Wutai
Rain laughed as he rode on Solaris, "This is awesome, Uncle Ace."
Ace grinned, "Do you want to fly higher?"
Caleb shouted, "Yes, yes. Go higher."
Cloud was watching them from their family house, "Oh, I hope, they don't push Solaris too far."
Zack was standing with his arm around Cloud, "Don't worry, I'm sure Ace will take care of all of them."
Cloud, "Correction, I hope they don't push Ace too far."
Zack barked out a hearty laugh as he kissed Cloud's cheek and went inside. It had been almost nine years now and both boys were turning ten years old soon. They were scheduled to return to Midgar a few days before the birthday and meet with everyone. The last few years had been very hectic to say the least, for all of them. Especially for Rufus, his team of Board Directors and the three First Class SOLDIERs. After they had kicked Palmer out, they had investigated Scarlett as well.
None were amused by the lack of any safety regulations that were not on the machines and drones. Scarlett however took her dismissal gracefully unlike the others and left with a hefty sum of money. Scarlett's absence had been filled by a Shera Highwind, who had taken up the mantle. The first order of business she did was to recall every machinery Scarlett had created and redesign it. Rain had shown a lot of interest in the blue prints and always snuck out to visit her.
The adults had all received heart attacks, when they could not find Rain, in the beginning. Then Shera called gushing about how much of a genius Rain was and was helping her design. Ace had a blank look on his face as he took Rain and Caleb one day and point blank asked them who they were. It was obvious they were not normal children Gaia confirmed it when she started to act like a smug grandma. Both Rain and Caleb had been quiet surprised to hear that about Gaia.
The planet acting like a grandma? Then again, Rain did remember Aerith muttering a lot of choice words about her during their travels. Caleb had been very up front telling Ace about themselves and everything that they went through in their world. Ace had listened without an ounce of pity or sympathy as he nodded and muttered how getting rid of the old foggies was the best idea he had. Rain had sweat dropped but didn't disagree with his Uncle.
After that, Ace decided they needed a long family meeting and called Desmond, Vincent, Cloud and Zack to talk to them privately. The talk that followed was a long one and Cloud and Zack were a mix of pride and heart break because of everything their kids went through. All because of a power hungry man, who sat on top of a throne made out of others sacrifices. Vincent and Desmond had understanding looks on their faces as they held the twins while Cloud and Zack composed themselves.
Rain and Caleb were hugged by their parents and were very surprised when they started to tell them comforting words instead. They had both expected all of them to be disappointed because they were unable to save their home world. Cloud had stopped them from talking negatively and told them seriously that it was not their fault. They were not responsible for other people's actions, they did their best to survive in an unfair world.
For the first time ever, since coming to this world the twins finally started to cry as they clung to their new family. It had been quiet the emotional rollercoaster for them all but, they knew they would be okay. It had been quiet the year for them as they compared everything that happened. How it started with degradation for Caleb and Neibelheim burning down for Rain. Cloud and Zack had stayed close to them just as the twins clung to them, to the point Ace had forced them in to therapy again.
When that happened, Genesis suggested that perhaps staying in Midgar was just too much of a trigger. That had Rufus thinking and called for the therapist who was in charge of the Fair family unit. The new therapist Lady was out of her depth, she had been warned by her colleague about the number Hojo had done on them. She was just not expecting it to be this bad, damn that man, who did he think he was breaking people in such a horrifying manner.
The therapist had agreed with the idea and the Board had agreed to locating Zack and Cloud to Wutai. They would act as Ambassadors for Midgar, the fact that Zack was a friendly face would help too. Zack had jumped at the chance to get his family away from Midgar for a few years and they had left for Wutai. That had been six years ago when Rain and Caleb had turned four years old.
Of course, it didn't stop the others from visiting them in Wutai every few months. They had still kept the schedule of checking on their family together. Aerith and Tifa specifically enjoyed their time in Wutai, the culture, language and people different from what they were normally used to. At one point they even dragged Madam M to Wutai, the lovely Lady delighted to see her old home land once again. The three had run into Yuffie who had become very fond of Cloud much to Zack's amusement.
Yuffie and the three ladies were an absolute riot and drove Emperor Godo up the wall with their antics. It was a source of great amusement for many people to see the strong and stubborn Emperor bend to his only daughter. Rain and Caleb found the whole thing really funny and had hit it off with the older teenager quite well, much to everyone's surprise. Cloud was happy his children were happy though Zack wondered if they saw the old Yuffie in the current one.
Zack hummed, 'We will be returning there soon.'
Cloud knocked, "Hey."
Zack smiled, "Hey yourself, handsome."
Cloud laughed, "You are the handsome one. Are you growing a stubble again?"
Zack, "Looks like it. It has been a while since I shaved."
Cloud, "Mako sure made our bodies weird. It takes months to grow facial hair or body hair, compared to normal humans."
Zack pulled Cloud till he was straddling him, "We do save up on shaving razors, so I'm not complaining."
Cloud laughed as the stubble tickled him as Zack nuzzled his neck, "That tickles Zack, come on. The boys are washing up right now. It's time for lunch."
Zack grinned, "Yeah. Hey I was wondering, tomorrow, Ace is taking the boys hunting right? So how about you and I go on a date in town. It has been a while since we spent time together, just the two of us."
Cloud hummed as he took out plates, "True, ever since the twins came into our life our dating time has been cut down drastically, hasn't it?"
Zack, "We didn't go out at all back in Midgar."
Cloud, "We were paranoid back then and with good reason."
Zack nodded, "After coming here all four of us were busy learning the new language and culture."
Cloud, "Caleb and Rain got the hang of it in a year, it would have been embarrassing if we as the parents didn't know."
Zack laughed, "Yeah, but after we mastered the language we got busy in our new jobs playing ambassador and politics."
Cloud, "True, I can count on one hand how many times we went on dates and how many were spent on sex. Our sex activities are more active than our dating activities."
Zack snorted, "So, Cloud will you go on a date with me tomorrow?"
Cloud smiled, "Of course, I will Zack."
Rain came in, "Ma, Pa, that smells nice."
Zack, "Rain your hair is still wet."
Rain, "It will dry."
Zack, "Nope, I'm drying your hair my little man. Just because we are enhanced doesn't mean we don't get sick. Our immunity system works the same way as a normal human just a little bit stronger."
Rain, "Yes Pa."
Caleb, "Mama, I'm hungry."
Cloud, "Have a seat Caleb, is your Uncle joining us?"
Caleb, "Yes, he is cleaning Solaris first. I like Solaris I want a dragon just like her."
Cloud paused, "Just don't go alone when you finally decide which dragon you want okay, sweetie?"
Caleb nodded, "I'll take Mama with me."
Cloud placed a plate filled with rice along with sweet and spicy curry in front of Caleb. Cloud kissed his forehead and went to prepare more plates as Zack and Rain joined them. They were doing joined by Ace who said they had sweet hawthorn to eat after lunch. The rest of the day were spent with Rain and Caleb going to their evening lessons for etiquette at the palace with Yuffie. Rain was grumbling and asking why he had to learn all that but attended anyway.
The next day Ace took the twins hunting with him to the forest around Wutai. On the way, they came across a pack of fire breathing wolves who were very happy to see Ace return. Rain and Caleb however were shocked, they didn't remember there being any fire wolves in Wutai last life. Ace was explaining how he met the fire wolf pack, he had come across a cub that was injured one day. Ace and Solaris had taken turns taking care of the little cub before searching for his pack.
Rain and Caleb listened without wide eyes as their Uncle cuddled with the grown wolf. Ace was telling them about a creature they never saw before but looking at the image in front of them they had to believe it. Some of the other fire pups were sniffing them, especially Rain wagging their fluffy tails in interest. Rain was in heaven the pups were warm and had soft fur, Rain was in love with the pups.
Caleb, "They are warm."
Ace, "Right?"
Rain, "I like them."
Ace, "Looks like they adore you Rain. Especially that little girl on your lap."
Rain, "Are they magic?"
Ace nodded, "They can use fire magic."
Rain, "Cool. Do you think I could have the same type of relationship you have with Solaris with him?"
Ace hummed, "I don't see why not, it would take time but not impossible."
Caleb, "It suits you."
Rain, "Thanks."
Rain's current relationship with his twin brother was very complicated. In the beginning, Rain had hated him a lot. But after spending time under Hojo's hands, they both grew a very reluctant understanding between the two of them. Now, the hate had gone down to easy acceptance with help from their parents and Uncles. Things were still not easy between them but they didn't hate each other anymore so that was a plus.
Ace smiled, "We will drop in at a special place while going to Midgar. Your Uncle Desmond is finally getting married and Vincent will officially be your Uncle soon."
Rain's eyes widened in surprise, "Really?"
Ace nodded, "Yes, really."
Caleb, "Where is it taking place?"
Ace, "The Cetra temple."
Rain, "They found the Cetra temple?"
Ace, "Yes and they are working on restoring it, with Reeve. The man has a very talented thumb for this sort of thing."
Caleb felt his eyebrows go up on hearing that. Last he remembered the Cetra temple was littered with traps that kept people out. Ace then explained they had already locked the main temple away after talking with the spirits. Rain had a look of curiosity in his eyes, he remembered the temple, he went there sometimes. It was very peaceful there and a good place to relax and gather his thoughts.
Ace, "Basically they are getting married there and after them."
Caleb, "What happens after them?"
Ace, "You know your parents had you before they got married right? `they got married in Wutai later. Which leaves ~"
Rain, "Yeah... Don't tell me."
Ace grinned, "Yup, Tifa and Aerith plan to marry next year."
Caleb, "Oh. We will be able to watch the ceremony?"
Ace laughed, "Even better, you are both taking part."
Rain perked up at that, "I would like that."
Caleb mused, "I have only been to two marriage parties before. That too, because Shinra ordered it."
Ace, "This is not an order Caleb. If you wish to not take part, it is fine too."
Caleb shook his head, "I want to go. Back then it was an obligation. Now, this is what I want."
Rain, "Then you should go."
Ace nodded, "It will be fun."