Lost, Alone and Found.
Author's note: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, it belongs to Square Enix.
FINAL-CH: New family.
"When do I start?" Reno asked.
The Turks looked at each other again, then they realised that this was Reno's way of saying 'yes', and the he will join them.
"First, you will need an interview with our superiors." Tseng replied, "Let's go."
Tseng lead the way out, Rude followed and Reno trailed behind, his mind swimming in so many thoughts. The redhead knew that he'll have to kill, but at least he'll have a job. Reno no longer would have to steal in order to survive. He'll have a roof over his head, food without stealing, and daily showers. Being a Turk wasn't a dream job, but it was better than life in the slums.
This was a new beginning.
Reno didn't know if he made the right decision, but it was better than anything. After taking up Tseng's offer to join the Turks, the redhead was brought into HQ where Tseng had given out Reno's skills to the ShinRa heads and how useful the boy would be within the organization. After being put to the tests, even Veld saw the potiental in the young teen, and decided to welcome him in.
After that, Reno was put into training, though his idea of the dressing code in wearing the uniform was the worst one in Turk history, but the redhead refused to wear a tie, and instead, wore his collar out, his blazer open, and his undershirt untucked. Eventually, they gave up and decided that as long as he at least wore the uniform, it was fine. He was very skilled, and surprisingly, he surpassed all kinds of martial arts through out the recorded history, very fast, and his choice of weapon was decent as well; an EMR which suited him perfectly. Reno still wore his goggles as he refused to give them up, as he said that the goggles is his birthday present.
Tseng was the one who somewhat mentored him, while Rude trained with Reno, and the two younger Turks were surprisingly a good team during the simulation training, as if they had done it all their lives.
When it came to the Turk exams six months later, Reno passed with flying colours and became an official member of the Turks. The next day after becoming a rookie, which in the final exam was to find a thief who stole the information documents of the SOLDIER program and Reno had to kill him without any witnesses, the redhead had been feeling a bit scared, but he decided, if he's to become a killer, he wanted to do something to remind him that he wasn't always like this.
So, having given a day off, Reno went to Sector 8 to a public tattoo parlor to solve his problem.
Dressed casually, Reno stepped in and approached the receptionest who was a tall, bulky guy with numbers or tattoos all over his body, from ridiculously head to foot, and were only visible on his face, neck and arms. Thank Gaia Reno only wanted a couple.
"How can I help you, son?" asked the man in a gruffly tone.
Reno smirked, and told him where he wanted his own tattoos.
Later that night, Reno was meeting Rude, who, despite being opposite to him, had become a good friend to him, at the bar, as Reno had began drinking four years after his parents died. Both of them were back in their Turk uniforms as they had agreed to meet in the privite ShinRa bar owned by the Company for ShinRa employees only.
The teen found his co-worker at the table, waiting for their drinks. "Yo!" Reno waved with a grin as he sat down. When Rude looked at him, he almost did a double take.
"What's that on your face?" asked the taller Turk.
"What? They look bad?" Reno asked, as now he had red streaks on his upper cheek bones, just below his eyes on the sides, perfectly matched and had the colour that closely matched his hair.
"Facial tattoos?" Rude asked calmly. Who was he to judge? He had his fair share of perchings on his ears which were twice as worse. He had given Reno a single silver ring earring on his left ear a few months ago.
Reno smirked, "Yup." just as two jugs of beer was placed onto their table before the waitress went over at another table.
"For what reason?" the taller Turk inquired.
"Remember yesterday on my exam?" Reno replied, trying not to show how uncomfortable he was feeling. He sighed and admitted, "I got these because someday when I get used to it, I'll always remember that I wasn't always like this before I became a Turk."
Rude understood where the youngest Turk was coming from. Reno was scared, he could see that, even if the redhead tried to hide it. He did well so far, but the taller Turk had learned how to slowly read him. The kid was trying not to be like an opened book.
Wanting to drown his sorrow and fear, Reno took a huge gulp of his achohol, before savioring it's taste. He wanted to let go of his tragic past, and get used to his life while also remembering who he once was, but now re-thinking about his mission made it harder. Even his new permament tattoos didn't seem to help either.
Feeling the beginning of tears, and not wanting to look like a baby, Reno stood up, and said, "I need to use to bathroom." and walked away to the men's toilets, hoping that there weren't anyone else around. Thankfully, no one was in, and he immediately went over to the sink, turned the tap on and washed his face to wash out the tears, taking deep breaths to calm down, even though he was starting to shake.
This is ridiculous. He's a Turk now. He shouldn't feel this way. Turks don't have emotions. Reno knew that, and he had done so well for the past six months. So why was he feeling this way now? In frustration, he slams his left palm onto the sink bowl, cursing softly to himself, "Damn!"
Maybe he was feeling like this because one gulp of achohol just made things worse. Normally it would make him feel better, though.
He heard the doors open and quickly washed his face again, and his hands to pretend that he had just done his private moment, before turning the taps off. But has Reno was about to head out while passing someone, that person stood in front of him. When he looked, he gasped as Rude stood towering over him.
Crap. He's screwed.
Reno swallowed nervously, expecting to get a good scold of his life for being like this and to be yelled at for not acting like a Turk as he was supposed to. He was scared, and he tried to swallow his fear.
But surprisingly, Rude didn't say anything. He had no anger on his expression, though it was hard to tell with his shades on. All he did was place a hand onto Reno's shoulder, the expression somewhat soft.
The youngest male tried so hard to hold in his emotions. Finally, unable to hold it any longer, Reno threw himself into Rude's chest, held him tightly and cried on the taller man's chest, his tears soaking Rude's shirt.
But Rude didn't mind, because he wrapped his arms around Reno's skinny body, and gave him a comforting squeeze. Reno was in mental pain, and he needed someone right now. He wanted comfort. Hothead or not, Reno was a good kid who had suffered so much as a young child. He had lost the only family he ever had and had been a moving target for the most dangerous anti-shinra group in history who wanted to destroy ShinRa as well as other leaders in the world.
Reno really didn't like to talk about his past, and Rude found that, despite that they were utterly different from each other, they both had a few things in common. Sure Reno talks constantly, but even he refused to speak about his life. Rude didn't talk that much, and he always felt uncomfortable in talking about his past as well.
The taller Turk had seen Reno in a new light.
Reno had eventually ceased his crying, but still felt upset, and only rested his head on Rude's chest, unable to let go. He felt childish, but at the moment, he didn't care. The fact that the taller guy was there was enough for Reno.
Actually, with Rude here, Reno was beginning to feel better. He felt a bit awkward, but his heart felt comfortable, and he did feel warm in the face. This made Reno realise how much he cared for his co-worker who was also kinda like a partner to him, and the best friend he ever had.
Rude didn't let go either, because he felt responsible for first time since he lost his mother. He felt the need to protect Reno from anything and every danger that may threaten the young redhead, even though the kid can take care of himself and was responsible too.
Finally, Reno sighed, and whispered, "Sorry 'bout that."
"It's alright." Rude replied. "Killing can change you, but you're not alone in this. We're more than just an organization; We're both part of something larger, and as long as you wear the suit, you won't lose that or us."
Reno smiled at this, and said, "You know, that's the longest I've ever heard ya talk, yo." as he knew that his friend wasn't one to speak that much. "I guess I should've been told that before I got marked with these for the rest of my life." he added, as Rude finally let's him go and Reno did the same.
"At least they suit you." Rude said.
The redhead chuckled, before smiling at his friend, saying, "Thanks, man." as Reno felt much better now, realising that he wasn't alone anymore.
Since that day, Reno had learned that the Turks was always there for him and for each other, so, in return, he was there for them as he had become part of something he had wanted to have again. Tseng had watched him grow up and took him when the time was right, and Reno had gained a true best friend within Rude, and throughout missions of them being paired, Veld had decided to make them both official partners, though sometimes they were sent on missions with other Turks or on solo missions, but they always sticked together side by side.
Sure there were ups and downs, but Reno never regretted in becoming a Turk. With his past behind him, Reno looked forward into the future, and with his speed, he was titled as 'the fastest of the Turks' while Rude was titled 'the strongest of the Turks'.
Though he had discovered his father's background and had brought his aunt and cousin from Mideel a year later, Reno kept going, and as he grew a bit older, he was there to support and help his fellow members, including the newer ones.
For one thing, Reno had gained something he had always wanted to have, other than fufilling his life-time dream of flying a chopper and became the best pilot in Turk history, and with such success in his missions, Reno had been promoted directly below Tseng who was Veld's second in command, and that Reno had finally got the see the outside world.
Reno had the Turks, who were more than just friends and co-workers.
They are his new family; Reno's true family, and he loved them.
THE END.
That's the end of the prequel which also adds in the information of "Familiar". If you guys wanna read my other stories, feel free to go to my profile and check them out, and I'll be writing new stories sometime in the future or quickly, depending on what's happening. Thank you for reading and see you soon!