DO NOT OWN!!!

Pairings: SephirothxCloudxZack, TsengxReno, Eventual TsengxRufusxReno

Okay, so this one was tough to write. I just didn't know where to go from there, but I managed it. And now, without further ado, I present Chapter Ten- Slumber Party

-o-o-

Cloud was adorible while he was sleeping. It was the previous hour that had shattered Sephiroth's impression that nothing could ruffle Cloud. When Zack implied that he thought Reno, the shameless idiot Turk, took Cloud's innocence, Sephiroth saw red, but controlled himself.

Zack underestimated Sephiroth's enhanced hearing, and so he could hear them, even over Tseng ordering Reno to sit and hold still as he felt around his bare torso. Reno whined quietly every so often and Tseng would mutter reassurances.

Sephiroth had a hard time controlling himself, and he could picture the guilt on Cloud's beautiful face, the way he would shift his eyes and the unhappy set of his mouth. He could almost hear him whimper an apology, and beg Zack to not hate him. Which he wouldn't of course, but he would hate Reno.

Instead, he and all of his neighbors on other floors, (because this floor was his) were treated to an unearthly howl and a shriek that hurt his ears.

If had taken an hour and countless promises to let him play with dangerous materia to get Cloud to put down the kitchen knife and stop chasing Zack. Still glaring at Zack, he finally returned to sleep.

Zack apologized to Reno, then fled Tseng's intimidating stare.

"Sephiroth?" Tseng called to his powerful friend by the window. He turned to face the Turk leader. "Would you mind if I left Reno here form the night? I think he needs some rest after all the... Excitement."

The way Tseng said that last word let Sephiroth know that he very much was holding a grudge over Zack.

"Of course. Your welcome to stay as well to make sure he doesn't attempt and escape," Sephiroth replied absently. He knew that the Turk had a soft spot for the red-haired loudmouth. When Reno had joined, he was assigned a serious and an experenced man as a partner. Someone Reno couldn't seduce, someone that could keep Reno safe.

Reno protested loud and long at this, and whined when his superior accepted. When Reno couldn't see, Tseng let his face convey his gratitude.

Tseng helped Reno into the spare bedroom and gathered a sheet and a pillow from the closet in the bedroom.

"'eng?" Reno muttered, speech muffled by a pillow covering his face. "'ood mite."

"Sleep it off, Reno," Tseng advised the younger man.

He put the sheets on the large couch by the door. If Reno tried a jailbreak, he would know.

Sephiroth pulled the light frame of the boy into his arms, and swept into the bedroom that connected to the main room of Sephiroth's own apartment. He gently laid Cloud on his bed and pulled the covers over him. Immediately, he curled up to preserve warmth, a behavior he got from growing up in a cold town.

Seeing Cloud snuggle with one of the large pillows pulled a tender smile from the battle-hardened General. Taking a chance, he leaned down and brushed his lips against a rosy cheek. "Good night, Cloud."

Cloud muttered something and Sephiroth tensed. He peered intently at the cherubic face. Cloud's face scrunched up and he muttered something.

Relieved, Sephiroth leaned in now that he was sure Cloud was still asleep. It was a happy accident for him to discover that Cloud talked in his sleep, one that he would gladly extort.

Cloud shifted and Sephiroth could make out some words. "... I... Not a chocobo... 'ut up..."

Sephiroth laughed quietly and stood. He was amazed at how much could happen and Cloud would still be so innocent. He admired it. It must have taken work to stay that way with a face like his.

Sephiroth quickly left, closing the door behind him, trying to fight the urge to spend the night by Cloud's bed, just so he could listen to the dreams being created behind that sweet face. He nodded wordlessly at Tseng as he passed.

-o-o-

Cloud woke up abruptly, reeling in the darkened room. his dream had been so real, enough so that he was still shivering and wide-eyed.

His dream started with Reno calling him a chocobo and generally annoying him. Then Zack walked in silently. Cloud asked him what was wrong. Zack was silent for a long time.

"You know what," he said emotionlessly.

Cloud cocked his head. He was confused.

"You love me," Zack continued on.

Cloud's face froze and he tried to process wh the was being told.

"I took you in as my little brother, not as a potential love. Sephiroth is the only one for me," he stated.

Of course Cloud knew they loved eachother, it was obvious to anyone with a brain cell. But why... Why was Zack rejecting him?

"I'm sorry Zack!" Cloud cried urgently, trying to let him know that he never intended this.

Zack broke in. "Sephiroth and I would be happy. Your the only thing getting in our way now."

Cloud's mouth fell open in horror, bright blue eyes tearing up. Sephiroth swept into the room and put an arm around Zack. They turned their heads and kissed.

Sephiroth broke apart first and looked down at him. He wordlessly drew his blade, and it was at his throat.

The dream ended with one sentence. "Just die and leave us in peace."

Now, panting fearfully in his bed, Cloud realized what he had been doing. He had been taking up the General's precious time, and he couldn't see Zack as much.

He sniffed as he realized he was crying. He knew what he had to do, as painful as it was. He sat up and pushed the covers off. Blindly he turned on the light and sought out a piece of paper and a pen.

He took a shaky breath and poured his heart out. He dot of ink was a part of him, the only way this was going to be said.

"Dear Sephiroth," he wrote.

"I am so sorry I can't say goodbye properly, but you might try and stop me, though I need to leave. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry. I can't apologize enough to make up for everything. You've done so much for me. You've given me my first sword, you've trained me, you've put up with me for all this time. My biggest regret is that no matter what I do, I will never be able to repay your kindness. Leaving you is all I can do.

"I know I'm weak, stupid, and overall not worth the effort. Your the nicest man I've ever known, which isn't saying much, but I very sincerely mean it. In fact, that might explain a feww things about me..."

"I'm leaving because you would be better off without me, and all of my emotional baggage and confusion. I'm confused because I have never felt this strong of emotions.

"I love you. I love Zack. You are a great man, and he is too. I was going to wait out this silly crush, but it only intensified. Now after what that man said, I was forced to really examine my life. I realized that you and Zack are in love. You both look at eachother so adoringly, so softly, that anyone can see it. I'm just standing in your way. I hope that you both will be very happy together.

"Please forget me. Live your life happily with Zack. Trust me, in time you'll forget me and my running away.

"Goodbye Sephiroth. Tell Reno and Zack that I say goodbye to them as well.

"I love you,

Cloud Strife"

Cloud softly put down the pen and sealed the letter in an envelope. He turned and took his classwork out of his pack and replaced it with his things. Eventually, he shouldered his pack and cast a glance around his room.

Stalling, he retrieved the pen and scrawled Sephiroth's name on the envelope. He was out of time. There was nothing more to do.

All he had to do was decide. Was he going to take the sword Sephiroth had given him a week ago? Or would he leave it for Sephiroth to put to better use.

He decided against taking the blade in the end. The General could put it to more worthwhile things.

Silently, he left the room and breezed down the hallway. He boarded the waiting elevator, punched the door close button, and as the door closed, he said his silent goodbyes to Shinra.

-o-o-

THE END!!!

Just kidding. There will be more, but at a later date. I might not get around to updating for a few weeks. My brother has just returned from Iraq, and I want to spend time with him.