Declaimer: "I do not own Final Fantasy 7; all copyrights belong to Square-Enix."

Kiome-Yasha: "I know a lot of you want to murder me, and I'm REALLY sorry for the long update, but here's the next chapter!"

Chapter 25 In Holy Matrimony

Normal POV

Shinra stood outside the gates of the manor, secretly having a meeting with a dear old friend with some of his other colleagues. The only person who was counted out was Reeve, seeing as he would be against their decision.

Shinra spoke elegantly, "The wedding shall be taking place tomorrow; I'm hoping you can provide services to us once again like you once did for the Kingdom of Nibelheim?" Hojo stood next to the minister, picking up his glasses from the bridge of his pointy nose, "Tomorrow morning is when you strike and attack, bringing down the Strife Kingdom from being any threat to us. Now that the young lord is now King, he's going to be a little bit of a problem; especially since Arthur told him our secrets before his mysterious death." Scarlet giggled as Palmer and Heidegger laughed next to her, "We're leaving you with the job, Jenova."

The shrewd woman chuckled, her blade gleaming under the wicked moonlight, "It would be my pleasure. I'm also pleased to know that I can finally get revenge on that brat who escaped from my blade so many years ago." They knew whom she was referring to, the young missing heir known as Tifa; she certainly was a job left unfinished.

Tifa's POV

This wasn't a confrontation I was planning for this night. I felt my legs shaking beneath by sleeping gown, but they were perfectly covered from Zack's eyes. He just stared at me, wondering why I was out in the halls so late at night. It took me a moment to notice he had asked the question again of where I was going; and I knew I was taking too much time to answer.

I tired to smile, improvising myself, "Lord Zack, I assure you, my plans for tonight are harmless, as I am only heading for the garden." I tried to walk passed him, and I almost proved to be successful; almost nearly saying I was out of the woods, but that all changed soon seconds afterwards.

As I walked passed him, I heard him whisper, "Are you sure it isn't to see Cloud? I think you both had scheduled a meeting tonight, am I wrong?"

I gasped, halting my steps. My fears were answered, finding myself glued to the spot with nothing to say. Realization dawned on me; I knew I wasn't going to be able to see Cloud tonight.

Zack's POV

She didn't know whom she was fooling; catching her reaction to be the honest truth that I was searching for. I saw her begin to shake, clenching her firsts into tight balls. I didn't know what was running through her head, but things had to be out in the open now.

I spoke, "I heard you and Cloud in the morning of the coronation in his room. Did you really think I wouldn't take notice from behind the door?" She froze, not knowing what to say. I continued off, "You know I can't allow you to go see him. This is going against the High Council's decisions, and you know that, princess. Don't be a fool who thinks she knows what love is; for love is a game we can not play in the field of war." Before I knew it, she began to laugh; which caught my attention right away.

Her shoulders shook as she laughed lightly to herself. She whispered to me, seeming to turn her head slightly back at me, "A fool, you say?" She fully turned around, her eyes at the brink of shedding tears, but her smile oh so real.

Tifa's POV

How dare he…how dare he…how dare he say such hypocritical things to me! He had no right, when he himself had committed treason ten times as worse as I have. How dare he? I had enough! I had enough of people telling me what is right from wrong, what to do and what not to do. Ironic how my innermost feelings would be shared with Cloud's brother; he was the least expected person in my mind, but he had finally broken me from saying what he said. I always thought of him as a happy man, following the righteous plan as General and keeper to the Strife Kingdom. But now I see; he's just as broken as I am inside, and I know just as much secrets than he does.

I laughed softly at him, "A fool, you say?" He looked at me with a perplexed expression; good, it showed me that I had his attention. I walked a couple of steps toward him, not caring if my voice was loud enough for everyone in the castle to hear, "What about you, General? Don't you have your own secrets?" He seemed a little worried now, fear arriving to his eyes as to what I meant.

I smiled cunningly, "I must say, you have finally pushed me over the edge. Between everything that's happened to me since my arrival here, you are the one who finally tipped over the glass." Tears cascaded down my face, making me look hysterical as I jab a finger to his chest, "How dare you!? How dare you say such things to me, when you yourself have been sleeping with my cousin! Your own brother's fiancé who is now with child!"

I completely froze from what I said, my madness causing more damage then I had expected to release. I slowly looked deeply into Zack's blue eyes, his sockets growing wide with pure disbelief and panic.

Zack's POV

I felt my eyes rise up painfully from their usual position, finding them to contain a harsh realization of pain from the information that was given to me. Aeris is with a child? No, it had to be a lie; it couldn't match in being my own! I wouldn't let this vixen trick me with her own sin.

"You lie…" I silently reprimanded her, fear still visible in my eyes as I denied the truth, "If she is with child, it is Cloud's then." I half confidently answered, gripping my hands together from the thought of my words.

It seemed to have the same effect on the young dark-haired and red-eye beauty in front of me. She gave me an intense look, contemplating her next words as she ignored my stabbing ones. She hugged herself, biting down on her plumped and pink bottom lip, as she couldn't find her next thoughts to say aloud to me. I closed my eyes, sighing deeply from the damaged situation, finding everything to be fruitless and useless to explain.

"If you have nothing to say of the crime of you speak of, then I must take my leave. I suggest you do the same and return back to your room." I lectured softly to her, hoping she would get the message of what I was trying to say, "Forget about Cloud, and carry out the duties you have been given with. I have my decision, it's about time you realized your place as well." There, hopefully my advice will get through to her; or maybe I was trying to convince myself, my heart creating multiple flips as I thought of my brother's fiancé.

"So, you know." She silently spoke, surprising me from the soft tone she used; the girl truly was a wonder, "And you're not going to report us?" She asked, looking up at me with a severe look of apprehension.

I scratched the back of my head, playing out my cheerful personality as I tried not to let my inner turmoil get to me, "There would be no point." My face soon became crestfallen, "Mentioning about something like this now, would only cause an uproar for the Kingdoms." I placed a brotherly hand on her slender shoulder, "Princess Tifa, we do what we must in order to bring peace to our people; are you really willing to throw it all away for some man?"

She became silent, her face expressionless as her mouth was the only thing that moved, "That may be so, and it's true, I wouldn't dare to let the people suffer such tragedy from our own mistakes, but; I love him. And I have faith that this feeling isn't a crime or sin, it's real. The people love their rulers and leaders, finding their happiness to also count. What world where arrange love or marriage have anything to do to justify that? Now, Lord Zack, I ask you as the honest woman I am being now; do you not love my dear cousin, Aeris, who is indeed carrying your child?"

My breath was still from the open speech she had made, her judgment and decision striking my core and soul. I chuckled deeply inside my mind; Cloud sure has outdone himself. This girl, no, woman has made her decision a long time ago when she had met the eyes of one man, that man being my brother, Cloud Strife. Being at his side for such a short amount time, her young wisdom of the world had broaden; I must admit, to a more naïve view, but an with an honest soul. She looked different now, standing and confronting me with the purity of her heart, compared to the locked one she once had. Cloud, are you truly the one to have unlocked the beauty and loss heir that is known to be Tifa Lockheart?

I hummed humbly to myself, doing my best to keep myself in check from the girl's words. She seemed perplexed from my calm reaction; I bet she was expecting more panic on my part.

"Lord Zack?" She questioned skeptically with slight worry; probably thinking she had broken something inside of me.

I gave her a smile, one that seemed to hide my true emotions, "I'm sorry, but I just can't give such an answer. You see; I'm trying to figure out where my own feelings are at the moment." I chuckled vacantly, "But I promise, I will give you an honest answer soon enough. Now please…" I softly begged, finding this encounter to have taken a complete turn of interrogation, "Return back to your room, today is suppose to be a blessing day, you see?" My world was so open to me now; it was overwhelming my mind to explode from the sensation. This conversation was supposed to be about her feelings; so why did it feel like the opposite.

The girl didn't take my words lightly though, protesting my assessment, "No! Tomorrow isn't a blessing day! Don't you see! Many are suffering because they aren't with the person who they truly want to be with! She loves you! She loves you so much! Why do you deny her feelings in such a manner?"

I tried my best to settle her voice, my voice edgy and unclear, "Please…please…"

She soon became silent, my broken choice of words startling her, "Let it all be and remain to the duty you have been given with. She has already suffered enough from my hands; don't allow that torture to grow any bigger than what it is already. I beg of you, don't continue this forbidden behavior any longer."

She shook her head lightly and stubbornly, tears slowly coming down on her flushed face as she glared up at me, "Never…"

I tried; I really tried, but her influence unleashed a cage that was around my heart, a curly brown-haired woman with bright emerald eyes coming over my vision.

Tifa's POV

Zack had left me in the hall alone, letting the cold night air chill over my bones and skin as my mind drifted over the thoughts of our rather open conversation. I didn't expect such a meeting to have become so personal, randomly changing to a point where we couldn't control our emotions to be hidden from us any longer. Before he left though, I chastised him for being a coward, abandoning his child and Aeris over something so trivial as our royal responsibilities. I sighed deeply with annoyance, scolding myself as I knew the importance of it all, but still, I refuse to think that our given tasks are the only way in retrieving the utopia we all seek in our world.

I hoped Zack would agree with me in the end, for both our sakes.

And with that, I took his guidance, turning myself around in order to return to my room. And as the upcoming day slowly approached through the horizon of winter…my decision was set.

Aeris's POV

I clutched the lower part of my abdomen, my illness containing itself to still be a mystery towards the residences of the castle, all but one. I trusted my dear cousin, Tifa, with all my heart. I knew her well enough that she would always follow her heart and know what was right. She always had the youth about her that I had always enjoyed watching, taking the privilege in raising her to be a proper young woman. I may have acted selfish and dishonest in the past, but I did care for her. If it weren't for her, always at my side to help, I don't know what I would've done. I couldn't face my offense alone, finding tomorrow to be my grand finale, as the curtain will rise for my last scene to be revealed.

My heart ached heavily from the thought, reacting towards another who was probably thinking over the same choice and settlement of the upcoming destruction of our lives.

And with that, I slept for the night, weeping in my sleep as I held my unborn baby closely in my womb.

Cloud's POV

I woke up at my desk, finding myself head face down between my arms. I raised my head, distinguishing the area around me with little interest. I gazed up at the window, finding dawn to have long arrived. Sadness consumed me with a bit of disappointment, finding myself to feel alone and remote as I came to clarity of the day. My wedding, such a day to pray joy and union for, the success of such a matrimony only proving itself to be the death of me.

She didn't come…she didn't come to me…

Was it because she couldn't face me? Knowing by the amount of hours of the night I wasn't going to be hers anymore? In someway, I was glad and grateful that she didn't arrive, finding my emotions to be in chaos. If we did meet last night, I don't know what would of happen; the mystery of the possibilities leaving my mind to be a blank.

A rushed knock soon came to my door, awakening my senses to be on alert, "Yes, who is it?"

"Who is it; he asks!" I found the voice to belong to a very familiar young female whom I knew all to well, her tone of voice mocking my own.

I rushed out of my chair, bringing myself over to the door as I opened it widely, revealing the angry female on the other side, "Yuffie." I clarified my theory to be true, becoming slightly shocked in seeing Vincent beside her; they seem to be next to each other a lot lately.

"May I ask for the reason of your visit?" I asked humbly and quietly, still feeling groggy from my disoriented sleep.

"Did you forget what day it is?" Vincent approached first with my question, answering instead of the young Wutai princess in front of me.

Oh yes, today was my wedding.

Vincent's POV

We wasted no time for the ceremony, setting up the engagement as soon as possible. I took Cloud over to the palmer room of the castle, associating it to be his quarters while he got dress for the day. I passed him his suit, well designed and stitched, giving him the image that was needed as the groom. I noticed the solemn look on his face that had not disappeared since we arrived at his private quarters this morning. I had my guesses why such an expression was marked on his face, all tracing back to a certain heir of the Nibelheim Kingdom.

I sighed dreadfully, catching the young King's notice, "Vincent?" He asked me with slight concern, fixing his robes as he patted his buttons and pins across his shirt.

"You really do love her, don't you?" I came out and said, having a habit in being blunt sometimes when it came to observing other people's emotions.

He stood frozen, startled by my fierce and yet, simple question; was it simple? I would have thought so.

"You're not referring to Aeris; are you?" He answered me with a question, allowing me to progress my thoughts, "I presume you correct, my liege." He hesitated in putting on his final robe, the bangs to his golden and glossy hair shadowing over his ocean stain eyes, "Vincent, what am I to do? Isn't my loyalty to my people?" He stared off after me, giving me the doubt that I even had the answer to that.

He chuckled from my silent reply, "I figured not." He then placed the last of his robes around his neck, attaching it to his collar.

"But…" He froze, taking his attention on me with a passive, but intriguing look, "For what is worth, your Highness; I do believe that you will find the answer to that question you have asked me. You're a splendid King, proving yourself worthy in surpassing your Father."

He actually smiled from my attempt in conversation and encouragement, feeling pleased for some reason, "Thank you, Vincent; I think you have given me the ability to try and find that answer."

I was left confused, finding his smile to be strange and secure as he looked to have made up his mind on something that I was unaware of.

Tifa's POV

I steadily walked across the hall, bypassing the servants as they all performed their proper duties of the day of the ceremony. I realized how fast everything was coming, rushing through me like a gust of wind threatening to pull me into the skies, drifting away from the madness and destruction ahead. I had received orders from my brother to seek Aeris's out for the attendance of her wedding, but that was all he said. He and I still had a bridge between us; one I dared not walk, and it scarred my heart deeply, fearing for my brother's affection. Dear Sephiroth, forgive me; but now was not the matter to think over such a dilemma, now was the time to face retribution. Yes, I couldn't hide anymore. Even as I walked down this road I considered to be death and disloyalty, I knew I had to confess my cousin of the truth. The truth that I was in love with her fiancé, the same man who she had betrayed as well.

I ignored all others who came my way, leaving Denzel and Marlene to Nanaki's care yet again; I seem to trouble him with such burden, though he seems to mention every time how he doesn't mind. I even took the care in avoiding my husband to be, as his presence would only sicken me during this holy occasion. Everyone was already settling in for the wedding, expecting the bride as the future catalyst for peace. I sighed from their delusion of such drastic measures, fiddling with our lives for their riches. No, I shouldn't say it like that, the people have their reasons…it was the Council who didn't.

I reached the end of the hall that was linked to Aeris's private room, bowing to the guards as they gave me privilege to enter. I bowed to them once again, excusing myself as I guided myself inside. They carefully took the liberty in closing the massive door behind me, leaving the bride and I some privacy. I slowly turned around, taking attention on the female who stood by a large mirror, gazing down at her reflection with distaste and dread as she studied the white gown she wore, "I can't do this…"

She seemed to finally caught notice of me from the mirror, "Tifa?" She spoke out my name hesitantly, noticing the reserved frown on my face with deep alteration of fear.

Sephiroth's POV

We all waited patiently for the bride to make her appearance, along with my lovely and secluded sister. Everything was prepared quickly as possible, considering the short span of time given to us from the Royal Ministry. I clutched my fists tightly from thinking of the dishonest group, my vengeance running deeply to make sure of their demise. But, I settled myself from commending such actions, knowing it would only cause Tifa to drift further away from my grasp. Though I was rejected, I still harbored great affection for her, and I at least wanted to hold such devotion to be real for myself. Even if she would despise me for it, I still wanted her near me, and that alone was all I desire.

I hesitated my mind from wondering over such continuous and desperate thoughts though, turning over at Cloud as he remained still in the ritual spot of the groom. He seemed to have a resolve expression etched on his face, though I wish I could've of said the same for his best man in arm. The young General looked rather ill, the skin to his face pale as he nervously tried to adjust his collar to a more comfortable spot. He seemed to be at a battle with himself, signaling me that he was at the brink of losing it. I wasn't aware what sort of mental clash he was in, but I knew it was taking some toll on him as he began to sweat. I looked around the audience who was present in the room, confirming my theory that it had nothing to do with the temperature of the hall as everyone sat in comfortable silence.

I scuffed up my appearance, finding an unsettling force dig it's way into the pit of my stomach. As I continued to wonder where my two relatives were, a prickling and foreboding shadow made its way upon the castle's walls. Before I knew it, there was a strong tremor that shook around the whole castle, causing everyone to gasp and shout in alarm as a cannon shot was fired.

Aeris's POV

I carefully began to wrench the quality of my dress up, splitting the fabric as I heard a tiny rip echo inside the room. Was that my mind? Or was it really the dress? Before I knew it, Tifa was already next to me, placing a calm and steady hand over one of my own. I took concentration over her controlled breathing, following the pattern to her light pants as I made them my own.

"Tifa…" I mournfully whimpered. I gazed down at her shivering hand, becoming startled as she tried to find some type of grip over mine. It seemed like she was trying to find some sort of security to speak, using my hand for support. I anxiously looked over at her, my emerald eyes edging her to speak; she was starting to frighten me, which was something I did not need.

"Aeris…there is…there is something I must tell you…something I am unable to hide from you any longer."

I turned to her with slight alarm and concern, hoping to ease her trepidation, "What is it?"

She looked over at my face with a fixated look of regret and despair, her eyes twinkling as tears began to surface, "I…I…I've made an act of intimacy with Cloud…revealing our feelings for each other while visiting the ruin kingdom of Wutai…." My eyes widened slowly as each word traveled within the unstable core of my mind, stumbling backwards with distress.

"Wh—wha—what?" I somehow managed to say, shaking my head ever so slowly with refusal. Before I knew it, all rationality towards the situation had flown out the premises of the room, fleeing as I unleashed my desolation, "What is this!? What treachery have you fallen upon me!? Upon yourself! How could you bestow such betrayal so casually!?"

She started to beg for forgiveness, her tears coming forth with hysteria, "Aeris, please!" She tried to reason with me softly, the both of us ignoring the cries of concern from the guards outside, "This isn't fair for you to judge me like this, when you yourself…"

"So what? This gives you the reason to say your act is of any innocents!?" I kept my distance from her, refusing her embrace as my voice faltered, "What I did, what I had confined to you, shouldn't have given you the right…the right…" I emphasized the word with great stress, "To make you feel secure in what you did…what you did…to me…!"

I trusted her! I thought she would be the one to save us both from damnation! But, it would seem we all had fallen into the same fate, the cursed fate known as love.

She glared at me, unyielding her own despondency, "We are both in the wrong!" She declared fiercely, causing me to collapse backwards on my bed, "It isn't about whose to blame! It's about getting rid of all these lies we created! I'm being honest with my feelings Aeris…are you!?"

"Why…!?" I asked frenziedly, "Why are you telling me this!?"

She took a long pause, fiddling with her bottom lip before taking a solid gulp, "Because…I love him. But, I also love you. And I know, marrying him, won't make you happy; not as you thought it would…not as much as he does…"

I break down as soon as her words are finished, bending forward to shadow my tears, blocking them from her vision as I convulsed from my sobs. I could hear Tifa start to make her way towards me, her glass like shoes tapping over the ironed and designed grass rug with patterns of yellow lilies on it. When her feet came into my vision that's when the castle shook with a violent shake. I was knocked over, but Tifa was able to catch me from falling, keeping me steady as we searched around the room for the source of the earthquake. We could hear screams in the distance and a loud explosion being set off near somewhere from inside the castle, causing us to embrace each other with a tight grip of dread.

Another shot was carried off, echoing inside our ears as it sounded like a cannon making impact. It was then that we fell over, catching the sound of debris falling over as the room quaked wildly, sending parts of the ceiling to crumple. It was then that a large piece of wreckage fell in front of the doorway, trapping us in the room as the guards outside tried to open the door.

I clutched onto Tifa with much fear, "What's going on?" I began to tremble, my eyes quivering as my tears glossed over them, forgetting all about my argument with Tifa. I took my gaze over to my cousin's face, finding her expression to be set with determination, gripping her fists tightly for some sort preparation for battle.

End Chapter

Kiome-Yasha: "I know, I came back and all I give you guys is a SHORT chapter! I'm so sorry . I promise! I'll make it up by making the next chapter longer! As you can see, there's going to be a huge battle ahead, which means you'll finally able to see Tifa what she's made of! Again, I'm sorry for the LONG wait in updating this, but writer's block got a hold of me and I couldn't get out of it until now. But see! I didn't abandon you guys!! I came back! I must say though, Zack, Aeris, and Vincent was fun to write in this chapter, I actually felt pleased with their emotions and POVs :D. Well everyone, until next update…which will probably be late, but I will be returning!!! But I'll tell you one thing, my new years resolution is to finish this story before the end of the year of 2010!"

Tifa: "Kiome will like to give cookies for being such an idiot, but do please leave reviews as happiness for her return :)."