Disclaimer: Plots mine, nothing else is
Warning: Sorry I forgot to add these to the other chapters, I hope I haven't upset anyone. This fic contains Yaoi, which means guy-on-guy action, drug use and descriptive scenes (mainly containing blood and guts) that might disturb some people. Do not read if you don't like. Flamers will be used to roast marshmallows on. Not suitable for kiddies.
Udonluvr – I will eventually be crossing them over, but at the moment I'm just introducing the characters and setting the background scenes, but the two worlds should meeting within the next 2 chapters. Hopefully this chapter should clear you up a bit about the child Vincent (who I'll refer to as Vince later on so not to get him confused with Vincent). His identity was meant to be confusing.
Chapter 5
"You!"
Barret thundered as he caught sight of Reno. "What are you doing here!"
"If I told you that, then you'll missing all the fun of guessing" Reno retorted as he jumped out of the range of Barret's fists. Barret had aged over the years, but was still a large, fit man with a temperament that bordered on nonexistent. Reno didn't feel like being on the wrong end of his fists.
"I'd love to stay and chat, see how close you can get to guessing my motives, but I'm rather busy at the moment, so I'll just leave you to it" Reno said as he took off down the hallway, looking for a nearby exit.
"Oh no yoo don't turkey. Get back here so I can pummel yoo!" Barret gave chase. Reno started down the hallway, checking each door to see if he could escape. So far, all the doors had been locked, and Reno was running out of hallway. Reno tried opening one of the last doors, which opened, much to his surprise. Without wasting time, Reno entered the room and took a quick look about. He had entered a large office area, with rows of offices set up with the portable walls, and a fire exit on the far side. Spotting it, Reno headed towards the exit
BAM!
The door flew open, letting the steaming Barret in.
"I'm gonna blast ya brains out turkey!" He screamed, letting lose a round of bullets from his gun arm. Reno ducked under a desk as the bullets splayed across the room, sending plaster, plastic and wood flying. When the bullets stopped, Reno quickly scrambled up and continued towards the door. As he was closing in, he was hit from behind by a large force, and found himself pinned to the ground.
"Ha ha, gotcha now ya turkey."
"Not for long fuck face."
Reno bucked, forcing the large man to fly off backwards, with Reno's fist following, smashing into Barret's face. The sound of breaking bones followed the hit, as a burst of blood sprayed from Barret's nose.
"Ahhhhh!" Barret screamed, clutching his face. Reno stood up, grinning.
"Teach you for fucking around with me."
Barret roared and let lose a wild swing, catching Reno in the stomach, sending him flying into one of the makeshift offices, hitting the table with a sickening crunch as the table and Reno's ribs broke on contact. Spitting out blood, Reno watched as Barret closed in with a feral grin on his face, enhanced by the blood pouring down his face.
"Whatcha gonna do now, ya little punk." Barret said as he reached for Reno's neck. Reno's hand reached around wildly, looking for some kind of weapon. Hand enclosing around a hard object, Reno lifted his arm up, ignoring the pain from his broken ribs, and brought his hand down on top of Barret's head, knocking the older man unconscious with a sicking thud. Realising that Barret wasn't going to arise anytime soon, Reno dropped the makeshift weapon, and hobbled towards the exit.
'Fuck, Reeve's not going to bet too happy with this…'
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Tifa was happily lounging around the pool, working on her tan and watching Cloud from the corner of her eye. Despite accepting the fact that Cloud was with Reno, she had never given up hope that Cloud would one day come to his senses and return to her. The days had been relaxing, with everyone enjoying themselves. Back in the airship when they had picked up Reeve, she had been a bit tense, But Reeve had smiled and asked her how she had been, and even congratulated her on Jouissance's success in opening up a weapons department, she had relaxed. The rest of the pick-ups had gone smoothly, except for when they had picked up Cloud. Reno had spotted her looking out the window and had pulled Cloud into a long, passionate kiss, pressing into Cloud and running his hands up and down Cloud's body, giving the blonde's arse a squeeze as they pulled apart, grinning her way. Yuffie had given them a loud wolf whistle waving at them, causing Cloud to blush and Reno to laugh as he waved back. Cid had looked away, uncomfortable with the whole display, muttering something about bedrooms and privacy, while Reeve just shook his head, grinning at Reno's antics. Tifa hadn't thought that it was the least bit funny, and had sulked off to talk to Cid, ignoring Cloud, who was catching up with Nanaki. She eventually came round and was talking to Cloud about his new book by the time Highwind had arrived at Mideel. From then on, the group had been relaxing and catching upon the times, with even Vincent adding in his two cents.
"Excuse me mam, but would you happen to be Ms. Lockheart?"
Tifa looked up to se one of the hotel's bellboys standing beside her.
"Yes, I am."
"Ummm," the boy said, trying to tear his eyes away from her cleavage. "This message just arrived for you, with a note saying that it was urgent mam," he said, handing her a white envelope with her name printed clearly on the front.
"Thank you" Tifa said, smiling as the blushing boy quickly took off, tripping over the table leg as he left. Still smiling, she tore open the envelope; smile quickly disappearing as she read the contents, bolting off the find the others.
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They were all gathered around Barret's bedside, having come as soon as they had heard the news. Even Reeve and Cloud were there, despite not being on the best terms with Barret. Upon seeing Barret's condition, Cloud had given a quick glance at Reeve, but he had appeared as shocked as the others.
"It seems that he was attacked last night as he was leaving the office after hours. No one had seen the attacker, nor did they show up on camera, so who ever did this was a pro, and knew exactly what they were doing" a policeman told Tifa, who was sitting next to Barret, shell shocked. The door quietly flung open, emitting an old doctor, carrying a file in his hands.
"Excuse me," the doctor said, "I have the test result here."
"So, what's wrong with him?" Yuffie demanded.
"It appears that the patient was hit over the back of his head where the neack is connected, cracking his skull – he was lucky, the blow wasn't done with to much force, or he would be dead by now. The spinal cord looks to have taken some damage, but we can't really tell until he wakes up."
"And when will he wake up?" Tifa asked softly.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that mam" The doctor replied apologetically. "He took a nasty blow to the head, so he could be out for a while, or maybe just for a few hours."
Vincent turned to the policeman standing in the corner of the room.
"Do you know exactly what happened?" he intoned neutrally, watching with a smirk as the policeman paled, recognising the Second in Command of the Turks.
"Well, um, around 11pm last night, Barret left his office and went to exit the building via the stairs, most likely meeting the intruder at the 3rd floor. He gave chase, following the intruder down to one of the office rooms. It was here that signs of conflict were found, with bullet holes most likely from Barret's gun arm covering the place, and a broken desk from what looks to be from the intruder. Barret was found near the broken desk face down with a broken chair leg beside him. From the looks of it, Barret had thrown the attacker into the desk, and was leaning down to apprehend him when the attacker hit him over the head with the chair leg, taking off through the fire exit. Some employee's discovered him early this morning, and called the police and ambulance."
"Any suspects?"
"Not at this time and moment sir. The intruder was a pro, leaving no marks, fingerprints, or any cluse to his identity, though we still need to give the office a more thorough check. The only thing we have is that it was most likely a large male working alone, to have that kind of force to be able to do this to Mr. Wallace, considering his position at the time of the blow…"
'Or maybe a thin, mako-enhanced Turk' Cloud thought, scowling. Suddenly he whipped around, heading towards the door.
"Hey Cloud, where you going?"
"Out for a while. I'll be back soon."
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"Owwww" Reno whimpered as he taped up his ribs. Despite the mako in his system, he had taken quite a beating, with several broken ribs, a baldly sprained leg, a large gash across his forehead and other multiple cuts from the desk, and more bruises that he could count.
' At least I've stopped coughing up blood.'
Reno had managed to get back home, glad that Cloud wasn't there to see him in his state, covered in blood and not looking to healthy. Passing out on the lounge floor, Reno had awoken a few hours before, and had settled in to cleaning himself up.
'Ow, fucken Barret, the dumbarse stupid cunt. Break my ribs will he. I hope his nose is really hurting today' he thought as he wrapped another roll of bandaged around his injured ribs. Carefully placing a clean t-shirt on he turned around, only to see Cloud standing there, glaring angrily at the Redhead, fists clenched and eyes narrowed.
"You lied."
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"You lied" Cloud grated out, glaring at the redhead in front of him.
"I didn't…"
"Yes. You. Did." Cloud yelled. "You promised that nothing would happen to my friends, and now Barret is in hospital because of you."
"Look, Cloud. I didn't mean to. He surprised me. Besides, it's only a broken nose…"
"Just a broken nose?!" Reno, Barret is in a coma because of you, with possible spinal injuries and brain damage!"
"He attacked me! I had to defend myself! He would have killed me if I hadn't!"
"Shut up Reno, just shut up!" Cloud screamed, placing his hands on his head. "You said to trust you, that you promise that nothing would happen, and I did, believing you like a fool, thinking you were right, that this wasn't a normal Turk mission, but you lied, and now one of my friends lies in hospital with a good chance of never waking up again. You lied to me Reno, straight to my face. For all I know, your whole intention was to go for Barret."
"No it wasn't Cloud, I can assure you of that."
"How Reno. Nothing was gone, nothing was destroyed, nothing was sabotaged, just an unconscious Barret and a broken desk."
"That's because he interrupted me before I could…"
"Enough Reno. Just shut up. Just shut up and get away from me." Cloud's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't want to see you again Reno. Good bye." Cloud turned around and left the room.
"Fine." Reno grabbed his trench coat and wallet, leaving the house with a slamming of the door. It was only then that Cloud dropped his guard and sobbed.
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"What happened Reno? You were only meant to be investigating, not bloody attacking people."
"Dunno" Reno replied dejectly, not really focusing on Reeve's words. 'Oh Cloud…'
"… Reno. Hey, Reno, pay attention. This is serious. If Barret wakes up and identifies you as the attacker, we are fucked" Reeve said. "You fucked up Reno, Real bad. Now we have to get this covered up and dealt with, before anyone finds out about it."
"Yes sir."
"Damn, right on the eve of the IGPTA ((the Intergalactic Planetary Trade Association)) meeting as well. Just the worst timing ever. Fuck." Reeve said, pacing behind his desk.
"Not really sir, if you think about it" came Vincent's cold voice from behind, causing both of them to jump.
"Vincent?"
"It reeked of Turk work, despite the obvious bumbling. Now, with this trade agreement, it would require both you and Tifa right? Well with you and her there, and most likely the others, it would leave someone here free to sort things out, gather the information, plant a false trail, and so forth unhindered. With all the attention being focused on the Trade Agreement, it would be done easily without fuss."
"Great Vincent. We can get Rude and Elena to take care off that, while both you and Reno accompany me to Earth, with some of the new recruits. That way, if something was to happen, as much as I would hate it too, it would less likely lead back to us, though," Reeve added, "I wouldn't like anything to happen to Barret if possible. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" Reno and Vincent said, taking their leave, leaving Reeve to continue his pacing in peace. Entering the elevator and pressing the button for their floor, Reno was surprised when Vincent hit the stop button, halting the elevator's descent.
"So, what's wrong?"
Reno looked surprised.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie. It was easy to see that your mind was else where back in the office, or you would of found a solution without my input. That's not like you Reno, to be distracted from your work, so what gives?"
Reno sighed. "Cloud."
"Cloud what?"
"Cloud knew I was going on a mission at the same time as the party. When he heard about Barret he put 2 and 2 together and got 5."
And?"
"He got made, yelled a bit and then kicked me out, saying that he never wants to see me again."
"Ouch."
"You got that right. He wouldn't even listen to me, didn't want to hear me out, and ignored what I did manage to say, preferring to believe the worst of me, and… oh sorry, I didn't mean to go like that, I doubt you wanted to hear about my troubles" Reno said sheepishly.
"Don't be. Despite what most people think, I am quite interested in what's going on around me. I class both you and Cloud as good friends of mine, and I care what happens to the two of you. There's nothing you can do while he's like this. Give him some time to calm down a bit and hope for the best. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here ok?" Reno looked at the older man.
"Thanks." Vincent just nodded and pressed the start button, starting the elevator's downward descent.
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Tifa sat in the office that she and Barret shared, reading over reports. She had stayed by Barret's side until her secretary called her, informing her of files and reports that needed her attention. After leaving the hospital instructions to call her if there was any change to Barret's condition, Tifa went back to the office, only to find Rude and Elena talking to the policemen investigating the attack. After explaining that Reeve had sent them in good faith, she left them to do their work, while she went to do hers. Picking up a report, she glanced over it, signed and placed it in the out pile.
'Boring. Hay, what's this?'
Tifa picked up a folder, which had been hidden under the piles of paperwork.
'Ah, that's right, the trade agreement'. She frowned. The trade agreement was coming up soon. Barret was originally meant to attend, but with him in hospital, it wasn't likely that he would be able to attend, leaving Tifa to do it, though it meant that she had to leave Barret. She would of missed it, but if she did, then Reeve would snatch it all up, instantly gaining more power, something that she could not allow.
Rriiinnngggg
The phone rang, disturbing Tifa from her thoughts.
"Hello, Tifa Lockheart speaking"
"Hi Tif, I just heard what had happened to Barret from Cid. I'm so sorry that he's hurt" came Shera's concerned voice from over the phone.
"Thank you Shera" Tifa replied.
"How do you think you'll cope with the day to day business? If you need some extra help I can always give you a hand."
Actually, I might need more than a little help. You see, there's this trade meeting I need to attend - Cid's most likely told you about it already."
"Yeah. He so excited about it."
"Yeah well, originally Barret was to attend, while I stayed here to operate the business, but with recent events, I have to go myself and leave my vice president in charge. The problem is that she hasn't much experience and I was wondering if you could help her out, make sure she's doing ok, that is, if you're not to busy with the girls and everything."
"Of course not. I'll help out, and keep an eye on Barret as well" Shera replied, answering Tifa's unasked question.
"Thanks Shera."
"No problems." The two females gossiped for a while before Shera had to go and deal with her broad. Tifa hung up the phone and read over the file.
'I will get this deal.'
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"So Cloud honey, you going to the IGPTA meeting?" Yuffie asked. The two were sitting in Cloud's living room, with Yuffie siting on the breakfast bar, swinging her legs and watching Cloud as he repacked his suitcase for the 50th time.
"Yes. Hence the bags Yuffie" Cloud replied wearily.
"Who you going with?"
"Tifa."
"Tifa? I figured you would be going with Reeve and Reno." Cloud looked away.
"Tifa needs my support more than they do." Yuffie looked at Cloud. Over the last week there had been a slight change over the blonde, a slight air of sadness, and the coldness that he use to display back when they were travelling together. She narrowed her eyes.
"You two had a fight, didn't you" she accused. "I might be younger than you, but I'm not as naive as you think." Cloud looked at Yuffie. True, she had grown up a lot over the years. She still had the same hairstyle, but had lost the short shorts for more sensible jeans and boots, though she still kept her style for leaving the button undone, for reason only known to Yuffie. Despite the seemly childish behaviour that she displayed at times, she was more sensible than before, and had developed a good business sense, allowing her to open up several profitable materia businesses all over the world, with most of the profits going into the rebuilding of Wuati. Still, despite that, Cloud still thought of her as a young child, a mistake when it concerned Yuffie.
"Maybe."
"No, not maybe. Yes or no."
"… Yeah, I guess we did."
"I wondered why I haven't seen him around lately. When's he coming back?"
"I don't think he is."
Reno had came back a few days after the fight to try to talk to Cloud. He hadn't wanted to hear it, resulting in another loud row and Reno storming off, saying that if Cloud didn't want to see him again, then it was fine by him as he didn't want to see Cloud again either. When Cloud had arrived home from helping Yuffie with her shop in Neo-Midgar, Reno's stuff was gone and the spare key was on the table.
"WHAT! What the hell did you guys fight about? Surely it wasn't that bad?"
Cloud hesitated, not wanting to tell her the reason for the fight.
"Look, I really don't want to talk about it."
"So, you two have broken up. That's so sad. You were both good for each other. I thought you two would of lasted" Yuffie said sadly.
"Yeah well, there's no point staying with someone who you can't trust" Cloud replied bitterly.
"True, but sometimes things happen that puts your trust on the line, whether or not they wanted to. Maybe all you guys need to do is sit down and talk to each other, and listen to what the other has to say" Yuffie replied thoughtfully.
"Maybe," Cloud replied, "but not now, not yet."
"Maybe so, but it would be wise not to leave it for to long, or you may never be able to repair the rift."
"Hn."
"Ok ok, change the subject I know. Mmmm, lets get back to the IGPTA then. How will you be appearing? As a bodyguard? Adviser? Cheerleader?"
Cloud glanced at Yuffie.
"Cheerleader?"
"OH yeah, I can just see you in those tight tops and mini skirts with Pom Poms attached to your arms, cheering for Tifa on the sidelines" Yuffie teased as she watched Cloud's face fall at the image.
"Mmmm, pink and white would be your colours I think" she added in, and was rewarded with a cushion in her face.
"Now, seriously, what you going as?"
"I guess a bit of bodyguard and advisor. Who you going with?"
"Reeve asked me to come along a while ago, but it doesn't mean that I'll be ignoring you guys."
"I hope not. Who else would I poke fun at when I'm bored?" Yuffie poked her tongue out at the smiling blonde.
"Well, if you ever get bored, you could always plan your make-up speech for Reno…"
"Don't you ever give up?"
"Nope."
"Why do I even bother?"
"Cuz you like the challenge."
"Give me 3 good reasons why I should make up with Reno."
"1) He's hot, 2) You both love each other to bits and 3) to benefit form the mind-blowing make-up sex that's bound to come after it."
"Yuffie!"
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Reno sat on the rooftop of the Neo-Shinra building, watching the stars come out. It was 2 days before they had to leave for Earth, and it had been 3 weeks since he had last seen Cloud. He went back a few days after the fight, but Cloud had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Reno, So when Cloud went to work at Yuffie's, Reno went in and grabbed his stuff. Cowardly he knew, but he didn't want to have another clash with Cloud. He could only take so much.
'8 years and it's all over because of some stupid mistake.' Reno had figure that the time away on Earth would give him plenty of time to get over Cloud and move on, but he found out from Reeve that Cloud was going with Tifa. Trying to distract himself, he went over the files concerning the conference, when he had came across a list of names of the SEEDs attending that made his blood run cold. Among the list was the name Seifer Almasy. That was not good news. He had spent the last 10 years protecting the kid, destroying files concerning the boy, and removing all traces of his existence. Sure, they might have forgotten about the boy, but one look at him and they will know instantly that he was Rufus' little boy, and his life would be forfeit. It had been a while since he had heard from Vincent ((Vince)); the last letter was over a year ago, when he was to sit his field exam.
'He must of passed if he's in SEED now.'
"Now, not only did Reno have to worry about protecting Reeve, but Vincent as well. Not even Reeve knew that he was still alive, believing that he had perished along with his father. Reno wanted him to keep thinking that. He had worked hard to give Vincent a new life, and he wasn't about to let it all go to waste. 'Well, I can't do anything about it now, not until I get there. Vincent's a smart kid, he'll keep out of harms way.'
The stars glistened and the day of the departure grew nearer.
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an/ chapter 5 is now done, and I guess we're finally getting somewhere. I'm not too sure I like the way I portrayed Barret. I'm trying not to bash any characters, though I don't like Tifa much and I HATE Rinoa for some strange reason, but it shouldn't affect my writing too much I hope. I actually made Yuffie a bit wise here, for reasons unknown to me. Remember to read and review, friendly criticism is welcomed. Next chapter we'll be back with Seifer and Squall.