Chapter Text
Rufus watched with pale eyes as the Soldier forced his friends behind him. Oh, ever the honor bound, he knew. Definitely a Soldier, definitely his. The eyes burning bright with green mako lacing through them made it obvious enough. He smirked, dropping from the helicopter, watching as the Soldier readied himself against him, finally managing to convince his friends to leave without him. Not that they would get far. They may manage to get to the lobby, but without a Soldier to aid in their escape, it would be nigh impossible to go further than that. He knew the lobby was already covered with Troops. The only reason they had managed to get as far as they had into the building was because of this Solider. Rather stupid to try and aid their escape without him. Surely he knew there was no running off? Surely?
Rufus touched down on the ground, moving slowly forwards. He was not hurried. Wary, yes. Fighting a Soldier was going to be difficult, especially if he was as enhanced as his eyes seemed to suggest. Not that it was impossible. The Troops near him rushed towards the Solider, knowing its fuitility but still loyal to the end. Rufus smirked softly, eying the Soldier. He lifted a brow as he saw the fight. The style was...wasteful. Of energy, of course. Perhaps it would work against some, but this boy was clearly not trained well. Practice, yes, but it was clear he relied heavily on the enhancements. His fighting was not anything like he could remember in the training pamphlet of Soldier. Perhaps that was the point.
"You are a Soldier, aren't you?" Rufus asked, turning the other's attention towards him. "That means, you belong to me," Rufus watched the other's declaration. Ex-Soldier? He couldn't help but laugh out loud at that. There was no such thing as an Ex Soldier. You were a soldier for life, whether you liked it or not. The enhancements did not go away, no matter how one may wish for it, and it would forever stay with you. Rufus stared the Soldier down, though perhaps this boy was not a Soldier at all.
The fight with him was...immeasurable. He was quick, light on his feet, but his attacks themselves were not always the best thought out, they seemed almost wild in nature, nothing like Rufus expected from the SOLDIER, he had definitely fought various SOLDIER's before, and he knew full well that they had different styles eventually, but even still, his attacks wasted energy, and charged up when they didn't need to, it reeked of a lack of training, though it was obvious he was pulling knowledge from somewhere. Perhaps watching? It was true the program had somewhat diminished in recent times, particularly after Angeal and Genesis' defections. It was clear the stranger had some strategy, and his use of materia was capable, but not great. Nothing like he would expect from a Soldier, who were trained extensively by the Soldier First Genesis until he went rogue. He had a wide array of Materia, that much was obvious, but his inability to put it to practical use was baffling. He knew not every SOLDIER would be good at materia use, but he expected more.
That did not mean that he was not on his toes. He did not underestimate his opponent, and it was obvious that was a good thing. Despite the lack of training, his strategy alone could have bested Rufus if Rufus had been any less trained than he was. As it was, Darkstar had to intervene twice already. He took care to close in on his opponent, watching how he seemed to falter slightly, Rufus took his chance, pulling the SOLDIER in and pressing his body against Rufus' own.
The SOLDIER was a bit smaller than standard. Rufus knew the regulation for height and weight, and this individual did not meet either. He couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. He did not particularly like the picture that this was painting. Pressing close, he whispered in the other's ear. "A SOLDIER? Are you sure? You don't really meet the requirements." He watched the other falter slightly, his strength seeming to fail him momentarily. Rufus pressed further. "You are too small, you don't meet the height. Are you sure Hojo hasn't been fucking around and just messed with you?" The other struggled slightly now, and Rufus knew he had maybe moments before he managed to break free from him. "Of course, I won't tell your little friends? Surely you've realized by now the only reason they made it so far was because of your enhancements? They aren't going to manage to make it out, at least...not in one piece." The SOLDIER finally broke free from him, whirling around, a glare in his eyes.
"Don't talk about them like that," He growled out. Rufus tilted his head.
"Or what?" Rufus questioned, moving forwards, watching at how the SOldier seemed to fluster, faltering slightly. Rufus didn't hesitate, pulling out his fire shells, and firing, watching at how the SOLDIER dodged instinctively.
He may not have official training, but he had amazing instincts. Rufus had caught him by surprise and yet, it had no affect, he was able to recover immediately. He hummed softly to himself. "How about we make a deal?" Rufus questioned. The SOLDIER paused, narrowing his eyes dangerously. He clearly did not think Rufus would keep to any promise, not that he could blame the other. His father did have a reputation after all. "Your friends are currently detained downstairs." Rufus lifted his hand slightly, Tseng tossing his radio at him, the reporting from Heidegger confirming what he said, and the shriek from one of the two girls proving his point even better than anything else.
"What kind of deal?" The SOLDIER questioned, rife with suspicion.
"I will let your little friends go, if you will stay with me. After all," Rufus considered the SOLDIER. "I own you anyways, and with my father dead, I could use some intimidation in cleaning up the damn mess he left me." The SOLDIER paused, as though not expecting him to say that about his father, or the company. The SOLDIER narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Even Aerith?" He saw Tseng tense slightly, but he nodded easily.
"I don't really believe in that...promised land shit. If it existed we would have figured it out by now. We haven't found it, It isn't likely it even exists." Rufus shrugged one shoulder. He opened his arm out to the side, tilting his head towards the SOLDIER. "If I don't do as promised, and let your friends go, then you are more than free to leave. I hear SOLDIER's are honorable." The boy nodded slowly, still obviously suspicious. "So if you give me your word, can I trust you to abide by it?" The SOLDIER gave a curt nod, and Rufus smiled. "Well, then, do we have a deal?" They nodded once, curtly. "Wonderful," He purred slightly. Speaking into the Raido he ordered for the friends to be released. He heard the confusion, anger, frustration, he cut it all off, tossing the radio towards Tseng once more. A quiet, "Make sure they listen," Was all it took for Tseng to order his subordinate to go down to ensure it.
Chapter Text
Rufus ordered the SOLDIER behind him as he swung idly in his late father's chair. It was a nice chair, and it was finally his. "What is your name, Solider?" Rufus questioned, the boy behind him stiffened slightly at being addressed, almost as though he did not expect it. Surely he could not think that Rufus was going to allow himself to be at a disadvantage right? After all, everyone knew his name, it was only fitting Rufus knew his. That, and the more clear reasoning which was Rufus was going to do a dive on the boy once he figured out what his name was.
"Cloud Strife," The words were reluctant, but clear, and Rufus couldn't help but be a bit giddy. Cloud Strife, the words reverberated around his mind as he kept an eye on the cameras. Heidegger and Tseng were already heading back to the office, having reluctantly released the people in the lobby.
"Why did you break into the Tower, Cloud?" Rufus forcibly played on familiarity. It made the other confused, and uncomfortable, but would also make him more inclined to answer his questions. The more wrong footed that he was the more likely he was to get information that he wanted unintentionally. Rufus had learned that the hard way. It was a good, tried and true lesson. One of the few that he managed to actually put to use from his useless old man. Rufus' pale eyes glanced at the body, a stab...Cloud could not have done that considering...and in fact now that he thought of it none of the little pose that Cloud had with him could have either. A staff, a gun, a broadsword, and fists...there was no way any weapons could match the markings. Rufus' eyes tracked Tseng and Heidegger's location. He had a few minutes alone to get information and give orders.
"You took Aerith." Ah, a rescue then? Almost admirable. He knew Tseng was concerned over the Centra, but really he couldn't care less. Obviously he could not just cut off every effort made for this promised land, that would give him more enemies than friends, but he could lessen the priority on the search, at least for now.
"Well, I didn't do anything, but as I've said, I won't force her back into the Tower as long as you help me," Rufus said simply, tapping his fingers on the desk. "How long has it been since you were in service?" Rufus watched closely at Cloud's reflection in the monitor screen. IT wasn't perfect but he could see, quite obviously, as confusion and a look like a lost puppy waved over the Soldier's face. Perhaps he truly didn't know? Hojo could have messed with the boy, and it was seeming more and more likely as time went on. "You don't know," It was not a question, but stated as a fact.
"I don't know anything of the last five years, I cannot answer your question," The attitude, Rufus could feel his body tremble slightly in excitement. At least the other wasn't one to lie down and take it. He liked a bit of fight after all. It made him feel invigorated and powerful. The information in the answer, however, was more than a little concerning. Amnesia? He supposed it was common with the Mako treatments but a five year gap in memory was a bit severe, and not common at all. From what he knew, there was no record of such a large gap in the memory. No, there was something more at play here, and Rufus needed to know what it was.
"Who killed my father?"
"Sephiroth," The response came immediately. At least he is well trained, Sephiroth though...Rufus glanced at the body, it would track given Sephiroth's weapon. He would have to look back at the footage though. That could be a problem. Perhaps one that I won't have to deal with. A plan, hazy but beginning to solidify, began to run its way through his mind.
"They are going to be here soon. You are going to act as though you were with Avalanche under my orders as an infiltration mission, clear?"
"Yes, Sir," Rufus felt a delicious shiver roll down his spine at the address. Clearing his throat, and his head, he continued as it was definitely not the time to dwell on such lustful thoughts.
"You are my bodyguard, but also here to scare the others. I can handle them, I just need you to ensure I remain protected from them as well,"
"Yes, Sir,"
"After we handle the switch off in power, Tseng will stay behind, along with you, and we will retire to my apartment in upper midgar, it is more private, and talk through our next steps."
"Yes, Sir,"
Chapter Text
Cloud did not life Rufus. He was dangerous, had a sadistic streak, but even he could tell he was better than old man Shinra. He had agreed to let his friends go, and had made good on that promise considering the immediate anger and lashing out that Heidegger gave the new President. Cloud cocked his hip, staring the other man down. HE didn't like this person. He wasn't sure what it was about them that made him not like him, but he got this immediate and instinctive rush of hatred. As far as he knew, he never even saw Heidegger during his infantry days. Still, the feeling did not go away, and it was strong enough that he knew for sure there had to be some sort of personal element to it.
"That's enough, Heidegger, I think you will find I have my own reasons for what I've done and as far as I am aware, you answer to me, not the other way around." Rufus' words were cutting, but straight to the point. It was almost laughable to see the other get cut off. Cloud could appreciate the bluntness in his personality. That was something that was refreshing. He found himself enjoying Rufus' personality more than he should be, particularly considering he was literally being blackmailed at the moment.
"What is he doing here?" The man ranted, switching topics immediately. Cloud crossed his arms over his chest, not stopping the glare, leaving it trained solely on the infantry head. "He's with Avalache! I know maybe you are unaware but..." Rufus lifted his hand, silencing the other again, only this time, without words. Cloud couldn't help but be just a bit impressed at the way the new President handled him. He was also glad someone was doing it because, though he was not sure where the certainty came from, he was certain that Heidegger almost always got away with whatever he wanted to do. He was going to have to figure out where all this information was coming from soon enough, but he had a promise to keep at the moment. Emotions were not something he could let get away from him, not now.
"He infiltrated Avalanche on my orders," rufus' icey gaze cut through the infantry head. "I wasn't aware that SOLDIER was your porogative. It isn't, actually, and do you honestly think that a SOLDIER would work with a terrorist group of their own volition?" Heidegger began to stutter, unable to get the right footing here. "Now that we have that squared away, I want to have a meeting. Tomorrow, morning. You will gather all your orders, files, and your progress financial reports, turn them over to me starting tomorrow, and I will decide what is worth keeping and what is not." Rufus leaned back in the chair, ignoring the outrage on Heidegger's rapidly reddening face. "After all, my father is not in charge anymore, and unfortunately, I run a much tighter ship than he did." He tilted his head slightly, leaning it against his fist. "Problem?"
"No, Mr. President," heidegger forced out through gritted teeth.
"Wonderful," Rufus clapped his hands together. "Now that we seem to have settled all the pesky details, I will send out the email informing everyone else. I suggest you get your stuff together, Heidegger," the man left, full of rage and anger, and Rufus couldn't help but laugh at him once the door finally left. He swung around, once more facing Cloud, who took a step back, and dropped his hands from crossing over his chest, avoiding the other's confusing gaze.
Cloud did not like how it made him feel. Like he was wrong footed, like everything else was fading away and there was nothing but him. It was the same feeling he got with Sephiroth, and he did not like it at all. "What do you know about what happened with Sephiroth, Cloud," Rufus questioned, staring at him. Cloud shuffled slightly. He was really really uncomfortable, but there wasn't much he could do.
"He's obsessed with me for some reason," Cloud said with a shrug. "Has been popping up where I'm at regularly. He helped me get out of the fires in Sector 1, helped us escape Hojo's creepy ass lab, and then killed the old President," Rufus gave a slight twitch of a smile at the words. Cloud knew that it was going to appease him. He liked to be reminded he had power. So predictable. "I don't know how he's alive." The last sentence was stated softly, barely a breath. Rufus lifted a hand. "We will speak more on this later. For now, we will go to my apartment, you will get yourself freshened up, eat, rest, tomorrow, before the meeting with the chairs, I want to have a conversation." Rufus glanced towards Tseng, who nodded once.
Tseng did not understand why Rufus was toying with the SOLDIER, but it was not his job to question it either. Their little dance on top of the roof was enough of an indication that Rufus liked the SOLDIER, though in what way was yet to be seen. He needed to dig up this Cloud Strife's file. But before anything else, he needed to get the President and the SOLDIER to the penthouse. Enough had happened here already, and Rufus would like to be the best prepared he can be for the hell that tomorrow morning was bound to bring.
Rufus hummed softly to himself as they were taken via helicopter to his penthouse. It was clear enough that though the blonde did not have much training, he did have amazing instincts. With the right amount of training in that broadsword of his, he was bound to be quite formidable. Still, he could not help but wonder if this was one of Hojo's fuckery. First Class Fair had disappeared after the fiasco in Nibelheim, along with First Class Sephiroth. As far as Rufus was aware, they were supposedly killed in action, but he knew better than to believe that. Both the Troopers that tagged along that mission had gone MIA.
He wondered if Cloud was not one of those, and Hojo just snatched his body up for some fucked up experiments. After all, no matter what Cloud liked to believe, he would have never gotten into SOLDIER lacking the height and weight requirements.
carrying_clouds_ass on Chapter 1 Sat 31 May 2025 01:50AM UTC
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