The fates must have decreed that the time was right. Almost like the planets had aligned in perfect harmony just for this event. It was fate and destiny intertwined into a blissful marriage. A moment of serendipity if you will… the moment that the irresistible force met an immovable object.

Well, said object being a 14-year old blonde male in a multi layered white suit that was currently sprawled on his back in the deserted hallway, on the 23rd floor of the Shin-Ra tower. The force that knocked him back, well it was truly irresistible; bright violet colored eyes and a cheeky grin in a cadet's uniform.

Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, the cadet looked down at the blonde laid out on the floor.

"Oops," he said as he held out a helping hand to the blue-eyed boy.

The youngster stared up at the proffered hand. Sighing in self-defeat once he realized there was no way he could gracefully get up from this position, he reached out and was helped up.

"Sorry about that," the raven haired boy said as he bounced on his heels, "didn't see ya."

The blonde in the suit just continued to stare at the other. Fidgeting under the direct gaze, the older of the two stuck his hand back out towards the smaller man, "Names Zack Fair, future Hero," he said with a huge smile across his face. When the blonde just stared at him, Zack's smile faltered just a little.

The blonde looked at the hand and the man that offered it. No one ever touched him. Well, except father when he went into his drunken rampages but that was more of a fist. Most people avoided him at all cost. He didn't know exactly how to react to this.

Zack stood there for a moment, resisting the urge to go into a set of squats. He didn't like being idle and having a stare down in a hallway was not very productive. 'Maybe the kid is hearing impaired,' Zack thought. He was just starting to pantomime his apology when the mystery person spoke up.

"Rufus. Rufus Shinra," the blonde said as he put his hand out towards the other teen, "future President."

The two briefly shook hands and stepped back. Zack couldn't help but grin as he watched Rufus grimace at the dirt stains now etched across his pants and coat.

"Allergic to dirt blondie?"

Rufus just stared at the boy not quite sure what to make of him. Either this kid was an idiot and Gaia help Shin-Ra if he was the future of SOLDIER or he just didn't care whom Rufus was. Secretly Rufus hoped it was the latter and not the former.

Ignoring the question, Rufus asked one of his own.

"Where were you stampeding off to in such a rush?"

Zack stepped back a little and did what Rufus could only describe as a masculine twirl, the leaned over towards the future President to speak almost confidentially.

"The Cafeteria," Zack said with huge grin.

"The Cafet-Why in Gaia would anyone want to rush in there? The food is abominable!"

"I don't know what that means but the food is crap," Zack conceded as he tilted his head to the side while studying the younger man, 'but it's Death by Chocolate Supreme Summon Sundae Day!"

Rufus just stared in awe of the kid. That just sounded messy, he thought.

"It's just an ooey gooey mess of chocolate and yummy," Zack said as if reading Rufus' thoughts. Seeing the stricken look on Rufus' face, Zack realized that the blonde never experienced this dish of deliciousness.

"Oh man," the ravenette said as his gleeful grin slowly transformed into something almost sinister. On reflex, Rufus backed up a step but not before Zack grabbed him by the hand and started dragging him down the hall.

"Z-Zack! Where are you taking me?"

"TO SUGAR HEAVEN BLONDIE!"

When Zack burst through the double doors of the cafeteria, no one paid any mind. It was an almost daily event when the cadet made his appearance for lunch. It wasn't until some people noticed Zack's hostage that the cafeteria quieted down.

Zack paid no mind to the people milling about he had only one goal in mind; to get Rufus high off of sugar. He continued to march up to the counter pulling Rufus along with him. Rufus' face flamed slightly but he kept his composure together.

"Hey Estelle! Gimme two of the specials," Zack said to the plump elderly lady behind the counter. The woman just stood there with her mouth agape. She was used to Zack's antics and thought that the boy was precocious and cute but this was, unbelievable.

"I believe my friend requested two of the specials that are being offered today," Rufus said, his voice tinted with irritability.

Zack immediately turned around and grinned at Rufus.

"Best!"

Rufus gave Zack a questioning look.

"Best Friend," Zack corrected as he pulled Rufus into a quick side hug.

The lady just stammered at the sight until she noticed the young Vice President's glare darken.

"Y-yes sir! Right away sir!"

Once word of the Vice President's location got around, the cafeteria had cleared out with the exception of two young men enjoying a sugary treat. In the shadows were two older men, already seeing the signs of trouble and mayhem to come.

"Here's my cell and office number," Angeal said to Tseng.

Tseng sighed in resignation and returned the favor.

Seems like the puppy and the cub had become friends.