Chapter Three
Meetings
Reno laughed as soon as he walked into the bar and spotted Rude. He was having a, no doubt one sided, conversation with Yuffie. Rude looked serious as she kept talking about only God knew what. He grinned as he made his way over to them. "I've been waiting for you," Rude gave a nod, looking up, "Rufus called. So Lovack became a problem."
"Oh, and that Yazoo guy is alive," Yuffie chimed in… Reno raised a confused eyebrow and Yuffie rolled her eyes, "Cloud called me. I'm going with you guys."
"Fantastic," Reno mocked excitement, and then sighed, "Yazoo isn't a problem… yet. He seems to have forgotten he was ever obsessed with Jenova, which is good. He's also taken a liking to Mika, which is good. We'll see."
"Who's Mika?" Yuffie asked.
"A new Turk recruit," Rude replied.
"Is she as uptight as Elena?" Yuffie smiled.
"Yuffie, that's not very nice," Reno scolded, but then grinned, "and no. She isn't as uptight, but kind of shy… nervous… but not uptight."
"When do we leave for Edge?" Rude asked.
"As soon as you're ready, partner. The chopper's waiting," Reno told him.
Yuffie frowned, "Chopper," she whined, "You mean we're flying. I can do this. I don't wanna do this, but I can do this."
Reno laughed, "I've got those pills if you need um. I always keep some handy for newbie flyers. I thought you'd be over that by now, though."
"So did I," Yuffie frowned, "and stop laughing. Everyone has something they're afraid of."
"Okay, alright," Reno grinned, "Do you have everything ready, or do we need to make a pit stop at your place?"
"I'm all ready to go," Yuffie gave a nod.
"Let's head out, then," Rude sighed.
"Maybe someday one of us will get to take a full vacation," Reno sighed.
2
Mika found Cissnei sitting at one of the cafeteria tables, sipping on coffee. The second floor was where they took their breaks. Cissnei waved and smiled when she noticed Mika heading her way. Mika sat across from her. "Hey," Cissnei took another sip of coffee, "What's the bag for?"
"The President gave it to me. It's a gift… another show of trust, he said. It's for Yazoo. How did Cloud and the others take the news, by the way?"
"Well," Cissnei began, "with disbelief at first. I mean… everyone thought Yazoo was dead. Then when he found out what he'd been put through for the last year or longer… he was pretty pissed. I can't blame him. When it was all said and done, he was just glad that Yazoo is actually alive. Cloud said he'd like to see him."
"That's Yazoo's choice. If he wants to then cool. If he doesn't… after all he's already been through… I'm not about to force him. They didn't exactly part ways on decent terms, you know. Not like Cloud and Kadaj. He's still protective of the kid's memory when he talks about him, believe it or not."
Cissnei raised her eyebrows, "Yeah, if I remember the story right Yazoo shot Cloud before he and his brother attempted to blow him up."
Mika frowned, "I know that. I just meant that… it might be weird. How would you feel?"
"Yeah, that's true. Is there anything about this that isn't weird?"
"We can talk to Yazoo about them meeting."
"Or you can talk to him. I don't think he's fond of anyone else. I know he doesn't like Reno."
"Well, he wouldn't have a problem with you. I don't know anyone who can't get along with you."
"Stop it," Cissnei mocked embarrassment, "You're making me blush."
The two young women laughed. "My point is he probably just has a grudge against Reno. Maybe he still has a bit of distrust toward the President. I haven't figured that one out yet. Anyone else I think is fine."
"I can talk to him with you," Cissnei nodded, "Since I was the one who went and spoke to Cloud."
"Cool. That way he'll know more people trust him. I think he's sort of worried about that."
Cissnei nodded, "Speaking of… he's coming this way."
Mika turned around. She sighed, "He's already awake? He probably didn't go to sleep at all."
Yazoo made his way over to the table where the young women were. He eyed Cissnei with what might have been caution. She gave a friendly smile, "Have a seat Yazoo."
He looked over at Mika, looking unsure. "Come on. Have a seat," Mika smiled, "Did you get any sleep at all?"
"Some," he replied, sitting down beside of Mika.
"We have some news for you. Cloud would like to see you if it's okay," Mika told him.
"Big Br…" he trailed off, closed his eyes, and then opened them, "Cloud? Why?"
"He thought you were dead," Cissnei explained, "He's glad you're alive, and he wants to see you."
"What do you think?" he asked Mika.
Mika raised her eyebrows, "This is your choice. I don't think I can make it for you."
Yazoo took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and then said, "I think I would like to see him. I owe him… I'd like to apologize for…"
Mika put a comforting arm on his shoulder, "If that's what you want, we'll arrange it for you."
He nodded his understanding. "I'll go ahead an make the phone call. I'll get back with you guys in say… an hour?"
"Sure," Mika nodded.
"Okay," Cissnei smiled, and then got up and walked away out of site.
Mika turned to Yazoo, and smiled, "I'm kind of glad you decided to see him. Not just to apologize. You have to know that he doesn't blame you for anything. He never did."
"He should. At least a little."
"I hear he went through something similar some time ago."
"He overcame it. I…"
"Have overcome it," she interrupted, "You have overcome it."
"I have now, but… what did it take?"
"You're too hard on yourself. I have something for you," she gave a little smile, "A gift, I guess. A show of trust? Rufus had these fixed. He said he'd found them after the incident a year or so ago. He gave them to me a little while ago and told me to make sure that they reached you as soon as you were awake. We know you're going to be okay, because if we thought differently," she pulled something out of a bag sitting next to her, wrapped in a white handkerchief, "he wouldn't want you to have these."
She handed him one, and then reached in and pulled out another. Yazoo unwrapped the first, and gasped, "Velvet Nightmare."
The gun looked brand new. Even though it had been destroyed by Cloud, now there wasn't even a scratch on it. It looked exactly the same as it had when he had used it a year ago. "This is a little more sentimental, I think."
She handed him another. When he unwrapped it, he smiled fondly, "I don't believe it. I saw…"
She smiled, "Rufus had them both restored. I don't pretend to know the way he thinks, but it seems to me like he almost knew someone would want them later on."
"Dual Hound," he smiled, "Loz's weapon of choice. Mika, thank you."
She shook her head, "What did I say about thanking me too much," she smiled, "Use them when we find Lovack and we'll call it even."
"Deal," he frowned, and then smiled again… it was the most she'd seen him smile so far, "Remind me to thank Rufus. He won't hit me for thanking him, will he?"
"A joke?" Mika looked surprised, and then laughed, "No, I think your safe if you thank him. Would you like to try the gun out?"
"That," he actually laughed, "that would be wonderful."
"All set up," Cissnei smiled, sitting back down, "He wants you to come by the bar tomorrow morning if you're up to it."
Yazoo's eyes widened, and then he turned to Mika, "Will you two come with me?"
Mika looked at Cissnei and smiled. Cissnei looked a bit surprised, but smiled, too. Mika said, "Sure. We'll come with you."
"No problem. I'll clear it with the President, and we'll leave around noon tomorrow."
"I appreciate it. Both of you."
"No problem," Cissnei replied.
"Now," Mika sighed, and then smiled, putting her hand on Yazoo's shoulder, "What about shooting that gun."
3
He looked nervously at the bar through the passenger window. Mika watched him from the back seat, and Cissnei from the driver's side. Both young women waited patiently, knowing how hard it must have been. "I think I'd like to go in," Yazoo finally said.
"Okay," Mika nodded, "When you're ready."
He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "I believe I'm ready."
The three of them got out of the car, and made their way to the bar entrance. Cissnei opened the door and let the other two go in first, and then she followed. There was a young woman with long black hair and dark brown eyes washing off glasses behind the bar. She looked up when the bell above the door rang. Yazoo looked nervous, but the young woman just gave a warm smile. "Cloud," she called, "Company."
"Hi, Tifa," Cissnei greeted, smiling.
"Hi. You guys go ahead and sit down. He's just in the office," Tifa told them.
"Thank you," Mika nodded, and then the three of them took seats.
A young man that was unmistakably Cloud came out of a room not far from the bar. Yazoo kept his eyes on the table. He said a few words to Tifa, and then made his way over to where the three were seated. "Hey," he greeted the three, not taking his eyes off of Yazoo, "You must be Mika," he smiled, finally looking at her, "I think this is the first time we've actually met."
He extended his hand and she shook it, "Yes, and it's nice to meet you. I've heard plenty about both of you," she smiled, and nodded toward Tifa.
"All good, I hope," Tifa laughed.
"Oh, yes. Of course," Mika smiled.
"Hello, Yazoo. Are you okay?" Cloud, looking genuinely concerned, asked.
Yazoo finally looked up. He opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to decide not to. Mika put a hand on his shoulder. He gave a stiff nod, "I'm fine, but I need to say something."
"Okay," Cloud nodded.
"I'm sorry for everything I tried to do. If it hadn't been for you… if you hadn't been there… my youngest brother's soul might never have been saved. He would've been trapped in that monster for forever. I repaid you by shooting, and for that I'm truly sorry."
"It seems you really needed to get that off of your chest. It's been forgiven… for a while now," Cloud grinned, "I'm glad you're alive, Yazoo. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you and your brothers."
Yazoo looked up… he seemed to be getting less nervous now, "I don't know if we'd have let you. It wasn't your fault. It was…"
"You know who I blame?" Cloud cut in, smiling, "I blame Jenova. I blame Sephiroth. Yazoo, I don't, nor will I ever, blame you or your brothers."
Yazoo nodded his understanding. His expression shifted, and he looked like someone who'd had a heavy load lifted off of their shoulders, "Thank you."
"No problem," Cloud sat down next to him, "We've got a lot of catching up to do, you know. I heard a bit about what happened to you. I'm sorry. I won't make you relive that. We won't talk about it right now. Don't worry, though… that Lovack will get what's coming to him. Do you guys have any idea where he's at?"
"No," Mika sighed, "He was suppose to be in Gongaga, but he split."
"Do you think maybe a leak?" Tifa asked, joining them at the table.
"That's a good question," Cissnei raised her eyebrow… she had a dangerous look in her eyes, "If there is a leak, he's either really stupid or… no, he's just stupid."
"To think that someone else…" Yazoo winced, and trailed off.
"We will find him," Cloud assured him.
Cloud had a fire in eyes… determination. Tifa nodded in agreement, looking almost, if not just as, determined. Mika found she really liked Cloud and Tifa. She liked the way Cloud and Tifa were treating Yazoo. Right now he didn't need fingers of blame being pointed at him. He needed friends. He needed to know that the family he had left was indeed here for him. Mika respected Cloud and Tifa a great deal. "For now," Cloud began again, "Let's talk about something else. You thinking of joining the Turks?"
Cloud gestured to the suit he was wearing. "Not at present," Yazoo replied, giving a little smile, "Stranger things have happened, though, as we both know. Who knows what the future will bring. I do like the suit."
The rest of their meeting was spent talking about lighter things. The rest of the time they were there the pained expression never returned to Yazoo's face. He even smiled and laughed a bit. Visiting Cloud was definitely going to have to become a routine thing for Yazoo.
4
When they returned to the Shinra building Mika walked Yazoo back to his room. He'd had a long day, and he'd even admitted to Mika that he was a bit tired. "You okay?" she asked, as he unlocked his door.
"I feel… better than I have for a while. I believe I can really sleep. I owe you for that, don't I?"
"You don't owe me anything. We're friends."
"Is that what we've become? I've never had a friend before."
"Now you have several. Me, Cissnei, Cloud, and Tifa… more, probably."
He gave a little smile, "I like it. Having friends."
She smiled back, "You get some sleep, okay. We'll talk more after you've rested."
He waved bye as he went through the door. She smiled and waved back, and then turned toward the elevator. That's when Reno came running toward her. "Hey, I've been looking for you everywhere. The President has called a conference. I've been waiting to tell you all day, but… well… come on, I'll explain on the way."
Reno looked excited and pleased all at the same time. "Reno, come on. What's going on?" Mika asked, as the two got on the elevator.
"Well, you know I went to pick up Rude, right. Yuffie decided to tag along. She's staying at Cloud and Tifa's, but she's been snooping around a bit for us. That's why she wasn't there when you guys decided to arrange that little family reunion Cissnei told me about. Well, anyway, you've heard how sneaky she is. I think you've actually met Yuffie, too. She meets with Reeve from time to time."
"I hear she's good at stealth, and yeah I've met her."
"She's damn good at it, because she's found a witness… slash… suspect."
"Witness… slash… suspect?"
"He's a witness because he's the last person to see Lovack before he left the mansion. He's a suspect because he's actually taken part in some of Lovack's sick experiments. I thought you'd like to know," Reno grinned.
Mika's eyes widened, "Rufus called a conference… why?"
"He just wants to tell everyone what I told you. I pulled some strings, though. Guess who gets interrogate him with me?"
"You mean…" Mika smirked.
"You do."
"You are absolutely amazing. I owe you."
"I know you like him… the remnant, I mean. Yazoo, I mean. Come on, we're wasting time. If you decide to go old school on him," Reno's grin grew, "I'll turn my head."
Mika laughed.
A/N: Whew! A third chapter in one day. I've had them saved for a while, so I just decided to go ahead and upload all I had done, since I only had three done. Thanks so much to all who are reading.
