Rufus' Reign
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Chapter 3: New President

Carefully walking along with his many guards, Rufus paid no attention to the cheering of his audience. Instead, he was focused on what he was feeling inside.

This morning, Tifa had asked him if she could stay inside and not proceed with him during his speech. He was a little disappointed but understood as saw the look in her face as she asked.

[She's afraid...] he thought to himself, [But why? I told her that nothing could harm her with me by her side.. didn't she trust me?]

Rufus furrowed his brow. He knew she was scared to be in Shinra because more than half of the company still didn't fully trust her. Especially the Turks; in which he had to argue with almost all the time. The Turks refused to protect her as they did for him, which made Rufus more angrier with them and frustrated. He was going to change all that, he vowed it. He wasn't going to let Tifa live miserably with him all because his own corporation doesn't like her.

The day before today, he did. He talked to his advisors and the Turks that Tifa should be respected under the rule of him. He knew that they took it as a warning and that they knew that he wasn't kidding. But there was a small hint in their looks that made it clear that they were not understanding him clearly. So he threatened the company that if Tifa was ever hurt or was not helped under a certain circumstance, they will pay dearly.

[Maybe me threatening them just made everything worse for Tifa..] Rufus shook his head and sighed, "This is too damn hard." he grumbled softly.

He was now walking up to the stage. His guards quickly assembled themselves behind him as he neared the podium.

He cleared his throat, "Citizens of Junon, and earth." he started.

"In dedication to my father and his wishes, I will now appoint myself as the new president of Shinra."

The crowd grew wild and cheered loudly.

"And I will promise all of you that I will keep my father's intentions for Shinra and complete all that he wasn't able to do during his successful term."

The crowd clapped to his words.

"I will also take revenge for the person who stole my father's life, Sephiroth."

The crowd boo-ed the name.

"I will destroy him and his intentions for the sake of this earth and Shinra."

More cheers came from the crowd as Rufus slowly stepped down the stage and headed back to the hotel with his guards.

Walking back, he had his mind still with the thought of Tifa. As he was halfway down the street, a shot was fired in the air. Rufus was ducked down by one of his guards.

"Avalanche is here!" someone shouted from the crowd and suddenly a smoke bomb went off in the middle of the street.

Rufus' eyes widened at the words, "Why is Avalanche here?!" he yelled to the guard beside him.

The guard shrugged, "I'm not sure, sir!"

[Wait.. Tifa?] Ideas flew in his head, [She wasn't going to leave me was she?!] Angrily Rufus pulled out his shotgun from his coat and stood up and ran towards the hotel. He covered his mouth and squinted his eyes as he ran through the thick smoke. He heard one of his soldiers shout for him to come back and stay down, but he didn't listen.

[You can't be leaving me Tifa!] he painfully thought.

He broke open the door of the hotel and raced up the steps. Running down the halls he came to a complete stop infront of his room. He opened it hastily and caught up his breath as a puzzled Tifa stared back at him. She stood up from the bed; her dress that he bought her hung straight down to her ankles as she was on her feet.

"Are you already done?" she asked, wondering why he was back so early.

Rufus dropped his gun and slowly walked to her; his eyes locked with hers.

Tifa frowned, "What's wrong?"

Taking her by surprise, Rufus threw her arms around and her and held her tight, "Don't leave me.." he gruffly said under his breath.

Tifa, confused and thinking if she had missed something, also placed her hands around him. Just as she was about to ask what he had meant, Tifa got the idea that he might have thought that she was leaving, as the reason of her not wanting to go up with him on his speech. Taking a deep breath, Tifa buried her face in his chest, "I wouldn't even think of doing that." she softly said.

"I.. I thought you were going to leave." Rufus said.

"Why would you think that?" Tifa asked. She lifted her head up to face him.

Rufus frowned, "Because, Avalanche is here and I thought-" he was cut off as Tifa sealed his lips with her own.

Pulling away, Tifa looked at Rufus with seriousness in her eyes, "Don't ever think that I would do that to you." she whispered, "I chose to come with you that day, and I don't plan on leaving until you piss me off." Tifa gave a playfull grin at her last words.

Rufus smiled, "Then.. I hope I don't piss you off, ever, because I want you to stay forever."

Tifa blushed red, "Really? You mean..."

Bending down, Rufus kissed her.


~Review Pleaze! TY~
Next Chapter: 2nd Encounter and convincing
Review: The presidential party; Just as Tifa and Rufus were starting to enjoy each other's company, Avalanche comes in to break the party.

A/N: Dag yo! Thanks to Fire Lily, who got me to get this fic going. ^_^ it wasn't Xenogears I got hooked on again.. it was Harvest Moon: Back to Nature.. hehe. Anyways, can anyone guess what Rufus is 'meaning' by wanting to stay with Tifa forever? ^______^ if you know.. shhhh! LOL
-Laterz