The Dream of Forgiveness
Ch 4: A Man Will Always Be A Man
Don't own FFVII, but I own OC
Cloud and Kiyori drove for a while, the wind blowing in their hair. Kiyori didn't say a word as they drove through empty street. She looked up when they reached a large metal building, a lodge that apparently Rufus was staying at or perhaps he was hiding. Kiyori's blue eyes fixed on the small building as Cloud turned off his engine.
She slowly stood from the bike and stretched her arms over her head. The fact that she was actually going through this settling into her stomach. A sigh escaped her lips and she turned to Cloud. "After you.", she said making a motion with her hands. She walked behind Cloud as they climbed the steel staircase, her heels making loud clicks on the ground. Kiyori raised an eyebrow as Cloud grabbed his sword and turned the door knob.
As the door opened, the high-pitched clink of metal meeting metal was heard. Reno pulled back and tried to hit Cloud again. Kiyori slipped in the door and watched as Reno stumbled outside, he turned around and tried to run back but Kiyori slammed the door in his face and locked it, leaning her back against the door. "Okay, so your good.", Reno called from the outside of the door making her smile a little.
They both turned around when they heard the door open on the other side of the room. "Yah, Rude looking sharp!", Reno yelled. Rude pulled out a similar rod that Reno had just used to attack Cloud with. Cloud's sword came inches from his face in a threatening manner. Kiyori frowned and shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hey Kiy! You're looking hot as ever.", Reno yelled. Kiyori rolled her eyes and kicked the door hard.
She turned her attention to the door when she heard it open once again. "Good you fight like the SOLDIER you once claimed to be.", the man in the wheel chair said. He stopped his chair and faced Cloud and Kiyori. Kiyori let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. He was covered by a white blanket wrapped around him, but Kiyori knew who he was.
"You haven't lost your touch.", Rufus complimented. A frown appeared on Cloud's face. "Rufus Shinra?" Cloud turned his head and looked at Rude. "Do I feel sorry for you." Kiyori smirked at Cloud's comment. "The day of the explosion..." "What do you want from me?" It seemed Cloud wasn't interested in hearing his speech, nevertheless Rufus continued.
"I managed to get out..." "Who were the guys that attacked me?" "before it co-", Rufus tried to continue. "I'm leaving." Everything was quite after Cloud's last comment. Rufus, lifted his head a little from the blanket. Kiyori frowned more, this was not the man she once knew. Rufus had always been strong, to see him sick like this was awful. She looked down at his hand, seeing the black sores on his fingers.
She caught a glimpse of his face under the blanket. He still had the same strong expression. Perhaps this wheel chair was all an act to make him appear sicker then he really was. "Kiyori.", Rufus' voice called to her. She frowned and fixed her blue eyes on him. "I'm still out here!", Reno could be heard calling from outside.
"It's been a long time. Last time you heard from me there was a reward for my death.", she said. Rufus frowned and shook his head softly. "A mistake, I assure you.", he lied. Cloud turned toward Kiyori not wanting to hear anymore and headed for the door before Rufus called to him.
"We need you assistance Cloud.", Rufus said, holding out his hand. Kiyori noticed his actions were swift. Definitely not the reflexes for a man in a wheel chair. He was bluffing. "Not interested.", Cloud answered him, making Rufus frown deeper.
Cloud eyes found the floor as Rufus continued to speak. "I acknowledge that Shinra owes the planet a lot. It goes without saying that my company and I put the world in the sorry state it's in. Therefore we feel that it's our responsibility to make it right.", Rufus said.
Kiyori eyes lowered. "You led the world to slaughter just for a taste of the promise land.", Kiyori whispered, meeting Shinra's eyes. It hadn't been that long since she had seen him but in the two years that she hadn't, stress had definitely taken it's toll on him.. or perhaps it was grief for what he had done to the world. "Lets go.", Cloud said as he put a hand on Kiyori's shoulder.
He turned his head sideways to Rufus, glaring at him. "Were leaving.", he said, slowly opening the door. "We conducted an investigation in Sephiroth's wake.", Rufus said making Cloud stop. Kiyori's ears perked up when she heard Sephiroth's name.
"It's been two years... now that the world is on its feet again. What poses the greatest threat? Well... that one's easy.. Geostigma. And we have reason to believe that this is Sephiroth's doing. The people blame mako energy, mako reactors and even the lifestream for causing the stigma. However, isn't that blame misplaced? The lifestream has existed as long as the Planet... and even mako energy has been part of our lives for forty years and yet... there's no mention of the stigma in recorded history. So... what happened during out time to change all of that? I can think of only one thing. The arrival of Sephiroth.", Rufus said.
"I would hardly say that the world is on its feet.", Kiyori whispered. There was no Sephiroth's wake... that was impossible. Sephiroth was dead.
Cloud turned back around and faced Rufus, his body tensed up. "Sephiroth is dead.", he answered sharply. "Yes but has his mind died? What if he somehow dissolved into the Lifestream coursing through the Planet undistributed?", Rufus asked, making Kiyori very nervous. Cloud didn't say anything and just continued to stare at Rufus.
"I know. It's just speculation but... it is possible, isn't it?... and we can't cure the stigma until we know the truth. So we took action... we went to look for traces of Sephiroth. Do you know where we started looking?", Rufus asked knowing he had gotten Cloud's attention back. "Yep, at the Northern Cave", Reno agreed from outside the door. "And what do you think we found?", Rufus asked. Kiyori looked at Cloud tense up more as Rufus taunted him. "Nothing, nothing at all, you can relax.", Rufus answered, waving his hand a little.
Cloud let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding, his body relaxing again. The adrenalin once flowing now going back to its normal state. Rufus continued his game, weaving his words around Cloud almost as a way to keep him from leaving. "However not all went as planned...we where interrupted by Kadaj and his gang. They'll be after you as well.", Rufus said, taking to Cloud.
"Leave me out of this.", Cloud said, a frown appearing on his face. "How?... Your and Kiyori's ties with Sephiroth run as deep as ours too, Cloud. If Kadaj's purpose is to do what's necessary to prepare for the moment then.. we stand in the way.. as his greatest threat.", Rushus said. "Moment?.. What moment?", Kiyori asked, hesitantly.
Rufus paused for a moment and then looked up. "Sephiroth... Reborn.", he answered. Kiyori stared at him in disbelief. That was impossible, Sephiroth was dead, she saw Cloud kill him herself. "Are you done talking?", Cloud asked, not wanting to hear anymore. "Let's get to the issue at hand. In order to combat Kadaj, we need someone with your expertise. Will you join us, former SOLDIER, Cloud", Rufus asked, holding out his hand.
Cloud looked down. "Former.", he said, his blue eyes turning towards the ground again. "What's this stuff about mother?", Cloud asked, not looking at Rufus. Kiyori's eyed Rufus to see his reaction, wanting to know the answer to this question too.
"Why did Kadaj say something to you? No surprise, there are plenty of kids who miss their mothers. That's the world we live in.", Rufus said, making Kiyori frown. Something in his voice seemed like he was hiding something. It was something in the way his body stiffened... just in the slightest bit.
"Rufus... are you hiding something from me?", Cloud asked, slightly turning his head toward him. "I'd never keep a secret, especially from a comrade.", Rufus answered. Kiyori slightly shook her head. Rufus Shinra had always been good at lying. "I'm sure you want to learn all about the stigma... naturally for the sake of those orphans you live with.", Rufus continued, making Kiyori frown.
Rufus hadn't changed at all. This man knew just what to say to get what he wanted. She turned her eyes toward Cloud who started to look like he was going to actually give in. Rufus raised his hand. "Think about it... Don't you want to put smiles back on their faces? All we want in the end.. is to rebuild our world, Cloud.", he said, doing all he could to convince Cloud. Don't fall for it Cloud... "But I-", Cloud hesitated debating on helping this man, a man that ruined the world no less.
Cloud's eyes met Kiyori's who shook her head very slightly and furrowed her eyebrows a little. "Come on, Cloud! Think about it, together we could rebuild Shinra.", Reno said, leaning against the now open door. That did it. Cloud turned around and made his way out the door. "Not interested.", Cloud called. Kiyori stepped out with him and caught his arm.
"Cloud. Shinra's not telling us everything. I worked with this man for a long time. I know him. He's hiding things.", she said, meeting his blue eyes. "Kiyori you don't have to.", Cloud said, a frown appearing on his face again. "It's the only way anyone will get information out of him.", she answered, letting go of his arm.
"Where are you heading?", she asked, changing the subject. Cloud hesitated before a smile crossed Kiyori's lips. "You don't have to answer... I know.", she said, a small smile crossing her face. Cloud nodded and walked over to his bike. She watched as he drove off and walked back up the steps, opening the door back to the lodge.
Reno smirked at her, making her frown. "Now we just gotta find Tseng and Elena. The other employee's give you any leads?", Reno asked Rude. "Nothing yet.", Rude answered. Reno was seated on one of the couches, stretching his arms over his head. "Hey babe. Come to visit me?", Reno asked, the same smirk still playing on his lips as he acknowledged her.
"No.", Kiyori said, looking around for Rufus. He was no where to be seen at all. Where had he disappeared to? "Where's Rufus?", she asked, still looking around as she sat on the couch next to Reno. "Who'd have thought, Shinra's Employee's all returning to work?", he said, ignoring her question.
Kiyori frowned and turned toward Rude. "Now that's dedication, I'm telling you this is going to be a fresh start.", Reno said, a smile forming on his lips. Kiyori turned her eyes to him, surprised by the soft tone he had used in his voice. "Reno... perhaps you're being too optimistic...", she whispered, giving a slight frown. Rude stood by the window and stared off in the distance, as if he was trying to find something outside. "Well, those who are alive have a lot to atone for.", Rude answered him.
Reno sighed and nodded his head slowly. "Two years... has it already been that long? It seems a lot longer than that. What a nightmare, huh?", he asked. Kiyori frowned more. "It was.", she agreed, meeting his blue eyes. Rude slowly walked away into another room leaving Kiyori and Reno alone. "Kiy..", he said, calling her name softly.
She turned to him slowly, his expression a bit hesitant. "You're sick?", he asked, slowly, leaning forward. Kiyori didn't know how to react but still met his eyes, she slowly nodded and then turned away. Silence fell over them and her ears perked up as she caught the sound of Shinra's chair moving through the next room. "You must hate my guts then.", he said, resting his head on the arm rest and looked up at the ceiling.
"Reno.. It's not your fault.", Kiyori retorted quickly, wanting to kill any guilt he felt. A small smile came to her face as she stood slowly from the couch. "..You were blindly following orders... just like I was. There's nothing to feel guilty for...", she said, heading to where Shinra was. She rested her body against the door frame and crossed her arms over her chest. A sigh escaped her lips as she tried to switch to a seductive mode.
She met his eyes making a small smile spread across his face. Her ears picked up the sound of Rude's footsteps walking back into the room to speak with Reno. "Rufus... you haven't changed.", she said, looking at the man in the chair. "Could you give us some time alone.", Rufus called to Reno and Rude, more a statement then a request. Kiyori felt sick to her stomach a little as she approached him. She reached up and took off the blanket that was covering him.
"You can stop hiding behind this.", she whispered. Rufus met her eyes and slowly stood from his chair, pushing the chair away from both of them. Kiyori smirked knowing she was right. It was all an act. He could perfectly stand up by himself, sure... he was sick but he wasn't nearly as feeble as he had acted to be. "You're not telling us something.", she said, not moving her eyes away from his. A small smile came to his lips.
"I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with me?", Rufus said, a frown tugging on his lips. Kiyori bit her bottom lip. "Time has passed since then... and we've both changed..", she whispered, tilting her head down a little to try to seem sincere. "Then are you suggesting a bargain?", Rufus asked, not taking his eyes away from hers. "Perhaps.", she answered taking a step closer to him, her lips very close to his.
"Just like old times.", Rufus said under his breath. Kiyori felt her heart sink a little as she felt his hand bring her closer to him. She hated to have to do this, she hated this man that ruined the world... yet there was always some sexual tension between the two. Rufus was, of course, very handsome but just like all men that had power... they loved their position more then anything else, there was no other place in his heart for a real devoted relationship.
Even when she was in SOLDIER, there was always that tension in the air between them. Things had not changed it seemed for she felt his lips slowly ghost along her cheek. A smirk came to her lips. Rufus was devious and cruel but after all he was just a man, the one and only thing she could control. Kiyori eyes looked up at his as lips gently ghosted over hers, not sure if he fully wanted to give in.
"This stays a secret between us. I want to make myself perfectly clear.", Kiyori said breathlessly as she ghosted her lips across his, not fully committing either till he agreed. "As good as sealed.", he said back, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her closer.
Kiyori arched her body against his let her hands rest on his chest. "And am I assured that information won't be held from me?", Kiyori asked, looking up at him lustfully, hoping that would be enough for him to give in. "You're assured.", Rufus said as he leaned down, ghosting his lips down her neck once again. Kiyori smirked. Perfect~
Rufus had done exactly what she wanted. At least she still had some control over him this way. After all... no matter how powerful the man, he still had a dominate gene that every male had to have a woman in his arms.
With the contract sealed between them Kiyori pressed her lips to Rufus', not wanting him to add anything now that she had everything perfectly. She felt him smirk against her lips as she let a soft sound escape her lips. Rufus growled back when he heard her make such a soft sound and pulled her tighter against him.
She smirked as his pure male dominance took over and his hands were slowly creeping up under her shirt at a menacingly slow pace. He was always such a tease. He slowly pulled it off, placing kisses on her shoulder and collarbone, making another soft sound escape her mouth. Rufus' lips traveled to the rim of the bandage, making him pull away. He slowly grabbed her arm and looked at the black ooze seeping through the bandages.
"You have the stigma.", he whispered softly, making her blue eyes fix on him. She nodded slowly and watched as his expression slightly went to one of grief. She quickly pulled her arm away and leaned up to kiss him again, not wanting to loose the lust state he was in. She felt his warm hands running down her body making her moan softly. "Let's not worry about that now...", she sighed back, looking into his eyes lustfully.
His hands slowly made their way down to her hips where he fiddled with the buttons of her black pants. He slowly pulled them down a little, and ran his fingers back up to her hips, playing with the tie strings of her panties. A smirk came to her lips as she slowly pushed him away and sat up on the desk in the room, kicking off her pants.
Rufus let out another low growl when he felt Kiyori's hands glide under his shirt, her cold fingertips tracing random patterns over his stomach. Rufus licked her neck softly as he allowed her fingers to dance along his warm skin. He smirked when he heard a soft hiss come from her and continued to nibble and suck on the sweet spot that he had found on her neck, bringing more soft sexy sounds from her mouth.
She watched as Rufus took a step back from her and slide off his shirt and tossed it across the room. She brought their lips to meet again as he stepped closer to her, their tongues rubbing against each other. Rufus reached down and discarded his remaining clothing as Kiyori ran her fingers through his blond hair.
"Are you sure about this?", Rufus said, breathlessly grabbing onto her hip harder, pulling her closer to him. "If I wasn't sure, would I be here?", Kiyori answered, lust coating her words. Rufus smirked a little kissed her roughly, making Kiyori grip onto him.
End of Ch.4