- A Final Fantasy VII Reno Fanfiction - by Nightcrawler666 -

OK I'm lost… I guess I could beg you to review? REVIEW! Oh, I recommend listening to this track. It's a remix of a HALO theme tune. Listen to it even if u don't like HALO. I think it sets the mood perfectly: .com/watch?v=PuMrCH-eKeI If that doesn't work, type in 'Halo Never Forget Trance Remix 2010' It's by a guy called 'Exist446'. I'm sorry it took so long for such a short chapter, but I had to do it in small parts because I kept crying :'(

Chapter 5 - Letting go

It had taken weeks, but Vincent had got them out. First he'd had to breach their security limits. That hadn't been too hard really. The same sniper that had been helping The Turks and Yuffie had been killed last after Vincent was notified of his duties to deliver them necessities. Then, he'd had to get them all out. The demon-infested man shuddered as he recalled the day's events.

No-one had meant it to happen like that. It was meant to be silent. Sneaky. But it wasn't. Yuffie had successfully distracted the guards right until she saw they had guns. That was when she ran back to her fellow escapee's. That was when it all went wrong.

"Come on Lou, we can make it! Just take my hand and I'll lift you over." Reno shouted down to the Rookie, extending one of his hands and leaving the other one on the fence. Tseng was already over, and so was Yuffie. They were trying to get Elena over the top.

Lou turned to see three men with Kevlar vests on and heavy machine guns cradled in their arms. They were all in blue overalls, and huge black boots like the pair she used to wear in SOLDIER. Climbing up to his height as fast as she could and taking his hand, Lou felt herself being swiftly carried up and above the (previously) electric fence by the surprisingly strong Turk. She saw Rude begin to climb and Reno do the same for his best friend despite the armed men advancing fast towards him.

It all happened so fast and Lou couldn't even scream as she saw it taking place before her.

The shot rang out and Rude turned rapidly to see his friend falling from the fence. He began to shimmy his own way down and drew out his pistol to shoot the men advancing on Reno, catching one in the knee and another in the head. Lucky shots. The other one did not cease to advance and could be seen drawing a machete from a scabbard at his hip.

Lou stared in horror from the other side of the fence as a mangled, rusty blade was malevolently thrust through Reno's heart. In a brisk attempt to climb the fence she was pulled down by Tseng's sturdy arms. Screaming, she was pinned to the floor. She could feel the salty tears rolling slowly down her cheeks, see the blood flowing freely out of Reno's body, and his chest heave one last time before all of his remaining breath was gone.

She heard Rude slowly and cruelly beating the man's guts out, and she could practically taste the fear she felt. Her stomach lurched and she cried his name once more.

It all happened so fast and Reno couldn't even figure out what happened as he saw it from his own eyes.

He turned back to the fence after helping Lou over and felt a dull ache in his shoulder. He tried to keep his grip but he lurched forward and his body hit the fence, falling back soon afterwards. He felt his body hit the floor hard and he heard Lou cry out to him.

Then he turned, and even though Reno saw the man, he made no move to stop him. He stared deep into the bright green eyes of his attacker. Saw the blade in his chest. He heard one last shout from Lou on the other side of the fence as Rude was utterly destroying the man with only his fists.

Reno could see blood on the ground next to him, but he felt no pain. He started to wonder whether it was already over, if he was already gone. Then he felt he was being lifted. It wasn't Rude, he was still fighting. Tseng Elena and Lou were still on the other side of the fence. When he glanced up to see the face of his saviour, he saw Yuffie instead. He let his head roll back and he saw his aggressor lifeless on the floor, and Rude running to keep up with them. With a heavy sigh he let his lungs surrender and his only remaining breath left him silently.

It had been weeks now. But Reno still hadn't woken up. Every now and again he'd stop breathing, and Lou would wordlessly pray he was OK. No-one wanted Reno to die. Tseng pretended he didn't care as much as anyone else, and protested against the fact that it wouldn't be the same without the noisy red-head in the corner of their office. Elena couldn't hide her tears whenever she entered the same room as Reno, and Rude had been off work since the point when Reno had been diagnosed as comatose. He hadn't been seen or heard from since the point where he had to let go of his best friend.

There was one time when Tseng had to beg Rufus not to shut off the life support, and one time when His heart had actually stopped beating. Every day Reno looked less and less well, and more tired than ever. Lou couldn't leave the room. She'd been there as long as he had. She was beginning to think he was letting go, and if he was, it would mean she would have to as well…