Disclaimer: Anything that is not mine, is not mine. The game, the characters, they are not mine. The concept of the story is mine, but the elements added that were not originally mine, are definitely not mine. I hope that's enough disclaimer!

Author's Note: Heya! Here's another idea from one of my conversations with my friend MonMonCandie years ago that I wanted to pursue. And now I'm actually doing it. I just want to work on something that is fun because my other future fics will be a little darker. This will give some relief both to you and me. So as usual, I hope you enjoy this story, and your reviews will be very much appreciated. They will help me improve my writing skills, and that's always good news. Sorry for my pointless blabber, it's kinda getting late.

He took one last look at the ring while sitting on top of the hill where they usually met. The diamond shone brightly against the moonlight like the stars in the nightsky above him. It was a defining moment— would she accept him? To be with for the rest of their lives? He sure hoped she did, or else his last resort would be throwing the ring out in the open ocean to be forgotten.

The crunching sound of grass made him close the small black box and hastily placed it inside his pocket. Pretending he didn't hear anything, he kept on looking at the sky, listening at the steps as they came closer. A moment later, he felt her warm soft lips brushing against his, and when she pulled away, her round crimson eyes met his sky-blue ones. He smiled.

"Come here often?" he said.

She giggled. "You have no idea."

She sat beside him and rested her head against his shoulder. He nuzzled his nose against her black locks that smelled like fruits and cinnamon. Should he wait a little longer and enjoy being with her while he still could?

"So!" she lifted her head up and faced him. "What's up?"

She could tell by his smile that he was nervous. She tilted her head to her side. "Cloud?"

"Yes?" he forced a smile again.

"Seriously, what's up?"

His eyes fell on his lap. Even then, his yellow blonde hair managed to stay up and spiky. "I…" he couldn't spit it out. No matter how often he practiced his spiel, he still couldn't manage to ask her the critical question. For the first time in his life, he was a coward.

She looked at him with anticipation. Suspense was already eating her inside.

"Tifa," he finally managed to say as he looked at her. "are you still happy with me?"

Stupid question, but at least he was going somewhere.

She gave him a quizzical look. "Of course, Cloud. Why would you ask something like that?"

His cheeks suddenly began to feel warm. "Uhm, Tifa…"

"Yes?"

His instincts of proper etiquette suddenly kicked in and overcame his logic. He knelt on one knee his head still bowing. "Isn't this how they do it?" he murmured.

Tifa's eyes widened. "Cloud?" She gave him a nervous laugh. "What are you doing?"

He lifted his hands and opened the small black box. This was definitely not how he had planned this. He was expecting to spend at least thirty minutes of convincing and working her up to ensure that she would say yes, yet not even ten minutes after her arrival, he was already asking for her hand.

Her heart skipped a beat when he knelt down, and now it was furiously beating against her chest. Body heat was rising to her cheeks as she looked at him with a diamond ring in his hands. She inhaled sharply and placed a hand over her mouth.

"Tifa… Will you—?"

"Is this…" she cut him. "for real?"

He looked at her. "Yes."

She was sobbing at this point. "Oh Cloud."

"Will you?"

"Yes! A thousand more yes!" she cried as she hugged him.

"Thank you Tifa." he said as he pulled her closer in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too. Forever and ever."

"I'm engaged!"

"To Cloud?"

"Of course, silly!"

"Wow!" Rinoa exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you, Teef!"

"Thank you! Seriously, I cannot wait for you to meet him!"

"Me neither!" Rinoa fell on her couch. Her best friend, whom she hadn't seen for almost two years since she moved to Deling for university, was already getting married. And she hadn't met him yet to be interrogated or scrutinized. It suddenly sank into her that her best friend, her sister for most of her life, was getting married to someone who was stranger to her no matter how many stories she had heard about this Cloud. "Wow… You're really getting married."

"I know! And guess what?"

"What?"

"You're my maid of honor!"

Rinoa paused. "Hyne, wow Teef!"

"Yes! So, I need you to get your butt here in Midgar as soon as you can, okay? So much catching up to do and so much to talk about! "

"I know!" Rinoa instinctively made a nervous smile.

"And you definitely have to meet him."

"I know. Honestly, it's hard to imagine you with someone I never even met. I hope he's as good as you told me he is."

"He's perfect, Rin. The best one around for me, I swear."

Rinoa smiled. "Okay, if you say so. When do you need me there?"

"Tomorrow if possible."

"Tomorro- Tifa, when exactly are you getting married?"

"In two months!"

"What?!"

"You heard me. Two months, Rinoa. So I really need you here. Dresses and venues and everything! Cloud's sisters Serah and Claire will be helping us out."

"Tifa, that's too soon."

"Isn't that your semester break or something."

"Yeah, it is."

"So you can make it, right?"

"No that's not what I meant." Rinoa took a deep breath. "Tifa, don't you think two months of preparation for the wedding is too short?"

"Like I said, there's Serah, Claire, and the bridal party too. Also, Cloud has his cousin Squall and his groomsmen to help us out, so there's that."

Rinoa closed her eyes. "Okay Tifa. I'll be taking the train tomorrow morning, so I think I'll be there by tomorrow evening. That should be fine, right?"

"Yes! Just, let me know what time and I'll come pick you up, okay?"

"It's alright, Teef. My uncle will pick me up."

"Oh. Right. So, can we meet after, then?"

"Yeah. I'll let you know as soon as I can. Or maybe we can meet the day after."

"Can't wait to see you!"

Rinoa smiled. "Me too. But we'll be rushing things and that's never good. So we'll meet Tuesday?"

"Okay Rin. Tuesday. Just get here already!"

"Alright. Alright."

"See you soon Rin!"

"Goodnight, Teef."

And she finally hung up.

Rinoa massaged her temple. That was some big news. Tifa getting married, and it was only a year ago when she started seeing this Cloud. Just after one year of courtship, they're already tying the knot? How could they be that sure?

She was on the look for love herself, but she was no hopeless romantic. She knew things like this take time, and this would entail strong commitment. Cloud would be with her for the rest of her life. Did she already know him that well?

Rinoa stood up and walked back and forth across her lounge room. She trusted Tifa's decision, but she just didn't want Tifa to get hurt either.

I guess she already knows what she's doing, she convinced herself. She always looked up at Tifa as her big sister anyway. She had always been a good decision-maker, so what could happen?

"Here's your order, Sir."

Cloud nodded at the waitress who placed his plate of waffles and hash browns in front of him. "Thank you." He sliced through the hash browns first and took a bite. While still focused on his meal, he caught a glimpse of a figure in black leather sit in front of him. "Hey, Squall."

His newly-arrived companion didn't reply.

Cloud finally looked up. "Hungry?"

Squall shook his head. "No."

"Join me. Eat."

Squall sighed and signaled for the waitress. He told her his regular: chocolate porridge and hotdogs.

Cloud placed his utensils down. "I'm getting married."

Squall's lips slightly upturned. "Congratulations."

"You're the best man."

He frowned. "What?"

"You heard me. You're best man."

"Goodbye Cloud." Squall stood up.

"Claire expects you to be there."

Squall paused. "This was her idea, isnt' it?"

"Nope. It was mine. She knew you'd turn it down, and when that happens, she told me she'd make sure you'd stand by me when Tifa and I say our vows."

Squall sighed before turning back to Cloud with narrowed eyes. He sat down again.

Cloud smirked. "She knew that would work."

Squall looked away. "Why don't you get Zack?"

"Blood is thicker than water. You know me better than he does, and I do too with you. That's what happens when we grew up together, cousin. You're like a little bro to me."

Squall couldn't argue with that. "I don't know what a best man does at weddings." It was true. He'd always rather keep to himself and his family, that was why he was never invited to become part of a wedding entourage. He witnessed a few wedding ceremonies, but he didn't know, nor he cared to know, what being a best man meant.

"Zack will still be there, he'll help you through." Cloud replied. "He's one of the groomsmen."

"I don't know what groomsmen do either."

"Groom's personal assistants and bodyguards. When something is needed at the wedding, they make sure to go get it. When anyone tries anything funny, they make sure to take care of it."

"So what do you need a best man for?"

"You'll be my main guy." said Cloud. "You're the leader of the groomsmen."

I was never much good of a leader, Squall thought.

The waitress arrived with Squall's order and he nodded at her in thanks. Cloud allowed Squall to mix his porridge with all the time he needed to let the thought sink in before he dropped another bomb.

"Also," Cloud shifted on his seat and leaned closer on the table. "You'll be working closely with the maid of honor."

Squall's eyes shot up at his cousin.

Cloud grinned. "What's wrong, Squall?" he said teasingly.

He looked away. "Nothing."

"Is someone going to be jealous?"

"I'm not seeing anyone."

Cloud chuckled. "I know. Can't imagine that for the life of me."

"Whatever. Who's the maid of honor?"

"Tifa's best friend, Rinoa. I never met her, but I heard she was about your age. She's a senior at a university in Deling." Cloud leaned back. "She's arriving from Deling on Tuesday. We're meeting up with her and Tifa."

"Why?"

Cloud shrugged. "That's what Tifa wanted. So everyone will be 'well-coordinated.'"

"Don't tell me it's going to be one of her parties."

"It is one of those parties."

Squall rolled his eyes. "Right."

"I'm not going to bring you there if it's not going to be good. Besides, it's my engagement party. Best man or not, you'll be there."

Squall shrugged. "Can't argue with that."

Cloud smiled. "Good. So we'll see you— 6:00 pm on Tuesday."

Squall nodded.

Cloud took a gulp from his glass of water. "Oh, and uh, Quistis will be there. Just want to let you know."

Squall's eyes widened. "Why?!"

"One of the bridesmaids. Tifa got her because she's apparently really good at organizing and planning."

"This is a huge mess you're getting me into, cousin." Squall replied stressing on the last word.

Cloud shrugged. "Sorry, Squall. It's been a long time, right? Like, what, two years? Besides, it's not like you led her on."

I didn't, but she thought I did, Squall replied mentally. He became the jerk for turning down a girl's advances, and she remembered him that way. Cloud was right, at least he did not make her expect anything more following her confession of attraction to him. Before anything even started, he put an end to it the easy way — by not talking to her. The bad part of it was she thought he was just not giving her a clear answer because he was giving the possibilities a chance. It was until that one incident when she had too much to drink and he had to literally push her away from an almost-kiss. Unfortunately, only then did she get the message.

"You know that I've been avoiding her." Squall said through gritted teeth.

"She's Tifa's friend."

Squall glared at him.

"What do you want me to do?" Cloud asked.

Squall didn't reply and crossed his arms again.

The older one smirked. "You may be a little bro to me, but you're a big boy now. You'll manage."

The five-hour trip wasn't long enough for Rinoa's thoughts about the upcoming wedding. She knew this day would come— Tifa getting married and she would be there. But it seemed only yesterday when they were playing fake battles against an imaginary Ifrit in her uncle's abandoned garden shed back in Midgar. How fast time flew and she was still single without a potential boyfriend in sight. She may have seen a couple of guys back in Deling, but they were nothing more than dinner friends. And the ones she was really interested in never seemed to notice her.

She was no hopeless romantic. But she often wondered when her turn would be.

"We're leaving Gongaga Station. Next stop, Midgar Station."

Rinoa's head perked up. Midgar should only be fifteen minutes away. She rubbed her face to wake herself up and gathered her black leather satchel. When they finally arrived in Midgar, she pulled her bag from the luggage compartment and exited the train. Out in the station, she spotted the familiar long silver hair belonging to a tall, pale man in leather suit. He was looking over the crowd and he smiled at her.

Rinoa smiled back and sprinted to him, pulling her luggage behind her. "Uncle Seph!" she called as she neared him and pulled him into a hug.

"Hey Rin." her uncle greeted back, his delight masked by his deep voice. "Glad to have you back."

Rinoa pulled away and he took her luggage. "I see you haven't cut your hair yet. I'm getting a little jealous."

He smirked. "This is my trademark look. This is how I want my enemies to know Sephiroth will be the last person they will ever see."

"Yikes."

"And you've gotten thinner."

"Thanks Uncle."

"Were you eating right?"

"When I could afford it."

Sephiroth stopped. "Wasn't the allowance I sent you monthly enough?"

Rinoa paused with her uncle and her shoulders dropped. "I'm kidding. Sorry. It's just that, with all the uni stuff, I barely find the time to go out and eat actual food."

"I told you you should've gone to Balamb Garden instead. It's closer to home and you don't need a dorm to get there. And food will not be a problem."

"I know, but Deling Uni offers the best curriculum for Education. Also, I'm not planning to become a mercenary."

"You have every potential to be."

"Thanks, Uncle. But that's not what I want."

A moment passed between them.

Sephiroth was the first to talk. "I suppose becoming an educator is safer than being a mercenary."

Rinoa smiled. Finally, he was beginning to appreciate the course she took, even if his reaction was not how she imagined. "See! We're getting there. Teaching is fun! Yey!"

"Yey." Sephiroth imitated. "So, Tifa's getting married?"

"Yes!"

"To who?"

"This Cloud guy she told me about, but I never met him."

Sephiroth's eye twitched. "Cloud, huh. I know a guy named Cloud."

"Really? How?"

"Someone who works with me at Shinra. Just one of my least favorite SOLDIERs there."

"Oh. I don't know if this is the same Cloud. His last name was like… Uhm…" Rinoa placed an index finger on her lips. "Sky? Fly? Thrive?"

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. "Cloud Strife."

"Yeah! Cloud Strife. That's who's Tifa's going to mar-" Rinoa's eyes widened in her sudden realization. "Oh."

"Don't worry. I won't take it against Tifa." said Sephiroth as he placed Rinoa's luggage inside the trunk of his large black jeep.

Rinoa pulled herself to the passenger's seat. "That would be unfair, wouldn't it."

"I suppose so." Sephiroth locked their doors and started the engine. His emerald eyes were looking straight ahead. "I don't trust his family though."

Rinoa stiffened. Tifa just told her she would be working with Cloud's sisters and his cousin. "Why not?"

"Gut feeling." Sephiroth shifted his gears and they were moving away from the train station's parking and into the streets of Midgar. Home, that's what it was to Rinoa, where old cherished memories were held. And she could tell from her uncle's welcome that the new ones would be very interesting.