Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or settings therein. They are the sole creative property of SquareEnix. I do however own all editions of Advent Children, and Final Fantasy 7 for my PS3. DUDE… IT'S AWESOME IN HD. Err.. I digress.

A/N: This is the second story in the Tale of Two Friends series. Please note that there really is no strict timeline for these stories. I'll write them as Kadaj the Plot Bunny bites me in the arse to do so. =)

Title: Tears in Heaven

"," was the only warning sound that the occupants of the luxury apartment were given. Within seconds a blur of blue and green flashed by as it headed in the same direction it did nearly every single day for the last two months.

Rounding the corner that would lead Zack to Rufus' bedroom, the young cadet skidded to a halt just before slamming into the Turk standing outside of his best friend's bedroom door.

"Tseng, my man!" the young cadet flashed the slightly older man a disarming smile.
"Cadet Fair, I would say it's a surprise to see you, but then I would be lying."
"Blondie in there or is he still with his tutor?" Zack asked as he tried to peak around the Turk.
"Master Rufus is in but he stated that he did not want to be disturbed," Tseng replied.

Zack being Zack only listened to what he wanted to hear and pushed past the Wutain.

"Cadet Fair you can't-"

Zack quickly spun and closed Rufus' bedroom door and locked it.

"Pft," Zack said to the door as he stuck his tongue out at it. "Rooooooooofissssssss! Oh, Rooooooooofisssssssssss! Where are ya?" he called out in a singsong voice.

Zack didn't hear a reply so he started to wander around Rufus's bedroom suite. The cadet's own bedroom consisted of a cot in a large room that housed about 20-30 other cadets at the same time but Rufus' was a welcome retreat.

Upon entering the door you were immediately in a small sitting area. This area was rarely used and was bathed in cream colors. The furniture had to be way older than the two of them put together. It always made Zack nervous; he felt that if he sat in one of the seats it would break. Immediately off to the right of the room was Rufus' playroom/den.

This was where he and Zack had spent all of their time when they were in the apartment. Rufus wasn't as spoiled as everyone made him out to be. He never asked for anything, it was just that his father felt that if he threw expensive gifts at him, it would keep the kid out of his hair. So, at the age of 14 Rufus had all of the exclusive gaming systems, even ones that Shinra was developing. He had a huge TV, a surround sound system that would have any tech junkie drooling over it. Even having all of these things, Zack knew that Rufus wasn't truly happy. Whenever the cadet looked his friend in the eyes, he saw a deep sadness that he wanted to take away. So every day like clockwork, Zack would finish up with his training and would head over to Rufus'.

This wasn't all fun and games. The boy's guardians had made arrangements so they it benefited both parties. Zack would come over and do his homework with Rufus. Zack wasn't the best academic student in the academy but Rufus was a certifiable genius so, Tseng and Angeal agreed that they would work together. Rufus gained some freedom with his first ever friend and Zack was… well Zack.

Zack continued to meander through the apartment when he didn't hear Rufus acknowledge him. Biting his lip he called out once more before he entered Rufus's bedroom.

Turning the knob and pushing the door open slowly Zack stood in shock at the sight in front of him. Whereas the rest of the apartment was well furnished and lived in, this room which he always thought would be more massive than the prior rooms was really nothing more than an oversized closet.

The walls were a dark gray and pushed into the farthest corner was a small single bed. There was no warmth in this room, it was cold and it hurt Zack to know that this is where his best friend spent his time when he wasn't with him. Zack looked around the room for a source of light as he drew closer to the bed, but didn't find any. What he did find broke his heart.

Lying on the bed, his clothes spotted with blood and dirt was the crumbled and weeping form of Rufus Shinra.

"B-blondie," Zack said softly as he gently reached out to lay a hand on his friends shoulder.

Rufus flinched and backed farther into the corner. Swallowing his own emotions, Zack slowly sat down so he didn't scare his friend. He didn't have much experience with this but back in his hometown he had come across feral animals and the look in Rufus' eyes mirrored those creatures.

"Bestie, it's me. Zack. I'm here."
"Z-Zack," Rufus whispered, having Zack's voice breakthrough to him.
"What happen-"

Zack didn't get a chance to finish the sentence before Rufus launched himself into his arms and started to cry uncontrollably.

"F-f-father. H-he didn't l-like h-how I ah-addressed his new wife," the blonde stammered.

Zack just held him as Rufus cried out. Once he settled down, Zack released him and went to the bathroom to get some of the Hi-Potions Rufus had stored in there. Zack sat there watching Rufus in the darken room, making sure he drank every drop.

"I-I'm sorry Zack," Rufus murmured.
"NO!"

Zack's shout startled Rufus and he cringed at his best friend's reaction.

"I'm sorry I just shouted, Blondie and you have nothing to apologize for. Does this happen a lot?" Zack waited until his friend nodded. "Well, I guess I know what I can teach you now," he said as a slow feral grin appeared on his face. "I'm going to teach you how to fight and defend yourself."
"Really Zack? You'd do that, for me?"
"Of course. That's what friends do. We have each others backs no matter what but there is a condition."
"Anything," Rufus said quickly.
"Don't shed anymore tears. Not for anyone. Those people don't deserve your tears. No one is worthy of them. You are Rufus Shinra, don't give them the satisfaction, okay?"
"Okay."

Approximately 8 years later…

Looking up from his desk in his office which used to be his old bedroom suite, Rufus Shinra looked at the doorway as his longtime bodyguard and Turk, Tseng entered.

"Sir."
"Yes, Tseng. What is it?" Rufus asked, his voice tinged with the annoyance that had been more and more present over the years.
"Rufus, I-I'm so sorry," Tseng said. "We were too late and…"

Rufus didn't need to hear the rest. He was the one that ordered his Turks to go after Zack and the cadet that was with him. The Turks were to intervene and bring Zack home safely. For the first time in his life, his Turks failed him. They failed him when he needed them to succeed.

"Rufus?"
"Go," the blonde said in a hoarse whisper.
"Sir, I don-"
"I SAID GO," Rufus shouted.

Tseng turned on his heel and headed out of the suite with a frown on his face. Rufus stayed in his seat until he heard the door click shut. Numbly he got up and walked towards the small room he hadn't used in years.

He took out the key that was attached to a long chain around his neck and opened the door. The cot was still there. Rufus out of habit or something he couldn't pinpoint kept the room fresh and clean but locked away from everyone. He locked the door behind him and headed over to the cot and curled into a ball.

Rufus Shinra cried that night for the first time in eight long years. He cried for the only person that he didn't deserve to have in his life. He cried for a man that Rufus wasn't worthy of calling a friend; his hero, his best friend Zack Fair.