Disclaimer: I don't own the Final Fantasy characters.

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Else where, Cloud and Aerith were wondering if Rufus could be trusted.

"If Enima senses good in him, there may be hope that he'd join us or call of his troops." Aerith told him

. "But we can't be too sure. He's our enemy and all of us know it," he replied firmly.

"Then we'll just have to wait and see. I know we have limited time now, but we have to know what he thinks." Vincent and Tifa had appeared over hearing their conversation.

"He's right in some way, but like you said we can't be too sure." Tifa added.

"In the mean time, we'll investigate the crater. Who knows what the blast did to it." Cloud sighed.

"Yes, that would be the best, right now. If the blast was strong enough to go through Diamond Weapon, it might've been strong enough to break through the barrier." Vincent stated.

"Cait Sith...set course for the crater right away." Cloud ordered.

"I'm Already on it... over and out." He confirmed.

The Highwind flew above the crater. Cloud called for a meeting at the bridge and all needed to be there, including Rufus. At the bridge, Red XIII kept an eye on Rufus all through the meeting.

"Looks like the Sister Ray's blast had broken away the barrier. It may seem that we'll be meeting the end and Sephiroth sooner than we think. We'll need to prepare for the worst as it may pop out of nowhere and we don't want to be kissing their feet now, would we?" he faced everyone.

They shook their heads. "We have to be strong, fast and most of all have faith in ourselves. Never fall when anyone doubts you. That is all for now." He concluded.

I left the bridge with Serena, Siew Mei and Aerith. Red escorted Rufus back to his 'room', Cloud and Vincent stayed on the bridge with Barret, Cid and Cait Sith, Tifa and Yuffie went up deck to see the sights with Bugenhagen and Naz , Jacques and Sam were in the engine room catching up on old times. I heard from Red that Rufus called for me.

"What does he want with you?" Serena asked sensing something bad.

"What ever it is, I'll handle it and will holler when anything happens." I answered seriously.

Followed Red to the room and there he was waiting. "Please leave us," he asked Red to leave the room.

"It's ok, I'll call when I need you, wait for me outside," I assured him and gave him a hug.

He could never resist my hugs. Red rubbed his head on me and left. As soon as he left, Rufus walked towards me. I dodged and asked what he wanted. He didn't answer but continued to come after me.

I dropped onto the chair, only then he stopped and asked, "How and why did you save me?" "Like I said, I didn't want to see you dead no matter how ruthless you were. Everyone has the right to live no matter what punishment they receive. Yours was death but you didn't arrest Aerith when she fainted and let me and Speed stay with her as you took the others away. There was good in you." I answered.

He lowered his head, he blushed and faced me. "I heard from Red XIII and Reeve that you could sing... would you... sing a song for me?" He asked bashfully.

"Huh? That was a very weird request from a guy like him, but what the heck." I thought to myself and answered, "Alright."

I sang the theme song from the anime series 'Ayashi no Ceres', Scarlet. He was intrigued with the sound of my voice so was Red waiting outside. He didn't know I could sing well. Rufus felt his heart melt; it was obvious he never felt this emotion before. His life was full of darkness, he may not have felt any love from his father either or anyone.

His life is as enigmatic as Vincent's, but not as lonely. I got up to leave, he pulled my hand.

"Please let go, I've things to do." I said without looking at him.

He pulled it still, what he wanted was unknown and I didn't want to know.

Please don't leave, I don't want you to. Stay with me, please. I've never felt this way before." He pleaded, strange thing for him to do.

"You know I can't do that. I'm involved with Speed; if that is the answer you seek." Still facing the door, I didn't look at him.

He let go, only then I faced him. I guess that was the first time someone had rejected him, he returned to the bed.

I gave him a peck on the forehead before heading out. "Well done, Enima, you sing very well." Red praised me at the door.

"That's a little too much praise for me Red," I said while stroking his back, "Besides, that wasn't my best voice," I continued cheekily.

He just smiled and followed me to the bridge. I whispered to Cait sith, my wish to visit the sectors in Midgar.

Cait Sith asked Cloud and he granted my wish. I flew down with Siew Mei and Aerith. Rufus and Jacques glanced out the window at us, but didn't follow.

"It seems like forever since we last came here." Aerith sighed.

"I agree." I added.

We went in the church and found kids taking care of the flowers. We didn't want to scare the kids, so we let them be. Visited Aerith's house, Elmyra and Marlene weren't there. Where Reeve was keeping them was unknown. Hope they're alright.

"Let's go to the Wall Market, there should be a few interesting things there now." I suggested.

In the item shop, the gun that shot us every time we tapped on the computer screen didn't shoot us. Instead the computer gave us excess to Tifa's best weapon, Premium Heart. Even in the weapon shop, the guy that sold us the batteries sold us a 'sneak glove' and just because we were 'nice' girls, he gave us a discount.

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