Sadistic Tendencies

By: Fantasie in D Minor

Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII or any of the sequels/prequels. The dreadfully long descriptions, however, are mine

Summary: Reno hated the rookie. It was a principle of honor; he would not be substituted by a woman. Tseng should understand that, right?... Too bad mother luck was never very gentle with the red-head.

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When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Confucius

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First Chase: 10 Feet

With a girlish scream, which erupted involuntarily from her throat and wasn't befitting a Turk in the least, Elena jerkily jumped out of the torture machine (more commonly known as Reno's car) and had to forcefully restrain herself from collapsing and kissing the safe Earth beneath her feet. Obviously, Reno's driving skills, no matter how chiseled, mixed with his disregard for speed limits didn't amount to much.

"You suicidal maniac!" were the only coherent words the blonde Turk could sputter out in her indignation, not for the lack of other unintelligible and distressed noises, of course. Reno, however, didn't seem to be phased as he calmly exited the vehicle and stuck a customary cigarette in between his teeth.

"We've arrived." He proclaimed unnecessarily with a mocking, respectful bow. If Elena's malfunctioning, at the moment, mind didn't render her body useless, the young woman would have had a gun within her grasp in a matter of seconds and Reno would be no more; but, to the young man's tremendous luck, the only reaction to his calm demeanor was a rather skillful impersonation of a fish on the blonde's part.

The spat that was sure to follow, however, was cut dismally short as the forming response on the tip of Elena's tongue died without quite making it out in light of a rather rude interruption coming in the shape of a tall man, dressed in a police uniform, with a look of mild distaste spreading itself languidly through his features.

"May I assist you?" The raspy voice, serving as undeniable proof of the owner's inclination to drinking and smoking, made it quite clear that the lengthy man would rather do anything but. Elena buffed up immediately at the level of hostility in the unpleasant greeting. "You look a bit lost."

"A murder has been committed in this alleyway less than 36 hours ago, is that correct?" It was beyond Elena how, with such formal terms, Reno still managed to drawl.

"That is why I assumed you were lost." The red-head didn't take offense to the derogatory remark and instead opted for taking out his ShinRa employee ID card and waving it until a sign of frustrated recognition shown on the police officer's face. Elena had to refrain from chuckling as the degrading fashion in which Reno was showing off his free pass to any crime scene worked to increase her amusement at an alarming rate. "Pardon my mistake." The lengthy character nodded curtly and walked off towards a group of photographers, who seemed to be rather fascinated with the streetlight under which the body lay approximately 12 hours ago sprawled and unmoving.

"What was his problem?" The blonde Turk inquired bemused, letting her eyes trace the path of the retreating figure. Reno shrugged his shoulders in an indifferent manner without giving her an answer. In fact, he wasn't planning on speaking to her in general (he was still rather sour, if anyone was wondering), but his etiquette decided to butt in unasked and unwanted.

"I would imagine that being replaced makes one feel degraded." Imagine? Reno would have to do no such thing. He knew rather well, perhaps better than most, what exactly the bitter feeling was. Elena, on the other hand, didn't quite catch the drift.

"What are you talking about?" The red-head snorted and rolled his eyes heavenwards.

"He's a police officer." He started in a 'this-is-obvious' manner. "It's his investigation, and we're a thorn in his side that he'd much rather get rid of." It took Elena's blue-eyed pools a few seconds before they started shining with the spark of understanding.

"Now that you put it that way, I almost pity him." Reno snorted once again. For some reason, his senses told him that this would become regular practice when dealing with the exuberant blonde.

"I'd like to hear you say that after a week." Elena's wish to question the somewhat obscure comment went unsaid as Reno's attention was drawn away from the conversation at hand and diverted to the left, where a dark figure was just rounding the corner.

After exchanging a glance of confusion the duo simultaneously took off after the speeding subject in question. Elena found, to her mild amusement, that when the situation called for it, Reno's lethargic hobble went away, even if his face shown with the undeniable twist of pain. The two Turks rounded the corner and turned right, following the figure which was already making another right just up front.

Reno was the first one to reach the second turn, but instead of keeping with the momentum, he came to a dead halt, making Elena knock into him lightly from behind. The aggravated young woman rubbed her nose, which came into contact with Reno's stiff back, affectionately.

"Ran out of fuel did we?" Elena asked annoyed. Reno smirked quietly to himself.

"Why yes, in fact, I did." He stepped out of the way and gestured for Elena to go forward. "I think I'll let you keep going with this while I'll lie here dying of exhaustion."

The blonde Turk rolled her eyes and laughed in a pointedly fake way before fully rounding the corner and taking a few steps forward. Her progress, however, was halted rather quickly when she saw what exactly lay in front of her. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the web of paths and turns that were situated straight up the alley, which she only now figured out she entered. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it was, in fact, the maze that not two days ago served as the deathbed for the young man with black hair and blue eyes.

"Why did you tell me that…?" Whatever Elena was going to ask was rudely interrupted by the smirking devil incarnate, who was casually leaning on a side of the building.

"You were just so excited about going in there. I simply didn't have the heart to inform you of…" Elena decided to interrupt the innocence rant and growled loud enough to drown out Reno's fast flow of words.

The blonde started contemplating homicide after her pointed clearing of the thrown, but then decided against it in light of Reno's sudden fascination in a spot of pavement right over her shoulder. She raised an inquisitive eyebrow and whirled around to see a black piece of metal that was lying not a 4 feet away from her. On further inspection it looked like a PHS. Reno pushed off the wall with a small shrug at the puzzled look on Elena's face and picked it up. This was going to be interesting, he could already feel it.

TBC

Author's Note: Thank you for reading and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. I'm really sorry for the late update, but school has been keeping me really busy and I've been practically buried under 2000 page physics and calculus books. Please forgive me! Good news, though: I have the next chapter almost done so you can expect me to post it within the next few days XD And now for the review responses 'cause you are guys are so awesome and deserve them!

Gives Xanthe lots of candy and a tight hug: Thanks ever so much for the feedback. Reading your reviews always makes my day and I'm ever so happy that you like the way I write Reno XD That's music to my ears. I'm only sorry that this update took so long!

Hugs The Blood Splattered Brideand gives her strawberry lollipops. Thanks for keeping with this story and getting me so motivated! I'm really happy that you're enjoying it, and I'm really sorry about the late update. I promise I WILL get the next chapter up within the next three or so days! "Krov' iz nosa, klianus!" thought some Russian would do good here XD