I do not own any of the characters from any of the FFVII games, movie, etc. Though I do love them all. =3=
Chapter 14. The Winner and Back to the Past.
Reno surfaced slowly from sleep, his mind muddled. Not opening his eyes, he cataloged everything around him. He was in a bed, he could feel Kadaj curled up behind him, arms holding him close. That was normal. What wasn't normal was the ache in his lower back and ass.
He felt bruised and wasn't sure if he'd be able to sit up, let alone stand and walk. His shoulder hurt, but that was just from the cut on his shoulder. From the lack of light, he guessed it was around midnight or just after since no moon light shone through the opened windows.
Wait, opened? They should have been closed as night drew on by the servants. Straining as hard as he could, he listened for anything out of place. The rustle of wind through papers, his and Kadaj's light even breathing. There, the rustle of clothe.
Opening his eyes slowly, he looked around without moving his head. He could make out the silhouette someone slowly creeping forward towards the bed. Pretending sleep, he turned over, mumbling nonsense.
He knew Kadaj was awake without even needing to open his eyes to see the sliver of luminescent green. "One, coming from the window." He whispered into his ear softly enough that and inch further and he would not have heard.
Just the slightest tightening of his arms confirmed his answer. They lay there listening as the steps drew nearer. Kadaj shifted minutely against him, and than cool metal met his fingertips.
Clutching the blade, he waited, relaxed and feigning sleep. He felt the slight shift as the bed dipped under someone else's weight. They crept closer until he felt the assassin's own body heat above them. He didn't even wait for them to draw a weapon.
Turning over, he struck out, the blade swung to where he guessed his neck to be. He was rewarded when the sharpened metal sank into flesh, a strangled cry dragged from the man's windpipe. He could feel warm blood hitting his bare chest, meaning he'd struck an artery.
Pulling the blade out, he shoved the man off of the bed. Getting up, he followed the fallen attacker, making sure he was truly dead. No pulse met his fingers or breath brushed his palm when he checked.
He looked up and saw Kadaj strolling towards the door. Opening it, he called out to the guards positioned throughout the halls and soon, two of them were in the room.
"Take this body away and inform my esteemed brother of the attack. Also send a couple of servant to clean this up." The guards nodded and carried the body out.
He walked back over to Reno, who had moved off to the side to slow his pounding heart. "Well done, pet." He said softly, taking in his appearance. Hair a mess from activities earlier and from sleep, body covered in blood spatter, he looked wild. "Well done." He leaned down and kissed him briefly.
A few minutes later, a couple of servants ran in and quickly cleaned up the mess and changed the linens on the bed. Kadaj took a damp cloth and cleaned off blood from himself and Reno, the red head leaning into his touch.
Eventually, they went back to bed, the shutters closed up and locked. Laying back down, he pulled him back into their previous position. It didn't take them long until they were both asleep.
"I am pleased to hear of your survival of another attack, brother." The Pharaoh said aloud as the four brothers and their bodyguards gathered in the throne room once more.
"I have an excellent bodyguard." He said, smirking at his brother.
"I do not doubt it. Come, we are here to see whom has won our little contest." He motioned for one of his clergy to step forward. The man bowed and stepped forward. "Come, tell us who won."
Bowing once more, he looked down at the ledger in his hand. "We have scored the bodyguards on each test. From last to first the winners are: Loz, Yazoo,…th-the Pharaoh, and Kadaj as the winner." He stammered over the mentioning that the Pharaoh had come in second.
The Pharaoh was staring into space for a moment as he thought this over and the clergy shifted from foot to foot in nervousness. "Well, it appears I was out done this year. Your red head can certainly hold his own. I look forward to seeing him in action again next year." He paused for a moment, eyeing Reno. "Well, brothers, I believe our time together has come to a close. Until next year." They bowed to the Pharaoh and soon left.
It didn't take long for Kadaj and Reno to have all their things packed and for the litters to be called for them. By the time noon had come, they were well on their way.
The streets were busy and bursting with life, which in turn made their progress slower than normal, even with people moving out of the way for fear of Kadaj's wrath.
He walked along beside Kadaj's litter, keeping an eye out for any sign of attack. As they came through the market place, the crowds grew and he braced himself for the onslaught of the crowd
They were caught in a stand still. Someone's cart had been over turned and they could not pass until it was moved. Thinking it deliberate, he kept his eyes peeled, ready for any danger.
He could see Reno doing the same thing, body tense and braced for anything. Smiling knowingly, he let his eyes wonder the crowds. Many had gathered to see the Almighty's brother.
"Reno." A feminine cry called out, drawing his eye. Glancing over, he saw a woman forcing her way through the crowd towards them. Her hair was red, though not as bright as his bodyguard's.
He turned to look at the man. Reno's shoulders were tense, face a mask of nothingness as he watched the woman come towards them. Breaking free of the last of the crowd, she threw herself at the red head, knocking him back a step or two.
He tapped the litter. "Let me down." He ordered, keeping his eye on his taken aback bodyguard. The litter lowered and slowly, he stepped out. As his foot touched soil, the noise in the market stopped as people looked to stare. Almost as one, they bowed to him.
The woman took no notice, babbling nonsense as tears ran down her face as she clutched the red head. He looked like he didn't know what to do. As he stepped forwards, he could make out her frenzied words. "–my boy, my sweet boy. I'm so sorry. Oh, god I'm so sorry."
"Who the hell are you and what is it you want with my bodyguard?" Kadaj demanded, putting as much power and arrogant drawl into his voice as possible.
The woman finally seemed to realize she wasn't alone. She pulled back from Reno, though didn't let him go, and look at Kadaj. She gulped and took another step back, letting go of Reno.
Squaring her shoulders she said loudly. "I am his mother."
He looked to Reno. "Do you know her?" he asked. The red head was staring at the woman intently. Finally, he shook his head. "It appears he doesn't not call you mother. So if you will be so kind as to go, we will be going."
"But…Reno…" She turned to look at her so called son.
"Morgan." Someone called out. The woman looked, as well as Kadaj and Reno. A larger man stood there, heavily muscled with bright red hair like Reno's. "It won't change anything, Morgan. Let him go." He told her. She glanced back at the bodyguard, eyes filling, but she took a step back.
"I am sorry to have cause a scene. Please forgive me." She backed away with a bow, going to what appeared to be her husband.
Dismissing them, he called out. "Reno, come." Stepping back into the litter, it was lifted. The cart had been moved completely out of the way and they headed off, Reno glancing back only once before turning to follow the litter.
Later that evening found them in Kadaj's rooms. He had let Reno brood the rest of the afternoon, seeing that his slave was conflicted…but now, he confronted him.
"Where those people your family?" Kadaj demanded. Reno glanced up at him from where he had been forced onto the edge of the bed. He nodded slightly. "Than why did you lie?" He asked.
"I…I don't know. That man, my father, he was right. It wouldn't change anything, even if I acknowledged them." He seemed to be loosing control of himself, hot tears welling up in the corner of his eyes, but he didn't shed them.
"Reno…who sold you into slavery?" Kadaj asked, cupping his bodyguard's jaw and forcing him to look up.
"My parents." He said bluntly. That seemed to tip him over the edge, tears spilling, but he made no sound. Sitting down beside him, he pulled the broken slave towards him, letting him clutch desperately at Kadaj as he rode out the emotions set free.
Eventually, he stopped shaking. "Reno, look at me." The slave pulled back, red eyes looking at his master. "You are mine. I will never sell you, no matter what happens, do you understand? You are mine." Reno nodded, seeing the comfort Kadaj was trying to give him in his own twisted way.
Seeing the understanding, he pulled the red head towards him, kissing him lightly on the lips. "You are mine, mind, body and soul, and I will never let you forget that." He said softly as he pulled back.
"Show me." Reno said softly, staring straight into Kadaj's eyes with out flinching.
"No need to ask twice." He pulled him back into the kiss. He spent the rest of the night showing the broken slave that he was wanted, at least by Kadaj. They ignored the desert wind howling at the closed shutters, letting the seemingly endless desert night close in around them.
AWW. So cute…in their own way. So this is the end. I hope you enjoyed it. Look for the rest of my stories out there and my future once. I've one more FFVII fic that I'm working on at the moment, but I don't know if I'll make any more. We'll just have to see. Thank you for all the lovely reviews/favorites/alerts from all my lovely readers. [Gives hugs to all.]
Until Next Time
~Reiya
Reno: [Sniff] I guess you're alright, Kadaj…Kadaj?
Kadaj: [pounces] you're MINE, all mine!
Reno: Help me! [holds out hand in plea.]
Me: Sorry, can't. You're stuck with him. [Smiles and waves to all readers.]