My Road

Disclaimer:

I do not own Final Fantasy 7, It’s original characters, places, etc. Nor do I make any money from this fanfiction. The only things that are mine are my own original added characters. And the situations or new places added to flesh out my own story.

Warnings: angst…. A change in Reno’s path…. Angst… J


My Road

~Chapter 11~


Time was spinning out of control for Talc. He knew exactly who this guerilla attack was from once he’d seen the burnt orange suits that the men were wearing. They were making some huge headway in fighting back the army. But Talc grinning, it was hopeless; the army always had more coming… He had to hand it to them. This little group had grown quite a bit since he’d been involved with them.


Slipping into the shadows he headed in the right direction that he knew he’d eventually find the person he wished to find. They hadn’t seen each other for some time. But perhaps, he’d be welcomed to the growing group again.


He slipped up beside a shadowed and lean figure. “I knew you’d come sooner or later” A raspy voice cut through the din of the fighting.


“Touché I knew you’d show your face below plate before much longer… though I am much surprised to only find you working behind the lines.” Talc said humbly to the shadowed man.


“The leader need not show his face till the time is right, lest the pawns fail, ‘tis but a mere brush of irritation to retreat and reform till another time.” The man slipped a Dirk out of his robe that wrapped his upper body, and pointed it at Talc’s throat, barely nicking his Adams apple. “Speak your business… I am a very busy man…”


Talc raised his hands ever so slightly in mock surrender. He knew the man was untrusting, he wanted to also hear Talc beg. Tipping his head in slight bow he spoke softly. “I ask to rejoin your forces…” He swept his eyes in the direction of the fighting. “I believe that, though you will not be successful today… you will be in the future. I want to be part of this again.” He locked eyes with his elder.


“Hn… So be it. Join with us at the golden point in 2 days. Till then you may fight or not, whichever you see fit.” The elder man turned back to the papers his subordinates were holding and placed the Dirk back into its sheath hidden in the folds of the robe that was wrapped about him.


“Yes.” Talc gave a nod and headed towards the fighting. He’d only watch for now… no need to be included in this genocide… He would certainly play a grueling part in the future, but such is the role of a pawn such as himself. But they’d see, he’d be the right hand man of this coming power… not now… but one day.


The bloody scene that played out through the sector was horrifying for anyone to watch. The guerilla’s slaughtered everyone that came between them and Shinra’s forces. It was a small battle in comparison to other wars that played out… usually on outer soil, never inside the city, Avalanche had been the only one to have the guts to do this before. Thus it was only sensible that he had lead Reno to believe that, that was the group that was here now. No, no one would know who this mysterious group was, not any time soon anyway.


He watched as children and adults alike that ran for their lives and were killed in front of him. And businesses were lit on fire. This battle would be over soon. He needed to gather supplies, while the timing was good and everyone was distracted.

~~~ With Reno ~~~


Reno could hear screaming. It ate at his inner self, he didn’t know why. For some reason it didn’t bother him in the way he thought it would, but he felt like something was clawing to get out, he should be helping, or at least be with Talc.


Reno could look up from where he was hiding and just make out a billow of smoke or two from the direction in which they had seen the people fighting, initially. What was going on? He didn’t know what was happening, but the prickling sensation was so strong he wished he could claw at himself and make it all go away. There was too much, too fast, that had gone on.


He clenched his fist so tightly that his fingernails burrowed into the skin of his palm making him bleed. WHY!? Why couldn’t he have the power to do something. He didn’t know if he cared about the people living in this section, but overall, he wanted to make a difference. Be a SOLDIER, or a Turk… no. Reno shook his head, that’s not what he wanted. His eyes glistened over. He wanted to be just like Talc. He could see the rich chocolate brown eyes that would look down at him in the brighter places they would visit, and how they looked like deep soulful puddles of black in the dark. He would die every time the man smiled at him.


‘I want to make you proud’… Reno thought to himself. ‘Make you proud… and know that you love me.’ That’s it! He knew what he wanted to tell Talc, he knew this man meant too much to him. He wanted him to love him in return.


Reno stood up from his position of hiding. He had resolve painted on his features. He needed to be beside Talc, he needed to fight for whatever Talc was fighting for. Maybe he could find him now. Reno knew if he searched deep enough into the recesses of his conscience he could search out the man. He had never shared it, but he always knew when Talc was returning home… Didn’t know how to explain it, just that he knew he’d be home soon. He thought about the memories as warmth spread through his body.


He needed to take that warm feeling and reach deep… deep down, into his soul, past the prickling sensation of dread, past the onslaught of his emotions. He needed to center in on the tug of familiar lips, the taste so bitter and sweet, and familiar brown eyes, black hair like night, and skin on his hands that was raspy from use in fighting and work…


There… Reno latched onto that familiar feeling and let his whole focus be placed on it. He closed his eyes, he’d never done this before, he had recognized the feelings so that he could accept something was different about himself, but for some reason he just knew if he tried hard enough, he could use this emotional connection with Talc to find the man. He was close by, Reno opened his eyes. He knew Talc was inside a building nearby.


Reno slinked out of the area he’d been left in. He kept to the shadows, just like his feline friend had taught him so very long ago. But this time he did so with stealth and strength. He knew how to protect himself now. He could move along not just as a cornered bit of prey, but now as a predator himself. Still young and in training, Reno showed such potential. He needed to grasp his own natural ability’s and go with it!


Reno crouched next to an open window of some rickety business he’d been in maybe once or twice before. There was no sense of sound or movement that he could detect inside, but for some reason his gut told him that this was where Talc was. Reno closed his eyes again, probably not the smartest move. Gritting his teeth, Reno tried as hard as he could, he wanted to somehow send his consciousness forward, propel it into this open window… was it safe for him to go in. He used that emotional connection again. Tried to feel the nervousness or calmness of the person he was attaching himself to. There! He’s not nervous… anxious maybe… I don’t know.


Reno opened his eyes, he’d never get anywhere unless he took the plunge. He leapt as high as his lean legs would let him go, and cleared the window with not a noise at all, landing so gracefully on both balls of the feet and his one hand stretched forward to the floor.


The little tacky shop was dim, so dim… But he reached out again, in the back. Reno took off full speed and leapt over the rickety counter that looked as if it could hardly stand. He landed on the other side with hardly stopping pace he kept charging forward, around the door….


Talc suddenly whipped out the knife he carried. With a gleam of bloodlust in his eye he pointed the tip instantly pressing into the throat of the attacker poking in enough to hurt and threaten. His eyes were dilated fully, he looked raw.


Reno gasped as the knife tip went right up to his throat pressing in enough to really scare him into thinking he’d be killed in an instant. He looked with complete fear into familiar eyes. The fear and anxiety of his own drained instantly, but could feel the anxiousness simply radiating off of the man he’d fallen in love with. “Talc, it’s me.” Reno said softly and lifted his hand up to Talc’s cheek.


The older man finally blinked, and his eyes refocused onto Reno’s eyes. His hand pulled the tip of the knife back again. “Reno, wh.. What are you doing here!?” He growled at the young man in front of him. Wait… young man? Talc shook his head. Reno looked wild and strong right now. When did he miss that beautiful free look on his face!? No, he couldn’t think that way. This boy needed to be left behind, his path didn’t allow for foolish boys to follow. Reno had only been a fun distraction anyway. Wasn’t he?...


“Talc!” Reno stood firm. “I didn’t want you to do this alone. Whatever you are going to fight, I will fight alongside you. I will do anything in my power to make you proud of me.” Reno’s sure look faltered a little with that statement. He didn’t think he’d bare his vulnerability like that to his Hero. He looked down at his bare feet, caked in dry dust and longer and ganglier than he thought they should be. “What I mean is…”


Talc cut Reno off. “Reno, get your ass back to where I left you. Stay there till I get you, or the fighting is over. Don’t….” He trailed off ‘let yourself get hurt?..’ could he say that. ‘I’m the one that’s going to hurt him.’ He looked back up at Reno with a fierce and almost carnal snarl on his face.


“Do you even think I care at ALL what you mean? Or do you think I care at all about what you do with your life? You are… or WERE only a Means to an End for me!...” The older of the two trailed off and turned his face away from the horrid betrayal written all over his young protégé’s face. He breathed deeply twice before he opened his mouth again, softer this time. “I want you out of my face… The fighting is almost over. I will be joining this rebellion, you know how to take care of yourself… you did fine before… you’ll be fine now…” Wait… didn’t he want Reno to think he didn’t care. He DIDN’T care… right?


Reno’s eyes shuttered out the emotion, they simply went dull and lifeless for a moment. He heard the man he idolized, cared for, loved… and just slipped into a small shell like section of his mind. The hurt, confusion, and pain would be filtered away for now. He reached out with his conscience to try to feel his friend. Hurt, frustration, anger… was it aimed all at him. Reno expelled a breath he didn’t know he was holding.


He felt his hands quiver. No, he needed to keep a hold on it. He reached out firmer this time with his senses… trying to will his emotions towards the man. Maybe, somehow he could get Talc to look at him, to see what Reno was going to have to say to him. He poured his emotions completely into the willing sense… ‘turn around…look at me one more time…’ He let his hands drop down… he was light headed, it wasn’t going to work. He could never say what he felt to the man that meant so much.


Reno slid his foot behind him, so that he could turn on his heels… He wouldn’t look back… he couldn’t. But just then Talc turned. His face still shone anger, but under the anger a burning question… Reno didn’t know. He felt his mind prickle differently now. Maybe… does he wonder how I feel? Or does he wonder if he should stay? Reno shook his head slightly.


“Talc, I LOVE YOU!” Reno shouted. “I WILL see you again… one day.” Reno’s own voice sounded distant. Had he said that!? No, someone else had forced the words from his lips. His subconscious had become a separate being right then. It had looked down at him from above… just like when he first had known loss.


Reno bit his lip as tears threatened again, but turned on his heels and ran, he ran without any care. A war was raging, big or small. Rebellion, or Shinra, it didn’t matter to him. The bullets that whizzed by his head, or the flames that licked at his arm as he tore past buildings, none of it mattered. He’d worn his emotions on an open face again. For the last time…


Talc felt a familiar ripple over his skin, like cold had caressed his body. Somehow in the shadow of his thoughts, he knew the kid was right. He wanted to not do this, he wished he had been another person in another lifetime. But, He shook his head; this was how it had to be. Reno filled with such a fire. I wish I could’ve loved you back, kid… but I can’t. You’ll do fine, e chuckled, I’d love to have seen what you make of yourself.


The young man who had stayed with Reno for almost 2 years now shifted a large pack filled to the brim with things he’d need, up on his shoulders. And with a smile to himself he started out past the bloodshed. He’d join this rebellion… he was always destined to remain on the move. He’d worked for this man before, but between him, and the boss he ran for, he knew he’d make it further up the ladder now.

~~~The following day~~~

Reno’s feet had tore like fire across the sector. He ran the entire length of it along the outer wall, then ran some more. He ended up in some junky area he’d never been before. On the complete opposite side than what he’d lived. Then sense had knocked him in the head and he’d walked, more like trudged the whole way back to where he’d left the supplies that he’d carried under the pipes. When he’d passed back through the normally heavily populated business district of this sector, though even that was nothing compared to other sectors. It was a smoldering mess. There were dead bodies of civilians, soldiers, and guerilla’s everywhere.


Reno had never seen so much blood, and mess, and flesh, and death ever. His eyes burned from the burning ashy smoke, and his lungs felt like they’d burst. The air circulation down here wasn’t the best to begin with. But his heart went out for all those that had died; it was like a piece of them mourned inside his heart. Why did he feel this connected to the carnage?


His feet kept plodding along. None of the soldiers that were there from Shinra to clean up this mess questioned his existence, just another homeless or parentless kid from the mess. He’d heard murmurs of this Rebellion that had mounted up from nowhere… with no real intent on winning, except to make a mess and keep Shinra on its toes. He heard murmurs everywhere speaking of how the remaining guerrilla’s would be hunted down and executed by the army, maybe even SOLDIER. But no one noticed the boy that walked in their midst with a feral grin on his features.


Reno had, had plenty of time to think. Talc had a job… a tryst… only it was bigger, MUCH bigger this time. He had, HAD to push Reno away. Yes, Reno thought… that’s why. His grin at the murmur’s…. heh, well... that was because they didn’t know a thing if they thought that his hero or anyone he was with would be stopped that easy. No, no one would know the better.


Yes, Reno smiled. He’d find his way on his own again. He needed to move one. Grow, and get so much stronger and smarter. He’d shock Talc when he met him again in this life. He’d be able to match well alongside his hero.


Reno’s sadness was still there, but by thinking of a better future like he was helped. It pushed the gaining emptiness from filling him completely. There were things he needed to do. He needed to find his other companion. He needed to move on, find a new home for now. There was someone he still needed to find. And then, he would be pointed towards a new meaning… he felt it… something in life was calling. He needed to find the right path on his road that would lead him to his finale. Where he belonged.


The grin on his face was a shuttered embellished out taking of what was going on deep inside his highly developing mind. No… no one would know what was going on inside this broken boy’s emotions. No one knew that the shadow of his road grew brighter every day. This fiery force to be reckoned with… was still growing.

~~~End Chapter 11~~~

A/N:


Well… I feel like this started out well… then I feel like the ending dribbled and drabbled on. :( ohh well, hopefully the next chapter will help to pick up the suspense and interest again!


I’ve been in the mood to do a more sad/sweet/love story. And have a good idea for one… so I hope to start on that next. But maybe I’ll do another chap off coffee kills first lol!


Had some downers in life, but overall its wonderful… always having the outlet of reading and writing. And friendship! A thanks to anyone who reads. Please review and lemme know what ya think k!?