Chapter 5 – The Meeting

Yo! LOL.. I'm listening to Rikku's theme song in FFX2.. hee.. it's really cool! VERY cute! Ha, ha! I thank all reviewers for reviewing! And if I make ANY grammar mistakes, please inform me! Thanks! And no… Rufus does NOT love his mother in THAT sense! Sorry for not updating for so long!

Disclaimer: blah, blah…

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"She's meeting me."

Cloud was shocked. He hurriedly whispered, " Erm… Tifa.. do you have any IDEA who this guy is? Hello? This is Rufus Shinra we're talking about here, girl! Are you out of your mind? Of all people… why Shinra?" Tifa gave him a Of-Course-I-know-who-this-guy-is-but-do-I-have-a-choice?-look. Cloud knew he was defeated then. "Ok, fine. Take care.. See you next time.. And Shinra, if you dare hurt her…" He trailed off, staring menacingly.

Rufus stared back, eyes a cold ice blue. "I won't hurt her. Never," He promised. Cloud shrugged and waved, followed by Aeris, Cid and Barret. " There's no way I'm gonna leave you here with this Shinra-guy, Tif!" Yuffie told her, grinning. Tifa smiled gratefully. Yuffie is SUCH a good friend!

"Ahem." They turned back to Rufus. "Would you two like to eat anything?" He offered generously. Tifa thought for a while and decided on a fruit salad, while Yuffie was deciding between Tempura Udon and Teriyaki Chicken with rice. She decided to take both. Rufus himself, decided to just have a cup of decaffeinated coffee latte. (A/N: I love coffee!)

"Elena? Please get those for us. Rude, Reno, Reeves, Scarlett – help Elena. Go now," Rufus ordered. They bowed. "Yes, Sir!" Tifa was amazed at their willingness to follow orders. They sat in silence while Tifa thought of something to say. Rufus looks so serious… I wonder why... He reminds me of Vincent...

"Are they… The Turks?" She asked curiously. Rufus looked at her. She doesn't KNOW about the Turks? "…Yes. You are new to this area, are you?" He answered. Tifa nodded.

"Yeah... Just moved here with my dad... So I don't know many people..." She replied. Yuffie was keeping herself busy, looking at the many types of food the cafeteria served. She was practically drooling.


"I... See.. " He answered swiftly. What do I say now? Was the only thing on his mind. "They are back with your food..." He informed the girls. Tifa smiled gratefully. "Here, let me pay for my salad," She offered, smiling sweetly. Rufus shook his head, saying," There is no need to repay me. I'm rich enough..."

"But... " Tifa insisted. Elena quickly butted in. "When Sir gives you a treat, just be grateful Tifa! This doesn't happen EVERYDAY right?" Tifa shrugged and sighed. Just trying to repay his kindness… Is there a problem with that? Hmph. Well, at least I get a free meal... "Well, thanks then!" She said, before wolfing down her salad. It was delicious!

"Yummy!" She licked her lips. Rufus was still sipping his coffee, while Yuffie was still savoring her food. She ate very loudly though, and was disturbing the other students. "Did you… Enjoy your food?" Rufus queried. Tifa nodded, " It was lovely! Never tasted a salad as nice as this one before!"

Rufus's lips curled up to become a smile. This girl's happiness was contagious. "So… Rufus, why didn't you order anything to eat?" Tifa asked, concerned. Rufus thought for a while, noticing that Tifa had called him by his first name – Rufus. Hardly anyone called him that. It was always Sir, or Mr. Shinra or something like that. The sound of his name was quite nice, to tell the truth. Trust mother to think of such a nice name for her son… He thought proudly. He always knew he was the best!

"I wasn't particularly hungry… what about you? You only ordered a fruit salad. It's not sufficient for a growing person…" Rufus answered defensively. Tifa grinned sheepishly. " I guess," She said.

Yuffie had finally finished eating and was staring daggers at Reno, her on-off boyfriend, who was flirting with yet another girl. "Baka!" She muttered angrily, looking at her watch. "Uh-oh. Tifa?" She tapped her friend's shoulder. Tifa whirled around.

"Whoa, girl… Didn't scare you did I?" Yuffie laughed. "Anyway, we have to go… say bye-bye to your boyfriend now…" she ran off. Tifa's veins were popping out. BOYFRIEND!!?? Rufus, my BOYFRIEND!!?? NO WAY. I am SO going to kill Yuffie!

Tifa sighed apologetically at Rufus, who was still sitting down, drinking his latte. "Well, see you! Oh yes…" She stuck out her hand. " Friends?" Rufus cocked his head. Friends? I never had a real one, did I? He took her hand and smiled.

" Friends. "

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Next chapter, she'll meet Vincent… ^_______^ Please review, thanks!

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