Part Three: FOXX Den
-Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy Seven, nor do I own its places and characters.
Tifa made no sound she was awake, just shrugged back into her pillows. She didn't want to get up yet; didn't want to face the world today. After what had happened the previous day, she just felt like sleeping through this one.
She barely heard the groan sounding through her ear and felt the shifting against her back, but it was enough to raise her interest. Her eyes finally fluttered open and she became more aware, noticing the pillows were nowhere in sight and she was being restrained around the waist.
That didn't feel like the vicegrip Reno used to restrain, however.
Turning her head to her right, she found she didn't get too far, Reno's chin on her shoulder. She didn't feel any particular objection to this for some reason, then noticed the blanket thrown over both of them.
She knew she hadn't even tried to slink under the blankets the night before.
'Explains why I didn't freeze to death last night.'
Tifa almost smiled at the kind of irony of it, but then remembered the dream she'd had that night. It felt real, though, and she knew that if it were real, she had to heed the warning, as Sephiroth had said.
'You're not insane. Trust Aeris.'
Well, she had to admit that was a bit convincing. Another groan reverberated through her neck and shoulders, but the head lifted this time, as if Reno had no clue who or where he was.
"I'm surprised you didn't sock me and toss me off the bed," he muttered groggily, his head falling back to the bed, but his arms not moving.
"It was cold," Tifa lied, her voice a bit clearer. Truth was, she'd felt an odd sort of comfort waking up next to someone else, even if it was Reno.
'. . .Especially Reno.'
He did have a kind of calming feeling when he was around, and Tifa knew even Cloud didn't have that.
Reno waited a moment before prying his arms from around her, reluctant to say the least, and sat up on the end of the bed. He was glad she seemed to be a bit more herself today, but what Tseng had said - most likely in only his dream - made a lot of sense to him.
Cloud's a fool, he thought as he risked a glance at Tifa, who'd also sat up, but her back was to him. A smirk came to his face and he cracked his knuckles, the sound almost echoing through the room.
"I guess I should warn you I'm taking a shower," Tifa announced, looking back to meet his gaze.
Reno looked disappointed. "It woulda been more fun if you hadn't. Now I don't have an excuse."
Tifa grabbed one of the pillows and hurled it at him, not surprised when he caught it. "I'll have to lock the door, you're saying?"
"It'd be the safe way to go."
Tifa frowned at him, but the smirk she was shot gave her the impression he was being his usual self again. She walked without another word into the bathroom, shuddering at the cold tile underneath her feet.
She closed the door and reached into the shower, turning the hot water on all the way with only a bit of cold. Reno's shower was one that hissed terribly, but the force behind the water was extreme, looking like it could take oil off of a driveway.
She carelessly peeled off her clothes, feeling the truth of how cold it was before the stepped into the shower, steam having already fogged the mirror.
She shuddered once more at the temperature change, but found the shower one of the best places to think, which was why she was there this morning. The dream the previous night had scared the hell out of her, really, but she was going to stay away from the bar if possible.
Aeris was usually right in life, so why would she lie in death?
Few thoughts actually passed through Tifa's mind before she stepped from the shower, grabbing a towel and drying herself off. She couldn't forget how it felt to wake up in someone's arms, which she'd felt minutes before, but she wondered what made Reno do that.
He could've just left her alone.
But, thinking about it as she slipped back into her clothes, she figured she'd do about the same thing. She remembered when she had broken down the night before, something that embarrassed her, but Reno was a good friend, and she felt only slightly bad about doing that infront of him.
She rubbed the mirror so she could see her face, frowning when she felt her hair, which was still in knots and missing its tie.
'Where'd it go?'
Tifa sighed and shrugged to herself, just brushing through her long, raven- brown strands before she walked from the bathroom. She tossed the towel in a wicker basket Reno had set up for laundry and strode into the living room, surprised at the smell and sound of breakfast.
Reno said without turning his back on the stove, "We're headin' to the bar after awhile."
Deciding not to bring up the fact that she wanted to stay far away from there, she nodded and chewed her bottom lip, not wanting to sound crazy.
She had a knot in the pit of her stomach, though, that she should speak up.
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"It. . .it's insane!"
". . .It must be done. You've seen for yourself."
"It's just unheard of, though!"
"You heard me."
"But -!"
"Do not argue. It's possible, if you will just let me speak with the council."
"You can't!"
"Give me a reason and I won't."
". . ."
"Exactly. Let me speak with the council."
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But the two did wind up heading out and toward the bar, Tifa's mind screaming at her every step. She knew she had to say something, but she couldn't put it into words without being called a loon.
Reno just led them on, about to step infront of the bar when his suit was grabbed and himself thrown into the alley, coming to a stop staring into the crimson eyes of Tifa. "Um. . .?"
"We can't go inside," she hissed, giving him a brief run-down of the dream she'd had last night. "You got somebody we can stay with for a while?"
Reno still looked skeptical, but his reply was cut off as three men skidded into the alley, wearing the unmistakable Wutai police uniform. He grabbed Tifa's arm unknowingly and threw her down the alley, making sure she kept on her feet, and they both dashed through it.
Tifa was unsure of the alleys in Junon, but she just ran, taking random turns until he muscles screamed for her to stop. She was now sorry she had doubted Aeris and Sephiroth, and knew what they had been speaking of. But still, she needed an explanation from Reno as to why they had Wutai after them.
Reno took the lead and dashed forward, wincing each time he heard shots ring out, but Tifa's panting was reassuring in a way. They needed somewhere to stay? The ex-Turk made a sudden turn and pushed through the crowds in the street, managing to get a grip on Tifa's hand as they reached the other side.
Tifa looked back as he pried a grate from the sewer and dove down, and unhesitantly, she followed, wondering how far it was down. Not far, as it turned out, and Reno had her hand again, pulling her through pitch black corridors, from what she suspected.
Panting, Reno drew out his cellphone and managed to get out a number. When he received a greeting, he just barked, "Hole! I need one now! Can you get it?"
An affirmative reply was his answer and he quickly pocketed the cell phone, stopping in his tracks.
Tifa found herself in worse shape then she could hear he was in, and was about to ask what was going on when a light almost blinded her.
"Get in here!" came a hiss, Reno obliging and bringing her in the process.
Tifa found herself inside a narrow hallway, a flashlight the source of the blinding flash. She couldn't see the one behind it, but she figured she was being looked at.
"Look, we've got Wutai feds after us. Can we stay in the Den for a while?" Reno blurted out, though the flashlight never moved.
"You can, but not her," came the icy reply. "She's one of the seven, and could put us at risk."
Tifa felt her stomach twist, but Reno was glad to keep up his argument.
"She lives with me, and as far as I'm concerned, she's one of us," he snapped back.
The person kept the light on Tifa a moment more before clicking it off, revealing the dimmer light a ways down the passage. "I don't have the final say, Reno."
The man in question just laid a hand upon Tifa's shoulder to lead her through the darkness and followed the back of the one who was leading them.
Tifa had to blink yet again as they entered a large room, feeling two sets of eyes on her but one had his or her back turned, tapping away at the keys on a computer. She looked between the two, one of which appeared to be a boy no more than fourteen, and the one leading them was a relatively short man, looking slightly older than Reno.
"Visitors," the young boy muttered. His black hair was spiked, almost perfectly spaced in all places. He wore a red bandanna around his forehead, but his impassive expression was uncaring as to who she was or why she was there. He wore a grey shirt and a pair of ripped shorts, though it was only February, and Tifa noticed it was almost warm down here.
The man who'd led them in, as he turned out to be, was heavy-set and had small brown eyes, wearing a brand-name T-shirt and black jeans.
The one whose back was turned to them, his or her head craned enough to hide it, was wearing a white robe, from what they could see.
"Welcome home, Reno," the small man said dully, still giving Tifa a careful eye. "What brings you back?"
Reno gave them a run-down of what had happened, adding in Andreeson and ViYlic at the end, and the two who had given their attention to the newcomers simply nodded, the young boy going back to a thick book he seemed to be deep in.
"Welcome to the FOXX Den," came a female voice, the figure at the computer standing and walking to them. She had long red hair, much lighter than Reno's, which disappeared beyond the neck of her robe. She looked about their age, her green eyes standing out the most. She looked at Tifa and smiled, a hint of impression inside of it.
"You give final say," the short man announced, walking over and sitting on the couch next to the boy's legs, which hardly took up space at all.
"She stays," the woman replied immediately, receiving a grunt from the shorter.
"She could put us all in danger, and you automatically say yes. I would've preferred if the whole thing'd been left to Riley," the boy on the couch weighed in from the couch, not even glancing up.
Riley, Tifa assumed being the short man, just smiled approvingly and looked at the woman.
"She stays," she repeated, looking at Reno and putting on a smile. "Reno Drannor? Long time no see."
"Yep," was Reno's short reply, whose hand had yet to move from Tifa's shoulder.
"How's the world treatin' ya?" the boy asked from the couch, inserting a red slip of paper into his book and tossing it onto the floor. His eyes seemed to have almost a rust color to them.
"Like crap, Xion," he replied with a chuckle, leaning on the wall and folding his arms across his chest.
"Shit," Xion corrected with a groan, stretching out with uncountable cracks.
Tifa was looking at the woman infront of them, who reminded her so much of Jessie it was almost scary. She looked to Reno for information, but he was already in a conversation with Riley and Xion. The former AVALANCHE member looked back to her original interest, deciding to question. "What is this place?"
The other simply held her hand out, answering another of Tifa's questions. "Navi, leader of FOXX. It doesn't stand for anything, but I'm sure you know about underground organizations like this. Instead of Midgar, though, we go for Junon."
Navi led her to the computer, then sat down and whacked at the keys like she was born to do so. She went along as she typed, apparently looking for a file. "My brother left the whole thing to me, and I'm sure you can see it didn't go over too well."
"Xion's parents couldn't afford to support him. They left him in the streets one night a few years ago, and he found his way in here. Obviously, we couldn't have it get out about us, so we decided we could use him."
"My brother, Zek, Riley, and I were the only ones here at the time, so he was welcome, maybe just for company," Navi went on, still jabbing the beige keys. She had opened around eight windows so far, and Tifa was aware just by looking that they had it planned out pretty well.
"We did some business with Reno a while back, a few years really, and he just kinda stuck around. You're Tifa Lockheart, right?" Navi queried. The clicking keys had stopped and all there was there was a search bar.
Tifa just nodded, not really surprised. She watched as Navi typed in her name and pressed the search button, a lot of results coming up. One of them, separated from the others, read 'FOXX File.'
Navi grabbed a key from under her desk and tossed it to Reno, but it landed harmlessly on Xion. "You're in the C room," she informed him absently, then clicking on the bright link that was on the screen.
The computer worked for a moment before it went to a kind of profile, taking Tifa by surprise.
"Completely updated," Navi said with a grin, scrolling to the bottom of the information. Indeed, the last date was telling of Tifa's job at the bar.
"Where do we get this?" asked Navi before the surprised Tifa could speak, spinning in her chair to face her. "The walls got ears."
Tifa was about to respond, but Reno's voice drifted down on of the stone tunnels leading off of the Den.
"There's only a couch!"
Navi sighed and stood up, looking toward the tunnel entrance. "You gave up the big room when you took off to Kalm, and you expect it to be available a few weeks after you come back? I doubt it, so deal with the couch."
Reno suddenly wished she'd just kept shut as he walked back into the Den, seeing to look on Tifa's face. He'd forgotten all about Kalm. Giving her another look that asked for them to delay that conversation, he received a small nod. "So, we're stuck with the couch," he sighed.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Navi asked with a disturbing smile. Frankly, everything about her seemed disturbing to Tifa.
Reno glared at her, knowing how rhetorical the question was.
"Wonderful," Tifa muttered, looking again at the file that Navi had pulled up. She had forgotten just how many millions of people knew her, and how much information they could get about anywhere. She was just trying to mirror Reno's attitude with the curt statement, but knew it bothered neither to have to use a couch.
Knowing Reno, he'd wind up on the floor anyway.
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"I do not see why. . ."
"Because I can. If I can, I will. Surely you see the point in my request."
"Of course I do, as does everyone on the council who has heard your argument."
"Then I am permitted?"
". . .I'm sorry. It is. . .out of the question."
"You are aware I will simply find a way if I am not given clearance by the council."
"Indeed I am, but that is not something my power can control."
"You will give me clearance! I will be granted my last wish!"
"Ah, but if you do receive permission, it may not be your last wish."
"Then you see my point in asking as clear as ever!"
". . .The council grants your wish."
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The couch didn't fold out; it was a simple couch.
This Xion mentioned only after they had arrived in the room, but the looks he got were proof that the idea didn't exactly make them jump for joy.
"It's fine," Reno assured him, looking around the dimly lit room. A single light bulb was suspended in the middle of the room, boxes lining the walls, and the couch pushed against one like a forgotten rag.
Xion just shrugged and walked out, muttering for them to try to keep it down before he snapped the door shut behind him, turning off the light and leaving them in darkness.
"Kalm?" Tifa demanded from Reno, who'd laid down on the couch already.
The ex-Turk didn't give a usual reply, which would be him spitting something offensive at her, but almost examined the shadow of Tifa for a moment before speaking. "I was there, then you came and I took off. What more's there to it?"
"Why didn't you stay?" she asked, suddenly feeling uneasy about it. She sat down on the arm of the couch, looking straight into his eyes.
The gaze made Reno want to look away, but he knew that was the worst move he could make. Instead, he gave her the truth. "Because I doubted you'd ever consider me anyone you'd wanna speak to anymore, and I didn't think it'd work if we were living in the same town. But, look how this is goin'. You came here, and we're being chased by about everybody in Wutai for killing an officer."
Tifa nearly jolted out of her seat, her eyes flung wide at what she had just heard. "What?"
Sitting up, Reno hooked his arms around his legs. "After Meteor, Andreeson took off and became a Wutai officer. That's why he knew so much about everybody, and ViYlic's supposedly dead. So, we're the next in line for suspicion, and I admit Tarah'll need to watch out, too. What we need to do is lay low and keep an eye on the feds."
Tifa felt as if she was going to be sick, not having an idea as to how much Reno was keeping from her.
Reno simply stared at her a moment more, but couldn't help from pondering the way they were going to have to sleep that night. Of course, he knew neither wanted the floor; he would refuse, and would object if she offered to take it. Which left the choice he knew both of them had thought of more than once. "We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow, if my plans get heard."
His predictions were proven truthful as he saw Tifa start to slide off the couch, but put a grip on her wrist, a calm smile upon his face. This was mostly at her reaction, which was complete surprise, as she was forced onto the couch. Even in the dark, it wasn't hard to make things out, and he pressed further into the couch cushions as his arms found their position of the previous night around her waist.
Tifa nearly exploded as she was pulled impossibly close to him, but kept her mouth shut, managing an inward sigh of odd relief as she finally found a comfortable position, Reno's breath warm on her neck. She would normally try to squirm away, but there was a new voice inside her head that told her to bite her tongue and stay.
"Nobody gets the floor. Now just go to sleep," Reno whispered calmly into her ear, finding his uneasiness gone as his legs partly entwined with hers.
'She's not screaming, and she didn't sock you. I consider this a good sign.'
Now that he knew what it was, the voice actually did echo in his mind as Tseng's. Her closed his arms around her shoulders, resting a hand on either elbow. There was an odd kind of feeling of needs fulfilled that night as they rested against each other, one both fell asleep smiling because of.
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The hour of two in the morning was not new to Navi, nor were the sounds of clothed being put on from a room down one of the stone tunnels. Riley's job started at three, the man working as a Jujitsu instructor downtown. His class was appropriately called the Night Owls, small but meaningful.
His footsteps grew as he entered the room, but quickly left for their kind of break room, the one with the coffee machine and television.
Navi tapped away at the keys still, insomnia actually welcomed by her. When she was alone, she worked best, and her only light was the glowing screen infront of her.
Riley, as usual, gave no good-bye as he left the Den nearly an hour later, but Xion's groaning brought Navi from her trance and made her spin on her chair.
Xion slept in the break room, because it was one of the only ones with a bed, so he usually got up with Riley. "Mornin', Kid," she greeted.
The young boy's hair was sticking every way she could imagine, and his usual book was under his arm, still wearing the same clothes. He threw himself onto the couch as he always did and looked to her with a crooked grin. "When're you headin' to bed?"
Navi shrugged. They shared the bed, though they never used it at the same time. "What are you reading, anyway?" she queried, nodding to the book she could barely make out in the dim light of the room. Xion always had his nose stuck in it.
He picked it up and squinted at the cover, not really knowing. "General Insanity," he finally made out. "'Bout Sephiroth, believe it or not. Biography."
Navi wasn't surprised, but knew it was mostly all lies. Few knew about Sephiroth's true past, and she couldn't say she was one of them. Xion knew that, she was aware, but they might've gotten one or two things right, so he was reading it.
At least, that was her guess.
"How long's it?" she asked, deciding to change the subject to something else when this was answered.
"This is only part one, but it's got somewhere around a thousand pages," he replied, yawning deeply.
"Riley doesn't trust Reno," Navi blurted out. "He thinks he's tryin' to lead the feds to us, and wants him out soon. Tifa's innocent, though."
Xion retorted, "What makes you say that?" He shared Riley's feelings on Reno, but Tifa, he knew, wasn't one who had a perfect record.
"I dunno, I just think she's got nothing to do with it if Reno is trying to turn us in. I just get a feeling, and you know those're usually right," she said with a sigh, rubbing the back of her neck as she shut down the computer and clicked on her desk light.
"Well, at least I didn't hear any funny noises comin' from their room last night, or I wouldn't be able to sleep again," he muttered.
"Get real!" Navi said, laughing softly. For only fourteen, Xion was a mature child, and read many things that adults couldn't even comprehend. She thought it a shame he never finished school. "Read me some of the book, would ya?" Her first yawn of the night came then and she stood up to walk and sit next to him.
Xion nodded and opened it to the prologue, reading:
"'Sephiroth is undoubtedly the one responsible for the Fire of Nibelheim,
and many eyewitnesses have told so. One of these was a man named Cloud Strife, a former acquaintance of mine. He was told to be one of the best in the SOLDIER program, and went on many missions with the General of the ShinRa Army after the war had ended. Not much else is known about the Nibelheim incident, but there is always more history of Sephiroth to be told, though it is unlikely we will ever have the full story in our minds.
Sephiroth's childhood was filled with trouble, being the son of the Professor Hojo Novehar, and watching his own mother die at the hands of the man himself. Professor Hojo never wanted a son, only one he could turn into another monster, or that is my opinion. Lucrecia, a mere assistant to Hojo, whose life was ruined and taken by the man she thought she loved, was Sephiroth's birth mother, her last name unknown to anyone living today.
Until his death, Sephiroth was considered the most skilled swordsman and most powerful person on the Planet. Although my opinion does not matter much here, I beg to differ, for AVALANCHE was the group to defeat him, am I right? AVALANCHE was a small group, never wanting to get caught up in this, but even as a 'Jenova-filled puppet,' Sephiroth died at the hands of them.
These are the untold stories of a madman.'"
"There's a lot more detail into the book," Xion confirmed, closing it.
"Who wrote that?" Navi questioned.
She watched in confusion as Xion flipped the book in his hands a few times, an odd look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It doesn't say."
Navi was taken aback by the curt reply. "It has to say," she stated slowly.
"It's not a real name," Xion said.
"Well, who is it?" she prodded.
Xion stared at the front of the book for a long while before reading, "Chaos."
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"They. . .permitted. . .it?"
"You sound surprised."
"I am! I can't believe you're even going to try that, let alone that the council told you that you could!"
"I continue to have a kind of effect on others."
"Still. . ."
"You sound worried now."
". . ."
". . .Are you?"
"What if something goes wrong?!"
"Don't avoid the question."
"Yes, I'm worried, mostly about you!"
"Why?"
". . ."
"What, do you have feelings me?"
". . ."
"You don't, do you?"
". . .I just. . ."
"You shouldn't love me. I'm leaving now."
"Wait. . . Wait!"
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For the second time in twenty-four hours, Tifa woke up first, but she knew what to expect this time. She liked the feeling of waking up next to him, oddly enough, and she found a smile on her lips as she noticed her hand, which had apparently taken his in the middle of the night.
She couldn't deny the feeling in the pit of her stomach anymore. Tifa new she had come to Junon for a reason now, more than just politely accepting an invite. She had unknowingly wanted to be close to Reno at any cost, and had indeed gotten just that. Wutai wanted them dead, and no one she was currently staying with wanted her there with the exception of Navi and Reno.
The ex-Turk seemed to be in a deep sleep, and he didn't feel like he'd shaved in the last few days. She knew this, for her cheek had somehow gotten to a resting spot ontop of his chin, a faint wheezing emitting from his nostrils.
The room was still pitch black, but the door was open she could see. Obviously, someone had come to check on them, but it didn't help their lighting problem. She had no idea what time it was, either, and made a note to herself to ask for an electric clock. She had a feeling it was early, for she was still tired.
So, not wanting to wake Reno, she closed her eyes and slid into a deep state of thought, not really feeling all that steady at the time.
Tifa knew Reno had feelings for her, but she also knew he wasn't one to let someone break the barrier so easily. She could often see it in his eyes, or hear it in his nervous tone.
But somewhere in the back of her head rested guilt, caused by the one person she had always dreamed of laying next to her like this, but Reno had somehow wedged his way in.
Like it or not, she did miss Cloud.
Reno was the last person she had imagined would be resting against her, and especially since she didn't drink to much. But she didn't need to be drunk to wind up like that, it appeared, and she suddenly felt like laughing. For no reason, really.
She wanted to laugh at Nibelheim; at the others who worked in the bar and had told her that Reno Drannor was known for using and ditching women; at Sephiroth, who turned them against each other for long years; at her past doubts of ever being his friend again.
But most of all, she wanted to laugh at everyone who had told her that at her rate, she would barely live to see her twenties, let alone ever meet someone 'right' for her.
She did consider Reno a bit more than a friend at the time, and doubt had suddenly gone absent. Although that was what she had told herself to avoid, she had pretty much figured out it would be exactly what happened.
But, to her surprise, she found nothing to make her even consider regretting it.
Tifa smiled to herself, letting her body almost sink into the couch as she drifted off again.
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What Tifa didn't know was that Reno was just good at feigning sleep.
He knew how to do this, for the Turks needed to know small, important things for some of their odder missions.
Her constant shifting was unnerving to him, but he knew to lay still and speak not a word. Why he was doing this, he had no idea, but he really didn't care.
He knew he and Tifa were close friends, but he had to admit that meant nothing.
Over the years, each woman who'd found him in a bar had added a bit to the barrier he had sealed around his soul. Finally, after a long time, he never opened up to anyone much. It was like a giant wall, Reno's heart. No one had ever climbed over the top, save for maybe his sister.
This brought terrible memories. . .
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"Midgar sucks," she muttered.
Reno gave his sister, Dani, a dark look. "Where'd you pick that up?"
Dani was a young girl, only twelve. This made her three years younger then he older brother, but she was still mature enough to argue with him. Dani rolled her eyes and snorted, "Oh, I forgot, I'm talking to Reno, the man with the clean mouth."
They were walking through the Sector Seven slums, where they had been living for a while. The streets were littered with various wrappers and balls of paper, left carelessly to blow in the faint breeze that managed to reach under the Plate.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Reno asked with slight vehemence.
"I picked it up from you!" she said loudly, laughing.
The older was about to reply when Johnny, a fellow member of the Knights, strode straight at him, knocking him off balance. "No wonder you can't even dodge a punch," he said with a chuckle, helping the younger man up.
Reno brushed himself off and glared at Johnny, not really in the mood for games. "Somethin' up?"
"Might be," Johnny replied, but that sounded nothing like his voice.
"You feelin' okay?" Reno asked, tilting his head. When he finally looked at him, he looked a bit different.
"He is, but you may not be," came the cold voice from behind him.
Whirling around, Reno saw none other than Cero, leader of their rivaling gang, and a small group of his 'goons,' as Johnny called them. The man was undoubtedly who he thought it was, the bright green eyes and long brown hair unmistakable.
"Take her, Marcus. We need to do this quickly. Nang, you restrain him. Make sure he gets a front row seat," Cero hissed quickly.
Before Reno knew what was happening, his arms were pinned behind his head and he was staring in horror at Dani, whose wrist was held violently by the Johnny look-alike.
Reno didn't want this to be happening, and thrashed with all he had at 'Nang.' This proved to no avail, and the young man knew he was stuck.
Cero pulled the switchblade from his pocket with a menacing grin, casting a glance at Reno. "This may teach you to stay off of our turf." He spun back around, holding the blade loosely as he strode slowly to Dani.
"I'll kill you!" Reno roared, sure he was going to break his arms from the attempts to break free. "I swear I'll fucking kill you, dammit!"
Cero just shrugged, going in a slow circle around his target. "You won't be able to if you're dead," he replied coolly, a smirk still on his face. They were in the alley, which had made the two Drannors easy prey. He planned on getting rid of the threat one way or another, and if he had his way, both.
Reno could see the fear in Dani's eyes, and he finally managed to get a hand free, though it was only caught again. He wouldn't let this happen to her. She was only twelve, dammit! He would take her place if he could save her.
Cero gave Dani a last look before moving the switchblade into her chest agonizingly slowly, Marcus clamping a hand over the wailing girl's mouth. Cero kept pressing on the handle of the blade until he could go no farther, then pulled it back out, satisfied with the steady flow of blood from his victim.
Reno was shouting things he might've even made up, not even caring about or comprehending his own words. Never before had he felt so helpless; he had been easily trapped.
Cero turned and nodded to Nang, pleased when the man let Reno go.
The red-haired young man stumbled over to his sister, tears rushing forth for the first time in so long from his eyes. He wanted so much to wake up any time now, but he knew that wasn't going to happen. He barely heard the words Cero said.
"Give me your gun, Nang," the tall man hissed, looking expectantly at his partner and sensing his hesitation.
"Sir," Nang started, but was cut off.
"We get rid of the entire threat now," Cero snapped, knowing Reno was too much of a wreck to try anything.
"Don't be dead!" Reno pleaded, cradling the body of his sister. He was praying to anyone who might listen, but the feeling of Dani's skin alone told him it was too late.
"Allow me to ease your suffering," Cero almost offered, holding the gun at the back of Reno's head.
And then, Reno saw nothing.
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The real Johnny had somehow found him and had the Knights put their small amount of gil together to get him some medical attention, but Reno had decided than that he would never get so close to something that he would be hurt if they died.
The Turks had somehow gotten past that, and, opening his eyes, Reno noticed Tifa had, too.
Sadly, Cero had never been seen after that day, and Reno never got his revenge.
The involuntary jolt through his spine was enough to wake Tifa, but she immediately went into a round of coughing. Reno looked at her with concern, each sound wracking her body harder than the last.
When she had finally finished, she gave a low groan, and Reno observed, "Looks like you're sick."
Tifa just nodded. She had known she hadn't felt like herself when she had woken up, but she had never suspected she'd get sick.
Reno laid there for a moment more before sitting up, having to force Tifa to stay down. He figured this was no big thing, to be sick. They were living in the sewers for the time, after all. He could see well enough in the darkness, something he had always considered a talent.
One thing he needed was to get back into the real Junon and go shopping, or at least pick up some things from the apartment, even if the place was crawling with Wutai police.
'I should probably have Navi check that out.'
He looked at Tifa, whose eyes were closed again, and noticed how violently she was shivering. It wasn't all that bad, but noticeable nonetheless.
Reno looked around and came up lucky as he found a folded blanket on a stack of boxes, barely visible in the pitch black of the room. As he grabbed it from the kind of pillar, he noticed luck hadn't been a rare thing lately. They had managed to escape one of the best forces on the Planet, and he had lured Tifa Lockheart from Kalm into his arms, to put it straight.
The mere thought brought a grin to the face of Reno as he walked back to the couch, shaking out the blanket a bit before laying it over Tifa, the young woman still shaking, but awake, he knew.
"Need anything?" he queried.
Tifa just shook her head, still looking like she was asleep. She had always hated being sick; that feeling in her stomach and the cold, even in the heat. What she wanted was real heat, some that could get through her skin at the time.
Reno then decided that he wouldn't leave, seeing how bad a shape she was in, and resumed his earlier position. Shopping could wait, he decided as his arms found their way around her again, no words exchanged.
One good part of the FOXX Den was that it was always dark, and easy to sleep in at any time.
The new source of heat was good enough for Tifa, and she squirmed onto her other side, returning the kind of embrace. All she wanted was to get over this dizziness, and she would probably be fine. She barely knew where she was or who she was laying next to as sleep took her again.
========================================================================
"How long, again?"
"Hours. It is short, but be reminded of the pain involved."
". . ."
"I sense hesitation in you."
". . .You know why."
"Do not worry about it. We will make sure it is taken care of."
"Then. . .I'm ready."
========================================================================
"Better."
"Glad to hear it," Reno replied with a grin, standing in the 'doorway.'
They had spent most of the day in the FOXX Den, but Reno had finally gone shopping and, as he had thought, grabbed a few things from his apartment.
Tifa had gradually managed to get over whatever she'd had, and had finally gotten the clock she wanted. Xion had offered to switch rooms with them, seeing it was a bit cramped on the couch, and warned them of Riley.
Tifa had accepted anyway, just glad to finally have a mattress. One thing that did bother her was the fact that Reno was going to take the other couch, and refused to share the bed. That only bothered her because she was once again getting the better part of the deal, though.
"You're welcome to stay," she offered, trying to hide the pleading in her voice. Wutai was still out there, and it scared her terribly to know that.
Reno shook his head. "I'm sure you'd like some room tonight." Although he was nearly jumping at the offer, he knew he couldn't stay. He knew he couldn't stay, because he was afraid one of them might try something that they would regret.
'Damn, you changed, Reno.'
"Well, then," Tifa started, frowning inwardly. "Night, Reno."
"Night, Tiff."
And with that, the light was off, and she was alone again. Looking around, her heart skipped a beat as a scraping sounded in the corner. Maybe she wasn't alone.
"R - Reno?" she asked, fearful for the first time in a while.
She screamed as a hand closed over her mouth, muffling it to a whimper, and the light clicked on again.
Tifa went silent, her eyes wide, staring into another pair; a pair she'd met one too many times.
Author's Note: Okay, here's what I'll do. If you can guess what the council is, I'll give you a part in the story. Send answers via email: nokaru_koamu@shinra.org. Also, start to send/post questions for me to answer with the next part if you're curious, but I will not give spoilers. So, send me some stuff. . . -Haze
-Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy Seven, nor do I own its places and characters.
Tifa made no sound she was awake, just shrugged back into her pillows. She didn't want to get up yet; didn't want to face the world today. After what had happened the previous day, she just felt like sleeping through this one.
She barely heard the groan sounding through her ear and felt the shifting against her back, but it was enough to raise her interest. Her eyes finally fluttered open and she became more aware, noticing the pillows were nowhere in sight and she was being restrained around the waist.
That didn't feel like the vicegrip Reno used to restrain, however.
Turning her head to her right, she found she didn't get too far, Reno's chin on her shoulder. She didn't feel any particular objection to this for some reason, then noticed the blanket thrown over both of them.
She knew she hadn't even tried to slink under the blankets the night before.
'Explains why I didn't freeze to death last night.'
Tifa almost smiled at the kind of irony of it, but then remembered the dream she'd had that night. It felt real, though, and she knew that if it were real, she had to heed the warning, as Sephiroth had said.
'You're not insane. Trust Aeris.'
Well, she had to admit that was a bit convincing. Another groan reverberated through her neck and shoulders, but the head lifted this time, as if Reno had no clue who or where he was.
"I'm surprised you didn't sock me and toss me off the bed," he muttered groggily, his head falling back to the bed, but his arms not moving.
"It was cold," Tifa lied, her voice a bit clearer. Truth was, she'd felt an odd sort of comfort waking up next to someone else, even if it was Reno.
'. . .Especially Reno.'
He did have a kind of calming feeling when he was around, and Tifa knew even Cloud didn't have that.
Reno waited a moment before prying his arms from around her, reluctant to say the least, and sat up on the end of the bed. He was glad she seemed to be a bit more herself today, but what Tseng had said - most likely in only his dream - made a lot of sense to him.
Cloud's a fool, he thought as he risked a glance at Tifa, who'd also sat up, but her back was to him. A smirk came to his face and he cracked his knuckles, the sound almost echoing through the room.
"I guess I should warn you I'm taking a shower," Tifa announced, looking back to meet his gaze.
Reno looked disappointed. "It woulda been more fun if you hadn't. Now I don't have an excuse."
Tifa grabbed one of the pillows and hurled it at him, not surprised when he caught it. "I'll have to lock the door, you're saying?"
"It'd be the safe way to go."
Tifa frowned at him, but the smirk she was shot gave her the impression he was being his usual self again. She walked without another word into the bathroom, shuddering at the cold tile underneath her feet.
She closed the door and reached into the shower, turning the hot water on all the way with only a bit of cold. Reno's shower was one that hissed terribly, but the force behind the water was extreme, looking like it could take oil off of a driveway.
She carelessly peeled off her clothes, feeling the truth of how cold it was before the stepped into the shower, steam having already fogged the mirror.
She shuddered once more at the temperature change, but found the shower one of the best places to think, which was why she was there this morning. The dream the previous night had scared the hell out of her, really, but she was going to stay away from the bar if possible.
Aeris was usually right in life, so why would she lie in death?
Few thoughts actually passed through Tifa's mind before she stepped from the shower, grabbing a towel and drying herself off. She couldn't forget how it felt to wake up in someone's arms, which she'd felt minutes before, but she wondered what made Reno do that.
He could've just left her alone.
But, thinking about it as she slipped back into her clothes, she figured she'd do about the same thing. She remembered when she had broken down the night before, something that embarrassed her, but Reno was a good friend, and she felt only slightly bad about doing that infront of him.
She rubbed the mirror so she could see her face, frowning when she felt her hair, which was still in knots and missing its tie.
'Where'd it go?'
Tifa sighed and shrugged to herself, just brushing through her long, raven- brown strands before she walked from the bathroom. She tossed the towel in a wicker basket Reno had set up for laundry and strode into the living room, surprised at the smell and sound of breakfast.
Reno said without turning his back on the stove, "We're headin' to the bar after awhile."
Deciding not to bring up the fact that she wanted to stay far away from there, she nodded and chewed her bottom lip, not wanting to sound crazy.
She had a knot in the pit of her stomach, though, that she should speak up.
========================================================================
"It. . .it's insane!"
". . .It must be done. You've seen for yourself."
"It's just unheard of, though!"
"You heard me."
"But -!"
"Do not argue. It's possible, if you will just let me speak with the council."
"You can't!"
"Give me a reason and I won't."
". . ."
"Exactly. Let me speak with the council."
========================================================================
But the two did wind up heading out and toward the bar, Tifa's mind screaming at her every step. She knew she had to say something, but she couldn't put it into words without being called a loon.
Reno just led them on, about to step infront of the bar when his suit was grabbed and himself thrown into the alley, coming to a stop staring into the crimson eyes of Tifa. "Um. . .?"
"We can't go inside," she hissed, giving him a brief run-down of the dream she'd had last night. "You got somebody we can stay with for a while?"
Reno still looked skeptical, but his reply was cut off as three men skidded into the alley, wearing the unmistakable Wutai police uniform. He grabbed Tifa's arm unknowingly and threw her down the alley, making sure she kept on her feet, and they both dashed through it.
Tifa was unsure of the alleys in Junon, but she just ran, taking random turns until he muscles screamed for her to stop. She was now sorry she had doubted Aeris and Sephiroth, and knew what they had been speaking of. But still, she needed an explanation from Reno as to why they had Wutai after them.
Reno took the lead and dashed forward, wincing each time he heard shots ring out, but Tifa's panting was reassuring in a way. They needed somewhere to stay? The ex-Turk made a sudden turn and pushed through the crowds in the street, managing to get a grip on Tifa's hand as they reached the other side.
Tifa looked back as he pried a grate from the sewer and dove down, and unhesitantly, she followed, wondering how far it was down. Not far, as it turned out, and Reno had her hand again, pulling her through pitch black corridors, from what she suspected.
Panting, Reno drew out his cellphone and managed to get out a number. When he received a greeting, he just barked, "Hole! I need one now! Can you get it?"
An affirmative reply was his answer and he quickly pocketed the cell phone, stopping in his tracks.
Tifa found herself in worse shape then she could hear he was in, and was about to ask what was going on when a light almost blinded her.
"Get in here!" came a hiss, Reno obliging and bringing her in the process.
Tifa found herself inside a narrow hallway, a flashlight the source of the blinding flash. She couldn't see the one behind it, but she figured she was being looked at.
"Look, we've got Wutai feds after us. Can we stay in the Den for a while?" Reno blurted out, though the flashlight never moved.
"You can, but not her," came the icy reply. "She's one of the seven, and could put us at risk."
Tifa felt her stomach twist, but Reno was glad to keep up his argument.
"She lives with me, and as far as I'm concerned, she's one of us," he snapped back.
The person kept the light on Tifa a moment more before clicking it off, revealing the dimmer light a ways down the passage. "I don't have the final say, Reno."
The man in question just laid a hand upon Tifa's shoulder to lead her through the darkness and followed the back of the one who was leading them.
Tifa had to blink yet again as they entered a large room, feeling two sets of eyes on her but one had his or her back turned, tapping away at the keys on a computer. She looked between the two, one of which appeared to be a boy no more than fourteen, and the one leading them was a relatively short man, looking slightly older than Reno.
"Visitors," the young boy muttered. His black hair was spiked, almost perfectly spaced in all places. He wore a red bandanna around his forehead, but his impassive expression was uncaring as to who she was or why she was there. He wore a grey shirt and a pair of ripped shorts, though it was only February, and Tifa noticed it was almost warm down here.
The man who'd led them in, as he turned out to be, was heavy-set and had small brown eyes, wearing a brand-name T-shirt and black jeans.
The one whose back was turned to them, his or her head craned enough to hide it, was wearing a white robe, from what they could see.
"Welcome home, Reno," the small man said dully, still giving Tifa a careful eye. "What brings you back?"
Reno gave them a run-down of what had happened, adding in Andreeson and ViYlic at the end, and the two who had given their attention to the newcomers simply nodded, the young boy going back to a thick book he seemed to be deep in.
"Welcome to the FOXX Den," came a female voice, the figure at the computer standing and walking to them. She had long red hair, much lighter than Reno's, which disappeared beyond the neck of her robe. She looked about their age, her green eyes standing out the most. She looked at Tifa and smiled, a hint of impression inside of it.
"You give final say," the short man announced, walking over and sitting on the couch next to the boy's legs, which hardly took up space at all.
"She stays," the woman replied immediately, receiving a grunt from the shorter.
"She could put us all in danger, and you automatically say yes. I would've preferred if the whole thing'd been left to Riley," the boy on the couch weighed in from the couch, not even glancing up.
Riley, Tifa assumed being the short man, just smiled approvingly and looked at the woman.
"She stays," she repeated, looking at Reno and putting on a smile. "Reno Drannor? Long time no see."
"Yep," was Reno's short reply, whose hand had yet to move from Tifa's shoulder.
"How's the world treatin' ya?" the boy asked from the couch, inserting a red slip of paper into his book and tossing it onto the floor. His eyes seemed to have almost a rust color to them.
"Like crap, Xion," he replied with a chuckle, leaning on the wall and folding his arms across his chest.
"Shit," Xion corrected with a groan, stretching out with uncountable cracks.
Tifa was looking at the woman infront of them, who reminded her so much of Jessie it was almost scary. She looked to Reno for information, but he was already in a conversation with Riley and Xion. The former AVALANCHE member looked back to her original interest, deciding to question. "What is this place?"
The other simply held her hand out, answering another of Tifa's questions. "Navi, leader of FOXX. It doesn't stand for anything, but I'm sure you know about underground organizations like this. Instead of Midgar, though, we go for Junon."
Navi led her to the computer, then sat down and whacked at the keys like she was born to do so. She went along as she typed, apparently looking for a file. "My brother left the whole thing to me, and I'm sure you can see it didn't go over too well."
"Xion's parents couldn't afford to support him. They left him in the streets one night a few years ago, and he found his way in here. Obviously, we couldn't have it get out about us, so we decided we could use him."
"My brother, Zek, Riley, and I were the only ones here at the time, so he was welcome, maybe just for company," Navi went on, still jabbing the beige keys. She had opened around eight windows so far, and Tifa was aware just by looking that they had it planned out pretty well.
"We did some business with Reno a while back, a few years really, and he just kinda stuck around. You're Tifa Lockheart, right?" Navi queried. The clicking keys had stopped and all there was there was a search bar.
Tifa just nodded, not really surprised. She watched as Navi typed in her name and pressed the search button, a lot of results coming up. One of them, separated from the others, read 'FOXX File.'
Navi grabbed a key from under her desk and tossed it to Reno, but it landed harmlessly on Xion. "You're in the C room," she informed him absently, then clicking on the bright link that was on the screen.
The computer worked for a moment before it went to a kind of profile, taking Tifa by surprise.
"Completely updated," Navi said with a grin, scrolling to the bottom of the information. Indeed, the last date was telling of Tifa's job at the bar.
"Where do we get this?" asked Navi before the surprised Tifa could speak, spinning in her chair to face her. "The walls got ears."
Tifa was about to respond, but Reno's voice drifted down on of the stone tunnels leading off of the Den.
"There's only a couch!"
Navi sighed and stood up, looking toward the tunnel entrance. "You gave up the big room when you took off to Kalm, and you expect it to be available a few weeks after you come back? I doubt it, so deal with the couch."
Reno suddenly wished she'd just kept shut as he walked back into the Den, seeing to look on Tifa's face. He'd forgotten all about Kalm. Giving her another look that asked for them to delay that conversation, he received a small nod. "So, we're stuck with the couch," he sighed.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Navi asked with a disturbing smile. Frankly, everything about her seemed disturbing to Tifa.
Reno glared at her, knowing how rhetorical the question was.
"Wonderful," Tifa muttered, looking again at the file that Navi had pulled up. She had forgotten just how many millions of people knew her, and how much information they could get about anywhere. She was just trying to mirror Reno's attitude with the curt statement, but knew it bothered neither to have to use a couch.
Knowing Reno, he'd wind up on the floor anyway.
========================================================================
"I do not see why. . ."
"Because I can. If I can, I will. Surely you see the point in my request."
"Of course I do, as does everyone on the council who has heard your argument."
"Then I am permitted?"
". . .I'm sorry. It is. . .out of the question."
"You are aware I will simply find a way if I am not given clearance by the council."
"Indeed I am, but that is not something my power can control."
"You will give me clearance! I will be granted my last wish!"
"Ah, but if you do receive permission, it may not be your last wish."
"Then you see my point in asking as clear as ever!"
". . .The council grants your wish."
========================================================================
The couch didn't fold out; it was a simple couch.
This Xion mentioned only after they had arrived in the room, but the looks he got were proof that the idea didn't exactly make them jump for joy.
"It's fine," Reno assured him, looking around the dimly lit room. A single light bulb was suspended in the middle of the room, boxes lining the walls, and the couch pushed against one like a forgotten rag.
Xion just shrugged and walked out, muttering for them to try to keep it down before he snapped the door shut behind him, turning off the light and leaving them in darkness.
"Kalm?" Tifa demanded from Reno, who'd laid down on the couch already.
The ex-Turk didn't give a usual reply, which would be him spitting something offensive at her, but almost examined the shadow of Tifa for a moment before speaking. "I was there, then you came and I took off. What more's there to it?"
"Why didn't you stay?" she asked, suddenly feeling uneasy about it. She sat down on the arm of the couch, looking straight into his eyes.
The gaze made Reno want to look away, but he knew that was the worst move he could make. Instead, he gave her the truth. "Because I doubted you'd ever consider me anyone you'd wanna speak to anymore, and I didn't think it'd work if we were living in the same town. But, look how this is goin'. You came here, and we're being chased by about everybody in Wutai for killing an officer."
Tifa nearly jolted out of her seat, her eyes flung wide at what she had just heard. "What?"
Sitting up, Reno hooked his arms around his legs. "After Meteor, Andreeson took off and became a Wutai officer. That's why he knew so much about everybody, and ViYlic's supposedly dead. So, we're the next in line for suspicion, and I admit Tarah'll need to watch out, too. What we need to do is lay low and keep an eye on the feds."
Tifa felt as if she was going to be sick, not having an idea as to how much Reno was keeping from her.
Reno simply stared at her a moment more, but couldn't help from pondering the way they were going to have to sleep that night. Of course, he knew neither wanted the floor; he would refuse, and would object if she offered to take it. Which left the choice he knew both of them had thought of more than once. "We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow, if my plans get heard."
His predictions were proven truthful as he saw Tifa start to slide off the couch, but put a grip on her wrist, a calm smile upon his face. This was mostly at her reaction, which was complete surprise, as she was forced onto the couch. Even in the dark, it wasn't hard to make things out, and he pressed further into the couch cushions as his arms found their position of the previous night around her waist.
Tifa nearly exploded as she was pulled impossibly close to him, but kept her mouth shut, managing an inward sigh of odd relief as she finally found a comfortable position, Reno's breath warm on her neck. She would normally try to squirm away, but there was a new voice inside her head that told her to bite her tongue and stay.
"Nobody gets the floor. Now just go to sleep," Reno whispered calmly into her ear, finding his uneasiness gone as his legs partly entwined with hers.
'She's not screaming, and she didn't sock you. I consider this a good sign.'
Now that he knew what it was, the voice actually did echo in his mind as Tseng's. Her closed his arms around her shoulders, resting a hand on either elbow. There was an odd kind of feeling of needs fulfilled that night as they rested against each other, one both fell asleep smiling because of.
========================================================================
The hour of two in the morning was not new to Navi, nor were the sounds of clothed being put on from a room down one of the stone tunnels. Riley's job started at three, the man working as a Jujitsu instructor downtown. His class was appropriately called the Night Owls, small but meaningful.
His footsteps grew as he entered the room, but quickly left for their kind of break room, the one with the coffee machine and television.
Navi tapped away at the keys still, insomnia actually welcomed by her. When she was alone, she worked best, and her only light was the glowing screen infront of her.
Riley, as usual, gave no good-bye as he left the Den nearly an hour later, but Xion's groaning brought Navi from her trance and made her spin on her chair.
Xion slept in the break room, because it was one of the only ones with a bed, so he usually got up with Riley. "Mornin', Kid," she greeted.
The young boy's hair was sticking every way she could imagine, and his usual book was under his arm, still wearing the same clothes. He threw himself onto the couch as he always did and looked to her with a crooked grin. "When're you headin' to bed?"
Navi shrugged. They shared the bed, though they never used it at the same time. "What are you reading, anyway?" she queried, nodding to the book she could barely make out in the dim light of the room. Xion always had his nose stuck in it.
He picked it up and squinted at the cover, not really knowing. "General Insanity," he finally made out. "'Bout Sephiroth, believe it or not. Biography."
Navi wasn't surprised, but knew it was mostly all lies. Few knew about Sephiroth's true past, and she couldn't say she was one of them. Xion knew that, she was aware, but they might've gotten one or two things right, so he was reading it.
At least, that was her guess.
"How long's it?" she asked, deciding to change the subject to something else when this was answered.
"This is only part one, but it's got somewhere around a thousand pages," he replied, yawning deeply.
"Riley doesn't trust Reno," Navi blurted out. "He thinks he's tryin' to lead the feds to us, and wants him out soon. Tifa's innocent, though."
Xion retorted, "What makes you say that?" He shared Riley's feelings on Reno, but Tifa, he knew, wasn't one who had a perfect record.
"I dunno, I just think she's got nothing to do with it if Reno is trying to turn us in. I just get a feeling, and you know those're usually right," she said with a sigh, rubbing the back of her neck as she shut down the computer and clicked on her desk light.
"Well, at least I didn't hear any funny noises comin' from their room last night, or I wouldn't be able to sleep again," he muttered.
"Get real!" Navi said, laughing softly. For only fourteen, Xion was a mature child, and read many things that adults couldn't even comprehend. She thought it a shame he never finished school. "Read me some of the book, would ya?" Her first yawn of the night came then and she stood up to walk and sit next to him.
Xion nodded and opened it to the prologue, reading:
"'Sephiroth is undoubtedly the one responsible for the Fire of Nibelheim,
and many eyewitnesses have told so. One of these was a man named Cloud Strife, a former acquaintance of mine. He was told to be one of the best in the SOLDIER program, and went on many missions with the General of the ShinRa Army after the war had ended. Not much else is known about the Nibelheim incident, but there is always more history of Sephiroth to be told, though it is unlikely we will ever have the full story in our minds.
Sephiroth's childhood was filled with trouble, being the son of the Professor Hojo Novehar, and watching his own mother die at the hands of the man himself. Professor Hojo never wanted a son, only one he could turn into another monster, or that is my opinion. Lucrecia, a mere assistant to Hojo, whose life was ruined and taken by the man she thought she loved, was Sephiroth's birth mother, her last name unknown to anyone living today.
Until his death, Sephiroth was considered the most skilled swordsman and most powerful person on the Planet. Although my opinion does not matter much here, I beg to differ, for AVALANCHE was the group to defeat him, am I right? AVALANCHE was a small group, never wanting to get caught up in this, but even as a 'Jenova-filled puppet,' Sephiroth died at the hands of them.
These are the untold stories of a madman.'"
"There's a lot more detail into the book," Xion confirmed, closing it.
"Who wrote that?" Navi questioned.
She watched in confusion as Xion flipped the book in his hands a few times, an odd look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It doesn't say."
Navi was taken aback by the curt reply. "It has to say," she stated slowly.
"It's not a real name," Xion said.
"Well, who is it?" she prodded.
Xion stared at the front of the book for a long while before reading, "Chaos."
========================================================================
"They. . .permitted. . .it?"
"You sound surprised."
"I am! I can't believe you're even going to try that, let alone that the council told you that you could!"
"I continue to have a kind of effect on others."
"Still. . ."
"You sound worried now."
". . ."
". . .Are you?"
"What if something goes wrong?!"
"Don't avoid the question."
"Yes, I'm worried, mostly about you!"
"Why?"
". . ."
"What, do you have feelings me?"
". . ."
"You don't, do you?"
". . .I just. . ."
"You shouldn't love me. I'm leaving now."
"Wait. . . Wait!"
========================================================================
For the second time in twenty-four hours, Tifa woke up first, but she knew what to expect this time. She liked the feeling of waking up next to him, oddly enough, and she found a smile on her lips as she noticed her hand, which had apparently taken his in the middle of the night.
She couldn't deny the feeling in the pit of her stomach anymore. Tifa new she had come to Junon for a reason now, more than just politely accepting an invite. She had unknowingly wanted to be close to Reno at any cost, and had indeed gotten just that. Wutai wanted them dead, and no one she was currently staying with wanted her there with the exception of Navi and Reno.
The ex-Turk seemed to be in a deep sleep, and he didn't feel like he'd shaved in the last few days. She knew this, for her cheek had somehow gotten to a resting spot ontop of his chin, a faint wheezing emitting from his nostrils.
The room was still pitch black, but the door was open she could see. Obviously, someone had come to check on them, but it didn't help their lighting problem. She had no idea what time it was, either, and made a note to herself to ask for an electric clock. She had a feeling it was early, for she was still tired.
So, not wanting to wake Reno, she closed her eyes and slid into a deep state of thought, not really feeling all that steady at the time.
Tifa knew Reno had feelings for her, but she also knew he wasn't one to let someone break the barrier so easily. She could often see it in his eyes, or hear it in his nervous tone.
But somewhere in the back of her head rested guilt, caused by the one person she had always dreamed of laying next to her like this, but Reno had somehow wedged his way in.
Like it or not, she did miss Cloud.
Reno was the last person she had imagined would be resting against her, and especially since she didn't drink to much. But she didn't need to be drunk to wind up like that, it appeared, and she suddenly felt like laughing. For no reason, really.
She wanted to laugh at Nibelheim; at the others who worked in the bar and had told her that Reno Drannor was known for using and ditching women; at Sephiroth, who turned them against each other for long years; at her past doubts of ever being his friend again.
But most of all, she wanted to laugh at everyone who had told her that at her rate, she would barely live to see her twenties, let alone ever meet someone 'right' for her.
She did consider Reno a bit more than a friend at the time, and doubt had suddenly gone absent. Although that was what she had told herself to avoid, she had pretty much figured out it would be exactly what happened.
But, to her surprise, she found nothing to make her even consider regretting it.
Tifa smiled to herself, letting her body almost sink into the couch as she drifted off again.
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What Tifa didn't know was that Reno was just good at feigning sleep.
He knew how to do this, for the Turks needed to know small, important things for some of their odder missions.
Her constant shifting was unnerving to him, but he knew to lay still and speak not a word. Why he was doing this, he had no idea, but he really didn't care.
He knew he and Tifa were close friends, but he had to admit that meant nothing.
Over the years, each woman who'd found him in a bar had added a bit to the barrier he had sealed around his soul. Finally, after a long time, he never opened up to anyone much. It was like a giant wall, Reno's heart. No one had ever climbed over the top, save for maybe his sister.
This brought terrible memories. . .
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"Midgar sucks," she muttered.
Reno gave his sister, Dani, a dark look. "Where'd you pick that up?"
Dani was a young girl, only twelve. This made her three years younger then he older brother, but she was still mature enough to argue with him. Dani rolled her eyes and snorted, "Oh, I forgot, I'm talking to Reno, the man with the clean mouth."
They were walking through the Sector Seven slums, where they had been living for a while. The streets were littered with various wrappers and balls of paper, left carelessly to blow in the faint breeze that managed to reach under the Plate.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Reno asked with slight vehemence.
"I picked it up from you!" she said loudly, laughing.
The older was about to reply when Johnny, a fellow member of the Knights, strode straight at him, knocking him off balance. "No wonder you can't even dodge a punch," he said with a chuckle, helping the younger man up.
Reno brushed himself off and glared at Johnny, not really in the mood for games. "Somethin' up?"
"Might be," Johnny replied, but that sounded nothing like his voice.
"You feelin' okay?" Reno asked, tilting his head. When he finally looked at him, he looked a bit different.
"He is, but you may not be," came the cold voice from behind him.
Whirling around, Reno saw none other than Cero, leader of their rivaling gang, and a small group of his 'goons,' as Johnny called them. The man was undoubtedly who he thought it was, the bright green eyes and long brown hair unmistakable.
"Take her, Marcus. We need to do this quickly. Nang, you restrain him. Make sure he gets a front row seat," Cero hissed quickly.
Before Reno knew what was happening, his arms were pinned behind his head and he was staring in horror at Dani, whose wrist was held violently by the Johnny look-alike.
Reno didn't want this to be happening, and thrashed with all he had at 'Nang.' This proved to no avail, and the young man knew he was stuck.
Cero pulled the switchblade from his pocket with a menacing grin, casting a glance at Reno. "This may teach you to stay off of our turf." He spun back around, holding the blade loosely as he strode slowly to Dani.
"I'll kill you!" Reno roared, sure he was going to break his arms from the attempts to break free. "I swear I'll fucking kill you, dammit!"
Cero just shrugged, going in a slow circle around his target. "You won't be able to if you're dead," he replied coolly, a smirk still on his face. They were in the alley, which had made the two Drannors easy prey. He planned on getting rid of the threat one way or another, and if he had his way, both.
Reno could see the fear in Dani's eyes, and he finally managed to get a hand free, though it was only caught again. He wouldn't let this happen to her. She was only twelve, dammit! He would take her place if he could save her.
Cero gave Dani a last look before moving the switchblade into her chest agonizingly slowly, Marcus clamping a hand over the wailing girl's mouth. Cero kept pressing on the handle of the blade until he could go no farther, then pulled it back out, satisfied with the steady flow of blood from his victim.
Reno was shouting things he might've even made up, not even caring about or comprehending his own words. Never before had he felt so helpless; he had been easily trapped.
Cero turned and nodded to Nang, pleased when the man let Reno go.
The red-haired young man stumbled over to his sister, tears rushing forth for the first time in so long from his eyes. He wanted so much to wake up any time now, but he knew that wasn't going to happen. He barely heard the words Cero said.
"Give me your gun, Nang," the tall man hissed, looking expectantly at his partner and sensing his hesitation.
"Sir," Nang started, but was cut off.
"We get rid of the entire threat now," Cero snapped, knowing Reno was too much of a wreck to try anything.
"Don't be dead!" Reno pleaded, cradling the body of his sister. He was praying to anyone who might listen, but the feeling of Dani's skin alone told him it was too late.
"Allow me to ease your suffering," Cero almost offered, holding the gun at the back of Reno's head.
And then, Reno saw nothing.
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The real Johnny had somehow found him and had the Knights put their small amount of gil together to get him some medical attention, but Reno had decided than that he would never get so close to something that he would be hurt if they died.
The Turks had somehow gotten past that, and, opening his eyes, Reno noticed Tifa had, too.
Sadly, Cero had never been seen after that day, and Reno never got his revenge.
The involuntary jolt through his spine was enough to wake Tifa, but she immediately went into a round of coughing. Reno looked at her with concern, each sound wracking her body harder than the last.
When she had finally finished, she gave a low groan, and Reno observed, "Looks like you're sick."
Tifa just nodded. She had known she hadn't felt like herself when she had woken up, but she had never suspected she'd get sick.
Reno laid there for a moment more before sitting up, having to force Tifa to stay down. He figured this was no big thing, to be sick. They were living in the sewers for the time, after all. He could see well enough in the darkness, something he had always considered a talent.
One thing he needed was to get back into the real Junon and go shopping, or at least pick up some things from the apartment, even if the place was crawling with Wutai police.
'I should probably have Navi check that out.'
He looked at Tifa, whose eyes were closed again, and noticed how violently she was shivering. It wasn't all that bad, but noticeable nonetheless.
Reno looked around and came up lucky as he found a folded blanket on a stack of boxes, barely visible in the pitch black of the room. As he grabbed it from the kind of pillar, he noticed luck hadn't been a rare thing lately. They had managed to escape one of the best forces on the Planet, and he had lured Tifa Lockheart from Kalm into his arms, to put it straight.
The mere thought brought a grin to the face of Reno as he walked back to the couch, shaking out the blanket a bit before laying it over Tifa, the young woman still shaking, but awake, he knew.
"Need anything?" he queried.
Tifa just shook her head, still looking like she was asleep. She had always hated being sick; that feeling in her stomach and the cold, even in the heat. What she wanted was real heat, some that could get through her skin at the time.
Reno then decided that he wouldn't leave, seeing how bad a shape she was in, and resumed his earlier position. Shopping could wait, he decided as his arms found their way around her again, no words exchanged.
One good part of the FOXX Den was that it was always dark, and easy to sleep in at any time.
The new source of heat was good enough for Tifa, and she squirmed onto her other side, returning the kind of embrace. All she wanted was to get over this dizziness, and she would probably be fine. She barely knew where she was or who she was laying next to as sleep took her again.
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"How long, again?"
"Hours. It is short, but be reminded of the pain involved."
". . ."
"I sense hesitation in you."
". . .You know why."
"Do not worry about it. We will make sure it is taken care of."
"Then. . .I'm ready."
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"Better."
"Glad to hear it," Reno replied with a grin, standing in the 'doorway.'
They had spent most of the day in the FOXX Den, but Reno had finally gone shopping and, as he had thought, grabbed a few things from his apartment.
Tifa had gradually managed to get over whatever she'd had, and had finally gotten the clock she wanted. Xion had offered to switch rooms with them, seeing it was a bit cramped on the couch, and warned them of Riley.
Tifa had accepted anyway, just glad to finally have a mattress. One thing that did bother her was the fact that Reno was going to take the other couch, and refused to share the bed. That only bothered her because she was once again getting the better part of the deal, though.
"You're welcome to stay," she offered, trying to hide the pleading in her voice. Wutai was still out there, and it scared her terribly to know that.
Reno shook his head. "I'm sure you'd like some room tonight." Although he was nearly jumping at the offer, he knew he couldn't stay. He knew he couldn't stay, because he was afraid one of them might try something that they would regret.
'Damn, you changed, Reno.'
"Well, then," Tifa started, frowning inwardly. "Night, Reno."
"Night, Tiff."
And with that, the light was off, and she was alone again. Looking around, her heart skipped a beat as a scraping sounded in the corner. Maybe she wasn't alone.
"R - Reno?" she asked, fearful for the first time in a while.
She screamed as a hand closed over her mouth, muffling it to a whimper, and the light clicked on again.
Tifa went silent, her eyes wide, staring into another pair; a pair she'd met one too many times.
Author's Note: Okay, here's what I'll do. If you can guess what the council is, I'll give you a part in the story. Send answers via email: nokaru_koamu@shinra.org. Also, start to send/post questions for me to answer with the next part if you're curious, but I will not give spoilers. So, send me some stuff. . . -Haze