Chapter 6

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine. Only Analuxia is.

Your world has no place for the skeptic,
No room for the doubter to stand;
To weaken your firm resolution,
That you can excel in this land.

"Give it a roundhouse kick!" the teacher boomed. "Hit it in one of the vital points, Analuxia!" Ana did as she was told, launching her leg at the dummy's head. It spun around violently with the pressure of the attack. "Well done Analuxia!" the martial arts teacher called. Analuxia grinned proudly.

It had been four months since she had first arrived and Ana was enjoying the Turk Training Course immensely. She had to admit, some times, things were hard but there had been lots of enjoyment as well and she was enjoying the new skills that she was learning. "Thank you sir" she smiled in reply.

Rufus looked at his watch impatiently. Where was that rotten Turk? As if hearing his thoughts, the door burst open and Reno walked in, looking completely at ease with his surroundings.

"Yo, boss!" he called as he made his way to his boss' spare chair.

"You're late Reno" Rufus told him.

"Sorry boss" Reno apologized. "Somethin' came up".

Rufus rolled his eyes. "I bet it did" he murmured. More likely a girl came up...

Reno didn't hear. And if he did, he pretended not to. "So sir, what's up?"

"Reno" he began. "We need to talk".

Analuxia sat on her bed, eating a banana and watching Elena pace up and down the room. "What are you looking for now?" she asked her.

Elena screamed silently before answering. "I can't find my red shoes. Have you seen them anywhere?"

Analuxia racked her memory banks for a time when she had seen them. She vaguely remembered putting them under their bunk bed after she had tripped over them one time. "They're under the bed" she told Elena, mouth full of banana.

Elena looked under the bed and indeed there they were. She pulled them out hurriedly and pushed her feet into them. "Thanks" she smiled at Ana. She twirled around once on the spot, looking slightly nervous. "How do I look?"

Ana smiled, Elena looked lovely. She had been so nervous about this evening for days but in Ana's eyes, there was no need for her to worry. "You look amazing, Lena. Simply beautiful".

Elena grinned, relieved. She grabbed her clutch-bag from the floor and made her way over to Analuxia for a hug. Ana hugged her back tight, knowing that she needed all the reassurance she could get. Elena gave one last wave before leaving the dorm.

"In the human body, there are many different channels and vessels" the disinterested voice droned on. Analuxia closed her eyes and rested her head on her desk. She always dreaded this lesson because the teacher managed to make it so boring.

"And therefore, you will be able to kill someone instantly if you hit them-". Analuxia tried hard to suppress the groan that was dying to come out. What was the point of this class anyway? She wanted to be a Turk, not a surgeon.

Analuxia's mind wandered elsewhere, thinking about how happy Elena had been when she had come home from her date. Her cheeks had been flushed with excitement and she had spoken in a marginally higher pitch, using her hands to gesture wildly. It was the first time that Ana had seen her so animated. It was amazing what a boy could do to someone's confidence. Boys never did that to hers. But maybe that was because she had never had a boyfriend before, although Analuxia would never admit that to anyone, not even Elena.

"Analuxia, did you hear what I said?!" Ana lifted her head up quickly at the sound of her lecturer's voice. Oh great, now she was in trouble.

"Um, no sir, I'm afraid I didn't". Her teacher, who was conveniently called Mr Sourbutts gave a growl.

"THAT'S JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH! HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO BECOME A TURK IF YOU DON'T LISTEN TO VITAL BITS OF INFORMATION? I'M GOING TO HAVE A WORD TO MR. SHIN-RA ABOUT YOUR LACK OF CO-OPERATION IN CLASS!"

Ana groaned as the words hit her. The last thing she wanted was for Shin-Ra to think she wasn't worthy of being a Turk. Getting this job was her life and if she failed... Analuxia didn't even want to think about it.

2 Months Later...

Analuxia sat impatiently as Elena ran the hair straighteners along her unruly curls. She jiggled around on the wooden stool a bit, bored senseless.

"Stop moving!" Elena reprimanded her. "I'm going to burn you otherwise". Ana immediately did as she was told. She had been burned by the straighteners before and believe her, it hurt.

"Why do you have to do this anyway?" Ana whined.

Elena rolled her eyes. "Because it is our graduation party tonight and we all have to look our very best".

Analuxia finally sighed, defeated. "Fine".

Reno moaned at his reflection in the mirror. He hated being dressed so formally. It was a complete waste of time and effort in his eyes. He turned to face Rude, who was currently adjusting his sunglasses.

"How do I look?" Rude asked him.

Reno shrugged. "Alright. But why do you always have to wear those damn sunglasses? If you get to wear those, I should be able to wear my normal clothes!"

"I'm wearing the sunglasses because Shin-Ra has given me permission to. And you can't wear your normal attire because this is a formal party Reno".

"I still don't see how sunglasses count as formal wear" Reno snorted. Rude ignored him, instead focusing on the bathroom door which had just swung open letting Rufus walk in.

Even Rude had to admit that the boss looked really good. He was wearing a black tux, which made a change from the white three-piece suit they were used to seeing him in. His strawberry blond hair had been gelled back which made his face look even more handsome.

"You two look good" Rufus smiled. His eyes wandered to Reno. "I'm glad to see that Reno has listened to my orders for once". Reno made a face as soon as Rufus' back was turned.

"So, what time are we leaving, boss?" Rude asked, shooting a dirty look at Reno for being insolent. Rufus checked his expensive watch before answering.

"The party begins at 8pm. The transport is due to pick us up at 7pm". Rude nodded satisfied.

"So, gonna dance with any gals tonight boss?" Reno asked Rufus with a cheeky grin. "I hear there's gonna be loads of chicks up there wearing some sexy dresses". His eyes gleamed lustfully at the thought.

Rufus laughed. "I don't know" he answered truthfully. "I guess it depends".

"Well I know I'm gonna dance with some gorgeous ladies" Reno smirked. "Whenever I'm at a party, they're all over me like a rash!"

Rude raised an eyebrow at his over-excited partner. "Yes, like a rash indeed, Reno. Don't you remember the time you contracted a yeast infection from one of those girls who were "all over you?" You were itching for days!"

Reno turned bright red and Rufus laughed again. "Looks like you should be a little more careful Reno!"

"Oh ha ha" Reno said dryly, managing to find his voice at last.

This party was much better than the welcoming one had been. For a start, Rufus had hired the best DJ in the country. He wasn't going to make the same mistake he had made for the welcoming party. The music he was playing was managing to get everyone on their feet and dancing. Secondly, the food was very nice. And thirdly, there were a whole stack of gorgeous guys who looked available.

Analuxia nudged Elena with a grin. "How about you go over there and ask one of them to dance with you?"

Elena made a face. "No way" she laughed. "They're not my type at all!" Elena was available again since she had dumped the guy she was dating after their second date together. Apparently it seemed that all he wanted to do was to get into her panties. "And he wasn't that good looking anyway" Elena had told her later on. "I just liked him because he was wearing the same sneakers as me and he seemed to have a nice personality". Typical.

"So what is your type" Analuxia asked, blushing slightly as one of said men winked at her.

Elena was turning red herself. "I-I don't know. Someone with class I suppose".

Analuxia's grinned wickedly. "What, like Rufus Shin-Ra?" she teased.

Elena turned positively peony now, even under the make up and party lights. Analuxia gasped in surprise. "Oh my god!" she laughed. "You like Mr Shin-Ra!"

Elena bit her lip as Ana got excited at the latest bit of information that she had found out. Elena just wished the ground would open up and eat her.

Ana noticed Elena's discomfort and stopped. "Don't worry" she smiled. "Your secret's safe with me".

The tannoy suddenly crackled into life and the atmosphere went silent as everyone listened to what was being said.
"Could all possible graduates please make their way to the middle of the room where we will read out your results".

Analuxia and Elena squealed girlishly. They made their way to the rapidly filling seats and found a good place near the front.

"I'm so scared!" Elena moaned. "I want this so much and if I don't pass..." She didn't need to say anymore. Analuxia knew what she meant exactly.

Once all the students had found a seat, a woman with long blond hair and a pretty, pixie face came onto the stage. Their were a few wolf whistles and she walked, coming from some annoying boys in the back row. The woman adjusted the microphone and Analuxia winced as it squeaked.

"Hello everyone" the woman smiled. "I'm Misty, and as you know, I'm going to be reading out the results of the students who passed the course".

Elena rolled her eyes. "Oh get on with it" she muttered. Analuxia gave a nervous giggle.

"Now, I've been told to let you know that it has been an extremely hard choice for Mr Shin-Ra and the senior supervisors to choose and they apologize to all of those who didn't get in. But, there can only be ten places".

Analuxia was biting her nails with anxiety. Elena looked like she was going to burst into tears any second.

"So" Misty continued. "I will now read the names of the ten people who got through and are now professional Turks who will work under Mr Rufus Shin-Ra. Anyone who's name gets called, please come up and claim your trophy and certificate".

Analuxia looked around the room. Everyone looked just as nervous as she did. From the corner of her eye, she caught Rufus entering, followed closely by Reno and Rude. Reno caught her eye and mouthed "good luck" to her. She smiled and blew him a kiss, turning back around quickly as Misty began to read the names.

"Rachael McJenkins". A girl squealed with excitement and made her way to the front, a wide grin on her face. She took her certificate and trophy and did a little curtsy as everyone clapped for her.

"Vinroth Speck". Everyone clapped again as Vinroth cheered and went up to the stage to collect his prizes. Analuxia was scared. Already, two people had been called and none of them were her or Elena.

Misty carried on. "Tuffie Validor"

"Yeng Skovorksky"

"Elena Locano". Elena screamed at the sound of her name. Tears were running down her face as she went up to the stage. Gathering her gifts, she sat back down, where Analuxia gave her a big hug.

"Don't worry" Elena smiled. "I know you'll be next".

She was wrong. "Scarp Seeth"

"Kahigh Gainwind"

"Kisack Farr"

"Lulu Soldiera"

Analuxia felt tears in her eyes as all the names that were not hers were being called out. Apart from a couple of times in Mr Sourbutts class, Analuxia was sure she had been the perfect student. She couldn't bear to have to go back to the slums again. She felt Elena's arms wind around her tightly as Misty got ready to say the last name. It seemed like everything was going in slow motion.

"And last but not least, the final person to get accepted as a Turk is... Analuxia Lockworth!"

Elena screamed with happiness as Analuxia's name was called. Ana was frozen to her chair. Her eyes were wide with surprise and she just couldn't move. She blinked a bit as the spotlight shone on her.

Misty smiled. "Congratulations, Analuxia! Come and collect your certificate and trophy".

Elena pushed Ana to her feet as everyone clapped. Ana slowly made her way to the stage, were she shook Misty's hand and took the achievement gifts.

"Well done Analuxia. I'm sure that you'll make a wonderful Turk". Ana nodded mutely and made her way back to her seat. Elena cuddled her hard.

"I can't believe it! We're going to be Turks. Professional Turks!"

Finally the realisation sunk it to Ana. She screamed so loudly that everyone turned to look at her.

"Youch!" Reno hissed from his seat two rows behind her. "Glad to see you're excited baby, but could you keep the noise down a bit? I'd only want you screaming like that if it was because of me and my sexy body".

Analuxia laughed at him before sticking out her tongue cheekily. "Sorry Reno. I'm just so happy!"

Eventually everyone had either been consoled or calmed down. The music was playing again and people were dancing or laughing with each other. As they made their way to the dance floor, Elena's eye caught Rufus beckoning them over.

"Ana, I think the boss wants to see us". Analuxia looked over to where she was pointing. She winked at Elena.

"Ooh, lucky you! Rufus looks incredibly gorgeous today, I must admit". Elena flushed a little as they made their way over to Shin-Ra. He smiled at them as they came near.

"Congratulations ladies. Your exam results were exceptional and I heard almost nothing but good things from your teachers".

Analuxia made a face. She was sure he had said "almost" because of the times Sourbutts had snitched on her. "You look nice today, sir" she smiled airily, trying desperately to change the subject.

Rufus grinned. "Do you think? I tried to make an effort. And you look beautiful yourselves girls".

Ana nodded graciously and Elena looked delighted. "Thank you, sir" they said in unison.

A slow song began and everyone either left the dance floor or started to dancing with their partners. Analuxia noticed Rufus watching Elena carefully as the song carried on. Finally he spoke.

"Would you like to dance, Elena?" he asked her, two faint spots of red coloring his handsome cheeks. The boss was blushing? That was so sweet! Elena looked startled.

"O-Okay"she finally smiled. Analuxia watched as the two of them made their way to the dance floor. They began slightly awkwardly at first but soon, they were dancing happily, their bodies just touching each other. The expression on Elena's face was one of pure bliss.

Analuxia grinned, mentally storing that in her memory banks for later to tease her with. If this was what being a Turk was all about, that Analuxia was sure she would enjoy it. Very much indeed.

Chapter 6 is finished! I'm surprised how much I am enjoying writing this story. I hope you are enjoying reading it just as much. Tell me what you think by R&Ring!!!