The Aftermath of Destruction
Gone.
In less than a moment, it was all gone. Every reason he had for remaining at Shinra Inc. and continuing in his position as a Turk was gone. A small, weak voice in the back of his mind whispered that it might not be true. After all, he wasn't absolutely certain that he had been in his office at the time of the attack. But still...
"He's dead, isn't he?" Reno asked simply, glancing toward where Reeve stood, his head bowed slightly as he told them the news.
"It's almost certain. The top thirty floors were completely obliterated. Everyone's... gone."
Reno stood for a long moment in absolute silence, stunned. Up to this moment he'd been certain that the arrogant little son of a bitch was just too damn stubborn to die. Apparently he'd been wrong about a lot of things in his life if even Rufus "I'll put two pounds of lead in your ass if you look at me the wrong way" Shinra could die.
Reeve frowned at Reno's reaction to the news of President Shinra's death, unsure of what to say next. He usually didn't put too much stock in the gossip which circulated about the office, but he'd heard the rumors that cold-hearted Rufus had seemed to have a soft spot for the red-haired Turk just the same. Apparently, if Reno's reaction to this bit of news was any indication of how he felt, there would appear to be a bit of truth to that particular rumor.
"I'm... sorry." Reeve managed finally, lifting his shoulders helplessly. "Really I am. I mean, I didn't like the guy, but..."
"Why are you apologizing to me?" Reno asked suddenly, pulling his sunglasses down over his eyes and twirling his weapon idly in one hand. "I probably didn't like the little bastard much more than you did. At least he went fast, right?"
"Uh, right." Reeve answered quickly, relieved to not have to continue with his attempts at sympathy. It was just too difficult to sympathize with either the bastard who ran Shinra Inc. or the hot-headed Turk. "Well, okay, I guess that's about it. I've really have to be going now, I would suggest that you three do the same."
"Later, Reeve!" Elena called after the dark-haired former Shinra employee as he turned on his heel and all but ran off into the night which had fallen over the gloomy city.
Rude and Reno both remained silent, but for very different reasons. Rude watched Reno carefully from behind his dark glasses before reaching out and clapping the redhead's shoulder gently.
"Hey, you should catch up with us later. Elena and I are gonna head over to the bar and get a couple of drinks, if it's still standing that is."
"Right." Reno murmured distantly as Rude herded the slightly baffled blond girl in the direction of the closest bar.
"Why isn't Reno coming with us? And, why are we going to the bar? Shouldn't we be doing what Reeve suggested and getting out of here?" Elena asked, glancing back toward the still form of their red-haired counterpart as Rude ushered her away.
"Maybe that would be the smart thing to do, but for now we gotta get a drink and wait for Reno. He's got some business to take care of and he ain't feeling much like company right now." Rude answered gruffly, ignoring his own concern for Reno's well-being and instead focusing on trying to give the boy some time alone to sort himself out.
"But... why? He didn't seem to know Rufus that well and..." Elena began quickly, only to be cut off by Rude's curt response:
"Third rule of being a Turk, Elena: Know when to mind your business."
"Oh..."
