Aaaaaaand...I'VE FINISHED A STORY! ((Does a happy dance)) Here we have the final chapter of Kicking and Screaming. Now we know who Charli's specail someone is, Chaos makes a final appearance, and we round it all off with a nice little helping of fluff. For those of you who don't already know, I've got a poll up on my profile. I'd really appreciate it if you'd go and vote on it. Pretty please?

And another thing: Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year to all of you!

They arrived in Wutai in time for the Year-end festival. Yuffie had, of course, planned this, and managed to convince her friends to stay for it. There followed two days of preparations. The festival began on the thirteenth, and ran through the fifteenth. The last day was what they were looking forward to.

/December 15- 6:25pm/

The whole gang was out on the streets, dressed in everything from traditional kimono to a lot of black leather (Charli/Yuffie/Tifa to Vincent). They wandered in a happy group, Yuffie pointing out things she deemed important. At the back of the group, Cid's hand, ungloved and cold, was held by Vincent, who quietly admonished his companion for not bringing gloves. Reno had been appointed Yuffie's official companion and was, as a result, being subjected to all sorts of games and facts that no one else had to deal with. He was grinning anyway.

At some point, a tall figure wearing a kimono snuck up behind Vincent. He tapped the ex-Turk on the shoulder. Vincent turned at once, pulling Cid with him.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here," Vincent murmured.

"We hit a storm on the way in. Is she up front?"

"With the other girls. Is she expecting you?"

"Of course not. As far as she knows, I'm still in Midgar."

"Does she do surprises?" Cid asked, stepping a little closer to Vincent for warmth.

"Only when they come from me."

"Good luck," Vincent and Cid said together. The man grinned and slipped back into the crowd, making his way towards the rest of the group.

"Did you know it was him?" Cid whispered. Vincent had to lean down for Cid to have easy access to his ear, and he squirmed a little when Cid got closer than necessary.

"Of course," Vincent answered, turning to get his ear out of the way before he started laughing and drew attention to himself.

"How?"

"Something Reno said."

"And you just knew, just like that?" Cid muttered, stepping closer to Vincent for warmth.

"More or less. Are you trying to get under my cloak?"

"No, I slipped. You're sure?"

"Yes."

"That's just weird."

"Mmhm."

Cloud walked alone, perfectly content to just watch while everyone else participated. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone slinking around a group of giggling girls (they'd been following him for the better part of the last twenty minutes)). That intrigued him; why would someone be taking such pains to keep out of the way? He followed the stranger.

"Why are you following- oh, it's only you."

"Only me? Who did you think I was? And what are you doing here?"

"I thought you were either some nut or Charli. I am not here, understood?"

Cloud nodded.

"You're here for her, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?"

"If it was Reno you were after, you probably wouldn't be sneaking up on him, and I can't imagine who else you might be here for that warranted slinking around like a criminal."

"True."

"I won't count myself responsible if she beats you half to death for startling her."

"I won't expect you to. Don't worry; she won't hurt me."

"There's a first time for everything," Cloud muttered, but the other man was already gone.

"There he is!" someone squealed. Cloud whirled. His admirers were back.

Way up front, Reno was grudgingly allowing Yuffie to feed him grilled squid when he saw someone oddly familiar heading towards him.

"Hang on a sec, Yuff. I'll be right back."

"Be quick."

Reno stepped away from her, moving to a spot that was directly in the stranger's path.

"You're going to give me away," he hissed at Reno.

"What are you doing here? She's going to think I had something to do with this."

"Don't you want credit? I'm sure you've done something to get yourself into trouble with her, and the bonus points might be helpful."

"I've already cleared my record, thank you very much."

"Who helped you?"

"Come on, I'm not that bad. I did it myself."

"Right."

"I did!"

"Keep it down. I'm not sneaking around just for kicks."

"Then what are you sneaking around for?"

"Don't ask."

"I'm asking."

"And I'm not telling. Get back to your date."

"She is not my-"

"Go. Now."

Reno went.

Further back, Charli and Tifa examined a table of dolls. Neither one of them noticed the shadow sneaking up behind them until it reached out and tapped Charli's shoulder. She jumped, turned around to see who was touching her, and squeaked.

"Tseng!"

"Yes? Umpf!"

Tseng had to fight to keep his balance, and Charli wasn't helping, practically wrapped around him as she was. Tifa hurried over and grabbed Tseng's shoulder to help.

"You're here! Rufus said you had to work! Why didn't you tell me?" Charli shrieked.

"Throat," Tseng wheezed. Charli let go of him, and he rubbed at his throat, giving Charli a look.

"Sorry."

"I take it you've missed me."

"Don't let it go to your head."

"I won't."

"You're too secretive for your own good."

"Charlotte, a surprise isn't a surprise unless it's surprising. I couldn't tell you and have gotten away with it."

"Don't call me Charlotte."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Charli."

"But you're not a man, and I don't swing that way."

"Smart alec."

"You know it."

"I expect a proper hello, you know."

"I was waiting for your initial excitement to wear off."

Charli planted her hands on her hips and glared at Tseng.

"It's worn off. I want my hello."

"And if I say no?"

"I'll sic Reno on you."

"He's on my side," Tseng countered, copying Charli's position.

"I'll sic Vincent on you, then."

"Since when does he listen to you?"

"Since recently," Vincent answered. "I'd give up, if I were you. You'll lose this one." He continued past, with Cid half under his cloak and looking very pleased with himself. Tseng turned to watch them.

"When did that happen?"

"A couple of days ago. Do I win?"

"I suppose."

"Do I get my hello?"

Tseng sighed, as if a simple 'hello' was a major undertaking, and wrapped his arms around Charli.

"That's bet-ack!"

Tseng grinned down at Charli, who was suddenly hanging onto his shoulders and looking less than pleased with him.

"What's wrong?"

"I didn't mean a dip. All I asked for was a hello."

"I never do things halfway," Tseng said smugly. Before Charli could speak again, he kissed her. When he'd finished, he stood her back up.

"Hello, Charli."

"Hi, Tseng."

"You're dating him?" Yuffie squeaked.

"Mmhm." Charli was already over her moment of hyperactivity. She stood with her back against Tseng's chest and his hands around her waist, entirely calm. "Why?"

"But he's…you're…and…and…you're both-" Reno shoved a large bite of squid into Yuffie's mouth.

"Shush," he said. "They work just fine together, and I should know."

Yuffie glared at him, but didn't try to say anything.

"It's getting late. If we're going to watch the fireworks, I suggest we find a place for it," Tseng murmured.

"Yeah. Maybe somewhere inside, before those girls find me again." Cloud was back.

Tifa's phone rang.

"Hello? Vincent? Where are you? Really? Yeah…Tseng too…you knew? Oh, I suppose so…do you know where-hi, Cid…mmhm…okay, we'll be right there." Tifa hung up and put her phone away. "Vincent said he and Cid have saved us a place on the roof of the Library."

"Yes!" Yuffie cheered. "That's one of the best places to watch from!"

"Lead the way."

Every year, Wutai's main Library opened its doors (and its roof) to festivalgoers. Chairs and benches were arranged in small groups, waiting to be filled.

Over near the north corner, Vincent spread his cloak out on a bench and settled down. Cid stayed near the wall, staring out at the city.

"Aren't you going to sit down?"

"Uh…yeah." Cid settled on the edge of the bench.

"Something wrong?"

"They're not all gonna take it the way Tseng did, y'know."

Oh, here we go.

"This coming from the man who had a bikini babe painted on his last airship?" Vincent chuckled. "The people whose opinions I care about know that we're different, and they won't care."

"Do you just block Yuffie's presence out completely?"

"That isn't possible, and you know it. Her reaction will be…interesting, I'm sure, but not all bad. She'll get used to it. She's gotten used to me, after all, and who said that she never would?"

"I did," Cid admitted. "But…"

"But what?"

I do not like where this is going.

Shut up.

And I'msaying shut up.

Fine, fine.

"This is really different from everything else. The thought of mebbe havin' t' choose between you and them…I'd pick you, and then…"

"They'd never do that to you, or to me. Trust me; we'll be fine."

Cid smiled faintly.

"What'd I do without you?"

"Freeze. Come here; just watching you is making me cold."

Cid nodded and shifted, moving so that he was tucked up against Vincent's side. Vincent put an arm around his shoulders and let his head tilt sideways so it rested against Cid's.

"What do you have against cold weather?" Cid asked, brushing a few strands of Vincent's hair out of his face.

"Too many snowballs down the back of the neck when I was a kid," Vincent answered. Cid snorted. "What?"

"Right."

"It's true."

"I'm sure." Cid laughed and pressed closer to Vincent. "I wasn't cold until you mentioned it," he grumbled.

"You were, you just didn't notice."

"Yeah, I was too busy watching you."

What happened to learning to like him?

Learn to like it, Chaos; you'll be seeing plenty of this.

Okay, fine. You want me to like him? I'll like him, you conniving pain in the metaphorical ass.

Chaos grabbed a hold on Vincent's physical body before Vincent caught on to what he was up to and shoved Vincent into the back of their mind. Free to do what he pleased, he settled into the body, stretched, and shifted so he could look Cid in the face.

"Vin? What're ya- Chaos."

"Hello, Cid," Chaos purred. He was careful to let only his eye color and fangs show through Vincent's form, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

"What are you doing out here?" Cid hissed, trying to scootch away. Chaos was having none of it and grabbed his waist, pulling him back.

"Not so fast. I agreed to like you, for Vincent's sake, but I can't do that with second-hand information, now can I?"

"You are going to be in so much trouble when Vin gets back out," Cid hissed, fighting against Chaos' hold.

"I know. Now stop fighting and let me look at you."

Chaos put one hand under Cid's chin and lifted his face. For several very long minutes he scrutinized every inch of him, saving the eyes for last. When Chaos got to them, Cid watched, surprised, as his hard gold eyes softened.

"Ah…I understand now. This infatuation isn't as bizarre as I thought." Chaos pulled back and sighed. "Treat him well, Highwind, or we'll leave you for Charli."

"For Charli?" Cid sputtered. Chaos didn't answer, as he had already relinquished control to Vincent.

"He didn't do anything, did he?"

"Just looked at me."

"Good." Vincent relaxed and pulled Cid back into their original position. "I'm sorry about that. He's…well, he's protective, at times."

"He picked a hell of a time," Cid grumbled. Vincent shook his head and let his head fall back.

"But he didn't do anything beyond intimidating you. Relax; the fireworks are supposed to start in a few minutes."

"There they are!" Yuffie called. She ran across the roof and skidded to a halt just behind the bench. "Guys! There're right…over…here." Yuffie stopped jumping up and down and waving and stared at Vincent and Cid for a minute, paying particular attention to the way Vincent's arm was around Cid's shoulders and the way Cid leaned into Vincent's chest. "Oh. Wow."

"What is it?" Tifa asked, coming up behind Yuffie. "Oh, I see."

Cid cringed against Vincent. The ex-Turk just stayed put. He'd endured enough in his life already, and whatever might be said about his choice of partner

"Good for you, Vincent. I was wondering when you'd find someone."

That was not what either Cid or Vincent were expecting. They looked at each other, then at Tifa. She grinned.

"What? You didn't honestly expect me to be shocked, did you?"

"Yeah," Cid mumbled. "Yeah, I kinda did."

Vincent chuckled and leaned over to speak directly into Cid's ear.

"I win."

The fireworks began just after everyone had settled onto the other benches that made up the group Vincent had picked. Cid made fun of Vincent for the little noises of delight he made, to which Vincent responded with a derisive snort and a carefully placed elbow in Cid's ribs.

"It's good luck to kiss during the last display," Yuffie announced during a lull in the fireworks. "Hey! Reno, don't you dare leave!"

"When is the last one? Anyone know?" Tseng asked. Charli snickered.

"In…less than five minutes, I think," Yuffie said. "They'll send up a silver one right before it, so you have a chance to grab someone."

"Do you make a habit of grabbing someone to kiss?" Charli teased.

"No."

"There's the silver one!" Tifa's shout caught everyone's attention. Sure enough, a shower of silver sparks bloomed and faded over the city.

Moments later, a rolling chorus of explosions swamped the city as the final display went up. Cid took a quick look at the rest of the gang; without exception, they'd found someone to kiss, for the sake of tradition. He turned back to Vincent and gave him a questioning look.

"We're going to miss the time limit if you don't stop looking around," Vincent said calmly.

"Oh…er…you'r-!"

Vincent gave up on being polite and gently pulled Cid into a kiss.