I wish to say sorry, even though I know that no apology can truly excuse my horribly long absence or make up for it. In truth life has kept me very busy and my stupid mind has had too many issues to deal with to let this story be free when time was found for writing. As a result I fear I may have edited this chapter to pieces and I can only hope that it is still a story that people will enjoy reading. I will try to do better on the next update.


Scene 10

For Reeve the service couldn't have been more perfect. The sacred vows he had been privileged to witness the pair make, before the blessed eyes of Gaia, meaning more to him now than any other declaration he'd heard spoken in the past.

Truly it had been a miracle and a gift of the Goddess to wed Cloud and Zack on this day, to not only bind them in holy matrimony but to know that with their union came a hope for unity between warring families and in turn peace within all of Midgar. It had also been a personal pleasure to see the young man he'd guided through life to be joined with someone he loved dearly, to unite two who were like soul-mates upon their precious Gaia and whose hearts clearly belonged to each other without question or doubt.

Gone now were the days when he would be able to tease the young Lord about still being a child, his words of wisdom no longer being for a growing raven haired youth but in fact to be heard by a young man of whom he could be proud. And, though rushed a little was the wooing and wedding of these two, at least honour was being maintained before virtue's were sacrificed in the name love. The joining of their hearts, minds and bodies therefore remaining pure and free of sin as each pledged their lives to the other and the other alone from that day fourth.

Now though the church was once again quiet and he was alone, the candles which had been lit for the service continuing to flicker softly and bath everything in a warm glow. The gentle nature of the flame reminding him very much of the looks the newly wed pair had shared during the exchanging of vows, the heat which now filled the air around him making him think a little more of the desire he'd also seen lurking within equally bright sapphire and amethyst coloured gems. With no doubt their martial bed would be slept in this night, that with love and tenderness they would consummate their wedding vows and truly become one. For even the shyest of natures could be moved to explore pleasures of the flesh once stirred in the right way. And based on the way both young Lords had looked at each other before parting company, there was indeed something stirring deep within each of them.

"Blessed be my children." He whispered happily in prayer, the ones it was meant for long since gone and unable to hear the words themselves being spoken.

And then, with a smile on his face, Reeve began to clear away the marriage service robes. His hands carefully folding the delicate fabrics and placing them safely back where they belonged, while his heart beat joyfully beneath his breast as he turned his attention towards setting up for evening mass. His mind so focused on the other task that he missed how a cold gust of wind swept through the church and extinguished several of the burning candles so that where light had once shone, darkness now filled the void around them.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Too hot is this day to do much of anything." Kunsel sighed heavily, the heat of the late-afternoon sun having driven them all from the market and towards the outside shelter of a local tavern and the cool drinks served within.

"Hot indeed it is, though I find myself unable to complain given the 'bounty' such enjoyable weather does provide." Reno aired dreamily, his athletic frame slouching back against the table at which they sat so he could admire the world around him more easily.

"And what bounty might that be?" The young soldier dared to ask, the mischievous twinkle he saw in sea-green eyes already giving away the answer before a verbal response was even given.

"Why more fine and silky smooth flesh of course. The heat warming many a fair maiden's breast so that she feel compelled to loosen her blouse, but a little, to let some cooler air in."

"I do not believe a fair maiden would loosen her clothing in any such weather dear friend." Kunsel replied, chuckling happily as those jade coloured orbs rolled at what was clearly an expected answer. "For women who loosen the bindings of their dress are by nature a little looser in morals as well."

"And fine by me I say, for beautiful they still are and generous in nature to allow such freedom in making what is freely exposed more easily accessible."

"Have you no shame?" The soldier sighed, unable to hold back his own sounds of amusement as the red head beside him laughed happily at the banter which now existed between them.

"No shame and no cause to feel shame." Reno finally managed somewhat breathlessly, his words still mixing with the sounds of carefree pleasure which escaped him. "For proud I am to love and be loved in return."

None of the men present around them failed to pick up on the twisted emphasis placed upon the word love as it was spoken, nor fail to note the true meaning behind its use. The red head's tone clearly implying a more physical kind of love than the emotional one that Kunsel was more keen to encourage amongst them.

"No shame and apparently no soul, to love so freely and in doing so seek out even more sins of the flesh than those already consumed." Kunsel sighed in mild, but still amused, frustration. His small show of stern chastisement clearly false and, as a result, notably having very little affect on the other.

"If sinner I be, then so be it." Reno barked with great delight, his sparkling turquoise orbs practically glowing now. "And if damned I already am, then what harm is a little more damnation to one already so fully corrupted?"

"Surely there is compromise in such things?" Luxiere spoke up now, his question instantly drawing the attention of all those within the group gathered. "For if a woman be willing in such matters, then is the sin not shared between you?"

"You seek to reduce damnation of the soul by dividing the weight of the sin accordingly?" Reno sputtered, his lips now spread wide and his grin reaching from ear to ear. "Why, what wonderful ideas do fill your head."

"It just stands to reason that if and when such a 'bounty' is made available, perhaps then it is not sin to pursue it. And, if in turn it be counted as such, then the one who made said bounty available also be responsible for what came to be because of it."

"I believe you dear sir; have the makings of a man of law." Kunsel spoke up, his own handsome features split with a grin as the other soldier blushed at their teasing. "For quickly did you displace the blame of one's own wrong doings onto that of another, and in doing so also find excuse and then forgiveness in its punishment."

"No excuse or displacement of blame will I make, for that is not the way of a true gentleman." Luxiere scolded them both humorously. "But simply put I query the true weight of ones actions and how much it will indeed condemn them upon their death. Especially, when both parties involved were in shared agreement to the sin which took place and took equal pleasure from it."

"Never have more true words been spoken Luxiere and for that I thank you for sharing them with us. Also know that when the day of judgement for my soul does come, beside me I shall gladly have you to defend it so. But enough of this talk for now." Reno chuckled happily, his hands waving about as if to banish their words from the very air itself. "We have more important matters to discuss."

"And what, dear sir, would that be?" Kunsel dared to ask, his mind already certain it knew the answer to this question.

"Why the thoughts and actions of our dear young Lord of course, his current behaviour being most peculiar of that I am sure."

"No different than you or I when seeking the attentions of the fairer sex Reno." The young soldier pointed out, his smile still bright on his face though his eyes now held a silent warning as he spoke.

"Perhaps." The red head hummed thoughtfully, his sea-green spheres once again sparkling with something not so innocent. "But always before he has talked of love and romance rather than rushing to act upon his desires, his thoughts more of wooing and courting than actually bedding with a fair maiden. And yet, on this very morning, after abandoning us to the night and another's company, he has acted most out of character and rushes by without many a word of his current state of mind."

"Perhaps he has indeed found another's friendship to his liking and seeks their attentions now." Luxiere proposed, the idea in fact not sounding as far fetched as one might think. Especially to Reno and Kunsel who currently shared a knowing look as they thought back to what had happened, and what had been said by the young Lord, at the Capulet's home only a few short hours ago.

"If a fool in love he be then, as his friends, should we not aid him in this adventure?"

"Misadventure you mean." Reno sighed, his shoulders slumping as if burdened by an unseen weight. "For barley has he tasted from the fruit as we suggested before finding favour with another. His heart now redirected from Aerith as was our intention, but no less consumed by its emotions as we had hoped it would be."

"Zack has a good soul and should not be frowned upon because of it. He is a kind and caring man who shows respect for those he seeks favour with." Kunsel scolded them both, his words instantly receiving nods of agreement from others around them. "It is not in his nature to look for love as we do, but instead to find a bond with another which is pure and true of heart rather than just physical pleasure."

"Naïve is he to think that a bond like that can be so easily found these days." The red head huffed in mild annoyance, his eyes rolling to show he did not think such things were truly possible. "His ambitions to find a love so true that it is akin to a meeting of soul-mates, being almost as foolish as your quest for a peace amongst all men."

"It is not foolish to want to find a love like that Reno, nor is it wrong to dream of peace between warring families."

"No, but it is perhaps a joke to seek it so desperately that you become heedless of all dangers and rush towards it like a blind fool."

No one had expected such a retort from the red head, nor the sharpness of his tone as it was spoken. The evidence of this being how quickly it created a thick silence amongst them. In truth even Reno appeared to be shocked by his own behaviour, his emotion filled orbs instantly looking away towards the horizon to hide his discomfort and showing that he hadn't meant to speak so harshly.

"And how is it that you come to pass this judgment upon me?" Kunsel demanded firmly once he had found his voice again, his temper now finding itself tested by such callously spoken criticism from a friend.

"You gladly lay down your sword as a show of peace, even when it is not necessary to do so." The red head retorted just as stiffly, his face turning back to look upon them once more and his expression showing that he was quite serious as well now. "T'is reckless to do such a thing in this time of war."

"And what is wrong with making it known that I mean no harm, in wanting there to be peace amongst us?"

"To want peace and look for it is one thing." Reno sighed wearily, his turquoise orbs softening so that as he continued to speak his words were no longer as hard or condemning. "But to sacrifice your weapon willingly and be made vulnerable because of it is another. No kin or kind of Capulet would make such an offering in return, nor respect you for showing such trust in them. In truth I fear they would only see it as weakness and strike you down sooner than give you chance to reclaim your sword, so that an honourable battle may be fought."

"Do you lack such faith in man that my actions would not be reward justly?" Kunsel found himself asking, the touch of sadness in his voice showing all around them that he was truly affected by the red head's response. "Or do you simply consider me unwise and misguided for hoping for such things in my lifetime?"

"No my friend, I do not consider it wrong to hope for such things. And blessed by Gaia herself, are those who seek to keep the peace upon her world." Reno offered by way of an apology, his hand coming up to rest upon the young soldier's shoulder and grip it tightly as if seeking to reconnect their friendship through physical touch as well as with kindly spoken words. "But I do not wish to see one so dear to me fall, while still so young, because he was not careful."

Before Kunsel could reply however they were interrupted by a softly spoken curse from the man beside them, Luxiere having seen something most upsetting to his eye and letting slip his displeasure with a word more akin to those born of Reno's devilish tongue than his own. Of course, this in turn drew the attention of all those around him. Their eyes having quickly followed where the young soldier's had strayed and seen what it was that had moved the man to speak so.

"Not now and not today." Kunsel groaned wearily, his hazel coloured orbs looking towards the heavens as if there would be guidance written somewhere amongst the clouds.

"Good day to you all." Vincent spoke softly, his voice offering politeness and courtesy thou all knew it to be fake. "Might I have a word with thee?"

"A word and one word alone." Reno asked playfully, before the young soldier beside him could reply. His own voice having forgone the effort to show the same respect the Capulet's had, or at least had pretended to display. "To woe with one word is not courting made, nor impresses me much, and so I ask that you match it with something more to my liking if an answer you still seek."

"I have no interest for games this day and insist you waste my time no more." The nephew of Lord and Lady Capulet demanded coolly, his smouldering anger now clearly visible in his burning eyes.

Tension thick like the autumn fogs which would roll across the harbour filled the air around them, each man stood within its weight instinctively reaching for their weapons though none were moved to draw them yet and be the first to break the peace which the Prince's law had enforced.

"If this be your idea of courting, then might I suggest another? For your words are as cold as ice and more likely to chill a conquest's heart than warm it." Reno replied evenly, something wicked flashing in his eyes before he spoke again and being his companions' only warning that he was not in the mood to be pushed around no matter what Rufus had decreed only a few days ago. "Unless, of course, it is you who wishes to be loved and filled with another's heat as you are mounted from behind like the bitch that you are."

"Best you hold you tongue Reno, or else I may cut it from your mouth and keep it for myself." Vincent warned, the weight of his threat not only being heard but also felt by all those around him.

"What use would it be to you then?" The red head asked with faked innocence. "For sure I am that already you have many fine dogs at your beck and call licking your feet, and any other body part, to please you."

"Perhaps I require it to not only silence you, but also displease your lover." The crimson eyed man aired thoughtfully, an equally evil gleam shinning in his eyes as his lips twisted up into a cruel and amused smile. "For surely Zack will miss the sounds of his consort's pleasure in their bed, as well as the talents such a quick tongue does have upon and within his body."

For a brief moment nobody moved nor dared to breathe, the very world having fallen silent as the words spoken hung in the air for all to hear and be absorb fully. Hearts beat in quickly accelerated rhythms as anger grew within the Montague men, rage at the insult quickly being born within them and steadily flowing through their veins like liquid fire as muscles clenched and their bodies prepared to do battle.

None were apparently moved more so than Reno, his previously wickedly-teasing sea-green orbs now burning like molten glass as he threw himself at Vincent. His voice suddenly escaping him with an intensity equal to that of a bolt of lightening cutting through a storm filled sky, the dangers and damage both his words and actions could do not being missed by Kunsel as he quickly dove forward to intervene and prevent any true harm coming from this meeting between them.

"Bastard!" The red head spat, his attempt to grab the other being foiled by the soldier's arm blocking his way. "No right have you to say such things!"

"Right I have and speak I will." Vincent retorted maliciously, an unspoken challenge flaring deep within the crimson depths of his eyes. "For lovers you must be, for my words to wound you so."

"Demon! Vile creature! T'is nothing but poison which falls from your lips and stains the name of Montague so." The red head cried out, his voice rising higher than before and instantly drawing the attention of all who stood around them. "Zack is no consort to me, but loved like a brother he is. To say our bond is anything more is as blasphemous as speaking profanities within one of Gaia's sacred churches, something for which you are now damned eternally."

"Then strike me down and send me back to hell. If you dare." Capulet's nephew urged, his taunting tone pushing Reno over the edge and into a rage filled haze.

"No my friend, you must stop." Kunsel shouted into the red head's face, his arms straining to hold the other back from accepting the challenge. "For no justice will be found in spilling blood, only more trouble."

"Then trouble shall also be found and dealt with accordingly." Reno roared, his weapon already in hand and ready to be drawn.

"Then let us deal with it in some private place where wondering eyes do not fall upon us lightly." The young soldier fought to reason, his feet digging into the ground as the grip he held on the red head's arms began to slip in their struggling.

"I care not who looks our way, for men were made to look and I shall not be moved from my discord by their curious gazes." The red growled back, his hand now loosened from Kunsel's restraining embrace and free to lift his weapon towards their enemy.

"Reno …" Kunsel cried out as he felt the rising panic within him finally reach breaking point, his next words being cut off by the sound of another voice calling out the red head's name. The man who spoke being easily recognisable, even before he'd appeared before them fully, and turning Vincent's attention away from them quicker than it took his own heart to beat once.

"No longer have I need for you Reno, nor your petty emotions, for here comes the one I seek." Capulet's nephew practically purred, his lips curled up in mocking disdain as he spoke.

"Our dispute is not yet finished fiend, so leave him be and turn not away from me!" The red head called out loudly, his words falling on deaf ears now that Vincent's attention was focused solely on the very bewildered looking young Lord before them.

"Zack." The crimson eyed man began, his voice once again becoming cold and hardened as he redirected his anger towards the one he sought apology from. "It should not have been I to seek you out this day, but yours to find me. The forgiveness you are meant to beg for, being long overdue and testing my patience to its end."

For a moment the raven haired teen could only stand and stare at Lord Capulet's nephew in obvious surprise at what had been said, his handsome features clearly showing all those who stood around him that he had no idea what Vincent was talking about. The undeniable uncertainty which now swirled within confused violet eyes letting all those before him know that Zack had not been aware of any discord, nor apology owed on his behalf, and that this unrest between them now bothered him greatly. What happened next though not one of the men present could have expected, the reaction their hearts and bodies prepared for not coming to pass but instead being pushed aside in favour of words than none had every thought to hear the young Lord speak.

"Vincent, I know not what you speak of nor understand what I could have done to wound you so. However if apology is what you seek then give it I do, but know that it pains me so to have you see me as such a villain."

"Know not what you have done?" Capulet's nephew spat, his cool demur melting under the heat of his growing anger. "To poorly excuse such behaviour as yours, and offer admission of guilt without meaning, is more insult than the one originally born. The forgiveness you weakly plead for being something that should be understood by all, so that regret is genuinely spoken and the apology you offer holds true meaning."

"But, in all fairness, know not I, how I have injured you so." Zack tried to argue, his own temper becoming frayed as he tried to handle the thoughts and feelings which now flowed through him but could not yet be talked of openly. "And honestly spoken was my apology for never do I speak a lie, nor say that which will insult or offend one who is dear to me. Therefore farewell, I see thou know'st me not." And with that the young Lord did indeed turn as if to walk away, his back innocently presenting itself to the enraged man and making him vulnerable to the other's attack when it came.

None of the men around them were able to act in time to stop Vincent from lashing out and sending Zack's body sprawling onto the ground, his fits and feet flying fast enough to land several hard kicks and vicious blows upon the young Lord's helpless form before arms latched onto him and pulled him away. His words of discontent and malice continuing to fall freely from his lips and attack the raven haired teen, when physical blows were no longer able to do so.

"Retched fool. You know not of love and even less of me, to think I would consider you worthy of such a feeling between us. Only more injury and insult have you placed upon me and my kin by mocking me so and as such I demand you fight in honour of your words, least the regret you feel later for this inexcusable behaviour be more painful to bear."

"I have not injured thee." Zack choked out desperately, his words faltering as he was forced to swallow is own blood and speak once more through a split lip and the steadily swelling flesh around it. "And swear do I that love similar to that of a brother do I feel for thee, the reason for such a thing not yet being freely spoken of but still true nonetheless." He rasped painfully, one arm now protectively cradling bruised ribs as he tried to rise to his feet once more. "And so dear Capulet, who's name I do care for as dearly as my own, be satisfied that blood has been shed between us and this quarrel now come to an end."

"What the hell?" Reno shouted, his voice cutting off any further protests Vincent himself had been about to say over the young Lord's unexpected words. "You bow before him to keep the peach and wash his boots with not only tongue, but also the crimson flowing from your veins. It is insult to you and the Montague name in what he has done, a thing which should never be allowed to happen as I live and breath."

"Reno, no…" Zack tried to call out as his friend broke free of Kunsel's slacked hold, the brunette having been stunned so thoroughly into a strange sort of numbness by the turn of events that he no longer held the other as tightly as he had done only a few short minutes ago.

All around them watched in shock as the red head launched himself at Lord Capulet's nephew with a rage unexpected of even him, his sword held high and attacking the other just as viciously as his words. The curses and insults which now did fly through the air being like sharpened arrows aimed directly at the others soul, his own anger made clear for all to see as he defended not only Zack's honour but that of all Montague men and women alike.

"Reno! Stop this foolishness." Zack cried out urgently, his features laced with pain as he staggered forward to place himself between the warring pair. "Let no more blood be spilt this day, or else a terrible punishment shall befall us all."

"I care not of consequence." The red head spat in the young Lord's face, his words being carelessly spoken though they held more foreboding then any who heard them could have possibly imagined. "And fight I shall to defend what is most dear to me." He practically roared for all those around him to hear, his sea-green eyes filled with a wild fire as he once again attempted to strike Vincent.

"Kunsel, do something." Zack pleaded desperately, his whole body now shaking from the effort of trying to ignore his own painful injuries while keeping his best friend from making a terrible mistake. "Help me stop this madness." He beseeched the young solider, his violet eyes connecting with the other's fearful ones as he spoke so that the terror he was feeling could be seen clearly within them.

"T'is not madness to defend ones honour, nor foolish to stand up for ones beliefs." The red head within his arms growled in frustration, his expression showing that he couldn't understand why the young Lord Montague was now acting this way. "Why do you not see this?"

"See and understand I do. I swear." Zack choked out, his heart bleeding openly at the implication of the others words. "But, for reasons known only to me fight I cannot and, thou is pains me so, I must beg that you cease this battle as well."

Reno however was given no chance to respond to what had been said, his lips parting to let free the reply which was born within him though they were never allowed to actually speak it. Instead the next moment between them was lost to time as seconds became nothing more than heart beats sounding within their minds, where actions and reactions were made without thought and consideration for their consequence, and events began to unfold which could never be undone or made right.

In the blink of an eye Vincent struck, his highly-skilled form lunging forward to seek vengeance on the young man before him. He worried not that his blade was draw fully from its sheath, that the sharp metal could do more than just lightly wound his enemy, and no care did he have that he might slip and not just shallowly cut his foe as punishment for their crimes against him and his kin.

But fate was cruel as she finally began to deal her hand, as she moved Reno to see the other's attack as it came. The threads woven in the fabric of life growing taught as sea-green eyes widened and athletic limbs hurriedly moved to push the young Lord Montague from harms way. The cold metallic length held by Lord Capulet's nephew glittering in the sunlight and reflecting the silvery surface for all to see as it was thrust towards the raven haired teens unprotected back.

One moment Zack felt himself being forced to hold the red head back and the next second he was stumbling forward, his friend having used the strength of their combined embrace to twist his lean form so that they seemed to spin on the spot, almost like a turn made by dancing partners at one of his parents grand balls. It meant that their positions were now reversed, that it was Reno's body which currently faced Vincent, and that it was the red head's which was now exposed and openly presented to their enemy.

"No!" Zack shouted, panic consuming him as he desperately tried to correct what had been done and used the remaining momentum to twist them once more. His muscular form not stopping until once again the fiery haired teen was no longer vulnerable in front of the other, but instead safely protected by his own body which now acted as a human shield for his dear friend.

And, just as was fated from the beginning, Reno was left to stand where he had been destined to do so from the start. As Gaia held its breath knowing what was to happen as a result of such actions. The few precious seconds he'd had to defend his friend now gone and leaving him no chance to counteract the raven haired teen's rearrangement of their places. The very spirits themselves stilling to watch as Vincent's sword went below Zack's protective embrace and sliced through the delicate human flesh which was exposed there. The long blade easily piercing deep within the red head's side and Reno himself unable to stop it now that the young Lord Montague was stood between them. The fragile thread of his life beginning to fray and break apart as his soul was slowly freed from its physical form to join those who had gone before it into the lifestream.

"Reno?" Zack whispered fearfully, a feeling of dread coming over him so quickly it appeared to steal his very breath as well as his ability to speak. The red head's name being said as more of a question than anything else, one which asked so much more than he was actually said out loud.

"T'is a scratch." Reno chuckled dryly, his hands now free of his sword and clasped down tightly over the wound in his side. "T'is just a scratch." He repeated weakly, his eyes no longer on them as he turned his back upon the crowd to examine his injury briefly. The river of crimson which flowed down as he did so instantly letting the man know that it was in fact more than that, his chest tightening as he realised his time was quickly drawing to an end with each beat of his heart.

"If it be only a scratch then let me tend to you." Kunsel insisted firmly, his shaking hands already reaching out to help just as he'd said. "And tomorrow we will drink and make light of this foolishness."

"No my friend, we shall not." The red head managed, his faltering voice now laced with such pain and sadness that when he laughed it was clear to all that there was nothing humours about his words. "For when you ask of me tomorrow, you shall find a grave man indeed."

"Have courage my friend." Zack spoke up, his voice trembling with emotion as he tried to smile reassuringly at the other. "The hurt cannot be much and with the aid of a doctor, I am sure that such a small wound can be made whole once more."

"T'is only as small and as wide as a church door." Reno joked breathlessly, his dry humour built on all the fears born within a dying man. "One which opens and beckons me come hither to lie upon a bed of silk, one which resides within a wooden box made as if to be my eternal resting place."

"Surely you jest when speaking so sombrely? The warmth of your own bed, when compared to that of a cold grave, being ill-fitting and devoid of amusement as I live and breath." The young Lord pointed out, his heart beginning to race wildly within his chest as enraged and pain-filled sea-green orbs finally looked into his own and the fear of death's presence was made visible within them.

"A plague on both your house." Reno hissed out with a venomous tongue, his rage at their actions and his own undoing burning brightly within his dulling eyes. "You have made worms meat of me!" He shouted, his body now falling down to his knees as the strength he'd held onto so dearly finally started to leave him weak before them. "A plague, on both your houses!" He roared at them all, the words being given life and promise of fulfilment as the winds carried his curse up into the heavens. His limp and lifeless form falling back to lie upon the ground unmoving as he stared up, unseeing, at the cloudy sky above.

The flickering ebbs of life within his faded turquoise orbs going dark like the dying embers of a fire put out by a mighty storm, the life that had once been no longer there and the warmth which had once shone brightly now gone forever.