Chapter Eight: Nothing is Certain but Turks and Mad Scientists

All three men spun, varying shock and horror on their faces. Cid looked from Reno to Reeve, slight confusion at the very real fear he saw from both of them. Their hands clenched so hard he noted blood dripping from the knuckles.

The laugh was amused at this, though it seemed the laugh of someone who was bored with such a reaction. Into the light stepped a young man, large glasses perched on top of a brooding nose. Thick black hair was bound into a slick pony tail and his bangs jutted out at strange angles. It looked- and sounded- for all the world like a twenty year old Hojo.

Reeve and Reno backed up quickly, bumping into Cid. The retreat into the chocobo pen was cut off when the same voice echoed from behind them. "Now, Reno, Reeve, you know what happens to naughty little Turks that don't do what they are told."

"Mother fuckers, what the gods damned fucking shit is this shit?" Cid snarled, seeming almost as angry at the backing up with the Turks as he was to be face to face with someone he personally loathed on a professional standpoint.

A third version of that same voice floated over to them, effectively backing Reno, Reeve and Cid up near the house that held the sleeping chocobo-keepers. "Highwind… I thought you'd die before playing with my little-" he laughed, a broken disjointed sound. "toys…"

Both Reeve and Reno started a deep-throated growl, rocking back and forth like big cats. They looked at each other then to Cid. Cid was taking a breath to prepare another rant when Reno darted away from him. In the next moment the red head's shoulder connected with the center Hojo, pitching him to the ground.

The other two Hojo's leapt to intercept him, but Reno seemed to expect it. Rocking to one shoulder while still on top of the first Hojo, Reno's boot connected with the kneecap of another. He rolled backwards, up onto his feet and threw his elbow back into the ribcage of Hojo number three before sliding back, drawing attention away from Reeve and Cid.

Reno and Reeve shared a quick nod before Reeve grabbed Cid's wrist and amidst a firm verbal assault from the pilot, ducked into the chocobo pens.

Cid didn't need to be told what they needed to do; he saddled up a third chocobo while he ranted. "-gods fucked all to hell shit. Can't believe fucking HOJO on top of all this crap. Damn Turks, all your fault, fucking HANDS IN MY BED!"

Meanwhile, Reno was leading the Hojos on a rather comical chase around the farmhouse. Using a maple tree, Reno clamored up to the third floor and through a window. He snagged a blanket off of the bed, uncovering the farmer and his rather well endowed wife. Halting for a moment Reno cocked his head in an approving fashion, gave the man a thumbs up and darted back out the door while the Hojos climbed into the window.

Reno waited outside the bedroom door to toss the sheet over his pursuers. A firm kick to the back of the closest one sent all three of them and the sheet tumbling down the staircase. Reno slid down the rail and tossed a spin-heel kick to the front door.

"Mother fucking flightless fucking creepy ass birds. Birds are supposed ta fesking fly…" Cid complained as he and Reeve turned the corner of the house at a full gallop. Reeve's assessment of Reno's sprint speed was affirmed as the red head managed to leap on top of the loose chocobo and then pull the bird into the lead.

They didn't seem to have time to spare anymore, and whatever Reno knew, would have to wait before he could tell them anything.