Chapter 30

Cid flipped on the power in the cockpit of the rocket and got ready to take off.

"This is your goddamned pilot speaking!" Cid barked into the radio. "Welcome aboard the Shin-Ra 27 rocket! We are now getting ready to go the fuck home!"

The cabin erupted into cheering as the rocket's engines flared to life, sending the spacecraft into the sky, plunging through Tzumron's atmosphere and back into space.

Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Zack, Aeris, Red, Yuffie, Rufus, the Turks, Striker, Kat, and Randy were standing in a group in the cabin, talking, Cid joining them. Tayeko and Sephiroth sat together alone, and Vincent and Lucrecia stood near the windows, holding hands.

"We're finally on our way home," Tifa said, leaning close to Cloud.

"Yeah," Cloud said. "What a life we've lived, eh?"

Tifa nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, that's definately true," Zack said, rubbing Aeris' shoulders.

"I can't wait to see Marlene!" Barret yelled. "I'm gonna take her to the Gold Saucer again!"

"Again?" Striker asked. "Didn't we just go there?"

"What's it matta?" Barret answered. "I miss my little girl."

"Gawd, I don't want to see my father," Yuffie said. "I haven't seen him since I left to join the Turks, and even then I didn't tell him I was going."

"Yeah, he was pretty mad," Cloud said.

"He's gonna go nuts," Yuffie said.

"I'm afraid my mother is going to send me back to school," Kat said. "Something I don't want to do."

"Why?" Randy asked. "Education is good!"

"Oh yeah," Rufus said. "Like *you* would know anything about that."

"What?" Randy said, sounding somewhat insulted. "I made it through the eleventh grade!"

"That's better than Elena," Reno said. "She only made it to the ninth. And it shows."

"Shut up, Reno!" Elena shouted, punching him. "I graduated high school and I went to a county college!"

"Don't pay Reno any mind," Rude said. "He's the one who dropped out in ninth grade."

"What about you, Yuffie?" Reeve asked. "Do you go to school?"

"I haven't been to school in months," Yuffie said. "My father sends me to a strict Wutain school, but I hardly ever went to class anyway. Searching for materia to ste- uh, I mean, find, is much more fun."

"I made it up to the eleventh grade," Tifa said. "That's when... well, when Nibelheim burned down. I couldn't go to school in Midgar, because I had to support myself by working in the bar."

"I finished high school," Aeris said. "Though it wasn't the most enjoyable time in my life."

"I had a damn good time in high school," Cid said.

"I stopped high school to join SOLDIER," Zack said. "But me, Cloud, and Striker got to continue our education in there."

"I stayed in school and then went to a college in Junon," Isabelle said. "There was no reason for me not to."

"School is important," Red remarked.

"I was homeschooled my entire life," Rufus said.

"I never went to school, cause Reeve gave me all the knowledge I need!" Cait said.

"AI is a wonderful thing," Reeve sighed.

Cloud looked over at Sephiroth. "I'll be right back," he said.

He walked over to where Tayeko and Sephiroth sat, talking to each other. He tapped Sephiroth on the shoulder.

"Sorry to interupt," he said. "But... can I speak to Sephiroth... alone?"

Tayeko cocked an eyebrow and smiled at Sephiroth. "Sure," she said, walking over to stand with the others.

"What is it, Strife?" Sephiroth asked, a bit annoyed.

Cloud sat down. "I just wanted to say something," he said. "I... I'd like to first apologize for the way I've acted towards you. I know you killed my mother, I know you burned down my town... but after having Jenova control me, I understand what it's like. I... I hurt Tifa, the woman I love with all my heart and soul. If I can do that under Jenova's influence, then it doesn't seem so hard for you to kill people you don't know and burn down a town. I mean... she promises you so much..."

"Besides all that, now I've seen the man you truly are," Cloud continued. "You've protected Aeris and the rest of the group, you even saved Tifa's life. And then you showed so much love and compassion for Tayeko... It was a little overwhelming to watch."

Sephiroth stared at Cloud with his green eyes intently.

"What I'm trying to say is... I just want to at least, call a truce between us. We may never be friends, but maybe we can get along..."

Sephiroth smirked. "I'm surprised to hear you use those words, Cloud," he said. "I agree with you."

Cloud smiled, realizing Sephiroth had just called him 'Cloud' for the first time.

Cloud and Sephiroth shook hands as if they had met for the first time, and Cloud got up and walked back to the group, feeling at peace.

"Yes!" Reeve yelled. "Home at last!"

The group exited the spacecraft where Cid had landed it on a launch pad in Midgar.

Randy fell to his knees on the ground. "Earth!" he cried. "Earth!"

"Oh, for the love of Mako," Rufus grumbled. "Get off the ground!"

Yuffie danced around. "We made it home!"

"Alive!" Kat added.

"I've got to call Shera and tell her to get the Highwind's crew together and bring the goddamn thing here," Cid said. "In the meantime, we can just stay in Midgar."

"Right," Cloud agreed. "Let's go, cuz Tifa's got to get her surgery."

"I can't wait!" Aeris cried. "Tifa's having a baby!"

Tifa laughed nervously. "Yeah, let's go."

Cloud, Zack, Aeris, Sephiroth, Tayeko, Cid, Barret, Yuffie, Red, Striker, Kat, Vincent, Lucrecia, Reeve, Cait, Isabelle, and Randy were in the waiting room of Midgar General later that afternoon, waiting for Tifa to come out of her surgery. The Turks had left, leaving their best wishes, and Rufus went back to the Shin-Ra building, telling Tifa to call him after the surgery.

"How much longer?" Cloud asked no one in particular, pacing back and forth.

"Don't worry yourself, Cloud," Aeris said. "She'll be fine."

Lucrecia ran her hair through Sephiroth's hair. "Do you two plan on having any children?"

Tayeko blushed, and Sephiroth sighed. "I don't know, yet," Tayeko told her.

Vincent looked at Lucrecia. "Would you ever want to have another child?" he asked.

Lucrecia looked at Sephiroth. "It would seem odd," she said. "But I don't know..."

Vincent stared into his reflection in the metal of his claw. "So many years of my life have been wasted..."

"Tifa!" Barret suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone lept to their feet as a nurse pushed Tifa into the waiting room in a wheelchair.

"Hi, everyone!"

Cloud immediately ran to her side. "Tifa, how do you feel?"

Tifa smiled. "Great," she said. "A little weak, but I feel complete."

Cloud helped her stand out of the wheelchair.

"She should get some rest," The nurse said. "But she shouldn't become lethargic."

Cloud nodded as he helped Tifa walk to the door.

"Shera's waiting with the Highwind outside of Midgar," Cid said. "So I can drop you all off whereever you want to go."

"I'm gonna stay in Midgar," Kat said. "Rufus wants to show me something."

"Is that so?" Randy asked, lauging.

"Shut up, Randy!" Kat yelled.

"I'm staying in Midgar too," Randy said, ignoring the playful punch Kat threw at him. "I've got to meet Reno somewhere."

"Isabelle and I are staying in Midgar as well," Reeve said. "We've got work to do."

"Can I stay?" Cait begged.

"It's up to you," Reeve said.

"Tayeko and I are going to Cosmo Canyon with Red," Sephiroth said.

"I'm gonna take Tifa to Costa Del Sol so she can relax," Cloud said. "The beach house has finally been somewhat fixed."

"Zack and I are staying in Midgar," Aeris said. "We want to visit the old church."

"Lucrecia and I are going to stay here also," Vincent said. "We want to try to start living a normal life."

"Well I got to go to Kalm and get Marlene," Barret said. "Then I'm going to the Gold Saucer!"

"Striker and I are going to the Gold Saucer too," Yuffie said. "I'm not ready to face my father."

"Alright," Cid barked, "Let's get a goddamn move on!"

Rufus smiled at Kat. "I'm glad you came," he said.

Kat accepted his hand as he helped her step off his helicopter in Junon.

"I've always wanted to go Chocobo riding," Kat said. "I'm surprised you have your own track."

"It's behind my old house," Rufus said, leading her away from the landing area, two members of SOLDIER behind them for protection, and Dark Nation trailing along as well. "I lived on the other side of the Army base."

"Why did you live in Junon if you had nothing to do with SOLDIER?" Kat asked as they walked.

"My father sent me to Junon after my mother died," Rufus explained bitterly. "When I became Vice President, I just stayed here, mainly to keep away from him. Look, there's my house."

Kat hadn't even been paying attention to where she'd been walking, she was staring up into Rufus' clear, ice blue eyes so hard. She saw the enormous white house, the huge lawn in front of it. She followed Rufus down the long pathway to the front door.

"Stay here," he told the SOLDIERs. They nodded and stood on either side of the doors, while Rufus pulled out a set of keys and opened the door.

"After you," he said to Kat.

Kat smiled, walking into the lavish front hall of the house, admiring the crystaline stair case that parted two ways to the upstairs balcony. Dark Nation pranced into the house as well, and disappeared into a nearby room.

"Wow," Kat said. "Who did you live here with?"

"When I was young, I had caretakers that lived with me," Rufus explained. "When I was older, Tseng used to spend a lot of time here with me, because my father always insisted I have a bodyguard. If Tseng wasn't here, then there were SOLDIERs scourering the place, although I never let them in."

Kat nodded, still admiring the house.

"Come, follow me out the back," Rufus said, walking past the crystal staircase to the back of the house. "The track is out there."

Kat followed Rufus through a large kitchen and out the back door, where a huge underground swimming pool, complete with a diving board, was set up.

He led her past the pool and down a narrow path surrounded by flowers, where a chocobo stable was set up. An older woman was brushing a gold chocobo when they arrived.

"Hello, Rufus!" she said kindly to him. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, especially after all that had happened. I was so upset after I heard about Hojo."

"So was I, Mrs. Russel," Rufus responded. "And I've still got alot of work to do, but I decided to take a break for at least a day. Can I take Sammy out to the track?"

Mrs. Russel patted the chocobo on it's neck. "Go right ahead," she said.

Rufus nodded and took the Chocobo by its reins and began walking it further down the path.

"Come on, Kat," he called to her.

The path stopped at a line of high shrubbery, and on the other side a circular track was set up. Rufus picked Kat up by her waist and placed her on the chococo, then hopped on himself.

"Put your arms around my waist," he told her.

"Where'd you get this gold chocobo from?" Kat asked as the bird began to trot.

"My mother bred it herself," Rufus answered. "It was one of her hobbies. She used to visit the Gold Saucer all the time and race her birds. My father thought it was a waste of time and money, but he let her go ahead."

"That's nice" Kat answered. "What happened to your mother?"

Kat felt Rufus get rigid. "My father had her killed when she tried to leave him," he answered. "Tseng shot her."

"What?" Kat asked, a bit shocked. "How can you be so close to Tseng, knowing he killed your mother?"

Rufus looked down at the chocobo's feathers and shrugged. "He's protected me for my entire life, and as a Turk, I know he has to obey orders, no matter who it hurts."

They had been riding quietly in the fading sunlight for almost an hour when Kat yawned.

"Are you tired?" Rufus asked.

Kat nodded and leaned her head against his back.

"We'll go in then," Rufus said, bringing the Chocobo back around to the entrance of the track.

After walking the chocobo back to the stable, Rufus and Kat went back inside his house. They sat down on a white leather couch in the den, after Rufus set up the fire place. He put his arm around her.

"Kat, how old are you?" he asked.

"Oh... I'm sixteen," she answered.

"Wow," Rufus responded. "That's pretty young..."

"How about you?" she asked.

"I turned twenty-two some time ago," he answered.

"That's only a six year difference," Kat said.

"Ah, so you were thinking the same thing I was?" Rufus asked, laughing. "I don't know think we should worry, Reno is twenty-four and he was serious about dating Yuffie."

Kat shrugged. "It's all about maturity," she said. "Don't you think Reno and Yuffie have the same maturity level?"

Rufus laughed. "That is certainly true," he said. "Too bad for Reno, she's found someone else."

"I think Striker is better for her anyway, he might calm her down a bit," Kat said.

Rufus shrugged, and ran his fingers through Kat's bright hair. "Something about your hair turns me on," he said. "I think its the color."

Kat blushed almost as brightly as her hair as Rufus leaned foward and kissed her.

"Alright, Yuffie," Striker said, looking around and taking in all the sights and sounds of the Gold Saucer. "You tell me what you want to do first."

Yuffie hopped up like a little kid. "Oh, Striker, lets go on the Gondola. I hear its so romantic."

Striker shrugged and the two hopped down the tube towards the Gondola.

Striker went up to the booth, pulling out his wallet. "Two, please," he said, giving the cashier the gil.

The cashier nodded and handed them their tickets. "Enjoy the ride," she said.

Striker took Yuffie's hand and led her on an empty car. The Gondola began moving, taking them into the sky, the bright lights and fireworks flashing around them.

"How pretty," Yuffie mused. "I was so envious when Tifa came up here with Cloud."

"Why?" Striker asked. "Did you like Cloud or something?"

"No, no!" Yuffie spat, as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. "Its just that I never thought I'd come up here with someone."

Striker leaned back and smiled at her. "Neither did I, really..."

Yuffie leaned out the window. "We're real high up..." she said.

Striker shrugged. "Then maybe you shouldn't lean out the window like that," he said.

Yuffie crept across the Gondola and sat next to him. He put his arm around her.

"Now we can enjoy the view together," she said.

"It is much better without your head in the way," Striker joked.

Yuffie punched him playfully. "Watch it!"

"Ow! Okay, okay, I'm sorry, Yuff," he laughed.

Yuffie rested her head against Striker's chest. "Boy, am I scared to go home," she said.

"Why?" Striker asked.

"My father!" Yuffie answered. "He's going to go wild."

Striker whistled. "I'm afraid to meet him," he said.

"Oh, but you have to!" Yuffie cried. "If you don't, he'll never let you date me, and then I'll end up betrowthed to some rich loser in Wutai!"

"That might be better for you," Striker said. "I don't have any money. I don't even have a job right now."

"All that can be taken care of with time," Yuffie said. "What matters is the heart." She kissed him.

"Gee, Yuffie, I never heard you talk like that," Striker said as he broke the kiss.

Yuffie smiled and leaned against him again. "I guess I've learned a thing or two about life in the past few months," she said.

"Look, Daddy! Chocobos!"

"We went there last time we came, Marlene," Barret said. "Let's do something else."

"Goddamnit, Barret, let the kid do what the hell she wants," Cid said.

"Cid!" Shera scolded. "Watch your mouth!"

Barret, Marlene, Cid and Shera had all decided to come to the Gold Saucer together. Cid had promised Shera some fun, and Barret had long ago made it clear he was taking Marlene to the Gold Saucer.

"Come on," Barret said. "Let's go watch the-"

"Oh!"

Barret had run into a woman as he turned around, and she fell down to the floor after smacking into his large frame.

"Shit! I'm sorry, Miss!" he said, setting Marlene down and helping the woman off the floor. "I shoulda been watching where I was goin'."

The woman brushed herself off and laughed. "Oh, it's okay," she said.

Barret stared at her. She was tall, probably 5'10, and had smooth, brown skin. She had curly brown hair and had one gray eye and one hazel one. She wore a cream colored suede skirt, brown ankle boots, and a ivory colored, v-neck camisole. Barret guessed she was a few years younger than he was.

She stuck her hand out. "I'm Dion," she said.

Barret was too stunned by her beauty to move for a few seconds, but finally put his hand out as well.

"I'm Barret," he said.

"Nice to meet you, Barret," Dion said.

"Oh, and this is Cid Highwind and Shera Masters," Barret said, pointing at them as well.

"A pleasure," Dion said, shaking their hands as well. "And who is this cute little thing?" She bent over on her knees and looked at Marlene.

"Oh, that's my daughter, Marlene," Barret said.

Marlene grinned. "Hi, pretty lady!" Marlene said.

Dion ruffled Marlene's hair, then looked back up at Barret. "Your daughter?" she asked, confused.

"Oh, she's adopted," Barret explained. "And, uh, I ain't married or nothin'."

"Ah," Dion replied. "She's adorable."

"Oh, Daddy, can the nice pretty lady come with us, please?" Marlene begged.

Barret looked nervously at Dion. In a way, he agreed with his daughter.

"Are you here with anyone?" he asked.

"Oh, no," Dion said. "Actually, I'm a dancer. I'm going to be in tonight's performance."

"Really?" Barret said. Not that he couldn't beileve it. She certainly had the body of a dancer.

"We were just heading over to that show," Shera said. "We'd love to see you perform."

Cid frowned and balled up his fists. He hadn't planned on going to see any dance while he was here.

"Well, I'm late, so please come by," Dion said. "And Barret, if you'd like, maybe we can meet after the show?"

Barret's eyes went wide for half a second. "S,sure."

Dion smiled and scampered off, waving goodbye. As soon as she was gone, Cid punched him in the shoulder.

"Ha, Barret!" he laughed. "Already picking up women!"

"Shaddup!" Barret yelled. "Come on, Marlene, let's go find seats."

"He's right, Cid," Shera said, pulling the pilot's arm. "Let's go."

"Goddamnit Shera, I don't want to see a dance," he said. "I think we should let them go ahead and do something else, alone."

"But Cid-"

"Shera, please!"

Shera pouted. "Fine, fine!" she said. "Barret, we'll see you later." Cid started to drag her off.

Barret and Marlene waved goodbye to them and made their way for the theater.

Shera frowned. "Cid, where are you taking me?" she whined.

"Just come the hell on, I've got to show you something."

Shera shrugged and let Cid drag her to the Wonder Square.

"The arcade? Cid, I really don't think-"

"Just shut the hell up and come on!" he said brazenly.

He led her to a window by the arcade that gave a beautiful view of the sights of the Gold Saucer. He pushed open the window.

"This is a nice view but - Cid! What are you doing?!"

Cid was climbing out the window. "Take my hand and climb out here," he said.

"No, no," Shera said, looking around nervously. "This is crazy!"

"Just do it!" Cid yelled, pulling her arm.

Shera frowned and did as she was told, slowly climbing out the window.

"Damn, take your goddamn time and let somebody see you, why don't you?" Cid cursed. He grabbed her by her waist and pulled her through the window.

"Oh!" Shera exclaimed as Cid set her down. They were on the roof.

"Cid, this is dangerous!" she said, looking around and grabbing Cid's arm. She could see the rooves of the other Squares, and the Gondola passing by overhead. The fireworks were going off all around them.

"Calm yourself," Cid said. "Vincent showed me this place the last time we all came here, right before we went to the Temple of the Ancients. Vin's a loner, but if you get down to talking to him, he's really a cool guy."

Shera looked around, the warm wind blowing past her. "It really is beautiful," she said.

Cid slowly sat down on the rooftop, looking up at Shera. He wished he could tell her that she was the most beautiful thing out here, but thought better of it and held his tounge.

Like always, Shera had her hair pulled up into the same pony tail, the curls dangling in her face. She did wear a little bit of makeup, though Cid really didn't think she needed any. She wore a light blue button down shirt and a pait of snug fitting capri style khakis. Her blue gray eyes glittered beneath her square rimmed glasses.

"Come on Shera, sit down," Cid said, patting the space next to him.

Shera slowly sat down besides him and took his arm. "Cid... I actually am really glad you brought me out here. It's a fantastic view."

Cid put his arms around her, pushing her down against the rooftop. "I know," he said kissing her softly.

Shera giggled as she felt Cid toy with the buttons on her shirt. "Come on, Cid, not out here!"

"Why the hell not?" Cid asked, kissing her neck. "No one's paying us any damn mind!"

"They can see us from the Gondolas," she said, noticing another one pass overhead. "We'll be caught!"

"Goddamnit, live on the edge for once," Cid said, his kisses now on her collar bone and moving dangerously low.

"Cid, have you ever thought about marriage?"

Cid stopped and looked up at her. "Damnit. Do you want to go inside that bad, or are you trying purposely to ruin my mood?"

Shera laughed. "I'm serious, Cid. You know, we're not getting any younger. You're already thirty-two, and I just celebrated my thirtieth, which wasn't a good day if you ask me. We can't wait forever."

"Thirty goddamn two is not that fucking old, Shera," Cid pointed out.

"But think about it, Cid... wouldn't you like to start a family someday? We can't wait too late for that."

Cid pinched her nose with his knuckles. "Of course I'll marry ya, Shera," he said. "Just give me time to get a ring and all that bullshit, alright? Maybe we'll be hitched within the next two years or so. But in the meantime, can I continue?"

Shera giggled as Cid nuzzled her neck again, and stared up as another Gondola passed over them. "Go right ahead," she laughed.

Barret sighed, slightly aggravated.

He had sat through an hour and a half of this performance, which really hadn't interested him at all. He'd seen various styles of dance, and got somewhat unnerved at the sight of men prancing around in tights. But he hadn't seen Dion perform yet, and he had been looking hard.

"Look, Daddy! The pretty nice lady!"

Barret looked up from where he had been resting his head in his good hand on the armrest. Dion sure enought was on stage, wearing a leotard with a long, flowing skirt. Her long curly brown hair was tied back into a bun, and she began to move as the music started.

Barret watched in awe as Dion trailed around the stage, her slender body making beautiful movements that moved the crowd. She moved gracefully in time with the beat of the melodic music, and even Barret, who'd never bothered with this sort of thing, was impressed.

A few minutes later, Barret watched as Dion rolled on the floor and landed in a gracefull position in her ending. The music stopped, and the crowd lept up applauding as the other other cast members ran onto the stage and joined Dion to take their bow. People threw roses on the stage, and Dion blew a kiss to the audience before the curtain went down.

The audience began to file out, and Barret picked Marlene up and placed her on his shoulder. "We're gonna go meet Dion outside," he said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.

Barret and Marlene had been waiting outside of the theater for nearly a half an hour when they saw Dion skimper towards them. She was dressed in her previous outfit again, and her long, curly hair was loose again.

"Sorry I took so long," she apologized. "I had to shower and get dressed."

"It ain't a problem," Barret answered, staring into her oddly different colored eyes.

"So what would like to do? Are you hungry?" Dion asked.

"Yes!" Marlene nearly screamed.

Dion laughed. "Okay then," she said. "They have a Falisy here, its one of the best fast food resturants in the world. Come on!"

Together, Barret, Dion, and Marlene went to the Wonder Square, where the eaterys were located. They went to the Falisy, and Barret ordered their food, bringing it back to the table where Dion and Marlene sat.

Barret set the trays down and sat next to Marlene, across from Dion. The little girl immediately snatched up the kid's toy that came with the meal and tore it open.

"How adorable," Dion mused.

"Yeah," Barret chuckled, taking the wrapper off his burger.

Dion opened her salad. "So tell me about yourself, Barret," she said. "I'd like to know about that huge gun grafted on your arm."

Barret looked at the gun. "I'm from North Corel," he explained. "Damn Shin-Ra came there quite a few years back and ruined everything when they gave us a reactor that exploded. Well I was fighting Shin-Ra, 'cause that's what I do, and they shot my arm. So I got this gun arm grafted where the injury was. I have a prothestic arm, but this is much more handy."

Dion studied him. "I think I've seen you on the news before. You're with AVALANCHE, aren't you?"

Barret nodded. "Former leader, til old Spike came along. Eh... are you anti-Shin-Ra?"

Dion shrugged. "I haven't given it much thought," she said. "Though some strange things have been happening lately."

"They sure have," Barret agreed, deciding to tell her about Tzumron and Jenova some other time. "How old are ya, if you don't mind my askin'?"

"I'm going to be thirty-one in a few weeks," Dion answered.

Barret grinned. "Really? To me, you look alot younger."

"Thanks," Dion said, sipping her drink. "How about yourself?"

"Oh, me, I'm thirty-five," Barret answered.

"How about Marlene?"

Barret looked down at the little girl next to him, who was too busy playing with her toy and hadn't touched her food.

"Marlene!" he scolded. "Eat, and stop playing around!"

Marlene dropped the toy and went to her fries.

Barret turned back to Dion. "She's six," he told her. "I'm hoping to go back to Corel to help fix it up, and get her back in school. She's been out for too long."

Dion nodded. "She's a sweetheart."

"So where are ya from?" Barret asked.

"Well, I was born in Midgar," Dion answered. "But nowadays, I stay where ever there's work, you know?"

"Would you like to come back to Corel with me?" Barret asked. "I'm sure you'd like it, once I get the place fixed up - that is, if you don't have plans."

Dion thought for a moment. "I don't see why not," she said. "Tonight was my last performance at the Gold Saucer. I guess I should move onto a new town. do you think they'd like my dancing there?"

Barret laughed. "They want me to come back as mayor," Barret answered. "And once I do that, they won't have a choice."

Red walked on the sienna hills outside of Cosmo Canyon, the sunset giving the terrain an even redder glow. He stared up at the sky as he moved, his fire tipped tail swishing behind him.

Loneliness.

It wasn't a word Red had much experience with. Even since his entire tribe was killed, he'd always had Bugenhagen. But now even his grandfather was gone, and loneliness took its rightful place in the red beast's life.

He sat up on his haunches and howled, displaying the pain he felt in his heart. He then shook his head and looked down at the clay ridden earth, digging his retractable claws into the soil.

Suddenly, Red snapped his head up. What was that scent?

A faintly familiar fragrance was tickling Red's nose, and he wondered where it came from and where he remembered it from. It was a pleasing scent, and brought back memories of his tribe, when they still lived. In fact, it kind of smelled like...

His mother!

Red whirled around on his paws, his head moving back and forth as he searched for the source of the scent. One of his kind was around here, he was sure of it.

He saw a flash of bright red zip past his left. His yellow eyes went wide, and he immediately took off after whatever had just run by.

As Red gained in, his assumptions were confirmed. He was chasing another beast like himself, and like the scent made him fully aware, she was a female. She turned to look at him as she ran, gasped, and put more speed into her run.

"Wait!" Red called, his legs moving swiftly beneath him. "Stop! Please!"

He realized she had no choice as they approached one of the many clifts in the Cosmo area, and he had cornered her. She looked nervously at the fall down and then back at Red.

Red skidded to a stop and stared at her, slightly out of breath. She was beautiful... as far as his species was concerned. Her fur was a slightly darker shade of red, and her mane was longer and spilled into her face. Her body was also covered in tribal scars and markings, and two long earrings hung from her ears. A flower that was only grown in the Ancient Forest nearby was stuck in her mane, and one long feather, attached to a hairclip, was tied into her hair. A brightly colored scarf was tied around her neck, and her lashes were long and thick. Her yellow eyes were dialated with fear, and her tail swished back and forth nervously.

"Hey," Red said in a soft voice. "Do not be afraid. Where have you come from? I thought I was the only one of us left."

She swallowed. "So did I," she answered, looking around cautiously.

"I'm Nanaki," Red said. "What is your -"

"Nanaki?!" she gasped, cutting him off. "The warrior Seto's son?"

Red nodded proudly.

"You're alive?" she said. "Unbelievable... My name is Nekura."

Red stepped closer. "Where did you come from, Nekura?" he asked.

"When the GI attacked, I was little," she answered. "They killed my parents, and I was scared, so I disobeyed orders and ran out of Cosmo Canyon. I kept running... I left everyone behind. And I was so afraid to come back, because I just knew the GI had taken over the Canyon."

"That's not true," Red said. "We are the only two left of our species, but my father made sure the GI couldn't take over the Canyon. I was raised by a human, Bugenhagen, since the rest of our tribe was destroyed."

Nekura lowered her head. "I'm sorry I ran from you, Nanaki," she said. "I was afraid. I thought I was going crazy... I never thought I'd see another one like us again, especially the son of Seto..."

Red pawed over to her and nuzzled against her neck, a sign of affection for his race. She purred in his ear.

"Unfortunately, Grandfather passed on," Red said, a tinge of saddness hindering his voice. "But please, come back with me to the Canyon. I will introduce you to the elders. I just can't think of us separating now that we have found each other."

Nekura smiled, walking beside Red as he took her back to the Canyon. "Neither could I, Nanaki," she said.

Smoke filled the small Midgar bar, as did loud laugter, the clang of shot glasses against the wooden tables, and the flying curse words. Lined up along the bar, Reno, Rude, and Randy sat on bar stools, empty beer bottles and shot glasses and ashtrays with still burning cigarettes in front of them. Seated between Rude and Randy, Reno picked up his cigarette and took a long drag, and blew the smoke out. He looked back and forth between his friends.

"Look, is that Cait Sith?" he asked.

They looked across the pub, where Cait Sith was dancing on a tabletop.

"Who wants to here the story of Mog house?" he shouted. "I'll tell ya for fifteen gil!"

"Sure is," Rude replied. "Swindling money out of people, as usual."

"Damn, I wish we were in Wutai," Reno said.

"Hell yeah!" Randy agreed, reaching over to steal Rude's drink. "Wutai's got the best pubs."

Rude slapped his hand away. "Get your own," he said.

"Nah, but we're stuck in Midgar, thanks to Rufus," Reno said spitefully. "Now, I don't want you to leave Midgar just yet," he said, emulating Rufus's voice.

"I don't have to stay here, I'm not a Turk," Randy pointed out. "I only decided to stay with you 'cause your my friends."

"That's mighty kind of you, Randy," Rude said, almost jokingly.

"I know it is," Randy said. "You oughta let me have some of your tequila..."

"Get your own," Rude said again, in a serious tone.

Reno hiccupped. "Wutai or not, there's nothing better than getting smashed with your best buds in a crowded bar."

Randy slumped his shoulders. "Sure," he agreed. "But we have no women! I tried to make moves on Yuffie and Kat, but they're both taken!"

Reno slammed his bottle against the table. "Damn Rufus!" he spat. "I was gonna hook up with Kat after you said I could talk to her, but as soon as I leave the damn ship, what the hell does Rufus do?"

"Sweet talks her," Rude answered.

Reno shook his head. "This shit's unbeilevable. And what about you, Rude? Tifa and Cloud aren't separating anytime soon, obviously."

"I've learned to deal with it," Rude said, sipping his drink.

Reno took another drag on his cigarette and handed it to Randy. "I mean, even *Tseng* has a date tonight. *He* got to leave Midgar to take Elena to some resturaunt. Both of them got to leave!"

"That isn't fair," Randy replied, puffing on the cigarette.

"Will you beileve that, Rude?" Reno asked his bald friend. "Tseng has a date! He's old! He never talks to anyone, especially women... unless he's going to kill them!"

"Yeah, Tseng has been acting strangely these days," Rude said. "Remember when he started laughing on the spaceship?"

"Yeah, don't remind me," Reno shuddered. "That was one of the strangest things I've ever seen. I mean, hell, even *you* laugh sometimes, Rude. But I swear on every Jack Daniels I've ever drank, that's the first time I've ever seen Tseng laugh!"

Rude shrugged. "Maybe he's changed since what happened to him in the Temple," he said. "Maybe he's decide to live life to the fullest. That may be why he's finally decided to date Elena, instead of pining over Aeris, who he can never have."

Reno stared at Rude. "Damn, Rude," he said. "I don't think Tseng himself could have made as much sense of his life as you just did. You sure can rationalize well when you're drunk, you know that?"

Rude smiled and took another sip of his drink.

Reno snatched the nearly finished cigarette from Randy and puffed on it. "I just realized something," he said. "Tseng sure has a thing for younger women! I mean Aeris is like, twenty two, and Elena is only a year older.. that bastard's turning thirty - six!"

Rude held his head in his hands. "Please, Reno," he pleaded. "Whenever you get drunk, you start analyzing everyone's love life. Can we not have that today, please?"

"God, Rude!" Reno perked up. "Even Reeve has a girl now! Reeve! And she's ten years younger than him! I must not be drunk enough..."

"Reno!" Rude shouted.

Reno took a sip from his beer. "Fine, fine... we don't need those women anyway. Guys night out!"

"Yeah!" Randy agreed, lighting a fresh cigarette.

"Oh, are you sure you're not over Yuffie?" Rude asked, smirking slightly.

Reno slammed his drink on the counter, turning as red as his hair. "Of course I'm over her!" he half shouted, drawing the attention of other patrons.

"Just making sure," Rude said.

"We don't need 'em," Reno said again. "Right? We don't need Yuffie, we don't need Kat, or Isabelle, or Tifa, or Aeris, and we sure don't need Tayeko..."

"Sephiroth would kill us," Randy said.

Reno held up his bottle. "No women! We don't need those money grubbing, no count bitches!" he stood up and climbed onto the counter. "Women are only good for sex! Sex sex sex!"

Some men in the bar started to cheer, the others just stared strangely.

"I hate when he gets like this," Rude said, tugging on Reno's pant leg. "Reno! Get the fuck down from there!"

"The Turks," one man whispered to another. "Don't pay 'em no mind, as long as you stay outta their way."

"Oh boy!" Cait said, jumping up and down. "Wait till I tell Rufus and Reeve about this!"

Reno twirled around. "I'm gonna find me a hot broad to bone right now!" he declared. He hopped off the counter and stumbled, falling on Randy and knocking him out of the stool.

"Watch it," Randy yelled, regaining his balance before he completely fell.

Rude grabbed Reno by his arm. "Come on, I think you've had enough to drink," he said.

Reno started laughing hysterically. "Even Reeve has a girl!" he screamed, and started banging his head into the counter.

Reeve was staring at the spaghetti cook in the boiling pot of water when the doorbell to his Midgar penthouse rang.

He looked up and stared at the door. Dressed casually for once, he wore a pair of blue jeans and a button down plaid shirt.

She's here, he thought nervously, walking towards the door.

He pulled it open, seeing Isabelle standing in it's frame.

She wore a pair of tight fitting, dark blue jeans and a ivory colored v-neck sweater. She wore her hair down, her long waves of ashy blonde hair falling down her back and shoulders. Her eyes glittered as she smiled at him.

"Hi, Reeve," she said. She leaned foreward and kissed him softly.

Reeve blushed and stepped aside, allowing her to walk into his apartment. "Hi," he returned, closing the door.

Isabelle set her purse down on the couch. "It was really nice of you to cook dinner for me, Reeve," she said.

"Oh, it's nothing," Reeve said. "I just figured the resturaunts in Midgar would be so crowded and busy."

"So what are we having?" she asked, stepping towards her.

Reeve nodded towards the kitchen. "Spaghetti," he said. "Come on."

Isabelle followed Reeve into the kitchen and leaned against the counter top with her back to it as he stirred the sauce.

"Looks good," she commented.

Reeve gazed at her. "Yeah," he said, lifting the pot of pasta and draining it in the sink. "I just hope it tastes as good as it looks."

"I have faith in you," Isabelle laughed.

"Come on, let's sit you down," Reeve said, pushing Isabelle by her shoulders towards the dining room. "The food's almost ready."

Reeve led her into the dimly lit dining room, where the table was already set and had two candles burning in the center. Isabelle took a seat, and Reeve went to his stereo and put some music on low volume.

"Oh, how romantic," Isabelle gushed.

"Yeah," Reeve said nervously. "I'll be back with the food."

Reeve came back a few seconds later with two plates of food and a bottle of white wine. He set a plate down in front of Isabelle, the other across the table at his seat, and began pouring them each a drink.

"Thank you, Reeve," Isabelle said. "It smells wonderful."

"You're welcome," Reeve answered. "Hey, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Isabelle asked, picking up her fork.

"Well, I was speaking with Rufus earlier," Reeve began, stirring his food with his fork. "He told me that he wasn't trying to run Shin-Ra the way he had in the past. He said he wanted to start over, but that he wanted some help. So he asked to become business partners and start a fresh energy corporation."

Isabelle swallowed her mouthful. "Really?" she said, her light green eyes wide.

Reeve nodded. "And I agreed."

Isabelle set her fork down. "Oh, Reeve! That's wonderful!"

Reeve looked skeptical. "Really?" he said. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" Isabelle exclaimed. "This is a great business oppurtunity for us!"

Reeve smirked. "I suppose it is," he said. "Rufus thinks we should call the company R&R Shin-Ra Inc. What do you think?"

"That's great," she said. "Oh, by the way, this food is really delicious, Reeve."

"Thanks," Reeve answered. "Anyhow, I hope I'm not making a mistake. The Turks are going to work for us also."

"Don't worry," Isabelle said, lifting up her wine glass. "Hey, I say we make a toast."

Reeve picked up his own glass. "Alright."

They leaned foreward and tapped their glasses together.

"To the new R&R Shin-Ra," Isabelle said.

Reeve nodded. "To R&R Shin-Ra."

"Here we are."

Tseng held the door open to the fancy Kalm resturaunt, La Manor, for Elena. They walked inside and waited to be seated.

The place was rather small and accomadated only the richest of society. It was lit by candles, and the walls were decorated with gold-trimmed wallpaper and expensive paintings.

Tseng looked at Elena. She looked maginificent as she stood there, holding her small purse in front of her. She wore a short black dress with transparent sleeves, the fabric of the garment hanging flatteringly well on the curves of her body. Her make up was well done, not too much, but giving her a natural glow. Her hair was in its usual style, but for some odd reason seemed brighter and shinier than usual. Tseng'd always known Elena was very pretty, but he never realized the extend of her beauty on the job.

Tseng himself looked rather nice for the evening. He wore a black suit, and had spent a great deal of time combing his long black hair back to make sure not a strand was out of place. He'd even splashed on a little cologne, which he never bothered with much.

The Maitre'D was finally ready for them and led them to a table near the resturaunt's fireplace - Tseng had taken care to see that they had gotten that particular table. They thanked the man as he handed them their menus and took a seat.

"It's a lovely night, isn't it Tseng?" Elena asked, looking gingerly out of a window.

"Yes..." Tseng answered looking over his menu.

"What do you think you'll have?" she asked him.

"Hm..." Tseng wondered. "I'll probably order some meat and fish. I'll get us a bottle of wine. What are you getting?"

Elena shrugged. "Probably the fettuccine alfredo," she answered.

Tseng nodded and set down his menu, Elena doing the same.

Elena looked down at her manicured hands and blushed. "You know, Tseng," she began, "I was really hurt after what happened to you in the temple... even angry..."

Tseng reached across the table and took her hand. "I know. I was worried about you... what would happen to the Turks if I -"

"Ready to order?"

Tseng let go of Elena's hand and looked up at the waiter.

"Yes," he answered. "I'll have the filet mignon with lobster tails, and the lady will have the fettuccine alfredo. And bring us a bottle of champagne, please."

The waiter nodded and took their menus. "Your orders will be out shortly," he said, bowing slightly before leaving them alone.

Tseng turned back to Elena and took her hand again. "Like I was saying... I was worried about what would happen to the Turks if I died... especially you."

Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Tseng answered, "Reno's a good Turk, and I'm sure he makes a good leader, but he can be somewhat reckless at times. None the less... I was just concerned about you."

Elena nodded and smiled warmly at Tseng, her light brown eyes glittering. "Tseng... tell me, what exactly happened to you in the Temple?"

Tseng massaged Elena's soft hands with his much larger ones. "After Sephiroth attacked me, I ran into Cloud and Aeris, and the rest of their group. There wasn't much even Aeris could do for me... so they left to go after Sephiroth. I just kinda stayed there, bleeding on the floor, forming regrets, knowing I was going to die, when I felt the building rumble, like it was going to cave in on itself."

"So I thought great, Cloud and his team must have done something to make the place collapse, and I couldn't move, so I had no way to save myself. Just when I'd given up, this chubby, short, old man with a long beard and a purple suit came running, trying to leave the Temple. He spotted me and stopped, and grabbed me by my arms and dragged me out of the Temple to a nearby hut where I guess he lived."

"Who was this guy?" Elena asked.

"He was a sage who had been following and reading Cetra teachings," Tseng explained. "That's why he hung out so much in the temple, gathering more information and artifacts on the Cetra."

"Oh," Elena said. "Like a historian?"

Tseng nodded.

"Interesting," Elena mused. "Then what happened?"

"Basically, he healed me," Tseng answered. "He knew quite a bit about Cetra practices. When I was finally feeling up to it, I thanked him and gave him half of the gil I was carrying at the time. My first priority was to find Rufus and the Turks, but the Sage told me that Shin-Ra had been taken down, and Rufus was killed by weapon. Then I decided to try to find you - because I wasn't sure if the Turks were alive or not, and I was worried. I was, however, happy to hear that AVALANCHE had destroyed Sephiroth, despite the disturbing reports that he was resurrected, which is now obviously valid."

"Another thing that disturbed me that I heard on the news was Aeris' death. I don't know how that got leaked to the media, but whenever the news broadcast the story of AVALANCHE killing Sephiroth, they always seemed to mention the Cetra who had given her life to help."

"Anyway, I was in Midgar, I beileve, when I saw Rufus on the news giving a press conference. The even more amazing thing was that Tifa was with him. I decided to call Rufus, and he was surprised to hear I was alive. The rest is history... despite my indecsision about Shin-Ra's behavior, I came back anyway."

Elena touched his face lightly with the hand that he wasn't holding. "I'm glad you came back, Tseng," she said. "Fate has an interesting way of changing things. Now Rufus is trying to do the right thing, and he wants to restart the company with Reeve."

"Yes, he told me about that," Tseng said. "I guess he's learned his lesson."

Elena giggled. "Yeah, and the Turks still have a job!"

"That's true," Tseng agreed. "Listen, Elena, there's something I wanted to talk to you about - "

"Here we go!"

The waiter set each of their hot plates of food down in front of them, and poured them each a glass of champagne before placing the bottle down as well.

"Enjoy your meal," he said before leaving.

"This smells delicious," Elena commented. "What were you going to say, Tseng?"

Tseng picked up his fork. "Right," he said. "Elena, you do know how old I am, don't you?"

Elena took her fork and twirled it in the creamy pasta. "I'm not exactly sure," she said, shrugging.

"I'm thirty-five, Elena," Tseng said.

Elena looked at him for a moment, then turned back to her food. "I figured it was something like that."

"Elena, you're twenty-three. Does the age bother you at all?"

Elena set her fork down. "Tseng, if it did, I wouldn't be sitting here right now."

Tseng took a drink of champagne. "I just wanted to make sure."

"I care about you," Elena said, leaning across the table. "Come close, I want to tell you something."

Tseng leaned foward. "What?"

Elena smiled at him, before closing her eyes and kissing him tenderly on the lips.

"Let's eat," she said.

Lucrecia looked around the small Midgar apartment.

"Are you sure about this, Vincent? You don't have waste so much money on me. I can always stay in my cave."

"That's nonsense," Vincent said, scanning the empty apartment with his burning red eyes. "You forget, I have nowhere to live either. And with you back in my life, I don't plan to return to that coffin."

Lucrecia smiled and dropped her heavy canvas bag on the floor. "Well, these are the only possesions I have... a few dresses, some pots and cooking utensils, and a few blankets.

Vincent knelt down beside the bag and began unpacking it. "Well, at least you have that much. I have nothing but guns and materia."

"We'll have to buy furniture and appliances," she said, walking towards a window. "See, more expenses. And then there will be bills. I really don't think you should have to pay for all this, Vincent."

Vincent was sprawling out her blankets on the floor, creating a make shift bed. "Don't worry, Lucrecia. I have plenty of gil. We can go shopping tommorrow, if you like."

"Sure," Lucrecia said. "I know exactly how to decorate, too."

"Fix it however you like," Vincent said. "Once we set it up, you can have Sephiroth over."

Lucrecia smiled. "Sephiroth... my dear son."

Vincent nodded. "I never imagined things would work out this way," he said. "But now we're all reunited, and you and I have a home together."

Lucrecia agreed. "This is the perfect quaint little apartment, though," she said, admiring the view of Midgar from the window. "Should I go down and tell the landlord we plan to rent it?"

"I'll do it later," Vincent said, making himself comfortable on the blankets. "Come, sit here."

Lucrecia walked over to him and sat beside him on the blanket. He touched her long, wavy brown hair, and she leaned against him.

"Lucrecia, you do want to spend the rest of your life with me?" He asked her. "All eternity?"

Lucrecia nodded, coiling her hands around Vincent's neck. "Of course I do, Vincent," she answered. "I love you."

Vincent pushed her down against the blanket. "I love you too," he said, stroking her face with his claw. "More than you could ever know..."

Vincent crushed his lips against Lucrecia's, and her arms circled around his back.

"Eternity," she breathed. "All eternity..."

"It hasn't changed much."

Zack and Aeris stepped inside the old, abandoned church in Sector 5 where Aeris had once grown her flowers. No one was inside, but her flowers were still alive in the sun that shone in from a hole in the roof.

"I can't beileve the flowers are still here," Aeris said. "You're right, it hasn't changed much."

Zack touched the surface of a pew with his fingertip, noticing the dust that had collected. "It's been five years since I was last here."

Aeris walked over to the patch of flowers and fell on her knees next to them. "I was right here when my life changed," she said.

Zack came and sat next to her. "What do you mean?"

Aeris pointed up. "See that hole?"

"Yeah?"

Aeris giggled. "Cloud did that," she said. "I was sitting right here, fooling with the flowers like I always do, when I heard a loud crash and he fell right next to me. I'm so silly, at first I thought he was you... it was the eyes, I think. I thought, maybe my angel fell down from heaven..."

Zack touched her chin. "You're the angel," he said.

Aeris blushed. "Well... once I saw his hair and got a good look at him, I knew he wasn't you... but I knew he was in SOLDIER, that much was obvious. Then I realized I had met him the night before, when I'd sold a flower to him. Anyway, I helped him up, and all in all, that's how I got caught up with AVALANCHE."

"Interesting," Zack said. "Um, Aeris... did you ever... love Cloud?"

Aeris blinked. "Well... I thought I did," she answered. "Tifa was right when she told me I was just seeing you in him. I mean, you were all I used to think about after you left... the whole five years. You were the only boy who'd ever shown me any affection... and well, when Cloud came, out of SOLDIER, with those blue mako eyes, showing the same affection to me... I think I let my mind get carried away. He even smelled like you."

Zack laughed. "That's because he's been wearing my uniform," he said.

Aeris giggled. "That's true," she said.

Zack picked up a flower and stuck it behind Aeris' ear. "At least we're together again, right?" he said, leaning over and pulling her into his arms. "Vincent was right about what he told Sephiroth on Tzumron."

Aeris nuzzled against Zack's chest. "Yeah," she said, smiling. "Love does hold us together."

"How are you feeling?"

Tifa looked up at Cloud as they walked down the sandy Costa Del Sol beach, hand in hand. The sun was going down, and they were alone on the beach, as the tourists and swimmers had already gone in for the evening. Tifa leaned against Cloud.

"I feel fine," she said, bringing a hand up to her belly. "It's so different, having another life inside of you... I feel more complete, though. It's hard to explain."

Cloud stopped walking and touched Tifa's stomach. "Do they know what it is yet?"

Tifa shook her head. "No idea," she answered. "They told me that once I see an obstetrician, I'll be able to find out in a month or so."

Cloud nodded. "Have you thought about any names yet?"

"Not really," Tifa answered. "I'll have to talk to Rufus about that..."

Cloud sat down on the sand, somewhat jealous that the baby Tifa was carrying was Rufus Shin-Ra's, and not his. But he had several pep talks with himself before, and decided he wouldn't let it get to him. He'd support Tifa, no matter what.

Tifa sat next to him on the sand and took her boots off, feeling free to dig her toes into the sand. Cloud ran his fingers through her silky, straight, brown hair, pushing it gently to the side while he leaned over to kiss the side of her neck.

Tifa blushed and looked up at him. "Cloud, I was wondering, how are *you* feeling?"

"What do you mean?" Her curled his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Remember the mako poisoning?" she asked, trembling from Cloud's touch. "Zack told me that the symptoms hide themselves well, and you may not even know you're sick."

Cloud shrugged. "I feel fine," he said. "I got rid of all that poisoning when we fell into the lifestream."

Tifa ran her fingers up and down Cloud's back. "I hope so..."

"Don't worry about me," Cloud said, kissing Tifa gently. "You can't be worrying so much about other people now." He tickled her stomach, causing her to giggle.

"Okay, okay," she laughed. She kissed his lips softly. "I just love you too much, Cloud. I can't help but worry about you. I've always worried about you, ever since you left for SOLDIER."

Cloud kissed her deeply. "I love you too, Tifa. I always have... I never wanted to see you hurt. I'm really sorry about what I did. Last night, I broke down into tears over it."

Tifa touched his cheek. "Cloud, what did I tell you?" she said. "It... it's in the past now. Please, don't worry about it anymore. I know you didn't mean it."

Cloud cradled Tifa's slender, shapely, yet slightly muscular body in his embrace. "I know... but I can't help it, I love you so much..."

Tifa kissed Cloud neck lightly. "I really admire you for the way you spoke to Sephiroth," she said. "That was very honorable."

Cloud tangled his fingers in her hair. "I had to do it," he said. "I think I'm beginning to understand how he felt."

Tifa smiled and kissed Cloud again, hearing the soft crash of the waves in front of them. "Forget about that," she said. "I only want to think about us..."

Cloud reached into his pocket. "Tifa, I've got to ask you something," he said.

Tifa's eyes went wide as she watched Cloud pull out a small velvet box and open it, revealing an absolutely gorgeous engagement ring inside. The band was gold, and Tifa instantly recognized the stone as one she had seen in the cave on Tzumorn.

Cloud got on one knee. "Tifa, you need to stand up for this," he said.

Tifa stood up, almost losing her balance at the thought of what was happening.

Cloud took one of her hands in his. "Tifa, will you marry me?"

Tifa blinked and stared at him. "Of course I'll marry you, Cloud!" she squealed, falling on her knees in front of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and caused him to fall back with her on top. Her eyes flooding with tears, she crushed her lips against his.

Cloud kissed her face as he sat back up. He took her left hand and slid the ring on her finger.

"Cloud! This stone is from Tzumron, I'm sure of it! How did you..."

"I noticed you liked the stones so much, so I took one," Cloud said. "Then this morning I took it to a jeweler to have it custom made into an engagement ring for you."

Tifa admired the ring on her finger. "So *that's* why you didn't wake me up on time this morning," she said.

Cloud smiled. "You needed the rest anyway," he said.

Tifa kissed him again. "Oh, Cloud! I love you so much! This is beautiful!"

"I'm glad you like it," Cloud said. "I love you too, Teef."

Tifa moved close to him. "Cloud, I don't want to wait anymore," she said. "I want to make love."

Cloud was impressed with her boldness, his blue mako eyes glowing as he stared into her passion filled, wine colored ones. He pushed her back against the sand and lay on top of her, kissing her deeply.

"Anything you want, my love," he whispered.

Tayeko and Sephiroth walked into their small room in Cosmo Canyon, where they had opted to stay together for the time being. Lucrecia had offered for them to come with her and Vincent, but Sephiroth gracefully declined, realizing they needed time alone as much as he and Tayeko did.

The rooms in Cosmo Canyon were not furnished with beds, instead, people slept on thick matresses that lay on the floor, with quilts and satin blankets adorning it. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, throwing a orange and red glow off the walls.

"It's nice and warm in here," Tayeko said, taking a seat on the blankets.

"It's the fire," Sephiroth said, taking his armor and coat off and hanging it up on the wall. He removed his chest straps and SOLDIER belt as well, then sat next to Tayeko.

"So where are we going to go after this?" Tayeko asked. "I mean, we can't stay in Cosmo Canyon forever... unless you want to."

Sephiroth shook his head. "I spoke to Reeve earlier," he said. "He said he and Rufus are restarting Shin-Ra together, and they want me to be General of SOLDIER again. I haven't given him my answer yet, but if I do, we'll be moving to Junon."

Tayeko shrugged. "That sounds fine," she told him. "As long as we're together, right?"

Sephiroth nodded and took her hand in his. "Remember, on Tzumron, when I told you I wanted to be with you forever? And you asked me if that was a proposal?"

Tayeko nodded.

Sephiroth took the glove off his right hand, where the number '1' was tattooed. There was a silver band around his ring finger. He slid it off and held it in front of her.

"Obviously, I want to marry you," he said. "But I didn't have a ring for you out there. I still don't have a new one... but for now, I want you to have this." He took it and slid it on her ring finger.

Tayeko stared at it. "It's much too big," she said. "But it's beautiful... where did you get it?"

"Damnit," Sephiroth cursed. "Here, I'll put it on your necklace."

Sephiroth reached around Tayeko's neck and removed the chain that held the Silver Materia. He slid the ring onto the chain, then fastened it around her neck again.

"There," he said. "That ring was left to me by Professor Gast. He was supposed to give it to me when I joined SOLDIER, but since he was killed, President Shin-Ra ended up giving it to me. Even so, it means alot to me."

Tayeko held the ring in her fingertips and admired it. "It's gorgeous," she said.

"Just till I can get you a better one," Sephiroth said.

Tayeko waved him off. "Don't worry about it! I love this one," she said.

Sephiroth put a finger to her lips. She looked up at him, her bright violet eyes staring into his icy green, mako ones.

Sephiroth leaned forward and kissed Tayeko desperately on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"This is our first night together," she whispered as he toyed with the sleeve of her dress.

Sephiroth kissed her shoulder. "I know," he said. "I love you... and I want to share my love with you tonight, Tayeko."

Tayeko ran her fingers through Sephiroth's hair. "I love you too," she answered.