AN: Introducing my all time fave Turk! I love Reno, he's hilarious. I will say that as you read his lines you will notice that he uses 'Yo' a lot, now this is what it says in the Wiki article about his speech: Reno possesses a distinct speech pattern in Japanese, speaking in a drawling, slangy manner and, most notoriously, ending most of his sentences with 'zo to', 'yo to', or simply 'to'. Which has no translation into English so to give off the 'feeling' of his speech pattern people tend to add 'yo' to the end of his sentences. Anyway, thanks for reading and please, enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter Four: Obsession

Sephiroth stood behind the huge glass screen separating him from the training room, his arms folded across his pale chest. He watched the small blond boy running around the gym with a frown of concentration on his pretty face. Despite all that was happening around him; Angeal's untimely death, Genesis and Lazard's defection and all those strange clones and mysterious scientific experiments he still was unable to get over his slow creeping obsession with the boy beyond the glass. Cloud was alone, unaware of his secret voyeur and Sephiroth preferred it that way. He watched as the boy slowed and finally came to a halt, bending over and putting both hands on his knees as he caught his breath before moving to where he had stashed his bag and removing a bottle of water from it. Sephiroth watched intently as Cloud drained the bottle and replaced the cap before abruptly he stiffened, his head turned and he gazed with wide eyes at the glass behind which Sephiroth was supposed to be hidden. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead, he could see it spreading out from the front of his plain, baggy t-shirt as Cloud blinked slowly at what should have been merely a mirror to him. He took two steps forward before the door opened and a loud laugh echoed through the gym. Cloud jumped and turned towards the noise, a smile stretching his lips, Sephiroth shivered a little at the sight.

He was still in the dark as to why the boy intrigued him so much, it was as if they were long lost friends and had forgotten the fact until meeting each other again. It was as if they knew each other, but that was impossible. Sephiroth was six years older than Cloud, who had been a baby when he had last been in Nibelheim. It was ridiculous yet Sephiroth was unable to resist the lure of innocence surrounding the boy. He looked on as Cloud began talking to someone Sephiroth couldn't see until a younger man with dark hair strode into his line of vision; Zack.

"So, you training?" Zack asked, smiling at his friend.

"Yeah, I'm trying to get into the SOLDIER programme next year."

"You'll do great, I'm sure. Hey, do you want to go out tonight? I've got the day off since Lazard went MIA. They've told me to get some rest." He said the word with disdain and Cloud giggled.

Cloud was a little taken aback by the offer but agreed after only a moments hesitation, his smile widened as Zack rubbed his hair affectionately. "I'm not a dog, Zack." He said, laughing.

Sephiroth found the intimacy uncomfortable, he could barely fathom how Zack could be so warm and friendly towards everyone. Socialising confused Sephiroth, it always had done. He was awful at making small talk and the only friends he had ever had were either dead or AWOL. He supposed that spending his life surrounded by military scientists would have had a profound effect on his social abilities, but he found he had never really cared until he saw Zack wrestling playfully with Cloud. A strange, slightly possessive anger rose up inside him but he squashed it. He barely knew the infantryman, why would he care who he touched?

Because he is yours.

"No. He belongs to no one." Sephiroth whispered and heard only soft laughter in response. He sighed heavily and finally turned away from the glass, he needed a strong drink.

XXX

The bar was full, Cloud sat at a table and sipped the drink Zack had got him while Zack stood talking animatedly with Kunsel, the odd Second Class SOLDIER who never removed his helmet and seemed to be in the know of everything going on at ShinRa. Finally Zack said good bye and sat back down at Cloud's side, he leaned back and gazed up at the ceiling. "Don't look now but we're being followed." He breathed, suddenly turning to Cloud and looking into his eyes. "Let's get out of here." He said and grabbed Cloud's elbow, dragging him a little roughly to his feet and towards the door, he glanced back behind him a few times and Cloud felt fear begin to creep its way into his chest.

"What's wrong? Who's following us and why?" Cloud asked, pulling free of Zack's grip and putting a hand to the knife he carried on his belt.

"No idea. Just keep walking, there's a park up here." Zack guided him towards the sector seven park and they ducked behind a large slide that had been moulded to look like a cat. Zack peered around the corner, eyes narrowing a little and his hand still clutching Cloud's arm. Cloud drew his knife, his eyes narrowing slightly as he heard footsteps. His body tensed, as did Zack's, preparing for attack when soft laughter cut through the quiet night air.

"Aint no good hidin' there, yo."

"Who-?" Cloud had no time to finish his sentence as Zack swore loudly and rounded the slide, he folded his arms across his chest and faced their stalker. Cloud followed and peered at the man, he wore a scruffy blue suit and his hair was bright red and tied back in a pony tail. On his head were perched a pair of flying goggles and he was smiling in a slightly sadistic manner, he had his right hand stuffed deep in his pocket and in the other was a long metal stick that he was tapping idly against his shoulder. Cloud had no idea how he hadn't noticed a man with such vibrant hair.

"Why are you following us?" Zack demanded, folding his arms across his chest and glaring at the man.

"For my health." The man replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Where's Cissnei? I would have thought she'd be the one to-"

"She's busy, yo. We're all pretty damned busy at the moment." The man sighed heavily. "Look, I aint here to fight you, I'm jus' followin' orders. Got to keep an eye out." He grinned again and winked. "That pretty piece of ass you got on your arm is extremely interestin' to the higher ups."

"What?!" Cloud's eyes widened, his fingers still clutching the knife. "Why on earth am I interesting?! I haven't done anything to warrant attention from the likes of you!"

"Hey, watch it there, kiddo. I don't ask questions, just do what i'm told." He shrugged. "Reno's the name, Reno of the Turks."

"I know what you are." Cloud replied heatedly. "A spy and murderer."

Reno laughed. "Got it in one, yo."

"Why is Cloud being tracked by the Turks?" Zack asked, seemingly speaking to himself as Reno shrugged as he walked towards a nearby swing and sat down on it, putting away his weapon and sticking it back onto a holder on his belt.

"I'd put that tiny little thing away, Kid. It aint enough to take me down." Reno was talking to Cloud, his blue eyes bright and curious. "Wonder what's got them interested in a runt like you? I mean, yeah, you're pretty but I aint seen nothin' that'd suggest why they want your movements tracked."

Cloud frowned and returned his knife to his belt, he folded his arms and leaned against the slide. "Guess that makes two of us who want questions answered." He muttered.

"Problem is, Tseng says jump, I gotta jump." Reno sighed and scuffed his shoes in the dirt. "I don't get told why my target's a target and I don't ask. Askin' gets you killed, yo."

"Yeah, it probably would." Zack replied with a small sigh as he lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his hair.

"We were just having a drink." Cloud said, confused again as to why anyone would bother having him tracked, especially by the Turks.

"I know, it was gettin' real borin'."

"So why don't you go back and make a report to your boss?" Zack replied irritably. "I'm sure Cloud's social life is very fascinating to him."

Reno snorted and held up his PHS. "Already done, yo." It showed a picture of Cloud sitting beside Zack and laughing, Cloud flushed at the picture as Zack and he were looking a little too comfortable. "Tseng told me to stop sendin' him stupid pictures an' report properly." Reno said with a heavy sigh, he finally stood up and grinned, tipping them both a hearty wink and saluting Zack lazily. "Anyways, I gotta go, I got shit to do. Yo, Rude! We're gettin' outta here!" He called to some other guy Cloud had failed to notice hiding in the shadows, the man stepped out of them silently, he looked far better dressed than his partner.

"..." Rude said and adjusted his sunglasses.

"Yeah, I just filled 'em in on the situation. I'll see you two around, 'specially you, Cloud." He laughed again and turned on his heel before walking away, followed by Rude.

"What was that about?" Cloud whispered, blinking after the two Turks.

"No idea but I don't like it." Zack muttered, he looked pained as if he was getting a headache. "Come on, I need another drink."

"Zack, wait!" Cloud grabbed Zack's wrist and looked at him, he allowed a little of the fear he had been feeling enter his gaze. "I...I think there's something wrong with me." He whispered and Zack's mild concern turned into something deeper.

"What is it?"

"I-I...I've been getting nightmares. A lot. I mean, I have them every night and I sometimes lose my memory, I wake up and I-I'm in my bed but there's a huge blank spot in my head and I have no idea how I got there! I-I hear...things...It's like...like I'm going insane." He gave Zack a desperate, pleading look. "I don't know what it means but it can't be good, can it? Voices in my head...laughing at me...I think that maybe...maybe that's why the Turks are having me followed...to ensure I don't hurt anyone."

Zack sighed and turned around to face Cloud, he smiled and pulled him close. "Don't worry about it, I doubt you're going insane...I've seen insane and it looks nothing like you. You're not going to hurt anyone, Cloud, I promise." Cloud looked up at him, confusion and pain warring in his eyes and before he could even think to reply he gasped as lips touched his. Zack pulled away after a brief second and stepped back.

"Z-Zack?" Cloud whispered, feeling his cheeks turn red. "Wh-what..." He swallowed. "What was that?"

"I don't know...man, that was stupid. I'm...i'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Zack rubbed the back of his head and looked away in embarrassment. "Sorry." He muttered again and Cloud giggled, he couldn't help himself.

They returned to the dingy bar, Cloud listened to Zack talk but missed quite a bit of it as he spent a large portion of his time staring at his lips as they moved. His own burned slightly from the light kiss, he hadn't expected it and he certainly never expected it to feel so pleasant. The only person he had ever envisioned kissing was Tifa, but now he wondered why when Zack moved a little and laughed loudly, Cloud saw the muscles in his arm tense as he gestured and felt a lump rise to his throat. Tifa was pretty, that was certain, she had gorgeous long dark hair and stunning deep brown eyes and a figure, even at fourteen, to kill for but Zack was pure muscle. There were no sensual curves, his body was hard and lean and somehow even more desirable because of it. It was funny how one kiss could throw everything one knew about ones self out of the window. Cloud smiled and hid it behind the rim of his glass as Zack continued his story, something about his dead mentor, Cloud really should be listening but he couldn't keep his mind on the subject.

Just as Zack was reaching the punchline of his story a cold chill ran down Cloud's spine, he straightened, his eyes going wide as he turned his head slowly to look back towards the door. Standing just inside was the tall, imposing figure of Sephiroth. "What the hell?" Zack muttered in astonishment. "What's he doing here?" Cloud's fingers tightened on his glass as his voice left him, he felt as if something was pulling him, as if a strong, guiding hand was trying to drag him out of his seat to move closer to Sephiroth. It was almost irresistible. He wondered, for the first time, what it would be like to touch him. Sephiroth's eyes lifted from the man who was greeting him excitedly at the door, they locked onto Cloud who took a sharp breath. Electricity shot down his spine, the glass in his hand almost shattered with the strength of his grip.

Ha ha...

Cloud flinched as the voice in his head chuckled, the glass shattered and he gasped, gazing at it and blinking as if he were just now realising where he was. Zack gave him an odd look as Sephiroth moved towards them, his boots echoing on the wooden floors like death knells. Cloud lowered his head, desperately trying not to look up, he didn't like to think what would happen if he gazed into those demonic seeming eyes.

"Hey, Sephiroth, what are you doing in a dive like this?" Zack asked, smiling as he leaned back in his chair as a woman came over and began clearing away the mess Cloud had made with angry glares at him.

"Am I not allowed to partake of alcohol?" Sephiroth arched a perfect eyebrow, a small smile gracing his face as Zack laughed.

"Sorry, I just didn't expect you to be here of all places. Would have thought you preferred higher class establishments." Cloud shuddered as Sephiroth took a seat by his side, he lowered his head further, fear and excitement mingling into a confusing torrent inside him.

"I intended to go for a drink, I have heard good things about this place from others." Sephiroth replied smoothly, turning to the suddenly flustered bar girl and ordering a drink, she nodded and scuttled away, Cloud wished he could follow her. Zack spoke easily with the general, Cloud remained sitting in silence and drinking anything that was put in front of him out of nervousness. He had never been so close to Sephiroth before, they were so close he could feel their arms brushing occasionally and it sent odd shock waves through his body that had little to do with the alcohol. Abruptly his vision flashed white, a small gasp escaped his lips and he bent forward, shoving hands into his hair as his eyes slammed shut.

Ha-ha...

"Cloud? Are you all right?"

Cloud looked up, blinking and stood abruptly. "Bathroom." He muttered vaguely and all but ran from the bar, he slammed the door shut when he reached the stall and slumped down onto the toilet seat. He sat there, breathing slowly as he tried to calm his racing heart. As he closed his eyes he heard that laughter again, that strange almost feminine laughter that seemed devoid of real humour.

Soon.

Cloud opened his eyes and stared blankly at the toilet door, he swallowed the sudden urge to vomit before standing on shaking legs. He needed to go back to the infantry barracks, he needed to get away from Sephiroth...

Really? Is that what you truly desire, Cloud?

"Ugh..." Cloud bent double, unable to hold back anymore. He bent over the toilet, shoving the seat upwards and vomited violently into the bowl. He gasped when he was done, pulling away and wiping a shaking hand across his mouth. "Who...who are you?" He whispered softly, but got no reply.