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: nothing too bad…. Sweetness… a lull in the storms for now.

My Road

~Chapter 18~


A soft voice came again. “He’s beautiful!...” And Aiden’s eyes seemed to widen even more incredibly so.


Reno was surprised. Usually people took a while to go from fear just too simple acceptance. But Aiden was looking between him and Kit with admiration clouding those ever wide eyes. Reno chuckled quietly. “That ‘e is, that ‘e is Yo…” He stood back up and continued petting Kit’s neck in a comforting manner. “Come ‘ere… you can meet ‘im if ya want.” Reno had never been able to share in the wonder of what was Kit, he’d always had to keep him a secret. Even Talc hadn’t been too comfortable with the feline. Reno was more than excited now at the prospect of having someone to share his dear friend with.


Aiden very slowly rose up to a hunched over standing position. He still wasn’t very forward in his actions, it would be a long ways for him to become more sure, Reno could tell. But he made a small step forward and extended his hand naturally. Reno didn’t have anything to fear. The Cuahl ran off of his feelings, and through its own manner in which the feline could tell if someone was friend or threat to his dear Reno.


“It’s ok… just let him get comfy with ya and he’ll come to you Aiden.” Reno said as softly as he could and the boy stilled the moment the words left his mouth. “go on Kit… this is Aiden” he said rubbing the Cuahl one more time and motioning with his hand towards Aiden. The boy looked slightly scared and excited in one. But Kit seemed quite pleased.


The lanky feline moved smoothly the last couple of feet towards the boy and looked Aiden straight in the eye before rubbing his head against the hand that was still extended. There was the slight sound of a chocked gasp as the boy’s eyes shone brightly with unshed tears and moved his hand to stroke the Cuahl’s head.


Reno knew that he and Kit had made quite the nice companion and maybe a dear friend in this boy that had been dropped on him quite suddenly. He closed his eyes while listening to the sounds of the smaller boy and his feline companion. Starting tomorrow he’d begin showing the boy around… begin getting a feel as to just how sheltered he’d been. He wouldn’t bring him on jobs yet, but he needed the boy to learn how to make his way, alive… which was going to be quite the task.

~~~A Year Later~~~

Reno was having a pleasant dream. He could almost taste the sun sweet fruit that clung to the tree on that hill. But he couldn’t quite reach it; he was tackled from behind the force was accompanied with playful laughter. The source of the tackle called to him. “Reno… Come on…. Reno!!! Get up!!!” Reno shrugged off the warm, petite hands that shook him as he lay on his side still looking in the distance at that sun ripened fruit clinging to the tree… begging to be had.


“Naw… man… you come on… we’ll both get some together… come with me. It would be better that way.” And Reno smiled his charming full grin and turned his head to look up at concerned but very vibrant hazel eyes. The warm glow from within them still undiminished despite facing some harsh reality’s these last couple of months. And as Reno turned back to look at that delicious tree… all he saw was the drawl room in which they both lived when they weren’t training or working for Eyes Shut.


“Hmm… was it at least a good one this time?” the naturally soft and caring voice beside him called.


Reno smiled warmly at his companion. “Yeah” he grinned broadly. “I was trying to get you to join me in finding and picking some yummy fruit yo!” Reno had shared every detail of every story that his own mother had told him years before, to Aiden. The boy had soaked it all in like a deprived sponge, though he had seen some of the sights himself, being a foreigner with his mother, though young, when they had first come here to the city.


And Aiden in turn had shared what he could remember of life near the coast in the small village that his mother, his brother and himself had been in. Filled with darker skinned people and lots of fishermen. He couldn’t remember much, or many details. But Reno also soaked in what the boy could remember. Reno would grin every time Aiden would tell about sneaking food from the drying and cooling racks after his mom would work on it. Or tell vague hardly remembered stories of his strong brother that wanted to join the war because of Shinra helping their village. The boy didn’t know much. But the heart filled assurance in his voice when he spoke of his brother that WOULd one day return for him, made Reno ache.


Reno didn’t have anyone that had promised to one day come for him. He didn’t have anyone to live for, except Aiden, and Kit. He glanced down at the foot of the bed to the Cuahl that was half covering they’re feet. The three of them made quite the team really. But Reno knew it was all temporary. He’d seen enough death, loss, and cruel actions in his time here, and even with Talc to know it could all change in one day. Look at Aiden’s situation. Sadly Reno figured there either was no longer a brother… or he’d have disappeared for good. According to Aiden’s stories it had been 5 years ago that his brother had taken off.


Reno looked up at the boy with his grin still in place. “Glad you work me up though” He said reaching his hand up to softly rest on the side of Aiden’s face. “Don’t want to miss one day with ya Kid.”


Aiden scrunched up his nose. Reno loved when he did that, though Aiden hated it when Reno pointed it out. “I’m not a kid. I’m over 11 years old… and you’re over 13. We’re barely two years about RENO! You were on your own at the age I met you!!!” The argument was always the same. Or usually it was.


Aiden lunged at Reno to show how much he’d grown. They would wrestle casually for a few minutes before Reno would finally use a bit of strength and pin Aiden to the floor, the bed, or wherever they happened to be. This time was no different, until Aiden stilled suddenly under the pinning force of Reno’s hands. “Ya give up Yo!?” Reno asked slightly breathless. The kid may be tiny and small in comparison to Reno’s lanky and lithe form but he was getting stronger every week, and could really put up a decent fight. Reno was beginning to actually have to WORK at pinning him now. Reno waited for a few gasping breaths from the boy before he let up ever so slightly on his grip with his hands.


Aiden narrowed his eyes a bit and took that very moment to lunge his knee at Reno’s groin and flip their positions. He wrapped his feet and legs over Reno’s lower legs pinning them. His knees were on either side of Reno’s hips. And his hands were on Reno’s shoulders, while his elbows effectively pinned Reno’s arms to his sides.


“DAMN!...” Reno hissed suddenly in his surprise.


The look of sheer accomplishment was worth every single SECOND of being pinned. Aiden’s eyes radiated a look of surprise, accomplishment, and strength that Reno had never seen on them ever before.


They both looked up into each other’s face, grinned silently. This was monumental. Aiden knew he certainly couldn’t ‘best’ Reno. And Reno knew as well, but the wily younger boy was still triumphant in outsmarting Reno here and now. It was a HUGE first!


“Guess ya don need me no longer Kid…” Reno raised an eyebrow and made no move at all to free himself from the pinning hold. He figured he’d let the kid have this triumph this once. If it was necessary he could get out of it, flip Aiden back over or throw him to the floor. But he was really growing, and showing some true potential. Maybe he could learn to take care of himself after all.


Reno wanted nothing more than to protect him forever, but he’d made a double deal with the devil. First and foremost he’d sold his soul to him to begin with. They owned him, controlled his every more, and sure enough they’d find a way to stop him if they needed or wanted to. He wasn’t considering himself talented enough to escape their grasp of him any time soon, and certainly not with Aiden under his care as well…


Reno let his smile falter and looked up in those, still innocent eyes, The second part of his deal with the devil… was that he had to pass Aiden along when he was ready enough to make it on a job. And Reno was firm in his heart and soul that he’d find a good place for the boy when the time came. If only he could train him enough to be of use in their Family? But sadly, Reno wasn’t allowed to let Aiden in on all of the actions of the ‘family’ that was part of the ‘growing’ deal that Son made with Reno. Almost every time that Reno was called to his office, he’d have a new rule, or regulation for how Reno dealt with Aiden.


Reno smiled again at Aiden as Aiden loosened his grip and allowed his body to lower onto Reno in a gripping embrace. None of the rules, regulations, or deals mattered to Reno. He would be damned if he’d let this kid see what he’d seen or be hurt that way he’d been hurt. There wasn’t much that Reno could say really, he was only 2 years Aiden’s senior, but he tried his damndest to make Aiden’s life before having to be sold away … worthwhile. And he wanted the kid to look back at his time with him, with fond memories… not tarnished and hateful ones.


Yup, Reno thought… He’d do anything … anything at ALL that Son required to try to protect Aiden as long as he could. He wrapped his arms around the kid to return the embrace with pride. They both lay there on the bed with no thoughts about the day, no worries, not really caring who won their little wrestling match. They both just knew that times like this that remained were few. Yes, Reno told Aiden, once the boy had settled in to the life with Reno… Reno hadn’t kept anything from him, barring any restrictions that he was given by Son.


Reno tipped his head down and kissed the top of Aiden’s mocha colored soft brown locks, then rolled them over so that he could get up. He left Aiden lying on his side watching Reno as he stretched and moved beside the bed.


“Reno..?” Aiden asked quietly as Reno pulled a shirt over his head covering his pale flesh. Aiden’s eyes watched as Reno’s numerous scars were covered. Kit chirped and climbed back up on the now peaceful top of the bed to curl at Aiden’s back.


Reno turned back to Aiden at the questioning tone and raised his eyebrow slightly. He began pulling his hair back as he waited for the caramel toned boy to speak.


Aiden took the hint and continued to watch as Reno got his hair under control. “My brother’s not coming back is he?” The tone in which Aiden asked wasn’t forlorn, it wasn’t sad, it wasn’t even with hope laced into the undercurrent of the question. Aiden sat up and began petting Kit’s head as the feline slept peacefully behind where he’d been lying.


Reno had paused in wrapping the worn cloth around his hair, binding it away from his face and to a more mature look than allowing the long and thick handful to be free. He looked towards the door to their bedroom as if trying to find the right way to answer. “I dunno… I don’t.” Was all that tumbled out of his mouth.


“It’s ok Reno… I knew it, I just always hoped he was ok and would come to find me, but he probably thinks me and mom are still back home, and ok. It don’t matter. I got you. You became my brother Reno. And if he’d a known you… he’d ‘ave like you.” He finished without a smile, or without a tear. He only finished with a straight tone and stood up to find his own clothes to get ready for their day.


Reno sighed heavily. “You’ve grown up so much Kid. I love you Aiden. I’ll look out for you. And if your brother comes lookin’… we’ll be here to show him what a fine man you’re growing into. You’ll do good. We’ll get you a good place to work… and you’ll be here and if he’s alive… he’ll find ya.” It wasn’t the most comforting of words. But Reno hadn’t shared so much with anyone since the death of his mother. There was an unbreakable bond that had been spun between him and Aiden the day he took him in. and he meant every word.


Reno took a few steps forward. He had his pants on, and a thick belt looped through them to hold them up on his still growing yet extremely lean body. He leaned his shirtless chest against Aiden’s back and wrapped his arms protectively around the boy’s chest from behind, blanketing him in a warm embrace. Reno pressed a soft kiss to the top of Aiden’s satiny hair. He was growing and changing so quickly. Reno involuntarily shuddered against Aiden’s back. He didn’t want the kid to have to face the reality of life below the plate. But the day that was inevitable was going to be dawning sooner than he’d expected it to.


Their days were filled with mindless small jobs. And when Reno was needed to work on shipments or to pick up more kids, he’d leave Aiden in the care of Yon. The old man had been distant with Reno since the first time of meeting him, Reno knew that had everything to do with Son, Son controlled the older man. Though Reno wanted to ask the older man many questions, and he had a feeling the older man would have many interesting stories as well as informative knowledge that could help him, he knew that Son at least was fine with Aiden being left in the older man’s care. It kept Yon out of the way, and was a harmless area for Aiden to be and to learn. So it worked out for everyone this way at least.


Reno had recently had to deal with avoiding Turks more often than not. For some reason though… the Turks never harmed anyone or interfered with him getting the new kid’s… and he only wondered why they hadn’t moved in on their shipments with the weapons. Eyes Shut was operating blindly right now. Shinra was changing; there was talk of new war coming soon. The Reactors that the company was insisting on building everywhere was sure to stir up more trouble. And for Reno still being a child in his own heart… though suppressed. Talk of the new waves of SOLDIER’s and a new realm of strength that they possessed had piqued his interest. Reno was spending more and more time on the upper plate before and after shipments, watching footage of Shinra’s movements and growth.


Son hadn’t been calling on Reno aside from his required jobs and reports. Reno had a feeling that something big was going on in the group. Something was changing. Son had been meeting up with a certain business partner from outside the city more and more often as of lately. And Reno had recently found out through Aiden’s talks with Yon, that Son was half Wutain… thus allowing for greater ease with a partner in that country as well. But with the talks of war on Shinra’s heel’s Reno had an inkling that something more was soon on the horizon. And even the thought of Aiden having to be placed soon didn’t overshadow everyone’s unease of the political situation.


Reno was happy for the moral break, but the mental one was overbearing on him. He held a lot of responsibility, and knowing that Son was meeting with some secret arm of the company that he allowed no one else to meet was not tasting right on Reno’s lips. His senses tingled in unwary preparation of what might come.

~~~End Chapter~~~


A/N: ok…. Something is brewing J what it is…. No one knows *snickers* well.. I wish that the sweetness could continue… but we know that it can’t… there is much destined to change for Reno….


And I’m sorry if the chapters as of recent haven’t had the same length and quality to them… I am finding it hard to get ahold of my inner muse again :P Well thank you to EVERYONE who is reading and those that have reviewed. It means sooo very much to me! Thank you so much!!!


*snuggles Princess Turk* thank you Tish… for being a wonderful friend and a HUGE support as I battle my way through my writing slumps… its so great having a sister in writing adventures!!


And thank you to you all that review!!! You are all so kind!!!