Part Three

As the weeks progressed, Rude noticed a change in his partner's behavior. Reno would be much more agitated than usual and there were times when Rude had to stop Reno from getting in a fight with Heidegger or Tseng over the smallest of things. Rude also seemed to notice Reno carrying around the flask he would normally keep in his apartment. While in the helicopter, he would see Reno occasionally take long drinks from his flask.

Reno found he was drinking it more and more, even when the Brandy ran out, he would continue taking more of the Mako Dr. Hojo provided. Reno knew Rude must've known as he had begun disappearing into the lab for long periods at the time. Reno didn't care anymore. The feeling of the Mako in his system made everything seem to go away. Around six hours later, Reno and Rude were once again heading down the street when Reno stopped in his tracks, clutching his head.

"N-nggghhhh..." he groaned.

"Everything alright?" Rude asked.

"I'm f-fine.."

Reno quickly reached into his suit and took out his flask. However, as he took another drink of the Mako.. Something.. Felt wrong.. His body ached and his head throbbed.

"W-wha..?"

Reno's throat burned and there was a pressure in his abdomen as he felt his stomach was about to expel its contents.

"W-what? W-why i-is this happen-" Reno was cut off by a spasm as his stomach contracted.

The young Turk doubled over as he violently released the contents of his stomach. Rude jumped back from the sight he was seeing. The contents of Reno's stomach was a sickly, glowing green.. The color of Raw Mako.

Reno turned to look up at him and Rude was horrified to see his partner's turquoise eyes were now glowing a bright green and had slit dragon-like pupils.

"H...Help m...me," Reno whimpered before he collapsed to the ground.

"Reno!" yelled Rude, rushing to Reno's aid.

Rude reached over to check for a pulse, freezing in shock as he saw the puncture mark at the base of Reno's neck.. A mark that could only have been from a needle.

"Hojo.." he gasped out.

As those words left his mouth, Rude felt something hard strike the back of his head. As he fell to the ground, his ears were ringing as the world around him became a mesh of muffled voices. His vision swam in and out of focus as he saw a swarm of men dressed in what seemed to be blue uniforms. It was the last thing he remembered before the world went black.

When he awoke three hours later, Rude found himself alone in the alley. Rude painfully sat up and winced as he rubbed his head. In his half subconscious state, he glanced all around the alley when the glint of metal caught his eye. It was the flask Reno had been carrying with him lay on the ground. Rude instantly snapped fully awake as he looked all around him, realizing with a jolt that Reno was gone!

"D*mn it!" he growled.

The people who had attacked had been Shinra troops, he had known those blue uniforms anywhere. Rude slowly stood up, wincing a little at the pain in his head. What could they have wanted with Reno? It was then the images from earlier flashed through Rude's mind like a bolt of lightning.. Reno's eyes had the eyes of a Soldier. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Rude took off down the street. He needed to find someone who can help him! He needed.. Rude let out a groan as the thought came to mind. 'Avalanche..'

True, he didn't like the idea of asking a sworn enemy for help but, Rude knew he couldn't take on Shinra's troops alone. He quickened his pace as he hurried toward the 7th Heaven bar.

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

"You WHAT!?"

Cloud's voice rang throughout the bar. The bar was thankfully closed for the night and so no one but those present would hear the outburst. Rude waited a moment before he spoke again.

"I need you to help me." said Rude. "Reno has been taken by the Shinra troops."

"And why in h*ll should we help you?" Cloud countered.

"Because I know about the things you had been through," said Rude. "You and Za-"

"Don't you DARE say his NAME!" Cloud growled, readying his weapon. "You don't know ANYTHING about what we went through.."

Cloud's words were such a low growl, that it caught Tifa off guard.

"I do.." said Rude, his voice still calm and unchanged. "Because I suspect that it's what Reno is being put through right now.."

Cloud continued to stare at the Turk, his sapphire eyes filled with suspicion as Rude continued.

"Reno has been exposed to Mako.. I'm not sure when, but I know Dr. Hojo is the one behind this." he said. "He has the needle-mark of being injected with Mako."

Cloud remained silent as he continued to stare at Rude, unsure of what he should say or do. He turned away, refusing to look at him.

"If what you're saying is true.." he turned to look at him again. "Why come to us for help?"

"Because you know more about the process of becoming a Soldier."

"EX-Soldier.." Cloud corrected. "And that's.."

He stopped talking as he tried to think of what to say, but no words came to him.

"Cloud.."

Cloud snapped his attention toward Tifa who had spoken. He could see an expression he had not noticed before.. Concern? Fear?

"You're asking me to save someone who nearly KILLED us?" said Cloud.

Tifa turned her gaze to the floor. Barret had remained silent, not seeming to want to believe that the Turks would possibly want THEIR help for anything. Aerith turned to look at Rude, her concern beginning to surface. She then turned to look at the blonde as she spoke.

"Cloud, I know what Reno's done is really bad but-"

Cloud turned to look at her, his dark expression causing her to flinch slightly. Cloud wanted to protest but as he looked at her, he could see the concern in her expression and he turned away again.

"Please Cloud.. He needs us.."

Cloud wanted to refuse. Helping an enemy was going against EVERYTHING Cloud had been fighting for. It would be best, he reasoned for the Turks to handle things themselves. However, as much as he tried, Cloud couldn't find the heart to do so as he took in the sight of Aerith's sad and pleading expression.

"Fine." said Cloud defeated. "F-fine.. We'll do it.."

"Thank you, Cloud." Aerith smiled tearfully, pulling him into a hug.

"But that doesn't mean we're on good terms," said Cloud, his expression still full of suspicion. "Once we get your friend, we're going our separate ways."

"Yes, of course," Rude replied. "I will be sure to keep that in mind."

Cloud remained silent as he began to leave the bar with the others following behind him.

Author's Note: I will try to get more up soon..