Next chapter! Yay!

Vivi and Eiko moved really fast, after they left the woods. On the open plains of the Outer continent, they could use the Float-Aero combination without worrying about running into trees. So, the two flew to Conde Petie in about 10 minutes. Setting down, they made their way inside, and were immediately greeted by one of the dwarves.

"Rally-Ho!" he shouted.

"Rally-Ho!" they replied. That taken care of, they made their way into the bridge-like building, and instantly attempted to make their way out through the other end. But, it seemed dwarf custom was still the same as ever.

"Excuse me, but can we pass?"

"Nae, ye kinnae pass! Only tha newlyweds kin pass!"

Eiko and Vivi looked to each other, Eiko smiling oddly and Vivi sighing. He actually recalled marrying Quina, oh so long ago, just to get through with Zidane and Dagger... but this time he didn't have to get through. And he wasn't so sure he wanted to if it meant having to marry Eiko. Then again, it was just a silly dwarf custom... and she would never give him any peace if he didn't take her. Vivi nodded to her in an acknowledging way.

"All right, mister dwarf, but we'll be back!"

"Err... yeah, we'll be back."

"Rally-ho!"

Eiko giggled with excitement as Vivi shook his head, sighing a bit.

"Somehow I get the idea that the only reason you wanted to visit the Iifa tree was so that we would have to get married," Vivi suggested.

Eiko was shocked. "No! I really want to check it out! I just considered the ceremony here to be an added bonus."

Vivi shrugged. "If you say so. Let's just hurry up and get this over with, okay?"

Eiko chuckled. "Aw, come on! Let's cherish the moment!"

"Fine. Like we said earlier, there isn't much better to do, is there?"

"Nope!" Eiko beamed. As they made their way back into the main part of the building, they had the fortune to run right into the High Priest.

"Oy! Do ye two wish ta undergo tha ceremony?" he asked, mostly out of jest. When the both smiled and said yes, he was rather surprised.

"Oh! Well then, let tha ceremony begin!" he announced. In a matter of moments, Vivi and Eiko had found themselves on top of the ceremony platform. It was a short while after that that the blessings began. Vivi and Eiko held each other by the hand, and soon enough the ceremony was complete. Feeling it rather appropriate, they closed in and kissed each other deeply, wrapping their arms around each other and sending their tongues into each other's mouth. They didn't continue for too long, as they did indeed have places to go and things to see, but they had something figured out for show. After breaking the kiss, Vivi shouted.

"To the Sanctuary!"

In one swift motion, he lifted Eiko up and proceeded to carry her out of Conde Petie, both of them exchanging vibrant Rally-ho's with the dwarves as they passed. After Vivi set her down, Eiko giggled a bit.

"That was fun! Carry me some more, Vivi!"

Laughing, Vivi shook his head. "Sorry, m'love. I can only carry you after you give me a kiss."

Eiko joined in with the laughter. "All right then. Pucker-up, butter cup!"

Once more, they experience a lip lock and a tongue-tie, and Vivi proceeded to carry Eiko for about 60 yards after that. He could have gone farther, but she actually wanted to walk. As they continued onward, Vivi had to wonder a few things.

"Hey... don't you think the Dwarves would have found out about the Iifa Tree? It doesn't seem to be much of a sanctuary to me anymore. For that matter, it never did. Dwarves sure are weird, aren't they?"

Eiko nodded. "Yeah. But one thing is for sure; they know how to handle a wedding! Not stuffy or boring like one you'd expect in Lindblum."

Vivi rubbed his chin, (yes, he has a chin), thoughtfully. "Indeed. But I wonder... what if there's something about the Iifa tree that the Dwarves know and we don't? I mean, maybe before Kuja or Garland ever started using it to make mist and cycle souls, the Iifa tree was different. Like some sort of place resonating in holy energy, you know?"

Eiko tilted her head to the side. "Maybe," she said, then returning her head back to the normal position as they continued walking, "though it isn't very likely. I just think that the Dwarves are out of it or something. I mean, what's with that Rally-ho thing?"

Vivi shrugged. "I don't know. Guess it's a good idea that you suggested for us to go, huh?"

Smirking, Eiko agreed. "Yup. All of my ideas are good ones! You should know that by now, dear."

Vivi blinked. "Dear?"

Eiko burst out in laughter. "Oh come on, Vivi! We're married! We have to use odd pet-names for each other, like dear, honey, and sweetie; you know, sappy, mushy stuff!"

Vivi laughed on with her. "If you say so... honey."

They continued to laugh as they made their way along the desolate mountain path. It was amazing how well the monsters had cleared up in the past few years; the combined effects of the Iifa Tree's mist dispersing completely and the skill of passing travelers these days really worked wonders. Not to mention the fact that these creatures evolved instincts to respond to the environment and most all of them now had genes that told them to stay away from people like Eiko and Vivi. As such, they suffered absolutely no attacks. When they emerged on the other side of the mountain, however, they were shocked by what they saw. For the Tree of Iifa was no longer there.

Oh! I have an idea for what replaces it, but you can always email me if you have any certain special ideas. And, as always, review! Thank you.

PS

The next chapters will be longer. I promise. :)