Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy VII: Awakening ❯ Turks At Turtle's Paradise (AKA Somethings Never Change) ( Chapter 35 )

Leira approached the Turtle's Paradise one more time. Reno and Rude were not outside. "Jeez, taking orders from Turks. I outrank them for crying out loud."

She noticed that there were no lights on the inside. It was a bar. "What kind of bar would close before midnight." She also wondered why no one had wanted to join her. She, of course, was expecting the "no" response from her uncle. To hear it from her new friends, and Reno himself, upset her immensely. The only thing she could think to do was go alone and have a cold drink. Maybe that would help get her mind off of Cloud still being imprisoned. Why had the blonde haired boy pushed for her to don her old Turk uniform? She would have rather worn the civilian black and blues. Because she loved the boy, she humored him. Ecka's funeral was almost a day away. The old blue suit with white button down shirt and black shoes did feel rather comfortable. She had even found her old shooting gloves in one of her bags.

She pushed the door open. "Is anyone here?" she asked.

Total silence. Maybe they really were closed. Leira walked over to a table and sat down. Despite the room temperature feel of the hard wood chairs, Leira was still able to relax. She folded her arms in front of her and lowered her head.

"Isn't it supposed to be bad luck to travel through the streets of Wutai alone?"

Leira heard the sound of papers shuffling and traced the sound, with her eyes, to the counter.

"Isn't it bad luck for a good bar to be closed this early?" she countered.

Tifa Lockheart picked up a glass and polished it off with a white cotton cloth. "Touché." she said and looked around nervously. "Well, since you're here, what can I do for you?"

Leira straightened in her seat. "Give me your strongest ale."

Tifa smiled and poured two glasses. She carried them over to the table and sat down across from the Elite. "It must have been a long time since you last wore that suit." she said in a small voice.

Leira nodded. "I never wore it for very long, anyway."

Tifa giggled and put a finger across her lip. "That's what Cloud told me when I stopped by his cell."

Leira flashed her a wide grin. "Really! That brat!"

"He said it was between posing for a swimsuit calendar and being caught with Reno."

The Elite frowned at her former lover's name.

The brown eyed bartender caught the woman's sudden change in expression. "He was on his way out the same time I was walking in. I'll admit it was a little odd to see him. My husband never told me that those two were acquainted."

One thought flashed through Leira's mind as she pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. "Old home week." she muttered.

"What's that?"

"Reno and Cloud knew each other. They had dealings before. It was just a business thing. Cloud's more familiar with Reno than Rude."

"Oh. I see."

Tifa's eyes seemed to glimmer as she raised her tankard for a sip. She swallowed the golden brown beer and set the container down. "Isn't there something you want to ask me?"

The Turk crossed her legs and folded her hands. "Besides about your closing hours? Not really."

"Don't you want to ask me if Reno said anything to me? Or how about if he mentioned anything about you before he walked out?"

The girl's questions were beginning to feel like mind games. "Is this where I say 'green'? Since when were you into trick questions, Lockheart?"

Tifa sat back and watched Leira take a couple gulps from her beer. She was surprised by the woman's masculine motion. She set aside the anger that she had begun to feel towards the Turk and began to laugh loudly. "You drink just like he does!!"

The oversized mug hit the table. Leira's eyes began to cast a cold green glow. She shook her head. "So you're going to be part of the ceremonies tomorrow."

The young girl bent forward. "Reno did speak on behalf of your friends. When he was coming out of the visiting area, he knew I would be seeing you first. He and Rude had some business to take care of."

"That saves me the task of asking where he's at." Leira shrugged. Leira took another sip. She noticed a lantern flickering beside the exit to the bar. Even though she was not alone, the burning flame added a feel of loneliness with it's simple beauty.

"Room for one more?" asked a masculine voice.

Tifa jumped out of her seat and ran over to the shadowed figure. She bent forward and put her hands on her knees. "Jeez, it must be getting close to time. If you need anything I'll be around! Gawd, I have to get all these glasses cleaned up and the tables still need to be prepped!!" The twenty three year old hurried off behind the counter.

"Do you need some help?" the man's voice asked reluctantly.

"No! No! You just go and sit down. Dammit! Where's Yuffie at?!" Tifa yelled.

Leira gazed at the man in the doorway. She could tell from his silhouette that his head was turned to the left facing Tifa. She wondered who the figure was until the head shifted to face her. The light from the lantern reflected off of his eyes and caused an unnatural red glow.

"Vincent? What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be at the Highwind with Cid and the others doing all that…guy stuff…?"

Tifa looked up from scrubbing and glared at the exTurk. "'Guy stuff!' Is that what he told her?!"

Vincent Valentine made his way to Leira and stood beside her with his back to the girl. Something was different about him. The Elite struggled to put her finger on it. He stared down at her making her feel uncomfortable.

"What is that you're wearing?" she asked finally.

"I have never seen that uniform on you. I would never have imagined that you would have worn the old Turk style."

Leira jumped up from her seat. Her head bobbed up and down as she looked at him. She dropped back into the chair and took a couple more swigs before darting up again. Why are you wearing that?!" she shrieked.

Vincent tilted his head to the side. "You're Turk friends put me up to it."

"I keep forgetting that you used to be a Turk." she slapped the back of her head.

"Do I look that bad? Granted, the last time I wore something like this I was more human…and my hair was much shorter…" Vincent allowed her to view the navy blue blazer with matching pants one more time before he sat down beside her.

"This thing reeks of Reno!" she spat while watching the light reflect off of his polished black shoes. "He even made you wear the necktie and the gloves?!"

Vincent pulled at the black tie. "Yeah."

"Y'know, Vince, you remind me of someone…" Leira lifted her glass slightly before slowly putting it back down.

The exTurk looked at her curiously. "May I ask, who?"

"You hair's not as straight as his was…he was a little darker too…"

Vincent was puzzled as he considered who she was talking about.

"You're thinking about Tseng…aren't you?" another man's voice said from the doorway. "That's the same thing I told Valentine."

Leira frowned as she focused on the new arrivals. She did not have to guess at the shadows. One of the two men grabbed another lantern and lit it with a match. Rude hung the lantern back up, while Reno sat down across from Vincent and Leira. The redhead leaned over sideways and rested an arm on the table while crossing his legs.

"What is this? I used to be a Turk week." Leira spat. She noticed that Rude and Reno were also wearing their Turk uniforms.

"I've got your glasses coming!" said Tifa as she filled two tankards with beer. "Rude, hon, don't let Reno touch mine this time, okay?! I forgot about it, that's all!"

"No problem, I got it right here." said Rude as he pulled Tifa's beer towards himself.

Reno raised his free arm and made whipping motions with it. "Speaking of whipped…" he sat back as Tifa dropped off the two glasses and carried her's back to the counter. "Hey, Vinnie, where's Highwind at?"

The black haired man scowled. No one had dared call him "Vinnie", with the exception of Cid.

"Hey, is this a private party? Or can anybody join?" Cid Highwind pushed his way through the double doors with Yuffie in tow.

"Yuffie, it's about time!!!" Lockheart bellowed. "We need to get to work!!"

The girl blushed and ran over to Tifa. She quickly pulled an apron out from a niche in the counter and wrapped it around her waste. "If it weren't for Highwind over there, I would've been here a lot sooner." she muttered.

Tifa ignored her.

Yuffie and Tifa pulled out more glasses and set about filling them with beer. The guests of honor had arrived.

"So." said Reno. "I guess this is where we discuss old times." He and Rude clinked their glasses together.

*author's note "(Beer)" is chanted by all*

"Anyone up for a refill?" Tifa asked after several hours.

Leira *looking over at Reno*: Oh... what is the malted liquor?

Rude *shrugs his shoulders*: What gets you drunken quicker?

Reno *smiles at Leira's chest*: What comes in bottles or in cans?

(Beer)

Yuffie *smacks back of Reno's head*: Can't get enough of it?! *mumbles* ya perv

(Beer)

All : How we really love it

(Beer)

Cid *points at Leira* : Makes me think she's a man

(Beer)

Reno *wraps arms around Leira*: I could kiss and hug it

(Beer)

*Leira swats him away*

Reno *rubs forehead*: But I'd rather chug it

(Beer)

Cid *pats stomach*: Got my belly up to here

(Beer)

Cid: I could not refuse a

(Beer)

Leira *head in hands after Cid steals hers*: I could really use a

Tifa *places new opened bottle in front of Leira*: beer?

Leira *nods*: beer

Reno: beer

All *chants*: Beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer

Reno *lifts a finger to call for quiet*: I can't remember how much I have had
I drank a twelve-pack with my gal

Leira and Cid: (BURP!)

Rude *points to Reno*: That's my boy the drunken manly stud
I'm proud to be his bud

Yuffie *lowers a tray of appetizers*: Some more pretzels?

Cid: No, I'll call it quits
Those things give me the shlitz

All *minus Yuffie*: (ha ha ha)

Leira, Rude, and Reno *clink glasses*: Drink with your family

Leira, Rude, and Reno *clink glasses with Cid*: Drink it with your friends

Yuffie and Tifa *shrug at each other. Yuffie points at Cid's belly*: Drink till your fat, stomach distends

Reno *stands up and holds his glass beneath Tifa's nose*: Beer is liquid bread,

Cid: It's good for you

Turks: We like to drink till we spew!

Yuffie: Ew!

Cid: Who cares if we get fat?

Vincent: I'll drink to that

Leira, Reno, Rude and Cid: As we sing once more...

All: What is the malted liquor?
What gets you drunken quicker?
What comes in bottles or in cans? (Beer)
Can't get enough of it (Beer)
How we really love it (Beer)
Makes me think I'm a man (Beer)
I could kiss and hug it (Beer)
But I'd rather chug it (Beer)
Got my belly up to here (Beer)
Golly, I adore it! (Beer)

Cid *finishes Leira's beer*: Come on dammit, pour it!
Do it for me, brew it for me
Feed it to me, speed it to me

(Beer)

Leira and Reno *stand on table*: The most wonderful drink in the world

All: HOORAY!!! (BURP!)

Sephiroth rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. He found himself overwhelmed by everyone's silliness That one glance inside was enough to make him want to leave. He guessed that Reeve's mysterious lieutenant must have shared his reasoning. Still he was also curious about the whereabouts of the lieutenant. The fact that he was still in his leather uniform was odd, not too mention he outlasted his own men.

After spending time in the town the exgeneral found himself drawn to a wooded area. The large white moon shone down on him bathing him in it's rich, white light. How many times had he looked at it during his lifetime and dismissed it's beauty?

The sound of whistling interrupted his awe. Carefully, he looked around. It seemed to be coming from a tree beside him.

The whistling had stopped. "So I guess this means we're really family, huh?" The voice was coming from a few feet above him. "That Jenova. She always wants to keep her children together."

Sephiroth blinked. "It's not like the good master to just send one of you."

A laugh erupted from the darkness of the tree branches. "Who says he did? He didn't have to send anyone with me. There are more of us already here. We've been here waiting for her. We're everywhere."

Sephiroth leaned against the tree trunk. He should have figured that his employer had started to search for her before he was resurrected. Hundreds of the clones could have been made in that time period.

"How does it feel to be one of the regulars now? You have no control over any of us this time." The lieutenant folded his hands behind him and put his back against the tree. He was getting comfortable on the thick branch and kicked his legs up to stretch them out.

"So," Sephiroth made an attempt to locate the origin of the voice. "What number are you? Have we met?"

Silence.

Wind began to rustle the leaves.

"Are you still there?" Sephiroth's arms dropped. He faced the tree and began scouting harder with his eyes.

"Oh, yes. We've met. You've met all my variations. In fact…"

The rustling grew stronger as the branch that had been supporting the black clad soldier swung. The man jumped down. Sephiroth stepped back and shielded himself with his hands to protect himself from the falling tree debris.

FWUMP

Reeve's lieutenant landed before him feet first. The big man hit the ground with his knees bent and left hand supporting him. He was still helmeted. " you killed the first two. The original one is on this very island. I believe he's scheduled to be burned pretty soon. Aren't you happy?" He straightened up.

Sephiroth composed himself and dusted off his clothing. "I knew Hojo had someone claim that body. He knew he would never see it again once it left for Wutai."

"Do you remember the second copy?" The man folded his leather clad arms.

"There have been so many clones you can't expect me to remember each one!"

"Let me refresh your memory." The soldier reached up un undid the security latches at the sides of his helmet. He slowly lifted it from his head and press it to his stomach once it was removed.

The face before him flashed it's shiny white teeth at him. Sephiroth frowned. He had not been expecting to see the person standing in front of him.

"Let me say," began the man, "that because of you, the master only made single copies of Twenty Nine. You kept killing them!"

The general's lips twisted. Had he killed each copy? Suddenly it all cam back to him. He snickered. "Jenova killed the original. The second one died when some lunatic decided to take out his miseries on the Gold Saucer. My hands are clean." He flashed his hands at the person and wiggled his fingers.

"You put that proud number in such…disfavor." The unmasked soldier spat out the word as if they tasted like dirt. "I was automatically branded as a failed clone long before my eyes were open. I've lasted this long and I had no problem finding you."

"So you would be Twenty Nine C." It was becoming clear to Sephiroth. He remembered the faces and build of each clone from that number. The effeminate face, the tall muscular frame, the deep voice, they were all typical. Because the man was cloned from a SOLDIER with Mako blood his eyes were the same deep blue as the original.

"I was expecting a redhead for some reason." Sephiroth prodded.

The clone smirked. He ran his hand threw his military cut black hair. "Whatever."

"You're the one who killed the officer on the airship. You framed Cloud."

"Bingo. I was cloned from a SOLDIER. The kid's not the only one that can wield a blade like that. It was easy."

Sephiroth shook his head. Clones have gotten bold lately."

"Let me put it to you this way, if it weren't for your slacking we would have the girl and the new reunion would be underway. Because you've been gallivanting around the master has sent everyone out to find her. I have no idea why he refuses to let us kill you. It would be so easy."

The clone's words hit home. Sephiroth was not the only one that was aware of his failing powers. "Why aren't you going after the little girl?"

The soldier gave a drunken smile. "The others will be getting here long before the funeral. That idiot general stopped me from completing my message but I'm sure they got the gist of it. They'll get her body and I'll bring back your playmate." He punched the exShinra general in the shoulder. "Corpses…can't…run." His blue eyes shimmered in the moonlight. "As for the woman, I should be more than enough to take care of her."