A/N: Hiya everyone! It's been a very long time since I've updated, so I suppose you all know now that I can't promise to keep to deadlines. However, I'm back on track with some fresh ideas, so this fic's well on the way to being finished. I hope you can forgive me for keeping you all waiting so long. Thanks for the reviews of the previous chapters during my overly long hiatus - I enjoyed reading them and the feedback they offered.

We're picking up where the last chapter left us - with Rufus randomly turning up on the doorstep. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: All characters and settings are copyright to Square Enix –sigh–.

Kuro to Gin

Black and Silver

Chapter 25: Offer

If Rufus thought he'd be welcomed into the bar with open arms, then he had another thing coming. Yuffie demanded an explanation just by her posture, stood with one slender leg bent as she stomped a foot onto the footrest of a barstool. Arms folded, she took on the fiercest glare she could muster. The corner of Yazoo's mouth twitched. The ninja looked like Kadaj more than ever. If his brother were alive, he'd probably arrange himself in a posture like that when wanting answers.

Cloud made a big deal about putting his paperwork away. Every now and then, his sharp eyes would challenge Rufus', but the President was keen to let the fuss of his entrance die down before doing anything. In the corner of the bar, Vincent resumed his place, propping up his long legs on a chair opposite him and looking every bit the relaxed man. However, his eyes were as alert as ever, watching from beneath his bandana every move of Tseng.

Rufus took a seat at the counter, giving his legs a rest and, whether intentional or not Yazoo wasn't sure, turning his back against both him and Loz. Tseng remained standing, feet square to his shoulders and darting eyes memorising his surroundings.

It was only out of the courtesy Tifa had drilled into her that made her give Rufus a drink. He was given no choice of beverage, and when she set the drink down, it missed the coaster and wobbled precariously. Several drops splattered onto the counter near Rufus' hand. Tseng was quick to respond. Like a magician (and Yazoo was getting the feeling that Tseng seemed prepared for just about anything), he whipped out a tissue, wiped up the spill, threw it away and resumed his position behind the President.

Yazoo was fascinated. It was quite normal - expected even - to show an overload of respect for a boss, but towards a President of nothing? Rufus Shinra had no company, or at the very least, the near-invisible foundations of one. After all, there was no demand for ShinRa Company's monopoly over the world to come back, seeing how successful everyone could be without it. And still, with reasons Yazoo had yet to fathom, here was Tseng, unfazed by ShinRa and its President's fall to disgrace.

"The bar's looking nice," commented Rufus. "I suppose your heroic deeds really have paid off."

"Small talk doesn't suit you," Cloud interjected. "Carry on like that and you'll make me laugh in a minute."

Cloud didn't look amused at all. In fact, in the whole of the room, he looked angriest. Yazoo could fully appreciate the rage Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie and even Vincent were feeling – his gratitude had spun out of control at the thought of people being angry for him – yet something didn't feel quite right. He didn't really feel part of it. He was a spectator on the sidelines, out of the crowd and indifferent to the outcome.

"Let's get to the point then," said the President. Vincent unclasped his entwined hands and got up with a similar air to someone who was preparing for a fight. Yuffie mouthed "Finally!" to Tifa.

What Rufus said though was so unexpected that the silence that followed burned Yazoo's ears, and something came alive in his stomach, squeezing his insides.

"Loz and Yazoo, I'd like you to consider working as my subordinates."

Yazoo couldn't understand why he wasn't feeling anything. After all, the man in front of him was the reason for this mess. He was going to die. Loz was going to die. And Kadaj was already dead.

Rufus was to blame for it all.

Yazoo knew that now.

And here was the President with that mechanical, well rehearsed smile, waiting for the brothers to accept his offer. Or flip out. Yazoo doubted that anything could faze this man. Either way, if he or Loz did feel like pummelling Rufus, they'd have to first get past Tseng – the blue shadow in the background that created just about as enough of an effect as the President himself.

By the time Yazoo had reordered his thoughts, shunting aside feelings of bitterness, loss and anger, Cloud had leapt forwards, displaying a rainbow of emotions Yazoo didn't even know he had the capability of doing.

"Subordinates?" he repeated. "Is that your new way of saying 'lab rats'? You've got a screw loose, Shinra, if you're actually thinking about recruiting past sufferers of your company. Of course they don't want to join."

"If I have one screw loose, then you must have several. For one thing, I quite clearly addressed Loz and Yazoo. Secondly, speaking on behalf of someone else can be rather insulting. It implies your distrust in their decisions, and highlights your need to make your opinion known over anyone else's."

The glass hit the coaster with an unmistakable air of finality, and Rufus turned his gaze onto Yazoo without warning.

"My company is presently very small and unproductive. I wouldn't refuse some extra hands helping out here and there."

"Oh yeah, just an odd experiment or two," Yuffie contributed in an undertone. The only problem with Yuffie's undertones was that they were not discreet at all. Tseng's eyes flickered from monitoring Cloud to eyeing the ninja, but he said nothing. Yazoo presumed that Tseng had no say in this conversation without Rufus' word.

Cloud had actually broken into a smile, but it was uncharacteristically colder than usual. It was a smile of disbelief, as though the blonde was expecting for Rufus to shout, "Just kidding!" any minute.

"Your potential employees will be dead in a few months," he said.

"Yes I know."

"And you don't have anything to say about it?" Cloud's voice had risen, and it hit the walls of the bar, ricocheting round the room. The glasses by the sink shuddered. "You're just going to stroll in here without so much as an apology?"

"I'm offering a proposition that will benefit both parties."

"You know, you're a really good example of karma gone wrong. Twice you've faced death, and you're still smiling!"

"I like to remain optimistic."

Yazoo had returned to his bystander role, stood on the sidelines of a fight, watching and supporting both sides. In a vague world of comprehension, he found himself admiring Cloud for his nerve, and Rufus for his composure. He fleetingly forgot that the argument was about him, but in the clamour of movement, he was jolted out of this pensive moment.

Yuffie finally snapped, unable to stand still in the background any longer. She voiced her opinion, rounding on the unfortunate Tseng to lecture him. Among the noise and hostile movement, Yazoo spotted his brother, and in the brief moment they met each other's gaze, he realised for the first time, he couldn't read what Loz was thinking. It annoyed him slightly to see Loz that way; he wanted to march over and rearrange Loz's face into an expression he recognised.

"Break it up you two," Tifa spoke at last, stepping between Cloud and the counter at which Rufus sat. "Cloud, you're only wearing yourself out. Rufus, without giving any details, you have no hope of your recruiting working. As far as I know, there is no ShinRa Company anymore."

For being so outspoken, Yazoo wanted to praise Tifa out loud, but her expression towards him made him reconsider. Perhaps it was his and Loz's long streak of silence that had irked her. Whatever the case, Yazoo saw it as a sensible thing to back off, and so did Cloud, giving Rufus one last look of disgust before joining a sulky Vincent in the corner.

Rufus took this as an opportunity to speak without the fear (if he had any) of being mauled by Cloud.

"My company is quite rightly shattered, Miss Lockheart," admitted Rufus. "After Meteor, I had already begun plans to rebuild it, but I received very little cooperation."

"Wonder why," uttered Yuffie to Loz.

"In the course of two years, my company has managed to acquire a dingy office in Healin Lodge and a filing cabinet with one drawer stuck. Not the greatest of achievements. Oh, and the Turks of course."

Yazoo glanced at Tseng quickly. Miraculously, the Turk did not seem at all offended that he had come second to a broken filing cabinet.

"ShinRa Company is working on a small scale at the moment, particularly in Edge," Rufus continued. His voice remained as smooth as ever, unhindered by Vincent and Cloud's suspicious gazes and Yuffie's comments under her breath. Yazoo found himself allured by the President, willing to listen to such a voice of rationality. "It has changed its aims and motives; joining us in our cause will not be an action you will regret, Loz, Yazoo."

He looked at them both in turn, getting their names correct and once again, smiling that mechanical smile.

"You said you were working on a small scale," Loz answered. "If that's the case, why were you and the Turks in Junon?"

The aloof atmosphere Rufus had brought in with him disappeared in an instant, as the President gave a genuine smile. He suddenly didn't look as old, tired or calculating, and he averted his gaze as though sheepish about something.

"Oh, that has nothing to do with my company; it was more so a personal trip. I was in Junon to buy a pet."

Yazoo only half listened from then on. Rufus expanded the talk of his trip to Junon, mentioning his old pet and how he decided he wanted a new one. Yazoo searched through his memories, recalling Reno, Rude and Elena's Turk lunch. Had they really been discussing a trip as unprofessional as buying a pet? Why were the Turks so keen to stand by their President, no matter what he did? Perhaps all four of the Turks believed in their boss' perfect image of a man who was correct, regardless. Just like how he and Loz had believed in Kadaj.

"It has become quite limited for me in terms of travelling, but I deliberately took time off following my recovery so that I could go to Junon. It was refreshing to be back there; I hadn't felt that well for a long time."

"Are you very ill?"

The words of concern were out of Yazoo's mouth before he had even thought about it. Across the room were several identical looks of horror, Tifa included. Loz finally expressed some emotion, staring at Yazoo in disbelief and possible disapproval.

"I have been in better health," was Rufus' reply. "Two years ago I nearly died. The price for my hold on life was rather dear."

"But hasn't your…hasn't your Geostigma gone?"

"It has."

"If you're ill, then why are you working so hard?"

"It's what I want to do."

It was almost as though the room was void of everyone except Rufus and Yazoo. It was possible that Rufus knew that Yazoo had ulterior motives. Where on the one hand Cloud, Yuffie and Tifa were attempting to worm an apology out of Rufus' mouth, all Yazoo wanted was a simple conversation.

In truth, the idea of working with Rufus and the Turks thrilled him.

It was a chance for him to repay Elena and Tseng for what Kadaj did, and it was a window of opportunity for him to not have to be spoon fed by those at 7th Heaven. As grateful as he was for everyone's hospitality, he didn't want to be worthless anymore. Though Yazoo knew that there was no way Tifa could understand these reasons, he couldn't help but think them.

Rufus was reading Yazoo's train of thoughts simply by watching him, and after a courteous moment of quiet, he said, "ShinRa Company is now distributing its funds through the search of particular people. To begin with, we researched into the after-effects of Sephiroth, however, we simultaneously scoured over the world for certain people."

"Certain people?"

"Researchers of alternate methods of acquiring energy, smaller companies that had helped ShinRa in previous years and the Doctors to whom I owe my life."

"This is the full list." Tseng entered the conversation at long last. From the pocket of his creaseless blazer, he handed Yazoo a single sheet of paper. "Please read it at your leisure."

There were over one hundred names, crammed onto the two sides of the paper in small font. It detailed some locations, but on the whole, the whereabouts of the associates where unknown.

"You're being a bit charitable," grumbled Yuffie. To Yazoo's surprise, Vincent nodded in agreement, and added to Yuffie's comment, "It's far too ideal to be taken as true."

"You want me to help you find these people?" Yazoo asked.

It would be fit for these associates to see how far a product of ShinRa can come. It would benefit you to see more of the world rather than the outskirts of Edge. I am sure this thought has crossed your mind before."

"If Yazoo wants to travel the world, he doesn't have to do it with you as a chaperone," Tifa interjected. At the same time, Vincent voiced the question, "Are you trying to keep them on a leash?"

Rufus merely smiled. His eyes read: This is nobody else's conversation. No one's opinion matters except for yours.

Yazoo shifted his gaze past Tifa and Cloud and, finding he couldn't quite challenge the President's eyes, gave his answer to Tseng instead.

"I'll consider it."

It was Cloud who moved first. He walked over to his buster sword (shooting a murderous look at Yazoo on the way) and swung it round so suddenly that for a horrifying second, Yazoo thought Cloud was going to behead Rufus. Instead, the sword landed neatly in its sheathe on Cloud's back.

"Going to Kalm. The door's this way, Rufus."

With such a fierce tone in his voice, it sounded like Cloud was going on a rampage rather than going to Kalm. But Rufus acknowledged it with a near-passive nod, standing up slowly and beckoning for Tseng to come along.

"We'll be awaiting your answer. When Elena drops off your folder tomorrow, please send us your reply. Good day."

Rufus exited the bar after Cloud. Tseng slowed down his pace of walking, taking a slight detour and pausing in front of Vincent, who was still sat in the corner.

"Please steer clear of Elena. She still hasn't forgiven you."

Vincent barely had time to look up before Tseng had also left. Yazoo was about to ask what that was all about, but Tifa was at his side straight away.

"You'll consider it?" she asked. "You really are going to consider working under a man like that?"

"The loser didn't even apologise, or even look sorry," chipped in Yuffie. She stood akimbo, sticking out her lower lip. "I mean, when I did things wrong and had to apologise to my dad, at least I kept up a sorry face even if I didn't feel sorry."

Loz couldn't help but grin. Tifa, however, steered Yazoo away from Yuffie's conversation to her own.

"Yazoo, you don't know Rufus. He came here to manipulate us, probably. He might have even wanted us to think he was going to apologise. But the nerve he had to stroll in here and ignore the commotion he's caused…"

She slumped onto a barstool, leaning her head on one hand, the other scooping up Rufus' finished glass and pushing it onto the sideboard of the sink opposite her.

"I could see how convenient everything was the moment he stepped in. He had Tseng look into the best time of day for Rufus to visit. That's why the kids aren't here at the moment. Without them, Cloud can vent his anger as freely as he likes, and you and Loz will cast him off as irrational and side with Rufus."

"I don't think Cloud is-"

"Rufus knew you'd consider, Yazoo. Why else do you think Tseng carried that list, ready to give to you, to read at your leisure? Worse, why only one list? How come after Rufus got your attention, he left Loz out of it all? Maybe he knows that Loz is easily convinced by you, but it doesn't work the other way round. Don't you see? You're better off listening to Cloud. Cloud knows."

"You cut off Cloud, remember?" Yazoo didn't mean to sound so accusing, but it came out that way.

"I feel guilty about it all now," she muttered. "Cloud really stood up for me and what I believe in, and all I did was sulk like a ten year old and interrupt him."

That's right, Yazoo thought. Cloud wasn't angry for my sake. He was angry for Tifa's.

"You didn't sulk. That was Loz." Yazoo rolled his eyes in the direction of his brother, who was immersed in a quiet chat with Yuffie. In the corner, Vincent still hadn't moved.

"Do you think Loz will consider it too?" Tifa questioned.

"Might do. If I didn't say I'd consider it, Rufus might not have left otherwise."

Tifa managed a grin, the warmth of which didn't quite meet her eyes. Yazoo wondered if she was that desperate for an apology.

"It wouldn't make any difference," he murmured. He leant against the counter. "Apologising. I'd still have six months left, wouldn't I?"

"That's not the point, Yazoo." Tifa straightened. "In fact, that's completely off the point. Apologies aren't meant to make a difference in that way, but any decent person should know when to apologise."

"I don't think I wanted him to apologise. It wouldn't have been sincere, and his reasons to kill me might outweigh my reasons to live."

Tifa's eyes hardened. "You're still missing the point, Yazoo."

It was only at night when, accompanied by Loz's merciless snores, Yazoo considered Tifa's words seriously.

Why did Rufus only want him? What did he have that Loz didn't?

Rufus had spoken about how he needed extra people to help him with his generous cause, but looking at the day's events in retrospect, Rufus' attention was solely on Yazoo. And that was only after Yazoo had fixed his attention him. He had the feeling that Rufus knew a lot more about his situation than he did. Even so...

Who should he trust? Tifa? Or for the first time, himself?

The following morning, after a night of restless sleep, Yazoo waited for Elena to hand him his folder. He was unaware of Loz's decision, but that precisely how he wanted it. He was to decide things for himself this time. No more shelter, no more of Loz's nagging, no more of Kadaj's demands.

As soon as he saw the navy figure and bright blonde hair, Yazoo hastily met up with her and told her his acceptance of Rufus' offer.

A/N: Not one of my best chapters, but it's my first stab at Rufus. We'll see in later chapters what the deal is between Elena and Vincent, as well as more Rufus, I think. For now though, please be kind and leave a review - I'd really appreciate it.

In addition, the Genesis Awards nominations are beginning soon. If you're interested in reading quality FFVII fanfiction and want to meet some of the authors here in the FFVII fandom, check the link in my profile to go to the forum. Feel free to sign up - I'd love to talk to you all :)