Chapter Three

Cloud, Reno, Vincent, Tifa, Yuffie, and Barrett spent the evening planning, discussing the ideal turn of events, and the plan if anything went wrong. They certainly didn't expect someone to knock on the door just as the sun was setting. On high alert, every person in the room had a weapon in hand within moments.

Cloud moved to the door, signaling for everyone else to be quiet as he opened it up, sword in hand. Three soldiers stood on the doorstep, their uniforms quite similar to Shinra uniforms. They were unarmed.

"We're looking for President Sinclaire," the man in front said, and Cloud frowned.

"Whoever he is, he's not here," he said, and he started to close the door. The soldier reached out and caught it before it slammed shut.

"Wait…you probably know him as Reno."

Cloud's grip tightened on his sword. He heard murmuring, but he didn't turn to look at the others. "Who are you?" he asked the soldier, eyeing the man's name tag. It read 'General Kocher'.

"We're Shinra emergency forces. We've been looking for him since the battle," Kocher said, and ignoring all caution Reno pushed Cloud aside, his weapon still in his hand.

"Shinra has emergency forces that weren't at headquarters?" he asked, but he didn't get an answer- the three soldiers were busy saluting him.

"President Sinclaire, you can't imagine my relief-"

"Why are you calling me President?"

Kocher seemed confused. "President Shinra didn't tell you, sir?"

"Tell me what?"

"You were fourth in line to take over the company. The three above you died in the battle," Kocher explained. "You're now officially titled President Sinclaire of the Shinra corporation."

A beat of silence. Then, Yuffie and Barrett both burst out laughing. Reno sent them a deadly glare before turning back to the soldiers.

"I'm not president of anything. I just blow shit up, okay?"

"But, sir…you're the only one left to inherit the company. If you don't take the position, Shinra will fall."

Reno turned away from the door and cursed loudly, tapping his weapon on his shoulder with annoyance. Cloud watched him pace for a few moments, and then turned to Kocher.

"How many people do you have?"

"Not many. About 32," Kocher said. "President Shinra didn't think we would be needed. We kind of fell by the wayside, that's why it took us so long to mobilize."

Reno practically growled, and then he pointed his rod in the man's face. "I don't believe you."

"Feel free to shoot me, sir. As acting President, that's your prerogative."

"No, damnit! You're supposed to be scared shitless!"

"…Was that an order, sir?"

Yuffie and Barrett simply couldn't stop laughing now, and Tifa was fighting back laughter. Even Cloud and Vincent seemed amused by the situation.

"Alright," Reno said, stopping his angry muttering and lowering his weapon. "I order you to stand by until I need you. We have everything handled right now."

The three men saluted. "Yes, sir!"

Reno slammed the door shut in their faces and breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back against the door.

"You ready to keep plannin', President Sinclaire?" Barrett asked, still snickering.

"Shut it," Reno snapped. "Let's just get this done."

Sinclaire. Reno Sinclaire, Cloud thought, watching the moody redhead sit back down at the table. It works for him.

"Reno?"

Reno looked up from where he sat on the steps to Seventh Heaven, surprised to see Cloud in the doorway.

"It's almost one in the morning, you know," Cloud said, and Reno shrugged.

"Couldn't sleep."

A sigh. "Yeah, me neither."

Cloud dropped down on the steps next to Reno, and for quite a while after that, neither talked. It was strange, with Reno usually being a chatterbox, but things were too much for him right now. He didn't even know where to start.

"…Are those soldiers standing guard?" Cloud asked, squinting in the darkness at a figure by the corner.

"Yeah. I asked 'em not to, but they insisted," Reno muttered, aiming his rod at one of them and pretending to fire. "They're lucky I didn't just blast 'em all through a brick wall."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you didn't want to inherit the corporation."

Reno looked at Cloud and raised an eyebrow. "Did I hear that correctly? Did Cloud Strife just make a joke? The world must be ending."

"I'm not depressed all the time."

Reno cleared his throat.

"Okay, I'm depressed most of the time."

Reno laughed, and the pair fell into a few moments of silence. Cloud wrapped his arms around his knees, and then he let out an almost-laugh. "This is quite a leap from…well, fighting like cats and dogs."

"Hey, orders are orders."

"Would you have, though?"

Reno frowned, looking at Cloud. "Would I have what?"

"Just out of curiosity," Cloud continued with a shrug. "Would you have killed me? If you had the chance?"

"I'm a Turk, Cloud. You should know the answer to that one."

Cloud sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

"I would've given you a damn cool death, though. For putting up a good fight."

"I'll, uh…take that as a compliment."

Reno chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit. Still the idealistic depressed kid."

"And you're still a loud-mouthed Turk."

None of the insults were serious, just friendly banter between the two. It was an odd but welcome change, when they were used to trading blows.

Could it have been like this all along, under different circumstances? Cloud thought, stealing a glance at the redhead. Could we have been fighting side by side, poking fun at each other and cracking stupid jokes?

"Last thing I told him was that I would be fine," Reno said, finally breaking the long silence. "Never thought…"

"At least you didn't lie to him," Cloud said softly. "You kept your word. You're safe."

"Doesn't really matter now though, does it?" Reno asked, looking over at Cloud. Mako blue eyes met his, and he felt a rush go through him.

"I have the feeling it does, Reno."

"There you go with that idealism again."

"It's not such a bad thing. You should try it sometime."

Cloud leaned back, and as he placed his hand on the ground it brushed against Reno's. Both of them jumped in surprise, Reno clearing his throat and Cloud leaning forward again, feeling heat rise to his cheeks.

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

Cue uncomfortable silence.

"I'm gonna go try to get some sleep," Reno said, pushing himself to his feet. Cloud nodded.

"Sleep well."

Reno chuckled again, heading inside and greeting Tifa as he passed her. Tifa smiled at him, and then walked outside and plopped down next to Cloud on the steps, a mischievous smile on her face.

"You like him."

Cloud's eyes widened. "What?"

Tifa was grinning now. "You do! You like him!"

"As a friend, maybe…"

"Friends don't get all flustered and embarrassed when their hands touch."

Cloud winced. "You saw that?"

"I couldn't sleep, came down here, saw you go out there…I figured I'd better keep an eye on you boys in case you decided to fight again," Tifa explained with a shrug. "Seeing you blush was just a bonus."

"I don't like him that way."

"Of all people, I never expected it to be Reno…"

"Are you listening to me?"

"But I guess it does make some sense. Opposites attract, right?"

"Tifa…"

"I wonder if he feels the same? You should ask him!"

"NO!"

"Ha! You do like him! That's adorable, Cloud!"

Cloud muttered something undecipherable, and then stood up. "I'm going to go sleep."

"Sweet dreams," Tifa said with a wink.