks sounded at the door. Angeal raised an eyebrow at Zack, who sighed in relief.

"Thank the Planet, he came."

Angeal neared the door and asked in a low voice:

"Yes?"

"Let me in."

There was no mistaking that voice. Angeal opened the door and stepped aside to let a familiar SOLDIER Second come in.

Sephiroth removed his helmet and glared at Zack.

"This had better be good, Fair."

"Oh, it is. Like I was saying, Cloud's contact went missing."

"How?"

Cloud couldn't help an angry movement. They all turned to him, surprised. Normally he would have balked at the attention, but they were insulting his brother, his brother who had gone missing and was maybe even... just because he had been trying to help!

"Look," he said, so angry he was nearly glaring at Sephiroth. "I know you think Rain may have betrayed us, but he wouldn't! I would know, Planet, it's my brother we are talking about, here!"

Quite a few eyebrows raised in the room.

"Your brother?" Zack exclaimed. "You never told me you had a brother!"

"Strife," Sephiroth said, frowning. "I took the liberty of checking your file when we first met. Your only recorded family is a mother in Nibelheim."

Cloud sighed.

"That's because Rain and I aren't blood related. We just... I grew up with him, okay? I have known him for as long as I can remember and he has always been there for me. He raised me nearly as much as my mother did."

"And yet he let you join Shinra when he obviously knew what it was capable of?" Angeal asked, doubtful.

Cloud had no qualm glaring at him, which was clearly surprising to all three SOLDIERs in the room.

"He said it was my choice, that he couldn't possibly take that from me! I knew he didn't approve of it, but I still made that choice!"

"Guys, guys," Zack said, trying to placate everyone, "we don't have time for this."

"Zack is right," Sephiroth sighed. "Even if that "Rain" was taken against his will, eventually, he will talk. If it is Shinra that has him, we are the next targets."

The cool certainty with which it was said sent a chill down Cloud's spine. "Eventually, he will talk"? Could you even torture a bodyless soul? Cloud fervently hoped not.

"They can't go against their only two SOLDIER Firsts, though," Zack argued. "Especially with Sephiroth's reputation. Right?"

"I wouldn't put anything past Shinra at this point," Angeal answered bitterly. "If you are killed, they wipe out a part of the city with you and they can claim it was a tragic catastrophe and you died trying to save lives. If you are taken alive, well, I don't want to know exactly how manipulative they can get... with needles or otherwise."

"Dude!" Zack exclaimed, eyes wide. "Think maybe you've got too much imagination?"

"I am... uncertain how far-fetched this would be," Sephiroth said.

He sounded grim, and his faltering meant a lot.

"But if we are worrying for nothing, then it's us leaving that would make us targets," Zack reasoned.

"In any case, Angeal needs to leave."

Said man was already dressing and strapping his sword on.

"I agree. Besides, this place makes me feel boxed in and the walls are too thin for this conversation. Let's get out of here."

In that they all agreed. They filed out of the room and out the back door of the building, and set off through small alleys towards one of the city main gates. They were painfully remarkable, with one man in full SOLDIER garb and two others carrying huge swords, and Cloud didn't see how they could ever hope to make it if Shinra was after them.

Zack and Sephiroth were still arguing in hushed voices about the necessity of fleeing the corporation. Angeal slipped to the back of the group without Cloud noticing. Two minutes later, there was a scuffle behind them and Zack, Sephiroth and Cloud all drew their swords.

Angeal was battling a red-headed girl in a black suit that Zack seemed to recognize.

"Cissnei!" he gasped.

Right on cue, nearly a dozen men and women in black suits—Turks, Cloud realized—emerged from adjacent alleys or downright fell from the sky. They had them surrounded in a heartbeat.