Rufus opened his eyes to see a figure walking into his room. Alarmed, he sat up. It took him a minute to realize who the figure was.

While he stared at her with confused eyes, Aeris moved closer, smiling. She climbed on top of the bed and sat on his lap. She started running her fingers through his hair. Rufus closed his eyes. He felt Aeris' delicate hands caressing his face, and wanted so much to touch her, but he found that he couldn't move.

Aeris slowly pushed Rufus down onto the bed and cupped his face with her hands. Rufus opened his eyes to see the emerald eyes staring at him. She was so beautiful, unbelievably angelic. Rufus felt her breath on his cheeks as she slowly descended upon his lips, the look on her face the exact same one that she wore in the tent.

Rufus found himself getting lost in the emerald eyes as the kiss, so sweet that it was almost teasing, was placed on his lips. He wanted to kiss her back, but to his dismay he still couldn't move a muscle.

After the short moment of happiness, Aeris sat up, and got off the bed. She looked teary-eyed, just like she was at the ball. Rufus felt his heart drop, and tried to stand up, to no avail. He watched Aeris get out of the door, running, crying. Just like she did in the ball . . .

"NO!!!"

Rufus sat up in the darkness, all alone. He turned on the light and the first thing he saw was the confirmation of Aeris Gainsborough's death, done by the very sorrowful Turks.

For the first time since his mother died, Rufus felt his heart being choked. Gods, Aeris, why you?? He tried to push it down, but before he could, a few drops of tears rolled down his cheek.

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Tifa was sitting in front of the dining table, waiting for Aeris to finish her cooking. Now that they shared an apartment, they had "evenly" distributed all works done around the household. During the month they had become very close, both drawn by the sunny personalities of the other. Today was Aeris' turn to cook breakfast, although it usually turned out to have Tifa cook another set for herself.

After a few minutes though, Aeris came out with two dishes. Both contained scrambled eggs and a toast. Aeris looked disheveled, her apron caked with pancake mix.

Tifa laughed. Is this what she came up with after spending over thirty minutes in the kitchen? Her friend could do everything else but couldn't cook if her life depended on it.

Tifa cared genuinely about Aeris. She knew that Aeris did too, thankful for her hospitality. Ever since Cloud rescued her in the streets of slums, Aeris had become like family to all the members of Avalanche. It seemed to her that Aeris had a charm that drew everyone around her. . . even Cloud.

That was one thing that Tifa kept from her friend. Tifa didn't tell Aeris that it bothered her, or ate her alive, to see Cloud by the door, looking for Aeris instead of herself. She didn't tell Aeris that it made her sleepless for days when Cloud looked yearningly at Aeris caring for her flowers. Aeris didn't seem like she was aware of it herself. Tifa couldn't bring herself to hate her, knowing that Aeris had done nothing wrong.

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Cloud sat out walking to the direction of Tifa's bar. His head was filled with the thoughts of one person - Aeris.

He went to Tifa's house very often these days, just to see the green-eyed girl humming around the house, cleaning the windows or watering her flowers. She had looked so fragile when he had first met her, but she had turned out to be a spirited girl with a buoyant attitude.

It brought a smile to his lips.

When she had hugged him, it had broken a barrier around him. He had been a closed shell, blocking any kind of emotions from entering him or going out of him.

However, the tears that the girl shed for this guy named Rufus was a sheer demonstration of how someone could care about someone else for more than just a friend. When she had thrown herself to him, clinging on to him as if her life depended on it - he had been very sorry that he wasn't "Rufus", whoever he was.

Days later, when she went with Tifa to live at her house, Cloud felt as a part of him - which enabled him to care about someone - had gone along with her. He missed seeing her petite figure around the house, smiling and bright. If he could be adored by someone like her to that degree that she had for Rufus - maybe he will learn to do the same for her. Maybe he could fill the void that was created when he was left alone without a friend during his youth.

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When Cloud arrived, he found that everyone was already downstairs. He hurried down to see Barret fuming about Shinra, in his usual attitude. However, everyone was excited and nervous about their very first "big" mission - the blowup of Sector One Reactor.

Barret and Cid started their usual conversation about the "damn Shinra", while Tifa and Aeris were chatting about something else. Yuffie was sitting by Red XIII and Vincent, chattering away. When Cloud entered, Tifa and Aeris looked up. Everyone else didn't take notice.

Cloud sat down next to Aeris, making as much noise as possible so that the people will look up. They did, and the usual meeting began.

"Are you sure that we should go through with this? I mean, what if we don't get out of there in time?" Yuffie spoke up.

The usual worries began sprouting themselves and the usual reassurances also took place. Yuffie was obviously worried that they will end up dying in the huge mako reactor. So was Tifa and Aeris. However they kept their mouths shut, knowing that this is something that's not gonna change.

After going over the plan, Barret shouted. "Nine days to go, gang!"

Not everyone was so enthusiastic as he was.

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President smirked when he saw Rufus working away, ordering everyone in his command to find information about Avalanche. He didn't expect the little article to fuel up such hatred toward the little rebel group that was getting annoying. Rumors had it that they were up to something huge this time. However, the vice president was smart and rarely failed to do what he attempted.



After a few days, Rufus Shinra had all the information he needed to eliminate Avalanche from the face of the planet. . . oh, in six days.

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Aeris sat in a chair in her room late at night, thinking about the mission that was coming up so soon. Gods, when that mako reactor blows up - what will happen? The Avalanche had assured her that there will be no civilian casualties or anything like that. They emphasized that mako power was the very symbol of Shinra.

Shinra.

Rufus.

She closed her eyes and a familiar face greeted her. He had looked like. . . Prince Charming. Aeris giggled, then frowned. 'Sure he was a prince. Prince of Shinra Conglomerate.'

She pushed the uneasy feeling in her stomache away.

'He "played" around with you, Aeris!'

'It might be a misunderstanding,' Aeris feebly responded to the voice in her head.

'Forget about it, it's been a month and he still hadn't even attempted to find you yet. It serves him right to destroy what Shinra stands for.'

You were nothing to him.

Aeris sighed and closed her eyes. She got up and changed and went to bed.

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Rufus checked over the reactor to see everything was complete. Fifty guards were placed, ready to lure, or force the damn Avalanche into a certain open space that resembled the heart of the Reactor. Within it was a bomb. The door would close down from all sides and they will be trapped. The reactor will be safe and Avalanche would be gone.

Avalanche, who with their stupid and meaningless actions had killed an angle on earth.

They would pay.

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Author's note: GOD GOD GOD Can I suck more??? The only part I like about the whole chapter is in the beginning, where Rufus dreams of Aeris. It's not supposed to be sexual or implying of sex in any way. It's supposed to be SENSUAL and TENDER. There is a difference, I think. Right? : )

Well, watch the unaware Rufus, trying to kill the very person who he holds dear to his heart. And watch ClEris develop. Mwahaha! Ha. well this chapter is yet another intro. Something WILL happen in the next chapter, I tell you! ^_^