Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII, and I do not make any money with this writing. Characters belong to Square Enix Inc.
Awakening
Yazoo opened his eyes, blinking several times to get used to the white lights.
Lifting his body without great efforts, he sat on the bed, still feeling dizzy. Instantly, he veered his head and sighed in relief. Nowadays, whenever he woke up, he looked for his brother, and fortunately, Loz was there, heavy sleeping by his side in another bed.
Life was not being so good for them, not as if it had ever been one day. They should have run while they still had the chance, but well, now it was just impossible to get out of where they were. When the creepy Vincent Valentine found them, under the pile of debris, weeks later after the explosion, they needed a hospital. Before that, everything seemed fuzzed on his mind, the memories remained, no brain damages, but the motives seemed lost and the battle, futile. That was how he entered the Shinra's Hospital.
Two things he remembered very well, Kadaj's body glittering towards the sky, and the hatred face of the Turk who planted a bomb in the road to kill them. Along with those memories, Yazoo felt sadness for the first one, and rage for the last.
"Hmph."
Reno, the first person he saw, soon after waking up at the Shinra's hospital, literally.
He opened his eyes, and the redhead, with goggles and all, was so close to his face that Yazoo felt infected with his breath.
Scared at seeing his enemy's face, Yazoo veered his eyes, looking for Loz and he did not see him in the infirmary. The fear of might have lost another brother, the hate, and all the drugs, confused his mind, so, not thinking twice, Yazoo grabbed Reno's neck with one hand.
"Where's my brother?" with a jump, Yazoo lifted from his bed, pinning Reno's arm behind his back.
"Fuck you, miserable clone..." the Turk tried to get free, punching on his ribs with his elbows, but he had no idea of Yazoo's level of rage. Grunting, Yazoo increased his grip on the man's neck, and he would choke Reno to death if they had not hit a shot of tranquilizer on his neck.
Unnecessary to say, their interaction got worse than before after the incident, not a surprise for none of them. The redhead bullied him whenever he got the chance, and Yazoo spent his days thinking about thousands of painful ways to kill him.
Sighing, Yazoo turned his gaze from Loz at himself, examining the dark bruises on his forearms. Loz first realized that he was alive and not dissolving inside the lifestream as expected. According to the Shinra's scientists, the Lifestream felt obliged to spit back any being that still had Jenova's cells or Geostigma cells, to heal themselves with the pure energy of Aerith's fount. All that they had, were cells from Jenova, and surprise, they were back to life. "Who said that I wanted salvation? This damned nice planet will chew us like a gum. Why am I always hungry in this new life?"
From Yazoo's point of view, they only had losses. However, Loz believed the contrary. Somehow, destiny gave them another round, and the opportunity to build something for themselves, not because of old goals, but because they were alive. To Yazoo, Loz was barely naïve, hoping for a new life, allowed by the persons they wanted to eliminate in the past. Yazoo shook his head, staring at his still sleeping brother, "Don't cry later Loz, but we are doomed."
Thirsty, Yazoo reached for the water's glass above the bedside table. He drank it in one gulp and then noticed something different in the ambiance. They were alone in the room, no guards neither Turks were outside watching them. Through the glass walls, he could see the busy staff working on their daily duties, and his eyes landed back on the bedside table. He raised one silver eyebrow. Very odd indeed for that kind of facility, some doctor or nurse forgot to grab the medical files. It was carelessly thrown above the table to on purposely catches his attention. Yazoo glanced back at the glass wall, and nobody was paying attention to him.
He stretched out his body, attempting to look at what seemed a tip of a photo. Getting closer, he gasped, "Mother?"
A pale blue head with a metallic helmet and Yazoo remembered the image, implanted by Sephiroth's memories about her. They were searching for that head, and it seemed so weird thinking about this now, laid in a hospital's bed after an epic failure. Everything because of that blue head. Despite the memory on his head, Yazoo had never felt, seen, or picture her full-body on his mind. Not even Kadaj had seen her, and the closest thing he got from her was the remaining cells dripping out from its broken vial. Yazoo carefully pulled out the photo by its tip with a tighten heart.
It was Jenova, half-body because it was all she got, attached to several wires inside a Mako tank.
Her eyes shimmered a pale green bright, and she did not look dead either alive. A sort of broken wing on her left shoulder, no arms, but cut off tentacles, many scars, and holes over the skin that looked like plastic.
It was a gloomy and sad image, but Yazoo kept looking at it, printing on his mind all the details of the picture. From his brothers, he was the one who most resembled Jenova as her male version. He squeezed his eyes. They were not only clones, but something beyond, locked between alien and human, and Yazoo feared to one day have the same destiny, inside a mako tank.
"This is so gross."
A weird thing, again according to the Shinras's scientists, Yazoo, Loz, and Kadaj were siblings, not related to Sephiroth, but with the same alien cells on their genome, whence came to their similarity with the former general. They didn't find any other relatives either. The weirdest, they were humans with artificially enhanced bodies. How did they get into that shape? A mystery, Jenova's and Sephiroth's sole fault, or it would lead to the old team of Shinra's scientists, playing with experiments on humans, which meant, Yazoo, Loz, and Kadaj, were as Shinra's products as Sephiroth. That inconvenient truth could not go to the daylight, and the power company would put great efforts to bury their dirty secrets from the public, especially the press. That was why day by day, Yazoo had a vague feeling of not leaving the Shinra's hospital through the front gate.
However, Vincent Valentine, the man who looked like a vampire or a demon and maybe was both, paid them regular visits and assured the contrary. Avalanche, had a chair in the new department created to rule situations like that, inside Shinra, and would help. They would get them a new life, with all the support they may need, and no harm would be done. Valentine also told that after a couple of weeks they would be released from the labs. They would be fully healed from the alien intoxication that plagued not only their physics but also their minds and ready for a fresh start. Yazoo wished to believe in a happy new life, but that the photo on his hands didn't help.
He wondered, how and why that confidential pic was there, maybe it was a reminder that Yazoo was right, this new life would suck. He took the file and tried to read what it could be of his interest, but it only had the medical analysis of his exams. He put back the photo inside the papers and returned the file to the table when a voice startled him.
"Ain't you gonna put on a frame?"
The mocking smirk and the careless posture, Reno, leaned on the door's frame, staring at him. It answered the question about who had let the photo there, a prank from the hated Turk. Since the first day, Reno was there, nagging him with his sarcasm, making it clear by his speech they shouldn't be there, teasing him even knowing Yazoo could not hit back. He looked at Reno with disdain, "Why did you give me this photo?"
He clenched his fist under the blanket, and the impossibility of fight the man, made him felt even angrier. He did not have a clue about his rights, and the penalties Loz and he had on their backs, but something told him, the redhead Turk was wrong on his attitudes towards them. Reno did not have the right to bully him with that picture. It was not only ugly but depressive, disrespectful with a corpse, even for Jenova.
"Who told you it is my gift?" Reno pushed himself out of the door and paced towards Yazoo, hands-on his pocket. He stopped in front of his bed and then gone check if Loz was awakening.
"Because it has your signature of imbecility."
Reno made a tsk, raising the corner of his mouth and tilted his head, still looking at Loz, "As soon as your brother awakes, Dr. Cissnei will come to speak with you. We had two months of peace, and now, poor of us. Yep, they will free you two in the wild, baby."
"Don't call me that. Step away from my brother, Reno."
Reno pulled his brother's hand, lifting his arm in the air, and then letting it down on the bed, "Blacked Out."
"Stop this, get away from him!"
Then, Reno veered his head, and slowly paced towards Yazoo's bed. Unconsciously, Yazoo tensed his body, heart racing as if preparing himself for a fight.
"What are you doing here? Where are the doctors?"
"Hush baby. So, yeah, I wanted to give you a souvenir. Is it from where did you come from, right? You can hang it out on a wall or…" Reno said, pointing at the photo, already inside the files.
"I would love to give you my souvenir on your chin. Coward."
Yazoo spoke between teeth, cutting Reno's speech, and gripping an amount of the sheet on his hands, in a great effort to control a punch, straight to the redhead's face. He felt his face burning, but if it were true what Reno said, he would no longer have to deal with him. He would control himself, and endure whatever insult the man could shout on his face. Reno had his eyes fixed at him, hands on his pocket, and speaking in a low voice, he approached to Yazoo's face.
"Awn, Am I hurting your feelings? I know you are sensitive to your Mother, but I thought you would like it. At least, is not only Jenova's rotten head, eh? Oh, don't throw it away before showing it to your weirdo brother. I'm sure he'd enjoy mommy's pic," Reno blinked at him, hands mimicking a masturbation act, filling the room with his mocking giggles.
It was enough. Yazoo tilted his head, his former self-controlled hand got mad, flew in the air faster than he would rationally think about it, and landed on Reno's chin, causing the man to fall in the other corner of the room. "Still in shape!"
"Motherfucker, you weren't even supposed to be alive! Fuck you, miserable clone!" Reno tried to stand up, but Yazoo's punch blurred his vision, and he lost his balance while trying to stand on his knees.
"I'm not a clone, bastard, and yeah, I beat your ass, again. Moreover, I will not let you speak about my brother in this way."
It was an empiric fact, Yazoo and Loz were not clones, and he had hit Reno again, without even leaving his bed. In seconds, the security and doctors invaded the room, obviously first containing Yazoo. One of the nurses already had a sedative, ready to shoot on Yazoo's neck, even though the young man did not flinch out of his bed. His luck was Dr. Cissnei coming in immediately after them.
"This is not necessary, nurse. Yazoo, please remain in your bed."
"Yes, it is! Shot him down, Cissnei. He attacked me!"
The securities, even though confused, obeyed the doctor, releasing Yazoo. He cast down his eyes at in acknowledgment that he was in big trouble. Reno massaged his chin, spitting blood and shoving away one of the securities that tried to help him stand. He glared at him with such hate that he felt his guts squirming inside him, of joy. That was a great punch.
"Reno, please out and report yourself to Tseng," Dr. Cissnei rolled his eyes at him, clearly irritated with his colleague.
"I'm here," already on his feet, Reno gasped, and straightened himself when he saw his director stepping inside the room.
The stoic posture and the cold dark eyes, even Yazoo gulped. "I'm doomed," and remained mute, regretted about had lost his temper, he probably had let slip out of his hands, the right for freedom.
Seconds later, after this finding, Yazoo felt his heart so tight that it almost stole his breath. He not only jeopardized his freedom but as well as his brother's. "If they won't kill me, Loz would do it."
It amazed Yazoo that Loz did not wake up, sleeping like a child with all that noise, and maybe it was for better. He would not stand to look at the disappointment of his brother's eyes after knowing they would not get free because of his temper.
Tseng walked until the bedside table and saw the picture of Jenova's corpse. He took it, and veering his head at Reno, he commanded him with a nod to leave the room. But the as the stubborn Turk kept on his spot, glaring at Yazoo, and foaming at the mouth, he sighed, "Leave, Reno. Wait for me in my office."
Reno nodded his head, angry and embarrassed in front of his superior. He glared at Yazoo, warning him that payback would come someday.
Yazoo followed him with his eyes, the Turk's bruised lips and jaw were nothing compared to what he would do if given the chance, but it was enough for the moment. No one else in the room but Reno noticed the subtle up turning from the corner of his mouth.
"See, he's smirking! He's laughing at me because he purposely attacked me!"
Cissnei and Tseng simultaneously looked at Yazoo and Reno, but they did not notice anything on Yazoo.
"Leave us, Reno. Now," Tseng glared at Reno, never raising his voice, and the redhead gulped, but with no other solution, left the room as ordered, boiling of rage, mumbling curses against his aggressor.
Once obeyed, Tseng turned his glare at Yazoo, "How did you get this picture?"
Tseng's voice was soft, but Yazoo was afraid. People with that kind of voice were worse than the devil itself. He knew it because he had this voice tone.
"It was inside my files."
He answered, looking at the doctor, seeking support, and Cissnei circled the bed, stopping by his side. Tseng remained in front of his bed, his face did not show anger and or compassion. A blank mask impossible to read.
"Yazoo, what exactly happened and why did you attack Reno?"
Yazoo gave a long sigh, mentally cursing himself, Reno, and life. Tseng and Cissnei exchanged looks while awaiting his answer.
The short version was a formal apology from Reno, and his removal from surveilling Yazoo and Loz, and the long version, a year of weekly visits to Shinra's headquarters.
Only for Yazoo, Loz was free, after all his brother did not punch a Turk on his face. Twice.
***One Year Later***
Tseng greeted him for his accomplishments with a polite nod and Yazoo did the same. The man never argued with him, and somehow that cold behavior always put him in an alert mood.
"Good luck, Yazoo, and enjoy your second chance."
It hasn't been so bad as he had expected, but it surely did not mean it was good either. Dr. Cissnei was ok, and she even brought him a cupcake for their last session, knowing his sweet teeth. He lived with Loz in a shabby house in the desert that suited them very well. Loz worked on Seventh Heaven and Yazoo on Shinra's garage, not so bad nor good, only boring as hell. Ordinary life.
"Thank you, Mr. Tseng, have a good day."
"I hope to not see you here."
"Me neither."
Very satisfied, Yazoo fast-walked alongside the security, mentally saying goodbye forever to the creepy building when the annoying red-haired Turk came behind him.
Reno dismissed the security, hanging his rod over his shoulder and blinked at Yazoo, assuming the task of escorting him to fetch his motorbike. "Damn, they insist to bring him. Keep your mood Yazoo probably it is a test. You are close to the main gate and when it opens, freedom. You'd never have to deal with this moron again. Never."
They gazed at each other and walked side by side. It was thirty precious seconds of silence until they stepped outside the building, and Reno started to chat.
"I've never got the chance to thank you for the small vacation you provided me. Along with my paperwork, out of the field, what I love to do." Reno emphasized the last sentence, staring at him, clearly implying Yazoo's fault.
Without move his head, or stop his march to his motorcycle, Yazoo remained in silence, wondering if Turks would follow him everywhere since he had no obligation to come to Shinra's headquarter. Especially, if he would do it, peeking on his life, imposing his presence as some sort of condition to have his citizen's rights recognized by Shinra. Ok, they had not gone to jail, but if they were, how Shinra would explain their 'intoxication' with aliens cells, which led them to associate with Sephiroth? Better let them free and keep the leash, even if it were larger, but if it would require Reno's presence, it would be a hell for Yazoo's patience. Anyway, he kept his silence.
"Is it your birthday or something?"
"No."
"You will hurt the doc's feelings. Not that you seem to care."
Reno fast paced trying to keep one step ahead, walking in front of Yazoo, and interrupting his steps when he tried to change his way.
"My God, why are you here?"
"You forgot your cake, moron. Here it is."
Reno stood up in front of him, forcing a stop, shaking a small brown paper bag with the Shinra logo in red that Yazoo did not see the man carrying before.
They stared at each other, exchanging glances like in a bad western movie, in the middle of the empty parking lot. Reno's blue eyes narrowed at Yazoo, the ironic grin on his lips, swinging the bag in the air like an infant.
"You should have some classes of manners, as they're releasing you into the wild, poor of us." smirking, Reno summoned the strength to not cross the line, but still tease him, with the best temper to not insult Shinra's, uh, Protégé.
"I do have manners, I just don't like to waste it. Thanks."
Yazoo caught the bag in the man's hand, heading his way to his bike. He heard the same sentence out of Reno's mouth in the past, but he would not let that disgusting man take his chance again. He would not fall on his prank and fumbling his pocket, he fetched his bike's key.
"The good thing, Yazoo, is that you're no longer under Shinra's protection anymore, keep it in mind."
Reno followed Yazoo's steps to his bike, walking one-step behind. Then, Yazoo stood already in front of his bike, veering his head at Reno with a glare that made the redhead straighten his body, tapping the electric rod on his shoulder, a grin lurking on his face.
"Are you threatening me, Reno?"
"Will you threaten the world again, with that bullshit of Jenova's rotten head, bringing Sephiroth or whatever back?"
"I guess that I will have to draw for you, I was just released by Shinra, and its grant's me citizen's rights. Keep it in mind."
"For what? Start some cult?"
"Who knows, maybe I'd start a campaign against imbecile people like you or even better, a hunt?"
Leaving the redhead without time to answer back, Yazoo mounted on his bike, turned the machine on, and circled to get the way out of the parking, pointing his middle finger at him. Yeah, he was a quick learner about human insults expressions. He fast drove his bike towards the main exit, where more security would x-ray him, the bike, all repeat the process until he finally could get the freeway.
"Fuck you too, bitch…"
Reno stayed at the parking, following the man with his eyes. It did not matter the fact that they probably would never get along at all, but Tseng especially because of that, never released Reno from babysitting Sephiroth's clones, uh, affected ones.
They went hand-to-hand twice inside Shinra's quarters last year. Tseng gave him an advertence for the first time, the second one, suspension, but Helena asked for a swift transfer. Therefore, Reno was back on the task with the promise of not lose his temper towards Yazoo or lose his job. Reno knew he was crossing the line, but he could not help to look at Yazoo, thinking about their last battle when Sephiroth's remnant beat him.
Always violent, always showing threatening eyes at him. According to the docs and scientists, Yazoo was free to go. Even though, it did not quiet Reno's desire to fight him, this time without magical powers, only raw strength, only to rip that snob air of his face.
Rude keep saying it was just his hurtful pride and he must let it go. However, Reno could not deny picturing Yazoo's face when he was fighting an enemy on his duties. Sometimes when working out to release his tension in the boxing's classes. Once he was outside, he lit a cigar, taking a long and satisfying drag, that middle bastard was not his problem anymore. Maybe, Rude was right, what the eyes can't see the heart does not feel, and it could soothe his appetite for revenge.