Author's Note: This is my bonus chapter. Yes, I said bonus, simply because I was going to leave the ending like that. BUT I said I was doing a sequel…and that wouldn't work well so here it is.
Tainted Feathers
Epilogue: Kuja's Wedding and Beyond
Wedding Chapel-5 years later
Kuja:
Today was a definite Kuja first. I was getting married. I couldn't believe it. It has been a long five-year period since my trancing incident. For a long time after that, I was weak and near death again. Zoë never left my side during those precious eight months. The only time she left was when the hospital had to admit her so she could have little Autumn. By then, I had recovered enough to go visit her. I admit it took us a long time to decide on our wedding. In fact, Zoë and I argued about it for nearly a year. So, we finally decided to do it when Autumn turned five years old. I smoothed my shortened silvery hair back and let out a soft sigh.
So here I was, standing in front of Zoë's family at the alter of church. The door opened at the other end of chapel elegantly as my bride to be walked in. I held my breath as I took in her presence. Zoë was dressed in a beautiful ivory dress that trailed several yards behind her. Stunning, just stunning. It was surprising that no one could see Zoë's huge belly under it, for she was pregnant with another baby girl. Our daughter Autumn was behind her, holding the pillow where our rings sat. I smiled at Zoë as she stood in front of me. She smiled and lifted the veil off of his face.
"I love you," I mouthed.
That made her smile wider. I nodded to the minister and listened idly as he recited our vows.
"Do you, Kuja Tribal, take Zoë Tsukikage to be your wedded wife?"
"I do," I said proudly.
"Do you, Zoë Tsukikage, take Kuja Tribal to be your husband?"
"I do," Zoë said.
She was almost crying as Autumn presented the rings. It was almost hard to believe that I was doing this. I was Kuja, the proud genome that promised he would not fall in love. How ironic was that?
"You may now kiss the bride."
I leaned in to kiss Zoë softly. She responded by kissing back passionately. When we finally pulled away, I was left speechless and blushing while the audience stood.
"Shall we?" Zoë asked.
I smiled and hooked her arm. We stepped off together as husband and wife, finally united in mind and spirit.
5:37 P.M.
Kuja:
I sat out on the edge of the cliffs surrounding our seaside home. The horizon reminded me of the Desert Palace's view. It was hard for me not to miss Gaia now. Gaia was my life…and my love. But it wasn't my place to go back. Even the Iifa said so. The Iifa…what was it doing now? After the wedding, I felt lighter, freer. I felt no more remorse for Michael's death. I didn't feel the long-distance strain from trancing. So was I finally free? I couldn't say. It was just how I felt.
"Kuja, come inside!"
I turned towards our two story house and smiled. Zoë waved and smiled back. At her side, was little Autumn with her thumb in her mouth. I walked to the door calmly and picked Autumn up.
"Thinking about Gaia again?" Zoë asked.
I shrugged.
"It's hard not to. I miss it so much."
Zoë:
I could see the sadness behind Kuja's blue eyes. He missed his home, that much I surely knew. But there was nothing I could do for him. I loved my husband dearly, but I could not make magic. I eyed Kuja with concern as he sat Autumn down in a chair. Oh…but I wish I could work magic. It would make him so happy.
"Kuja."
He turned around and walked to me, tail held high in the air.
"Something wrong?" He purred.
"I wish I could take back to Gaia. Maybe that would make you happy."
Kuja frowned.
"No…that wouldn't have made me happy. I'm happy being here with you. You know that."
"But…"
He touched my lips with a finger.
"Hush now. It is you that I'm happy with. You and Autumn and your unborn little girl."
"Daddy!"
Kuja:
I caught the smell of something familiar and snarled. Why was a genome here? I rushed to the back door and pulled it open. Just a few yards away stood a gray haired man in a catsuit. That couldn't be…
"Autumn!" Zoë shrieked.
I held her back calmly, not wanting to put her in danger.
"Mommy!" Autumn shrieked, trying to pull away from the man.
"Garland!"
Author's Note: Heh, heh…old-fashioned short cliffhanger. Enjoy it.