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Something in Seph held him back, an instantaneous internal struggle, and it lasted long enough for him to let her stumble. He quickly shook his head, pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, and was next to her in a flash, hand on her shoulder.

The pinprick was quick, virtually painless, and easily masked by the pressure of his palm against her shoulder. The wooden toothpick-like needle that was used was flash-fried.

"Whoa, there, Doc. What happened?" Red eyes accompanied the unusual intensity in his voice.

Suddenly Seph's face changed. He took a deep breath, then shook his head. Malice filled his eyes. Not evil, but an utter resolve to infect and control every being he could. There was also a sense of pride. "I had a feeling your friend might fight me when the opportunity arose."

He took a seat on the edge of the fountain. "I don't think you can leave either, Nyl. I just wish I could use Byakougan to confirm that belief." He shrugged, then sighed. "Oh, I guess I'll leave the bodily functions of this host to your friend, for now. I'll be watching, though!" He winked, putting a good bit of emphasis on the word 'this,' as if to imply that soon, there would be another.

Eyes still red, Seph rose an eyebrow. "Who do you think, Nyl?" It had gone past lies with her. She knew about The Virus, so it was pointless to say who it wasn't.

And without another word, Seph's eyes half-faded, half-flashed to blue, causing him to blink. "It's me again.." It was a much more Sephiroth-like voice, with a hint of superiority: The Protector.

Seph looked up at her, his eyebrows raised in surprise as if asking in disbelief, 'are you really thinking about doing what you're thinking about doing?' The answer was obvious, though. He would be doing the same thing in her position.

"I.. lost control." He winced at his answer, knowing it to be the blandest and most obvious excuse, then leaned forward. "I don't have a worthy excuse to why I--it.. just tried to infect you. I can't apologize enough for letting him take over, I.." He stopped talking and shook his head.

"Sephiroth's not too happy, either.."

And what's worse, the Virus knows all of this.. is actually feeding off of all of this..

He remembered. As clearly as if it were the day before.

"That depends on whether or not you're infected. It doesn't seem to know, it didn't seem to expect the speed at which Sephiroth could react. If you weren't pricked, then by the God's, don't tell me. If you are.. Then you'll start losing sleep. Once that happens.. I don't know. That's how it wears down your immune system, it tires you out. I couldn't find an answer to it, but I didn't know what it was until it was too late. You do."

He looked up at her with, curiously enough, a look of resolve on his face. "I'm not going to let this take you." Seph hiccuped, then gave a soft burp. He seemed briefly confused, but let it slide. "Excuse me."

Seph leaned forward, letting the wind block out all sound around him. He closed his eyes and imagined himself at the beach, letting the sea breeze blow against his face. He couldn't immerse himself in the imaginative thought, though. It didn't smell like the beach. It smelled like the Dojo. He opened his eyes and looked back at Nyl.

"Are-" He stopped, realizing what a stupid question that was. "What now?" He corrected.

Something in Sephiroth's demeanor changed slightly, his gaze leveling on her. "As usual?" He looked straight ahead, at a glowing window at the Dojo.