Chapter 1

She stood in the middle of the crowd. Everyone walked around her and ignored her. In the pouring rain, she was the only one without an umbrella. Those who didn't have one stood out of the rain. Most people had heard by now that Rufus Shinra was alive and working again. Some also knew that Sephiroth had come back. Of those who knew, some were afraid while others refused to hide.

Litta decided to head back home, or what she called home for now. After running around for two years, a few new cities had popped up. She waited until they had been searched enough and then made one home. As she made her way through the crowd, she saw a familiar face. She turned away quickly, hoping he hadn't seen her. She'd been dodging Squall for two years. She had run into him a few times, but had been able to avoid being seen by him. She knew he was still looking for her after she left him the first time. I wanted to think about things, she thought, sort them out. For the most part, I've just been running from everyone.

Rufus Shinra had sent a few Turks after her. The most surprising visit had brought a hint that Reno was alive. I saw him die with Cloud. They could have brought him back shortly after I left. Maybe they saved Cloud too... She stopped. If they saved Cloud, they would still have him. They know he has information about me. But I want it first. I have to find out if he's alive. She knew who she needed to talk to, but she didn't know where to go.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of a business suit. Perfect timing. She made her way over to where she had seen it. A gun shop, of course. Where else would you go? She waited outside for a while, and then he came out.

"Hello Rude," she said from behind him. He turned slowly.

"Are you going to come quietly then?"

"I might...consider it, but you have to answer some questions first. Are you willing to agree to that?"

"Hmmm. A tempting offer, but I only need to bring you in. I don't feel like giving you information unless it benefits me."

"Well you're right." Rude looking a little puzzled. "It wouldn't benefit you to tell me anything, but you're going to anyway."

"I won't be doing anything of the sort."

"Oh yes you will." She rammed the butt of her gun into the back of his head and he was out cold. That wasn't too hard. Now I just have to get him back without drawing too much attention. She hoisted him over her shoulder and walked away from the store.

He had turned to look into the crowd. He thought he felt someone looking at him. He was about to continue on his way when he caught the back of someone who looked vaguely familiar. No, she wouldn't be here. It's too obvious, and yet, could it be her? No, it's just my imagination. He turned back to the store and walked in. When he came back out, he saw the same person's back, only now a Turk was being carried over her shoulder. He shrugged it off, figuring it to be some debt being settled, and continued to search for Litta, whom he had been searching for for two years.

As she dropped him roughly on the couch, Rude began to stir. He sat bolt upright, and looked around. When he spotted Litta's gun in his face, he stood up slowly.

"I would sit back down if I were you."

"And why is that?" he asked, while slowly sitting back down.

"Because it will be more comfortable while you answer my questions."

"I already told you, I'm not answer-"

"You are going to answer my questions, or you won't be leaving at all." He considered this for a moment, before answering. When he did, he spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.

"What is it you want to know?"

"I want to know about any prisoners you might have. Who they are, and what you're holding them for."

"I'm not altogether sure of every prisoner we have. I don't deal with them all, just a select few."

"Then tell me about those few. Who are they?" she questioned.

"Why do you want to know?" he shot back.

"You aren't in a position to be asking questions. Just answer mine and I might answer some of yours. Now who are the prisoners you deal with?" She said it with more force this time, less like a question.

"I know of a few scientists, one doctor, and a few miscellaneous persons."

"Who are the miscellaneous persons?"

"No one important. They're just there for some testing and experimentation."

"Who are they?" He hesitated.

"Vincent Valentine and," he took a breath, knowing this would start something, "Cloud Strife." I knew it. They do have him. They've just been holding him, probably trying to get information out of him about me.

"I thought Cloud was dead. Did Rufus revive him?"

"Yes. He found Reno and Cloud dead after you left. He healed both of them, and kept it a secret that Reno was alive. He wanted to make sure that you never found out that Cloud was alive, so no one would break him out." He added the last bit when the grip on her gun visibly tightened.

"Where is Cloud exactly?"

"I'm afraid I don't know that. He was moved before I was sent to find you."

"Where could they have moved him to?"

"Any number of places."

"Who would know where he is?"

"Rufus," he stated simply.

"Fine." Suddenly she raised her hand and had cast a sleeping spell on him before he could move. He slumped to the ground. She carried him a ways away, before dropping him in the forest and heading back. She knew what she had to do. She waited until the next day before she went into town. She went to the store where she had seen him yesterday and walked in. She went to the counter and hit the bell. After a few minutes, a short old man came in from the back.

"Can I help you?"

"Did this man come into your shop yesterday?" She held up a picture of Squall. The man studied it for a while before responding.

"Yes, yes he did. He came in and, seemed to be in a bad mood, looked around. He finally stopped and looked at the display of weapons we have. A fine selection if you ask me. We ordered them just a few weeks ago. Kids these days, all they care about is fighting. Back when I-"

"I don't need to know what weapons you have." She stopped the man from finishing the story. She didn't have an hour to sit and listen to him. "Did he say anything to you?"

"Why of course. He talked about-" she interrupted him again.

"Did he happen to mention where he was staying?" He thought for a moment.

"Well, he did buy something, a nice-"

"I don't want to know what he bought. I need to know-" It was her turn to be interrupted.

"I know what you asked. Just let me finish this sentence. He said he couldn't take it with him at the moment, but I could send it to the Batail Hotel and he would appreciate it. Why do you need to know?"

"That's for me to know. Thanks for your help."

She bought some ammo for her guns, she'd been running low, so he wouldn't be angry about her taking up his time. Once she was out of the store, she headed to the Batail Hotel. She was going to leave a little note for someone, someone she hadn't wanted to see or talk to for two years.

"May I help you?" asked the man behind the counter.

"Yes. Is there a Squall Leonhart staying here?"

"Yes there is. Shall I call him down for you?"

"No," she answered immediately. "I need to leave a message for him. Could I leave it here and you can give it to him the next time he comes down?"

"Of course." She sat in a chair across the room and began to write:

Dear Squall,

I am unable to meet you in person, but I am certain you will understand. I have information concerning Cloud Strife and Vincent Valentine. I will tell you more but under one condition: you must consider a proposition I will present to you at a later time. It you are interested in any of this, leave a note at the front desk by tomorrow at noon. Do not wait for me, or I will not come. I will reply to what you write me in the same way as this.

She thought for a moment. She didn't know how to sign it. She couldn't sign her name, or she might as well meet with him in person. Instead she wrote: - a friend

That should do it, she thought. She folded the note and handed it to the man. She walked out and headed back home, knowing she would be here again in less than 24 hours.

Squall headed down the stairs, hoping to send a telegram to Irvine and see if he knew anything about Litta. I haven't heard from him in a long time, just Zell. Maybe he's been really busy. Or maybe he's been, no, he's just been busy. As he came up to the front desk, the man behind it turned.

"Good afternoon Mr. Leonhart. There's been a message left here for you." He handed Squall the note. Squall went across the room and sat down in a chair. He opened the note. After reading it through twice, he went back up to the desk.

"When was this left here?" he asked quickly.

"About thirty minutes ago."

"Why didn't you tell me I had a note waiting?"

"I was given strict orders not to do so. I was to give it to you the next time you came down."

"Who left this?" He held up the note.

"I can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"I was told not to."

"Is there anything you can tell me?"

"I wasn't told to tell you anything. But if I were you, I would answer that note." He turned back behind the counter to whatever else he had been doing before.

Squall headed back up to his room, the letter to Irvine forgotten. He wrote a response and brought it back down to the counter. After telling the man to inform him immediately if a response was written, he headed out the door to search the town again.

At half past noon, Litta entered the hotel. She walked up to the desk. There was an older man behind the desk. How will he know the note's for me? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

"May I help you Miss?"

"Yes. There is supposed to be a note for me to pick up."

"Your name Miss?"

"It isn't addressed to me. It's for me," she added at the look on the man's face, "but it's not in my name."

"And who is this note for?"

"I just told you, it's for me."

"What's for you?"

"The note."

"What note?"

"There is a note here for me, but it doesn't have my name on it. Can you see if there is an outgoing note from Squall Leonhart?"

"Is that who it's for?"

"No, that's who it's from." The man turned to check the letter boxes. How old is this man? His memory is plain horrible. I hope he finds it, I don't have any more information to give him. He turned back.

"There is a note here from Mr. Leonhart addressed to 'a friend'. Would that be you?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the friend."

"Who's friend?"

"Squall Leonhart's."

"Who is Squall?"

"The writer of that note."

"What note?"

"The note in your hand." He noticed the note again. I don't know how much more of this I can handle.

"And what is this note?"

"It's for me."

"And who are you?"

"Look. That note is from Squall Leonhart. It is addressed to 'a friend'. I'm the friend, so that is my note."

"Oh, well why didn't you say so? Would you like it?"

"Yes!" she yelled as she took the note from his hand and ran out the door. As she walked along the street, she opened the note and read what was written inside:

Dear Friend,

I understand your wish to remain unknown. I am interested in the information you have, so I will consider the proposition. Please send a return note by noon tomorrow.

- Squall

After reading the note, she got out a piece of paper to write a response. When she finished, she walked back to the hotel and carefully explained to the man what to do with the note. As she walked back through the city, she saw Squall coming out of a store. She turned the other way immediately. She followed him back to the hotel, and saw him go straight to the counter. The man handed him the note.

"Yes sir, a note was left for you while you were away. Here it is." He handed Squall the note and opened it immediately.

Dear Squall,

The people I mentioned before are being held prisoner by Rufus Shinra. I now have proof that Cloud Strife is alive. The proposition I mentioned is a rescue mission. I wish for you to bring Cloud here so I may speak with him in person. Do this for me and you will be rewarded.

- a friend

As Squall looked up from the letter, he saw her standing in the doorway looking at him. He was up and running at the door before she had time to turn the other way.

"Litta!" He was calling her name through the crowd. He was running after her, she could hear him, but she was also running.

She turned down one street, then another. She never looked behind her, afraid she would run over something and be caught by Squall. Eventually the sound of his footsteps died away, and she made her way back home.

"That was too close," she said aloud once she had closed the door.

"Right you are," said a voice from the shadows.

"Who's there?"

"Don't you recognize my voice?" No. Not now. I need to know Squall's answer. "I take your silence as a no. My name is Reno."