Alright, I know a lot didn't happen last chapter, but I'm going to try to make this chapter very long, and very emotional. Let's see what gets addressed shall we?
And thank you for wishing me luck on the job search! I really appreciate it! :)
Please review if you have a chance! :D
-Crimson
Redemption
Chapter Ten – Be Still
Rufus shook his head, "I don't think it's a good idea." His voice was void of emotion, and even though he had been over this at least ten times with Reno already, it didn't seem that the president of the WRO was going to take it lightly. He looked at Reeve, who was sitting behind his big oak desk, hands crossed and looking back at him.
"Please," Reeve smiled sheepishly, his voice was calm but Rufus could tell by the dark circles around his eyes that he was exhausted. "I really think it'll do the public some good to see you, to see someone who has survived."
The ex president suppressed a sigh; his patience was running thin and despite him understanding Reeve's point he didn't really care. He knew that the people needed someone, anyone to give them hope but Rufus didn't want to be that person. He didn't want to instill hopes and dreams into people when he wasn't sure what was going to happen. He just didn't want to be the cause of disappointment, not again.
"It seems cruel to give people faith when it might be put into a lost cause." Rufus replied, shaking his head slightly.
"It wouldn't be a lost cause if you would explain yourself." Reeve's eyes were narrowed, and slowly he stood up. "I understand you need time. I understand that whatever happened to you was scarring." He walked in front of his desk and then leaned back against it. "However," he continued, "you are being extremely selfish."
"Excuse me?" Rufus's voice was quiet, and without realizing it he clenched his fists together. Selfish? He understood? The ex president clenched his jaw tight and tried not to make it to visible that the other man was getting under his skin.
"You're being selfish." Reeve stated matter-of-factly. "You were hurt, and you were abused, that much is easy to see but what you fail to realize is that you're not the only person who's being affected by this." He threw his arms out, indicating to the situation as a whole. "I've tried to reason with you, and I'm getting sick and tired of treating you like some psycho case. There are people missing Rufus, there are people who are missing their mothers and fathers, there are people who are missing their children!" He sighed and then shook his head, "There are people who are missing their friends." His voice was quiet then, and even though Rufus wanted to lash out at the man in front of him, he found that he was stunned.
No one had spoken so bluntly to him yet.
"You of all people should be able to empathize with the people who have been captured – you were one of them."
"You don't have a remind me." Rufus said while trying to shake off the feeling that was growing in his chest.
"Well it looks like I have to, because you're not understanding this situation." Reeve snapped, "Now listen – you will go to this damn party that I've planned, you'll dress in a white suit and you'll smile because this is bigger than just you." He took a step forward then to where he was only a few inches away from Rufus's face, "And after all of this you'll tell me where everyone is."
Rufus was more than taken aback. He had never seen Reeve so serious before. He stared at the other man and felt anger rise in his chest. Who did Reeve think he was telling him what to do? He didn't have to listen to any of this – he came here to decline the offer, not to be pushed around.
"It was nice seeing you Reeve." Rufus said as calmly as he could. He took a step back, but before he could even turn around completely Reeve spoke again;
"Will you stop this pathetic act?!" He shouted, "You're better than this! You're better than sitting here and brooding over things you can't change – you know better than anyone that the past can't be changed, so why sit here and keep avoiding it!? What happened happened, and I'm sorry it did, I really am. But I'm not going to keep tiptoeing around you, you're a grown man and you have to start acting like one."
Rufus stopped dead in his tracks and narrowed his eyes at the man in front of him. He should attack him. He should scream at him. He should choke him. So many things ran through his mind at once, and that was the only reason he didn't act on any of this thoughts, there were just too many. His heart was racing, and an aching in his chest started to surface. His mind was going so fast that the only thing he ended up being aware of was that he was still staring.
"You don't know anything." Rufus said cooly.
Reeve laughed, shaking his head, "You're right! I don't know a damn thing because you won't open your fucking mouth and tell me what I need to know!" His voice was starting to rise, "This is ridiculous." He scoffed, "Just go, I don't even care right now."
Rufus took a deep breath trying to calm himself. Anger was flooding through his veins and despite him wanting nothing more than to scream, he kept himself calm. He stood there for a few more moments; he kept his gaze on the floor, not wanting to lose his resolve by looking at Reeve.
He was right.
Reeve was right, and after everything that had been said that was what made Rufus the angriest. He was acting like a child, a coward. He wasn't helping anyone by acting like the way he was, he was only making things worse.
"Fine." Rufus finally muttered, "I'll be at your fucking party." He looked up then to see that Reeve had gained his composure and was smiling at him.
"Good because it's tonight." Rufus didn't even have time to respond before Reeve was walking behind his desk and sitting down again. "Don't forget, white suit and smile!" His voice sounded pleased and he grinned at Rufus, who was still trying to wrap his mind around the sudden mood change.
He glared at Reeve and then turned on his heel toward the door. He grabbed his phone from his pocket when he made it into the hallway. He was so angry that he could barely get his words out when Reno answered the phone;
"Bossman?"
Rufus took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose and walked toward the elevator door, "When did Reeve turn into such a monster?!" He exclaimed as he mashed the down arrow on the wall.
Reno laughed, "He's always been passive aggressive, yo."
"I wouldn't use passive." Rufus muttered.
"You got played didn't you?"
"Played?"
"Yeah, yo." There was some shuffling on the other line, and a second later Reno started to laugh again, "He played you like a piano, Reeve's always been good at pushing the right buttons."
"…"
"Bossman?"
"…."
"Oh no."
Rufus took a deep breath, "That seems to be the case." He finally managed as he tried to keep calm. It was quiet for a moment and finally the elevator doors opened and he sighed, "Can you get a white suit ready for me?"
"Uhhhh…sure, I guess? Why?"
"We have a party to go to."
Sephiroth stood with his back against the wall. He had his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed. It had been a day since him and Cloud's confrontation, and in that short window of time Cloud hadn't said a word. They were all still at the Icicle Inn, and he was waiting for them to formulate a plan, because at that moment he was barely educated on the situation.
He understood that Genesis was back and that he was kidnapping people with mako in their bloodstream. He also understood that he was implanting chips in their heads to control them. However, he didn't understand why – something else he couldn't understand was how Rufus Shinra of all people was able to escape. He would have guessed that Strife and Valentine would have escaped, but it was the total opposite.
"I want to go home."
Tseng's voice interrupted Sephiroth's thoughts, and he opened his eyes to look at the Wutian man. No one else said a word, they all merely stared around the room, almost like they hadn't heard the Turk in the first place. Sephiroth looked at Tseng and saw that frustration started to tug at his features.
"I'm leaving."
"We need to make a plan." Cloud said as he looked up at Tseng, who had just stood up.
"You can plan all you wish." Tseng said, "I have no obligations to." He looked over at Sephiroth, who was still overlooking the scene before him. "Thank you for saving me." He started toward the door, but was blocked by Vincent.
"Wait." Was the only forth coming reply from the gunslinger.
"We can't just leave." Cloud said as he stood up as well, "We have to stop this."
"You can if you wish." Tseng curtly replied. He took another step toward Vincent, "Now move before I make you."
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow; he couldn't even begin to understand what the blonde was thinking. "Wouldn't regrouping with your other teammates make more sense?" he drawled, not really understanding why the two AVALANCHE members seemed dead set on not leaving. Cloud glared over in his direction, but ignored him.
"I agree. Now let me through." Tseng said while looking at Vincent, who was still perched in front of the door with his arms crossed.
"You want us to leave all those people?!" Cloud said while shaking his head, "I won't."
"Then you can stay and play hero." Tseng replied while glaring at the blonde, "I'm not going to get myself killed over your arrogance."
"Cloud." Vincent finally said, "Sephiroth is right, we need to regroup."
The blonde scoffed and then clenched his fists together. Sephiroth watched him carefully and couldn't fathom to why he felt so deeply for things that he didn't have to be a part of. He kicked himself off the wall and toward the small group that was gathered by the door.
"Those people need help." Cloud managed through grit teeth.
Sephiroth glanced at him and stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "What good will you be to them dead?" His voice was cold, and even though he knew that nothing he said would truly matter, he couldn't stop himself.
"Cloud." Vincent pushed.
"Fine!" he blonde exclaimed, "Fine."
The ex General would never understand why he was so angry. Considering that Cloud was going to be able to see his friends again, Sephiroth had assumed he would be more excited about that. However, of course the blonde was more concerned with playing the hero – he had always loved playing that role.
Which is what Sephiroth believed would get him killed one day.
"Now don't I look amazing?" Reno exclaimed while looking at himself in the mirror, "Oh yeah, tonight will be a good night!" He had on a blue suit with a black dress shirt underneath finished off by a red tie. Rufus was sitting in one of the chairs in the private dressing room and shook his head. "I'm so glad you changed your mind, yo." He threw a fist in the air and then grinned, "Tonight shall mark the first night Rufus Shinra has acted like a human being since his return!"
Rufus took a deep breath, trying his best to ignore the rant that Reno kept going on. He glanced over at Rude who was sitting beside him. "Some things never change." He said while cracking his neck.
"Some things never do sir."
Elena walked out of her dressing room then, "So?" She asked while looking at herself in the mirror, "I dunno, I think it makes me look…too young?" If Rufus wasn't so stunned he probably would have laughed that she was still self conscious about her age.
"Damn!" Reno hollered.
Elena was wearing a black strapless dress that hugged her hips and chest. It had a slit on the left leg and a silver pendent on her left hip. She had on silver shoes that wrapped around her foot and ankle and a diamond bracelet on her right wrist.
"Not to young?" She asked while spinning around slowly, still looking at herself.
"Hell no!" Reno said while walking to stand beside her, "Look at us babe. I look awesome, you look awesome, we should just seal the deal now and walk over to that courthouse."
"Shut up Reno." She groaned as she walked over to stand in front of Rufus and Rude. "Sir?" She asked while glancing down at herself, "I know it's not really…practical, but I can still fight if I have to!"
Rufus shook his head, "You look amazing Elena." He smiled at her and had to stop himself from laughing, "I doubt there will be any fighting, just enjoy yourself."
"Suck up." Reno chimed.
Rufus smiled at all of his Turks, as long as he had them then the night might be tolerable.
When Rufus said that the night be tolerable, he had no idea what he had been talking about. He stared at all of the people who had gathered into the enormous room that Reeve had set up, and he couldn't remember the last time he was surrounded by so many people. He was standing in the entryway, finding it impossible to even move. He had done what Reeve had asked, he had put on a white suit and even though his appearance made his skin crawl he dealt with it.
He had to admit, it was almost nice for people to look at him in shock rather than horror. He was leaning against the huge doorway, and even though he had told Reno that he would be fine, he wasn't so sure that was the case now. He took a deep breath and then shook his head.
He was Rufus Shinra; he was more than capable of putting up a front.
His hair was slicked back like it used to be, except a few strands still found their way to his face. His white suit wasn't as elegant as his old one, but it stuck out in a crowd. It was only a black dress shirt, a white dress jacket and white slacks. There was no way he'd be able to make it through the whole night with a tie around his neck so he had neglected to even attempt to put one on.
Overall, Rufus Shinra looked like Rufus Shinra – maybe a slightly milder version.
"Rufus?"
The ex president turned around and almost lost his footing when he saw Tifa Lockhart standing there staring at him. He had to keep himself from gawking at her, mainly because he hadn't expected to see her. She smiled at him and walked closer, "Ms. Lockhart, I didn't know you were coming."
She shook her head, "Please, it's Tifa – Ms. Lockhart makes me feel old." He nodded at her, and continued to watch her, "I didn't either, but Reeve asked me last minute and since Marlene is with her dad, I figured I would come. Most of AVALANCHE will be here."
"I see." He said lamely, "You look great." He finally managed.
She was wearing a deep blue dress that went all the way to the floor. It had one strap over the left shoulder and it hugged her waist and chest. The material looked as if it crossed over one another and at the bottom it was lose, with material looking like it was flowing out from the top of the dress. Her hair was in loose curls, framing her face. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked, the last time he had seen her she didn't look like she could have filled out a dress.
"Thank you." She said while glancing at the room they had yet to step into. "You don't look bad either, you look more familiar." She laughed lightly and then shook her head, "Did Reeve you put up to this?"
Rufus shrugged, "Reno said he played me."
She laughed again, "He does that."
He nodded at her, and couldn't keep the small smile off his face. He felt enormously better now that she was there, mainly because she had always had such a soothing presence. He thought back to the last time he had seen her and he still couldn't believe how much she seemed to have cheered up. She was still skinny, but compared to a few weeks ago she looked wonderful.
"So," She said, breaking through Rufus's random thoughts, "Shall we?" He nodded at her and then held out his arm for her. She grabbed it gently and slowly they walked in.
"Oh my…it is him."
"Wow."
"Who's he with?"
"Rufus Shinra…in the flesh."
Rufus heard all of the comments as he passed by, but he tried his best to ignore them. He gave people a small smile as he passed them by, and even though he felt his nerves starting to dwindle down he continued on.
"Bossman!" Reno's voice broke through all the other ones that the ex president was hearing, and he was more than relieved. The red head ran up to them and grinned, "Ahh, now I see why you ditched waiting. Hey Teef!" He smiled at her and then raised an eyebrow, "Well damn! Look at you!"
"Don't even Reno." She said while rolling her eyes.
"Save me a dance Teef, we're gonna be the highlight of this party."
"Isn't it supposed to be more of a gathering?" She sounded amused as she shook her head. She unlinked her arm from Rufus's and then crossed them across her chest.
"It's more of a 'Hey look, it's Rufus Shinra' party." He looked at Rufus and then nodded, "You cleaned up well I see. I bet the ladies will be allllllll over you." He drawled out his words and then laughed, "Have you seen Elena or Rude yet? I didn't come with them because I was supposed to meet you at the entrance." He pointed an accusing finger at Rufus.
"Did I steal your date Reno?" Tifa teased.
Reno rolled his eyes, "Oh please, you couldn't even if you tried. Someone tried that once and even after years he made his way back to me."
Rufus blinked stupidly and then felt his chest tighten. What did that mean?
Tifa laughed, "Dear God Reno have you already had a drink?" He waved a noncaring hand at her, "The party hasn't even officially started yet."
"I don't need an excuse to drink babe, I just do." His blue eyes wandered around the room and Rufus suddenly felt strange. He stared at Reno for a moment and then tore his eyes away. He turned to look at Tifa who was looking around the room as well.
"I'll be right back." He said suddenly. He felt hot and the air felt stuffy. He looked at Reno and then at Tifa, "Sorry." He took a step back from them and then turned to look at an emergency exit. He walked over to it quickly and pushed it open. The fresh cool wave of air hit him and he breathed it in quickly. He was on the side of the WRO building standing on a fire escape.
"Sir?"
Rufus had to stop himself from jumping. He looked over to see Elena leaning over the railing of the fire escape, a cigarette between her fingers. She was wearing the dress she had picked out and had her hair pulled up in an elegant pony tail. She still had her bangs out and she had some loose hair framing her face.
"Oh." He walked over to her and leaned over the railing as well, "It was stuffy in there."
She nodded in agreement, "I've been here for about an hour and a half, I had to help set up some last minute things that Reeve forgot." She shook her head, "I swear his head is all over the place lately." Her voice faded and she cast her eyes to the ground.
"He seems very stressed." He commented while cracking his knuckles and glancing at the city lights. The sight was different than what he remembered, not as many lights were on and not as many cars were driving through the streets.
"Mostly everyone's here." Elena said while tossing her cigarette on the metal floor and it smashing her foot on it. "Reeve really out did himself, two ballroom sized rooms, side by side – this should be an interesting night." She sounded tired and she placed her chin in her hand.
Rufus nodded in agreement. He couldn't shake the feeing in his chest – it wasn't his usual guilt or anxiety. It was something else completely and he couldn't place what it was. He took a deep breath and then shook his head, he needed to calm down.
He made his way back to me.
The feeling only increased when he thought back to the comment and for whatever reason Rufus felt sick. He sighed and then looked over at Elena, who seemed to be in her own little world as well. He thought back to the small conversation again and closed his eyes. That could have meant a lot of things – they had known each other since they were fifteen years old, they were practically brothers.
Brothers – brothers can love each other. Rufus nodded to himself, that's what it was. He meant it in a brotherly way. He sighed and the feeling in his chest started to loosen up. Rufus had always made his way back to his Turks, and that was all the comment was.
"We should probably go inside soon." Elena said as she stood straight up, "I'm sure people are looking for the guest of honor!" She winked at him and then made her way over to the door. He nodded at her and followed her toward the door. She opened it with ease and the two of them walked in.
Rufus felt his insides twist and turn when he laid eyes upon all the people that had arrived, and were still arriving. He glanced around the room wildly and felt his hand start to shake. He wasn't used to this; he hadn't been around so many in so long that part of him didn't even remember how to act. Elena was still next to him and when he didn't move she looked at him with concern.
"Sir? Is everything alright?"
He nodded, "Yeah." He took a step forward, "I just can't believe how many people fit in here." They walked forward and Rufus was still in shock at all the people.
"You'll fall back into it." Elena said as they walked through all the people, "It's not something you can really forget." She winked at him when he looked over at her, and finally they made their way over to the tables that were set up in the other ballroom sized room.
"Yo!" Reno ran up to them a moment later, "Good, Reeve's about to start his 'announcement'" he rolled his eyes and then looked at Rufus, "Don't worry, there's no speeches, just a spotlight, you stand up, wave, smile, sit down and then drink and dance the night away baby!"
Elena rolled her eyes at the red head, "Listen, one of us needs to stay with him the whole night, you know people are going to bother him." Rufus had to stop himself from saying he could take care of himself.
Reno nodded, "Well, you're suppose to go on the 'stage' and tell everyone to sit their asses down."
"Got it." She started to walk toward the stage and Rufus glanced at Reno who was staring at her.
"Ya know, sometimes I hate that they got engaged before he was taken." Reno watched as she walked away and then sighed, "Cause now she's even more depressed than what she probably would have been, and she won't let anyone cheer her up."
Rufus shook his head, "You're terrible."
"I didn't mean it like that." The red head laughed, "But, now that you mention it…"
"Don't." the ex president warned. Reno laughed and then waved him over to follow him. They walked through rows of tables until finally they made it to the largest one, which was already accompanied by members of AVALANCHE and Rude. Reno led him over to sit in between him and Rude and finally when Rufus sat down he gazed at all the faces that were sitting at the same table he felt like he was going to explode.
Yuffie Kisaragi was sitting a few seats away beside Tifa. She had cut her hair a little shorter, but was still long enough to frame her face. She had on a green dress that cropped from the left leg down. It had a strap on each shoulder and had a sweetheart neckline. She looked over at him and caught him staring and she narrowed her eyes at him and turned away quickly.
This night was going to be more than awkward.
"So Mr. Shinra, how are you?"
Rufus wanted to stab himself. If Reno would just leave his side he probably could, quickly before anyone realized it. He stood there, listening to what felt like the hundredth person talking to him. He didn't know any of their faces, yet they all seemed to know him.
That was stupid, of course they acted that way, he was Rufus Shinra.
"I'm fine, thank you." He smiled at the plump lady who had been talking to him, "Actually, can you excuse me?" He apologized to her and quickly walked away, he had to get away from there. He was going to explode. He had done what Reeve asked, he had smiled and waved at everyone when the spotlight was on him and now he was trying to deal with the people who wanted a personal conversation.
"Wait, bossman!" Reno was right behind him and finally when Rufus managed to walk out of the enormous entrance he turned around to look at the red head, "Damn! You walk fast!" Reno bent over and placed his hands on his knees and took a few deep breathe, "Thank Gaia, I was sick of all those people."
Rufus nodded but didn't say anything. He stood there for a moment and then looked at his Turk who was still trying to catch his breath. He had an overwhelming feeling to be alone, and being around Reno wasn't exactly that.
"Reno, I'll be right back. I forgot my phone in the Turk's lobby."
"I'll go get it, yo."
"No, really – I'll be fine." Rufus gave his Turk the familiar look of authority and then stalked off before he could argue with him. He had to get away from there. His heart was racing and he felt like he couldn't breathe – the farther and farther he got away from it all, the more the feeling subsided. Slowly he walked to the elevator; he mashed the up arrow and took a deep breath.
He couldn't understand why people had been so pleased to see him. There had been people who had pestered him about where he had been, but his Turks were quick to intervene when it was needed. He had seen so many people gawk at him, and so many people smile at him. He knew that they were slightly happy to see him – not because it was him, but because he was a survivor. Reeve was right, it didn't matter who it was, they just needed to see someone, anyone.
It just so happened to be Rufus Shinra who instilled hope into them.
The elevator doors opened and he walked inside them. It took a few moments for them to open again and when they did he walked out of them slowly. He walked past all the empty offices and couldn't help but think it was weird for the place to be so void.
He reached the Turk Lobby moments later and opened the door slowly. He would only stay a few moments, he just need some alone time. He walked in and closed the door behind him. He was about to walk toward the couch that Reno had slept on days before when someone spoke;
"Rufus." Rufus jumped so quickly that he almost tripped. He pulled his gun out so fast that he almost dropped his gun. He had hidden it underneath his jacket before the party and had it pointed in the direct of whoever had called his name. He looked at the person for a moment until finally his mouth formed a big 'O'.
Rufus blinked, unable to form coherent thoughts. He couldn't believe his eyes. His hands started to shake and slowly he lowered his gun. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He must have had one too many drinks because what he was seeing wasn't possible.
"Tseng?" His voice was quiet, and as he stared at the figure in front of him and he felt his stomach drop. He felt his eyes burn and overall he felt a panic he had never felt before. He took a step forward and waited for the image to go away, but it didn't.
"We have a problem." Tseng stared at Rufus with clouded eyes, and before Rufus could ask what he meant someone else made their presence known.
"Good evening Rufus Shinra."
Rufus shook his head. No. No, this wasn't happening. None of that was real. He hadn't just heard that, not again. He stared at the two figures in front of him and heard his heartbeat in his ears.
"Sephiroth."
Alright! 12 pages! I hope that made up for all the times I didn't upload. I know some people didn't like the emotional side of Cloud that I made happen last chapter, but I can't help it, I like it. So I'm sorry for those of you who don't. /:
Anyway! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I tried to make some things happen because a lot hasn't in awhile. Anyway, please review when you get a chance! :)
Well, I tried to post links to the girls' dresses but I can't figure out how to do it without it going away. Soooo, if anyone knows how to do that and wants to tell me so I can post them in the A/N next chapter, please tell me! :)
Please review! :D
-Crimson