Chapter Three

A few days passed and Shera was hard at work putting the finishing touches on plans for the rehearsal dinner. Shera didn't really have a whole lot to work with as both Cloud and Tifa's parents were dead. Cloud and Tifa had insisted on only inviting their closest friends. They had also insisted on having the reception at the new 7th Heaven Bar. Tifa had got off to a rocky start at first but now business was booming and she could afford to open another bar. Shera checked her list and began checking off names of those who would be at the wedding. Barret, Red XIII, Yuffie, Vincent, Cid, Cait Sith, Reeve, Marlene and Denzel. Of course most of the people on her list had been in the wedding party so nothing could possibly go wrong. Shera looked over at the door of the church and saw Reeve walk in with a piece of paper in his hand. "Is that the certificate?"

Reeve smiled at her and handed it over. "It took a while but I am finally an ordained minister."

"Tifa will be glad to hear it. She is on pins and needles enough as it is."

"Why is that?"

Shera looked down at her list again and said,"She keeps having bad dreams surrounding the wedding."

"It's just going to be us though so there shouldn't be anything to worry about."

"She's just worried that since Rufus hasn't tried anything that he's going to wait until her big day. I have Barret and Vincent out on surveilance. If Rufus is preparing anything we'll be the first to know."

"I'll check with my contacts as well."

Reeve left Shera to check her list again and after checking off a few more things she left the church.

Rufus studied the paperwork in front of him and smiled. Ever since he had gotten back from the Northern Crater he had been extremely displeased that his alliance with Weiss went as bad as it did. Tseng of the Turks entered Rufus' office and took a seat. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. As you know, Tifa and Cloud are getting married. I'd like to crash their wedding."

"Why?"

"They've been nothing but a thorn in my side so I just want to return the favor."

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

"Whatever you can."

Tifa awoke again after having the same dream. She picked up her phone to call Cloud but thought better of it. He had went to Wall Market today to try on tuxes and probably didn't want to be bothered. She went back to bed but was awaken by her phone ringing. "Hello?"

"Hi Tifa."

"Hi Cloud. What's up?"

"Well I've been thinking that we should probably move into together before the wedding so that we don't have to rush around after our honeymoon."

"That's great Cloud. Can we talk about it more tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Just thought I'd throw it out there."

"And check up on me?"

"Can't get nothing passed you."

Tifa smiled and looked at the time. It was three o clock in the morning. "What do you say we get together at around ten?"

"Alright Tifa. Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you to."

The next day they had met at ten and Cloud had brought some of his stuff over. "What's with the stuff?"

Cloud looked at her and laughed. "Your place is bigger."

Tifa looked around and couldn't really disagree with him there. "I guess it makes sense."

"Shera told me about Barret and Vincent doing surveilance for her. Are you that worried that Rufus is going to try something?"

"Yes. He's been nothing but a thorn in our side since revealing that he was alive."

"Not to mention that he joined up with Weiss to bring back G."

Tifa sat down on her couch and looked at Cloud. "Thanks for being patient with me."

Cloud bent down and kissed her. "If Rufus is trying anything we'll stop him."

Tseng racked his brain trying to think of something that would ruin Tifa and Cloud's wedding. "How about kidnapping one of them?" asked Reno. Tseng looked at him and said,"It would be too easy. Not to mention the fact that their already setting up surveilance around the church."

Elena took this time to add,"Why is Rufus so intent on ruining their wedding?"

"I don't know. He's got to learn to let some things go."

Rufus entered the meeting room and said,"I've got it. We kidnap Marlene Wallace."

"Barret's daughter?"

"Yes. She's supposed to be the maid of honor. Tifa won't go through with the wedding without her."

Tseng looked and Reno and Rude and said,"You two can handle it right?"

They both nodded and left. Rufus smiled and knew that nothing would stop him from getting his revenge.

Reno and Rude had waited until after the rehearsal dinner to make their move. Barret had decided to stay behind to go over some things with Tifa and Cloud so they knew he wouldn't be standing in their way. They had waited for Marlene to get half way down the block and grabbed her at the first oppurtunity. They hadn't counted on Denzel trying to stop them. "Leave her alone!"

Reno pushed him out of the way but was interupted by a gunshot. "What the hell?"

Vincent jumped down from the roof and pushed Reno to the ground. "You will not interfere with this wedding."

"Who says?"

"I do. Tell Rufus that if he tries anything else I'll pay him a visit."

Reno and Rude looked at eachother and nodded. "It wasn't our idea. Quite frankly we could care less about some wedding."

Vincent looked at them as if asking them why they were still there. They took the hint and walked away. "Tifa and Cloud are not to know about this. They don't need any more stress."

Marlene and Denzel voiced their agreement and he walked her home.

"What do you mean you failed?"

Reno and Rude could see the anger in Rufus' eyes and Tseng chimed in. "What do you expect? They are better suited for espionage and real missions."

"Fine."

Tseng looked as if he would collapse from shock. "Really?"

Rufus looked over a file and nodded. "Send whatever is left of our troops to Wutai."

"Why?"

"We take over the city. I have recieved intel that a new cave was discovered. A tunnel that supposedly leads to the water god Leviathon."

"Why are you interested in that?"

"I told you that Avalanche would pay so they'll pay."