A/N:
Aw, DAMN! How long has it been since I updated this? I'm so sorry everyone! T_T I can't believe I neglected my fic AND my fans for so long...I probably lost everyone...v_v Oh CRAP! I promised a new chap every week! GOMEN NASAI!!!!! Well, here ya are folks!
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The red-headed Turk stared at the ever-increasing dot in the sky. He didn't like this. Even after the entire Meteor incident he didn't like those people. Sure, he had a moderate respect for Cloud's Rag Team, but he knew that he could never be good friends with them.
"Aw, shit. This is starting to piss me off. Why are they coming here?"
He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a cigarette. Lighting it casually, he continued to stare at the ship, now visible enough to get it's outline. Yeah, it was the Highwind alright.
Sighing, Reno stood and and shoved his hands into his pockets. Turning he around, he began to walk slowly back to the headquarters. No luck on the jewel thief, his co-worker was dead, and Cloud was coming!
"This is too much." he muttered bitterly.
Suddenly, he felt something. It wasn't the kind of physical contact, but a mental state that came to him everytime something out of place was near. Reno looked up and reached for his gun. Of course he had forgotten his nightstick back at the base.
He narrowed his eyes as he scanned the trees. Nothing looked out of place, but the feeling was lingering. He violently whipped his head back and forth, determined to find the source of the odd sense.
'C'mon...I know you're out there...'
When nothing came, Reno straightened. That creature would pop up more often, no doubt.
'It wouldn't be surprising if the thing jumped me.' he thought angrily. He continued to walk ack to the concrete facility, but he still couldn't shake that strange feeling.
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"Ah, to hell with this! Full speed ahead!" Shouted the irritated Cid. The island was right in front of them and never seemed to get any closer. But the thing that was making him so ticked off was Yuffie. She sat cross-legged right next to him, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"YOUCAN'TGOOVERTHEREIWON'TLETYOUMYDADDY'LLTEACHYOUATHINGORTWOYOUSTOPTHISRIGHTNOWDON'TYOUIGNOREMETHISISN'TFAIRWHATTHEHELLDOYOUTHINKYOU'REDOINGGOINGOVERTHEREC'MONISAIDSTOPTHISRIGHTNOWYOU-"
"YUFFIE! SHUT UP!" Everyone in the bridge stared at Vincent. He had barely said a word the entire trip, and *never* shouted. So startled was Yuffie, she had forgotten what she was even yelling about. Vincent leaned back against the wall once more and continued to stare out of the huge window at the front of the bridge.
Blinking, Cid straightened. "I'll uh...be right back. I'm gonna...get a few drinks..." he stumbled out of the room, still stunned at Vincent.
Nanaki made a questioning expression. "Vincent? I never knew you could raise your voice at such a high level. Actually, I don't think I ever knew anyone who could shout louder than Yuffie..."
The enigmatic man shrugged nonchalantly. "You should never take strong actions unless they must be used. In this case, I'm sure it was necessary to use those actions." The fire-red cat nodded in reply.
"I keep learning new things every day!" said Tifa brightly. "Vincent, you are a very mysterious person. I bet everyone here sees a new side of you each day."
Vincent regarded Tifa coolly. "No one has seen a new side of me. No one ever has, and no one ever will, because there is no more than one side to me." with that the dark-haired man walked out of the bridge.
Tifa's eyes followed him out all the way. '...and I don't think anyone will even meet that one side of him.' She looked down sadly at the ground. After what happened with Cloud, she had needing some cheering up, but Vincent had just crushed her good mood. Sighing, she walked over to Yuffie, who was still stunned.
"You can't understand men, can you?" she said wistfully.
"I guess not..." was the young girl's stiff reply.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A young man about twenty years of age jogged happily along a rough trail. He jumped and spun along his path, so excited about the important mission he was just handed by Godo. The Ageda tribe was held in high regard of Wutai, and that he was considered loyal enough to bear a message to them made him whoop with joy. Maybe he'd get that position in the Pagoda after all!
The man looked up at the stone rock in his path. Knocking on it four times, he stepped back and waited. The rock shook violently and then opened a small cave in its side. The man stepped into the cave and jumped down the hole in its floor. After walking a ways and climbing some rope ladders, he reached sunlight. Before his eyes was the most awesome sight he had ever seen.
Four towering pagodas, each made of white marble, stood at the four ends of the village. The houses of the Ageda tribe were the size of small mansions made of birchbark. One huge mansion at the north end of the tribe stood proudly on a hilltop, its alabaster pillars giving it an inner glow.
The young man stepped forward nervously, taking in his glorious surroundings. After staring at the houses, he began to run towards the mansion on the hilltop. If he was late with the mage, Godo might not give him a position in the pagoda.
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Reno sat back in the swivel chair of the moniter room. He had nothing to do. Searching for the thief was a no-go as well; he had already almost gotten eaten by a dragon after his second search.
Then an odd thought came to him. Why didn't he greet the crew of the Highwind? He had nothing better to do, and it's better than sneaking around and accidently getting cut in half by Cloud.
'Not like he wouldn't do it on purpose anyway...' he thought bitterly. Stretching he began to trudge out the door again. As soon as he left the building that feeling came up. He had decided not to look for its source, but he didn't forget it nightstick this time.
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Cloud stretched as he jumped off the Highwind and onto solid ground. It was great being back on land. He grinned as Yuffie hopped onto the island and kissed the sandy beach. Tifa climbed down the ladder and took in her surroundings.
"Well, this is a nice place." she commented. Her eyes scanned the trees until they met Cloud's and held. He was grinning broadly, but Tifa looked away quickly, suddenly becoming interested in the sand. Cloud frowned and began to walk towards her. He still felt bad about what had happened earlier, and wanted to make it up to her.
"What's wrong, Tif?" he asked, his face an expression of concern.
"It's nothing, I guess..." the brown-haired woman replied. "It's just that, every time I-" she was cut off by a lion's roar and a "Whoa!". They turned to see Nanaki, fur raised and teeth bared, and Barret, his gun-arm focused on a target. Following their glares, Tifa and Cloud gasped.
Reno stood before them, waving nonchalantly.
"Hey guys. Long time no see."
"Reno." Vincent stared at the red-haired Turk. "What might you be doing here?"
The man gave them a lopsided grin. "Well, I got a job to do over here. I saw you coming and decided to meet ya. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Not long enough." growled Cloud, his Ultima sword glowing and ready.
"Cloud." Tifa gave him a warning glance and them began to walk up to Reno.
"Tifa!" Cloud reached out to stop her, but she was already right in front of the Shinra employee.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it? I guess it was just a matter of time until we met up again."
Reno smirked. "Well, I see you've changed. For the better of course."
"I don't think I want to know what makes you say that."
"I assure you madam, it's nothing to be ashamed of." he gave a her a sly wink followed by a growl from Cloud. "Now now, my gentleman, this is no time for hostility." Reno gave a mock bow.
Nanaki lunged forward and roared loudly. Reno frowned at him. "Down, kitty." Looking up at the rest of the crew, the Turk straightened. "I got a building in the forest, you guys should come over and hang out for a bit."
Many shouts of disapproval came from the Highwind's crew. Reno grinned again.
"I'm not surprised. I don't blame you for not trusting me, but hey, suit yourself. I'd think that my place'd be better than camping out in the forest. There's some weird shit goin' on in there, not to mention dragons."
Barret scoffed. "Y'think dat some dragins are gonna scare us off? You got a screw loose er sumthin' if ya think that. We took on Sephiroth! Ain't no dragins gonna leave us shakin'."
The red-head shrugged. "Teach his own, but I'm just sayin', these are different. And there's something there. I'm not sure what it is, but every time it's near, I can feel it."
A long pause followed. No one moved. Everyone seemed to be focusing on the feeling the Turk explained. Cloud seemed to hear everything of the forest; trees rustling, the wind that gently ruffled his hair. But heheard something else...a breathing. Deep and rumbling. Was the ground *breathing*?
Suddenly, Reno's eyes widened. "THERE IT IS!" he shouted, pulling out his gun and turning towards the trees. Startled, everyone got ready for battle. He laughed and shouted, "Psyche!"
"That wasn't funny, Reno!" Tifa glared.
"That, my friend, is in the eye of the beholder."
"So is the term 'friend.'"
"Touche."
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A/N:
*wrings hands nervously* was it OK? I hope so....^_^* Sorry for getting it out so late...and I'm sorry if it's short. Let me know and I'll try to get out longer chapters the next time, kay? ^_~ Later minna!
Aw, DAMN! How long has it been since I updated this? I'm so sorry everyone! T_T I can't believe I neglected my fic AND my fans for so long...I probably lost everyone...v_v Oh CRAP! I promised a new chap every week! GOMEN NASAI!!!!! Well, here ya are folks!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The red-headed Turk stared at the ever-increasing dot in the sky. He didn't like this. Even after the entire Meteor incident he didn't like those people. Sure, he had a moderate respect for Cloud's Rag Team, but he knew that he could never be good friends with them.
"Aw, shit. This is starting to piss me off. Why are they coming here?"
He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a cigarette. Lighting it casually, he continued to stare at the ship, now visible enough to get it's outline. Yeah, it was the Highwind alright.
Sighing, Reno stood and and shoved his hands into his pockets. Turning he around, he began to walk slowly back to the headquarters. No luck on the jewel thief, his co-worker was dead, and Cloud was coming!
"This is too much." he muttered bitterly.
Suddenly, he felt something. It wasn't the kind of physical contact, but a mental state that came to him everytime something out of place was near. Reno looked up and reached for his gun. Of course he had forgotten his nightstick back at the base.
He narrowed his eyes as he scanned the trees. Nothing looked out of place, but the feeling was lingering. He violently whipped his head back and forth, determined to find the source of the odd sense.
'C'mon...I know you're out there...'
When nothing came, Reno straightened. That creature would pop up more often, no doubt.
'It wouldn't be surprising if the thing jumped me.' he thought angrily. He continued to walk ack to the concrete facility, but he still couldn't shake that strange feeling.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ah, to hell with this! Full speed ahead!" Shouted the irritated Cid. The island was right in front of them and never seemed to get any closer. But the thing that was making him so ticked off was Yuffie. She sat cross-legged right next to him, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"YOUCAN'TGOOVERTHEREIWON'TLETYOUMYDADDY'LLTEACHYOUATHINGORTWOYOUSTOPTHISRIGHTNOWDON'TYOUIGNOREMETHISISN'TFAIRWHATTHEHELLDOYOUTHINKYOU'REDOINGGOINGOVERTHEREC'MONISAIDSTOPTHISRIGHTNOWYOU-"
"YUFFIE! SHUT UP!" Everyone in the bridge stared at Vincent. He had barely said a word the entire trip, and *never* shouted. So startled was Yuffie, she had forgotten what she was even yelling about. Vincent leaned back against the wall once more and continued to stare out of the huge window at the front of the bridge.
Blinking, Cid straightened. "I'll uh...be right back. I'm gonna...get a few drinks..." he stumbled out of the room, still stunned at Vincent.
Nanaki made a questioning expression. "Vincent? I never knew you could raise your voice at such a high level. Actually, I don't think I ever knew anyone who could shout louder than Yuffie..."
The enigmatic man shrugged nonchalantly. "You should never take strong actions unless they must be used. In this case, I'm sure it was necessary to use those actions." The fire-red cat nodded in reply.
"I keep learning new things every day!" said Tifa brightly. "Vincent, you are a very mysterious person. I bet everyone here sees a new side of you each day."
Vincent regarded Tifa coolly. "No one has seen a new side of me. No one ever has, and no one ever will, because there is no more than one side to me." with that the dark-haired man walked out of the bridge.
Tifa's eyes followed him out all the way. '...and I don't think anyone will even meet that one side of him.' She looked down sadly at the ground. After what happened with Cloud, she had needing some cheering up, but Vincent had just crushed her good mood. Sighing, she walked over to Yuffie, who was still stunned.
"You can't understand men, can you?" she said wistfully.
"I guess not..." was the young girl's stiff reply.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A young man about twenty years of age jogged happily along a rough trail. He jumped and spun along his path, so excited about the important mission he was just handed by Godo. The Ageda tribe was held in high regard of Wutai, and that he was considered loyal enough to bear a message to them made him whoop with joy. Maybe he'd get that position in the Pagoda after all!
The man looked up at the stone rock in his path. Knocking on it four times, he stepped back and waited. The rock shook violently and then opened a small cave in its side. The man stepped into the cave and jumped down the hole in its floor. After walking a ways and climbing some rope ladders, he reached sunlight. Before his eyes was the most awesome sight he had ever seen.
Four towering pagodas, each made of white marble, stood at the four ends of the village. The houses of the Ageda tribe were the size of small mansions made of birchbark. One huge mansion at the north end of the tribe stood proudly on a hilltop, its alabaster pillars giving it an inner glow.
The young man stepped forward nervously, taking in his glorious surroundings. After staring at the houses, he began to run towards the mansion on the hilltop. If he was late with the mage, Godo might not give him a position in the pagoda.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Reno sat back in the swivel chair of the moniter room. He had nothing to do. Searching for the thief was a no-go as well; he had already almost gotten eaten by a dragon after his second search.
Then an odd thought came to him. Why didn't he greet the crew of the Highwind? He had nothing better to do, and it's better than sneaking around and accidently getting cut in half by Cloud.
'Not like he wouldn't do it on purpose anyway...' he thought bitterly. Stretching he began to trudge out the door again. As soon as he left the building that feeling came up. He had decided not to look for its source, but he didn't forget it nightstick this time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cloud stretched as he jumped off the Highwind and onto solid ground. It was great being back on land. He grinned as Yuffie hopped onto the island and kissed the sandy beach. Tifa climbed down the ladder and took in her surroundings.
"Well, this is a nice place." she commented. Her eyes scanned the trees until they met Cloud's and held. He was grinning broadly, but Tifa looked away quickly, suddenly becoming interested in the sand. Cloud frowned and began to walk towards her. He still felt bad about what had happened earlier, and wanted to make it up to her.
"What's wrong, Tif?" he asked, his face an expression of concern.
"It's nothing, I guess..." the brown-haired woman replied. "It's just that, every time I-" she was cut off by a lion's roar and a "Whoa!". They turned to see Nanaki, fur raised and teeth bared, and Barret, his gun-arm focused on a target. Following their glares, Tifa and Cloud gasped.
Reno stood before them, waving nonchalantly.
"Hey guys. Long time no see."
"Reno." Vincent stared at the red-haired Turk. "What might you be doing here?"
The man gave them a lopsided grin. "Well, I got a job to do over here. I saw you coming and decided to meet ya. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Not long enough." growled Cloud, his Ultima sword glowing and ready.
"Cloud." Tifa gave him a warning glance and them began to walk up to Reno.
"Tifa!" Cloud reached out to stop her, but she was already right in front of the Shinra employee.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it? I guess it was just a matter of time until we met up again."
Reno smirked. "Well, I see you've changed. For the better of course."
"I don't think I want to know what makes you say that."
"I assure you madam, it's nothing to be ashamed of." he gave a her a sly wink followed by a growl from Cloud. "Now now, my gentleman, this is no time for hostility." Reno gave a mock bow.
Nanaki lunged forward and roared loudly. Reno frowned at him. "Down, kitty." Looking up at the rest of the crew, the Turk straightened. "I got a building in the forest, you guys should come over and hang out for a bit."
Many shouts of disapproval came from the Highwind's crew. Reno grinned again.
"I'm not surprised. I don't blame you for not trusting me, but hey, suit yourself. I'd think that my place'd be better than camping out in the forest. There's some weird shit goin' on in there, not to mention dragons."
Barret scoffed. "Y'think dat some dragins are gonna scare us off? You got a screw loose er sumthin' if ya think that. We took on Sephiroth! Ain't no dragins gonna leave us shakin'."
The red-head shrugged. "Teach his own, but I'm just sayin', these are different. And there's something there. I'm not sure what it is, but every time it's near, I can feel it."
A long pause followed. No one moved. Everyone seemed to be focusing on the feeling the Turk explained. Cloud seemed to hear everything of the forest; trees rustling, the wind that gently ruffled his hair. But heheard something else...a breathing. Deep and rumbling. Was the ground *breathing*?
Suddenly, Reno's eyes widened. "THERE IT IS!" he shouted, pulling out his gun and turning towards the trees. Startled, everyone got ready for battle. He laughed and shouted, "Psyche!"
"That wasn't funny, Reno!" Tifa glared.
"That, my friend, is in the eye of the beholder."
"So is the term 'friend.'"
"Touche."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N:
*wrings hands nervously* was it OK? I hope so....^_^* Sorry for getting it out so late...and I'm sorry if it's short. Let me know and I'll try to get out longer chapters the next time, kay? ^_~ Later minna!