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.
Sephiroth looked down the table, eyeing all of the members. They all sat patiently at the dark wooden table, a look of expectancy in their faces. They were used to meetings, but all of them knew this one would be different.
Sephiroth let his eyes brush past Zack sitting at the end of the table who was trying not to fidget. He was sitting in a different spot today under Sephiroth's orders. Zack knew he was in trouble and Sephiroth wanted to see him squirm.
"So, how is the parlor doing?" Sephiroth asked Yazoo, dodging the obvious reason for the gathering. Yazoo flicked his hair behind his shoulder before answering.
"Fine, we have made a good amount of money in the past week. It seems the recent rise in stocks means more men have money to spend on frivolous things like gambling."
Sephiroth nodded and went through the rest of the business that needed to be discussed before turning his attention to Zack.
"And how is your mission going, Zackary?" Sephiroth asked, an eyebrow raised in question as he rested his hands on the table, fingers interlocking. Kadaj sat up more in his chair, obvious interest showing while Reno stopped flicking his pen around in his fingers, his eyes moving to Zack quickly.
Zack faulted slightly, but caught his composure quickly and leaned forward in his chair so Sephiroth could lock eyes with him. "I ran into a tight spot the other night and was unable to complete the mission without drawing attention to myself and my business." He stated quickly, his voice betraying none of his obvious discomfort.
Sephiroth nodded slowly and blinked, showing his disinterest in Zack's explanation. "So you were unable to successfully finish the mission?" He asked Zack quickly.
"No sir, but I just need more time to finish the job. This Strife individual is usually at his home or in the office, both places that have many people on all sides and-"
"I wanted this mission done soon, Zackary. No excuses. You could have gone in and finished it quickly if you wanted… what stopped you?" Sephiroth interrupted. Kadaj grinned and the others tried to seem impassive, except for Reno who looked ready to say something.
Sephiroth shot Reno a glare, preventing the red head from speaking.
"Nothing sir, he threw a vase and yelled, it brought attention to the matter."
"It wouldn't take too long to walk in and shoot, Zackary," Sephiroth stated, his voice dripping with the hint of venom. Other then that though, his face betrayed no emotion. "I assume you spoke to the target as well?" When Zack didn't say anything, Sephiroth continued. "I want you to finish him by the end of the week. You do understand what happens when you don't finish what you're told to do..."
Zack nodded quickly and swallowed. He was pretty sure everyone could hear him swallow, the thick saliva moving down his throat.
"Very good… I expect this to be dealt with. I am giving you a second chance, so don't let me down." Sephiroth, satisfied with the fear he instilled in Zack, continued on with the rest of the meeting. Kadaj smirked at Zack and winked before turning his attention back to the matter at hand, leaving Zack glaring at the table, his hand twisting around his wrist in a nervous way.
--XX--
Zack sat on the roof of his apartment, his feet dangling off of the edge of the building while a trail of smoke left his mouth and nose as he exhaled slowly, trying to relieve the stress. The sun was setting, basking Zack in an orange glow, while Reno stood a little ways away, his face shrouded in darkness as he rested against a wall, supporting the door that lead back downstairs.
"I don't see why it's so important…" Zack muttered more to himself then anything. He flicked his cigarette off of the building and watched it fall gracefully, ash littering the air.
Reno knew why it was important, but couldn't say anything to Zack. Betraying the family wasn't something Reno wanted to do… but did he want Zack to stumble around blindly. Scratching the back of his head at the base of his ponytail, Reno walked over to Zack and stood beside the raven haired male. "The guy made a fool of Sephiroth by not paying back what he owed and besting him twice. First not paying, and then living to see another day when he sends one of his best assassins after him. He's just a little pissed about it."
Zack scoffed slightly and shook his head. "I don't know why I even talked to the guy. I should have just shot and killed him… my minds just all over the place lately."
Reno watched the street below for a moment before sitting down beside Zack. He wrapped an arm lazily around Zack's shoulder and looked at him. "Thinking is for business men and doctors, yo. You should think about killing… about the gun in your hand… be the bullet, yo."
Zack turned his head slowly to look at Reno, a weird look on his face. "What…?" He asked, eyeing Reno warily.
"You know, become the bullet. Think of being fired from that gun and shooting forward. Feel the rush of killing someone, how amazing it feels to have all that power… better then an orgasm isn't it?" He grinned, hoping all this talk would get Zack in the mood to do the job.
Zack looked away and shrugged, managing to move Reno's arm away. "I guess… I don't know. Is killing really that great? I mean how many people have I killed?"
"A lot," Reno stated, taking his hand back. He looked back out at the city and sighed.
"Yeah, and I knew a few of 'em deserved it but some… I don't know, I shouldn't be saying anything. It's my job and that's what I do."
Reno nodded slowly. "I think you just need to build up that rush for the kill and you need something to release all this stress. Let's like… spar or something."
Zack raised an eyebrow and looked over at Reno. "We haven't sparred in a while… could be interesting. Need to brush up on my hand to hand combat. I won't always have a gun on me,"
Reno nodded and grinned brightly. "There's the spirit!" He stood up and stretched. "Let's go to the gym down the street, with the nice padded walls."
Zack stood up as well and followed Reno out of the building and down the street. A good spar would do him well.
--XX--
Two hours later Zack was panting heavily while leaning against a wall in the room, watching Reno carefully who appeared to be trying not to die. They hadn't actually hurt one another, but had managed to wear each other out.
"You ready to… give up?" Zack asked, wiping sweat away from his eyes.
"Fuck that," Reno shot back, and vaulted forward, taking Zack down with him. Zack hadn't been expecting the tackle, thinking Reno had used up most of his energy. He fell down on the mats with a thud, and groaned slightly as all of Reno's weight landed on him.
He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at Reno. "Fuckin' hell man, where did that energy come from?"
Reno grinned down at Zack, a smirk plastered on his face. "It came from my inner demon, telling me to kill!"
Zack pushed Reno off and sent the red head a look that clearly said Reno was crazy and should be in a hospital. "What the fuck is up with you and your fucked up psychological 'Be the gun, feel the rush' shit?"
Reno glared and stood up. He ran a hand though his damp locks and breathed a few times before he spoke. "I read it in a few books, you just think about doing something enough then it becomes easy. You're having trouble killing the guy and I know this mission is important… just thought I would help."
Zack smiled and stood up as well. He ruffled Reno's hair, a feeling of thankfulness washing over Zack. He actually felt like his life was a little more sane when Reno was there, watching his back. He knew Reno would catch him when he fell… or so he hoped.
Lately Reno had been just as jumpy and out of it as Zack, and it concerned him slightly. Zack was actually surprised he noticed it himself, what with being wrapped up in his own world. But lately Reno had been unable to make eye contact with Zack, as well as unable to talk to Zack like he used to.
It all started when his new mission started…
Zack snapped back to reality and let his hand slide down to Reno's shoulder where he squeezed gently. "Thanks, it's nice to know you care, love."
Reno jumped and pushed Zack away at the comment, venom in his eyes. "Don't call me that," he snarled out.
Zack stepped back, completely caught off guard (yet again) by Reno. "Whoa… okay… didn't know that nickname bothered you so much."
"It wouldn't bother me so much if you actually meant it," Reno shot back before turning around quickly as he headed towards the exit. He stopped at the door, his hand resting on the cold metal handle. Zack could see his hand shaking while his knuckles slowly turned white.
"Don't… don't fuck this up. Just… just make it work for the family and for yourself. Stop thinking and voicing your concerns… it's going to get you killed." Reno said before leaving the room, leaving Zack confused and all together even more fucked up then before.
Authors Note: Poor Reno… guy can't get a break, can he? There is a reason as to why I am making Reno all love struck on Zack. I mean it IS one of my favorite pairings, but it's more then just that! I know there was no Cloud in this chapter but he will show up in the next one, so don't worry about that! I know how much everyone loves our angry little blond. Sorry for the late update, I went into a little writers block and didn't feel like writing. BUT here is an update and I hope you enjoy. Thank you to everyone who was reviewed, watched and favorited this so far! And please, if you have time, review and tell me what you think. Your reviews mean the world to me!