Disclaimer:Do not own

Cloud woke up to heated voices, getting louder by the minute. The room where he was sleeping in was a guest room and it was right next to the living room, where it seemed everybody was currently arguing.

"What do you mean he doesn't exist? You checked the records, right?" Genesis's voice was filled with agitation and a returning answer was filled with exhaustion.

"I stayed up most of the night looking for his name and unless he gave us a fake name, then he doesn't exist. And yes Genesis, I did check the records for your information."

Cloud sat up in the crumpled bed, moving closer to the closed door and leaning his ear against it.

"Genesis, Angeal, get out."

Genesis whined, "but Seph—

"No. out."

A pair of footsteps exited, closing the door shut.

"Now, you too Genesis. I don't have time to deal with your tantrum."

"Why—

"Now."

Genesis sighed, and as Cloud heard the door shut close, he breathed in relief.

Aerith?

'Yes.'

Are you always going to be here?

'no, just until you stop trying to run away.'

What am I supposed to do then? Say we should attend a therapy session on how in the future, A-Zack kills Angeal, B- Genesis degenerates and spouts loveless crap, and C-How Sephiroth is going to turn into a nut-job that tries to destroy the world for his alien mother.

Aerith appeared in front of him, making Cloud jump slightly and then bathe in her presence -actually able to see her, it was a small thing but it made him happy to see him, not dying and destruction around her.

Although Cloud had many nightmares of Sephiroth just killing everybody right in front of his eyes.

'You need to accept, forgive, and live.'

Aerith's image flickered, as if she was on a TV screen and it was getting bad satellite.

Her head tilted, and then worried eyes settled on him,

'The planet is calling back for me, I've stayed too long but Cloud before you leave—think and-and-and….just Gaia Cloud, see what's in your future, this future. See what's in front of you and the little things in people.'

A-Aerith!

The little glowing particles started to disperse and her image faded, disappearing completely.

Aerith? You're just kidding right? You can't leave me…..to….to….face this on my own.

I can't!

"Aerith! Wait!" Cloud's eyes were glued to the spot where she just was, hopping his desperate plea would make her appear, she would be back, she can't have gone.

"Gone?"

Then Cloud noticed he had blocked everything out when he was with Aerith and there was a slight breeze coming through the open door.

The leather boots made soft noises on the carpet, getting nearer and closer.

Cloud whirled around, eyes flashing with fury and hurt.

"You! You fucking did this! Why—why do you always do this?"

Cloud clenched his fist, tears forming through frustration when only cool, calculated eyes watched him. He felt like a child again and if anything angered him more than Sephiroth, it was Sephiroth looking down on him like that.

He swung wildly, eyes closed and a need for that anger, fury, and frustration to just go away. No it wasn't only just that there was hurt too, everybody leaving him—

"Why does everybody always leave?" Cloud cried as he swung another fist at Sephiroth, who gripped his wrist and when Cloud lifted his other hand, he took a hold of it too.

"Strife. You need to calm down." Cat-like eyes watched him, gauging his reactions, his weakness's and the source of his pain.

Cloud struggled, trying to wrench his wrists from Sephiroth's grip, as soon as Sephiroth laid hands on him—a feeling of being weighed down appeared, like he was being drugged.

Sephiroth didn't budge, only pulling him closer, ceasing his struggles and smothering Cloud into his chest. Arms wrapped around Cloud's torso, gentle, soothing, and nothing like the Sephiroth he knew.

Warm air caressed Cloud's ear, "You don't need to run, just don't hold it in and let it out."

Cloud's heart felt like it was ripping to pieces along with the rationality of his brain. Tears streamed down his face, and he buried his chest in Sephiroth's chest, quietly sobbing and holding onto him like a life line.

Cloud didn't question on how he got onto the luscious bed, Sephiroth's bed. It felt like a huge weight had lifted off his shoulders, he never broke down like that and just….just….cried.

Cloud felt better and more content somehow. Cloud stretched, he gave a small moan as his back muscles loosened and relaxed.

A chuckled sounded in the room and Cloud's guard was back up. Heat flared in his cheeks as he saw Sephiroth leaning on the doorway, watching him with a small smirk on his face.

"Feeling better?"

The words triggered the moment when he fell asleep in Sephiroth's arms and his cheeks colored a deeper pink.

He huffed, "yes, I am."

Sephiroth nodded, his gaze assessing and curious, not predatory or even threatening.

"The showers through that door, there's a change of clothes in there also."

Cloud's eyes flickered to the open bathroom door and back to Sephiroth, wasn't he going to ask what happened?

Instead Sephiroth just made a flicking motion to the bathroom and for Cloud to get moving, "I'll be making dinner, the others are coming over."

Cloud shut the bathroom door behind him as Sephiroth left going towards the kitchen.

Dinner? I slept that long? Sephiroth can cook? Didn't Angeal make a comment he wasn't allowed in the kitchen?

Cloud just shrugged but couldn't shake the feeling of disaster as he took his shower.

The moment he entered the kitchen, clean and dressed he smelled something like…socks…..and…and burned cheese.

Can you burn cheese?

Cloud's eyes zeroed in on the pan in the oven and Sephiroth standing by, calmly watching it.

Can he not smell that?

Instead he decided to break the ice with a question of what was for dinner.

Sephiroth's eyes flickered to him and then instantly back on the pan,

"Lasagna."

Cloud almost choked on the smell, the thing in there that looks like it's growing green cheese is supposed to be lasagna?

A crack sounded as the door slammed into the wall, then the kitchen door swung open, as soon as Cloud saw Angeal he had a feeling that he should leave. Like right now.

Cloud quietly moved back as Angeal advanced on Sephiroth,

"You idiot! What are you doing the smell reaches all the—

He broke off as he spotted the pan in the oven and then instantly covered his mouth in horror.

"Please tell me you didn't—

"It's lasagna."

Shock was written plainly on Angeal's face and Cloud snickered and instantly covered his mouth as he reached the hall, ready to flee.

"And you!"

Cloud froze, unsure,

"Yes Cloud you.

Cloud shifted nervously, staring up at Angeal through a guilty gaze.

I didn't even do anything.

Angeal seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and cuffed him although gently.

"When Sephiroth cooks, all that are nearby, in the vicinity and are still alive after Sephiroth cooks are at fault."

Cloud opened his mouth to protest, Angeal glared and Cloud shut him mouth.

"Now I have to clean that thing and get rid of the smell, I swear the whole Shinra building will smell like this for days."

Angeal then pointedly stared at Sephiroth, "now you can go and train or something. Maybe show Cloud around while we clean up."

I already know where everything is, well mostly everything.

But Cloud just nodded, afraid that if he refused Angela might make him clean it up.

Although Cloud was sure that it wasn't going to be fun, what if they met Hojo on the way?

Cloud gritted his teeth; he wouldn't be responsible for his actions then.

Sorry that it's short, I'm not used to writing or posting long chapters but please review!