DISCLAIMER: The characters and story of FFVII belong to SqueEnix and not me. All that is mine is the plotline of this fanfic.

WARNING: Angst, violence, language, and future Male/Male action. :)

C H A P T E R - O N E

"Stupid Turk!"

"Rancid Remnant!"

"Ginger kid!"

"Mama's boy!"

Reno growled viciously as he stared into the pair of green cat-slit eyes slightly hidden behind a fringe of silver hair. He was standing now, his knuckles white around the handle of his electro-rod. The idle chatter of everyone around them had transcended into a deathly silence. The only sound Reno heard were his deep angry breaths and the thud of his own rapid heartbeat ringing in his ear.

Kadaj stared back at him from across the table. A sly little smirk played on the corners of his mouth. His Souba was still sheathed on his back, but Reno knew at any moment, the young Remnant could strike. He was quick and unpredictable.

Months ago, Reno would have laughed at the thought of ever meeting those Mako eyes again. He had a reason. Kadaj was supposed to be dead.

After the defeat of the Silver-haired trio, it was said that all troubles would finally be vanquished. Every case of Geostigma had been cured, and Midgar was to be rebuilt back to its former glory. Reno continued his job as a Turk along with his partner Rude, working under the command of their boss Rufus Shin-Ra. He still kept in contact with Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, and the members of AVALANCHE, but only so often. They were no longer brutal enemies, but couldn't really be considered good friends.

But, just mere months after the death of the silver-haired brothers, they had suddenly resurrected. And with that resurrection, the threat was born again. The threat of the next return of Sephiroth. With the brothers being sons of Jenova and Kadaj being the chosen host for the infamous one-winged angel, there was no telling when Sephiroth could return.

Reno had no clue how they had come back, but Cloud, their eldest brother, had an idea. He hadn't gotten into too much detail with Reno or any other Turk about it – not surprising – all he had said was that Aeris had a part in it. It was meant to be a second chance for both them and Cloud to finally find peace and have a family. A chance for the three brothers to find the good in them that had been hidden by their brutal intent to find their mother.

Reno never thought Cloud would fall for it.

He did.

Cloud and Tifa had invited the three brothers to live with them above Seventh Heaven Bar until they found a place of their own. Kadaj was reluctant about it at first. He wasn't too fond of Cloud. But the generosity and compassion of his previous enemies had allowed him to break away from that wall of built up anger and frustration and accept the offer with a barely audible mutter of thanks.

Reno couldn't count how many times he had argued with Cloud about his brothers. They were the enemy, and he was making himself vulnerable to them. No matter what Aeris said, they shouldn't be trusted. But Cloud was firm with his decision. He wanted his brothers to have a second chance. They were merely misunderstood, lost, blinded by their will to find and please Jenova.

Reno never thought badly of Cloud until then.

Idiot.

He would regret his decision in due time.

Reno had always enjoyed visiting Seventh Heaven Bar. If not for the company, for the booze. But now that the brothers were constantly around, he began to loath it.

Yazoo was the second eldest brother. Eighteen years old, with a head of long silver hair and the same beautiful features that all three Remnants shared. Green cat-slit eyes, agile body, full black leather attire. He was usually emotionless, passive, and quiet. Never squabbled with anyone unless he was truly pushed to the limit. He was usually off somewhere shooting something with his silver pistol. He called it "Velvet Nightmare". Other than the fact that Reno found it odd he named his gun, he didn't mind Yazoo.

Loz was the eldest of the three Remnants. Twenty years old, short silver hair, massive muscular build that would intimidate anyone. But looks are deceiving. Though the eldest and strongest of the three brothers, Loz was the most immature. He was sensitive, and a bit of a cry-baby. But Reno had learned never to call him that to his face. Loz had an electrified tazer-like weapon called the "Duel Hound" (again with the names), that was attached to his left forearm. Reno hadn't been very careful with his use of words in front of the Remnant and had gotten a good zapping. Other than that, Loz wasn't too bad to have around. He was a pretty fun drunk.

It was Kadaj.

That frustrating, sarcastic, difficult, manipulative, sly little pain in the ass. That's how Reno saw him. For only a young man of sixteen, Kadaj was a real piece of work. He was the youngest of the brothers, with perfect shoulder-length silver hair that just covered his right eye and part of his nose, and beautiful almost innocent-looking features that masked his dark persona. Kadaj was the leader of the Remnants and the biggest threat in Clouds life when Sephiroth wasn't around.

Kadaj hated being cooped up in the Bar for long periods of time, but Cloud couldn't trust him to go off on his own just yet without supervision. It was like babysitting a five year old. An evil, smart-mouthed, sadistic little five year old. When he was not brooding somewhere in a corner or in his room, the young silver-haired Remnant was picking a fight with anyone that crossed him the wrong way. And surprisingly, it was always Reno who got the short end of it.

He didn't know why, but Kadaj loved to make his blood boil. He and the young Remnant barely knew one another previous to his death, so there was no built up hatred the Remnant had stored away for the Turk. Hell, if anyone, Cloud should be the one getting consistently pushed to the brink of insanity by the young man. But Reno was always a target.

Tonight, Reno and Rude had dropped by Seventh Heaven after a long day of missions. There was an Underground group of thugs terrorizing citizens of Midgar, and he and Rude had been sent in to investigate. Reno hoped there would be some good ol' hand to hand combat involved when they found the gang. Wrong. They hadn't even come close to finding the thugs, let alone fight them. They had spent the whole night questioning random witnesses and patrolling the streets. Bo-ring.

Reno needed a drink after that. Rude wasn't one to get drunk, but wouldn't allow his partner to be alone with alcohol. He had good reason. Reno wasn't a very capable man when he was tipsy. Last time, Reno nearly set himself on fire. He never knew how, though. He wasn't anywhere near any matches.

Cloud and Tifa were at the Bar when Reno and Rude walked in, and decided to join them for a drink. Marlene and Denzel were upstairs sleeping, and Tifa had scolded Reno into not making any noise. As if.

After only a few minutes of comfortable chatter, the group of them were joined by the three brothers. Reno felt his mood sink. They could have at least waited until Reno was good and drunk before they showed up.

As Reno swirled his glass of whiskey, he asked Tifa if a law had passed to let unwanted children in the bar. Tifa wasn't sure what Reno had meant, but judging from the expression on Kadaj's face, he got the hint.

"I'm not a child." He growled at the redheaded Turk.

"Well you ain't a man." Reno smirked, swigging back the rest of his drink in one gulp.

"More man than you!" Kadaj shouted.

"Please…" Reno snorted. "Call me when you hit puberty, alright kid?"

"I'm not a Goddamn kid!" Kadaj shouted, slamming his hands on the table.

"Well, alright, if you ain't a kid," Reno smiled, rising from his seat. "I guess that just makes you unwanted."

Kadaj shot to his feet. "You'll pay for that you son of a-"

Reno held his hand up to silence the young Remnant. "Ah, ah, ah…watch your language little man."

And that's when the array of back and forth name calling began. Reno stood before Kadaj, electro-rod in hand, with only a table blocking his path to the young man. Kadaj was standing too, his eyes never glancing away from Reno's. Yazoo and Loz were watching quietly from their spot on the bar stools. They seemed to think Kadaj could handle the situation himself.

"Can you two keep it down?" Tifa whispered. "The children are sleeping."

Reno heard her, but let the words pass over him. Kadaj ignored her as well.

"What are you going to do, Turkey boy?" Kadaj sneered.

Reno stepped towards the young Remnant. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself.

"I could say something atrociously cruel right now." Reno explained, putting a fist to his hip. "But I ain't going to, cause I'm a nice person."

"No! Say it!" Kadaj shouted, opening his arms out. "I dare you. Hit me with your best shot, Turk."

Reno hesitated a minute, staring deep into those gleaming Mako eyes. Slowly, one hand on the table, he leaned in towards the silver-haired Remnant. He lowered his voice to a low, almost cruel whisper.

"Second favourite." He smirked.

Kadaj's eyes widened, and his voice caught in his throat. The only sound that came out was a couple of horrified gasps from Yazoo and Loz. The rest of the room was in a shocked, deathly quiet.

Reno knew he hit Kadaj where it hurt. When he planned the Reunion with Jenova, Kadaj had prayed that his mother would choose him instead of Sephiroth. The young Remnant was incredibly envious of him. He had hoped his loyalty and willingness to please his mother would be enough to be first in her eyes. He was a mere boy hungering for his mother's approval. But, not surprisingly, Sephiroth was the favourite. He was the best of the best, and Kadaj…well, Kadaj was merely a Remnant of Jenova's legacy. Nothing of any importance. Though he tried to mask his pain, Reno knew Kadaj hated it. He acted though it didn't matter to him, but it did.

The pain pooling at the corners of Kadaj's eyes were proof enough.

The young Remnant stared unbelievably into Reno's eyes. Reno read the torment and anger through them, and wondered if he had gone too far.

Without a word, Kadaj spun around and stormed out the front door and into the rainy night. After the thunderous slam of the front door, Reno straightened.

"That was uncalled for." Yazoo frowned deeply.

Reno snorted.

"I agree." Cloud spoke up, rising from his seat.

"What?" Reno gaped at the blonde. "You can't be serious."

"Reno, I know you don't like Kadaj, but that was a bit harsh." Tifa added from her seat.

"Did any of you just witness what happened?" Reno gasped. "The little punk deserved it!"

"You started it." Cloud scolded.

Reno opened his mouth but no sound came out. He was right.

Damn it.

"Well what the hell do you suppose I do about it, yo?" Reno frowned, throwing his arms out dramatically.

"Apologize." Cloud crossed his arms.

Reno's jaw dropped. "What?"

"You heard me." Cloud raised at eyebrow.

"You gotta be kidding!"

"Does it look like I'm kidding?"

Reno looked back at the front door. "He could've gone anywhere!"

"Find him." Rude finally spoke up.

Reno gaped at his partner. "Dude! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I agree." Tifa nodded. "Go out, find Kadaj, and say you're sorry."

Reno slumped forward, whining. "But it's raining, yo!"

Cloud clutched the handle of his sword, growling. "Reno…"

Reno threw his hands up in the air. "Fine! I'll go!" He pointed around the room. "I hate you all, though."

Reno spun around and stomped out of the bar and into the night. The cold rain hit him with a shock, pasting pieces of his red hair to his face and goggles. He sighed deeply, shaking the beads of water from his long ponytail. His suit was soaked within seconds and hanging uncomfortably on his body.

He looked around the dark road.

"Kadaj!" He called out.

His voice echoed down the street. No response. No surprise.

It was going to be a long night.

Kadaj leaned his body against the cold brick wall.

The rain poured down his face, mixing with the river of tears that already soaked his cheeks. His silver hair clung to his head making it near impossible for him to see. No matter, he hadn't gone very far.

He stood in the narrow alley between Seventh Heaven Bar and some other building he didn't care about. Kadaj pressed his forehead against the cool brick, clenching his leather covered fists tightly.

Stupid Turk.

He had no right to speak to him that way. About his mother! If Cloud hadn't been there, that Goddamn redhead would've paid for his insolence with his pathetic excuse of a life! Kadaj roared with anger and frustration, pounding the wall hard with his fist. The faint sting from his hand did nothing to mask the pain he was experiencing in his heart.

The Turk was right. He was the second favourite. Kadaj squeezed his eyes shut, feeling the sting of hot tears. He was nothing compared to Sephiroth. He was a clone, a mere Remnant of the legacy his mother left behind. Just a puppet.

The sudden sound of his name being called jerked him out of his trance. He recognized the voice instantly as the Turk's. Kadaj didn't bother to answer. He growled under his breath, pressing his forehead back against the wall. He felt the cold rain on the back of his neck begin to drip down whatever part of his back was not too suffocated by skin-tight leather. He shivered.

Footsteps splashing on wet pavement alerted Kadaj, and he listened intently, forehead still against the wall of the Bar. The footsteps walked swiftly passed the alleyway where he stood, then stopped. The young Remnant waited a moment with held breath. The footsteps grew louder. He was coming back. The steps halted just outside the alley, and waited. Kadaj felt eyes on the back of his head. Then, the sound approached.

Kadaj knew who it was before he heard the voice. He had to remind himself to breathe calmly. He repeated Cloud's name in his head over and over again, noting that if he killed anything, his big brother would kill him in return.

When the steps stopped just behind him, Kadaj didn't hesitate to speak, sniffing back his tears.

"Go away, Turk."

There was a minute of silence between them. Kadaj didn't turn around. He couldn't look at the Turk. He was sure if he did he would kill him.

"Kadaj…" Came the redhead's voice. "Listen, I-"

"Are you deaf, or just stupid?" Kadaj cut him off viciously. "I said go away, Turk."

"I'm not going anywhere." The Turk said firmly. "I came here to apologize."

Kadaj threw his head back with a laugh. "Ha! Apologize? Please…you meant every word you said. You don't give a damn about me, or my feelings. Just get the hell away from me."

There was a silence, then…

"No."

Kadaj spun around on his heel to face the Turk, while at the same time grasping the hilt of his Souba and whipping it out. The sharp sound of the twin blades unsheathing rang out into the night. The Turk stepped back cautiously when the sword was pointed directly at his throat.

"Get the hell away from me." Kadaj whispered darkly. "Now."

The redhead stared back at him, blue eyes penetrating into his as if reading his every thought. The rain matted strands of his fiery hair to his face and clothes. The Turk was remarkably calm at the moment, which made Kadaj's anger build.

"I'm not here to fight you." The Turk said softly. "I need to say I'm sorry for what I said at the Bar."

"No you're not." The Remnant spat. "You're not sorry at all. I can see it in your eyes. You don't care! You don't give a damn!"

"Kadaj…"

"No!" Kadaj shouted at the top of his lungs. The sword was shaking in his hands. He could feel more tears build in his eyes. "I don't need your pathetic apologies, or your pity! I don't need anything from you! I don't need anyone! I don't want it! Just leave me the hell alone!"

His voice left an echo that hung in the air like a dark shadow. The Turk continued to watch him with an annoying calmness that was so unlike him. Kadaj ground his teeth together in frustration. Tears were trickling down his rain-soaked cheek.

"This is that last time I'm going to say it…" Kadaj hissed. "Get away."

Again, the redhead stayed still.

"No."

Kadaj gripped the hilt of his sword and held it at the ready.

"Then I will make you."