Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Beneath the Stars that Fall ❯ Beneath the Stars that Fall ( Chapter 1 )

Beneath the Stars that Fall
by Fat Cat Buyo
A Christmas Fanfic for mah Twinchan Azumi/Jess -luff-
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Meteor was destroyed and the Planet was once again, a peaceful place to be. The Weapons had been destroyed, thanks to AVALANCHE and Cloud Strife, and Sephiroth was gone. Shinra was no more, and the Turks split up. And who knew what became of Cloud Strife and his friends.

Only they did.

Reno took to wandering, searching for a place to settle down. He also found a nice car, as to avoid the random battles when traveling across the planet.

Reno and Rude had left Midgar soon after the event with Diamond Weapon and the Sister Ray. They wandered, and then Rude found some “calling” (as Reno put it) and decided to pursue it. Leaving Reno with only a number, he took off and wasn’t seen since.

Reno shook his head and continued to drive on, rain pouring down as the windshield wipers pushed the rain off so he could see. The heavy downpour of rain was a calming, soothing sound to the ex-Turk, but the engine of the car almost drove him off the wall. Stopping the car, he sighed and turned the engine off, just listening to the pouring rain. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, but his moment of Utopia was shattered by the ringing of his PHS. Picking it up, he answered with a quick and angry, “Hello?”

“Reno?” The voice on the other like cackled and a howling could be heard in the background. “Where are you?” Reno couldn’t place the voice.

“Wandering. How the hell am I supposed to know.” He answered as if he knew who he was speaking to. Shrugging a bit, he looked at the PHS and accessed the digital map. An arrow pointed to a place near Rocket Town. “Rocket Town.... I guess.”

“Good, good. Listen, I need to talk to you again. Meet me at the Icicle Inn by sunset tomorrow.” The voice said.

“But...”

“Board the nearest boat and then take another car up there. See you tomorrow.” The other person hung up, leaving Reno to a dial tone. Shaking his head, he hung up and continued to listen to the rain fall. Locking the car doors, he fell asleep like this.

The next morning, there was only a light drizzle. The sky over the area was overcast and Reno could barely see out of the window. Turning the engine back on, the windshield wipers began their duty and the pathway was clear. After stopping at Rocket Town for directions, the ex-Turk had made it to the harbor. The captain told him that there was no room left on the boat, though Reno could see the heavy waves crashing in and knew that that wasn’t the case. Looking down, he overlooked his uniform. It was much like the Turk uniform, only black. Black never really suited him. He always thought that the blue uniform suited him better, but people began to stare at him and hiss at him in disgust. Slightly angry, he had to drive an extra fifteen minutes to get to another destination. An old man whom Reno had done many favours for always told him that if he needed a chopper, he was the guy. The former Turk always cocked a brow and turned down the senile man’s offers, afraid of stepping into a helicopter piloted by the eighty-year old war veteran. But he had nothing to lose now. He no longer had anything in his life except for the voice over the PHS. And curiosity got the better of him. The man helped him happily, and in no time, they landed somewhere near the snowy village.

The old man left with these parting words: “Rent a car, you’ll need it to get back.” He nodded and waved and was off again. Reno sighed and renting an automobile, but before he paid for it, he made sure that it was silent, and in no time, he was at his destination.

Children and adults bustled around the small village atop the snowy mountain. The Icicle Inn stood nearest to him, but he didn’t care at the moment. He had time to kill. Children rode down small hills on sleds and adults talked amongst themselves. Deciding to get some weapons and items, he entered one store. Purchasing two shotguns, he put them in the holster beneath his black jacket and purchased some megalixers for a high price indeed.

‘I wish I had warm clothes for this...’ He thought as his teeth chattered. Walking into the icicle in, he stepped up to the Inn Keeper. “Room for one.” He said.

“Name please?”

“Reno.” He replied, shortly.

“Ah, Mr. Reno... there’s already a room reserved and paid for you. Here’s your key.” The Inn Keeper handed a key to Reno, who took it hesitantly. Going up the stairs, he turned the key in the look and opened the door cautiously, one of the shotguns in hand. There was nothing in there but two beds and a warm jacket. Reno prodded the jacket with the barrel of the gun until he was sure if was safe.

“All this caution and stress is going to kill me one day....” Reno laid down on one of the beds and nodded off, making sure to lock some locks that were unlockable from the outside. ‘Just in case,’ he had told himself.

When he awoke, what little of the sun that had shown that day was gone completely and the skies were dark and cloudy. Snow fell lightly outside and Reno sat on his bed. ‘Sunset has passed..’ He thought, as he got up and left the room, not even bothering to lock the door behind him. It wasn’t his room, and none of his possessions were there, so he didn’t even bother.

Taking a booth near a window, he gazed at the falling flakes of snow silently, his chin propped up by his hand and a drink in the other hand. From time to time, he would take a sip. His thoughts were of nothing but the falling snow. Soon, a cloaked figure slid into the seat across from him. Reno slowly turned his head, trying to pierce through the dark hood.

“Good evening.” The man said, in a deep voice.

“Yes?” The ex-Turk sounded uninterested in whatever the man had to say. The man smiled (all he could see was his lips) and slid a piece of paper across the table before leaving. Reno eyed the letter and opened it.

“Reno,” It started. “It looks like your nap made you miss me. I need to talk to you, so meet me at Nibelhiem at the old Shinra mansion.” Reno didn’t want anything to do wit Shinra at this point of his life. Rufus was dead and Shinra was gone. Running a hand through his bangs, he stood up and paid for his drink before returning the room, cursing inaudibly under his breath.

The next morning, he left the Inn and took the car, taking the mountain trail to get down to Nibelhiem faster. ‘This is getting annoying already.’ Reno growled to himself, being an extremely impatient man. Upon reaching Nibelhiem, he regrouped himself in the car by taking things and smashing them against the wall. Entering the mansion, he looked around.

‘This place gives me the creeps.’ He shivered, stepping further in the cold, damp mansion. A hooded figure stepped out holding a letter. Reno almost killed the man on the spot, but instead ripped the letter from his hands and opened it up.

“I got tired of waiting,” It started. Reno felt his anger rising. “I’ll be at Costa Del Sol on the beach if you need me. This place is too cold.” The hand writing was loopy and almost hard to read. Ripping the paper into shreds, Reno stormed out and got back into the car, making for Costa Del Sol.

Not there either. The next note read, “Reno honey, you have to be quicker than that.” And then told him to meet him at Wutai. Then the destroyed Mideel. And then Rocket Town, Midgar, Kalm, the Chocobo Ranch, the mountains and then Junon.

Reno walked slowly through the streets of Junon. This place brought back such evil memories. “Meet me in the SOILDER locker room.” Reno knew that place, somewhat, but he had never bothered to visit it. And he was extremely pissed off to find no one in the locker room. He sat down and ignored the musty smell of sweat and old clothing, his eyes burning holes through the door. Finally, someone entered, cloaked.

“Finally!” He threw up his arms. The person just watched him, their face not visible to Reno’s eyes. “Let me guess.” He said, laughed. “You have a note for me?”

“Not this time, Reno.” An all-too-familiar voice spoke. Reno’s eyebrows furrowed as he watched the man pull his hood off. Rude.

“Rude?! It was YOU?!” Reno seethed.

“No.” The ex-Turk shook his head. “I was called up like you were, only my mission wasn’t to run around the Planet searching for the voice on the phone. He called me and asked me to help him, that’s all. After delivering this message, I can go back to where I was before.” Rude’s stoic face didn’t show expression and Reno couldn’t see his eyes behind the black glasses.

“Well, what’s the message?” Reno barked, his patience hanging by a thin thread.

“You will receive a call soon. The chase is over.” Rude bowed his head and left the room.

“Good to see you again.” Reno said, his voice softer.

“You too, Reno.” Rude said, not even looking back.

Reno sighed and watched his PHS, waiting for the call. But it didn’t come until later, when he was driving in his car. Noticing the familiar cities that he passed. When it rang, he picked up immediately.

“Yes?” He answered calmly, trying not to anger himself.

“Good. I see Rude had given his message.” The voice sounded clearer.

“Who is this?”

“You’ll find out.” He could almost hear the smirk in the voice. “Cosmo canyon. That’s your final destination. You should be close to there at the moment... well... you have to cross the planet to get there.” He chuckled and then there was a dial tone. Growling, Reno chucked the PHS onto the seat next to him and hit his head against the steering wheel as hard as he could.

“GOD DAMNIT!” He screamed, scaring some chocobos nearby.

After much traveling over the next day, he walked through the Canyon to get to Cosmo Canyon. The sun had long since set and Reno trudged toward the small little village. It was a quaint little place and he could see a large fire burning in the heart of the village. A large observatory hung over the village and Reno stopped just to look at it. Shaking himself back to reality, he climbed the steps to the village.

“State your name and business.” The guard said, stopping Reno in his tracks.

“Reno. Looking for someone.” He huffed. The man nodded and let him pass. Reno walked in, stuffing his hands in his pockets, looking around for anyone familiar. Obviously, he knew this person, but he didn’t know who.

Looking around, he walked toward the bonfire, recognizing two people off the bat. That creepy raven haired man and the cat from AVALANCHE. He sighed and sat down around it. The raven haired man watched him from his side of the fire and got up, and walked toward him.

“What are you doing here?” He hissed into Reno’s ear.

“I was invited,” He said, shortly.

The “cat” as Reno called him, pawed his way toward the two. “I invited him, Vincent, calm down.” Reno looked at the XIII on the side and remembered Hojo called him “Red XIII”. Looking at Red XIII, he had a confused look on his face.

“Wait... you called me?” He asked, extremely confused.

“No, someone else did, but they couldn’t make it tonight.” Reno sighed.

“I’m sick of this wild goose chase! WHO WAS IT?!” He shouted, earning the attention of everyone.

“Rufus Shinra,” The name caused many people to hiss and for Vincent to frown slightly. Red XIII shook his head, “Now just sit down.” He slinked back to his seat at the “head” of the bonfire and Vincent quickly took his place next to him. “Sit with us, Reno of the Turks.” He spoke, his voice strong, wise and with an older aire to it. Reno obeyed and sat down next to Vincent.

He couldn’t help but stare at the man. He was gorgeous. His long raven hair went down to his lower back, and his skin was pale. His eyes held a certain look to them, and their red colour was entrancing. They held within them the flickering flames of the bonfire, and such a thing drove Reno up the wall. He wanted to touch the man, whom he had only looked at from afar since he had met him.

Their meeting wasn’t pleasant one. The Turks were under the control of Shinra, who were the enemies of AVALANCHE. Reno shrugged, ‘Whatever. That’s the past,’ He thought, looking into the fire. Getting up, he walked toward the edge of the cliff, overlooking the canyon below. He turned his head to see Vincent watching him from afar. He sighed and sat down, dangling his feet off of the edge. He hummed, nonchalantly, and looked up at the night sky. Stars hung above him as if they were hung by strings. For a second, he longed the reach out and touch them. The sparkling lights in the sky that looked so perfect. He smiled slightly. The first time he had really smiled in a long, long time.

He heard the noise of boots hitting gravel and sighed wearily, not bothering to see who it was. If someone were to kill him right now, while he was looking at the stars, he wouldn’t care. His last moment would’ve been a happy one.

The footsteps stopped behind him, and Vincent’s deep voice graced Reno’s ears, “Nanaki offered you a seat next to him, yet you find it better to sit, all alone, in the cold?” His voice was cold, and stung slightly.

“I want to watch the stars. The smoke fogs my vision.” He whispered, not moving his gaze from the sky above. Just then, one shooting star dashed across the sky, followed by two others. More followed them and Reno couldn’t help but smile.

“A meteor rain...” Vincent whispered, sitting down next to Reno. It was the movement that Reno had least expected, but he didn’t care. Gasps from mothers and their children sounded from behind them, around the warm fire. Children giggled and one screamed slightly, but was immediately calmed by it’s mother.

“Such a site. Something that only happens so little.” Vincent spoke up, relaxing a bit. Reno nodded and yawned, leaning on Vincent. The older man tensed and then relaxed, as they both watched the rain of meteors that the Planet had given them as a gift that night.

----Owari-----

Merry Christmas to you all. Have a GREAT Christmas! Hope you all enjoy this day much more than I am, because I’m probably having the worst time of my life.

Much love, Buyo.