Authors Notes - This chapter I would like to give a special thank you to Den of Woe for sticking by me and always reviewing this story. I always get excited to see what you think of what I write, be it good or bad. (But it's all been compliments so far. XD)

Den of Woe -I am so glad you liked last chapter. To be honest, it was a struggle to write. I really did have only serious intentions for it. Then it came out cute and fluffy and I just kind of looked at it like, 'Aw, ok you can stay.' and I posted it that day.

Chapter 10 is more on the serious side though. I'm not sure when this would occur exactly, but I imagine it would be sometime when Reno is in his early 20's. I was focusing more on a Final Fantasy VII serious and sarcastic Reno this time rather than an Advent Children-esque Reno. Lemme know what you guys think of the chapter. Do you think this would happen to Reno? Does the age I peg him at for this event seem right? Lemme know in the reviews and enjoy!

Chapter 10 - Masquerade

There was one thing about gangs that never ceased to surprise me. It's difficult for me to put my finger on really. It's something about the way they hold themselves, how they walk with a certain type of swagger that normal people don't have. For some their walk says don't fuck with me. For others it says calm and collected sociopath. Regardless of who you were, if you had a gang affiliation, you had that sway to your step.

I never really knew what my walk said about me. I wasn't even certain when I had broken mine in, molding it to be a part of me as much as my red hair was.

The other thing gangs had was a certain look. A permanent expression plastered to their face no matter what situation they got into. Some looked as menacing as possible while others seemed calm and calculating. No matter what, it always complemented the way they walked.

I wonder when it was that I was able to see the sight of death with a cocky grin on my face. When did I first smirk down at someone I was forced to kill when all I wanted to do was scream inside? How long have I been able to look at all the cruel and unspeakable things I have done with a look of nonchalance?

I knew why we all kept up this facade; it was the only thing we had to protect ourselves with. This mask that we hid underneath was all we had to not only keep us alive, but maintain who we were before our lives grew chaotic. There was only one problem from keeping up this intricate act. One day, you would become the person you pretended to be.

I forgot where I had learned that from. When I first heard it, I thought it was a load of shit. I'd always been confident in who I was. I would never lose sight of who I was or of my true feelings.

But one day, I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize who was looking back at me. That's when I knew it was true. I had become what was supposed to be the shield between myself and the horrors I had committed.

I hated him.

End Notes - As always please be sure to review!