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Lae to Waste	By : RikuRocks Category: Final Fantasy VII > Crossovers Views: 808 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Final Fantasy VII or Kingdom Hearts, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

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A sound knock startled Lae out of a half sleep. With a grunt, he glanced at his alarm clock, and swore when he saw it was broken. Apparently, he had struck it a little too hard when he meant to hit �snooze� earlier.

�Fuck�uh, just a minute!�

The redhead threw on the same clothes he had dropped on the floor the night before and ran his fingers through his hair as he stumbled to the door. After a quick once-over to make sure he looked at least somewhat decent, Lae opened the door.

�About time,� commented a tall man with brown hair and dark blue eyes, who looked to be about the same age as Lae. He was holding a retractable baton of some sort, which he was currently tapping against his shoulder. Beside him was a woman who appeared just a few years younger, with long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. Both were wearing the trademark suits of Turk.

The woman rolled her eyes, before fixing them on the taller Turk. �Yeah, �cause I never have to knock to get your ass moving in the morning.�

The man�s eyes never left Lae, even though he was clearly speaking to the brown-eyed woman. �Not when I�m supposed to meet with Tseng or Shachou, you don�t.�

�Good point,� the woman conceded with a nod before turning her attention back to Lae. �Come on; the car�s waiting out front.� The woman turned, exposing a short barrel shotgun in a holster on her back.

The man took a step back as though to allow Lae room to exit, and continued to watch him, clearly expecting him to follow the shotgun-wielding woman. Neither seemed to care whether the redhead was ready to follow them to not, and Lae had the feeling that asking them to wait was not a wise idea.

He green-eyed man quickly grabbed his coat and left, patting his pockets to make sure cigarettes, keys, knife, and other small items were where they belonged as he followed the blonde Turk. He heard the man fall into step behind him and feeling very trapped. He had to remind himself continuously that he had done nothing yet to anger these people as they headed to the car. He still could not help but feel as though he were being arrested for something.

Without breaking stride, the woman opened the back door of the car and stepped aside, clearly intending for Lae to take the indicated seat. Once he did, the man closed the door and started walking around the car while the woman opened the front door. In a fluid motion almost too quick for Lae to follow, she pulled the gun from its holder and turned it to fit into another one that built into the car. The redhead was slightly startled when the other Turk slid into the seat beside him. As both Turks closed their respective door behind them, the green-eyed man finally noticed the driver.

Between the suit and the way the man carried himself, it was clear he was Turk as well, and had been for a long time. The man had jet-black hair, fair skin, light eyes, and was older than the others were by at least a few years. His shiny, well-kept hair and the graceful way he moved as he handled the controls of the vehicle gave him a regal air, while the intelligent eyes hidden behind stylish glasses told Lae there was definitely a strong mind working behind them. A scar marred the side of an otherwise handsome face, and the redhead immediately believed that this man was much more than met the eye. A long, thin sword rested in a sheath beside the man.

Lae cleared his throat, �So, are you Tseng?� Whether that was wrong, or just wrong to ask like that, Lae wasn�t sure, but the immediate reactions of the other two Turks told him that something was wrong in that question. He heard the brunette beside him scoff quietly and saw the woman roll her eyes through the passenger side mirror.

The raven-haired man simply flicked his eyes to the rear view mirror, as though to make sure Lae were speaking to him before answering simply. �No; we�re taking you to the boss.�

�Oh,� the redhead scratched the back of his neck, fighting a very strong urge to light a cigarette. �So, who are you then?�

�Why don�t we save the introductions?� answered the brunette beside Lae. �If you do manage to reconcile things with your little bro, then you�ll be seeing plenty of us. If not, then there�s simply no point. If anything, we�d just have to silence you if we gave you our real names.�

�And might I add,� stated the woman, �That you�ll want to show a little more respect when you are, in fact, talking to Tseng. He�s a generally calm man and he always thinks things through, but he�s also very stern and he has a temper that you do not want to experience first hand for as long as you can avoid doing so.� She turned her head to glance at the redhead sitting behind her. �In your case, that probably won�t take too long anyway.�

�Now, now,� interrupted the bespectacled man, �There is no reason to assume that this is going to go poorly. I�m sure the boss already has a plan in mind for our new acquaintance here. He hasn�t had any�notable slips in temperament for a good while now. I�m sure Reno has helped in that respect.�

�Yeah, but the boss likes all his Chocobos in a row,� stated the rod wielding Turk. �This guy here poses a big threat to our little firebird, which could disrupt the whole damn pecking order. The boss isn�t going to like that.�

�He has a point,� the blonde woman commented thoughtfully. �Being Reno�s brother is actually a big mark against Tseng giving him any slack.�

�True,� conceded the raven-haired man with a slight nod. He glanced at Lae through the rear view mirror again. �There is one thing in particular that you should keep in mind. You will be seeing the president today�with Tseng.�

The redhead feel this stomach tighten and another wave of nicotine cravings struck him as the man sitting next to him released a low whistle at that comment. �What do you mean by that? I know better than to clash heads with a Shinra. Hell, the average eight year old does.�

�Yeah but,� the man sitting beside Lae paused and shook his head slightly; �In this case, it isn�t just President Shinra you need to worry about. Tseng does not fool around when it comes to Shachou. Moreover, he is an unforgiving as they come to anyone who threatens him�in any way, shape, or form. Between the two of them, you�ll have no room for error or digression.�

The car pulled into a closed lot before a high security building. The raven-haired man spoke as the others exited the car, �Be sure to keep your own temper in check and answer all questions truthfully, even if you think the truth will get you killed, because a lie most certainly will.�

�Oh, and one more thing,� added the blonde woman in a helpful tone as each of the Turks adjusted their weapons. �None of us know the full story, but as far as we�re concerned, from the moment you left Reno, you lost all claims to him. Now, he�s ours, and if you damage what�s ours in any way, they won�t find the body, I promise you.�

Two firm hands turned Lae by his shoulders before he could fully process the threat, and the next thing he knew, he was following the raven-haired man down a series of brightly lit corridors with the brunette beside him and the blonde following.

Being surrounded by Turks seemed to allow the green-eyed man to bypass security on the first few floors, but after that, he was required to go through a checkpoint with a metal detector, some sort of x ray device, a machine that took his thumbprint and checked his records, and at least a dozen guards. One such guard detained his knife, lighter, and the cardkey to his hotel room. He emotionlessly told him that he could pick them up on his way out. From there, they took an elevator to the top floor and Lae felt even more uncertain when he saw that this floor required additional identification to access.

The green-eyed man was briefly relieved to see that the top floor lacked the usual guards at either side of the elevator entrance, until he realise that they were likely not needed�each of the few ShinRa employees he could see were wearing the trademark suit of Turk. Throughout the short time it took to reach a plain, if expensive, office door, Lae felt as though his stomach was trying to escape his body. The two Turks that had first arrived at his hotel door moved to stand on either side of said door, and the raven-haired man knocked once.

After a deep voice granted entrance, the bespectacled man opened the door and stood aside for the redhead to enter alone.

Lae followed the silent order and entered the room, stopping immediately to glance behind him as he heard the door close. He swallowed thickly and turned to face a man sitting at a large desk�a tall Wutain man with a broad chest and shoulders, fair skin, and dark, piercing eyes. Half of his clean, mid-length black hair was tied back and he had a small tattoo on his forehead, just a tiny circle, covering his third eye. His body language, even while sitting, spoke of regality and hidden strength, and when he spoke, Lae noticed that his voice was surprisingly deep.

�Hello, Lae.�

Only one thought passed through the redhead�s mind at that moment: I�m fucked.

�Believe it or not,� the raven-haired man continued as though Lae were not standing stock-still and gaping like a fish, �I�m actually very pleased that you have turned up. I dislike loose ends in any circumstances, let alone one that causes one of my best and brightest so much distress.�

Something in the man�s voice hardened at the last part of the statement, and Lae�s previous thought intensified tenfold.

The Turk remained completely undaunted by the lack of response. �Rude tells me that you wanted to meet with me before you were aware that President Shinra wanted an audience with you. What is it you wished to speak to me about?�

The reminder of his hopes in integrating himself into his little brother�s life once again, and the subsequent memory that he had limited time to do so, caused Lae�s determination to return. He straightened and stepped forward, taking a seat when Tseng inclined his head towards a chair before his desk. Deciding that details were not necessary, Lae jumped to the point. �I want to join Turk.�

The man nodded once, clearly having expected that response, and folded his hands over his desk. �Why would you think that Turk wants you?�

The redhead smirked, �You haven�t seen what I can do.�

�Oh, but I know what you can do,� replied the Wutain man, with no clear emotion in his tone.

�You can leave a minor in your charge to fend for himself on the streets. You can disregard everything you were taught and expected of in order to live a selfish life of excitement and avarice. You can assault, rape, and steal from your neighbours and even burn everything that they�ve worked hard for to the ground. You can betray, deceive, and murder your so-called comrades. You can take any number of addictive stimulants to avoid facing the pain you have caused others. You can shoulder the guilt and do it all over again. Then, when it all finally becomes too much, something better comes along, or it just doesn�t fit your personal interests anymore, you can leave those you claimed to be devoted to in a heartbeat�and in some cases, you can even take actions to tear their entire organisation to the ground.�

The green-eyed man could only stare for a brief moment, the smirk having long vanished from his face. �Where- I- �How do you know all of that? Does- I didn�t think-�

�Reno doesn�t know as much, yet, if that�s where you�re going with those ramblings,� interrupted the raven-haired man. �As for your first question, did you really think that I wouldn�t have learned about you? I expected you to know how thorough I can be, especially after you�d spoken to Grey, Marley, and all those others. How is the old woman, by the way? I�m afraid I haven�t spoken to her in some time. Reno�s quite fond of her, you know�he even sends her Gil every month.�

�Is there anything you don�t know?�

�Of course; no man can know everything�although I wouldn�t bank on that when dealing with Shachou. Speaking of whom,� Tseng checked his watch as he gracefully stood and picked up a thick file from his desk, �We really shouldn�t keep him waiting. Follow me.�

Lae stood without an argument and followed the Turk out of his office and down the hall, where they had to wait for an elevator. Once they boarded it, and Tseng entered an identification code and thumbprint that were required to travel to this floor as well, the redhead found his voice again.

�So�that was a definite �no� on the Turk thing, right?�

�Yes, that was a definite �no�.� Dark eyes glanced at the redhead, �I suppose Reno gets his sharp wits from his father�s side then�I�ve always wondered if that were the case.�

The green-eyed man frowned and turned to look at the Turk, but decided not to ask why or how the man knew about his and his brother�s paternity. �No chance of proving myself or talking to someone else about it?�

The raven-haired man responded evenly, without bothering to turn his head to face the other man. �I have the final word on all such decisions in my department. Nevertheless, I took the liberty of speaking to my second in command about this, and he concurs with my reasoning. The other executives do not care for anything outside of their respective departments, nor do they hold any authority in my department. Only the president and vice president rank above me in the company, and I can assure you, they feel the same as I do, so you have no chance of going over my head in this. You will not be joining Turk�however; there may still be a place for you elsewhere in the company, depending on how Shachou chooses to handle this situation.�

The elevator doors opened at the second floor to the top, and Lae noticed that there were many more guards on this floor, more than even the lower levels he had seen earlier had. �Huh, I would have expected the president to have the top floor.�

�Everyone does,� commented Tseng, �Which is why I suggested we switch floors after the building was completed. All official records and even the floor guide in the lobby still have it listed the other way, with Turk being on this floor and the president�s offices on top. Naturally, you�re expected to keep this information to yourself.�

Lae nodded, �I planned to; �figure Reno wouldn�t like me selling out his boss anyway. That�s pretty smart though�I almost feel bad for anyone who tried to get at the president through the roof or something.�

The raven-haired man offered a slight nod of agreement as he led them into a large outer office with several desks organised in the centre and a few guards longing around by the walls. A few of the people, whom Lae assumed were secretaries of some sort, offered Tseng nods or smiles in greeting, clearly used to his presence. Others eyed Lae curiously and even distrustfully, clearly wondering why Tseng would be bringing him there.

�They�re inter-company attachés of a sort,� explained the Wutain man easily as he led Lae through the large room, to a short hall in the back. �They don�t interfere or effect any decisions; they merely stay on top of their respective departments and ensure that Shachou has all of the latest developments, proposals, and research available to him. Shachou likes to stay on top of things.�

They entered the short hall, Lae noted that there was a door on each side, one was marked Security Only thee other remained blank, as did the one Tseng approached at the end of the hallway. The raven-haired man ignored the armed guards on either side of the door as he entered a code into a touch-pad, followed by his fingerprint. He finally acknowledged the guards to return their polite nods as the door opened.

Instead of entering an office, the pair entered a small, undecorated vestibule. Opposite the door they had come through was a heavy, white door, which was guarded by a single Turk. The man was large, with brown hair and bright eyes. Lae was immediately reminded of someone he could not name -a quiet man with immense strength- and shook off the feeling that there should be a smaller man beside him.

�Lae, is there a problem?�

Green eyes blinked and turned to look at Tseng, who was watching him closely but expressionlessly. The redhead realised he must have been staring at the other Turk for longer than he had been aware. �Yeah, I mean no; I�m fine.�

The two Turks exchanged a quick glance, before the large man spoke, �He doesn�t cover as well as Reno.�

�Indeed,� agreed the raven-haired man before motioning for Lae to follow as he turned to the next door. The Turk opened the door and entered the president�s office with a level of respectful comfort that only one who had done so before numerous times could. Lae�s shoulders were notably tense and his eyes were weary and alert as he followed the dark-eyed man.

The office was large, but not excessively so, and nearly everything in it was white, with some black items to break up the room enough to look stylised. The only colour came from the large windows at the other end of the room and a framed print of the ShinRa logo hanging on both of the sidewalls. It took a moment for Lae to make out the president, as the windows behind his large desk silhouetted him in bright light and it took a while to adjust his eyes.

Finally, he could make out the blonde man, who was even wearing a white and black suit. He was sitting at his desk, looking elegant yet relaxed with his legs crossed and a phone pressed against his ear. �Thank you, I�ll keep that in mind. They�re here now. Yes, good-bye.�

Rufus Shinra looked up at his guests once he hung up the phone, �Thank you for coming.� He motioned to a chair that was set across from him at his desk, �Sit down.�

As Lae stiffly followed the command, Tseng walked around the desk to flank the president, but remained a couple feet back, as though making it clear that Lae was talking to the blonde man only. The raven-haired man�s face hardened even further as he watched the redhead from the president�s side, and Lae vaguely wondered what sort of idiot would try something in his position.

The president turned to speak to Tseng first, acting as though the other man were not even in the room. �That was your second in command on the phone, Tseng. The possible concern we discussed earlier has been eradicated, with no casualties.� The president smirked slightly, �He was more concerned about what was happening here�wanted to offer his support; as if I would ever need reminding that I have it.�

�Sometimes a reminder is comforting, sir,� commented the Wutain man so softly that Lae almost did not catch it.

While the president made some sort of silent response, the redhead turned his attention to the man�s desk. It was clean and well organised, with two framed photographs adorning it. They were angled for the president to see while working, which made it hard for Lae to identify them. He could tell that one looked like a professional family portrait, and all the blonde hair and white clothing made him guess it was the Shinra family. The other seemed of slightly lower quality and showed a few people in suits. The amount of white and a small shock of red indicated that one person was President Shinra and another was Reno.

Before Lae could wonder about this for long, the blonde man spoke again. �The resemblance between you and Reno isn�t as profound up close. If it were not for that hair and the general look of dishevelment, one might overlook it. Is that a residual instinct to blend into your surroundings from your childhood, or did Reno simply pick up that trait from you?�

The redhead blinked and then looked down at himself, realising that between his haste that morning and the fact that he ha thrown on his clothes from the previous day, he looked even more unkempt than his little brother seemed to. �Uh, I have no idea why Reno looks like that�I usually look more together than this but it was sort of a long night.�

�Yes, Tseng mentioned something about that.� Despite the president�s offhanded tone, Lae suspected that both of he other men in the room knew every word he had told the bald man the previous evening. From what he had seen so far, he knew their intelligence system went beyond what anyone guessed. �Between Rude�s little interview last night and Tseng�s arrangements this morning, I�m guessing you already have some idea as to why I asked you here.�

�If they�re anything to go by, then you want to try to warn me off my little brother.� The green-eyed man frowned, �The part I don�t understand is why.�

�You haven�t figured out by now that we know what you have done, where you have been, what you have been?� The blonde man looked completely unmoved, �If that�s so, then I�m disappointed.�

�Oh, I�ve already figured out that you two, at least, somehow know a lot more than anyone on this world should,� commented the redhead. �Honestly, I don�t care how you know at this point. I can understand why Baldy might feel the need to scare me a little, and maybe even Dot Head there would, but why would the president of the most powerful company in the world care so much about what happens to one of his guard dogs?�

In an instant, both of the other men�s faces, which were unfriendly to begin with, hardened and Lae could have sworn the temperature of the room dropped several degrees. He wished he were capable of following the other Turks� advice�

�Sir?� Tseng�s voice was tight but controlled; clearly, he and his boss knew each other well because it seemed that he had no need to say more.

The president shook his head minutely, his cold eyes remained fixed on the redhead sitting across his vast desk. Tseng nodded once and kept his gaze fixed on Lae as well.

Then, the president spoke, and his tone make his glacier-like glare seem warm by comparison. �I am aware that you have been disassociated with this world -and your brother- for quite some time. However, do not mistake that understanding for acceptance or empathy, as I have none. If you want to pass this assessment, which I can assure you, you do, then I suggest you start showing the proper respect for my men.

�You also need to realise that claim includes Reno. They are far more than simple guard dogs, but you are right in thinking that I can sic any number of them on you if I decide to eliminate you�assuming I don�t feel like doing it myself.�

Green eyes flickered to the man flanking the president. Tseng�s hands were fisted and his jaw seemed tight as he met the redhead�s gaze, however, he appeared calm otherwise, as though this were a regular day at the office to him.

Lae swallowed, wishing the guards had not claimed his lighter�he could really use a cigarette. �What do you mean �assessment�? What am I being assessed for? Dot-er, Tseng there already said Turk was out of the question and he really gave the impression that I wasn�t wanted here.�

�Oh, I certainly want here,� commented the president smoothly, �As long as you�re alive anyway. I would like to keep an eye on you. Since you insist that you want to reconcile with Reno, so this is actually the best place for you. However, Tseng is correct in stating that Turk is out of the question. His word really is final there, and even if he were willing to consider you, which he isn�t, I would have to send to him to one of the company shrinks before I let him hire you.

�Your past with Reno makes you a liability, and aside from that, there isn�t any room in Turk for mutineers or addicts. The job is demanding. We cannot afford for any one of them to be inebriated or going through withdrawals while on assignment. Look at you, you can�t even get through this conversation without your nicotine craving getting the better of you.�

Rufus paused for a moment as Lae shifted in his seat and tried to stop his hands from shaking. The redhead honestly could not say if it was his addiction, or simply the other men in the room that were causing it. He could definitely say that it was Tseng and Rufus causing his heart rate to pick up.

�However, I�m sure Tseng already covered that,� the blonde man offered a slight smile that did not reach his eyes. �I�m sure he also told you that I am willing to place you elsewhere in my company. That all depends however, on you, and how you pass this assessment� Now, tell me about this voice that coincidentally told you to seek out your baby brother yet, according to you, has nothing to do with why you actually did.�

The green-eyed man took a deep breath and slowly released it, opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it and frowned. �Wait�Bal- Rude told you about the voice?� The president nodded once. �Then you know that I lost my heart and got it back�� Another nod followed this statement. ��But you�re asking me about this instead? I don�t get it. Why would-?�

�The only thing you need to �get� right now,� the president interjected, �Is that I am going to have Tseng break your neck if you don�t stop wasting time and start telling me what I want to know. Now, you were not able to give Rude a satisfactory explanation for how Reno is meant to complete this new heart of yours.�

�There isn�t one,� Lae admitted, letting some of his frustration with that fact show, �At least, not that I can understand. I don�t even know what that voice was, but it said that my heart had been returned as a reward for learning to care again or something like that. Then, it told me that my heart was only able to stay alive or whatever because Reno kept it alive in his heart. It said that my heart isn�t whole yet, and in order to make it whole, I have to find Reno and fix him before it�s too late.�

Tseng�s brows furrowed slightly and President Shinra frowned outright. �Fix him? Can you elaborate?�

The redhead sighed, �It said that something in his heart got broken by my�unfulfilled promise? ...Something among those lines. I have to fix that for my heart to be whole, but if his heart gives up on me beforehand, my heart is gone.�

The Turk and the president shared a look; one that Lae knew spoke volumes although he could not decipher a single word from it.

There was something in the blonde man�s eyes when he returned his gaze to him that confused Lae. He would not say that they had softened, but there was something less cold to them, as though he were thinking of something that warmed his core. The blue-eyed man still looked hard enough to not risk angering him though, so the green-eyed man made no comment, but he could not help but feel that he had seen those eyes somewhere before.

Surprisingly, the next person to speak was Tseng. �You can�t fix him, Lae. No one could, not alone anyway. Together, however, I believe we already have. He�s learned to trust again. It was difficult to earn that at first, after-�

�After you broke his heart,� Rufus interjected. His eyes were cold again. �That is what this voice was suggesting, wasn�t it? I�m inclined to believed that Tseng is correct. I believe that in trying to fix Reno, you will repair the damage to your own heart, not his.�

�However,� Tseng paused as though to make sure the blonde man did not mind him adding to his statement before continuing, �It will not work if you are only trying to aid yourself through him.�

The president nodded, �I suggest you think about your reasons for doing this thoroughly before you take any actions that might prove regrettable�for yourself as well. I do not intend to give you the opportunity to break our little brother�s heart again.�

Lae struggled to reign in his temper, knowing that snapping at Shinra was a very bad idea. As he struggled to remain calm, reminding himself that Rufus or Tseng referring to Reno as their little brother was likely not meant as an affront against him. However, as he finally managed to calm himself, he realised that he had probably misinterpreted that comment all together.

Anger quickly gave way to confusion. From what the redhead had heard of the president since returning, and what he had seen firsthand of the man over the past several moments, he did not figure the man to be the sort to call someone �brother� as a simple term of endearment. In fact, it seemed foolish for a man in his position to do, especially with someone he was clearly determined to keep safe.

Green eyes, still clearly laced with confusion, studied the blonde man for a moment as his mind tried to simultaneously accept and deny the obvious conclusion.

The blue eyes across from him were tinted with amusement, and one corner of a fine mouth was tilting upwards, despite the otherwise hard and ready appearance of the man�s face. A face with fine features that managed to be as beautiful as possible while still maintaining a clear masculinity. A fair-skinned face with just the slightest dusting of freckles, almost invisible to the eye unless one was looking for them�

A face that Lae suddenly found very familiar with the clear �I know something you don�t� look of amusement gracing its not-quite-delicate features.

�No,� The redhead shook his head slowly, speaking softly, as though speaking to himself. �No way�that�s just not- Why the fuck wouldn�t Ma have said something?�

�My guess would be because she was intelligent,� commented Rufus calmly, sounding and appearing much more serious. �My old man had not fathered any bastards since I was born; there was no way to guess how my parents would have reacted. Considering how the other bastard I know of met his end, I�m certain that keeping Reno a dirty little secret saved him from a horrible fate.�

There was a hint of sadness to the president�s eyes that made Lae wonder just who the president thought would be responsible for the fate it seemed his little brother had narrowly avoided, however, there were far more pressing matters on his mind to bother voicing that thought yet. �So�Reno is your�you�re little brother? Or half-brother, technically?�

�Yes,� Rufus� voice hardened as if in challenge, �Just as he is your half-brother. You share a mother, and we share a father.�

The green-eyed man took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. �Okay�how long have you known about this? Does Reno know?�

�I really don�t feel the need to answer any of your questions,� the blonde man replied calmly. �I am not attempting to form any sort of bond or understanding between us. I merely want you to understand just where Reno stands with me, so you will in turn understand just how far I will go to protect him if you turn out to be a negative influence on his life. He is my little brother. You may have been willing to part with him, but I am not.�

�Of course Reno knows,� Rufus added thoughtfully, sitting back casually now. Lae had the distinct impression that the man had already gained whatever information he wanted and had likely even decided how he was going to handle him. �Only a few others do as well and I must insist that you keep this information to yourself. Do not tell any others and do not discuss it with Reno or anyone else who knows where others might overhear. Failure to do so will result in Tseng here having to take actions against you and anyone else who might have gained the information due to your indiscretion.�

Lae scowled, �What would killing anyone that I might tell this to accomp- Oh. �Fuck. If any of the little ShinRa resistance groups that pop up from time to time found out about him��

�They would likely kill him, yes.� Tseng finished Lae�s unfinished statement gravely. �That is why we must keep his paternity a secret at all costs; to protect him and Shachou as well.�

�Well I don�t really care about the president- no offence-� The redhead held up his hands pleadingly when Tseng�s eyes hardened, �But I don�t want Reno to suffer any more than he probably has already, so don�t worry. I�m not going to say anything about this to anyone.�

Rufus simply nodded coolly, however, the raven-haired Turk behind him frowned at Lae as though eh were expectedly disappointed. �Whether you cheese to believe me or not,� he began in a tone that chilled the redhead almost as much as the president�s voice did, �Reno cares for his brothers�he does so whether it is deserved or not. He has grown attached to Rufus in your absence. If anything were to happen to Shachou, that alone would cause Reno great suffering.�

The green-eyed man frowned thoughtfully. While he would like to think the Turk was just assuming or lying to protect his president, he could tell that the man also had some attachment to Reno, and could very well know him better than either of his brothers did. The thought that Reno had had a big brother while he was gone was both a comfort and a source of irritation. His shoulders slumped slightly as he decided that it was probably his own fault.

Rufus and Tseng shared another quick and meaningful glance, before the president offered a slight nod and the Turk removed a file from his desk before walking around to Lae and holding it out.

The redhead blinked stupidly and then took the proffered file. He watched Tseng return to his place by the president and then glanced at the file in his hands before looking at the blonde man once again. �What�s this?�

�Both Tseng and I have mentioned that there might be a place for you elsewhere in the company,� explained Rufus, sounding as though he were speaking to someone he considered slow. �I want you somewhere where we can keep an eye on you until I am satisfied that your intentions aren�t going to lead Reno to harm. I know you don�t mean to hurt right now, but you didn�t intend to before either, and you didn�t have a voice telling you what to do.�

The green-eyed man frowned and held up the file, �So this is�?�

�The only department you seem qualified to work in is the Urban Development Department. It�s run by a man named Reeve Teusti,� the blonde man smiled slightly, �I think you�ll get along well enough. That file tells you what you need to know about Shinra -who the executives are, where everything is- and contains some forms you�ll need to fill out for our records and to receive your clearance badge.�

�I also threw in a city map,� added Tseng as he moved forward yet again, this time standing beside Lae. �The world, as well as this company, has changed much since you left it.�

The president nodded, �Good thinking, Tseng. Thank you.� He returned his attention to the redhead. �It�s a low position, mainly running information for Reeve; he likes to spend more hands on time with his projects these days, which means he isn�t in his office as much. He�ll fill you in on the details or assign someone else in his department to do so. Tseng will take you downstairs, where someone is waiting to escort you to Reeve�s office.�

Lae remained for a moment as he processed everything he had just been told, until Rufus arched an eyebrow. �Unless you�d rather join the army, or find your own work elsewhere?�

Looking from the president to the Turk standing beside him, the redhead belatedly recognised the dismissal. He stood, unsure of how to respond to the president or the situation in general. �No, I�ll take the job. I�d say thanks, but I know it isn�t me you�re doing this for.�

�Good;� the president offered a pleased nod. �I trust you also understand why I called you here?�

�Uh, yeah�you and your men aren�t exactly subtle,� commented the redhead dryly. �If I mess up with Reno, either you, Baldy, or most likely Tseng here is going to make sure I never have the chance to do it again�assuming Reno even gives me the chance to hurt him this time.�

�Very good; perhaps you aren�t a lost cause after all.� Rufus returned his attention to some paperwork on his desk, clearly finished with the redhead. �I�ll let you go to your orientation now.�

The green-eyed man stood hazily when he felt Tseng�s hand on his shoulder, and then he allowed the Turk to steer him out of the office. He stepped aside once the older man released his shoulder in the vestibule as he acknowledged his associate, and then walked ahead, leaving Lae to follow. Both remained silent as they passed the left the president�s outer offices.

Lae looked over the Wutain man as they walked down the hall to the elevator. There was no indication of it, but he was sure the man was aware of his every glance and movement. �Can I ask you something?�

�Of course,� replied Tseng smoothly, without slowing his pace. �However, I make no promises to answer.�

The redhead rolled his eyes, �Fine. Look, while you seem devoted to the president and your men and all, I got the impression back there that you�d actually enjoy snapping my neck if I make a wrong move toward Reno. Now, I get why the president and ol� tall, dark, and deadly would feel like that, but not you.�

�I�m afraid I don�t see the question,� the raven-haired man calmly stated after a brief pause, as though he had expected Lae to say more. He pressed the button to call for the elevator while he waited for the other man to rephrase his query.

The redhead frowned as the elevator arrived, and stepped in after Tseng. Finally, Lae asked his question, deciding to be as direct as possible so the Turk could not feign ignorance this time. �Are you another Shinra bastard or are you hoping to get the chance to press Reno into a mattress or what?�

�Only two �Shinra bastards�, as you call them, exist and I am certainly not one of them.� The Turk replied, his tone telling Lae that he needed to choose his words with a little more caution in the future...especially when broaching any subject relating to ShinRa, Turk, or Reno, �And I have no interests in taking Reno as a lover.�

Lae crossed his arms over his chest and stood at his full height, even though he knew the Turk would not feel intimidated in the least�it made Lae feel less likely to be crushed at any rate. �Then what? What is Reno to you? I know you�re the one who torched Hyde, too. There can�t be two creepy Wutain Turks with a stupid dot on their forehead. What I don�t get is why Reno�s so important to you.�

The green-eyed man suspected that the Turk was not going to respond. What he did not expect, was for the leader of the Turks to press the elevator�s stop button casually, successfully trapping them in the small enclosure.

Without any change in his posture or expression, Tseng started speaking, still looking forward as though he were merely waiting for the elevator to reach his desired floor. �Reno is my subordinate, second in command, and eventual successor. It was my predecessor and, ultimately, Shachou who permitted Reno to be accepted into Turk so young, but even without Shachou�s interest in the boy, I would have taken my own.�

The raven-haired man�s hands fisted gently at his sides as he spoke, and the redhead vaguely wondered about the conditions in which he had found his brother. �I found Reno, cleaned him up, healed him as well as I could, and trained him myself�I suppose one could argue that I cleaned up the mess you left behind. I am not normally so hands on in the development of an individual Turk, but something in Reno called to me. In fact, when I took him away from that hell you left him in, I did not believe that he would be able to join Turk for a couple more years. I was fully prepared to take responsibility for him during that time.�

�I do not expect one such as you to fully understand this; but I do not need to be bound to someone by blood or sex in order to love them.� Dark eyes glanced at the redhead, and suddenly, Lae understood why Grey had described those eyes the way he had. �Despite popular belief, most members of Turk do not actually enjoy killing. Usually, when we do kill, it is simply out of duty or defence. However, if you do give Mr Shinra any excuse to give me such an order, I will enjoy disposing of you.�

Tseng looked forward again and pressed the button to start the elevator once more before adding, �You had just better hope I come alone if such a time comes; you won�t die as easily as Mr Hyde did if Rude is involved.�

The remainder of the trip down was deathly silent.

Lae�s mind was overloaded as he stepped out of the elevator. He had never considered that other people might be so attached to Reno, or that there would be so many obstacles in earning the youth�s trust. He felt stunned, as he supposed one whom the leader of Turk and President Shinra had just threatened should.

�I have work to attend to back in my office,� commented Tseng as he held the button to keep the elevator door open. �So I�ll leave you here with your new co-worker. Good day.�

The doors closed and the redhead blinked on confusion before glancing at the guards on either side of the door. Then, he heard an amused chuckle behind him and turned around.

A young woman with a ShinRa Urban Development Department ID on a lanyard around her neck was standing there, watching Lae with a knowing expression. �Welcome to ShinRa.�
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Lae to Waste