Author's Note: Anodyne's website's up! ] Right now both the website and are being updated at the same time, but later the site will be updated more often. Oh, also, don't forget to R and R after reading! :)
CHAPTER FOUR
"So you didn't kill 'im?"
Unfortunately, they had reported back with bad news. The redhead hated bad news; he hated it almost as much as he hated being sober. Luckily, he only had to deal with one of those problems, considering he had stopped at the bar near their headquarters right before reporting for duty.
"Sir?" The guard looked at his leader curiously, keeping his voice calm and soft. He was more than just a bit wary of him. Sure he was the brother of the head of the whole faction, but he just didn't seem... mentally stable, to put it lightly. However, that was not the only reason he had kept his voice that way. The redhead had been known to kill the bearers of bad news, and the fact that he was both angry and holding a dagger didn't make things better.The guard's leader sighed and ran his fingers through his messy hair, still holding his weapon in his left hand. "Shooting the Vice President's friend... Shit man, that's bad. Now they definitely know we're in Junon." He closed his eyes, and if the guard didn't know him to be slightly drunk, he would have thought his leader to be in deep thought. In any case, he hesitated before speaking once again and kept his voice low when he finally did."Erm... Sir, they knew we were there before the first shots were even fired. That Turk... Tseng, was it? Well, he pulled the Vice President inside right as we got in formation.""Hmmm?" The redhead stopped messing with his hair, as he realized he might cut himself with his dagger, and stared at the guard once again, a single crimson eyebrow raised. "Tseng huh?" He knew who Tseng was. How could he not? His brother had warned him about the Wutian Turk many times over. About how cold he was, how ruthless he could be in a fight, how he considered himself to be a "true professional". "Fuck," the man thought to himself, "I probably even know his measurements." The leader sighed and scratched at one of the tattoos that he and his brother had both acquired on their cheekbones. "You may go," He gestured towards the door leading out of the perpetually dark room he was in.The guard was only halfway out of the door when he fell to the floor, a dagger embedded in the back if his head. "Damn, man, you just think you're going to get out easy?" The redhead asked the dead body, sauntering over to it. "I don't need moronic assassins."
Currently the town was swarming with Military Police sent by Shin-ra and therefore it was very dangerous for them to leave the tiny makeshift headquarters. The redhead's brother had connections, so he was rarely there, and because of his absence the guard's leader he was extremely bored. He had a feeling his brother would call him up in a few minutes and ask directions to the headquarters again. He had a very hard time finding the place after leaving Midgar just a few days ago, even though the landmark showing where they were was hard to miss."Whatever," he thought, "It's not my problem if he can't find the place. I just need to make sure that little brat is killed." Then remembering what had occurred the day before, namely, how the mission had been a failure, he quickly lost his cocky attitude."Fuck," the man mumbled, slumping down on the lone chair in the corner of the dusty room. "I need a drink"----
"You're lucky you got him inside when you did."
Tseng had heard those words repeated over and over for the last week. That's why it didn't surprise him when those were some of the first few words out of Reeve's mouth when he visited him in the hospital.A small gunshot wound, that's all the Urban Development employee had suffered. After viewing his medical report, Tseng deduced that it could have been much worse. Hell, he had taken at least five bullet grazings himself, "Though," he thought, "None of them to the butt," which was exactly where Reeve found he had been shot.Since the events of the snowball fight, search parties had been sent out to find both Leon and the members of the Midgar Owls.In the case of Leon, however, there was little to no hope. Turks didn't just "go missing". The president had already informed Tseng personally that he had found a new Turk to replace the Leon. However, Tseng was a bit skeptical, usually the head of the Turks would choose a new rookie to take the fallen Turk's place, not the CEO of the company, and he vaguely wondered why Dante wasn't the one choosing the new trainee. Tseng tried to push these thoughts out of his head as he spoke to Reeve that day."So, how's Rufus doing?" Reeve asked."Okay I guess, he's waiting outside now with the guards." The Turk responded."Ahh." The man from Urban Development smiled. "Well, I'm glad he's okay. I was really worried that you guys might have not gotten inside in time. I never saw you enter the building."Tseng sighed. Reeve was so soft inside. Even though Rufus gave him Hell, he was still worried about him. "If I were in his position I'd be more worried about the chunk missing from my ass." He thought, then "Ugh. Rufus' cynicism must be rubbing off on me." The Turk grinned inwardly; he would have never thought that would have happened."Do you have any idea who did this?""Midgar Owls have claimed responsibility for the attack. Troops have been mobilized. Luckily intelligence... Well, Dante at least, doesn't believe there's any actual danger anymore. After all, with all of the Military Police around, clearance to just get within three miles of the Junon Shin- ra Mansion is almost impossible."Reeve still looked a bit worried at this. "You're still keeping a close watch on Rufus, right?"Tseng nodded, "Of course, it's my job." After that Reeve was visibly more relaxed, and Tseng had been talking to him for half an hour when his cell phone began to ring. He picked it up and wasn't surprised to find it was none other than Dante who had called him. His leader had been sent to check up on them a few days ago, as soon as word had gotten out that there had been an attack. Unfortunately Rufus and the Turk leader didn't get along that well. The boy was annoyed by his carefree attitude."Tseng, Rufus is acting up out here. Just thought you should know." Tseng nodded at his leader's statement. A few minutes later he was outside in the cold and pasty waiting room of the hospital. The lights shone bright, reflecting off of both the walls and the shiny blue Military Police uniforms. It took the Turk less than a second to pinpoint Rufus and Dante's location.The Vice President was standing in the corner of the room, away from the guards. It looked as if he was attempting to sulk, but wasn't quite able to, due to Dante continuously ruffling his hair and giggling.Upon seeing his bodyguard Rufus looked up, his arms crossed tightly against his chest, and blue eyes ablaze."Why would you leave me alone with the MP?" He asked coldly, his accusatory tone surprising Tseng."I thought you said you didn't want to see Reeve after you were told by the nurse that you weren't allowed to bring Felix in" the Turk asked, remembering how hard the boy had tried to smuggle the cat in, and how angry he was when he was caught by Dante."Yes, but I didn't want you to just leave me with them." He gestured towards the oblivious Military Police angrily. By now the child's hair was extremely messy, he whacked Dante's hand away, visibly irked at something."Why not?" Tseng questioned, abandoning his usual silence.Rufus' eyes narrowed. "Do you know what they do to-" he stopped, and seemed to be both chocking on the words, and deciding whether or not he should continue. An awkward silence filled the room between the three Shin- ra employees. Dante spoke first."So?" He asked in a happy manner that was almost reminiscent of Reeve. "Ready to go? Or should we stay around here and-""Anyway, I'll talk to you later, when this," he pointed at Dante, who was taken back by the interruption, "bozo isn't here." Tseng didn't respond, which, by now Rufus was getting used to. "I'll talk to you around ten?" He asked, expecting his bodyguard to say his normal one-word answer of 'yes' as a response. Instead it was Dante who spoke next."Isn't that going to be past your bed time?""No" The Vice President said in a voice that was obviously meant to mimic Dante "It's not past my bedtime." He paused, and began again, this time taking a more serious tone. "Mom just wants me in bed by midnight."Dante laughed, which Rufus wasn't that happy about, and pulled out the keys to his Shin-ra provided, navy blue car. "Blue car" Tseng thought, he was reminded of the blue Turks uniform. "I should tell Dante about the new Turk trainee."
----
Tseng's sleeping area had been moved as soon as Dante had come to Junon. The Turk leader had called the couch, stating that he would take charge of protecting everyone at night, (though Tseng supposed the real reason was because it was near one of the only TVs in the mansion) and because Dante was his superior he had to listen to him and take a room at the top of the main staircase. The room the second in command of the Turks got was a large one. However, it was entirely barren, save for the small bed in the corner of the room.
Tseng had been a bit worried, because Rufus hadn't shown up at 10 like he said he would. He was also a bit curious about what exactly it was that Rufus could have against the MPs. Moreover, when Rufus didn't show up on time Tseng assumed that he wasn't going to. And since he was tired he let himself fell asleep.However, he had only been asleep for a short period of time when he awoke to find something warm next to him. A second passed before he remembered that he went to sleep freezing cold. "Hmmm?" He thought to himself, "Someone must have turned the heat up.... Damn... I'm so sleepy... Wait, why is it soft here?" All of a sudden the Turk was no longer drowsy. His eyes opened wide, and he struggled to see in the dark.There, lying next to him was a very naked Juno."What the fu-," Tseng started, but Rufus' mother cut him off, pulling herself closer to the Turk.
"Don't worry," She whispered, her voice hoarse. Tseng caught a whiff of her breath and could tell she had been drinking. When she continued, her speech was so incoherent that he could barely make out any words. "Bastard... He's not the only one who can sleep around... doesn't care...""Ummmm..." Tseng whispered, starting to push her away. He didn't know exactly what to say, but he did know that if she didn't get away from him that this wasn't going to end well."Dun go..." She slurred, struggling against him to get closer. At this time they were both fairly entangled in the green comforter, and it was also when the door to the Turk's room opened."What's going on here?" A soft, childish voice that the man had grown to know all so well echoed in the empty room."Gah!" Tseng tried to respond, but found it hard when Juno, oblivious to the fact that her son had entered the room, was still trying to get close to him.Without saying another word the Vice President left the room and started walking down the spiral staircase that was positioned near Tseng's room. The boy found himself shaking slightly, or maybe "shaken" was a better way to put it. Anger and sadness welled up inside the child, and it was impossible to say which emotion was stronger. He wasn't all that surprised with his mother. He had thought for quite a while that she might have tried something like that; experimenting with other people after she found out her husband had a wandering eye. Tseng on the other hand...Rufus walked downstairs in a daze, he walked until he found Dante propped up on the couch next to Felix, watching TV. Rufus plopped down beside the kitten and pulled him into his lap using hands, which all of a sudden felt like they weighed a ton."What's wrong lil' buddy?" Dante asked, not turning from the TV.The Vice President didn't say anything. He just simply looked down at Felix, and started petting him. He was beginning to realize that Tseng's use of silence to deal with things worked pretty well. "I don't need anything," the boy thought, not noticing that Dante had now turned off the TV and was looking down at him."Wanna go for a ride?" He asked. Rufus looked up at him, with an expression that plainly read 'What?!'.The leader of the Turks smiled kindly. "Come on,'" He said, pulling Rufus, who was now holding Felix, to his feet. "It might make you feel better, just getting out." Once again the Vice President just didn't respond, but allowed himself to be dragged to the car along with Felix.They had been driving for about half an hour when Dante asked a question that surprised Rufus into talking again. "So, I guess you saw Tseng and your Mother?"
Rufus turned to Dante, "How'd you know?""Well" He started "They've been staying together for the last week or so. At least that's what Tseng said. Why do you think he got that room?" The Vice President didn't say anything for a minute, lost in thought. Instead he just turned to stare out of the tinted window.Another half an hour passed and the child spotted a large three story black building, that didn't look remotely out of place in the Junon slums."Huh?" Rufus pointed out of the window as they slowed down near the building. "That's where we're going?" He raised an eyebrow. "What's with all of the weird red flowers in front of the door?"Dante didn't answer, but instead smiled to himself as he drove the black car behind the building.----
Authors Note: Okay, this chapter was a bit boring I guess.... Anyway, yay! We're entering the climax of the story! (Finally! XD ) Only two chapters left! The next chapter will be A LOT more action-oriented. Speaking of that, give me at least a week and a half before the next chapter is posted. I'm going on vacation again, than I'm off to Otakon (I'll be cosplaying as Reno...) A few plot twists are still to come. Oh yeah, please R and R