Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Tainted Love: The True Story! ❯ Tainted Love: The True Story! ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Hishiko-dono
FFVII*FFVIII
R/I

(A/N: This is a story of what love is really like. This story takes place around the time of the civil war… blame Abraham Lincoln vampire hunter…)


Reno sat at the old cherry roll top desk that faced the panoramic bay window in the study. The sun had just begun to rise as he began to reread the letter for the 100th time. The tears began to form in his Mako enhanced green eyes once more; and now the fall freely down his face onto the paper beneath.

“My dearest Reno,
If you are reading this letter it means I won’t be coming home. The war has claimed my spirit and taken me away from you. Please do not shed any tears for my loss. I know that the sun will one day rise on love for you again. Always remember that I love you and I want only your happiness. Please forget about me and move on with your life. Find yourself a good woman and start a real family Reno.
I know that this is not what we had planned for when I returned but alas my dearest one, it had to end this way. Let my mother know not to worry anymore and that I will meet her in heaven when the time comes. As I will await you.
Forever my love is with you Reno.
Yours truly,
Lt. C. Strife, Confederate Army 13th Regiment

Their love was a taboo for many reasons, but the two main reasons were this; One, they were both male. Two, Reno was a northerner, Major Reno Dawson of the Union Army. No one knew of their forbidden love save for a few people. Reno dried his eyes once more and put on his best uniform. Tied the scabbard of his sword to his belt, tied his long red hair back, and donned his best hat. He looked himself over in the full length mirror and nodded. It was now time for this union soldier to “die” in the field of battle and return to Georgia.
He stepped out into the early dawn, shielding his eyes from the blinding light of early rays.
“Leaving already major? Surely those confederate bastards can wait a few hours for your morning meal…” Margaret had been his wet nurse as a child and now she was his housekeeper. She had become his guardian when his parents died of the fever all those years ago so she meant a great deal to him.
“It’s time for us to say goodbye Ma. I won’t be returning tonight so don’t look for Agatha. I left my will on the desk along with a letter for you. Do not open it until everyone leaves. I leave everything to you and Uncle Daniel. Be happy Ma, and please don’t cry for me.” With those final words spoken, Reno mounted his horse, Agatha, and rode in the direction of battle.

(Reno’s POV)
The smell of gun powder and death hang in the air. The moans of wounded soldiers can almost be heard over the sound of cannons in the distance. As I guide my horse through the encampment, I can smell the blood. We have already lost close to 300 men and the war is yet over. I knew the cost of this senseless war would be high, but I had no idea that I alone would cover nearly 2/3 of this debt. As a West Point graduate, it was my duty to serve under General Grant. Or so I had thought, if I had known that I could have opted out and ran south, I would have. Not because I am a coward mind you, but because I am a southerner by birth. I was born in a small town near Savannah, Georgia. My father moved us north when I was a child because he said that industry in the south was failing and the only way we would survive was to move to north. I can’t say that moving north was entirely bad, because that was where I met Cloud. It was well before the war started, I am sure it was probably just a child’s crush but at the time it seemed more. Today is my 19th birthday, and it is also to be the day that M. Reno Dawson takes his final breath.
“Good morning General. Major Reno Dawson reporting for duty sir.”
“Good morning major. Let me see your orders.”
I handed him my papers and he looked them over and nodded his head.
“Very good then major. I have to say you could not have come at a worse time for this regiment. We will be packing up and heading home. General Grant, and General Lee have just signed a document of peace and the war is now over. I am sorry to say that you will not be needed soldier. Pack up and head for home.”
“Sir!”
I saluted him mounted my horse, and rode off. If I left now I would make it home to Georgia just after nightfall. I wonder if the old plantation is still there or if Sherman burned it to the ground.
I rode for several hours before stopping to rest my horse. I ate lightly and allowed Aggie to get her fill of water before getting back on the saddle and heading out again.
By the time I reached my old home, I was beyond exhausted. I could hear voices coming from the main house and before darkness claimed me, I saw a very handsome face and heard that familiar southern drawl I had long since missed…
“Hey mister, you alright? MA! Bring some water fast… I think we got us a wounded one! Hang in there partner…”
That was the last thing I remember before sleep claimed me.
(Normal POV)
After going limp in his saddle, Reno fell into the waiting and capable arms of Irvine Kinneas, son of the new plantation foreman.
“Well I’ll be! Pa get out here is the Dawson boy! Irvine run upstairs and ready a hot bath for mister Reno! Selphie, girl get your bottom out here and bring me yer pa’s shavin kit. Pa, you bring me mah sheers and find this boy some fittin clothes. We can’t have the towns folk see him in this uniform they’ll hang’ I’m for sure!” It was clear to see who the real foreman was in this house. Everyone followed their orders.
“Reno, wake up now son I know yer tired but ya need to take them clothes off and get in the bath. Ya need a shave and a trim as well boy now up with ya!”
Reno woke with a start, he knew that voice.
“Ma Kinneas!? Thank the lord above I made it home!”
Laughter surrounded him and he smiled. He followed Irvine into the bathroom and stripped out of his dirty tattered uniform. He left instructions that it be burned. He stepped into the tub and groaned in utter bliss. The hot water soothed the ache in his hard tired muscles. He used the soap that was left for him and scrubbed away the dried blood and dirt from his war battered skin. A soft knock sounded at the door and Irvine poked his head in.
“Just seein if ya need some help mister Reno.”
“Irvine please, we have known each other since we were infants. There is no need for formalities. I know I have been gone for some time now, but I still consider you a friend. And yes could you help me get these bandages off and wash my back. My shoulder is bothering me as of late and I can’t seem to reach my back.”
Irvine laughed at his old friend. Time with the Yankees had changed Reno’s speech patterns. He supposed it was the schools that he had attended up north or perhaps the high society living his parents forced him into.
“Sure partner. You’ve been away so long yer talkin has changed. Sure yer voice sounds the same, but the way ya talk has changed.” Irvine carefully unraveled the bandages from Reno’s chest, shoulder, and abdomen. When he saw the many bullet wounds and sword wounds he couldn’t help the whistle that escaped.
“Damn brother! Wha’da do use yerself for target practice as the target? Did our boys do that too ya?”
Irvine’s words never reached Reno’s ears as his mind drifted back to the night he had earned those wounds. He had snuck out of camp to meet up with Cloud. He never made it. A group of union soldiers had gone AWOL and Reno stumbled upon them. He won the miniature battle of course, but not before nearly bleeding to death.
“No Irvine it was actually men from my own regiment. They were deserters and I was in charge of bringing them back to camp. Apparently they did not want to return.”
The bath was over quickly as Reno nearly fell asleep in the tub.
“Ma is ready for ya with the shavin kit. She’ll try to cut yer hair too if ya aint too careful.” The two boys laughed and walked into the bedroom. There was a change of clothes laid out on the bed and Reno put on the pants but left off the shirt.
“I had forgotten how hot it gets here this time of year. I hope no one will be offended.”
“Nah, not really. Though Selphie will probably cling to ya and Ma will pitch a full on fit over those wounds. So be ready for it.”
Again they laughed and walked out to the main room where everyone was waiting. Reno could smell fresh biscuits and what he knew to be Ma’s world famous chicken pie. His stomach rumbled which made Irvine laugh even harder. Reno had never noticed how beautiful Irvine’s laugh was, and now that he was starting a new life, he would see what other beautiful sounds Irvine can make…

(A/N: End of chapter one! Hope you like it!)