Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Final Fantasy VII characters or the Anastasia story line.
Hey, everyone! Here's another FF style story! This time it's Anastasia style. It should be kind of interesting. This will be a Rufus/Tifa, again. I'm planning on doing more but I'm goign to concentrate on this one first. It's gets so frustrating when your working on so many projects at the same time. Anyway, you know the story of Anastasia but there are going to be a few twists here and there.
Prologue
a page of Rupert's Diary
Once we live an enchanted world. A world of the rich, powerful and beautiful mansions that are more elegant than anything else. We lived in a world where only the rich were important and would always be. There were always grand parties held in the richest families' homes. It was more like a competition between the rich folks. People were always trying to show how they were and show off all the jewels they wore. It was a beautiful and magical time I suppose you could say. But…..that would soon be gone…..forever.
Rupert Feinebrother to Danielle Shinra uncle to Rufus
It was during the Christmas season when it all started in the town of Nibelheim, at the Shinra Mansion. It was the most power company's birthday, including the son of the big boss. ShinRa Inc. would be celebrating it's 25th birthday. And how proud the notorious Augustice Shinra was. He didn't even say anything about his own son's birthday. He was too involved with the other gentlemen who owned rivaling businesses.
However, only Mrs. Shinra and the brother of Augustice Shinra, Rupert, remembered. But of course, even the servants knew about the young Rufus' 10 birthday. They would wish him happy birthday when they saw him.
Rufus Shinra was watching from the balcony, trying to keep from being seen. He was such a handsome young man for his age. His short strawberry blonde hair hung over his crystal blue eyes. He wore his brand new white uniform. A black shirt under it. A young panther right next to him purring was she watched with him.
The party below was full of such beautiful and elegant women of all ages. Yes, even the old folks were beautiful, so Rufus thought. He could see so many people. There was his father greeting more people. It made Rufus feel a little jealous of his father getting all the attention. His eyes scanned over the crowds hoping to see his mother. There she was, sitting with other elegant women.
Rufus thought his mother was the most beautiful woman. She had such fine strawberry blonde hair and the most gorgeous ocean blue eyes. She was wearing a wine red dress that showed her complexion very well. Long gloves on her hands, running up to her elbows. A diamond broach sitting on her bosoms. Rufus loved to look at his mother. He just did. She was the most kind person too. She cared about everyone. She was the exact opposite from Mr. Shinra. The president of the company, was not so kind. He was plump, wore his orange red uniform and always had a cigar in his hand.
Rufus' eyes tore from his mother when he saw the doors open and in walk the one person he had been waiting to see. His uncle, Rupert Feine. Rufus smiled a big smile seeing him. The man was very handsome and almost looked like his sister, Danielle, Rufus' mother. He had red hair and green eyes. He wore a black outfit with a white flower in the left breast pocket. His red hair was always messy but he still looked like a gentleman.
And there was his bodyguard, Vincent Valentine. Rufus liked Vincent. He remembered Vincent very well. Vincent, in public was all formal, stony like. He acted like he didn't have a life. But around Rufus, he was always smiling. It had to be the bodyguard job. Rufus respected Vincent. Vincent was like a best friend to Rufus. Actually, he was his only friend.
Rupert and Vincent found their way towards Danielle who smiled at them. She stood and gave her brother a hug. "Rupert, I'm glad you could make it. How are you? Was your journey long?" She asked. Rupert gave his sister a kiss on the cheek and then shook his head. "No, Dani. It wasn't that long. Thanks to Vincent. He kept me occupied." He said beaming at his bodyguard.
Danielle turned her eyes onto Vincent who smiled at her. She offered her hand to him, which he took as he bowed and then kissed the back of it. "Hello, Mr. Valentine. How are you?" She asked sweetly. Vincent's blue eyes met her's. "I am well, Mrs. Shinra." He said softly. Danielle smiled at him and shook her head. "Vincent, what did I tell you? Call me Danielle. You are my brother's best friend and have been since we were little." She said. Vincent stepped back. "Forgive me." He said. Danielle just smiled sweetly and looked at her brother, who was looking around. "Where's the little squirt?" He asked. His sister laughed softly. Her eyes turned towards the balcony. "He's been waiting for you." She said. Rupert grinned. He looked at Vincent. "Vincent, would you please?" He asked. Vincent nodded and pushed through the crowds.
Rufus was running his hand on his panther's back. He was watching the people again without realizing Vincent had stepped up behind him. "Man, someday, Dark Nation. I'm going to be one of them." He said softly. The panther purred. He felt someone put their hand on his shoulder making him jump. "Then why not come downstairs?" The deep but full of kindness voice asked. Rufus spun around with a smile on his face. "Vincent!" He said happily. He stood and hugged the bodyguard. Vincent smiled as he hugged the boy. "I heard it was your birthday. Happy Birthday." He said softly. Rufus pulled away and grinned.
"Yeah, I'm ten today!" He frowned looking back down at the party. "But……father's doing it again. He hasn't said anything about my birthday." He said. Vincent smiled shaking his head. "Come on down. Your uncle wishes to see you." He said. Rufus nodded as he followed the body guard. The panther followed.
Rufus looked at some people as he followed Vincent. A wave of nervousness rolled over him. He couldn't help but step closer to the tall man and practically hiding behind him. Vincent looked down at him and smiled as he put a hand on his shoulder in a comforting way. There was nice music playing for some of the guests to dance. Rufus saw his uncle dancing with his mother with a smile on his face.
When Vincent and Rufus stepped up, Rupert grinned and pulled away from his sister. "Rufus!" He said merrily. Rufus grinned and hurried forward throwing himself at his uncle. They embraced tightly before looking at Danielle and Vincent. "Vincent, entertain my lovely sister with a dance while I speak to my nephew." Rupert said. Vincent blushed a little as he looked at Danielle. Danielle grabbed his arm and they began dancing while Rufus and his uncle went to the side to talk.
They sat down and watched most of the people start swinging into a waltz. Rufus watched with wonderment. "Wow! They're all so good." He said softly. Rupert grinned. "Don't worry, my good little nephew. You'll be one of them someday. One day, your father will give you the key to the company and then you can throw as many parties as you want." He said. Rufus lowered his head a little. "Uncle, to tell you the truth, I don't want to be like my father. He never pays any attention to me and he's always worried about money. If I was going to take control of the company, I would change a lot of things around." He said.
Rupert smiled. "Change is good, Rufus. As long as it is good for the people. Not just the rich folk but the poor too." He said. Rufus looked at him. "The commoners? Those riffraff?" He asked. Rupert gave Rufus a small look. "Rufus, who taught you to say such things?" He asked. Rufus shrugged. "I've heard father call them that." He said. Rupert shook his head. "Well, don't call them that. It is rude. They are people, just like you." He said. Rufus nodded.
Hiding behind a curtain was a young girl about 9 years old. She had long dark brown hair and cherry red eyes. She was one of the servant girls in the mansion. Although she wasn't known very well. She wore a black dress like the servants were suppose to. She was watching the dancers with awe. She loved to watch the people like that.
Her eyes wandered over to where the boss's son was. She couldn't help but stare at him. She found him interesting. She looked away for a second to watch the dancers before turning her eyes back to the older boy and nearly jumped when she saw him looking in her direction. She quickly dove back into the curtains hoping he hadn't seen her. Too late.
Rufus narrowed his eyes a little when he saw the servant girl. He hadn't ever seen her before. Where had she come from. He turned his face towards the dance floor but continued to watch the girl. She had poked her head back out of the curtains and eyed the trays of food, hungrily. She even licked her lips as if trying to taste the flavor. Rufus smiled a little and looked at his uncle. "Just a second, Uncle Rupert." He said standing. Rupert looked at him and watched Rufus walk over to the food tables.
The boy pretended to be eyeing something to eat but grabbed an apple. He glanced around before pointing at the girl, whose eyes widen with nervousness. Rufus tossed her the apple before grabbing another and taking a bite of it for himself. The girl caught the apple and then smiled at Rufus thankfully. Rufus nodded and went back to his uncle's side, who grinned and nudged his nephew.
However, a hand grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her roughly out of the curtains towards the hall, where the kitchens lied. "You're a servant! Never forget your place, Tifa!" The head maid, Scarlett snapped. Tifa pulled away and glared at the woman. "Someday my place will be out there!" She said pointing at the dance floor. Scarlett snorted. "Never! You're a commoner, Lockhart. Back into the kitchen!" She snapped shoving the 9 year old forward into the kitchen.
Meanwhile in the ballroom, the Shinra Family were still chattering with the guests, unbeknownst that their son had given a servant an apple, which would have been scowled by President Shinra. He believed that commoners were nothing when his wife did not. She would have just smiled at Rufus and gave him nod of approval.
Rufus felt his uncle tap his shoulder. He turned his face towards him. Rupert smiled at him. "Rufus, being your birthday, I have something for you." He said pulling something out of his pocket. Rufus smiled excitedly. He loved getting things from his uncle, no matter what they were. Rupert pulled out a long chain and a small metal box.
"I know how you are about music, and even though your father thinks these are girlish, I know you like them." He said handing Rufus the small box and the necklace. It was a small key on the chain. And it went to the box. Rufus took the key and unlock the box then opened it. It was a music box and it played a soft tune. "It's mother's lullaby. She sings this to me all the time before I go to bed." Rufus said with a smile. Rupert smiled. "Yes. And our mother used to sing it to us. I want you to have it. Read the inscription." He said pointing it out.
Rufus looked closer and onto the key, squinting his eyes. "Together in Midgar." He read. He looked up at his uncle. "Are you and father going back to Midgar?" He asked. Rupert nodded softly. "Yes. Duty calls. And I have promised him that I would help out in the business, you know that." He said. Rufus sighed. "I wish you could stay here with me and mother." He said. Rupert smiled and hugged his nephew.
"Don't worry, Rufus. Some time, I will be working for you in Shinra Inc. And until then, listen to the music of the box and pretend it's me singing it to you." He said softly. Rufus nodded hugging him back. Rupert took the necklace and placed it around his neck. They hugged again with bright smiles.
Suddenly the lights began to flicker and people looked around bewildered and frightened. The lights flickered violently and a strong wind picked up all around the dance floor sending people flying backwards. Rufus' eyes were wider with shock. He was scared of what was going on. His panther, Dark Nation began to snarl towards the middle of the floor, standing very close to Rufus as if trying to protect him.
Suddenly a man appeared right there. He was very tall and powerful looking. He wore black leather and had long silver hair. His eerie green eyes glowed with energy. People gasped or cried out with fear. The man just stood there looking around.
When suddenly black smoke began to pour out of no where and formed a shorter man. This one had black hair and wore a white lab coat. His hands folded behind his back. He wore thin rimmed glasses on the tip of his nose. And around his neck was a black orb on a thick leather cord. His eyes were dark and evil looking.
To the side, Augustice Shinra growled as he stormed forward. Anger, fear and resentment in his eyes. "Hojo! Your still alive!" He said it more in a question. Hojo sneered at the President. "Yes, even after being shot, poisoned and not to mention stabbed by your pathetic Turks, who I believe my son, Sephiroth killed them all." He said looking at the silver haired man.
Shinra narrowed his beady eyes at Hojo and his son. "You are not welcomed here! Get out!" He snapped. Hojo narrowed his eyes dangerously. "After all I've done for your family, all the scientific experiments, the technology I have given you, you tried to kill me!" He roared right back at Shinra. Smoke surrounded him and seemed to grow larger and angrier looking. No, more evil looking. The guests backed away with terror.
Rufus was shaking violently with his own fear. He knew Hojo by stories. It was said that Hojo used children for his experiments too. Hearing such stories just scared the hell out of the poor boy. He felt Rupert's arm go around him protectively.
There was a strange eerie moaning noise coming from the black orb around Hojo's neck. It was glowing with an evil power that everyone could feel. "The Shinra Family ends here! You, your wife and son will die within the fornight! It will be the end of the Shinra Family!" Hojo yelled pointing at President Shinra. There were several gasps and frightful cries throughout the room.
Rufus felt panic rise up and he didn't know what he was doing next. All he knew was he broke loose from Rupert who cried out his name and ran to stand in front of his father. "No! We are not afraid of you! Leave my father and mother alone you cruel monster!" He yelled. Sephiroth just narrowed his eyes at the boy while Hojo laughed cruelly. "You, my little pet, you will be so much fun to kill. I think I might pull a few experiments on you first before actually killing you!" Hojo sneered at the boy, who shivered a little.
Rufus felt someone grab him and pulled him backwards. He looked up to see Vincent, holding onto Rufus' shoulder. The tall man pushed him behind him with a serious look on his face. Hojo just laughed evilly. "This is the end of the Shinra line, forever!" Hojo yelled and black smoke exploded around him and Sephiroth and they vanished. Rufus was shaking with fear in his eyes. He was clutching to Vincent's arm tightly. The tall man looked down at him with sympathy. Rupert hurried forward and gathered his nephew up in his arms.
Some had said that Hojo had used his experiments on himself giving him and his son, Sephiroth, great power. I don't know very much about Sephiroth. But I do know about Hojo. They say Hojo uses his great power for dark reasons. And it his great power that brought the end to my family.
That night, when everyone had gone to sleep, an angry mob had began to approach the house. Some were the people of the town. Some were from other towns. But all had torchs, weapons, and looks of rage and hatred on their faces. Some were firing their guns into the air.
Rufus jumped in his bed as his eyes shot open. He heard the gunshots coming from outside. He quickly threw the covers off his person and rushed over to the window looking out. His eyes went wide as he saw the crowd breaking through the gates of the mansion.
The Shinra family were all gathered in the hall listening to the mobs outside. They all were in their nightcloths still. Vincent hurried up. "They're breaking in through the doors! We have got to get you out of here now and to the train station!" He exclaimed. Augustice nodded. "We must leave immediately!" He said grabbing his wife's arm. They hurried down the hallway. Rupert and Rufus were side by side. That was before, the young blonde pulled away. "Wait! My music box!" He cried out. He turned and hurried back the way he came from.
"Rufus! No!" Rupert cried out and hurried after him. Vincent spun around with a shocked look. So did Augustice and Danielle. Rupert turned his head. "Just go! Rufus and I will catch up! Go!" He yelled.Vincent nodded and hurried after Augustice and Danielle.
Rufus and Rupert hurried back into the room. The young 10 year old ran over to his bedside table and grabbed the music box. Rupert grabbed his nephew's wrist and pulled him towards the door when they heard gun shot and saw some of the mobs running up the stairs. The older red head slammed the door shut and looked around for an exit. "Oh no." He said weakly. Rufus shivered with fear.
Just then a hidden door opened and the face a pretty girl stepped out. It was the girl from earlier. Rufus recognized her. "You!" He cried out. The girl nodded. "Tifa." She said quickly. She beckoned them towards her. "Hurry! This way! There's room for two! But the mobs aren't going to kill me! They're after you two. This door will lead out to the servent quarters. There is a door that will lead you out to the back door. My papa will be waiting for you. He'll take you right to the train station." She said. Rupert smiled thankfully at her. "Thank you so much!" He said. THere was a bang against the door.
Tifa grabbed their arms and pushed them towards the secret door. "GO!" She cried out. Doing so knocked the music box right out of Rufus' hand. Rupert dragged his nephew into the door. "Wait! My box!" He cried out but his uncle pulled him in and Tifa slammed the door shut. The other door burst open and in came the mob. Tifa spun around. She grabbed a vase and threw it at their heads. It hit one person and sent him flying against the wall. Another rose a hand and backhanded her so hard sending her flying to the ground unconscious. Right on the music box.
Rufus and Rupert were running as fast as they could in the snow towards the train station. The father of that one girl had to try and keep a mob away. He fought back as hard as he could but they killed him just like that. Both Rufus and Rupert were racing after the departing train. "Wait! Wait for us! Don't leave us!" Rupert yelled practically dragging his nephew. Rupert held out his hand trying to catch one of the other outstretched hands. He almost tripped but a pale spider like hand wrapped around his wrist and he looked up to see the face of Vincent, who had a little bit of blood running down his face.
Vincent pulled Rupert up and reached for Rufus who was still running as fast as he could to keep up with his uncle. But suddenly he slipped and his hand was ripped out from Rupert's. Rupert and Vincent gasped as they watched Rufus hit the tracks hard. "Rufus!" Rupert tried to jump off but Vincent held him tight. Rufus didn't get up. It was either he had died from the fall or he was unconscious. "Rufus! No!" Rupert yelled with tears in his eyes. But the train sped up and they were out of sight. The boy was swallowed up by the mob or so it seemed.
I never saw my nephew again. Sometimes I wondered if he was
alive or if he was dead. But then again, he must have been
dead. Because my sister and brother in law were dead.
Vincent couldn't save them. They had caught up to them,
beaten Vincent terribly and killed them. The Shinra Family
cease to exist. Only I could control the company now.
I was to live my live life in Midgar taking care of the
company. Vincent as my body guard still. Still wondering,
was Rufus Shinra still alive?
A/N: Okay before you say something about Rufus getting a music box, I have something to say about that. I know plenty of guys who has a music box. Music boxes are not just for girls. So don't think it's girlish or anything because it isn't really. Anyway, I am currently working on chapter 1 and will have it up asap. Until then, review.