Hey everyone! Thanks for reading and reviewing on the last chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! I hope you can be as pleased with this last one!- Annubis

The Decision Between Life or Death:

A Second Chance

Chapter 35

The warm gentle breeze was soothing. The feel of the soft blankets were just right and so was the fluff of the pillow. The smooth skin of the body lying next to him was perfect. Zack Fair was never going to leave this bed.

RING

The 'beautiful' sound of the telephone ringing downstairs…

Zack frowned as he felt Aeris shifting in her sleep. He wrapped his arm around her tightly, not wanting her to get up.

"Zack." Her soft lips whispered as she looked over her shoulder at him.

"Em em." He shook his head quickly and snuggled in closer. The phone continued its blaring alarm.

"Zack…it's not going to stop." Aeris giggled.

"If we wait just long enough." Zack smiled as the ringing finally stopped. "See, I told you." The man felt triumphed. Then, the atrocious sound began again.

'Crap.' The man frowned.

"It may be mom!" Aeris pulled the covers away from her body and leapt off the bed. Zack covered himself quickly with the white sheet. He enjoyed the view as Aeris fumbled with the robe next to the bed.

"Come back." The man whined holding out a hand.

The woman ignored him and hurried down the stairs, her bare feet pattering against the wooden floor. Aeris picked up the phone. "Hello-?" she growled in frustration and hung it up quickly. Whoever it was on the other line had just hung up. She bit on her fingernail, waiting. Sure enough, the phone started up once again. She raised the receiver quickly to her ear. "Hello!?"

"Oh my god, Aeris! What took you so long!?" it was Tifa. The woman went on, not giving Aeris time to answer. "Where is he!?"

"Who?" Aeris smiled.

"You know who! Come on! Put him on the phone!" the woman shouted. "Cloud's here too, he's getting quite impatient."

Aeris grinned. Cid must've spilled the beans already. Aeris yawned loudly. "You woke me up."

"…You were sleeping?!" Aeris could hear a smack, no doubt Tifa hitting her forehead. "But it's only…Oh."

"That's right." Aeris nodded to herself.

"I didn't interrupt…anything…did I?"

"No!" Aeris giggled. "But you certainly didn't give me time to get dressed!"

"Oh my!" Tifa cackled. "Details!"

There was the sound of some shouting and rustling through the phone. Aeris listened intently.

"Where is he, Aeris?" Cloud's not so calm voice sounded. "Cid already told us he's there!"

Aeris felt two arms tangle around her waist. Zack had his pants on and decided to leave his chest bare. He pressed against her, kissing her neck. Aeris giggled.

"Aeris!? Are you there!?" Cloud's voice screamed through the receiver.

"It's for you." Aeris held out the phone for Zack.

"Me?" the man pointed at himself.

"Yup." She nodded.

"Ok…" Zack gave her a confused look. "Hell-"

"ZACK! What the hell!? What's with not calling us!? We had to hear it from Cid! What are you doing!? How long have you been back!? Why didn't you call!? Are you alright? The Lifestream! What-." Cloud went on with his barrage of questions.

Zack gave Aeris an overwhelmed look.

"Just recently. Went straight here. No cell phone. No money. Had to walk here. No chocobo. Took a while. Got here. She was the first thing on my mind. Haven't told my parents yet. No. I know. You got my party planned?" Zack spoke in fragments. He answered some questions Aeris had as well. He ended with a good question.

"…Now!" Cloud said after a minute.

"Now?" Zack beamed.

"Get your ass over here!" the man ordered.

"Sure sure." Zack nodded. He gave Aeris a thumbs up. She tilted her head to the side. "Will do. Alright. Okay. Bye Cloud. Love you too!" Zack hung up the phone.

"So?" Aeris giggled.

"Man! Looks like we're goin' on vacation." Zack rubbed the back of his head.

The two hurried to pack their things and loaded up on Hector, how was very much happy to see his previous owner once again.

"Hurry! They're going to be here any minute!" Tifa pulled the cake out of the oven.

"What's taking them so long!?" Yuffie huffed. "Cid, why didn't you pick 'em up?"

"Don't you nag me! I ain't responsibility of everyone." Cid huffed.

"I figured they'd take Hector. Give them some time together." Tifa smiled.

"But what if something happens!? They don't have cell phones. They could get in a wreck or something!" Yuffie covered her face.

"…Run into another chocobo?" Barret scoffed. "Oh no! It's fatal!"

"Shut it." Yuffie cupped her chin in her hand.

"I've heard of a fatal chocobo wreck." Red XIII hopped onto the chair next to Yuffie. His party hat dipped to the side. "Fell right over the side of Cosmo Canyon. Guy fell asleep because he didn't rest enough. Bird got too tired too."

"Thanks for sharing that." Yuffie whined.

"But…thankfully they are crossing the plains. If anyone fells off, it's only a few feet." Tifa informed.

"What if they get bitten by a snake?" Vincent asked.

"What!?" Tifa about dropped a glass. "Vincent, you've crossed those plains numerous times! How many times were you bitten!?"

"Well, none. But you never know how odds and luck work together. And we all know Zack's luck."

"This is ridiculous." Shelke rolled her eyes.

"It is!" Kadaj laughed. "Any bets that Zack will get bitten, manage to fall of the chocobo, and get rained on?"

"Ooh!" Cait Sith stuck a paw into the air.

Vincent reached into his pocket. "I think I may just have to take you up on that. I'll add falling into the river outside town and coming across a behemoth." He slapped his hand on the table. "And Aeris comes out perfectly unharmed."

"What are we betting on?" Reno's voice called through the front door of the shop. He fumbled with the grocery bags in his hands.

"Anything good?" Elena grinned.

"Zack's luck." Red XIII answered.

"Now that sounds interesting, indeed." Tseng walked through the door, placing his car keys into his pocket. Yuffie straightened herself in her seat.

"What's it up to?" Rude pulled out his wallet.

Kadaj counted the small change and bills. "Five gil." He announced proudly.

"…is this a kid's birthday party?" Rude smirked. "I'll double it. Say he gets hit by a falling star."

"You know the odds of that?" Elena raised a brow.

"If it'd happen to anyone…" Rude said, staring at the woman as he dropped the money onto the table.

"True." The woman nodded.

"That pile's quickly growing." Tseng smirked as he took a seat next to the young ninja girl.

"Yeah. May have to get my hands on that pile by the end of the night." Yuffie stared at the coins. She mostly avoided contact to hide the red tint to her face.

"How bout I say he comes here perfectly unscathed?" Cloud dropped his tips from the night into the pile.

"What!?" everyone stared at Cloud.

"Come on…I know it's highly unlikely." The man shrugged. "But someone's gotta stand up for the poor guy."

There was a knock at the door.

"Hello?" it was Aeris' voice.

"Aeris!" Everyone cheered loudly, holding up their glasses.

"Oh my! Look at you all!" Aeris giggled, holding her hand to her lips. She stood in the doorway.

"Where is he?" Tifa asked. Everyone waited.

"Who? Oh! You mean Zack!" Aeris waved her hand. "He couldn't make it."

"What!?" everyone gawked.

"Just kidding!" Aeris giggled. Zack entered the building, carrying the bags.

"Aeris!" Tifa put her hands on her hips.

"ZACK!" everyone cheered loudly.

"Wow! Everyone's here!" the man grinned widely.

"Here, I'll help you out, Tifa." Aeris walked behind the bar. "You got any antibiotic cream?" the woman asked under her breath.

"Yeah, sure." Tifa looked about the room at everyone, they all were acting like they weren't listening in but she could tell they were. "Why?" the woman folded her arms.

"Oh… it was starting to rain a bit and some loud thunder scared Hector. The dumb bird reared upward and Zack lost his balance. Fell off the bird, and can you believe!? Landed right on a snake!" Aeris giggled. "He scared the poor thing and it bit him. Don't think it was poisonous though."

"YES!" Kadaj cheered loudly. There were a few chuckles in the room.

"Hey…um he didn't manage to get hit by a shooting star as well, did he?" Reno chortled. Rude shot the man a glare.

"No…why?" Aeris laughed at the question.

"No reason." Tifa patted the woman on the shoulder. She led her upstairs.

"What's with the shooting star?" Zack crossed his arms.

"Inside joke." Yuffie muttered.

"Aw man. I hate inside jokes." Zack pouted.

"It's nothing man." Cloud patted his friend on the shoulder. "Just glad you're here."

"Drink!" Cid lifted his glass. "Let's get the man a drink!"

"Coming up!" Tifa ran down the stairs, Aeris close behind with a small tube of ointment in her hands.

Another knock sounded at the door.

"I'll get it." Zack turned to get the door.

"Who else?" Tifa asked Cloud. "OH!"

Tifa's gasp alerted everyone's attention.

"Hey, Zack…why don't I get the door!" Cloud rushed beside the man.

"It's fine, I can get the door!" Zack laughed at everyone's sudden silliness. His hand tugged open the door quickly. "Hi there!" Zack called out smiling. The smile, however, quickly faded.

Zack came face to face with a man with pale skin and long silver hair. Green eyes looked down at the man cautiously.

"What the #&!?" Zack jumped back. "What's he doing here!?"

"Evening…" the man bowed.

"Zack." Cloud tried to get the man's attention.

"What are you doing here, Sephiroth!?" Zack grabbed the collar of the man's shirt.

Sephiroth slowly raised his hands.

"I was invited." He said calmly.

"Invited!?" Zack growled. "Why aren't you dead!?"

"ZACK!" Cloud grabbed Zack's arm as the man readied for a punch. There was a small struggle.

"Lemme go Cloud!" Zack growled.

"It's true!" Cloud restrained the man.

"What?" Zack breathed heavily.

"It's true man." Cloud shook his head. "It's fine… Sephiroth's changed."

"Changed!?" Zack glared at the man in the doorway. A moment later Lucrecia was standing by Sephiroth's side.

"Oh dear…I knew this would be a bad idea." Lucrecia bit her lip.

"It'll be fine." Cloud glared at Zack. "We just need to explain everything to him."

"Yeah…" Zack glared back.

"Come in." Tifa held the door open for the two. "I'm sorry Zack, it was my idea."

"Lucrecia has been working with Sephiroth ever since that day. When he was weakened, Jenova left his body. She entered yours. Remember?" Cloud watched Zack closely.

"…" Zack nodded.

"After you died, Jenova had died as well. You two were too weak as hosts for her. There were no other bodies for her to leap into."

"Cloud was lucky she didn't jump into him as a last resort." Tifa added.

"So when you died, Jenova died as well." Cloud motioned for Zack to follow him. Slowly conversation in the bar was picking back up.

"You're sure?" Zack sat on a bar stool.

"He doesn't remember a thing." Tifa whispered.

"Sephiroth?" Zack glanced over his shoulder at the said man. He was leaning up against a window, watching everyone in the room.

"Nothing." Cloud nodded. "He's completely different."

"So he doesn't remember anything at all about his life?" Aeris joined in.

"Doesn't really seem so. Only a few things here and there, but it's all before the event in Nibelheim." Tifa explained. "Lucrecia's been working with him a lot lately and I'm not sure how much she's told him, but give him a try."

"It's actually not that bad." Cloud murmured. "I know that's not what you wanted to hear."

"You should've seen Cloud the first time Lucrecia brought him over. He threw the biggest fit." Tifa rolled her eyes.

"Women are much more forgiving then men are." Cloud sighed.

"So he's harmless then?" Zack asked skeptically. "But you said he remembers a few things. What if, like Aeris, he remembers everything that happened in the past?"

"We'll deal with that when it comes." Tifa folded her arms. "Please don't worry about it." She set a drink down in front of the man. "I want you to have fun tonight."

"I know. I'm sorry for the scene I made." Zack frowned. "I just wasn't expecting…that."

"I should have told you." Cloud patted Zack's shoulder.

"It's fine. Quite the surprise." Zack laughed.

"Lucrecia would like a drink." Sephiroth's voice sounded from beside Zack. He couldn't help the small jump he gave at the interruption.

"Sure thing!" Tifa grinned. "What would she like?" Tifa leaned on the bar, obviously forgetting how low cut her dress was. Sephiroth's gaze dropped a moment.

"Something fruity." The man smirked.

"And you?" She tilted her head.

Aeris hopped in the seat opposite of Sephiroth beside Zack. The Ex-SOLDIER watched Sephiroth.

"Something hard." He smiled. A wild red blush crept over Tifa's face.

"You're awful, you know that?" Tifa breathed a laugh. She began mixing the drinks.

Zack looked over at Cloud who was glaring disapprovingly at Sephiroth.

"I didn't say anything." Sephiroth defended himself. "You're woman has a dirty mind." He shrugged.

"You don't help by suggesting things." Cloud frowned. Sephiroth only chuckled.

"I love picking on him, not sure why though." Sephiroth whispered to Zack. It obviously didn't take long for Sephiroth to warm up to people. Zack still felt awkward as hell around him.

"Always enjoyed picking on him." Zack tried to smile.

"Really?" Sephiroth looked down at the man.

"Here you are." Tifa set the two drinks down in front of the man. Sephiroth nodded a thank you to the woman and gave her a wink. He turned and made his way back to his biological mother. "Hate it when he winks at me!" Tifa giggled, blushing with embarrassment.

"As long as he doesn't touch you." Cloud cleared his throat.

Aeris' hand slipped into Zack's. The man looked down at the entwined fingers and then at her.

"You alright?" He asked quietly. She nodded quickly. "You're sure?"

"Fine." Aeris lied. Zack could tell she was nervous around Sephiroth.

"Don't leave my side tonight." The man whispered to her. Aeris smiled and agreed.

Zack looked over his shoulder at Sephiroth and Lucrecia. They were sharing a conversation. Lucrecia was smiling and laughing. Sephiroth was interacting with her like anybody else would. Zack saw Sephiroth gesturing with his arms and hands, this sent Lucrecia into another fit of laughter. Vincent leaned against the window beside the woman, shaking his head. He had a small smile on his face. After another minute, 

Sephiroth pointed over his shoulder toward the bar. Lucrecia nodded approvingly. Sephiroth turned and made his way back to the seat beside Zack.

"So, tell me about some of the things I've done to Cloud." The man grinned. Zack smiled, feeling less threatened by the man.

"There's too many to tell, this will take all night."

The party was successful. Everyone had seemed to enjoy themselves the duration of the night. Sephiroth no longer felt like a stranger and Zack had eased into comfort rather quickly. It helped to know the man before he had ever gone crazy. Aeris had even shared a small conversation with Sephiroth, about how she and Zack first met. Sephiroth thought it grand that they met by Zack falling through the roof of her church.

"Did you get Yuffie's letter?" Tifa asked.

"Oh! I forgot all about it. Mom told me I had one." Aeris looked over her shoulder at Yuffie who was now sitting rather close to Tseng.

"Getting married in two days." Tifa whispered.

"Two days!?" Zack asked a little too loud. He looked back at the girl. Her hand was on Tseng's and their legs were touching. Tseng leaned in closely to whisper what seemed like a joke in the girl's ear. Yuffie giggled wildly. Tseng remained close to her. It was indeed an intimate moment. Zack tore his gaze away to look at Vincent. He was watching those two as well. Lucrecia was mingling with Shelke and Kadaj. Vincent wasn't smiling or frowning. It was a neutral look.

"What about Vincent?" the man asked Tifa.

"Oh." Tifa leaned forward again. "Not sure exactly what's going on with that. I see him and Yuffie together sometimes and then the next day she'll be with Tseng. Vincent won't talk about it. Says that they knew what they were getting into and that's it!"

"Poor guy." Zack frowned.

"He does have Lucrecia now." Tifa smiled. "He has waited a lifetime for her."

"That's true." Aeris nodded.

"But…Man, that's tough." Zack sighed.

"I'm sure it'll all work out in the end." Tifa grinned. "If they really love each other then they'll find a way to be together, if not, then they'll move on with their new lives."

"Lucrecia loves Vincent a lot." Sephiroth interrupted. "I mean…mom." He shuddered. "I can't just get myself to call her that. It's… weird."

"Aeris?" A low voice sounded from the floor.

"Hi, Red!" Aeris leaned over and scratched the beast behind the ear. He purred quietly. "What's up?"

"I found out something interesting." Red grinned, showing a tooth. He wobbled slightly.

"Red, Have Cid and Barret been slipping you alcohol again?" Tifa put her hands on her hips.

"Perhaps." Red nodded. There was a snicker from the corner of the room. Barret and Cid had their mouths covered.

"You boys!" Tifa rolled her eyes.

"What was that, Red?" Aeris giggled.

"Grandpa left me a book. The villagers were to give it to me when he died, but forgot." The animal swayed.

"That's terrible!" Aeris smiled.

"But I got it, that's all that matters. It's a book about my species!"

"That's great!"

"Has the origins of my kind and our history." The animal said happily. "And there's something interesting I wanted to share with you!"

"Ok." Aeris patted the creature on the head. Tifa, Zack and Sephiroth listened in.

"You remember how I found out that the Ancients were capable of living long lives due to the regeneration?" Aeris nodded. "Well turned out that my species was well known for our long lives. We were known as the guardians of the Ancients. We were born and raised to serve and protect your kind. Isn't that spectacular!?"

"That's some pretty interesting information Red!" Aeris grinned. She poked the party hat on the animal's head.

"We formed armies, were used as companion pets! I never even thought of that!" Red smiled. "I am here to serve and protect you." The animal bowed his head.

"I accept your offer." Aeris grabbed the straw of her glass and tapped Red XIII on either shoulder.

"It's an honor!" Red XIII cheered.

"Same here." Aeris giggled. The animal turned and made his way back to Cid and Barret's table.

"What was that all about?" Tifa stifled a laugh.

"Not really sure. But whatever makes him happy, I guess." The Ancient shrugged her shoulders.

"What about me? I thought I was your bodyguard?" Zack stuck out his lip.

"You can be my consort." She whispered in his ear.

"Oh? I like the sound of that." He gave her a sideways grin.

"Or…" she fiddled with the buttons on the man's shirt. "Concubine, whichever you wish." She giggled.

"Consort concubine." Zack nodded. He took a drink from his glass. Tifa slowly pushed Aeris' drink closer to the woman. Aeris leaned forward, her chest pressing against Zack's.

"You two are going to make me sick." Tifa fake gagged.

"So…Tifa…Why don't you and I get outta here?" Sephiroth winked.

"Oh stop it." Tifa waved a hand at the man.

"Tifa." Cloud tugged on the woman's hand, pulling her away from the bar. "Are you having any fun?"

"Loads!" Tifa grinned.

"You're working too much. Why don't you come over here a bit?" Cloud whispered to her.

"You drank too much, didn't you?" the woman grinned.

"And you not enough?" Cloud cocked his head to the side.

"I don't need alcohol to be attracted to you." Tifa laughed. She pulled Cloud in close to kiss him on the lips. She got goose bumps, nervous of the eyes staring at the two of them. They rarely showed affection in public.

"Damn, I messed that one up." Cloud frowned. "I don't need it either. I mean…you look great all the time. I just…I…"

"Cloud." Tifa shook her head. "Shut up." She laughed and kissed him again.

Slowly, one by one, people were leaving the party. It was getting very late and Tifa was a sharing the guilty happiness of everyone leaving. Yuffie had left a bit ago with Tseng. Lucrecia and Vincent were very close, whispering to themselves. Zack and Aeris had gone upstairs long ago to the guest bedroom, which was once known as Cloud's room. Cloud had moved in with Tifa long ago. Red XIII, Barret, and Cid had gone out for a walk hours ago and never came back. Tifa figured they had gotten lost again in the late night district of the town where the gambling stations were. Rude was gone and Reno and Elena were heading out the door. Sephiroth was playing cards with Cait Sith and Kadaj while Shelke was sleeping, leaning against Kadaj's shoulder.

"Well that was a lot of fun!" Elena whooped as she hopped outside. Reno gave Tifa a wave goodbye as he shut the door behind them.

"It was." Reno nodded. "Been a long time since everyone was together like that.

"You goin' to the wedding?" Elena asked.

"Yuffie's?" Reno shrugged. "Yeah, sure, why the hell not?"

"You wanna be my date?" Elena asked.

"I thought that was a given." Reno smirked. They walked to his car. Elena laughed to herself.

The two had tried to keep their relationship at bay, afraid it'd interfere with work. They still saw each other on the weekends but it often ended up with one of them falling asleep during a movie.

"What are we doing, Reno?" Elena whispered, looking down at the purse in her hands.

"What do you mean?" the redhead asked.

"Us. What is…us?" she looked up at him with glassy eyes.

"What do you want us to be?" the man shoved his hands into his pockets.

"…" the woman looked away. "What do you want us to be?"

He hated when she turned the questions around on him. "I like us."

"You do?"

"Why wouldn't I?" the man smirked.

"I don't know…I just…" she gave a small grin. "I like us a lot."

"How much is a lot?" Reno leaned forward, almost scrutinizing her. She pushed up against the car.

"Reno…" Elena giggled, blushing. "You know what a lot means…" Reno's smile faded as he looked down at her.

"Does it mean you love me?" He asked.

"I! What!? I mean…" the woman stammered. "Let's keep this professional, right?" she said what she'd thought he'd want to hear.

Reno ignored her and leaned down to kiss her, to keep her from saying anymore foolish things. She breathed in tensely. She was stuck between him and the car. Reno pushed against her more, putting a hand on her hip.

"What…?" Elena whispered; her lips were numb.

"We've been past professional for a long time." the man grinned, kissing her once again.

They stood outside for a while, kissing and holding each other.

"What is that?" Cid asked.

"Um!" Elena pushed away from Reno.

"Were you two vertical spooning?" the pilot was walking up to the two, Barret and Red at his side.

"What?" Elena asked, her face burning.

"They were." Barret nodded.

"And kissing." Red added.

"Not kissing!" Reno pointed.

"What were you doing then?" Cid narrowed his gaze.

"Whispering to her…" Reno thought. "…in her mouth…"

"You hear better that way?" Cid cackled and headed up the path toward where his plane was setting behind the bar. Barret and Red followed after the man.

"Whispering!?" Elena smacked Reno in the shoulder. "In my MOUTH!?"

"Good one, right?" Reno scratched his head.

Elena stared at him a few seconds and then broke into a fit of laughter. "The best I've heard." She pulled him in close again. Reno's eyes bugging out. "Tell me some more secrets." She hissed, pulling him into another deep kiss.

"Oh crap!" Yuffie yelped as her robes were tightened around her midsection.

"Stop it! You're making me nervous!" Aeris yelled at Yuffie.

"You! You're nervous!?" Yuffie screamed as the maid tried her best to apply makeup to her face. "I'm the one getting married!"

"I know! But…you keep yelling and it's making me nervous." Aeris fidgeted as her hair was twirled and pulled up.

"You both need to calm down. This will be over before you know it." Tifa advised.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Yuffie whimpered.

"All finished!" the maid announced.

"OH! GAWD!!" Yuffie waved her hands in the air.

"Deep breaths!" Tifa held onto Yuffie's shoulders.

"I can't do this! I can't! I don't think I'm ready for this. Sure…Tseng's great…but, ruling my country! Are you all insane!? I can't even take care of myself when I'm sick!" the bride sulked.

"Tseng will be there to help!" Aeris patted her back.

"Tseng! Ah!" Yuffie screamed. "I'm getting married to Tseng." Tears began to well in her eyes.

"Yuffie!" Tifa wiped at Yuffie's eyes with her sleeves. "You'll smear your makeup."

"I thought you and Vincent talked about this." Aeris folded her arms.

"What? I didn't…I didn't say anything about Vincent!" Yuffie babbled.

"Yuffie." Aeris drug out her name.

"What about Vincent!? What am I going to do!? He'll hate me forever! He won't be able to look at me the same. I…I loved him!" Yuffie plopped onto a large red pillow on a woven bamboo chair.

"Loved!" Tifa pointed out. "You love Tseng though now, don't you?"

"…" Yuffie took slow deep breaths.

"Yuffie, you can't do this to yourself." Tifa folded her arms.

"I love them both." Yuffie sighed. "But…he's got Lucrecia. So I, I sought out company from Tseng, I mean I am marrying him. Figured I could work on our relationship so it wouldn't be so awkward. And…well." The girl took another deep breath, relaxing a bit. "Tseng wasn't that bad. He grew on me, you know. He's a really great guy."

"But you feel bad for Vincent, right?" Aeris asked.

"Yeah." Yuffie nodded. "I don't want him to think that I abandoned him, cause that's not true. It's just. We talked about this. We knew it was going to happen! We knew that falling in love was going to hurt in the end."

"Then you both were prepared for this." Tifa nodded.

"I think he's moved on fine. I'm the one who hasn't." Yuffie growled in frustration.

"Miss. The ceremony's about to begin. Ladies, please follow me." The maid opened the door and led Tifa and Aeris out of the room.

"Oh Gawd! Kill me." Yuffie whimpered.

"It won't be so bad, Miss. He looks very nice this evening." The maid tried to cheer up Yuffie.

"I'm going to be a cow. Making babies…" Yuffie cried.

"No talk like that! You know that's not true!" The maid giggled at Yuffie's remark. "Now, get out there!" she gave Yuffie a gentle push out into the hall where all the other servants flooded about her, guiding her to the ceremonial hall.

The wedding was beginning. Yuffie felt sick to her stomach as the music began and she was shoved out onto the altar before thousands of viewers and her friends. She swallowed hard, making eye contact with her father who seemed to be sweating bullets, afraid that Yuffie would run away. The ninja girl looked over the crowd. She tried to form a plan, find an opening and a way to get out. The windows were all locked, bars over them and there were guards beside all the doors, weapons in their hands. She looked at her friends who knew what she was trying to do. Tifa shook her head. She gave Yuffie a look that said, 'Don't even think about it.'

Before Yuffie knew it, she was in the center and the high priest was announcing the day's importance to the audience. Yuffie tuned him out. She stood deathly still, her hands clenched. She glanced at her friends once again. Just as she had thought, there was a man missing, Vincent.

'He's not here.' The girl felt tears welling in her eyes. Vincent was upset. So upset, in fact, that he couldn't even show up to her wedding day. She saw Cloud shrug his shoulders, answering her question.

Everyone stood from their seats, her husband to be was entering the room from behind her. Yuffie suddenly felt panicked.

'Wait…Vincent's not here.' Yuffie smiled, her hopes rising. She looked over her shoulder and felt her heart burst into pieces. The man who walked around the corner was not who she was thinking about. It was Tseng, sure enough. He walked up to the woman's side, his hand next to hers. Yuffie grabbed his hand, squeezing it. Tseng looked down at her, a kind smile on his face. He saw the tears forming in her eyes and squeezed her hand back.

The ceremony continued, time crawling by for Yuffie. She didn't once look at the priest or her father. Every once and a while her gaze dropped to the empty spot on the floor where Vincent should have been.

'He's really not here.' Yuffie closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears.

"She's freakin' out." Elena whispered to Reno.

"I prayed before this that she wouldn't run away." Reno sighed.

"You? Pray?" the woman snorted.

"In dire situations, yes." Reno smirked. "Besides, Tseng's gotta have a happy ending too, right?"

"What do you mean?" Elena asked.

Reno only smiled.

"You mean?" the woman gasped. "I had no idea."

"You were too caught up in us that you didn't notice his relationship."

"Yuffie." There was a soft whisper. The woman opened her eyes to look at Tseng. He was very worried, she could tell. Underneath it all, though, she caught a hint of pain. Was he hurt that she was upset Vincent wasn't here?

"I'm fine." Yuffie sniffled. "I'm sorry."

Tseng smiled at her reassuringly. The priest was finishing up the dreadfully long ceremony and then before she knew it, it was finally over, the last few seconds flying by as she stared at Tseng. He certainly did make her feel more comfortable. Now was the time she had dreaded for months, her kiss with Tseng…in front of thousands.

Tseng grabbed her other hand and looked down at her. He put a hand on her hip and leaned downward placing a soft kiss on her lips. Yuffie felt many of her worries melting away. Tseng was a great guy. Getting to know him was the best decision she had ever made. He pulled away after a second, short and sweet, nothing to make her uncomfortable. She smiled a 'thanks' to him. The ceremonial hall filled with cheers and applause.

'Well that's it, it's all over.' Yuffie sighed. 'Not too bad.' She bit her lip, looking once more at the empty spot on the ground beside Cloud and the others.

Yuffie and Tseng prepared to exit, but Yuffie's father stopped them.

"I have an announcement to make!" her father said loudly. The room died into silence. "I believe that Tseng is the perfect choice for my daughter and I believe they will be very happy together. Yuffie, Tseng, I wish you both the best of luck in your future together. Running this country is a lot of work, as you all know. Tseng will be her guide and support. But as times have moved forward, wars have worsened. I believe that one bodyguard is not enough for my daughter, as she is the last and most precious thing I hold dear to me."

"What are you talking about?" Yuffie asked.

"I'd like to announce a new member of the defense of Wutai." Her father stepped back, his arm out to reveal a new soldier to his royal army. "Vincent Valentine."

Around the corner from where Tseng had come only moments before was Vincent, adoring the traditional Wutai Empire Army uniform. His hair was tied back in Wutain fashion. At his hip was a sword. His claw glimmered in the light, being polished. He wore the highest badge a member of the Wutain army could uphold. Yuffie froze. She took a deep, slow breath and held it. Vincent approached the two of them, Tseng and Yuffie. He kneeled to the ground and bowed.

"In the name of Wutai I swear to protect and serve the Empress of Wutai. Until death am I at your service." Vincent spoke nobly.

Being a member of the Turks, Vincent knew his duty well. He would put Yuffie before anything.

"Then it is announced. You are Yuffie's grand bodyguard. You will fulfill your duties and missions at her request and serve and protect her." Yuffie's father ordered. "You may rise."

Vincent rose to his feet, his crimson eyes on Yuffie. The tears fell from her eyes and she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around the man. Vincent stiffened.

"Yuffie." Her father hissed. "Yuffie!"

"I thought you weren't coming. I saw you're empty space on the floor." Yuffie sniffled, wiping at her eyes, smearing her makeup.

"I'm never leaving you, you know that." Vincent replied. "Now, go to your husband. You're making a scene."

Yuffie smiled and joined Tseng's side, grabbing his hand once again. Vincent stood off to the side at attention. The audience cheered once more and the ceremony was finally over. Yuffie could leave the stage and continue with her life. She knew that she and Vincent were not possible together but having him at her side at all times was a relief to her. Some told her that she would learn to love Tseng. Yuffie smiled to herself. She didn't need to learn. She already loved the man and respected him more than anyone else. She decided on this day that it was time to grow up. She wasn't a teenager running around the world for materia anymore. She was empress of her country and she had made this decision long ago. She would make the people of Wutai happy and safe. And her father had granted her the greatest gift she could ever receive, her own happiness and safety.

"I do get paid vacation, right?" Vincent murmured as he followed the two out of the hall.

"Not on my watch, Valentine." Yuffie ordered.

"Can you believe this?" Tifa gawked at the television.

"What?" Aeris asked, setting down dinner plates.

"Look." She pointed to the screen.

"Mysterious kidnappings have been occurring in the area of Icicle Inn and surrounding areas. Many scientists have been reported missing and so have residents who ventured north for camping and rock climbing. Explanations are unknown at this time-…Wait. We have some breaking news! This just in…"

"Guys!" Tifa called over her shoulder.

Cloud, Zack, and Sephiroth were busy fixing a light fixture in the ceiling. They all stopped to see what the commotion was all about. Tifa turned up the volume of the television.

"I think we need to call the others. This is just too suspicious." Tifa suggested.

"That's right! A whole city has vanished! All the inhabitants of the recently relocated Icicle Inn have gone missing! What's this?" the reporter gasped as she was handed a new pile of papers. "Oh my!" she hesitated. "Ladies and gentlemen. More information on this issue… we have a survivor. A single man from Icicle Inn. We've got reporter John Vexler on the scene. John?" the screen flickered to a snowy, static filled screen.

"Survivor!?" Zack glared at the television. "Why would they say survivor? They automatically assume everyone's dead?"

"Here we have a citizen who remains in the city. Battered and bruised, this man crawled to safety. Luckily, our news team was able to help. Can you please tell us what happened?" the reporter placed his microphone next to a frightened man's lips.

"We…we had no chance. It came out of nowhere. So much screaming. My…my children!" the man sobbed.

"It?" the reporter asked.

"It took my children! It…it had tentacles. Was so big. Kept muttering something…I don't understand. Glowing…green eyes." The man held a shaking hand to his mouth.

"Damn it." Cloud stared at the screen. "Damn it!"

"What is this about? The Northern Crater?" Sephiroth asked nervously.

"Reunion…Reunion…What does that mean!?" the man cried.

"Oh…my…god…" Tifa gasped. She leapt from the stool and sprinted up the stairs. "I'm calling Cid and the others!"

"No. This can't be. I…I thought she was dead." Aeris covered her mouth.

"What is it?" Sephiroth glared. "Ah!" He covered his head, moaning in pain.

"Damn!" Zack pushed away from the bar, watching Sephiroth closely. "What's wrong?"

"Don't you feel it? The…pain?" Sephiroth dropped to the floor.

"Pain? I don't…" Cloud gasped, grabbing the side of his head too.

"Guys! What's up!?" Zack watched, worriedly.

"What's happening!?" Aeris ran on the other side of the bar, afraid of the men.

"Shhhh…it." Zack dropped to the floor as well. He squeezed his temples. "Jenova…"

"Jenova!?" Aeris held her hands against her chest.

"Get out of here, Aeris." Zack muttered.

"TIFA!" Aeris screamed.

Tifa dropped the phone and darted down the stairs.

"What!? What's going on!?" Tifa grabbed Aeris' arm.

"Zack said to get out of here! It's Jenova!" Aeris ran around the boys, taking Tifa with her.

"But, we can't leave them!" Tifa opened the front door and ran outside.

"I know! But what are we going to do if they change, Tifa?" Aeris grabbed her friend.

"We wouldn't make it." Tifa covered her forehead nervously. "Cid is on his way, he's calling Yuffie."

The two women ran across the street into the small park. The outdoors was deathly silent.

"Hopefully the guys can hold out in the meantime." Tifa watched the bar. She was waiting for something to pop out and chase her.

"Oh no!" Aeris tapped Tifa's shoulder.

"What!?" the girl saw Aeris pointing at the sky.

"What is that!?" Aeris felt her hairs stand on end.

"Oh, no way!" Tifa raised her fists. "There's no way!"

"We're going to die!" Aeris screamed.

"Don't say that!" Tifa watched, frightened, at the approaching monster in the air. It had massive wings and soared directly at the two women. Long tentacles hung of its form. The women could see its glowing green eyes from where they stood.

"We're defenseless." Aeris whimpered. "Ok…I'm defenseless!"

"Like I'll be able to hold that thing off!" Tifa stepped back slowly, not sure which was safer being out in the open or back indoors with the men. "R, RUN!" Tifa scurried backwards, grabbing Aeris' arm.

"Run!? Where to!?" she yelled.

"Don't look back, just RUN!" Tifa tugged.

The two women ran for their lives. In mere seconds they could hear and feel the air rush from the flapping wings overhead. Two tentacles wrapped around them. They screamed. The monster swooped and dove down to the ground, landing in front of the bar.

"HELP!" Aeris yelled. The two women struggled.

"I can't…" Tifa grimaced. "Get out!"

'Reunion!' a mental voice screamed at the girls. This made them scream again.

Aeris and Tifa struggled as the monster pulled them upward, closer and closer to its face. Both women cursed and clawed at the monster, but nothing worked.

"ZACK!" Aeris shrieked.

"CLOUD!" Tifa joined in.

Nothing worked. There was no response. The bar remained quiet and so did the streets of Edge. No one was coming to their aid. Tifa gasped as the creature's mouth opened, revealing razor, jagged teeth. Its mouth was big enough to fit her head inside.

'Oh god!' Tifa closed her eyes. Aeris was shouting, yelling out to her.

With an explosion of sound, the front door to the bar burst open. A flash of black and silver burst from the doorway and toward the fight. In a millisecond both girls were dropped and colliding with the street.

"Ugh!" The two women hit hard.

"You alright, Tifa!?" Aeris called out.

"Fine!" Tifa scooted away from the monster to where Aeris was. Two large tentacles squirmed on the ground next to them, green ooze pouring from them.

"You two need to get out of here." A cool voice sounded from beside them. It was Sephiroth. He had Cloud's sword in his hand, impaling the creature through the torso. Green blood dripped to the ground, splattering on the cement.

"We can't leave you!" Tifa scrambled to her feet.

"Just do it." Sephiroth muttered through gritted teeth, struggling with the monster as its tentacles stretched and squeezed around him.

"Come on, Tifa." Aeris tugged the woman's arm.

"You're kind…is not…wanted here." Sephiroth growled to the beast.

There was a loud whining sound.

"What is that!?" Tifa covered her ears, but it did nothing to mute the noise.

"I think it's that monster!" Aeris hollered.

Both women looked to watch Sephiroth. He was grunting, his teeth showing. Obviously the sound had a greater impact on him.

"Sephiroth! Get outta there!" Tifa screamed.

"…I will…not!" Sephiroth hissed. His head pounded, his veins felt like they were about to burst. He let out a low cry as blood seeped from his ears.

"It's killing him!" Tifa gasped. "We've got to do something."

Sephiroth dropped do a knee, the monster squeezing him all the more. He tugged the sword downward, slicing the monster in half vertically. The beast dropped to the ground, oozing all over the place. Its flailing limbs slowly released him.

"Sephiroth!" there was a shout from the bar. It was Zack and Cloud. They helped support each other as they walked out onto the streets. "What are you doing!? You can't fight that by yourself!"

"I can…" Sephiroth gasped for air, the high pitched sound slowly dying down. "It wasn't Jenova's hold on me that made me strong. It was her cells. I still have them; I'm more than capable of taking this down!"

"Let us help!" the two women rushed to help the other men.

"You'll only get in the way." Sephiroth shook his head.

"Come on! You can't take her on alone! What if she takes over you again!?" Zack shouted.

"…This isn't her." Sephiroth looked over his shoulder.

"What?" They all stared at him in disbelief.

"Meteor." Sephiroth looked back down at the angry creature on the ground, it struggled to lift itself. "Jenova rode on the first meteor to our planet. This new meteor was nothing more than a vessel she summoned to live out her legacy. It's nothing more than another monster!"

"Give me my sword." Cloud held out his hand. "You're in no shape for this." He watched the blood seep from Sephiroth's ears. He was shaking slightly.

"Cloud. You never were strong enough to handle things like this on your own. Neither of you were. You were only injected with cells after birth. I grew with the cells. I have a better hold on them than you ever will. Jenova's gone. Our healing capabilities are no longer superior." Sephiroth lifted his sword to bring it down upon the monster's head.

The Jenova like creature pushed itself from off the ground, rising to the sky. Sephiroth narrowed his glare. He waited too long. It had time to regenerate.

"You're just a distraction! Get out of here!" The man leapt into the air, grabbing a tentacle. He flew into the air with the monster, the others yelling after him.

"Damn it! That's not his weapon! This sword is heavier than his Masamune! It'll only slow him down!" Cloud growled.

"He's not in top shape as it is, and without his Masamune, he isn't at his full skill." Zack lowered his head.

Sephiroth climbed up the beast's back. He raised the weapon overhead, its weight not hindering his skill. He dropped it down quickly towards its neck. The monster dodged to the side, the blade hitting its shoulder instead. There was a loud screech as the beast reached over to wrap an appendage around the man's neck. Sephiroth was pulled over its shoulder, the blood soaking through the man's clothing. Sephiroth hung in the air, choking. He pulled his arm back, holding the sword horizontally in the air. He pushed it forward, impaling the monster once again. Sephiroth growled. The screeching was rising in pitch, each cry louder than the last as he removed and reinserted the blade into the beast's body over and over again. He twisted the blade and pulled it out. The tentacle tightened more, closing his airway.

"Get him!" Zack cheered.

"Ugh." Cloud moaned, holding his head.

"It's happening again!" Tifa held onto Cloud.

"Damn it." Zack squeezed his temple, trying to hold back the pain. He looked upward, watching Sephiroth fight in the air with the giant being. Sephiroth loosened the grip on his sword, his other hand grabbing at the arm around his neck.

"I won't…fail…" Sephiroth mumbled.

The screeching was making his eyes roll back slightly. With a loud scream, Sephiroth put all of his strength into his arm holding his weapon. He lifted and rose, flicking his wrist to pull the sword vertically. The blade cut over the creature's chest and the tip landed right under its jawbone and cut into its skull. An explosion of sounds emitted from the monster, its tentacles flying all around. Sephiroth gasped, no longer able to breathe. He dropped the sword. It fell to the ground from several stories.

"Look out!" Aeris screamed. They all dodged the falling weapon as it crashed to the ground with a thunderous clang.

"My…sword…" Cloud grumbled.

"It looks pissed." Zack muttered. He leaned against Aeris, the sounds hurting his ears and head.

'Reunion!' the monster screamed.

"This reunion…is over…" Sephiroth choked. His vision was blurring. He dug his fingers into the monster's eyes. One last scream sounded before the sounds died down. Sephiroth felt the air whoosh by as he and the creature began to fall back to the planet.

In one last attempt to win, the beast drove its tentacles forward.

SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT!

Sephiroth gasped, feeling the sharp pain in his torso as three razor sharp tentacles drove into his body.

"NO!" the women screamed.

"The best…defense…" Sephiroth rasped. "Is a…counterattack."

The monster pulled away its appendages, injuring the man further more. Sephiroth dropped from the air, the alien flapping its wings enough to keep from falling.

"Oh no!" Tifa covered her eyes. There was a thud as Sephiroth hit the ground of the small park.

"Sephiroth!" Aeris ran to the man lying in the grass. She dropped to her knees to check him.

"#." Zack muttered. He pulled on Cloud to guide him to where the Sephiroth lay.

"Is he alright!?" Tifa hollered, watching the beast overhead.

The Reunion obsessed creature was falling slowly. It wobbled from side to side, its wings failing itself. Green blood poured from its wounds, a slow and painful death.

"You got what you deserved." Cloud glared at the beast overhead.

"Look at me!" Aeris patted Sephiroth's cheeks.

Zack strode over to where Cloud's sword lay on the ground. He waited for the monster to hit the ground and then he drove the weapon into its face numerous times. A little ruthless, but necessary he thought.

"I, I don't have my materia!" Aeris cried.

"It's useless." Sephiroth muttered. "The wounds will not heal. It is already too late."

Tifa covered her mouth, watching. The man had three giant holes punctured through his midsection. He had numerous broken bones and his neck was cut and bruised. Without Jenova's full power, he was going to die, like everyone else.

"But, you can make it, right? I mean the cells?" Aeris questioned.

"Without Jenova…without her life, her cells are practically useless. I only have the adrenaline and strength, no regeneration capabilities. She no longer exists on this planet. This only weakens us." Sephiroth spoke slowly, watching the puffy white clouds in the sky.

"We'll call Lucrecia!" Tifa suggested.

"It's not worth it." Sephiroth mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Aeris asked.

"It's not the same. I would have really liked to be like you all." Sephiroth coughed. "Being back to my normal self this short amount of time has been nearly unbearable. To walk the streets hearing nothing more than insults. People run from you. Children ask you horrible questions and their mothers drag them away, glaring at you. People refuse to let you in their stores, their homes. The only companions I have are my mother and the ones who I tried to kill in the past."

"But that wasn't you! That was Jenova!" Aeris tried her best to help.

"It doesn't keep the nightmares away." the man sighed, blood trickling from his lips. His eyes stared at the sunlight that flooded around a tiny cloud. "To hear and see all the terrible things you've done. Play them over and over again in your head each night. How can a man live with himself, knowing of all the innocent people he's killed? Knowing that he can never be normal."

"Stay with us. Things will get better, with time. You'll see." Aeris whispered.

"They may forgive, but how can I?" the man stared at his blood covered, shaking hand. "You know…it's not just Jenova that makes people crazy. I don't think I can hold out much longer. My brain…Lucrecia said, is very unhealthy. Too much stress on the body. I wouldn't live much longer anyways. Would only drive myself crazy." The pauses between words were getting longer with each sentence.

"Stay with us." Aeris pleaded. Cloud stared down at the man, sorrow on his face. Zack yelled in the background, cursing at the calamity that had been over killed.

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Aeris." Sephiroth placed his hand on top of hers. "Even if I wanted to, my body won't let me. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to feel what love was. Even if it was fabricated." The man smiled.

"You, you remember that!?" Aeris gasped.

"Devils weren't meant to be with…angels…" Sephiroth smiled. A tear fell out the corner of his eye. He lay there, unmoving. "I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. Tifa, Cloud…you too. And Zack." Sephiroth began choking, his body shaking.

Tifa held back her tears, her hand running over the location of where her scar was on her chest.

"Hold on!" Aeris screamed. Zack was rushing back over to the scene. "Sephiroth!"

He stopped suddenly, very still. "Ah…to be human…"

"Sephiroth!" she shook him.

"He alright?" Zack asked. He knew the answer.

"He can come back!" Tifa stated hopefully.

They all knew that wasn't likely. Sephiroth was only able to return in the past for being taken over and used by Jenova, a sacrifice for her Reunion. He wouldn't die trying to save the planet, linking himself to summons. He wouldn't die by giving up his life-force voluntarily to protect someone else. Sephiroth would die the traditional way, the way of a soldier. Doing his duty to serve and protect. He would die by the act of murder and nothing else.

"SEPHIROTH!?" the girl screamed.

The man did not answer. He did not move. Sephiroth was gone.

"Kadaj!" Shelke screamed. "Hurry! Get down here!"

There was the sound or running coming down the spiral staircase of the Shinra mansion. She tapped her foot, waiting for the man to run down the hall.

"What!? It's not another spider, is it!?" Kadaj nearly tripped over the woman who was standing in the doorway.

"No!" the girl hopped with excitement. She had a ruler in one hand and a marker in the other.

"Then what is it?" Kadaj gave her a curious look.

"See!? You see!?" The girl pushed her finger against the doorframe. There were two black lines across the board.

"Yeah…" the man nodded slowly.

"An inch in one week!" the girl cheered. "Can you believe it!? It's working!" she shrieked with excitement.

"You're growing!?"

"I'm growing!" she screamed again.

"Then…you're aging!?" the young man asked.

"YES!" she jumped into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck. He spun her around in a circle.

"Then you can…"

"Look like my age!" the girl finished his sentence.

"YES!" Kadaj whooped. He paused, thinking. "…Now people will stop giving me weird looks in the streets."

Shelke giggled.

"How long?" Kadaj asked.

"At this rate I should look about the right age in a few months!" the girl squealed. "I can't wait!"

"Neither can I!" Kadaj hugged the girl.

She planted a soft kiss on his cheek. It wouldn't be long and they'd be able to express a lot more to each other. And that's what mattered most to Shelke.

It had been a few months since the horrible accident that took place in Edge leading to Sephiroth's untimely death. The hardest part was breaking the news to Lucrecia. The woman had locked herself up in her cave for weeks. Vincent had to take a leave from Wutai, which Yuffie gladly granted him, in order to lecture the woman out of hiding. But today was a day of happiness rather than sadness. They wouldn't forget the short time they had to build a new friendship with their old friend, but they were no longer sad.

"Holy!" Zack pulled on the collar of his bleached white dress shirt.

"Knock it off." Cloud slapped the man's hand away. "You keep moving and I'm going to stab you."

"But this suit is killing me!" Zack moaned. "Open a window or something!" the man sighed.

"The air conditioner is on, Zack." Cloud muttered. He fiddled with the tie around the man's neck.

"I can't do this." He groaned.

"Sounds like Yuffie." Vincent snorted.

"You've been waiting for this day for years!" Cloud grumbled.

"But…what if I trip!? What if I fall and take her down with me?" Zack fidgeted, tapping his shoes on the ground.

"Please…" Cloud grabbed the man's shoulders, sighing loudly. "Don't."

"Just relax." Vincent added. "You get nervous and those things will happen."

"Besides, it's not like you're around a bunch of people you don't know." Cloud handed the man his dress coat.

The door to the dressing room popped open and Cid and Barret followed through, snickering.

"This isn't funny." Red XIII padded into the room, a very flustered look on his face.

"Aw!" Zack laughed, leaning on his knees to take a look at the animal. "But you look so cute with that pillow strapped to your back!"

"Why couldn't Denzel be the ring bearer?" Red growled.

"Cause he said he's too old for that kind of stuff." Cloud stated.

"Too old!?" Red snorted angrily. "What about me!? I'm older than everyone in this building combined!"

"Come on, it ain't so bad." Zack folded his arms, looking over the animal. "Besides, you're the cutest one out of all the guys." He leaned down again to tap Red on the nose.

"You know, I was known as a puppy to bite off fingers…" Red gave a low hiss as he spoke.

Zack pushed away, sweating a bit.

"What about Cid's brat?" Red shook his mane, part of it tangled under the strap of the pillow.

"Luckily, my brat's too young to walk yet." Cid grinned.

"I was running and hunting by six weeks..." Red grumbled. He took a seat next to Vincent.

Zack cleared his throat loudly. "Damn it's hot in here." He began to take off his jacket.

"Put it back on!" Cloud ordered.

"Come on!" Zack whined. "Just for a minute?"

"No." Cloud shook his head. "The wedding starts in a minute."

"I get to pick on you on your wedding day then." Zack raised his nose in the air. He stared at the mirror, fixing the black spikes in his hair. Cloud turned red in the face.

"Mr. Barret." A female voice sounded.

Barret turned quickly to face the lanky woman in the doorway. She waved her fingers at the man.

"Afternoon, Miss Janessa." Barret blushed. He headed out of the room, giving an elbow to the woman. "Shall I escort you to your seat?"

"Yes, please." The woman giggled flirtatiously, resting a hand atop his.

The men in the room chuckled to themselves. Zack continued fiddling with his bangs.

"You…know?" Cloud whispered after a minute.

"Tifa spilled the beans to Aeris a long time ago." Zack smirked. "Seems you've gotten her a prettier ring to wear now."

"I hope she likes it." Cloud cleared his throat. He was suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in his suit.

"How'd she take it?" Zack straightened up, smoothing out his jacket.

"She screamed so loud it about burst my eardrums." Cloud shrugged. "And then she cried all day! Aren't women supposed to be happy when they're asked to be married?"

"They were probably tears of joy." Zack patted the man on the shoulder.

"I dunno… she cried a lot. Went through an entire box of tissues…" Cloud wiped some sweat from his brow.

Music signaled the beginning of the ceremony.

"Well." Zack sighed. "Let's get our asses out there." He patted Cloud on the back once more and made his way out of the room, tightening his tie.

"Is it hot in here?" Cloud murmured to himself.

Three months later

"Don't eat too much, we have dessert." Aeris giggled, slapping Zack's hand away from the extra sandwich in the picnic basket.

"But Cloud had three!" Zack whined.

"No more." She waved a finger at him.

"Come on, Aeris!" Tifa struggled to her feet. "Let's go see how the water feels!"

The two women trotted out to the water's edge on the beach. They were in Costa Del Sol, enjoying the warm weather as things began cooling considerably in their hometown. The sun was setting on the horizon, giving a light pinkish glow over the women as they danced and twirled in the sand, giggling like school girls. Their sundresses flowed in the gentle breeze. The wind pressed the fabric against the stomachs revealing a tiny pooch in each of their bellies. Tifa's hat flew off her head and down the beach toward where the men sat on the large striped blanket. It was a much needed vacation indeed.

"So…when did you find out?" Zack asked, reaching for the last sandwich and stuffing it into his mouth.

"'Bout a month ago." Cloud let out a deep breath. "You?"

"Same time." Zack nodded.

The two men watched the girls kick their feet, trying to splash each other with the cold water.

"I swear. Those two must've planned to get pregnant at the same time." Zack groaned.

"That's what best friends do, I suppose." Cloud groaned as well. "Can we handle this type of lifestyle?"

494 years later

"Come on, Dad. Tell us another one!" the tiny cub pawed Nanaki against the chest.

"No, no…" he shook his head, his unruly mane jingling from the beads in his hair. "It's very late."

Nanaki looked over the side of the cliff. His eyes stared sadly over the distance at the ruins of Midgar, a once lively city. It was covered in moss, the green color actually helping to give the dead city some life.

"One more!? Please!?" the other cub begged.

"Now what do you want to hear about?" he looked down at his children.

There was a long silence as the two cubs stared at each other. They smiled simultaneously after a moment. Nanaki was dreading that smile.

"How'd you and mom meet?" they asked happily.

"Oh!" he laughed, his gaze lifting to the bright stars overhead. "Now that…that is a long story."

Author's Note:

That's the end of this story! A long chapter, I know, and sorry for the slight delay in this. I had to take two days to come back and finish it. Thank you so much for reading. I really hope you all enjoyed this story. I know that I didn't have as much energy in it at times as I did the first story, but that's what school does for you. But I really wanted to finish it and do this for all of you who requested a sequel. I hope I satisfied you all. Thanks for sticking with me till the end!

Now, I only have one request from all of you. Can you please leave me a review? Tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, what was your favorite part of the story? Funniest part, saddest part? Did I make you laugh did I make you cry? Would But I really would love to hear from every single reader! Please! It would be great to hear from all of you. Thank you so much for reading and keeping up with the story I hope you all enjoyed it, I know I enjoyed writing this and hearing from you all! Thanks!

-Annubis