Reno

Cloud didn't recognize the man, with bright red hair, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and a devil-may-care attitude. But he recognized the suit and air of disaffected superiority. Turks. SOLDIERS were military operators, but Turks were far more political.

"Who's the femboy?" he snorted.

"Bodyguard," Aerith corrected him. "He's an ex-SOLDIER."

"Recognize a Turk, bitch?" Reno said, appraising him as two troopers filed in. "I'm Reno. You've got SOLDIER eyes at least. You up for a fight? See, I've been Aerith's bodyguard ..."

"News to me," Aerith said.

"Classified op, darlin'" Reno retorted.

"Kicking a Turk's ass is expensive work," Cloud groused.

"I'll pay you with ... a date," Aerith said cheekily.

And with that the battle was joined. Reno was armed with an electric prod. To Cloud's consternation he was far faster, and jabbed him twice with the prod while the troopers took potshots.

"Shit!" Cloud said as Reno got him in the ribs. But it built up something powerful and **** in him ... a limit break. He leapt after Reno, executing a cross-slash, leaving his opponent bloodied, but alive. He raised his sword for a finishing blow...

"You got it all wrong man," Reno said weakly. And then the ghosts .... whipping over them, around them, picking them up ... and suddenly Cloud and Aerith were on the roof of the church.