Tseng took a guarding stance at the side of the road. His posture looked relaxed as his arms were crossed. The peacemaker held loosely in his hand. But he was acutely aware of the environment they were in and continuously scanned the passerby and periodically glanced at Rufus. During the daylight hours, there was little to no trouble from bandits and thieves. But once the curtain of night fell, they slithered out of the ruins to prey on unsuspecting victims. And Tseng was more than prepared for such an occurrence.
Dark could be heard off in the distance, growling and barking as she ran fluidly over the dilapidated remains of structure from the Sector Six plate collapse. "She sure is making a fair amount of noise?" Tseng commented.
Rufus stood ramrod straight, eyes staring unfocused out over the landscape, a grim expression on his face. Didn't reply right away. But a few moments later, Dark let loose a fierce growl, a scuffle, and then there was a high-pitched squeal of agony. Rufus turned then to look at Tseng, a feral look in his eyes that now shone a blue colour, so light they look like twin topaz reflected in the sunlight and actually caused Tseng to shudder.
"This area isn't conducive to ambush hunting! It is easier for her to scare her prey out of hiding!" Rufus replied calmly, but his voice had deepened, and it sent a shiver along Tseng's spine.
Peering at Rufus intently, Tseng notices that Rufus's gaze was still unfocused. Even though the younger man was looking directly at him and had his full attention made Tseng uneasy. That is until a random piece of speculation in the science department came to mind. "You are bonded with her?" Tseng exclaimed in surprise.
Rufus smirked and nodded and turned his attention back in the direction of where Dark lay eating her kill.
'Shit! This is something that can't get out! Hojo will lock them both up in his labs and experiment on them,' Tseng thought to himself as he replied. "Well, that's an interesting situation. Something I would keep to myself if I were you!"
"I was trying to do just that!" Rufus growled viciously.
Tseng blinked at the intensity of anger in Rufus's voice. "Oh!" He replied lamely. What else could he say? So Tseng went back to silently watching the road for any trouble. He didn't want to push Rufus further as it seemed Rufus was experiencing the hunt through this bond he had with Dark and could very well lash out physically if angered further. With a purely mental sigh, Tseng categorized this tidbit and made a note to himself to discuss this situation with Veld when they returned to the Tower.
The silence stretched on between the two as Dark continued to hunt. It had been a few days since she had eaten properly, and it was obvious to Rufus that one small kill was not going to sate her. While they waited, Rufus kept taking side glances at Tseng, who was wearing tight black jeans that hugged his ass. Mixed with the combination of a white V-neck T-shirt and leather jacket was causing Rufus to experience some very uncomfortable thoughts about doing some interesting things with him right now! And if it hadn't been, for the fact, that he had opened himself up to Dark while she hunted. Rufus would have been hard-pressed not to push Tseng into the shadows and take him right there. Needless to say, Rufus's body was once again betraying his inner thoughts. And the slacks he had chosen to wear were becoming tight.
"Since when are Turks allowed to dress in civilian clothes?" Rufus asked scathingly, trying desperately to get his mind off the track it was currently on.
Tseng turned and arched an eyebrow. Unsure of what prompted the question and the tone of voice Rufus had asked it in. "Since whenever we choose! The suit identifies us as who we are. But much of our work outside of headquarters is uncover and clandestine. So many of us have fast wardrobes." He replied with amusement.
Rufus huffed and looked away. The amusement in Tseng's eyes and voice wasn't helping rid Rufus of these disturbing thoughts. 'Fuck, he is handsome as Sin.' He growled to himself. Out loud. "So what kind of mission would require the second in command to be down in the slums, dressed like that?"
Tseng chuckled. Watching the way Rufus uncomfortably shifted from one foot to the other and dragged his fingers through his hair, told Tseng the lad was experiencing a hard dose of hormones. "A hand massage!" He bluntly stated.
Turning wide-eyed, "A hand massage?" Rufus queries.
Tseng, still smirking, just nods.
"Tseng? What brings you to slums at this time of night?" A young feminine voice calls out of the darkness, causing the two men to turn.
A young woman dressed in a blue and white dress stepped out of the shadows of the road, pushing a hand cart half filled with flowers.
Seeing who it is, Tseng bows. "Aerith! What a pleasant surprise. I am currently on a mission! But what are you doing walking the roads by yourself at this time of night? You know it isn't safe," He replies sedately. But internally, Tseng was groaning. It looked like he would have to see Aerith home before talking Rufus back to the Tower. There was no way he was going to allow Aerith to wander about unescorted.
"Don't worry, Director! She isn't alone! She is with me!" A young masculine voice enthusiastically replied as a SOLDIER came up behind her.
Tseng wailed internally, 'No, not the Puppy!' "Fair! And I'm not the Director!"
Zack goodnaturedly laughed. "Not yet, Tseng, but it is coming? We all know Veld is setting up to retire."
Tseng rolled his eyes. "May that day be a long timing in-coming!" He replied firmly.
Rufus was having a hard time swallowing, and he started breathing heavily. The girl that was standing before them, all smiles and sweet with innocence, was the girl from his nightmare. He started shaking with reaction, and a cold sweat broke out over his skin. His vision began to narrow, and their voices became muted.
Dark looked up at the surge of primal energy she received from her bonded. 'Soul Sib? Scared! I come!' And loped gracefully over the piles of debris towards Rufus.
Tseng turned to Rufus to introduce the newcomers when he saw Rufus's state. "Rufus?"
And just before Rufus passed out, he felt a cold nose press into his hand as Dark whimpered and projected strength into him, steadying him and bring Rufus back to reality. He lays a calming hand on top of her head.
And in about three seconds, things were going to get real messy as Zack pulled out his sword and stood in front of Aerith, causing Rufus to pull out his gun and aim it at the SOLDIER's head.
Aerith sigh, "Zack, put that away! They're friends!"
Tseng stepped in front of Rufus placing a hand on his shoulder and catching his eye. "Put the gun away, Rufus!"
Zack yelped. "Rufus? Like as in Rufus Shinra? Shit!"
Rufus put his arm down and smirked at the younger man. "Yes, Rufus, as in Rufus Shinra!" He stated calmly. His voice adopted a more normal tone, and his eyes darkened back to their actual colour.
"My apologies, Sir! I didn't realize the hound was yours!" Zack muttered in embarrassment.
Rufus nodded his acceptance as he asked Tseng, "And who are these people?"
Tseng sighs gratefully now that the situation had been diffused. "Rufus, this is SOLDIER second class Zack Fair and his girlfriend, Aerith Gainsborough. Zack, Aerith, let me introduce you to Vice-President Rufus, and this girl is Dark Nation. They are my current assignment. So I'd appreciate you not discussing this meeting with others!" He replied, absently laying a hand on her muzzle and rubbing her nose. Rufus smirked.
Zack and Aerith were both good kids, but if you didn't, tell Zack straight out not to say something. The whole Tower would know about it be the next morning. But once told to keep quiet, Zack's lips would be sealed. One of the benefits of being mentored by Angeal Hewly. Honour! And holding someone's secrets was the honourable thing to do. "So what has you too out this late at night?" Tseng questions the pair.
"Oh, come on, Tseng! You sound like my Grandfather!" Zack replied flippantly as Aerith giggled. "It's only nine-thirty, and we are on our way home!"
Tseng rolled his eyes. Zack could be so insufferable at times. How he got to be a second was a mystery to Tseng. The lad was too optimistic by half.
Aerith, a knowing look in her eyes, smiled at Tseng. "It's Minerva's night! The night of lovers! And Zack and I are selling flowers! " She held up a huge purse as proof. Knowing she was out of view of Zack and Rufus. Aerith subtly points to the flower cart as she double nods at Rufus and then tilted her head at Tseng in question. Light and laughter dancing in her eyes.
Tseng sighs and shakes his head negatively. Their years of acquaintance had allowed Aerith to wheedle many private aspects about Tseng out of him skillfully. So she knew Tseng was Gay and that Rufus definitely fit his wheelhouse of preferred lovers.
Aerith just giggled in reply and took two lovely yellow Lillies from her cart. The first, she took to Rufus and slipped it into the buttonhole of his coat. "There, a splash of colour." But as she touches Rufus, there was a spark of electricity that arced between the two, and she gazes intently into his eyes, "This time, do what is right!" She whispers and turns to Tseng placing the flower in the decorative belt's buckle on his jacket. "There! Well, got to go. Mom's gonna start to worry!" She chirped and threaded her arm through Zack's, who just shrugged in confusion. She waved goodbye to the pair and pulled Zack along the path to take them to the top of Sector Five and her home.
Tseng smirked at the young women's enthusiasm. And his mission aside, in regards to her, Tseng was very protective of the young Lady. And woe anyone who deliberately tried to hurt her and Tseng found out about it. That person or persons would quickly find themselves in a very unfortunate accident! He watched the young couple walk away before turning to Rufus. "Well, we should also be heading home!" Only to witness Rufus standing there, a poleaxed expression on his face as he gingerly held the flower.
"They say Lover's would give these flowers to each other when they were reunited!" Rufus softly stated. He looked to Tseng; confusion etched into his face. "Why would she give us these flowers?"
Tseng, a soft smile lifting the corners of his lips. "Aerith is a unique woman! Sometimes she sees things in people that others can't or don't want to see in themselves. And acts on those feelings."
"Who is she?" Rufus asked, almost afraid of the answer.
Looking into Rufus's eyes, Tseng contemplates the question. Rufus was the Vice-President, but if he hadn't been made aware of who Aerith was, telling him could be considered treason. But withholding information on one of the more significant projects under the umbrella of the Jenova projects from his son made it obvious that Reginald wasn't planning on letting Rufus in on the company's more central and sensitive aspects. And that thought pissed Tseng off. 'What the hell was the old bastard planning?'
Decision made, Tseng indicates for Rufus to start walking and calmly asks. "Are you aware of the Neo-Midgar project?"
"Some of it," Rufus replies. Confused at the turn of the conversation.
"What do you know?" Tseng asks.
"That it is a city designed to maximize the use of Mako energy. A city that has no plate and no slums. Father said that there is some sort of 'Promised Land'-A a place rich in Mako Energy! And when they find it. Construction on the new city would begin."
Tseng nodded. "In part, yes! But this 'Promised Land' is said to be known only by the Ancients. And without their knowledge, we can never find it!"
Rufus humphed. "Fairy Tales that Hojo spins!" He had heard the stories about the Ancients and their utopian world. "If a place like that ever existed, we would have found something by now!"
"Perhaps we have!" Tseng mused. "Aerith carries the blood of the Ancients! She is the last known living Cetra." Tseng dangled the phrase in front of Rufus.
Rufus felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach and turns to glare at Tseng! "So that is how she knows you! My father and Hojo want her and have sent you to retrieve her! That's why she has a SOLDIER as a boyfriend who is likely a bodyguard and only toying with her affection? You're trying to gain her trust and cooperation," He growled softly—the images from his earlier dream coming into a more explicit focus. The girl had died protecting this planet and her people. Rufus was sure of that now!
Tseng nodded. "Yes, in part. I can say that this assignment has been a bitter pill for me to swallow, in all honesty. But as to Zack, he is just a young lad in love with a pretty girl. He does not know of her heritage!" Tseng stated sadly. Knowing that in all likelihood, Zack would be soon sent to the front lines of the war with Wutai, and Aerith would likely be back in the Labs at Shinra-A situation Tseng had been dragging his heels on.
There was something wrong about the whole situation, and Rufus could sense it in the core of his being even though he couldn't pin down the exact reason for this feeling of wrongness. He stops dead in his tracks and turns on Tseng, a rage so deep and consuming he blast at the target in front of him. "And who are you to decide this girl's fate? Are you seriously okay with this? For Odin's sake, Tseng! She is still a child!" His eyes narrowing as he glares at the Turk, his breathing heavy. "Are you so removed from your conscious that you would allow this child Hojo's tender mercies? Are you really nothing more than my father's lapdog?" He spat with disgust.
Tseng stood there in shock. His only warning to the shift in Rufus's demeanour had been the swift whine and yelp from Dark. But he hadn't expected Rufus to rail him for doing his job. Tseng had always been able to quiet those nagging thoughts he had in regards to Aerith. But the way Rufus had phrased the situation did shed new light on what Tseng had been ordered to do, and forced to look at it from this perspective made Tseng feel sick and hurt. But Tseng refused to show it as anger blossomed within him at the unjust accusations. He had only been doing his job! Emotions, thoughts and feelings were ruthlessly pushed out of the way. "And what do you know, Mr. Vice-President? Your father hasn't even entrusted you with basic company information! You're still just a spoiled Brat playing at being an adult." He retorted bitingly.
Rufus's eyes narrowed to slits. "You don't want to know what I know!" He hissed viciously. Taking the flower from his jacket and throwing it on the ground, "And she is obviously wrong about this too!" Turning quickly. Rufus sprints down the road. Dark Nation hard on his heels.
So taken aback by the turn of events and seeing the flower laying in the dirt left Tseng flatfooted at Rufus's departure. And by the time he reacted and pursued the young heir, Rufus was long gone. 'Shit-Shit-SHIT! What the Hel was wrong with him?' Tseng berated himself. He was supposed to be gaining Rufus's trust, not trying to alienate him.
Tseng stopped running once he reached the station and looked around. Rufus wasn't in sight. Looking at his phone time, Tseng realizes he had missed the last train by minutes and likely the one Rufus was on. It was also the last train heading topside for the night. 'Fuck" he ground out. This wasn't going well at all. Stepping away from the platform, he calls Veld.
"Yes, Tseng?" Veld answers absently.
"Well, tonight has been one Hel of a shit-show. The guest of honour has pissed off the Prince who has taken the last stead home-I hope! and now said guest is stuck in the mud!" He sighed in defeat. He was tired and stressed and in need of unburdening but kept to the code.
Veld stares at the phone, trying to decipher the message. Once the pieces fit into place, he started laughing. It would seem that Rufus was giving Tseng the run-around. "Don't worry. I will intercept his Highness and take it from here. I'll send the Firecracker in for retrieval!" Ending the call, Veld activates the security cams for the train stations. Once the I.D. card Rufus had made is used, Veld would know where to pick him at. He then sits back in his chair to wait for Rufus's arrival.
Tseng breathed through his nose, slowly reigning in his anger and frustration. It wouldn't do any good to have Reno see him flustered. And as he walked to the Sector Five Helo pad. Tseng, for the life of him, couldn't figure out what had set Rufus off.
Fifteen minutes later, Reno deftly landed the copper and slid open the side door. "Hey, Tseng! Need a lift?" He smirks. Then, chuckling at his own joke, Reno slides back into the pilot's seat as Tseng takes the co-pilots' chair. Ten minutes later, they landed the bird Top-side and Tseng went directly to the waiting sedan that would take him back to H.Q. and hopefully straight to his bed. But he had a feeling that fate, luck, destiny or the Gods were going to ensure he wouldn't see his apartment. Let alone his bed for some time.
Notes:
And here, I cross the boundaries of fandoms and incorporate what a soul bond may entail—anyone familiar with Mercedes Lackey and her series The Heralds of Valdemar. Will recognize Rufus's soul-bond with Dark is very similar to the bonds the Kaled'a'in, Shin'a'in, and Tayledras have with their bond birds and war steads. And having found, in my story, her as a young pup. I believe the bond between them would only deepen and strengthen over time. Allowing both to experience each other emotions. I plan to explore this mind link and soul bond further in upcoming chapters.
I apologize for throwing this little spat between them into the mix; Rufus and Tseng are being pulled into different directions by so many factors. It's going to take a little bit of time to smooth out the edges between them.
I do hope you enjoy this chapter, and as always, comments are always welcome.
P.S. Next chapter will Tseng's turn to find himself becoming uncomfortable ~smirks~