Sorry for the lack of updates!
I've been busy lol. Anyway we meet Angel in this chapter!
Keda's POV
"This whole situation is messed up" I told my husband. After leaving Costa de Sol my children followed Jenova's scent trail which led us through the mountain terrain of Mt. Corel and into the town of Corel a now destroyed mining town. This had been Barret's hometown until Shinra ruined everything. Barret not only lost his wife but his best friend Dyne died and left his biological daughter Marlene an orphan. Her mother had been gunned down by Shinra troops under Scarlet's command. Barret adopted Marlene as his own child and she was safe back in Midgar with Aerith's adopted mother.
Barret was given a bad welcome upon arriving at Corel and afterwards we went to the Golden Saucer. Here everyone separated for a little break and we gained a new companion. His name turned out to be Cait Sith and he was an adorable cat like being who used a toy moogle to get around. The fighting arena however changed things a while bunch of people were shot and a man with a gun arm was the murderer. So the owner of the Golden Saucer now had us in the damn desert prison which was Corel Prison.
Now we had just found Dyne who turned to be alive and he wanted to fight. Cloud protested but Barret told him to stay the hell out of it and thus the battle between the two friends started. Dyne made the first move by using an attack called Needle Gun. Barret grunted and I shouted my support while Leon did the same.
Sephiroth watched the battle closely remembering when he had to fight Genesis in the past. The two friends exchanged gunfire until Barret's Limit Break activated. He used his Big Shot attack which resulted in him unleashing a huge fireball from his gun arm. That attack alone lowered Dyne's health. After another typical round of gunfire Dyne used another attack called S-Mine. Various stream of fire came out of his weapon and hit Barret. Barret used Cure to restore his health before using another round of Big Shot.
"Oh Shit!" Leon protested when Dyne used a laser blast attack called Molotov Cocktail. The lasers did a number on Barret and he used Cure once more to heal himself. Barret used Ice and that ended the fight. Dune went to his knees and I wondered what would happen next. Despite pleading by Barret, Dyne decided it was best to end his life. But before he died he gave Barret a locket which belonged to Eleanor, Marlene's biological mother. I turned away so I couldn't see Dyne fall off the cliff and Barret shouted out in grief. Sephiroth drew me into a hug and Leon went over to Barret and placed a hand onto his shoulder.
A few hours later we were released from Corel Prison thanks to Cloud winning a Chocobo Race. Dio the owner of Golden Saucer apologized by giving us a car aka a Buggy. Also according to Dio, a Sephiroth lookalike was seen heading towards Gongaga. So we made that our next destination and upon arrival Cloud, Leon, Yuffie, and Tifa fought with Reno and Rude. The two Turks got their butts kicked before we made our way into Gongaga.
We decided to stay the night before proceeding to Cosmo Canyon in the morning after breakfast.
"Leon is introducing Yuffie to his parents" I told my husband after I got out from the shower. I only wore a towel and my mate already eyed me with lust in those beautiful eyes of his. I shot Sephiroth a glare. "Not tonight Seph"
"Very well but you owe me later Little Healer" Sephiroth teased. "I wouldn't be surprised if Leon's parents are embarrassing the hell out of their son"
His comment got me to chuckle because it was most likely true. Leon's parents loved their son and they tended to embarrass him from time to time. When Yuffie had been explained how a wolf shifter's mate bond worked she was very happy and excited to be Leon's woman. The two of them decided to wait until Yuffie turned eighteen before the two of them claimed one another. Sephiroth was out of his armor and wore his usual black pajama pants while the rest of him was shirtless. Despite being thirty my husband was a built like a damn god.
I pulled on the usual tank top and sleeping shorts before joining my handsome mate on the bed.
"Did you call my parents?" I asked.
"Yes and our little girl is very excited to see her mother" Sephiroth replied.
I smiled at the mention of Angel. After she was born I never liked being far from her and the same was for Sephiroth. Our lives revolved around our daughter and she was the most precious thing between us. Her hair was now to her mid back and Sephiroth had started to work with her how to fight. She used a wooden sword to practice with. She still had a long way to go but Angel had the promise of a sword fighter. After her next birthday would Sephiroth and I teach her how to start using materia.
"I wish I knew what happened to Zack" I told Seph as he brought me into his arms. "Aerith was really upset"
"I feel bad for her" Sephiroth agreed. "Not knowing what happened after Nibelheim five years ago and where he is troubles me"
"I would feel the same way if I lost you mate"
Sephiroth suddenly pushed me beneath him and he looked at me with seduction in those eyes of his. My body shivered and Sephiroth smirked.
"I'm not easy to get rid of my Little Healer" he then pressed his lips against mine. Immediately my claws came out and latched themselves onto Sephiroth's arm muscles. I made sure I didn't cut his skin as I followed my husband's lip rhythm. Still to this day he left me breathless whenever he kissed me like this. My inner wolf gave an excited bark within our mind and my mate used his mouth to part my lips and his tongue went inside to meet with mine. My body shivered and I felt Sephiroth was pleased he had me being submissive to his will through the mating bond.
My husband eventually stopped the passionate kiss before he went on to nipping and licking any bits of bare skin he could find leading to where his mark was on me. The mark was a red rose intertwined with a crescent moon design. Sephiroth had the same mark on his flesh as well. We both carried each others scent so others knew we were bound for life.
"If Angel asks about the bite marks you'll have to do the explaining, she may not understand sex right now, but she's smart and will figure it out"
"I will just tell her that Daddy wanted to make Mommy happy" Sephiroth replied with a sinister grin.
"Do that and I'll kick your ass" I warned.
"Like you could love" Seph teased. "Remember I am the former Hero of Soldier"
"Please we've spared many times where I've beat you Sephiroth" I teased back.
"True and I do like a woman who can overpower me once in awhile"
He kissed my throat agajn and I shivered.
"A woman who also submits to her mate easily and vice versa"
I chuckled at my mate's remark before I gave him a quick kiss on the mouth and we soon fell asleep.
Next Day.
"So what's Angel like?" Cloud asked as we got closer to Cosmo Canyon.
"She's the cutest thing you've ever seen, she looks like Sephiroth but has Keda's eyes" Leon answered. "She's smart too, she learned how to read shortly after turning four"
"She also has her mother's temper" Sephiroth added. I gave my husband a smack on the arm before the Buggy suddenly stopped.
"The hell?" Barret said.
We all got out of the Buggy and smoke emitted from the engine.
"Great" Leon growled.
"The mechanics at the Canyon can fix it" I reassured everyone. "It isn't a far walk"
"There still are monsters in the area so be cautious" Sephiroth earned everyone before we gathered our weapons and stuff before heading towards my hometown. The familiar setting of Cosmo Canyon immediately calmed me when we arrived at the gates. The guard greeted me and Seph when Red suddenly rushed to the him.
"It is I, Nanaki, I'm back"
"Hey Nanaki it's good to see you safe! Bugenhagen will be happy to see you" the guard replied.
"Our friends are welcome here" I added.
"If they saved Nanaki then they are welcome"
The guard moved aside and Red didn't hesitate to rush towards Bugenhagen's home. I told the others where the inn was before Sephiroth and I headed towards my parent's house. Xydrin shrieked and he and flew down from his perch and landed in my arms. He showered my face with licks and I kissed his scaly head before he and Ice Flower greeted one another.
The mated dragon pair rubbed their heads against one another while a small voice cried out.
"Mom! Daddy!"
Angel dressed in jeans and a turquoise tank top ran towards us and I got to my knees and before I could even hold my arms out did my little girl run into them.
I planted kissed all over her face making her giggle. I then picked her up into my arms and spun her around.
"I missed you my little one"
"Same here" Angel told me. "I'm glad you're here even if it's for a short time"
Angel then looked to her father and I handed over Angel to Sephiroth.
"Hey Princess" he said kissing her forehead. "Did you miss me or your Mom more?"
"Hey!" I protested.
"Both of you Daddy" Angel answered.
"That's my girl" my husband said. Angel then rested her head against her father's chest and my mate stroked her hair before we went inside. We exchanged hugs with my parents and after catching up did Sephiroth and I decide to take Angel to meet the others.
Angel rode on her father's shoulders while we headed to the fire pit. Everyone else was there and Angel got excited when she saw her godfather. Sephiroth placed Angel onto her feet and the five year old rushed over to Leon.
"Hey kid" Leon greeted his god daughter before scooping her into his arms. He gave her a quick spin before placing her onto his shoulders.
"She's precious" Tifa stated and was the first to approach Angel. Angel smiled at Tifa immediately and told her that she was pretty. The same thing happened with Aerith.
"You're a cutie" Barret told my daughter after he told Angel who he was. "You look like your Dad"
"I get that a lot" Angel told him. Yuffie decided to say hello to Angel next and Angel suddenly smirked.
"You're Leon's mate"
Yuffie blushed and nodded which made Angel laugh lightly.
"You're pretty too"
"Aww you're cute!" Yuffie squealed.
Leon set Angel back onto her feet and Cloud walked over and got to one knee before Angel.
"Hello Angel, I'm Cloud a friend of your mother and father"
Angel suddenly blushed and I looked to my husband. Seph simply chuckled at Angel crushing on Cloud and Cloud took Angel's left hand and kissed it. Angel thanked Cloud and the blonde chuckled while Red returned. The wolf and lion hybrid took notice of Angel and he approached her.
"Is this your daughter?" he asked looking to me and Sephiroth.
I nodded and Red gave a smile turning back to Angel. Red then began to purr and Angel wrapped her arms around his neck. We spent the evening around the fire pit and had dinner while Red talked about his parents. Angel yawned and Sephiroth picked her up and decided he would put her to bed.
"He's a good father" Tifa said watching as my husband walked off with our sleeping child in his arms. "She's a precious little thing"
"She likes Cloud" I joked eying the blonde. Cloud chuckled and we went on to enjoy the fire. Red seemed uneasy and when Cloud asked what was wrong, Red replied.
"My father was a coward unlike Sephiroth, he's more than willing to sacrifice himself for Keda and Angel"
"You really can't forgive your father can you?" Bugenhagen asked as he came over towards us.
"Of course not! He left mother for dead, when the Gi Tribe attacked, he ran off by himself, leaving mother and the people of the Canyon!"
Many years ago the Gi tribe used to be Cosmo Canyon's enemy but that had been way before I was born. Eventually they were defeated and the Canyon has been in peace ever since.
"Come Nanaki, there is something you should see" Bugenhagen said which earned him a questioning look from Red. "This place may be dangerous will you and two other people come with us?"
"I'm done fighting for today" Leon said.
"I agree with my mate" Yuffie added.
"I'll go" I volunteered.
"Don't leave me out" Cloud said getting to his feet.
"Going somewhere?" Sephiroth inquired as he rejoined us.
"Yeah Bugenhagen wants to show Red something" I answered my husband. "Angel asleep already?"
Sephiroth nodded and we followed after Bugenhagen to wherever he planned on taking us. My children were fast asleep due to a large hunt and with full bellies the only thing my dragons craved was sleep. Bugenhagen led us to a sealed door which had been closed for many years. Below was various caves that had monsters and I wondered what the old man wanted to go down there for.
With caution we climed down the ladders before proceeding into the caves below. True enough several monsters crossed paths with us and with Sephiroth in the party the fights didn't last long. Eventually we came upon a blocked path with a stone face looking at us.
"What is this?" Bugenhagen asked.
"Some stone face" I answered. "Has this always been here?"
"No" Bugenhagen responded.
"Grandpa is he?" Red started to ask.
"After death, the ghosts of the Gi, like stagnant air, this can't be!" Bugenhagen exclaimed. Suddenly the stone face moved and a monster appeared.
"Damn really?!" I snapped annoyed. I took out my swords as did Sephiroth and Cloud. Red got into a battle stance. I really wasn't in the mood for a fight but fate was sometimes a bitch. Cloud used the Sense materia and his eyes widened. He then turned to me.
"Do you have an X-Potion? I remember watching a simulation back at Shinra and this same monster was there, the Soldier used a X-Potion and it killed the simulation monster"
I looked into my bag of supplied and found an X-Potion. I smirked before I uncorked the bottle and threw the contents onto the monster. The monster shrieked before disappearing all together.
"That was easy" Red joked as the path before us was now clear.
"Well that was a relief" Bugenhagen chuckled. "Nanaki you have grown strong, too"
"Oh yeah?" Red asked.
"Now I know that it wasn't a mistake bringing you here, come I have something to you right over here"
We all then entered the next cave and Red jumped onto several rocks and looked above.
"This is?" Red asked seeing a stone figure standing over a cliff. Sephiroth, Cloud, and I looked up and it was a stone figure of a much older male of Red's kind. Various arrows were within the stone form and I felt a paternal spirit within the chamber.
"The warrior who fought against the Gi, he kept them from taking even one step into Cosmo Canyon" Bugenhagen explained. "But he was never able to return to town, look Nanaki, look at your father, at the warrior, Seto"
So that was why I sensed the paternal spirit. The spirit had to be Seto and he was aware his son was here.
"That's, that's Seto?" Red inquired his eyes not leaving his father's stone form.
"Seto continued to fight the Gi tribe here, to protect this Canyon, even after the Gi's poisonous arrows turned his body to stone, even after they all ran away, Seto continued to protect us and he continues to protect us even now"
"Even now" Red repeated.
I felt a few tears slide down my face and I bent my head down saying a prayer.
"You thought he was a coward and ran away, but he alone risked his life to protect Cosmo Canyon that is your father Seto" Bugenhagen continued.
"Did mother know he was here?" Red asked turning to his adopted grandfather. Bugenhagen chuckled before answering.
"She knew, the two of them made me promise to keep this cave shut, they asked me to seal it myself and not to tell a soul, they said we should forget about this place"
Red didn't say anything and I went over to him. I bent down and kissed his furry head before deciding to excuse myself. Sephiroth and Cloud followed after me and we waited outside for Red and Bugenhagen. It was quiet for a few minutes before Red howled and I smiled knowing he had finally learned the truth of his father.
"That Seto must have loved his mate and son to sacrifice himself like that" Cloud said to me and my husband.
"Any parent would sacrifice themselves for their child" Sephiroth agreed.
"You two are good parents, Angel is a beautiful child"
I blushed and rubbed the back of my head while Sephiroth chuckled. We waited for a bit longer for Red and Bugenhagen and they came out of the cave. Red beamed with pride and I went over to him and hugged him. Red licked my face in return before we all left the caves behind.