============================================================== ============================================================== !!WARNING!! The authors and the site administrator are NOT liable for the consequences of reader's actions (or reactions), nor are Square Soft of America, its subsidiaries, and associated groups to be held responsible for any of the material herein. IN COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICAN ORDINANCE, DO NOT READ FURTHER UNLESS YOU ARE 18 OR OLDER. ============================================================== ============================================================== Last time: With the 'Jenova' episode settled and their whole life ahead of them, Cloud, Tifa, and Aeris settle down with an orphaned Marlene. Now comes the part we've all been waiting for. (Insert Beavis and Butthead laugh here) ============================================================== ============================================================== Episode Five: Trinity (Rated X) Huh, huh, huhhuhh .... ============================================================== ============================================================== "Marlene!" the high pitched soprano floated through the house along with a splatter of footsteps, "Time to get dressed!" "No! I don't wanna!" "Marlene!" the voice became more stern, "I'm tired of having to do this everyday, now come here!" "No!" a chestnut haired girl burst into the living room just as Tifa came through the kitchen. "Well good morning hun!" she laughed as the tiny girl hid behind her, "What's wrong?" "Oh Tifa," an exhausted Aeris stood panting in the doorway, "Great. You got --- whew! --- you got her." "Hmm, I guess I do," the raven haired beauty set down her cup of tea, "All right Marlene, time for school." The girl shook her head, "But I wanna stay home and play today. Unco Cowd promised he take me to see kitty." "Cloud's not going to do anything but get mad if he hears you skipped school today," Aeris ventured closer, sweater in hand, "Now hold still before you catch cold." The girl began to squirm as the small woman pulled the blouse over her. "Why --- I --- put --- up --- with --- this ---," the pink clad woman grunted as she brushed Marlene's hair back into place, "--- is --- beyond --- me. There!" A small laugh caught Aeris' attention. "What's so funny?" she looked up. "Nothing really," Tifa grinned sheepishly, "For a moment, I thought you sounded a lot like mama when she yanked me out of bed." "I guess that's why she's so sluggish in the morning," Aeris chided her as she straightened out Marlene's locks, "I've got two children in the house." "What!? Who's pregnant?" The two women looked up and saw Cloud standing stupidly at the other end of the room. Aeris blushed as Tifa suppressed another grin. "Hello tiger," the dark haired woman blew him a kiss. "Morning Cloud," Aeris began to shuffle Marlene off to the kitchen. "Wait," he pulled the healer's arm, "I gotta know --- who's expecting?" "No one," Tifa poked him in the ribs. Cloud turned to Aeris, "Then why'd you---?" "We were just talking," the healer reddened slightly, "Although we could try later." Aeris led her small charge to the table and sat her down for breakfast as the young man rolled his eyes. "I guess," Cloud kissed her and Marlene on the forehead, "Bye then." "Will we see kitty later?" the tiny girl piped up. "Yes, much later," Aeris cut in before the young man could reply, "Now hurry and finish your soup." He waved once more as Tifa eyed him mischievously. "So, where are you off to today?" she followed him out to the garage. "East Mytreheim," Cloud said quietly so only they could hear. "What?" her eyes grew wide, "Why!?" He patted her hand, "Don't fret Tiff. Just some problems with the chocos running too far off to the east. Into Kalm." "Oh," Tifa's eyes dropped. She braved a smile, "Well, at least you're getting a workout." "Yeah. I guess." Neither of them said much more. Kalm was where plenty of things happened. Some good, but it was mostly bad. Especially for Aeris. Elmyra died there. Along with most of the residents. Just as their partner never mentioned Nibelheim in their presence, Cloud and Tifa returned the courtesy and never said a thing about Kalm. It seemed better that way. "Aw shit, I gotta run." Tifa looked up to see Cloud open the garage door. "Be careful," she called out. "I will." "Hey! Wait! You remember what's today, right?" "Somebody's birthday?" Cloud hazarded a wild guess, "Marlene's?" Tifa shook her head. "Aeris'?" he squeaked sheepishly. She folded her arms. "Your's?" he gulped. "No, you big dummy," she playfully twisted his ear, "It's our anniversary!" "Of course," he cringed slightly, "I'll get you two something nice." "Never mind getting anything except Cloud Strife back home in one piece," Tifa snaked her hands down to his crotch and winked, "Or two. You know what we want to do tonight." "Yeah, yeah. I know," the young man groaned, "The same thing every night. I'll try not to wear myself out before I come home." "Good," she thumbed her nose at him as he mounted his cycle. "You might want to step back," he warned as he mounted up, "This new fuel is dangerous." "All the more reason for me to stay," her brown eyes beheld him with worry. Nevertheless, she took a step back. The noise of the engine blew through the roof and it grated in Tifa's ears. She wrinkled her nose as the fumes pervaded the house. "Tifa! TIFA!!" It was Aeris hollering from the kitchen. "WHAT!?" "SHUT THE DOOR!" Tifa quickly complied as Cloud drew back the kickstand. The young man gave her a quick nod before he throttled forward and zipped out the house. "Be --- careful," she called out as he disappeared down the street. Tifa sighed and closed the garage door before heading back inside. ***************************************************************** Cloud sat on the bench and brooded over his new assignment. "Hey, you Cloud?" He looked up and saw a young girl in a constable uniform. Her hair was tied up in a pony tail and she was twirling a shiny red yo-yo. "That's me," he stood. He towered over her by a good head. I guess Aeris isn't the smallest little bundle on Planet, he thought wryly. "I'm your new partner," the young woman stuck out her free hand --- her left. Cloud bent his right hand around to shake hers. "Right. Cloud." "Yoko." "Funny name," he remarked. "Like yours isn't?" she countered. And she has a smart mouth like Tifa's, Cloud made a face. Correction. The old Tifa. Or at least the one that he sleeps with. She never assumed her legendary temper outside the bed chamber anymore; at least hardly ever. Marlene really impacted their lives. All three of them. "So you're the famous Cloud Strife I've heard so much about," Yoko peered at him with her round almond eyes, "Or should I say *infamous*? I always thought you were a bit taller." "Yeah whatever," the young man snorted. Yoko stopped in mid-sentence as he spoke up again. "And don't bother. I've heard all the jokes *and* the other stuff too," Cloud said curtly, "So don't even start with me." The rookie blanched but recovered quickly, "Don't what? I just wanted to ask you if we're going now." "Yeah right," Cloud waved his hand, "Let's go." The two headed out the precinct building and towards their bikes. They mounted and started their cycles in silence. "Ai-yaa!" Yoko choked, "Your bike smells funny." "It's a new fuel the city is testing out," Cloud remarked casually, "It smells worse than Zolom shit, but it dissipates pretty quick." "Why don't you just use a Makou cycle like the rest of us?" she sniffed and put on her helmet. "I have my reasons," he said softly. Yoko shrugged and raced off. Her voice came through Cloud's headset, "We're heading for the choco farms on the east side right?" "Yup," Cloud rasped back as he followed her. "Isn't that where Kalm used to be?" "Yeah," he replied softly. "I hear a lot of stories about that place." Cloud heard Yoko's voice shift a little. "A lot of it involves you." When he didn't answer, she pressed on, "Or someone you were acquainted with." "Then you probably heard them all," Cloud snapped, "Now pay attention to the road." The silence wasn't broken until they reached the edge of the choco farm. Thousands of chocos with their golden feathers gleaming in the baking sun, ran hither and fro from one side of the holding area to another. "Hey!" Cloud looked up and saw a gnarly looking ranch hand run up. "You trying to scarr up my stock?" "We're here to help you," Yoko dismounted. "Bunch o' punks izz what you izz," the man growled, "Ain't it bad enuff that graveyard's gettin' them spooked?" "Let me introduce ourselves," Cloud drew up rigid, "I am Constable Cloud and this is Constable ---" he looked at her. "Just Yoko," she grinned back, "My friends call me Yo-Yo though." "I bet they do," the gnarled man snorted, "You the law? Who sent'cha?" "You did," Cloud wanted to add 'you shit eating hick', but decided against it. It was too minor to write a report up on. And besides, Tifa would just chew him out while Aeris would wear herself out over a small scrape. It wasn't worth it. "Oh damn," the ranch hand scratched his head, "Sorry 'bout all that ----" "You ought to be," Yoko muttered but silenced herself when her partner shot her a glare. "In any case," Cloud turned to the older man, "We're here. Now what's the problem?" "Well, you know the graveyard right?" "All too well," the young man nodded. "Good," the man went on, "Turns out there's some patches of greens growing out there and my boss' birds are running themselves silly to get thar." "So?" "They come back they do," the old man spat, "But sometimes they don't. Each of 'em gone is hurting the business." "So you want us to do what?" Yoko bunched her brow, "Round them up for you?" "You got that right," the rancher nodded. "You're kidding," Cloud shook his head, "We're law enforcement, not --- not bird punchers." "Well, I called the mayor fer help and thissis why he sent y'all," the man shot back, "So he might think highly o'choo. 'Specially you, eh? Mista Too Wyfe?" Yoko saw Cloud's face tighten slightly before he offered a reply, "I'll help you find the missing livestock, but I'm not here to do what you're paid for." "Fine," the man snorted, "I'll just hafta ask the mayor fer help frim someone else." "You do that," Cloud re-mounted his bike, "And we'll see what happens after I deliver the report." The young man started his cycle and raced off before Yoko could utter, "Wait up!" "Ay! You 'is pah'tnah?" "Huh?" the rookie blinked at the grizzled man. "I said, izzee yo' pah'tnah?" "Um, yeah." A smile crept across the man's features, "Where you from girl?" Yoko frowned. If anything, she hated being called a 'kid'. That went even more so for 'girl'. "Junon." "Hunh. Then I giss you ain't in on the joke," the man snickered and headed toward the house. Yoko became thoughtful as she mounted her bike and raced after Cloud. What the heck was going on? The conversation kept going through her mind. As did the stories the other cadets told one another about the Strife family of Mytreheim. What a dumb name. Yoko was tempted to laugh herself silly over her partner's name. Except she couldn't. Not after having met the legend himself. Lots of stories surrounded the man and his family. Let's see if I remember. She swerved to avoid a rock pile and charged through some loose brush. The Strifes were one of the first few people who came to settle in Mytreheim after the so called Week of Terror that started when unknown forces attacked and destroyed Midgar after Meteor fell. Yoko wasn't even fifteen at the time, living with her family in lower Junon when the attackers tried to take the port city. The sub-commander, acting as the interim Commandant, organized a strike force that successfully beat back the attacks, but at a savage cost. She still remembered how long the casualty lists were. And the one name she couldn't forget. Father's. The young girl shook her head and cleared the memory. Hell, that's why I came to this place anyway, she told herself. To forget the past. Yoko went on with her private history lesson. Then word came that a giant explosion had rocked the western continent. Rumours flew of a giant flying machine --- a mythical WEAPON was destroyed. After that day, the attacks ceased as quickly as they began. Stories soon surfaced though, in the bars and streets of where she lived. Fantastic stories of how a small group of free lance adventurers defeated WEAPON and countless other horrors so Planet would live. Sephiroth, Jenova, Weapon. Names of individuals in a life Yoko could only imagine when she was growing up. Other stories surfaced as well. Tales of this man, Cloud and the two other people he lived with. "Yoko, I hear you behind me. Slow down. I have a stray in sight." The rookie blinked and squeezed the brakes in time to narrowly avoid a tree. "Y-you found one?" she rasped into her headset. "Yeah. I --- almost --- got --- whoa! Dammit!" Yoko heard cursing and the roar of an engine in the background as dust swirled over the crest. She gunned her bike over the hill and saw her partner running his own vehicle before a fleeing chocobo, trying to stave off its escape. So much for the glory of police work, she groaned as she realized *this* was her first day on the job. Yoko inched her bike cautiously forward. He's not going to catch the bird until it's tired out, she thought. And from what she heard, even the scrawniest of chocobos can run for a good fifteen to twenty minutes without stopping for breath. "Well this certainly sucks," Yoko threw her throttle open and raced forth to help Cloud. ***************************************************************** "Thanks," Cloud groaned and splashed some water over his face. "You're welcome," Yoko watched as her partner twisted the cap back on the canteen and handed it back to her. She accepted it with a question, "Don't you have a canteen, Cloud?" "Yeah, I do," he sighed and leaned against a gnarled old tree, "I just forgot it." "How convenient," she wrinkled her nose. Yoko remembered how often she heard similar excuses from the soldiers at Junon. It was just a cheap way they used on the women in Lower Junon to eat them out of house and home before leaving them holding the mess in womb. She caught him staring at her and fidgetted uncomfortably. Yoko quickly averted her eyes and turned back to her bike. "I did leave it at home," Cloud growled, "Accidents happen." "What?" she eyed him over the bike seat, "I didn't say anything." "You were thinking it." Yoko shrugged and snapped her canteen back in place. They had finished rounding up the strays and had more or less agreed to the ranch hand's demand that they at least accompany the herd out as they grazed to recapture any wayward chocobo. "Where are you from anyway?" "Huh?" Yoko looked up and saw Cloud was propped up against the gnarled tree. He had a piece of veldt straw in hand and was peeling it apart bit by bit. "Where're you from?" he repeated. "Junon." He cast a sideways glance at her, "Originally?" "Yeah." "Funny, you don't look like you're from there." "What do you mean?" Yoko stood back up. "Your looks," he made a face, "They're too exotic. Like Tifa's." "Tifa?" the rookie's eyes widened, "That's your wife, huh? I mean one of ---" "She's my wife," his voice iron, "And yes. So's Aeris." Yoko gulped, a little unnerved by his forwardness. "Wow," she caught her breath as Cloud looked at her with disapproval, "I mean really, wow. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked, huh?" Her spiky haired partner sighed and scratched his beard, "No, you shouldn't have. Frankly, I was hoping you'd be smarter than everyone else in town." "Really?" Yoko squeaked, "Sorry to disappoint you then." "Yeah, yeah," Cloud let the bits of grass float away on the wind, "Go ahead." "Huh?" "Go ahead and ask," he said, "From the looks of you, you're just about to explode." "Really?" Yoko asked with awe, "I--I can ask you anything?" "Why not?" Cloud made a face, "It's not like everybody else doesn't know already. And truthfully ---" He looked her straight in the eye, "I think you're better off hearing it from me than having the locals clutter your mind with a lot of made up rubbish." "Wow," the young woman knelt beside her partner, "Y-you mean I can ask anything?" "As long as it's not too personal," Cloud snorted, "Not like there's a lot left after Johnny let his damned lips run off. I'm glad Tiff stopped talking to that bastard---" The blonde man caught himself as Yoko blinked at his outburst. "Sorry," he chuckled, "See? I'm getting old already." "Maybe I should ask another time," she hesitated, "You don't seem all too talkative today." "Not really," Cloud smiled thinly, "I just had a rough week in the Ruins with robbers and all." "Yeah," Yoko grinned, "I heard you took 'em all in yourself." "Breya deserves the credit," he said softly, "She certainly earned it." "Breya?" Yoko perked up, "Wasn't she your previous--?" Cloud nodded glumly. "Oh," the young girl looked downcast. "Best damn bike constable on the Continent," he wiped his eyes, "She caught the Gray Rot trying to keep those grave robbing bastards from dying." "She must've been a great partner," Yoko said quietly. "Yeah," Cloud gouged a little hole in the earth, "So, what did you want to ask me?" "Oh that?" the rookie felt thoroughly awkward, "Um. Nothing now that I think of it." "Well, if you're not going to ask me anything," he paused, "Mind if I do?" "Wh-what?!" the young girl blinked, "Er -- I guess. Go ahead. Nothing too personal though." "I wouldn't dream of it," Cloud laughed, "Now, about Junon --- am I still wanted there?" "I dunno," Yoko replied, "We moved here a little less than a year ago." "Really? With whom?" "My mom." "Any brothers?" "No." "Sisters?" "Nope." "And your father?" Yoko shrugged, "Dead." Cloud soured, "Sorry I asked. My condolences." "It's a long time kinda," she started, "We weren't that close anyway. He was a Sweeper jock." "A Sweepie huh?" he made a face, "Good one?" "No, not really," Yoko said reluctantly, "But he got the job done." "I'm curious," he asked, "Why didn't you apply as a Sweepie?" "Tried to," she sniffed, "They said I was too skinny to move the levers. I don't get it; my dad's Sweeper only had buttons to operate it and he wasn't a big guy --- Hey! Wh-what's so funny? Stop laughing!" Cloud rolled in the veldt, tears in his eyes, "Oh dammit. It couldn't be further from the truth, Yoko. I'm sorry." "Huh?" she blinked, "What do you mean?" "All the Sweepers built in Mytreheim don't use Makou anymore," he explained, "They use a process called 'internal combustion'. They need heavier equipment to keep the process under control, I think." "You think?" Cloud shrugged, "If you really want to know that stuff, go ask the techs at the precinct. I'm sure they know more about this than I do." Yoko snapped her fingers, "Your bike. It uses that --- that way of generating power, doesn't it? That's why it's so damn big and bulky." Her older partner smiled slowly, "Guess you are pretty smart afterall." "But why not makou?" the girl stretched lazily on the yellow grass, "It makes things a heckuva a lot easier." "I guess they---" "And besides, Shinra raped Wutai's shores for the sake of makou anyway right? So why give it up now?" Cloud grimaced at her choice of words. "'Raped Wutai's shores?' You make it sound so dramatic," he said quietly, "Like a play." "Well my mom's from Wutai," Yoko remarked absently. "And they let your father operate Sweepers?" Cloud asked in disbelief, "This was when Shinra was still in operation right?" "War bride," the girl sniffed audibly. "Oh. Sorry." "Don't be," Yoko shrugged, "She could've done worse than my father." Cloud became pensive and fell silent although his partner went on. "I guess that explains my looks huh?" she sat up, "What about your wife? The one you said had the same look I had?" "Tifa?" the spiky haired man scratched his arm under the single shoulder guard, "I don't know really. I think she mentioned her grandma wed a guy from Wutai. That makes her, what? A quarter?" "Makes sense," Yoko nodded, "My mom always said I would have been the favorite of the family had it not been for my cousin. That and my mixed blood." "Cousin?" Cloud stretched. "Yeah," Yoko lay back on the grass, "Some prodigal nut who was born before I was." "Nut huh?" he listened with half an ear, "Any name?" "I dunno," the girl yawned, "But the father was my mom's brother. Some Wutai lord or something. Godo I think was his name. Mom always said if she wasn't stuck married to dad, the family head would've been me." She seemed more indignant about her fate than that of her mother's, but it was her words that caught his attention. Cloud sat still for a moment until he realized exactly who that 'prodigal nut' was. "Yuffie?" he said suddenly. "Huh?" Yoko looked at him oddly. "What's your last name?" he held up a hand, "I mean your mother's last name? Before she got married." "Ki-sa-ra-gi I think," Yoko grimaced, "Great Planet, I hate saying that. Makes me sound like I'm gargling." "Godo Kisaragi," Cloud whispered. "Yeah," the rookie nodded, "That's my uncle, I think. Mom always said he had a big part in the war, but I think she's just telling me stories to keep me from joining up with Shinra." "Yuffie's your cousin." "Huh?" Yoko sat up. "Your nutball of a cousin was our travellng companion," Cloud smiled wanly, "And a friend. Of sorts." "Y-you knew er --- is it a him or a her? I can't really tell with these weird names really." "Yuffie was your uncle's daughter." "Oh wow," Yoko was opened mouthed, "You actually knew my cousin. Oh wow." "Yeah," the young man's eyes suddenly found the grass interesting again. "Something happened huh?" she rocked on her calves. "I didn't say that." "Your face did," Yoko gave him a small grin, "Are you this easy to read? I bet your wives must be tickled silly." Cloud's eyes crinkled slightly, "I guess they do." "So what happened?" the girl pressed, "To my cousin?" "She's dead." "Oh jeez," Yoko slumped her shoulders, "So much for being famous." Cloud darkened slightly, "She was young like you. But she knew how to behave like a grown up." "Sorry," the rookie twiddled her fingers, "I guess I was just excited knowing someone in my family actually hung around a legend like you." "Too bad she couldn't hang around longer." "Yeah," Yoko dimpled her cheeks, "When did it happen?" "A little more than two years ago." "Oh." Her partner fell silent as she gathered the courage to bring out the next question. "So tell me. Is it true?" "What is?" She took a deep breath, "About---about what they say?" Cloud was silent for a while before he nodded. "Oh." Yoko hesitated slightly before going on, "So --- H-how do you do it?" "That's none of your damn business!" he suddenly flared. She immediately snapped her mouth shut as the young man checked his temper. "Really," he said through clenched teeth, "I thought you knew what would cross the line." "Sorry. I didn't mean to," she blabbered, "I'm just curious that's all." She looked up and saw he looking at her. "How old are you?" "Me? Um. I'll be 18 by the end of next week." "You'll learn," he growled, "There's some things you just don't talk about like the weather, understand?" "Yessir!" she bit her lip and looked down, "I'm sorry sir!" Silence engulfed them for a while as they sank into their own respective thoughts. A young chocobo meanwhile, had stumbled near them. It's beak tore at a low patch of grass as they looked on. A soft voice shattered the peace like lightning on the veldt. "Yoko?" "Y-y-yeah?" the girl hid her face as she wiped her eyes. She hadn't been yelled at by anyone for so long, she had forgotten how much it stung. "Look, I'm sorry I chewed you out---" "--I deserved it---" "--shut up and listen will you?" Cloud glanced at her and rolled his eyes as the girl's lips began to tremble. "Aw hell. Here," he handed her a bright yellow handkerchief. "Th-thanks," she stifled her tears and blew her nose sharply as he patted her back. "Losing Breya was pretty hard on me. I kinda forgot she asked me the same questions you did when she first signed on with me." "R-really?" "Yeah." "Well I really made a mess of things, so I guess I should just shut up now huh?" Yoko handed him the soggy cloth. "Ah, no thanks. You keep it," he forced a grin, "Just consider it a memento." "Yeah. A messy one." They both smiled stupidly at one another until she realized just how long his hand had been on her. He noticed it too and quickly withdrew a safe distance away. "Sorry about that," he stammered quickly, "I--um, I'm just sorry." "Me too." Yoko beat lightly against her thighs to avert a disaster. Planet help me, she swallowed hard. I hope he doesn't notice my uniform just got stained with --- with --- Well whatever it is, it certainly wasn't piss. Her cheeks glowed a bright red as she hemmed her legs together to hide her crotch. "So if---if I really want to ask you about--about it," she looked up and watched him lay back on the grass, "Wh-what would I h-hear?" "Okay. I'll tell you how I got to be the way I am," Cloud looked at her, "Just like I told Breya. But promise me. Not a word to anyone, not even your mother or your friends or anyone else for that matter, understand?" Yoko nodded eagerly, "Yessir! I understand." "Okay," Cloud took a deep breath and started. ============================================================== . . . cordially invited to the wedding of . . . -- item #13346 - scrap found at NeuMidgar Excavation, 1086 Post Meteor ============================================================== "Stop fussing!" "Sorry, I --- I just can't believe it," Tifa stared at the mirror. "Well stop fidgetting! I almost have everything done!" Tifa sat still as slender hands gathered up her loose dark hair and twisted it into a pigtail. "Doan telf'me you hav'emt dunff'is before," Aeris held two ribbons in her mouth. "Well, actually no," Tifa's face reddened slightly. Aeris sighed as she worked the knot together and proceeded to the rest of the hair. The two women were in a small dressing room. A sofa, several stools, and a small vanity filled up the space, leaving little room to move about. It was cramp for one person, let alone two. "Hold still!" Aeris admonished as Tifa began to fidget again. "Sorry." The slender woman braided the knot with one ribbon and then the other, "You *knew* he was going to ask sooner or later." "Yeah I guess," Tifa mumbled, "I just didn't expect him ask both of us --- at the same time." "Hey," Aeris knelt, "You're not having second thoughts are you?" Tifa chewed her lip absently. "Don't worry," the healer brushed her cheek, "Just take a deep breath and we'll wow them at the altar, okay?" The dark haired bride to be nodded as her friend giggled, "You remember how he looked at us when we both said 'Yes?'" "Yeah," Tifa broke into a smile, "He couldn't believe it." "This is going to be great!" the slender woman hugged her, "We're really going to be a family now!" Tifa playfully bumped heads with her. It's been one year. One whole year since Meteor came down. A lot has happened since. Their first concern was to find a place to live. Midgar was uninhabitable for an indefinite period of time. Frightening accounts abounded of people who went only to never return were enough to deter any further snooping or looting. Junon was out. They were still wanted in that city though the reward offered was ridiculously small enough to forego a man-hunt. The victims were less than reputable and the new Commandant had other worries than to chase after fugitives. Icicle Village, Kalm, Mideel --- they were all laid to waste. And Corel was out of the question. If they were to move there Aeris argued, they might as well move back to the slums of Midgar. She suggested the Canyon, but it got deathly hot in the summer and unbearably cold in winter. Tifa almost wanted to go back to Nibelheim, save for the fact that it held harsh scars for her and Cloud both. They had come to the end of their rope when one of Reeve's old section leaders, a certain Dannath, had contacted them and let his old employer know that the Midgar refugees had incorporated and formed a small, yet rapidly expanding settlement a few hundred miles north of where Midgar used to be. Dannath was as sincere, as he was persuasive. Would it be possible if you were to lend a hand at reforming our town charter? Reeve literally jumped at the chance. The rest of them quickly followed. So they found a home at last. All of them. One of the reasons Dannath was so forthcoming was the literal anarchy the whole place was in. Such as it were, the residents didn't even have a name for their new home. Reeve immediately drove himself into work. Volunteers were again called forth to bring about order. Necessary infrastructure was installed, homes were built. Under Reeve's leadership the town did in half a year, what would have taken other places forever to do. Cloud signed on as a constable, despite Tifa's vociferous objections. She only managed to allay her fears when Aeris finally reminded them that they could always count on the healer being around. Tifa reluctantly subsided her protests and acceded. Once a flower girl, always a flower girl. Aeris found she made a better florist than doctor. It wasn't that she didn't like treating the injured, it just took too much out of her. Deep down, Tifa suspected that she didn't want to be reminded of how different she was. In any case, Aeris managed to open up a hybrid flower shop and grocery. And while business was not booming, it was still agreeable. Tifa herself found tending bars was a joke. Especially with money to be made elsewhere. She took on a construction job and quickly moved up to foreman with her sharp business sense and even sharper tongue. All the new houses that were built in the first few months of their arrival involved her or her crew. Red XIII found that travel suited his needs, although how he heard of the news was beyond anyone's comprehension. And how he showed up five days early, bringing with him an exquisite roll of silk was an absolute mystery. They were reluctant to accept, but it seemed impolite to refuse a gift from a friend. It was that silk that was made into the dresses they wore now. Cid and Shera settled in one of the more uniquely built houses at the edge of town. With Shinra gone and the ensuing incursions of the Elders putting everything in disarray, the mousy engineer suggested that they help in some way. The pilot agreed and set up a shipping and transport business with Highwind Too. Later on, he added passenger space to his ship and ran a ferry service to and from Junon. Tifa suddenly burst out laughing. "Wh-what's so funny?" Aeris stared at her friend. "Remember when Cid took us up in the Tiny Bronco?" "Oh right," a slow smile crept across Aeris' features, "I remember." She had just finished working out most of the scars from Cid's face when Cloud remarked to Shera that they might need someone to sit Marlene for a few days when they wanted to be alone after the wedding. The pilot was so thankful the healer had greatly reduced the scarring that he took the four of them out for a spin in the small plane. Cid had recovered it during one of his jaunts in Highwind Too. There they were, the five of them were crammed into the small cabin when who should ask to fly but Marlene. Aeris swore Cloud fainted as soon those tiny hands took hold of the wheel. Afterwards, Cloud wisely let the matter drop and quietly asked if Nanaki would be available. The quadruped accepted grudgingly. "Aunteeeeeeee! I haf-too gooooooooo!!" "Marlene," Aeris stood and sighed, "I thought I told you not to drink too much." "But I'm thurs-teee!" "I'll take her," Tifa started to get up. "Oh no you don't," Aeris gently pushed her back down, "You're not messing up that dress." "It's okay," the dark haired woman stood, "If anything, your dress is harder to move in anyway." Aeris sighed, "Okay, just be careful all right?" "It'll be quick," Tifa grinned and took Marlene's hand, "Come on." The healer watched as the two step carefully to the back of the room where the water closet was. A knock on the door caught her attention. "Who is it?" she called out. "Ivana," came a muffled voice. "Ivana who?" "I wanna come in and see you," the knob began to turn. "Oh no you don't!" Aeris laughed and flew to the door. "Aw, come on," the voice pleaded, "It's really lonely out here." "Cloud Strife," Aeris' voice rang out loud and clear, "Don't get impatient now!" She grunted as she felt the door slowly slide open. Aeris squealed and tried her hardest pushing back. "Cloud!" she fought back her giggles, "I'm warning you! You're giving us bad luck!" "Don't worry about it," he chuckled, "We'll wash it all off in the shower." Aeris burst out in laughs as she caught sight of Tifa coming out. "Tifa! Tifa! Come quick!" "Tiger out!" the dark haired woman pushed against the door. "Two against one isn't fair!" Tifa pushed hard against the door, but she was grinning the whole time. Even Marlene ran up and pushed, prompting laughter from the two brides. "No kiss?" Aeris caught the glimpse of his lips past the crack. A red bolt shot past the door. "Kitty!" Marlene squealed with delight. "Don't hug him yet!" Aeris warned, "You'll soil your dress!" "I am quite clean thank you," the warrior bared his teeth, "The groom wishes to send you his warmest regards." A note lay with of two red roses was loosely strung on his back. "Marlene, be a dear and see what it says." The girl tottered over and hugged the quadruped in spite of her aunt's warning. "Bawwoons!" she chanted excitedly as her tiny hands held up rubber items that were anything but toys. Aeris gasped as Red snorted, "I'd be wary of him tonight." "Out!," Tifa broke into laughs as she shoved the door, "Out! Out! Out!" "Ow!! Ow! Take it easy," a woman's voice came past the door, "It's me!" "Shera?" Tifa let the door open a bit, "Where's Cloud?" "Cid got a hold of him," the mousy woman now seemed regal in her flowery gold dress. "Thank Planet," Aeris flopped onto the sofa, "Marlene, may I please see them?" The girl handed the 'balloons' to her and Aeris promptly hid them from prying eyes. "I wanna pway wid 'dem!" "Here you go," Aeris handed her a white orb from the vanity, "Play with this." "I dont want matewia, I want bawwoons!" "I'll blow them up later," Aeris lied. She hoped Marlene will forget. And soon. "Pwomise?" Aeris sighed and plucked the girl onto the sofa. "Here," the healer handed her the rose buds, "Peel these off and put them into your basket." "Do I fwowe 'dem way-ter?" "Um hmm," Aeris nodded, "We'll be right behind you, okay?" Marlene nodded vigorously as she began ripping apart the dark red roses. ". . . it would've been bad if he saw us," Tifa was chatting away with Shera. "I guess," the woman held two boxes, "It's not everyday a man takes two wives." "What are those?" Tifa pointed. "Your um, things." "What things?" "You know," Shera pointed, "For the --- er, end of the ceremony." "What? Oh," Aeris blushed, "But I thought we took that out!" "Cloud asked me to give them to you," the engineer started to push up her glasses and stopped. She wasn't wearing them. "Why?" "Just in case you change your mind I guess." "I bet Johnny put him up to it," Tifa chewed her lip, "That dirty little ---" "Tifa." She looked up and saw Aeris plugging Marlene's ears. The raven haired bride to be reddened, "Sorry." Red rolled his eyes as the women started to gossip about everything from the guests to the food. ". . . has the cake arrived?" ". . . half hour ago." ". . . who's showing what again?" ". . . on my left or my right?" ". . . he's how large?" A sudden knock on the door prompted them to stop and stare. "Tiger? Is it you?" "It's me Cid," the knock came again, this time more urgently, "Open up will'ya?" "Is Cloud with you?" Aeris piped up. "Probably," Tifa made a face, "He's probably just waiting for the door to open." "Don't get up," Shera opened the door a crack, "Do you need something?" "Where's Nanaki?" Cid's face was chalk white. Oh shit, Tifa rose in alarm. What now? "Something wrong?" Red trotted forth. "Don't know," Cid shrugged, "But Reeve wanted you to see fer yerself." Red stepped out as Tifa and Aeris got up to follow, but the pilot held out a hand. "The rest of you better stay inside." "What? Why?" "Shera," Cid looked at her, "Make sure they stay in here, got it?" "O-okay," Shera was nervous, "Be careful." "Hey wait!" Tifa called, "Where's Cloud?" "Outside," Cid quickly shut the door. Dammit, Tifa thought. Aeris looked at the door intently. "Something's wrong," the healer whispered, "I just know it." "Well we'll just have to see won't we?" Tifa strode towards the door. "Are you sure you want to go?" Shera extended an arm. "Dam--," Tifa bit her tongue as Aeris began to reach for Marlene, "I mean, yes." "But he said stay here---" "Shera," Tifa sighed, "I'm not asking you to come along." The woman swallowed hard, "Okay I'm going with you." "Me too," Aeris stood, "Marlene, you stay here." ********************************************************************** The bright sun was rather harsh on their eyes but the three of them fumbled and stumbled their way out of the church. Tifa leaned on the picket fence to steady herself when she heard Aeris gasp. What in the world? She squinted her eyes. A group of them gathered around something. Not satisfied, Tifa elbowed her way to the front. "I thought I asked you two stay inside," Cloud hissed. "Don't take that tone with us tiger," Tifa shot back, "I'm not letting anything happen to you." "Tifa." She felt Aeris tug at her gently. "Look." "Oh my," the dark haired woman hid her mouth. A red quadruped, maneless, slim, and athletic stood amidst a crowd of curious on-lookers. Red XIII stood silent and motionless. "What's it doing?" Aeris whispered. "I dunno," Tifa shuffled over to where the warrior was. "Nanaki?" Aeris came up, "What does it want?" "I --- I don't know." "Nothing's been said so far," Reeve said quietly. "When did it show?" "Someone thought they saw Nanaki, but ---" "--- but it was impossible since I asked him to go to into the brides' room," Cloud finished. "Well," Tifa nudged her four legged friend, "Go on. Aren't you going to talk to him?" "I --- I think it's a her," Red suddenly stammered. "Really?" she glanced at the new arrival briefly then turned back, "So go talk to her." "She might have been sent," he was gruff, but Tifa could tell he was bewitched by the creature in front of him. "Nanaki," Aeris bent down, "We won't know if she was sent if we don't ask." "So why me?" he pawed the ground absently. "Why not?" Tifa observed, "You like her." "The hell with this," Cloud growled and stepped forward, "Who are you?" The other quadruped cocked its --- her! head and said in a clear, firm voice, "Unit 110110101." "Sweet Planet," Cid coughed, "What kind of name is that?" "More precisely," Red gathered his courage, "*What* are you?" "Type 90-L hunter tracker." "L?" "Sub model 'Laa'," the maneless simmie answered. "Is that another name?" Red approached cautiously, "The name of --- of things like us?" "Negative." "What is it then?" The strange simmie quirked a brow, "It denotes 'female'." "Really?" Red checked his distance. Too close. Back off a bit. The new arrival must have seen it for she spoke rapidly. "I bear a message. No more. I am not here to fight." "No one's here to fight," Cloud said tight lipped, "It's a wedding." "Whedd-ding?" the slim quadruped blinked in confusion. "Never mind that," Red tried to remain all business, "What do you have to say? Were you sent?" "I am not privy to such information," the reply was curt, "I only carry out my orders." "Just like him," Aeris began to shake. Tifa reached out to steady her. "Well, let's hear it," Cloud braced himself for trickery. "It is in here," the quadruped looked up; a metal canister was tied around her neck. "And," she lowered her head and looked straight at Aeris, "It is to be received by her only." Cloud glanced at the small woman, who had paled by several shades. "You need not fear me," the simmie went on, "I will not knowingly injure any Cetra---" "I'm *not* your master." "If you wish," the voice was calm, "you may kill me and still retrieve the message. I live to serve." Red risked a glance at the others, Aeris especially. "That --- that won't be necessary," the healer mustered her courage and stepped forth. Red scrunched down and readied to leap anyways. It's a damn pity, he shook with rage as he gazed at her. Greylorn takes away my identity, my life, and probably my race. Damned be you, he thought darkly. I hope you die alone. Red blinked. Easy there, I've got to stay focused. Aeris stood transfixed with fear as she gripped the canister. Cloud stepped up and opened it for her. Something fell out and hit the ground with a dull thunk. She gingerly picked it up as the maneless quadruped backed away. It was a note, wrapped around a slim dagger. Tifa saw the healer's face pale as she slowly read the note. As Aeris got to the end, her face suddenly flashed with anger. "Aeris?" Cloud stepped closer, "You okay?" "I --- I'm fine," she gave them all a weak smile but the healer was trembling uncontrollably. Tifa grew worried as she motioned for Reeve to disperse the crowd. Cid muttered something ugly under his breath, "It's that damn sonovabitch ain't it?" "Maybe," Tifa said darkly, "Do me a favor and stall for us, okay?" "Gotcha," the pilot nodded at Shera and they headed inside, whispering amongst themselves. "Aeris," Cloud took up her hands, "What's wrong?" She didn't answer as she held up the note. Tifa saw the small woman shake a little as the note was taken from her hands. "What's it say?" the dark haired bride to be joined them. "See for yourself," Cloud said quietly. Tifa smoothed out the parchment and read the message: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If may interest you to know, Council has declared the Cetra extinct. And you may keep the knife. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The note was obviously hand written, unsigned except for the single glaring eye at the bottom. An eye stamped in blue ink. Tifa soured and let the note drift away in the wind. "Shall I cancel?" "What?" Tifa turned around to find Reeve standing quietly behind her. "If she's not feeling well ---" he began. "She'll be fine," Tifa drew up straight, "I'm not letting that bastard screw us out of our wedding. I'm sticking it out!" The man stepped back, nodding at her fortitude, "All right, but we should start soon." "It'll just be a minute," Tifa turned to her friends as he left. "Why can't they just leave me alone!?" the woman hissed through angry sobs. Cloud hugged her tightly as Tifa took a moment to check the canister. Empty. She tossed it aside as Aeris' voice began to rise with alarm. "He's come back. He's coming for me!" "Hey, hey," Cloud held her, "Easy okay?" Tifa had not seen her friend so distressed, and it worried her. "Aeris," she spoke with a steady tone, "Stay calm --- wait! Wh-what are you doing?" "I'm fooling myself," the woman began to take off her veil, "I'll never fit in. I'll never be like everyone else." "Stop that," Cloud lifted her chin gently, "Damn that man and forget him, you hear?" Aeris shook her head sadly, "But ---" "No buts!" Tifa said hotly, "Don't you get it? They just did us a huge favor! To whatever the hell is out there, you don't exist anymore. That means you can do whatever you want!" "What --- ever --- I --- want?" Aeris shook. "And what do you want now?" Tifa gripped her, "More than anything on Planet? Tell me." Cloud looked between them and sensed something. Something he can never really share in, but he would come to live with. A bond? Perhaps. Perhaps more. "Aeris," he whispered, "Tiff is right. Whatever's goading you, we'll face it together. The three of us, okay?" The small woman swallowed hard as she looked up at them as Cloud put an understanding around her. "I want to be free from --- from everything. You understand?" the healer clenched her hands, "I want to live out my life! I want to be with you --- both of you! I love you!!" "I love you too," Tifa hugged her dearly, "Welcome home, Aeris. Welcome home." The two of them blubbered like children as Cloud turned his attention to the dagger on the ground. Picking it up, he inspected the weapon closely. The blade was long and tapering, the side guards shone a dull gold hue. The handle itself was made of polished bone. Simple, but well dangerous if used properly. Cloud snorted. Like that cold hearted fucker. He certainly looked harmless enough. When he lowered the knife, he heard a rattle. "Hey," he shook it up and down, "Something's inside." "What is it Cloud?" Tifa looked up. He twisted the end of the handle and something shiny fell into his hand. Aeris sniffed and blew lightly into a small kerchief as she looked on warily. "What's that?" "Looks like a set of keys." "Keys?" the healer seemed doubtful. "There's something etched on the blade," Tifa pointed. "What's it say?" Aeris yearned for a look. "I --- I dunno." "Don't tell me you can't read, tiger." "Actually," Cloud hung his head, "I never learned to read script." "You're kidding me right?" Tifa gaped. "I left for Midgar pretty early," the young man shrugged, "Sorry." "Poor Cloud," Aeris stroked his cheek, "It's okay, as long as you can read." She paused, "You *can* read right?" "Block print," he coughed nervously, "Enough to get by." Aeris nodded in understanding. "Here, let me," Tifa took the knife from him. "Nine Montblanc," she recited slowly, "Costa Del Sol." "Costa Del Sol?" he furrowed a brow. "Wh-what could it mean?" Aeris looked at her companions. "Maybe he wants to meet us there." "Cloud." He looked up and saw Aeris, who was suddenly pale again and Tifa, who glowered at him with disapproval. "Sorry." "Maybe," Aeris hesitated, "Maybe it's a gift." "Aeris?" Cloud gawked, "Are you feeling okay?" "Yeah," Tifa blinked, "We're talking about Mr. Tearing-new-assholes, remember?" "Yeah," Aeris frowned at her friend's cursing, "But--but maybe it is what it is. A gift." "Why would he?" Cloud suddenly became suspicious. "Your guess is as good as mine," she bit her lip. Tifa took her hand, "If it is a gift, then what should we do?" "Do?" Aeris looked at them, "Why ask me?" "I'm not accepting it if you aren't," Cloud stood firm. "Me too," Tifa gave Aeris a squeeze. The healer looked downcast, "It's not fair to you---" "No," Cloud put up a hand, "It's not fair to *you*. I won't forgive him for --- for everything." "Tifa?" Aeris passed a sideways glance. "Whatever you want," the dark haired woman said quietly, "Frankly, I don't really care what he does, nor why." "All right," Aeris grew thoughtful, "Okay. We'll see what it is. Then if there's something wrong ---" "We'll all be there," Tifa knocked heads with her, "Together." "Thanks." "Hey," Cloud spoke up, "Let's not keep everyone waiting." "Oh right," Aeris wiped her eyes, "I'm sorry. Rats, we're supposed to cry during the ceremony, not before." "That reminds me," Tifa snapped her fingers and faced Cloud, "YOU weren't supposed to see us until the wedding!" "Oh no," Aeris groaned, "Should we delay the ceremony tomorrow?" "Forget that," Cloud shook his head, "Today's been on my mind for over half a year now. I'm not waiting." "But ---!" "I'll just look surprised," he chuckled. "Oh you'd better tiger," Tifa started pushing him inside, "Or else!" "Else what?" he teased. "We have *got* to teach you some manners!" Aeris hooked her arms and found cause to laugh again. "Er, excuse me," a low voice drew them out of their merriment. "Oh Nanaki," Tifa said, "I'm sorry. We kind of forgot about you." "I'm used to it," the warrior growled, "But should I do something about ---" he jerked his head towards Unit 110110101. "I suppose we should," Cloud exchanged glances with Tifa and Aeris, "What do you want to do?" Tifa shrugged and looked at her friend, "It's not my place to say." "Again?" Aeris bit her lip, "Well, invite her in. I guess." "A-are you sure?" Red faltered. "Sure," Cloud nodded, "I don't see why not." "Hey," Tifa suddenly perked up, "She can be your date!" "I just made her acquaintance," Red pawed the ground absently. "Oh, don't be shy," Tifa knelt, "Go ahead. Ask her." Red glanced at the stranger in their midst. The female simmie was sniffing the air, totally unaware of anything else. "Yech," the other quadruped sputtered suddenly, "What is that smell?" "The food must've arrived," Cloud whispered jokingly. "Don't say that," Aeris suppressed a smile and looked at him, "We'll have to eat that stuff." "I know," he said ruefully. Aeris laughed and kissed his hand. "Well come on," Tifa grinned and began ushering them inside, "We don't have all day!" ********************************************************************** "About damn time." "Watch it Cid," Cloud stood nervously at the altar. "What fer?" "May I remind you my son, this *IS* a place of worship," Hargo eyed the pilot sternly. "Right," Cid grinned nervously, "Sorry." Cloud rocked imperceptibly on his feet. The place was small, fitting for the more or less small wedding they had anticipated. Until Tifa opened the whole thing to her construction crew. Even he hadn't thought to invite any of his fellow constables. Two wives? It was just too weird. But Tifa always had a way of finding a way to spice things up. 'Gentleman' Johnny Clavell, called up the whole crew and filled the pews with an army of horny guys who wanted to see the spectacle of a lifetime. The man was Tifa's first and most ardent patron at Seventh Heaven, her old bar back in Midgar. Now he worked with her in the construction business. Cloud fidgetted slightly. The suit was a little on the tight side since he had borrowed it from Reeve. Money was tight as hell ever since they settled at Mytreheim. The groom winced at the name. He had forgotten who had coined it, but he remembered Reeve saying something about it fitting as one of the town's first exports were the large amounts of mythril that were mined from the mountains east of where Kalm used to be. So Mytreheim it was. "Hey." He felt Cid nudge him. "They're coming." Huh? Cloud blinked. The music had started already while he had been prancing about in la-la-land. "Thanks," he whispered. Cid nodded slightly. "You got the rings?" The pilot again nodded. "Lower jacket pocket," Cid murmured without moving his healed lips. "Which one?" The young groom heard the pilot groan, but neither man moved a muscle. Aww crap, Cloud rolled his eyes and satisfied himself with watching as Marlene come towards him bearing a basket full of rose petals. Her tiny hands tossed them here and there as some of the guests chuckled. She then proceeded to pick them up one by one. Someone guffawed as Shera tried to explain to her the purpose of the act. Marlene nodded and said, "Oh!" in such a bubbly voice it brought grins and whispers from everyone around. Shera took the girls' hand and lead her to their places on Hargo's right. All heads suddenly turned as the brides entered the room. Although they had already made their premature appearance earlier, it didn't stop the crowd from falling into an awed hush as the two brides shuffled carefully down the aisle. Luckily we had them widen the lane for this, Cloud chuckled to himself. Tifa shone like never before in her rosy gown. Gold tipped fringes wrapped around her in a wide, lacy affair. The young man could only grin like a moron as she wrinkled her nose playfully at him as she made her way down, accompanied by 'Gentleman' Johnny. In the absence of anyone suitable to serve as fathers of the brides and best men, they had decided to pick their own accompaniment. Cloud got stuck with Cid. Tifa knew this and flashed him a wry little grin. He rolled his eyes and glanced at Aeris, who smiled broadly underneath her sky blue veil. Compared to Tifa's ensemble, hers seemed almost muted. It was almost as if she wasn't the center of attention. Nevertheless her sea green eyes shone brightly through the gossamer silk Nanaki had brought them. The slender healer was escorted by a wiry Reeve who felt obliged to help the proceedings, provided that Ilyana could attend. The young groom risked a glance at the pale faced woman as she sat mute, staring straight ahead. He wondered if she had any inkling what was going on. Although he had his doubts, Reeve had pulled off a what almost amounted to a miracle. The poor girl had stopped her wild outbursts and even learned to react somewhat to the world around her. Reeve was something else, the groom shook his head inwardly. Too damn dedicated. Especially to lost causes. "Ahem." Cloud blinked and caught Reeve and Johnny holding out the women's hands. "Oh --- right," he snapped awake, "Cid?" Tifa stuck her tongue out as Aeris hid a smile. "Um, wait. Uh oh. Wait," Cid dug into his jacket pockets comically as chuckles and murmurs rustled in the background. This is embarrassing, Cloud thought. Tifa gave him an odd look. Goofing off again, she lipped. No really, he mouthed back. Aeris suppressed a giggle. Cloud saw Shera shake her head in silence. "Hey!" someone shouted, "We can use some o' Marla's rings, eh Johnny? Planet knows she don't need so many!" "Shaddap!" Johnny growled as the miscreant who suggested the notion was whapped from behind with a heavy purse. Hargo glowered at the spectacle but said nothing. Cloud rubbed his nose and sniffed. That Marla had a temper that bested even Tifa's. Too bad she was like that all the time. It's no wonder Johnny preferred to be out on the job so often. Cid suddenly straightened up and wiped his brow with his sleeve. "Whew," the pilot fumbled and handed the rings to Cloud, "Damn close." The young groom chuckled nervously as Hargo cleared his throat. "Sorry," the pilot grinned sheepishly and stepped back. "Perhaps we can begin?" Hargo nodded and began. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bring about a most --- unique union." The scholar gathered breath before continuing, "We are especially blessed, as I understand this to be one of the first weddings held in this church." "Amen brother," Johnny whispered. "Sssh," Tifa elbowed him. "So we come here to witness the joining of three wonderful people," Hargo went on, unperturbed, "and wish them good fortune and happiness in their future." The wizened man turned to the dark haired bride, "Do you Tifa Lockheart, take this man to be your husband?" "I do," her demeanor quiet and determined. Hargo nodded and turned to the light haired woman, "Do you Aeris Gainsborough, take this man to be your husband?" "Oh yes," the reply came out in a great held breath. "Two down, one to go," Johnny grinned. They were all smiling save Hargo, who was bordering on dropping everything and strangling the obnoxious man and perhaps the groom, who was sweating buckets. "And do you Cloud Strife," Hargo somehow mustered the control to go on, "take these two into your house and bequeath upon them your name?" "I do that," he gulped hard, "and more." The small group looked up with surprise at the tight jawed young man. Aeris looked at him with confusion as Tifa saw in his eyes something. A drive, she wondered? A will? It seemed to be a sharply honed determination she'd not seen before. She jumped a bit when he took up hers and Aeris' hands. "I vow to love and protect them with each waking moment of my life. Until my last breath. I swear this in Planet's presence." Cloud took the rings and slipped them on in turn. Hargo quirked his brow at the theatrics, but he let it by. "Very well, I now pronounce you --- er," the scholar paused and searched for the right words, "--- married." Cheers and whistles erupted as the newlyweds turned to face their guests. "Kiss'em ya twit!" Johnny pounded the groom heartily on the back. Tifa laughed and Aeris blushed as Cloud kissed them each in turn. ********************************************************************** "What an odd display." Red XIII eyed the newcomer warily, "It is wedding." "I am aware what it is called," the maneless quadruped snorted, "But it is only a name. It holds no meaning for me." The warrior grunted in understanding, "Do you wish an explanation?" "I doubt it matters," the svelte simmie arched her back, "It only seems to pertain to them." That's not true, Red almost wanted to shout, but he held his tongue. Maybe it is true. Were simulacra meant to --- reproduce in such a fashion? Were we meant to reproduce at all? "So, what do you have in mind now?" The other quadruped looked at him oddly. "What do you have planned?" Red rephrased his question. "Planned?" "Yes," Red was admittedly nervous, "For the rest of your stay. You --- are staying are you not?" "I believe I am," the newcomer shrugged, "As there does not seem to be transport off this world. However, I intend to explore this planet and draw up tactical and strategic data." Red growled, "What has he done to you?" "Pardon?" Laughter and loud whistles cut into their conversation. Red looked up and saw Tifa sitting in the middle of the room with Cloud trying to reach under her dress. "Reach higher! The boss has hella long legs!" the crowd roared with approval. Cat calls and wolf whistles sang out as Tifa smiled and stuck up her finger for all to see. "See! See?! She's wants you right now!" "Too bad guys," she laughed as Cloud twirled a garter band around his finger. He gave her a quick kiss before moving on to Aeris. "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!" Johnny led the crowd as the chanting rose feverently. Cloud was about to crouch before her when Aeris shifted herself a bit and lifted her dress timidly. The garter band hung neatly on her shoe. Cloud gave her a weak grin and coyly took the prize as she laughed and shook a finger at the crowd. "What kind of a show was that?!" "Shaddap Johnny!" Marla whapped the man upside the head. Red snorted and turned away to see the other quadruped watching the exhibition intently. "See? There's more to life than just war and misery." "Is that all the proof do you offer?" the maneless simmie didn't look at him. "It's right before your eyes," Red said quietly, "Not just here." "I don't understand," she was flustered, "We were born to track ---" "Perhaps," Red cut in, "It's better if I show you, rather than just tell you." "Perhaps," the newcomer turned back to watch Cloud dance rather awkwardly with Tifa. Aeris was engaged in chatter with Reeve as Ilyana sat with a small smile beside him. "By the way," Red cleared his throat, "What is your name?" "My designation is 110110101 ---" she stopped as the warrior shook his head. "No. I meant a real name." "Unit 110110101." Red sighed, "I am called Nanaki." "Naa --- nak --- kee?" He felt a stab of pain as he remembered how Yuffie toyed with his name. He shook himself free of the past and replied, "What's yours?" "11011 ----" she fell silent as Red rolled his eye. ". . . damn straight!" Cid was talking with one of Tifa's crew as he set down his drink next to a jug of liquor on the floor. Hmmm, Red tilted his head a bit as he stared at the vessels curiously. Where the label on a bottle of Junon rum had met with the label on a jug of Wutai sake, a most curious word was formed. "Rusake," he murmured. The newcomer perked her ears. "I like it," she lay her head down on her paws, "Rusake then." ================================================================ You must spank her! What!? Yes, and after that -- you must spank me! And me! And me! A spanking! A spanking! Yes! Yes! You must give us all a good spanking! And afterwards, the oral sex!! -- Lady Dingo, Castle Anthrax - Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail ================================================================ "Well, here we are," Tifa's bags dropped in a heap on the floor. "Are you sure this is the right place?" Aeris peered around warily, "It can't be. It --- it's a whole villa!" "Yeah," Cloud let out a slow whistle as he surveyed the place, "Wow." "Well it's ours now," Tifa said matter of factly, "Otherwise the keys wouldn't have our monograms." Aeris fell silent as Cloud hugged her. "Are you still having second thoughts?" "I--I don't know," she began. "If it's making you jumpy, we can stay at the inn," he whispered. "No," she dipped her head, "It's all right. We'll stay." "We don't have to if you don't want to," Tifa said. "It's all right," Aeris looked at them evenly, "I'm fine." "Aun-tee." Tifa felt small hands tug at her, "I'm hot." "Well this is Costa Del Sol," Cloud remarked as he dragged the bags aside. "I'll go and see if there's something in the ice box," Aeris gathered up her wedding gown and headed down the hall. "Can you tell me a stowy?" Marlene's tiny hands hid a yawn. "In a minute. Go wash up first," Tifa handed her a kerchief. She gave the young girl a pat on the bottom as she tottered off. "She's ready to nod off already," she sighed. "Yeah," Cloud nodded in agreement. It was understandable. It's been a long day. Since Red XIII was indisposed after 'Rusake' showed at the wedding, they had no recourse but to bring her along to the honeymoon. "Here's her stuff," he handed Tifa a small cotton nightgown and chuckled, "I wonder you two brought along." She gave him a saucy smile, "Hmm, that's for us to know and you to find out." "Yeah," Cloud laughed, "I guess." I guess? Tifa cocked her head, perplexed by his reply. But before she could ask him further Aeris came back, arms loaded with a bottle and glasses. "Here you go, guys." "Hey," Tifa glanced at the label, "Fancy stuff." Aeris poured coloured liquid into the flutes. "Where'd you find this?" Cloud asked. "Downstairs," she replied nervously, "Th-there's a whole cellar full of this stuff." "I --- see," he snuck a glance at them before replying, "I'll get some water from the tap then." Tifa put a hand on his shoulder, "One is okay." "And then how about another?" Cloud shook his head, "No thanks." "All right. I understand." "Hey," Aeris gave him a squeeze, "I'm proud of you." "For what?" "For being strong." "Thanks," he gave them both a kiss. "Aun-tee Tee-fwa! Aun-tee Aewis! Can you hewlp me undwess?!" "She doesn't need two people. I'll go," Tifa spoke up before anyone else could, "I want to get out of this stupid dress anyway." "It looks good on you," Aeris grinned. "Yeah, yeah," the dark haired woman hopped uncomfortably, "I just can't stand not having anything between my legs ---" Cloud jumped on the chance before she corrected herself. "I can help with that." "Cloud!" Aeris reddened as Tifa laughed and pulled her aside. "Watch him for a while," Tifa whispered conspiratorially. "Why?" "An hour, then we'll switch okay?" Tifa gestured and Aeris' eyes flew wide. "But---!" "Later!" Tifa waved and left. ***************************************************************** ". . . so that's how Mogu Wupi found Princess Megga. And they lived happily ever after." "And did they live in a cass-wo?" "A large one with gardens and fountains everywhere." "Did they have anyone I could pway with?" Marlene stifled a yawn. "They had a darling little girl just your age." "Was she purty?" "Um-hmm." "Was she purty-er dan me?" "Well of course not hun," Tifa said absently as she stroked Marlene's forehead. "Aun-tee Tee-fwa?" "What is it hun?" "Do you wuv Unco Cowd?" "Of course I love him," Tifa smiled at her, "That's why I married him." "Oh," Marlene stayed silent for a while. Then, "Does he wuv you?" "Well I'm not him, but I'm sure he does." The tiny girl knitted her brows a bit, "Does he wuv Aun-tee Aewis?" "Well, of course," Tifa tickled her nose, "And she loves him." "But why are you here wiff me?" "Hmm?" "Why aren't you wiff Unco Cowd?" "Um," Tifa chewed her lip, "I--I will be. Later." Marlene looked up with her almond eyes and watched as her aunt fumbled with an answer. "We --- we take turns watching you, um ---" "Oh," the girl yawned, "Okay." Tifa was relieved that she hadn't pressed her for more. They had not considered Marlene was going to be so curious as to why she had three parents and there were no definitive plans to explain the situation. Tifa made a mental note to talk with the others about it. And soon. "Marlene?" There was no answer. "Marlene?" Tifa tried again. The girl had drifted off to sleep. Her little nose let out a small wheeze everytime she breathed. Tifa sat silent looking over the tiny sleeping form. I wonder if mama ever watched me like this, she wondered. Memories surfaced in a blur. 'Tifa don't wander off too far.' 'Please don't run in the house dear.' 'It's all right now. Are you hurt?' "Mama," she whispered, "Oh mama, if you can see me now." I'm married now, with a family. I've grown up so much! Her vision blurred as she wiped her eyes. The raven haired beauty stopped over and kissed lightly Marlene on the forehead before she rose and left. ***************************************************************** That's funny, Tifa thought. I can't hear a thing. She crept quietly down the hall, listening. Nothing except the sound of breaking waves reached her ears. Huh? Whispers? They're talking. Were they done? She heard Aeris' squeaky laugh. I guess not, Tifa smiled wryly. Her friend's laugh was so high pitched it made her sound like a girl; sometimes it was difficult to tell who was laughing, Marlene or her. And if she's making that noise now --- Eeeww, Tifa made a face. I wonder if I'll be able to look at her the same way again. ". . . see if she's okay." Footsteps neared and Tifa jumped back as Cloud opened the door. "Tiff?" he blinked. "Tiger?" "Hey!" Aeris waved at her from the end of the bed. The healer was still in her wedding regalia. "Wh-what the ----?!" "What?" Cloud asked innocently and pulled her in, "Is Marlene asleep?" "Um yeah," Tifa swallowed, "Er, why --- why are you still ---?" "Dressed?" Aeris let out a nervous laugh. "We were waiting for you," Cloud grinned sheepishly. "Waiting?" Tifa's eyes went wide, "Tiger! That --- that's ---!" "Pretty wild," he pulled her in the room. "I'll say," Tifa looked between them, "Aeris, how could you let him talk you into this?" The small woman blushed and looked down as Cloud chuckled. "Really," Tifa made a face at him, "You think you're on top of Planet aren't you?" "It wasn't my idea," he grinned weakly. "It wasn't?" "It was hers." "CLOUD!" Aeris' ears burned rosy pink, "You promised not to tell!" "*You* put him up to this?" Tifa's jaw dropped. Aeris blushed even more as her bare foot toyed with the small throw rug. "Wow," Tifa blinked, "I --- I didn't know you had it in you." "It's not *that*," Aeris bit her lip, "It's, it's ---" "What?" "She never did it before," Cloud coughed nervously. "Well, I've never done this before," Tifa threw up her arms. "No. No. Not this," he coughed nervously, "I mean she's NEVER done it." "What?" Tifa squeaked, "You mean she's ---" "A virgin," Cloud said flatly. "But I thought Zack ---" "Tee-fa! Please!" Aeris was rosy pink, "We were just kids!" "Oh wow," Tifa gulped, "So what's with you tiger?" "Me?" Cloud glanced at her nervously, "I'm ah, I'm worried about --- well, you know." "What?" The young man quickly mouthed a single word to her. A city. Junon. "Oh," Tifa bit her lip, "Right." It's been one year since that terrible episode. When they still didn't know what to make of their relationship. Tifa had forced herself on Cloud in order to drive him away. Except that it didn't work out as planned. No one but they knew. They hadn't even elected to tell Aeris. It was too painful. Over the course of the year, Cloud and Tifa made peace and gradually they began to trust one another again as family life blotted out the memory. It bent their love, but it did not break it. But although she was aware of the pain she caused, only Cloud knew how deep the scar was. It made him afraid, so deeply afraid he would hurt them that he abstained from sex since. The young man hedged a bet that once they had tied the knot, everything would fall into place. But upon being alone with Aeris, he suddenly lost his nerve. "Cloud." "Tiger!" "Huh?" "It's --- okay," Tifa brushed his face, "If you want, I'll help you two through it." "Would you?" Aeris stammered, "I mean, if it's too weird ---" "No," Tifa replied quickly, "It's all right. I mean this isn't a run of the mill marriage anyway." Cloud and Aeris grinned and nodded, but concern and a little fear went along with the laughter. "Okay," Tifa stood back a bit, "I guess there's no time like the present." "Definitely," Aeris chimed in, but she sat stock still. "Come on tiger," Tifa flung her dress off, revealing her shapely body and mountainous boobs, "We don't have all night." "Uh, yeah," the young groom smiled nervously as he began taking off his pants. It felt weird, undressing in front of the two. Aeris stared opened mouth as her eyes feasted on Cloud's cock. Tifa hid a smile as she sat down beside her friend. "Hey," she punched her playfully, "Off with that." "Hmm?" Aeris blinked back to reality, "Oh. Right. I forgot." The healer stood and began to unbutton her dress. Cloud stood transfixed as piece after piece fell off. "Oh wow," he let out breath. Aeris' rosy pink complexion was uniform all over, her breasts small and firm. Barely bigger than a handful. Her nipples were tiny pink droplets against her baby smooth skin. But what caught his eye was what lay between her legs. It was bare; totally denuded of hair. He glanced at Tifa. Even she was entranced by the sight. "Aeris," she whispered, "Wh-what happened?" "Huh?" the small woman looked around confused, "S-something wrong?" "Your --- your hair---" "My hair?" Aeris reached up to touch her head. "No," Tifa said, "Your *other* hair." "What hair?" the woman was confused. "She means to ask why are you so --- why are you bare ---" Cloud pointed at his own patch of blonde pubic hair, "Here." "What? Oh!" Aeris blushed and sat down on the bed, "I--I was always like that." "Really?" Tifa said softly, "Wow." "Is there something wrong?" "Wrong?" Cloud said, "No, no. It's just that I've never seen something like that before." "Well okay," Tifa chewed a nail, "Aeris you know how to --- how to play with yourself?" "Only a little," the healer crossed her fingers behind her back. "Great," Tifa clapped her hands, "Do that right now." "O-okay," the small woman lay back but she still hesitated. "Don't be such a ninny," Tifa scolded. "Oh, okay," Aeris bit her lip, "I --- I just never did this in front of anyone else before." "Well it's just like if you're doing it while you're alone." "If--if you say so," Aeris closed her eyes and began to rub herself. "Great. Tiger?" "Yeah?" Cloud stood stark naked in the middle of the room, his dick still limp. "What's with you?" He shrugged, but she saw he had his eyes on her. Tifa sauntered up to him and kissed him. "Are you okay?" "Sure," he braved a grin, "Why'd you ask?" "Hmm. Well, you're the only man in the same room with two naked and dare I say," Tifa threw back her mane of dark hair, "BEAUTIFUL women." "So?" "So why aren't you like a chocobo in heat?" "I dunno," Cloud shrugged and braved a grin, "Maybe I'll feel better with three --- OW!" He rubbed his butt where Tifa's hand print was. "Don't push your luck," she jabbed him playfully with a finger. The young man grinned ruefully and tried to kiss her, but the dark haired woman began pulling him towards the bed. Aeris meanwhile, was totally oblivious to her surroundings as the other two neared. The healer's slender fingers were a graceful blur as she stroked herself at a slow rhythm. Tifa had not seen anything quite like it. True she knew how to do it, but it seemed that her friend was more adept in such things. "Wow," Cloud swallowed hard as Aeris began to breathe faster. "Hey, now we got something!" Tifa giggled. He looked down and saw his dick slowly begin to rise. "Maybe you can use some help. Just relax and watch her," Tifa whispered as she dropped to her knees and rolled back his skin. "Tiff, ungh," Cloud let out a satisfied groan as he felt his dick graze her sweet, soft lips. Great merciful, aaaahh! His eyes darted between Tifa's rapidly bobbing head and Aeris' slow writhing hips. Oh fuck, he strained to get a grip but he had nothing to hold. Suddenly, without warning Tifa stood back up. He blinked a little confused and angry she had left him out cold. "Okay tiger," she licked her lips, "You're up. Aeris. Aeris!" "Hmm?" the woman was masturbating so feverently she had forgotten her surroundings. "He's ready." "Oh," Aeris sounded a little disappointed, "Okay." She hesitated a little then asked, "Don't you want to ---?" "Go ahead," Tifa nodded, "I'll go after." Cloud gulped as he crawled slowly on top of Aeris. "You ready?" Aeris nodded slowly, her eyes held a little fear and uncertainty. He felt his dick throb as the head pressed against her slick little slit. Aeris' eyes grew wide as Cloud began to press against her. His dick bumped against something fleshy and elastic. He had felt this before, when he first fucked Tifa. He wanted to stop, but it was too late. "Owwow. Ow, ow!!" The young man froze as Aeris bit her lip in pain. "Easy tiger," Tifa stroked his bare back, "Just let her tell you when." Cloud gritted his teeth, "I won't go through with it if --- if ---" "It-it's okay," the small woman gathered her courage, "I'm all right. I just never had someone else do this to me before. Or gone in so deep." "When you're ready," he said through clenched teeth. "I'm sure," Aeris brought her arms around Cloud's neck and whispered, "The burning feeling's gone now. Okay. Go." He felt hot breath on the nape of his neck as he slowly pushed himself in. The fleshy thing gave way to his engorged dick and enveloped his shaft. Aeris shifted her hips forth to meet his as she let out a satisfied, "Aaaaaahh." "Oh fuck," he panted as he settled on top of her, "Oh fuck." Cloud felt her twitch a little as her warmth surrounded him. Aeris clutched him tightly with her arms, as if afraid he would move. He contented himself with just staying on top of her until she gently stroked his neck. "What are you waiting for?" "Hmm?" he lifted himself up slightly and saw Aeris gazing at him with lust in her sea green eyes. "Yeah," Tifa said softly, "What are you waiting for?" "Um, yeah," Cloud shifted a bit, "Sorry." "Daydreaming again," Tifa wrinkled her nose, "Okay, Aeris. Tell him how fast." "Yeah," Aeris rushed out her answer as she slowly clasped her legs around the young man's waist. She sighed as Cloud pulled out a little. He looked at her for permission to continue. Aeris stroked his face and nodded. As he pulled out slightly and pushed back in, that's when she giggled. "Huh? What's wrong?" Cloud stopped in mid-stroke. "Oh. Um, it's nothing," Aeris bit her lip. He grunted and thrust her again when she snorted to suppress another giggle. "This is less than encouraging," he groaned and looked at her, "What's the matter?" "Oh, I'm sorry Cloud," Aeris tried hard not to laugh, "B-but you're tickling me!" "Wh-what?" "Your hair," she pointed, "It's making me ticklish!" Curious, he pressed in again and Aeris suddenly burst out laughing. "Aww, I can't do it like this," Cloud groaned. "Yes you can," Tifa tried to help, "Why don't you just try going in half way?" Cloud gave her a sardonic smile, "Would you like it if I go half way?" "Well," she quickly reddened, "No. Not really." "It's all right," Aeris whispered, "I-I'll try and keep quiet." He shook his head and looked at her, "But will you enjoy it?" "It'll be all right, I'll keep my hand here, see?" Aeris put her hand on her cunny, her fingers parted around his half stiff dick, "That way you can go on with me spoiling things." Cloud hovered over her, unsure whether or not to continue. "Go on," she urged, "Finish up." "But ---" "It's all right," Aeris smiled weakly at him, "I -- I can still make myself feel good." To prove her case, she pressed a bit down with her palm and shuddered slightly. "See?" "Okay. If you say so," Cloud hauled himself back on top of her. This time when he thrust forward, a soft groan came from her throat. "Better?" "Mmmnnn-hmm," Aeris' eyes sparkled as her husband dove into his work. "More?" "Oh yes," she paused before adding, "Please!" Cloud rested on his elbows to give him greater freedom of movement. Her slim thighs squeezed him gently, urging him onward. "Ooooh," she let her breath out in shallow gasps, "Mmmmnnn. Keep going Cloud. Don't stop. Don't --- s-s-s-stop." Aeris was drawing in deeper, heavier breaths as Cloud began thrusting her at an increasingly faster pace. He felt her nipples harden slightly and press into his chest as he bucked and writhed. Aeris' free hand clawed into his neck. Although her nails weren't long or sharp as Tifa's, red welts began to show where she held onto the young man. "Oh Cloud! Cloud! Aaaahh!" her legs scissored his waist. The young man grunted as he ground his hips into Aeris. He nuzzled her neck as he felt her grip on him relax. "Oh thank you! Thank you!" Aeris kissed him excitedly before turning to Tifa, "And thank you." "Don't mention it," the busty woman passed her gaze over them, "Now you know why I call him 'tiger'. He purrs like a kitty after every meal." "Hey!" Cloud shot up at her remark, drawing giggles from Aeris. "Okay," Tifa flopped down on the bed, "My turn." Cloud grinned at Aeris, "I'll be back." "Don't be too long," she smiled back as he put himself on top of Tifa. Aeris drew a sheet around herself and watched her companions pinch and nip one another. As Tifa began to wrap her long legs around Cloud he suddenly rolled onto his back, putting her on top. "Tiger? What's the big idea?" "I--I trust you." His words came out chopped and faltered. Aeris glanced at Tifa, who looked grim only briefly before she nodded. "Don't hurt yourself," Cloud whispered softly as he stroked her calves. "Yeah," Tifa lowered herself slowly onto his rigid shaft. She gasped as his thick head began to enter her. "You okay?" his grip tightened on her arm. Cloud felt her tremble through out and he was reminded of that horrible night. He hated himself; truly, deeply hated his wretched self for letting himself lose control and hurting her so. "Tiger?" A soft voice drew back into reality. "Do it. Make me feel good again." Cloud visibly relaxed as she settled on top of him with a muffled sigh. Her ample boobs swung tantalizingly over his face as she began to rock to and fro. His tongue flicked briefly over each of the dark droplets Tifa had for nipples before burying himself into her chest. She cooed softly as his hips began to smack her lightly across the ass, sending tiny shockwaves up her back and tingles of pleasure up her spine. She rocked several more times before Cloud uttered a quiet groan and let himself go inside her. "Oh tiger-tiger-tiger," she stroked his face, "I'm glad you're back." "Me too," he kissed her. Aeris gazed at her companions with longing. What was it? She sensed something had come between them. An issue avoided. Never spoken aloud. Or at least in her presence. Although she felt a little left out, Aeris was content to let it go. They never spoke about Elmyra before her and she felt she could at least return the courtesy. But now, what ever she witnessed was --- different. As if a hidden scar had somehow been healed. "Hey." Aeris jerked away from her reverie to find Tifa looking at her. "Sorry," the light haired woman blushed, "I--I couldn't help myself. I'll stop---" "It's okay," Tifa grinned, "I was watching you two as well remember?" "Oh. Right," Aeris blushed again. "You want him now?" Cloud groaned and tried to sit up, but Tifa held him down. "What?" Aeris' eyes widened, "Again?" "Sure!" Tifa giggled, "Why not?" "That's easy for you to say," Cloud struggled to escape, but it was no use. "Shut up lover," she planted herself over his face and muffled his protests with her generous chest. "Maybe you shouldn't," Aeris whispered, "He sounds tired." "Oh nuts to that!" Tifa sucked in her breath, "I can feel him getting hard again." Aeris reddened and said nothing as Tifa began to pant loudly. "Okay," she rasped, "Now I want it like old times. Fuck me tiger. Fuck me hard!" 'Tiger' suddenly rolled her over in a sudden surge of strength. Tifa gave a delighted squeal as Cloud began thrusting her deep and slow. "Mmmnn yeah!" she threw her legs around his neck as her hands seized his shoulders. "OOOHH! -- FUCK! ---- YEAHAHAH!!" Cloud's eyes attained a glassy look as he lurched against her body. Tifa swooned with pleasure as she closed her eyes and drew herself rigid. "Urk! Tiff! Leggo!!" She felt someone claw at her legs and opened her eyes in time to see him begin to turn blue. "Cloud!" she relaxed her leglock and tried to sit up, "D-did I hurt you?!" "No," he groaned and rubbed his neck, "Just a little sore." "I-I won't put my legs up like that again." "It's all right," Cloud sighed, "I like it that way sometimes. But maybe I should bump you from behind ---" "Okay!" Tifa quickly scrambled on all fours and wagged her shapely ass in the air. "--- just not now." "Why not!?" she craned her head back. "I--I just feel a little tired," Cloud lay on his back, spent. "What!?" "I'm not a machine, Tiff." "Well of all the dumbest reasons!" she turned to face him, "And why now!?" "Tifa," the healer whispered, "Don't be too hard on him." "Hard!?" the busty woman tossed her mane angrily, "He should be the one hard!" "Sorry," Cloud said sternly, "Just give me a few minutes okay?" "Oh all right, you big baby," Tifa thumped his chest, "But you'd better hold up later!" "Hmm, I think I saw some tea leaves in the cupboard," Aeris slid off the bed, "I think I'll stir up a batch. Anyone want some?" "Yeah," Cloud hardly stirred from his position. "Yeah *please*," Tifa scolded. Aeris smiled and put on a robe before stepping out. Once they were alone, Tifa nudged Cloud. "You still awake?" "Yeah, what?" "It's Marlene," she sat beside him and traced her fingers over his chest. "What about her?" "We need to talk to Aeris too," Tifa hesitated, "Shoot. Maybe I should wait." "Uh, huh." "Hey are you listening?" "Sure," Cloud replied dumbly. "Good," Tifa chewed her lip, "I don't know what I should tell her. Does she have two mothers? Or two aunts? Or are we her sisters?" "Aunt's fine," he mumbled. "Yeah but," she brooded slightly, "But what happens when she grows up? I don't want her thinking she doesn't have a mama." "I dunno," Cloud yawned, "Whatever you two want's okay w'me." "But it leaves too much to be covered!" Tifa sighed, "I don't know what else to say. I got to talk to Aeris about this. What do you think tiger?" No answer. "Tiger?" she loomed over his sedate form. Tifa lifted his arm off his face, "Cloud?" His eyes were closed and he was snoring loudly. "Ugh," she made a face and fetched her robe, "Men." ============================================================== She likes women. . . . ? I mean she REALLY likes women. . . . !?! It cost me *ten* marks to find this out. -- David Dragavon, Adventurer for Hire ============================================================== "Hey Tifa," Aeris looked up to see her friend closed the door to the bedroom, "Is he feeling better?" "He's asleep," Tifa sighed, "I guess we'll just have to wait until tomorrow night. I guess we wore him out." At that, the healer blushed. "Yup, that's our Cloud. When we want him down, he's up; when we want him down, he's up." Aeris laughed as Tifa broke into smiles, "How's the tea coming along?" "Just about ready," the small woman swirled the kettle, "And there'll be more for us too." "Lucky us," the busty woman huffed and sat down on the sofa. "Marlene sleeps like an angel." "Hmm?" Tifa blinked. "I just checked on her," Aeris grinned, "She's so cute when she asleep." "But she's such a terror at meal time," Tifa stretched. "Yeah," Aeris sighed, "Hey, you're not thinking about leaving me the whole kettle are you?" "What?" Tifa stifled a yawn, "Heck no! I wouldn't miss your tea for anything on Planet." "I'm flattered," the light haired woman laughed and set down two cups on the low slung table before Tifa. "Thanks." They sipped their hot brew in silence. "Hey, that reminds me," Tifa set down her drink, "I was just talking to him about Marlene." "Oh?" Aeris quirked a brow, "What about?" "About, well ---- everything." "Everything?" "Well, I'm not sure if we should be her aunts or if one of us should be her --- her mother." "Ti-fa," Aeris tapped her foot, "We don't have to compete anymore remember? "I know," Tifa wrung her hands, "But still, I don't want her thinking she doesn't have a mama." Aeris sighed, "If you want her to call you 'mama', I can understand." "It won't be fair to you." "Nothing's really fair in life." Tifa bit her lip as Aeris took another sip of tea before she went on, "I'm just glad I have you three." "Me too." A strange sort of quiet descended upon them, like so many times before. Aeris hazarded a smile and said, "Maybe it's a bit rude of me, but ---" "What?" Tifa perked up with interest. "Oh, nevermind," Aeris shrugged it off, "It's nothing." Tifa made a face, "It's never nothing, Aeris. It's just something we don't want to talk about." "Nice one," the other woman nodded, "Where'd you hear that one?" "Oh that? It's from Master Zagnan. That was years ago." "Hmm," the small woman swayed slightly, "I wish I could have met him." "Oh? Why?" "Dunno," Aeris smiled, "I guess I figure I could some lessons in fending for myself." "I bet I could teach you," Tifa said. "Would you?" "Yeah, but I guess we'd better wait until after we get home." "Wh-why?" Aeris asked. "It's a lot of work," Tifa said slowly, "Especially if you just started." "Oh," Aeris looked downcast, "Well, I'm not aiming to brawl like you Tifa. I just want to learn enough to get out of trouble. Or away from Cloud if I don't want his attention at the moment." Her friend let out a small laugh, "Has he been pestering you?" "Actually no," Aeris suddenly became thoughtful, "He was always there, but you know the strange thing? He never once came to me for --- for pleasure until tonight." "I guess he was nervous," Tifa chewed her lip. "Did--did he ask you?" Aeris asked hesitantly. "The new houses on the west side kept me too busy to care," Tifa admitted, "But I swear by Planet I was ready to rip his clothes off on the trip over here." "Tifa!" the healer laughed, "You're terrible!" "Well it's true," the busty woman smiled. "Yeah," Aeris looked at her foot as she shifted slightly, "But that's not everything is it?" Tifa froze, "Wh-what do you mean?" "I mean there's more to it isn't there?" Aeris couldn't stop herself, "Something happened to you two. Something bad." She pressed her friend cautiously, "Something unpleasant." The dark haired woman sucked in a breath, "I --- I don't know what you're talking about." "Sorry," Aeris dipped her head, "I shouldn't have asked." Tifa drew back and hugged herself. the healer stood to leave when she felt a tug on her arm. "Don't go." "Are you sure?" Aeris looked downcast, "I should've kept my big mouth shut---" "I'm not blaming you!" Tifa cried as tears began streaming down her face. "Hey," the small woman squeezed her while she sobbed, "Tell me what's wrong." "I can't! It's done!" "If it is, then why is it still haunting you?" Tifa buried herself into Aeris' arms as the healer hummed a soft tune to soothe her. "You're right," Tifa muffled her cries and rocked back and forth, "It gnaws at me. What I did." "What?" Aeris felt her pulse quicken. "Listen to me," the dark haired woman pulled her friend before her, "Promise me you won't say a thing to him." "But doesn't he know--?" "Yes," Tifa nodded, "But he doesn't want you to know." "So why are you telling me?" "Because you asked me." "Okay," Aeris gave her a reassuring squeeze, "I won't say a word." ***************************************************************** A while later, both of them wore tear stained faces as they threw crumpled tissue into the growing pile before them. "Oh Tifa," Aeris shook her head in disbelief, "How could you?" "I thought it was the best way," the other woman hung her head dejectedly, "But he blames it on himself. I know he does. That's why he couldn't bring himself to bed you when I left you two alone. It's all my fault. May Planet and whatever else is out there forgive me for what I've done." "He's forgiven you," Aeris whispered. "Maybe," Tifa bit her lip and looked up, "But ---- do you?" "Me?" Aeris squeaked, "I---I---" she faltered as she saw the need in her companion's eyes. "I forgive you." "Thank you," Tifa embraced her. Aeris patted her back, "Y-you know, while we're on the subject of secrets ---" "You did something too?" Tifa drew back in astonishment. "No, no," Aeris shook her head, "It happened a long time ago when I was still living with mom in Sector 5." At that she stopped until Tifa put a hand on hers, "You don't have to." "It's all right," Aeris smiled weakly, "I'm fine." "Okay," Tifa said softly, "If you want. But you can stop anytime." Aeris nodded vigorously as she went on, "Thanks. Where was I? Oh, right: Sector 5. There were only a few children there who were my age, it being the slums and all." "I remember." "Yeah. Mom was able to make the house look a bit better though, after her husband died in Wutai. The Gil Shinra gave her for being a war widow let her do that as well as send me to a school in Sector 4." "Sector 4?" Tifa looked up as she dumped the ratty tissues into the waste basket, "I heard that's where most of the Plate residents get their start." "I guess," Aeris shrugged, "But to be honest, it looked just like all the other Sectors in Midgar." "Shitty?" Tifa made a face. "Dilapidated," Aeris wagged a finger, "Tifa, do I have to wash your mouth out with soap?" "Try and I'll tickle you until sunrise." "You wouldn't dare!" Aeris braced herself as Tifa gave her a silly grin and sat down instead. "C'mon," the dark haired woman leaned forward a bit, "What is it you want to tell me?" "Well," Aeris took in a breath, "I was nervous when I went there the first day. It was my first time away from Mom and Sector 5." "How old were you?" "Eight or nine." "That's about right," Tifa nodded, "I didn't see Cloud attend school until he was ten or twelve." "Really?" "I don't know the details, but that could explain why he can't read script." "Yeah," Aeris sighed, "Poor Cloud. I can't believe it when he admitted it today." "Well enough about him," Tifa waved her hand, "What happened to you next?" "I was scared," Aeris laughed, "So nervous the whole day that when the bell rang I stayed in my seat and waited for Mom to pick me up." "And?" Aeris bit her lip, "She never came." "What!?" Tifa sat upright, "Why not?" That didn't sound like Elmyra. "I didn't know until later, but Mom was being interrogated by someone -- from the Turks I think. Shinra was looking for me and they had heard that Mom adopted me from the papers she filed for the widow's pension. Naturally she didn't want to lead them to me, but that meant---" "She left you alone?" Tifa gasped, "For how long?" "Mom just wanted to wait them out, but I was so hungry and scared," Aeris shivered but steadied as her friend put an arm around her, "I thought she left me at school to get rid of me." "Why would she do such a thing?!" Tifa looked shocked. "I was young, I didn't understand. I thought she hated me for telling her Dad was dead." They were silent for a while. "She must have come for you," Tifa whispered. Her eyes grew wide as Aeris shook her head and went on, "Shinra scared her. And frankly, they scared me. They threatened to take back the bonus with some legal whick-a-whack their pen-pushers used to intimidate people like us. They made it really clear they were going to take me or the Gil away. Well, Mom adamant they would never get to me---" The light haired woman sniffed and wiped her eyes, "So they tore up her house and someone conked her over the head." "Damn them," Tifa drew her hands tight. It seemed where ever Shinra headed, violence was sure to follow. "Eventually, everyone left the school and I was crying all by myself when she tapped me on the shoulder." "Elmyra?" Aeris shook her head, "No. Not mom. It was this girl who was about my age. A little older actually. Eleven or twelve maybe. Lili." "Lili?" Tifa knitted a brow. It sounded familiar. "Yeah," Aeris sniffed, "She asked me if I was waiting for someone and I said 'yes'. Anyway she sat down and started talking to me. Oh she was wonderful Tifa. She asked me where I lived and who took care of me before she took me home. We found mom holding her head and crying when we arrived." The healer brightened up, "As soon as Mom saw I was safe, she became ecstatic. Mom was so grateful to Lili, she cooked us the most delicious meal I ever remembered." "So it did have a happy ending after all," Tifa playfully punched her. "Yeah," Aeris swallowed hard, "I guess." "You guess?" Tifa arched a brow, "There's more?" "Umm-hmm," Aeris nodded, "That's just how I met Lili." "She was special wasn't she?" "She was my first true---," Aeris halted, "---first true friend. Like you." "I'm honoured just to be one." Aeris broke into grins, "Yeah. We were pretty close. We played together in Mom's garden after she fixed it up. Lili and I went on like this for about five years." Uh oh. Tifa looked at her friend with trepidation, "I'm afraid to ask but, did something happen to her?" "More---more like---" Aeris drew in a deep breath, "More like something happened to us." "Shinra again?" "No," Aeris grew hesitant again, "Nothing like that." "What was it?" Aeris chewed her lip, "Maybe I shouldn't." "Okay," Tifa shrugged, "If you don't want to ---" "No! I mean, I want to tell but---" "Then why not go on?" Tifa looked perplexed. "If-if I tell," Aeris looked at the woman beside her, "I--I'm afraid you might see me in a different way. Are you ready for that?" Tifa paused and steadied her voice. "If you're afraid, then stop. I can safely say I trust you more than sleepy head in there," she jutted her chin towards the bedroom, "Go ahead and tell me. Besides, it's like you said, 'no tallies between friends' right?" "All right," Aeris trembled, "But--but I'm warning you that there'll be more than just words to shock you." "What else could there be?" Tifa put on a brave smile, "Bring it on." "Okay," Aeris rubbed her palms across her own lap, "Lili and I were alone at my house one day. Mom had gone off on an errand of some sort and we were finished with our work, so we decided to fool around in the garden." The small woman shivered and continued, "I was trying to find Lili because she was hiding in the bushes, see? She liked to pretend she was Shinra and spook me whenever I turned my back on her." "Why?" Aeris smiled, "She always said it would make me less timid." "Some playmate," Tifa snorted. "Don't be jealous," Aeris laughed, "It worked." "Then what happened?" "Okay, Anyway I thought I'd surprise her back that day, since I had just about enough of her. Plus I remember I was feeling cross that day because I failed my spelling test." "Hmph," Tifa chuckled, "And *you* were going to try and teach Cloud how to read script?" "Read," Aeris giggled, "Not write!" They both grinned mischievously. "Well, I wandered around the garden for a while and Lili hadn't uttered a peep. I thought she went back inside and I headed for the house. That's when I saw her." "Who?" "Lili," Aeris' voice softened. Tifa rocked her friend gently, "Was she okay?" "Even better," Aeris whispered shyly, "She --- she was touching herself." Tifa felt her heart skip a beat as her breathing stopped momentarily. I didn't expect that, she thought. "She was beautiful Tifa," Aeris had a dreamy look on her face, "For someone who grew up in the slums, I guess I look pretty. But Lili." The slight woman looked down, "Lili was a goddess." Tifa fidgetted uncomfortably as her friend continued the story. "I was shocked at first. Who wouldn't be? The sight of someone you knew day in and day out for so long, doing something so --- so wicked." Tifa wasn't sure, but she thought she saw Aeris drew delight from her own words. "I just stood there looking at her and before I knew it, she was kissing me. Kissing me all over," Aeris repeated and glanced sideways, "Do you know how I felt?" "Betrayed?" Tifa asked weakly. "No," Aeris lowered her head and whispered, "It wasn't like that. It's one of those things I --- I wish I could --- experience --- again." "Aeris?" Tifa squeaked and drew back, "Y-y-you're not serious are you?" "Do I look serious?" "No," Tifa replied quickly, but she could see the yearning in her companion's eyes. "Wh-what happened to Lili?" the dark haired woman sought to change the subject. "We met frequently," Aeris said quietly, "But one day, she didn't come to school. I grew worried and went to look for her, only to find out her family had moved onto the Plate." "She never told you?" "No," Aeris sniffled, "I never saw her again. I always wondered what happened to her." Tifa forced out a smile, "I guess she's grown up like us right now." "I guess," Aeris smiled weakly, "But you know the funny thing? I never thought about it. Not even when I was with Zack, or Cloud, or even you. At least not until tonight." "Why?" Tifa blinked. "I don't know," Aeris paused, "I guess just seeing you bare before me. It---it was so much like that time in Mom's garden, I --- I ---" "Aeris?!" Tifa sat shocked, "What are you trying to say!?!" Aeris sat in embarrassed silence as Tifa gathered herself. "D-don't tell me you--you prefer women over men." "No!" Aeris balled her hands into tiny fists, "Don't mistake me for --- for one of those! I don't lust after women, Tifa!!" The dark haired woman breathed a sigh of relief. "It--it's really difficult to explain," Aeris sighed. "Well it's difficult for me to understand," Tifa said softly, "You did right talking to me about it. Cloud would flip if he found out." "Don't get me wrong," Aeris dipped her head, "I love Cloud as any woman would love a man. But---" Tifa caught the doubt in her eyes, "But?" "But sometimes---" Tifa drew back as Aeris neared her, "--- sometimes, we know just what exactly makes us feel -- good." "Aeris stop! I ---!" the dark haired woman tried batting the invading hand away, but she only managed to delay it slightly as it reached between her long, tanned legs. "Stop ---- Aeris ---- stop --- it ---- puh --- puh --- please," Tifa's face flushed a deep red as she struggled to form coherent words, "Wh-wha --- what --- are you --- doing?! OOOHHH!!!" She cried out as Aeris began gently massaging her clit between two fingers. "See?" the small woman said softly, "Isn't this better than what 'tiger's' been doing?" Tifa panted with a mix of excitement and fear as Aeris engaged her other free hand. The slender woman began slipping in her fingers into her warm, sopping cunt one agonizing digit at a time. I'm out of control! Aeris sat transfixed as Tifa began to move her hips against her unyielding hand. Got to stop! Got to --- Oh! Aeris delicately grazed one of Tifa's dark, swollen nipples with her cute button nose. Her soft lips caressed her friend's bulbous chest as her slim fingers kept up their rolling motion. Tifa's mind raced to stop herself but she couldn't. Or was it she wouldn't? So much better. Oh Planet. Oh fuck. Her hands clawed into the armrests as she fought her losing battle. This is beyond anything Cloud ever did to me. Ever. She bit her hand to stop herself from crying out. OH FUCK YES!! Tifa suddenly thrashed wildly as the best orgasm of her life came crashing over her. "Ti-fa?" A delicate hand shook her gently. "Tifa?" "Mmmmnnngh," Tifa fluttered her eyes open. Uh oh. What happened? She bolted upright from the floor and saw Aeris sitting next to her, knees drawn up. "Oh shit," Tifa scrambled to her feet, "What happened?" "You passed out for a while." "Passed out?" she was surprised at her own voice, "H-how long?" "Just a few minutes." "Really?" "Yup," Aeris nodded slowly. "Oh my," Tifa shook as she sat down on the sofa, "What do we say?" The healer shook the other woman's knee gently, "I--I won't say a word to Cloud okay?" "No, no!" Tifa looked up, her face flushed with anger and worry, "I meant Marlene! What am I going to tell her?! Oh Planet, what are we going to tell her?" "We don't have to tell her anything if we don't want," Aeris said hesitantly, "Look at it this way: Mom never knew I did this and I turned out fine." Tifa dimpled her cheeks and Aeris reddened, "Okay, so maybe I like to pleasure myself a little on the strange side. But is it that wrong Tifa?" "No. I guess not," the dark haired woman lowered her head and sighed, "You're right as usual." "I'm glad you agree," Aeris let a faded smile slip past her, "It's getting late; we should head back to bed." Tifa bit her lip, "I suppose." Aeris arched her brow, "We should get back to bed before --- before he finds us out." "Maybe --- but that can wait just a bit." Oh my dear blue skies, what am I thinking? Tifa trembled slightly. "B-but I thought---!" the healer saw the twinkle in her friend's eyes and asked softly, "What about Marlene?" "I --- I won't tell if you won't." Aeris' eyes grew wide as Tifa knelt beside her on the oval throw rug. "We can sleep out here, y'know?" "Whatever for?" Aeris blinked. "For one thing," Tifa smiled weakly, "I can't stand his snoring." Aeris grinned wanly, "I guess we can plug our ears with cotton." "For another," Tifa shrugged, "He tends to spin like a windmill throughout the night." "Really?" Aeris giggled, "How'd you ever managed to sleep with him?" "It was tiring," Tifa slumped her shoulders, much to her companion's amusement. "Sometimes I slept in a chair. I just never told him." "Oh poor Tifa," Aeris gave her a squeeze, "D-do you think he'll mind?" "He'd better not," Tifa growled, "Or he can find two *other* gullible women to marry him." "You're terrible!" Aeris' squeaky laugh came out before she became thoughtful. "We could teach him you know. To do it the way we like." "Teach him?" Tifa arched a brow, "Us?" Aeris nodded silently. "I don't even know how you pull of some that stuff you do." "Oh it's easy," the petite woman dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "I thought you'd know of all people. You did --- did do him before right?" "Yeah," Tifa laughed, "But to tell the truth, it was kind of anti-climatic." "For him or you?" Aeris wore a mischievous grin. Tifa wore a feisty smile, "For both of us I guess. It was our first time." "It must have been wonderful." "A lot of it felt like tonight," Tifa put a hand on hers, "The same feelings, y'know?" Aeris looked up shyly, "Really?" "Umm-hmm." "So what should we do?" Aeris stood up. "First we got to make a bed," Tifa began pulling the cushions off the sofa. "Hey Tifa look!" Aeris caught her arm. "Wow." They grinned at each other. "Sofa-bed!" they both exclaimed with glee. "I'll get some blankets," Aeris began to tiptoe towards the bedroom. "I think I saw an extra one in the linen closet near the water closet," Tifa pointed. "Even better," Aeris raced off. Tifa unfolded the dusty old piece and heard every spring creak in protest. She chewed her lip. By all that's Holy, she thought. From two wives to this stuff in one night. What the hell's next? "Hey!" Aeris shook open the thin blanket and tossed it onto the bed. "It's no thicker than a sheet!" Tifa's jaw dropped. "It's a hot night anyway," Aeris blushed, "And--and it could get warmer." Tifa grinned and lay herself down, "It's not bad. A bit stiff though." "It's barely big enough for two!" Aeris squeezed herself in bed. "Here," Tifa propped the cushions against the sofa's back, making a comfortable recliner, "Better?" "Very," Aeris smiled. She let her fingers stray down to her friend's chest, "Tell me something Tifa." "What?" "What did you do to get these so large?" Tifa's face reddened slightly, "Oh you know me, I eat whatever's served on the table." "So do I," Aeris pouted, "But look at mine!" Tifa laughed and winked at her, "Don't worry, I think mama had this size too." "Really?" Aeris seemed disappointed, "Oh well. I guess mother --- mother never had any like these." "Don't kid yourself," Tifa chided her, "You got something a lot of women would die for." "What?" "That," Tifa pointed to her bare cunny, "Did you know how many women I knew in Sector 7 would buy wax at Wall Market? They didn't use it for cooking or candles either." "Yeah, I guess so," Aeris bit her lip, "But it's not that great when ---when Cloud kept hammering at me like that." "You're ticklish there, hmm?" "Well, I guess I would be if it didn't hurt so much," Aeris winced, "That's why I put my hand down there." "What!?" Tifa sat upright, "But you said you were ticklish!" "I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I laughed," Aeris mumbled, "Don't worry about it." "Aeris!" Tifa demanded hotly, "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" "I didn't want to worry you," she looked down, "Besides, I could heal myself remember?" "So?" "Why'd you think he didn't have any blood on him when he pulled out?" Tifa blinked and cursed herself for not noticing. Of course. When she herself had given her virginity to Cloud over a year and a half ago, she had let out a trickle. So why was she so numb skulled to have overlooked the obvious? "Don't worry Tifa," the light haired woman mistook her friend's silence, "I'm fine." "Are you sure?" "Positive. "Okay," Tifa lay back down, "D-does it really hurt when he does that?" "A little," Aeris admitted reluctantly, "But I guess I can get used to it. And besides, it's really the hair that's bugging me. It's like having him kiss you when he didn't shave." "Yuck," Tifa made a face, "Well, we can shave him off down there." "I heard that painful," Aeris chewed her lip. "Better than hurting you when he needs to seek pleasure," Tifa replied sternly. "It's all right," Aeris bumped noses with her, "I'll stick with what I'm doing for a while and see if things get better." "Maybe we can style him and make it softer! That'll definitely tickle you!" "What an idea!" Aeris laughed, "Oh Tifa, you're just full of them!" "Like you're not," Tifa chortled. "What do you mean?" "Well," Tifa smiled, "Whose idea was it to bed Cloud together?" Aeris immediately reddened. "It was --- I did it because --- It was the principle, Tifa," the small woman stammered. "Yeah right. I bet you just wanted to see these," the dark haired woman jiggled her breasts. "Tee-faa!" Aeris blushed, "Please!" "Oh okay," Tifa stopped her teasing, "You know I can't help myself." "From what?" Aeris looked into her eyes. "From having a good time with you." There was a silence as the words settled in. "Are you sure?" Aeris whispered. Tifa smiled abashedly at her, "I don't mind if --- if you don't." "I don't," the slight woman began snaking her slender hand between her friend's legs. "Mmmmnn," Tifa closed her eyes as she again felt the healer's magic touch, "Oh! Th-that --- feels ---- grrrreat. Mmmmnnnnnh." The busty woman gazed at her companion, "W-would you like me to --- ooh! --- return the f-f-favour?" "Oh would you --- Ti---faaaah?!" a gasp of pleasure shot past Aeris' lips as she felt lithe, limber fingers slip into her body. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ah! ooh! mmnnh! don't stop! please don't stop!! oh! more . . . oh yes, more . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Mmmmm, that was wonderful," Aeris traced the contours of her friend's face as she gazed at her, happy and content. "Yeah," Tifa lay breathless alongside her friend, contemplating what they'd done. She caught the sly gleam from the corner of her eye, "What's so funny?" "You should look at yourself in the mirror," Aeris held back her smiles, "You look hilarious!" Tifa reached up and felt her hair. Judging from her friend's look of delight, it must look like horrible. "Hmph," the dark haired woman kissed the healer's hand, "I guess I know which one of us is better at making the other go wild." Aeris laughed and kissed her on the cheek, "Don't pout now. We'll have time to fix you back up. It's worth it though, hmm?" "I'll say," Tifa gave her a sly wink, "Maybe we should've turned him down today." "Tee-faa!" Aeris giggled, "Don't be cruel now!" "Well he's definitely not you," Tifa set her head on her friend's shoulder, "I never had it that good, that many times before." "Me neither," the healer grinned sheepishly at her. "Really?" the dark haired woman's widened slightly, "But I thought ---! What about Lili?" Aeris shook her head timidly, "We only did it once or twice. Never like --- like this." "Oh wow." "Yeah," the petite woman sighed, "We never could get much time alone, with it being the slums and all." "Tell me something," Tifa whispered quietly, "What did Lili look like?" "Golly, it's been some time. Let's see," Aeris closed her eyes, "Red hair, sky blue eyes, soft white skin. Her voice sounded like a music box. She didn't say much, but when she did, it was always lovely." "Umm-hmm," Tifa chuckled, "She would have given us a run for Cloud if she was around." "I suppose." "Hmm," Tifa glanced behind her, "It's almost light." "Yeah," Aeris snuggled up against her friend, "We'd better get some sleep. Good night, Tifa." She was sound asleep before the her friend could reply. "Oh well," the busty woman draped an arm over her and that's when it hit her. Red hair. Green eyes. Snow white skin. Tifa remembered now. Lili Densai. The Plate citizen who was arrested and accused by Shinra for giving secrets to the Wutai spy ring. The group of conspirators who were trying to blow up all of Midgar's reactors at once. She was executed the same day Tifa opened her Seventh Heaven. Tifa remembered because that was all her patrons wanted to see. That and how ethereal, how calm Lili looked as she faced her end. Surrounded by Shinra cameras, the woman knew her fate and accepted it. The scene evoked another painful memory --- one involving the woman who lay beside her. But that was so long ago, it didn't matter now. And it wasn't like the healer left them. As the dark man explained, she was never dead to begin with. Tifa glance at a peaceful Aeris, still lost in her own cherished memories. Shroud the truth. Sometimes it's just better that way. "A secret for a secret then," she whispered softly as she kissed her friend on the cheek. Aeris murmured something under her breath. It sounded almost like a name. "Good night Aeris," Tifa's eyes stayed on her angelic face as sleep slowly overtook her. ============================================================== My wife's got a one track mind. She thinks of everything but sex. -- overhead at a bar (I can see the irony in that previous statement.) ============================================================== Cloud rolled over on his back, half expecting an unkind elbow in his ribs. Tifa hated it when he did that, but he wasn't sure if Aeris was as forgiving. Hmm, nothing. Either Aeris is on this side, or Tifa's up. He opened his eyes groggily and sat up. Huh? I'm alone? "Oh man," he shook his head, "Must've slept in." Cloud jerked awake as he remembered who had given them the villa. Oh shit. If they're gone --- He flew out of bed and pulled on his pants. He opened the door and looked around. No signs of activity or a struggle. Thank Planet, Cloud breathed easier when he noticed a lump over by the sofa. He ventured in for a closer look and let his jaw drop at the sight. "What --- the ---?" he caught himself. Cloud tiptoed nearer and did an inspection. Aeris and Tifa were sleeping together, their hands were between each others' ---- "Oh man," he winced as his dick gave a familiar throb. He twisted it and rearranged himself so it could grow without bringing on any undue pain. "Dammit," he muttered, "Not now." Cloud resumed his investigation. Not much more to see as the sheet his wives' were using for a blanket covered the parts he couldn't see. He knelt beside them and gulped hard. Oh man, he gazed at their sedate bodies. He never thought --- he never guess he'd see anything like this. Not like it hadn't crossed his mind before. But he never figured he'd live to well, see --- it. And now that reality was staring him in the face, he felt left out. Even a little jealous. So much so that he sniffed audibly. He didn't notice Tifa stirred from the sound. Her eyes fluttered open to see him staring blankly at her. "C-c-cloud!?" "Huh?" he awoke from his stupor and smiled weakly, "Hey Tiff. How'd you sleep?" She gave a loud cry as she tumbled out of bed while in her hurry to get up. "Hey be careful!" Cloud reached over to save her and wound up partly crushing Aeris. The small woman groaned and yawned. "Tifa? What's going ---- ON!?" Aeris bolted upright and gasped. "Tifa?!" she whipped her head around and saw her husband's moronic grin, "CLOUD!?!" "Morning Aeris," he barely managed a straight face. Tifa's tumble had taken the bedsheet along and it left the healer with nothing to cover herself --- except her hands. "Let me help with that," he began reaching out for her. "Cloud!" Aeris stammered, "It--it's not what you think!" "What?" he watched her hungrily as she wrapped herself up with Tifa. The two looked at each other and Cloud could see both their faces were bright red. "R-really tiger," Tifa said quietly, "We--we were just talking." "And we fell asleep," Aeris squeaked, "You believe us right?" "Of course," he stood and smiled lop-sidedly, "Why wouldn't I?" That just made the two's faces burn even hotter. "Aun-teeeeee!" Marlene tottered into the room holding her small stuffed mog, "I'm hun-gweee!" Tifa drew the bedsheet around herself even tighter as Aeris mustered a reply, "We'll go to breakfast as soon as you get dressed dear." Marlene rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked at them, "Are you going to get dwessed too? Aeris nodded quickly as Tifa bit her lip. "Well," Cloud picked Marlene up, "You heard the lady. C'mon, get dressed." ***************************************************************** They ate in silence amidst the hubbub of the diner. Cloud risked a glance at both his wives. Tifa busied herself with cutting up Marlene's food while Aeris slowly chewed hers. Neither spoke or looked up. Cloud quickly emptied his plate and muffled a burp. "Wow, I think I can go for a small scoop of ice cream," he looked between them, "Do you guys want any?" "I doo!" Marlene waved her tiny hands. "I'm sure you do," Cloud chuckled, "Tiff?" Tifa glanced up briefly from her plate and shook her head. "Aeris?" The healer smiled weakly, "No thank you." "Here Marlene," Cloud handed her a small note, "Do you know how to make change?" The tiny girl nodded furiously, "Aun-tee Tee-fwa tawt me how!" "Good girl," he patted her head, "Get yourself a scoop of ice cream and you can choose your favorite flavour." "Than-geww!" Marlene kissed him and sped off, empowered by a 50 Gil note. Cloud watched her head directly for the sweets counter before turning back to the table. "I---I should go with her," Tifa began pushing away from the table. She glanced at him with disapproval, "Really Cloud, you should know better than to let her wander off like that." "It's all right Tifa," Aeris stood to leave, "I'll go. I'm done already, see?" The dark haired woman fell silent as her companion departed, leaving her alone with the young man. Cloud rocked steadily in his chair as he drummed his fingers across the table. "Stop it." "What?" Cloud stopped his thumping, "This?" "You know what I mean," Tifa speared into her fried hash with little gusto. Cloud snorted. "What's so funny?" "The last time we had a meal like this, we almost didn't live to bad mouth it." Tifa looked down and Cloud cursed under his breath. "Sorry." She shrugged. "All right," Cloud sighed, "I'll be up front. You know as well as I do, this wasn't going to be easy --- or normal right?" Tifa nodded quickly. "Well," he hesitated, "I'm just asking if -- if this morning all just a bad misunderstanding?" "I --- I don't know," Tifa looked up with her eyes a little fear, "I honestly don't know." Cloud groaned and held his head, "I can't believe we've come all this way and still not be honest with one another." "If you asking me if I love you," she began. He looked back up intently as she went on, "It's a definite yes." "That's a relief." "But if it's that other stuff," she gestured, "The stuff we do behind closed doors---" "Since when did that stop you?" Cloud teased. Tifa cast her eyes downward. "Aw dammit," he muttered, "All right, that was damned unfair of me, but what else do you want me to say after what you had me run through at Kalm?" Visions of her big, beautiful butt invaded his thoughts as he remembered how she let him go in each of her orifices one after another. Even though the episode had occurred over a year ago, he still wondered how the hell they could have gotten up and attended Aeris' party later that night. ". . . supportive might help, tiger!" He watched as she poked her hash in anger. As usual, his dick got the better part of him as he listened only with half an ear to his wife's complaints. It was what got him in trouble in the first place --- and he swore it'd be the last. Luckily for him, he caught the last few of her words. "Something supportive," Cloud drew a breath and placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, "Well as long as you two are happy, um, I guess can live with with, er---" As soon as Tifa gave him that bizarre look, he knew he had fucked up somehow. "We're back." The two looked up to see Aeris return with Marlene and two dished of coloured ice in hand. Thank you Planet, Cloud gave a silent thanks for the timely intrusion. "So," he turned to his ward, "How much was it?" "I dunnwo," the tiny girl buried her mouth in the sweet, muddy ice with relish. "She got confused when the cashier offered her a two for one," Aeris sat down, "We've got one extra. Here." Cloud nodded silently as Tifa returned to toying with her food. "What were we talking about?" Aeris asked casually. "Nothing," Tifa mumbled. "Everything," Cloud said in a hushed tone, "Are you two what I think you are?" Tifa sucked in a breath as Aeris looked at her angrily and shook her head, "Tifa! I already told you that! I'm not!" "Easy, easy," the young man held up a hand to calm her, "She didn't say anything. I'm just curious why you two are doing this, y'know?" Tifa stole a glance at Aeris before speaking, "The truth?" "Yes," Cloud looked at the woman beside him, "I'd like that very much." Aeris nodded and she went on, "Because it feels good." The blonde man waited a bit. "That's it?" "You were expecting more?" Aeris smiled weakly. Cloud scratched his head, "I don't get it. Don't we just f---?" "Cloud." He looked up and saw Aeris motion to Marlene with her eyes. "Um, right," his mouth snapped shut. "What I meant to say was, we've been doing things like this for as long as I can remember. And now you're telling me it --- it's not right?" "No," Aeris finally gathered the courage to speak out, "It's right. But---" "But?" "But you can stand to be better at it," she finished softly. "Really?" he glanced sideways. Tifa nodded. "And it's not like we don't love you," Aeris took up Cloud's hand, "Why else do you think we married you?" "I guess so," Cloud forced a grin, "But then again we never really talked about this --- this game before." "Can I pway too?" The three adults cast a look at Marlene and grinned conspiratorially. "Not until you finished your ice cream," Aeris dabbed the girl's mouth with a napkin absently. "And a lot older," Tifa added in a low voice. "So," Cloud rubbed his neck, "What can I stand to do better?" "Well -- everything." "Everything?" the young man's jaw dropped as the healer's ears began to turn pink. "Yeah," Tifa nodded vigorously, "If you weren't so much in a hurry I think we'd enjoy being with you more." "Really?" Cloud looked at Aeris, who now busied herself with Marlene, "Is that true?" "You bet it is!" Tifa spoke up before Aeris could reply. "Ti-faa!" "Well it's true for me at least," the woman went on, "I enjoyed Aeris last night more than you." A loud crash gave them all a jump. Cloud turned and saw a waiter apologizing profusely to his employer as they both scrambled to scrape the food off the carpet. "Tifa!" Aeris' ears glowed a bright pink as she put a finger up to her lips, "Not so loud!" "You'd better lower your voice Tiff," Cloud looked around and saw the other patrons' eyeing them with curiosity. He felt the temperature rise even though it was only morning. At least weird alien creatures won't stepping through the diner's door, he thought sardonically. "Sorry," Tifa looked at the table and whispered so she was barely audible, "Really tiger, she can teach you some things." Aeris blushed and said nothing as Cloud looked between them. "Really?" he arched a brow. The petite woman nodded a little as Tifa pushed her plate away. "All right," Cloud gently rapped the table top, "Tonight then. Tell me what to do." "I guess so," Aeris said hesitantly, "If--if you want to." Tifa's eyes glittered mischievously as he shrugged, "What ever you two want to do is fine with me. I told you before." "We'll hold you to that tiger," she gave him a wry grin, "And right now, I want to do some shopping." "Souvenirs for everyone back home?" Aeris brightened. "Oh," Tifa waved her hands casually, "That too." "That too?" Cloud blinked. "Of course," she huffed, "You don't expect us to sun bathe naked do you?" "Hey wait a minute," he sat up, "I thought you brought something to wear already." "Actually," Tifa grinned, "I was just joking when I said we actually brought along anything to wear. With a whole year of catching up to do, I didn't really expect to don anything at all for a few days---" "Tifa!" Aeris had her hands tightly around a stupefied Marlene. Cloud could see the poor girl was trying to squirm out from her aunt's iron grasp. "--- and plans change too," Tifa hurriedly corrected herself, "Do you want to eat out all the time? We can buy some food and fix our own meals for the next couple of days. Besides Marlene can get something nice too. Right hun?" Aeris had consented to let go of Marlene who, once freed from her restraint, nodded enthusiastically as Cloud rolled his eyes and sighed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What about this one?" "It's okay. How 'bout it, tiger?" "What?" Tifa sighed, "How does it look?" "Please say yes!" Aeris clasped her hands, "It's the last one I can afford!" "Nevermind mind the price! I told you already, we'll help with the difference." "Uh, yeah," Cloud mumbled, "Can we just buy it and go now?" "Definitely not! We've got to look at least decent if not enticing," Tifa said haughtily. "What ever for?" "To make all the other guys jealous when we say 'No. We're taken'." Aeris wore a small smile as Marlene began pestering Cloud again. "Pweese take me to see them! PWEESE!!" "What do I know about jewelry?" "But I wanna! I wanna!" "Later then tiger," Tifa blew him a kiss as he was half led, half dragged by his energetic five year old ward. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The night was warm and dry as Cloud nursed his glass of crystal clear --- water. A bottle of spirits sat on the table before him, but he didn't touch it. He scowled as he sipped his tepid drink, but he felt resigned to his fate. My decision, he promptly corrected himself. He didn't believe in fate anymore. Not after all that. Yeah. Fate. He smirked at an imagined specter. A ghost from his past. Fate may have brought us together. But we stayed together by choice. Take that Fate. We made our choice, he smiled and gulped down his drink. A sing song voice interrupted his thoughts. "Okay tiger," it sang, "Are you ready?!" He tugged absently at his robe and headed to the door, "Not so loud Tiff. Marlene just went to bed." "Gotcha," he heard her voice past the thin door, "Now before you come in, you gotta hear the rules." "Rules?" he blinked, "What rules?" "For the game," Aeris' soprano piped up. "I didn't know we had rules before," a wry grin crossed his face. "Well this is something new," he heard Aeris giggle as Tifa explained, "You gotta catch one of us and say our name aloud." "That won't be too hard," he made a face, "It's pretty small in there." "Trust me tiger, it'll be fun. Just turn off the lights outside first." As soon as he obliged, he heard one of them say, "Okay! Come on in!" Cloud took a in a deep breath and turned the knob. The whole place fell silent as he stepped in the darkened room. The drapes were drawn tightly shut and except for the dim moonlight streaming from the door he stepped past, it was completely dark. "Hey, what the--?" "Don't turn on that light!" "What? Why? And who said that?" "It's--!" "Sssh! You'll give yourself away! Oop---!" "Aha," Cloud felt himself grin despite his position, "I get it." He heard the shuffling of feet to his side as he felt the graze of silky material slide fly past him. He reached out and grabbed nothing but empty air. Damn. Almost. Cloud stayed still as he called out, "Okay, you forgot to tell me something. What do I get if I guess correctly?" "Something good might happen." "Hush! He's just trying to find you!" He smiled as recognized who'd use such a word. He tiptoed steadily towards his right, where he heard 'Aeris'. A mute shuffle of footsteps alerted him to her flight and he reached out and grabbed her. No cry of alarm or surprise identified his captive. He tried again, "What happens if I guess wrong?" His captive gave a jerk and her arm flew out of his grasp. She fled from his range before he could catch her again. Was it 'Tifa'? Maybe. But then again, he wasn't holding on very tight --- Okay, he told himself. This was going to be tougher than I thought. "If you lose," a woman's voice came from the darkness, "Um, what were we going to have him do again?" Low whispers came from across the room where Tifa and Aeris had hidden themselves. Giggles and snorts of laughter gave away their location as one of them said, "You do as you're told for tonight. And you only get one guess!" Great, he racked his brain. Just great. Cloud now realized his eyes had adjusted to the room's darkness and despite the minuscule amount of light, he could dimly make out a huddled shape to his left. And if he could see them --- Aw crap. No wonder they could avoid him before. Okay. Quietly now. He started at an oblique line towards his target. The mass slowly straightened up as if to flee and hesitated as he headed to her side. Yeah, now I got you, Cloud grinned as his wife didn't know whether or not to flee or not. At the last minute, his hand flew out as she tried to escape. Gotcha! His captive relaxed yet he held her tightly as not to let her go so easily this time. But if it's a game of nerves they wanted to play with him --- "I want whoever I don't have to know, that I've got one of you." A short gasp came from behind him. His other wife was close, but he wasn't going to risk it. "And since you won't say anything to reveal yourselves," he declared, "I'm going to find out for myself the old fashioned way." His captive wife gave a muffled groan as his hands drew around her waist. Cloud slowly slid his hands up until he could find what he was looking for. Her chest felt generous and was definitely more than a handful. He felt 'Tifa's' hands on his as he gave her a gentle squeeze. "Hmmmnnh--" "I wonder who you could be?" he nuzzled her neck, "Eh, Tiff?" "WRONG!" "What the!?" he jumped back in surprise as the lights came blazing on. Cloud rubbed his eyes as Tifa stood a full fifteen paces behind him. He gawked at her then at his captive --- Aeris. The small woman had two large pillows stuffed inside her nightgown and she was on the verge of collapsing from laughter. "So. Tiger," Tifa slowly slinked towards him, "What gave it away?" "Er, um, your uh, lovely um, perfume?" "I'm not wearing any." "I meant --- um, er---" Cloud felt beads of sweat pop from his face as she drew her arms around him. "Oh what ever it was, I'm sure it must be very, very---" Tifa mashed her chest against him, "---special. Hmm, tiger?" "Okay, okay," he grinned, "I lost. So now what?" "Now," Aeris came up and smiled, "We teach you to play our way." They took him by the hand and led him to the bed. "Tifa, lay down would you?" the healer's eyes sparkled, "We'll start with you." "Gladly!" the dark haired woman laughingly threw herself onto the bed and bounced several times, "This is gonna be fun!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Oh man," Cloud stretched out lazily on the bed, "I've never felt so tired in my life." "Poor Cloud," Aeris beat lightly against his back with her tiny fists, "I guess we did wear you out." "Oh boo hoo," Tifa rolled over and nipped her husband on the ear, "I tell you tiger, you'd better start shaping up." "Or what?" he yawned again. "Or we start leaving you out of our fun," Tifa glanced at Aeris and smiled. She grinned back. "You know what Tiff?" Cloud stretched and patted her butt gently, "Maybe I was a little rushed in my judgement about being left out. You and Aeris have fun. I'm going to sleep." Aeris blushed as Tifa's eyes flashed briefly. "Oh no you don't!" she growled, "You're not getting off our bet that easily!" "What bet?" he grimaced as she flipped him onto his back and straddled his chest. "Remember our game?" Tifa gripped his head with her hands, "You're going to do as we say for the whole night!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cloud's eyes felt heavy as tried to force them open. They felt even heavier as he ventured a look around. Aeris and Tifa were lying to one side of the bed. How fortunate. Now, if he could only get out of these stupid handcuffs. Tiff and her dumb games. What made it dumber was her aberrant commitment to make *him* keep playing even when it's over. He silently berated himself to be neater in the future. These were his own cuffs afterall. She must've snatched them at the last minute before we left the house, he soured. Luckily, a cop never forgets what he was trained for. Cloud spied the key around her neck. He slowly worked his free hand over Aeris' slender frame and between his other wife's melon heavy breasts. Easy, easy, he told himself. Don't want to wake them, now. There! He quickly and quietly freed himself and managed to effect an escape to the bathroom. The young man quietly stumbled into the tub and turned on the shower. The warm spray was a much welcomed delight after last night. Cloud rotated his shoulder and winced. He grimaced again as he massaged his worn out prick. "Achoo!" he sniffed and turned up more hot water. Good Planet help me. Those two are animals. He would have expected Tifa to behave the way she did. But Aeris --- That was a damned shock. Compared to Tifa, she wasn't as vocal. But when she wanted something done right --- Cloud made a face as he remembered how she kept him servicing her down there until she came several times over the course of an hour and a half. He thought his jaw was going to fall off and his tongue along with it. Luckily for him, she maintained that his fingers were doing a better job than anything and he was content to oblige. It gave him a chance to rest, however slight. That is until Tifa decided to masturbate herself with his other hand. Those two were going to be a handful. And for once he wasn't referring to Tifa's chest. And I'd better hide those cuffs if I ever want to get a good night's sleep. He groaned softly and reached for the soap when a hand suddenly grabbed him by the wrist. "What the---!?" "Bad move tiger!" Oh no. Tifa drew back the drape as Aeris stood close behind her. "Trying to escape us, eh?" "Er, not really," Cloud snapped his eyes back to his captors nervously, "Just taking a shower like usual." "It's no use love," Aeris grinned, "The only way you're getting out of here is through us. I just locked the door." "Wait --- HEY!! OW!" Tifa twisted his arm slightly. Not enough to hurt him, just enough to make him do what she wanted. Cloud lay flat on the floor of the giant tub as she straddled his chest. "For Planet's sake you two!" he roared, "We haven't even eaten yet!" "Not so loud," Aeris admonished, "Marlene's in the next room." "She's right," Tifa looked down at him, water streaming down her perfect, tanned body in a torrent of little waterfalls, "And besides, it's not like we're going to hurt you." Cloud groaned and patted her thighs, "Okay. Enough. I've got to finish---" "And miss out on your reward?" "Reward?" he blinked the water out of his eyes, "What reward?" "Well," Aeris' head hovered over Tifa's shoulder, "Since you've been so good to us, we wanted to give you something." His eyes grew wide as he croaked, "Wh-what?" "Hmm, we never thought about that, " she paused, "What do you think we should give him, Aeris?" The healer's eyes stood fixed on Cloud as she whispered something to her companion. The busty woman's eyes widened and they immediately broke into grins. Oh boy, the young man thought. Judging from Tifa's reaction, it was none too wholesome, morally speaking. He was just surprised and a little frightened, that Aeris had spawned the idea. What thoughts drifted through her pretty head? "Um, whatever it is can wait," Cloud struggled to sit up, "Let me finish showering and we can get something to eat, okay?" "After," Tifa whispered, "It won't be long." "Oh great," he rolled his eyes, "How long?" "Not long," she smiled and lifted herself off his chest. He immediately gasped. Even with Tifa's hair partly covering his face, he could still make out Aeris hovering over his half stiff dick. "C'mon Aeris. Show him what you got!" He lay speechless as the healer's cheeks reddened, "So, no teeth. Right Cloud?" "Wha--?!" he glanced accusingly at Tifa, "You told." "Just a little. But not too much," she laughed and patted his cheeks, "Tiger likes it like that, huh?" "Argh. That's it. C'mon. Off," Cloud tried pushing them off, but they refused to budge. "Shut up and enjoy yourself!" Tifa set her hairy cunt onto his face and muffled his protests. "Urfff! Fuuuuggg!!" his eyes flew wide as he watched Aeris smile roguishly and disappear from view. ============================================================== And now for something completely different. -- Monty Python's Flying Circus ============================================================== Aeris was sipping her cup of broth as Cloud stumbled into the villa's living room. "Feeling better?" she smiled as he collapsed groggily in the chair across from her. "Hey tiger," Tifa's sing song chimed from the small kitchen, "You finally decided to come out?" Cloud let out a tired groan, "You two are going to be the death of me." Tifa laughed and turned back to the stove as Aeris broke into smiles. "Oh tiger. You and your honeyed words," Tifa scraped whatever she was frying onto some plates, "If you're trying to seduce us, that's not going to work." "I'm not trying to," Cloud sighed, "For once in my life I think I can say I've had enough ---" "Cloud!" "Huh?" He looked up and saw Aeris looking past him. He followed her gaze and saw Marlene tottering unsteadily towards them. "Hey sleepy head," he took the sleepy child by the arm, "How y'feeling?" "Huwwo," the girl rubbed her eyes as Aeris set her cup down and took off her spencer. "Stop fidgetting," the small woman said sternly, "You keep this on until you've had breakfast okay?" Cloud helped Aeris loop Marlene's arms through the outfit. "She looks better in it than you," he gibed playfully. "Hmph," Aeris sashayed her hips and bumped the part of the chair at his head. "Who's trying to charm who now?" he asked wryly. "Hey you guys," Tifa's laugh drew their attention, "Breakfast!" Aeris led Marlene to the table as Cloud poured himself a cup of tea. The small girl yawned several times before she began to talk incessantly. "Auntee it's too hwot!" "Auntee it's too cwold!" "I wanna go shoppwing fwor beadies again!" Cloud amused himself by watching Aeris and Tifa patiently tend to their young ward. Whenever Marlene turned the other way, Tifa snuck out a hand to pinch her cheeks. "Stwop!!" the tiny girl's utensils clattered as her hands flew up and covered her face. "Tifa!" Aeris scolded, "Don't encourage her now! Let her finish her breakfast first." Tifa pouted and looked intently at Marlene as she cautiously picked her fork back up. Cloud chuckled as he sat down with them. "So where are off to today? As if I didn't know." "I don't know," Aeris grinned wryly, "I think we made a visit to every store in town." "Not every one," Tifa smiled back, "We missed the materia stand --- oh, bad choice." Her mouth snapped shut as her companions cast their gaze downwards. A strange silence descended upon them before someone decided to speak up again. "Hey I know," the small woman suggested, "Let's head for the beach. That's why we shopped for yesterday right, Tifa?" "Actually I was about to suggest that earlier," Cloud made a face at Tifa, "But she shut me up with that fur pelt of hers." Aeris gasped and gave him a wide eyed stare but Marlene kept on eating as if nothing was wrong. He gave his wife a sly wink before he yelped with surprise. Tifa had elbowed him in the ribs. "You're gonna get it," she maintained her smiling facade for Marlene's sake, "You just wait until tonight." "Okay, okay. Enough potty talk you two," Aeris blushed, "We all need some rest anyway." "Yeah, well," Cloud swirled his cup blearily, "I could use a day of doing nothing." "Hmph," Tifa snorted, "Just consider it a recess from your nightly duties tiger." "In that case," he lolled his tongue, "I hope the sun never sets." ***************************************************************** Cloud lay lazily on the beach towel. The sand felt agreeably warm and very cozy as he drifted off. A nice change of pace from the -- how many restless nights has it been? Ah, who cares? At least they're not pestering me for a while. "Tiii-ggerrr!" Oh no. He tried to feign sleep as someone knelt beside him. "Should we wake him? He looks tired." Thank you Aeris, he told himself. You're a life saver. "No way! Everything we touch gets slimy after that. I don't want to clean anything when we get back!" Slimy? What the hell are they up to? Cloud fluttered his eyes and saw Tifa with her head tilted aside. "So you're finally awake." "Had to," he grinned wryly, "I can't stay asleep when you two are around." "Hmph. Darn right," she huffed, obviously not getting the joke, "We've got a favour to ask you." "Does it involve nudity?" Aeris smiled as Tifa's eyes flashed angrily at his impudence. "No Cloud! Not that!" the small woman giggled. Aeris looked both cute and coy in her red two piece swimsuit. The top ran around her small breasts and the bottom though slim, was not vulgar. The ensemble allowed her to show off her baby smooth tummy with great effect. "Yeah, you pervert," her companion thumped him across the chest, "We need you to rub some lotion." Tifa by contrast had donned a blue one piece outfit. While it was nothing extraordinary in the front, its back showed off ample areas of flesh. Her boobs had stretched the costume to its fullest extent as well. Everytime she moved her arms, Cloud could get a partial glimpse of those big soft puffballs he'd come to know and love. "Why me?" he cringed slightly, "Can't you do two it to each other?" "I don't want to make a mess," Tifa frowned, "You know how I hate having everything oily and all. It's plain nasty." "And besides," Aeris began tugging him fondly, "We like your hands." "Yeah," Tifa put a hand on his crotch and felt his limpness, "It's the only thing strong and hard right now." Cloud shivered despite the warmth of the tropical sun, "Okay. Anything as long it doesn't make me thirsty." "Thirsty?" "Yeah," he rummaged through the beach bag, "I get really dry mouthed when we're ---" "Cloud." He looked up and saw Marlene had tottered amongst them. "-- done," he finished lamely. "Come here dear," Aeris drew the girl close. The small woman brushed off the sand from her ward's hair and bottom before consenting to let her go. "Y'know come to think of it," Tifa spoke up, "I am a bit thirsty." "Me too," Aeris gave Marlene a squeeze, "What about you love?" The tiny girl nodded as she held up two sea shells for her aunts to see. "Hey, that's pretty nice," Tifa took a look, "Where'd you get them?" "Ower therr!" She followed her ward's tiny pointing finger to a pile of sea shells several children had collected. One of them waved at them and Marlene timidly waved back. "Are they your friends?" Tifa grinned. "I dunnwo," the girl mumbled. "Speak up so we can hear," Aeris chided gently. Marlene gripped the shells tightly with her tiny hands. "Would you like to go and play with them?" "May I aun-tee?" she paused slightly and looked at Tifa and Aeris, "Pweese?" "Go show 'em what I taught ya," Tifa gave her a thumbs up and a broad grin. "And be polite!" Aeris called out after her as she raced away. "Who's letting her run off without supervision now?" Cloud asked. "We'll go and watch her," Tifa waved her hand casually, "Go get us something before we die from thirst." "Okay what?" "How 'bout a Cosmo Candle?" "Tifa," Aeris pursed her lips. The young man shrugged it off, "It's all right, Aeris. She doesn't mean it." "Okay, okay," Tifa said quickly, "I'll have a Mythril Ice." "Make it two, please." Cloud nodded, "And Marlene?" "Three then," Aeris smiled and handed him a note. "Don't," he shook his head, "This one's on me if you two leave me alone for the night --- Hey!!" Tifa suddenly grabbed him and stuffed her money down his pants, "Not a chance!" Aeris hid a grin as Cloud shook his head ruefully, "I was afraid you'd say that." ***************************************************************** He wandered into the sun baked bar. The place was sparsely decorated, the client base though, wasn't. Patrons sipped their drinks shaded from the hot sun. Several fanned themselves with cards, boards, or anything else that was handy. Cloud ambled up the bar and rapped against the counter. "Yessir!" the barkeep held up a finger, "Be with you in a minute!" The young man contented to sit himself down on an empty stool as he waited to be served. He yawned and tried to snooze a little when a voice interrupted his nap. "Woman troubles?" "What?" Cloud snapped awake. A burly man sat in the stool next to him, thoughtfully rubbing his bronzed chin. The young man rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as the barkeep came bustling past him. "Hey I need ---!" "In a minute buddy! I'll be right with ya. Don't leave me!" Like I can, Cloud thought sourly. He had been up and down looking for a decent bar to order from. Mythril Ice tended to get people sick if the lemon greens were spoiled. "You look like a man who needs some help." Cloud stared at the bronzed man next to him, "You're talking to me?" "Who else?" the stranger stuck out a hand, "Esro." The young man shook the brawny hand cautiously. "I help people. Especially the young." "Meaning?" Cloud finally caught the barkeep and shouted, "Four Mythril Ices!" The fat man nodded and scribbled something down on a greasy notepad. Esro nudged him, "I have something you may like." "What are you selling?" Cloud asked, now wary of a pitch. "Well, it isn't for everyone," the man mused, "But you sir --- you are one of a kind." "I'm jus' like everyone else," Cloud began to move away. Something about the man made him feel uncomfortable. "I bet you ain't," Esro slammed his fist down on the counter with exuberance, "You got two of what most men have one of." Cloud narrowed his eyes as he realized what was said, "Who are you? What do you want?" "Hey," Esro waved his hands, "I'm nobody. Just a man making a livin'." "Off what?" the young man asked coldly. "Off medicine." "Oh," Cloud relaxed, relieved the man was not a ponce. Or worse. "Yea!" the man nodded vigorously, "I sell'im medicine for ---" he gestured. "Love potions," the young man said flatly. "I call 'em wife helpers," Esro cackled, "Seriously toadie, you keep those two happy all the time?" "How'd you know about it?" Cloud was stone faced. Dammit, what was keeping those fucking drinks? "Overheard one of 'em talkin'. At the diner yesterday. Fancy seein' you agin' so soon." "Not interested," the young man said simply, "But thanks." "You think you can do it yerself, toadie?" Esro chortled. "I can," Cloud said stiffly, "It just takes a little more -- time and effort." "I used t'hear that all the time too," Esro shook his head, "Back in Sector 2." "You're from Midgar?" "Yea. Had me a shop where I sold this stuff out to the whole city. Plate an all. They even heard of me in the so called Market." "But Sector 6 is all the way --- oh," Cloud whistled, "I guess that's impressive." He paused, "That is if you're telling the truth." "It'tis. It'tis. Look," Esro brought out a small box, no bigger than a small egg, "You can have this one for oh --- five thousand." "No thanks," the young man snorted, "With that kind of money, I can put my kid through school for a year." "All rite, all rite," the bronzed man shook his head, "Seein' as how money is tight and all. A thousand. I aim t'please your sleaze." Cloud winced at the bad rhyme and looked at the box. It's fake you know, a voice inside his head sang out. The son of a bitch is just bumming for money. The young man eyed the stranger curiously and decided to humour him, "Twenty five." "Shit," Esro laughed, "I'm not that kind hearted. Seven. Hundred." "Four." "Five." "Fine," Cloud passed out a hefty 500 Gil note. The young man stuffed the box into his pocket as the barkeep arrived with his order. "Damn toadie," Esro grinned as he pocketed the money, "You haggle like a woman." "Thank my wife." "Which one?" the burly man guffawed and left as Cloud's order arrived. ***************************************************************** "Clooooouuud! Come to bed, Cloud!!" "In a minute!" he opened the box. A small ampoule lay nestled in the wood chip packaging. "Hey tiger! How long are you going to be in there?" "Forever if you don't stop bugging me," he threatened. The protests sloughed off as he threw away the box and held the vial to the light. It was filled with some sort of viscous red fluid. By now, he could hear them gather outside the door, whispering. Aw crap, Cloud wondered. What are they doing now? The knob to the bathroom rattled slightly and he thought he heard mild cursing on the other side. "What are you doing in there? Are you playing with yourself?" "No Tiff," Cloud growled and inspected the glass capsule for tampering or breakage, "Now gimme another minute!" He broke the wax seal and downed the contents with a single gulp. YEECCHH!! Cloud instinctively swallowed before he could retch out the bitter contents. He quickly rinsed his mouth of the awful, awful taste. Aw crap. It figured to be a hoax, he lolled his tongue ruefully. And I'm out 500 Gil. Damn. Live and learn I guess. He heard a knock and a soft voice asked, "Are you okay? You're not hurt or anything right?" "I'm fine, Aeris," he replied and tossed the empty capsule into the trash. So much for miracles. He unlocked the door and saw his two wives standing outside. Tifa was tapping her foot impatiently. "Well, here I am," he smiled sheepishly. "About time too!" she clapped a hand on his shoulder, "C'mon!" ***************************************************************** "Stop it!" A skilled hand batted Cloud away. "What? Tired already?" "For once in my life, YES!" Tifa leaned against the headboard, her hair a total disaster. Sweat gleamed off her melon sized boobs as she tried to preen herself. "Well that's a first," he winked, "For you." Her eyes flashed slightly as she gently took hold of his manhood. "Don't cocky with me tiger," she growled and yanked slightly, prompting a sordid grin from Cloud. Tifa sighed and leaned back, "Why don't you go bug Aeris?" "Now there's an idea," he stopped and looked around, "Say, where is she?" The two cast their eyes about the bedroom. "Aeris?" Tifa called out, "Aeris!?" Cloud noticed the pile of bedsheets piled on one corner of the sprawling bed. He cautiously lifted up a corner and saw a pair of tiny, rosy pink feet. A muffled groan came from the crumpled mass as he tickled the soles. Aeris finally gave a squeal and popped her head out from under the sheets. "I can't walk!" "Wh-what!?" he laughed. "You wore me out," the small woman rolled over lazily, "No more, Cloud. At least not tonight. I'm really tired down there." "Yeah, me too," Tifa eyed him suspiciously, "Y'know, this isn't like you tiger. What'd you do? Take some vitamins or something?" "Maybe I did," he grinned wryly. I guess that bar fly was selling real shit after all, Cloud mused. But I'd better not let them on to it. He maintained his best face as he went on, "Or maybe *you* two finally met your match." "That's doubtful," Aeris said absently, "I mean, you weren't like this before." "What!?" Cloud planted himself over her, "What's that supposed t'mean?" She let out a short cry as she tried to flee from his advances. "Arr-har-har!" he let out a baritone growl as he started to reach for her, "Tis no use m'lady. Thar be sharks in the water as well as on this ship!" "Cloud! I'm warning you!" Aeris couldn't help but smile even as she held up her hands to fend off her husband, "Stop it! Don't! --- you! --- dare!!!" The two tumbled off the bed as Tifa laughed at their antics. "Yar-har-har!" Cloud began to tickle her silly, "Let'see if you like this!" "Aaaaah! Stop! Stop!" Aeris was laughing so hard, tears came to her eyes, "TEEEFAAAA!! HA-HA-HELLLLLP!!!" "All right you pirate!" the busty brunette grabbed the young man by his shoulders, "That's enough. I'm taking you in!" "Yaa!" he twisted around and grinned wolfishly, "Two against one, eh? I'll have to make you both walk m'plank, harr!" Tifa's eyes flew wide as he grabbed her ample chest, "OOOH! I'm reining you in for assaulting a peace officer! A beautiful one at that!" "Oh yeah?" he grinned wickedly as he playfully smacked her pretty ass, "You and what army?" She smiled seductively and said nothing, but he heard shuffling behind him. "Oh no you don't," Cloud spun around and caught the slender woman by the waist as she began her sneak attack. Aeris gave a shrill yelp as he tackled her to the ground. "Haha!" he gave them his best cackle, "Now I got --- yaaagh!" Tifa had taken hold of his shoulders again and wrestled him to the bed. "I've got his arms!" she cried, "Get him!!" Aeris quickly jumped on top of him as he tried to break free from Tifa's hold. "Oh, you've been a bad, bad boy," the healer planted her small hands on his chest, "We'll have to punish you." "What ever will you do?" Cloud tried to sit up for a kiss but he was held down tight. The raven haired woman's eyes held a wicked gleam as she bent over and whispered fiercely in his ear, "We're going to fuck the hell out of you." Aeris scampered off him as Tifa positioned herself so she was facing his feet --- and other extremities. Cloud's eyes widened as she began backing her big beautiful butt towards his face. "Oh no," he feigned terror, "Not that. *Anything* but that!" "Oh yes!" she gave him a saucy smile as he buried his face in her hairy muff. That was when he felt someone's lips wrap themselves around his prick. But it felt strange. What the--? "Unnggghhff!!" he tightened his grip as he felt two pairs of lips swarm over his crotch. Oh man. Those two were working in tandem. Oh fuuuuuuuck. He felt one caress the head of his fat dick head as the other planted a wet kiss on his groin. The one servicing his dick swirled her tongue several times around the rim slowly and topped him by flicking his pee slit with the tip of her tongue. Cloud gritted his teeth as he held back the urge to shoot his wad right then and there. He instinctively reached down to take hold of her head when she gave a groan of protest. Whoops, he thought. I just grabbed Aeris. "Don't," he heard Tifa say as she worked his grip free, "Just let her do it herself." "Ohh--kay," he whispered hoarsely as she planted his hands on her bountiful ass. Cloud gently squeezed her buttocks as he inhaled her cunt musk. Her ragged breathing urged him to continue. He breathed in through his nostrils and exhaled through his mouth. His breath poured over her dank crotch in a rush of hot, excited air. Tifa moaned again when he licked her rapidly moistening cunt. "Oooh Aeris. He's doing funny stuff to me back there!" "Let's --- mngkkh! --- make --- him ---- slurp! --- mmmnnn!" Aeris stopped her sucking to nuzzle the young man's balls. Tifa saw the vacancy and took up Cloud's dick herself. "Auuugh!" His hips bucked slightly as Aeris gathered his testicles in her mouth and take them for a lip massage, one agonizing nut at a time. Tifa began to move her head up and down on his veiny cock and he let out another cry of pleasure. Each time she raised her head, her teeth would graze the crown of his fat dick head just slightly before she would swallow him all over again. "Oooh, Tifa," Aeris panted lightly, "Gimme some." "Knock yourself out," the brunette contented herself to resting her head on Cloud's loins as her companion began teasing their husband's rock hard dick. Suddenly, Tifa got an idea. "Hey, Aeris. I'll race ya." "Humh?" Tifa couldn't help but giggle when Aeris knitted her brow, her mouth full of cock. "Race me?" the healer let Cloud pop out of her mouth, "Where?" "To the top of 'Tiger's Peak'," the busty woman winked, "Tongue only." "Oh," Aeris giggled, "Um, okay." Cloud gasped as he felt both their tongues run slowly over his cock. When he felt them reach the top of his sperm choked dick, he couldn't hold back any longer. His ass tightened and bucked forcefully as he shot his load. "AAUUUUUGGH! AAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" Cloud came hard as a mass of wet slurping came from below. "Great Planet have mercy!" Aeris panted, "H-he's still hard!" "All --- hah!" Tifa's voice came out in short breaths, "hah! --- All the better." She wearily picked herself up and slowly impaled herself onto her man's cock. "Mmmnn!" she let out a lusty sigh as she settled down. "Oh fuck yeah Tiff," Cloud gritted his teeth, "Fuck yeah." His hands slid over his wife's lithe tan body, from her slow rocking hips to her jumbo swinging breasts. Aeris brushed her hair back as she sat to the side and watched, exhausted. Her husband took notice of her inactivity and pulled her foot gently. "Oh no more Cloud, please," she shook her head and pointed, "I'm so sore in there." "Okay," he licked his lips hungrily, "But how 'bout here?" "Where?" "Here," the young buck stroked her little nub of a clit. "Wha--- OH!" she gasped as she spread her legs a little to let him stroke a little easier. "Hmph," he grinned wryly, "So much for not being able to walk." The petite woman blushed slightly as her husband worked his magic on her little pussy. "Come on," his voice was hoarse, "Let me at you." "Oooh o-okay. Since you're d-d-doing it so n-n-niccce-mmmmmmnnn---" Aeris yielded to his advances and allowed herself to be guided atop his waiting mouth. Cloud groaned as he feasted on her pink, hairless cunny. Tifa's relentless bucking continued as she slowly writhed to some silent beat. Her mane of dark hair thrashed about as rode herself to an orgasm. "Oh fuck," Tifa frantically gulped the warm air, "I can still feel you tiger." "M-m-me too," his teeth chattered as sweet, clear drops of fluid began to drip from Aeris' rapidly widening cunt. "Don't stop Cloud," the healer started to plead, "Don't you dare stop ---ummnh!" The slender woman grabbed the headboard to support herself as she moved her hips back and forth along the length of his face, forcing her clit to run from the tip of his nose all the way to the end of his chin. She gasped everytime she hit a bump along the way. Cloud somehow managed to tear his eyes away from the action in front of him to sneak a peek at Tifa. White cloudy ooze ran down his shaft and caked his prickly blond pubic hair as she kept poling up and own on his unyielding fuck stick. The busty woman's hands were all over herself as she peaked again. "Oh Plah --- oh fuck! A-A-Aeris," Tifa fell off to the side, letting Cloud's dick pop out of her with a wet SHHLURRP! "It's your turn. I gotta rest!" The brunette collapsed lazily to the side as she tried to gather her breath, her body awash in a new layer of sweat. "Okay love," Aeris braved a grin and kissed Cloud, "This better finish you off." "I hope so," Tifa rolled to the side and moaned, "Or we'll never get any rest." Cloud snorted, "Welcome to my world for the past two days." "It's actually not so bad as long as you're doing the work," Tifa bent close and grinned. He kissed her and let out a muffled groan as Aeris slid herself onto his manhood. ***************************************************************** "Oh crap," he muttered blearily and cranked his eyes open. The room was still relatively dark. Good. We didn't stay up and fuck the whole night away. Cloud tried to move but Tifa wouldn't let him. Her arm stretched across his chest, pinning him to the bed. She stirred slightly and he froze, afraid of waking her. He looked to his other side and saw Aeris had her head on top of his arm. Oh damn, he winced. No wonder I couldn't feel my arm. "Easy now. Come --- on," he held a breath as he wiggled free from his wives. "There we go," Cloud slowly slid off the end of the bed and stretched. He cast a glance at them in the dim light and mouthed a silent, 'Wow'. Their hair was an unrecognizable tangle and their bodies reeked of sweat and sex. Dried spit and cum caked both their loins and the sheets were entangled in a hopeless mess. What a night, he yawned as he stumbled into the bathroom. ***************************************************************** Tifa felt a hand on her as she slowly adjusted to the gloom. "Hey." "Hey yourself," she barely managed to whisper, "You're up early." "He woke me when he took my pillow," Aeris smiled at her. "How rude," Tifa slid closer and stroked her cheek, "Hey, are you okay?" "Yeah. Why'd you ask?" The brunette chewed her lip, "He was pretty rough with you that last time ---" "I'm FINE," Aeris said with an air of finality, "Now stop worrying over nothing, okay?" "Oh, all right," Tifa knocked heads with her and grinned, "If you say so." They both smiled dumbly as they gazed into each other's eyes. A sudden ear shattering cry jolted them out of their peace. "Wh-what was that?" Aeris sat up, her eyes full of fear. "I--I don't know," Tifa wrapped a sheet around herself and got up. The healer suddenly remembered something just as the busty woman headed for the door, "Marlene!?" "I'll check on her," Tifa had her hand on the door knob when she heard Aeris gasp. Tifa spun around to see an ashen faced Cloud come out of the bathroom, his hands together in front of him. "Tiger?" she made a face, "What's the big idea!? You gave us a helluva scare!" He didn't reply as he sat on the edge of the bed. Tifa's heart jumped when he stared mutely at her. His mouth tried to form words, but nothing came out. "C-cloud?" Aeris' voice rose in fear, "You okay?" "I---I don't know," the young man said in a tiny voice. "Hey," Tifa sat beside him with a faceful of worry, "What's wrong?" Both women gasped as Cloud moved his hands away from his crotch. Aeris simply sat slack jawed as Tifa stared in shock. "Wha--!" "What happened?!" "See?" Cloud managed a weak smile, "At least you didn't scream." The dark haired woman rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Great Planet! What seemed to be a second dick had grown from her husband's crotch and sat above his first dick. Or was it below? She couldn't tell. Both looked pretty real. "They feel real too." Tifa saw Aeris had her hands on it. The healer looked like she was in a trance, but it was really more from the shock of the sight before her. "I've never seen anything more alive," the small woman's eyes held a mix of fear and wonder. "Okay tiger," Tifa let her companion continue her examination, "Out with it." "Out with what?" "You know," she twisted his ear, "It has something to do with tonight didn't it?" Cloud looked dejectedly at the floor as Aeris let go of his pricks and gazed at him. "Cloud," the healer placed her hands on his, "We're your closest confidants. There's no shame in telling us what you did today." "Okay, okay," the young man sighed, "I bought something today from some guy." "What?" Aeris gripped his hand. "It was supposed to help me in--," he paused, a little ashamed, "In bed." "A love potion," Tifa made a face, "Didn't I tell you before that stuff was fake?" Cloud gave her a wan smile and she wrinkled her nose. "All right, all right!" she threw up her hands, "So I was wrong --- just this once." "Tifa please," Aeris sighed, "He doesn't feel that great right now so be easy on him." "Now," the healer turned to Cloud, "What did you do with it? More precisely, where'd you hide it?" "In the bathroom," he mumbled, "I drank the stuff and tossed it in the garbage." "So that's why you were in there so long," Tifa accused, "And for me to think you were toying with yourself in there!" Cloud stayed silent as Aeris got up and headed to investigate the restroom. "Cloud!" the woman's voice came back shrill, "You made a MESS in here!" "Sorry," he made face, "I wasn't used to having piss come out of two places at once." He heard Aeris grumble as the faucet was turned on. Wet splashing and mild cursing quickly followed as Tifa sat silently beside Cloud. "Here," Aeris came out with several damp rags, "Go clean up. You too, Tifa." The two mumbled a quiet thanks before the small woman headed back to the bathroom. Tifa watched the young man wipe himself off as he sat glum and silent. "I--I'm sorry tiger," the dark haired bride murmured, "About what I said. I shouldn't--" "It's all right," he folded a towel and sighed, "I'm used to it, remember?" "Still," Tifa stroked his back gently. Cloud continued to wipe himself in silence. "Here," she took a rag, "Lemme help you." "Thanks." Tifa ran the rag down his back and across his well built shoulders. She scrubbed the nape of his neck where she and Aeris had buried themselves so many times before to muffle their cries of delight. "Don't forget yourself," Cloud bared a clean side of his rag and reached for her. "Thanks," she smiled as she spread her legs. His hands wiped away the spit and seed that had accumulated on her loins. "Don't mention it." Tifa gathered the dirty rags and balled them together on the dresser. "Why'd you do it?" she finally asked. He looked away, "It was necessary." "No it isn't," Tifa said stiffly. Cloud fidgetted slightly. "Come on, you can tell me," she knelt before him, "Why?" "I thought you two could use it," his words came pouring out, "I thought I couldn't meet both of your expectations, realistically." Tifa sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry. It's our fault too." "No it isn't," Cloud tipped her chin up, "It was my call. Hopefully I'll learn from it as soon as it wears off." "Um --- I hate to tell you this, but I don't think it'll wear off." "What!?" Tifa and Cloud looked up as Aeris came out again, her body squeaky clean. The small woman was holding the small box Cloud had discarded earlier. "Didn't you read the warning?" Aeris admonished. "I was in a hurry, remember?" The small woman bit her lip and said nothing. Tifa ignored Cloud's snide remark and held out a hand, "Lemme see that." Tifa turned on the lights and read aloud the small print on the box: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ !!WARNING!! Use of this product may incur permanent side effects inclu- ding: impotence, constant diarrhea, compulsory sexual behavior, chronic masturbation, gen- ital leprosy, and other mutations or bizarre behaviour. Use at your own volition. His Majesty's Board of Health St--lund, Alb--n Aug---, AD 199- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The bottom part of the label was scratched out and was unreadable for the most part. Tifa pursed her lips as Cloud held his head in shame and worry. "G-g-genital leprosy?" he croaked, "I don't like the sound of that. Whatever that is." Tifa set the box down beside the pile of rags and sat back onto the bed as Aeris consoled him. "C-can you fix this?" he asked. "I--I dunno," Aeris swayed unsteadily, "If there's nothing wrong in the first place ---" "Nothing wrong?!" Cloud chortled, "I've got two pricks for Planet's sake!! I wonder if anyone else has something like this?" "Well, I'm sorry!" the healer's voice rose dramatically, "What do you want me to do? Wave my hand and hope everything goes back to the way it was?!!?" Cloud blanched like he was just slapped in the face. Tifa jumped in alarm as her friend brought herself under control. "Well?" Aeris swallowed hard and levelled her voice, "What do you want me to do?" "Nothing for now," he slowly shook his head, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to do something you didn't want to---" "It's okay," Aeris took a deep breath and chewed her lip, "I--I shouldn't have yelled like that." "Don't worry about it," he stood with conviction, "Maybe I can still catch the guy and hopefully--- oh no. Wait. I can't." He sat back down as fast as he got up. "What now?" Tifa asked softly, "Don't you remember his store?" "I can't because he doesn't have a store," Cloud replied lamely, "I met him when I was buying our drinks." "Oh tiger. When will you learn not to buy everything under the sun?" "Like you don't?" he flashed a small smile. "Well that's different," Tifa reddened. "How?" "The stuff I buy won't give me another set of boobs." "And if she does," Aeris quickly added, "She'd put 'em to good use." "Hey!" Cloud grinned despite his predicament and sat amused as Tifa hurled a pillow at her friend. Aeris stuck her tongue out as it landed in a heap behind her. But when Tifa raised her hands to tickle her, Aeris let out a shriek. "Okay, okay! Stop!" the healer cried laughing, "I yield!" "Do you surrender?" Tifa stood ready to attack. "Yes, please! And to show my good faith, I give you this peace offering. One everyone will enjoy." "Huh?" Cloud blinked. Aeris grinned coyly at him as her hand began fondling one of his dicks. "Oh no," he began to gently push her away, "I'm not making it worse. You two can forget --- HEY!!" Tifa caught on fast as she planted a knee on his chest and pressed him onto the bed. "Tiff! Aeris! For Planet's sake!" he pleaded, "We don't know if -- if this will ---- waaaaaaagggghhh!" He gasped for air as his wives went down on him. It was a sensation unlike any other he had felt before, and one he was sure no other man was capable of ever feeling. It was as if he was having two of his fingers being sucked on at once, except that it wasn't his fingers in their mouths. The feeling went right into his head as his wives took him into theirs. Cloud gripped the bedsheets tightly as he glanced down his body and watched in horror and fascination as they bobbed alternately on his two dicks. He somehow gathered the will to reach for their love canals with his hands. They both paused briefly to utter lusty moans and muffled squeals as Cloud began to work his fingers into their warm vibrant cunts. "Oh yeah tiger," Tifa urged as she jacked his dick, "Keep it up! Keep --- it --- uuuaaagh!!" He clenched his teeth as she lowered her head and started to play with his engorged dickhead. Aeris caught her partner's antics and quickly slowed her pace. With one hand fondling his two balls, the healer began to tease his throbbing dick shaft with her tongue as her lips kept a tight seal all around. "Oh man!" Cloud shut his eyes tight to keep from cumming, "Oh man!" Fair is fair since he was not making it easier for them either. His fingers were poling in and out of their juicy cunts and he could feel their pussy ooze all over his hands. He had them in at such an angle so that he could rub them just right with his thumbs as he finger fucked them. Aeris' little clit felt like a small hard pea while Tifa's was more like a stumpy nub amidst a forest of prickly hair. Both women began to shudder and shake as their respective orgasms took hold of their quaking bodies. But Cloud wasn't ready to come just yet. His fingers slipped out of their trembling snatches with a wet SLURCH. Both of them were dripping with pungent juices as he put his hands up to his nostrils and inhaled. He closed his eyes as he rubbed it over his face and lips. Ah, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck yeah. That hit the spot. "H-hey," Tifa craned her head back, "Wh-what's the big idea?" "Yeah," Aeris said a little out of breath, "We ---hah!--- were just ---hah!--- warming up." Something in his mind clicked as he gave them a wry grin. "I got an idea," Cloud sat up, both his dicks standing more or less erect. Aeris tried to squeeze in another taste but he held her back. Turning to Tifa, he nudged her gently on her back. He looked at the healer, "Okay get on top of her." Aeris blinked, "O-on top?" "Tiger what are you--?" "Trust me. And hurry," Cloud said as Aeris awkwardly lay on top of her friend. "Oh," Tifa whispered as the woman settled on top, "Oh, I get it. I get it now. Only our tiger, hmm?" Aeris turned to look at her and smiled sheepishly. Tifa grinned back as she felt her companion's nipples begin to harden from the excitement and novelty of their new found way of doing things. Her own pulse quickened as Cloud stood at the apex to their legs. "Hey you two. I need a little room please." "He said 'please'," Tifa smiled foolishly, "I guess we should, right Aeris?" "Oh yeah. Come on!" the slender woman's mouth hung open as she lay on top. Tifa felt Aeris' thighs part between hers. The look on the healer's face was priceless as Cloud push himself into both her and the woman under her at the same time. "Oh -- Oh! OOH!!" Tifa couldn't help but cry out as Aeris swooned with pleasure. Aeris' hips pressed into hers and she took hold of Tifa's hands as Cloud began to move. The small woman gasped as Tifa instinctively wrapped her long, tan thighs around her slender waist. Aeris' breathing was becoming ragged and her moans rose as Cloud kept pumping away with furious determination. "Oh Teef--! Oh Teef---aahh!" Tifa felt her friend's fingers intertwine with hers as her own hips struggled to meet her man's cock. Aeris and Tifa's hips slowly melded together in one wet morass of cunt hair, pussy juice, and moving dicks. To the dark haired woman, it seemed as if her companion was trying desperately to not lose herself in the frenzy. Tifa instinctively let her mind drift as Cloud grabbed her by the ankles and thrust himself even deeper into them. "Ungghaah," she shuddered a little from the brief contact he made with the tip of her cervix. Braving a look at Aeris, Tifa saw the small woman was writhing in a mix of pleasure and pain as their husband buried himself ever deeper into their bodies. She saw the healer holding back even as Cloud slapped his hips against theirs. With the warmth of Aeris on top of her and her man inside, Tifa couldn't restrain herself anymore as she began to slowly gyrate her body. "UHMMMAHGWAAHH!" the small woman cried out with pleasure as she felt her companion's new motions. Reacting to Tifa's clandestine activities, Aeris gripped the brunette's hands even tighter as she herself began to wriggle. "Like it huh?" the busty woman smiled as she kept up her motions. Aeris suddenly looked at her straight in the eye. The glimmer was one Tifa never saw before. She gasped when she sensed what her friend was about to do. "W-wait!" Tifa whispered fiercely, "I didn't mean---!" The healer's eyes were filled with lust as her head moved lower and lower. She blinked away some tears as she gulped frantically for air. "Don't---!" Tifa squeaked fearfully and pressed her head flat against the mattress. She shut her eyes as Aeris ventured close enough to bathe the busty woman in a wash of hot breath. "Ti---Teee--FAAAH?!" Tifa opened her eyes and saw Aeris' mouth hanging wide open and her face flushed. The woman's whole body committed to the forceful pumping of Cloud and the unseen writhing as she struggled to hide her feelings. "I---I n-n-need --- you!" Oh Planet, Tifa suddenly realized. No wonder she's acting so weird. Lili and Cloud. She loves them both. She loves me, she gulped. And not as a simple 'friend'. Tifa felt Aeris' lips brush against her face as the slender woman's body began to writhe uncontrollably. Tears ran down the healer's eyes as she softly whispered, "Oh Ti-faa---- s-s-s-s-so-sorry. I c-c-can't help --- ummm -- aaahh!" "Ulp--" Tifa's eyes widened like saucers, "N-N-NO AER---MMMMMMMNGH!" Her protests were quickly muffled as the slender woman forcibly pressed her lips onto hers. It was electrifying. The healer wrenched her hands free as she kissed her partner savagely. Tifa gasped when she felt Aeris' tongue flick apart her lips and run through her mouth like a feral cat. The busty woman's heart pounded like never before as she yielded to her companion's advances and touched her tongue to hers. "MMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGHHHHH!" Aeris suddenly broke off contact. Tifa hurriedly unclasped her legs around the woman on top, fearful she had made a bad mistake. But Aeris did not wear a mask of anger. Rather, she was holding back a coy grin even as Cloud grunted and bucked like a wild choco. "AAAAUGH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!" The splash of hot spunk squirting into her womb drew a small gasp from Tifa as she gazed intently into Aeris' sea green eyes. "Sorry. I got carried away," the healer mouthed silently as Cloud gripped her by the waist and continued to writhe with pleasure. "Lili was more than a friend, wasn't she?" Tifa murmured softly as she traced her fingers gently along the woman's face. "Yeah. Sorry," Aeris whispered and averted her eyes. "It's okay. It's okay," the dark haired woman stroked her cheek tenderly, "It felt great." "R-really?" the slender woman looked up, "Y-you're not mad?" "Yeah. And no, I've never been happier." Aeris smiled shyly as Tifa gave her an encouraging grin. The two briefly touched noses briefly before Cloud brought his crushing weight down on them. "Cloud!" Aeris squealed, "Air!" "Tiger! OFF!" "Whoops, sorry," he rolled off, "Habit. But you gotta admit, that was pretty neat." "I'll say," Aeris lay panting for breath, "That was --- was ---" "---Wild!!" Tifa licked her lips, "Even I got to admit I was impressed." The busty woman suddenly became suspicious, "Where'd you pick that up anyway? You're not learning on the side are you?" "Thanks for the vote of confidence," Cloud looked hurt, "I just figured it was the only way I could bop you two at the same time." "Sssh," Aeris consoled them both, "Let's not ruin things now. That was wonderful what --- whatever we did." "Thanks," Cloud lay beside them and grinned. "Sorry," Tifa smiled absently and sighed, "I guess he does have some ideas afterall." "Oh, I don't doubt it for a minute," Aeris stifled a yawn, "Or you for that matter." Tifa reddened slightly as her companion gazed at her with loving eyes. "Hey, you two," Cloud winked, "Tired already?" "Oh no," Aeris wailed, "Not again!" "Oh yes again," he kissed them in turn, "That way, you two won't ask me to plug you for at least another couple days." "Hmm, I don't know about that," Tifa gave him a lewd grin, "If you get to keep that extra dick of yours, we may be tempted to come out and play twice as often." Aeris laughed as Cloud comically fell over and groaned mightily. "Oh, don't be such a baby." "All right," he sighed, "You know I'd do anything for you two." "And besides," Tifa smiled wickedly, "You can think of it as a vacation with us everynight!" "Ugh." "Oh come on, love," Aeris pouted at Cloud, "We're the ones who have to move around." "Yeah right," he placed his hand on her cute little butt and squeezed softly, "Not with this new one you don't." "And don't whine," Tifa chided him, "Once more and you can go to bed a happy, well rested man." "Happy definitely," he wore a crooked grin, "But not well-rested, from the looks of you." Tifa and Aeris both laughed and smothered him with kisses. Cloud sighed and ran his hands down their weary, naked bodies. "Okay, you ready?" "I get to be on top!" Tifa grinned as Aeris blushed. "Hey! I just got a thought," he paused, "What if one of 'em falls off while---?" "Eww Cloud! How could you think of something like that!" "Don't worry Aeris. If they do we'll get 'em bronzed as a keepsake!" "Tifa! That's gross!!!" The sound of laughter was quickly replaced by those of pleasure as the warm sea breeze blew through their room and into the silent streets . . . ***************************************************************** "Oh wow," Yoko sat in silent awe. When Cloud drew himself straight and stretched, she repeated, "Oh wow." "Well, there you have it," the young man rubbed his neck, "The truth and how it happened." "And -- you never found out how that --- that potion worked?" Yoko blinked. "Nope," Cloud knitted his brow, "Aeris doesn't want to mess with success, and Tiff--" She saw his eyes roll but his face betrayed his enjoyment. "---Tiff likes stuff a bit 'wild' anyway." "Wow," the girl's eyes glittered, "What about that guy?" "Who?" "The potion peddler." "Never saw him again," Cloud shrugged, "Frankly, I don't see why we need to." "So they both---work, huh?" "Yeah." "Oh wow," the girl felt her pulse quicken as she tried to work out where everything went. "Hey Yoko?" "What?" she looked up. "I got a favour to ask you." "What is it?" "I gotta duck out early. Anniversary," he sighed, "Presents and stuff y'know? Cover for me." "Humh? Uh, sure," she sounded a little unsure. "Great," Cloud said quickly, "Thanks." Yoko remained silent as he got on his bike. "Hey, I owe you lunch tomorrow then," he said from his mechanical mount, "And don't worry about the report. The chief and I know you're new, so I'll work with you on it tomorrow." "Um. Okay." Cloud gave her a wave and roared away as Yoko sat on the warm grass and pondered over the day. Her hands quickly reached down to inspect her uniform. The wetness was more or less gone. Yoko sighed with relief that her partner hadn't noticed her accident. That would've been embarrassing. Well, not as much as Cloud had to go through though, and she couldn't help but smile as she remembered how his wives initially freaked out at his --- condition. No wonder all the cadets wanted to be his partner. Male and female. Everyone wanted to know what was it exactly that man had to keep two wives so happy. Bed wise at least. I guess I know now. Yoko looked fondly towards the direction Cloud had ridden off to and shook her head in disbelief. "Two dicks," an impish grin crossed her face, "What a guy!" ============================================================== It's strange how people can be blind to what's in front of them. Now, 'Eddie's on the Waterfront' is gone. Bulldozed in the name of urban renewal and progress. Where the bar once stood, they built expresso shops and luxury condominiums. Our ghosts haunt those places; Forever doomed to roam the spot where our dreams died. -- Bad Mojo ============================================================== . . . The sounds of pleasure drifted over the dark and silent avenues of Costa Del Sol. They quickly drowned in the noisy bar a few lots down from the villa. Inside, a host of characters, some sordid, some not, sat drinking and talking in conversational tones. Many were law abiding, many more were not. It was near closing time when Consuela bussed the table for the last few customers. More attractive than beautiful, she had almost ebony skin and dark, flashing eyes. Enough to pass for more than a mere hooker, but not enough to draw too much attention to herself. She gauged the lone man keenly as she had earlier through out the day. He had come in just past afternoon to sit and drink. And drink. And drink some more. Yet the man's movements were not a bit slowed or made awry by the spirits he consumed. He appeared more of an enigma than a potential client. Still, he could have what she needed, provided she could pitch herself well. Not that she wanted to do this again. But with the disaster at Midgar and all, the soldiers just didn't come in to tip anymore. They were all dead. And with almost nothing to eat ---- Consuela edged herself closer to resume her inspection. The burly, bronzed man sat at the bar, nursing his silvery metallic concoction as he had throughout the day. More or less dressed in the light, tropical clothing like many of the other customers, she noticed the one thing most others didn't seem to have: a thick wad of Gil stuck partly out of his jacket pocket, almost begging for someone to take it. She saw he had a small gadget before him and he was watching it intently. Three small blobs of yellow danced on the screen in some bizarre motion. They were too fuzzy to make out on the palm sized display, but Consuela thought they looked almost human-like. Presently, one of the blobs 'sat' up and positioned itself at one end of the other two. The three quickly merged into a single giant blob as the man's eyes crinkled slightly. Contented to have seen enough, he snapped the gadget shut and pocketed it. She saw that he also had a small scrap of paper before him. Consuela tip-toed over his frame to catch a glimpse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ . . . narrowly averted by interdiction from Council. Though the Cthon have taken responsibility for the dis- turbance, it is doubtful that they will incite further any incursions in the area. Currently the second planet of the WuSon system is neutral. Council has stated that it is unlikely the status will change anytime soon. The planet in dispute is Gamhe IV, once a research and holding facility of the now extinct Cetra Empire. Moritz -- Sixteen worlds were pacified by Maritai soldiers in the Avell March area today. Sources say while loss . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Hallo." Consuela visibly jumped back as the man turned around. His voice sounded hollow and icy. Quite unlike the demeanor he presented. "Ay, mista," she forced a smile. She promised herself she wouldn't talk much since she had horrible pronunciation, but for the sake of the Gil -- "You need something?" the man narrowed his dark brown eyes. Consuela dredged up her best grin, "Yeah." "I do not," the man stonily turned away. Her smile faded fast when he lost interest. So much fo'him, she thought. "Hey girl." Consuela turned around and saw a haggard drunk ogling her. "Need'ah drink, suh?" "I 'needs' mo'than that guhrl," the man ran his hands behind her ass. The Gil. Think o'da Gil, she put him her best face. The dark skinned barmaid slipped him a toothsome grin when she realized that the man was too besotted to even know what she was. "You gots'da munny?" she checked to be sure. "Don't needs no 'munny'," the man cackled, "I'm the Prezz-dint o' Sheen--- UUURRRP!" The dark woman winced as she tried to extricate herself form the man's grip, but the drunk had his arm around her waist. "Watchoo 'fraid of?" his breath reeked of the noxious greens in his drink, "I ain't gonna hurt'choo." She put on her best face as she tried to push herself away. Leave before things turned ugly. Or worse. "Let her alone," a voice said suddenly. Consuela turned her head and saw the bronzed man standing by them. Still the drunk was too inebriated to notice. "I said leave her be." The intoxicated man turned and sneered at the big man. "You wan'her huh!?!" the drunk roared, "HUH!? 'Choo know'hoo ah am?!" "No. Need I?" "Man, fuck'you!" the wino lunged. The swing went wide as the bronzed man swayed to the side and the drunk sprawled over the bar floor. He refused to get up, even when prodded by a nearby patron. "Sonovabitch's down and out," someone shouted. "Get him in the back and keep him there until he can pay the tab." "Hey Connie." The barmaid looked up and saw the barkeep nod at her. "G'wan. It's been a night. You can go home now." Consuela allowed herself a pale smile as she tore off her apron and tossed it in the bin. She looked around the bar and saw that her prospect was still at the bar. "Ay, you." The bronze man looked up from his drink. "Still hee-ahr?" she smiled and slid onto the seat next to him. At the corner of her eye, the barkeep turn a blind eye to her activities. The big man said nothing as he turned back to his drink. "Whass yo' name?" she was determined to get something out of this man, no matter how small. The question though, seemed to give the man pause. "Whass yo' na---" "I heard you the first time," the man snapped, "Esro. The name is Esro." Consuela shrugged, "Well ah, Ess-row --- You ah, feel like wantin' cump'ny t'night?" "Are you a whore?" She froze as if she had been immersed in a bucket of ice. "Well?" Her eyes dimmed as she nodded slightly. The bronzed man glanced up at the wall clock, then at back at his drink. Consuela sensed this was going no where. She stood to leave when Esro grabbed her gently by the arm. "Where are you going?" "Home," she looked away. "So soon?" Esro tossed a packet of Gil on the counter for the drinks, "Where to then?" She eyed him fearfully then shrugged, "Yo'r place." "I have none." "At th'inn?" Esro shook his head, "I am merely passing through." "Connie!" The man and girl looked up at the barkeep. "Do something for me would'ja?" the balding man soured, "Check if I locked the door in the back." "But'choo don't have a ---oh." Consuela pursed her lips as the barkeep hurriedly swept up the money and the shot glasses. She avoided eye contact as she led her customer outside. The night felt warm despite the occasional sea breeze that swept through the city. They headed around the back of the bar just past the ominous glow of a makou lantern. "How much?" "Huh?" she swallowed. Esro folded his arms and glowered at her, "How much do you ask?" "T-two thousand," she croaked. Enough to pay for a month or two, but she knew the man would bargain down with her. Like last time. "Here." Consuela's heart skipped a beat from the hastiness of his reply. Her eyes glittered as the man produced a thick wad of Gil. Her fingers clasped the money as she hiked up her skirt over her skinny legs. Esro hesitated briefly before stepping in close and pinning her to the wall. The girl shut her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable pain. Except that it didn't come. "How old are you?" She opened her eyes and saw the man's piercing gaze. "H-how old'choo want me t'be?" her voice quivered, "I kin be any age y'want." "How many times have you done this?" he rasped. "Mor'in you had hot dinnahs--urk!" "How many?" Esro had his hands around her throat. Consuela looked at him fearfully. The street was just a few feet away, but they were out of sight enough that she could die and not be seen. Not like the barkeep would not notice, but would he even hear until it was too late? Oh Puh-Planet hawlp me, she pleaded silently. I'll never do dis agin' I swear! He pressed his thumb slightly on her neck and whispered, "I am not here to kill you." She looked at him wide eyed with fear. "Answer me," he said softly, "How many times have you had men pay for you?" "Wh-whunce." "Once. Did you like it? The truth now." "N-no," she stammered hoarsely, "I did'dint." "Why did you do it then?" "I---I needed th'munny," she whispered, "My baby---" Consuela clammed up immediately. The man last time had told her roughly that no one wanted to hear her say such things. 'Take it as some free advice' was what he had said as he continued to rut over her body. "Who is your mate?" Esro released his grip from her neck. "M'wha'?" she blinked. "Your --- huss-band." "Don' haff'whun." "And your child?" "F-f-fr'm lass time," tears welled in her eyes despite her best efforts. The girl hung her head in shame as she wept uncontrollably. Her arms instinctively wrapped around the man as she buried her face in his shoulders and sobbed. The man remained impassive as she stood there crying in his arms. "You are not lying," his voice quiet. Consuela lifted her head and looked up with a mix of fear and anger. "Why woot ah'lie?" She gasped when she realized the man's face was different. Even in the dim light, she could see the bronze tone of skin was fading, as did the colour of his hair. The ridge of the man's nose straightened and buckled, along with the rest of his face. Consuela wanted to scream, but the man somehow knew what would happen. His gloved hand clapped over her mouth as the terrified girl closed her eyes to the horror before her. She found she was praying to Planet again for the second time that night. "You may look now." Consuela slowly opened her eyes, expecting a monster holding her to the wall with her legs parted. Instead, she found an unremarkable, middle aged man before her. She swallowed hard as he released his hand from her mouth and stepped away from her. She could see his eyes were no longer the brown, rather they were a uniform blue. The color apparently hadn't restricted itself to the man's corneas; the whites were seeped in the deep hue which gave her an eerie, discomforting feeling. "Boy or girl?" It took her a few minutes to know what she was being asked and it took a few minutes more to find her voice, but she managed to answer. "S-son. I haff'a son." Consuela shut her eyes again as he reached into his long, dragging cloaks. She felt him press a large mass into her hands. The young whore dared a peek and almost fainted from the sight. Gil. Gil notes. All wrapped in a bundle as thick as her neck. All she could see were the multitude of zeroes on all the corners and sides. It took all her will power to keep it from spilling from her two quaking hands. Consuela looked at him like a scared chocobo. "You live only once," the man's eyes held an menacing gleam. She backed away fearfully from the specter looming before her. "Now get out of my sight before I kill you." His blue tinged eyes followed Consuela as she turned on her heel and fled. The girl ran down the street, in terror or relief the man did not care. He was beyond such trivialities. A tinkling voice suddenly invaded the night air. :: incoming message from the lodge :: The dark cloaked man lit a thin black reed before murmuring, "Connect." :: stand by to receive :: "What is it?" he ran his gloved hand through his neatly groomed hair. :: we have another incursion at Viis siKanor :: The new voice was deeper, more languid in nature. "And?" the tone was more annoyed than angry. :: it is cthonian :: "What of it?" :: specifically r'lyeh :: "I seem to remember," the blue eyed man said with no emotion, "The last time you harboured such a suspicion, you made a mistake that took me thirty millennia to correct." :: you acted on your suspicion, we asked nothing of you :: "You baited me on a genocide mission," the man hissed thinly, "All due to your incompetence." :: you never committed genocide :: "Because I realized it," he said coldly, "Before it was too late." There was a pause before the voice continued. :: if it is about your pickup ---:: "No," the man snapped, "Nothing as trivial." :: --- we miss taiim's presence as we do his skills :: "Of course you do." There was a brief silence before the languid voice spoke again. :: we take it then that you reject this mission? :: The dark man stumped his reed against the adjacent wall and shook his head gravely, "You know as well as I, I will not overlook any chance at R'lyeh. No matter how remote." :: then you accept? :: "Yes," the man's lips curled into a snarl, "Open the portal. I am on my way." At that, the air at the end of the alley began to ripple. It was as if the space somehow acquired liquid properties. The distortion looked like water in a pond. Undaunted, the man stepped towards it --- or more precisely, he stepped into it. The anomaly swallowed his towering black form and he vanished, along with the ripple. Tiny scraps of paper drifted over the spot where the man had disappeared. They hung in the air for a moment before being swept out by the passing breeze. ============================================================== ============================================================== Never mind the comments. Just tell us if you're a guy or doll and how many times you jerked off while reading. Anything else you include, we'll consider it a 'naughty' bonus :D Grey228@hotmail.com Subject line: deej-ecchi OR Rattlesnakedick@hotmail.com Subject line: FF7-ecchi M. Zhang R. Richardson ============================================================== ============================================================== Notes for the Otaku (and truly curious or insane): ============================================================== ============================================================== Originally meant to be the end of the piece 'Deus Ex Jenova', Trinity was hacked out and made into a semi-autonomous episode due to the prudishness of American Christian society. That and ratings. Everybody needs ratings. We wanted the main piece to be highly exposed before Aeris would slip into memory when Final Fantasy 8 was released in August 1999. Visions of Squall and Rinoa doing the nasty will fill our minds soon, and we didn't want Cloud, Aeris, and Tifa's story to go untold. So much for Nomura and Sakaguchi. To paraphrase the Japanese insult to American POW's in WW2: To hell with Nomura To hell with Sakaguchi And to hell with their doctrine Well, enough of this. You're probably wondering why we decided to continue to add to this fucking long piece of work. We'll tell you (or rather me, since the other guy ain't here). There were other scenes too, in the main part of the story that were cut out as we ran through editing it for content. But for the truly perverted, here are brief descriptions of the scenes that were cut, as well as thoughts on other things as well. -- In 'Choice and Consequence', Red XIII mourns over Yuffie. What happened was back in Midgar, the stilted warrior accidentally catches the young kunoichi masturbating in the shower. Red's kinda just staring at her when Yuffie realizes she's being *watched*. Imagine the surprise when she catches and seduces Red XIII. Beastiality and pedophilia aside, we thought the scene would complicate matters more since Yuffie dies at Kalm. Besides, does she really like him that much? :P -- 'Words in Stone' After the part where Cid, Shera, and Reeve finished talking, the men were supposed to admit their own faults. Cid admits he never loved anyone and Reeve, well--Reeve tells how Scarlett raped and did a bunch of S&M shit to him while he was held captive by Shinra (end of Disc 2). Obviously, we were going a bit overboard since we already included a non-consensual sex scene with Cloud and Tifa. -- 'Choice and Consequence' Oh yeah; aptly named since the title of the episode relates directly to Tifa's little plot. We were going to have Cloud and Tifa have another of their little spats, but it somehow mushroomed into this -- thing we couldn't get rid of. I remember writing the scene when Aeris first learns that Meteor fell rather than being zapped apart like a rock in Asteroids (luv that game). Her emotion ran wild and we seemed to have ran with her; the same went for the so-called 'rape scene' between Tifa and Cloud. Ah, the vagaries of human emotion. -- 'Deus Ex Jenova' For all you CNNBCBS dicks out there in TV land, deus ex machina was a means for crappy writers in the 17th Century to use mythological gods in their plays to smooth out intricate plots (i.e., fuck this smelly shit and just bend the outcome into shape; be damned the consequences or the logic). While this is certainly not a sizable piece of work or a complicated plot, the deity's presence (Greylorn) certainly serves the purpose of creator, destroyer, enforcer, and adminstrator of justice and fate. Thus the title. Ah, the vagaries of the decisions made by two drunk and stupid kids. -- 'Trinity' Hee hee. Yeah. What a name, huh? We've all heard the reasons, the arguments, and all that other crap about this and who'd wind up fucking who. Speakling for Max, he is an A/C fan, although I now argue otherwise (A/C/T ?). If you still doubt our resolution, he wants to ask you this: Why not? If things exist for a reason, then polygynandry must provide some kind of a benefit. Where else can it be better applied than in this situation? Then again, it was Max's idea to do things this way and since his grandfather and great-grandfather practised it, the bias may come from there. Really, people. It's over for us. Aeris now resides with her husband, co-wife, and surrogate daughter in Mytreheim. They live that giant house at the end of Wilhenn-Seide, where the hill just crests. It's the big one, with the light blue window sashes. And on a sunny day, you may sometimes see them out for a stroll in the park along with their four other children as well. Remember: Omnia vincit amor (L.) R. Richardson June 1999