Warning: Rated M for violence, swearing and graphic M/M relationships in later chapters

Disclaimer: I do not own all of these lovely characters; I just borrow them once in a while.

It was early in the morning and the crows were screaming through the streets, sending shivers down those who heard. The sewer grates were steaming slightly from a cold rain that had just swept through, creating a dismal atmosphere. A neon light flickered above the raven haired man resting under it, making it hard to see his face for more then a few moments. Smoke trailed out of his mouth and hung around, spoiling the air.

Footsteps could be heard coming down the street and the raven haired male looked up quickly, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The footsteps grew slightly louder and another man was soon visible, holding a small object.

"Happy Birthday, Zack!" Reno called, walking closer to the man under the sign. Zack immediately relaxed, his shoulders sagging slightly. He took another drag of his smoke and moved off the wall to meet Reno half way.

"You got me a present? Awe, that's so sweet of you." Zack said in a teasing tone, grabbing the red heads cheek and pinching it. Reno swatted his hands away, growling slightly.

"Yeah, yeah, don't get too excited. It's nothin' special. Just thought I would get my friend something' on his twenty-eighth birthday." He offered the gift to Zack, and stuffed his hands in his pockets, scuffing his boot on the ground slightly.

Zack took the package and opened it, a small smile gracing his lips. A set of skull and cross bone cufflinks were placed in the box catching the neon light slightly, creating an eerie feel in the hollow eyes of the skulls. "These are great!" Zack said, grabbing Reno and pulling him into a hug. "My old ones are started to get a little busted up…"

Reno pulled away and grabbed Zack's arm to take a look at the ones he was currently wearing. The sun had started to come up, and a pale blue light was cast across the streets. More people had started to come out and the streets were getting busier. There never seemed to be a dull time in Kabikucho.

"It looks like you fell down a mountain with them." Reno stated, noticing all the scuffs and dents in the small pieces of metal. He was surprised their 'father' hadn't said anything about it. He wanted all his men to look put together and intimidating.

"I did fall down a hill once after that chick threw a purse at me. I thought she seriously had a bomb in it," Zack laughed and took his arm back. "So, what are you doing up so early?"

They started to walk down the street, their shoes clicking on the cement slowly; Zack finished his smoke and threw it down on the street, not even bothering to put it out.

"I couldn't sleep. I've been dealing with a very difficult customer and have been trying to make sure he doesn't get up and split on us," Reno said, rolling his head back, trying to work out a few kinks that had developed from stress. "Stupid kid is such a smart ass."

Zack laughed slightly, and shook his head. "You think anyone who talks back to you is a smart ass."

"No, you haven't met this guy. If you ever do, you will know what I am talking about," Reno fished around in his pocket looking for a pack of smokes. "If this guy doesn't finish his end of the bargain soon, I'm definitely going to be there when someone finishes him. Hopefully it will be me." He found the pack in the pocket of his pants, but it was empty much to his dismay. Tossing it onto the cement, the red head nudged Zack hoping for a smoke.

Zack passed Reno one of his, a small smile on his face. "How come you always seem to be out when I'm around?"

Reno just shrugged and gave Zack an impish grin. "Just my luck I guess!"

They stopped at a Pachinko parlor; the sound of the machines starting up and getting ready for the day could be heard through the door. Reno lit his smoke and went to lean up against the parlor, a satisfied smile on his face. "Why are you up so early?"

Zack lent up against the building as well and starred down at his shoes. "I had to go work over at one of the… houses. We got some new girls in and I had to make sure nothing happened," He shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pant pockets. Tapping his foot on the ground a few times he gritted his teeth before speaking again. "I just hate working those joints. I mean, those two girls who came in were so young, so god damn young. They shouldn't be in that business…"

Reno shook his head and watched a few business men walk by with mild interest. "It's all part of the gig man. Besides, you gotta do some things for your family that you really don't want to do. But it's for the family. Besides, I thought you did this all the time!"

Zack snorted and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah yeah, I know… it just… fuck I don't know. It's getting to me I guess."

Reno watched a young woman with a short skirt walk by, entranced by her bottom and how the Zebra print moved with her. When he heard Zack start to voice his doubts again, he regretfully tore his eyes away and green eyes locked with violet. Now that Reno was actually paying attention to Zack, he could see the older male had developed bags under his eyes. His hair was a little messier then usual, and his trademark grin wasn't on. "You okay, man?" Reno asked slowly, concern evident in his voice.

Zack nodded and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah just tired…"

Reno nodded, not completely convinced. Deciding to change the subject Reno moved so his shoulder was resting against the building and he was fully facing Zack. "Remember the first day I joined?"

Zack laughed and nodded. "You were such a weirdo back then… although things haven't changed much."

Reno shoved Zack's shoulder a little and glared. "I was a very put together young man, I will have you know!"

"Huh, yeah and I really thought trying to punch out Vincent when he touched your arm was a nice touch." Zack gave Reno an amused look.

"I don't trust people easily, so what! I actually think the only person I do trust in this entire world is you…" Reno lost his usual sarcasm and looked down at his shoes.

Zack didn't know how to respond, so he just ruffled Reno's hair. "That's so sweet! But you know Reno, all you had to say is that you love me, and I would have been yours in a split second!"

Reno pulled away from Zack's hand and shot the raven haired man a look. "Just because you like cock up the ass, doesn't mean I do."

Zack gave Reno an offended look, which soon turned into a feral grin. "Oh yeah, and when was the last time you got any, Mr. I get women all the time?" Zack felt like a complete idiot, talking about their sex lives in such a mocking way. It made him feel like he was nineteen again.

"I get plenty of women; I just don't talk about it often because it's not right. The fair maidens I pick up deserve more respect then that!" Reno shot back, grinning as well.

"Oh yeah, fair maidens my ass. You only call them that because they give you a cheap blowjob."

Zack soon found himself in a headlock, Reno tightening his grip around Zack's neck, fully intent on choking the life out of his companion.

The raven haired man tried to get out of his grip, flailing about while laughing. It started to hurt when he laughed, his oxygen supply being significantly cut off. Zack eventually managed to get out of Reno's hold and shoved him away, laughing. "Dude, you get so touchy sometimes, just calm down!" He laughed out, rubbing his neck.

Reno rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. "I don't pay for my women, dick wad!"

Zack, continuing to rub at his neck, closed his eyes for a moment and rolled his head back, trying to work out the kink that had developed. "Yeah yeah, I know. Vincent is the one who pays for the women!"

Zack started to laugh but soon stopped when he didn't hear Reno laugh. Opening his eyes he looked at Reno and raised one dark eyebrow. "What… it was a joke. I thought you of all people would enjoy it seeing as how you hate Vincent so… much…"

When Reno went a little pale, Zack knew he fucked up. Turning around slowly, he saw Vincent standing there. His suit was neatly done up, his hair hanging gracefully around his face, and his stance was that of a confident man. Vincent's face betrayed no emotion, just his usual cold and calculating look. Zack smiled a little and scratched the back of his head.

"I hate to break up the immature display, but Sephiroth wishes to speak to the both of you…" Vincent said, taking in a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.

---XX---

"This is fucking bull shit and you know it." Cloud said sitting down heavily. He ran a shaking hand through his hair and sighed heavily.

When he got no reply from the man sitting in front of him he continued. "If I don't do something soon, I am in so much fucking shit it's not even funny. You know I wouldn't come and ask for help if it wasn't important."

Rude went to lean forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees. Looking down at the ground, Rude examined the bland, grey carpet through tinted glasses, completely fed up with the blond man currently sitting in front of him.

"How can I help you if you won't even tell me what you did…?" Rude said slowly, while looking up to examine Cloud's features. He definitely looked worried and panicked. He hadn't looked this way since his sister passed away.

Cloud hissed a little under his breath and looked away from Rude. "If I told you, things would just be worse. Listen, all I need is for you to help me get the position in the states." It was a heavy request, but Cloud knew Rude could handle it. Cloud didn't like to admit it, but Rude had more power in regards to the company then he did.

"You know I can't do that-" Rude began but was cut off when Cloud shot upwards. He headed towards the door, throwing it open.

"Just think about it…" Cloud said, not even looking back before leaving the larger mans office.

Rude leant back in his chair and took his glasses off, throwing them onto the desk. Something was wrong with Strife, and he didn't think the stubborn blond would tell him what was going on. He sighed heavily and shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

---XX---

"It's relatively simple…" Sephiroth said, leaning casually back in his chair, his cold green eyes scanning the tables occupants, stopping to look at the raven haired man sitting two chairs away from him. "I expect a clean job."

Zack nodded and took the folder that Vincent passed to him. Reno tried to get a look, but was blocked when Yazoo moved forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the table.

Zack carefully opened it up and scanned through the file, reading through the information.

Date of birth: August 19

Age: Twenty Seven

Place of Employment: Kisaragi Corporation

Place of Residence: 2040 7th Street, Apartment 9C

Zack nodded and looked up at Sephiroth. "You just want him dead, right?"

Sephiroth nodded and pulled out a coin from his pocket, making it dance across his knuckles. "That is correct. I want it done quickly and efficiently. You haven't failed me in the past, and I expect the same professionalism from you."

Zack nodded and furrowed his eyebrows a little. He was confused as to why Sephiroth was putting so much emphasis on his performance in this killing. Why would it be any different then the other ones he had to carry out? Other then the fact that this guy was a little younger and much more attractive then the other fuck ups he had to dispose of.

Kadaj grabbed for the file, opening it quickly. "Oh, he's pretty hot…" He said, sticking his tongue out. "Shame you gotta blow his brains out."

Sephiroth shot his nephew a look, and flicked the coin on to the rich wooden table. Vincent went to take the folder back when Kadaj moved it out of his reach. "Cloud? This guys name is Cloud?"

Kadaj started to laugh, while Reno ended up pouring tea on his lap.

"The fuck?" Reno said, starring at Sephiroth in disbelief.

Authors Note: Reno's hit has been stolen! Oh noes! Anyways, chapter two! I wrote this one before I even posted the first chapter, but this is the last pre-written one. After this I have to write them out, correct them and then post as soon as possible. This means that the chapters will take longer to get out, so I am sorry about that! But we pretty much jump into things in this fanfiction, getting right into the action. Thanks for all the reviews and the watches and such! It means a lot to me, especially seeing as how it's only just the beginning and people are already excited to see what happens! I love you guys! And please review, I really appreciate them and they totally make my day!