I was going to make this chapter really long, but I just couldn't put you poor people through it in one sitting. It's a whole lot to read, so I broke it up. That and I wanted to leave you wanting more...just like Chinese food...at first you're full, then an hour later you're hungry for more...

I don't own FF VII or any character belonging to SE. I just make them hunt for butterflies.

It was not long before the dew was gone and the world really came to life. There were entirely too many insects for Reno's taste, but Renji was having the time of his life chasing butterflies with his net. He had a net as well, and was on the look out for a winged bug that he'd much rather step on than catch. Yuffie was walking behind them both, holding a mesh container that would house the butterflies they caught. She was laughing at him, he knew, but he ignored it in favor of tracking down what Renji called a Swallow Tail. There were already two vilesome insects in the container Yuffie carried, and why they needed more Reno would never know.

Right now, both he and Renji were running around the hills after a blue butterfly. It was maddening. Just as they would get close to it, the creature would fly away. He shared a glance with Renji, and they both fell down where they stood, much to Yuffie's amusement. Reno was about to make a comment when Renji screamed. He sat up in alarm, finding the boy huddled behind him.

"What's wrong!"

"A lizard!" Renji pointed to a rock that held a small line of green on it, and Reno sighed in relief. Yuffie did the same, relaxing from the crouch she had been in. Reno got up and went to the rock, finding a small garden lizard looking up at him. He smiled at it, and gently picked it up. It sat in his hands quietly, breathing in and out. He had always like lizards for some reason. "Don't pick it up, Daddy! It'll bite!"

"Nah. Not this little guy. He eats all the bad bugs that bite you. Keeps gardens happy. He won't hurt you, see?" He walked over to where Renji was cowering behind Yuffie's legs. He sat down on the grass, and held the lizard out for Renji to see. It sat there, perfectly still, only it's chest moving as it breathed. "There, he isn't biting me. Come look at him." Renji slowly came closer, circling around until he was behind Reno before coming close. "See? He's just sitting there. He's more scared of you and me than you are of him. Look how small he is! He couldn't hurt you if he tried." He reached a finger out to stroke the lizard's back and tail. It twitched, which made Renji jump, but otherwise did not move.

A minute went by before Renji decided to take a closer look. He knelt down, eyes level with the lizard. He crept closer and closer, eventually sitting down in Reno's lap and allowing him to bring the lizard closer. He reached out a tentative finger and touched the lizard's tail. It twitched, but did nothing else.

"Told you. Just move slowly, and he won't move a whole lot. Like this." Reno took his hand in his own, and placed the boy's finger gently on the lizards back, moving it along the tail. He did it on his own next, and giggled instead of shrieked when the lizard darted up Reno's hand and onto his sleeve. "Nope, sorry little guy, no sleeve climbing for you today. Let's put him back. I think he's served his stint of duty." Reno gently set the lizard down on the grass, where it scurried away from view. "Was that so bad?"

"Nu-uh!"

Just then, something blue landing on Reno's face, making him jump back much like Renji had done at the sight of the lizard. The thing stayed there, fluttering its wings and crawling along his forehead.

"That had better be a butterfly, or I'm going to scream like a girl."

"It's the Blue Swallow Tail! Hold still, I'll get it!"

"Hurry up, will you. I hate bugs..." Renji expertly cupped the butterfly in his tiny hands, and walked over to Yuffie, who was opening the lid to the container. Reno shuddered before standing up. "I hate bugs. Creepy, crawly...look at you funny with all those eyes..." Yuffie was snickering at him, and he glared at her. She stuck her tongue out at him before setting the lid back on the container. Renji was now holding it, looking at his captured prizes.

"Okay, we got one! Now we can go back and show it to Mr. Rude!"

"Good, because it looks like rain again this afternoon." Yuffie looked at the clouds that were gathering overhead with a frown. "Let's leave now, so that we have time before it starts."

"Rain? I wanted a 'copter ride..."

"Hey, we can go tomorrow. Come one, let's go."

"You said you'd take me for a ride today!"

"I can't control the weather. It's not safe to fly in the rain, buddy. We'll go tomorrow morning, beat the rain then."

"I WANT TO GO ON A 'COPTER RIDE!"

"Renji! Don't yell like that." Renji ignored his mother, and continued to scream as tears leaked down his face. Reno watched, fighting the urge to 'make everything okay'. It was frightening to say the least. He felt like a criminal for not doing anything about Renji's tears. Yuffie sighed quietly, and waited beside Reno while the boy cried and wailed like a banshee. After a little while, he was reduced to hicupping and sniffles. Reno pulled out a handkerchief and knelt in front of his son. He still held the mesh container, which was not dented or messed up in any way, but his face was blotchy and red.

"You done?" He got a sniff and a small nod for an answer. "Good." Reno gently wiped the tears away, and Renji took the handkerchief and blew his nose, sniffing right afterward, thus negating the fact that he just blew his nose. Yuffie took it away before Reno could grab it, stowing it in a bag she had brought along. "You want to walk back, or have me carry you for a while?" Renji gave the container to Yuffie, and then held his arms up wordlessly. "Alright. Let's go, Yuffie."

The only sound out of Renji for the whole walk back to Wutai was that of a sniffle. He did not seem to hold a grudge about the missed ride, seeing as he was clutching Reno's coat tightly in his little fists. Once they entered, Renji asked if he could walk and carry the butterflies. They quickly went over to the Turtle's Paradise Inn, and found Rude and Rufus playing cards. Elena and Tseng were no where to be found.

"Mr. Rude!" Rude looked up at his name, and seemed surprised to find Renji running up to him. Rufus looked at from his cards, smiling at the boy. "I got one for you to see! We just caught it!" Rude looked up at Yuffie and Reno as they neared the table and nodded a greeting at them. Rufus looked over to see who Rude was nodding at and did a double take at Reno. "Daddy helped me get it. And he showed me a lizard, too. And pushed me on the swing. Can you open the lid, Mr. Rude? I want to show it to you better."

"Well, Reno in Wutai. What a surprise. What brings you here?" Rufus was smirking at him, like he had just won something.

"You know da- you know what brings me here, sir."

"Yes, I do. I'm glad you came. How was the paperwork coming along before you left?"

"Just dandy." Reno made a face as Renji reached into the container and captured the blue butterfly with a small hand. "I hate bugs..."

"So we've noticed..." Rufus said dryly, taking a drink from a nearby glass. "How was the butterfly hunt?"

"If I never see another insect for the rest of my life I'll be happy." Reno lowered his voice slightly. "Damn thing landed on my face."

"What thing?"

"That blue monstrosity Renji's showing to Rude." Rufus chuckled along with Yuffie. Reno ignored both of them. "Why'd you have to let him like that bug, Yuffie?"

"Couldn't help it. Get used to it, though. Renji likes to go catch them a lot." Reno moaned and sat down on a chair with his head in his hands. Renji walked up to him, still holding the butterfly.

"What's wrong, Daddy? Are you sick?"

"What? No, I just-oh man, do you have to bring that blue thing this close to me?"

"It's like that lizard, Daddy, it won't hurt you. Here." Renji took one of his hands and planted the butterfly on his palm. It was fanning it's wings back and forth, and made an occasional move on its slightly furry feet. Reno resisted the urge to squash it then and there, because Renji would not like that course of action. Everyone was staring at him, muffling laughter against hands and sleeves. The butterfly walked its way up to his wrist, and the muscles on the left side of his face started to twitch. "It didn't hurt you at all!"

"Yeah. Just, just take it away, huh?"

"Okay. Come on, butterfly! Time to go back!" Renji turned to his mother, who was trying valiantly not to laugh out loud. "Mommy, can I let them go in the garden outside before the rain?"

"Yes, come on." Yuffie led the way, sending an amused glance Reno's way. Reno waiting until they were out of earshot to begin cursing any creature that had at least six legs and more than two eyes. Rufus laughed uproariously, while Rude simply smiled. He did not want to offend his friend, after all.

"Christ, that was the worst moment of my life. No, make that second worst. Damn bugs..."

"What in the world could be worse than what you just endured, Reno?" Rufus had a straight face, but he was shaking with the effort of not laughing. Reno glared at him.

"Shut up, boss."

So, there you have it! I'll post the next chapter soon. I can't concentrait on my other stories while this one is in my head. Meh. Review if you took the time to read. It's what nice people do.

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