Business As Usual:
Chapter 5
By Miyamashi
Miya's Note: This is where Reno and Rufus finally start to get to know each other! Hurrah! No romance yet, though, I'm afraid.
And then, we have the reveal: What IS Rude's real name? You'll laugh, I promise (just reading that part alone, you'd think that this was a comedy). Just don't spill it when you review (if you even do review…you had better! glares). Sometimes people read reviews before they read the fic. I know that I do it a lot.
To Roxi: Thanks!
To Mashimaro-Byul-012: No pressure. Actually, I need a bit of a kick. I really tend to procrastinate. Having wonderful reviewers keeps me from doing so, though! hug
To Gothic Yokai: Yeah, poor Rufi! No prob with the lime…huggles you back…or with the review!
Was this update fast enough for you all? .-
"So, you're not dead after all," Tseng stated, smiling, to Reno as the redhead stepped out of the helicopter.
"…No…where'd you get that idea?"
"Rude said that you were gone…that there were no survivors."
"I said that Reno had gone off to find Rufus Shinra and that the ninjas had come and killed all of the guards. That's where there were no survivors," Rude said, stepping out behind Reno.
"So, you assumed that I had been killed, is that it?" Reno glared at Tseng.
"I…I guess that I did." The black-haired Turk shrugged. "I am glad that you are alive, though. I wouldn't want to have to find another replacement so soon."
A stretcher rolled up to the helicopter, and two doctors laid Rufus' form on top of it.
"He's not dead, in case you're wondering," Reno stated, indicating the stretcher. "I just wish that I hadn't let him get shot like that."
"At least he's still alive."
"Kiribani?" Rufus asked softly as Reno stood over his hospital bed.
"We need to stop meeting like this, Sir."
"Where am I?"
"You're in the infirmary. You were shot."
"…Junon."
"Yes."
"Why are you here?"
"I was supposed to protect you, Sir, but here you are."
"The barrier…was that you?"
"Yes, Sir. It was from the electro-mag rod."
Rufus smiled. "Why did you do it?"
"It was to slow the bullet."
"I guess it worked, then."
"Yes, Sir."
"Then I am alive, thanks to you. It seems to me like you protected me quite well, Kiribani."
Reno paused, his eyes unfocused, pointing somewhere on the far wall. "Sir, may I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Could you call me Reno? Kiribani is what Pulitz used to call me."
"Who?"
"Gerome Pulitz. He was the man who almost killed you."
"You knew him." It was not a question.
"He was my commanding officer when I was in SOLDIER."
"You didn't like him, I take it."
"No, Sir. I hated the asshole."
"Very well then, Reno. I understand where you're coming from."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Rufus is fine. I owe you my life. The least that I can do is drop the formalities."
"Thank you…Rufus." Reno felt strange calling the Vice President by his first name, but he hoped that he would get used to it.
"I appreciate your coming in and checking up on me. There are not many men who would do that kind of thing for their bosses," said Rufus, "but, if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling very tired. There's no need to stay. I've inconvenienced you enough. Thank you again, Reno."
"G'night." Reno stepped out of the infirmary, heading for his room. This had possibly been his strangest meeting with Rufus Shinra, as the man hadn't gotten angry at him, hadn't changed personas sporadically…
Rufus had, for the first time since Reno had met him, seemed like a human being, rather than the mysterious, inhuman figure that had haunted the Turk's thoughts for so long…
"So?" Rude asked Reno as the redhead passed by on the way to his room.
"So what?"
"How did it go with the V.P.? You still have your job?"
"Yeah…he thanked me."
Rude gave his comrade a skeptical look above his sunglasses.
"I'm serious, Dale."
"Stop calling me that."
"Tell me your real name, and I will."
"Fine."
Reno smirked triumphantly. Rude mumbled something inaudibly, his eyes downcast.
"What's that? I couldn't hear you."
"My name is……………I can't do it."
"I won't laugh, I promise."
"You will laugh. I'd laugh."
"Okay, so I might laugh, but I won't tell anybody."
"Well, my mom always wanted a daughter, so she named me Gertrude…"
Reno not only laughed, but burst into hysterics.
Rude glared, although Reno couldn't see it through the shades.
"Sorry, man, but that's plain funny…I'd kill my parents if they'd named me Gertrude."
Rude placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and kneed him in the gut. As Reno half-collapsed, the wind knocked out of him, Rude took off his sunglasses and gave a look that said, "If you ever mention this again, I will kill you and anyone and everyone that you hold dear."
The bald Turk put his sunglasses back on and walked into his room, slamming the door behind him, as Reno practically crawled to his.
"Up! Get up!" the President screamed at his son. "I said, get up off of you're lazy ass, Rufus!"
The doctor ran over as Shinra grabbed Rufus by the hair, picking the young blonde up to face-level.
"Sir, he is in no condition…"
"Shut up! He is my son, and if I want him to get up, he will, even if he's bleeding from every opening in his body!"
"But Sir, he is on strict bed-rest, and I cannot let you further endanger his health."
"Do you defy me?"
"If that it what it takes to ensure that my patient recovers, then I do."
Shinra let Rufus fall back to the bed.
"You have just branded yourself a traitor to the Shinra legacy. Do you know what that means?"
"Yes. Now leave," the doctor stated coldly. "He may be your son, but he is my responsibility."
And those were the last words that the doctor ever said as Shinra pulled a pistol out of his jacket and fired.
"Now, get up."
Miya's Note: Sorry it was so short. Poor Rufi! He's just not having a good time in this fic, is he?
On a good note, if all goes well, the next chapter should be the first romantic one….