The meteor dropped towards Midgar and began to cause massive destruction to the large polluted city. She watched with a heavy heart as the whirlwinds swept across the plate destroying everything in their paths. Across the sky swooped the Highwind and she could sense that they were as afraid as she was that the meteor was going to destroy the planet forever. She turned and looked at the destruction and fell into a sitting position on the grass that was wet with the nighttime moisture. Was this the last time she would ever get to feel the cool wind brush against her skin and see the stars over her head? A tear slipped down her cheek and caught the moonlight as it fell. She closed her eyes and prepared herself for the worst the meteor had to offer.
A strong and chilled gust of fresh air blew her hair away from her face and she opened her eyes to see the green glow of the lifestream rolling towards Midgar where the meteor was preparing to land. In a matter of moments it was enveloping the meteor and the Holy magic that were fighting eachother and the planet was finally making an effort to protect itself. She knew at that moment that her older sister had done it. She had stopped AVALANCHE and rescued her beloved from their wrath. She knew that Jenova had been destoried and the planet was going to be safe at long last. But that did not stop the ache in her heart as she looked at the fallen city with a longing to see her friends once more. But they were dead. She would never see them again. She wiped away the tear that had fallen and turned to walk away. She knew where she was going. She was going to Junon. She climbed up onto the black chocobo's back and whispered soothingly into its ear. "I told him that I would take good care of you and I will do just that," she promised. The chocobo let out a loud "wark" letting her know that he was pleased and took off in the direction of the large harbor town of Junon.

She shivered as she turned onto her side and looked up at the sky that was full of lights from Junon. She could not see the stars from this darkened alley. With a groan she pulled herself to her feet and looked around. She had turned the black Chocobo loose into the forest to enjoy it's freedom for the time being. She knew that it would return to her once she entered the wooded area. It would sense her presence and the special chocobo lure she carried and come running out of hiding. Not until then. She glanced around and stepped towards the street. She had been in town for a week and had no money and did not want to see the small amount of materia that she carried. Materia that her sister had given her before she left home. She sighed heavily, wondering where her sister was now. She lifted her green eyes and looked at the tavern across the street. Wondering if she couldn't work for something to eat she hurried inside and made a straight line towards the bar.
The bartender made a face at her when she aprpoached. She was covered head to toe in dirt from sleeping outside in the alley. "What do you want?" he asked.
"I was wondering if I could work for something to eat?" she asked with pleading eyes. The man sighed and nodded his head. She jumped up laughing thankfully.
"Go on upstairs and wash up. I will send something up with one of the waitresses then you can come down here and work it off," he agreed. She nodded her understanding and shot through the door that he pointed to.
She lingered in the shower a little longer than usual enjoying the hot water that washed over her. When she got out she rummaged through her black bag and pulled out some clean clothes. She had not want to put them on before because she was so dirty. She wanted to wait and get cleaned up first. She pulled on the black tank top and then a pair of black pants with a black leather belt. She tucked the shirt in and pulled on a white long-sleeved shirt on over top and left it unbuttoned.
"Are you almost done in there?" a female voice called from outside the bathroom. "Your food is getting cold!"
"I'll be right out!" she called back as she pulled on the black leather boots and shoved the black pistol into the holster on the back of her belt. She preferred for the small weapon to be concealed but easy to reach. Her stomach made a protesting grumbling sound and she hurried to push through the door and sit down to eat the meal the waitress had brought up for her.
"My you look like you haven't eaten in a week!" the waitress exclaimed as she watched the young girl eat the food quickly.
"I haven't," she muttered with her mouth half full. She did not want to waist any time talking to the waitress. The only thing on her mind was filling her empty stomach. After the final crumb had been eaten she stood up and followed the older girl out of the room and downstairs into the kitchen.
"He wants you to clean up in here and then take the garbage out back," she explained.
"Is that all?" she asked.
"Yes that's it," she smiled softly. "How old are you anyways?"
"I'm twenty years old," she told her.
"You are pretty young then," she laughed. "But thats okay. It makes it alot easier to work when you are still young instead of an old woman like me. I have been here for twenty two years now!" The girl's eyes widened which made the older woman laugh even harder. She motioned for the girl to get busy and strode through the swing doors to get to work herself.
"I won't be in this place for twenty two years," she whispered to herself. "But what else will I have to do now that all of my friends are gone?" She wiped away the tears and began to get busy cleaning up the large kitchen.

"Are you alright?" the waitress named Meg asked. Green eyes flashed when the younger girl lifted her head off the table and looked at her. "You look to be a bit weary." She studied the girl's pale face.
"I'm sorry," she sighed. "I have been through alot and my body is sore from sleeping on the pavement."
"You tellin' me that you sleep outside?!" Meg looked shocked. The girl gave a weak nod and her eyes began to droop. Meg took hold of her elbow and pulled her to her feet. "You can stay with me tonight, I insist. By the way, you never told me your name."
"It's Blade," the girl yawned.
"Blade? What kind of name is that for a girl?" Meg asked, gapping.
"My mother was a strange woman," Blade shrugged. "She told me that on the day that I was born three knives made from a strange metal just seemed to appear embedded in the window sill. She told me that she looked at them and back down into my green eyes and the name just came to her. She said that destiny chose my name." The girl smiled at the memory. Meg smiled and opened the door to her home.
"Make yourself comfortable. There is a spare bed in that room over there," Meg replied, pointing to a door on the other side of the room. Meg made her way slowly up the stairs and Blade retired to the small room and fell asleep the moment her head touched the soft bed.

"Wake up Blade," Meg said softly. Blade stirred and then lifted her head sleepily. She lifted her gaze to the older woman who didn't look to happy. "They have ordered the new ShinRa building to be built here in Junon."
"What?! I thought that ShinRa was gone!" Blade exclaimed.
"I thought that we would be rid of their influence by now," Meg sighed. "I can't believe this is happening. Maybe I'll leave Junon. There is bound to be alot of trouble." Blade sighed and got to her feet. She shoved the black pistol down in it's holster before pulling on her white shirt.
"Thank you Meg. You have been very kind," Blade replied, looking at the woman. "I really appreciate what you have done for me. In a few hours I will have to move on. Now that Shinra is active again I will have things to do."
"At least come to the tavern with me," Meg requested. "Ole George wants to speak with you first." Blade looked at her in confusion.
"Why would George want to talk to me?" she asked.
"I don't know but he does," Meg smiled in a way that told Blade that she knew why he wanted to talk to her. Blade smiled and followed her out the door.
"Blade me girl!" George said upon her entering. "I swear that I have never seen this place so clean in years! I want you to have this." He tossed her a bag of gil. This should keep you out of the streets for awhile." Blade stared at the bad in her hand with wide eyes and then she grinned at the large man.
"I don't know how to thank you," she breathed.
"You have earned it, there is no need for thanks," George replied. He turned and got busy preparing for the afternoon rush. Blade knew that at any moment people would pile into the tavern to eat their midday meals. With a sigh she took one last look at the place and hurried outside into the fresh air. She walked through the streets breathing in the ocean air. She could overhear voices and turned to see two SOLDIERs talking. Gossip she knew. She stepped closer to them making sure not to draw attention to herself and listened in on their conversation.
"I overheard Reeve talking to someone on his PHS this morning. He said that it was a good thing that Rufus died in the Diamond blast," he said. "He told whoever it was that he was talking to that he was planning on murdering the president himself. That wouldn't have been so bad, no one liked him anyways. He was much too greedy."
"I don't think the people would even recognize him anymore. They are getting used to Reeve as their president," another one said. "The people in Junon aren't too happy with him building the new Shinra building here."
"Who cares what they want. We take orders from Reeve from now on," the first one announced. "That man is very smart. He will get for us what we deserve. No more pay cuts from Rufus and his old man!" Blade had heard enough and moved to walk away. Reeve was president? It was just too much. She hurried out of Junon heading east. A pain erupted in her temple and she rubbed her head. Feeling dizzy she pushed herself forward. The world began to spin around her and her head reeled. Her body began to protest but she kept moving.
"I have to make it to the forest," she muttered as she walked towards the large group of trees. Her feet felt like lead as she drug them forward. She had no idea whatsoever what was wrong with her. As she put her hand against the first tree she reached she could hear the sound of the black chocobo running through the forest. Blade retrieved the black leather whip that was coiled at her hip and tied one end of it around her wrist. When the bird came near and knelt so she could slide onto the saddle she wrapped the whip around the bird and tied the other end to her other wrist.
"Take me someplace safe Scythe," Blade whispered to the bird she had helped raise from an egg. The bird warked and took off at a quick pace through the forest. It was the last thing that she remembered before slipping into unconsciousness.

"What is that?" he asked himself, squinting his eyes. He could barely make out the black chocobo as it raced over the woodland floor. There was something strange about it, there appeared to be something or someone on it's back. He urged his newly acquired chocobo into a fast pace after the black one. He glanced behind him to make sure that his pet was following. The sleek black creature kept up the speedy pace alongside the chocobo, its gaze set on the black one ahead of them. As they grew closer he could see that there was indeed someone slumped in the saddle. He watched his pet leap forward in front of the chocobo to stop it. The chocobo snapped at him and backed away. The girl on its back was beginning to stir but did not raise her head.
"She looks familiar," he said as he dismounted and cursed when the chocobo took off. He forgot about it and moved towards the girl. He quickly untied the leather tied to her right wrist and began to pull her off the large bird. Her legs wouldn't support her and she dropped to her knees.
"Ohh..." she groaned, grabbing her head. She slowly rose to her feet and looked up at the man who had helped her. When her green eyes met his fabulous blue ones she cried out in shock. "Oh no, I'm dead aren't I?!" she moaned.
"Blade!" he exclaimed, surprised. "What are you doing here?" He looked at the black chocobo, "Is that Scythe?"
"Rufus! You're dead!" Blade cried out.
"Do I look dead to you?" he smiled. He noticed the glimmer of pain flash through her eyes and regretted his quick reply. He had forgotten for a moment that their lives had fallen apart around them. "I'm sorry Blade." He looked down at her. Her eyes were downcast. "I got out of the building at the very last minuite. I know that it sounds impossible but there was a passageway under father's desk that he put there in case of emergencies. Unfortunately the blast caught me through the door and I was knocked out for a long time. It took me nearly a week to find my way out of the sewers."
"I'm just glad you're safe!" Blade cried happily. She couldn't resist giving her long-time friend a hug. She felt his arms circle her slim waist and pull her closer. Once she realized the intimacy of their nearness she lifted her head from his chest to look up at him. Her cheeks warmed when he smiled down at her. He lifted his hand and rubbed away the tears on her cheeks. She could feel the warmth of his fingers and closed her eyes. She felt her heart pound and moved towards the black chocobo. "We should be getting out of here." Rufus sighed and nodded his agreement. He lifted her onto the black chocobo and slid on in front of her.
"I'm driving," he grinned. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist and he kicked him into a run towards Fort Condor.

"Why did we come here?" Blade asked as Rufus lifted her off the chocobo. She looked up at the tower and smiled.
"Because we can rest peacefully here," he replied. "We can catch each other up on what's going on." She smiled softly when he took her hand and lead her up the slope to the entrance. He spoke to the guard on duty who moved aside to let them pass. Rufus paid the man inside for a place to sleep and something to eat and took Blade down the rope to the three beds on the lower level. Blade dropped down onto one of the beds and closed her eyes.
"I guess we should go to Junon," Rufus replied.
"No!" Blade's eyes shot open and she hurridly sat up.
"Why not?" Rufus asked.
"Because they will kill you," Blade told him sadly. "I overheard the SOLDIERs talking. They take orders from Reeve now."
"And they actually have the nerve to keep calling it Shinra?" Rufus growled angrily.
"It is a name that people know.... and fear," Blade hesitated to finish. Rufus sighed heavily and sat down on the bed opposite of Blade. He propped his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands.
"At least I still have you," Rufus replied with a smile at Blade. Her face seemed to light up as she smiled back. "I don't think that I've ever known a better friend." Blade's shoulders slumped slightly at his last remark.
"Thank you Rufus," she said. With a yawn she dropped back onto the pillow and curled up into a little ball. Rufus sighed and laid down as well. "Rufus?"
"What is it Blade?" he asked.
"I'm afraid," she sighed. He turned over to look at her. She still laid on her side with her back turned towards him.
"Why are you afraid?" he asked.
"I'm afraid that they're going to kill you," she half-whispered.
"They're not going to kill me Blade," he assured her. No answer. The only reply he received was her soft breathing. He rose to his feet and moved to sit next to her. "I'll stay alive for you Blade. I don't know why but I'll do it only for you." Rufus pulled the blanket over top of her and looked down into her sleeping face. She looked so young, almost childlike in her slumber. He looked at her waist length brown hair that fanned out behind her after pulling free from the yard long braid that had bound it. He stared at her for what seemed like hours wondering what it was that was drawing him to her. Was it her innocence? Her kind nature? Her vulnerability? He couldn't figure it out and he knew that something inside of him was changing because of this girl. Even his life's persuits were changing. "Oh what have you done to me?!" He got up and dropped down onto his own bed. He stayed there for a long time before falling into a restless sleep.

"Rufus.... Rufus help me.... Please...." Rufus opened his eyes and glanced over to the middle bed where he could barely make out Blade's small figure. He got up and let his eyes adjust to the darkness before moving to the edge of her bed. She was tossing in her sleep calling his name. He put his hand to the side of her face and whispered her name. She stopped moving and opened her eyes. There was an unseeing look to them and he knew that she was not truly awake. "Rufus..."
"I'm here Blade," he said quietly. Her hand lifted and her fingers gently touched his lips.
"Rufus I feel so strangely around you," she whispered as if telling him a secret. And she was. "Ever since I first met you I have felt this way. I could see past the cold exterior that you showed everyone and could see the softness in your eyes when you didn't think that anyone was paying attention. I was afraid that your father's greed would rub off on you. You turned so cold when you became president. All of your carefreeness had vanished. My heart broke when I seen you like that."
"I know this now Blade," Rufus told her. "I don't have to be this way anymore." He closed his eyes when she brushed aside a lock of blond hair.
"People noticed me. Lots of them. I never seen anyone but you. I don't know why. I wish I did," she sighed. "I guess.... in a way.... I.... saved myself.... for you.... Rufus Shinra...." she closed her eyes and slipped back into her dreams. Her hand dropped slowly to rest against her cheek and Rufus opened his eyes and wiped away the tears that had begun to form there. Never had he realized that she felt this way about him. He had never once thought that she seen him in that way. Rufus felt his heart twist when he realized that he had never really even noticed her. He knew at that moment why he was feeling the way he did. What he felt about her.
"No!" he cried throwing himself to his feet. "I can't give in to such trifle things. I am the President of Shinra! I want to control everything! I have to take back what's mine and this cannot get into my way. She will only get in the way. I can't give in to this." He gazed at Blade longingly for one last minute then dropped down to go to sleep. "You can't change me Blade...."

Blade looked out at the rising sun from on top of the fort. The scene spread out before her was beautiful and it was difficult to believe that only a few weeks ago it almost was gone forever. The feeling of loneliness had hit her harder than ever this morning when she awakened. Not bothering to stir Rufus she climbed up here to think. She had a strange dream the night before. She dreamt that she told Rufus all that was hidden in her heart. She shook her head and closed her eyes while she took a deep breath of fresh air.
"Blade?" she could hear the distant sound of Rufus's voice and called out to let him know where she was at. He climbed onto the top of the tower and leaned against the wall as far away from her as possible. Blade looked up at him sadly, wondering why he was suddenly so distant. "I am going to go to Junon and take back what is rightfully mine."
"But Rufus...."
"Don't argue with me!" he didn't let her finish. "I can't just sit back and let them take my birthright away from me. I am going to fight and win or I will die. I don't think you should come with me, its too dangerous." Blade stood up and glared at him.
"You aren't going to leave me behind while you go off and kill yourself!" she exclaimed.
"You want to make a bet?" he narrowed his eyes and swung back down into the fort.
"Rufus don't leave me alone!" Blade screamed. "You're all that I have left!" Rufus listened to her pleas and ignored the tugging at his heart. He clenched his jaw and descended down the fort until he was standing outside. He thought he could still hear Blade's cries but it was just the wind brushing up against his ears.
"Damnit why did you have to do this to me?" he climbed onto the chocobo that he had bought from one of the condor soldiers and sped off towards Junon.

Blade watched him disappear over the hill and leaped onto Scythe's back. "There is no way you are going to leave me here like this Rufus Shinra!" She kicked the bird into a run, following the tracks that Rufus was leaving behind him.
It was several hours before they reached Junon. Blade made sure that she kept far enough behind him to keep from being noticed. She climbed off Scythe's back and sent him running through the forest to wait for her. She walked through the busy town towards the elevator where Rufus was talking to one of the SOLDIERs. The man let him pass and Raven approached him.
"I need to see the President," she announced.
"Why should I let you pass?" the guard asked.
"Because I am a turk," she replied honestly.
"You are a turk?" the man chuckled.
"Yes I am," Blade replied. "I was assigned partners with Tseng by Rufus himself."
"Tseng is dead," he replied.
"I know that," Blade said sadly. "Tseng was like a brother to me." The guard sighed and moved aside to allow her entry. Blade stepped into the elevator that had just came back down and pushed the button that would take her up to Junon. When the doors pulled open Blade could see that a disturbance had been caused. Worried she mixed herself in with the crowd that was rushing by. Eventually then ended up near a large screen where a live broadcast was being made by Reeve himself.
"There is an imposter in our midst that claims to be the late President Rufus who perished in the Diamond Weapon blast. As I see fit to punish this phony for treason he will die today as the real president once attempted to execute the members of AVALANCHE who were only trying to save the world." Cheers rang out at the news of an execution and Blade's heart fell. Had she not warned Rufus that this would happen? She wiped the tears aside and looked up at the screen. Her anger at Reeve began to grow as she realized that he knew that Rufus was no imposter.
"I'm coming Rufus," she cried before pushing through the crowd. She made her way to the railing and began to climb up to another level, the level where the cannon used to be. She pulled herself up a tower, finding footing where the sections had been connected. It took her until the sun set before she reached the top. She crawled to the place where Diamond Weapon had blasted through the metal. A fresh piece of metal had been bolted on over top of it. "Not very good handy work," she decided almost laughing. Then she realized that they must have done it in a hurry when they found Rufus. There was gas seeping out of the thin cracks and she gasped.
"Rufus!" she cried. She drew her pistol and aimed at the metal. It only took five shots to get rid of the bolts that were attaching the metal. She stomped on it and dropped in behind the falling steel.
"Blade?!" Rufus's eyes widened when he seen her tugging on the bindings. When she realized that they would not come off without the key she aimed the pistol again.
"Hey who are you?!" Voices were shouting from the other side of the door protesting against their escape.
"Hurry up and unlock the door!"
"Which key is it?!"
"It's that one!"
"This one?"
"No you fool!"
Rufus leaped up and climbed through the gap in the roof then turned to pull Blade up behind him. Then they both hurried to rush down the side of the tower.
"Why did you come for me?" Rufus shouted down to her.
"I don't know!" came the reply. "I couldn't just let you die!"
"You heard what I tried to do to AVALANCHE didn't you?" he asked.
"Yes but I don't care. The way I see it they weren't doing any better by doing it back," she replied. "I think that it is safe to say that you are even in that respect." They made it to the bottom and immediately started running. A mob of angry people were coming from the other direction. When they turned around they seen that they were coming from the other direction as well.
"We'll have to jump!" Rufus exclaimed. He lifted Blade into his arms and leaped over the railing into the ocean waters below.
The force of the long fall was enough to drive the breath from Blade's lungs. She waved her arms and opened her eyes. The salt water stung them but she had no other alternative. In their haste she didn't have time to tell Rufus that she couldn't swim. She felt herself being pulled by the undertow and tried to kick up. Her lungs were beginning to ache. Moments later she broke through the surface and flailed her arms trying to make it to shore. A strong arm wrapped around her and her first thought was that Rufus had found her. She stopped struggling and allowed herself to be pulled to safety.
"Where's Rufus?" someone asked. Blade turned to look at the SOLDIER who had pulled her to shore. He was pointing his rifle at her.
"You rescued me only to kill me?" Blade asked sarcastically.
"I want to know where Rufus is," he growled. "Reeve wants him dead." The SOLDIER narrowed his eyes.
"I would rather die than tell you where he is," Blade spat.
"So be it," the SOLDIER shrugged his shoulders as he pulled the hammer back. Blade scooted back and the tears streamed down her cheeks as she realized that she was about to die. She closed her eyes and could hear the deafening sound of gunfire. Her eyes shot open and she watched the SOLDIER slump forward and immediately became surrounded by a puddle of dark blood. Rufus came into view, when he fell, still holding the smoking shotgun up. He dropped it and took Blade into his arms when she reached for him.
"I didn't mean to let you go," he swore as he rocked back in forth in a soothing motion. "I seen him pull you ashore and I was so afraid that I wasn't going to reach you in time!" Blade clung to him tightly and sobbed softly. Once her sobs lessened into small gasps Rufus lifted her chin and looked into her emerald green eyes. "I can't deny it any longer. What I feel for you is so much more than just friendship." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Her arms slid up and around his neck and she closed her eyes. This is what she had wanted from the beginning. Since she first laid eyes on Rufus Shinra. She had wanted him....
"I love you," she whispered against his lips. "I love you Rufus Shinra and I always have." He pulled her tighter against him and held her as the waves crashed against the rocks in the distance

~The End...?~