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:

Just some simple issues.


My Road

~Chapter 15~


The day was handling itself in a very unsure manor. Reno’s senses were on overtime. It was extremely different to have Kit with him like this, even though the feline had been with him and Talc many times. This was different, a first meeting with someone and in an unfamiliar ground. Jeez, Reno thought. This isn’t going to become a habit is it? The moment he entered into a new setting he ends up teaming up with someone new…


This man, who liked to be called ‘Son’ for the Wutai-an meaning of three. Which Reno had no clue as to why? But ‘Son Sir’ sounded quite haughty really. Maybe it was fitting? Who knew, as time went on maybe Reno would understand.


There was something about this situation that made Reno want to join immediately. But there were so many other warning factors. He really couldn’t get it straightened out in his head. The man ‘Son’ must have understood because he showed Reno to a room that was down the hallway from his own sparse office. Reno could clean up with some water and towels. And he also showed Reno a room that he could stay in till he could make up his mind.


The house or ‘Manor’ per se, was quite sparse all together. It was a 2 story house or business really. There were some closed doors, actually numerous ones, downstairs. Once you got past a slightly furnished and brighter front room. And while you went down that hallway you could hear people behind some of the doors. Reno didn’t have a clue what the rooms were for, or housed? And in a way he didn’t want to know.


But when he had joined the man ‘Son’ upstairs in what would be this man’s office. He’d been offered a drink, obviously laced with some strong clear alcohol. But the mixture simple helped to calm Reno frazzled nerves, and maybe lighten the pain a bit. Reno had wondered whether the man had missed his wounds, or, what? But he’d been reminded to care for his wounds ‘when he cleaned up’ and to ‘join me after’ He’d been told by the man. He obviously had been busy when Reno had showed up in the sector. And the men that Kit and he had hurt and killed didn’t even begin to phase the man, so Reno wondered what he was distracted with so that he couldn’t talk more about Reno’s options.


The not-so-feisty Red head made his way to the room that had been designated his after washing up as best as he could with very little water and the washcloth that dirtied far too easily after using it a few minutes. It was obvious that Reno’s wounds were still bleeding, at least two of them anyway. The one on his rib cage especially. He didn’t know what to do. But as he entered the room that he was to stay in he noticed a basket with some rolls of fabric and some antibiotic cream on the single pallet that was a bed. It was more elaborate than anything he’d stayed in, or on in his entire life.


He grinned, he guessed that ‘Son’ had either brought it in or had someone else. He also noticed a simple pair of black pants and a grey shirt on the bed. Must be he was supposed to wear these. He shrugged slightly. There was no one in the room, and Kit had followed him everywhere he’d gone. So why did he feel this sense, like he was either being watched or maybe just not completely safe?


Reno got dressed, he felt like he was being spoiled for the first time in his life. He lay back on the pallet that was a bed and stared at the cracked and discolored ceiling. What was this place? ‘Son’ had informed him that they were a place that received as well as sent out young people, to ‘Jobs’ that were somewhat decent. Or at least gave the youths a place to be that didn’t leave them on the streets. And that they were the only one of their kind that actually took the persons humanity into account the best that it could.


Reno would be part of this group called ‘Eyes Shut’ if he accepted this offer. But what exactly he’d be doing, he didn’t know. Son had mentioned that Reno showed the quality’s of a good PR person. Hm… Public Relations…? That could mean anything really. Reno grinned to himself. He would only lay here for a few minutes and then go join that man.

~~~3 Hours later~~~

Reno awoke to an indefinable smell. He looked at the ceiling again. How long had he been asleep? He turned his head to see Kit and a strange dark man in a staring contest silently willing each to turn their eyes again. Hmm... Must be he’d been smelling this intruder. He must be pretty rank to smell like that.


Reno lifted his head and went to set up. This action caused the dark man to look up, and Kit immediately ran to Reno’s side, using the man’s distraction to move. The feline didn’t seem too concerned of this man, or Reno had a feeling he would’ve done something more serious than stare him down. It was obvious you couldn’t trust anyone in this place… yet.


“Who’r u?” Reno gently called. There was no reason to be too far concerned yet, but to ere on the side of caution was smart in this situation if not any.


The man must have realized that he’d lost the staring contest then because he gently glared at the Cuahl before turning his gaze sternly towards Reno. “The Sir said ta wake ya up if you were still asleep come dis time. Eh? And when I came ta wake ya up yer monster wouldn’t let me pass eh?” The man had an unrefined quality but Reno could sense a chilling darkness underneath. He wouldn’t let his guard down soon, till he knew whether he’d be on the receiving end of that darkness. Although Reno figured that was up to him really.


He’d been doing some serious thinking before he’d fallen asleep. He may be young, but he certainly wasn’t stupid. With the information Son had shared with him prior to him cleaning up. He had placed it together with what little information that Talc had been able to share with him and Reno had put two and two together to make a single equation relate.


He looked at the dark looking man again and then scanned the room. And thought about the sector, and even the attitudes of those slimy men he’d met with. This was a human Trafficking business. But something about it was extremely different than those deep dark groups that Talc had related to him about knowing. Those only sold humans practically by the pound. They were moving living breathing meat… nothing more. But this… this place. ‘Eyes Shut’ what little Reno’d managed to pull from sensing Son’s attitude, and even the feel of the place they were in. left Reno with a surprisingly mild taste in his mouth.


Yes, something seemed right, yet something felt wrong as well. But as Reno looked up at this man he knew without the man continuing, and spoke before the man had a chance to continue. “Yes, Son left… and I’m to give my answer to you…”


The dark looking man was baffled to say the least. His demeanor changed a bit from the ‘stupid henchman’ look. To the ‘I’m dangerous and know what I’m doing’ look all of a sudden. “You know ‘Reno’ I wouldn’t let this get to your head. This is a serious place you have entered. And I’m not just talking about this building.” The man’s slum talk suddenly cleared and he sounded extremely dangerous.


Reno stood up. “My answer is yes…” And Reno trailed off. He didn’t need to give a reason, only an answer. Maybe he would need to explain a little to Son. But here, and now he only needed to affirm an answer. “Where and when can I expect to meet with him to learn more?” He asked before the man had a chance to reply or argue.


The man straightened up. “Welcome then… you can meet with him this evening. Let me show you around a little. Then you can talk to ‘Yon’ for a while before you can speak with ‘Son’ again. Follow me.” The man turned and started walking away, while Reno gave the motion to Kit to stay put for the time being. This was certainly going to be interesting.


‘If you can’t beat em… you might as well join em…’ Reno heard the words in his minds eye, as if they’d been spoken loud and clear beside him. Advice he would have to take to heart in this situation. Talc had given him words of wisdom many times… this wouldn’t prove to be any different.

~~~An hour later~~~

Reno had Met ‘Yon’ He guessed this man was under Son… most likely next in command, the way the couple of men had deferred to him in the time Reno had been around him. He was someone Reno could respect though. He seemed warm and wise. He was older. He had almost white hair pulled back in a low ponytail. Not overly long but long enough to pull into a ponytail. He’d offered Reno quite a bit of advice really, about strengthening himself, and also explained a little about the chain of command in regards to ‘Son’ really. And how he was not the man ultimately in charge, but that we act as such… Son received direct orders from someone above himself.


Reno learned that they provided jobs for mostly young people Reno’s own age to live by. Either to well-to-do men below the plate or MANY people above the plate as well. And very rarely they provided to people outside of Midgar. But that those jobs usually went to an arm of their group that was already outside of the city.


Reno liked this man. He seemed extremely in control of the situation despite not being the man completely in charge. Reno watched and read his actions as he talked about respect, pride, and honor., which was funny coming from someone who dealt in human flesh for a living.


As Reno was thinking these thoughts, the man stopped. And leveled an emerald gave directly at the boy. “You know young man… there is far more than meets the eye. This may not be the most honorable of ways to live, but it can be MADE more honorable with the intent and firm guidance of people like yourself and myself.” The man quickly turned back towards the dirt and grime plastered window. His room was one of the first past the entry. And continued speaking about the way life changed here when they began building the upper plate. He was lost in some sort of memory. His eyes seam to glow as he spoke about the days of Shinra’s control, and when they started the program that is now known as SOLDIER. And also he spoke of a time when the air was clear here.


Reno was baffled, how had the man known his concerns. And now… why does he tell me all these things? What does it have to do with Reno’s ability’s to help these people? Just as he was about to ask that question they were interrupted by the door swinging open.


There stood ‘Son’ he was obviously a little worn, he wore a long dark overcoat and no longer wore a suit under it, but instead was wearing plain black slacks and no shirt. His slightly exposed chest showed many marks, but beyond that, was a surprisingly golden color. How did the man have such tan looking skin? Usually people under the plate were pale. Some more so than others though.


So many questions… so few answers. This whole group was off. Reno was beginning to regret his decision. The smell alone in this sector was enough to drive a person mad. Maybe that’s what was wrong with these men.


“Well Yon… you must have given him your speech again, didn’t you” a snide sounding comment came from Son.


“Son… you forget where I came from. And you forget your own honor far too much for your own good.” The elderly man replied.


“No Yon… you can’t wonder why you were demoted to 4th. Am I right father? We are going a new direction… there is no dishonor in growth… Reno here’ll know soon enough, wont you boy? I was told your answer was yes. Thus I can suffice to say that we can speak thoroughly in your presence? Am I right?” Son said while smoothing back some hair that had fallen from the neatly combed back style that he wore it in.


Reno looked from one man to the other. Now he understood. There was a sense of loss in this room, coming from Yon, and a sense of control coming from Son. A new sense of ownership, Reno could see it now. The older man had been in Son’s position but then the man took over for his father. It all made sense.


“Yes, I want to know as much as I can about what is going on, and understand why and what I’m supposed to do, if that is ok.” Reno said as carefully as possible.


“Yes, you would want that wouldn’t you?” Son replied. “On one condition though… Don’t take anything Yon says too seriously. You understand.” Son motioned to Reno and headed out the door.


As they walked down the hallway towards the stairs again Reno spoke up. “Why are you disrespectful if he is your father? He seemed quite nice.” Reno kept his eyes on the floor in front of them, but came to a stop as Son stopped.


“If you want to live… let alone succeed in this family… Because we are all fathers and sons and daughters here, you will respect myself, and my orders Solely! You were brought to talk to him only through the confusion of my friend that you gave your answer to. They are still too used to the old way of things. But now that it is straightened out you will listen to my orders, or simply not be here to worry about it.” Son continued walking straight up to the stairs.


Reno let his mouth turn into a sly grin. “So… that’s the way of things? I think this will work just fine.” He figured he’d found the perfect place for him. More messed up than his own conscience. He’d found a better place to live at than he had imagined. He can listen to blind orders. He’d done so his whole life… until… Talc. Reno shook his head. He needed to forget about that and move forward now.

~~~End Chapter~~~

A/N: I am VERY unhappy with this chapter…. I don’t know why I have had SUCH a hard time getting going on this again after a lazy 2 week hiatus. I have like 3 chap’s I need to catch up on. I’m SOOoo sorry. I want to get grooving. Move it along and moving forward. We are officially half way on this particular fic. There will be 2 more sequals covering different portions of Reno’s life. But I really want to get this one moving forward. ><; sorry!!!