Three months had passed… boy, does time fly huh? But… in those three months… Zack stood his ground his Mako colored eyes stayed trained on the grave of his love.
Three months ago I was reunited with Rufus. We talked, joked… cuddled. I was so happy. But then… three months ago he told me he was dying… in the back of my mind I knew something was wrong, he just looked so tired, so stressed, so… not healthy… three months ago he told me he loved me… three months ago were we happy.
I promised him I would be there for him… The SOLDIER clenched his fists his eyes stung with the tears he held back. This wasn't supposed to happen... not like this anyway... but, he promised Rufus he would be strong. So he would, he wasn't going to go back on his word... not again.
Two months ago my loves condition worsened. He couldn't move, couldn't speak… he was so weak. He ran constant fevers and was always in pain. But... despite all this he never gave up... even when those around him did... throughout everything my love stayed strong... two months ago I held him he was alive, warm, but so tired. I could tell he was loosing. This was only two months ago,
One month ago... in one month he slipped into a coma. Just as we though we had a cure... one month ago, he was no longer present. The doctors said otherwise but, I couldn't feel him, when I looked at his face... I didn't see him; I didn't see the life the doctors said was there...
I just wish I was a bit faster... Zack held himself, arms wrapping around his stomach as a cold feeling hit. All of this seemed so surreal... but not, not it hit, this was the end... his Rufus was gone...
One month ago I thought we found a cure... we had found a way to attach the cause of the geostigma... without harming the body, but... it was too late. The damage done to Rufus was too great. His heart was too weak...
It was bittersweet... Zack shuddered. The air was getting thick, heavy, getting harder to breathe. His eyes closed as he remembered who was taken away from him. Genesis, Angeal, Aerith... hell even cloudy at one time... all of then hurt, but... the one that hurt the most. The one that stung and burned with a pain never imaginable... that was Rufus' death. His Rufus... he chuckled at that thought. The blond hated the nickname...
Two weeks ago... we saw an improvement I was pretty sure he was going to make it. Two weeks ago his eyes opened. I was so happy to see those bright blue eyes... tired and groggy from waking up, dazed almost then... melted into joy, calm, innocence. I never though such a powerful man could show that... an innocence only known to him... it was breathtaking. I could recall I was crying, my happiness leaking out from my eyes at the sight of those familiar blue eyes.
But then... everything comes to an end... Zack cursed as the tears began to fall he could not hold back any longer. "Even strong men cry..." he muttered turning his dead sorrowful gaze toward the heavens where his beloved would rest. He looked back down. Like hell he believed any of that...
One week ago Rufus' condition suddenly worsened. His fevers spiked well beyond what they had before, his heart weakened. His pulse was so weak. The damned this was nearly nonexistent... I stayed by his side through it all... praying to the gods that they would spare Rufus' life. Give him a chance to atone for his sins... I was there bys his side, watching his struggle to stay alive. I was there when the doctors said there was nothing more they could do... I was there... when they said he would die...
I am not going to forget... the Ex-SOLDIER took a step back. His head low as the tears fell from his eyes. His hands clenched into tight fists as he looked back at the grave. "This is not goodbye Shinra..." For once, all emotion in his voice left. "We will meet again... whether it is in life or death..." he gave the stone slab a small smile and brought his hand to his forehead in mock salute.
Two days ago Rufus died. It was a shock to all of us really... The blond was young and strong... he held so much potential, so much power in his finger tips... we believed he could change the world... he could do something great. Gods... I was a wreck... but luckily it wasn't the only one... all the Turks took this blow hard. They had lost their reason to live, the glue that held this so-called family together. Remember shaking my head and telling them it was doing to be ok... it was a miracle they believed me... but then again... I did come back from the dead...
Well then... I guess this is goodbye... Zack stopped. Blinking he turned around. He could have sworn he heard something... a familiar voice... "Rufus...?" he shook his head and turned back around taking another step away from the grave. You are just going to leave...? There it was again... that voice... a sarcastic remark. Once again Zack turned around. "Naw I would ne-" he stopped in mid sentence as he saw nothing there. "Ok... I'm loosing it..." he muttered quietly to himself as he sat on the ground. Are you? The voice sounded one again there was that amused bit in the voice. "Ok this aint funny..." Zack took a step towards the grave.
It's not...? I think it is... Zack shook his head. "Cut it out Rufus..." there was a small gust of wind and warmth on the ex-SOLDIER's shoulder. Cut what out? This? But... this is fun... the voice whispered in his ear chuckling as the man shivered. Suddenly Zack could feel arms wrap around him. Silly boy... why didn't you notice me sooner? Zack looked over his shoulder and saw a familiar mop of blond hair. "Why...? I really don't know..." Rufus laughed. Rhetorical question...the spirit hummed contently and nuzzled into Zack's back. In response the SOLDIER moved to turn around. Don't...! Rufus tightened his grip on Zack. Don't look...I'll vanish... just a little longer... let me hold you...