A/N: Yay! Chapter 2 is up! I sort of rushed into this one because I pull an all nighter typing and probably made few mistakes on the way. Please review and PM if you have any questions and I will kindly as answer them if I can.
Note: I'm in a need of beta so if anyone is interested please let me know.
There is a poll to determine Hana's love interest(possibility of a love triangle depending on the current status of the poll), so please check it out!
Disclaimer: Square Enix are the rightful owners of Final Fantasy VII.
Rated M for language and other mature content. You've been warned!
For attending the academy for five long years, Hana was finally leaving the academy. As she lean her back against the front of the doorframe, flashes of scenes play out in her head of the all-nighters of last-minute studying to the first day she arrived here in this room with Athena. She quickly make sure she got the room key with her and closed the door . On her way down stairs she gave it to Mrs. Evans, head of the dorms and housekeeping service. Feeling tired and sleepy, Hana took the rest of her luggage downstairs; Athena who was rapidly tapping against wall one hand and the other holding her LOVELESS book, beside her the luggage as well.
"Did give you the key to ?" says Athena with a hint of impatience in her voice.
"Yes and you don't have to be so impatient." Hana rolling her eyes at her impatient companion.
"I'm not impatient," Athena quickly shutting her book and then placing it into her bag. "I already told the Headmaster to give us these papers to let the guards know we leaving so that they don't kick us back in here." In her hand was what looks like a two documents with the Headmaster's signature on them.
"Hey it's probably better than being almost cut in half with a double-edged sword." Hana said sarcastically.
Athena raised her eyebrow and pointed the papers in Hana's direction "Hey you know that was an accident!" her eyes checked her watch . "Shoot it's already past 9:25,we better go now or we'll miss the train."
"Gaia Hana you're slow!" said Athena. She steps into the cart, puts their massive luggage up in the luggage space above their seats with one hand then sits down with her legs crossed.
" When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end.
The goddess descends from the sky,
Wings of light and dark spread afar,
She guides us to bliss,
her gift everlasting.
Loveless Act I " Athena finished grinning ear to ear with her eyes a mischievous glow in them.
"Why are you reciting LOVELESS?"
"Oh nothing. Sudden urge I guess" she says innocently while trying not to giggle.
Hana got a bad feeling about this.
"Then what's so funny?"
Before Athena even replies the train starts to move. "Welcome, we will begin our destination to Midgar immediately" says the lady over the intercom.
Athena calms herself down with deep breaths. "You had this scared look on your face as if I was about pull a gun on you." Which is close to what Hana expected . "I was only reciting LOVELESS. Besides, it was kind of funny on how you looked."
How is it funny? "You started reciting LOVELESS out of nowhere, went into a giggling fit, then calmed down. All to see on how I would react?"
"Pretty much," Athena says happily with arms behind her head.
"You're crazy you know that."
"And I can kick your butt anytime" She sticks her tongue at her.
"Hana get your freaking luggage or I'm leaving it on the train!" Athena hands Hana her luggage and gives her this murderous look in her eyes. " Not happening Hana."
"Pretty please can you carry it?" Hana begged and gave her best puppy eye look.
"No!"
"Please?"
|"No!"
"Please!"
"No and that's my final an-" before Athena got to finish someone or something tackled Hana to the ground from behind. She turn her head back and sees two bright green eyes looking at her while the person was hugging Hana.
"Welcome back !" Aerith says cheerfully almost suffocating her sister in a tight lock.
"Hi.. Sis um you …get off me now I can't… breathe." As Hana manage to say those words and Aerith lessens her grip and looks offended.
"Sorry guess I don't know my own strength." says Aerith jokingly. Aerith changed a lot since she left. She's an inch shorter than me and her skin tone has a bit more color than Hana's, and last her hair got a bit wavy. In the background, Athena was standing there with her luggage beside her, laughing at my sister's surprise attack.
"Well I see you two are enjoying yourselves," says Athena as she bends down, grabs hold of Hana's arm and pulls her up.
Athena walks up to Aerith with this amused look on her face. "So…guessing from the sneak attack you gave my friend Hana here I assume you're Aerith right?"
Aerith nods "Yes. I guess you're Athena? Hana told me you guys will be working together."
"Aerith did you come here by yourself?" There is no one around but them at the station except for a few people coming out of the train. Aerith explains to her sister that she came with a friend of hers but left a few minutes ago for work. Athena looked at Aerith suspiciously when she said about her friend bringing her here.
On the walk home, Aerith asks Athena a lot questions that Hana tuned out everything and bumped into a few things along the way. Most of them about how many years she attended SMA, how old is she, does she have a boyfriend, hobbies, and her family.
" You sure do like to ask a lot questions Aerith. Let's see I attended the academy for six years when I was 12. I'll be turning 19 in a few months. A neighbor from home gave me this necklace. My hobbies are reading, listening to music, and swordsmanship, and." Aerith looks at the dark haired girl with a curious look on her.
"Swordsmanship? Like how good are you?"
"Enough to almost slice the entire infantrymen class in half ." Hana butted in."
"With 10 seconds to spare." Athena added.
"Do you own one?" Aerith asked,
"Own what? Oh… You mean if I own a sword? I do but I'm won't get until after I start working. Why do you ask?"
"Oh nothing."
Minutes later they arrived at the Gainsborough place and Hana smiled in relief. Aerith took a key from the pocket of her jacket and unlocks the door. Stepping inside, Hana took a deep look at the home she once left five years ago.
Stepping inside, Hana took a deep look at the home she when she. Home looks exactly the same as she left but the color of the walls area a cream bash and not the bright green.
When everyone got to a small home that's a few blocks from the Wall Market District the atmosphere had a strange vibe. Ever since Athena's little show she played on Hana she had this strange aura coming off in waves of relief,nervousness, and fear . Well she guess Hana was still sort of scared shitless from Aerith's sneak attack. Anyway it was nice of them to let her stay at their place for a while. At the train station, Athena got this strange vibe coming off of Aerith and was closely similar to Hana. Aerith was wearing a pink floral dress and red strap sandals. Aerith told us that her "friend" walked her to the train station and suddenly left for work. Of course she understand if this 'friend' had to leave due to work but something that got her attention was there was a strange fragrance coming off of her. It held the smell of rich earth which explains the dirt on her hands and knees, flowers, and the one things that's off is a slight wave of men's cologne on her jacket. Certainly Aerith doesn't wear cologne does she? No, it's not this smell is too recent.
Athena curiously ask Aerith " Aerith when did your friend leave for work?" Aerith furrowed her eyebrows as this is a difficult math question "Um I'm not sure like minute before the your train stop." She can tell Aerith's trying very hard not give out a clue of her friend's gender. Aerith's green eyes stare at her with curiosity of a little kid. Surely she can tell they stay that color unlike her twin sister. Athena can just automatically tell that her personality is so different from Hana because her eyes just told her she's bubbly,gentle person.
Hana looks at her friend weird with her head tilted to the side. Athena suppose she forgot that her sense of smell and sight are a bit enhanced than a regular persons and her little "gift" is what her friend from long ago told her . Normally she try not to expose too much because people will find it strange of her to know about their true colors. People with their masks and fronts . They were like open books to her .
Many might find this gift special as her friend would of said " Little one you'll easily find people who won't be true on the surface than the inside . Just remember that be true to yourself ." I guess he right about the first part.
She can see in Hana that she's just relieved to be home. Hana told her she never planned on working for Shinra after we had to take that survey a few years back. The moon glowed luminously that night, Athena was up secretly doing some random drawings without Gingy knowing. Hana laid on her bed fast asleep with a snore every once in awhile. Going back into doing a drawing of my Materia instructor as a hippo I heard something. Looking around to see where the sound came and saw that the sound was coming where Hana was sleeping. Quickly I slowly got out of my bed and tiptoed toward the sleeping redhead. I gently pull the covers and there was Hana crying and squeezing the life out of Kiki the Ki-kwi plushie she got her for Christmas.
"Hana are you okay?" Athena softly spoke.
Opening her eyes, she lets go of Kiki and reaches out to her and starts crying on Athena's white pj shirt. She pat her hair gently and patiently wait for her to stop crying. An hour passed, she stop and look at me with puffy pink eyes. "Better now?" I asked. "No" she quietly replied. "Athena I'm not supposed to here! No I'm not!."
Athena looks at her red headed having no clue what she's talking about. Hana wiped off the tears with hands and took a deep breath. " I didn't want to come to the academy but I had to." Hana's sounding very hoarse from the crying. Minutes later she explained everything. She never knew Shinra was after her and Aerith until she told her. Athena asked why but Hana says she doesn't know. Looking into her eyes and she see if she was just making this stuff up, the eyes slowing change from green back to hazel and they were telling the truth . For a second there she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her but they're not.
" Hana.. your eyes... they just changed color." practically saying that thought out loud.
" Huh? Oh yeah they do that sometimes." Hana whimpered. Sometimes? Who has eyes that change color?
" It's sorta genetic thing." said Hana whiling wiping away a few rogue tears with her arm.
It happened so long ago it seems like a distant memory.
"Damn it Hana we're going to be late!" said Athena as she was running through her luggage trying to find something. " Hana have you seen wooden box around here? I can't find it!"
"The big one with Wutainese-style decor on it?" Athena nods.
" Um... I'm not sure. I think Aerith might of seen it. She's outsi-" The door shuts quietly noting that Athena must ran downstairs. How does she leave the room so quietly? She guess that she'll never know. What's in that box anyway and so important about it? Sighing deeply, Hana look at herself ,still in pajamas and turn to the white box Aerith gave to Athena and I the day when we got back. She said Tseng gave it to her in the that morning. How did he know they arrived a few days ago?
"He comes by every once a week and brought these for you guys." The box contained the standard Turk uniform : a black unisex business suit with matching tie, white undershirt and they fit fine . Aerith did her sister's hair pulled back into a long loose braid that is twisted down and her bangs to the sides. Athena had her hair up in a sort of messy bun and her bangs swept to the left. The red haired girl look around her old room and down at her necklace.
Rubbing her eyes, Hana still tired from last night. She've been having these weird dreams lately ever since she came back. They appear to happen in a dark,mysterious forest with this melancholic air to it. Looking below she saw she was wearing a white floor-length cotton dress. A soft,female voice tries to reach out and she only able make out a few words.
"Be careful young one…"
Too tired to even think about it. Hana swiftly changed out of her pajamas and into the suit. She look at the clock next to her bed. 4:45. Fifteen minutes left so she'll take a little snooze until Athena comes up.
Athena grip on to Hana's arm as they race to the Shinra building. The note Tseng left in the box telling told to arrive at 5a.m.
Arrive at the Shinra building at 5:00 am. Reno will be waiting for you.
-Tseng
Athena understand why he chose 5:00 a.m. for them to leave because there are less people around that hour and low risk of getting lost on the way well for her that is. Hana was practically half-asleep when Athena had to carry her halfway on her back. They almost arrive at sector near the Shinra building and there stood a guy in black attire with wild,unkempt red hair, goggles up to his forehead, and the rest in a long ponytail. He appeared to be looking through his cell phone with his back leaning against the wall of the building beside him. She guess that must be Reno since there isn't anyone else here.
"Hana wake up and stay here." Athena whispered to Hana. The still sleepy redhead rubs her eyes and nods in approval. Athena places a black,handgun in Hana's hand. " Come out and shoot when I give the signal"
Hana wakes up from her daze and quickly grabs Athena's arm.
" Where did you get this?"
Athena shrugs in her shoulders. " It was in the box that Tseng gave you with the uniform."
Athena leaves Hana with a shocked look on her face and walks towards the stranger in complete silence trying not to disturb him. Reno senses the another presence around him and looks up from his phone. " Ya must to be the newbie. Am I right?" Reno asks. Athena stops at her tracks. " Isn't there suppose to be two of you?" Reno asks again.
"She's not here yet." Reno doesn't look surprised when she emphasized on the word 'not'.
" You must be Reno?" she ask.
He shuts his cell and places it in his pocket. " Yep." Reno laughs. "I heard from the last meeting tha' two top students from the military academy are gonna join the Turks. So which one of two are you?"
"Athena."
Athena was getting this bad feeling . Looking at Reno eyes she notice a sneaky,and somewhat laid back feel to them. Something tells her that Reno isn't what he looks to be. Who knows what might come up from his sleeve so she gotta have my guard up with him around.
" Hmm you don't look bad ... Why so tense? Loosen up I don't bite" That instant Reno pulled something that looks like a iron pipe out of his sleeve and started walking towards her " So... since there's no one around let's see how good you are." He presses a small button of the rod and flurries of electric sparks materialize at the end. " against me!"
Quickly, she managed to dodge the attack and pull out a few of her hidden blades from her sleeves. She turn my head to where she left Hana and saw a bit of her shoe sticking out. She glad Reno hasn't caught sight of her yet.
It's the first day and Athena is up against Reno by herself. Normally, she would stay of this but part her wanted to help. They're fighting as this a life or death situation and they just met. Athena dodging every attack as the lanky male tries to keep up with her. She quickly turns her eyes at Hana and carefully shows a flash of metal in her hand. Are those shurikens? No they're knives.
"Hana have you seen wooden box around here? I can't find it!"
"The big one with Wutainese-style decor on it?"
"Shoot when I give the signal"
She brought weapons with her? Who in their right minds bring weapons on them? Reno has his back towards Hana while he tries to have Athena cornered. Her eyes goes to me and to the electric rod and hold up one of knives giving it three quick. Slowly, Hana took her sight and aim at the metal rod and press the trigger. Reno turns back to see where the shot came from and the rod flies out of his hand.
Opportunity strikes and Athena knocks Reno down,pulls both of his hands in a tight lock behind his back, ties them with rope she attach to her knives.
" Ha! I guess I'm good at combat don't ya think Reno." The black-haired girl sits at the fountain close to her . " Hey Hana you can come out now! I tied him up" She wave to her hidden friend as she comes out.
"Well you would of finished sooner if you didn't stop playing around!" Hana pointed out.
" Hey can't I have a little fun? Besides he'd the one who attacked me." Athena looks at the tied up Turk.
Reno keeps flailing around like a fish out of water while spitting out curses like a sailor " So ya knew this was gonna happen." Reno turns to Hana's direction " And you were here the whole time? " Reno spoke with venom in his voice.
"Actually my good pal I sort of winged it." Athena said jokingly. Looking down at him she sees he's pretty pissed off. " Why you little" before Reno finished his face went pale.
They looked back and saw him.
"Reno what did you do this time? Look at yourself! I order you to bring them to the department half an hour ago not to fool around." said Tseng. He looks a lot older now than he did five years ago. He wearing a classic, dark navy Turk attire and hair pulled into a small ponytail.
"Long time to see Hana. Why I didn't recognize you there for a second. How was the academy?" Tseng asks as he walks up to Reno and cuts the ropes that bind him. " It was okay I guess " Hana replied quietly.
"Well I saw the entire scene I'm impress you held him off long enough ." Reno stands up and looks around for the weapon Hana shot at. " Yo where my EMR? It was just around here."
" Oh you mean this?" Athena says cheerfully brings out the EMR that's bent in ways beyond repair from behind her back with a few sparks coming out. She must of grabbed it without any of then looking.
" Holy Shiva how did ya make my EMR into a this!" Reno exclaimed. He snatches the broken rod from Athena and looks at it disappointedly. " Ummm... I was sorta bend it."
Tseng looks at Athena with curiosity. " It's been a while Athena ? I heard that you passed every advanced class with top marks along with Hana here."
"Yes sir." said Athena.
" And that you're the one that tied up Reno." asked Tseng.
"Yes sir." repeated Athena.
"Impressive. I've never seen anyone shake him up like this" Tseng chuckled.
" Boss she turned my EMR into a pretzel and did you just laugh at me?" stated Reno angrily.
" Technically Hana shot it. I just bended it." said Athena.
"How in Gaia's name did you?" asked Reno repeatedly.
Tseng shook his head and rubbed the tilak on his forehead as if he was getting a headache. " Don't you have a spare Reno?" asked Tseng.
" No this was the spare one. I broke the last one when Rufus' pest of a pet attacked me!." growled Reno as he kick a rock near him.
"That's right and you stayed in the infirmary for about a week. You should consider it lesson"
"A lesson?"
Tseng and Athena turn and glare at him. "Overconfidence will kill you" said Athena.
" What did she just say?" Reno turned to Hana's direction. She shrug her shoulders.
"She said 'Overconfidence will kill you' " translated Tseng.
" You know Wutainese?" asked Hana in astonishment.
"Yes, Didn't Tenebris-san tell you Hana? " Athena turned to the other direction avoiding Tseng's gaze.
" Oh and excuse me for not formally presenting myself. As you may know I'm Tseng of the Turks and Head of the Turk Department." said Tseng in a more business-like voice. " This here is your co-worker Reno and he'll teach you the ropes around here."
"Whoa hold up boss! You said Elena is going to show the ropes to the rook-." said Reno annoyingly.
" I said Elena will be in charge of Hana. You'll be in charge of showing the ropes to Athena and that's an order. " corrected Tseng.
"Oh come on Reno I don't bite." Athena said mockingly as she lightly punch Reno on his arm.
"Ow!That hurts, yo!" yelled Reno as he rubs his arm. Athena stuck her tongue when he wasn't looking.
The hurt Reno walks up to Tseng " Are you sure I can't be in charge of the other one?" asked Reno.
"You want to be in charge of cleaning out the SOLDIER stalls with your toothbrush?"Tseng looked at Reno " Besides you'll probably want have a close watch your back. Seeing on how Athena knew you would attack and mutilated your EMR." said Tseng jokingly. " You can survive one day with her right? I'm sure everyone would love to hear that you got beaten by a rookie on her first day on the job."
"So may we head to the building now? We have a lot to discuss about your first assignment." As that said everyone followed Tseng to building just ahead. On the way those voices ring back and forth in my mind.
"Be careful my young one…"
A/N: So that's it for chapter number dos! Poor Reno got tied up like a wild animal. I got the idea the Ki-kwi plushie idea from the Legend of Zelda. Ki-kwi's are so cute! :3 Anyway don't forget to review. Any tips on writing will help. See you on Chapter 3! :D
~xSacredHearts
Reno: Why did I get tied up like a wild animal?
Author: Because you shouldn't try to suddenly attack people out of nowhere.
Reno: T^T My poor EMR.
Author: What a baby (*-.-)