Chapter 7: Dark Nation

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters. If I did, then I'd be rich like Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura. However I don't so I can be super happy as a fan of a legendary series.

Author's Note: Oh my God! It's been like over 2-6 months since I put a new chapter up here, and that's even if you count my really pointless note from the authoress. Good grief I am a terrible writer. -_- But let's see on the plus side, I can make it up by writing the rest of the story. A million thank yous to those who subscribed, added the story to alerts, favorites and those who commented. ( Medilia, LiliumDupree, Vietta, bettina1959, Kaarina Helvete, ViviMouse, everfaraway, Mirokou, simply anonymous, yesy92, blueravenchick and Namantos) Now time to move on to the actual story.

PLEASE REMEMEBER TO REVIEW! .

"So has anyone seen the baby TURK?" Legend asked, holding a glass of coffee.

"Nah, seems like he is already skipping work. I told you that he was no good." Gun replied sarcastically.

"Who are you calling no good?"

They all turned around to see Reno in the doorway, dressed the same way he was yesterday only sunglasses replaced the goggles he wore the day before. Additionally, there were two band-aids, one under each eye. Standing right behind him was the vice president, a coffee in his left hand and the morning news in his right.

"Morning TURKS," he stated in an ice cold voice. His eyes were just as icy looking as his voice sounded. Every TURK in the room stood up and bowed towards the young Shinra. "Good morning Vice President Shinra."

"And if any of you must know, which isn't anyone's business except the captain's," he glared at Gun. "Reno was late due to running errands for me. Any questions or comments?" He looked around the room, his eyes daring them to speak, however no one spoke. He grinned darkly, "I thought as much. Now get to work, Reno, you know the itinerary for the day, be on time." Reno nodded and walked over to Verdot and began conversating while Rufus walked off to his office across the hall.

Cadet Gym

"Alright everyone into formation, Instructor Zack is here," called Brandon, the leader of the cadet unit. Everyone quickly formed a formation standing at full attention waiting to go through roll call for the day. However, Zack grinned, "At ease guys. Today we have special permission to use the SOLDIER gym for training today." Everyone murmured amongst themselves, knowing that cadets couldn't enter SOLDIER gyms unless they had permission to be in there or was on cleaning duty. "Now," Zack continued, silencing the group's murmurs. "Since we are going to the SOLDIER gym the early morning exercise is going to be 4 laps around the SOLDIER gym building and when we get into the gym, we are doing some sword drills. Today I'll give ya a taste of SOLDIER training."

He smiled at them, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He looked at Brandon, "Get them stretched and ready to run in 5 minutes." Brandon saluted him then faced the group, "Get into two squads and make it so we can do our regular warm-ups. Make it quick! He said 5 minutes, I won't hear the 'oh my leg is cramping' excuse."

Zack leaned against the nearby wall, "At least today will be interesting."

Sephiroth's Office

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Sephiroth looked up from his morning paperwork knowing who was at the door. "Enter."

Genesis walked into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. "Puppy boy says you wanted to see me?" Seph smiled at the nickname given to Zack by Angeal. "Yes I need you to go to a meeting for me. I got a new assignment recently that has me needing to take off again so the meeting is going to have to be attended by you. I know you hate stuffy meetings but on the plus side Lazard and Rufus are going to be there. It's supposed to be some budget stuff and SOLDIER promotional things. Apparently, the SOLDIER ball is coming up in a few months and the planning has already begun. As the second in command after me, I need you to do this." He looked at Genesis who stood silent the entire time.

'Are you kidding me? He calls me all the way up here to tell me I need to sit through some boring ass meeting that doesn't have anything to do with me? What the hell do I look like a secretary or even ZACK? I really should just tell him what I think about it since he seems to think I am some little lackey of Shinra and not a general like him. Stuck up bastard….' Genesis was lost in thought while Sephiroth sat patiently waiting for a response.

"You just thought I was a stuck up bastard and that I don't treat you like the general you are. And you indirectly compared yourself to a lackey and Zack at the same time. You don't want to sit in some boring meeting that apparently has nothing to do with you. So instead you were going to give me a piece of your mind in hopes that I don't have you sit in the meeting."

Genesis' jaw dropped. 'Can he read minds?' Sephiroth removed his glasses and started laughing. "Genesis," he needed to take a breath. "You have a very easy to read expression when you are stuck doing something you don't want to. I've told you for a while now to stop being so damn easy to read in facial expressions when annoyed and or irritated."

"Of course." 'That explains why he knew what I was thinking.' "Seph, if you know how I feel then you know what I am going to say."

Sephiroth smiled, "Take my mission. It's to Kalm because the mining in the mines seems to have come to a hault recently. We have been receiving complaints of workers getting injured and cave ins happening whenever new tunnels have been carved. I want you to find out what is going on with the town. How's that for not sitting in a meeting?"

"Thanks Seph, when do you want me to leave?"

"Thursday night since you will need to see the mines Friday because most of the activity happens during the weekends."

"I got it. I'll prepare for my mission immediately."

"Good then."

Rufus' office (Time 1:30 pm)

Rufus sat in his office going over the final notes of the meeting that was supposed to take place at three that afternoon. He wanted to make sure that his secretary covered all the points he wrote out. He hated having to read his handwriting so he made his secretary write all his memos, notes for meetings, and letters. He was so lost in reviewing that he missed Reno stepping into his office with a small bag of lunch, a Frappe and a small cage.

"Hey."

"….."

"Oi."

"…"

"Um, hello?"

"What? And you're late." Rufus looked up from his notes to glare at the red-head. "You were supposed to be here 30 minutes ago, so I could get up and get out of the office to eat some damn lunch. Want to explain why you didn't show up on time when I told you to keep to the schedule and not be late this morning?" He was glaring at Reno from across the room.

"Well," Reno began. "I was going to be here on time but then I remembered something about your house and you as a person. Whenever I am not around, you are very devoid of human emotion, well you only have anger and what seems like some serious rage. Then when you stand before your dad, you are like a frightened child. So why not try to bring out some more of your human emotions that you only show around me or when drunk."

Rufus' right eyebrow rose in slight curiosity. "So you're solution?"

"Is in this cage." He placed the small cage on the desk. "Open it."

Rufus glared at him, "Don't tell me what to do."

Reno returned the glare. "Open it boss man."

"Reno…"

"Trust me."

Rufus opened the cage to hear what sounded like a small meow. He looked inside and saw a small baby Black Panther. He pulled it out to get a better look at it or rather, her. He noticed the emerald green eyes kinda like Reno. Also, she wore a red collar with studded diamonds in it.

Rufus smiled. "What is her name?"

"She doesn't have one. I left that to you, Rufus."

"I guess I'll name her…"

"Huh? I didn't catch that."

"Reno, this is embarrassing." Rufus was blushing.

"Tell me I won't laugh."

"Dark Nation."

" A good name."

Rufus smiled, "Thanks. But why did you really get her?"

"To protect you whenever I can't."