Chapter 2
By Crystal
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
Akira had woken up early in the morning, earlier than most anyhow and was now banging on the door to the red headed Turk. "Rise and shine!" Akira knocked the door again, "Cloud and the others are awake!" She yelled, hoping her voice would travel through the door and to his ears. "With the exception of Barret and Cid, of course." She muttered, then louder, "Come on, Reno! Even Elena and Rude are awake!"
Reno opened the door to his room with only his pants on, "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Come on in for a sec. Almost done dressing up."
Akira sat on his bed, He's a rather messy person. Just look at his room! She thought to herself as she looked at the covers thrown on the floor, the pillow on the floor. She picked up the pillow and put it back where it should be, she picked up the covers and folded it on the bed and sat on his bed again, admiring him as he was putting his suit on.
Reno raised his eyebrow at the sight of Akira sitting on his bed, looking at him. "By the way, just what time is it? It feels so early."
Akira smiled, "Oh, it's seven o'clock, the others just woke up. I wanted someone to take a walk with me, you wouldn't mind, would you? If you do, you could just get back to bed and I'll get Cloud to wake you up in five minutes." Akira said, a grin on her face.
"You're evil. I usually wake up at ten and you get me up at seven just to have a walk with you! And now you tell me the others are not ready yet? I wasn't planning on coming with you..." Reno looked at her, "But no, I don't mind. Let's go."
They walked slowly out the inn, having a little chat until they sat on a bench in town where you couldn't see Elmyra's house. "So how old are you, really?" Reno asked curiously, the question last night coming up again. The question that had left his mind in turmoil and made him roll around in bed until he was so tired and fell asleep.
"Well...My mother, or should I say, Professor Hojo created me when Aeris was three, so that makes me about nineteen." Akira answered.
Reno's corner of his mouth twitched up, "I don't get it, how is it that you are only three years older than Yuffie, yet you are way more mature than her? I swear, she acts like a twelve year old sometimes." Reno grinned as she smiled at the compliment about Yuffie.
"You know, I really don't know. Last night, I heard from everyone that Aeris was always more mature than people her age. Perhaps it's because people with Cetra blood tend to be more mature? I really have no idea. But isn't being immature nice? Childhood is a very precious thing. I have never had one, which is why I think it's so precious." Akira stated.
Akira felt Reno tense up beside her and saw him put on a fake smile which she immediately saw through, "I've never had a nice childhood. I wish I could just forget about it, not too precious to me." He said, then quickly changed the subject, "I'd rather you be mature and not be like Yuffie. I don't think I can put up with two of you, I'd rather jump off a building."
She knew she shouldn't urge him to say anything, but she was so curious, "Tell me about your childhood." It was weird, Reno immediately put a fake grin on his face a looked at her... In his eyes, she saw something. The only emotion showing on his face, the only emotion that passed through his eyes. Anger. She knew when she shouldn't persuade a topic any longer. "...By the way, I hate to apologize."
"Huh?"
Akira smiled slightly, "I'm sorry for making you go with Cloud, I know you guys aren't good friends. I just... I guess I wanted you to come too. Part of me says I should go with Cloud, so... I had to get you in the group. I'm so sorry." Akira looked into Reno's eyes apologetically. Oh my god... His eyes, they're almost like mine, except his are clearer. I just drown in them all day long and not get bored.
"It's all right... really." He was fiddling with his fingers when he felt Akira's gaze and he looked up to meet her eyes. It's like this is happening all over again... It's like this had already happened... But... Who could it be? He saw Akira close her eyes slightly and he closed his and their lips met each other half way and shared a passionate kiss. Neither of them, especially Reno didn't want the moment to end, it felt so familiar. Reno held her head for a few more seconds and then broke away. The both of the were breathless. Suddenly, they heard a call.
"Reno! Akira! Tifa told me to get you two to come and have breakfast!" Elena yelled from the front of Elmyra's house. Good thing at her angle, she wouldn't have seen the way Reno was just looking at Akira, or she would certainly know that something was amiss.
Reno looked back at Akira and only managed to get out, "We'd better get going." Akira nodded and followed behind Reno.
* * * * *
"Where'd you guys go?" Cloud asked as soon as he caught sight of them when they came back from outside.
Akira sat down quietly and looked at her breakfast, which was untouched in front of her, "Er, I just got Reno to go on a morning walk with me." She replied, thinking back when Reno and her had shared that kiss.
"Reno taking a morning stroll, that's a change for him." Elena snorted and Barret nodded his head between bites, agreeing.
Cloud smiled at the blond's reaction, "Anyways, Cid will be flying one group to Cosmo Canyon and the other group to Nibelheim. Any problems?" Cloud asked, no a single sound was heard. Weird, if it were the Reno I knew, he'd probably start off by swearing, followed by a colourful argument. What's gotten into him? He looked over to Reno and saw his eyes wandering into space and his breakfast untouched. Cloud shrugged it off. "First group for Nibelheim will be lead by me, which has Tifa, Barret, Yuffie, Elena and Rude. I hope you don't mind me splitting up the Turks..." Cloud waited for a second to let Reno protest, but none came, "Second group will be going to Cosmo Canyon lead by Red and consists Cid, Vincent, Reeve, Reno and Akira. Any questions...?" All was quiet... "Guess not... Let's move out!"
"Huh?! What team am I on?" Reno and Akira asked, both at the exact same time.
Red raised his eyebrow, "You are on my team to Cosmo Canyon, both of you. Reno, Elena and Rude are on the other team, I hope you don't mind." He replied with suspicious.
"No, of course not..." Reno replied, without paying any attention of what Red said, only heard the last statement. He climbed up the Highwind. Aw shit, I feel funny today. What the hell is wrong with me?
As they all got on the Highwind, Rude came up to Reno and asked, "Dude, what's wrong with you? First, you go take the first morning stroll in your life, in a while anyways, then you aren't acting like yourself. You don't even react or object when Cloud orders you around, you don't give a shit if The Turks are not sticking together. What the hell is wrong with you, man?" Rude shook him violently.
Reno gritted his teeth, "Nothing, God! I don't even know what the hell is wrong with me! I think..." Reno shook his head as the thought came into his mind, I'm falling in love... Reno smirked at the thought, really, the whole thought seemed hilarious. Never in my life have I been in love, I've kissed so many damned girls, but I never have felt like this before... Reno came back into reality as he felt his friend shake his shoulders once again, "Never mind, Rude." His smirk still on his face.
"What do you think? And what the hell are you smirking at?" Rude demanded. He didn't mean to be mean, but when Reno was acting like this, he had a reason to be worried. Reno rarely zoomed out like that for a few minutes. Ignore that comment, he rarely zoomed out at all. The only time he'd seen him like that was, how many years ago was that? Reno had probably made himself forget about the whole incident. Certainly, he wouldn't be thinking about that again? Or else, he wouldn't be smirking...
Reno smirk left his face once again and he became the serious jackass again, "Nothing, just need some time to think alone. By the way, never in my life have I heard you speak that much at once." Reno walked away to the deck and left Rude confused. She's only nineteen, and I'm twenty-two. Damn, three years. That can't be too much... is it?
* * * * *
Akira sighed as she looked at the scenery from the Highwind's deck. It was either fresh green grass or unlimited miles of water she was seeing. It was like she was in heaven, "It's so pretty and quiet here." The wind blew softly on her face, relaxing her and causing her hair to fly everywhere. She closed her eyes slowly, letting her thought in her mind as she relaxed.
Elena nodded quietly, she too, was appreciating the scene nature had given them, "Tifa..." She started.
"Yes?" Tifa asked, patiently. She was standing next to Akira and also letting the wind blow on her face. How peaceful, if only it was like this everyday without any battles or fights.
Elena gulped, visibly worried about what she was going to say, "I'mreallysorryabouttheaccidentinsectorseven, I'vealwayswantedtoapologizeandbefriends..."
"Elena..." Tifa started, "I can't understand you."
Elena took a breathe of fresh air again, "I'm really sorry about the accident in sector seven, I've always wanted to apologize and be friends. Well... not always, but ever since Tseng died, I guess. And ever since we found out what Shinra wanted to do. Now that Shinra's dead, I guess maybe we can be friends? I mean you don't have to, since I agree we have done horrible things, even though I wasn't part of it since I still wasn't recruited as a Turk when The Turks blew up the sector, but anyhow, if you really don't want to be friends, it's really fine. I mean..." Elena talked on and on until Tifa stopped her.
The bartender looked down at the green grass below and closed her eyes. "Sorry... Biggs, Jessie, Wedge... But I think, maybe it's time I forgive them, what do you think? But... I'm still sorry." She whispered quietly, letting the wind carry out the message to who knows where. "I... forgive you, but I'm not too sorry for bombing the reactors. It was to save the world, after all. But I do agree we killed quite a few also..."
"It's all right, I guess, but I do hope you forgive Reno and Rude too." Elena said. Reno would surely be mad at her for saying this stuff, she didn't know about Rude, but...
"I'm sure Tifa has forgiven Reno and Rude. They were just doing their job, after all." Akira said, a smile plastered on her face, eyes still closed peacefully. "But I don't know the reaction of Cloud and Barret...
Tifa smiled at the young girl, "Come on Elena, I'll tell Cloud what you said, then Barret. What do you say?" Tifa turned her head to face Elena and smiled warmly at her.
Elena smiled back slightly, "All right. Akira, are you coming along?" Elena asked.
"Naw, it's all right. I just want to stay here for a while and think alone about some things." She replied.
"Okay, see you later." Tifa replied, seeing her nod as a farewell, she lead the way and bumped into Reno. "Hey Reno." Tifa and Elena both said, then walked to the inside of the ship to see Cloud.
* * * * *
"Hey Reno."
Akira's eyes snapped open, Reno's here? She thought, she stopped listening to the soft wind immediately and opened her eyes. "Hi Reno!" She turned around from the lovely scene and said to him cheerfully.
"Hey Akira..." Her dress was swaying softly in the breeze, and with her beautiful face, she looked quite lovely. Damn she's so pretty... He admired her and clear his throat when he suddenly realized that he was staring at her. He was slowly beside Akira and stood next to her, then looked up at the clear blue sky.
Akira took a breath of fresh air, "Reno... I'm sorry about what I did in Kalm..." She whispered quietly, half of her wanting him to hear her and the other half not. She looked at his face and then what shocked her was, she saw Reno's heartbroken face, but it was gone in less than a second. Huh? Weren't Turks good at hiding their emotions...? That's what I heard from Tifa and Yuffie last night... Maybe just a trick of the light. She thought.
Heh, I guess she doesn't like me. Reno thought depressingly, oh well, I can always get to love another girl... Right? Right Reno, you're irresistible. He knew he was just kidding himself, "Hey kid, don't worry about it... But for a second there... I thought... Just maybe..." He said quietly, his voice filled with emotions, he was sick of hiding them for a while.
Akira's eyes widen slightly, "But... Reno... I..." She said, not fully knowing what she should say. To say she was shocked was an understatement.
Reno put his usual trademark smirk, "I know you don't like me, never mind what I just said." He turned around, ready to walk away when Akira called her back.
"What the heck are you talking about, Reno Jace? I never said I didn't like you! You're such a stupid idiot sometimes. I just thought you kissed me for fun! I mean, all those stories from Yuffie and Tifa about you being a womanizer..." She turned bright red, "Whoops... Did I say that out loud?" She asked sheepishly.
"Seriously?" Reno asked, ignoring the last comment.
"Yep." She grinned back, "And I thought the Turks were good at keeping emotions to themselves."
"The Turks are, but I was sick of it then. Maybe, just maybe... I thought I can show emotions to my first love..." Reno smirked, all emotions hidden again. Actually, make that second love... But... I don't remember the other one any longer... It's so long ago... It's kind of blurry already. Sad, isn't it? I've tried so much to forget it, and now, I can't even remember it even if I want to.
Akira smiled brightly, god he loved that smile, "Can you promise me one thing?" She asked.
He frowned, now what was this woman going to ask for? "Depends what..." He answered. He's had plenty of experience with women, and he knew, most of the time when women asked that, they wanted one or the other. Money or sex. Great. Just great.
"Whenever there's only you and me... Can you... Not hide your emotions?" Akira asked, almost shyly.
Oh. "I'll see..." He cupped her perfectly shaped face and kissed her on the lips for a while. Akira... You're truly a unique woman. I love you, I really do, but I can't bring myself to say that. There's a reason, and someday, I will tell you that reason, but for now... I'd like to keep on hiding myself from it. I'm weak, I know. But I can't help it.
They broke apart after a while, "We should be heading back now." Akira smiled. Reno winked at her, "Of course."
* * * * *
After telling the exact same thing as she had told Tifa, Elena waiting patiently for an answer from Cloud and Barret. A second later, Cloud nodded to Barret, which nodded back. Elena sighed a bit, she was relieved, less enemies, more friends. "Reno... He still has a mouth that won't shut though..." She said.
"I guess, we'll have to get used to his talking... But he hasn't said much this morning..." Cloud said thoughtfully. Elena and Tifa agreed, it was rare that Reno didn't say anything when he was being ordered around. It was plain weird, and they all knew.
Barret nodded, "But that Turk's so full of himself. He's still so full of shit, no matter how much you tell him that, he doesn't change." Elena just grinned at his comment, it was true, she's tried to change him for the last three hundred thirty-five days of her life, and was still unsuccessful.
Red added, "He was unusually quiet during today's breakfast though, and so was Akira..." He said, switching his position.
Just then, Reno and Akira walked in, smiling at each other with sparkling eyes as if they knew a secret others did not. Reno felt the others starting at them and he nudged Akira light with his elbow and cleared his throat, "Hey losers." His trademark smirk again.
"Or... Maybe he just wasn't in the mood this morning." Barret grumbled under his breath. Everyone nodded.
"We've f**king arrived at F**cking Nibelheim. Next destination is Cosmo Canyon. The current time is 10:47, have a damned good day and good bye." Cid shouted over the speakers.
"Cid, announce on the speakers to get everyone to get in the meeting room!" Then added, "And DO try to keep your colourful language out of that announcement." Cloud shouted at Cid and started out the door. He winced, hearing the profanities the old man was saying.
Elena winced, "That old man can swear better than Reno." She just received a glare from Reno.