To War!

"That's it! You have five seconds before I forcibly remove you from your beds!" Tifa's scolding the children…I can hear her all the way in my room, with the door closed.

I'm thankful I have to wake up early on a regular basis, so this isn't as hard on me…the kids however…

"Cid will be here in approximately…" she pauses, and I know she's looking at her watch, "Three…do you hear that? Three! Minutes, and if there is one person who hates being late for anything, it's Cid! All you have to do is get up for a few minutes…just long enough to get to the airship…please guys!"

I move out of my room, dropping my bag outside my doorway, before continuing down the hallway to the open door of the kids' room. Cid's picking us up first, before traversing all over the planet to pick up the rest of the gang. I also understand that we'll be picking up a few of Shera' s family members. I've only met Shera's dad once, and all I remember about him was saying how 'The only good thing about that cussing air-sailor is that he's got an airship to pick us all up in...unless he crashes it...which he probably will.'. Happy guy, let me tell you.

I peer into the room cautious, Marlene and Denzel sprawled across their beds, muttering at Tifa to go away, and five more minutes.

It's not everyday you wake a child at five thirty in the morning. Try waking two.

"If we're late, then everybody's late, okay guys?" Tifa's motivation speeches aren't working.

Time to try a different tactic. I place my hand on her shoulder, and she sends me a pleading look, and I move to stand between the two beds, looking back and forth at Denzel and Marlene.

Time to put the Strife Family Waking Technique number two to good use.

"Alright, guys…time to get up…this is your last chance."

Mumble mumble mumble, blarg, go away, snort.

Fine then…the hard way.

"Up we go," I reach down, grabbing Denzel's arms and sling him over one shoulder, before reaching down and grabbing Marlene and slinging her over the other shoulder.

The both cry out in indignation.

"Cloud! Put us down!"

"I'm sorry…I can't hear you over the snoring," I move out of their bedroom, and down the hallway towards the bathroom.

"I do not snore!" Marlene cries.

"And we aren't even asleep!" Denzel adds as I move into the bathroom.

I deposit them both gently into the tub, and place my hand over the knob, preparing to turn the water on and let the shower head rain out its freezing glory.

Denzel looks up in horror, "You wouldn't dare…"

Oh I would, little buddy, I would.

"No! Cloud! We're awake, we swear!" Marlene throws her hands up above her.

I pause a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully, before flicking my wrist ever so slightly.

Marlene screams when the water hits her, and Denzel yelps. I cut it off quickly though, and they both glare up at me through damp bangs.

"Wash your face, brush your teeth, change, and get your bags. Be in the bar in two minutes…understand?"

They both grimly nod their heads, and I move out of the bathroom.

Tifa stares at me incredulously as I come out, both eyebrows raised in surprise.

"…um…you've never…been that assertive before…especially with the kids. Where'd that come from?"

I shrug, "My mother did that to me every morning before school."

Tifa snorts, and clears her throat in an attempt to hide it as I narrow my eyes, "It's just…most people wouldn't admit that."

"I wasn't a morning person," I said coolly.

She nods her head, frowning in that fake way that makes them think you think they understand…and that they are trying to cover up trying not to laugh, "Okay…okay…" she moves away, turning towards the stairs, before pausing, "I guess it was a good thing you were so small as a kid…it would've been a lot harder for your mom to sling you over her shoulder if not."

I cross my arms, "I was not tiny."

She barely keeps herself from cracking up, "…but you were short."

She's already running down the steps before she even gets the word 'short' out, and I find that there's another person that needs waking up. I chase after her quickly, and manage to catch her when she trips over her own bags waiting at the bottom of the steps. I waste no time in slinging her over my shoulder, where she once again pounds the ever lasting crap out of my back. I haul her upstairs, where the children are coming out of the bathroom door, both staring wide-eyed up at me.

"Move."

They both step aside quickly at the command, eager to see Tifa get the same treatment as them.

"Cloud! Cloud no! Cloud don't you dare put me in that tub! Cloud!"

I drop her in the tub, and she crosses her arms angrily, glaring up at me. I place my hand on the shower knob.

"Cloud…" she begins slowly, and I can already see the words forming on her lips.

"Don't you dare say it," I narrow my eyes, the children still watching in fascination, but being completely ignored.

She taunts me with her eyes, daring me, and I'm glowering. This could ruin my reputation…seriously. I turn the knob barely, just enough for a little bit of water to hit the tub beside her thigh. She raises an eyebrow in response.

Shit.

"Cloud…"

"Don't, Tifa."

She smirks, "You better not…Cloud—

"No, you better not—

"...Maurice Strife…if you turn that knob…there will be hell to pay."

There's about a three second delay before both Denzel and Marlene burst into laughter. I narrow my eyes…that was a low blow…completely uncalled for.

I send the two kids a glare, "Stay out of this."

That shuts them both up real quick, but a knowing smirk remains on their lips.

I turn my head back to Tifa, where she still sits triumphant. Even if I do turn on the shower now, we're even…but not this time. Oh ho ho no, I'm so getting the best of her this time.

"Oh really…and what exactly will you do about it, Tifa—

"Oh crap—

"Mildred Lockhart?"

Another three second delay, but this time I let the children laugh. Cue evil laughter.

The only satisfying squeak I will ever hear (as to the fact that squeaking reminds me of...shudder...Pen-Pen) is this one that's about to happen…the squeak of the knob as I shall turn it full blast!

"What are ya doin?!"

My evil smirk falls, and we all look to the doorway. Cid's standing there, bracing himself with the doorframe, red faced and fuming.

Crap! Not now! I've got to get my revenge! But…like Tifa said…if there's one thing that Cid hates, it's being late.

And if I turn on this showerhead, than we will certainly be late.

But…if I don't turn on this showerhead, than I will have tied and not won…and the exchanging of middle names cannot be left standing! There must be a victor or else Tifa will find time in the busy wedding schedule to rip me limb from limb…which she'll do anyways, but I mean...I've got to have some glory!

Squeaky!

I stare blankly at Cid as the water turns on full blast, where Tifa sits taking it not saying a word.

"Um…we're going to be a few more minutes, Cid," I say, trying to smooth out one rough patch.

He stares back at me, and I think he's going to lunge at my neck, but suddenly bursts into laughter. He bends at the waist, slapping his knees, and the children think it's okay to start laughing now, since they weren't the first.

Tifa remains quiet in the bath tub.

Cid clears his throat, "The only reason…I'm angry…is cause ya didn't get the damn thing on tape!"

Damn, he's right.

I've let my guard down, and if there's one thing you don't do around a martial artist glowering in a freezing cold shower while still dressed is let your guard down...but I do.

It takes me a second to realize what it is squeezing my arm…and by the time I do, I'm in the shower, pulled in and landing on top of Tifa. I cringe as the water hits my back, and Cid's laughter only grows, accompanied by Denzel and Marlene.

Damn that's cold!

Tifa smirks up at me triumphantly…so we are back to being tied…the battle of the middle names ended up in a tie. How anticlimactic. I smirk though, it was still a pretty damn good idea.

Cid gives a gruff laugh, "Heh, way to go, Maurice."

Son of a bitch.

"You both got five minutes…we still gotta pick up Barret, and Vincent, and Yuffie, and Nanaki…not to mention assorted family members. Shera's waitin for us all in Costa Del Sol, and we're already late enough as it is…but I'm telling ya, this is the one time I'll excuse it."

He ushers the kids out of the bathroom, and shuts the door behind him.

Should I? I probably should…she hasn't said a word…and she's pretty pressed with the wedding plans and helping Shera out. It'll only get worse, too, when we get to Costa Del Sol.

"Sorry…" I mutter, moving to stand up.

I'm halted, though, when Tifa wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me in for a deep, soft kiss.

Well…that was unexpected. I guess it really is true that an apology goes a long way…

Hmm…we should do this more often…what with the kissing the shower thing.

Minus the freezing cold water and the being fully clothed part, though…and also the fact we need to leave in like…two minutes.

And the fact that Cid knows my middle name…hell…that anyone knows my middle name.

...still, somehow I get the feeling this whole 'battle' that took place here...it isn't over.

Ah screw it…I'll deal with it later.

A/N: In hopes that you'll forgive me of my lack of updating...I updated super fast! So, this is the intro to the Cid and Shera's wedding chapters...and if you don't remember, this whole escapade is going to last a week...so, plenty of good time happenings, eh? zenbon: Yes...I am a girl, tis alright...obviously you aren't the first one to make that mistake...probably not the last, either elebelly: I KNOW! Producers rock! I'm a sucker for musicals, especially that one! numbertwo I was so totally thinking the same thing..cept, I don't think Cloud would actually say that...heh. xxxangixxx hello! Oh, you're too kind...and as for Let It Be? I know...scold me...I'm just trying to figure stuff out with that one...I'm so sorry to anyone whose waiting for that!

So, after talking to a few people, and at some suggestions, I've been thinking of holding an 'art' competition over on Deviant art. This depends on a couple things though. How many of you are over there, and how many of you would be willing to participate? I've almost thought of starting a club for Diaries over there. I like it when people draw scenes from my stories, and I'd like to keep a place where everyone could look at them. So, what do you guys think? PM me or leave a message in reviews giving me your opinion. Thanks loves! And the reviews are awesome! I LOVE YOU!