Cloud gave Yuffie instructions on driving Fenrir so she could drive him to her penthouse before they went to the palace where Godo had told them they were expected. Yuffie supported him until she could lay him down on her couch. "Let me get my first aid kit." she told him and went to her bathroom.
Cloud sighed and closed his eyes, fighting to stay conscious. The last 24 hours had been more of a challenge than his journey to destroy Sephiroth once and for all, and he needed time to process everything, but right now all he could process was how much pain he was in.
"Take these first." Yuffie came back with a glass of water in one hand and two pills in the other. "They're pretty fast-acting but they taste horrible."
"Thanks." Cloud took them with the water and Yuffie smiled at the face he made when he found out she was right about the taste before she left to get the rest of her supplies.
"Thank you." Yuffie said when she started cleaning and bandaging his feet.
"What for?" Cloud asked groggily as the pain pills started sending him into La-La land.
"For restoring my position and sparing my father." she replied as she tended to his hands next.
"I had to." Cloud mumbled.
"I'm glad. I can't do much for your ribs, they'll have to heal on their own." she told him in a tone that suggested prior experience. "But I can bandage your wrist." Yuffie had had plenty of practice fixing herself up after an intense day of ninja training, but she hadn't seen anyone beaten this badly before who lived. She wanted to say more to him, but when she looked up at his bruised face, he had fallen asleep. "You're my hero." she said and gently kissed his bloody lips.
As they sat for their wedding portrait at the palace, Yuffie couldn't help but think of how things had come full circle. The art class where Reno was the model had eventually led her to Cloud, and now they were married and posing for someone to paint them. After two hours, the artist said he was done for the day and had enough pictures of them to finish on his own, and assured them he would be able to paint Cloud without his injuries. Next they were the guests of honor at a formal dinner to commemorate the transfer of leadership.
Finally they were allowed to go back to Yuffie's penthouse for the night but were expected to move into the palace in the morning. "I…I need to leave soon and go to the northern Crater." Cloud informed his new bride as they lay in her bed.
"What's in the northern Crater?" Yuffie asked nervously.
"Vincent told me that Zack might be there, trapped in a hidden cave. I need to bring him back to Aerith." Cloud explained. "I'm sure it's not a dangerous trip."
"You're in no condition to go anywhere." Yuffie pointed out, though the thought of Aerith being reunited with the man she loved almost overrode her worry for Cloud.
"I'll take some help along. I'm sure Reno and Rude will be made available." Cloud promised her. He had also thought of the red-headed Turk while they were sitting for their wedding portrait, and he wanted to make it clear that Reno was to keep his clothes on around Yuffie.
"I want to go with you." Yuffie stated quietly but determinedly. "It can be our honeymoon."
Cloud knew better than to try and argue with her, he had seen that same stubborn look in Tifa's eyes far too many times. "Alright, I'll tell Tseng to have Reno and Rude meet us in Icicle to get supplies." he agreed.
"Do you need more pain pills to help you sleep?" she asked him.
"No, I'm fine." Cloud replied, then lay silent as he realized this was supposed to be their wedding night, but he was in no condition to even hold his new bride. He sighed and closed his eyes, hoping a good night's sleep would heal him enough for the trip. "I'll make this up to you somehow." he murmured before he fell asleep.
Aerith was totally worn out. She had wanted to see her hometown again, but Tifa was so determined to have fun and try all the activities the tourist's bureau recommended, no matter what it was, that this 'holiday' wasn't fun at all. They were supposed to try ice fishing next, which held no appeal at all for the only remaining Ancient.
"And tomorrow we can try snowshoeing up Mt. Portalus or learn how to build our own igloo." Tifa told her as they walked through the village towards the lake, when she caught sight of a familiar blonde head. "Cloud?" Tifa froze momentarily, then ran towards him, Aerith following her. Tifa only had eyes for Cloud, throwing her arms around him. "I've been so worried about you!"
"Tifa…why are you here?" Cloud grimaced as her bear hug made his cracked ribs hurt.
"Yuffie?" Aerith asked, noticing what Tifa hadn't at first, that she was holding hands with Cloud.
"I thought this was supposed to be some kind of honeymoon trip for two." Reno said as he and Rude arrived for their scheduled meeting with Cloud. "Are you into polygamy now or something?"
"Honeymoon?" Tifa drew away from Cloud and noticed Yuffie's presence for the first time. "What's…what's going on here?"
