Second Chance

Kagura Kyo Shinra

Warning: This story has shounen-ai. So if you don't like homosexual males, you shouldn't read it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I take no responsibility for these characters or Final Fantasy or anything except this story.

Part Three: A Strange Encounter

Rufus spent the next week avoiding Marie and trying to get Tseng alone so they could talk about Rufus concern for Tseng, especially now that Marie was back. Avoiding Marie was easy because she seemed to be extremely busy; however, she also kept Tseng busy. Finally, when Rufus had decided to give up, he discovered Tseng sitting alone in the dark parlor of the Shinra mansion.

"I didn't know anyone was in here," Rufus said, sitting down across from Tseng. "But I'm glad that you're here."

"Really?" Tseng grumbled.

"Well, I've been wanting to talk to you, but every time I try, Marie is there."

"We do work together."

"I know, but I've just been wondering if it was a mistake of mine to allow her back."

"Why would you think that?" Tseng snapped. "She's an excellent Turk."

"But . . . What she did to you back then . . ." Rufus mumbled

"You remember that?"

"I wasn't that young. I remember everything."

"Well, you don't need to worry. I'm not as very young as I am back then. I mean, as I was back then."

Rufus' gaze fell on the empty liquor bottle beside Tseng.

"You're drunk."

"Very."

"I don't want to talk to you when you're like this," Rufus said flatly and stood up to leave.

Tseng leaped to his feet and caught Rufus's arm in a violent grasp. He jerked Rufus back so his back was pressed against Tseng's front.

"What are you doing, Tseng?" Rufus demanded.

Inside his heart and mind were engaging in an epic race to see which could go the fastest. To be this close to Tseng and have his warm breath on the back of Rufus' neck¾nothing could be better.

"Do I ever do anything that pleases you, Rufus?" he hissed in Rufus' ear.

"What are you talking about?" Rufus asked, struggling only half-heartily due to his pleasure at being so close to Tseng.

"Do you feel remorse for the things we've done to the planet and the citizens?" Tseng asked, his rancid breath brought a sting to Rufus' eyes.

"Of course I do. Why do you think I worked with Cloud to stop Kadaj?"

"I have no regrets for the things I did."

Rufus stopped pretended to struggle and froze. How could Tseng be so uncaring about everything? He had to be lying because this could not be the compassionate man Rufus fell for as a child.

"How can . . . how can you say that?" Rufus whispered. "We killed. We . . ."

Tseng held Rufus tighter, roughly. "Everything I did was for you," he spat.

"I never said I had no sins," Rufus yelled. "You say you have no regrets, but I think you're lying."

"Maybe I am. Maybe I have more than most. Maybe . . ." He released Rufus and turned him around, so he could face him. "You have no idea what I'm trying to say to you, do you?"

"No, so perhaps we could finish this conversation when you're coherent," Rufus said.

He pulled his arm away, but Tseng grabbed him again, pressing him against the wall.

"You're so selfish," Tseng slurred.

"Where is all this coming from? I haven't done anything for myself lately."

"You take and you take and you demand, and we give everything for you, our entire being, but nothing is enough to make you happy. You still hate me, hate us. Why can't I make you happy."

"Damnit!" Rufus shouted, pushing Tseng backwards. "I have no idea what you're babbling about. You said you've changed. Well, I have to, but apparently, you haven't noticed. I'm not like that anymore, and besides, I never hated any of you. I don't know where you got that."

"Fine, maybe not hate. But after all this time I . . . we're still just Shin-Ra employees in your eyes."

"That's not true. You guys are my friends."

"BAH!" Tseng screamed. "Where's Marie?"

"Why are you going to see her?" Rufus demanded.

"Because she's my friend. She gives me friendship without me bending over backwards for her."

"Wait a minute!" Rufus shouted.

Tseng simply motioned with his hand and headed out the door. Rufus stared after him, bewildered. He couldn't think. His mind had stopped and just couldn't comprehend any of what Tseng had said. Rufus wasn't a bad person anymore, but Tseng couldn't see it. More than anyone else, Rufus wanted Tseng to see he had changed. Perhaps he hadn't atoned completely, but he working hard. H wanted Tseng to see that, but Tseng only saw him as that same selfish little boy.

TBC . . .