Dragonelf 8: Hi I'm back. I'm still alive it's now summer break and I now have enough time to work on my fan fiction, thank heavens. My computer did crash but it's okay now… thanks for being so patience with me, I was going through a life changing experience… cough… Any way I'm back and I've got a super long chapter so this should make up for lost time.
Disclaimer: I know I said I wouldn't say this again but I've got a new character that's not mine and I forgot to say this for Tolea as well… I don't own Tolea and O'rane Tolea's, Tolea's character and O'rane is Arashii the black birds character
Chapter14: Two New Comrades
The demon lord looked over his kingdom. The gray clouds stormed above, the place was covered with mist the forest below was lush but devoid of all life. He could hear the occasional grunts of beast like demons in the farthest reaches of the castle. It was a shame Luna didn't stay long see the grandness of the castle, even she would appreciate its artistic beauty. With black onyx walls that were only just enough transparent to reveal the blood stained bones that were fused into the walls form past meals. With one glance he looked down at the board in the middle of the room. Little figurines stood on the board, one looking like an exact duplicate of Luna, and the characters form F.F.7 and Tolea. He barely even noticed the creak of the door as his servant entered.
"Milord, we have urgent news of the family of Luna Star," breathed the demon as he bowed to the other.
"Go on," enticed the Demon lord.
"They drifted to another world, they call them in they're world Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy IX," answered the demon.
"And how did they manage that?"
"Destiny has once again called for heroes. What would you have us do?"
"Have a spy watch them. I want them as far away from Luna as possible," ordered the King.
"What of Luna? Is she to your like sire? Would you have us fetch her?"
"Not quite yet. Let her keep the delusion that she's save. When the times right I will personally snatch her up, and crush any hope she might have."
The demon bowed his head lower and left the room quietly, unaware of the new presence in the room. The Demon Lord noticed though and once the underling was gone he turned to the new comer.
The personage looked human enough as he leaned against the wall, his hair was short and gray with a sort of slump to it, and gray bangs covered his right eye, three jagged scars were stretched from below his left eye down to his collar bone, his eyes were sad and lonely blue, he wore a tight leather shirt that was sleeveless and had glowing blue markings on the shoulder, a long gray scarf was tied around his neck, soft puffy gray pants encircled his legs and black dragon hide boots form the shin down covered his legs, and black leather gloves covered his spidery hands.
"Akito."
"Do you really intend to eat her?" asked Akito.
"My plans are none of your concern."
"So you're not?"
"… All you need o know Akito, is that the power of the Star clan will be mine. I've waited 500 years for that clan to finally bare a daughter. I can wait longer," said the demon lord as he wandered over to the board placing a long, clawed spidery finger on the Luna figurine.
Instantly the board changed to a screen showing Luna sleeping in a bed. Akito looked down, pity shined in his eyes though his face remained stone cold.
"Yes," muttered the demon lord in a low voice, " Let live her delusion."
Elsewhere
Luna slowly opened her eyes to the early morning sun. It greeted her enveloping her in a blanket of light. The night had been rough, as memories of the past had held her awake, but once sleep took her sweet memories of her parents eased her weary heart. With a great sigh Luna slipped out of the bed. As Luna slipped into her clothes she hummed a little, one her mother used to sing.
Hopefully today wouldn't be so bad as yesterday. Tetsaiga and Tensaiga shook on her belt signifying they were ready to go. Luna smiled to herself as she gathered the last of her things putting them in her Heaven's aqua ball.
"Luna! You ready?"
Luna turned to the door to see Tifa standing there with a smile on her face.
"Yeah I'm ready," answered Luna as she gathered her cell and pocket watch.
The two girls left the room went down the stairs. Everyone was waiting at the front desk for them. Silently they stood, as Cloud scanned his comrades and with a nod of approval the set out.
(A.N.//: Now I could be mean and describe their Journey to Chocobo farm making it long and detailed to every last blade of grass, but that's boring and I really don't like when I have to travel the plains even in the game so I will either leave a brief description of what happened, skip it all together or if it's important to the story I'll add the plain scenes.)
They walked and chatted as they walked. A few battles were fought but nothing to significant. Before they knew it the farm was in sight. There was a nice homely sort of feel to it.
"I know this place," smiled Tolea as she looked out over the farm.
"What is it?" asked Barret.
"It's Chocobo farm," answered Tolea as she ran to the pen.
With a sigh they all followed after her. Tolea was busily stroking the feathers of one of the chocobo. There were about eight chocobo in the pen.
"Tolea that you?"
They all looked up to see and old man standing in the doorway of the house two little next to him. One with a bright yellow feather in his brown hair, and the other in a strange ponytail.
"Hey Solomon, Yu, Ai," greeted Tolea warmly. (A.N.:// I don't know their names so I made it up. -.-;)
"You know him Tolea?" asked Tifa turning to her.
"He used to put up with me and my brother and sister, and let us barrow a Chocobo," answered Tolea.
"Barrow a chocobo?" muttered Aeris.
"Up ahead is a giant swamp with a snake in habituating it. The only thing that can out run it is a chocobo," answered Cloud.
"That's right mister," said Ai.
"Would you mind if we barrowed a few," asked Red XIII.
"Sorry but we don't have any Mr. Kitty," answered Yu.
"What are you talking about what are all these?" bristled Barret pointing at the chocobo.
"There not ours, we're just taking care of them," answered Ai.
"So Tolea you haven't been getting into trouble again have you?" asked Solomon suspiciously.
"ACK! NO!" cried Tolea defensively.
Elsewhere
Kai smiled out at the group, to their eye's he was non-existent, he could not be seen. Kai glanced to the stack of hay in the far corner as it twitched.
"Do you have to appear out of nowhere?" asked the stack in agitation.
"O'rane, can you at least stand up and look at who you're suppose to protect," sighed Kai.
"So long as I know her scent and she has a cute butt I'm good."
"Dirty old man," muttered Kai under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing give this to Luna for me, and try to fulfill your mission," snarled Kai as he tossed a piece of paper to the haystack.
A clawed hand shot out of the stack, the nail black, and a bangle on the wrist with a few materia in them.
"What leaving so soon? I thought you would sweet talk some of those girls."
"I'm not you. Just fulfill your mission," growled Kai as he disappeared.
"Right, right."
Luna's P.O.V
The sun beamed down on us as we barged for someway to get chocobo.
"Alright, well set you up with 3 chocobo lures and a few Garshal Greens, at half price, since your friends of Tolea," barged Solomon.
"Agreed," dealed Cloud.
"All right this way," said Yu as he walked towards the barn.
Solomon walked into the house and Ai followed Yu along with us.
"You know you're not the only one that's been wanting a chocobo," said Ai talking
"Oh who else is there?" asked Tolea.
"He won't tell us his name but, he's been staying at the barn until he can get a chocobo. He's really creepy," said Yu nervously as they entered the barn.
"How so?" asked Tolea.
(A.N:// Okay just a warning the… uh it's so terrible I wonder if you could actually call it a pick up line -.-;, O'rane says I got from my friend who got it from W.o.W.)
I jumped to the side in surprise as a haystack literally exploded and something big and blue wrapped its arms around Tolea.
"Because I'm a force of nature," answered the blue being as he raised his face, "Your not afraid of snakes are you?"
I could not believe my pointy ears to what I was hearing and judging by the others gaping mouths, my guess is that they couldn't either. AH! SCARED FOR LIFE!! Tolea's face grew so red that it looked like cherry with a purple wig on top of it.
'WHACK!!'
The figure stood back an angry red handprint on his cheek blazed his entire being was finally in sight. He looked like he was 24 with hair like Sephiroth's only blue and slightly spiked down. His eyes were a playful green, pair of blue fox ears were on top of his head, like Tolea's and like Tolea he had tails, but unlike her he had 9… One second… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 yeah 9. Nine skinny little tails, about an arms length and no thicker than a wrist, each swaying on it's own accord. He wore baggy jeans with many pockets and a pair of sandals were on his feet black claws hanged over the front edge, clearly warn down, a few knives hung form his thick leather belt next to a pouch. He wore a tight sleeveless blue shirt that left his stomach exposed, two metal bands were around his wrist one clearly a bangle with materia and the other a shackle looking bracelet, across his chest was a giant metal belt holding a huge Zanbato, a silver necklace hung around his neck with metallic little claws, and finally two silver loop earrings pierced both his ears.
The being looked back at Tolea his black-clawed hand favoring his sore cheek. As he examined her and everyone else.
"1, 2, 3…3," counted the being, "Well that'd put you in your 20's in human years."
"What?" said Tolea in shock.
"Who are you," demanded Cloud cautiously.
"Names O'rane," answered the man. "I'm looking for Luna Star."
Everyone's head snapped to me. My eyes widened in shock. What the heck!!!
"Don't look at me! I don't even know him!!!" I cried trying to avert their gaze.
"I should hope not, this being our first meeting and all," smiled O'rane as he walked up to me, "Big and blue sent me. Told me to give you this then took off like I had the plague."
He held out a small piece of paper to me. I nervously took it form his grasp and unfolded the sheet, the others looked between O'rane and me.
Luna
Sorry I couldn't stay to explain O'rane to you but I uh… have some important business to take care of. As I'm sure you know now his name is O'rane, he will be a great help to you and the others, despite his childlike disposition. He is a master in the art of disguise, and thievery but is an extreme flirt, so I suggest you have Tolea keep him on a short leash. I wish you luck in babysitting him, you'll need it.
Kai
P.S. If things get too out of hand pet his ears.
My hands shook in rage as I stared at the little sheet of paper. Like this wasn't hard enough already now I'm stuck babysitting! I let out long string of curses in Japanese towards Kai as my friends all jumped back and O'rane picked straw out of his hair.
"What's wrong Luna?" asked Tifa nervously.
"HE'S FORCING ME TO BABYSIT A GAINT BLUE FUR BALL!!" I yelled in indignation.
"This isn't my idea, I'd rather go to some museum and rob them blind, but I owe him a favor, and helping you is at the top of his list," answered O'rane.
"What is it Luna?" asked Cloud as he walked over to take a look at the letter.
O'rane instantly grabbed the letter out of my hand and with a flick of his wrist set the paper on fire. The paper quickly smoldered to nothing but wisps of smoke.
"I'm sticking with you," replied O'rane turning to Cloud, "As the letter stated I can be of great use to you and your effort."
Cloud jumped back in surprise and soon recovered and walked right up to O'rane, examine the fox carefully. He was judging! He was actually considering him! I could feel my head violently shake no.
"How can you help us?" asked Cloud.
"I'm a master in the Kinsune's art of disguise," smiled O'rane, " And I can steal more than just objects. I can steal secrets."
This brought everyone's heads up as they listened. Cloud's head perked in interest. I just continued shaking my head no. I really didn't want to watch a pervert.
"What kinds of secrets?" asked Cloud.
"Secrets about Shinra, and other various things like Centra, Jenova, Sephiroth, Deep Ground, and Organization XIII."
"Sephiroth!?"
"I don't know much, but I heard form some soldiers passing through that he's heading for 'Junon' to cross the sea," enticed O'rane. "Besides even if you don't let me come I'll just stalk you."
"Looks like your not giving us a choice," sighed Cloud, "but you could help us out. What do you guys think?"
Cloud turned to us asking for our opinions.
"Sounds okay to me," answered Barret.
"Same here," answered Tifa.
"I'm okay with it," replied Red XIII.
"If it helps us out. I'm okay with it," replied Aeris.
"As long as he stays away from me, it's okay with me," answered Tolea glaring at O'rane.
Eyes strayed once again to me. Waiting for me to answer.
"Well I guess there's no point in fighting," I sighed in defeat, "I'm okay with it, but I will not baby-sit him."
"Hey this Fox is old enough to take care of himself," scowled O'rane.
"A man even if he is a fox, that is around 240 years old and still flirts and acts like a child needs to be watched," I sneered.
Everyone's heads slowly went back to O'rane in shock.
"So you know a little about the Kinsune. So what if I'm around 240 years old, I've got youthful spirit," smiled O'rane proudly.
Right then I was certain that the others where thinking the same thing I was at that very moment. It was along the lines of, 'He really is a dirty old man!'
"EWWWW!" cried Tolea in disgust.
Later
Tolea's P.O.V
Disgust! That was what riddled my body when we left chocobo farm with our new comrade, but I tried to be rid of such feels. I have to admit though it was nice to have someone like me around, even if he is a prevent. I'm not the only one of my species.
Three of us where equipped with Chocobo Lure's, Cloud being the leader, Red XIII with his tracking abilities, and Luna because she had the more free slots to put them in. We all split into three groups. Cloud went with Tifa and Aeris, Barret went with Red and me, and O'rane went with Luna and we all split up. Without much difficulty we found a few fresh chocobo tracks.
"Hey Tolea."
I looked up to see Luna standing beside me nervously. She squirmed a little signifying that she was uncomfortable. I brightened a big toothy smile for her. I think this eased her cause she didn't seem as nervous as before.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you could help be with something," admitted Luna.
"What is it?"
Luna held out her arm to revealing a bright red gem in her bangle, summon materia.
"I saw that you had summon materia too, back at Shinra."
"Yeah I've had it for a while now, but I don't use it often cause it puts a huge strain on my magic. It's called Chocobo/ Mog," I said proudly looking the gem in my gun blade.
"Yeah I was wondering. How do you use summons?"
I looked back at Luna a little in surprise, she had the materia but she didn't know how to use it. Then again Summon materia is rare and hard to find so I guess it would make sense she wouldn't know how to use it.
"May I see?" I asked holding out my hand.
"Sure," answered Luna as she removed the material and handed it to me.
I held the stone up to the sun looking into the glass. I could see a creature stir inside; it's golden eyes glaring at me. This was a beast summon, and apparently it didn't like me, shame its such a beautiful looking beast summon. I handed the gem back to Luna.
"Where'd you get it?" I asked.
"I fought a monster and he had it," answered Luna.
I looked at her in surprise once again.
"A monster had it?" I said in a little shock.
"Yeah," replied Luna looking.
"That's strange," I muttered to myself.
"What?"
"Monsters don't normally have material, especially summon materia. Did he use it against you?"
"No, he just used magic and attacks."
"I see… Well I guess a monster couldn't make a contract anyway."
"Contract?"
"Oh! Right! Well the summon has to agree to let you use it, and a contract is made. Have you contacted it yet?"
"No, how do I contact it?"
"You hold the stone and mentally reach out to it."
I could feel O'rane walk up to us. A happy go lucky smile on his face. He was snooping in our conversation.
"You want to take a break and make a contract with that summon," suggested O'rane.
We stopped in our tracks looking back at him.
"That's not a bad idea," I agreed, " It'd be bad if you need a summon, but you can't use it because a contract wasn't established."
"You think?" asked Luna curiously.
"Yeah," smiled O'rane.
"Just remember to focus and mentally reach out," I advised.
"Right," smiled Luna, revealing her age.
I know I'm older than her but Luna sure acts mature for age, and timid too. She can't be older than 18! But then again, she has a reason to be.
Luna closed her eyes and held the gem in her hand I could see O'rane slowly inch forward.
"Don't even think about it," I growled in his direction my hair spiking.
"Uh…" groaned O'rane his ears slumping.
Elsewhere
No P.O.V
Luna could feel flames licking at her face as she opened her eyes. The place looked like the pit of a volcano and there in the center of the pit lying on a blanket of lava was a gigantic beast. The beast was elegant and beautiful a single long gold horn raised out of it's wolf-like head, it's claws were similar to it's horn only much shorter, the beast had a white breast that covered half it's face in from the tip of it's nose to its belly, its nose was black, the rest of it's fur looked exactly like a blazing fire, always quivering always shifting. Magnificent gold eyes stared at Luna, below long and tattered ears. The beast looked like a wolf with a thick fiery mane making the wolf also appear as a sort of lion with a long snout. Luna though already knew him, she had seen him man times before form reading comic books aka "Magic Knight Rayearth and Tsubasa." His name is…
"Rayearth," muttered Luna in surprise.
"At last you have reached out to me," sighed Rayearth in relief his voice booming and wise.
"I… I was told to make a contract with you," said Luna as she slowly walked to him.
"Yes, if I was a normal summon and favored your cause I would instantly make a contract with you, but as you can see I'm not, as such I can make no such contract," said Rayearth.
"But what am I suppose to do?"
"We of over worlds are bound to the laws of the world that saw our birth as such I still must follow that rule… Prove your heart is pure and worthy of donning me, and I shall come to your aid when you need me," replied Rayearth.
Luna could feel something pull her back; the flames were pulling her away form Rayearth.
"Wait! How do I prove I'm worthy," cried Luna.
"I will watch you, and your heart," cried Rayearth one last time.
Luna watched as Rayearth's image got smaller and smaller until finally it was out of sight.
Back outside
Tolea's P.O.V
I watched as sweat beaded Luna's forehead and suddenly her eyes snapped open.
"So how'd it go?" I asked anxiously.
"He said I had to prove my heart was worth of donning him," answered Luna worriedly.
"What?" I grunted in shock.
I had never heard of a summon that forced it's owner to prove their worth! They always scanned the heart of the owner and then let the owner make a contract if they liked them. What a picky summon!
"That's weird," I muttered.
"What's weird about it?" smirked O'rane in an all knowing smile, "The fact the summon came form a monster or that you have to prove your worth to a summon."
I could feel my head snap to O'rane, but before I could even say anything. O'rane walked up to Luna and began to speak again.
"You have prove your worth so try your hardest okay?" smiled O'rane.
"Okay," smiled Luna as she began to search for chocobo again.
"But O'rane even you should know that this isn't normal for summons," I said turning to O'rane, Luna now out of earshot.
O'rane glanced back at me. What is this? Such an Icy feeling! Did that come from O'rane! What is he hiding? He should know that Summons don't come form monsters and that they never ask their owners to prove their worth, the summon knows that with first contact with the new owner what the person is like… Maybe I'm just being nervous… Yeah! That's it! But why is O'rane's sneer making my fur stand on end?
O'rane's features instantly changed back to the face we were used to, the cheerful child like smile.
"So were are those chocobo," cried O'rane looking around.
My mind instantly snapped back to the situation. We need Chocobo! Right! I lifted my head slightly trying to catch the scent of dusty feathers, and greens… There it wasn't too far form us give or take 5 miles away.
"Alright," I sighed picking out some Gryshal Greens and handing them to O'rane and Luna to hold, "There are three of them five miles away at least. Luna hold out your Lure that will bring them in at least and the Gryshal Greens will do the rest."
Luna nodded her head and held her wrist back out the lure glowed a light blue shade. The distant sounds of fast steps drew ever closer.
"KWEH! KWEH!"
There were our Chocobo! But I quickly swallowed my words as I saw a pair of Fangs chase the chocobo nipping at the chocobo's feet. I instantly drew my gun blade, out it's holster. O'rane and Luna soon followed after. We all ran straight towards the fangs and jumping on them, dropping the greens in the process. I let my gun slice down it's right down it's paw and shot two bullet's into it's chest, O'rane and Luna handled the other one. Luna coming in first, and O'rane following second. Luna slashed out then jumped back giving O'rane room as he cleaved the fang in two. The fang I dealt with soon collapsed and died both fangs remains turned into a pile of dust.
"Kweh."
We looked up to see three chocobo stare at us greens hanging form their mouths, I couldn't help but smile, the greens had calmed them down while we were fighting. I put my gun back in its holster along with my gil that O'rane had gathered and divided among us.
"Come here," I coed gently holding my arms out to the Chocobo.
One of the chocobo came to me and gently rubbed it's beak against my hand. I stroked its beak for a while then hopped on it's back. Luna was soon on her own. She was clearly enjoying herself but O'rane was another story.
"WHOOOOOAAAAAA!!!!!"
I watched as O'rane held on for dear life to his chocobo as it ran about wildly trying to buck him off.
"STOP THIS THING!!!!" cried O'rane.
Luna and me looked at each other for a second then burst out laughing. We continued laughing even after he got control of his chocobo; a big goofy lopsided grin occupied his face. We rode out our Chocobo to the swamp were we saw the others waiting for us.
"What took you so long?" asked Barret.
"My fault," chirped O'rane, "I had some problems with my chocobo and it took a while for it to calm down."
"Hnn," nodded Cloud, "Stay close we have to be careful not to attract the Midgar Zolom."
We all nodded and rode into the swamp. My nose was bombarded by the scent of putrid fumes form the swamp, my ears slumped as I tried to ignore the scent as best I could which wasn't hard because I was busy swatting mosquito's. The others were doing the same, but we were completely silent the only sounds were that of the chocobo's feet being squished into the ground and then sucked back out. I could feel my ears twitch as I caught the distant sounds of something… like rumbling.
"Cloud! We better go faster," I muttered urgently, "The Zolom has sensed out presence."
Cloud nodded his head and we quickened our pace to a trot. I could feel tall wet grass brush against my leg, soaking my pants. The rumbling was getting closer and apparently the Chocobo noticed too as they soon began running. We all pulled out our weapons just in case. Finally we saw it, Grassland. The Chocobo eagerly ran for it, I looked behind to see a bit of swamp earthrise then fall. The Zolom was following us and must've been 10 yards away at least. The Chocobo ran to the safety of the grassland then finally we hit it and we were safely on dry ground.
'WHAM!'
We all looked back to see the Zolom finally out of the ground it's head against a giant upheaval rock. It's eyes swirling around in circles.
"It knocked itself out," gaped Tifa.
We all nodded our heads in agreement as we stared in awe. Red was busy getting muck off his paws while we were still captivated by the sight.
"Not too bright is it," I muttered.
"We better go before it wakes up," advised Red.
We continued riding west until the swamp was out of sight and we were at the entrance of a cave.
"We need to pass through there to get to Junon, and some spaces are too small for Chocobo," I advised.
"Right," nodded Cloud.
"Hey guys…" started Aeris looking off.
"What is it Aeris," asked Luna.
"What's that?" asked Aeris pointing a bit off.
I looked at the direction and instantly regretted it as my stomach churned. It was a Zolom but it had been skeward through the head with what appeared to be a giant stick. And judging by the fact that it hadn't turned to dust I could only assume that it was only just barely alive. Blood dripped form the many cut marks on the Zolom's body, each one frighteningly precise.
"What killed it?" asked Barret.
"Sephiroth," answered Tifa.
"Well if he plans to cross the ocean the best ways through Junon, and he'd have to cross this swamp first," said O'rane.
"I doubt he'd ride a chocobo," muttered Luna.
"Sephiroth, He killed that huge snake!" cried Barret.
"Don't doubt Sephiroth when it comes to strength and power," replied Cloud.
"He certainly lives up to the rumors," sighed Red.
"Ugh… Let's leave before I blow chunks," I begged hopping off my chocobo and setting it free.
I ran into the cave gratefully. The stench of swamp no longer lingered in the air. Instead it smelled wet.
"Tolea wait up," called Aeris as she and the others followed after me.
The place was well it, thanks to the Mako in the earth. But the problem was there were two passages.
"So which one?" asked Barret
"Well one leads to a dead end, while the other leads to the exit, but I don't know which is which," I answered.
"Alright," declared Cloud," We'll split into two groups one will go to the left while the other will go to the right. Luna Tifa, Red you come with me and we'll go on the left. If you find the exit wait for us at the end till we catch up to you if it's a dead come after us."
"Right," we agreed and split up.
The place was damp but better than the swamp. Now that I think about it my pants haven't yet dried form the swamp. Gross, but they'll dry off soon even in this wet cave.
"Hey Tolea," said Aeris walking beside me.
"Yes?" I replied.
"You mentioned before that you were part Centra."
"Yeah what of it?"
"Well which side of your family is Centra?"
"My dad was Centra I don't know what my mom was. She never said anything about her past, not even to my dad."
"If your part Centra then why did Hojo try to isolate my Centra blood but not yours?"
"Good question… I guess it was because of my mother."
"Huh?"
"My mother is the reason why me and my siblings look this way. Hojo tried to isolate my mother's genes instead of my father's to find out our species. He thought we were a new species."
"Hardly!" interjected O'rane.
"Huh?" I muttered turning to the fox.
"Our species has been alive for million of years," explained O'rane.
"It that's so then why is it that this is the first time we saw people like you," asked Barret.
"Well for starters we live very long lives, as such we tend to forget things like marriage, so that makes us rare because we don't reproduce often. And if I were to explain the other major factor, I'd break the law, and I'd face a fate far worse than death. I'm not about to do that," said O'rane.
"A law?" questioned Aeris.
"Sorry can't say much on that either."
"So what can you tell us?" growled Barret.
"Not much outside of what we're doing now. If you don't know the name of our spices by now then I'm not telling," sneered O'rane.
"How come we have so many tails?" I asked.
"Oh that's easy," O'rane laughed, " And one I can answer. Our tails determine our age and wisdom, and we can grow only a total of nine. We are with one, the second grows when puberty hits, the third grows at 20 when to humans we appear as adults, the fourth is at mid life crises, and the fifth is at 50, sixth is at 100 years of age, 7th at 125, 8th at 150, and 9th at 200 years of age when your considered to be an adult in our species eye. Tolea you are considered by our species to be only 13 ½ years old,"
We all stood completely still at that moment Barret and Aeris looked between us then backed up a few steps. My fur bristled as I pulled out my gun.
"YOU DIE!!!"
Later
O'rane P.O.V
OW! SHE SHOT ME! SHE ACTUALLY SHOT ME! ALL I DID WAS MENTION HER AGE BY KINSUNE STANDARDS!! Not to self; don't piss off Tolea, she's got a gun, she knows how to use it and she won't miss. Darn it still hurts even now when we are out of the cave and in the fields. Apparently Luna and the others ran into the TURKS. Thanks to them it proofed what I said was true and I think that helped secure Cloud's trust in me. Which is good I'll need it to fulfill my mission, but for now I guess I can relax and kick back a bit. At least till big blue gives the orders.
Anyway we were out of the cave, and had made quiet a bit of ground before we stopped outside of a forest, the sun setting in front of us. Barret had set up the tent we had a fire going Cloud had scattered a bit of monster repellent into the fire; it was like this fine grain stuff. Anyway just in case, we decided to sleep in shifts, Barret and Aeris would stay up first, then Luna and Tifa, then Tolea, and Red, and me and Cloud take morning watch. I learned one thing though; when Luna says she can sleep anywhere she means it! I swear there was a rock that jutted out wear she slept. I wrapped my tails around me to warm my freezing body so I was like a blanket of fluff. Tolea's were around her as well.
"Wow! When Luna said she could sleep anywhere I didn't really think she meant it," I said while looking at the tent.
"Well I think she'd have to after staying in the train graveyard in Midgar," answered Tifa.
"The Graveyard! You don't mean that place in sector 7 with all the ghost do you!?" cried Barret in surprise.
"Yep. We went by her place just before we went to the pillar," answered Aeris.
"But that place is dangerous!" cried Tolea.
"We noticed," muttered Tifa, "but it seemed to out okay for Luna."
"Geeze what a strange girl," I frowned.
"Tifa, Tolea, Red, you should get some sleep too. We'll wake you when your shifts up," said Cloud.
"Right," they said as they got up and went into the tent except Red he went to the back of the tent.
Cloud and me soon followed to get as much sleep as possible. The fur gave some nice coverage and I soon fell asleep.
"O'rane. O'rane! It's our turn, wake up," said Cloud as he shook me awake.
"Five more minuets, mom," I grumbled as I turned on my stomach.
I think this ticked Cloud off, because he most certainly not my mother, nor would he give me five more minuets as he grabbed all, I'm not joking, all of my tails and dragged me into the freezing air. I became one giant goose bump in that air.
"COLD!" I cried bundling in my fur, "Why'd you drag me out here!"
"It's our shift," said Cloud sitting by the fire.
"Oh yeah," I grumbled, "Still it's too cold to not be covered completely."
Cloud watched as I pulled a leaf out of my pockets and placed it on my head. In a poof of smoke I had change my body to a nine-tailed fox as big as Red. Cloud Jumped back in surprise as I sat next to him on my hunches. My blue fur returning warmth to my body.
"What?" I barked.
"How'd you… Never mind," began Cloud, "I don't want to know."
We both sat in silence for a bit. The fire was fairly small now.
"The others should be waking soon," muttered Cloud as the sun began to rise.
"Hey aren't you cold?" I asked looking at him.
"I'm okay," he answered.
Yeah right! Here I am in full body fur and I'm still cold. In a poor of smoke I changed back and stood up on two legs.
"Hey Red," I called, " I'm going to go get some fire wood can you keep Cloud awake?"
Red sighed as he walked around the tent.
"Sure sighed Red as he laid down again.
"Great! I won't be long," I called as I walked off into the forest.
I soon gathered wood into my arms. I had collected at least 4 pieces when I stopped. My senses were on alert, I could smell something draw all the more closer, even if the steps were silent. As quietly as possible I placed the wood back on the ground and silently began to unlatch my Zanbato.
'CLANG!'
I looked into the face of a young girl around Luna's age, perhaps a year younger, her hair was short and black to her chin, her body was petite but defiantly did not lack strength, her eyes were dark brown and she wore a green tube top like shirt, that in exchange for exposing her belly covered her shoulders and a bit of her neck, she wore short shorts flashing her long legs strange arm guard was on her right arm, she also wore cream colored tennis shoes like her pants head band, and guard in her left hand was a four pointed star-shrunken, that was being blocked by my Zanbato. Overall the girl had an Asian feel to her, and she was clearly skilled in ninja's arts.
"Now hand me all of your gil and materia," she said in a silky voice, "Our I'll take them by force."
"Really," I sneered as I lifted three of my tails.
I wiggled my tails, the tips of the brushing against her stomach. Her face turned bright red as she shook with fits of laughter. Yes I was tickling her with my tails.
"STOP IT!" gasped the ninja as she jumped away.
I stood up again holding my Zanbato out.
"What are you?" asked the ninja.
"None of your business," I replied, "Unless your asking me out on a date, then we'll talk."
Her face turned bright red… Oh yeah I still have the charm. I simply smirk at her, then flashed debonair smile that I knew most girls couldn't resist.
"YOU- YOU-YOU-YOU IDOIT!" yelled the ninja, "I'M TRYING TO ROB YOU! YOUR NOT HELPING!"
"Isn't that the point."
"SHUT UP!"
The girl instantly attacked jumping high into the air and arching her weapon downward. I lifted my Zanbato blocking the attack, then countered with bunt to the stomach with the hilt of my sword. Then I kicked her away. Bright Yellow Aura covered her shuriken.
"Greased Lighting," cried the girl.
In a second she disappeared and I felt a stabbing pain in my side. I let the shock daze me for a bit then grabbed her arm and twisted myself behind her. Ow that hurt don't do that again especially if a weapon is still lodged inside of me. I twisted the arm attached to the shuriken force her to drop it. I kicked up the shuriken and kicked it into a tree. I pushed her away swung me Zanbato and wedged it in the tree keeping the ninja's weapon down. Now we were both in hand-to-hand combat. She aimed a kick and I caught it.
"Wow your have soft skin," I marveled as I touched her leg.
"SHUT UP!" yelled the ninja.
She yanked her leg away and thrusted her arms at me in a punch.
"You sure you don't want to at least consider a date?" I questioned holding onto her tightly.
"Give me a second," grunted the ninja, "… Here's my answer!"
YYYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY--! DID SHE HAVE TO HIT THERE! AH THE PAIN IT WON'T STOP! THIS ISN'T EVEN FUNNY!! FIRST I GET SHOT AT, AND NOW I GET KICKED THERE!
I hunched over in pain while the ninja went over to where my Zanbato was to yank her shuriken loose. Though this was a futile effort, cause of the sheer size of my Zanbato. Finally when I was certain that I could stand up without feeling pain. I walked over to her.
"You owe me big time," I growled in her ear.
She looked at me in instant panic. Without further delay I tied her in rope as fast as I could and as tightly as possible then plopped her in the middle of our battle area.
"Alright," I began yanking my Zanbato out, "Who are you? Why did you try to rob me?"
"None of your business!" answered the ninja.
"You know I'd have no problem leaving you like this."
"YOU WOULDN'T!?"
"I would. Now start answering missy."
"… My name is Yuffie," growled the ninja.
"And?"
"And it's none of your business!"
"Fine I'll settle with a name. And just an F.Y.I, I have about 300 gil, and no materia. So…" I cheered, "Your efforts where a complete and total waste."
Yuffie instantly collapsed. I swear I heard a gong sound when she hit the ground.
"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!" yelled Yuffie.
"Nope."
"Uh… this stinks."
"… Why don't you earn the money then? My comrades and I earn quiet a bit form slaying monsters and we have an extra bit of Materia you could barrow."
"Materia! Really! You mean it!?"
"I'm sure Cloud wouldn't mind," I answered as I untied her and began to walk away. Sword on back, and sticks back in arms.
"Hey what's your name," asked Yuffie.
"It's O'rane."
Later
Cloud looked between me and Yuffie he then glanced at me accusingly.
"Hey don't blame me if the ladies can't leave me alone," I replied.
Dragonelf 8: See as promise a long chapter! 16 pages long! Thanks for the reviews if you give any.