Cloud still wouldn't raise his hand against Sephiroth. He listened, his eyes getting wider at the rant and he nearly cried out as Rukia struck him. She wasn't wrong to do it but for a moment he was terrified she'd done more than she did.

He bowed his head, unsure of what to do to appease his hero or his Shadow. He always thought he was doing his part to encourage him, and to also give him the credit he deserved (and then some). Was it not enough? Was it too much? Was having other Gaians like him around a harsh reminder of what he was and what he wanted?

"I'm....sorry....I don't know what to do to help." He balled his fist, the strap of his shield clenching around his forearm. He wanted his friends to be happy, but he didn't know what he could possibly do in the face of this anger. "Everyone has treated you as a friend an ally since we got here. Bad things happen, things out of our control, but we've all been here for each other. I don't know...I don't know what more we can do to prove this to you."