I know I know... you all must be so upset that I take forever to update a chapter. But guess what? My computer finally works! No, I am not joking, my friend came over and fixed it up two days ago! Woohoo! Now I even have internet, only my computer is really, really slow. But aside that, I can finally update chapters quikcker!! So please don't stay mad at me, okay? That should be good news right - RIGHT?!
"THAT DOES IT!" A green figure roared, stomping down the hallway. Several people dropped their folders, bewildered by the bizarre sight. Reno's body was drenched with lime-green paint, literally covering his face and hair and all his uniform, easily mistaken as a walking marshmellow. The only thing visable was his furious aqaumarine eyes.
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
"Who, sir?" A manager trembled, glowing pink trying to surpass his roaring laughter.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I MEAN?!" Reno roared feverishly. "WHERE THE HELL IS ELENA!?"
"Oh ho ho ho... looking for me?" Elena's voice cooed. Reno jerked his head, his electric rod clutched in his slimy hand. Elena then laughed. "Hah! That's what you get, Reno! or should I say... Greeno!" She laughed hysterically, then suddenly leaping and made a break for it when Reno chased after her.
"Oh you are so dead!" He roared, sending out an electric volt towards Elena. "That's it, Elena! Now you've really, REALLY pissed me off!" She managed to dodge it.
"They are like two kids playing tag, only with guns and weapons." Tseng sweat dropped, then slapped his forehead.
"But I must ask... why the green paint this time?"
"Maybe you should ask Elena that." Reeve smirked, stetching his arms over his head. "It seems Reno has also been messing around with her."
"Hoo boy... I just hope Rufus doesn't see this..." Tseng muttered. He then turned to Reeve, sighing. "I just don't know what to do with them anymore."
"Well, don't stop it." Reeve laughed. "This is entertaining. People at work are actually coming to work to see those two rebel against eachother. They are quite anxious, actually. Come on, admit it, you think its halarious."
"Well...." Tseng said nervously. "Perhaps... perhaps at a certain degree!"
"Hah! Thought so." Reeve cooed, yawning again. Rude looked over to Tseng, handing him over folders of sheets.
"Tseng, I have those folders you wanted."
"Thank you, Rude." Tseng said, looking over at his watch. "Damn... the meeting is going to start just under an hour with Rufus."
"Oh this is gonna be interesting!" Reeve jerked over his chair, clasping his hands with an evil grin. "Wonder was the prez has to say..."
"Rude you don't mind going after Reno, do you?" Tseng asked hopefully, missing Reeve's sneer. "You know, just warn him--"
The door suddenly swung open as Rude reached for the knob, Elena dashing in and locked the door. She breathed heavily, but laughed victoriously.
"Hahaha... sucker..." She blinked, realizing that the three men were staring at her. She grinned nervously, waving her hand. "Oh, good morning Sirs...."
"Hello." They all said awkwardly. There was a strange silence.
"Sooo." Reeve whistled. "A nice green start for the day, eh?"
"What...? Oh oh, oh! Th-that... so you saw that...?"
"Only all of ShinRa did." Tseng grunted.
Elena sweat dropped. "Oh... I didn't reallt think anyone would pay attention..."
"Can I ask you why you did that?" Tseng asked, sounding a bit sharp.
Elena suddenly turned red. "Because three days ago, he put pudding in my shoes! And two days ago, he put ketchup on my seat and of course my pants being red, everyone obviouslt thought I was going throu-- anyway!" She clinged, avoiding that issue.
"Yesterday, he stapled mini-whoopie cushions under my shoes! I was walking ALL over ShinRa like that without knowing and everyone was staring at me, getting the wrong idea!" She turned even more red and Reeve gasped, leaping from his seat and pointed at her.
"So that was you?! I knew it!" They all glared at Reeve. Reeve blinked and sat bck down. "I rest my case."
"So, where is Reno now?" Tseng asked. "I think it is necessary that we warn him the meeting is just under an hour."
"Oh, I don't know. I lost him somewhere on the lower floor, but I think he might be somewhere in the slums, too."
"I think I might know." Rude said, opening the door. "I'll just follow the green footsteps. its bound to lead to him somewhere."
"Oh... yeah, you can do that too..." She giggled, feeling stupid.
It wasn't hard following Reno, but it was hard to have figured which way he went. The lime green footsteps were all over ShinRa; in the halls, the elevators, Hojo's science lab, at one point they were on the walls which utterly confused Rude.
Fifteen minuted passed and there was no sign of Reno, and just when Rude was going to give up -
"WHY WON'T YOU COME OFF DAMN IT!?!?!"
"...?" Rude turned his head, hearing the sound coming from the bathroom of the lower sector. As Rude hesitated, he peeked through the door. Reno stood in front of the sink without his shirt on, scrubbing as hard as he could vigourously. Rude then stepped in, cocking an eyebrow.
"...Can't get it out?"
"What do you want?!" Reno muttered down-hearted, not caring if it was Rude.
Reno's hair was still green and his uniform was no different; the only difference Rude saw now was that his face was no longer green, but a deep red from scrubbing harshly. That or he was just flaming pissed, or both. Rude sighed awkwardly in his mind that he caught Reno washing his shirt instead of his pants - which has happened before when Reno was drunk.
"I came to tell you that, er, the meetings under half an hour."
"Oh really?!" Reno fumed, his eyes dangerously glinting a warning he was about to throw another one of his tanctrums.
"Oh really?" Reno repeated dangerously, his temper rising. "Now, that's just what I need at this moment! I bet you guys are enjoying this!"
"Reno please calm down--"
"Calm down?! CALM DOWN?!" Reno hollered suddenly; his glare was really scary. "For the love of god I am a freakin walking vegtable! Look at me - my shoes are green, my pants are green, my shirt is green, my hair is green, and to top it all the stuff UNDER my clothes are green! AND YOU TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!? HUH?!"
"Er... well... eh... you know..."
"YES...?" Reno flared. His deadly glare psyched Rude, and he inched away just slightly to stall. They remained silent for an awkward five seconds, which really seemed like five hours.
"Well... you know... so what if you are a little... green?" Rude decided to say in a conforting tone but failed miserably and became that 'you are so busted' tone. "I'm sure that no one will really notice... that much."
"Oh that consideration is really conforting, Rude! How can I ever thank you!" Reno spat sarcastically, turning on his heels and scrubbed his head against the running water. Rude watched, feeling a bit pathetic.
"Well... well..." Rude stammered, then finally gave up and admited that Reno was in a real pickle this time. "Can you at least -"
"Oh no..." Reno bursted suddenly, temper rising as his tossed his shirt out of the faucet.
Rude blinked cluelessly. "...?"
"Please no... ah hell no..." He jerked up, staring at the mirror in front of him. "Not my hair...!"
"You can't...?"
"The freakin paint won't come off...! Shit!" Reno yelped, gripping his hair as though he was about to tear it off. "Oh Elena is really, REALLY gonna pay dearly this time!"
"Here, maybe you didn't scrub hard enough." Rude insisted and walked closer towards his young friend. "Let me do it."
Reno didn't hesitate. The Turk bent down and Rude scrubbed, and at that very moment a fellow male manager stepped in and of course he spotted the two and froze. It was a strange sight seeing a huge man moving his arms rhythmly on a smaller man without a shirt on bending down at waist-height. From the managers point of veiw, it was a pity he didn't see the faucet.
Of course he had the wrong impression.
"OUCH!"
"What?"
"That hurts! Are you trying to skin me or something?! I'll become blad!"
"Well, I don't think it will be effective if I don't press harder! It won't come off if I don't!"
"Good god... how do I get myself into these things!?" The manager nearly gagged, running out of the washroom. Rude managed to sight the manager run at the corner of his eye.
"I wonder what his problem is?"
"Screw him. Keep scrubbing." Rude then scrubed harder until the point his arms were numb and his fingers ached. Reno stood up, first conking his head on the faucet, then jerked his hed up. To his fear, his hair was still lime green, but there were very faint traces of red in the roots of his hair but not enough to satisfy Reno.
"All that effort... for nothing!" Reno groaned. He felt like his head was about to fall off.
"Well I tried. I'm sorry." Rude said as a matter-of-factly, but then chose that it was best to remain silent.
"Aw damn it... DAMN IT!" Reno then hurled his foot to a full-throttle kick at one of the bathroom stalls. The impact was so vicious, the door itself snapped and toppled onto the floor effortlessly. Rude winced, having to admit to himself that it was highly unatural for Reno to be so upset. Reno had every right to be upset, but to break something? That was new.
"Hope I didn't scare you." Reno tried to crack a smile leaning against the wall, but looked utterly crest-fallen. Rude looked at him sympathetically, tempted to say something but talking wasn't his best skill.
"Aw crap... well, I 'pose I have to use a last resort..."
"What's your last resort -"
Rude froze, cocking an eyebrow as Reno shoved a paper bag over his head.
"I don't care what anyone says! I am not taking this off!" He barked reluctantly when Rude opened his mouth.
"But... but won't that make them more anxious?" Rude asked nervously, finding this to be a little rediculous. "People will try to take it off -"
"There's no way to make me take it off! I'll barecue anyone who tries!" Reno retorted, snatching his soggy shirt and nightstick, struggling o put it on. Rude shook his head, then glanced at his watch--
Reno gritted his teeth. "Ohh wait until I get her!"
"Reno-"
"What are the best ways of killing Elena?"
"Reno-"
"A herd of chocobo's ramming over her body?"
"Reno-"
"Trap her in a bag and throw her over the highest point in Sector Two?"
"Reno-"
"Tie her to a pole in a dessert and starve her to death?"
"Reno-"
"Strap her to a chair and tape her eyes open while watching Barney?!"
"Reno-"
"Oh, OH! I'll box her into a pretty pink present and send her to that fat-ass Don Corneo -"
"R-E-N-O!!!"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Reno snapped as though he just realized Rude was standing there.
"We are late!"
"I know we are - we are... what?!" Reno jumped, horrified.
"Ah, can't wait till we get outside!" Heideggar said drowsily, chomping a doughnut. "Staying cooped up in this hell hole is really starting to get my nerves." He then swallowed three more doughnuts. Scarlet sighed, ignoring Heidegger's choking and snorting swallows.
"Yes, well... the president won't let us out that easily." She groaned. "All because that brat is sick... what a bummer."
"Wot doos ee 'ave aneewhay?" Heideggar said while chewing five more doughnuts. Scarlet shrugged boredly, surprising herself she actually understood what that fat man said.
"I don't know. Maybe a flu, but it's not that serious. The doctor still says that it would be better off that he doesn't do anything too advanced at the meantime, since he doesn't know what Rufus is suffering from..."
"Ouh." Heideggar sniffed, whiping his nose with his arm and held out the box. "Wat ahn doonught?"
"Sure, why not?" Scarlet then took one, biting into it. She was just as a pig as he was.
"Soh, wot doo we 'ave to do? Y'neow, wit Rufhus sihck an' all."
"I doon't knyow. 'an't doo aneeting witouht dat braht cosulhtin uhs."
"Huh, soh whee joost sit bahk?"
"I gyess, da braht doosn't 'ave--"
"I swear I could easily have suspicions you two are from another planet." A sudden voice spoke behind them. Heideggar suddenly choked and Scarlet spat out her food.
"O-oh! P-president Rufus! What a pleasant surprise!" Scarlet laughed joshingly. Rufus rolled his eyes.
"You are lucky I didn't understand one damn word you two were just saying."
"Oh, nothing about you, sir! Absolutely business, without a doubt." Heideggar laughed. Rufus looked unconvinced.
"I'm sure." He said. He then took Heideggars ears and pulled him out of his seat. Heideggar moaned like a cattle. "And I am sure business has to do with doughnuts, television, and a nice sight-seeing place to sit and look out?" He then let go of Heideggars ear. He then pointed out the door.
"You two, out, now. I don't want to see any of you slacking about again, do you understand?"
"Y-yes sir!" Scarlet saluted, then they both thumbled out the door. Rufus shook his head.
"Idiots... I always wonder to myself how I got caught up with these two..."
Tseng tapped his foot, constantly glancing at his watch as executives from all of ShinRa came in and settled themselves down. Damn it... where are those two?
Elena sat just afew seat away across from him, and noticed his uneasiness. She felt both pleased and anxious.
Reno's probably going to be late. Serves that jerk right. Grrr! Compared to the humuliation I've suffered, this is nothing! At least it's washable, lucky for him! Elena suddenly paused in her mind, blinking.
Wait... the paint IS washable... isn't it? Elena shivered, a sudden chill down her spine. I mean... house paint is washable... isn't it?
She couldn't remember if she read the label or not.
Rufus then walked in, and everyone stood up. Elena nervouosly looked at the door where a guard now stood, locking it.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Reno shouted through his paperbag head feverishly. Rude looked alarmed.
"I tried to tell you but you never gave me a chance!"
"Oh, is that so? Well.... Oh nevermind!" Reno shouted impatiently, nearly losing his balance over the mud. He kept on running, racing against the time. "How late are we?"
"About ten minutes!"
"Damn, it takes fifteen minutes to reach ShinRa...! Not to mention the top floor on elevator!" He mused, having a terrible feeling that Tseng was going to bite off his head after the meeting was over.
"Come on, this way!" Reno then turned sharply on a curve, bumping into several people in the slums. One of them, being very familiar from a couple weeks ago.
"Hey, watch where you are going you paperbag freak!" The same old woman from before squealed, holding up her walking cane outraged. Rude looked apologetic, Reno just growled bitterly and darted from person to person like a ping pong ball.
"Finally!" Reno said between his gasps, seeing the sight of the huge building. Rude followed closely behind his friend. Reno then leaped over a fence. "Come on, this should be a short--" Reno yelped in fear, despereately climbing back to the top of the fence as savage dogs barked. Rude watched Reno topple onto the ground. Reno cursed under his breath.
"Damn... Rufus must of put new guard dogs there."
"I guess we should take the long way, then." Rude sighed, helping Reno up. He dusted himself and hastily dashed out of the alley, with Rude following closely behind.
"I thank you all for coming." Rufus said elegantly as they everyone greeted him back formally then sat down. "I also thank you all for accepting ShinRa's proposal for a wide-spread organization. Please allow me to introduce myself and my staff."
A few minutes trailed behind slowly and the Turks were finally announced. Tseng and Elena stood up, both looking very uneasy through their smiles when Rufus realized that there were two seats with two missing Tuks.
I am fired. I am so fired. Reno's heart pounded heavily as he leaped from stair to stair, wheezing and gasping. I can't beleive I just blew it... Tseng... I'm so... argh why I am such an idiot?! Reno hated himself even more, his heart flooding with more frustration and impatience.
"I can't believe the elevators are down...can you believe the irony?" Reno growled, wheezing and was now dragging his feet and pulled himself up with help from Rude. Rude just smiled, trying not to think about it.
Reno cracked a smile calmly. "Sheesh... I've never really realized how huge this is--"
The moment finally came when Reno opened the doors to the hallways. He knew for sure he couldn't escape this time - even with Tseng by his side, he knew walking threw those doors would be instant death with Rufus. He knew very well that Rufus never tollerated things like this... Reno sighed, hating to admit that he really got himself into deep shit.
Reno froze, his heart nearly stopped when they reached halfway down the hallway. A certain amount of people were flooding out the doors, laughing and chuckling and commenting the president. Reno stopped dead on his tracks and grinned threw his paperbag as people stared and whispered. Tseng then came out of the room with a pale look one his face, and Elena trailed behind him and then saw Reno.
"Rude! ...Reno...?" Elena blinked, bewildered seeing the paperbag. Reno frowned. "I guess we are late, huh? And I suppose you are happy about that?" He added with a growl. He was shocked, though, seeing Elena's desperate expression.
"Get out of here." She warned. Reno blinked.
"Why?"
"Reno, Rufus is very mad at you. If he catches you now, you will get into trouble!"
"What about Tseng? Why did he look so -"
"Reno... just get out of here." She disregarded the question. "And take off that -"
"Reno and Rude, the two Turks in second command of ShinRa." A voice suddenly cooed smuggedly. Reno and Rude exchanged glances, and slowly turned around. Rufus stood there, a smile stretched across his face with his arms folded in a noble pose.
"One being the buff, the other being the clown." He walked towards them, then glanced at Elena.
"You may leave now, miss."
"But sir," Elena stammered, making an effort to take the blame, "It's my fault they were unable to attend. You see, I set up a bucket of paint-"
"I do not care whose fault it is. You and Tseng have told me enough rubbish. Go. Now." He pointed his finger. Elena looked at Reno as though this was the last time she was every going to see him, and left. Rufus narrowed his eyes.
"Do you have any excuses due to your unfotunate absences? Hmm?" Reno and Rude were silent. Rufus' smile felt like a shard of ice stabbing into Reno's chest. He could barely breathe.
"Well, now. First of all, take off that riduculus paperbag off your pathetic head. This is not a circus of peek a boo." Reno cringed, a chill slicing his throat. He took it off, holding his breath as he revealed his green hair. Rufus smiled sadisitcally.
"Well, I see the rumours are true. Rude, you are dismissed. I will deal with you later." Rude looked at his friend, then left. Reno never felt so alone.
"I really should let you go, Reno, for putting such an act of disobedience in representing ShinRa today." He said coldly. Reno looked down to his feet, closing his eyes.
Just say it. Just let it be over with and say it...
"...Your appearence, by nature, is also truly apaulling. You alone are creating a terrible reputation of ShinRa's professionalities such as yourself."
Damn it, just say it.... quit torturing me and just say it!
"Your lack of attendance, your habit of heavy drinking..."
Just get it over with....
"As I said, Reno. I have need no of a reason to fire you right this second..."
I guess this is it...
"...However." Rufus added. Reno looked up, hiding his frightened expression.
"Your records are very excellent when it comes to actually doing your job. You get rid of the people I need to execute cleanly and you are a very skillful fighter." He leaned forward, eyeing Reno sharply.
"It is those records that are stopping me from letting you go."
Am I drunk...? Did he just say what I think he said?!
"I'm letting you go clean this time, Reno, but only this one time. If however in the future this occurs again, I won't be so nice."
"Th-thank you s-sir!" Reno beamed brightly, releived. Rufus eyed him with a sly smile.
"Hmph. Just do me one more thing."
"Uh... y-yeah sir?"
"Get rid of the green hair by tomorrow. That is an order. I do not want a walking disgrace in this building EVER again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir..."
"Now get out of here, you miserable fool." Rufus said bluntly. Reno then turned on his heels and wlaked away. He felt so happy, he could run dpwn the hallways nude. But yet, his happiness that he was spared his job fluttered away instantly, surprising himself that he was more disappointed in himself then anyone would ever know.
"How... did it go?" Rude asked slowly after staring at Reno for several minutes to built up his guts to ask. Reno didn't answer, but rested his head on his arms with a rather dark expression.
Rude was afraid that this time would come. "You... were you fired?"
"...No... I wasn't fired..."
"Then why the sad face?" Rude asked, despite his casual epression he was chanting happily in his mind that he best friend wasn't fired. Reno didn't look at him, but gulped another beer. His expression was still dark.
Before Rude could say anything -
"Reno! There you are!" A level one SOLDIER member dashed in with a tone of relief.
Reno rolled his eyes. "What do you want..."
"It's Tseng. He wants you to come meet him at his office about your mission."
"Hmph. Tell him I'm dead. That'd be better that way..."
"S-sir... I don't think that's a good idea. He said to bring you back at any cost, even drag you by the ears as so it seems." The soldier stammered a bit. Reno forced himself up, digging into his pockets to find any loose gil he could pay with--
"I'll cover it. You just go." Rude then said. Reno was relieved, escaping the barkeepers deadly glare.
"Thanks... I'll see you later." Reno whacked him on the back, tripping over several chairs before he could finally reach the door.
Why. Reno growled in his mind as he walked through the slums, kicking a beer can to keep him occupied from boredom.
Why can't that little git just get over it? We all have our darkest secrets that we keep, why would we even bother to write it in a stupid diary? She shold have known better.
He stretched his arms, flickering his lime green hair from his eyes and whistled. I know it's embarassing to have things like that revealed, I know how that feels... heh, what do I care? I don't even know her that well.
The doors opened before him, and he reluctantly went in.
Elena walked down the hallways, her mind set in many thoughts. I wonder how he feels? She sighed. I wonder if he feels sorry, any remoarse at all... or is he still laughing behind my back, enjoying every minute of this?
She felt like driving her fist through the wall. Stupid Reno! What am I thinking? He doesn't care, that ass doesn't have any feelings at all for anyone but himself. I don't think he even feels the slightest guilt in his heart! He's just....
...So hard to understand. Reno entered the elevator, subsiding against the wall. She let's emotion get too her all to easy. That's why she's such an easy target. Sheesh, I wouldn't be surprised if someone ever manages to manipulate her. She's just gotta learn to handle these things, keep her emotions to herself, cause in the end...
... He will get hurt. If he continue's to be the slump he is, I just know someday he will get hurt for sure... I mean, why did he have such huge bruises on his back-- oh, why should I care if he gets hurt? Elena snapped, slapping her face. This is Reno! R-E-N-O! He's a jerk. That's his life, that how he chose it.
She opened the door, walking in.
Reno stared at her, sitting on the desk, eyes widened.
Elena eyed him back.
Aww... poor Reno. Imagine being humuliated right in front of the big boss. I admit, I was a little bit unfair on him but he's a tough guy. He'll hopefully get over it, or will he? Do you think he is ever going to get reveng on Elena? That, I will let you think about very carefully... hehehe!!! This chappy was a little stupid, but that's okay. I know its not as exciting, but I'll make up for it next chappy! I'm also sure you all are wondering about the puppies... Fufufufu...
The next few chapters will still have humour, but if you red the summary there isnt a Yuffie/Reno romance. Sorry! I meant to say that but I couldn't fit it in the summary.( . stupid limits!) Yuffie though however, will drive them crazy I promise you that and Reno will attempt to kick her ass. But I think the next few chapters might be a little serious, because I am putting a bit of a twist with Yuffie, but she is not my main priority (hint hint). I'm not quite sure if I should add any other character like Cloud, Vincent, Cid or any of those guys since this is pretty much a Turk story.
Should I? Please tell me in your review.