Bit slow starting, but it will get more exciting. Promise!

Warnings for the fic: language (of course, Reno comes with his own warning...as does my Raine :D), smut (^_^) and violence.

Warnings for this chapter: Swearing, death threats and the awsomeness that is Kadaj :D

I don't own Final Fantasy or any of the characters apart from Raine...God knows what would happen if I did... also, the quote about life going on is an adaptation of Robert Frost.

EDITED, just so ya know :)

I sit back on the sofa. It's sinking in now, and sorta makes sense. I'd always had the strange feeling of someone else being there apart from mom, but I had just figured it was just the multitude of people in the Slums that gave me that memory. I'm pretty sure my father didn't hang around after he got my mom pregnant... I never could remember much from when I was a kid. I only remember being on my own when mom died, and having to fend for myself. I even had to give myself a name, since I wasn't old enough to remember the one I'd been given. If I had been given one. That makes me wonder...

"Hey, Reno?" I sit forward. "Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you..." I think for a moment. "Well, do ya remember anythin' about me at all? Like, was I ever mentioned?"

Reno frowned. "No... I mean, I think I should remember. You're only five years younger than me but... I don't. Don't remember much at all if I'm honest, yo. I just always had the feeling..."

I feel a little disappointed. "Oh."

"Why?"

"I was wonderin' if you knew my name." I shrug. "Had ta give myself one, didn't I? Never knew what I'd been called."

"How did you know your last name then?"

"Uh..." I think for a second. "Well, I remember some of the kids in the Slums referrin' to me as the Sinclaire girl. I guessed that weren't my first name."

Reno looks thoughtful. "Huh. Well, why'd you pick Raine?"

I feel my face grow warm. "Uh... I like the rain."

Reno smiled. "Awwww, how cute. You named yourself after something you like."

"Wipe that grin of ya face or I'll do it for ya," I scowl. "And anyways, what kind of name is Reno?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's your name."

"So wh- hey!"

I let myself grin, and Reno blinks, looking very surprised. "Blimey."

I shrug. "I can smile, it's not like I'm physically incapable of doin' so. Unlike Cloud Strife." I snigger. "Swear to Gaia that guy never cracks a smile. Not even when I told him a joke. I thought it was pretty funny myself, but he didn't get it.

"Do you actually know him?" Reno looks surprised when I nod. "How?"

"I know that girl he hangs out with - Tifa. And Denzel." I shrug again. "Why?"

Reno looks awkward. "No particular reason..."

I look at him for a long moment. "D'ya know him then?"

"Well, yeah." Reno rolls his eyes. "He's the planet's godsdamned hero isn't he? Not to mention he's also damn near killed me on several occasions while working with an anti-Shinra group. And after that, come to think of it... in fact, I think he's determined to break every bone in my body."

"Ha, you seem to have that effect on people, don'tcha?" I think for a moment. "Buuuut... now that ya mention that... I do remember Denzel tellin' me about some red-headed twat that pissed Cloud off..."

"Ouch. That's real nice."

I smirk. "Aw, does that offend you? You are a twat, brother dear." I get a smack around the head for that comment. "Oo-er. Touchy much."

"Shut up," Reno scowls at me, but I can see the underlying smile in his eyes. I settle back on the sofa, and my stomach rumbles loudly. Reno grins. "Food?"

"Food."

Everything I have learnt in life I can put into three words: it goes on.

"Okay, run this by me again," I say, rubbing my forehead and leaning back against the wall. "Some psychos appeared outta nowhere and just started shootin' at ya?"

Reno nods. "Yeah, pretty much."

"And Elena got shot, so Tseng went back for her..."

"Yup."

"And neither came back."

"Nope."

I swear loudly. "Not good."

A week or so after the Big Revelation, as I like to call it, and I'm standing in Reno's office while he's slouching in the chair behind the desk. Apart from the slight awkwardness, it was pretty much like it was before. Since Reno had told me, Tseng had told both Rude and Elena, who had sworn that she knew the entire time. Then there had been the mission to the Northern Crater... and now both Tseng and Elena were missing. Reno had come back in a panic, but otherwise intact. He was telling me about the guys that attacked them - apparently some sort of gang that appeared out of thin air and shot at them.

"Tell me... did ya get what ya went for?"

Reno looks evasive. "Well..."

"Dude." I raise an eyebrow. "You know I ain't gonna say a word." Reno hesitates, then nods quickly. "Right. Then let's hope to hell those psycho guys don't know that."

Reno frowns. "You and me both yo."

"What are we gonna do now?"

Reno sighs. "Well, the President's asked me to call Cloud for help. As well as the attack on Tseng and Elena, he's been contacted by Kadaj, the apparent leader of the psycho gang."

"Well shit." I shake me head. "Good luck gettin' hold of Cloud, he never answers his phone."

"May as well try," Reno says with a shrug. He stands, fishing his phone out of his pocket. "Could ya go and check on the President?"

"Sure." I push myself off the wall and leave Reno's office. I'm pretty down with the layout of the building now, so I find Rufus' office quite easily. I knock twice then enter, the usual formality of the Turks. "Sir?"

"Raine, nice to see you," Rufus says from his desk. "Come in."

I walk in, closing the door behind me. I look around as I move towards the desk. "Where's Rude?"

"Taking a break," Rufus says, smiling. "With much persuasion. I may have geostigma, but I don't need a babysitter twenty-four seven."

I frown and fold my arms across my chest. "For the president of Shinra, you're not very serious about your safety and health."

He laughs. "True. I believe Tseng has pointed that out on several occasions."

"He's right." I shake my head. "With Tseng and Elena gone..."

"We will persevere," Rufus says. "I am sure they are not lost to us forever."

"How'd ya know that? Sir," I add as more of an afterthought.

"We have something Kadaj wants," Rufus says simply, a hardness to his voice I've never heard before. It's kind of weird. "I'm sure he will... question both Tseng and Elena quite thoroughly, but Turks are trained to withstand torture - as you know."

"Hmph." I shrug. "I already could mostly. The trainin' was just a re-cap. Life in the Slums ain't exactly what ya'd call easy or safe, sir."

Rufus looks at me with undisguised interest, and I shuffle uncomfortably. I'd never liked being stared at, and it hadn't got any better since I'd joined the Turks. "You're quite an intriguing young woman, Raine. I don't think I've met anyone quite like you. Even Reno... I'm used to him now. But there's always something new about you that I haven't encountered yet. It makes me rather curious to know you better. I know all the others, you see. But you I don't. I'm intrigued."

"Uh." I scratch the back of my neck awkwardly. Rufus smiles apologetically, a little ruefully, I think.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to be so forward."

"S'fine." I'm a little confused. "To be honest... ever since... well, I don't think I'm as resentful of you."

"Really?" Rufus sounds genuinely surprised. "Well, that's nice to hear. Any particular reason for the change of heart?"

I hesitate, not quite knowing how to explain. "Well... I just... it's how you treat us really. Like... you seriously respect us. It's... nice. I guess." I feel my face growing hot and duck my head to hide it. Rufus laughs softly.

"Like I told you before, Raine, I view my Turks as close as my own family, since I have none left. I'm sure you understand the feeling."

I nod briefly, far too embarrassed to look my boss in the eye. I look at his hand instead and wince slightly. The geostigma looked worse against the white of Rufus' impeccable suit. It was seeing Rufus Shinra incapicated by the 'stigma that had completely changed my attitude. I'd already started to tolerate him, but seeing him so helpless... it struck a chord with me. I'd seen so many kids in the Slums suffering, so many people dying all of my life, but it never got any easier. No one deserved to have this disease, not even Rufus.

"Something the matter Raine?"

I blink, startled. "Huh? Oh-no. Nothing sir." I shake my head. "I was just thinkin'."

"Please," Rufus smiles at me. "Feel free to share your thoughts. I'd like to hear them."

"Uh, well," I hesitate for a moment. "I was just thinkin' that no one deserves to get the stigma, y'know? It's, like... unfair. There's no reason for people to be dyin'."

"Hmm." Rufus nods slowly. "You may be right... but there is at least one person who does deserve this disease."

"Who?"

"Myself."

I stare at Rufus in shock. I'd never heard him admit to anything like this. It wasn't like him to be so... sad. "I don't understand sir."

"It is fairly obvious," Rufus says. "It is my company and I that put the world in the sorry state it's in. The geostigma is my penance for such a heinous crime." He sighs. "I wish to atone for what I have done... for what Shinra has done. I think this is the planet's way of letting me do that. I would have preferred to have atoned by rebuilding our world but..."

"Sir..." I frown. "Ain't ya goin' a bit overboard?"

Rufus just shrugs. "Maybe."

"Sir-"

"Yo, boss man!" Reno bursts into the room. "We got company!"

I'd never heard Reno so panicked - my hand goes instinctively to my gun as Rude runs into the room as well, shutting and locking the door behind him. The three of us take defensive positions around the President. I don't need to ask who it is that's coming, I can make a pretty good guess. Within moments, there is an almighty crash as the door smashes inwards, and a man saunters in, casually as if he'd just opened the door normally. I say man; he looked closer to my age. I have to stop myself staring. He is possibly the most chilling, feral and elegant man I have ever seen. The way he walks... like he's stalking something... and his eyes - fuck-in' hell they're freaky.

"Well, what a wonderful welcome," Kadaj says with a smirk. I feel a shudder run down my spine at the sound of his voice. I do not like this man at all. It seems af if both Reno and Rude have the same opinion. Kadaj wanders closer, deceptively casual as he inspects the three of us carefully, his cat-like eyes assessing our defensive stances. His eyes widen slightly as his gaze falls on me. "Oh my. Employing girls to protect you, sir?"

I glare at him, deciding that I most definitely do not like this man. It was bad enough getting teased by Reno and Elena, but some psycho who didn't even know me? No way. I keep my hand on my gun, ready to whip it out at any threatening movement, and say nothing.

"I am not in the habit of employing girls," Rufus says a little angrily. "But I will employ capable women."

I feel a slight smile tug at the corner of my mouth but keep myself in check. I never let my eyes stray from Kadaj, tracking every tiny movement - just as he is doing to the three of us. He's close enough to touch now, not that I'd want to. Something about this man instantly repels. I hear Reno swear under his breath and tighten my hand on my gun. The tension in the air is heavy as Kadaj stops just in front of us, looking at Rufus intently. He smirks through the silver hair that covers half of his face. I don't like that I can only see part of his face, it's creepy.

"You know what I want, sir," he drawls, tilting his head to the side. "What have you done with Mother?"

I'm thrown, but I don't allow myself to show it. Mother? Is this guy cracked?

"I have told you before," Rufus says calmly, apparently understanding what Kadaj was refferring to. "The whereabouts of Jenova are unknown. We lost her when you and your cohorts attacked us. I'm afraid we were careless."

"Is that right?" Kadaj says, narrowing his green slitted eyes. "I hate liars, sir."

"I told you," Rufus says again, starting to lose his patience. "We do not know."

Kadaj's smile flickers and fades. He glowers at the President dangerously and clenches his fists. "I'll give you one more chance, sir. Where. Is. Mother?"

Rufus swears quietly. "I am sorry Kadaj, but there is nothing more to be said."

Kadaj immediately loses his calm demeanour and hisses angrily, taking a step forward. All three of us tense, ready for anything. Kadaj glares at Rufus and reaches behind his back. Without even waiting to see what it is he's getting, I have my gun out and trained on the spot between his eyes in seconds, my finger ready on the trigger.

"Don't even think about it." I say warningly, Reno and Rude both extending their EMRs. Kadaj's cat-like eyes flick to me, and he smiles strangely, making my skin crawl.

"Little girls shouldn't play with guns," he purrs, looking at me intently. I grit my teeth and his smirk widens. "In fact... little girls shouldn't be playing grown up. Why don't you just run along now, and maybe I won't kill you... just yet." The casual tone makes me shudder out of both revulsion and fear. I know exactly what he is doing, but I refuse to rise to it. If I attack him, then he has a reason to attack us. Kadaj stares at me without blinking, his smile clearly challenging. I clench my free hand into a fist, my nails biting into my palm with the effort not to retaliate with violence.

"I'm eighteen you stupid fuck," I spit, aware of Reno's warning glance. Kadaj's smile just widens in satisfaction. I can tell he's enjoying this, a small but obvious display of manipulation. Even Rude, the ever silent and impassive, is tense and twitchy. The feeling of danger that hangs around Kadaj like a mist is almost suffocating as he just stares, silently daring any of us to act. Finally he shrugs and looks away apparently losing interest.

"Whatever. Fine," he says, returning his attention to Rufus. "I'll come back another time. Hopefully you'll feel more... co-operative."

With that, he turns and leaves, shooting a mocking glance back at me. The three of us stay stock still for a long while before finally relaxing. Reno looks at me in concern and starts to open his mouth, but I ignore him and turn to glare at Rufus.

"Jenova?" I spit. "You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me."

Rufus looks at me calmly. "I'm afraid not."

"Well fuck!" I cry angrily. "If he gets his hands on Jenova, we are in for a whole new kinda hell. I hope ya realise that."

"I do."

"Good," I huff and storm out of the broken door. I hear Reno mutter a quick apology then run after me, quickly catching up.

"Yo, what gives?"

"I swear to fuckin' Shiva if the planet ends up goin' to shit again," I fume angrily, striding down the corridor. "I will kill Rufus Shinra myself. Please tell me you got holda Cloud?"

"No luck," Reno replies, shrugging. "But I'll keep trying. Hey, will you slow down a little? I wasn't planning on running around too much today."

I sigh and slow down slightly. "I just want to go home. I've had enough."

Reno nods. By the time we get home, I'm feeling guilty for being so pissy to Rufus. I had no real reason to be, but I couldn't help it. After all Shinra have done, they're still messing around with Jenova. It just makes me angry to think about it. Reno doesn't question my mood, which I'm grateful for. I go straight to my room and flop onto the bed, lost in thought. When Reno knocks and asks if I want anything to eat, I don't answer. He opens the door and comes in, looking concerned.

"Raine, are you okay?"

"Meh." I shrug. "I dunno... just kinda pissed."

"I don't blame you." Reno smiles and musses my hair playfully, grinning when I slap his hand away. "C'mon, cheer up. I'll even let you pick a film to watch tonight."

I consider this for a moment. "Deal."

Life goes on.

Thanks very much to my wonderful reviewers of the last chapter: MidnightSchemer13, Obsidian Rush :D love you guys!

BTW my sister thinks there should be romance between Raine and Rufus - yay or nay? I'm indifferent to either and can work with both. Up to you my lovely readers!