Rufus looked around the old house. He let his hand run over a small kitchen table. Rufus turned and walked up the staircase. Two small rooms were upstairs. He sighed, and opened a door, looking down at a small bed. He pulled off his cloak, set it on a near by chair, and flopped down on the bed.

He rolled over on his back and looked up at the ceiling. "This will be worth it all..." He said to himself. Rufus was exhausted. He still didn't have enough strength to stand all day. He slowly closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

####

Couri wandered through the streets of Midgar, looking around at the signs of the bars. She sighed and walked into the wall market. People glance at her as she turned, and stepped into the nearest bar. She signaled to the bar tender for the normal drink of beer. She picked it up, and left the Gil on the counter, retreating to a table in the back where she wouldn't be bothered.

She set the half empty mug down, after having a long draft of it. "You can come out now." She said to the shadows. "I know you were following from the playground outside of the ruins of Sector 7."

"You have good senses." A shadow said. A flash of Mako glowed in the darkness. Rankin stepped out of the shadows, and looked at Couri. "I'm not usually heard." He said.

"I spotted your eyes." Couri said. Rankin sighed, sitting down in an empty seat at the table. "I didn't offer you a seat." Couri snapped.

"I didn't ask you for one." Rankin replied. Couri groaned and stood. Rankin followed her motion.

"What are you doing?" She said, becoming annoyed.

"My job." Rankin said simply. Couri turned around and looked at him. She finally saw the Turk uniform he wore.

"If Tseng wants me to join him, tell him he can fall with Shinra alone." She said, walking out.

"That's not it." Rankin said, still following her. "Tseng didn't give the order." Couri spun around, raising her hand to hit Rankin. He quickly took a step back so he was out of her reach.

"I'm not going to warn you again, so listen closely." Couri said. Her voice sounded calm and smooth, but at the same time, definite. "I will kill you if you get in my way." She quickly turned and walked off.

Rankin started to follow her again, but his phone rang. "Yes?" He said, patiently.

"I'm guessing that Couri has already seen and threatened you." Rufus' voice said, over the phone.

"Yes, sir." Rankin said. "What should I do now? Do you want me to keep following her?"

"No." Rufus said. "Go and report to Tseng." Rufus said. "She knows I'm watching her now."

"Yes Mr. Shinra." Rankin said.

"You're a good man, Rankin." Rufas said. "And it's Rufus." There was a click as Rufus disconnected. Rankin stood there a moment before turning back toward the bar.

####

Rufus stood in the kitchen of the empty house he had spent the night in. The empty house that he had spent almost a year in. He looked around at the dusty stove, cabinets, and drawers, and let out a sigh. His cloak was thrown over his shoulders as he thought patiently to himself. Finally, he turned, and walked out.

Outside, there were wild roses growing in the garden in front of the small house. Rufus strolled across the overgrown path and stopped in front of a small rose bush. He pulled out a small pocket knife, and cut off a small rose bud, setting it safely in his pocket.

He turned from the garden, pocketing the knife as well, and pulling up his hood. Rufus paused, and took one last look at the garden before leaving.

####

Tseng stood in the top office of Shinra Corp. Scarlet and Heidgarr sat in two chairs that were positioned in front of his desk. Tseng sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment.

"Sir..." Scarlet hesitated. "We wanted to talk to you abut the-"

"Company." Tseng said, cutting her off. "Did I not tell you a week ago that I had everything under control?"

"Yes, sir." Scarlet answered. "It's just-"

"That you're still unsure of me as head of Shinra Corp.?" Tseng finished for her. "That Rufas would be a better leader than me? Or, is it that I'm just not executive material?" He glared at the pair in front of him. There was a long pause of silence as he waited. "Well?" He finally asked, telling them they could speak. "What is it?"

"It's about the Sector 7 project." Heidgarr said. "There's no profit in it. You're just wasting valuable money!"

"It is a way to try and gain support from the people of Midgar." Tseng said. "They should believe in Shinra again. By rebuilding the sector, the people will once again support us."

"And if the plan fails?" Scarlet asked. Tseng paused and though for a moment. Scarlet nodded to herself. Tseng opened his mouth to speak, but the phone interrupted. He picked it up slowly looking at Heidgarr and Scarlet.

"Hello? ... All right... yes... okay..." He hung set the receiver back in its holster. Scarlet looked at him.

"Who-"

"I'm having a guest." Tseng said. "If you don't mind, please leave."

"But what are you doing to do about the company?" Heidgarr said.

"Like I said last week, that's not your problem. I am head of the company, and as such, I am in charge of looking after the company." He looked at the two for a moment still sitting there. "What are you waiting for? A written invite? Go!"

Scarlet and Heidgarr stood, and took one last glance at Tseng before they rushed out of the office. Tesng flopped down in his chair. He buzzed the security.

"Yes sir?" The girl said.

"I'm having a guest come to my office. He should be standing in the main lobby, a few feet from the front door."
"Well, sir, you're right. Would you like me to send him up?" She asked.

"Yes, thank you." Tseng said. He turned off the intercom, and waited. Eventually, Rufus walked up the stairs, removing his hood.

"I'm getting a bit annoyed wandering around and wearing this cloak." Rufus said. He sat down in front of Tseng.

"Having trouble getting around the city?" Tseng said, smirking. Rufus smiled back at him. He pulled out a bottle of water, and took a long draft from it. Tseng looking at it apprehensively.

"Sorry." Rufus apologized, putting away the bottle. "You'd think after a year of taking it easy that I'd be able to walk around the city with out getting tired."

"Don't worry about it." Tseng said. "I though you had died from the blast. Walking around, no matter what distance is a miracle." He paused for a moment, looking at Rufas. "So, why are you following Couri?"

'I should tell you at least." Rufus said, shifting, and standing up. He pulled the hood over his face. "The only problem with that is, I'm late for an appointment." Rufus turned away from Tseng.

"Scarlet and Heidgarr are giving me too much grief. They're getting suspicious. Soon they'll want me to hold their hand as I work." Rufus stopped, and thought for a moment.

"The buffoons?" He said, more to himself. "They're really pointless. I don't even see why my father hired them. See to it that they meet with an unfortunate accident." Rufus said. "Now if you don't mind, I have to run."

"I suspect you'll be back soon?" Tseng said, sitting up.

"Maybe." Rufus answered. "You never know with ghosts." He smirked, and walked down the stairs.