Chapter 13

By Crystal Snowflakes

Author's Notes: Another chapter! Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimers: Crystal Snowflakes does not own Final Fantasy 7 in any way.

-

Reno exited the conference room, all the while scowling. He supported Yuffie with his arm as she limped painfully to catch up with him.

"Reno!" The ninja narrowed her eyes, "Will you stop walking so god damned fast? My ankle still hurts, you know."

He was about to glare at her and let out a string of profanities when he thought about what happened to her in the past few days. Looking down at her, he mumbled a feeble apology.

She shook her head, "I just want to know what's bugging you, Reno. Even since you've seen her at that meeting..." She trailed off as her eyes darkened slightly. Are you thinking of her Reno? Are you thinking of the nights the both of you spent in bed together? Why didn't you tell me about her? I would've taken it so much better if you had... Now, I don't even know what to think. Do you still want her? What is the matter with you? Her hands clenched tightly again as she imagined the blond and the redhead together... She gritted her teeth.

The leader of the Turks looked at the woman, "I'm trying to figure out whether I can trust her or not... I know the oh-so-mighty Cloud is giving us a few hours to think about it, but I can't help but have a bad feeling about this whole thing..."

"We're AVALANCHE and the Turks. We can beat anything." Yuffie gave him a reassuring smile that didn't assure herself much.

Reno nodded, not reassured at all by her, but not wanting to worry her. "Come on, I"ll bring you home to rest first."

She looked up at him, "Where are you planning to go after? Knowing you, you're not going to sit around at home and do nothing."

The redhead chuckled, "You know me too well, pest."

"Damn right."

-

Reno was frowning by the time he got back.

"What's wrong...?" Yuffie asked as she diverted her attention from the television to him. Two hours ago when he had left the building, he wasn't fine, but he wasn't frowning either. Now he was noticeably in a very horrid mood and once again, she had no idea what was causing his mood.

He shrugged indifferently as he put down a white bag that was held by his left hand. "The company called about the car..."

"Oh!" She exclaimed, her face becoming red as a strong feeling of guilt was felt, "About that..." She trailed off again.

"Doesn't matter." He cut her off. "Company will pay for it. I'm not really worried about that at all. It's Gabriella I'm still thinking about."

Her? Or what she was and is to you? She wondered. Are you still thinking of the way you two were years ago when... She shook her head mentally. Stop! Who cares about Reno anyways? He's a jerk. Right? Who are you kidding Yuffie Kisaragi. You're bloody in love with the guy! She sighed, "Oh." She then said outwardly. Seeing the bag on the table, she pushed the thoughts to the back of her head and approached the bag. Lifting it up, she looked at the Turk. "What's this?"

"Your Christmas present."

Her eyes widened slightly, then a beautiful smile bloomed on her face. "Really?"

"No."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Reno..."

"What?" He scowled. A few seconds later, seeing her still angry face, he suddenly couldn't help it and started chuckling. Out of the blue, a thought popped into his head. I'm glad you're mine, Yuffie.

"I don't like you."

He chuckled even louder, "Good. Either way, I'm going to take a shower. We still have to go back and meet your AVALANCHE friends in..." He looked at his watch, "Approximately an hour."

She made a very Reno-like scowl on her face, "Good, you're stinking up the whole house. Jerk."

He snorted, "You're stinking up my whole house." He then grinned teasingly, then turned around and walked towards his room, grabbed a new wrinkly suit. He looked at her for a mere second before going into the washroom, "Oh, and it is your Christmas present."

Another beautiful smile brightened up the room, then she looked at the white bag sitting on the table as a childish glee enveloped her. She reached towards the bag slowly, almost as if afraid that he would find out, her eyes drifting to and from the washroom. When she was sure that the Turk wouldn't leave his beloved washroom, a big grin formed on her face... I can't believe it... So easy...

A sudden yell made her freeze in her tracks.

YUFFIE! DON'T TOUCH THE BAG! I WILL KNOW!

Pouting, she flopped down on the couch and flipped through the channels.

-

He looked troubled. His fiery bangs were covering most of his face... His glowing eyes were hidden, his mouth was nothing but a grim thin line... His back was slouched against the seat lazily.

She brushed her blond hair away from her face as she studied her comrade intently. She knew better than anything to think that he was asleep and being his usual 'lazy' self. She knew for a fact that he only acted lazy... A Turk, especially not Reno Chalmers, was never asleep on the job.

His hand twitched once in a while... From anger or whatever, she didn't know... I wasn't really a twitch, actually... One would say it was more like the clenching of a fist stopped midway.

Bringing herself to listen to the mighty hero and leader of AVALANCHE talk, she only caught the words 'blueprint', 'attack', 'tomorrow' and 'objections'. It was enough for her to guess what was being said. Her eyes trailed towards the bald beside her and an involuntary and faint blush appeared. She brought her eyes back to the hero of the world, only to find his clear blue eyes staring right back at her.

"What?" She snapped.

Cloud's eyes narrowed slightly, "I asked if the Turks had any objections at all. Normally, I would ask the leader, but seeing that he's asleep in his chair very comfortably during a conference and your other companion is practically mute, I was asking you for your opinion." He sighed, "We were discussing how we were going to—"

"Tomorrow is fine." A sudden drawl spoke up. "But I don't agree with the idea of everyone going. Yes, we are the Turks and AVALANCHE and nobody can really stand in our way, but there is always the possibility of us failing. We don't know what we're against. For all we know, they have a lot more people like Gabriella and Harold there. Yes, I can take two of them on, but if they have a lot more than that, we're fucked. Having half of us back here in Midgar is necessary. Before you protest, there are reasons for this." He paused, glancing over at the people, wondering if the groups of heroes were listening to him.

They were.

He felt a smug smirk tug at his lips. Ignoring the sudden temptation, he continued, "One, we are sneaking in. With a big group like this, there is no point in sneaking in. Second, we don't know if Gabriella is lying. It would be a lot better if there is backup. Lastly, Yuffie is injured. She will not be participating in this mission.

"What?" The ninja was enraged. Stupid friggin' Turkey thinks he can keep me here?

Tifa's chocolate brown eyes drifted from one to another, and looked at her young friend sympathetically. She then nodded slowly, "Reno's right. You're still injured."

"NO!" She slammed her fist on the table, "There is absolutely no fucking way I'm staying. My dad is with them! I will not allow you to leave me here!"

"Yuffie..." Tifa glanced at Reno, but he didn't seem at all bothered or concerned. She felt a rush of anger. "I'll stay with Yuffie." She said quietly.

Reno nodded and ignored Yuffie's protests. "Highwind will have to go, and so will all of the Turks. That's four already."

Cloud nodded, "Fine. Vincent and I will go as well then." He looked around, "That leaves Tifa, Red and Yuffie." He looked at the red beast, "Are you all right with staying, Red?"

The catlike figure nodded without speaking.

"Fine." The head of the Turks nodded, "That's settled then." He stood up abruptly, "I'll see you all tomorrow morning at eight in front of the Highwind." He left the room without another word.

Yuffie's eyes narrowed into slits as her eyes followed his figure.

The room empted rapidly and soon enough, only two of the Turks and the youngest member of AVALANCHE was left.

Elena glanced at her companion with a raised eyebrow. Without a word, he left the room. The blond advanced towards the young ninja, and lay her hand on the younger one's shoulder. "He was worried."

"Wha?" She looked up at the blond. She wasn't aware that there was anyone still in the room... She was so angry she couldn't concentrated on anything else.

Elena looked out of the windows and at the beautiful night scenery of Midgar. "Reno was worried. He was worried at what you would say and how you would react to the news. He cares about you, a lot. He cares about what you think of him. He may seem like he was sleeping, but I know him better than that. He was only worried for you and doesn't want you to get hurt."

"He knows I can take good care of myself."

"He does." Elena agreed, "But he's still worried, especially now that you're injured... It's always hard losing someone you love..." She paused as she looked down at the young woman. "Did he tell you about Jessie?"

She nodded.

"He never told me, but I found out myself. It's hard for him to find someone to get close to... Excluding Rude and I, of course... But now that you show up... You're different from us, you know. You're don't have to stick with him since you guys don't work together. We do. But even when you didn't, you stuck to him. It means a lot to him." Elena chuckled, "I know, it's strange, knowing that Reno needs someone, but he's only human..."

She sighed as she glanced out the window again, "He's lost a lot of things in his life…" The blond smiled bitterly, "He's only trying to stop having that happen to him, and the only way is to protect you. He's right. We don't know what we're going against, we don't if it's safe at all. This may be the last night I get to talk to you... Pretty bleak, I know..."

"I..." Yuffie stopped as she felt a sense of warmth. "It's just...sometimes, I don't know if he actually cares..."

She nodded understandingly, "That's how our Reno is... Always hiding from everything. All that shit about him not being scared? That's all bull."

"I just... I want to kill them myself..." Yuffie said quietly, "I want them to regret ever taking my friends and Godo away..."

"I know Yuffie..." Elena smiled sadly, "He just doesn't want you to get hurt. He wants to protect you... And despite the crap he says about not believing in love, he does love you."

Her grey eyes widened as a small gasp escaped from her lips, "I..."

Elena patted her head gently, reassuringly, "Go see him."

With a small nod, she walked out of the door and towards the man she loved.

-

She walked in, surprised at the strong smell of reeking alcohol. "Reno?" She continued into the house, noticing a few new beer bottles sprawled on the coffee table. She narrowed her eyes at the figure on the couch. I swear, he better not be drunk yet.

"What do you want?" He looked at her, his eyes glowing more fiercely than usual, his hand nursing a beer.

"Reno... I'm not mad."

His eyes widened slightly in surprise. The difference was so small that Yuffie barely noticed it. He stood up soberly. "And why the hell aren't you mad? I'm not letting you go tomorrow."

She smiled softly, "I know." She sighed as she looked up at him as she approached him, "I hate how you aren't going to let me... But we both know that I'm injured and I'll be nothing but a burden. And we both know the reason why you're not letting me go."

He scoffed, "Do we now?"

She laughed softly, "Maybe not, but the number one reason that I'm not mad at you..." Her eyes glowed brightly now...

He leaned in slightly to hear what she had in mind.

"...I love you, Reno Chalmers." And without a single second of hesitance, she pulled his head down and kissed him.

Groaning, he pushed her back against a wall and began undressing her when a sudden thought entered his mind. His eyes darkened and widened at the same time. He then pushed himself away from her.

Yuffie's eyes snapped opened, "Reno..."

"I can't." He stated, looking at her flushed face, her beautiful bruised lips and her shining grey eyes. He felt like punching himself.

Her eyes darkened immediately, "Am I not good enough for you now! Or am I just not attractive enough? Is it because I'm so much younger that you don't want me? Is it because I am a child to you! Well, is it Reno! I'm asking you a question!"

"No... It's... It's because you're too special. I can't treat you like a common whore Yuffie. You're too innocent for that."

"But I want you Reno..." She said quietly.

"...I... Yuffie..."

"Please..."

"I..."

She looked at him sadly, "Is it because of Gabriella?"

"What?" He asked, surprised at the sudden question. "Her?" A sudden understanding dawned on him. "Gabriella? Fuck no! It's not her, Yuffie... I can't even compare you to her..."

"Then why? It's not just because I'm innocent Reno, and we both know it. Just what is it, Reno?"

He shook his head, "All those people that I touch and those that I care for..." His mind filled with pictures of his beautiful mother, then Jessie, Tseng, Rude, Elena... And Yuffie. "All those that I care for end up dying."

And suddenly, Yuffie realized how right Elena was. She moved towards him and touched his face softly, her eyes shining with tears, "...It only happens because you let it happen, because you think you can't protect them..." She kissed him softly, "I have faith in you."

Slowly, he kissed her back...

In the morning, the two lovers would be found in their bed, their limbs entangled together in a loving embrace.

-

Author's Notes: Voilà! Done this lovely chapter! It's nearing the end guys! And I'm getting sad, but there's always the sequel :) Either way, tell me what you guys think! And keep the reviews coming! ;) Hope to see you guys next Sunday!

-Crystal Snowflakes

Sunday, February 20, 2005