Rufus and Cloud

"How is he?"

Cloud Shinra blinked, raising his eyes from the floor to the speaker. Reeve looked at the young man with concern in his eyes; the events over the last few days must have certainly unnerved the younger Shinra. According to the report given by Reno to Tseng and Heidegger, the creature called Jenova had attacked them on the ship heading to Costa Del Sol. The young president had protected Cloud from a powerful blast, injuring himself severely in the process. Shortly after learning about this, Heidegger had started to dispatch all the Turks to hunt down AVALANCHE, but Cloud, taking up the role as the temporary President of Shinra, quickly stopped the man. After thinking about the situation for a moment, Cloud ordered Heidegger to send the Turks and Scarlet to Gongaga, where there had been rumors of a materia that was larger than normal. If that was true, the materia could be used as a weapon against AVALANCHE. By the look on Cloud's face, Reeve could tell that stress over his new role to the company was weighing down heavily upon him.

"The doctors said he'll live," Cloud sighed, gripping the seat underneath him. The lobby was quiet this time of night, as most of the workers had gone back home to Midgar's slums or better sectors. "But they also said there's a chance he won't be able to walk again." Cloud shook his head a few times before burying it in his hands.

"Oh, God," Reeve whispered, taking a seat next to Cloud. "That's terrible, Cloud. . ."

"I know!" the young man moaned, his voice muffled by his hands. "It's all my fault, too!! He shouldn't have taken that blast for me. . . He shouldn't have been down there with Reno and me!"

"Then you wouldn't be here," the executive reminded him, stroking his thin beard thoughtfully.

"Dammit, I know that! But Ruf shouldn't have jumped in front of me! Because of me, he'll have that huge scar on his back. . . Because of me, he may be crippled for life!" At the very thought of seeing Rufus in a wheelchair, Cloud burst into tears. He knew very well that he should be strong about this -- he knew that he shouldn't cry. But the very thought of seeing his brother -- his proud, dignified brother -- reduced to a mere shadow of himself frightened Cloud. Never before had he ever felt so frightened; not even when he had leapt off a helicopter flying fifty stories above the ground to fight the most powerful and skilled swordsman on the Planet.

"Cloud. Cloud, listen to me." Cloud shivered violently, feeling Reeve's hand grip his shoulder firmly. "You have to think positively. I'm sure that fate wouldn't condemn Rufus to something like that."

"It condemned Dad to death already," the SOLDIER hissed bitterly under his breath, not even bothering to wipe his tears away.

"Cloud, Rufus wouldn't want you to cry," Reeve said softly. "I'm sure you wouldn't want Rufus to cry if something like this were to happen to you."

". . . You're right there, Reeve," Cloud sighed, brushing a few tears away. "But what if he had died? What if he sacrificed everything, including his life, for me in that one instant? What would I do then? What if it happens in the future?"

"If that ever happens in the future . . . then you have every right to cry," replied the older man, his voice low.

Cloud kept his eyes to the floor as he entered his brother's hospital room. ". . . Cloud?" Rufus Shinra's voice came, floating to his ears easily. "What are you doing?"

Frowning, Cloud looked up, seeing Rufus staring at him from his bed. "Hey, Ruf," he greeted weakly, shuffling to his older brother's side. "How are you?"

After a long moment, Rufus finally spoke. "Why are you talking like that, Cloud?" he asked. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?" When Cloud remained silent, Rufus cleared his throat. "C'mon; what's wrong? You're acting as if someone else died."

"Ruf. . . The doctors said there's a chance you might not walk again," Cloud whispered, looking away as the words left his mouth.

Again, silence. Then, "Is that it?" Cloud blinked, looking down at his brother in shock. Rufus was grinning. "Is that why you're acting so weird, Cloud?"

"Rufus, I don't think you understand what I'm saying," the younger Shinra hissed. "You might not walk again!"

Rufus laughed quietly, surprising Cloud even more. "I heard you and understood you the first time, bro. Don't think that I didn't. You don't have to get all emotional and everything."

"But--"

"Stop it, Cloud." Rufus raised his gaze to his brother's face. Blue eyes to blue eyes. "Don't think that a little disability will change me. I'll still be the same person."

"Ruf--" Cloud tried again in anguish.

"Don't make me repeat myself!" Rufus was shouting now. "Cloud, I'll be okay. If I can't promise anything else, I can promise that."

For a moment, Cloud stared at his brother. The spark in his eye was like nothing he had ever seen; it showed strength, will, and a certain amount of power. He smiled. "I never thought that it would be like this."

"Odder things have happened," Rufus sighed, calming down somewhat.

Cloud's brows shot up. "Name one time," he said.

"Okay. . . How about the time when we decided to play in the executive elevator when we were younger?"

At the memory, Cloud grinned. "It took them months to replace all that glass when it fell seven floors."

"And remember how we screamed?" Rufus laughed.

"If I remember correctly, *you* were the only one screaming," Cloud teased.

"What? No way! I remember quite clearly that you were clinging onto me as the elevator broke."

"Okay, okay," Cloud chuckled. "I admit it. I did scream. . . But I didn't scream as loud as you did!"

Rufus smiled. "We've shared a lot of moments, haven't we, Cloud?" Cloud nodded and Rufus continued. "I don't want to think about either of us ever dying."

"We won't be dying any time soon, Ruf. There's no way I'd let that happen." Cloud sat down next to Rufus, gripping his brother's hand.

"I know you wouldn't," Rufus whispered. "You're that type of person."

"You know me like the back of your hand, don't you?"

Rufus nodded. "You're my little brother. It's my job to know."

Cloud nodded as well. He had expected something like that from Rufus. Boring, old Rufus. He, Cloud, had always been the one to try out something new. It had always been rare for Rufus to do something completely wild; that was why he had been so shocked when he had jumped in front of Jenova's laser. Boring, old Rufus had done that. He had a feeling that, very soon, their lives would be even farther from boring than it was now.

"Cloud?"

"Yeah, Ruf?"

"I've suddenly thought of something we can do to keep an eye on AVALANCHE. . ." Cloud averted his gaze to his brother, blinking in surprise. "As the President of the company, I have something I'd like you to do. . ."

"Reeve?" Cloud stepped towards the Shinra executive in the waiting room. The older man stood up as he approached, frowning in confusion. "I-- I have something to ask of you."

"What is it, Cloud?" Reeve queried.

"Rufus has an idea concerning AVALANCHE," replied Cloud. "He wants to use your Cait Sith robot as a spy device to infiltrate AVALANCHE." Reeve's mouth opened in silent surprise. "We'll send Cait Sith to the Gold Saucer to act as a fortune teller and wait for AVALANCHE; sooner or later, they'll *have* to pass that way." The young man paused, glancing up at Reeve's eyes. The shock was still apparent in the executive's gaze. ". . . I'm sorry to have to push this on you, Reeve, but you're the only one that knows how to control Cait Sith and. . ."

"No, no," Reeve quickly interrupted, "it's not that. I'll do it, it's just that . . . I guess it came as a shock."

"Good," Cloud sighed, smiling slightly. "I'm glad to hear that. Well, Reeve, I've got to go make preparations, then."

"Yes . . . sir," murmured Reeve, watching Cloud pass him with a smile. He shook his head as the young man, dressed in a blue suit that didn't look right on him, disappeared from sight. "I can't believe how fast they've had to grow up." He smiled grimly as he sat down again. "Rufus and Cloud. . . I pity you. I never agreed with anything your father had in store for you two. . . That's why I always tried to be the father President Shinra never could be." Sighing, Reeve bowed his head and shut his eyes.

"Hey, Rude. . . Who do you like?"

Rude raised his head to look at his friend and partner, a brow rising. "Huh?"

"I think you heard me, Rude," Reno chuckled, leaning casually against a tree. He twirled his nightstick quietly and smirked at the taller man. "C'mon, out with it. You've gotta have someone you like." After being in the Gongaga are for more than a week, the Turks had relaxed somewhat.

A slight smile worked its way up onto Rude's face as he looked down at his feet for a moment. Reno loved to pry and did a good job at it; this was just the beginning if he didn't tell him right off. "I like Tifa," he replied, quickly adding, "and Elena. But she likes Tseng, so. . ."

"Ugh." Reno made a face. "That AVALANCHE girl? Hmm. . . Man, that's tragic. You. . . Her. . ." He shook his head.

"It can't be helped," Rude sighed, shrugging. He adjusted his shades and looked away, a quiet gesture that marked the end of the conversation. Reno rolled his eyes; Rude had never been much of a speaker.

It was then that Elena came running down the path, something rather unnecessary and unprofessional for a Turk, unless of an emergency. "Hey! I heard that--"

"Elena, Elena, Elena," Reno sighed, grinning as he interrupted her. "First off, kid, you should always salute your superiors. And remember: you're a Turk. There's no need to look stupid by running around when it's not necessary."

"But--" Elena started, her eyes wide. Reno was always doing this to her, chiding her over these small things.

"No buts!" Reno declared, her green eyes glittering as he waved a finger in front of her face. Just from the smug look on his face, Elena could tell he didn't mean a word of it but was enjoying it immensely. "Now, calm down and tell us what you were going to say."

Elena sighed and grudgingly saluted, mumbling an apology. Later, in private, she would have to scold Reno for making her look bad in front of others, even if it was just Rude. "Tseng said that there have been sightings of AVALANCHE heading this way. We should get ready."

"Ah, we'll be ready," Reno said nonchalantly, waving her words off easily. "We've been ready for over a week."

At that, Elena rolled her eyes at him and started away. A moment passed before she appeared again, running towards them. "They're here! They're really here!" she shrieked, glancing behind her as three figures appeared -- Zack, the Ancient, Aeris, and a strange cat perched on top of a giant moogle. Reno immediately recognized it as Cait Sith, the robot cat Rufus had given to Reeve for his birthday some years ago. Cloud had shown it to him when he had first arrived in Midgar.

Reno straightened and looked sharply at Elena, all the while thinking, 'What the *hell* is that robot doing with AVALANCHE?' "Go warn Tseng," he ordered firmly, watching the rookie nod and take off towards the Mako reactor. He sneered at Zack as he approached and drew his sword, glancing at Rude as he began cracking his knuckles. "Remember me, Zack?" he hissed, twirling his nightstick.

Zack lowered his guard and stared at him with glowing Mako eyes. "You. . . You're that Turk," he muttered. "You're that Turk from Midgar and the ship. . . Reno."

"That's right. . . It's nice to be remembered," affirmed Reno with a smirk. "We have orders to terminate AVALANCHE on sight."

"Terminate?" repeated Zack, his face hardening. He fell into a battle stance. "So, you're going to follow Rufus' orders to the end, aren't you?"

Reno frowned dangerously, preparing for a battle as well by propping his nightstick on his shoulder. "It was Cloud's orders," he replied darkly. As shock dawned on Zack's face, Reno brought his weapon up. "Turk Light!" The familiar fireball sped towards, not Zack, but Aeris.

"Aeris!" Zack turned, all too slowly, and watched Aeris fall backwards at the impact of the blow. He spun around, his eyes shooting daggers at the red-haired Turk. "For that, I'm going to rearrange your face!" The ex-SOLDIER leapt forward, mercilessly slashing at Reno. Reno's reaction speed proved better than Zack's, as he was able to bring his nightstick up fast enough to deflect the oncoming blow.

"Reno!" Rude sprang forward and slugged Zack, sending him sprawling back. Reno straightened just in time to see Rude jump up. "Grand Spark!" As Rude's fist met the ground, a visible shockwave shot from the earth and struck Zack.

"Not so fast, ya Turks!" shouted the cat upon the Moogle, Cait Sith. "Ice 2!"

As ice bit into Reno's skin, he let out an infuriated scream. "What the *hell*!?" Questions raced through his mind as the spell took effect. 'What's Reeve doing?! Why's that bot with AVALANCHE!? Does Ruf and Cloud know??' He shook his head, shaking away the thoughts and pain.

"Fire 2!" This shout came from Aeris, who had recovered from Reno's Turk Light and was now standing in front of Zack, who was kneeling. Reno took the blow in silence, staggering slightly.

"Reno," Rude hissed.

Reno glanced at his partner, who was tapping his wristwatch and gesturing away. Reno nodded and glared at the arising Zack. "We'll settle this later," he said, setting his nightstick on his shoulder before turning and running. Rude backed away from AVALANCHE slowly, then hurried after his red-haired comrade.

"What the *hell* was Cait Sith doing with AVALANCHE!?" demanded Reno, pacing angrily in the Shinra Incorporated Junon office. Standing close by were Elena and Rude, who were silently watching him blow up. Sitting behind the President's desk was Cloud, who was quietly following Reno's pacing form. "It was bad enough we had to wait a damn week for AVALANCHE to show up, but with CAIT SITH!? You've got some explaining to do, Cloud." With that said, Reno turned and firmly his hands on Cloud's desk.

Cloud sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Cait Sith was with AVALANCHE because he is acting as a spy for us," he said calmly.

"And when were you planning to tell us that, huh!?" Reno exploded again.

"The thought never crossed my mind," Cloud replied coolly. For a moment, Reno almost expected him to run a hand through his hair.

"Damn you!!" Reno beat his fist on the desk and glared at the younger man. He turned his head towards the two other Turks. "Elena, Rude. Please leave."

Rude shook his head. "At the moment, Reno, I'm beginning to worry for the Vice President's safety."

"It's quite all right, Rude," Cloud said, gesturing for the two to leave.

"Cloud. . .," Elena began.

"Don't worry. If he tries anything, I'll be able to handle it," the young Vice President said, his voice feigning exasperation. "Go."

Elena and Rude glanced at each other, then at Reno, who had turned back to look at Cloud. His eyes were hidden from their sight, so they were unable to tell what the other Turk was exactly feeling. After another moment, they saluted and quickly left the office. Cloud and Reno watched on as they left, not speaking until they had left and had shut the door behind them. It was then that Reno burst out into laughter.

"Man, Cloud," he managed between laughs, "you really had me going there! I was starting to think you'd gone and pulled a Rufus Shinra on me!"

Cloud grinned at his friend. "You saw right through me and yet you went with it?" he queried. "Well, I guess no one can imitate Ruf's style."

"Speaking 'bout Ruf . . . how is he?"

The mood immediately grew solemn at Reno's question. "He's . . . getting better," Cloud murmured. "He's getting strong enough to eat by himself."

"So he's regained arm movement?" Reno queried. "That's great! C'mon; let's go visit him." When Cloud looked at him in surprise, Reno smirked. "Yes, right now. C'mon, Cloud!" Cloud stared at his friend for a long moment, then smiled slightly. With a nod, he arose and followed Reno out of the office.

Rufus opened his blue eyes to see a familiar red head pop into his hospital room. "Hey, Ruf," Reno greeted, smiling warmly as he opened the door wider, admitting himself and Cloud into the room.

"Reno," Rufus said, smiling as Reno rounded his bed to his right side. He was, as usual, garbed in a messy Turk uniform. He wondered how many times Tseng had to reprimand him about his attire in vain. "Well, how's it feel to be back in Junon after being in Gongaga for a week?"

"Great; it's been hell not seeing you and Cloud," replied Reno, putting his arms behind his head. "How are you doing? Cloud was telling me that you can move your arms now."

"Yeah." Rufus demonstrated by raising and flexing his right arm. "It's been a pain, though; the stupid muscles just wouldn't cooperate at first."

Reno nodded and smiled. "So, Mr. President," he started, "AVALANCHE's heading for Cosmo Canyon. Aren't we going to do anything there?"

Rufus shook his head. "Cosmo Canyon is strictly prohibited to all Shinra personnel; Bugenhagen, the head elder and protector of Cosmo Canyon, made a pact with my father that we wouldn't bother them as long as they don't bother us. I'm going to honor that pact."

Reno shrugged. "Okay; it's your call, Ruf."

"What's our next move then, bro?" asked Cloud. He put his hand down on the bed, glancing at when he had put his hand down before staring at his brother with his glittering blue eyes.

"I haven't decided yet," admitted the older Shinra. He yawned suddenly. "Ugh, I think I've been awake a little too long."

Reno rolled his eyes and crossed his arms at that. "And this time it's not because of the paperwork."

Rufus laughed lightly. "Yes, well. . . I think I should go to sleep. If I'm ever to get out of this damn hospital, I have to rest up."

"All right, bro. We'll leave now," Cloud sighed.

Reno nodded and turned to leave, waiting for Cloud. Cloud straightened and hugged his brother, smiling comfortingly at his older brother. Rufus smiled in return, watching his younger brother turn away and head for the door. Together, Reno and Cloud said their goodbyes and left Rufus to his own thoughts.

As Cloud stood outside of Rufus' room, he thought about his brother's condition. When he had put his hand down on Rufus' bed, he had had his hand on Rufus' ankle the whole time. Despite this, Rufus' leg hadn't reacted with a jerk, a twitch -- nothing. Cloud leaned against the door as Reno walked off after a cute-looking nurse. The doctors had warned him that it might happen, but he still didn't want to think about it. But Rufus' condition didn't comfort him as much as he had hoped it would.

Was Rufus going to be paralyzed from the waist down? The thought choked him up. Rufus was in the hospital because of him. If he were to lose the ability to walk because of him . . . he didn't know what he would do. Cloud sank to the floor and buried his head in his hands. He would pray for Rufus. He would pray for the Planet as well.

It was all he could do.

On to Chapter 8.

Back to Rufus and Cloud.