Reflections of Reno Chapter 9

Ancient History

By Christina Bruno

"She knew your devils and your deeds
and she said, "Go to him, stay with him
but be prepared to bleed"
- Case of You, Tori Amos

It was a morning of many, but Tifa decided it would be the last one she would be spending in Gongaga. She had stood with Reno and Rude for the past few days, but she couldn't say she despised every moment with the two. Reno had been his usual self: cocky, yet quaint. It was all that she expected of him. He made it known that he had been shot before and the pain was no parallel other wounds that he had received. His arrogance was aggravating her and she decided that there was almost so much she could take. Rude on the other hand was hardly ever home. He worked during the day and was off certain hours during the night. He provided for the two, never asking for any thanks. He just stood there in silence, wearing the stoic's suit.

Tifa took in a deep breath and wondered what it was all worth as she took her keys out of her pocket. She looped the key ring around her index finger a few times with a slight smile. It was time for her to get on the road, and she was looking forward to it. Her mood was a little more optimistic than usual, and she wondered what had satisfied her so. Her lips turned into a bright, luminous smile as she approached the handle to the door.

"Good-bye Gongaga…" she sighed, twisting the handle to the door. She flung it opened, letting the morning wind kiss softly over her face. However, when she opened her eyes her blissful mood had come to a momentary standstill.

Reno stood on the threshold with the paper in his hand. He had a smirk on his face. She hated when he smirked, it meant something nasty and horrible would shoot out of his mouth. He had gone out early that morning, obviously to pick up the paper and visit Rude. He was feeling much better…

"And where the hell are you going?"

Tifa left out a sigh; did he think she was going to stay here forever? Perhaps he would, but surely it was not an option for her. Residing with two of her arch enemies? What was she turning into?

"I'm leaving…have a nice life." She looked up and attempted to push him out of her way, but he wouldn't budge. He just stood there, looking down at her with his trade-mark cold stare.

Instead, Reno took her by the arm tightly. He didn't know why he was doing it - he just felt like it he thought. He pulled her back inside. A few of pieces of her chocolate hair blew back in his face. He couldn't help but inhale her sweet scent; he pretended that it didn't affect him.

"Yea well guess no one's their selves' anymore." Reno threw the newspaper down on the table hand, the impact wasn't so great but it was good enough to express his anger.

"We'd might as well stick together." He motioned to the article; he hadn't realized that his grip was still tight on the intoxicating girl.

Tifa huffed and her eyes scanned him angrily - after all she had done for him…must he still use such force? She should have known better, benevolence never learns unfortunately.

"Why?" She said, wiggling her arm but Reno just wouldn't budge. It was obvious that he was taking his anger out on her.

Reno quickly loosened his grip on the girl and swooped up the paper in his large hands. They were hands that had been through so much. The tips of his fingers were hard and rough, now darkened by the charcoal matted paper. His hands were stained from several instances.

"Two days ago…" Reno began, almost monotone at first. He lifted his eyes to Tifa who did not seem amused. She crossed her arms over her abundant chest. For some reason, he enjoyed infuriating her.

"…in Eastern Corel, former Turk Reno, robbed the Paramount and Dio of Goldsaucer of millions of dollars." Reno's lips grew into a smirk, he almost found pleasure in being feared, "Witnesses say that an intoxicated Reno was losing at high stakes to Dio and when he could not pay he ran for his life…"

Tifa let out a sigh of satisfaction, but she couldn't believe that Elena had taken so long to report the situation.

Reno cleared his throat; it was obvious by the expression on her face that Tifa's mind was wondering. She had known everything that Elena had covered.

"The authorities stated that the Turk retreated to La Cucina, a restaurant, only a few feet away from the casino, where he fled to the arms of non other than Cloud Strife's ex-freedom fighter and liaison, Tifa Lockehart."

Tifa shut her eyes. She didn't want to know any of the nasty comments that Elena would have provided in her column. She had read it before. She had been pregnant and a prostitute according to the gossip and she didn't enjoy it. It hurt her to see that her fame had been washed away by such bullshit. She was lucky she could get a job…

"I don't want to know." She whispered. Something within her wanted to scream, but she wouldn't let Reno see her in such a state.

"…Fine, but like I said." Reno wasn't one to repeat himself, he looked down at her. He watched her eyes slowly open and he noticed their depth. He felt as if he was getting lost in the pools of burgundy, and he could not help but dwell upon their barer. Tifa had been good to him over the last few days. He had been divided, one part of him was thankful for her help and other thought her to be a fool. Although, they never had a deep conversation, Reno felt he could talk to her…although he never would.

"Wouldn't it be better if we spilt up?" Tifa knew that she was being saught after for assisting Reno. In a way, she thought she should stay with him. He would protect her; he at least owed her that. But she was still divided on how he preferred Aeris to her and who he was.

Reno let out a sigh; he wondered why she asked so goddamn questions. He wasn't into the mood to convince her, it was close to begging in his mind.

"Gongaga is too close, if you can get me to Rocket Town or Costa De La Sol I can hitch a ride somewhere and get a clean get away."

Rocket Town was the better choice of the two. If they ended up in Costa, they would have to drive around Corel and through it. However, Rocket Town was farther away. It was past two things Tifa dreaded - Cosmo Canyon and Nibelheim.

"And why should I?" She fired back, she should have smirked but she couldn't bring herself too. She was too consumed with the fact that she would have to face her past, or even worse - Cloud.

"Don't you read the papers lady?" Reno looked down at her, he knew the rumor would hurt her. But she had hurt him, and he really didn't give a damn. It was time for just a little pay back, he owed it to her. The boy could never shake those qualities that made him so damn vindictive.

"…We're lovers."

Nanaki stood on the brink of one of Cosmo Canyon's many cliffs. The soft sand swirled about brushed over his fur. He took in a breath and felt the soft wind brush over his damp nose. The canine almost smiled to himself as he looked over the horizon at the clasped city of Midgar.

He fantasized that one day; he would take his children upon this very cliff and tell them the story of how he was one of the planet's saviors. He would tell them of the people's sins against the planet, how they wounded and sucked up its life-force. And he raise his head, look upon the fallen city for it was a symbol. And he told them, anytime they dreamt of resorting to Mako look upon this city, for it will be there fate.

Nanaki lifted his head, released the cry of the canyon. His persistent howling was interrupted as his acute hearing heard tires rolling over the sand down below. He winced as he heard the pebbles beneath them crack. The flaming canine ran down the canyon's mountainous range. His feet pouncing off of its rocky ground, until finally he landed on the Canyon's entrance.

Nanaki stood on his four legs casually, waiting for the driver to identity themselves. His eyes scanned over the black colored car as he waited. He heard the door pop opened, and he watched closely. The driver's side was opposite of him. He had a clear view of the passenger seat; unfortunately the windows were tinted black. (Tifa hated to be recognized.)

Tifa emerged from the jeep and the canyon's winds ran their fingers through her rich, tresses of life. Her ivory skin was highlighted by the canyon's eternal dusk and she flashed a smile towards her old friend, who was overjoyed by her appearance.

"Hello Red." She made her way over to him with a smile, and knelt down on one knee. Tifa ran her hands softly over his scorching mane.

"Greetings Tifa!" The canine's tails waved in sync with the wind gently, "I must say I am pleased to see you, your last exit was abrupt…"

Of course, he was referring to the night she left Cloud. He hadn't had the time to give Red a formal goodbye; she was so distraught by her emotions she had to escape. Yet she was stronger now and she knew this was the only place they could receive rest for miles.

"…but I can't say that it wasn't called for." The intellectual agreed with Tifa leaving so quickly, he saw how Cloud forsook her benevolent deeds, and he would not have taken it for a moment's time.

"Tifa, I must inquire something. The papers have said that you have been traveling with Reno. I will surely give you refuge from any bounty hunters here, however, I do not trust him. But I solemnly doubt that you would ever reside with someone of such an inbred character."

Before Tifa could even explain herself, the passenger window rolled down - revealing the object of criticism himself. Reno would never tolerate such blatant insults, even if they were said so eloquently.

"You think you're so hot, because you're goddamn tail's on fire. Damn lab specimen."

Nanaki leaned over on his front legs, with a deep growl. He was ready to attack the fiery Turk. He hated him with a passion, like most of his friends. He couldn't believe that Tifa would even be within a 50-mile radius of the bastard.

"Reno!" He hissed, "So those rumors are true?"

Tifa didn't care to answer. She knew if she told him the truth it wouldn't matter. She was still walking around with a former Turk, even if they weren't hand in hand. It didn't matter what she said or did, the thought of the two making love was still in her friends' mind and no matter what she said she would not be able to delete it.

It had been her conscious that had told her what to stay with Reno. She knew what she was doing, she knew he would hurt her. She knew weverything she had done, but she couldn't shake it. It was one of the consequences to having morals.

"Red…please, as a friend, we won't be staying long."

Red took in a breath; Tifa had done so many things for him. She had been his friend, and comforted him in his doubts. She had told him to be strong, and he had seen her suffer. The least he could do is protect her in his trying time.

"He still is unwelcome…" He canine growled, he could not deny Tifa but he still abhorred Reno's presence. But if it was Tifa's will to be with the Turk, he had to accept it. He just didn't watch, as the two strolled passed him. He didn't care to know if they were hand in hand…

Tifa was vexed by the way Reno had spoken to Red, but she didn't say anything about it as they climbed the many stairs of Cosmo Canyon. However, Reno had defended himself and she admired that in anyone. She would never admit it to him; she would just mask her admiration with the smirk on her face.

Reno didn't care to know what Tifa's mind had been musing about as she made their way past the weapon shop in the canyon. He shrugged as so many judgmental eyes were turned towards the two. He enjoyed being the center of people's lives. They made there way to a fork in there path. Right of front of them, lied the way to the Gi Cave, and a few other small rooms.

Tifa froze when she saw a halo haired figure approach with several bags in his hands. Tifa quickly pitt her back against Reno's in an attempt to hide from him. But Reno could not resist, but comment to Cloud.

"…Well look who it is."

Cloud's face seemed blanker than usual, as his eyes fell upon Reno. Usually, Cloud would have busted out his sword in an attempt to sever Reno's head from his body, but not today. His mako filled eyes were full of some sort of hope, and it was making Reno sick.

Tifa pinched Reno hard on his lower back in an attempt to shut him up, she just wished it would all go away. Reno…Cloud…the entire scene. At that moment, she wished she was back in the slums cooking a meal for Wedge, Jessie, and Biggs before the entire ordeal had happened. Before she had invited Cloud into her life, and he had damaged it for good.

Reno jumped out of the way. Tifa was a strong woman, and even her pinch sent a tingle down his spine. He convinced herself it was the pinch, and not her touch. He jumped back in an attempt to cover her again but the damage had been done.

Cloud made his way behind Reno and set his eyes on Tifa. He hadn't recognized their beauty since they were 7, and Tifa was still waiting.

"Tifa?" He asked innocently, he had made like nothing had ever happened between them. She hated when he played dumb, when he surely wasn't.

Tifa turned her head, her cheek softly brushed Reno's back side. She wanted to cry, but she held herself back from crying a river.

Reno turned and looked to Cloud. He placed his hand on Tifa's shoulder, not to bestow any affection unto her, just to aggravate Cloud. He more time he spent with Tifa the more he resented Cloud.

Who else would it be you spikey fuck?"

Cloud wanted to grab Reno by his neck when he saw him touch Tifa, but if she was with Reno it was her bit. He was meant to be with Aeris, he couldn't argue it. Cait Sith had said their stars were perfect and he knew there would be some way for them to be happy for eternity. He was going to contact Reeve as soon as he reached Costa De La Sol.

"I don't want to fight now." Cloud looked up at the thin man before him.

"Still scared of me?"

Cloud was always someone that wouldn't think twice before a fight. Reno had thought he had instilled the fear of Meteor into him, but Cloud was to preoccupied.

"Actually, I'm leaving. Tifa…?" Cloud attempted to speak to the girl again. "Aeris will want to see you."

Tifa could no longer take it. Hadn't he listened to anything she had told him the night that she had left him?

"Tell Aeris that I would like to see her…" She said softly, her eyes shot open scanning Cloud angrily, "But I have nothing to say to you."

"I do." Reno said, he suddenly realized that he still had his arm on Tifa's shoulder. He was surprised that she hadn't thrown him off. He wanted to bash Cloud's skull in, he was the reason he had nothing. That stupid son-of-a-bitch… He blamed him more than Tifa, he was the leader of all of the spirals of destruction.

"Do what you want." Cloud said coldly, still staring at Tifa. He did not understand, Tifa had promised to accompany him on his journey.

"You stupid fuck-" Reno took a step towards Cloud. He hated being ignored when he was trying to provoke a fight. He didn't know what had gotten over him. Usually Reno had always played it cool; he only fought or killed for money not for enjoyment. He had a chance to capture Cloud in Wutai, but he didn't. He was on vacation. But something about the way Tifa was reacting, had removed his own inhibitions.

Tifa's arm slammed gently against Reno's chest.

"Let him go." She muttered looking down to her feet. She watched her own sad reflection in the metal of her shoes.

"Thought you didn't care about what happened to me, Teef."

Tifa wanted to punch Cloud so hard. She knew he wasn't as stupid as wanted to seem. He had heard everything she said, but he didn't want to admit it. But he would use her words against her. She wanted to tell Reno to ring his neck, but she was better than that.

Cloud turned and walked away. He was leaving Cosmo Canyon to find Aeris that day, and she reckoned she would never see him again but it was better that way.

"You should have let me rip him a new asshole…" He wanted to say for you, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. He didn't know what she was doing to him, but he didn't like it. Lucky for him, he turned to see her and she was gone.

Tifa stood in Red's house, leaning over the table, waiting. It was always Nanaki who had consoled her during these trying times with Cloud. Every time she could not get a handle on her emotions, he would over some mind-altering advice. It wouldn't make her laugh or smile, it would just make her think. Until one day, she listened to what he was telling her indirectly. He was telling her to live her own life and forget Cloud. There was someone else out there for her, someone who would appreciate her.

She could not contain herself as thoughts of Cloud flashed through her mind. The night before they had defeated Sephiroth, they had made love under the stars. Was it all a lie? How could she let him use her like that? He was probably thinking of Aeris the entire time.

And suddenly, the tears began to fill up her chianti colored eyes. They to streak down her cheeks, they were uncontrollable. She had always told everyone to be strong, and she couldn't even hold her own. She felt worse off than Reno, she could feel her heart breaking inside of her tiny body again.

Tifa turned as the door swung opened. She looked hoping it was coming to console her instead it was the last person, besides Cloud, she wanted to see. She turned away immediately, not wanting Reno to see her so weak.

"I really don't need you - you make things worse." Tifa found herself blaming Reno for the Cloud encounter. She thought if he had shut his big mouth, perhaps Cloud wouldn't have noticed her. She wasn't ready to face him. Damn him! Damn him for making her come here!

Reno didn't exactly know what to say, he attempted some of his blatant humor to get her going, "Oh come on, this is me you're talking about."

Tifa just didn't respond, Reno could hear her sobbing. Who was she trying to kid? He could see her shoulders trembling, and her bitter tears falling on the wooden table like rain drops.

"Strife's an asshole." He muttered, he know that Cloud had resorted her to this state. He couldn't stand seeing her like this, and he wondered why. Wasn't this what he wanted in the first place, to make her suffer?

"Well I don't care." She whimpered softly, in an attempt to swallow her emotions.

Reno could see exactly what she was doing. She was keeping it bottled up inside, just like him. He knew that the only way for her to release it was to aggravate her, and he knew he was good at that.

"You don't even stand up for yourself, you're a goddamn coward. You preach to me, and you don't do shit for yourself."

Tifa shuddered, Reno's insults had pushed her off the edge. She knew what he was trying to do, but she couldn't fight it. She couldn't help but open up to the blatant bastard.

"I've given him everything and - -" Tifa literally clasped on the table. The emotions had strained her balance; Reno watched arms bend and slide unto the table. He watched her lay her head in her hands pathetically, the scene look strangely familiar.

And for once in his life, Reno pitied someone besides himself. He made his way over to her, but didn't touch her. He just looked down and he watched her trembling. He could hear the muffled cry of her sobs coming from within her tiny hands.

"…Listen…" Reno attempted to form some sort of conclusion for all this. He had read the papers all about Cloud believing he was Zack, Elena had covered quite well. "Cloud thinks his Zack…and well…Zack loved Aeris…so Cloud doesn't know what he is missing because he thinks he is Zack."

"He knows who he is now!" Her foot kicked the leg of the table, making a dent. The leg almost spilt in half.

Tifa turned and looked towards him. Reno almost looked concerned for her, but he was still wearing the stoic's suit for the time being. His eyes watched her intently, the tears had stained her ivory face mantled by the release of her sentiments.

"You were attracting to her too? What's so goddamn appealing?"

Reno almost looked shocked. Damn, was the bitch clairvoyant? It was true, he had been attracted to the Ancient for a short while. She was mysterious and intoxicating, she wasn't as up beat as Tifa but she was sarcastic…What was he thinking? This wasn't the time to get wet dreams about the Ancient, when Tifa was sobbing before him.

"That was Tseng...besides she was a damn lab specimen." Aeris was cute, but it was her job to kidnap her. Nothing came before his job. Tifa must have been mistaken, for she had distorted the scene in her mind. He had clearly said that Tseng liked the Ancient, not he. However, Tifa was obviously intuitive.

"No…I'm sorry. Aeris was my friend…I didn't mean that." She apologized profusely for swearing about Aeris. She had loved her dearly, but the love triangle was too hard for her to cope with. She couldn't help be envious of her appeal.

"Why am I always second best?" She whimpered, letting out a cry of agony. The tears started to flow once more. It almost seemed never ending, but she couldn't help it.

Reno couldn't believe what he was seeing. Tifa had seemed so strong until moments ago. She had done so much for him, she had literally ruined and saved his life in a matter of days. And now, that was all melting away. It was all because of Cloud Strife, that callous bastard.

"What to that dick Cloud? He's a half-ass super hero, anyway." He said. For the first time, he was cursing Strife, not on his own accord.

"…He never said anything. I brought him into Avalanche, gave him work, stood with him while he had Mako poisoning, and helped him find himself…" She had lost herself in the process. Everyone has a trigger and Cloud was her's. He had reduced her to sobbing fool, in front of one of her worse enemies.

"…And he didn't even care." She concluded, turning away from Reno.

"Well…uhm…" Reno was at a loss of words. He was horrible at consoling people, especially an ex-nemesis. "Mako can make you blind…fuck up your brain."

Tifa finally let go and admitted that, "I don't know what I'm doing…"

Reno nodded to her, "Me neither. Let's do it together…" He should have stopped it there, but he didn't want her to think she was getting to fond of him, "Even if you are a pain in the ass."

"…Now come on, let's get out of here."

Tifa turned to look at him and he put out his hand. She didn't want to contemplate the consequences, she just took it.

Reno smirked and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. He handed it to her.

"Now wipe your face, you look like a drowned rat."

Tifa laughed a bit at his black humor. Reno squeezed her hand a bit on impulse. He had to insult her; he needed some form of pay back.

Chapter 10