Jade, Wine, and Turk training
By Kimetara
Multi-part
Disclaimer: This story plot and all original characters are mine. Besides that, everything is Squaresoft's.
AN: I just got over a VERY long bout of writer's block, so I'm feeling pretty happy. ^__________^ And, the previous chapter didn't have any Reno/Tifa in it, sooo...yeah! I've updated early. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Addictions
Reno woke just as the sun was beginning to rise, despite his midnight blanket delivery. *Turk training,* he thought with a grin. *Let's see how Tifa's doing...*
Walking around the truck, Reno frowned slightly remembering how dark the inside of the cargo area was. *I guess I better let some light in. She's depressed enough, don't need to surround her with gloom.*
*Hmmm...*
~~~~~
Tifa woke up, yawned, and stretched underneath the blanket, feeling the frigid winter sun's rays on her combined with the cool air of the morning. She loved that delicious mixture; it was always so crisp, clean...
*Wait...sunlight?* Tifa blinked. Sure enough, there was sunlight inside the metal trailer.
"`Morning." Tifa's head spun around to be met with the sight of Reno, leaning on the door – the door that was about six inches open. Tifa looked up at Reno, her eyes questioning.
Reno shrugged. "It ain't much, but it's better than nothing, don'cha think?" he asked amiably.
Tifa nodded slowly. "Yeah...thanks."
"How'd you sleep?" Reno sat down, one leg straight and the other bent, which he placed his arm on.
"Alright, I guess, for being on a cold steel floor," Tifa answered dryly, moving back into her bent-knee position. "Thanks for the blanket though," she added softly, playing with the soft material.
The Turk stared at her blankly.
"I woke up as you were leaving, so don't deny it." Tifa grinned.
Reno couldn't help but smile back. "Alright, you got me. I figured it wouldn't do any good to have ya freeze to death before I hand you over."
"How considerate of you."
Reno only smirked.
"However..." Tifa glanced sideways at the fiery redhead, "at this rate, I'll end up starving before I get anywhere."
Reno raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Well, what we've got here probably isn't your style, but if you're hungry..." He quickly fished a water bottle and a sandwich out of his pocket. "Here ya go," the Turk offered, walking over to the brunette.
Tifa accepted the food gratefully, especially the water, unaware until that moment how thirsty she was. She ate wordlessly and rapidly, handing Reno back the empty bottle when she was done.
"So...Reno..." Tifa hesitated.
"Yeah?"
"...thank you, I suppose." Tifa hugged her knees. "I didn't realize how self-pitying I sounded," she added with a small smile. There was a mutual agreement not to mention the kiss.
Reno pulled out a cigarette. "Obviously. You were going on worse than Elena."
Tifa looked amused. "Is that so?" She wrinkled her nose distastefully at the sight of the cigarette. "Please don't tell me you're going to smoke."
Reno shot her a smug glance. "And what if I do?" he asked loftily.
Tifa glared. "I'm already stuck in a metal box, I'd appreciate it if the air stayed clear, thank you."
Reno smirked, then lifted his hands. "Easy, babe. I won't."
She smiled, pleased at his small acquiescence. "Hey Reno?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
"Why don't you let yourself get addicted?" Tifa inquired, remembering their earlier conversation.
Apparently Reno did too. "Because, you never know when it's going to get taken away."
"Oh..."
"Yeah. That's what happened to you."
"Me?" Tifa's eyebrow rose. "I've never smoked."
"Not to cigarettes." Reno took the said object from his mouth and began playing with it. "To Strife." He glanced at Tifa, wanting to see her expression. It was only thoughtful. "That's the worst thing. Never get addicted to a person."
"Hmmm."
"What? You don't agree with me?" Reno looked at her quizzically.
"I don't know." She spoke slowly, considering each word.
"Huh. Oh well. Guess bleeding hearts never change," Reno responded offhandedly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tifa sounded somewhere between offended and amused.
"Tifa, look babe, you're in the worst part of an addiction – the withdrawal. If you won't admit you're a fool now, you won't ever."
"...no, I guess I won't," she agreed quietly. "It's better than any drug, Reno. There's this wonderful feeling of fulfillment you find when you're with that person and that person wants you...or at least you think they do." She smiled ruefully. "I can't give that up. Not yet." *Who knows, maybe there's somebody out there addicted to me too...*
"Suit yourself." Reno shrugged, putting the cigarette away in his pocket.
Tifa stood up, walked over to Reno, and moved to sit down again.
Reno watched at her warily. "You haven't changed your mind about kicking my butt, right?"
Tifa's eyes twinkled. "What if I have?"
Reno immediately tensed and moved to stand up.
Tifa smirked. "No, I haven't. I just thought it was silly to have 10 feet between us and trying to talk to each other."
"Good." The redhead relaxed. Slightly.
Tifa giggled. "Aww, the tough Turk afraid of a woman?" Tifa still hadn't finished her motion to sit, leaving her precariously balancing herself on the balls of her feet.
"Unarmed and when the woman's you? Yeah," Reno grinned. Tifa full out laughed, when the truck suddenly started and jerked forward, causing her to tumble on to Reno's chest. Instinctively, his arms tightened around her, steadying her.
The pair froze, both barely breathing.
Reno was the first to recover. "Heh, falling for me already?" he teased, loosening his embrace.
Tifa sat back up, smiling embarrassedly. She didn't notice the slight unsteadiness in Reno's voice as she pulled away. "In your dreams," she retorted, tucking a strand of hair away from her face.
*If only you knew how right you are...* Reno thought for a moment, recalling his visions of browns and deep reds last night. "C'mon babe, give me a chance," Reno flirted, keeping his tone light.
Tifa smiled for a moment longer, but then her face faded into a more distant expression. "Where am I being taken, Reno?"
The Turk cocked an eyebrow. "You really think I'm going to tell you that?" he responded dryly.
Tifa shrugged. "It was worth a shot. Shouldn't you be with that other guy?" Tifa asked, abruptly changing the subject.
"Well, in case you didn't notice, we're moving, and I'm not about to jump out the door and climb on the roof to get to the front like ol' Strife," he explained mockingly. "You want to get rid of me so quickly?"
"Oh no, I'm thrilled to be stuck inside of a truck with my kidnapper," Tifa answered, her tone sarcastic. She crossed her arms and turned her back to Reno.
"..."
"Hmm? No comeback?" The brunette twisted to give Reno a challenging, yet tired glare.
"Nah," he answered, linking his fingers behind his head and leaning back against the wall. "Way I figure it, we either argue or we don't. I'd rather we don't."
Tifa raised an eyebrow and turned back around, her gaze fixated on the wall before her.
~~~~~
Simone watched calmly as Jason stomped back into the dorm. "What's got you all riled up?"
Jason flung himself on the bed, grumbling. "Some asshole thought it'd be funny to send me up to see Hojo." His Mako enhanced blue eyes narrowed at the ceiling, longing to punch whoever sent him to high heaven.
Simone chuckled softly. "Maybe not such an asshole. You are one of us, Jason. How many other people do you think could handle going to Hojo?" Simone's own coffee-colored eyes glowed with the touch of Jenova.
"Yeah yeah. I know. I'm one of the elite SOLDIERS, which isn't much to say about this dump." Jason waved a hand around the worn room.
Simone shrugged. "Dump or no, you and I were First Class. It's good enough." He carefully pulled a gun out from behind him and began to polish it.
Jason's narrowed eyes fixed themselves on Simone's gun. "Why'd you take up shooting lessons anyway? We always fight with the sword."
Simone only spared him a glance from his task. "Face it, Jase. Swords are outdated now. I could shoot you this moment and you wouldn't be able to do a thing. Besides," a wry smile appeared, "the only reason we always used swords was to honor Sephiroth, and after the whole Meteor incident, I've found my loyalty waning," Simone finished dryly.
"Hmph." Jason returned his angry stare to the ceiling. He would always use the sword. Outdated or no, Jason's beliefs were set.
Simone continued his polishing. "So...how is Hojo, anyway?"
"As creepy as ever. I think I even heard some messed up laughter on my way out," Jason answered, finally rolling off the bed to sit next to Simone. "The message was about the AVALANCHE members he's been looking for. One of them, Lockheart, was captured. He said something about an escort too."
"I see..." Simone mused.
"Something on your mind?" Jason stretched, feeling his back crack.
Simone gave a slight frown. "I have to admit, I don't feel particularly proud of imprisoning people that saved my life."
Jason rolled his eyes. "You and your damned conscience. Give it a rest; sometimes I wonder how you got to First Class at all."
"Shinra always gave us a reason," Simone answered, his voice gone flat.
"Yeah, and half the time we could see right through it." Jason lowered his voice. "Besides Simone, we really don't have a choice," he finished softly.
"I know, Jase." Simone put his new gun away.
AN: So what did you think? ^_^ Do remember to drop a review, okay?