Clashes
by ^death^ Himura
Disclaimer: Please refer to the Prologue.
Chapter 1: Memories keep the demons at bay...
Green eyes scanned the horizon. Nothing fishy... at least not yet. Defenses up at ShinRa headquarters had triple since the first hack attack on the computer mainframe. Rufus was getting testy lately, unnerved by the terrorist's lack of action.
What could the be up to?
Reno watched Rude talk to a vendor outside their hotel, trying to obtain any information about the elusive Ghosts and their treasure Raven.
Who is this Raven? What is his motive? Reno let his slender fingers trace around the rim of the cup he had drunk from. Memories of his past assailed him. He recalled dining at the Costa del Sol inn with the ninja girl. That was... until her... her death. He was planning to have proposed to her then, as they ate in the romantic atmosphere he had paid the innkeeper to create. He wanted to shock her with the news, watch the emotions play about her oval-shaped face. Catch the glimmer in her eyes. But the news she had for him rocked him off his foundation.
She was dying. Of a terminal disease that was hereditary in her family line. She had only a few more months to live. She had declined his offer politely... she loved him, true. But she did not want to burden him with his illness.
Reno sighed, replaying the events in his mind. Memories so clear as though they happened just hours before.
"I'm flattered Reno. Really I am. But..."
"Say yes Yuffie."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Reno... I can't. I..."
"Say it Yuffie. What's wrong?"
"I'm dying."
"But how? When? Where? Why? You didn't tell me this earlier! What's wrong?"
"It's a hereditary illness, only affecting members of the Wutai clan."
"There is no cure?"
"At least none has been found so far. I'm sorry Reno... really."
"No... don't. Don't apologise."
"Reno..."
"How much longer?"
"Eh?"
"To live cheriè?"
"A few more months..."
"Then a few more months is enough for me."
"Reno?"
"Marry me Yuffie Kisaraghi. Please."
"Oh Reno... I do... Yes."
"Yes what?"
"I'll marry you."
She was mesmerizing at the simple wedding. The gown she wore accentuating and flattering her lean and trim physique well. The flush on her face masking the true paleness of her pallid skin. She was nearing the end, and yet she was still brave and courageous.
As she had always been.
"Yuffie..."
"-ch- Hey Reno! You there? -ch-" Reno growled at the headset that crackled by his left hand, interrupting his stroll down memory lane.
"What is it?" He growled fiercely as he adjusted the headset.
"-ch- Got news. Ghost people on the outskirts of Midgar 9. -ch-" So they were found eh? Good. Get the job over and done with. Then he would be free to reminiscence as much as he wanted and not be interrupted. "Roger that. Where are you guys?"
"-ch- Turtle paradise. -ch-"
"See you in five." And the line went dead. Reno got up reluctantly from the warmth of his seat and gazed out the window. The sun shone warmly on the cobbled streets below, sunlight splaying across the wares of the materia merchant downstairs. A haunting smile passed fleetingly on his face as he remembered her... there... working. That smile on her face... an enigmatic woman filled with mischief. He shook his head and then grabbed his nightrod before venturing out of the inn.
The brandy bottle and cup left untouched in his wake.
The hallways were empty... almost silent save for the 'click click' of able and nimble fingers flying across the keys of the keyboard.
Tifa paused, wondering if she should move on or not. If she should bother him or not. She had never seen him of course, he was never present at the combined faction meetings. He was always away, sending a young male name Kez to take down his notes.
She bit her lip. The way the Ghosts spoke of Raven, it was as if he was some God-sent messenger, brought down from Heaven to help them in this crisis. Maybe he was... maybe he wasn't. After all, the Raven was still a human. A genius with computers as Jesse had been. She had her doubts, but Cloud reassured her. Even Barrett, someone who usually wouldn't place his trust on anybody so easily, had done so. Tifa only hoped they were right in their judgement.
She cleared her throat and went on, ignoring the darkness and the fragments of light that splayed across her and her path.
The clickings suddenly stopped and then she froze as the familiar barrel of a gun was placed in front of her face.
"Geez Tifa. What the heck are you doing here? Nearly scared the cats off me!" Kez, the dark-haired Ghost elite took his gun inches away from her nose and then placed it back into his holster. Tifa gave a small sigh of relief and then smiled at him.
"I should say the same thing about you two. What are you doing here Kez?"
"Gotta ask you that as well."
"I just wanted to talk to Raven."
"Err... Raven rarely talks." Tifa arched an eyebrow. Kex gave her an apologetic smile.
"Raven doesn't like to be disturbed, especially with so much going on." Tifa pouted her lips and then nodded her head slightly.
"Sorry Tifa. Orders are orders. Raven come out soon enough. Don't worry." He gave her a rueful grin and then dissolved back into the shadows. So the Raven was one who was rarely seen, gave orders through a teenage boy, and seemed to be ruling and controlling the Ghosts as well. She clenched on fist. By hook or by crook, she just wanted to see and know just who this Raven was. At least if not to get a physical description in her head, then at least to understand his silence and non-presence.