I Want To Be A Turk!
A/N: So I was a little late in updating! That's because I've been working hard in my internship, and when I need some rest, I play the Sims 3! Anyway, here you go, your long-deserved chapter!
Chapter 53 – Kidnapped
Though it was her birthday, Meia was alone in the Turks' office, frowning at the papers sprawled in front of her. After dinner, she excused herself from the others so that she could work on her own research. The clock on her table told her that it was just past eight, not that it mattered. Whoever that was able to wish her happy birthday had already done so. Meia stared at her mindmaps and scribbled sentences, but none gave her more information about Fuhito. Without warning, her brain lulled itself into a slight daydream…
Meia climbed the mountainous terrain zealously. After all, it was the first time she visited Cosmo Canyon. Also, ever since she learnt that it was the country where AVALANCHE was first formed, she headed towards the amber-painted lands immediately. Reno and Haato were also in Cosmo Canyon, supposedly catching a rare specimen for Hojo. However, Meia didn't intend to let them catch her here without permission.
She was close to the summit when she saw the man that she was looking for.
"Fuhito…" She said softly, glaring at the bespectacled man standing in front of her. Was it her imagination or did Fuhito look a little (just a little) more malicious the last time she saw him? The tactician of AVALANCHE looked worse, as if something twisted was brewing inside. When he saw her in front of him, Meia saw a brief flicker of recognition flash across his pale face.
"Hello, Meia." Fuhito said calmly, sizing her up. Meia understood (and told herself repeatedly) that she must remain her cool lest he take advantage of her anger-driven motive. However, she could barely hide her curiosity at the relationship between Fuhito and her father. Also, if what she suspected was true, then she will find it hard to continue concealing the near-bursting anger inside. And Fuhito knew exactly which buttons to press. "How's your father?"
In that moment, Meia's vision seem to flash red. She ran towards Fuhito and grabbed him by his collar. "You killed my father, didn't you?" She spat at him.
"Tut tut tut, temper issues aren't going to get you anywhere." Fuhito smirked, unfazed by Meia's violence.
"Answer me!" She growled. "What did you do to my father, you swine?" With a roar, she tossed him onto the ground. "Did you kill him because you couldn't stand the fact that a Turk was disturbing your precious Hojo's experiment?" She taunted and kicked Fuhito in the stomach for good measure.
With a light but firm grip, Meia felt herself being manhandled and soon Fuhito flipped her over and threw her aside. Fuhito stood up slowly, brushing the sand off his uniform. "I'm in no mood to talk to you." He frowned. "However, I shall be civilized and assure you that my dissent has nothing to do with you. I simply…" He threw a sideway glare at the house behind him. "I simply have trouble with some negotiation. Now…" Fuhito beckoned at something. "If you would excuse me…"
"Don't you dare run away!" Meia yelled but before she could run and tackle him, Ravens jumped out from their hiding places and attacked her.
Her recollection ended abruptly, and Meia remembered that she was in the Turks' office, not in Cosmo Canyon. Damn it! Meia thought furiously as she pondered on the incident that happened two months ago. If I was able to defeat the Ravens, I would've been able to catch Fuhito and beat the crap out of him! The number of Ravens were simply too many for Meia to handle so after killing some of them, she retreated quietly, hoping that when Reno and Haato will be able to handle the rest.
I'm being distracted. Meia thought, looking at her skimpy notes. I'm supposed to condense everything that has happened to AVALANCHE the past 5 years into some sort of chart… Not to think about my father's murderer.
Meia reached for a folder, the one that contained her collated information on Fuhito, but the folder was missing. Where is it? She gasped, rifling her folders frantically. It was just here before dinner… Her eye fell on a odd piece of paper, wedged between two folders. Hm? What's this? Meia thought and picked up the slip of paper. Across the paper, in what clearly was Jasper's handwriting and tone, read: "Go to the helipad at 2030 hours! Do not contact anyone about this information, or you'll pay!" It was signed, "Your friendly kidnapper".
Meia smacked her forehead, annoyed with Jasper but amused as well. Over the years, Jasper finally gave up his feelings for her, telling her that he would much rather be friends with her. His relationship with Reno, was nothing short of interesting. Even while he had feelings for Meia, he remained close to Reno, looking up to him more like an awestruck disciple rather than a love rival. His eventual dying feelings for Meia naturally didn't affect his friendship with Reno.
She saw that she didn't have much time before the stated time. Jasper… Meia shook her head and grabbed her blazer. It would be cold up at the helipad and she wouldn't want to entertain his creative idea and catch a cold at the same time. You've already celebrated my birthday… what now?
The elevators opened at the helipad and Meia stepped out. She squinted at the darkness, for the helipad was lit only when necessary. Tonight, the moon was exceptionally large and in the faint light, she saw a familiar silhouette, but it was not Jasper's.
Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the lanky figure, leaning against the railing.
"… Reno?" She asked incredulously. She walked briskly towards the figure and gaped, for it was Reno standing right in front of her.
"Hey Meia." He grinned.
"What are you doing-" She looked around for Rude, but it was only the two of them. "Where's- Weren't you supposed to be-" She frowned. "But it was Jasper's-" She furrowed her brow, overwhelmed by the questions that filled her head.
Reno laughed. "Get on, Meia." He inclined his head towards the back.
That was when she realized behind her, a silent silhouette of a helicopter stood. She gaped at the helicopter and back at Reno. "What about my kidnapped folder?"
"What folder?" Reno grinned. "Your 'misplaced' folder is in your room." He walked towards her and nudged her gently towards the helicopter. "The thing that I'm kidnapping is you." He smirked. Meia blushed but before she could respond, Reno opened the door for her.
No harm going for a ride. "… I guess it wouldn't hurt to fly a bit." She smiled, climbing up and into the compartment.
"Good girl." Cooed Reno. He jumped in as well, closing the door behind her. "Well then, buckle your seatbelts, and you can throw me your questions." He said.
As he fiddled with the controls for takeoff, Meia asked, "Was that slip of paper between my folders… yours?" Reno smirked and answered that it was. "Did you ask Jasper to do this?" She made a face. She most certainly didn't think that Reno was capable of such…
"I'm a Turk, please!" He rolled his eyes. "There's nothing too impossible for me! Naturally, wasn't too difficult to mimick his handwriting." He shrugged. "The only thing I told Jasper to do is to make you sit in the Turk office immediately after dinner."
Meia widened her eyes at him. Indeed, it was because Jasper mentioned to Meia that he was overwhelmed by his reports that Meia felt inclined to pick up her pace at her own research of what has happened the past few years regarding AVALANCHE. "Inception." She muttered to herself. "Where's Rude?" After all, the last she saw him, he was boarding the helicopter with Rude to Junon for a mission, and Meia anticipated that she won't see him till after her birthday.
"Alone in Junon."
"You left your mission so that you can give me some de-stress ride." Meia stated flatly.
"In my defense, there was nothing to do in Junon." Reno yawned. "Honestly, Rude and I are just waiting for Tseng's orders to call us back. But well, he shouldn't know that this happened, you get me?" Meia nodded. "Good. More questions?"
"How's the Junon trip?"
"Boring. But you know Tseng. He's just sending us randomly here and there to make us look busy."
Meia agreed. The truth was, Veld seemed to have completely disappeared from the face of the Planet. No matter where they traveled to, he wasn't there, or always a step ahead. Still, Tseng had to face pressure from President Shinra on the whereabouts of Veld, so at least looking as though the Turks are passionately searching for the traitor appeased him.
"So… what are you doing here?" Meia asked.
Reno hesitated a little, thinking of the right words to say. "I'm here to kidnap you." He said. "If you behave and cooperate, I'll return you home." He grinned. Meia gave him a skeptical look, and he understood it. "It's nothing romantic." He assured her.
Meia shrugged. Years ago, in the Turks' pantry, they've made a mutual agreement that they would not do anything that might lead the other on. Only their bystanders knew whether they've truly kept to their agreement.
As she glanced at her surroundings out of the helicopter, she asked the question that she should've asked right from the beginning. "Uh… Where are you taking me to?"
She could've sworn Reno gave her the most evil grin ever. "I was beginning to wonder when you'll realize that." He glanced down at the soon disappearing Midgar city. I'm your kidnapper. You wouldn't think that I'll just take you for a ride, would you?" He leisurely bobbed his head to an imaginary tune. "Just sit tight and you'll see where I'm bringing you."
Meia frowned at the surroundings around her. She remembered that Reno headed south of Midgar initially, but once she saw that the terrain below was nothing but pitch darkness blending in with the night sky as one boundless landscape, she knew that the helicopter was over the seas and it was from there that she lost her sense of direction. Only Reno seemed to have an internal navigator, for he was not anxious at the fact that the helicopter was shrouded with darkness. He has piloted too many times so much so that he knew instinctively his directions. Soon Meia gave up trying to guess and contented herself with light conversations with the pilot Turk.
It was hours before Reno told Meia that he will be descending. Meia checked her watch and saw that it was half an hour before midnight. "That's some effort you put in order to wish me 'Happy Birthday'." She smiled.
"Glad you appreciate it." Reno grinned. He checked his PHS for the time. "I'm lucky, I've got quite a bit of time." He said to himself
"I have absolutely no idea where I am." Meia squinted at the darkness around her but couldn't find anything that she remembered vaguely about.
"That's the whole idea." Grinned Reno.
They landed on a grassy patch. Meia could imagine the whirring noises made by the chopper blades sounding almost deafening in the quiet of the night. Around her, she was surrounded by cliffs and trees.
"This way," Said Reno, taking her by her hand. "We gotta walk a bit, yo?"
They traversed the winding path. Meia looked up at the multitude of stars, marveling to herself how there still were many places that she had yet to visit. She frowned as she noticed the stars getting fewer in number, but soon realized that it was because the sky was a little brighter than just now.
"No joke…" She said to herself. "Is it dawn already?" She checked her watch, it was not even midnight yet.
"Don't panic." Reno laughed. "You'll see why later."
As they finally burst through the clearing, Meia gaped at the sight before her.
"Is… Is this… Banora?" She exclaimed.
It was indeed Banora, but not how she remembered it. The town was still inhabited and utterly destroyed by Shinra missiles six years ago. However, seeping between the gaps of massive debris, were aqua lights so concentrated that it lit the night sky. Meia stared at the aqua-turquoise swirls of light… Life… She realized, recognizing the same blue-green swirls shrouding a dead person. It is the Lifestream.
"Beautiful place, huh?" Reno spoke softly beside her.
"Beautifully tragic, more like." She stared at what once was the town famous for their Banora White Juice. "The missiles hurt the ground, breaking right into the Lifestream… isn't it?"
Reno nodded. "I didn't want to remind you of the past but it was a pretty place to look at, nevertheless. Who knows how long this sight can remain? So I brought you here to enjoy." Reno ruffled her dark hair affectionately. "Happy Birthday."
Meia beamed brightly back at Reno. "Thank you, Reno!" She nodded at the sight in front of her. "Indeed, while it brings back memories of when I saw Brother Zack here… And an injured Tseng…" She shook her head. "But it has been such a long time. Too long… Many things have changed." She said sadly to herself.
"We're just gonna stay here a bit longer, then I'll bring you back to Midgar." Reno said, flopping himself onto the soft ground.
Meia followed suit. "'It's not romantic', my ass." Muttered Meia as she did so.
"It really isn't!" Reno argued. "I happened to chance upon this area a few months ago and thought it would be fun to bring you here, yo?" He smirked. "You should be flattered that I thought of bringing you here."
"Flattered? More like flabbergasted," Meia said, grinning. "That you chanced upon this romantic sight with Rude beside you." She prodded his side playfully. "YOU should be flattered that I haven't thought of you as gay."
Reno narrowed his eyes at her. "Flattered? More like flabbergasted that you even thought me as gay!" He repeated her words. They laughed good-naturedly at each other and fell into silence, admiring the picturesque sight. "What's up with you, anyway?" Reno asked, after a short while.
"What do you mean?"
"For one, you are much quieter." Reno mused. "You snap at people easily, you hole yourself in the office, working extra hard at AVALANCHE's whereabouts. Come to think of it, that drastic change happened a few months back… Maybe after we brought back that lion specimen from Cosmo Canyon."
Meia looked at Reno, recalling the scarlet lion-looking creature that was said to be the species closest to the Planet, after the Cetra. "It's…" She faltered. Whatever problems she had with Fuhito was her personal problem. Her vendetta against him has nothing to do with her job as a Turk. Perhaps it might even hinder current plans. "It's nothing much."
"Then I won't probe further." Replied Reno. "Though I know you'll tell me eventually."
She couldn't deny that. Reno was her closest confidante. Meia sought advice from Reno the most, even if it was less frequent than when she was a child, regarding any possible problems that she believed with her innocent faith that Reno had an answer. In a few short sentences, Meia admitted to Reno everything that happened while she was in Cosmo Canyon. "I don't mean to make actions on my own accord." Meia said guiltily. "But I couldn't resist.
Reno sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You are getting into trouble for not telling Tseng firsthand." He said with a disapproving tone. "What happened to accountability?"
"It all went down the drain the minute we decided to help Veld- Ow!" She groaned as Reno knocked her head with his EMR.
"That was a rhetorical question."
Meia rubbed the back of her head. It was obvious that Reno was unhappy with what she did, but she couldn't blame him for it. After all, as things stood, the Turks only had each other for support. They couldn't risk not knowing any information that might help or hinder them. "Sorry." She mumbled. "I'll tell Tseng when I return."
Reno slung his arm around her and patted her shoulder. "You better." He said quietly, caressing her head at the spot where his EMR hit. Meia closed her eyes and allowed herself to lean against Reno, just slightly. No words were exchanged for a short while, till Reno spoke again. "So what are you going to do about it?"
"Mm?" Meia said in a half-hearted tone.
"What if it is true? That Fuhito is the man who killed your father."
Meia quickly sat straight again, hoping that despite the Lifestream illuminating their faces Reno couldn't see that she was blushing. She shrugged Reno's arm off her shoulder, inwardly chiding herself that in his embrace she'd momentarily forgotten what they were talking about. "Well," She coughed. "If it is true, then I… I don't know." She admitted.
"You don't know?" Asked Reno skeptically.
"I want to take revenge…" Meia said quietly. "But I feel weird thinking of it. Taking away someone's life because he took away another's… We'll be just like those rage-driven avengers… like AVALANCHE who is so bent on saving the Planet, even at unethical costs." She shuddered, not being able to imagine what Fuhito was thinking, keeping Elfe with him so that he could manipulate her to summon Zirconiade when the time is ripe.
"Meia." Said Reno in an almost surprised tone. "What makes you think we're any holier than them?"
Meia couldn't deny. "Indeed…" She murmured. "We aren't much better… We've long strayed away from the path of repentance."
"Well, let me put it in this perspective." Said Reno, gesturing his hands like a photoframe. "Fuhito is currently the biggest enemy of Shinra, and if he happened to be your father's murderer-"
"Taking revenge on Fuhito would kinda be killing two birds with one stone, isn't it?" She finished for him, smiling at his simple logic.
"Atta girl." Smiled Reno, like a proud father.
Meia threw him a quizzical look. "Not the best thing to be proud of." She mumbled, turning her attention on the airy lights from the bottom of the cliff overlooking Banora. "But well, much has changed, hasn't it?" Meia sighed. "I used to sincerely believe that Fuhito was my father's friend… I felt bad that I gave up his offer to join AVALANCHE back in Kalm… But I should've known."
"You wouldn't have known. No one would."
Meia smiled to herself. "You know... One of the reasons why I didn't leave Shinra for AVALNCHE was because of you."
She heard Reno shift slightly. "That's news." His tone was of controlled surprise, perhaps at the discovery that Meia already had feelings for him long before he did. "So the reason you gave Veld then was rubbish?" He taunted.
"Don't be too full of yourself." Meia rolled her eyes at Reno.
Reno grinned. "That's unexpected... A nice 'unexpectation', if there's such a word." He laid back on the grass and stared at the night sky above him. "Then again, there were many things that I never expected would happen."
Meia turned behind to look at him. "Really? I thought a Turk will always be prepared in the face of constant danger." She teased.
"That's not true. For one, I never expected that I'll be a Turk… I thought I was 'manly' enough to kill, until Alyssa came along." Reno gave a quick sigh. "I never thought that one day we'll be hunting down our leader… Neither did I ever imagine that we will collectively go rogue on Shinra." Reno laughed.
"Things never turn out the way we want, huh?"
They grinned at each other and stared back at the scintillating ruins below.
"Of course," Meia heard Reno say and turned to face him. "Nothing in my training of being a Turk can ever prepare me for… For you." He propped himself up by the elbows and looked at Meia.
Meia reddened at his words. "Don't make me sound like I'm some kind of disaster." She scrunched her face at him.
Reno laughed, not his usual annoying one whenever he made a weak joke, but one that was warm and kind, something that Meia saw in Reno years ago when he still labeled himself as a monster who killed innocent lives without remorse. "Let's go, Meia." He said, standing up and reaching out a hand for her to hold. "It's a long flight back to Midgar."
For no reason, Meia recalled the very first time he reached out his hand to her in that same fashion. It was the first day she was in the Shinra Building, when Alana first told Meia off because the little girl was flippant in wanting to be a Turk. Reno had specially searched for her and found her at the end of the corridor, right next to the emergency exit. Meia hid a giggle, because back then Reno wasn't effective in cheering her up. However, she remembered how sincere his concern was. She always remembered.
Reno had always been here for me, since the beginning of my life as a Turk. Meia smiled to herself and reached out her hand to place it on his. I hope it'll always be so.
When the helicopter landed softly on the helipad of the Shinra Builiding, Reno opened the door and lifted Meia off from the helicopter. Setting her on the floor gently, he said, "Well, thanks for allowing yourself to be kidnapped so easily."
"I did cooperate fully, as you've requested." Meia grinned. "Although I bet I can fight you if I want to."
"Argh, you're sounding more and more cocky, like Cassie."
Meia smiled. "Thank you for... Kidnapping me?" Reno shrugged. "Well then, goodnight!"
"Oh Meia?" Meia turned to see Reno reaching into his pocket. "Here's your long overdue birthday present."
He tossed a red box at Meia and she barely caught it. She said her thanks and opened the box. "... Earrings?" She smiled.
"New earrings." Reno declared. "With magic-boosting powers imbued in them. You have been wearing the previous ones for a long time, haven't you?"
Meia smiled. "Yeah, till they broke last year and I haven't had time to buy new ones." She narrowed her eyes at Reno. "You don't come across to me as those who notices these things. Last time, I took you a week before you realized I was wearing your earrings."
"Please, I'm a Turk!" He said for the second time. "There's nothing too impossible... Alright, alright." He relented as Meia rolled her eyes. "I asked Cissnei." Reno stretched out his hand. "May I have the honour of wearing them for you?"
Meia handed him the box. "You mean you'll wear them on yourself for me?" She teased.
"Funny."
Meia tensed a little as Reno stepped closer towards her. She could feel his presence right in front of her and her ears flushed as his fingers made contact with her earlobe. His scent of fresh laundry never seemed to change, even after being out of the headquarters for some time.
"Thank you, Reno." She said shyly as Reno stepped away to admire his work. She touched her new magical earrings. Instead of small, golden looped earrings, they were simple studs, encasing a simple gem with a bluish radiance. "I love all the earrings you give me!"
"No problem, kiddo." He smiled. "You know, seeing you this happy with the earrings..." He said, taking a step back and admiring the earrings on Meia as if it was some sort of masterpiece. "Makes me want to be the sole provider of your earrings for the rest of your life."
Meia stared at Reno, blushing to the tips of her roots. The extremely casual comment that he'd given implied an element of commitment. "Reno..."
"Now, off you go before you have to report for work again." Reno quickly said before she could continue.
Meia checked her watch and groaned when she saw that it was close to four in the morning. "Goodnight, Reno. See you around!" She waved and walked towards the elevator.
Reno stood and watched her, waving whenever she turned back to look at him, till she disappeared behind the elevator doors. He yawned and stretched himself. It has indeed been a long and tiring night and he needed to return to Junon. The truth that he didn't tell Meia was that he had an important task to complete the next day but Rude actually allowed Reno to fly back to Midgar. A rare phenomenon, coming from Rude. Reno thought. Though now he WILL kill me for returning to Junon at five in the morning. He thought of the number of times Meia smiled at his words and actions… How shy she looked when he put on her earrings.
Everything was worth it.
Reno climbed onto the helicopter and made his way back to Junon.
18 December 0006
Mason was lounging lazily in the pantry. For the past few months, the Turks have been working hard to find Fuhito, AVALANCHE and Veld but to no avail.
"Finally, a day of rest!" Mason stretched himself against the chair. "Yo, Meia. Get me a beer." He said to Meia as she walked in.
Meia rolled her eyes. "I just walked in!" She narrowed her eyes at him. "No 'hi's, no 'how have you been?'." She grumbled good-naturedly and opened the fridge door. "Where's the nice ol' Mason who would treat the females so well that it sickens Leia?" She grinned, tossing his the glass bottle from the fridge.
The martial artist caught it expertly with one hand. "Anyway, I'm still a gentleman, little Meia." He grinned. "And I shall prove it by offering you the first sip." He held it for her.
Meia chuckled and was about to reach for the bottle when they both heard Alana walk in. "There isn't time to relax now." She said politely. "Tseng has just received reports on two escaped research samples…" Mason and Meia stared at her signature serious face whenever she meant nothing but business. "… From Nibelheim."
Meia's heart flipped at the mention of the enigmatic place. "Brother Zack…" She muttered. She looked at Alana. "We're all activated?"
"Yes." Alana nodded, lifting a piece of paper to consult the details. "Meia, go to Nibelheim and scout the area for SOLDIER First Class, Zack Fair. There should be a man with him, but we are not sure if the man is capable of combat." She turned to Mason. "Head east of Nibelheim and search for Zack…" Alana consulted the paper again. "Kido and KK will be in the same team as you."
"Roger that." Mason nodded. With that, they swiftly left the pantry, leaving the condensed cold beer on the table.
Please check out my blog for more mishmash and shoutouts to my reviewers: aichioluv (dot) blogspot (dot) com
Important question though: To those who don't have any idea what Before Crisis is talking about, are you catching up with the story so far? Did I make myself clear about what's happening so much so that you can understand my story even without having the knowledge of BC? It's kinda important, especially since after Zack's death, the story will turn to focus on Before Crisis events heavily. Just let me know via PM or review, okay?
