Chapter 4

Analuxia grabbed some battered underwear and flung it into her old suitcase. She couldn't stop the grin that had spread itself over her features. She was going to work for Rufus Shin-Ra! She would be a Turk! She would have a suitable money-earning job at last. Ana reckoned that deserved all the happiness she could muster. Grabbing a few pairs of greying socks, she stuffed them in there as well. Gods I need new clothes...

She zipped her suitcase and dove into her drawer for a label. After finding it, she wrapped it around the handle. This would distinguish her things from everyone else's; not that anyone would mistake their things with her tatty, falling apart suitcases. But still…

It was Sunday and Analuxia was getting ready to leave the next day. Although she was excited at the prospect of becoming a Turk (or at least, training to be one) she was also scared about leaving the only place she had really gotten used to. Yes, she would be happy to be out of the damp, stinking place that she had called home for five years. But an odd part of her felt sad about leaving it behind. Analuxia tried to send that part to the back of her thoughts.

Sighing loudly, Ana made her way out the front door, leaving everything were it stood. She had to see Croc before she left. It could possibly be the last time she ever saw him...

Croc grinned as Analuxia came into the main part of the "target" barn. She was carrying the gun she had just used to practice with. She had definitely become very good at using it. She was an extremely quick learner. Quicker than, dare he say it, him himself when he was learning. He would never tell her that though. It wasn't worth the lifelong teasing he would probably get when she thought he was "going soft". But he had to admit, if only to himself. He would miss her daily vists when she went to explore the big, wide world.

"Hey Croc!" Ana smiled as she came closer to him, twiddling the gun around her petite fingers.

"You cool?" he asked her, disguising the smile that almost slipped out and changing it to a frown, quick.

Analuxia grinned as if she was finding something particularly amusing. "Yes I'm fine Croc. I'm leaving tomorrow. You know that, right?"

Croc just stared hard at her, as if he was wondering whether answering her would be a waste of breath or not. "Yeah, I know".

Analuxia sighed at his coldness. Couldn't he show some emotions for once? Although he would never say it, Ana thought that he would miss her coming to visit him every day for her practice sessions. They had gotten to know each other quite well. She knew that she would certainly miss him. "So, we better get started than shouldn't we?"

Analuxia woke up to the sound of roadworks outside her window. She sat up, stretching and yawning loudly. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced up at the ancient clock that stood dangerously on the shabby mantelpiece. 8.45...

"Oh shit!" Ana cried as she flung herself off the sofa. She was due to be picked up at 9:00 and she wasn't even ready yet! There was no time at all to go to the river for a wash so Ana would have to leave that. She presumed they had warm, running water wherever Shin-Ra was taking her.

Analuxia reached for the smartest trousers she owned and pulled them on quickly. She thanked her lucky stars when she saw that they didn't have suspicious bits of old food plastered on them.

She was just trying to comb out her unruly curls to no avail when her cell phone rang. It was Mr Shin-Ra. Uh oh...

"Hello?"

"Is this Analuxia?" his voice asked uncertainly.

"Yes sir. Is there anything wrong?" Analuxia bit her lip as she anticipated what he was going to say next.

"Not really, it's just that you are not where you said you would be. My chaffeur was getting slightly impatient and a little worried. Are you okay?"

"Oh I'm so sorry sir" Analuxia giggled nervously. "I was running a bit late and forgot to call you. It was disrespectful of me. I'm very sorry".

"No, it is fine. Just get there as soon as you can. Is that okay?"

"Yes sir, goodbye". Analuxia ended the call before breathing a huge sigh of relief. Well Shin-Ra wasn't really angry so hopefully she wasn't about to get fired before she had even begun. Either way, she was determined never to go back to this life.

Grabbing her suitcase and phone, she turned the last of the lights off in the lodgings that she had reluctantly called "home" for the past five years. "Goodbye and good riddance" she whispered as she shut the half-broken front door for what she hoped would be the final time.

"Where is she sir?" Reno asked Rufus, green-eyes inquisitive and excited. "I wanna see how hot she is!"

Rufus rolled his eyes in dismay. God knows, if Reno wasn't so good at fighting, planning and shooting, he would have fired him long ago. "Reno, can you be serious for once?" he grudged.

Reno gave a wide grin and winked at Rufus. "Sorry, boss. Just got a little excited there. It's great that there'll be a new Turk. And she's a woman!"

"Well, I'm not certain that she's going to be a Turk. That's the whole reason why I am inviting her here; to take the training course. If she passes, then she'll be a Turk".

Reno ignored Rufus' down-to-earth comments and continued staring at the closed doorway as if he expected Analuxia to just appear right this second.

There was a knock at the door. Rufus' eyes lifted to face it. "Come in!"

Almost timidly, the door was opened and Analuxia walked in. Although she was dressed quite scruffily, Rufus could tell that she had tried her best. And she did look good. She'd have to be more refined to be a Turk but for now, she was good.

"Hello, Analuxia". Ana smiled at him.

"Hello Mr Shin-Ra". Rufus nodded and held out his hand. Looking slightly confused at first, Analuxia finally seemed to realise what he wanted and went over to shake his offered hand. She mentally noted how soft his skin was.

"And I may as well introduce you to our own personal clown, Reno".

Reno grinned and went over to Analuxia. He held her small hand gently in his and brought it up to his lips for a delicate kiss. Analuxia blushed scarlet red.

"H-Hi Reno". Reno said nothing but instead dropped her hand gently and smiled back at her.

Analuxia managed to recover and focused her attentions on Rufus again. Rufus took this as a cue to speak. And to get rid of that pest Reno before he managed to seduce her further. "You can go now Reno" he told him pointedly.

Reno twigged straight away. "Okay sir, she's all yours. Lucky man". And he left the room, giving Analuxia one last wink before shutting the door quietly behind him. How is it that he manages to make everything he does highly seductive?

Rufus cleared his throat. "Sorry about Reno. He loves the ladies a lot. But I suppose you're used to men like that, am I right?" Analuxia smiled, and decided to ignore the last question.

"Don't worry sir. Reno was very charming and sweet. At least he made me feel welcome".

"Mmm" Rufus muttered. "But, like I was telling you before, you have come here for a Turk training course. If you pass this, you will be able to join the Turks on missions and what not".

Analuxia nodded although she was feeling slightly impatient. Couldn't he just get to the point? "So sir, how long is this training course again?"

"Six months. But you shall learn everything you will need to be a successful Turk in that time".

Analuxia nodded, divulging the piece of information. What was six months to her previously dreadful life? At least she wouldn't be living it in that godforsaken hellhole anymore. Would she?

"...And therefore, you will be required to reside here in Midgar while you are on the course. If you do pass, which I'm sure you will, you will get your own apartment located close to the headquarters as well. All this will be provided by the company". Analuxia nodded, extremely satisfied with what she had heard.

"So when does the course start? I'd prefer it to be as soon as possible please sir".

Rufus allowed himself a small chuckle at her anticipation. "I'm glad to see that you're raring to go. That's important in a Turk. The new semester starts tomorrow morning. So how does that sound to you? I can get someone to pick you up at 8am sharp".

"Yes, that will be great sir!" she grinned. "I can hardly wait!"

How was this chapter to you guys? I hope it proved to be as enjoyable as you hoped it would be. Next chapter should hopefully be up in a few days. R&R until then!