I can't see. I can't breath. My chest is killing me. I can't catch my fuckin' breath...

Mom.

Call for mom.

Wait...something's wrong. Why can't I talk? Why can't I move?

Where am I? I know my bed ain't this cold. Am I dead? Reno thought these questions to himself, laying as still as an ice cube in an ice tray. His long fingers touched something mushy and cold like his mother's attempt to combine potato's and broth. He felt terribly cold and much heavier, his doctor would be proud if Reno gained any weight.

Despite all these sudden sensations, his mind struggled to find the memory of what he remembered last.

Shrouded in absolute darkness, his arms clutching something light and bumpy on his back, a thick substance clung to his cheek, strands of hair flew into his eyes. He was, literally, running blind. Moments ago, his shoes pounded hard into the puddles, his legs pumped faster and faster, no idea where they were leading him to, but they knew they were running away from something. Now, his legs struggled to take one step, his back ached, his feet dragged. All around, he could hear the sound of heavy raindrops slamming onto the leaves, thunder rolled above, flashes of lightening gave him a terrible headache. Right next to his right ear, someone was screaming at him to run faster, for mommy, for home or just idly screaming and wailing.

Then, the world had fallen silent and his body had ceased movement.

Splat.

His body was in pain, laying flat on a wet surface with drops of water landing on his face. Even though he was in pain, he felt relaxed at the same time. No, he felt numb. His lungs were sore and heavy, the blood in his body drummed against his skin, his heart was racing and he couldn't catch his breath.

Reno wanted, desperately, to open his eyes, sit up and look around to see where he was. However, some kind of heavy dread in his heart screamed 'no'. Although Zacari was adamant about schooling her three children from sun up to sun down, she was not so much when it came to house cleaning. The house, rarely, smelled...

Like fresh rain.

He ignored the screaming panic in his heart and tried to sit up. All he could manage was a slight twitch in his fingers and a couple of heavy inhales of rain drops. His bones were heavy like lead, his muscles even heavier, his fingers, barely, managed to form a fist. He groaned slightly and softly in frustration.

Come on! Get up! Reno screamed.

His body refused to listen, the pain was so unbearable and his clothes were soaked, seemingly adding weight to his body and aiding him in sinking deeper into the ground. The strong smell of rain water filled his nostril's. Even though he was in pain, he felt care free and relieved. Like he did with every exercise his father gave to him and his older brother.

His older brother.

Memories surfaced; Jerran chasing Reno in the fields while their father was away on a mission, climbing the tallest trees when mother was looking away, pranking Amira, one trying to outdo the other. Reno couldn't remember where Jerran and their father were going or how long they were going to be away. One thing Reno knew for sure, they were not going to the village. Jaythan despised the village and has not set foot in there since he had Reno's face tattooed. The camaraderie amongst it's people, the kindness they had given to each other, how they looked after their homeless and disabled. It sickened him to the point where Jaythan nearly killed an old beggar asking for direction to the Shelter. Now, with their home burned to the ground, how would Jerran and Jaythan be able to find Reno and Amira? Would their father take care of Jerran or would Jerran have to fend for himself?

Ah man, that's right. We don't have a home anymore. I'll have to find him, Reno decided, trying to find the strength to stand.

A gust of wind blew into his face, turning his skin to ice. Outside of the rapid drops of rain, Reno couldn't hear anything else. It was like the storm had frozen everything.

Reno, then, remembered his younger sister and how terrified she was of the rain. Also, she had been uncharacteristically quiet and he feared the worse had happened. He heard someone grunt and whine behind him, he felt something shimmy out from underneath him, letting his head slam against the mushy ground. He imagined how this person saw his body; pale as a wedding dress, skeleton thin, his clothes sucked onto his skin like a suction cup, his red bangs more messy than usual, being swallowed up by the mud .

"Reno? Reno?" A faint voice repeated, bringing him back to reality, a sharp finger nail stabbing, repeatedly, at his cheek. "Wake up, please!"

Reno could tell the voice was shouting, but it sounded so distant, clouded by the rushing rain drops splash dropping into puddles. Then he felt something grab his shirt, pulling him up from the glue-like mud, his chest burned in ten different spots, abreast from each other, shaking him back and forth violently. He figured Amira had a hold of his shirt and grabbed onto him too tightly.

Amira? It's gotta be, he wondered, feeling relieved that she was near him.

"Reno! Wake up, please! I don't wanna be alone! I'm scared! Please!" The hands released him, then Reno started hearing the voice scream, which turned into cough's, followed by wailing cries and shivering sniffles.

She was sick and terrified, believing she was alone during a heavy rainstorm.

He had an urge to go to her, comfort her, protect her. However, his exhaustion was stronger than the urge. Now that he thought of it, his body felt like a human sized, trembling ice cube. His head started pounding like a hammer, his nose was clogged yet it was burning at the same time, everywhere on him ached terribly.

Not good, not good, not good! Get up! He screamed at himself again.

The rain continued to pour around them, Amira had fallen silent again, the planet growing colder by the moment. Reno had no idea how long they had been there with him nearly swallowed up by the planet, and Amira sobbing and weeping hysterically. He began to wonder if they would ever be found, if he could ever just move enough to get them to safety.

He felt finger nails dig into his skin, tugging and pulling at his shirt, trying to pull him away. He could hear her struggling and grunting, her fingers dead locked onto his shirt, his lower body stuck in the mud. But that didn't stop her, she wasn't letting go of him, she was screaming at herself, screaming at him to wake up.

"Hey!" Another voice shouted. Reno couldn't tell which direction it was coming from and he couldn't open his eyes to see who it was. His heart enlightened, though. Someone else was here, someone who chad enough strength to move, someone who can help. He waited to hear the voice again, praying that it was Jerran and that he was safe with their father.

But a moment later, he felt a splash on the left side of his face like someone stepped into a puddle and the voice was not what he had hoped.

Really? Reno complained in his thoughts.

"Take a deep breath, calm down." The voice spoke again, much closer. "Where did you come from, anyway? What are you even doing out here? Don't you know you could catch a terrible cold?"

The coughing stopped, then the burning sensation on his chest returned. And then, something heavier landed hard on his chest, right on the burn. His shirt was tight against his abdomen, the fingers that caused the burning pain clutched into fist's, practically pulling his shirt further down and soaked wet hair flung onto his face.

He let out a slight, startled hiss at the sensation of his cold shirt against the hot marks.

"My name is Rufus Shinra." The other voice said in a friendly tone, which then turned into a more commanding tone." Tell me your name. I can help you, but I must know your name."

"Ru...Rufus Shinra?"Amira asked in a shaky tone.

"That is my name." The other voice, Rufus Shinra, said. The name ringing a bell to Reno. "Come now, tell me your name. I don't like being out here anymore than you."

"A-Amira." Amira managed to answer between sniffles. "My big brother...he...he won't wake up. He's n-not dead, i-is he?P-please, tell me, he's not dead."

"Don't worry Amira, I'm here to help." Reno felt an ice cold hand touch his forehead, then the spot on his neck just beneath his jawline.

I ain't dead, moron! Reno wanted to scream.

That's when Reno remembered.

Rufus Shinra, only son of the uberly rich and well known president of the Shinra Electric Power Company. Everyone knew the Shinra Electric Power Company. A company that once manufactured weapons has become an intimidating and popular multinational company. After discovering a way to use the planet's lifestream, dubbed Mako, as a source of electrical power, Shinra became rich, powerful, and desired in the world's of military and science. Or so the rumor's said, but Reno never paid much attention to what his mother's magazine's wrote. He heard more stories on the news only because his mother would force him and his siblings to sit and watch the news castor update the viewers on new projects in the company such as possible military weapons. Reno didn't know what war they were fighting against, but he understood that Shinra started placing Mako reactor's in two different spots around the globe and planned on several more. Reno had asked his mother if Shinra was creating a giant shield around the planet to which Zacari left unanswered.

Why would he, Rufus Shinra, be here in the middle of nowhere? And why would he help them, two kid's he's never met? And considering Rufus believes himself to be above everyone else, Reno was surprised that Rufus was even within a few feet from him and Amira. "Even with the cold rain, his forehead is very warm. I am going to assume that both of you have been out here for quiet some time, so I have no doubt that you have a fever as well. I have better get him and you to a hospital right away."

"Young sir! What are you doing out here in this terrible weather?!" Reno heard another unfamiliar voice shout, and the sound of feet pounding in the mud and puddles.

Not the face, not the face, not the face...

"Right on time. Lena! Over here!"

The feet stopped, splashing more water into Reno's face, water soared into his nose giving a painful sensation up to his head.

Ah, come on! Reno screamed in his thoughts.

"Young sir, what is the meaning of this? Who are these two?"

"Amira and her brother. They are sick and in need of help! We have to get them to the hospital now! Tell father to meet up with us there!"

There was a long, intense pause before Lena spoke.

"Your father will not condone this, you understand."

"I understand enough! Do as I say and help them!"

Jeez, this kid's bossy, Reno thought to himself.

Reno laid still as he felt an arm go behind his knees and another behind his shoulders, and lifting him up and against dry clothes. Then, he felt a thin cloth cover his face, blocking him from the sudden bursts of wind and rain. The wind breezed through the hole in the knee of his pants as he heard footsteps running as fast as they could. But they weren't coming towards him or away from him, if anything, he sounded like he was above the sound.

Either Rufus Shinra is a man of his word, or I'm dead, Reno thought again as his body began to soak in the warm sensation and gradually relaxed.

The next event felt like it was moving in slow motion. Reno's heart was still racing, his body hot and cold, his muscles screaming in agony. He felt himself being bounced around against a woman's chest, then placed into a dry seat. The cloth was removed from his face, the sound of rain seemed like it was cut in half so that only his right side could hear it.

Slam.

Am...I...

Reno discovered that his breathing became heavy and his head light.

Slam.

I...can't...


A dream?

Was I dreaming?

This time when his mind awoke, he could feel he was somewhere else. The ground was softer and silk, the rain was gone, his body was slightly warmer and much dryer, his headache was gone and his clothes weren't sticking to him. In fact, he felt a lot lighter and more alert than before. He slowly opened his eyes, cringing at the stinging sensation from the light above. Reno covered the light with his right hand, between the black spots in his vision, something had penetrated his skin and tapped to the top of his hand. He followed the white thick tube to a machine dripping a clear substance into the base of it. And the substance flowed through the tube and into his hand.

"The hell-" He was wearing a white hospital shirt with matching pants. Thin tubes were suction cupped to his chest and were attached to a lightly beeping machine with red and green lines that moved up and down like hill's. Reno yanked the suction cups off, then the tube out of his skin and gasped in pain. He held his hand close to his chest as blood trickled down his arm. A loud beep echoed in his ears. "Ow! The fuck-"

"Code Blue!" He heard a woman shout, not even a moment later, a red headed nursed in a white uniform appeared beside him. Reno gasped as she pushed him back against the bed. Her brown eyes were wide with frantic, her lean arms pinned him down on the bed.

"Get off! Stop it! Leave me alone!" He screamed as he kicked and squirmed under her grip.

More nurses and a doctor barged in, some pinned down his arms and legs. He did manage to squirm free several times. Panicked, he screamed for help, tried to bite, or scratch at the hands grabbing at him. Flashbacks of the day he received his face tattoos reared it's ugly head. He was in a dimly lit room, laying on an operation table underneath a spot light. Strong hands bounded him, another gagged him, deep voices talking amongst each other nonchalantly, as though pinning down an eight year old boy didn't bother any of them. Out of the corner of his eye, another guy held the dripping machine and prepared for the process of tainting Reno's skin.

No, no, no, no.

He felt a sharp pain in his arm, waking him from the nightmare. A doctor managed to penetrate his skin with a needle and Reno's body, slowly, began to calm down. His body became limp and still, laying against the bed, his breathing become steady and easy. As the doctor and nurse rearranged the tubes and stabbed his skin with more needles, placing the suction cups back onto his skin, Reno took the chance to glance around the room.

It wasn't like the doctor's office in the village, but larger, modern and more sanitary. Behind the machine was a large window blocked by vinyl blinds, the sun's ray's peeking through leaving dots on the linoleum. A TV screen sitting on top of an entertainment stand stared back at him. A bunch of magazines sat on top of the TV set and a white board was just above that, his name was written with a red marker, the name of his doctor and nurse were written with a blue marker.

The doctors and nurses left the room, leaving him alone. Reno laid back against the firm mattress, looking over the viens in his hands and the needle that had stabbed the largest one. He breathed slowly, glad to be breathing at a normal pace, but his mind wondered back to the darkness and cold storm.

It had all felt like a dream; the sheer ice cold drops on his body, the loud voices with no faces, fear of being, possibly, stuck in the mud for the rest of his days. He was whisked away in the arms of someone much stronger like a princess being carried away by her prince.

"I've read about this somewhere, one of my books," Reno whispered to himself when the doctor's and nurses left. "I think this is a kind of hospital you find in the bigger cities or something that's not the village. But that would mean I'm far away from home, from my house, from-" His chest grew tight, a machine beeped rapidly, his lungs gasping for breath. "Phew, relax, just think back to what happened before you panic and those bozo's barge back in."

Afraid to move his left arm, Reno only brought his knees up to his chest and his right arm wrapped around them. He shut his eyes and focused.

That's when the memories returned.

The burning house, the heat of the fire, the stink of the smoke, his missing father and brother, his mother's nearly ashen body, her bloody screams echoing in the sinful flames...

Reno's throat tightened, his teeth clenched, his hands clutched into fists and he slammed his head into his knees several times as thought trying to wake himself from a deep slumber. The realization of everything that happened, the reality, finally settling in like large rocks in his gut, knifes stabbing at his heart.

She's gone.

It's all gone.

Everything is gone.

No, I still have my father and Jerran. But, where are they? Reno asked himself. Where could they have gone? Did they go back to the house after Amira and I left?

Amira.

Reno's eyes shot open and he raised his head, searching for Amira. He felt relieved seeing her sleeping in one of the green cushioned chair's along the wall. She was dressed in a white dress, a tan blanket covered her small body, her head rested on a small pillow, her long strawberry blond hair was braided with pink barrette's, her skin as pale as his.

"At least she's safe." Reno said to himself, trying to find comfort, a light of hope in this desolate situation. Every time he found it, it would evaporate into a cold abyss. The pain returned, tear's blinded his vision. So many thoughts ran through his head; where would they live, who would take care of them, would they be reunited with Jerran, can he find whoever killed his mother?

Never had he felt so lost and uncertain in his life.

"I have to find 'em." Reno whispered, staring at the white board. In the corner, he read the name of the hospital and the city they were in.


Rufus Shinra stood next to his father, who was not pleased to receive a call that his son saved two dirty kids from the rain. But Rufus didn't have it in his heart to let them die out there and his father knew that, but he had hoped that the kindness in the boy's heart would vanish.

You must be strong if you wish to take over my company, boy, he always reminded Rufus.

Lena was released for the day much to her dismay. He was furious for her role in this, and if she wasn't the only nanny who could handle his son, he would have fired her for disobedience.

He is to focus on his studies, not others, he told her when she allowed a five year old Rufus to play with other kids at a local park.

"Mr. President," The Doctor greeted formally, walking out of his office. His skin was so thin that Rufus could see him gulp, he ran his boney hand through his thinning white hair. Rufus could tell he was nervous just to be in their presence; he continued to fidget with his hair, adjusting the collar on his bright red polo and pushing his thick black glasses over the bridge of his nose. "I have finished examining the two children. The children the young sire found are indeed sick, the boy has a severe case of pneumonia and the girl is on the edge of pneumonia. Thankfully, her case is not as bad, she just needs rest and a bit of soup."

"Is there anything you can do? For the boy, I mean." A loud inhale could be heard down the hall. Rufus asked, biting down on his lower lip, his spine growing cold. He took a step behind his father and lowered his head, his blond bangs dangled back and forth. The Doctor's light green eyes hopped between the father and son, uncertain of who to answer to. Although the President and his son were passing by on their way to a company meeting at one of their newly built reactors, just the mere sight of them made everyone in the room frantic and terrified to even breath in their direction.

"Well, are you not going to answer the boy, doctor?" President Shinra asked, impatiently. "Obvious, modern medicine ought to be able to cure them of this disease."

Rufus bit his lower lip, fighting the urge to explain to his father that the two children had an illness, not a disease.

"W-w-we can c-c-continue to give them the usual medicine we provide at this hospital, but I don't want to risk over dosing the boy." The Doctor stuttered, his trembling hands struggling to hold the clipboard. "It could cause major damage to his body and with the boys severe case of panic attacks-"

"Wait, the boy has panic attacks?" The President tilted his head, curiously. His small, pin point eyes staring at the doctor blankly.

"Yes, he had one just moments ago. I was told by his younger sister that he has had these attacks for years." The Doctor gulped again, sweat forming around his thin hair line. "I-it must've happened after a tragic incident when he was very young, I mean younger, I'd say about the girl's age."

I don't have time for such trivial problems, President Shinra grumbled in his thoughts. But, perhaps, I could get something out of this if I play my cards right.

"Where are their parents? Surely, good parents would not allow their children to be stuck in such horrible weather."

As the Doctor fumbled through his notes, President Shinra imagined the absent parents barging into the hall, desperately searching for their children. At that moment, he would command the doctor to have the 'unfit' parents removed and forbidden from seeing their children. Then, he would approach them with a deal; money for their children.

Why not? He thought. After all, it was my son who found them cold and sick, if they love their children, they will do whatever it takes to get them back.

The Doctor cleared his throat, finding his answer towards the back of his notes, trying to find the right words to explain the situation without getting the cold stare. "Sir, I am afraid their mother died in a tragic fire. Their father and older brother have not been found. At least, that is what the young girl, Amira, told me. Her brother, Reno, ran away with her and he kept running until he collapsed behind your house, sir."

"So they are orphans?" He asked slowly, disbelief heavy on his thick, round face.

"I'm afraid so, sir."

Rufus looked up at his father who was looking down at him with a questionable glance. Rufus braved a hopeful smile. To him, it would be nice to have some company in their home. Their actual home, not one of the travel houses they tend to visit frequently, was so big that it was real easy for Rufus to feel alone. For years he begged his father to adopt another child, but his father would never agree.

No, he wanted to say. With the company just starting another set of new projects, not to mention finishing up old ones, and having to pay his mistress for their secret love child, the last thing he needed was to have two more mouth's to feed.

That's when another idea came to him. He would gain the people's trust, his customer's trust with the newest additions to the Shinra family. Adopting a teenage boy around his son's age and his younger sister would put him in the hearts of people, getting into their good graces, gaining their business while the competition suffered and suspicion subsided.

And the more he pondered on the idea, the more he liked it.

"Rufus." He said in a firm tone to his 15 year old son. His blue eyes wide, his small smile melted, his blond bangs carpeted over his forehead. "If this is what you wish, you will need to understand a few matters. Firstly, if these children are to live with us, I will treat them like how I treat you." Rufus held his breath as his father continued to explain. "Second of all, they are orphan's and will be reminded of that if they step out of line or feel privileged in any way. Third and last, they will follow my plans, not their own, and they will understand how the world works just as how I will teach you. If you wish to put these children through all these regulations, then by all means, I will accept them. If not, then come what may to both of them."

Rufus didn't need to think of an answer, he knew what he wanted and knew this was his chance to get it.

"Father, I will ensure these two will live up to your expectations. I will make sure of that myself." Rufus said as calmly as he could. For as long as he could remember, he was taught to be better than the rest, make the competition cry and be proud of himself. Despite all his success, the loneliness of being an only child was taking a toll on him. He hardened his gaze and took a step forward. "They will not distract me. I swear on your grave, I will rule the company with an iron fist. I will prove to you that I can do this, and maybe even better, with these two at my side."

His father remained silent and emotionless, turning away from Rufus to face the doctor again. "Such loneliness. It can be a downfall to one's own character, a sign of weakness."

For a few minutes, no one said anything but their minds were buzzing in circles. One was in hopeful thoughts, one was trying to make the situation less awkward and the one was trying to think of a compromise.

Finally, someone spoke.

"S-sir," The Doctor said, clearing his throat. "If I may, i-if it helps, t-these two children have no other family members. If no one takes them by tomorrow night, I will have no choice but to put them in the Care System. A-and I would rather not-"

"If I needed your opinion, doctor, I would have asked." President Shinra spoke, and the Doctor bit his lower lip and held his breath, hoping he would still have a job come the morning.

"Then, Doctor, what are our options?" Rufus asked, his heart racing, praying that the answer was convincing enough to his father to allow him to adopt Reno and Amira.

"I am not sure, young sir." The Doctor replied. "I have heard many adoption stories and foster care stories these last several years. But, um, I must explain that there is a high chance that they may not be kept together. They may end up being separated or both could be put into an abusive home. No one knows for sure."

Rufus looked up at his father again who had a blank stare. Rufus hated it when he did that, anything could happen if his father had a blank stare. He remembered the last time his father had a blank stare, he was slapped down to the ground.

Please, father, please, Rufus begged.

"Then again, these children could be useful to me. Alright, I will take both children under my care."

Rufus fought the strong urge to smile. Without saying another word, he ran passed the doctor to the room where both Reno and Amira were sleeping. He saw Amira was snoozing on the arm chair. Then he looked at the bed.

"Where did Reno go?"