Chapter 7: Ten Minutes

Outside in the hall, all the Turks were standing around waiting for the swordsman to be done. George was leaning against the hall, Karen was checking her reflection in a compact mirror, Rude was standing silently beside Cissnei, dwarfing her, while Tseng stood next to the door near Alistair.

Within 15 seconds of Haruto entering the room, there was a crash followed by the red head screaming "HOLY SHIT!"

If Tseng wasn't so irate with Reno for causing so much trouble the night prior, he might have felt sorry for the boy. However, the way Alistair had set the whole thing up, the red head was getting off fairly easy. The elder Turk had let Haruto go first, when Reno had the most energy. Following the swordsman would be Cissnei, who would be more merciful towards the teen. Next would be Karen, followed by Talli, then George. Tseng would be second to last, and finally Rude. They were each given ten minutes to do whatever they pleased to the red head, short of causing any permanent damage.

10 minutes of angry and frightened shouts later and Haruto exited the room allowing Cissnei to enter. Her 10 minutes ended without much sound at all. When Karen entered though, there were a few moments of silence before breaking objects and shouts of pain. She seemed satisfied when she left though. Then George and Talli had their turns. Talli's was mostly quiet, but at the end she was shouting in triumph leaving moments later laughing. Finally Tseng's turn came, and as he entered the room he was met with the sight of Reno lying on his torn up bed, next to a shattered mirror, groaning in pain.

"Having fun yet?" he asked walking farther inside. He noticed that the redhead was holding onto his arm. "I see you lost to Talli in arm wrestling."

"I was a gentleman and let her win," Reno refuted rolling onto his stomach with some difficult. "And yeah, I'm having a gay ol' time. Thanks to Shorty I learned I'm a lot more flexible than I ever believed."

Tseng rubbed his chin as he observed the teen. In spite of the tough front, the Wutain could tell the boy was in more pain than he was willing to share. He had several cuts and bruises and if George had done what the teen was suggesting, it was highly probable he had several pulled muscles. The Turk considered what to do with his allotted time. He wasn't really interest in sitting and chatting with the red head and he doubted Reno was in the mood for that sort of thing anyway, at least not with Tseng. He didn't doubt the boy had been more than willing to converse with Cissnei and Talli, possibly Karen if the female hadn't been so bent on beating the stuffing out of him.

At last Tseng settled on an idea. It was something that wouldn't put Reno through too much unnecessary discomfort, but might still teach the boy a necessary lesson.

He slipped a hand into one of his pockets and pulled out a small green orb. At the sight of it the redhead pulled away as much as he could. "What's that for?" he muttered warily.

"Just think of it as a means of obtaining a new point of view," Tseng replied as it began to glow. The next thing Reno knew he was almost drowning in the torn remains of the bed. As he tried to fight his way out of it, he suddenly saw a giant hand come down and lift him into the air.

Reno opened his mouth to shout at the now giant Wutain and demand to know what he did to him, but all that came out was a soft croak.

"I have to say, Reno," Tseng said looking at him with the smallest of smiles. "This is a good look for you."

Reno tried to speak again but out came another croak instead of words. Finally he looked down at himself and screamed. Well, released a higher pitched croak. His hands and feet were webbed, his skin was green and yellow, and his body was soft and squishy.

That forehead dotted prick turned him into a frog! He began jumping up and down, croaking out would be profanities. He ended up slipping off Tseng's hand, thankfully landing back on the bed. He shook his head and glare up at the Turk who stared down at him with a straight face.

"Trust me when I say you got off easy," Tseng told him. "What you did yesterday might not have disrupted Shinra as a whole, but you caused many people problems unnecessarily all for the sake of your vanity. I don't believe I need to tell you we have killed for less."

If Reno had been capable he would have flipped Tseng off. What did he care about the people working at Shinra? Like their lives were so damn hard.

A fly flitted past in front of him and before Reno knew what was happening his tongue shot out and caught the fly, pulling it into his mouth.

His eyes widened as he unconsciously swallowed it. Tseng's smile seemed to grow a bit at this but he didn't say anything else. He felt his message was at least somewhat getting through. The rest of his 10 minutes consisted of him watching the toad Reno try to navigate his way across the bed and then proceed to attempt to hit him. Every punch he gave though jarred his injuries and he ended up flinching. At the end of it all, Tseng headed towards the door and finally turned him back before stepping through the doorway. He nodded towards Rude as he left and the bald man made his way inside.

"So, what did you do?" Alistair asked once the other was inside. "I didn't hear any gunfire so I assume you didn't just shoot him again."

"No, I realized the only physical thing I could do to him to exceed the last time I shot him would be to render him completely immobile," Tseng answered easily. "Since that wasn't an option I simply… gave him a new perspective."

When Rude stepped into the room, the red head was sitting on the bed sulking. "So it's you, huh?" Clearly the teen hadn't forgotten Rude, or his fists, because one of his hands twitched towards his stomach. He let out a long sigh before standing up and facing the bald Turk. "I ain't gonna lie, I'm pretty sick of this. So you know what? Just go for it."

Rude's eyebrows knitted together. Based on their last meeting, he had expected Reno to put up more of a fight. Or at least try to avoid whatever it was that was coming. It wasn't as if the kid was giving up either, he was confident he could handle whatever it was Rude decided to throw, even after everything he'd already been through. Rude couldn't help but feel a small twinge of respect.

The pair stared at each other in silence for several minutes before Rude's fist flew out and landed squarely in Reno's stomach. The redhead bent over in pain from the blow but the only sound that escaped him was a small gasp. "For the phone."

Rude's voice surprised Reno as did his words. They threw him off guard enough to where the next blow came without him bracing for it. It was swift and landed on his back knocking him to the floor.

"For running," Rude muttered. Then he turned and walked back out the door.

Reno groaned and stayed on the floor for a while. After a few minutes a pair of shoes stepped through the door and stopped in front of him. The teen looked up to see Alistair looking down at him with a sympathetic smile. "Sorry about all that, kid. But it'd do neither of us good if you got off scat free."

The red head coughed and muttered, "It was still worth it."

Alistair laughed. "I like your spirit, kid." He crouched down and with hands twice the size of Reno's turned to boy over onto his back. "Now, there's just one last order of business."

"Oh right, you haven't done anything to me yet," Reno muttered under his breath.

"No, but mine'll last much longer than the others," the larger Turk stated as he stood back up. "Rude, keep him still for me." Rude nodded and leaned over holding Reno's arms behind his back while lifting him up a bit.

"Wait, so what the hell are you doing?" Reno demanded though apprehension laced his voice.

Alistair didn't answer. Instead, he pulled something small and golden out of his pocket before leaning over and reaching toward his ear. Reno jerked his head back out of the way only to be held still by one of Rude's hands. He tried to struggle against his captor, but his body was so exhausted and damaged that it hurt far too much to move.

He gritted his teeth when he felt something metallic press against his earlobe which was then followed by that object being forced through the soft flesh.

Compared to what he'd been through the past hour, this little pinprick was nothing. What disturbed Reno was the motive behind it. When Alistair was finished he backed away and gave Rude the go ahead to let go. Reno's hand immediately flew up to his ear. He had a brief moment of metal against his fingers before a shock went through his hand, causing it to twitch away from his ear.

"What the hell did you do?" Reno demanded looking fiercely up at Alistair.

"It was just a little piercing," Alistair said with a smile. "Doesn't look half bad either."

"It shocked me!" Reno exclaimed forcing himself to his feet. "What's the catch with this thing?" As he spoke he reached up again for the earring. Again he felt a shock and dropped his hand back down. "I'm not allowed to remove it, huh."

"Not after the stunt you pulled last night," Alistair answered. "But just so I don't have to explain it..." He pressed the button on the device Reno only just noticed he was holding. Moments later, Reno started to hear something kind of high pitched that made his ears start to hurt. Little by little, he could feel his muscles turning to jelly until he collapsed to his knees holding his hands to his ears to try to block the sound.

As suddenly as it had started, the sound disappeared and he was able to look back up at the pair before him. "To put it simply, that's there to make sure you behave. Try to pull something like that again and you'll suddenly find yourself unable to move."

Reno let out an audible growl. "You prick."

"So I've been told," Alistair replied before turning his back on Reno. "Get some rest now, kid. You look like hell."

"I fucking wonder WHY," Reno noted sarcastically.

He was sorely beginning to regret his decision to stick around. Even if he was back on the streets, being hunted, at least he still would have had the freedom to go where he wanted and do what he wanted, so long as he didn't get caught. Here he had nothing. No freedom, no will of his own. It was a helplessness he'd never known before and it was enough to make him want to scream.

Rude was the first to leave the room while the bigger man paused at the door.

"Word of advice, kid. You're not gonna get anywhere in life if you keep trying to fight everything that comes your way. That kind of recklessness will just get you killed." He glanced back at the teen. "I'm no mind reader but you don't seem like the type who'd be satisfied with dying anytime soon."

"And you're saying I should trust you guys won't kill me?" Reno asked doubtfully.

Alistair shook his head. "You don't have to trust us. A little cooperation, that's all we want."

"Blow me!" Reno retorted harshly.

"I'll let Haruto know you've extended the offer," Alistair replied easily. The look that spread across Reno's face made the large Turk chuckle as he left the room, locking it behind him. The other Turks had long since gone. "Heh, I like him. He's got guts...what about you Rude, what do you think of the kid?"

The bald Turk looked at his superior and shrugged.

"Yeah I guess you're right. It is a bit early to fully make that judgment," Alistair nodded. "Alright let's get going. I heard they've got some amazing lamb chops in the cafeteria for lunch today."


Ring ring. Ring ring.

The phone rang several times before someone finally answered it. "State reason for calling," said a guttural voice.

"Leviathan," the person answered.

"What is your report?"

"I'd like to speak with the leader directly, if you don't mind."

"The leader is busy," came the curt reply.

"I doubt he'll be too busy for this. I know where to find the person he seeks."

There was a long pause. "One moment, please."

There was a bit of nervous waiting before a cool, dulcet voice replaced the gruff one who originally answered. "What news do you bring?"

"The one you're seeking. THEY have him."

"I see, that would explain how we were unable to locate him a second time," the man murmured calmly. "What have they drawn from him?"

"Nothing of great importance as of yet," the other answered. "He seems reluctant to mention anything about the inventor. He has explained the small attack on him by your men, however. They now know you are in the city and are somehow involved. They will be searching for you."

"They do not yet know of MY involvement."

"No sir, of course not. Only that four of your men attacked him."

"Keep it that way. Do not allow him to become comfortable enough to explain his mentor's involvement."

"Yes, sir. Before he speaks anything truly harmful, I'll have him out in the open for you."

"See that you do. We must obtain the information he holds before them.


After the brutal beating he received the day before Reno passed out on the ruined mattress and managed to sleep for the first time in a long time all night long. He didn't become aware of anything until the next morning when he heard his door open along with a voice trying to talk to him. He ignored it and buried his face farther into his pillow. Moments later, he felt his mattress getting flipped over and he ended up on the floor.

"Is this going to be the morning ritual with you, kid?" Alistair asked as he stood over the redhead once more. "Hurt or not get up. We're starting bright and early today."

"Starting what?" Reno muttered rubbing his side which had impacted the ground.

"Always with the questions," Alistair murmured. "If you'll just shut your mouth and hurry it along you'll find out soon enough."

Reno didn't care much for surprises, but not wanting to have his new ear accessory activated he got to his feet, adjusting the goggles on his head. The Turk silently gestured for Reno to follow him and he led the way out of the room and down the hall. After an elevator ride and more walking, they arrived at the rec center which had been cleaned up since the flooding. The red head was a little impressed at how fast they'd managed it.

Alistair continued to lead the way until they were at the showers. He opened a locker and tossed Reno a bar of soap and a towel. "First take a shower to get rid of all that dirt, blood and stink." He also tossed Reno some clothes. "They ain't much, but they're clean."

Reno glanced at the showers and then pointed at his ear. "Shouldn't you take this off first? It'll get shorted out in the water won't it?"

"Naw, we made sure it'd be able to stay on no matter what," Alistair chuckled. "Water won't be able to do anything to it. Just let me know when you're done." With that, he turned and left.

Reno muttered a few profanities about the Turks and their stupid earring as he stepped into the shower. 20 minutes later, he stepped back out feeling cleaner than he'd ever felt and not too put off by the new clothes.

Alistair was waiting for him near the lockers and after putting away the soap and towel he told Reno to follow him once more. This time Reno was led to a floor where people could be seen training whether by sparring each other or using punching bags and other substitutes. Reno wondered what business the Turk could possibly have with him in a place like this.

"Ah, this one looks empty," Alistair said entering one of the rooms. Reno glanced around, seeing the walls were padded as well as a large section of the floor. In the corner was what looked like a closet which probably held work out gear and the like.

"So what's the deal, old man?" Reno asked.

"Well, I got to thinking," the big man said turning to face Reno. "Since you seem so unhappy to be here, I thought I'd give you a sporting chance for a speed ticket to freedom." Reno raised an eyebrow at this and waited for him to continue. "You can fight me," he answered take a couple of steps back. "If you can win you can go."

"And the others are just going to accept that," Reno asked dubiously.

"Of course. Being second in command has its advantages," Alistair replied slyly. "So how about it kid?"

"Will you take this freakin' thing off?" Reno asked pointing at the earring again.

"Ah, but it makes you look cool kid," Alistair groaned. At the look Reno gave him he chuckled and waved his hand. "Sure sure, we'll take that off too. See, it's a win win."

Reno thought it over for a few moments. It sounded pretty cut and dry, but the red head doubted it would be as easy as the guy made it sound. He'd just freely revealed to Reno he was second in command of the Turks, a position most likely well earned. Plus the guy was larger than Rude and was probably likewise good at taking a hit.

Still… even if he was a Turk, that didn't make him invincible. Or unbeatable.

"Alright," Reno agreed at length. "Sounds good to me!"

Without giving Alistair time to even begin the match, Reno zipped in. He charge straight and when he was two feet away he suddenly changed directions and aimed a kick at the guy's knee.

Suddenly Reno was staring up at the guy from the floor. He didn't even realize what had happened.

"Oh, sorry. Did we start already?" Alistair asked looking down at him. The grin on his face clearly said he knew exactly what had happened. "My bad. Here maybe I should say go next time so I know you're attacking."

Reno ignored him and slowly got to his feet. As he did so, he suddenly replayed the last moment in his mind. He remembered flying at the Turk with his foot aimed at his knee...then the guy caught his foot, jerked the other off the ground and flipped him in the air making him land face down and having to turn himself over.

"Yeah right, you knew what was going on," Reno accused testing out his limbs to find he was still able to move normally.

"Oh, were you attacking?" Alistair taunted. "I felt a light gust on my leg and simply batted it away. If that was an actual attempt, then it looks like you'll be here for awhile."

Reno's teeth clenched in suppressed irritation. At least when he'd been fighting Baldy he didn't have to put up with any taunting.

"Yeah, keep laughing it up, old man," he said readying for another attack. "First thing I'm gonna do with my freedom is shave off that stupid facial hair."

Alistair laughed. "Well, come on then, kiddo. Make my day."

Reno forced a breath out to calm himself. Despite being built like a tank, the guy could move pretty quick. He wasn't even bothering to guard himself. It was like he wanted Reno to go after his open spots. He needed to catch the guy off guard somehow.

As he was devising a way to do this, the big man suddenly came charging. Reno barely had time to dodge as Alistair's fist went whistling past his head. The red head was momentarily shaken by the notion that Alistair's punches might have even more force than Rude's.

His moment of shock was all the Turk needed to sweep the legs out from under the redhead and pin him to the floor using only his weight. "So, is that the end of the fight then kid?" he asked patting him lightly on the head.

"Not. A. Chance." Reno gritted his teeth and used every ounce of strength he could to push himself up high enough to get his knees under him. "I'm...getting out of here."

Alistair waited until the redhead was kneeling before finally getting off and looking down at him with a laugh. "You really got spunk kid. I like that. If you think you can keep going then let's just get this next round started."

Reno got back onto his feet, not wanting to call it quits just yet. He may not be as strong as the goat man but he had one more little trick up his sleeve. It was a trick Blay had taught him years back. In fact, Reno had learned most of his fighting from the dread head. Not enough to go toe to toe with a Turk, that was for sure. Just enough so that Reno could defend himself, a necessity when you lived in the slums.

Rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, Reno dug the balls of his feet into the floor and pushed off. He first darted left, then right, then faked an attack down the center. He pulled back at the last second when he saw Alistair go to counter. Reno took that opportunity sidestep the man and enter the corner pocket of his vision where Reno would be all but invisible.

Alistair seemed to freeze when Reno made his move and he silently celebrated his good fortune before shooting forward and aiming for the Turk's throat. Just before the hit landed, the Turk's hand came out of nowhere, blocked the blow and twisted the arm behind his back and pulled up. "Nice move kid," he expressed tightening his hold. "But I've fought opponents who were actually invisible before."

"You're an ass," Reno retorted trying to get his arm released. It didn't take long for him to stop though as everything he did only hurt worse and did nothing to the other guy.

"Yeah, I get that a lot too," Alistair replied with a chuckle. "Ready to call it quits yet?"

"Hell no."

"That's what I like to hear," the Turk said before pushing Reno away. "Come on, show me your best, brat."

Sad to say, Reno never even managed to land a single hit.


CM: Poor, poor Reno. They're really not making this any easier on him. More Turk fun to come, and thank you to those of you who took the time to review. Every bit of encouragement helps. :D