As the two traipsed back in just before noon, Sephiroth noted the tense posture of his soon to be student's body, the way the blue-green eyes seemed to almost be shuttered, as if his spirit was drawn deeply inward. It was a look he knew well, for he'd worn it many a time himself. "You have not actually done much fighting since the enhancements were performed, so I think our first order of business should be a sparring match."
Reno's grin was wide. "A sparrin' match? Against you, yo? Aren't you afraid you might hurt me?" The redhead's confidence was almost infectious as he lifted the rod that was normally strapped to his arm, releasing the strap and settling the electrified nightstick into the palm of his left hand. He dropped into a fighting stance, long legs apart, a challenge in the glowing eyes.
The silver haired General's mouth quirked in an expression very similar. "I think you can. . .. hold your own." Sephiroth too took a fighting stance, Masamune held in front of him. "Come and get me." he taunted, a grin on his face. He'd seen, even unenhanced, how the redhead could move, and he was looking forward to a match against someone who might have a chance of coming close to matching him. The Turk's speed against Serphiroth's natural strength and skill with a blade, the thought raised the General's feral instincts to a roar.
Reno let out a loud, ringing battle cry as he launched himself at Sephiroth, battle lust ringing through his blood like a fine wine. The metal tip of the magrod made a clanging sound as it clashed against the steel of Sephiroth's blade, the electricity running up the hardened alloy and into the SOLDIER's arm. Lightning was Reno's natural element, just as fire had been Genesis', and he wielded it well. He watched the hologram of the canon spring up around them, he had no idea how symbolic this was for the SOLDIER who'd chosen it.
Sephiroth grunted at the current that flowed through his body due to the initial attack from the Turk, that smirk growing wider still. Those abilities were untrained, raw, and the boy didn't have the control that Sephiroth himself did, but the young one's strength was extraordinary, greater that someone so slender and small should rightfully be able to develop. "You're good." he had to admit as the two weapons held and entwined. "But for now-" one leather clad arm pushed back, silver hair brushing over the black coat as the force almost caused Reno to lose his footing, but the redhead used it to flip backward and land on them again like a cat "I'm better."
"Oh, but for how long, yo?" Reno taunted in return, as a sudden power rose up inside of him, and he raised a hand, clenching it into a fist, electricity dancing around it as he called out "Bolt 3!" and launched the spell at his sparring partner. He had not yet even realized he'd cast without having a Lightning materia equipped.
Sephiroth dodged the initial casting of the spell easily enough, but made a noise of surprise as the balls of electricity circled back around, much like the fire spells his friend had so excelled at, and whipped into his chest at a high rate of speed, flinging him backward against the wall like a rag doll. "You've been watching General Rhapsodos, haven't you?" the question was accompanied by a quirked brow. "That's one of his techniques."
Reno shrugged. "I mighta. . .watched a surveillance tape or two. S'a neat trick. I've always wanted to be able to, but I never was able to before this. Probably somethin' to do with the treatments used to save my life increasin' my speed an' ability to cast, but dunno. An' don't care." the shrug became a smug expression. "So, you were right. I can hold my own." he reached down a hand to help Sephiroth back to his feet. His heart was pounding against his ribs and all he could think was Holy fucking shit, I knocked down Sephiroth! I fucking knocked down Sephiroth! Take that, Stepfather of mine who thought I wouldn't be good for anything.
The brief, bitter recollection of his stepfather made his pupils narrow to slits and his eyes flash green a moment, the rage triggering a surge of Jenova's power to course through his bloodstream that caused the fleeting changes. He shoved the thoughts back down into the pit from whence they had come as a leather gloved hand gripped his and he lifted Sephiroth to his feet.
Sephiroth had noted the changes, but he didn't make much of them. He had, after all, seen his own eyes when he became angered enough, once he was calmed they returned to normal. So it wasn't like it was anything for him to really worry about. "Never trust an enemy." he intoned, before thrusting a hand out and shoving, hard, slamming the redhead into the wall behind him and holding him there one handed.
"Ok, so you're good." Reno purred out the words as he wiggled like a fish on a hook, his innate agility and flexibility finally getting him out from under the man's grip. He breathed heavily as he caught his breath, but his expression said he'd enjoyed the workout far more than he should have. He pushed sweat soaked bangs back out of his face before holding a hand out to Sephiroth. "Good fight, yo. Glad you don't fight dirty, usually. Cissnei whooped my ass with that shit because she does fight dirty and ain't in the least bit ashamed of it."
"Go on, get a shower. I have a few things to attend, and I believe a certain trooper is waiting for you to get some lunch." The General's expression held a bit of warmth when he thought Reno couldn't see it. The boy reminded him quite a bit of the recently promoted First Class that had ended up being dubbed The Puppy by nearly everyone who knew him. Now let's see if I can hone him into something worthwhile.
"It comes along nicely." Hojo smirked as Scarlet came to see how things were going, the woman becoming anxious because the Turks were beginning to get suspicious and if they figured it out she'd be the first one to fall. "Do not worry yourself so, Director Scarlet. By the time they figure out what is happening it will already be far too late. " he promised her. "The boy grows stronger every day. If I were to hazard a guess I would believe that the calling has already begun and he does not even realize it yet. Soon, though. ..soon it will grow too strong for him to ignore." Pearl white teeth gleamed in the dim light of the lab as the scientist reassured his partner in crime.
"You better hope they don't." Scarlet's words were sharp and almost bitten off through a clenched jaw as she turned and walked off, heels clacking off into the distance as she left the lab. If she got caught there, it would raise their suspicions more and she could ill afford that. Just thank God Heidegger is stupid when the Turks are not. The last thing I need is him breathing down my neck too.
As Cloud talked to Zack after their training session his face held a concerned look. "I know I'm probably just worried for nothing, Zack, but what I saw when he was sparring with General Sephiroth.. . .his eyes turned green and his pupils looked like a cat's. But more. . .the look on his face. It wasn't just a playful spar, Zack, he was deadly serious. What's going to happen when he's stronger? I want to believe that things won't go bad, but that look on his face was just scary."
"Cloud, I doubt it's anything to worry about, man." The dark haired SOLDIER set a hand on his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "Reno is Reno. He's a mischief maker and a smartass, and he's a trained assassin. And a spar with Sephiroth? Of course he's going to be deadly serious, Hell, how often does someone get a chance at that? Especially someone who isn't SOLDIER. I guarantee you, my friend, things are gonna be just fine."
Cloud sighed, dropping his head and trying to forget what he had seen. "I just hope you're right, Zack. I really, really hope you're right." The last thing he wanted to see was something happen to the man that he loved. He's dealt with enough as it is, he doesn't need any more crap landed in his life. He forced a smile onto his face, though, as he waved good bye to his friend. He was taking Reno out for dinner and he had to get himself cleaned up before he went.
Zack just watched his friend head for the locker room, and made a vow that he'd watch out for Reno as time passed. He cared about both he and Cloud. I still have that feeling that something is off, though. Just don't know what yet.
The lunchroom was crowded as it often was during that time of the afternoon, it was one of the few times Turks and SOLDIER mingled without any snark happening between the two groups. Cloud couldn't help but shake his head seeing the helmeted figure standing near a wall in the back while waiting for his food. He honestly wondered how Kunsel ate, he'd never seen the man without his helmet for the entire time he'd been a Third Class.
He smiled at Reno who had picked up a tray and settled easily into a seat and began to eat almost ravenously. Something that did not get any looks from the SOLDIERS present, they were so accustomed to the way one another ate that it didn't even get noticed when someone did anymore.
Kunsel, however, had noticed, and it made him wonder if the rumors of how the redhead had managed to recover from what should have been fatal injuries were true. The truth had been kept fairly hushed, but of course like any organizations rumors ran rampant, and the SOLDIER had a habit of listening to them wherever he could, filtering fact from fiction. Soon enough he had an answer that was as close to the truth of how things were as one could come in a place like ShinRa.
He picked up his tray and headed back to his room, just smiling at Cloud and Reno as he passed. "Enjoy your lunch." was all he said as he strode past. Though his own sharp eyes noted the tension and the way the redhead's back stiffened. I wonder what he's hiding? he thought to himself. Kunsel had always been good at reading people, and he could tell from Reno's posture that there was something he wanted to hide.
Just hope it isn't something too bad. The SOLDIER of course had no idea.
Reno had headed back to the gym after lunch, wanting to be alone for a bit. The voice he had heard earlier in his mind didn't really disturb him too much as he'd had them in his head since he was a young boy, it was a part of the heritage he'd never been able to fully forget, though sometimes he wished he could. But this one had left him chilled, down to the very depths of his soul, oily and persuasive as one of those used car salesmen that his mother had complained about when he'd been young. Convincing, with promises of unattainable dreams. I don't know what ta tell Cloud. I mean, he knows what I am, I trusted him with that, but this just feels different, it disturbs the fuck outta me The odd feeling is what had made him draw deeply in. He didn't have the training his cousin did in how to use his bloodline's abilities, and he couldn't risk going to see her, he knew that she would be watched. I could have Tseng take her a message, though, maybe. Hopefully it's enough.
Come to me. The voice sounded again. You shall never want for strength again. Never will you be that child sitting in the street as you hold the body of someone you love while their life drains away . You will be strong enough to hold onto everything you hold dear. Reno closed his eyes, trying to push it out of his mind.
He roared, and punched the mirror, the glass raining down into the sink as Reno fought to keep his mind his own. His breathing was harsh and ragged and blood dripped down into the sink from his cut up hands. The rage stirred in his veins, making him shudder with it. Where did it come from, yo? Why am I feelin' like this? I just don't understand it.
Finally, a deep breath to calm his pounding heart and he was mostly able to think again, to bury the anger in a way that he could function. By the time Cloud had come to see him he had calmed, managing to bring all of the foreign emotions under some form of control again. He was able to turn to the blond with a smile on his face, hug him, and look truly happy to see him.
"Missed you babe." he told the blond, kissing him and putting the voices out of his mind entirely.
Zack sighed, sitting down next to the flower bed near the church. "I'm worried, Aerith." he told the young lady in the sundress with the braid down her back who was tending the flowers. "Reno's just been acting so odd. He 's been as tense as a Chocobo in a Zolom's den lately, The guy's my friend, I don't wanna see anything happen to him."
At the mention of the name Aerith stiffened a moment, but other than that gave no sign that she had reacted. That was her cousin, though very few knew it, and she was as extraordinarily protective of him as Tseng tended to be of her. The talk of strange behavior set her ill at ease, especially with the dreams she'd been having. Dreams she now was certain were prophetic in nature.
"If you're worried about him, the best thing to do is watch over him, keep him safe, and keep him happy, right?" A soft giggle accompanied the words. The Half Cetra girl was smiling and laughing, as much as she possibly could be, "I know you can do that, Zack. You're good at making people smile. You've always made me smile, anyway."
That made Zack grin. "You're right, Aerith. Keep him from being stressed, he'll be ok. Angeal would want me to keep an eye on a friend, it's the honorable thing to do." He wished he felt as confident as he sounded, but his girlfriend had always had a way of making everything seem less dire. The cheery smile, the way she tended her flowers, and how she was always so strong under the smiles and the laughter. It inspired him. "Say, why don't I take you out for that date I owe you before I have to get back?"
He didn't want to tell Aerith he was going to be sent away again soon. This time to Banora, his mentor's home town, and he simply had an awful, awful feeling about the whole thing, even if he didn't want to admit it. Tseng had to have reason for them to go there other than the fact that it was their home time and he felt as if Genesis might go there. They'd been searching for the SOLDIER, trying to stop the destruction that his copies had wreaked everywhere.
Zack had seen some of it first hand, at work at ShinRa, in the slums, and even in the tower itself. It was horribly messy and complicated to deal with the damage that got done."Do me a favor, Aerith? If Tseng comes to see you. . .give him a message for me? Tell him to make sure Red stays safe for me. I might not see him before you do and I wanna make sure someone's keeping an eye on him." He had begun working on her wagon, the manual labor helped get his mind off his troubles.
"The wagon's coming along good, Zack." Aerith complimented with a giggle and a smile, the supplies scattered over the floor of the church made walking a bit difficult, but spending time with Zack to build the flower wagon was something she was enjoying too much to really mind. I have to admit. When I met him I wasn't sure if I would like him, but then I got to know him better, and now I can't see my life without him at all.
"Yeah, well I try." Zack, too, was enjoying this time here in the church with her. She gave him the same feeling of happiness his two best friends did. "Come on, I'll go take you and buy the ribbon you were looking at for you." He lifted her to her feet and lead her out toward the shops. The streets were filled with the hustle and bustle of people buying the things they needed, food, supplies to mend their clothing, and other various items. The bustling marketplace seemed to brighten Aerith's mood considerably.
He exchanged a few pleasantries with the vendor selling the ribbons, and stepped behind Aerith, tying the ribbon at the bottom of her braid. "There, all done." he told her. It would be the last time he would get to spend time with her like this, though he didn't realize it yet. Things would begin to roll downhill and fast once he made the trip to Banora.
Aerith could sense the lifestream stirring, but she couldn't make out what the voices were trying to tell her. Not yet. Reading the will of the planet was a difficult thing even for the most skilled of her people, and Aerith was unskilled and inexperienced, though she tried her best to follow what it asked. Even when it was hard to know what that was. Minerva protect my cousin. He treads a dangerous path now, and I don't know where it will lead him yet. I only pray it does not lead him to a place where those who love him cannot follow.
Her expression fell a bit at that thought before she made her face go placid again and turned to look at Zack. "I just want you to promise me one thing."
"Yeah?" Zack wasn't asked for promises often, and he tried to keep them if he did actually make them.
"Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
The next day brought a mission, one into the downtown sections of Midgar and Reno if he had to be honest was thrilled to be working again after spending two weeks bedridden and then another week stuck inside the tower learning how to harness his new strength and speed. "Be cautious." Rude warned him. "There have been Genesis Copies spotted in the area, and though I know you can handle yourself, it's still called for."
"Yeah, yeah." Reno waved Rude off with the expression of glee that said he felt he was more than capable of handling himself and not to worry so much. "Don't be so uptight, partner, I got this." The words were spoken in the cocky tone of a man who was sure of himself, and it made Rude eye roll. Not that Reno noticed it.
As Zack came into the area, Reno grinned at him, holding out his emr, a teasing glint dancing in his eyes. "Yo, slick, this is Turk's territory." as Cissnei proved that the shurikan wielding Turk could indeed handle herself. He eye rolled as Zack starting flirting with Cissnei a bit before dashing up the stairs into Loveless Square, heading off to finish off his assignment.
Zack just shook his head with a soft inner chuckle. He knew what his best friend was like, and that on the job was on the job, and maintaining the distance between their departments while on the clock was important. The twinkling in his eye and the teasing way it was done never ceased to alternately annoy and amuse the young First Class.
The loud war cry rang across the square as Reno dove into an entire crowd of copies, emr lashing out on all sides in what seemed an almost impenetrable barrier, the slender body moving in a blur as if hasted, electricity dragging in an arc around him, the bodies of the copies twitching as it sank into them and flashed along their nerves. They flopped back onto their backs like fish, Reno grinning like a lunatic as his skills were very clearly showcased.
But the cocky expression left the mobile, fox like face as he saw that his partner was in trouble, the slender figure running fast to reach the bald man as he engaged the copy that had gone from hand to hand to trying to stab Rude. That simply would not at all do. He shocked the creature hard, mouth drawn into a growling snarl as he got to the ground, not even feeling as the thing's sword slashed across his side when it fell. He'd been too angry.
"You saved my life." Rude said. "Not that I ever doubted you." a smirk danced across bearded lips as he realized that not only was he alive, he was uninjured. And the speed at which his partner had moved had been amazing, as the Costan played events back in his head. Then the scent of copper began to enter his senses, and he looked down to see the slash across Reno's side. "Hey, partner. . . .you're bleeding."
Reno just glanced down at his side as if it didn't really matter. "Yeah. . guess I am." he poked at it as if it was no more serious than having cut himself shaving. "It's not that deep, get back to the tower and heal it and I'll be fine." he insisted, shrugging, Though with the breaking of the skin, the process of the slow degradation grew exponentially faster, now unstoppable.
An older man that appeared to be in his early thirties had been sitting in his office tinkering with several robotic cats, another wandering back in and crawling up onto his desk. "I've got the files you asked for, sir." The accent the cat bore was a deep brogue, and it made Reeve Tuetsi smile every time. He took the folder and gave the bot a tender expression as he flipped through it. These robots were the closest thing he had left to family aside from his mother that he never had a chance to see anymore.
These were records, most of them, filched from Hojo's laboratory. Reeve had done this as a favor because Tseng had asked him to, but he would have done it anyway. Aerith was someone he had a great deal of respect for due to the way she comported herself, and Reno? Well, Reeve had a soft spot for the kid. Intelligent, tough as nails, but the engineer had always been able to sense a gentleness and sensitivity under that exterior. The last thing he wanted to see was for that light to end up being snuffed out.
Most of it was scientific notation that would take him a while to decipher, but Reeve was nothing if not determined. He would figure out just what was in those injections, and make sure that strengthening the one subjected to it was all it did.
Because with the rumors of SOLDIER being lost with the deserters, everyone that had dealings with the bright young Turk was worried that he very well might be next. Not on my watch. The vow was made, then and there. Tseng is one of the few that I respect enough to go above and beyond the call for. I'm not going to fail him by letting that young man fall.
Upon his return Reno poked at the wound again. He'd healed it, and it had sealed loosely closed, but he was beginning to worry just a bit because it still oozed blood periodically. Not enough to be any true danger, but enough to be bothersome. I better make sure this is covered up before Cloud comes to see me. He'll worry, an' the last thing I need is for him to be fussin' over me. The redhead bandaged it, climbed in the shower to get himself cleaned up, leaning against the wall of the shower.
He was beginning to feel faintly out of breath, though he figured it was just due to how active he'd been that day. His hair was washed, dried, and pulled back into its normal ponytail. By the time Cloud met him for dinner all traces of what had happened earlier that afternoon were gone and he was all smiles and affection.
Soon, my child. the voice of darkness that had filled his head since he'd been enhanced whispered. Soon you shall be mine. A silver haired figure with gleaming pink eyes would show in his mind's eye along with the voice, sending a child down the red haired Turk's spine. He had no idea who this was, not yet. But he belonged to no one but himself, and if anyone had a problem with that, they could go to Hell so far as he was concerned.
"Reno, are you all right?" Cloud asked him. He'd seen the look on the boy's face when met him for dinner, the distant and almost frightened look, and it worried and scared him, though he was holding himself in check. He couldn't help the creeping concern that something was going to go wrong. Horribly wrong in ways that would upend their entire lives. I just hope, whatever happens, we both get through it. Losing him. . .I don't even know what I would do.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, yo." Reno forced a smile onto his face, not letting on disturbed he was. "Let's finish our dinner, yeah?" the aquamarine eyes slipped closed as he took a deep breath, trying to keep himself under some form of calm. He had to stay centered or his lover would start asking questions that he was in no way ready to answer. He turned to his food, and ate without another word, putting all of it out of his mind.
Cloud let it go, after all if he couldn't trust his lover, where was the point in it all? How could he be with someone if he couldn't trust him? "Zack has to leave for Banora soon." he said quietly. "I think Tseng wants you to fly them out, but you'll have to talk to him to see what's going to happen." The discomfort was palpable, soul deep.
"I'm not lookin' forward to the trip to Banora at all, yo." he told Cloud, honestly. "Somethin' about the whole thing bugs me. There's stuff they aren't tellin' us. . .I can sense it but I don't know what lies they are quite yet."
What had been set into motion now could not be stopped, it would be like the rock that rolled downhill and gained speed as it went. Crushing everything in its path and destroying without thought for what might be in the way. Reno could feel in his spirit that there was some great tragic event coming, It was the same feeling he had had the night before his mother had died.
"I'm gonna go get some rest, babe. I gotta be up early to go talk to the boss, an' the last thing I need is to be tired an' not at my best. Both Tseng an Verdot tend to frown on that shit." He shuddered slightly at that, knowing how dealing with them when he was not at his best could be. Verdot was able to come up with some. ..creative. ..punishments for those Turks who failed to be all that they should be while they were on the job. Not his cup of tea at all.
Morning came far too early for Reno's liking, as his dreams had been invaded by strange images that haunted his mind and had left him shivering in horror. The bodies of his friends torn and bloodied and broken around him, the sky a brilliant red with a giant asteroid being pulled down into the planet's atmosphere, burning embers dropping around it as whirlwinds came down from the sky. He'd woken with eyes wide and sweat dripping down his face as he had tried to shake the images from his mind and had failed,
He stood in the shower, the hot water dripping down his back as he tried to calm himself and push the portents out of his consciousness so that he could fully function to do the job he was going to be sent to do. Were those visions even real, yo? An' if they were, what the flying fuck do they mean? That shit was just fucked up as Hell, an' I never, ever wanna see anything like it ever again. Shaking hands drew the long hair back into its customary tail as Reno slipped on the last clean uniform he had. Gotta do laundry when I get back. The ordinary, every day thought made him grin a bit, it soothed his mind by making him feel like part of humanity again.
He had noted that the wound still oozed, but it had healed loosely and it wasn't painful, so he shrugged and headed toward Tseng's office. This was not a mission he was in the least looking forward to, but he figured the sooner he got it done the better. "Yo, Boss, m'here." he smirked as he rolled the emr in his hand, then tapped it against his shoulder in the nervous gesture he'd used since he'd trained with the weapon.
"Reno..I need you to do a pre flight check on the helicopter, then we will be going. There are likely to be Genesis copies about, so be careful." The warning was one that Tseng hoped Reno would heed, despite his new found strength and speed the enemies they would face would be nothing to sneeze at at all. "Take what materia you think you may need, it is my understanding from General Sephiroth that you have shown an aptitude with it since the enhancements."
"Yes sir, Boss." the redhead went to obey the order, glad, distantly, that he'd been recognized for his skills. He lifted up his Phoenix summon, kissing the red orb. This summon has kept me safe for years, an' I can feel you near me when I use it, Momma. I wish you were really here, but being able to feel you close, even like this, I guess is gonna hafta be good enough.
As the materia dropped back into place Reno walked out toward the craft with a deliberate air, not thinking of what he had seen in his dreams because it would distract him and that was the last thing that he could afford right then. Swift and sure movements made certain the instruments were properly calibrated, the gas tank was full, and any weapons they might need were loaded into it. It took all of about twenty minutes, and it was ready for departure.
Blue black hair gleamed in the dim lights of the hanger as the Tseng entered, in his suit that was immaculately pressed, making Reno think again of the fact that the man needed to get the stick out of his ass. It didn't take long for him to get the bird started and into the air. That voice that had so bothered him the previous night had become a constant faint whisper in his mind, to the point that he could almost ignore it most of the time.
"Reno. . .did you know you had a gray hair here?" Tseng reached over and brushed a finger over the tiny silvering streak that ran through the crimson bangs. It was almost infinitesimal as yet, but it was a sign of what was beginning to happen within the slim body.
"No, no, I didn't yo. But no time to worry about that right now, we got a mission to finish, yeah?" The last thing Reno wanted to think about was some odd physical symptom that could be stress related as far as he knew. A single strand of gray hair wasn't all that big a deal when he had more important things to deal with.
The first thing to get Reno's attention other than the young SOLDIER in the back of the helicopter was the fruity smell of the Banora white trees that lined the paths of the tiny village. No one even owned a car, the village was small enough to be able to walk everywhere. But it was gorgeous, and Reno was more than able to appreciate the view. "So this is where Hewley's from, huh?" he peered back at Zack as he asked that.
"Yeah, it is." Zack confirmed. He'd only been here once before, but it had been just as beautiful then as it was this time around. The scent of the apples and the feeling of the breeze that rustled through the trees against his young face something that would be seared against his memory forever.
"It's gorgeous, yo." Reno, unlike Zack, was a city boy at heart, but it didn't mean he didn't like places like this. As they disembarked the chopper he reached up to pick one of the apples, juice dribbling down his chin as bit into it. "Mmmm. . .they're sweet." the turquoise eyes closed in a form of bliss as he licked the juice from his lips, savoring the succulent flavor, a perfect combination of sweet and tart. "Gonna get some of these to take back home." Reveling in the simple pleasures took his mind of the worries that Tseng's declaration prior to their leaving had brought him.
Their orders were to search the village for Angeal's parents. Sephiroth had hope that if they could get Angeal to come back, it might help bring Genesis back to them as well, for as much good as it would do. Reno had his doubts, he knew how stubborn both men were, they would do as they wished no matter what anyone else thought. Genesis probably wants to burn the world at this point, an' sometimes I wonder why try to stop him. This place has gotten corrupt as Hell, it could use a do over.
But those thoughts melted away as he saw the look on Zack's face, the hope in those sky blue eyes that he might find his mentor again and possibly be able to bring him home. The redhead was to stay with the chopper while Tseng went with Zack and await further orders. He'd had a feeling that would be the case anyway, but he groaned. It gave him too much time to think to be stuck with the bird, and if there was one thing Reno did not want to do in that moment it was think. I guess I should be more hopeful that it all turns out ok. He finally said to himself. I don't really wanna see a whole lot of death an' destruction,. I just get so jaded sometimes. More'n I think I should be, really, but eh, what can I do? I've seen too much.
But then he thought of the smile that would likely be on his boyfriend's face when he brought him back a crate of the wonderful apples that grew in the town, and licking the juice that would dribble down his chin off. Cloud always looked so damn good when he smiled. Better check those thoughts, yo, gettin' hard in the bird while waitn' for Tseng an' Zack to get back would be bad, bad news. He knew Tseng would frown on that, though the knowledge of how proper the vice director was made him snort. If I were single I wouldn't mind roughin' the man up an' see what he looked like if he wasn't so damn neat.
Zack had found his mentor, bent over the body of his mother, and grief played across the mobile features. "This is your idea of honor, Angeal?" he asked with a growl, beginning to give chase before Genesis appeared, blocking Zack's way, and all he could do is watch while Angeal simply disappeared from sight. "Angeal!"" he called, his voice cracking. . .a tortured tone coming to it as he called out his mentor's name again.
At the same time, the radio in the chopper burst into static, then Tseng's voice came over. "Reno, we've been ordered to eliminate all evidence of ShinRas presence here." his voice held a fair amount of distaste, he knew Reno was not likely to like it either, but there was little he could do. Orders were orders.
"Boss. . ..you can't be serious, yo! We're gonna bomb an entire village over this?" To say Reno was horrified would be an understatement. He wouldn't disobey, orders were orders, he had to obey them whether he liked it or not, but he couldn't do it without questioning. He could easily believe that the President would order such a thing, but it didn't make it any easier.
"I don't like it any more than you do, Reno, but the order came straight from the President himself. Orders are orders." Tseng closed his eyes as he heard the chopper start, the rotors making swishing sounds as they spun up. I'm sorry, Reno. One so young should not have to do such a thing, but there is no other choice.
As the bombs fell and the town burned, they swooped to grab Zack but Reno's eyes were desolate and shattered, he could not believe he'd been ordered to do this. His faith in the company was evaporating rapidly as he watched the small village that he had thought was so beautiful in flames. if this is what being a part of this company is all about, I don't wanna be anymore. was the last thought in his head as the helicopter lifted away from the ground, the horror breaking his heart into pieces. He could not believe that it had come to this.
"Zack. ... m'sorry, yo. ..m'sorry about. . .all of this." the words were spoken in a shocked and stunned tone, Reno was shaken to his very core by everything that had happened, the only thing he wanted to do now was to get back and curl up in his lover's arms, forget all of it. Focus, yo. . .just long enough to get back and get this bird on the ground As soon as it is I can just wrap myself in Cloud's arms for a while.
The rest of the ride was silent, Tseng noting the tense set of his subordinate's shoulders, and the look the young SOLDIER that had accompanied them wore. all evidence of company misconduct must be erased. The Wutain repeated those words in his head, as if trying to convince himself that it was real and true. But Tseng himself was beginning to have his own doubts, and he closed his eyes against the looks on the faces of his two friends.
It wasn't something that was right, but there was no way Tseng could change that now. Forgive me, Minerva, for what I have forced your Child to do.
When he returned to the tower the only thing Reno wanted to do was get drunk and forget what he had seen, what he had felt, and put the day out of his mind, but he couldn't. He'd tried the day he'd been released from the infirmary and had discovered that the enhancements made it impossible, something he was cursing now when he could desperately use the inebriation to forget what he'd been through.
"Reno?" Cloud's tone was worried as he entered his quarters without knocking. Zack had stopped by after getting back from Banora and had told Cloud to check on his lover, the young first class has been worried about him after what had happened that day. When Cloud heard from Zack, he too was worried. Reno doesn't really like killing though he does it if he must, or if he's ordered. To destroy an entire village. . .I can't even imagine.
Reno just sat down on his bed, staring at the wall and trying not to think. "I guess. ..Zack told you, yo?" the red haired Turk murmured softly. "About everything that happened today?" He swallowed, not liking the feeling that tore through heart and mind from thinking about the whole mission.
"Yeah, yeah he did." Cloud wrapped his arms around Reno, wanting more than anything else to give him some amount of comfort. "What happened was not your fault. I want you to get that. I know how easy it is to slip into the what ifs, but they won't help. You could not have stopped this, you could not have prevented it. All you can do now is deal."
Reno just leaned on him, closing his eyes and trying to still his racing mind. "I trust what you say." he finally responded. "As hard as it is to do, yo. ..I'll trust it, because I trust you More than I trust anyone, even Rude." The aquamarine eyes met Cloud's sky blue, that trust shining clearly in them. "Just hold me, yo? Hold me, help me forget? This day has completely an' utterly fuckin' sucked cock, an' I don't want to remember any of it if I can possibly avoid it."
"Of course I'll hold you." Cloud pulled him down onto the bed, resting the other young man against his chest and running his fingers through the silky fire red strands. He made the motions as soft and soothing as he could, a soft hum slipping free as he did all in his power to soothe the Turk.
It wasn't long before Reno drifted off in Cloud's arms, his body going limp as he left himself fall into a very much needed sleep.
Cloud had seen the gray streaks in his love's hair, but he'd put two and two together, better than Tseng had. He'd seen Genesis on one or two occasions after the man had begun to degrade, but even though he knew. . .he didn't want to believe it or think it. If it wasn't happening, then he would not ever have to lose this brilliant, intelligent,. and vibrant young man that he had grown to love as much as he had.
I will protect him. I swore to him I would, and I am going to keep that vow. Even if it turns out to be himself I need to protect him from. He is going to remain and whole. For life.
Hojo himself had seen the changes, and his lips thinned. What happened? My method was perfect. He should not be degrading! Mine is not the method of that hack Hollander's. It was perfectly sound scientific theory that has worked for every other SOLDIER in ShinRa's employ. It does not make sense! He had no idea that the treatments were utterly inimical to the genetic structure of those of the Ancient bloodlines. Jenova and Cetra simply did not play together well, they were the viral life form's natural enemy, and due to that simple fact things would never have gone as he'd planned.
He had not contacted Scarlet, not yet. . .his mind was still trying to puzzle out how the boy had begun degrading using his methods and Hojo did not like to admit that he might be wrong about something. He never had. Though aimed in the right direction, he may still very well be useful. It is all a matter of the right words being placed in his ears at precisely the correct moment. That is doable, and I will be certain to see to its being done.
The smirk that played across the scientist's face was nearly sinister in its dark intensity. Even though it had failed at some level, the thing he had wished to do, he could still make sure than the rest fell right into place as he wished it to. A few swift hand motions and the notes were placed in such a way that he knew the boy would go looking for them when the time was right.
"General?" Zack had arrived in Sephiroth's office nearly first thing, his expression very worried. "I saw something. . .during yesterday's mission as we were coming back. I think Reno is degrading. ..like Genersis and Angeal. I can't prove it, but we know what happened to them, how they eventually began to become unstable and deserted. I don't want to see that happen to him, Sir. He's a good kid, and he deserves better than that. But I don't know what to do."
The silver General's mouth narrowed and his emerald eyes grew distant. He knew that the Professor had used his own method for the SOLDIER treatment, so this should not have happened, but if it had. . .the boy would need to be very closely watched to prevent any further injury.
"Keep watch on him, Zack. Make certain he does not take any further injury, and be careful of his mental state. It will be difficult if he becomes like Angeal or Genesis because he will be underestimated. Not good at all."
"Of course I will." Zack assured him. He knew very well how dangerous underestimating a smaller enemy was, Cloud had proven that more than once by surprising him during their training sessions when the smaller teen had gotten the drop on him. He'd taken more than a few bruises from incidents such as that. He had no doubt that anyone who underestimated Reno in such a way would find themselves similarly surprised, and what was more, the man was trained to use his speed and flexibility in a way most SOLDIER were not.
I just hope he doesn't snap like Genesis did. Angeal at least we still have some chance of retrieving, of bringing back to himself, if we're smart enough. Genesis? I don't think we do, and I don't want to think about what might happen. He shook his head with a soft sigh as he picked up his phone. He'd gotten a text, one from a source he hadn't expected, and that one text would change the course of how events would have otherwise gone.
Zack, make sure Sephiroth sees this. It's important, but tell him gently, he needs to know this within the next week. If it is discovered I am sending you this information, I will be in a great deal of trouble, but my father at the least would not kill me for revealing it. And attached to the text were documents, the same documents that Sephiroth would have discovered in Nibelheim in a month and a half's time.
"Sir. .. I think you need to see these." Not only were the documents attached, but the fact that Hojo had intended to use the Nibelheim mission to test his Reunion theory. Rufus of course had not known the full impact it would have had, but his actions had altered the course of history and averted a mass tragedy, as well as giving a man who should have one a chance at a somewhat normal life.
Rufus meanwhile after that text had been sent leaned back with a smirk. "Take this, Father. I will not allow you to use men as playtoys if I can avoid it. Not as you have done to me." His expression was bitter at that. The things his father had done were ones that he could not nor would ever forgive the man for.
As Sephiroth was given the phone, he looked through the attachment, and he sat, hard, his eyes closing. "All of this time. . .it was a lie?" The question in a tone that said it was the last thing he'd expected, but there was more ..a notation on the very bottom with the identities of his true biological parents. That notation made the jewel green eyes narrow into sharp focus.
"I want to know everything that you can find out about this Vincent Valentine." he told Zack. "You have friends among the Turks that would have greater clearance than either of us would and would be able to access this information. " and he stood, straightening. "I have asked for very few things over my years working for this company, First Class Fair. But I am asking of you, please. . .find this man."
