"Rufus' Twin"
By Jen

Chapter Five - Reeve Needs A Day Off

Reno dumped Yuffie hard on her backside against the outstretched stone hand of one of the Da-Chao statues. Then, he casually leaned against a head to block her path.
“Hmm. Looks kind of familiar. Didn’t I save your scrawny @$$ here once?”
“Oh shut up!” she snarled, rubbing her aching butt.
“A little humility never hurt anyone.”
Yuffie looked at him like she wanted to wrap her hands around his neck and squeeze until his face was as red as his hair.
Reno lifted his hands in defense, “If looks could kill...”
“You’d be a walkin’ dead man.” Yuffie finished for him.
“Like Bat Boy?”
“Leave Vincent alone.”
“Why? Do you have a thing for him?”
“What’s it to you if I do?”
“Did I say I cared?”
“Did I say *you* cared? You don’t care about anything but yourself.”
“Hmm. That sounds familiar.” he replied, pointing to her.
“Listen lizard lips, save it for someone who gives a rip!”
“This little exchange has been fun, but let’s get down to the real reason we’re up here.”
Yuffie sneered, “Oh yeah? Why don’t you fill me in then, I’m kinda clueless.”
“I can see that.”
“Ohhhh-” Yuffie huffed, pulling a materia out of her pocket and bouncing it off of his chest.
Reno darted forward and grasped her upper arm, “Keep it up Brat, and you’ll be showing everyone a quicker way to get down Da-Chao.”
“Let go of me you good for nothing Turk!”
“That’s ex-Turk to you.” Reno replied, sweeping her legs out from under her.
Yuffie hit the rock on her right shin, biting her lip to stifle the pain, but not able to keep the tears from filling her eyes.
“You-you-owww...”
Concerned, Reno reached down to help her up, “Yuffie, I’m sorry I didn’t...”
He trailed off as Yuffie got a good hold on his hair and flung him against the stone head. When the pain had subsided enough to let her rise, she ran over to Reno and kicked him in *his* shin. She probably should have left it at that, but Yuffie’s pride being the way it was, she had to get in a few more kicks. This costly error found her on her back, Reno on top of her.
“GET OFF GORILLA BOY!”
“Hmm,” Reno replied, rising on one elbow to look down at her, “this is kind of comfortable.”
“Maybe for you, you pervert!! But I’m the one with rocks diggin’ into my back!”
“I’m afraid I can’t drum up any sympathy. But, while I have you like this, I’d like to get a few things straightened out.”
Yuffie glared up at him.
Reno suddenly lowered his face until their noses touched and said “The name is Reno. Not Turk, ex-Turk, gorilla boy, lizard lips, or pervert. I expect you to call me that from now on.”
“Oh puh-leaze! What makes you think you can order me around?”
“And, the next time I ask you on a date, a simple yes or no will do. Not that $%*@ you pulled in the bar.”
“You’re just mad because I kicked your butt!”
“Oh? Who’s on top now?”
“That’s what I thought.” he said when Yuffie didn’t reply.
“Look, I know I’m irresistible and all, but...GET OFF! Go find some other unwilling chick to bug!”
“Oh, I assure you, they are all willing.” he replied with a smile.
“Oh gawd! You make me sick!”
“Admit it, you find me sexy.”
“Yeah sure,” she replied sweetly, “about as sexy as the black plague! So quit pantin’ after me like a bull in heat!”
“Listen you scrawny, little, good for nothing, witch! I could have any woman I wanted, so why would I waste my time with you?”
Yuffie wasn’t about to admit it, but Reno’s remark stung. To cover for it, she reached out and whacked him upside the head. Reno, his ears ringing, leaned down and ground his lips against hers.
She resisted at first, but after a little more insistence on Reno’s part, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
After a few moments of losing himself, Reno recovered his cool and pushed to his feet. Yuffie lay where she was, stunned.
“There’s a little something to think about, babe. It appears you like me more than you thought.”
Reno walked away with his trademark calm, but he was just as shaken by the kiss as she was.

*****************************************

“How does it feel to be in charge?”
“What?”
“How does it feel to be in charge?”
“Rufus?! What in the hell?! I thought you were...”
Rufus simply laughed, “Do you know how easily I could take this from you? Do you know how much pain and suffering I can inflict?”
Rufus waved his arm and all of Reeve’s friends lay dead at his feet. Cloud, Tifa, Cid, Vincent...
“No! This is a dream!”
“Is it Reeve? Is it really a dream? Or is it a prophecy of what is yet to come?”
Reeve woke with a start. His pulse was racing and the inside of his mouth felt like it’d been doused with acid. He’d been having this same dream off and on for about a week now. It was always the same, never veering off into any different directions.
What he needed, was a day off. Here he sat at his overloaded desk, in his dreary little office, surrounded by equally dreary reports, files, and other miscellaneous things that required his approval or signature, and it was a Saturday afternoon.
Reno strolled into Reeve’s office and said, “Hey Super-prez. What’re you doing here on a Saturday? You gave us the day off, why aren’t you taking one?”
“I could ask the same of you.” Reeve pointed out.
Reno grimaced, running a hand through his unkempt red hair.
“You aren’t helping it any.”
“What?”
“Your hair. You aren’t helping it any.”
Reno waved his nightstick at Reeve, “$%*& Reeve. I don’t even do anything to it besides wash it. What’s the point? Chicks dig me anyway.”
Reeve raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.
Reno pushed a stack of papers aside and planted himself on Reeve’s desk, “All work and no play makes Reeve a dull boy.”
“All play and no work makes Reno a lazy @$$.”
Reno laughed, “Good one. Good one. So, are you going to sit here all day?”
“Hell no. I decided I needed a day off. It’s just that I haven’t had one in so long, I forgot how.”
Reno looked thoughtful, “I’m sure we could come up with something to do.”
Reeve fingered his goatee, “We?”
“Who else do you have to do anything with?”
“Good point. I take it Rude is otherwise occupied?”
“When isn’t he? I’m telling you, this newlywed crap sucks. Please shoot me if I ever speak of marriage.”
“Don’t worry, marriage isn’t your style. Your more a use’em and toss’em aside when your bored type of guy.”
“That was harsh.”
“Just speaking the truth.”
Reno shrugged. It was no big secret that he loved women. It was also no big secret that he didn’t stay with one for very long. He would never let it get out, for fear that it’d ruin his reputation, but the truth was that Reno wanted more than what he asked for. It was true that the women he dated weren’t good for much more than a tumble between the sheets, but he kept it that way on purpose. No strings, no work, no pain. It was much simpler that way. He thought of Yuffie. He wasn’t too sure what to make of that broad.
“So genius,” Reeve finally said, “what’re we going to do besides getting drunk? We’ve done that enough.”
Reno grinned, “What’s wrong with getting drunk?”
Reeve suddenly left his seat and stepped closer to Reno, “What happened to your eye?”
“Oh this? Just Brat.”
“Huh?”
“You know, Yuffie?”
“What did you do to make her do that?”
Reno looked hurt, “What makes you think *I* did something?”
Reeve crossed his arms and looked pointedly at Reno.
“She isn’t exactly Ms. Congeniality you know.”
“Neither are you.”
Reno grinned, “God, I hope not!”
“Get serious you moron!”
“Grab your guns Reeve my man, we’re going to have ourselves a good time!”

***************************

The time for destruction was nearing. Under the tutelage of his mentor, whom he now knew to be Sephiroth--a man that Hojo had abused and manipulated as well--he was strong, no longer the weak, pathetic creature he once had been. He knew of his family, and felt no sadness over their deaths. They had once lived in a world he had only just begun to see.
Soon he would take his rightful place due him by his birthright, and he would make those that had taken his masters life from him suffer. He had been observing them all for years now. He knew their habits, their likes, their dislikes, those things that were most precious to them...
He was especially impressed with the man called Vincent Valentine. As someone who had been tortured by Hojo, he displayed amazing talents as well. His ability to sense danger was bringing him too close to the truth. Well, it was a little matter, they couldn’t stop him even if they knew of his identity. But, what really pleased him, was the way Vincent sensed him when he was around; he was unsure of what he was sensing, but he knew when he was being watched.
It was nearing the time to send Vincent a message. To let him know of the pain and suffering he, and those he associated with, were going to endure.
It was nearing the time to wake the army Hojo had so kindly left for him as well. With the aid of thousands of thoughtless zombies, he would be able to crush any resistance against his reign.
Yes, the time for destruction was drawing close.

***********************************

She was floating upward, she was sure of it. With each passing second, her body moved faster and faster toward the small source of light. She was going home, and she didn’t even know why. But she wasn’t worried, time would provide her with all of the answers.
Suddenly, she was thrown free of her bindings and into the light. It was so bright, she had to close her eyes and grit her teeth. Weak from the effort it took to get herself here, she rested wearily on the soft, cool grass. When she felt strong enough to move, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She knew this place. It was Rocket Town. Why here?
Suddenly, a sleek, black car came speeding down the road. She used all of he strength to push herself to her feet and waved the car down. It screeched to a halt, and a red haired man got out.
“Hey babe, need a...”
“Reno?” she asked.
“HOLY $@%&! Reeve get out here now!”
“Reno, if this is some stupid, macho...”
They both stood staring at her, their mouths in two identical circles of disbelief. The exertion of standing became to much for her, and she fell to the ground. Reeve ran forward and pulled her into his arms.
“Are you okay?”
“Who-are-you?”
“It’s me, Cait-I’m Reeve, the one who controlled Cait Sith.”
“Reeve. I’m glad to finally meet the real you.”
“You shouldn’t speak,” he said, concerned.
“I’m fine, thank you. Please take me to Rocket Town. Someone needs me there.”
Suddenly, she cried out in pain and gripped Reeve’s hand tightly.
“What is it?!”
“Cid. Cid needs me. Hurry. He might die.”
“Reno, get the back door open now!”
Reeve picked her up into his arms and ran to the car. He wasn’t too sure what the hell was going on, but if Cid needed their help then he was going to haul @$$.

******************************

He sat, calmly observing the planets as his Grandfather, Bugenhagen had so many times before. Everything appeared to be in alignment, and the planet was not crying. Why then, did he feel so wary?
“Nanaki?” a voice questioned.
He turned to see Elder Skavlan standing bellow the machine. Now that his Grandfather had returned to the Planet, Skavlan was Senior Elder. Over the years, Elder Skavlan had been teaching Nanaki the skills necessary for becoming an Elder. In time, he knew that Nanaki would one day become Senior Elder.
“Nanaki, do you hear it?”
Nanaki, otherwise known as Red, frowned, “Hear what Elder Skavlan?”
“The joy of the Planet?”
“Joy?”
The joy of the Planet was not often discussed, for the Planet had little to rejoice about.
“Yes, a savior is coming to stop the next wave of evil.”
“Then, you feel it to? It is not just I that has sensed the Planets unease?”
“Many in Cosmo Canyon have, Nanaki. We have all been uncertain of it’s origin.”
“Then, we have nothing to fear?”
Elder Skavlan shook his white head, “We have much to fear. I am afraid you may need to call on the help of your friends soon.”
Red nodded his head, his fiery mane rippling with the motion. Even now, he wore the headdress his Grandfather had last given him, Limited Moon. If he needed to use it, he would not hesitate. Just as he was turning back to the planets, a bright flash in the ocean outside of Rocket Town blinded him.
“Lifestream?” Red questioned, confused.
Why would the lifestream be moving? Was the Planet in that much danger?
Elder Skavlan however, was extremely happy, “She has come. Our savior has come.”

******************************

Vincent was crouched on the rooftop of the Nibelheim mansion, his cape billowing behind him in a massive cloud of red. From here, he could see for miles. It was no surprise then, that he spotted the disturbance with the lifestream.
He watched, puzzled, as it shot up in a massive arch of blue and green, leaving something in its wake. No, not something, a human. It was a woman and she...no, it could not be.
She rose and flagged down Reno’s car. He watched the exchange unfold and then grew concerned when Reeve picked her up and began shouting at Reno.
It did not take him long to figure out why though. From the direction of Cid’s shop in Rocket Town, he heard a loud crash and the scraping of metal on cement. Not even bothering to check the progress of Reeve and the others, he jumped from the roof to the ground without losing his balance.

******************************

Cid lay under the old Shinra fighter, cursing with his usual exuberance. One of the bolts was stripped and he was having a hell of a time getting it off. He tried using a chisel and a hammer, but not even that was working.
“Damn piece of $%*@! Get the hell outta there!”
Suddenly, he heard a creak from above him. The supports had somehow come loose, and he knew it. Calmly, he waited, until the moment when the plane fell and crushed him. His last thoughts before descending into darkness were of Shera and Mandie.

Well, that was certainly an interesting chapter. I had to admit, I had fun with Yuffie and Reno. Tsk tsk. They are always at each other's throats. I wonder why? I also wanted to bring Reeve out into the light some more. I have plans for that man. Big plans.
So, who is the mysterious girl? As if you couldn’t guess! And if you can’t, what’s the matter with you? Haven’t you played the game like mindless freaks along with the rest of us? Cameos by Vince and Red in this chapter. So, where is Cloud, Tifa, and Barret you say? They’ll be coming soon, I promise.
Mr. Evil is up to no good as usual. Well, he’s a comin’ and he’s carrying a big, big stick. (And he ain’t walkin’ softly.) So, all of you who have been craving action, get ready, it’s coming soon. How soon? Who knows. It depends on what else I can crank out.
Oh, and I just realized I changed the color of Mandie’s eyes in ch 3 from blue, to brown in ch 4. Oops. Personally, I think I like them brown. So, brown they will be.
Well, you know the drill. Comments are appreciated.

Email: highwind32@hotmail.com