Solving

AN: I own nothing in this story. This is for Queen Alla once more so enjoy! Please R&R.

Reno watched from the couch as Tifa paced back and forth, hand under her chin, brow furrowed deep in thought.

"Babe, we just got a new carpet and you're about to put a hole in it," the Turk joked. His wife looked at him then and her eyes narrowed. Holding up his hands, Reno sighed. "Alright, alright, stupid joke I know. But face it, who are you going to find for Rude? The guy talks maybe ten times out of the year and is very intimidating."

Suddenly, Tifa's face lit up with a smile so bright you could use it to read at night. Coming over to Reno, she kissed him deep on the lips.

"You just saved me a headache, thanks honey!"

Reno could only mumble incoherently.

Tifa's kisses usually had that effect on the man.


Around noon the next day Yuffie Kisaragi was walking towards the amusement park, a grin on her face and a tune on her lips. Her best friend Tifa had invited her for a day of fun. Mock saluting the giant mascot at the entrance, she saw Tifa, Reno, and Rude waiting for her.

"Hey you guys!" the ninja yelled. They waved back and as she approached, she noticed the smirk on Tifa's face. "What's so amusing Tifa?" The barmaid blinked a little at this and shook her head.

"Nothing Yuffie." Yuffie got closer and noticed something.

"Looks like marriage is agreeing with you, huh?" She then patted Tifa's slightly rounder belly, causing the fighter to blush.

"I guess...anyway I promised Reno we'd spend some time alone together but after that we'll meet up, okay?"

"I get it...you just want to make out in the Love Tunnel right?" Yuffie mimed gagging and laughed heartily.

"Have fun with Rude, alright?" And with that farewell, Tifa left, dragging her husband along.

Yuffie turned to the tall Turk then and cocked an eyebrow as she stared at his face.

"So...what should we go on first big guy?" Before Rude could reply though, Yuffie grabbed him by the arm and led him towards some rides.

Where she got the strength to do that, the bald Turk had no idea.


The fun house was first on the ninja's agenda and so Rude endured the jets of air that shot out of the pressure plates, the maze of mirrors, and the twisted architecture before coming to his least favorite aspect of all fun houses: the distorting mirrors.

Yuffie was already there, laughing her head off at her midget like reflection. Looking at Rude, she rubbed her stomach with one hand.

"Looks like I've been eating too much ice cream, right?" Rude didn't respond and walked down the line of mirrors, the stoic Turk becoming skinny, fat, diminutive, and finally a mixture of everything. "Would it kill you to smile?"

"I don't like fun houses," Rude replied. Yuffie looked at his face then and for a moment something that could be called a concerned expression flitted across her face. But it was just for a moment and she grinned widely a second later.

"Alright, I'll just have to find something to make you smile Lurch, got it?" She then stomped off, turning to him when he didn't immediately follow. "C'mon, it's not everyday you get the Guardian of Justice as your personal escort through the amusement park."

Rude followed after her, wondering just what he had gotten himself into by accepting Tifa's invitation to the theme park that day.


The two continued on their journey of enjoyment for the next hour. The roller coaster barely elicited a response from Rude while the White Rose of Wutai rushed towards the restrooms soon after. The bumper cars just gave him a headache but Yuffie enjoyed it, whooping and hollering like a madwoman. They had finally decided to rest on a bench near the bumper cars, Yuffie sitting as undignified as possible, head resting on one of his broad shoulders.

He didn't mind in the slightest.

They sat for several minutes in silence, taking in their surroundings, the laughter, and whooshing of the roller coasters close by. A blur passed them and Yuffie felt one of her many pockets get pinched. Turning her head swiftly, she saw a little kid rounding a corner.

"Why that little...c'mon Lurch, you're helping!" And Rude found himself dragged yet again by the ninja.


The little boy pressed his back against a booth and breathed a sigh of relief. He had managed to get away scot free. He was about to leave the park when a tall figure blocked his path. Before a word could escape his lips, he was tackled to the ground.

"Alright you little punk, you thought you'd just steal from me, huh?"

"Let go of me you old hag!" the kid yelled back. Rude could have sworn he saw steam escaping from Yuffie's ears and her face turned crimson.

"That's it you little brat, you're getting a noogie!" She then proceeded to do just that, the kid yelling with all his might. A crowd of onlookers had started to gather so Rude picked the both of them up by their shirts and separated them.

"Let me go Lurch!" Yuffie yelled.

"Calm down," Rude replied.

"But that- Yuffie started to say but then she took in the child's attire. His shirt was ragged and he had no shoes. He looked like he hadn't seen a bathroom in years. Rude lowered him to the ground and reached into his pocket. The child stared wide eyed at the five hundred Gil held out before him.

"Don't get caught next time." the kid nodded and took the money, quickly handing Yuffie back the measly pocket change he had nabbed. Then the boy vanished into the crowd. Rude stared after him for awhile with a faraway expression on his face. He was brought back by Yuffie poking his side.

"You know...you're a big softie on the inside," the ninja observed. Rude didn't respond right away and studied her face for a moment.

"You have wrinkles on your forehead." The Avalanche member pounced on him, ready to give him the mother of all noogies when he fell backwards. Landing on his back, Yuffie fell on top, their lips meshing together.

Breaking apart after their unexpected kiss, Yuffie's face was so amusing Rude wished he had a camera. After several moments though she blinked and rubbed the back of her head.

"Um...that was just an accident right? I mean you're handsome and everything but- however Yuffie was silenced by Rude kissing her full on the lips.

And the most surprising thing was that she was enjoying it.

The second time they broke apart Yuffie had a goofy grin on her face.

"Alright, let's just forget my previous statement, 'kay?" Rude nodded and as Yuffie looked down at him she noticed something.

He was smiling.

Taking in the sight for a moment, she smiled back and reached a hand towards his face.

"You know I always have wondered what color your eyes are," she whispered. Rude swiftly caught her hand and got to his feet. Moving away from Yuffie, the ninja was about to apologize for being so forward when Rude spoke.

"Catch me and I'll show you." And in a flash he was off. Yuffie grinned.

She'd give him a five second head start before she followed.


Reno stared as Tifa finished off her second burger, having already eaten her third pile of large fries. Not wanting to say something that could send him to the hospital, Reno opted for a more subtle approach.

"Aren't you full yet?" Tifa swallowed her last bite and wiped her lips with a napkin, cheeks pink.

"I wasn't exactly planning to tell you here but I can't wait anymore. Reno...we're going to be parents."

"I'm going to be a daddy?"

"Yeah...sorry about not- but Reno was suddenly picking her up and twirling her around.

"I thought you were just packing on the pounds," Reno said, the words slipping out. Tifa glared at him and Reno gulped. Putting her down quickly, he tugged at his collar. "Now babe, remember you're supposed to love me unconditionally."

"Oh but I do Reno...haven't you ever heard of tough love?" He took off then, running as if an army of Yuffie's on a sugar high were chasing him for his Materia.

Tifa laughed as she watched his retreating form, a hand rubbing her expanded belly as she gazed downward.

"Daddy's such a turkey, isn't he?"