Disclaimer - I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of it's characters.

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I remember when Rufus Shinra introduced Reno to us. Honestly, I don't think any of us were ready for Reno when he joined the ranks as a Turk. We certainly weren't expecting a crimson-haired youth to walk in the doors like he owned the place. . . perhaps walk isn't quite the word I want. Sauntered seems to fit better. Tseng and I exchanged looks, while Elena canted her head to the side to study him. Reno flashed us all a bright cheerful grin, which was completely at odds with what he was about to start doing for a living. Part of me wondered if he knew what he was getting into, joining us at Shinra Corp. That was five years ago.

As we worked together, I learned that behind the sarcastic, and somewhat lazy demeanor and attitude, was a keen mind, sharp and and honed. I suppose that the cocky smile, and indifferent attitude act as a barrier of sorts, to protect him from what we do on a day to day basis. I'm not saying that he's weak, or fragile. Just the opposite. Depite his lanky, unkempt appearance, Reno's much stronger than he looks, and trust me, he's got muscle. He's slammed into me enough for me to know this for a fact. Despite the number of times we've killed, Reno and I, he's always managed to maintain his sense of humor, though now it has a sharp, bitter, almost sadistic edge to it, as if the killings we've carried out haunt him even as he tries to force them back.

Maybe he succeeds, sometimes.

Reno is, and always has been a bright spark in a dark profession, much like Elena. They're more alike than anyone would think. Tseng and I watch over both Elena and Reno, hoping, praying that their lights don't go out like ours have. They're kind of like our hope, that maybe things will get better. I know Reno annoys Tseng - okay, a lot, but that's part of his charm, if you want to call it that. He's my best friend, and something of a little brother to the rest of the group.

It's as simple as that. We're familly. Dysfunctional at best, if you really think about it.

And the one who links us all is Reno, through his pranks, his sense of humor. And as I write this, I can't help but worry that one day, Reno won't make it back with us, just like he worries we won't make it back with him. It's a vicious cycle, one that as Turks, we can't escape, not really. Because someone's got to do the dirty work, and that someone is us. We may not like it on occasion, but it's our job, and that's all.

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A/N - Huh, that was shorter than I thought it would be. Oh, well. This is my first FFVII fic, so be gentle. Constructive criticisim is appreciated, but flames will be ignored with vicious prejudice. Please read, review, and let me know what you think.