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, violence, DEATH…

My Road

~Chapter 19~


So much had changed, these last few months Reno had been leading a crew to do a lot of dirty work, they were having to delve deeper into some of the darker, meaner corners of the lower plate. Son had switched things around. Reno no longer led the groups to the top plate. Some new crew from out city was doing it. Reno hadn’t seen even one of them yet to know who they were.


He hadn’t met with Son personally in weeks now. Aiden was silent more often now also. Even he felt the growing unease in the group. Yon had gone missing a few days ago. Word was, a special mission. But Reno’s heart said, he was gone.


What’s worse… it was time for Aiden to be placed… Reno had received a note from Son, via one of his dog’s. He had a bid from some higher buyer. Aiden would do well for this position, Reno had been notified of the contact information and set time for meeting with the man. Reno knew what kind of a job it wasn’t, he’d stood firm in telling Son his wishes, and the dark man had finally agreed to that one term. But he didn’t know what it really WAS.


Reno looked up at the younger boy sitting on the desk watching Reno stretch. When he stood up he could feel the emotion pouring from Aiden. Aiden didn’t know of Reno’s natural abilities, but he most likely sensed the way that Reno could tell things. But the emotions that poured off of Aiden today were so deep, and filled with confusion, and fear. Without even being asked, Reno went immediately over to him and wrapped his arms around him while he stood between his legs leaning against the desk.


A silent sob was felt against Reno’s chest as the younger boy buried his face there. Reno rubbed his back and kissed the top of his head. “Shh… shh.. It’s ok. You’ll be fine. Why the sudden crash, kid?” Reno’s words sounded soothing and maybe slightly belittling but they weren’t. Aiden’s grip around his middle tightened but no more sobs were felt. He’d kept it under control, barely. That could save him one day.


“I just… I don’t care about myself … but… I don’t want to leave you Reno!” Bright and damp hazel eyes looked up into Reno’s deep and sadness filled own ones. It tore his heart out. He didn’t want to lose the only family he had. But… he had kept telling Aiden over and over again that it wasn’t the end. It was only a fork in their road. They’d be able to be near each other again one day.


But looking into those uncommonly wise, yet younger eyes … Reno felt a sudden regret, stab him so deep it made him double over against Aiden. The cold dread that froze his very breath…


“Reno!... Reno.. Reno!! What’s wrong!?” Aiden called but Reno stumbled to the floor, the younger boy following to ease his drop. “Reno!” The fear in Aiden’s voice woke Reno from his cold and frozen state of fear.


“Something bad’s gonna happen… I haven’t…” He grabbed his head. “Haven’t felt something this strong… it hasn’t been this sudden or direct since…” He looked up at Aiden, the soft and warm eyes that calmed his very soul and gave him the fortitude to push on since the day he’d met him. “You listen. We are going to get ready like we originally intended… but, I’m havin’ a talk with this man before I even CONSIDER you leaving with him. I may be wrong… it could be all this talk about the new war that’s got me goin. I mean. Heh..” He laughed as he grasped Aiden’s hand and traced the smooth lines on the caramel skin. “They say that the wars been goin’ on for two years!... that’s Shinra… yup. That’s the king of the mountain for ya….” Reno waved off the rest.


Aiden clutched to the front of Reno’s tank top with his free hand and curled against his body while Reno stroked his hand. “Reno… I love you… I don’t want anything to happen to you…” Was all the soft voice said as he kissed Reno’s jaw so gently before laying his head on Reno’s chest again. The whole situation had scared him. He knew that Reno was petrified of something… but he wasn’t strong enough or knowledgeable enough to fix it.


Reno looked down at the boy in his arms with a new respect. For a twelve year old boy he was strong in many ways, and wise. But to be so giving, not one concern or worry about himself, he knew that Reno was not ready to let go of him yet, this was too sudden, with too much unease in the politics around them, let alone the ‘Family’. Reno smiled lightly as he ran his hand through the mocha colored silk. He’d miss this closeness, and selfishly wondered if Aiden would still be like this when they were both older and more able to control the direction of their life.


Reno looked at the clock and slowly leaned down to kiss Aiden on the forehead. “Come on, yo. We should finish getting ready. We need to leave soon if we’re to make it in time.” He slowly stroked Aiden’s cheek. “And Aiden… I love you. Like a friend, a brother and a son… You have been in ‘here’ so deeply, from the minute I looked deep into your eyes that first day…” Reno held a fist to his heart. They embraced fiercely, before reluctantly separating and grabbing their things.


No one saw their interactions, they always kept that private, but everyone knew the strong bond that the boys had, just not how deeply it went. But that day, as they walked through the halls of the Manor, towards their goal. More than one glance was solemn. Everyone loved the young man that was cared for by Reno. He was so kind, warm, affectionate, and willing to learn and help whenever and wherever necessary.


The train ride was a blur, as Aiden slipped his hand into Reno’s when it picked up and got busy. A gentle squeeze wasn’t enough, as Reno pulled the boy in front of him. He was petite, such a small build, that he barely looked his age, if that. Reno could easily wrap his arms around the boy from behind and bend over to lean his chin on Aiden’s shoulder.


No one else riding there that day would hear the promises shared by two boys, two friends, two brothers… But Reno and Aiden would hold onto their promises to once again be together to look out for each other and to love one another. Reno’s internal vow to keep Aiden from harm, and from being hurt the way he had been.


They were in the sector they needed to be far too soon. For once, the ever impatient and constantly moving fourteen year old Reno had secretly wished for something drastic to make the ride last. But the leadership quality’s that were nurtured in him since his arrival at Eyes Shut, along with his own natural abilities and such, slipped over him like a mask. He shifted into the cold and calculating young ‘business’ man that he’d become, playing the bloody middle man for so long.


They found their way through the streets. This sector was highly developed, one of the few below plate that were almost equal in opportunities and technology and even in its buildings… quite equal to up top. Reno watched carefully as they trekked through busy streets, past shiny businesses and food places that were a flurry with activity. Even the air smelled fresher here. And like the newness it held, it smelled like future, and success. Business men from all over met here. As well as people from all over the upper plate and lower plate if they had any money, to shop, to eat, to be entertained.


If this job turned out to be decent, maybe Aiden could really do well here. But Reno’s mask didn’t slip in the whole time they made their way in the direction of their destination carefully reading the people they passed by, watching faces, trying to sense any ill intent. Or to make sense of the sickening unease that hadn’t left him since he’d felt the painful regret and dread earlier. He may be completely and personally involved, which was the first thing they were trained not to be, but he wasn’t going to ruin it for Aiden, he’d do this right. He was out to protect the asset.


Reno could silently sense Kit following them shortly behind. He was stealthily hidden like usual when he accompanied Reno on jobs. But Kit had been acting distant for days. Actually, since they’d received word on Aiden’s placement. Reno couldn’t help but wonder if the Feline was distancing himself, Kit had attached so well to Aiden, like a second protector. Often the boy had, had Reno on one side, and Kit on the other no matter what they did. But Reno had a feeling that Kit knew far more than the both of them. He hadn’t been close with either Reno or Aiden, not even sleeping with them at night. But Reno figured it had to be the way the Cuahl was most likely changing with age and maturity.


They’d reached the small street between the business establishment that the man in question for Aiden’s employ owned and ran, and another large building that looked to be a storage place of some sort. The street was cluttered. Obvious its days went back to when this sector was still its namesake ‘slum’. There were dumpsters, dust, trash piled up on one end. And crates and boxes from the busy establishment towards the left. There was a couple of dark colored vehicles and bikes parked near the business. And a few men stood about near the back entrance. Obviously a meeting of sorts.


Reno’s scalp prickled, and his heart thudded hard and loud. He felt that he was making a huge mistake. But… maybe his senses were off because he was so personally involved. Reno secretly chastizzed himself for not just going the opposite direction and never looking back. But, he looked around and saw that a coupe of them men were watching him make his way towards them. There was no turning back now.


“Yo, m’here ta meet with mister ‘B’” Reno called out firmly, but not in an attacking tone. He watched as all the men went silent and scattered slightly. And older gentleman walked from in front of the propped open doorway. He was tall, black hair, slightly long, untied yet neat. He wore a black and pinstripe suit. He looked like money. He turned and Reno saw a rugged and conniving face. Reno’s own slightly tightened on all features. He knew something was off.


“You are my appointment I take it? And that” He pointed to Aiden who was a step behind and to the left of Reno with his eyes downcast. “Is my purchase?” He finished with an exasperated tone. “No worries, he’ll have to do.” The man motioned for a couple of his men to come up and take Aiden by the arms.


Reno’s internal alarm screamed inside his heart and head. “Whoa dude… wait a minute here. I need to go over some terms, and find out just what ‘Your’ terms are for the kid…” Reno put himself between the boy and the man that was looking at Reno with an unreadable expression.


“There’s nothing to wait on young man. I do believe your employer left you strict instructions. In fact, if you do not cooperate, I will need to take steps to ensure your employers happiness. He’s quite the valuable resource for me really.” And with a look to one of the men that was leaning on the car, Reno found himself sloppily surrounded. Obviously the man hoped it to be only a slight threat to Reno, to get out of their way and move on.


Reno watched as Aiden calmly walked with the two men that had his arms. “It’s ok…” The boy said so quietly Reno almost didn’t hear him. But the emotions that radiated off from Aiden’s very heart as Reno could almost hear the flutter of its beat from where he stood... all emanated carnal fear.


Reno shot a look of regret towards Aiden’s face before moving rashly again between the Boy’s path and the rugged faced man turned to look Reno straight in the eye. The move Reno had made was a direct threat to the man. They weren’t playing at petty business here… something quite large was happening around this man.


Mister ‘B’ leveled a direct glare at Reno… He was no one new to this game. With the smallest flick of his wrist that Reno barely caught, a man from the side already had out a semi automatic weapon and had it trained on Reno’s chest. A barely perceptible nod from the conniving man in front of Reno along with the look of a hunter ready to make the final blow on his prey was all that Reno saw before he heard the gunshot.


He was supposed to fall, but he hadn’t felt any pain bloom where the weapon had been aimed. Reno’s head went over the possibilities. But when he felt warm liquid bleed through his shirt from behind Reno screamed inside his soul. He whipped his head around to see Aiden kneeling behind him.


“No… No..nonononoNOoo Aiden.. Kid… No! why’d you… wai.. Aiden!” Reno lunged to grip the boy in an embrace before the boy could fall sideways on the dusty and filthy concrete. He’d pushed Reno away at the last second. He must have lunged from the grip the two men had on him. Reno stared silently into Aiden’s eyes as his own filled with tears. Aiden just looked at Reno with a quiet and unreadable look. He hadn’t moved or said anything yet.


“It doesn’t matter” the man who’d been the cause of this said. “Whether he’s dead or being held by us. We will have the issue taken care of.” The man was talking to a couple of his lackeys that were now on either side of Reno.


Reno watched like it was a slow motion scene from a movie as the voices and movement all faded around him to let him see Aiden in slow and perfect quality. “I just want you to be ok” the barely audible whispered words came from the pale pink perfect lips of the boy that Reno held. And he smiled as his eyes closed.


Reno felt the life drain, he heard Aiden’s heart stop beating before his chest even fell the last time in the relaxation of muscles at death. Reno buried his face into Aidens hair silently breathing in the scent of the boy he loved and cared for. But as Reno looked back up at what was going on around him his face turned feral.


“You fucking BASTARDS!” Reno yelled and whipped up, leaping at the man that was the cause of it all. He didn’t hear the command, or the warnings. He didn’t even feel the bite of the bullets as they tore through his rib cage, and arm. The man backed up just as something connected with Reno’s side of his ribcage. He heard a crunch and felt his body flail to the side. As his vision clouded with tears of rage and regret he saw the man who was in control of the situation tip his hat and lower himself into one of the dark vehicles.


Reno didn’t hear the taunt’s of the men that circled him like vultures. He didn’t feel the iron as it was connecting with his flesh and bone. He didn’t even feel the knife as a man sliced down the muscle of Reno’s right hand to make sure the young man didn’t reach for a weapon.


Reno only watched through the veil of impending death as the men walked away towards the remaining vehicles and tossed some sort of minor explosive at Reno’s almost lifeless body. He could only watch through silent eyes as the Cuahl dove from out of nowhere between Reno and the small explosive, only 4 feet away…..


Reno could only scream at the living nightmare… inside his own head. As sweet black unconsciousness took him.

~~~End Chapter~~~

A/N: well… don’t hate me. Please. It was eating me alive inside to know I had to do this. But sadly this entire story has been planned for a couple months.. well. Since the very first day the first chapter was posted… I have the entire thing plotted. And it required these sacrifices. It hurt me so much though. I didn’t expect to develop Reno’s relationships with Kit, or Aiden so strongly… but ya’ll know how it is to write. You become attached and relationships develop.

… the story will take a VERY unique twist… when it continues. And as we all know that Reno lives… well.. you know that more shall come.

Forgive me for any grammical errors this chapter was just too emotional. So in the end.. it was far less detailed and more rushed than I wanted it to be… L