Hour Two

Stating the walk to the prison was an epic adventure would be a grave error due to the fact we were about two thousand yards away. Not to say that in two thousand yards a lot didn't happen.

First off, Rufus is a major dick head when he really puts his mind to it. Secondly, Tseng has a mad roundhouse kick and I now understand why Elena loves him. And finally, I never want to see a naked man again…ever.

Let me go back a bit. After Princess Peach Pit woke up we presently conversed meaning I nodded my head muttered a 'yeah, sure' or a 'maybe' while Rufus waxed, mostly to himself, about how we ended up in Satan's sandy cheeks. We, by that I mean he, concluded this was somehow related to Reno.

"What are you going to do about this mishap?" I motioned to the towers of vehicles around us, the scoring sun and our tanning faces. This caught him off guard and I remembered – the Turks where technically not his employees and Shinra had turned into some hodgepodge pseudo-family. In a sense, Reno was like that annoying younger siblings that you punch in the face and tell mom he did it, the accursed redheaded stepchild.

Rufus shrugged, brushed his hair back leaning against the trunk of a car looking thoughtfully to the ground. He was thinking again, this was becoming a bad habit.

"Do you hear that?" He looked up, confused.

"What?" Of course, he didn't hear it, he never got the five-star Hojo treatment.

A soft thump emitted from an old Coup Deville. As I moved closer Rufus came up beside me watching intently at the trunk. One knock earned a barrage of thumps and knocks. "Someone's in there." I looked at the blond beside me, the sun must really be getting to him.

"Thanks, Captain Obvious. How do we get them out?" One thing I hadn't expected from Rufus was the knowledge of picking a lock nor being resourceful in a bind. Yet, to my surprise, the former President could put MacGyver to shame. As the trunk lock clicked a string of Wutainese flew out as did a disgruntled, read murderous Tseng. A very baked murderous Tseng and here I am nigh a weapon in sight and Rufus mother fucking Shinra has the tenacity to shove me into his employee. The fucker is still laughing about this, I know he is with that sly smile on his face.

Now the shoving wasn't the bad part. Or being weaponless it was the after effect. Tseng was already mad, happened to be handcuffed, naked and this culminated in a very awkward situation of me getting kicked in the face, catch one of his legs and flipping him to the ground. Maybe Rufus feared Tseng, I know I was after I realized our predicament.

Tseng happened to be a certified MMA fighter with a strength in grappling. Rufus kindly informed me from whatever hovel that blond bastard hid in. Even without the use of his hands, Tseng had somehow maneuvered me into a crushing fear-inducing triangle hold. My less than productive attempts to push the Turk away with my free arm caused him to tighten his hold on me.

"Rufus! Get him off me!" I know, pathetic right having to call out for help from the very man that placed me in this predicament. Cloud Strife, the man that saved the Planet twice, assisted once, kill Sephiroth trice reduced to screaming like a little girl.

I didn't hear Rufus get close, but Tseng finally released me. Wild eye and still murderous as ever, Tseng shoved me back with a kick to my face. What the hell did I do? Oh, that's right, I was in the way when you sprang forth from your prison.

Rufus is offering the nude man his coat, such a gentleman. "How did we end up in the Corel Prison?"

Rufus seems shocked that the Turk knew just where we were without questions. Rufus looks at me then back at Tseng. "I'm not sure."

"Let's keep going, I have to get out of here or Tifa is going to kill me."

"Then Its most likely a good idea to stay." Rufus and I both look at Tseng, surprised at the small joke but the Turk simply takes the lead walking towards the prison without another word. Rufus turns to me, shrugs and follows leaving me to pull up the rear. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I have this nagging feeling. Something is bound to go wrong.


"Look, Tseng's car is here!" Reno is far too excited at the prospect of visiting the leader of the Turks. Barret and Cid narrow their eyes as the bubbly Turk throws his door open stepping out. Rude looks over from the passenger side then back at Barret and Cid. "Look I'll go ask for his help in locating Cloud and the Boss and if he agrees I'll wave you guys in."

Rude quietly exits the car leaving Cid to stare at their figures as they step up the stairs to the door of the townhouse. Looking at the car both men let out an appreciative hum. The neighborhood is filled with perfect rows of brick townhomes in various colors, some with flourishing plants others with grass and flowers in planters near the windows. Tseng's own home was a dark navy, Wutaian Tiger lilies lined the bottom of the townhome in hues of white and purple a stark contrast to the lush green grass. Looking back to the stoop Reno and Rude where silently waiting, the redhead had a hand in his suit pocket, head bowed as he inspected his shoes while Rude stood against the wrought iron railing, arms folded. Reno knocked again, this time lifting his head.

"Yo, Tseng! You home man?" The Turk waited a few seconds a disparaging frown spreading crossed his face as he turned to Rude the taller Turk turning his attention to his partner.

The door opened slowly, Barret's mouth dropping open as he looked at the red-haired woman then to the two Turks as the twisted in surprise.

"Rosso!" All four yelled, Cid pushing the door open and flopping out as Barret nearly wiped his door out on a passing SUV.

"Hey, watch it punk asshole!" The Turks were lost at what to do, looking at each other than to the woman in her lace robe over a pair of shorts and a tank top. Cid stumbled up the stairs Barret, the only one armed pointing his barrel at her.

"Where's Tseng?" Rosso frowned, brows knitting together.

"I don't know," she bit out, "he left last night after you idiots trashed the kitchen." She glared at all four. "It took me three hours, three hours to clean that room! I have been calling his PHS all morning and it keeps going to voicemail." The group quieted down mollified by her anger.

"Where is my husband?" Barret was the first to react far more docile than Cid's sputtering but not quite as quiet as Reno and Rude's wide-eyed stares. During the second hour, it was learned Rude had hazel eyes.


I have it bad for Tseng/Rosso….I don't know why because I never really played DoC, but hey its fanfiction, its whatever you make it….that includes questionable ships. I would also love to thank my reviewers Tasticpeakjoy and Bob.