navy = cats talking.
The words in parentheses next to the Italian are its English translation.
God, I am exhausted. I don't think I can stand up. "Need some help?" He must be talking to me.
"Why do you ask?"
"You just look like you can't get up. You passed out for a while, so I washed your clothes and fed Charcoal."
What? I passed out? Oh crap. "When? How long was I out?"
"Well, I called Tseng and told him that you couldn't come to work today, and he said it was fine. You were out for about five hours. I started to get worried."
Five hours? I wonder if we really had sex. "You passed out after we had sex, so I carried you to your bedroom. I'm sorry. Didn't mean to make you pass out."
Oh. My. God. He was worried about me. I am so embarrassed. I think I'm blushing. In fact, I know I'm blushing. I turn away from Reno and hope he doesn't notice. He probably wouldn't because of my caramel skin. I don't really turn pink. I turn more like, yellow. Hopefully he won't think that I'm blushing if he sees yellow on my cheeks.
"Why are you blushing?"
Crap! "Why the hell are you reading my mind?" Whoops.
"Excuse me?"
"Um... nothing." He cocks an eyebrow, but doesn't press on. It's kinda chilly in here; is a window open? I look down under the sheets. Oh my. I'm naked. Which means he had to take the rest of my clothes off. Now I'm blushing.
"Are you okay?"
I look up. "Um... yeah. I'm fine." He keeps staring into my eyes, which is starting to creep me out. "Reno? Are you okay?"
"You have beautiful eyes. I didn't know that they were red. They remind me of someone. I just can't put my finger on who, though." Why won't this blush go away? "You're cute when you blush." He's doing this on purpose, just to make me blush even more. Well, Reno: you've accomplished your task, so what are you gonna do now? "I know now! Vincent Valentine!"
"?"
"That's who you remind me of." He looked up thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it," he paused, "you look just like him, except for the skin color."
"Of course I do. He's my father." I think I might've surprised Reno, because he choked on his spit. Sad. "Don't die, Reno. They're gonna think I did it."
He looked up at me. "I didn't know that." Well obviously: I doubt that you would've choked on your own spit if you knew, Reno.
"Tseng didn't tell you?"
"What do you mean? What does he have to do with this?"
"His my older half-brother."
"So that means that -- "
"Yes."
" -- Vincent had children by two different women! Wow."
Oh you have got to be kidding. "Don't act slow, Reno. What does it really mean?"
"Why are you asking me, you're his daughter."
For the love of God. "Whatever you say, Reno."
He smiled. "How do you feel?"
"Um, alright, I guess." How does he do that? He just switched personalities right in front of me. What is he? A mind-reading psychopathic multi-personality killer robot pretty much fits the description.
"Good," he said as he handed me my clothes. Except, these aren't my work clothes. It's a midnight blue satin dress with one slit on each side. "Reno, where are my work clothes?"
"We're not going back to work."
"Then where are we going?"
"You'll see. Now get dressed. Unless you need a little help with your -- "
"No, no. That is 'A Okay'. Don't need help zippin' up my dress!"
"Who said we were gonna zip it up?" He asked with that same damn smirk on his face as before. Sexy bastard; you're too sexy for your own damn good sometimes.
"You know what, could you do me a favor and leave so I can change my clothes?"
He grinned. "Sure. Just call me if you need me. I'll be downstairs."
"Okay." He left my room and closed the door behind him.
I look over to see Memory sitting in the corner, bathing. "Memory?" She looked up. "What do you think about Reno?"
Why does it matter what I think? If you want him, go get him.
"That's not the point. I mean, it does matter what you think, because if you like him then I won't have to worry about you trying to attack him in his sleep."
What makes you think that I would try to attack him? Do you not trust me?
"Of course I trust you or you wouldn't be here."
I see. So what are you worried about?
"Just in case there's something about him that I should know before I try to marry him or something."
I haven't a problem with the man.
"I know but,"
But nothing. I have not sensed anything wrong with him, so he must be a good person.
"Are you sure?"
I am positive. Why don't you go and talk to Charcoal? Maybe he has sensed something that I haven't.
"Okay. Thank you."
You're welcome, dear.
After my little chat with Memory, I got dressed and went to look for Charcoal. You're probably wondering what just happened. Well, I can talk to my cats. It's more like telepathy. I have a problem, I just talk to them about it and they help me solve it. It's quite simple, really. But enough about that. I found Charcoal lounging in one of my extra rooms in a corner also. He was asleep, but since I really needed his help, I dared to wake him. "Charcoal?" I asked as I poked at his chest. He slowly opened his eyes. "Um, sorry for waking you, but I have a problem." He yawned.
What is it?
"Well, I wanted to know what you think of Reno."
He sat up. Why does it matter? I am a cat, and have no say in your personal affairs.
"I know, but I need to know how you feel about him."
Because?
"Because I don't want any one in this house that you or Memory won't like. Is there anything about him that I should know?"
He yawned again. I sense a deep feeling for you in him. He may not have shown it, but he has been in the same presence of mind about you as you about him. Only one who fails to see the truth the first time can accept it the second.
I didn't understand a word he said after the second 'him'. "Uh, I'm sorry, but where I'm from we either speak English or Spanish. And you're not speakin' in either one."
He sighed. I mean, that when the time comes, something bad will happen. You must let it pass in order to see the truth behind the lie.
"What does that mean?"
If I tell you what will happen, you will try to avoid it, thus getting hurt even more.
I didn't ask him anything else, because he was right. He was normally right. Memory can see someone's past, and he can see their future. If Hojo had only known what he was giving up when he left these poor cats out in the cold.
I sighed. "Okay."
Besides, I've seen the way you look at him. Especially his ass.
"What?" Oh my god, even my cat noticed.
Don't play dumb. I already know. He may not notice it, but we do: that glint in your eyes, and that odd glow that comes from you. It's obvious.
"Is it really?" I ask, blushing.
Yes. Well, if you're going somewhere with him, you better get going. He's probably still downstairs waiting for you. Wouldn't want to give him a bad impression of you now would we?
"Oh my, you're right! I almost forgot he was still downstairs. Thanks; I really appreciate this."
Anytime, sweetheart.
I'm lucky to have cats like this; they're always there for me. They're also easier to talk to than talking to a human. They actually listen and their minds don't wander away. And even if they do, at least they act like they're listening.
I walk down the stairs to find Reno siting on my couch and staring at nothing. He has on a black dress suit, but like always he doesn't bother to do up those buttons. "I'm sorry, Reno. Did I keep you waiting? I didn't mean to."
He looks up and scans me for a second. "Wow," was all he said.
I finish walking down the rest of the way toward the couch. "'Wow' what?"
"You look... wow. Nice legs"
"Hehe, thanks. So, are we ready?"
"Um, yeah. Let's go." We walk outside to his car and he opens my door.
"Awww. Thanks Reno."
"Well I just had to...you're welcome." He moved the objects in my seat to the back seat and let me sit down.
"This is a nice car...who'd you jack it from?"
"What makes you think I jacked it?" I look at him, and there's that smirk again. I think it's stalking me. I put my foot in as he closed my door for me and got inside the car.
"So, where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"I see that we're in a car and that I would like to know where I'm going before I just go."
He snickered. "Will you just calm down. We'll be there in a minute."
"Whatever you say, sir."
"Okay." We stopped at an Italian restaurant called Squisito Alimento. It's Italian for exquisite food.
"Hey, I've always wanted to come here."
"Well, today's your lucky day. My cousin owns this place."
"So you're Italian?"
"Yup."
"I learned Italian in college. It's my favorite language aside from Spanish."
We were greeted at the door. "Sera buono, Sig. Geraldo. La tavola per due, corretto? Destro questo modo Sig. Geraldi.." ("Good evening Mr. Geraldi. The table for two, correct? Right this way, Mr. Geraldi.")
"Grazie." ("Thanks.")
Some Italian man came out from the back screaming at what looked like the cooks. "WHAT IS WITH YOU PEOPLE!? ARE YOU IDIOTS!? WHEN YOU CRACK THE EGGS, THROW THE EGG SHELLS IN THE TRASH, NOT IN THE FOOD!!!"
He faced Reno. "HEY, RENO! HOW'S IT BEEN, KID?" he yelled from across the room.
"So let me guess, that's your cousin?"
"HEY, ALEXIO. WHAT'S UP?"
"Good lord," I say as Reno and Alexio hug.
Alexio turned to me. "So, is this beautiful young lady your date?"
"Yeah, she's off-limits. Don't touch." Alexio lifted my hand kissed it, and then Reno popped him in the back of the head.
"Reno! Why would you do that to him?"
"I said off-limits."
"Okay, okay. I get it," Alexio said, rubbing the back of his head. Reno grabbed my hand and motioned for me to follow him. We came to a table next to a window.
"So, whaddya want? It's on the house, since you got a girl. A real girlfriend."
"Whatever."
"In fact... miss what would you like? Ladies first."
"Um, could I get back to you on that, please?"
"Sure." He smiled and left.
"So, Reno. You have a nice family."
"Thank you."
When his cousin came back, I ordered some lasagna and he ordered some spaghetti. "So, what's you're favorite food?" I looked up and poked my fork at the lasagna. "Oh."
"What's yours?" He grinned and then looked at me. "Anything with chocolate."
"What?" There goes that smirk. Boy, this must be my lucky day.
He raised his eyebrow. "I said, I like anything with chocolate."
I glared at him. "Why did you stress that?"
"Stress what?" Stress what. Don't act dumb Reno.
"The word 'anything'?"
"It came out wrong."
"Whatever."
"Why did you stress the word 'why'?"
"To make a point."
"Why did you need to make a point?"
"Why did you need to stress 'anything'?"
He grinned and licked his lips at me. "Because I meant anything. So why did you stress 'why'?"
I sighed. "To let you know I was wondering why you stressed 'anything' and nothing else. But you obviously didn't get the picture."
When we were done, Alexio came back and handed us the menus again. "Would you like any dessert?"
"Yes please," I said as I looked at the menu. "Apprezzerei la Carota Torta, per favore." ("I would appreciate the Carrot Cake, please.")
"Oh, so you know Italiano?"
"I learned it in college."
"That's nice. So, you want the usual Diavoli Alimento Torta?"
"Yeah." It took me about a minute to decipher that Reno had just ordered Devil's Food Cake. It took me about another minute to realize that that cake had a hell of a lot of chocolate. I glared at him again and he leaned back in his chair.
"What?"
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Nothing."
He winked at me. "Whatever you say, babe." Our cake came, and I finished mine quickly. After, I laid my head in my arms on the table. "You okay, babe?" I look up to see his cake gone. "Hey, Kat? You wanna go home?"
I rise up. "Reno. I fine."
He gets up and comes to me. Then he just reaches down and sucks on my neck. When he's finished, he looks at me. "You had some chocolate on your neck."
"So you're a chocolate vampire now?"
He snickered. "Yeah, you could say that. So, do you wanna go now? You seem sick."
"Reno, I'm fine, okay? It's just a small headache. But, I would like to go home now, if that's okay. Could you tell your cousin the next time you see him that the food was great?" I was wondering where that migraine went.
He smiled as I sighed. "Okay." He helped me out of my chair and felt my forehead. "You got a fever, Kat. We need to get you home."
"I don't feel so..." and that's the last thing I remember before I blacked out.
"Kat? Kat!?" She just passed out. Right after eating my cousin's food. This can't be happening. Everyone else in there is screaming and it's beginning to hurt my ears. "Excuse me, can everyone please be quiet?" They're still screaming. "Hello... quiet please... I can't think with all the screaming." They are still screaming. "WILL YOU PEOPLE SHUT UP!?" That shut them up. "Now can someone call an ambulance?" A man took out his PHS and called 911. "Hey, Alexio?"
"Yeah?"
"I need you to get me an ice pack and a towel."
"Right." He left to go get what I had asked for as I crouched down and set her head in my lap. "You gotta be all right, Kat." I brushed the locks of hair out of her face. I leant down and kissed her forehead. She was burning up. The ambulance and the paramedics finally arrived about ten minutes later. One of the female paramedics walked over to me.
"How long has she been out?"
"I dunno, about ten minutes or so."
"Okay, before she passed out, was there any strange actions or movements?" she asked as she checked Kyttí's pulse.
"After she ate, she laid her head on the table. I asked her if something was wrong and she said that it was just a small headache. After we got up from the table, I felt her forehead. She had a huge fever. Then she just... passed out."
"She probably just passed out because of the headache. It wasn't a headache, though. It was more-than-likely a migraine. If it were just a small headache, she wouldn't have passed out. She probably didn't want you to worry about her."
Is she that easy to read? "Okay."
"I'm gonna need you to lift her and carry her to the ambulance for me. Do you think that you can do that? You can ride along if you want."
"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks."
At the hospital, they took her to her room and told me to wait outside in the waiting room. I hate getting nervous. My hands sweat a lot and I pace. I was pacing up and down the waiting room.
"Will you sit down, Reno? She'll be fine." Rude was sitting down in the waiting room with me. I stopped pacing in front of him.
"I don't know that. For some odd reason, I feel like it's my fault. She passed out earlier."
"And you didn't call the hospital earlier when she passed out, did you?"
I continued pacing. "Um, no."
"How long was she out?"
"About five hours."
"You're an idiot, Reno."
"Yeah, thanks for the reassurance, Rude."
He snickered. "Don't worry about her, Reno. She's a fighter. She's just like her brother. Just don't get on her bad side."
"Who told you?"
"He did."
"Mr. Geraldi? Is there a Mr. Reno Geraldi?" The nurse asked.
"Over here," I said after I stopped pacing again.
I saw her, lying on the bed. She looked so peaceful. She's probably happy wherever she is. I sighed. I had to call Tseng. I was afraid of calling Tseng, seeing that they were related. He didn't yell at me on the phone, but that didn't mean he wasn't gonna yell at me in here. "Reno."
Oh my god. I almost screamed. He scared the shit outta me. Oh, crap. If that's Tseng, that means that he's here already. Goodbye cruel world. Tseng is gonna kill me. He's the type of person that would kill me and make sure I'm dead. If he did kill me, he could probably get away with it.
I faced him. "Tseng?"
His face showed no emotion, which was starting to scare me. "What happened?"
"Um, she passed out."
"What did you do to her?"
"NOTHING!" He glared at me. "I mean, nothing."
He walked over to her and felt her face. "She's beautiful. She looks just like her mother. I always thought her mother was pretty."
He was scaring me now. I dared to ask him about her mother. "Who was her mother? Was it Lucrecia?"
He faced me, smiling. "No, or she'd be as old as I am. Her mother's name was Sharon."
I thought for a minute. I know that name..."Wasn't she the head Turk of the second division before Kyttí?"
"Yes. She was killed." I met her mother before. I never wanted to get on her bad side. I saw her yelling at Hedigger before. Even he was scared. You would've thought he was dead after she was done with him.
"How did she die?"
"President Shin-Ra had her killed." His eyes turned cold as he mentioned President Shin-Ra's name.
"Why?"
"Let's just say that she knew a lot of his dirty little secrets." He glared at me with his cold gaze. "If you hurt her, I will kill you."
"I won't."