Koinu: Sorry for the late update. I've been swarmed with school, and I just didn't have the time to actually upload this. Well, late or not, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Oh, and I owe cookies to Zuranh Darok for correctly guessing who the two mysterious speakers from the last chapter were. Although no one was actually named, she did guess their occupation, which is close enough!
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The Amarimono
Chapter four
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Liz's head spun to face the voices that had addressed her. If they already knew that much then this probably wasn't going to end well for her.
"Reno… Rude…" She nodded to each of the Turks in turn, but it was hard to hide the contempt she was feeling.
"We asked you a question." Rude said bluntly, adjusting his sunglasses, although it was night.
"Yeah," Reno shrugged his shoulders. "Where ya' been?"
Liz scowled at the two. "Here and there…"
"We thought you were dead. Squashed flat when the building collapsed."
"Do I look flat to you?" Liz retorted. She didn't even wait for an answer. "Rufus sent you, didn't he?"
Reno sighed. "We weren't expecting to find you exactly, but now that you're here you have two choices. One, you come quietly. Or two, we beat you senseless until you are quiet. Which'll it be?"
Liz rolled her eyes, reaching for one of her sai. "Do you even have to ask?" Suddenly, there was an unexpected pain in her side, and she was sent sprawling on the ground. The halfling rolled over onto her side, coughing. "Guess not…" Rude had been moving before she had even finished, coming in from her blind spot while Reno had her distracted.
Apparently she still had a reputation…
Her arms were twisted painfully behind her back, and she soon felt the cold, unforgiving metal of handcuffs around her wrists. Rude wasn't wasting any time at all, was he? But of course he couldn't. They were two men short, thanks to her brothers.
"Okay then." Reno squatted down in front of her, and Liz had to crane her neck to look at him. Rude was putting far more pressure than necessary on her back, and it hurt immensely because of her Geostigma, but she ignored that. "We can forget about that beating you senseless part if you agree to be quiet." He hit her lightly on the head with his baton. A playful hit.
Liz spat at him. "Go to hell."
Reno growled. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Again he hit her in the head, but with much more force this time. Liz wasn't knocked completely, but it was close. She was limp, and everything became a blur. Even the pain seemed to be fake, as if in a dream.
Maybe that's why her mind didn't register that she was being lifted up, although she knew it was happening. Maybe that was the reason she heard the whir of the helicopter blades above her after she had been loaded in, but never paid them any heed. Maybe that's why she was startled so much when it suddenly registered in her mind that Rude's face was inches from hers.
"I think you hit her too hard Reno." Rude said into a headset he wore.
"Give her another half an hour." Reno's voice was clear in the back of the chopper.
"That's what you said a half hour ago. It's been an hour and she still hasn't shown any sign's of ever waking up."
"Wha…" Liz moaned. Her head hurt, and she didn't remember why. "Who isn't awake…"
"Hah! Half an hour, right on time!" Reno's voice boomed.
Liz would have clapped her hands over her ears, if she could have moved them. Then, slowly, everything came back to her. She slumped to the side, falling from her sitting position to lying on the floor. "Rude… Reno's being mean again… can I shoot him?" She whimpered.
"Hey!"
Rude chuckled. "No Liz, you can't shoot him."
"Why not?" Liz felt like a child again, completely at the mercy of another.
"Because you don't have a gun." Rude's answer was obvious.
"Oh…" She closed her eyes. She felt tired, and there was nothing else to do while she waited for things to unfold. "That makes sense…"
Rude reached behind her and unlocked the handcuffs, pulling them away. Liz's only motion was to bring her arms around her and curl up while she waited for the oblivion of sleep to claim her.
"Just like the old days…" Reno sighed.
"Just pay attention to the chopper, Reno."
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Liz's was jolted awake as the helicopter landed. Her first instinct was to run; yet she remembered where she was decided to stay still. Her breathing remained even, her eyes closed, giving off the illusion that she was still sleeping.
Reno nudged her side with his foot. "Come on, time to get up."
Liz moaned and rolled over onto her other side, facing away from the redheaded Turk. "Piss off Reno."
He laughed lightly and kicked her gently in the back. "The boss ain't gonna be happy if you decide to sleep in the chopper."
"Well your boss can piss off too." Liz mumbled.
Reno shook his head. "If you don't get up, I'll sit here and talk you to death. I know how much you love that."
"You try that and you'll find one of my sai sticking out the back of your neck."
"One problem, your weaponless."
Snapping her eyes open and sitting up quickly, Liz reached behind her. The sheaths that usually held her sai were empty. "Damn you…" She scowled at Reno.
Reno merely shrugged. "Whatever. Now on your feet soldier!"
"I hate you…" Liz grudgingly stood. Reno motioned for her to get out of the chopper, and she obligingly hopped out. Rude was at her side immediately, but the remnant ignored him, instead looking around while they lead her into a building.
Healin Lodge…So this is where they went…A strong hand on her shoulder brought Liz to an abrupt halt. She scanned the room. It was bare for the most part. Boring.
"Sir." Reno and Rude chorused together, saluting. Liz folded her arms over her chest indignantly.
"Liz…" A motorized wheelchair rolled into the room. "It's been a long time."
Liz narrowed her eyes. "You remember me? Oh, that make's me feel so special." Heavy sarcasm rolled off her tongue.
Reno elbowed her in the side. "Be respectful." He hissed.
Liz growled at him, then sighed, giving in. "Rufus ShinRa…" Her gaze moved up and down the man, noting how the majority of his body was infected with the Geostigma and covered in a blanket. "Looks like it sucks to be you."
Rufus frowned. "Its seems we are in need of your assistance."
"Not interested. This company has screwed with me enough."
"Please. We know what has happened to you, and we're sorry-"
"Apologize all you want, it won't make a difference."
"Cloud is working for us."
Liz stopped, her comeback dying on her lips. She blinked a few times. "Excuse me?"
"I said, Cloud is working for us."
Liz growled. "How did you rope him into that?"
"He agreed on his own terms. Why, is that so hard to believe?"
Liz turned her head away, as if the floor had suddenly become very interesting. "What do you want me to do…?"
"You know Kadaj, right?"
Liz faked innocence, but not very well. "Who?"
"Don't lie." Rude said emotionlessly from her right side. "It's not worth it."
Liz chuckled dryly. "So what if I know him? He and his brothers are practically my family."
"So they'll be coming for you?" Rufus asked, imitating curiosity.
"No Rufus, they're coming for you." Liz retorted. "And you know that, don't you." When she had said it, Reno and Rude had shifted uncomfortably. "You want a body guard, that's why Rude was so concerned when Reno hit me, you wanted me in top shape to fight them. I'm right, aren't I?"
Even Rufus seemed uncomfortable with her amount of knowledge. "Kadaj-"
"Will rip me to shreds." Liz interrupted. "I'm way outclassed by him."
"If he's really a brother to you," Rufus said, the calm returning to his voice, "then you will be in little or no danger."
Liz sighed. "You may be right, but I still don't know what it is you want from me."
"We know that Kadaj will be coming for me tomorrow, all I want is for someone to make sure he doesn't do anything too… reckless."
"And what do I get in return for this." She could still back out, refuse to help them.
"Freedom." Rufus said simply. "You can leave, no strings attached. No more hiding from us or anyone else for that matter. You can live your life without the constant fear of being caught and becoming an experiment again."
Liz took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. "Tell me one thing…"
"What is it?"
"Is Hojo really dead?
Rufus nodded. "Long gone. You have nothing to fear anymore."
Liz nodded thoughtfully. "I'm in."
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Koinu: Uh-oh... this isn't going to end well. Well, you all know the drill, so review!
