Supposed to be doing my homework, but just can't keep this story off my mind! I'm really getting into it! Enjoy!

Don't own Final Fantasy

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The trek through the rest of the forest went without another incident. Aerith was slumping in her seat, but demanding she was fine, wanting to get everyone to Nibelheim fast so their safety would be insured.

The forest rang with her voice and Nanaki's, as she hadn't stopped asking questions. Seemingly pleased with the attention, Nanaki answered all of the inquiries about his red fur and feathers and bangles while asking his own questions about the others.

"How did you get that tattoo yo?" Reno turned in his seat to regard his rival in hair colour. It was a topic everyone was curious about. "I mean, the villagers said something about a "Gi tribe", and so did you, but I haven't heard of it."

Nanaki looked down in shame before lifting his head back up. "My father was a part of the Gi tribe in his youth, a rebellious and barbaric group of my kind. They tore through villages, doing what they pleased, and disobeyed the council of Elders we hold so high in regard. They killed many humans and feasted on whatever livestock they found. They humiliated my entire race; I have not seen any of my kind besides those of the tribe and my father. It was believed they were driven into recluse.

"My father left the tribe though, when he met my mother and had me. They brought me to the one I call my grandfather, where many of us used to reside. It was many years before they found him and came back. We lived in such peace, but they slaughtered my parents and threatened my home after my father refused to unite with the tribe. So to keep them away, I offered to go in his stead and was given his number: XIII. Our names were based on the colour of our fur and the number we were branded with. So I became Red XIII to protect those I cared for. But since joining the tribe, I have done nothing but slaughter and pillage and grew disgusted with myself for what I had become."

"What happened to the tribe?"

"They all died; age finally caught up with them and slowed their once nimble movements. I could not face my home and family for all the things I have done, and have wandered alone for some time now. People have every right to believe I am dangerous, but I have grown weary of it. I wish to have my name cleared and my honour restored. I wish to be forgiven. I seek redemption."

"I think you've already done that. You've done the wrong things for the right reasons, and didn't really have a choice in the matter. I'd forgive you from all you've told me." Aerith smiled at the jogging feral and received a grateful nod in return.

"Perhaps you can forgive me, Lady White Mage, but I cannot forgive myself so easily. Not yet anyways."

Vincent stared at Nanaki's fiery tail as it swayed from side to side and contemplated that last thing he said.

OoOoO

They camped on the mountain side that night, taking every precaution possible to keep their location secret. Their fire burned dimly, the driest twigs they could find not giving off any smoke.

Aerith was finishing smearing dirt onto Nanaki's shoulder; she had asked if she could since she didn't want anyone to attack him again because of his tattoo. He agreed with much enthusiasm; the tattoo was not something he wished to carry on his body anymore so hiding it was a good option.

"Hey Nanaki, are you the same as both cats and dogs?" Aerith asked with a curious smile as she sat with him resting beside her, dusting her hands off.

He nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering if you'd enjoy this" she giggled and started to scratch behind his ear. His rough mane tickled her fingers. His eyes closed as his throat started to purr and he put his head down on his paws in contentment.

"You ask a lot of questions" Nanaki mused after a while.

Aerith giggled. "I've been told that before. I sometimes can't help myself; I ask questions when I find someone interesting."

"I qualify as interesting?"

"How many people can claim to meet one of you in this day and age?"

"About as many as have met your kind I suppose."

Aerith stopped scratching. "You...know who I am?"

"'Child of the Planet' is not a common name given to most." Nanaki chuckled. "My home used to be a great circle of the Cetra, bringing their knowledge of the Planet to add to our own collection. I spent much time with them in my childhood before I realized less and less came by. I haven't seen one since my forty-seventh birthday."

"How old are you now?

"Age is but a number."

"But the Cetra haven't been populated for so long; you must be at least one-hundred."

"More than that, I can assure you" Nanaki teased as he closed his eyes again.

Aerith sighed then brightened and reached for her pack and pulled out a blanket.

OoO

Vincent closed his eyes, every sound suddenly amplified in his ears; the crackling fire, the crickets in the grass, Nanaki's purring, and the banter between Shotgun and Rod over a can of beans. His leg began to twitch; why, he was trying to figure out.

I'm waiting for something...he realized.

~Or someone

It's just too quiet...

"I hope I didn't catch you sleeping."

Vincent cracked open an eyelid and saw Aerith standing there with that blanket, silhouetted by the fire he kept away from this time.

"No, you didn't."

She smiled brightly at his giving a response this time and laid the blanket on his lap, sitting next to him.

"You're done your interrogation?" he blurted out, the silence beginning to crowd on his mind.

She laughed. "I'm lucky today. I get my life saved, a question, and some humour from you."

Vincent grunted and scowled at her. She noticed, but didn't let it faze her as she struck up a conversation.

OoO

Nanaki looked over to the one Aerith had taken her blanket to. Her scent of lilies was not as strong with her presence far. He turned to the girl next to him who was challenging another boy over watering the Chocobos.

From the long talk he had with the white mage and her closer companions, he gathered this was Elena, the youngest one of the group, and the redhead was Reno.

"Excuse me, Lady Elena?" Nanaki spoke up politely. Elena stopped arguing with Reno to look at him. "Yeah?"

"Aerith...does she talk to that fellow over there often?"

"Who, Vincent?" Reno joined in. "Yeah, she does. I dunno why she tries though – he's an intimidating guy. He doesn't talk to anyone if he can help it."

"Is she...courting him?" Nanaki asked hesitantly.

"I think she's just trying to be friendly." Elena told him.

"I can't see what she'd fancy in him, to be honest" Reno confessed. "He's so dark and secluded; doesn't look like a lot of fun. He's not easy to talk to, so I give Aerith points for that."

Reno paused to look at Nanaki, then to Elena. "Is it wrong that talking to an animal's easier than talking to that sourpuss?"

"Reno!" Elena scolded.

"It's true" Reno shrugged.

Elena huffed and went to talk to someone else. Nanaki turned his head back to the two with the one-sided conversation.

There was a...glint in Vincent's eye; perhaps it's just the fire Nanaki told himself as he slipped into a nap uneasily.

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"Oi!" Rod called to two station guards outside the pass entrance they reached next morning. Their helmets were steel and shaped over their head, three glowing red lights embedded in the front. Their uniforms were heavy blue cloth and brown suspenders, with wide green collars that obscured their chins. They swivelled their heads towards the entourage, grabbing their weapons on instinct.

"SOLDIER grunts guarding the pass? They must've heard of the blue attacker" Rude mused quietly.

"Don't speak of it to anyone; it's after us so there's no need to cause panic for the rest of the people in the area." Tseng ordered before going forward to address the troops.

Aerith peered at them curiously; these were the famed SOLDIERs that challenged Wutai's military strength once upon a time. But they looked like young boys, barely reaching manhood; training for combat at such a young age, she mused sadly.

"Tseng, leader of the Turks. Stand down; we only need to pass to Nibelheim. Which squadron do you belong too?" Tseng stated professionally.

The grunts stiffened into salutes before answering him. "Squadron one, spread into position over the Central Western Area, sir!" one of the grunts recited shakily.

"Where is your General and how far is his designated station?"

"He's in Nibelheim now and stationed over the Nibel and Corel areas sir!"

Tseng nodded. "Good, resume you position." He indicated to the rest of the group to follow and spurred his Chocobo forward.

The blue Chocobos cried in dismay, not liking the heights of the Nibel Mountains, but the green ones chirped happily for their preferences. It didn't matter to the black ones or Boko though.

OoO

Through the well-worn pass of the Nibel Mountains at the base was the town of Nibelheim. A small settlement primarily industrious, they scavenged into the mountain caves for ores, precious stones, and coal. Most things were made with wood, very little was steel other than important structures and special heavy Empire machinery built for the mines.

The tallest building in the vicinity was the local water tower – and this was the first thing Aerith saw as the entourage travelled around the last rocky crag. The town was rough and rugged, with very little greenery around besides tall evergreens. It was very different to the girl.

There were many SOLDIER troops like the ones guarding the pass milling around, and a few with the same insignia on their clothes but a different uniform that defined their rank.

The first place they went was to an inn; they had to brave the mountain the next day and Tseng needed some information on the general covering the area.

"With any luck, he'll be here for us to hire" Tseng explained, as he told them he wanted to hire SOLDIERs for as far as they would go. After a run-in with that blue beast, no one objected.

After a little questioning with the innkeeper, he found that the General was in fact in town, but he went up into the mountains often.

"Maybe he's in the market; SOLDIERs like to be in less sleepy areas" the innkeeper suggested.

So they left for the market after establishing the birds in stables for the night. They asked various shopkeepers and wandering grunts about where the General could be found; the only ones not asking were Nanaki, to appear as an outrageously dressed pet and prevent surprise (much to his dismay), and Vincent, who was glancing every which way and avoiding eye contact with everyone. He seemed too distracted to ask anyone anything, not that most people would answer him anyways after seeing his cold scowl or clenched claw.

"Well, if it ain't the redhead himself, Mr. Big shot Turk" a voice boomed behind most of the group and they turned to see a grinning young man with unkempt black hair and a scar on his cheek. His eyes shone with an eerie green-blue glow. Reno gave him a sheepish grin and bumped fists with him. "Yeah, I still owe ya, but I spent most of my last pay at Gold Saucer yo!" Reno greeted the guy.

"So you on another mission now?" he asked, looking over the group with a low whistle. "Who could afford to hire all ya Turks?"

Then his eyes fell on Aerith and he sauntered over to her with a smile. "You must be the one; allow me to introduce myself. The names Zack Fair, First Class SOLDIER and local hero, at your service!" he announced with a bow. Aerith blushed as Reno grabbed him from behind and wrestled him into a headlock.

"Too late Fair, already set my moves and got the first date; you'll be hearing wedding bells before you get your chance!"

"Not likely, with your rep" Zack shot back with a smug grin and managed to worm himself out of Reno's grip.

"Zack, could you help us?" Cissnei spoke up, instantly grabbing the boys' attention.

"Sure, what do ya need?"

"Where is General Sephiroth?"

"Ah, he went up the mountains; some travellers from North Corel were suspicious looking and we've been hearing about slave drivers recently going up to Gold Saucer to 'sell'. What do you need him for?"

"We...need some protection for our client while travelling through the mountain."

Zack frowned. "With so many of you guarding her, you need more? Why?"

"It's a matter I would like to discuss with General Sephiroth specifically; do you know when he'll be back?" Tseng cut in.

"He went up with a mountain guide a couple of hours ago and should be back soon; follow me, I'll show the path he'll come back down."

They followed Zack through the mountain to an open area right up against the slab. Wagon wheels carrying heavy goods left many tracks on the trampled ground as people carried their things for selling and buying.

"So what's with the scary red dude?" Zack whispered to Reno, quietly but not enough for him to realize he could be heard by others.

"Someone else hired along with us. He doesn't talk much, but I guess he's OK. Not the most exciting guy around though" Reno shrugged. Zack let the subject go and changed his pace to fall into step beside Aerith.

"So, can I get the name of the angel guarded by the red dragon known as Reno?" Zack asked, receiving an angry "I heard that Fair!" from said redhead.

Aerith laughed. "I don't know any angel being guarded by Reno, but my name is Aerith."

"Aerith, huh? It's a beautiful name, like you." Zack complemented, which made Aerith blush once more.

"Are you a Shinra White Mage? Because I think I would have seen you around Midgar if you were."

"Nope, I live in Wutai."

"I see; how much black magic do you know?"

Aerith looked down. "None."

"Really? That's rare! They tell me learning white magic is hard, although easier if you learn black magic to learn how it works. First destructive magic before reconstructive magic, y'know? I can't even use black magic without Materia though, and white magic is even harder for me to understand. How'd you do it?" Zack looked at her in awe.

"I don't know; I could never understand how the destructive arts worked. Healing came so naturally to me. I wasn't exactly easy, but I understood it." Aerith explained.

"Not tainting one's hand with the destructive arts and only healing other people's mistakes is a blessing in my books." A new voice joined them, along with a tall man with flowing silver hair and uniform of black leather. His eyes were a defined bright green. Behind him was a pretty girl wearing a short leather shirt and skirt, with a matching broad hat and boots. She had long dark hair and wine-red eyes.

"General Sephiroth sir!" Zack straightened and saluted his superior. Sephiroth nodded to relieve Zack. Aerith looked at Sephiroth curiously; epic tales had reached Wutai about the hero, he was supposed to be the best there was among warriors and he certainly looked the part. He had a powerful air around him, and her eyes caught the glint of his infamous long katana, Masamune.

"So you were seeking me out?" Sephiroth asked Tseng coolly. Tseng nodded. "I need to hire yourself, Zack Fair here, and any other SOLDIERs in your platoon that you absolutely trust. I need you to take us across the mountains to as far as you're stationed."

Sephiroth frowned. "That's a heavy request, especially with all you Turks around. What is this threat you face that requires such caution?" he asked as he indicated to the girl behind him to leave. She nodded and trotted out toward the market.

Tseng hesitated, glancing around before indicating a couple of boulders where they could sit. The two went over and Tseng quietly explained the situation as best he could.

As they discussed, the others walked around aimlessly, waiting. Zack went back to talking animatedly with Reno and Cissnei. Nanaki sniffed at the ground idly. Vincent was leaning against the side of a building, closing his eyes and glowering heavily. I just want to leave this place.

Aerith walked here and there, looking at the shops that were in the area. As she turned the corner of a stall, a running figure knocked into her, common market items falling out of a paper bag as they both toppled over.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" the figure, turning out to be a woman with long brown hair tied back with a gold ribbon and soft brown eyes, gasped as she helped Aerith up.

"No, I must apologize; I should have been more careful with where I was going" Aerith replied, stooping down to scoop up some fruit.

"Thank you," the woman replied, smiling as she held the paper bag up for them to put the food back in. Within minutes, everything was back in the woman's arms. She seemed to take a closer look at Aerith.

"Are you the travelling White Mage I've heard about?"

Aerith blinked. "I...I guess so. How'd you know? I just came into town today."

The woman laughed. "Nibelheim is a small town. Word travels very fast...especially of you travel with a hoard of Turks as bodyguards."

Aerith giggled. "I think I'm becoming famous." The woman smiled warmly. "Are those all your guards there?" she asked, glancing behind Aerith.

"Yup."

The woman's kind eyes suddenly widened in fear and Aerith turned to see who she was looking at; it was Vincent. "He's...!"

"Oh Vincent's not-" Aerith stopped short when she was the look in the woman's eyes. Fear, hurt, guilt, and who knows what else shone in those russet orbs.

"I fear for you, child" she whispered before bowing curtly and hurrying away with her produce. Utterly confused, Aerith watched her stalk off.

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I like leaving you guys hanging off cliff-hangers XD but I'll try not to do it too often or you guys might hate me! (Especially if I take a long time to get the next chapter up OTL) Please drop in a review!