Business As Usual:

Chapter 9

By Miyamashi

Miya's Note: I apologize for the delay. Remember that writer's block I've been having? It got worse. But, now, after all this time, I bring you the most depressing chapter yet! Sorry it's so short, especially after how long you guys had to wait for it!

Oh…wow. You guys are such wonderful reviewers. I've never gotten this kind of reaction to one of my fanfics before. You guys don't know how good this makes me feel! Must…not…get…big…head………must…deflate…XD

This is also my longest fic chapter-wise, and if I keep it up, this is going to be my longest, PERIOD. It's going to even beat out Aftermath (which I STILL need to type up), which is 72 pages hand-written…and I don't write that big. I really have no idea how long this is going to be…

To kuja-46: This is the best Runo you've read? Seriously? ………Wow. I'm flattered. It's so nice to see that people are actually reading this and White Flag and enjoying them. hugs

To Tinkeu: Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you read White Flag, too. I still can't believe that you and others are seeing this as one of the best…it's a bit shocking, to tell the truth, but is still a huge confidence booster.

To Mashimaro-Byul-012: laughs Sorry I stopped! I just hope that you don't KILL me for this one…

To Roxi and pewp: All that I can think to say is…Thanks! I'm so creative! :D

To Kuro Yokai: Yeah, the poor guys! Wow…your favorite story on ALL of FF . net?!? O.O Wow…I'm…speechless.

To MyOwnShukuun: Writer's block got worse, but thanks anyway! :D Yes, your logic was quite good!

"Sir," stated the intercom shrilly from beside Rufus' head.

Rufus stopped mid-kiss and glared at the source of the interruption. "What the hell do you want, Janice? I'm busy."

"Sir, your father would like to see you before he leaves."

"Oh," growled the blonde. "Tell him I'll be up there in a minute."

"Very well, Sir."

Reno sat up and stared down at Rufus, who was cursing to himself.

"I hate your father. Do you know that?" Reno asked.

"Anybody who doesn't is either very stupid or very blind."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No. I don't want you to risk your job or our exposure. I have a feeling that Rude and Tseng may suspect something already, and my father is angry enough at both of us as it is."

"Okay then. Just asking."

"Hopefully this won't take very long. I'll try to make it as quick as possible."

"I'll wait here."

"Alright."

Rufus walked up to his office window and looked into it, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes. After, he turned to Reno.

"Can you tell?"

"Your eyes are still red, but it looks like you got all the tears off of your face."

"Great. This is going to bring up some interesting questions with my father."

Reno shrugged and plopped down in Rufus' desk chair. The blonde strode out, shutting his door behind him, thinking of excuses as he went.

"Why are your eyes red, Rufus?" asked Shinra as his son stepped up to the desk.

"Allergies," Rufus lied calmly.

"What are you allergic to?"

The son paused. "Pollen. One of my many admirers decided to send me some flowers. She's from Kalm, I think."

"You think?" Shinra asked doubtfully.

"…I don't like to spend my energy remembering useless information like that."

"Of course not, because you have someone else in mind," Shinra hissed tauntingly.

"Of course," Rufus snarled.

"The only reason that I am leaving that wretched Turk with you is because I don't want to have to be staring at him for my entire vacation. But, if I hear one word about anything happening between you two while I am away, he will be the one to suffer."

"You won't do anything to him. You don't have the balls," Rufus retorted confidently.

"Oh, no, I don't think that you understand, boy. The other Turks already know about your little…secret, and are not very thrilled that their co-worker would get involved with you. It's not very businesslike, you know, forming a relationship with one's boss. If anything happens, he will lose his job and his life."

"And you will lose yours."

"You misunderstand me. Do you believe that I am stupid enough to leave myself unguarded around a raging lunatic like yourself?"

"I wouldn't put it past you."

"I have made certain arrangements with the other Turks regarding your possible rebuttal. As I am the President and you are only the Vice President, my safety is priority. If you even attempt to respond in any violent matter, you will be killed on contact. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly," Rufus hissed angrily.

"You will sever all contacts with that Turk immediately, and you will take a wife. If you do not, and he ends up dead, know that you will be the one to blame."

Shinra had hit a chord in Rufus, and he knew it.

"You, boy, must accept your fate," Shinra continued, sitting back in his chair.

"What if I don't believe in fate?"

"Then the Turk suffers."

"Leave now," Rufus stated, expressionless, as he walked into his office and pulled Reno out of his desk chair.

"What?" Reno asked suddenly.

"I said to leave now. I never want to see your face in this office again, unless you are called in for business manners."

"What's…gotten into you?"

"Nothing, Kiribani."

Reno grimaced.

"Do you really believe that there was ever anything between us?" Rufus growled. "You are a fool."

"You're a fucking bastard, Shinra."

Rufus laughed heartlessly as Reno slammed his hand down on the desk, picking up a letter opener.

"What do you expect?" the blonde stated coldly. "Being a Turk, I thought that you would be smarter. I thought that maybe you'd figure out the little game earlier, but I guess that any idiot can get into the ranks these days. Now, go off and cry, little Turk, and save me the torture of having to look at you."

"Do you want to see my tears? Do you want me to show them to you? Only the best for you, Sir. Tears that leave a permanent mark. Tears that you can never forget." Reno brought the letter opener to his face and pushed the tip hard into it, pulling it down across the skin just under his eye, so hard that it cut through the flesh and scraped against his cheekbone. Blood ran down one cheek. "Blood tears. So dark that they stain and so thick that there have to be a lot before they begin to run freely."

Rufus tried to hide the pain that he felt at that moment, tried to stop the tears that were threatening to mirror Reno's crimson ones as the redhead made a sister to the gash already on his right cheek. Reno threw the letter opener down to the ground and walked out.

Rufus dropped to his knees as the door shut with a loud bang and let his own tears flow, falling on the dull, bloody blade and wanting nothing more than to wash the other man's crimson tears away...

Miya's Note: Sorry again for the delay. I also have to apologize ahead of time, as the next chapter may come just as, if not more slowly. School's about to start back up, and there are things that I've been procrastinating on for far too long. I also need to get my community service hours for NHS. School takes priority over fanfiction, as much as I hate to admit it…

I really appreciate all of your support.