Rufus and Cloud

"Mr. Vice President?"

Rufus Shinra looked up, a dangerous frown on his face. "What is it?" he rasped, his blue eyes narrowing on the young secretary before him. Four long years had passed since he had last seen his brother or Reno and his time away from them had taken its toll on him. His heart had steeled itself a good three months after Cloud and Reno had left and it didn't help any that he never received a letter back from Cloud or Reno since then.

The secretary bit her lip before saying, "You have a call on line three." With that said, she hurried out of Rufus' sight. It was no rumor that Rufus had developed a nasty temper over his years in Junon and had fired thirteen workers the week before.

Rufus watched the secretary leave his line of sight before he picked up the phone and pushed the flashing light. "Rufus Shinra," he said into the phone, turning his chair so he could see the sun shine down on the ocean.

The phone crackled for a second before Rufus actually heard a voice. "Ruf? What happened to your voice?"

Again, Rufus' eyes narrowed for the second time that day. "Who is this?" he demanded.

"Oh, boy, Ruf, this is scary," came the same voice, always casual, but slightly frightened. "It's me, your little brother. . . Cloud. What happened? Do you have a cold or something?"

'Cloud??' Rufus' mind screamed out. 'Where the hell did *he* go off to for four years?!' "No, I don't have a cold, Cloud," sighed Rufus, his face and voice finally softening a little. "What happened to you? You never wrote or called. . ."

"I'm so sorry, Ruf," apologized Cloud. "There's so many things that's been happening. . . Sephiroth disappeared before he got to Midgar, Rufus."

"What!? Why wasn't I told of this sooner?"

"I don't know why, but no one's been able to find a body or any evidence of a struggle. I'm sensing foul play, Rufus." Cloud sighed on the other end. "Zack left, too."

"Zack? Why?"

"I have no idea. He just up and left one day and I haven't seen him since. There's also this AVALANCHE terrorist out there blowing up the Mako reactors. . ."

"Yeah, so I've heard."

"Heh. News travels fast, I guess. So . . . how are you doing? You sound stoned."

"Stoned?" repeated Rufus in surprise. "Gods, Cloud, I haven't heard or seen you or Reno for practically forever! How am I *supposed* to sound!?"

"There's the Rufus I know!" Cloud hooted. "Hey, I just heard from Dad that you're coming home in two days! I can't wait!"

"Neither can I," Rufus sighed, smiling just slightly. He turned his chair and looked at the workers that busily did their jobs at their desks in front of his, hoping they could not hear his conversation with his little brother. "How's Reno doing?"

"Oh, he's okay." Rufus could have sworn he could hear snickering on his brother's end. "He's been assigned to work on kidnapping that Ancient."

Rufus blinked. "Ancient? Is this the same Ancient that Tseng's in love with?"

"Yup!" exclaimed Cloud. "I've found out her name's Aeris Gainsborough and she's only one year older than myself! She's too young for Tseng!"

"Age doesn't really matter if there's true love behind it all, Cloud."

"Helloooo?" Cloud laughed. "Haven't you ever heard about laws, Ruf? Statuary rape?"

"Turks never play by the rules; you out of anybody should know that."

"Well, yeah, but. . . Oh, damn, you got me again!" Cloud's laughter was easier to hear now. "You're too good for this poor SOLDIER, Ruf."

"So, why are you calling?" Rufus asked.

"Hold on. . . Oh, great. Rufus, do they have the Midgar news channel over there?"

"They should. . . Why?"

"Turn on the TV and look at the news."

Rufus frowned, gesturing to a secretary to hold his call while he moved into the other room. The young vice president walked to the side room and picked up the other phone. He turned on the TV, switching to the Midgar news channel. The anchorman on air was talking.

"Panic has swept through Sector 7 ever since the notorious terrorist group, known as AVALANCHE, took over the pillar that supports the plate above the sector. The terrorists have succeeded in keeping Shinra troops at bay and no one knows what the terrorists want."

"You hear that, Ruf?" Cloud's voice came from the phone. "That AVALANCHE group's up to no good again. I wonder what Dad's going to do?"

Rufus frowned. "He's probably going to send the Turks to handle the problem. That's why they're `elite`, you know; they can handle any big problem."

"You're probably right. . ." Cloud's voice suddenly stopped. "Hold on a moment, Ruf."

Cloud blinked, looking irritated as he turned to see who had been poking his shoulder. "Can't you see I'm on the-- Oh! Reno!" The red-haired Turk smirked, his green eyes glinting mischievously. Over the years, Reno had gotten sloppy with the way he dressed; his shirt was rumpled and untucked, his jacket unbuttoned, and he didn't wear a tie with his Turk suit. All in all, Reno looked like . . . Reno.

"Who's on the phone?" queried the Turk. He had just gotten out of a brief meeting with Cloud's father and had an important, priority-one mission to carry out, but he decided, at that moment, that he could spare a few minutes to annoy his friend's younger brother.

"Rufus," replied Cloud.

"Ruf's on the phone?!" Reno's eyes lit up at the news. "Give that here!" With that, Reno pulled the phone from Cloud, drawing an indignant yelp from the younger man. "Hey, Ruf!!"

On the other end, Rufus jumped at the startling voice that had just abruptly taken over the silence. "Who's this?!" he gasped in bewilderment. "Where's Cloud?"

"It's Reno!" laughed Reno. "Cloud's still here, don't worry. . . Man, you sound zoned out. What happened to you after we left?"

"Reno? Reno!! What's up? How are you holding up in Midgar? . . . Hey, that's not funny! I do *not* sound zoned out!"

"Yes, you do!" Reno replied. "Let's hope you're not this serious when we see you in person in two days." Cloud muttered something, causing Reno to glance at him. "Heh, I'll see you, Ruf. Cloud's getting upset, and besides, I have a mission to do."

"Hey-- wait!" Rufus' mind snapped to one possibility. "Reno, are you being ordered to take out AVALANCHE at the Sector 7 pillar?"

"Well, er. . ." Reno suddenly looked troubled. He didn't want to tell Rufus what his father had ordered him to do, as Rufus would most likely try to stop him; same with Cloud. "Something like that, Ruf. I'm giving the phone back to Cloud. Take care, 'kay?" Not waiting for a reply from Rufus, Reno gave the phone to Cloud and took off quickly.

Cloud blinked, looking at Reno's quickly retreating form. "Hey, Rufus," he started, bringing the phone to his ear, "what was that about?"

"I asked him if he had been ordered to take out AVALANCHE on the pillar, but he didn't really answer me." Rufus turned off the TV and concentrated on his call. "Cloud, what happened?"

"Honestly, Ruf, I have no clue." Cloud let out a sigh. "I've gotta go, Rufus. I have SOLDIER drills to go through in half an hour and I need to get ready."

"All right." Rufus was trying his very best to not sound disappointed.

"We'll be seeing you in two days, right?"

"Right," the young vice president echoed, but was only answered by the clicking of a phone and then complete silence. Gingerly, Rufus put the receiver back on its cradle and slowly walked out of the room. He had quite a bit to think about before he went back to Midgar. On the top of his list was how to improve his communication between him, Cloud, and Reno.

Cloud was in his full SOLDIER outfit a few minutes later and he strode through the Shinra Building casually. He stopped when he saw Reeve leaning against the wall near the elevator only the higher executives had access to. Reeve appeared to be very distressed.

"Something wrong, Reeve?" he queried, approaching the man that was more like a father than a friend to both him and Rufus.

Reeve gazed at the young man with dark, distraught eyes. "I'm troubled by the order your father gave your Turk friend," he said.

"Wasn't Reno told to take out AVALANCHE on the pillar?"

"There's more to that than you realize," Reeve sighed. He hit the wall with his fist, his only answer being the metallic sound of the door. "Your father ordered Reno to detonate the pillar."

"What?!!" gasped Cloud. "Dad-- he wouldn't. . ."

Reeve nodded sadly. "He did, Cloud."

"Dammit! He's willing to kill off so many people just to get at a little rebel group??" Cloud turned, gritting his teeth as he balled a hand into a fist. "*Damn him!!*" With anger towards his father on his mind, Cloud propelled his fist forward, driving it through the wall and creating a hole in it. Reeve's eyes widened in shock at Cloud's strength.

The moon was at the peak of its journey as it shined its gorgeous lunar beams over one half-awake man. Rufus rubbed his eyes for the twentieth time that night before picking up his pen and continuing with his paperwork. He hated having to do papers in the middle of the night, but he wanted as much free time as he could have so that he could look around Junon one last time, instead of being cooped up in the base.

The silence of the wide office was rudely disrupted by the ringing of the phone next to Rufus. Rufus literally jumped up, landing on his side next to his desk. Groaning, he picked himself up and answered the phone. "What is it?" he hissed in agitation. "It's midnight!"

"Actually, it's 1:22," came a familiar voice. "Ruf, is that you?"

"Cloud. . .? Why are you calling so late?"

"Sorry, Ruf, but I couldn't get to the phone sooner." Rufus could hear a sigh on the other end. "Reno's in the hospital."

"WHAT!?"

"That's not even the bad news, Ruf." There was an uncomfortable silence, then Cloud fought his anger and blurted out everything. "Ruf, Dad ordered Reno to destroy the pillar that held up the plate over Sector 7."

Silence. Then, Rufus quietly queried, "What are you saying. . .?"

"There is no Sector 7 anymore."

"Oh, my God." Rufus slowly lowered himself back into his seat.

"You're taking this a lot better than I expected you to."

"I'm feeling numb at the moment," explained the older Shinra. He was quiet for a while, but not for long. ". . . What happened to Reno?"

Cloud's voice was solemn. "He got really beat up by those rebels. Hell, they had to hire a new Turk to take his place while he recuperates. Tseng managed to grab that Ancient, Aeris, though."

"Where is she now?"

"Dad gave her to Hojo to study, so she's on the 68th floor."

"*Study*?? Why study?"

Rufus could just imagine Cloud shrugging. "She's the last of her race, that's why. I know what you're thinking; I'm thinking the exact same thing."

"Hojo's a sick and twisted freak, unless he's changed since I last saw him," Rufus hissed.

"If he's changed," started Cloud, "then he hasn't changed for the better. I don't even want to think about what he's willing to do just to get data on the Ancients. . . So, what are you still doing up so late?"

"Waiting for people like you to call me up," Rufus replied sarcastically. He chuckled. "I have paperwork to do, so I want to get it all done tonight."

"Isn't that a little unwise? You'll be leaving it when you come back to Midgar."

"No. . . They're going to ship the paperwork along with me."

Cloud laughed, despite the grim news that he had just relayed moments ago. "This is advice coming from a brainless SOLDIER: get some sleep. I'm sure you'd want to make the right impression on the ladies when you get back."

Rufus managed to grin. "I doubt I'll have time for a social life when I get back to Midgar."

"Then Reno and I'll have to make one for you when you get back, huh?"

"You're hopeless, Cloud."

"Oh, c'mon, Ruf. We can go over to the Honey Bee Inn and check out the chicks there."

"Oh, *God*, Cloud. That is just *sick*. No way am I going into that place!"

"Whoa! Now we know which of us is the sensible brother!"

"That's why I became the vice president, you moron!"

Cloud chuckled. "Okay, okay. I'm going to bed, Ruf. You better do the same, you hear?" There was a yawn. "G'night, bro."

"See you in two days," Rufus sighed before he hung up on Cloud. He stared at his paperwork for what seemed like an eternity, then stood up. He could leave the rest for tomorrow; his freetime would return when he got back to Midgar . . . to Cloud and Reno.

Rufus watched anxiously as the helicopter touched ground, blinking back tears as the wind was propelled into his face. His hair blew furiously as he walked towards the helicopter, a suitcase in each hand. The young vice president saw Tseng, the helicopter pilot, step out and open the passenger door, nodding solemnly in acknowledgment. Rufus entered the helicopter, shuddering; Tseng hadn't changed one bit in five years. Once within the helicopter, Rufus settled down into his seat, staring out his window and taking one last glance at Junon. He hoped he wouldn't be seeing the harbor for a *long* time.

Two hours passed before Midgar came into view. Rufus gazed at the great, plated city that he hadn't seen for over five years, and suddenly found himself longing for the ocean again. The city looked so morbid . . . so bleak. He shook his head. It was his home. It didn't matter what it looked like; it was still his home. The helicopter flew around the Shinra Building once, allowing Rufus to look at the huge building from all sides before it came to rest on the roof of the building.

Tseng cut the engine as a pair of men walked onto the roof. Rufus straightened abruptly, realizing that it was his father and Cloud. Cloud was dressed in a dark business suit and was fidgeting uncontrollably. President Shinra looked Rufus up and down with stern blue eyes. "You look well, Rufus," he said stiffly, puffing a cigar that occupied his mouth. "I take it that you learned from your experience in Junon?"

"Yes, sir," Rufus replied automatically, his voice carefully kept emotionless. Cloud grimaced at Rufus' cold tone; it reminded him of when he had called his brother up that first time in four years.

"Do you think you can handle being my vice president then, son?"

"I can handle it, sir."

President Shinra nodded in approval. "Very good," he said, his eyes going over Rufus again. "Junon has done wonders for you, boy." As Tseng approached the three, Shinra turned to him. "Now, Tseng -- I have a few matters to discuss with you." He looked his two full grown sons over. "Go ahead and go off, you two, but don't go too far away; I might need you, Rufus."

Rufus and Cloud nodded, watching the two men walk into the building and disappear down the stairs. Cloud smirked at Rufus. "Well, how've you been?" he queried, playfully punching his brother. "You still look whole to me."

"I'm fine," Rufus sighed, running a hand through his hair. He eyed Cloud carefully. "Boy, you've grown. You're almost as tall as me now!" That was true; there were barely two inches that came between the two in height now. ". . . With that suit on, you *do* look like a Turk."

"Oh, shut up, Mr. Bleach," Cloud teased playfully. He wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders and gave him a strong hug. "Damn, it wasn't the same without you around. C'mon, there's someone I want you to meet."

Rufus threw his brother a quizzical look as he was led into the building, down the stairs, through Hojo's lab, down the elevator, and onto floor forty. Cloud continued to walk through the corridor, finally coming to a room that Rufus recognized as room that connected all the Turks' offices. The younger Shinra opened the door, shutting the door behind Rufus.

Cloud grinned when he saw a young, blond-haired woman wearing a Turk uniform jump when she saw him. "Mr. Shinra!" she gasped, recognizing Cloud, but not Rufus.

"Easy, Elena," he chuckled. He brought Rufus to his side. "Elena, this is my big brother, Rufus. Rufus, meet Elena, the new Turk and Reno's replacement."

Rufus, clearly seeing that Elena was uneasy, smiled brightly. "Hello," he greeted, nodding at the young woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Elena blushed. Hard. "I--- Uh, I mean-- it's nice to meet you, s--"

"Please, it's just Rufus . . . unless my Dad's around; *then* it's sir or Mr. Vice President," sighed Rufus. "Cloud and I don't like formalities that much." Deep inside, Rufus couldn't believe how casual he was suddenly acting. After four years of being stern and merciless to his workers, *this* was how he reacted when around Cloud for ten minutes? 'I *must* be easy to twist around,' he thought.

"All right." Elena took a deep breath. She managed to a smile. "Cloud's told me a lot about you. Is it true that you bleach your clothes?"

"What?!" gasped Rufus, snapping his head to Cloud. "Cloud, you didn't--!"

Cloud laughed. "Elena, that was beautiful!" Elena smiled with pride. "Ruf, you really are sensitive about your clothes, aren't you?"

Rufus stared at the two for the longest of time. "Boy, Cloud," he sighed, "I knew that you could become friends with everyone . . . but with the newest Turk?"

"Hey! I became friends with Reno just like that!" Cloud snapped his fingers. He grinned at Elena. "You think you'll be okay until I get back, beautiful?"

Elena pushed Cloud playfully. "Stop that, Cloud!" she giggled. "Someone'd think that you were in love with me!"

"Nah," Cloud chuckled. "We're just friends. See you later, okay, Elena?" Elena nodded, waving at the two as they left the room. "So . . . what do you think of her, Ruf?"

Rufus shrugged, walking with his brother back to the elevator. "She's very friendly," he commented. "I don't see what a nice girl like her is doing as a Turk."

Cloud smirked. "To tell you the truth, Ruf," he started, "neither do I." He sighed, looking down at his suit. "Can we go to my quarters? I have to get out of this get-up." Rufus laughed lightly, nodding. They stepped into the elevator and went back up a few floors. Cloud quickly changed into his SOLDIER uniform and strapped a sword to his back before going back out into the corridor to meet Rufus.

"I've said it once and I'll say it again: SOLDIER's really done on a number on you," Rufus said, smiling with pride. "I knew from the day I first saw you in Mom's lap in the hospital, Cloud, that you would everything that I wasn't. You've never stopped impressing me since."

"Are you going to get all emotional on me, bro?" Cloud asked.

"Most likely," replied Rufus with a grin. "Damn, I wish that Mom could have seen how we ended up. She'd be so proud of us." Cloud nodded, dragging his brother back to the elevator before his brother really got going.

Maybe there was hope for the future of the corrupt company known as Shinra Incorporated in these two young men. Just . . . maybe.

Back to Rufus and Cloud.