The smoke wafted past him and he enjoyed it. It was his fourth pack of cigarettes in as many days, but they represented more then that – they represented the fact that he was still alive to enjoy them.
It must have been some damn favor Elena called in – akin to helping Rufus lose his virginity, in Reno's private opinion – because he had been hired back, and mostly forgiven.
He moved slowly through the Sector, casually, enjoying the fear that the suit put in people. He was actually on a mission, despite his casual semblance. Rufus had sent him alone, and said that if it wasn't accomplished in three hours he could kiss his job goodbye.
Reno had no intention of letting Rufus down; not over any misplaced notion of respect, but because he was loyal, in some sick, perverted way. Rufus let the Turks have a pretty free reign when it came to living so Reno had again access to the best cars, the best food, the best living that money could buy. The best booze was a perk too.
A skinny red-haired boy spotted Reno and gasped. Reno smirked and took another drag of his cigarette as the boy bolted through the street, his cloth shoes scraping against the pavement.
It was always more fun when they had warning that he was coming.
Rufus hadn't been particular about the kill – only that it was to be done. The victim was a subversive member of Avalanche and an ex-employee of ShinRa, which made her more dangerous than the usual rebel. On the besides, she was apparently the only member of Avalanche who was still in Midgar. Elena had given him the readouts before he had left.
He took his time – there was no hurry. This one wouldn't be fast enough to get away, even with warning from the boy. She didn't like to leave behind her children.
Ah. The irony.
Reno arrived at the house and dropped his cigarette, putting it out with his shoe. He fished in his coat for his EMR, which he slung over his shoulder with expert deftness then rang the doorbell politely.
He snorted as he realized the utter idiocy of the situation. Yeah, she's going to let you in, he thought to himself, and then what? You'll say, "Hey, I'm a Turk and I'm here to kill you?"
The door didn't open. Reno grabbed the handle and turned – it was predictably locked. He sighed and reached into his coat and fished for his lock pick. After jiggling with the lock for a minute, the lock clicked and he opened the door.
"Freeze, shithead." A deep female voice commanded as he stepped through the door. He casually brushed the dirt off his knees and she screamed, "I said freeze!"
"Geez, freak out much?" Reno asked as he unfolded to his full height. The woman stared at him and her gun wavered. A child started crying and Reno grinned, running his tongue over his teeth. "Hey mom, how's it going?"
She kept staring at him. He looked around her. Three kids – two boys and one girl – stood huddled behind her. "Hey kids, remember me? Nah, I'm sure you don't." Reno contemplated another cigarette but decided against it. Instead he fiddled with his EMR's settings.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? You heartless asshole!" She screamed. Her gun trembled even more. Reno stood and shrugged. "Get out of my house!"
"Oh, that one, yeah that one I remember." Reno shrugged again. "Look, nothing personal, okay? I'm just here to do my job."
"I raised you, you ungrateful…" She began. A sharp shock stopped her, and she found herself staring directly at Reno.
He knew that she was too distracted to see him move, and he had always been fast. "Now, now mom, careful. You wouldn't want to say anything you'll…regret." His voice was amused, amused enough to let the slight tone of threat leak through. He pressed the EMR against her neck and she dropped the gun. The kids all retreated into a corner, and Reno ignored them. Instead he picked up the gun and stashed it in his shoulder holster that he had left empty in anticipation. No need to let one of the kids get it.
She screamed and Reno stared at her gray hair. She was different then he remembered her, softer, fatter, grayer. Dumpier. Like a mom, not like a whore.
"So, mom," he began casually, pulling the EMR from her neck. "How have you been?"
"Go to hell." She gurgled, blood accompanying the words. Reno rolled his eyes and pressed the EMR to her neck once more.
"Please, mother. Let's just be civil, as you'll be dead in…oh…a few minutes." He held the EMR tight against her neck with his other hand on her head. She had no control of her body movements, the shock from the EMR making it impossible. "Dr. Hojo explained this to me once, but you know me – in one ear, out the other." She screamed and a spasm wracked her body. He pulled the EMR away. "Now, let's talk, all right?"
She couldn't respond right away. He pushed her arms behind her back and slammed her into a wall. The kid that had been crying stopped. "How have you been? It's like, what? The third time I've asked?"
She didn't respond, and Reno shrugged. "Whatever, mom." He pulled the EMR back into his hand, gripping it firmly and slammed the end into her skull.
Her skull gave way with a sharp crack and he dropped her. The kids were silent and they stared at him. He stared back. One of them sniffled. None of them were older than ten.
Finally one of them spoke. He was the one he had seen earlier. "Are you Reno?"
"Yeah." Reno replied. He pulled out a smoke and offered it to the kid. The kid approached him carefully, sidling along the wall. "Hey, I won't kill you. I'm not paid for that." He was almost amazed that they hadn't run screaming when it was clear he wasn't interested in them, but then by the time he was five he had seen his mother kill someone, so he guessed it wasn't like it was shock to them.
The kid took the cigarette carefully. Reno offered the flame. The kid stared at him. "I've never had one." He said clearly, defiantly. "Teach me."
Reno laughed and squatted down. "Here, like this." He lit up expertly, then offered the flame again.
The kid tried but failed. "Don't worry, you'll get it."
"Are you going to take care of us?" The girl asked. She was staring at the dead body of her mother. "Mom always said, if something happened, that you were around, to find you."
Reno stared at his mother's corpse and swore. He turned to the kids and thought about it for a moment. He pulled his PHS out of his pocket and called Rufus. "Hey, Rufus," he greeted.
Rufus didn't sound surprised. "How did it go?" He asked.
"She's dead, but I've got three kids here. Her kids, what do you want me to do with them?"
"Kids?" Rufus sounded puzzled. Leave it to Rufus to not comprehend that people had families. After a moment he simply said, "Bring them here. They may know something."
"Aw, shit, they're fucking kids."
"Then kill them, Reno. Whichever you think is better." Rufus responded. Reno stared at them. The oldest looked like him, when he was ten, but not as skinny. His mother wasn't known for raising kids up right. "Reno?" Rufus confirmed that he hadn't lost the signal.
"Yeah, here. Do you think that someone will take them?" Reno asked. "I sure as hell can't raise kids."
"Bring them here and we'll see what can be done." Rufus replied, and the phone line went dead. Reno pocketed the PHS.
All three kids stared at him, and he sighed. "All right. Let's go."
The littlest one gripped his hand and stared solemnly up at him. Reno fought the urge to pull away, and finally gave in, letting the kid dangle from his arm as he walked out and the other two followed.