Part One

The meeting had been as Reno had expected long and boring. It had lasted for a good five hours and he had started to feel an unexplained unease rising within him the longer he sat to listen to the others yak away about how they failed to complete the mission and other things Reno could care less about. By the time the meeting had ended, it had gotten extremely late. Reno slowly and begrudgingly made his way back to his apartment, irritation washing over him as he walked alone through the grimy streets. He really wished that he and Rude hadn't had to leave the bar early, but of course there was work to be done in the morning.

Reno glanced into the alley behind him, and saw something glittering within the darkness from a section in the wall. He drew closer and inspected the wall. Bits of glittering green spilled out from a section in the wall where a pipe had ruptured.

Reno moved in closer to get a better look at it and pulled back in disgust at the overly sickly sweet smell.

"Mako.."

Reno continued to stare at the leaking pipe for a moment longer. He wasn't sure why, but there seemed to be something about it.. Something he couldn't quite place. A sudden gust of wind whipped around whipped around him, causing him to gasp in surprise, only to go into a coughing fit as a burning filled his lungs. Reno cringed as the burning in his throat slowly subsided.

Reno felt disgusted as he jolted away from the wall. However, as he began to head back toward his apartment once more, he could feel some of the irritating feeling that had been bothering him had subsided a little. He was unsure why but he could feel a new and unusual sensation began to rise inside him once more.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Reno awoke the next morning with a splitting headache. He let out a groan as he rolled onto his side. His head was pounding but he knew he had work to do. Begrudgingly, he slowly sat up and was immediately hit by an unbearable sickness. Reno choked back the bile rising in his throat as he continued to sit on the side of the bed.

"I need to lay off the booze.." he muttering, cringing as he rubbed at his head.

As he moved his head, he felt a slight twinge in his neck.

"What the h*ll?"

He subconsciously rubbed at the side of his neck, soon feeling a small puncture mark at the base of his neck.

"Hojo.." he growled. "He got me with one of those d*mn NEEDLES.!"

Reno had never liked needles. For as long as he could remember, needles had always been an issue for him. He however couldn't avoid having the injections needed for joining the Turks team. It was protocol to have vaccines when joining a new team. As much as he hated it, it had to be done. He then began to wonder why in h*ll Hojo would give him another injection when he had already taken the vaccinations he had needed. It was then he remembered the night before. His neck hadn't started hurting until after leaving the Shinra Building. Reno gritted his teeth at the implications.

"That a$$hole.." he muttered.

Reno went over to the mirror and stared at his reflection. His skin looked pale, almost ashen in color and his hair was a mess, more so than usual. He growled in annoyance as he raked his hair back with his fingers, wincing as the pain in his head returned. It felt as though someone had struck him in the head with a hammer.

"G-god.." he grunted in pain.

Perhaps he should go out to get some air. He stumbled a little as he made his way to the door.

"Maybe I should get something ta get rid of this headache.."

He made his way outside, Reno felt a blast of cool air hit his face. A shiver went down his spine as he hurried down the street, ignoring anyone he would bump into. The shouts of protest followed him as he weaved in and out of the growing crowd. As he continued his way through the streets, he couldn't help but remember the sensation from the night before. The memory of seeing the ruptured pipe and the smell of the Mako. He mentally kicked himself. He was being ridiculous, stupid even. Why the h*ll would he even want to go anywhere NEAR Mako? And yet..

Reno stopped running to try and catch his breath. As he looked around, he realized he was in the same alley where he had discovered the ruptured pipe. How had he ended up here again? Had his mind led him here? Reno shook his head to clear it. Why was he here? Didn't he have a job to do? Reno was about to leave when he stopped. He glanced this way and that, making sure there wasn't anyone watching him. After finding the alley was clear, Reno made his way toward the wall. Hesitantly, he reached a hand up toward the cracked pipe. He felt a slight chill as some of the leaking Mako dribbled into his outstretched hand. Reno glanced at it as it pooled in the center of his fingerless glove. He couldn't believe what he was doing but something in his mind seemed to tell him otherwise. It was as if something inside was urging him onward.

Reno hesitated for a moment before bringing his hand up to his lips. He was hit by an overwhelmingly sweet taste and coughed, spilling the contents in his hand onto the dirty and unkempt ground. He shivered as a tingling, burning sensation washed over his lips and tongue. The burning sensation much like before, except it felt much stronger. He was surprise to find the irritation and even the headache had eased up a bit. Reno closed his eyes and licked at the Mako that was still present on his lips, shivering as the sensation returned.

However, as he was brought back to reality, he was suddenly hit by a sense of dread.

"Sh*t! I'm LATE!"

He took off down street. It took longer than he had wanted to reach the main Shinra Building. As he slowed to a stop just outside the Shinra Building, he could feel the pain in his head beginning to return again. Reno cringed as the vice like pain went through his head.

"Got another hangover I see.."

Reno immediately snapped his head up to look at his partner, cringing as the pain became much worse. He clenched his eyes shut in pain.

"Seriously though.. Everything alright?"

Reno's breathing was shaky. What was wrong with him? Why was this happening? Reno felt uneasy and groaned as he was suddenly hit by a wave of unbearable sickness. He clenched his eyes shut as he fought not to be sick.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Rude asked again.

Managing not to be sick, Reno soon composed himself.

"I'm fine.." he managed.

Rude wanted to continue to pry but only sighed. Reno looked away from him, looking up at the building. Without another word, Reno hurried inside.

Author's Note: It may take a while to continue because I'll be busy for the next few days.. I will however do what I can to continue..