Disclaimer: I do not claim to own anything in this fan fiction. They belong to their respected owners. If you think I do own this, then I will hire Tseng to come and shoot you in the eye. (:

Pairing: Cissnei x Tseng

Warning: Slightly AU. Mild Language. A mixture of fluff & angst at times.

Summary: Cissnei decides to pay more attention to nature, and at her side stands a faithful and loyal friend, Tseng.

Three.

Fall.

The bright blue skies were now dulling in color, turning a forgettable grey color and the clouds were as well. The colors of the trees were turning to oranges and reds, brown leaves lay on the ground having died. The air was crisp and chilled, which was slightly surprising since it had been barely past summer. Still one could tell it was fall, beautiful yet dreadful fall. Not a monster in sight, just smiling people and the laughter of children. The colors were absolutely beautiful, especially to the young Turk that stood just outside of the helicopter, over looking the beauty of the day.

Her lips curved into a smile as she watched another Turk a few feet ahead of her, his head tilted backwards to stare upward at the sky. She had been shocked when the quiet man requested that she join him on this adventure to his homeland, but she could not say no to him. The way his eyes held just the tiniest bit of hope, they almost pleaded for her to say yes. She did say yes, and was amused when those eyes lit up with a life they hadn't held in so long. Now that she was here, she understood why he wanted to take a few days off to visit, she was more then happy that she had accepted his request.

A cool breeze gently blew; her auburn wavy locks blew gently, his ebony ponytail did the same. She parted her lips and slipped her tongue through, only to wet them and return to her observing. She honestly debated on whether or not to approach the man, asking him if they were going to just stand there or move forward. Unfortunately, she didn't have the nerve to do so, she wasn't brave enough or cruel enough to break his monetary happiness. The moment was fleeting anyway, she could tell by the way he began to shift in place like he didn't belong — but he did. This was his home.

"Cissnei." The older Turk grunted out her name, his head turning slightly to grab a look at her. "Are you ready?"

She nodded to tell him that she was, which caused him to grab her suitcase and his own. She parted her lips to offer to take hers, but quickly closed it and hurried after the now walking man. She almost thought it was humorous to know that, despite being in his homeland, the other Turk was oddly quiet. She knew the reason. She had understood since the Wutai War, but she would never voice that she knew nor would she speak a word of it. She knew how painful killing his own, killing people he knew, was for Tseng.

Yet even though the war had ended, she could feel the hateful gazes watching the two Turks. Even though Tseng was one of their own, she knew it wouldn't stop them from lashing out. She secretly thanked the treaty that Godo signed, it was probably the only thing stopping them. She knew that if they were to attack that it would hurt Tseng worse then any wound ever could. An emotionally hurt Tseng was something that Cissnei did not want. It killed her to just watch the awkward and scarred Tseng to drag himself through Wutai, let alone if those scars were reopened. Would there be anything left of him?

The sound of foot steps slowing brought the young Turk out of her thoughts, her gaze focusing on the older being. She noted that he was slowing and that their Inn was coming into view. It had been nothing fancy, just something to keep a roof over their heads for the night, a place to put their bags for the rest of the day and the next. Still though, she said not a word, even as they entered the Inn. She observed Tseng speak in his native tongue to the man behind the counter, retrieving a key to the room they would be sharing. Yet he did not head up the stairs right away, and she didn't know whether or not to move to the stairs herself.

"Wait here. I'll run the bags up, Cissnei." Tseng spoke carefully, almost uncertain of himself. "Unless you would like to change…?"

She smiled at her friend, "I'll wait."

He nodded before disappearing up the stairs with their bags. Cissnei was left in the lobby area on her own, with the staring owner of the Inn. She wasn't sure if the man was Shinra Friendly, but she wasn't going to risk it by talking to him either. She would merely fold her arms against her small chest, her eyes turning from the owner of the Inn to the stairs that Tseng disappeared up. She waited and waited, close to ten minutes before hearing footsteps coming down the stairs. Her eyes would light up as Tseng came back into view, the man merely blinking at her expression.

"Are you alright, Cissnei?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yeah fine. Ready?"

He didn't respond vocally; he gave a gentle nod of his head and offered the younger Turk his hand. His dark eyes watched as the girl seemed a bit shy about taking it, he almost smiled at this. The youngest Turk in history was shy about taking a male's hand — his hand. However he actually felt a chuckle echoing quietly in his throat, hoping she hadn't heard it. Though by the look on the younger being's face, it was clear she had — her arms crossing tightly against her chest once more, eyes narrowed at him.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." He smiled faintly and kept his hand outstretched to her. "Nothing at all."

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of his slight lip curl. She had seen him smile a few times, she had found herself adoring the way it looked on him. Though honestly it was one of the many reasons he would not leave her mind, and one of the many reasons her small hand reached out, wrapping around his gently. It shocked her a bit when he seemed extremely pleased with this and wrapped his fingers around her hand. She felt her cheeks flush crimson, but still she glanced up at him with her smile still there.

"Let's go."

"I will remain here. At your side, hand holding yours for comfort and strength, as you do the same for me."

Their time together was innocent; a much needed vacation for the older Turk. It began with merely talking about things and Cissnei kicking leaves. When she had kicked a patch for fallen leaves too hard and they came up through the air, scattering all over the man's shoulders and chest. There had been a look of shock, which was soon replaced with slyness, within normally emotionless deep brown eyes. She had seen him reaching for a pile of leaves nearby, and she took off like a bat out of Hell. A playful game of war began and Cissnei planned on winning it.

Laughter filled the air, foot steps thudded against the chilly ground after the noise of complete glee, as the auburn haired girl grabbed a handful of fallen leaves. Her happy gaze met the gaze of her victim, which flashed with something between happiness and amusement. The victim side stepped away from the happy female, who released her captured leaves in the direction the victim had been standing. Seeing her failure to hit her victim, the girl gave a playful pout and grabbed up a bundle of more leaves.

"Oh, I'm going to—"

Cissnei never got to finish. She was smacked in the face with a handful of leaves, her head turning quickly to the place where the older Turk now stood. She shook the dry leaves from her hair, trying to frown up at him — she failed. She couldn't manage the frown due to the sly smile now gracing her handsome friend's face, he almost looked human oppose to what he normally liked like. He had a boyish sparkle to his normally emotionless eyes, his expression seemed softer and less dangerous. She also could not believe it was Tseng.

"You're gonna pay for that, Tseng!" Without farther warning she pounced at him, tackling the other Turk to the ground. She only managed this due to the fact he was not expecting the attack, or he might have been and decided to let her win — she didn't know or care. She now sat on his chest with a large grin on her face, the other Turk staring up at her with a ghost of a smile. She could feel her face heating up as his arms snaked around her waist. "Tseng…?"

"Cissnei."

His voice was smooth and gentle, yet it held the tone of a true commander. His normally hard, dark eyes were now soft and gentle; his expression just as gentle as his eyes. It was a wonder to Cissnei, how this man could switch between those two expressions so easily. It was a wonder how he had kept this side so secret for so long. It reminded the younger Turk exactly why her heart now pounded against her ribcage madly, a flush of crimson covering her cheeks. She tried to speak but for once in her life, she could not find her voice; she only stared down at him, her gaze locked with his.

Her blush deepened as she noticed their faces becoming closer; she couldn't tell if she was leaning down, or if he was leaning up. She couldn't break the intense gaze of the older Turk, his breath gently brushing against her lips. She shivered and noticed his eyes beginning to close, her eyelids slowly trapping her sight within darkness. The gap between them closed, she could feel his warm lips tingle against hers. His actions were gentle, careful even. She could not stop herself from returning the gesture, a gesture she waited so long for him to do.

And that was how it was. Two Turks standing in the middle of a Wutai pathway; leaves falling from the branches above, spinning and circling around the two until they finally reached the ground. Her arms around his neck, his around her waist. Their lips pressed together, a certain bliss that neither thought they would ever find circling them. Cissnei knew this was no world stopping moment, but still it brought her peace — much like just his presence did. Tseng knew the same, yet he did not dare release the female just let — afraid that she would slip right through his fingers. It wasn't romantic, it wasn't perfect; it was peaceful.

A/N: Holy freakin' fluff. I almost wanted to redo this entire chapter, but in the end, it fits into the last chapter. Yes, the next chapter is the last chapter; four seasons, four chapters. I hope the Cissnei x Tseng fans loved it. Remember, reviews make kittens purr and you guys know you love purring kittens (: