Wow! Thank you guys so much for all your reviews last chapter! *tears up* I
feel so loved! I actually got to one hundred! *waves to Siren* Anyway,
thanks again so much! Anyway, I think my next goal will be 130, though I'm
not expecting much.
amyangel: Hehe, I know how you mean cute. Rufus has to be one of my favorite baddies in FF7, seriously. Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing all the time!
Ah-choo: hey, it's been a while! Yea, I know, the hate for Don Corneo is over whelming. Thanks for sticking by my stories! *sniffles*
Kage: Thanks for your review! I almost forgot about the item Vinnie gave Rufus until you mentioned it. *sighs* Vinnie is so forgotten in this story. Feel bad for him. Anyway, I guess that fake shot routine has been done a lot, it really is too bad Tifa didn't know that. Oh well, makes the plot more interesting, ne?
Volk Zyta: Eeks! I really do have to get a scene in where Tifa kicks butt. Bad thing is I need to work on my battle scenes, yup. Maybe I can squeeze one in here. And I love to write Yuffie. 'Oh it's just the guy that kidnapped Tifa. You can open the door again' Hehe, I kill myself! ( Thanks for reviewing!
Siren: hope this is fluffy enough for you, and thanks for being my one hundredth reviewer. If you need anything, just tell me! I don't know if I would be able to do another fanfic though . . .
Krisy: Hi! Sorry Tifa didn't yell at him, though it was getting a bit long and everything and even though Tifa/Rufus is the main couple, I don't want to do a whole chapter on them! Okay, so maybe I do, but maybe some other time.
generalquistis: I love your Rufus/Tifa stories! I checked out your artwork one time and I thought they were great! Could you do some for this story please? Pretty please? Hehe, joking. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Fire Fly: hi again. I love you in that non-gay way, y'know! You spawned this whole legacy and everything! *sniffles* Anything I can do just tell me. Anyway, I guess not a lot of people fell for that whole 'I don't really care act' which is a shame. I tried really hard. Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing as always! And school is evil, very evil.
Yuffie-Girl: I use Microsoft word and everything, but I'm still clueless about the bold and italics. *sighs* How sad am I? Anyway, yes, feel sorry for the cute Ruffie cause he messed up with words. Bad boy bad! *grins*
Foxyroxy: hello! You really have to notify me when you start your fic! I'll make sure to be one of the first to review! Thanks so much for reviewing, I feel really flattered if you wanted to use some of my stuff.
Chapter 15: What Kind of Horrible Person?
"Ah think we should burn him." Elena commented, tilting her head to the side as she eyed the Don, tied to a chair, a gag over his mouth as he struggled and squealed like a pig. The Don shrieked, struggling even more at the mere suggestion, his beady eyes wide behind the layers of fat that surrounded his entire being.
"That'll be too good for the pig. Ah say we should push him off a cliff." Yuffie voted, pumping her fist up and down, while Aeris pursed her lips. It was certainly un-lady like to think of such a thing, much less voice them out loud, however. she paused, turning to look at Corneo, her brow knitting in concentration. However, she supposed the Don deserved his punishment for kidnapping not just her, but Elena and Tifa. Not to mention the fact that he was horribly corrupt.
"Ladies, Ah don' think this is our job. Ah mean, the men can take care of him." Aeris stated with conviction, though Shera gave Aeris a teasing, but motherly look as she patted her shoulder. She looked up at the woman with a perplexed look about her.
"Aeris jus' wants an excuse to see her 'knight'." Shera teased, while Aeris's cheeks turned a bright red, and instantly everyone's eyes rested on her as she twisted her skirt. How had Shera found out? She was positive that she had uttered a word to no one, so how could Shera of all people possibly have found out?
"Shera! Please!" Aeris blushed, while instantly Elena and Yuffie's faces broke out into grins as they pounced on the girl, their eyes gleaming. Shera only stood in the background, Don Corneo forgotten for a moment while Aeris smiled slightly, tilting her head to the side.
"C'mon Aeris! Out with it!" Elena squealed, wondering who could have captured Aeris's ever wandering attention. Maybe Yuffie's friend, Zack. No, as playful and charming as the man was, he seemed more teasing like Aeris, and opposites and challenges was what Aeris liked. Especially ones involving romance and dashing men.
"Well. Ah think Ah've found who Ah've been lookin' for." Aeris admitted quietly, while the girls looked at her wide eyed, Yuffie grinning and rubbing her hands together. This sounded juicy, way better than the gossip those old hens did around afternoon tea, and better yet, it was happening right under her nose! Hehe, wait until Tifa heard this!
"Well, who is it? Ah have to tell Tifa this!" Yuffie piped, while Aeris continued to turn different shades of red, glancing down at her hands as they twisted cloth in her anxiousness.
She couldn't just tell them, could she? What if it was another desperate whim she had conjured up in her lonely mind? What if it was nothing more than a small crush? Aeris pushed the thought out of her mind, positive that this had to be the real thing. How could it not be, when every time she thought about him, her heart stopped and she felt like singing?
"Well!" Elena squeaked, and Aeris grinned, her face splitting into a sunny smile as she giggled.
"Ya know the man that's always 'round Reno? Rude? He's actually not." Aeris blushed, while the two girls gaped at her in surprise, while Shera nodded approvingly, her brown eyes twinkling behind her spectacle.
"Rude?" Elena managed to squeak after a moment, and Aeris turned to her, arching an eyebrow.
"Why, is there a problem?" Aeris asked, feeling her heart sink. If her friends didn't approve of the person she finally thought had captured her attention, what would she do? Would she be able to choose between her friends or the man she was interested in?
In truth, Rude had just handed back her flowers, though when she had bumped into him, she guessed she had knocked off his hat, because she was staring into the most exotic eyes she had seen. Stormy grey eyes had been staring back at her, and just thinking about them made her tingle. He had also helped her up, giving a slight apology, while Aeris's tongue had been stuck in her mouth, and she had just stared after him while he walked off, though he had tipped his hat to her. Did that mean anything?
"Awwww! How excitin'!" Elena squealed, launching herself at Aeris and embracing the older woman with a grin. "Finally someone's caught ya eye!" Aeris blushed while the rest of the girls giggled and chatted, though Yuffie paused, quickly growing bored of such talk when she didn't have a 'love life'. It seemed now she was the outsider, thrown into the bunch without so much as a warning. Sometimes she regretted being so spontaneous, but then again, it was more fun this way. Speaking of fun . . .
She glanced back at Don Corneo, who had looked comfortable for a minute just eyeing the attractive ladies to his vintage, though his tiny black eyes stared up at her in horror, her grin completely demonic.
"Ah think maybe we should beat him with a stick?" Yuffie said, getting back to the original conversation while Aeris giggled. She could almost imagine the Don tied up like a Mexican piñata, with little children around him with sticks, though she quickly dismissed the thought. No rope, she mused, could hold the weight of the Don.
"Ah liked the cliff idea better. Any 'round these parts?" She asked, while Shera pursed her lips, tilting her head to the side, exaggerating her thinking with a raise of an eyebrow, a mock serious expression on her face. All ideas sounded tempting. Ahh, choices, choices.
"Ah guess the men'll have to decide this one." Shera paused, looking back at Yuffie with a slight wink. "Ah think we should push him off a cliff." She admitted, while Elena laughed and made a sort of squish sound that made a grin come to everyone's faces, though Aeris's was more dreamy than anyone else's as she stared out into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tifa blinked, yawning and stretching like a cat just awakened as she rubbed her wine colored eyes, drowsy with sleep. With another yawn, she shivered as she stepped onto the cool wooden floor, effectively jolting her back into an alert state as she padded softly to the window, moonlight streaming into her room. She was curious to see what had awakened her. No one had bothered to see her other than Yuffie, who had checked up on her before Tifa dismissed her, saying she was tired and needed to rest, though she had only taken bits and pieces of a fitful sleep. Even though Dio had kidnapped her, she felt horrible, seeing him die like that. She was no stranger to death, her mother dead, many elderly people she had grown attached to had died in front of her eyes, withering slowly and then taking that last futile breath before slipping away.
It was horrible, and those deaths were mostly of natural causes, and to see someone murdered had shaken her. Especially since she realized how many times Rufus could have killed her. Or anyone in this establishment for the matter. She knew for a fact that Elena could be a crack shot if she wanted to, having seen her brandish a gun and shoot expertly at an enraged drunken costumer, missing him purposely so he would get the point, tail behind his legs as he ran out.
She had no clue why she had grown so comfortable around them, especially Rufus. Where along the lines had she forgotten that he could kill people, and so ruthlessly? His words still stung her, and the very though clenched at her heart painfully, making her bit back the tears. It didn't matter anyway. She had awoken to the sound of something rapping on the windowsill, and at first, she figured it had just been a bird, nothing more, nothing less, and had continued her fitful dozing. However, the rapping only increased, to an annoying pitch until she had become irritated enough to get out of the warm comfort of her bed to investigate.
With a positively sour look on her face, her eyes narrowed and her hair and clothes rumpled with sleep, she opened the window loudly, her hands fisting on the window sill with a scowl on her face.
"What is it-?" She stopped, dumbfounded to see Rufus grinning with his lady killer smile up at her, and that had made her stop and catch her breath, instantly lost in his blue eyes. The terrain was still as cold and barren, though there was some light glittering off his blue sapphires, some hope deep enough that if she dug, she would find it.
Her eyes narrowed angrily, and she turned to shut the window, though his soft voice stopped her, no longer arrogant, and that caught her attention so she paused, turning her gaze back to him.
"I have something to show you." Was all he said, and Tifa pursed her lips, sighing slightly. How come she was willing to go even though he didn't apologize for saying those hateful words? Was she really that sad? She sighed, reluctantly swinging her feet out the windows and dropping down into Rufus's waiting and strong arms. Instantly she blushed, though brushed it off as he settled her on the front of his chocobo, which gleamed in the moonlight, just like everything else about him. It made him seem somewhat like a night in shining armor, giving her a half smile that looked somewhat seductive in her eyes.
Somehow, she didn't want this ride to end, with Rufus's arms wrapped securely around her, strong and comforting, definitely not at all like Cloud's. Instantly her eyes widened as she fought the urge to smack herself.
Cloud! When was the last time she thought of him? She allowed a slight blush to grace her features again, this time not because of Rufus. She was ashamed of herself. Cloud was supposed to be her fiancée, and yet here she was with one of the most wanted outlaws in the west, going who knows where with him. Oh god, what kind of person was she?
She bit her lip again to stop a strangled cry within her lips, though Rufus just sent her a slight smirk, dismounting the chocobo and pointing.
"We're here." Was all he said, helping her step off, which she found chivalrous, which she didn't expect from him. This man had a way of surprising her, no matter how much time she spent with him.
Suddenly she let out a gasp of surprise, her eyes widening. It was beautiful, a gentle stream slopping by the side of a blossoming patch of lively flowers, singing with vibrant colors. On the other side, the moonlight streamed down onto the bank, bathing the dirt with liquid silver, making it hauntingly breathtaking, unlike the horrible dusty clinging substance it was during the day. It was somewhat ethereal, like this place had leapt out of the story books and right in front of her.
"It's . . . beautiful." Those were the only words to describe it, and she felt Rufus chuckle behind her, and distantly she wondered when he had been able to sneak up behind her.
"I used to come here often . . . after she died." Rufus broke the small silence that had descended upon them, and she blinked, looking up, her eyes sympathetic. She knew of whom he spoke. Isabelle, his mother. It was sad to know that he had lost his mother like she had, and for some strange reason, she pitied him, and usually that would have scared her, however she sympathized for she knew the same pain. It was all the same, losing someone so dear to you, no matter who you were. Loss spared no one.
"I'm . . . sorry." She said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of a lost child, desperately searching for the loving reassurance of his mother, only to be crushed, hope snuffed out like a flame. It hurt, she remembered the pain vividly, and thankfully she had someone to understand, since Yuffie had never known her mother, but missed her all the same. But Rufus . . . he never had anyone.
Rufus gave a nonchalant shrug, turning back to her with his blue eyes softer than before, or maybe it was a trick of the moonlight, Tifa couldn't be sure.
"It was his fault." Now his voice sounded angrier than sad, rage and a boiling hat churning just below of the surface of his cool blue eyes, and Tifa turned to him, her eyes wide.
"Who's fault?" Tifa asked softly, gently as to not upset him. He had kept this in for a long time, she figured, and it was better if he spoke of it instead of keeping it behind a cold unfeeling mask, because that mask could break anytime, and it would hurt more.
"My old man." His lips curved into a sadistic smile, his eyes narrowing and his hands clenched into fists, and Tifa blinked, searching his face for any sign of emotion. Only hate and anger resided there, cool, unrelenting hate that threatened to consume him if he didn't let it go.
"What did he do?" Tifa pressed gently, and he turned his gaze to her, angry and unseeing.
"He killed her. Shot her himself because she wanted to leave him. Because she wasn't obedient like his whores." Rufus snapped, his tone crisp and clipped, and Tifa flinched inwardly. Her father was horrible, but she would never say anything like that about him, especially in such a tone of voice. She'd probably be backhanded by one of the ladies who used to gossip about her. She gave a rueful smile. They'd have a field day if they saw her now.
"I'm . . . " Tifa started again, though Rufus stopped her, a merciless, humorless smile curving at his lips.
"Sorry? Everyone was sorry except for my old man." Rufus snapped, and Tifa moved to comfort him, though he turned his back to her, once again cold and detached, nothing like the lost man, no boy, that she had seen before. He turned his gaze to her, letting it sweep over her features, before resting on her full lips, and he smiled slightly, not the cruel arrogant smirk he usually held, but a true smile, no matter how small.
He leaned forward slightly, barely brushing his lips to hers, and her eyes instantly widened. He was tempted, oh holy how he was tempted, to deepen the kiss and claim her as his own, though he supposed now wasn't the time for it. He shouldn't get attached, and he was drowning in his thoughts of her already. He didn't need actually memories.
Tifa gave a slight gasp, her eyes widening as he pulled back, a slight smirk on his features, and with a deft movement, placed a delicate white rose in her hair, silently thanking Vincent, who certainly knew how to woo women. Tifa just stood there in shock, her hand going up to touch it, a somewhat dazed look on her face.
"We should leave." He said with a slight wink to her, and she blushed, looking down at her feet. Rufus Shinra had practically kissed her, and her sinful mind wished for more.
What kind of horrible person was she, to long for a kiss from an outlaw?
~*Author's Notes*~ Long chapter, yes. I'm still debating what I should do with the Don. Seriously, any suggestions would be appreciated, yes they would. Anyway, the scene with Rufus and Tifa was much fun for me, I just feel bad I didn't have him actually kiss her, but y'know how that is. And yes, to answer your questions, Rude. I felt sorry for him, yes I did, and besides, I thought it would be cute. Didn't I tell you this story was evil? Anyway reviews would be welcome as always. Oh, and I was thinking about doing a mailing list so you were notified when I updated. If you're interested, mention it in your review or just e-mail me! Thanks again!
amyangel: Hehe, I know how you mean cute. Rufus has to be one of my favorite baddies in FF7, seriously. Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing all the time!
Ah-choo: hey, it's been a while! Yea, I know, the hate for Don Corneo is over whelming. Thanks for sticking by my stories! *sniffles*
Kage: Thanks for your review! I almost forgot about the item Vinnie gave Rufus until you mentioned it. *sighs* Vinnie is so forgotten in this story. Feel bad for him. Anyway, I guess that fake shot routine has been done a lot, it really is too bad Tifa didn't know that. Oh well, makes the plot more interesting, ne?
Volk Zyta: Eeks! I really do have to get a scene in where Tifa kicks butt. Bad thing is I need to work on my battle scenes, yup. Maybe I can squeeze one in here. And I love to write Yuffie. 'Oh it's just the guy that kidnapped Tifa. You can open the door again' Hehe, I kill myself! ( Thanks for reviewing!
Siren: hope this is fluffy enough for you, and thanks for being my one hundredth reviewer. If you need anything, just tell me! I don't know if I would be able to do another fanfic though . . .
Krisy: Hi! Sorry Tifa didn't yell at him, though it was getting a bit long and everything and even though Tifa/Rufus is the main couple, I don't want to do a whole chapter on them! Okay, so maybe I do, but maybe some other time.
generalquistis: I love your Rufus/Tifa stories! I checked out your artwork one time and I thought they were great! Could you do some for this story please? Pretty please? Hehe, joking. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Fire Fly: hi again. I love you in that non-gay way, y'know! You spawned this whole legacy and everything! *sniffles* Anything I can do just tell me. Anyway, I guess not a lot of people fell for that whole 'I don't really care act' which is a shame. I tried really hard. Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing as always! And school is evil, very evil.
Yuffie-Girl: I use Microsoft word and everything, but I'm still clueless about the bold and italics. *sighs* How sad am I? Anyway, yes, feel sorry for the cute Ruffie cause he messed up with words. Bad boy bad! *grins*
Foxyroxy: hello! You really have to notify me when you start your fic! I'll make sure to be one of the first to review! Thanks so much for reviewing, I feel really flattered if you wanted to use some of my stuff.
Chapter 15: What Kind of Horrible Person?
"Ah think we should burn him." Elena commented, tilting her head to the side as she eyed the Don, tied to a chair, a gag over his mouth as he struggled and squealed like a pig. The Don shrieked, struggling even more at the mere suggestion, his beady eyes wide behind the layers of fat that surrounded his entire being.
"That'll be too good for the pig. Ah say we should push him off a cliff." Yuffie voted, pumping her fist up and down, while Aeris pursed her lips. It was certainly un-lady like to think of such a thing, much less voice them out loud, however. she paused, turning to look at Corneo, her brow knitting in concentration. However, she supposed the Don deserved his punishment for kidnapping not just her, but Elena and Tifa. Not to mention the fact that he was horribly corrupt.
"Ladies, Ah don' think this is our job. Ah mean, the men can take care of him." Aeris stated with conviction, though Shera gave Aeris a teasing, but motherly look as she patted her shoulder. She looked up at the woman with a perplexed look about her.
"Aeris jus' wants an excuse to see her 'knight'." Shera teased, while Aeris's cheeks turned a bright red, and instantly everyone's eyes rested on her as she twisted her skirt. How had Shera found out? She was positive that she had uttered a word to no one, so how could Shera of all people possibly have found out?
"Shera! Please!" Aeris blushed, while instantly Elena and Yuffie's faces broke out into grins as they pounced on the girl, their eyes gleaming. Shera only stood in the background, Don Corneo forgotten for a moment while Aeris smiled slightly, tilting her head to the side.
"C'mon Aeris! Out with it!" Elena squealed, wondering who could have captured Aeris's ever wandering attention. Maybe Yuffie's friend, Zack. No, as playful and charming as the man was, he seemed more teasing like Aeris, and opposites and challenges was what Aeris liked. Especially ones involving romance and dashing men.
"Well. Ah think Ah've found who Ah've been lookin' for." Aeris admitted quietly, while the girls looked at her wide eyed, Yuffie grinning and rubbing her hands together. This sounded juicy, way better than the gossip those old hens did around afternoon tea, and better yet, it was happening right under her nose! Hehe, wait until Tifa heard this!
"Well, who is it? Ah have to tell Tifa this!" Yuffie piped, while Aeris continued to turn different shades of red, glancing down at her hands as they twisted cloth in her anxiousness.
She couldn't just tell them, could she? What if it was another desperate whim she had conjured up in her lonely mind? What if it was nothing more than a small crush? Aeris pushed the thought out of her mind, positive that this had to be the real thing. How could it not be, when every time she thought about him, her heart stopped and she felt like singing?
"Well!" Elena squeaked, and Aeris grinned, her face splitting into a sunny smile as she giggled.
"Ya know the man that's always 'round Reno? Rude? He's actually not." Aeris blushed, while the two girls gaped at her in surprise, while Shera nodded approvingly, her brown eyes twinkling behind her spectacle.
"Rude?" Elena managed to squeak after a moment, and Aeris turned to her, arching an eyebrow.
"Why, is there a problem?" Aeris asked, feeling her heart sink. If her friends didn't approve of the person she finally thought had captured her attention, what would she do? Would she be able to choose between her friends or the man she was interested in?
In truth, Rude had just handed back her flowers, though when she had bumped into him, she guessed she had knocked off his hat, because she was staring into the most exotic eyes she had seen. Stormy grey eyes had been staring back at her, and just thinking about them made her tingle. He had also helped her up, giving a slight apology, while Aeris's tongue had been stuck in her mouth, and she had just stared after him while he walked off, though he had tipped his hat to her. Did that mean anything?
"Awwww! How excitin'!" Elena squealed, launching herself at Aeris and embracing the older woman with a grin. "Finally someone's caught ya eye!" Aeris blushed while the rest of the girls giggled and chatted, though Yuffie paused, quickly growing bored of such talk when she didn't have a 'love life'. It seemed now she was the outsider, thrown into the bunch without so much as a warning. Sometimes she regretted being so spontaneous, but then again, it was more fun this way. Speaking of fun . . .
She glanced back at Don Corneo, who had looked comfortable for a minute just eyeing the attractive ladies to his vintage, though his tiny black eyes stared up at her in horror, her grin completely demonic.
"Ah think maybe we should beat him with a stick?" Yuffie said, getting back to the original conversation while Aeris giggled. She could almost imagine the Don tied up like a Mexican piñata, with little children around him with sticks, though she quickly dismissed the thought. No rope, she mused, could hold the weight of the Don.
"Ah liked the cliff idea better. Any 'round these parts?" She asked, while Shera pursed her lips, tilting her head to the side, exaggerating her thinking with a raise of an eyebrow, a mock serious expression on her face. All ideas sounded tempting. Ahh, choices, choices.
"Ah guess the men'll have to decide this one." Shera paused, looking back at Yuffie with a slight wink. "Ah think we should push him off a cliff." She admitted, while Elena laughed and made a sort of squish sound that made a grin come to everyone's faces, though Aeris's was more dreamy than anyone else's as she stared out into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tifa blinked, yawning and stretching like a cat just awakened as she rubbed her wine colored eyes, drowsy with sleep. With another yawn, she shivered as she stepped onto the cool wooden floor, effectively jolting her back into an alert state as she padded softly to the window, moonlight streaming into her room. She was curious to see what had awakened her. No one had bothered to see her other than Yuffie, who had checked up on her before Tifa dismissed her, saying she was tired and needed to rest, though she had only taken bits and pieces of a fitful sleep. Even though Dio had kidnapped her, she felt horrible, seeing him die like that. She was no stranger to death, her mother dead, many elderly people she had grown attached to had died in front of her eyes, withering slowly and then taking that last futile breath before slipping away.
It was horrible, and those deaths were mostly of natural causes, and to see someone murdered had shaken her. Especially since she realized how many times Rufus could have killed her. Or anyone in this establishment for the matter. She knew for a fact that Elena could be a crack shot if she wanted to, having seen her brandish a gun and shoot expertly at an enraged drunken costumer, missing him purposely so he would get the point, tail behind his legs as he ran out.
She had no clue why she had grown so comfortable around them, especially Rufus. Where along the lines had she forgotten that he could kill people, and so ruthlessly? His words still stung her, and the very though clenched at her heart painfully, making her bit back the tears. It didn't matter anyway. She had awoken to the sound of something rapping on the windowsill, and at first, she figured it had just been a bird, nothing more, nothing less, and had continued her fitful dozing. However, the rapping only increased, to an annoying pitch until she had become irritated enough to get out of the warm comfort of her bed to investigate.
With a positively sour look on her face, her eyes narrowed and her hair and clothes rumpled with sleep, she opened the window loudly, her hands fisting on the window sill with a scowl on her face.
"What is it-?" She stopped, dumbfounded to see Rufus grinning with his lady killer smile up at her, and that had made her stop and catch her breath, instantly lost in his blue eyes. The terrain was still as cold and barren, though there was some light glittering off his blue sapphires, some hope deep enough that if she dug, she would find it.
Her eyes narrowed angrily, and she turned to shut the window, though his soft voice stopped her, no longer arrogant, and that caught her attention so she paused, turning her gaze back to him.
"I have something to show you." Was all he said, and Tifa pursed her lips, sighing slightly. How come she was willing to go even though he didn't apologize for saying those hateful words? Was she really that sad? She sighed, reluctantly swinging her feet out the windows and dropping down into Rufus's waiting and strong arms. Instantly she blushed, though brushed it off as he settled her on the front of his chocobo, which gleamed in the moonlight, just like everything else about him. It made him seem somewhat like a night in shining armor, giving her a half smile that looked somewhat seductive in her eyes.
Somehow, she didn't want this ride to end, with Rufus's arms wrapped securely around her, strong and comforting, definitely not at all like Cloud's. Instantly her eyes widened as she fought the urge to smack herself.
Cloud! When was the last time she thought of him? She allowed a slight blush to grace her features again, this time not because of Rufus. She was ashamed of herself. Cloud was supposed to be her fiancée, and yet here she was with one of the most wanted outlaws in the west, going who knows where with him. Oh god, what kind of person was she?
She bit her lip again to stop a strangled cry within her lips, though Rufus just sent her a slight smirk, dismounting the chocobo and pointing.
"We're here." Was all he said, helping her step off, which she found chivalrous, which she didn't expect from him. This man had a way of surprising her, no matter how much time she spent with him.
Suddenly she let out a gasp of surprise, her eyes widening. It was beautiful, a gentle stream slopping by the side of a blossoming patch of lively flowers, singing with vibrant colors. On the other side, the moonlight streamed down onto the bank, bathing the dirt with liquid silver, making it hauntingly breathtaking, unlike the horrible dusty clinging substance it was during the day. It was somewhat ethereal, like this place had leapt out of the story books and right in front of her.
"It's . . . beautiful." Those were the only words to describe it, and she felt Rufus chuckle behind her, and distantly she wondered when he had been able to sneak up behind her.
"I used to come here often . . . after she died." Rufus broke the small silence that had descended upon them, and she blinked, looking up, her eyes sympathetic. She knew of whom he spoke. Isabelle, his mother. It was sad to know that he had lost his mother like she had, and for some strange reason, she pitied him, and usually that would have scared her, however she sympathized for she knew the same pain. It was all the same, losing someone so dear to you, no matter who you were. Loss spared no one.
"I'm . . . sorry." She said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of a lost child, desperately searching for the loving reassurance of his mother, only to be crushed, hope snuffed out like a flame. It hurt, she remembered the pain vividly, and thankfully she had someone to understand, since Yuffie had never known her mother, but missed her all the same. But Rufus . . . he never had anyone.
Rufus gave a nonchalant shrug, turning back to her with his blue eyes softer than before, or maybe it was a trick of the moonlight, Tifa couldn't be sure.
"It was his fault." Now his voice sounded angrier than sad, rage and a boiling hat churning just below of the surface of his cool blue eyes, and Tifa turned to him, her eyes wide.
"Who's fault?" Tifa asked softly, gently as to not upset him. He had kept this in for a long time, she figured, and it was better if he spoke of it instead of keeping it behind a cold unfeeling mask, because that mask could break anytime, and it would hurt more.
"My old man." His lips curved into a sadistic smile, his eyes narrowing and his hands clenched into fists, and Tifa blinked, searching his face for any sign of emotion. Only hate and anger resided there, cool, unrelenting hate that threatened to consume him if he didn't let it go.
"What did he do?" Tifa pressed gently, and he turned his gaze to her, angry and unseeing.
"He killed her. Shot her himself because she wanted to leave him. Because she wasn't obedient like his whores." Rufus snapped, his tone crisp and clipped, and Tifa flinched inwardly. Her father was horrible, but she would never say anything like that about him, especially in such a tone of voice. She'd probably be backhanded by one of the ladies who used to gossip about her. She gave a rueful smile. They'd have a field day if they saw her now.
"I'm . . . " Tifa started again, though Rufus stopped her, a merciless, humorless smile curving at his lips.
"Sorry? Everyone was sorry except for my old man." Rufus snapped, and Tifa moved to comfort him, though he turned his back to her, once again cold and detached, nothing like the lost man, no boy, that she had seen before. He turned his gaze to her, letting it sweep over her features, before resting on her full lips, and he smiled slightly, not the cruel arrogant smirk he usually held, but a true smile, no matter how small.
He leaned forward slightly, barely brushing his lips to hers, and her eyes instantly widened. He was tempted, oh holy how he was tempted, to deepen the kiss and claim her as his own, though he supposed now wasn't the time for it. He shouldn't get attached, and he was drowning in his thoughts of her already. He didn't need actually memories.
Tifa gave a slight gasp, her eyes widening as he pulled back, a slight smirk on his features, and with a deft movement, placed a delicate white rose in her hair, silently thanking Vincent, who certainly knew how to woo women. Tifa just stood there in shock, her hand going up to touch it, a somewhat dazed look on her face.
"We should leave." He said with a slight wink to her, and she blushed, looking down at her feet. Rufus Shinra had practically kissed her, and her sinful mind wished for more.
What kind of horrible person was she, to long for a kiss from an outlaw?
~*Author's Notes*~ Long chapter, yes. I'm still debating what I should do with the Don. Seriously, any suggestions would be appreciated, yes they would. Anyway, the scene with Rufus and Tifa was much fun for me, I just feel bad I didn't have him actually kiss her, but y'know how that is. And yes, to answer your questions, Rude. I felt sorry for him, yes I did, and besides, I thought it would be cute. Didn't I tell you this story was evil? Anyway reviews would be welcome as always. Oh, and I was thinking about doing a mailing list so you were notified when I updated. If you're interested, mention it in your review or just e-mail me! Thanks again!