To all returning readers: The updated version of this story has been published under the name "The Divine Materia." Check it out if you want to see what's happened in my mind after eight years! Hope you enjoy.

AN: My first fic! Hooray! It's mostly kinda action/adventurey with a Reno/Yuffie pairing, set four years after AC (six years after the game), left open-ended for mystery's sake.
Note: Rating subject to change depending on what I'm feeling the day I'm writing...

Disclaimer: I don't own any charz, yo.

Final Fantasy VII

The Occult Materia

"Where is Reno?"

A frightening, intimidating voice rang through the halls of the W.R.O. building, making everyone stiffen at the deep voice of their leader. "Goddamn it, Rufus, I don't care if he's off in bed with two women! Just get him to my office!"

Reeve stomped into his grand workplace, overlooking a ruined city, waking from a long night of restoration and seemingly hopeless efforts to recover what was long lost. For the amount of money spent, it seemed as though things were going much better since the strike of Meteor and Midgar's near-destruction experience. Reeve fell back into the swivel chair behind his hardwood desk, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair. His dark eyes darted left and right across the large room, letting his pupils adjust to the mid-morning sunlight.

After word had reached him of a new, undiscovered type of materia located in a remote part of the globe, Reeve had been dead-set on finding it and researching it, praying to any God in heaven that it wasn't connected to Jenova in any way. The collapsed reactor was located only 500 kilometers west of the Northern Crater, leaving room for enough suspicion to worry him…and the rest of the world, if they were to find out.

Reeve heaved a sigh as the doors were thrown open, and in walked Reno, looking as resentful as ever. He seemed tired, angry, and more under-dressed than usual. He would be sure to change that factor before he was through with him. Reeve ignored the rest for now and got to his feet immediately.

"What now, Reeve…?" Reno asked blearily, his usually bright eyes heavy with post-drunken stupor.

"I have a job for you, Reno," Reeve replied quickly, getting close enough to smell the alcohol in his breath. "I need you ready to leave by tonight. Clean up and pack your things; you're heady by train for Junon."

Reno threw up his hands defensively. "Whoa, whoa, boss! Slow down. What's going on?"

"Surely you've heard of the new materia emerging at the collapsed reactor to the north. I need you to collect a sample for me," Reeve said sternly, more of an order than a request.

"What!" Reno gasped, his head beginning to spin with a rush of thoughts. "Why me? Why not Tseng or Elena? I just fly helicopters, not explore the depths of uncharted islands."

Reeve just shook his head. "Tseng and Elena have refused. I would never force them into a mission after the disaster they endured at the Northern Crater…"

Reno's eyes narrowed and his fists tightened. "Well I refuse too!" he uttered, glaring at his superior with a straight a face as possible. "You seem to forget that I was there too when they were attacked. I had to listen to them over the radio—"

"You're the only one that can do this, Reno. I trust you."

Reno just snarled. "Well I'm touched, yo, I really am…but I've got more important things to do…"

Reeve returned the snarl and grabbed Reno's arm before he had a chance to turn around. "Like getting drunk and banging women? Is that the kind of story you want to tell the children that you aren't even sure are your own?"

Reno's eyes turned sober almost immediately, looking hurt and angry at the same time. Any normal Turk would not be subjective to such a low comment, but it hit home for Reno, and he gave up the mental battle of testosterone.

He shrugged off Reeve's hand and straightened his stance. Before Reno even had a chance to speak, Reeve opened his mouth.

"Good. Your train leaves at 8:00 PM sharp. I'll meet you there with some information and supplies you'll need. Pack light…you'll be traveling by foot for longer than you think…"

"Man this is cool!"

Yuffie stood at the edge of the newly built train station, her eyes trailing down the long line of red- and gold-painted coaches. She never thought she'd see the day when a train ran outside of Midgar!

She was, of course, referring to the beautiful, high-speed railway that Reeve had been installing all over the Eastern Continent. It spanned to Kalm, Fort Condor, through the mountains to Junon…they were even working on a railway to Mideel (which had been so expertly restored by Reeve and his construction team).

Yuffie was heading from Edge to Junon, then from the Junon airport, she'd booked herself a plane ride all the way back to Wutai. She had gotten a job with Tifa and Cloud at the 7th Heaven bar, working as a waitress and paying for her own apartment in the center of town. Of course, Yuffie is the daughter of the king of Wutai! What was she doing in a dumpy apartment at the heart of Edge?

She had been living on her own for five years now, pushing six. After the second confrontation with Sephiroth, Yuffie felt the need to be on her own for a while, to prove that she didn't need Godo and his lavish blessings, that she could make her own life, all by herself.

So why the hell is she going back? Well, truth be told, Yuffie missed her father and the people of Wutai. She hadn't heard from them in several years, and Yuffie often wondered of Wutai's current condition. She was also heading overseas to bring her stash of materia back to her deprived hometown, even though it wasn't a whole lot.

"First call for platforms six and seven. Repeat, first call for boarding platforms six and seven to Junon."

Yuffie picked up her bags quickly, busting with excitement for her first train ride. Sliding into line along with the other passengers, Yuffie wandered the cars searching for her seat (having to ask and attendant where exactly it was). After settling into the window side of the two seats, Yuffie tucked her small bags under the seat in front of her.

She contemplated calling Cloud and Tifa to bade them and the children one last farewell… No matter how much she missed Wutai, Yuffie knew she would always have a home in Edge as well.

Several minutes passed in which Yuffie fidgeted and squirmed, excited, as well as restless, for the train ride to begin.

"Last call for passengers boarding platforms six and seven. Repeat, last call for six and seven to Junon."

Yuffie could feel the vibrations of the engine starting, hearing the last of the passengers scuttling in before the train left the station. Several voices were heard, but one in particular, only a few seats back, stood out above the rest…

"Remember, you're taking the helicopter Northwest from Junon; the island is exactly 495 kilometers west of the Northern Crater; The materia is—"

"I know where the super-secret materia is!" a voice interrupted, making Yuffie's brow knit. "Now hurry up and get off the damn train before I'm stuck with you for the whole ride."

The voice sounded so familiar, but Yuffie couldn't put her finger on it… It was harsh, yet clever, with a hint of intelligence and a side of pride. The only thing that came to mind was…

"Excuse me, sir…but I believe you're in my seat."

There was a long pause and a rustle of paper, followed by a grunted apology and the clunking of boots on the ground. They were nearing her seat, causing her to look out the window innocently as the man sat down.

"Well," said that harsh, clever, intelligent, proud voice, "look who it is…"

Yuffie squeaked, jumped, and pressed herself up against the side of the window all in one motion. "Reno!" she gasped, her lilac eyes wide with a mixture of shock, disgust, and confusion.

"Surprised to see me?" Reno asked, one of his thin eyebrows lifting with amusement as a smile tugged at his lips.

Yuffie stammered for a moment, her eyes still wide and her mouth slightly agape. "Just a little bit," she finally responded, regaining her cool composure. "I mean, what's a Turkey helicopter pilot like you doin' riding a train to Junon?"

Reno just narrowed his eyes in that Turkish way, a brow still lifted as she dissed him. "She's parked in Junon," Reno explained. "Shin-Ra's too lazy to fly her out to me."

Yuffie held in a giggle as he referred to his helicopter as a "she." She guessed it was a pilot's thing. Cid always called the Sierra "she," but it was named after Shera anyway, so Yuffie never bothered to ask questions.

As she thought of this, Yuffie recalled what Reno had just been talking about… A 'super-secret materia' located somewhere near the Northern Crater? Sounded like a gold mine to Yuffie. If she could pry enough information out of Reno, find that materia and bring it back to Wutai, she could very well bring her hometown back to its former glory…Yuffie hadn't stolen any materia in a while (although she did 'collect' it from time to time), and it seemed as though she was yearning to try it again. All she had to do was convince Reno to bring her along…

She was sure that it would be hard, but Yuffie had her was of getting inside people's heads, and this skill was only sharpened as she grew into the beautiful woman that she was (how else do you think she got the job at 7th Heaven?).

Yuffie was still very petite at age 22, but she had filled out nicely, gaining average curves and maintaining her slim body. She dressed in form-fitting clothes and had grown her hair out to shoulder-length, although her dark strands were usually pulled or swept out of her face by various clips, ties or bandanas. She wondered how Reno had recalled her face so quickly after the change in her appearance over these past six years.

Reno, however, had not changed one bit. He still wore his normal, slackly navy uniform, although it seemed as though Rufus and Reeve had finally gotten him to wear a tie (no matter how tattered and loose it was), and also a new undershirt (still unbuttoned casually). His pilot's goggles had been exchanged for a pair of blue reflector aviators, his messy, blood-red bangs spilling over the brim of the glasses. His tail had gotten a bit longer since their last meeting, now reaching past his lower back, just hovering above the seat when he leaned forward. The scars under his eyes seemed darker than the last time she'd seen him this close… Well, truth be told, she'd never really been this close to Reno before. The most prominent memory she had of the redhead Turk was the upside-down image of him while she hung at the disposal of Don Corneo on Da-Chao Mountain. She never got to say thank you to Reno had his partner Rude…and although she never did admit it, without them, she probably wouldn't be alive right now.

As the train lurched forward, Yuffie awoke from her trance, turning to see Reno, still looking at her all sly-like and impish.

"So," she said at last, "what brings you to Junon?"

AN: Please review this! I've published my works on several other sites, and I always end up with zippo for reivews...whether it's just because my writing is horrible, or it's just being overlooked, I'd like to know how I'm doing! Thanks.