Guns at the Ready

6 Months Later...

Analuxia caught the goggles that Crocodile threw her way. She put them on before reaching for the gun that was placed on the shelf next to her. Aiming carefully, she shot all the targets that were placed on the far side of the room. She had gotten good over the past few months thanks to the tutoring of Croc and his two right-hand men, Snake and Rhino. She could shoot from long distances now and even with one hand. Croc was pleased with her progress. Well, he never gave that much away but she could tell from the proud expression on his face.

"How did I do?" she asked, once she had taken the goggles off. She knew he wouldn't give her too big a compliment even if she had been excellent.

"You were good" he gruffed. "Ya learned quickly". Analuxia shrugged modestly. She still wasn't used to being praised. After her mother died, she was only insulted and never appreciated. Ana had grown used to it now. To her, being shouted at was second nature.

"Thanks Croc" she grinned, giving him a hug. He complained a bit but she soon felt his heavily-muscled arms wind themselves around her petite figure. Over the past few months, Croc had almost turned into the elder brother that she had never had. He would look after her and protect her as well as reprimand her if she was too cocky. He had really taken her under his wing.

Analuxia got ready for another shooting round, filling her hand gun quickly with bullets.

Rufus sat on the plush king-sized bed that was in his hotel room. The smell of incense filled the air and he closed his eyes in bliss. Really, working as a Turk was good at times like these...

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

He grinned as he saw that it was the food that he had ordered a little earlier on. He was starving. The moment the meal was set down, Rufus dug in, not bothering to use any of the relevant cutlery. Piling his plate high with all sorts of different entreés, Rufus' mind wandered back home to where his most-trusted Turks currently resided. They had been happy to let him have a little break in order to "find some new talent".

Ana ran through the heavy rain towards "home". Even though she despised living in such a place, at times like these, she was glad that at least she had a roof over her head. She was particularly frustrated that none of the "tattooed crew" could find the time to give her a ride home. Apparently, they were all busy doing "Stuff". Yeah right. "Stuff" her ass. They were just lazy.

Analuxia stepped inside the house, ringing clumps of her hair as dry as she could with her hands. She made her way into the small bathroom and grabbed a towel to wrap her head with. She despised the feeling of water running down her neck and back.

"Those damn boys" she grumped to herself, calming down a little as she began to feel marginally drier.

Well, she may complain about them but they were her entertainment during the day. She almost forgot about how dreary and cruel her life was whenever she was with them. Life was always better when you had someone to share it with. That's what her mother used to say.

Croc grinned as he saw the young girl enter the warehouse, looking serious as usual. He could always tell when she was deep in thought because her face would never expose a smile and her eyes would be dull. But whenever she was with them, doing what she did best, she really seemed to open up. He didn't know too much about her personal life apart from the things that she was willing to tell them. And even that was very limited. One thing he did know though; she had lived a hard life. An extremely hard life. That much was obvious.

"Hey Croc!" she grinned as she approached.

"Hey". He watched as she immediately took off her tattered jacket and made herself comfortable. She looked around for the hand gun that Croc normally kept on the wooden boxes.

"Um Croc, where's my gun?" Croc allowed himself a little smile. It was time for a tease.

"Number one, technically, it's not your gun, it's mine. I just lend it to ya whenever I feel like it. And second, it's in the back in the shed. Didn't ya hear me tellin' ya that I was puttin' it there yesterday?"

Analuxia just stuck her tongue out cheekily at him in reply before retreiving the gun and loading it with bullets, looking content as she worked. Croc always found it fascinating to watch her. She was such a complicated person to work out and you could never really know what she was thinking.

She focused and shot, hitting the first target dead on. Although he never showed it, Croc was impressed at how well the young girl could aim. Just six months ago she hadn't even held a gun before and now here she was, shooting perfectly over longer and longer distances. She looked back at him after she had shot all the three targets accurately.

"So, how was I?" she asked, with the tiniest bit of glee to her voice.

"You were alright". He didn't want to get her too big-headed by praising her profusely. To be honest, he never did that to anyone. But Analuxia was used to him giving her mild compliments by now and she just smiled.

"Can I practice on the harder targets? The ones outside?" Ana asked Croc, playing self-consciously with the small black-and-white gun that she held loosly in her hands.

"Sure. Just get Rhino to help ya out. I'm um... busy at the moment". Rhino looked over as his name was mentioned.

"Sure I'll take ya out. Come with me". Ana soon followed.

"Coming Rhino!" she called, shooting him one last wink before disappearing out the open doorway.

Rufus walked down the roads, his trusted bodyguard walking a few meters behind him at all times. He didn't want to look too stupid, a grown man out and about being constantly flanked by a seven-foot bodyguard. He was exploring the area, although it was a little dull and quiet. But the quietness was good. It enabled him to think clearly. As he walked further on, he became aware that the area was starting to look less and less impressive. All the posh shops and restaurants were currently being replaced with dingier ones, the further he walked on.

"Sir, are you sure you want to proceed?" his bodyguard asked him. Rufus just rolled his eyes.

"I'm a Turk. No place is too terrible for me to walk through". The bodyguard shrugged before carrying on. There was no point in arguing with Rufus Shin-Ra.

They had been walking for around five minutes when Rufus heard the sound of gunshots. His bodyguard bristled, taking his own gun out of the holster.

Ignoring this, Rufus kept on, towards the source of the racket. Soon, he came to a side-road which led to a large and seemingly deserted warehouse. But wait... the gunshots were coming from in there! Rufus walked down the alleyway. He was curious and wouldn't stop searching until he found out who was shooting. The walls on the outside of the warehouse were to high for Rufus to see over.

"Help me up" he said. His bodyguard obliged straight away, lifting Rufus up onto his back as if he was as light as a feather.

On the other side of the wall, a young girl was using a gun to shoot targets that had been painted onto the strong, concrete wall. He could see the concentration in her face as she shot two times, both hitting the exact middle of the targets. Man she was good! She finished and put the gun down, peeling the goggles off her head at the same time.

"Well done, you seem to be quite handy with a gun".

Ana turned around at the sound of the unfamiliar, calm voice. It belonged to a smartly dressed, handsome man who was on someone's back. Ignoring his odd position, Analuxia watched him, surprised.

"Sorry what did you say?" Had she heard right? Did he just praise her shooting skills?

"I said that you're good with a gun, by the looks of things". Analuxia shrugged.

"Well I've had a lot of practice. I come here everyday". The man nodded, looking interested in what she was saying.

"So, have you been wielding guns since you were small?"

Ana was confused at his questions. Why did this random man want to know so much about her? Still, she decided she would tell him the truth. For now...

"I've been shooting for less than a year actually. Before that, I knew a lot about guns but I'd never gotten to hold one".

"Ah".

"Sorry if I sound rude, by why do you want to know all this? I mean, I don't even know you!" The man laughed heartily as if she'd just said a joke that he'd found particularly funny. After he recovered he resumed speaking.

"I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself. My name is Rufus Shin-Ra. And yours?"

Analuxia hesitated slightly before answering. She always felt funny about telling her name to new people. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she felt like that but she did.

"I'm Analuxia. Pleased to meet you". There was no point in lying. The blond looked like he had the ability to read her thoughts anyway.

He stopped for a bit and all was silent. Eventually, he spoke again.

"Pleased to meet you Analuxia" he looked over at the giant of a man he was currently standing next to. "And this is Wolfgang". Ana smiled at the both of them, feeling awkward and yes, a little shy. Rhino broke the silence by clearing his throat loudly and speaking in a hard voice.

"Sorry to interrupt, but what are you doing here? We're not really the type who freely except visitors, ya know". Analuxia watched as the corners of Rufus' mouth raised in a smirk. Wolfgang, on the other hand, didn't look too happy at the rough talking to his boss.

"I'm sorry that we came without notice" Rufus said. "But that is merely because we weren't expecting to come here. We were just looking around the town when I heard Analuxia shooting. And I had to go and see because she sounded like she was right on target".

Rhino took a while to take this in and when he finally did, his harsh expression had changed slightly. "So why would you care about Analuxia shooting? What are you, the CIA?"

"No" Rufus answered, simply. "We're not". Analuxia just shrugged but Rhino looked curious.

"Then what are ya?"

"We're Turks" Rufus answered without hesitation but still careful not to give their identities away too freely. "That is why we were interested in her shooting skills. We are very sorry to invade".

Rhino looked surprised at the response. Something Analuxia didn't think he was able to express. He just stared at the newcomers, eyes wide with shock. "You're Turks?" he asked incredulously. Rufus nodded slowly. "Wow!"

It was Ana's turn to be surprised. Rhino was actually excited about something? She thought that he was expressionless, give or take the odd scowl. He normally just did what Croc said without arguing. But now...

"So what would you like from me?" she asked Rufus, blinking worriedly. Rufus just watched her and she blushed when she noticed he was looking her up and down.

"I'd like you to work for me" he told her, no trace of amusement in his voice. Wolfgang looked up at his boss, shock written all over his face. Analuxia was equally shocked. These things never happened to her. Usually, she was ignored unless she dared to speak up.

"Work for you?" Analuxia asked. "W-What would this involve?"

"It would involve hard-work, determination, weaponry skills and team work skills, as well as good attendance and behavior".

Analuxia said nothing, instead allowing her brain to do the work. She thought about the pros and cons of being a Turk vs how she was currently living. Being a Turk would mean having a job and having a job meant making money! She would never be hungry or forced to steal again. Hell, she might even be able to rent her own apartment!

Rufus watched her carefully for signs of her expression changing. Finally, Analuxia looked ready to speak again.

"I-I think I'll do it". It was almost a whisper but Rufus heard loud and clear. He nodded his head in acceptance.

"But, there are some strict rules" he told her. "And I shall discuss these with you". He looked over at Rhino intently. Rhino held his stare for a while before he finally figured.

"Oh! Yo wanna be alone?" Wolfgang nodded to save his boss the effort. Rhino walked away and back inside the barn, carrying both his and Analuxia's guns as he went.

Analuxia looked down at the card that she currently held in her hand. It contained Rufus' business phone number in case she wanted to speak to him about anything. Rufus had indeed told her about some of the rules that being a Turk entailed and she was surprised at how strict some of them were. But this didn't stop her excitement. She was still thinking about becoming a Turk. She just had to make sure she was ready for such a commitment. But she thought she was. After all, there was nothing stopping her here.

"Mr Shin-Ra" she smiled to herself. "You have just made my day"

"Mr Shin-Ra!" Rufus looked up as the door opened and Rude walked in. He nodded respectfully at his boss. Rufus responded with a nod of his own.

"What is it Rude?"

"I've heard about you wanting that girl to work here. Sir, are you sure she's capable?" Rufus smiled, word sure did get around quickly here.

"Yes, I think she is capable Rude. However, that is just my opinion. She will still have to pass the Turk course before she can become one of us".

Rude nodded, still not entirely satisfied. He knew that Shin-Ra did pick his Turks well but... "Okay sir".

Rufus nodded and looked back down to his books. He was aware of Rude still lingering though. He looked up again. "Rude, is there anything else?"

"N-No sir. Everything else is fine. I was just looking out for you, that's all".

"I know Rude, I know".

The business phone suddenly buzzed to life. Rude grabbed it and passed it over to Rufus who studied the number before answering. "Hello?"

Analuxia cleared her throat in an attempt to sound more professional. "Hello Mr Shin-Ra, it's me, Analuxia".

"Oh, hello Analuxia. I'm glad that you used my business card wisely". Ana giggled a little.

"Yes sir. But I've called to ask you something".

"Go on, ask me".

"I-I've definitely decided. I want to join the Turks. I'm sick of the life I'm currently living. I want to make a change. So, if you'll except..."

Rufus didn't even bother to hide the smile that was creeping over his handsome features. "Yes Analuxia. I accept. If you give me your address, I'll have someone bring you here. From there, you will go on to do a six month training course in order to prepare you. Are you still willing?"

"Um.. yes of course. But instead of meeting me at my house, can we meet at The Flying Fox? It's a bar near where I met you".

"Yes, sure. Just give me the address and I'll have someone meet you there next week Monday. Is this your personal cell number?"

"Yes, this is my private cell". She told him the address and made sure everything was comfirmed. He was going to send someone to pick her up at 9am next Monday unless complications arose.

Analuxia walked down the road, smiling happily. This could finally be it! The chance for a clean break. Suddenly, a ray of sunlight shot from the clouds to warm Analuxia's hair. It seemed like everything might just be turning for the better.

Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be coming up as soon as possible. Remember to R&R!