~Rufas~

~By: Aeris Gainsborough~

~Chapter 5~

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"And here he is now, President Rufas Shinra. Welcome president Shinra." Said the mayor of Junon.

Rufas shuddered slightly and Bethany stifled a giggle. They reached the main table and Rufas pulled out Bethany's chair. Then he made a little welcoming speech.

"Thank you my friend. I feel very welcome here in Junon. And you good people are to thank for that! Everyone enjoy yourselves tonight!" He said then he sat down.

Bethany leaned over and whispered to him "You had to pick us the seats right next to Scarlet and across from Reno right?"

Rufas looked around and smiled as he noticed all the Turks across from them and Scarlet on Bethany's left side.

"Well then come dance with me and I'll get you away from them." Rufas said taking her hand.

She followed him out on to the dance floor. Then the band played a soft, slow melody. Bethany knew the tune well and hummed it.

"You know koishii, I never got to tell you how much I love you." Rufas whispered in Bethany's ear.

"What?" she asked shocked as she looked into the blue eyes of her best friend, "saiai?"

"I told you, your friend would be here tonight," he whispered, "I don't know why you didn't believe me."

"I never would have thought, you were my saiai…" She trailed off.

Rufas smiled and led her into the hallway. Then he pulled out a long white box. He opened it and revealed the black bracelet she had given him so long ago.

"Oh my goodness…" she whispered, "You- you kept it."

"I recall you telling me to take good care of it so the next time we met I could put it back on your wrist and then we'd never part again. You remember that right?" Rufas asked as he put the little black rose bracelet on her wrist.

She nodded, "I thought about that everyday you were gone. Oh I thought I'd never see you again."

"I had your bracelet to get me through days like that." Rufas said pulling her into his embrace.

"I love you saiai," she whispered.

"And I love you koishii," He whispered back.

"NO!" a voice cried, "This can't happen! I won't let it!"

Rufas spun and pushed Bethany behind him, "Scarlet what's wrong with you?!"

"I will not let that-that- girl have you!" Scarlet shrieked "You need a woman to take care of you. That little girl cannot possibly be what you need."

"This 'little girl' is the woman I love. Get away from here before I have the guards remove you." Rufas said keeping Bethany behind him.

"Rufas?" Bethany asked shakily.

"Don't worry koishii, nothing will harm you. I will be sure of that." Rufas said watching Scarlet warily, "Now you have one more chance go or I'll call the guards."

"I'll help. GUARDS!" she yelled obviously insane.

Three guards and the Turks ran in to see what was wrong.

"Scarlet has gone out of her mind remove her now." Rufas said in a very commanding tone.

The guards ran up and grabbed for Scarlet's arms. She moved away and reached into her coat and pulled out a gun. She aimed and prepared to shoot at Bethany, "Goodbye you little-"

Suddenly the gun shot off. The bullet was headed straight for Rufas's chest. Bethany pushed him and tried to get out of the way… but she couldn't. Rufas jumped up and ran to the woman he loved. He caught her before she hit the ground.

"koishii? No, no! Please koishii get up. Don't leave me…" he held her close.

"Just remember saiai," she whispered faintly, "I'll always love you and I'll see you again someday." She coughed, "In the

L i f e s t r e a m," then life faded from her body.

"Go get a doctor and take Scarlet to Midgar and throw her in a jail cell. Now! Move it!" Rufas yelled as he picked Bethany up, "Don't die on me koishii. You can't die and leave me here."

There was no response. He carried her all the way to the doctor's office and refused to let her go. Then the doctor told him she was gone. Fresh tears sprang to his eyes as he held her.

Then Rufas carried Bethany back to the helicopter and told Reno to take them home.

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WAAAAAA!!!! How could I write something soooooo sad?!?!?!? I'm never usually able to do that! :::Sigh::: Sumimasen

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