8. "A kiss before dying..."
The following day was spent almost entirely with questions and weird looks, and both Tifa and Rufus were mighty tired of AVALANCHES disapproval. Except from one time when Tifa actually defended Rufus in front Cloud, Rufus went through the day scowling, and were relived when it was declared they'd all get some rest before they set course for the Northern Crater the next day. Sitting down on his bed, Rufus absently polished the shotgun when there was a gentle knock on the door to his room. With a slightly puzzled look, Rufus put the shotgun away. "Yeah, what?"
The door opened and Tifa appeared with a weak smile; "are you always this rude, or is the honour all mine?"
Rufus got up and his face softened; "I'm afraid it's my lack of manners."
Tifa let out a tiny, nervous laugh, then shifted nervously; "I just wanted to talk a little..."
Rufus gesticulated faintly; "Sure, come on in."
The door closed silently behind Tifa and she walked over to the chair beside the bed, making sign for him to sit down again. "I've been thinking..." She said after a while, gazing down at her folded hands on her lap, "we're fighting Sephiroth tomorrow..."
Rufus became solemn as well and nodded; "Yeah...the final battle."
Tifa raised her gaze and met his eyes; "we may not survive..." She hated to admit it, but she was truly afraid of dying. The thought terrified her, but she also knew she could never run. Rufus reached out and stroke his hand over her cheek; "hey, don't say that. Of course we will survive! We'll beat the crap out of Sephiroth and that Jenova-thing, and we'll all live happily ever after!" He gave her one of his famous crooked smiles, and was rewarded with a faint smile from the pale Tifa.
There was a short silence, before Tifa took his hand and held it to her cheek as she closed her eyes; "I'm scared, Rufus."
He watched her silently before letting his hand slide behind her neck and gently urge her closer; "come here..."
No one had ever comforted him, but he couldn't fight the need to make the fright in her eyes lessen, if not disappear.
Tifa blinked back the tears in her eyes and hesitated merely a second before moving over to sit on the bed and crawl into his safe and open embrace.
Rufus held her close and stroke her back comfortingly; "don't you worry. I'll protect you." He rested his cheek against her hair and sighed. She was indeed dangerous to him.
A few seconds later, Tifa withdrew slightly to see his face and again she was struck by the urge to move a finger over his lips and once again; she did so.
Encouraged by her act, Rufus let one of his hands slide up her back to rest behind her neck as he gave her a gentle kiss. At that moment, unknown to them both, they were struck by the same thought; just how right it felt. Letting her hands move up his chest, Tifa reached up and lead Rufus into a deep kiss that sent shivers through them both.
She raised her face and closed her eyes hard as she felt his uneven breath against her neck, fueling this burning need in her. The final fight was tomorrow. If they failed... they wouldn't only die, but doom the planet with their loss. The gloomy thoughts made Tifa lean closer to Rufus, and the final crumbling part of his honour collapsed.
He was only human, damn it, and her innocent act brought forth not so honourable wants.
Rufus let one hand slide down her side and rest on her hip, unknowingly urging her closer as he caught her lips in an intense kiss. Tifa felt the change in him, and to her own surprise; she welcomed it. Tomorrow brought such an uncertain destiny and were far away, perhaps all she had left of her life were this night?
She responded whole-heartedly as her shivering hands tugged up the black turtleneck, slipping them underneath and stroke them up his bare chest.
Drawing a sharp breath, Rufus shrugged off his jacket and trenchcoat, ignoring them as they fell to the floor and easily scooped Tifa up in his arms.
Laying her down in the center of the bed, Rufus watched her silently with one knee on the mattress.
Her eyes met his with a dazed look and heavy eyelashes, but held no sign of uncertainty as her head laid down on the soft pillow and the hand she reached out to him said more then a thousand words. With a racing heart, Rufus took her hand and let her pull him onto the bed. Tifa sighed satisfied at the feeling of his weight and wrapped one leg around his; wanting so bad to have him closer as their lips softly met with increasing desire.
Tugging at his black turtleneck, she allowed Rufus to remove her high gloves before wordlessly demanding he took off that annoying piece of clothing that kept her from his warm skin. Obeying her wish, Rufus found his way back to her lips before the black cloth hit the floor and let a hand slide down her side, feeling the same urgency that she did. He drew a deep breath when she pushed him over on his back to straddle his waist and swallowed hard to control his raging desire as Tifa bent forward to cover his torso with kisses.
Closing his eyes tight, Rufus savoured the lightly torturing caresses and only reopened them when Tifa straightened and his breath got stuck in his throat when she let her braces fall, meeting his eyes a little shyly before she pulled off her top.
With a groan from deep in his throat, Rufus sat up to embrace her and let his lips caress her as Tifa's had just done to him.
The feeling sent jolts through Tifa and she clutched him close until she couldn't keep back anymore. Taking his face between her hands, she raised his lips to hers and laid him down again as she followed. Rufus stroke his hands up her thighs as he intensely responded to her lips, before rolling them over again and feel her beneath him. He hesitated but a second as he gazed down on her blushing cheeks and dazed eyes, suddenly struck by how beautiful she really was, before Tifa lightly raised her hips up against him and shattered all grip on reality. With a passion that almost burned her, caresses so amazingly tender and lips achingly soft; Rufus ShinRa made Tifa realise what she really didn't want to admit; he'd already stolen her heart...
It's was never completely night anymore as Meteor lit up the sky, but everything was dead quiet as Tifa was drowsing in the arms of Rufus ShinRa. She had no idea what time it was, if it was reaching the early hours, but she really wanted for everything to stay like this. Tifa could feel Rufus' steady breath against her shoulder and absently caressed the arm he had protectively around her waist, envying his calm sleep. It was clear he didn't worry as much about the next day as she did, and it puzzled her a little. Cloud had ordered them all to find their reason to fight, and Tifa couldn't help but to wonder what Rufus fought for. She knew if he survived he was going to rebuild ShinRa inc, the very company she'd vowed to hate and destroy. That very company that had ruined her life and was to blame for the deaths of so many, including her friends and family. Whenever her conscience tore at her for falling for Rufus, she always had told herself that it was his father who'd done those terrible things, only her heart knew only too well that Rufus was just as capable of doing those same actions. He probably would, some time in the future another young girl like Tifa would swear to destroy new ShinRa and kill Rufus, as she'd once did over his father. How could she care for someone like that?!
Closing her eyes, Tifa stroke her hand down his arm around her and braided their fingers. Maybe she shouldn't worry so much about Rufus' motives, when she wasn't too sure about her own reason to fight. For Cloud? Yes. But the others fought for everything dear to them; their family and loved ones. All she had was Cloud. She lost everything in Midgar, and after Aeris; she lost Cloud as well. What did she fight for? A man who didn't want her?
Once again her eyes filled with barely repressed tears, and almost as if he felt her despair; Rufus pulled her a little closer and stroke his lips over her neck. Opening her eyes again with a faint smile, Tifa savoured his closeness and warmth. - And you, Mister ShinRa, she thought, I still don't know what you want... She sighed at the hopeless situation; here she was worrying if a man no one had ever seen bleed or cry could care for her, when they were only hours from their deaths anyway.
Tifa wanted to fall asleep to get it over with; when she would wake up it would be time. But at the same time, she didn't want to miss out on what could be the last hours of her life.
There was so much more she wanted to do; get married, have kids and run her own business. She wanted to travel some more, this time without having Meteor and Sephiroth hanging over her head with constant threats of death. She wanted... she wanted to live. Forcing herself to get a grip, Tifa drew a deep breath; here she was assuming the worst. Maybe they won? Maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as she feared it was going to be...?
Oh, it was worse. Even fighting their way down the Northern Crater was much harder then they'd thought! Tifa feared that they weren't going to be able to defeat Sephiroth, and now as she lay gasping on the ground; she was sure they wouldn't. He was just too damn strong! They were loosing, and they were loosing bad!
Tifa managed to raise her head and saw Cid down on one knee and clutching a bleeding gash across his left side. She vaguely noticed the pool of blood gathering at his foot before numbly turn her head and see Yuffie laying dead silent on her stomach. - Oh, Planet no, Tifa thought desperately and pushed herself up, only to see Rufus be slung against the wall after being hit with Comet and sink unconsciously to the ground.
"Tifa!" Cloud called out desperately and her head jerked up.
"I'm comming!" She replied with a shivering voice, and stumbled towards him; "I'm here. I'm always here for you."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed as he gazed down on them in all his horridness and once again he raised his arms to throw a final spell; the Super Nova. Though she tried to hold her ground, Tifa screamed with pain. It hurt so much! It was unlike any pain she'd ever experienced, worse then what could be described with words. The raw force made her stumble back and she raised her arms blindly in defense, praying it had to end because she simply couldn't take it anymore. Tifa was sure she was going to pass out, hearing the screams of her friends ring in her ears and insane heat burning her skin, when just as sudden; it stopped.
She hesitatingly opened her eyes and let her arms sink slowly. Cloud were still on his feet, clutching his sword. Barret fought his way up again, but Rufus didn't move.
Tifa saw how Cloud dashed towards Sephiroth before the creature could cast another spell, and took off in the direction of Rufus. With trembling hands; she threw Phoenix Down and let out a relived breath when his eyes shot open.
"Damn... " He blinked confused a couple of times while pressing his hand against a deep wound in his right shoulder, "this isn't going too well..."
Tifa gazed over her shoulder, saw Sephiroth lash out against Cloud then looked back at Rufus with a desperate look.
"Go," he waved weakly with his free hand, "I'm right behind you."
Tifa nodded and ran over with clutched fists. Now she knew why she was fighting. All of them had found their reason for fighting, and now, as she passed them one by one, so did she; Tifa fought for them. She fought for the lives of her friends, for them to be able to live for their causes. Her heart ached with affection for all of them, her friends, and suddenly she realised she didn't mind dying if only they could live. Her speed increased. Yes, she would gladly die for all of them; especially Rufus.
Tifa focused everything on Sephiroth as she clutched her hands hard. Rufus... she'd never felt so safe and loved as in his embrace, and Tifa allowed herself to admit it a final time; she'd fallen in love with the firery haired prince of an empire she hated with everything in her.
Wasn't it life's cruel irony? To make her fall in love with a man who represented everything she loathed and then deprive her of what time she could have had with him!
Tears flowed freely as Tifa launched herself into her final limit and unleashed all her hate, frustration and sorrow onto the one who was to blame for everything!
Rufus finally got up by using his shotgun to push himself to his feet, swaying with pain and dizziness. Shaking it off, he numbly clutched the gushing wound tighter and lifted his gaze. To his horror; he saw Tifa running straight for the monster. What the hell was she thinking?! Rufus bit the pain back and took two limping steps forward; halting by the semi-conscious Cid.
"Can you make it over to Barret...?" Rufus asked hoarsely and Cid slowly lifted his gaze, measured the distance to Barret then nodded and got up by supporting himself against Venus Gospel. Rufus gazed after Tifa with a sickening feeling of worry he'd never felt before, as he helped the pilot over to Barret, who lay squirming with a bad cut through his thigh.
"Alright," Rufus mumbled, letting Cid stand on his own while he used up his final ounce of magic; "Cure3-All!"
The insane pain in his shoulder and back went numb and the wounds closed, as Rufus drew a deep breath. "Come on," he called out to Cid and Barret, "we gotta help them!"
Cid forced himself to straighten, "so what'cha waiting for?"
He jerked Barret to his feet and quickly followed the young ShinRa, who loaded his shotgun as he ran.
"I'm comming..." Rufus muttered through gritted teeth as he shoved another bullet into the gun, "hold on, Tifa. I'm comming."
He halted and flung out the shotgun on a straight arm; aiming straight for Sephiroths head; "Tifa, get down! Strife, out of the goddamn way!"
At his words, Tifa jumped aside and Cloud rolled into safety as bullets hammered into Sephiroth, who screamed in fury and threw a Comet2 that barely missed, sending Rufus slamming to the ground, but only opened for an attack from Cid. Rufus coughed with pain but still forced himself to focus and open his eyes. They were all fighting against Sephiroth now, and it seemed like the tables had turned.
Closing his eyes, Rufus swallowed hard and pushed away the nauseous feeling. - We're not safe yet, he thought and pushed himself up. "Alright, Sephy... that one actually hurt!"
He clicked out the empty shell from his shotgun and trotted back. The fight seemed like it lasted forever, and everyone merely stared numbly as Sephiroth was torn into pieces and disappeared with a scream.
No one said a word. It was over.
The final battle was over.
It had cost them dearly, even the life of a friend, but it was finally over. Too beat up and deadly tired to celebrate it was still clear; they'd won.
Suddenly Cloud took a step forward; "Holy should work now..." His voice echoed in the silence, then everything began shaking.
"Shii-iit! Back to the Highwind!" Cid declared and made a run for it.
"Come on!" Barret declared and followed the pilot.
Cloud frowned as he looked around, and Tifa took his hand with a worried look. "What's wrong?"
The former SOLDIER frowned even more; "it's not over. He's still here... laughing."
Rufus laid the shotgun against his shoulder; "what are you talking about, Strife? We killed him! It's over!"
Tifa gazed from him back to Cloud and shifted nervously as rocks began falling down; "Cloud... please... we have to go."
Cloud gazed around a final time, knowing it wasn't over. He could still feel this presence. "Alright... let's go."
Rufus nodded, "about bloody time!" Then suddenly Cloud grasped Tifa's arm and jerked her towards him, as Sephiroth appeared behind Rufus. Tifa spun around to see Rufus' utterly surprised face as Sephiroths sword stuck through his stomach.
"Noo!" Tifa screamed in horror as the scene with Aeris was relived and this time with her heart's chosen. Sephiroth jerked the sword back and Rufus swallowed as he gazed down where the blood coloured his white shirt red and absently lifted his hands to press against the wound in a futile attempt to keep in the blood and warmth that poured from him.
Tifa struggled against Clouds grip as the ex-president sank down on his knees, a trail of blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth.
"Noooo!" She screamed desperately with tears flowing, "Rufus!"
Sephiroth cut through the air with the bloodstained sword and his eyes were locked with Clouds; "you." He said with a sneer, "traitor."
Cloud firmly moved Tifa aside and held her back with one hand as the other drew his Ultima sword; "Sephiroth... "
With a flash of light, they both disappeared and Tifa was free to run over to Rufus, who sat kneeling with both hands against his stomach and bent head.
Falling down beside him, Tifa sobbed quietly as she touched his shoulder, causing him to sink against her.
Supporting him, Tifa pried away one of his hands and whimpered at the sight of all the blood.
Rufus' dazed eyes gazed up at her and he reached out a blood soaked hand to gently stroke his knuckles over her cheek. "Hey... don't... cry..."
Tifa grasped his hand tight and pressed it to her cheek; "Rufus..." She couldn't help the tears that flowed down her cheeks and bit her lip from screaming out her sorrow when she felt him jerk with pain.
Rufus fought for air and swallowed hard, tasting the salt blood that filled his mouth, "d-do you think I'll go to hell f-for what I've done...?"
Tifa sniffled heavily and shook her head with a brave smile; "the planet knows what you've done for her, Rufus. She's forgiven you, just as we all have."
Rufus seemed to relax at her words and closed his eyes; "...you forgive me...?"
Tifa felt him slowly go limp and nodded slowly as she stroke his hair; "yes, Rufus. I forgive you." Then her eyes fell on his shotgun...