AN: Hi and welcome to my attempt at a Reno origin story. I have touched upon a back story for him in two of my other fics but I kind of wanted to do a stand alone thing. Firstly I would like to say that I believe that Reno was born and raised in the slums. Mostly because of the way he talks, in the Japanese version his speech pattern is very slangy and lazy which makes me think of gangs, which there are a lot of in the Slums. Secondly I feel that Reno would have been a born survivor, I think that, considering his skill set whilst in the Turks (he's well known for being the fastest Turk) that he would make a rather excellent thief. Anyway, please enjoy and thank you for reading. (Oh yeah, the title is the Japanese version of the theme song 'The Oppressed'...literally its just a nod to the games origins).

Shiitagerareta Minshū

It was raining. The boy watched the crimson stain seep slowly from the totalled car. His clothes were soaked through, water dripped into his eyes from his dark hair. He could only blink as his fingers went numb and the water washed away his parents blood.

He hadn't cried once since that day, not when ShinRa Militia had picked him up on the outer edge of Sector Five's upper plate. Not when his aunt had refused to take him in. Not when he had been sent down to the poor orphanage in the slums of Sector Five. Not even when they had beat him. He hadn't cried when he had left either.

He now lived in a house that was put together with nails, hammers and scrap wood. It had a rusting metal roof that did nothing to keep out the cold and it had no windows. A single door led into a living space that, at night, converted into a bedroom for all thirteen of the youths who called it home. There was no kitchen, there was no point when food was so scarce. They did have a half rotted old sofa, its springs were trying to escape through the faded and stained fabric but it was somewhere to sit and sleep. The coffee table had been made up with several long planks of wood laid over the top of two breeze blocks. Sometimes there were fake flowers in a vase on it, although no one ever admitted to putting them there. The young people who inhabited the hovel ranged in age from ten years to nineteen, the older ones, those that had turned twenty had gone off to make their own ways in the world. No one spoke of them, most people knew that these ones ended up in some gang and either died right away or were used to death. It was the pretty ones that never lasted, they were always the first to disappear, no matter what age they were. Reno was always acutely aware of the fact that he was considered attractive, in desperate times he even used it to get food or shelter or whatever else it was he needed, but most of the time he ensured that his face was smeared in mud and his hair dyed a vivid colour. He didn't want to attract the attention of the likes of Dylan's gang. Dylan was a well known dealer in narcotics and flesh, he had approached many of the dwelling's inhabitants and been turned away each time. He was an old man with silver hair and neatly combed moustache, he prowled the slums, searching for prospective profits.

The dangers of the Slums were numerous but Reno had learnt quickly, slow learning got you killed, or worse. He had impressed the older kids with his speed and dexterity and had soon started using it to steal. He hitched rides on the trains, skipping off at every stop before an ID check and making his way to the upper plates. He would hide and spot a likely target, stalking them until they were vulnerable and then darting in and snatching their money. It was good work as far as Reno was concerned, he knew the upper plate of Sector Five well, having spent a lot of time there. He had only been three years old when his parents had died in a car crash, no one had wanted him and so he had been sent below to suffer at the hands of a cruel Orphanage director until he turned ten and ran away. At ten he had somehow found his way to the Dwelling as it was called by the street kids, he had found refuge and friendly faces there. It was home.

"Hey, Reno!"

Reno sighed softly, breathing out a stream of blue-grey smoke from his lips, his arm dropping as ash from the glowing tip of his cigarette fell to the pavement. He turned to see a boy running up the alley he was stood in, a grin plastered on his dirty face. "Ethan, what're you doin' here, yo?"

"Tai told me where you were. I came to find you." The boy's smile widened and he bounced on his feet. Reno blew more smoke from his lungs before crushing his cigarette into a wall.

"Go home. I'm busy an' can' afford to get dragged down. I gotta get us some food or we'll starve for another day, yo."

Ethan's face fell, he bowed his head. "Sorry." He mumbled.

"Look, i's kinda dangerous here. I'm workin' to feed you guys but if you keep followin' me around every nigh' we're gunna keep comin' back empty handed." He assured the distraught little boy. Ethan was five years younger than Reno, he was also obsessed with him. Wherever Reno went Ethan would follow, even when Reno was trying to bring in money for the Dwelling. The boy stuck to him like glue and what was worse was that he looked like a little angel. He had blond hair that fell in ringlets to his shoulders, in the evening light it turned burnished gold. His eyes were large and deep brown, like chocolate. Reno knew what looks like that got you and he refused to let it happen to Ethan. "Go home, yo." He insisted, patting the boy on the shoulder. "I'll be back later an' maybe I'll bring ya a little treat." He winked and Ethan's face lit up eagerly, sometimes Reno got enough money to buy the younger kids some chocolate or sweets of some kind, it was rare but when it happened they were always delighted. Ethan, to Reno's relief, turned around and left him alone.

Reno stood in the shadows, watching and waiting for a potential victim. In his pocket he had a small knife that was easily concealed, just in case things got out of hand. At fifteen he was lanky, his frame slight and skinny, perfect for speed. He was tall but not as tall as the leader of the kids who took refuge at the Dwelling. His name was Danny, he was handsome in a rough kind of way, with dark hair and dark, thoughtful eyes. He had helped Reno since the day he had arrived, beaten, broken and lost and given him a new life. It was a hard life but it was better than death. Danny was seventeen, soon to be eighteen and he had the body of a man already. He was kind and the younger ones loved him and looked up to him like an older brother. To Reno, however, he was more. He was his mentor but there were times when Reno found himself looking at him as more than that, he would catch himself dreaming about his lips and his body. He had never told Danny about his feelings, he knew Danny had a girlfriend elsewhere in the slums. Reno shook his head, forcing Danny from his mind and focussing on the mission at hand. He had to get as much money as he could today, it was Julie's birthday, she would be turning twelve (or so they assumed, no one was entirely sure when their actual birthdays were). He had decided to get her a gift if he could. He stepped out of the alley and looked around, there was a man sitting on a bench and watching him, he wore a dark suit and had neatly cropped hair and a scruffy beard. Reno noted him and then dismissed him, he looked like a salary man who likely had a wife and kids at home, not the kind of target Reno was searching for today.

Reno felt the man's eyes on him as he moved away, towards a well known hang out spot for the rougher denizens of the upper plates, rich kids playing at being gangsters. It took a moment for Reno to realise that the man was following him, he glanced back over his shoulder and caught the tail end of the man's shirt as he whipped out of sight. Reno shook his head, he was being paranoid. The square where the 'rich rebels' hung out was large and had a fountain in the centre, Reno spotted the group of usual boys all smoking and playing cards and laughing brightly. All well dressed, immaculate hair and utterly clean. Reno judged that they would have pockets stuffed full of easy cash. He stepped back into the shadows, his bare feet splashing in a puddle as he leaned back against a wall. He had sold his shoes, broken as they were, to an old man in exchange for some bread for the younger ones. His feet were now filthy and calloused, the stone beneath them was cold but Reno could hardly feel it. One boy was having a make out session with a girl, and didn't look like he was going to surface any time soon. The others were too intent on their game to look as if they were going to separate from their group, however, there was alcohol involved. Reno changed his tactics. He undid the buttons on his tattered shirt to reveal a little of his chest, he bent and used the puddle he was stood in to wash the dirt from his face and dampen down his wild hair. He looked at himself in the blurry reflection and took a slow breath. Drunk guys were always up for a little excitement, it was something Reno had learned a long time ago. He looked down at the bandages he had covering his hands, to protect them if he got into a bare knuckle fight. He then straightened and walked into the street light, pretending not to see the boys and single girl by the fountain.

Reno dug out a battered packet of cigarettes from his pocket and a lighter, he lit one and blew out the smoke in a long sigh. He felt eyes on him but refused to turn to look, he began walking, moving with the liquid cat-like grace that seemed to be inherent in his genes. He had to get Julie a present and the other kids some sweets, to do that he needed to sell the only thing he had of any worth. He took another, slow, deliberate drag and heard someone whispering nearby. He chanced a look in their direction, gauging who was speaking. It was a boy with bright blue eyes, his brown hair was greased back and his eyes showed greed as he watched Reno curiously. "Too easy, yo." He breathed and disappeared down an alley. A minute later he heard the heavy thud of boots on tarmac and turned to find the boy standing at the entrance to the alley, in one hand he held a bottle of expensive liquor and Reno wondered if he could have that as well as the money he was going to get from him. "Yo." Reno said and leaned against the wall, smiling seductively. "You interested?" He offered and the boy grinned broadly.

"How much?"

"Depends, what you after?"

"Dunno, what're you offerin'?"

Reno stepped closer, crushing his cigarette out on the wall. "Blow job is five hundred. I'll go all the way for a thousand." He said quietly. It was cheap, he knew it but this boy likely didn't have any more than that on him.

The boy licked his lips nervously and glanced back over his shoulder as if he expected someone to interrupt. "That's ridiculous, you're not worth that!" The boy snorted but Reno saw him flush. He obviously wasn't used to picking up whores, likely he'd never even been to the Honeybee Inn.

Reno smiled slowly, keeping eye contact with the boy and reaching out, he pressed the flat of his palm against his chest and pushed him against the wall. "Let's make a deal, yo." He whispered, leaning close to whisper in the boys ear. "I'll suck you off an' afterwards you can decide how much, yeah?"

The boy grunted and took a swig from the bottle in his hand, he remained silent and Reno took that for permission. Slowly he sank to his knees, the cold stone cutting into them and making them ache. Slowly he undid the boys zip and slid his hand inside his trousers, the boy tensed, uttering a gasp of surprise. Reno tried to hide his derision as he pulled out the boys cock and ran his tongue over the tip slowly. "Oh fuck..." The boy hissed, his free hand going to Reno's hair and pushing him forward, Reno obliged by taking the whole of him into his mouth.

It didn't take long before the boy was coming, Reno closed his eyes and swallowed it all, he knew they liked that. When he was pulled away he looked up and licked his lips. "Worth it?" He asked hoarsely.

The boy said nothing and tossed five hundred Gil at Reno, it hit the floor with a musical chime and he began grabbing at the coins, stuffing them into his pockets as he climbed shakily to his aching knees. "Shit." He muttered, rubbing them and wincing as he made his way out of the alley and back under the street lights. He wiped his sleeve across his mouth absently and began walking away, in search of his next target.

Three hours later he limped back to the train station, as he waited for the train to arrive he sank slowly down onto the bench and began counting the money he had made. He had obtained a leather wallet of high quality from some old man who had been too distracted admiring a young woman's ass in a queue to the theatre. As for money he had made himself approximately three thousand Gil. He had stolen most of it but that was pocket change compared to the amount he got selling his body. He smiled to himself and tucked the money back into a pocket in his shirt, over all it had been a good evening. As he was relaxing he felt eyes on him again, he sat up and looked around the station, unable to see anything. He frowned, he usually had excellent instincts but he was unable to find the source of that feeling of being watched. He shivered a little as a cold wind blew through the station, making his arm hair stand on end. He thought he caught movement out the corner of his eye but when he turned his head to look it was gone again. He shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself in an attempt to keep out the cold, his mind turned to his knife but didn't draw it, he had no wish to look weak. He huddled on the bench and gazed at the tracks, waiting for the train. Eventually Reno's eyes drifted closed and he fell asleep.

XXX

"This is the one you spoke of?"

Veld smiled and nodded. "He is exceedingly talented."

"But he's...a street rat."

Veld shrugged, leaning against a wall with his phone pressed to his ear. "So? When has background ever bothered us? It doesn't matter where someone's from, it matters who they grow to be."

"Hm. You had better be right, Veld...we've had President ShinRa on our ass since half our teams were wiped out in that explosion in Wutai."

"I know. Trust me on this one, this boy is worth it." Veld hung up and peered around the corner of the train masters hut where the shivering boy was curled up and sleeping. He looked so young and vulnerable it made Veld a little sad, his hair was a vivid red, a mess of spikes mostly held up by dirt. He had smudges over his face, cuts and scrapes and bruises. The knees of his trousers had holes in them, his feet were bare and caked in mud. He looked too skinny, his skin was pinched and pale likely due to malnutrition. But Veld had been watching him for a while and he was impressed by what he saw. This boy had incredible talent, even if he didn't know it. He was fast, agile like a cat and vicious when cornered. If Veld were to hone those talents he would indeed become an asset to the Turks.

XXX

Reno was shaken awake, he tried to get up but flailed and fell off the bench with a thud. His body reminded him that once again he hadn't eaten all day, he lay still, panting and groaning as his stomach sent pain through him, finally he relaxed a little when he realised it was only the station master. Slowly he climbed to his feet, body shaking from cold and hunger. "Kid, you gotta go home, you can't stay here. This isn't a hostel." He said firmly.

"I was gunna get the train back to the slums." He said, shaking his head.

The man frowned. "You missed it. The last train was half an hour ago."

"What?!" Reno swore violently and frowned at the tracks. "They're expectin' me back, yo. Is there any other way down below?"

"No. I'm sorry. There's no road down there."

"Shit." Reno sighed heavily and turned away, hunching his shoulders as it began to rain. It appeared he would be spending the rest of the night on the streets, likely avoiding ShinRa troops patrolling. He would have to be on guard or end up in a prison cell. As he walked away from the station Reno paused and looked up. He had a moment of intense vertigo as the stars spread above him in the green-stained sky. Somewhere far to his left a reactor glowed brightly, obliterating the stars. He shivered as the rain ran down his face, through his hair and into his eyes. He stayed still, enjoying the feeling. They didn't get rain as such in the slums, the plates above stopped anything from getting below.

He smiled a little, thinking that the kids would love the rain if they ever felt it, but none of them were old enough or fast enough to travel up top. He walked on again, shivering a little as the cool air chilled his damp skin, if he used the money he'd earned he might be able to find a hostel to stay in for the night but he was reluctant to waste the money. He decided that he would find an empty alley and perhaps some boxes to fashion a shelter of some kind and sleep there. He had to save the money for Julie and Ethan and the other little ones. They would be able to have a party of a kind, it would be good for them. His stomach cramped a he grimaced, he was hungry again. The pain would pass, he knew it would but temptation overcame him as he passed close by a bakery. The smell of fresh baked bread wafted over him and he felt saliva fill his mouth, he turned abruptly and walked over to the large display window. He pressed his nose against the glass and heard his stomach let out a loud grumble.

There was a large assortment of cakes, breads and pastries both savoury and sweet in the window. He gazed longingly at the glazed fruits, the chocolate icing, the balls of sweet puffed pastry. It was heaven. He sighed and chewed his lip as he reached a hand into his pocket and withdrew his money. It was for the kids, he had no right to be selfish. He shook his head and pushed the money back into his pocket and walked away. Before he got far though a voice made him spin around.

"Do you want something to eat?"

Reno's eyes widened as he realised it was the salary man he had spotted earlier, he still wore his suit and a small half-smile. "No. I'm fine, yo." He said stiffly but his stomach betrayed him and he put a hand over it. "The pain don't last, I'm used to it." He smiled and spread the fingers of both hands in an open shrug. "I aint rich like you, yo."

"Come on, let me buy you something." The man said kindly.

"No. I don't wanna owe you nothin'."

"You're cold and hungry and look like a sack of bones, I can afford to buy you a meal. Please, I want nothing in return."

"I aint a charity case, yo." Reno turned away and began to walk again. The man, to his sheer irritation, followed him. "I go' money, all righ'? I'm not gunna starve!"

"That money is for someone special, isn't it?"

Reno halted again and turned to face the man, he wore an angry frown. "Look, old man, I aint into your type. You wanna fuck then you gotta pay in real hard cash not food an' because I'm feelin' nice I'll make an exception if you're tha' desperate. I done it before."

The man looked taken aback, he blinked at Reno and then frowned. "How old are you?"

"Dunno, lost count. Probably fifteen." Reno shrugged. "Does it matter? Do ya like 'em younger? I can fake it if ya wanna play that game." The man seemed stunned to hear him talking so coldly, Reno sighed and shook his head. "Fine. I'm gone, yo." He walked away again but a hand on his wrist pulled him back.

"All I want is to see you eat a full meal and get you a safe, decent place to sleep tonight. I want nothing in return, I promise." He smiled kindly down at Reno who ripped his arm free and rubbed his wrist, frowning in suspicion at the man.

"Why? Why do you care?"

"Let's say that I have a vested interest in you." The man said and beckoned him forward. "Come on, I'll get you some food."

Reno took a few nervous steps away. "I can', yo. If my family don' eat, neither do I."

"What use will you be to them if you get sick, or worse? You need to help them by helping yourself. You're already half way to starvation."

Reno looked away with a frown. "I dunno, yo."

"You have that money, right? Then you can use it to buy them the food they need tomorrow."

"An' a present. It's Julie's birthday."

The man smiled and held out his hand to Reno who went to him and allowed himself to be ushered along. "Is that your sister?"

"I...guess...We're not blood, yo."

"Ah, I see. So you have an adopted family?"

"Yeah. Who are you?" Reno looked up at the man who gave him that oddly kind smile.

"My name is unimportant, you will learn it in due time. For now you only need to know that I'm a friend."

"Friends...with an adult." Reno snorted derisively. "Friends aint worth nothin'."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"There's nothin' bindin' you together. Not like family."

"True. But even family betray each other."

Reno fell silent and considered this before sighing heavily. "Ya know, you're kinda all righ' for an old guy."

The man laughed. "High praise indeed." He said and clapped Reno on the shoulder. They ended up going to a small all night cafe that still served food, the man brought Reno a nutritious balanced meal that he had to stop Reno from scoffing it all down at once. "Slow down or you'll be sick." He warned gently. The man watched in amused silence as Reno ate with his dirty hands, barely even noticing the odd looks the pair were getting. Finally Reno finished and leaned back in his seat with a sigh, he took a sip of the drink by his plate and looked at the man with slightly sleepy eyes.

"Thanks, yo." He muttered and a yawn escaped him. "Mm. I gotta find somewhere to sleep tonight." He said and stood up, the man paid and they left. "Anyway, thanks again and I'll see ya aroun'...I guess..." Reno smiled but before he could move the man took him by his upper arm, surprised to feel the bones through his shirt, and steered him away from the shop.

"I know a safe place you can go to sleep, it's an apartment just down here. It's unused."

"How do you know?"

The man gave him a brief smile. "Because it's mine."

"Bu' then aren' you usin' it?"

"Not particularly, my job involves a lot of travelling, I don't have much time off."

"Oh." Reno let himself be guided away, enjoying the feeling of having a full stomach for a change.

The apartment was large and sparsely furnished, the man guided Reno inside and stood at the door while Reno gazed around in fascination. He whistled in appreciation. "Sweet crib, yo." He said and grinned devilishly.

"There's a shower and bathroom just through the bedroom, you can wash yourself there and feel free to borrow any clothes in the wardrobe, although they'll be big on you."

"Thanks, yo. I reckon i'll keep these." He gestured to his ratty clothes. "I don' wanna stick out when I go back home."

"That's sensible." The man nodded and smiled. "Very well then, I will leave you alone. I have work to do." He left and Reno decided to take the time to explore before having a well needed wash.