It is known that Gaia has plans for everyone to meet their promised love. Somehow, someway, it will happen. And those destined for each other will know soon as their eyes met.
This has gone by many names. Promised love. Gaia blessed. Destined hearts. Soul mates. Whatever the name, it had always been seen as a wonderful gift.
It didn't matter the gender in some cases. Some even have a ten year age gap. Even meeting by chance passing in different regions and somehow the promised lovers met and the stars aligned perfectly.
However in recent years, it has become a hot topic of mixed emotions in Midgar. Some don't believe in this destined love. Others wholeheartedly believed. The president himself addressed the topic once. He stated that if it will happen then it will happen. If not, then it wouldn't matter to him.
Thus, it shouldn't matter to the citizens who remain broken hearted over not immediately finding their true love. So more and more of Midgar began to show an indifference with the idea of meeting their true love.
For one Tseng of the Turks, he didn't put a lot of thought into the matter. At least, not until he was assigned to become the babysitter for the president's heir. In more glorified terms.
When their eyes met the earth stood still. The heart slowed and it was as if they were the only two people left of the planet. It was so enchanting that they didn't immediately recover until Veld cleared his throat.
"Pardon?" Tseng blinked, breaking the spell.
"I said I hope you two get along. My second choices won't be as...compatible."
In other words, Veld noticed.
"I think we will get along splendidly." Rufus stated with confidence.
For a boy of twelve, he was intelligent. And a quality Tseng admired in a person. He still found it ironic that it had to be Rufus Shinra of all people.
When they were finally alone, Rufus eyed him over.
"Well, this complicates matters. Father expects me to meet a nice girl. As if I would be attracted to one."
"I won't expect anything out of this." Tseng remained calm on the outside.
"No, you're my promised love. Just name it, and it will be yours." The young heir vowed.
Tseng finally met his eyes again at that. He was usually good at seeing if one were honest. And to his shock Rufus wasn't holding up a front. He was baring his heart.
"...Then just your time is enough." Tseng wasn't interested in money.
Rufus smirked. "I like you already."
For a few short years they learned about each other. How they would be compatible and what needed to be smoothed over. The majority of their problems were centered around the bubble the president raised his son in.
Fortunately Tseng was patient. He informed everything that he knew and understood of how the world worked, how they viewed Rufus and his very powerful family. And even why some people hate the company.
Four years later the Turks were alerted of a possible illegitimate child of the president joining the company. Tseng was called in as Veld questioned Lazard Deusericus.
"I don't want to take over the company. I won't challenge Rufus as the heir. I know it looks bad that I have joined the company. But I merely wish to work with Soldiers." Lazard stated calmly.
Tseng couldn't get a good reading. He learned a few tricks in how to read Rufus. It seemed Lazard carried himself similar enough that the Turk can grasp enough to see that the man was at least honest.
"What do you make of him?" Veld asked when they were done interrogating the young man.
"He is honest about working with Soldiers."
"And the challenging Rufus as heir?"
Tseng thought for a moment. He decided to go against his gut instinct.
"He won't raise his voice. He is aware that he wouldn't be taken seriously because he's illegitimate. Therefore Rufus will have all of the cards if he takes a stand."
"Very well." Veld nodded in agreement.
Shortly after this, a secret order was placed. Terminate all illegitimate children except for Lazard. This left many for the Turks to track down. And for some reason Veld gave half of the workload over to Tseng.
He was nearly done with the list, his heart closed off from the acts of killing children. So many with nearly the same blond hair and blue eyes as Rufus. Tseng willed through the actions with steel. He was a Turk, after all.
Until the last one.
Tseng politely knocked on the door. It was a small home resident below the plate. He hears the sound of a small voice, then little feet rushing to the door.
A boy, ten years old answered. And immediately frowned at the sight of a stranger. The same frown Rufus would have. The same tug of the corner of the lips.
Wild blond hair, reminding Tseng of Rufus when he first woke up. His hair had a flare of stubbornness that he had to force it to stay down. Force his hair to obey to his will.
Big blue eyes. These were deeper, like a vast ocean where Rufus was the kind of blue reflecting the sky. Even so there was no denying the eye shape similar enough to Rufus.
"Cloud dear? Who is it?" The mother called out.
"Some guy in a suit." The boy for his part never allowed his eyes to leave the Turk.
It was as if he sensed the danger. And yet he wasn't sure how to act on it. There was a gasp and the sound of dishes being dropped. The mother ran to the door and immediately grasped her boy and pulled him behind her.
She glared at Tseng with a fury that made him pause. It wasn't the first time a mother resisted and fought back. But something about her was different. A wild cat willing to protect her cub at all costs.
"I know what you are. I dreaded this would happen. He's just a boy! He won't harm none!" She demanded.
Tseng tried to recollect himself. He had a job to do. Then his eyes drifted to the boy. Cloud, he remembered. And he shared the same fury as his mother. Although there was a confusion in them.
Was he not aware of the circumstances of his birth? Of who he shares his blood with?
"Is he aware of - "
"No. I never told him. I swear." She interrupted. He stared into her eyes and saw that she told the truth.
Tseng studied the boy again. Once again he found more similarities with Rufus. Before now he had been given assignments of children no older than three. The youngest was a newborn. And here he was hesitant at the ten year old with uncanny resemblance with Rufus.
In the end it was the fire in those eyes that did him in. Tseng reached into his pocket. The mother flinched as she pushed her son further behind her dress. In his hand was a blank card.
"Take this. It should last your finances for maybe ten years. Eight if you buy a house in full. Take it and leave Midgar."
Her eyes blinked in surprise. This wasn't the outcome she was expecting.
"...And the catch?" She asked, clearly suspicious.
"He never joins the company in any form." Tseng motioned to the boy.
"It was that new director, isn't it? Was he...?" She had kept in touch with all the latest news.
Was she hoping something bad to happen to the president? Tseng ignored that thought.
"Yes, ma'am. I can't disclose anymore information that could make you a liability." He knew they were close to crossing lines he can't ignore.
"Okay. We'll leave tomorrow." She reached for the card. He pulled it away.
"Tonight. This is now a crime scene that needs to be staged." Tseng urged.
"Then right now. Just, give us one minute?"
"Don't take too much that will raise questions." Tseng advised.
He watched with a careful eye from the doorway. It was a studio apartment with two beds crammed into the corners. A table for dinners, and a radio. Cloud only grabbed a book, still dazed and confused by this sudden change thrusted upon their lives.
His mother frantically shoved one pair of clothes for the both of them into a bag. When she finished she reached for a snow globe.
"No. That's too personal to take." Tseng shook his head.
It was the only expensive item in the apartment. High quality, too. Porcelain white chocobos, with a matching base. If Tseng was correct on which shop it was handmade from, then it can also play music.
"But it was my mother's before she passed!" She was close to tears at this point.
"Tell you what, if we ever meet again, I promise to return it." Tseng didn't understand why he made this offer.
Usually he would tell her to get over it and get out so he can be on the hunt for an unfortunate family to take their place. Even at this very moment he questioned why he was being so soft. Did Rufus really change him that much?
The heir to the company had made comments when they were alone that he was too harsh. Too cold and stand offish. Tseng didn't think those comments was actually making him change.
Wasn't it supposed to be the oldest ones to groom the younger? Tseng will have to reevaluate his alone times with Rufus in the future. The heir had a lot in order to not turn out like his father. Although the first step was being aware that he dislikes the way his father was.
"...Okay." She nodded, biting her lip.
"That's not fair! Boys aren't allowed to make girls cry!" Cloud spoke up.
"Cloud! This isn't the time!" She snapped.
"But Mama!" The boy defended. There is the Shinra stubbornness.
"Look at me, young man. And listen." Tseng knelt down on one knee so they were eye level.
Cloud clutched his book protectively. He glared despite the tears welling up. Even in the midst of crying he will fight. Just like Rufus.
"I am a man of my word. When we next see each other, I will return that precious heirloom. It will be in the same condition as it is now. It would be as if it never left." Tseng spoke softly.
"...Pinky swear?" Cloud was still frowning, but he held out a hand with the pinky finger out.
Tseng allowed a small smile. He raised his own hand to accept the pinky shake. He realized just how small the boy was in comparison to himself.
"I swear to the planet that I will uphold my promise."
"Good. Cause the punishment will be a thousand paper cuts!" The boy swore.
"Cloud!" His mother sighed.
"It's all right Ms. Strife." Tseng chuckled as he stood up.
She gathered his book to place inside the bag. She did one more glance around. There wasn't anything of value to grab besides the obvious. She avoided looking at the globe in question.
As they rushed out the door she paused. She turned to bravely ask one more question.
"Why would you spare us?"
Tseng thought for a moment. He wasn't sure why, but he felt that it wouldn't be a danger if he revealed this little secret.
"Because I see my promised love in him."
"...You and my son - "
"Let me rephrase. My destined heart is someone else. But I see enough similarities between them to allow this one to escape. With the promise he doesn't become a threat to my destined heart, then he has the chance to meet his own, someday."
Tseng stared into her eyes as he spoke. She processed his words and she nodded. The determination burned in her eyes, taking over the emotional loss of moving and having their lives disrupted.
"Thank you." She was eternally grateful.
They rushed down an alleyway. Tseng watched them leave. When their footsteps were gone he sighed as he began his hunt. He picked at random and not from the same Sector of the Slums.
At the end of it he took pictures of the work he had done. He made sure that their faces were bloodied. They had after all fought, fought harder than usual for street rats. But so long as the blond hair and blue eyes were still noticeable then it was enough.
After Tseng was done he collected the globe. He placed it on his desk. His first "trophy" he collected from a job. Rufus was the first to comment on it.
"What's this? I didn't know you like expensive gifts."
Was that jealousy Tseng detected?
"I don't. This is merely a trophy from a recent job."
"Hm. What's so special about it?" Rufus picked it up and began inspecting it in great detail carefully.
"It was interesting. The history of it was that it came from a family under the plate. And that was the only expensive item they owned. I found it curious it was never sold. Therefore it held so much value emotionally that it was held onto, despite the circumstances of their financial troubles. I believe it's an heirloom, too."
"Treasure is only valued by the perspective of the individual." Rufus placed it back down.
"Philosophical today, aren't you?" Tseng added a hint of humor in his voice.
"I find it funny how it can be held so high of value that it couldn't be sold." Rufus shrugged off.
Tseng let it go. Then again he had to remind himself they were technically in view of others. In the next room over he heard Reno fake coughing loudly.