I Want To Be A Turk!
Chapter 51 – Reconciliation
In the lower parts of the Corel Reactor, a Turk named Haato and AVALANCHE's second-in-command, Shears, were weaving in and out of the complicated metal corridors. Haato was on his way out of the Reactor, after Reno, Rude, Tseng and Rufus left, when he met Kido. Just as they were going to reach the entrance, Shears fell from the top, bringing Haato with him. Apparently Haato broke his fall thanks to Shears. Now Shears was injured and truthfully, Haato would've just left him there to die, if not for the fact that Shears possessed the blueprints of the Reactor (provided by Rufus Shinra).
Just till we get out of this hellhole, Haato thought. That we'll work together. A truce, I guess?
At the intersection, they found themselves surrounded by Ravens. Haato unsheathed his katana and placed the blade at Shears' throat. "Stay back!" Haato warned. "If you come any closer, I'll kill Shears." To his surprise, the Ravens inched closer.
Shears only responded with a cruel laugh. "It's no use."
"What's going on?" Haato demanded.
Shears smirked. "They're trying to kill me too."
Haato released Shears, shocked. "So you were… betrayed by AVALANCHE?"
"That's right. Fuhito shoved me down here."
So that's why he fell. Haato realised, but there wasn't much time to think further, the Ravens were slowly closing in. Then I guess the only thing to do is team up with him and take down the Raven.
Now that Haato turned his katana away from Shears and at the Raven, Shears snorted. "It's not like I'm teaming up with you or anything." Haato narrowed his eyes and glared at Shears. "But now's not the time to be saying stuff like that." Shears muttered. He rolled up his sleeves. "Let's go."
Together, they quickly disposed the Ravens and to their surprise, they grinned at each other. Wasn't too bad. Haato thought. His sharp eye caught a shiny object falling onto the ground as the Raven delivered a dying attack on Shears. He's dropped something. What is it? Haato squinted and realised that it was a shiny Materia. A materia?
"This is an unusual materia." Haato commented casually. "There's a crystal, shaped like a pyramid, inside it."
Shears hastily picked it up. "That's the materia I found." He said, glaring at Haato. "It's none of your business." Haato shrugged and they ran down the corridor again, to meet more Ravens. "Here they come." He grunted.
It was like this for some time. They would run a bit and encounter Ravens at almost every intersection. It wasn't too much of a problem for Haato, since he was virtually uninjured, but for Shears, he seemed to be weaker than what Rod and Meia made him out to be.
During one of the fights, Haato voiced his irritation at the frequent encounters. "The Vice President has betrayed us, Shears and the Ravens have been tossed down here like pawns… what the hell is Elfé thinking?"
"Elfé's being used by Fuhito." Shot back Shears. They conversed no more, focusing instead on defeating the Ravens.
In the following fight, their conversation somehow continued. "So Fuhito's behind all of this?"
Shears stretched his neck in preparation. "His real goal is to destroy life. To return every living thing to the Planet so that it can live but a little longer." Haato nodded and they fought.
Thereafter, in every fight, Haato's curiosity gets the better of him and he'll ask Shears again. "That's just sick. Is that even possible?" He asked, making reference of Fuhito's plans.
"Seems like." Shears shrugged. "If he uses Elfé's materia, that is."
"Elfé's materia?"
"Yeah. There's a materia embedded into the back of her hand." Shears gave him a 'can-we-fight-now?' look and Haato responded by attacking first.
Finally, as the empty corridor loomed ahead, Haato sighed. "It looks like things have quieted down for now." Haato noticed Shears breathing heavily. "Are you all right?" He asked, reaching into his pocket for a potion but Shears lifted a hand up to stop him.
"Hmph. Nothing you need to worry about." Replied Shears arrogantly.
"So tell me." Haato pressed on. "What's this about a materia in the back of Elfé's hand?"
Shears turned back to Haato and replied, "That's the materia I dropped back there. There was one just like it in Elfé's hand."
Haato frowned. "Now that you mention it, there was this glow coming from her hand. And Meia did say that none of her attacks would work on her."
"The little girl Turk?" Shears asked. Haato nodded. "Seriously, what were you all thinking, getting a child to join the Turks?" He grunted when he saw that Haato wasn't going to reply him. "About Elfe's Materia making Elfe invincible? I don't know about that, but Fuhito's planning to use that materia to destroy all life on the Planet."
"But nothing's happened yet." Haato frowned.
"It seems like he can't carry out his plan yet. He's looking for a way to do it."
"We can't let it happen." Haato said firmly.
"No shit." Shears grinned. "Something bad might happen to Elfé if Fuhito succeeds."
Haato remembered how weak she looked when he saw her at the top. "She collapsed back there, didn't she?"
"She's been sluggish up to now. That lethargy isn't normal." Shears paused for a moment. "Fuhito's changed, too."
"Yes." Haato pointed out. "He betrayed you." He deadpanned.
Shears looked at the katana-Turk, ready to argue, but he knew better. "Yeah." He agreed. He started walking towards the next corridor, but stopped suddenly. "The only thing I want to do now is protect Elfé from Fuhito."
Haato smiled to himself. Somehow no matter how he saw it, he felt that Shears saw Elfe more than just a leader. I want to protect Leia from AVALANCHE too. He thought. He reached a hand towards Shears. "And to do that we need to get out of here, and fast. Here, take my shoulder." Shears looked at him suspiciously. "I want to save Elfé, too. She's Veld's daughter. Besides, things could get ugly if we just leave Fuhito to his own devices." Still, Shears looked reluctant, but eventually he held onto Haato's shoulder. "I've heard of something before," Haato commented coolly. "About materia you can link together to achieve some effect."
It was breaking news in the Science Department, when a professor by the name of Timothy who discovered that with proper weapons (those that have linked Materia slots), one can cast multi-Materia spells. One of his demonstrations was using a linked Fire Materia with his newly researched 'All' Materia to create fire spells that damage many monsters at the same time. He remembered because Meia excitedly pulled him to accompany her to the demonstration.
Shears broke Haato's train of thought. "Then this might come in handy some day." He grinned, tossing the Materia up and down in his hand.
"Yeah." Haato murmured. "Now let's go."
Haato hated to admit this, but he and Shears made a good team. Perhaps if this guy had been a Turk… Haato thought. But these are all wistful thinkings.
Their last battle had taken a toll on Shears. Leaning heavily on Haato now, they struggled along the metal corridors. Haato's feet trembled with each tremor, but his face did not frown the slightest bit.
Shears looked around him. "The passages have crumbled too. There's no time left. The exit's just over there." He started to push himself away from Haato. "Forget about me."
"We're almost there." Haato insisted. "We're going to make it." Strange. Haato realised. I wouldn't have thought yesterday that I would rely on my enemy to survive.
"No we're not." Shears growled. "If you stay with me, we're both going to lose the chance to get out of here."
Haato grabbed Shears by his collar. "You're going to save Elfé, aren't you?"
"Look at me." Shears argued back. "The odds that I'll be able to get out of here are slim. Stop Fuhito." Shears grabbed Haato's blazer as well. "Save Elfé." He asked sincerely.
Haato looked at Shears, his exhausted, fatigue-overwhelmed body. Still, Haato gritted his teeth. "No."
"What?"
"There is no mission that's impossible for the Turks!" Haato roared. He shoved Shears onto his feet. "Run with everything you've got!" With that, he pulled Shears in the direction of the exit. As if the pulling implanted strength into AVALANCHE's field commander, Shears found enough strength… and they ran.
They panted and sprinted along the metal bridge, expertly avoiding falling metal debris. Around them was the deep, dark abyss, there were points where Haato had to give Shears a heads-up. Behind them, the floor was falling apart and now tearing towards them. To see the corridor disappearing and it racing up towards you was enough for both men to run again, because their lives depended on it.
"You'll be all right!" Haato yelled to Shears as they reached a corner. "The exit's just there." They started running again until Haato looked up and before Shears could react, the Turk pushed him away. Shears fell onto the floor, but turned back to see Haato being hit by a large metal piece.
"A direct hit? Oi, you okay?" Shears reached out a hand.
Haato groaned in agony. Must… persevere… He commanded his body to move. For some reason, they felt heavy, like lead. I need to leave this place… With Shears… To save Elfe… To see Leia again… Haato roared and pushed himself onto his feet. "I'm fine…" He replied weakly. "Let's hurry."
They began running again. Haato's heart lifted when he saw the light at the end on the bridge. The exit! Suddenly, the floor shook and part of the floor separating them from the exit disappeared. "The floor?" Haato swore loudly.
"So this is it." Shears fell back and sighed. "And we're so close to the door!" He gritted his teeth. There is no time. Shears thought. With the remaining strength he could muster, he thought to himself. Gaia, give me strength. He shouted. "Haato! Don't give up!" Before Haato could respond, Shears grabbed the Turk and threw him across the gap. Haato flew across the gap silently, Shears could've sworn that Haato would even react, but the Turk was flung over easily. Haato landed out of the exit… Shears could no longer see the Turk. "Take care of Elfé…" He murmured. The floor began to fall apart, and Shears jumped back to avoid falling off. "I'll do anything to save her." He smirked as he thought of the brief but meaningful time spent with Haato the Turk. He hate to admit it, but they make a good team. "Maybe I should have been a Turk…"
Then, the field leader and second-in-command of AVALANCHE stopped escaping and fell, allowing the darkness to envelop him.
Reno jumped when he saw a body being flung out of the Mako Reactor. What the hell? He thought but he stared when he saw that it was Haato.
"Oi! Haato!" Reno nudged the Turk's body with his foot. "Sure took a damn long time- Oi, you…?"
He turned to Rude, who was running towards them. "He doesn't look right." Rude observed.
Reno bent down and checked Haato's pulse. "He's unconscious." He declared. "I'm going to get the chopper ready. We're going back to Midgar."
Outside President Shinra's office, Tseng drew the deepest breath that he'd taken in a long time. It wasn't often that Tseng felt apprehensive about meeting a superior, Tseng possessed enough calmness and wisdom to remain tactful in the presence of highly-ranked executives. However, the situation was different this time. Tseng had to report to President Shinra. Previously, he only needed to account to Veld. But now that Veld… Tseng shook the thought out of his head. He cannot let the President know that Veld's escape was supported by his subordinates. I can't let the other Turks fall with me. Tseng furrowed his brow.
With a firm hand, Tseng knocked on the door. When he heard someone grunt inside, he opened the door and walked in. The President's Office was decorated in a sleek and modern manner, something that appealed to Tseng's tastes better. President Shinra stood by his full-length window, watching the city he shaped bustle below. He only inclined his head the slightest, but that was the cue for Tseng to speak.
"Sir. I've just returned from Corel."
President Shinra released a huff. "You've done well with Rufus. How is he?"
Tseng thought about the President's son, who betrayed the company by being in cahoots with the enemy of his company, AVALANCHE. "We're holding him in the hidden room in the Turks' offices." With Mason standing watch. He added silently to himself. The exact location of the Turks' offices was an enigma to the company themselves, so keeping Rufus there was the perfect idea.
"Have you taken care of all the equipment in that room?" Was the odd question that the President asked, but Tseng knew exactly what he meant.
He nodded. "There's nothing to worry about, sir. We've remodeled the room especially for the Vice President."
"Good." President Shinra paused and watched the city out of the window. Tseng wisely kept quiet, for he knew that even the President needed some time to digest the fact that his son betrayed him. President Shinra spoke again, this time not making eye contact with Tseng. "The only people who know about Rufus's connections with AVALANCHE and his current confinement are myself and the Turks. Not even the executives shall know about this."
"Yes, sir."
"He's impetuous, that boy." Shinra murmured. "He was going to inherit my place someday anyway…" Again, Tseng kept quiet, doubting that the words the President said were meant for his ears. Finally, Shinra grunted for Tseng's attention, which wasn't necessary in the first place. "Keep a round the clock watch on him. Make sure he doesn't pull any more stupid stunts." President Shinra instructed seriously.
"Yes, sir." Tseng inclined his head in acknowledgement.
"Do you have anything else to report?"
"A casualty." Tseng answered, thinking of the almost-lifeless body in the infirmary. "Haato's gone unconscious. He won't wake up." Tseng furrowed his brow when the President made no reply. "It looks as if he's taken a powerful blow. When he fell into the depths of the reactor, he was exposed long term to trace amounts of Mako." Tseng reported. "… What will happen to him as a result of his accident depends on his hardiness. At any rate, we can't guess what will happen."
President Shinra nodded. "Link up with the Turks secondary division."
"?" Tseng frowned. "The secondary division?" He had never heard anything of the sort. He'll need to check with Meia. Perhaps she has read it somewhere in the Turk records.
"There are no other options." President Shinra insisted. "Unless you can find other replacements, they'll have to fill in the gap."
Tseng nodded and hoped that the President would not ask more questions regarding this issue that he's uncertain about. Tseng hated to feel unprepared. "Yes, sir."
"Is there anything else?" President Shinra asked. This time, Tseng picked up the tone in his voice. A dangerous, I-know-you-have-something-to-hide tone. Tseng fell silent and shook his head. When Shinra saw that the Wutaian did not reply, he took the initiative instead. "I've had a report from Rufus." The president said slowly, watching Tseng's face as he spoke. "Veld has disappeared."
When Tseng spoke, he was surprised at how nervous he sounded. "Y-Yes he has…" He stammered. He was also surprised to hear himself inwardly wish that President Shinra did not continue asking for details.
Luckily, the president didn't. Shinra merely walked towards Tseng from the window that he was standing by. He peered at Tseng closely, allowing Tseng to see how blotchy his skin looked… and Tseng dared not look further for fear of being rude. "From now on, you will be in charge of the Turks." President Shinra declared as if he was in a room of executives. Tseng, on the other hand, did not look excited at all by the news. He knew the consequences of taking up such a responsibility. "Don't forget: The Turks are entrusted with this company's top classified information." He turned to Tseng and added, "The only kind of retirement a Turk is entitled to comes with a body bag."
Tseng steeled his gaze at the President and did not reply. President Shinra pulled a small smile. "Therefore I am giving the Turks new orders. Find Veld! And when you do…" The blond man stared at Tseng. "Kill him!" He said aggressively.
"Yes, sir."
"He knows holds too much of the company's sensitive data in his head."
"Yes, sir."
"Those are your new orders." President Shinra walked back to his desk and picked up his wine glass. "Don't disappoint me." He ended, peering at Tseng over the rim of his round-bottomed glass.
Tseng calmly bowed and walked out, but his calm exterior lasted less than a minute. In the elevator, Tseng slumped against the elevator glass, pondering on the severity of the President's orders. Kill Veld… He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
What should I do?
Meia was not scheduled to return to Midgar for another week but when she heard about Haato, she left Icicle Inn early and returned without any Shinra's transportation. There was a traveller who happened to be staying in Icicle Inn a few weeks' ago. She managed to contact him immediately after the news of Haato and (almost too good to be) lucky for her, he was leaving Bone Village the following day, Midgar-bound. In order to reach Bone Village by dawn, Meia needed to leave at night. Randy and Heidi offered to send her to Bone Village via Randy's father's car.
Saying her last and reluctant goodbyes, she boarded the airship and endured 2 hours of flight, worried sick about her dear comrade.
Meia ran through the gates of Sector 8 (Upper Plate), not caring to stop and admire the vibrant city life droning around her. As the Shinra building loomed into view, Meia's mind stopped worrying and marveled how long it has been since she has returned, this time for good.
She strode into the main lobby, giving a short wave to Melissa, the Shinra stafff who offered free potions to SOLDIER. The greetings can wait till tomorrow. As the elevator began its ascent, Meia recalled the message that Tseng sent her the day before.
"AVALANCHE has occupied Corel Reactor. Rufus Shinra was their financial support. Haato lies in coma, in the infirmary. Whereabouts of AVALANCHE unknown."
Who WOULDN'T return upon seeing such a message? Meia frowned, twirling her pigtails as she pondered. Brother Tseng seriously lack detail in this message. Why is AVALANCHE still alive, weren't they destroyed in Wutai? Better yet, has AVALANCHE been completely subdued now? What did the doctor say about Brother Haato?
When the elevator doors opened at Floor 10, Meia ran out and straight into Tseng. Tseng steadied her before she loses her balance. "Easy, Meia." Tseng frowned. "You always seem to literally run into me."
Despite the worry in her heart, Meia couldn't help but smile at a familiar face. "Brother Tseng! Did you just reach Floor 10?" She greeted in a tone as cheerful as she can muster, but she blinked when she saw Tseng's expression. "… Are you alright?"
Tseng was impressed at how, when Haato's condition was the more severe of the current situation, that Meia noticed his own dilemma. But no, he would not tell her about his conversation between the President and himself. Not yet. "I'm fine." He replied calmly.
"Where's Brother Haato?" Meia asked concernedly. "Am I able to see him?"
Tseng shook his head. "Haato has slipped into unconsciousness. The high levels of Mako were too much for him." He nodded. "You could still see him if you want to. In fact, everyone is inside the infirmary." They looked at the door a short distance ahead.
He turned towards the door but Meia stopped him. "You've been withholding information from me." She said seriously. "Tell me what else happened."
Tseng sighed through his nose (A/N: That sounds really weird…), seeing that the sharp girl will be persistent till she got what she wanted. So he explained to her about the events in Corel, Rufus' treason, the revelation that Elfe was Veld's survived daughter and that Veld has left the Turks to pursue his long-lost daughter.
Meia was silent when Tseng finished. Finally, the connection was made and Meia realised why she thought Elfe felt familiar. The hard look that the AVALANCHE leader had was the same steel determination that she saw in her respected Veld. At last, satisfied with what she's heard, Meia thanked Tseng. "I just thought that it wouldn't be appropriate if I brought these non-relevant issues in the infirmary."
"Meia?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know anything about the Turks secondary division?"
For a moment, Meia frowned… then her face brightened with recognition. "Yeah, I read that!" She said, laughing when she saw Tseng's confused face. "Don't worry, Brother Tseng, it's really nothing. You see, the Turks have a secondary division where they will be activated if the primary one is not available. Brother Veld honestly didn't follow that protocol because we are all running around like busy bees!" Meia beamed. "Still, he has to allocate us into different divisions – Putting all that in pen and paper."
Tseng smiled slightly. Trust Meia to read up on trivial things like this. "Who are in the secondary division?"
"That's easy!" Meia nodded. "Cissnei, Mason, Jasper, Haato, Kido, Leia and myself." She recited perfectly. "Brother Veld arranges the division every year and allocates assignments to us accordingly. That's why some Turks are given more tasks to do than others."
"How do you know about all this?" Tseng stared at Meia, to which she flushed.
"I asked Brother Veld." She answered truthfully. Brother Veld was the only person she confided to that she had read the entire Turks Archives. Not even KK and Leia know that Meia has remembered every detail about the Turks since its first formation. "He gave-"
"It's okay." Blurted Tseng before Meia could say more. "You asked Veld for permission. That's all I need to know." Tseng couldn't explain why he did that either. Something told him that whatever Meia was going to say will put her at a disadvantage in the future and before he could reason, his instinct made him protect her from saying more.
You are too soft to be a leader, Tseng. His inner voice chided. You won't have the same iron grip that Veld had. Ignoring the voice in his head, Tseng pushed the infirmary door and the both of them walked in.
The infirmary decorum was like how Meia had remembered one year ago, when she sprained her ankle and Jasper insisted that she goes to the infirmary to rest. This time, some things are different. In the corner, a bed was set up. Meia felt her heart wrench when she saw Haato lying on the bed, linked by life support and IV drips.
"Haato…"
Her voice alerted the Turks present. They stared at Meia, but nodded quietly to show their acknowledgement and joy that she has returned, this time for good. Legend gave a small wave and a grin, Meia smiled back, happy to see the Turk whom she felt a brotherly connection for. From the corner of her eye, Meia spotted Reno and Rude, making small conversation.
Brother Reno… Meia thought with a stirring flutter in her heart. It has been almost a year and a half since I saw him… He still looks like how I remembered.
Focusing herself again, she asked Kido. "Did the doctor say how long he might stay… this way?"
The double-guns specialist shook his head. "I'm guessing a few months or so."
"Impossible." Argued Rod. "The Mako poisoning is freaking bad! He'll be lucky if he even wakes up-"
"Rodzen Daisa!" Cassie hissed, horrified that Rod would say a thing like that. "Can you be a little more intelligent and know when to say the right things?" She jerked her head at Leia, who was sitting quietly by Haato's side. Rod muttered something about saying his full name, while Meia smiled when she saw that the martial artist was holding Haato's hand.
"It's fine." Leia said. "It's true anyway." She stared at the unconscious Turk. "He's wasting his time being in this state. We've got tons of work to do and he just cannot lie here and do nothing."
The Turks laughed at Leia's obsession with efficiency. "Oh Leia…" Cissnei shook her head quietly. Meia smiled at Cissnei. It has been too long since she saw Cissnei, because previously she was too upset about Zack to come out of her room. Meia admired Cissnei for being so responsible for, for there were things that she did out of the requirements of the mission.
Cissnei turned to Alana. "I suppose this means that we'll be taking turns checking on him."
Alana nodded. "I'll draw a roster for all of us." From the other side, Legend agreed that it was a good idea.
"That sounds super!" Jasper said excitedly. From behind the nurse's desk, the nurse shushed him loudly. "Opps." He stuck his tongue out. "I just want to help out more, Haato has been a good mentor and I really want to see him well."
"If anything, you'll have to get in queue, boy." Rod nudged him. "Leia will be fighting to tend to Haato first…" He raised his red eyebrows when he saw that Leia didn't even acknowledge his teasing. She was only holding the katana-Turk's hand and looking solemn.
"At long last!" Cassie grinned beside Rod. "It sure took Leia damn long to realize her feelings for Haato." She whispered.
Jasper, hearing their conversation, smiled to himself. The relationship between Haato and Leia has been one of the first things he knew about the Turks. Cassie and Rod put up a very fascinating show during their explanation, much to the amusement of Haato watching by the side.
Maybe if I wait long enough, Meia will…
He looked around him. "Where's Meia?" Jasper asked. Rude cocked his head out of the door. Jasper grinned and was about to go when Cassie held him back. "Hey, what are you trying-"
"Don't be an idiot!" Cassie said, knocking his blond head gently. "Can't you see that someone else is missing too?" Jasper looked around him and realized that indeed, someone else was missing. "Let them settle their long-overdue issue and you can see your Meia later." She gave a devilish smile.
Outside the infirmary, Meia glanced at Reno, who stood with his back facing her. She felt that her heart could jump out, when Reno suddenly grabbed her hand and led her out of the infirmary without a word. As his hand made contact with her skin, she blushed, wondering how long it has been since she felt Reno's touch. "Brother Reno…" She said shyly. "Long time no-" Her words were cut off when she felt his presence over her and then, his arms around her. Despite her joy, Meia frowned. "Do you HAVE to interrupt me like this every time?"
"I missed you." Was his quiet reply.
Meia felt embarrassed to even admit inwardly that the feeling was like fireworks exploding into a thousand emotions simultaneously. But it was not the time to describe her feelings. She didn't have time to think about her feelings when she was in the midst of her long-awaited, long-overdue reconciliation. "… Me too, Brother Reno." She said, wrapping her arms around him and finally allowing his scent to welcome her back home.
"Where do I even begin…" Reno began awkwardly. Throwing their concerns for Haato aside, they were now in the Turk pantry, sitting opposite each other. Reno sent a quick message to Rude and thus they will be undisturbed for an hour or so. "I'm… I'm sorry for whatever I did." He said uncomfortably, but only Meia knew that his intention was genuine.
"Yeah, me too." Meia said shyly.
"But you didn't do anything wrong." Reno frowned.
"I did!" Meia insisted. "I… I shouldn't have been so… annoying and insisted that you like me, when you don't." She said with an embarrassed air.
"Meia." Reno said. "It's not that I don't like you." He scratched his head. "I care you so much." (Meia's heart fluttered at those words.) "But… I admit, okay? I chickened out." He spread his arms in resignation. "I wasn't ready to admit that I like you. And now…" He scratched his head again. "I can't be a hundred percent sure, either." He admitted. "But I'm willing to give it a try." He gazed into Meia's hazel eyes, smiling at the realization that he hasn't seen those bright, enthusiastic eyes and beautiful skin in more than a year. "If you're willing, that is." He ended with a small smile.
A short silence after his confession ensued and Reno honestly thought that he made a very bad move. To his surprise, Meia smiled widely. "Brother Reno…" She said cheerfully. "I'm really glad that you're honest with me."
"No girl would be happy after hearing what I've said, actually."
Meia laughed. "Honestly, I was so caught up my concern to reconcile with you that I was no longer concerned whether you liked me or not!" She gestured animatedly.
Reno stared at her. "You're nuts, little Meia." He shook his head.
"No, I'm not." Replied Meia seriously. "I realized that, above all those romance stuff, I treasure your friendship more."
Reno raised his eyebrows at her. Does that mean that Meia no longer cared for him in that way?
"When I was younger when I found out that Carmelle liked Sunny, it was the most exciting news I've ever heard." She said. Reno nodded, remembering the now-deceased children who were the bulk of Meia's childhood. "She loves Sunny, but she told me that she treasured their friendship so much that she could not bear to ruin it. I didn't understand it then, but now I know. I can bear not to be the one you love romantically, Brother Reno." She looked at Reno in the eyes. "But I cannot imagine myself without you as my friend, Brother Reno." She said. "That's why maybe it's better if we really just forget about everything and restart as friends?"
Reno stared at her. Here he was, trying to ask for her affection and this was her response? "You… You don't like me anymore, do you?" He said with realization. He stood up and pointed at her. "It's that nunchaku guy, Jasper, right?"
Meia stared back at Reno with equal shock… which became peals of laughter. "Oh Reno!" She laughed. Reno never realized it till now how much he loved it when she dropped the salutation and called him by name directly. "You're so silly!" She laughed harder. "Sit down, you're taking this conversation too far!" She said between her laughter.
Narrowing his eyes at the kid who just laughed at him, Reno sat down again. "What is it, then?"
Meia took Reno's hands and in return Reno placed his hands over hers. "I… I like you." She said shyly at the sight of his action. "However, everything is not in a good time now." She explained.
Reno nodded at her explanation. It was logical, seeing that Haato was in coma, AVALANCHE was still at large, and Veld was to be captured on sight. Certainly they didn't have time for romance. "Reasonable answer." He nodded. "Things are going to be pretty busy around here, I suppose."
Meia shook her head. "It's not just that." She grinned cheekily. "Forgive me for being so audacious, but I'm not going to consider your current feelings for me valid."
"WHAT?" Reno released her hands and exclaimed.
"I mean, you said yourself that you're not too sure!" Meia argued with a huff. "It wouldn't be fair to you and me if you jumped into a-a-…" Meia blushed. "A relationship without even sure of your feelings for the girl!"
"What's wrong with confirming your feelings later?" Reno exclaimed, jumping from his chair and making a frustrated face at Meia. "What logic is this?"
"MY logic!" She too, stood up and scrunched her face at him. They stared at each other's funny faces… and burst into laughter again.
When their laughter died down, Meia took a deep breath and said, "You should take this time to think it through. Maybe I should as well." She smiled. "And maybe… when the entire fiasco is over, we can talk about this again or something."
Reno shook his head. "I can't believe this." He sat down with a plop and thought it through. Crazy as it sounded, Meia made sense. "… I guess this means that… nothing is going to happen to us now?"
Meia grinned. "Nothing."
To his surprise, Reno heaved a sigh of relief. "Huh. Look at that." He murmured. "Maybe I really need the time."
Meia walked to Reno and before he could react, hugged him tightly. "I'm glad that we're talking again, Brother Reno."
Reno gave in to his desire and pulled Meia onto his lap. "Welcome back, Meia." He grinned. "I missed putting you on my lap." He grinned. "You used to demand me to do that, like a child asking her father to indulge in her whims."
She made a face. "I don't do that anymore!" She retorted, embarrassed. "Besides, I'm 16! Not 12! And I don't behave like a child anymore!" She argued, though she did not struggle out of his grasp.
"You better not be a child anymore, little Meia." He grinned. "You've gained some weight. Soon I won't be able to do tha-"
"Silence!"
Reno quickly pushed Meia out of the way but it was too late. Her magic worked its way on him, constricting his throat and making him gag. I would need to find Rude later, if not I can't use my EMR. Reno frowned at Meia, who was in a laughing fit because she succeeded in disabling his magic skills. Still a kid. He thought.
Long chapter! I have to make it long, you see. :3 Thank you for those lovely reviews! It's awesome knowing that you guys are still keeping up with me. I sincerely hope the story is not boring you at all!
Yes, NOW there'll be a time skip. See you in the next chapter!
