-Author's Note- (I just realized I have been spelling Yuffie's father's name wrong. I was checking FF Wikipedia and just noticed. Honestly I feel like a complete DORK! I have either bad eyes but I'm pretty sure the source I got it from originally was wrong. I hope this doesn't' effect your Fanfiction experience in any way.. since I'll be spelling it right from here on, Thanks. )
Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, belongs to SquareEnix.
Running
The Muse Sway
Chapter Fourteen: Cosmo Herb
(Warnings- Language, Mild Violence)
Cid made his way back to Rocket Town where his wife Shera and Red XIII were staying. Cid picked them both up and made there way towards Cosmo Canyon.
"Oh gosh, this has really gotten out of hand," Shera spoke to Cloud and the other who were in the cockpit. She hugged herself and stared at Cid giving him a look that made Cid blush.
"Can't hug you now, Shera honey, steering" Shera gave a pout but then smiled.
"Hmmm I think I know what herb you're talking about," Red XIII said said as he gave a good stretch "But to be sure I know someone in town who might,"he said as he looked outside the town it was starting to set there as well. It was beautiful sight a different type of sunset from the one of Wutai's, this sky was crimson, that faded into purple and a dark blue, white speck of stars started to show scattered against the colorful sky. They soon landed on the outskirts of town.
Cloud always had a soft spot for Cosmo Canyon he loved the rugged feel of it and wasn't surprised the town hadn't changed one bit. Cid and Shera decided to stay near the Highwind restocking and deciding what need to be repaired after the attempt to kidnap Yuffie the day before. Cloud, Red XIII, and Vincent made their way near the middle of town, the sound of drums could be heard. People came rushing towards Red XIII greeting and welcoming him.
"Nanaki! People yelled as they ran towards him bending over giving him a hug.
"What brings you back to Cosmo Canyon and with guests?" the Chief of the village asked.
"We're here to help a friend, she's in dire need of assistance," Red XIII answered back.
"I see, well take anything you need. We're always glad to help the saviors of the planet," the Chief replied.
Cloud looked down.
"Where do you think they keep the herb?" Cloud asked. Red XIII shrugged.
"I will ask Sleeping Jake first, he's the owner of the herbal store and the Village Elders's grandson," he said. Cloud nodded. They made there way up the intricate tunnels of Cosmo Canyon. Halfway up near the middle they found there way to a store where a young man was sleeping in a chair.
"Shhhhhhh," Red XIII whispered as he sneaked around the back he placed his tail near the bottom of the mans hand and the man woke up with a yell.
"AHHH! Ouch!" he said he looked around in panic. "Nanaki?" he asked out loud.
"Yes?" Red XIII answered back.
"Nanaki when did you return? I missed you old pal!" he said let his hand out to give a high five. Nanaki gave him a paw instead. Cloud and Vincent stared on with confusion and interest.
"I have friends with me, we need your help," Red XIII continued.
"My help?" he repeated his voice breaking.
"Yes, a dear friend of mines is poisoned with rare herb that grows around this area do you know what it is and have an antidote for it?" he asked.
"I don't know it's kind of hard to figure out what you want without a name," he said.
"It's a purple liquid, a ninja has used it with a dart to poison a girl," Vincent spoke up. Cloud raised a brow as he said girl. He wondered why he didn't just say friend or at least have the decency to call her by her name. Red XIII's ear twitched as he looked back at Vincent.
"She's our friend and she needs it. The doctor said if we don't counter it she'll be in a Coma," Cloud said in a serious note.
"Hmmm, I think I know what you're talking about... I think it's called Sweet Levine," Sleeping Jake said as he looked behind him on the shelves. "It's called that because a young girl named Levine was the first to fell victim to the herb and stayed in a coma for years still her death," he said continuing to look through the shelves. "Hmmm I don't see any... strange an old man a few weeks back bought the last of it, foreign dude. He seems to come here to buy it frequently," Sleeping Jake continued.
"Great now what?" Cloud asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"We need to know where we can find the herb Jake?" Red XIII asked. Sleeping Jake went in a back room for a few minutes leaving Cloud and the other to themselves.
Cloud gave Vincent a strong glare, before crossing his arms. Red XIII bent low near the counter ready to pounce at any moment. He felt the tension and knew there was going to be an exchange of words.
"So what's your beef with Yuffie, this time?" Cloud asked. Vincent turned to face the wall away from Cloud.
"I do not understand what you are accusing me of," Vincent said.
"Don't play dumb, Yuffie is our friend and she's your's too. Didn't she save your life once or have you forgotten, already?" Vincent turned to face Cloud his cloak swishing behind him. He took a few steps forward.
"I haven't forgotten," he said simply.
"Then why do you act as if you're doing this because you have to?" Cloud said looking up at him. "If you feel that way then leave now, we don't need your help. I may not say it much, though I value Yuffie's friendship... I value all of my friendships. If you can't say that much at least give her the respect she deserves. Not many people have what it takes to face Sephiroth and save the planet, she did," Cloud said as he strayed off to the side.
Red XIII never saw Cloud verbally defending their friendship with so much passion. Yet in truth he did know it, he saw it in Clouds actions, he wasn't much for words but with Cloud you just knew it to be true. Red XIII closed his eyes with a sigh. Vincent was left without words staring avidly back at Cloud.
"I do care for Yuffie's well being that's why I'm here," he said. Vincent looked down for a moment staring down at the floor. "To be honest I haven't gave much thought about friendship, though I respect our comradery. I'm sorry if I have upset you," Vincent replied.
"Here it is!" Sleeping Jake returned he was holding a pink dried up coral looking root.
"What is that?" Red XIII asked.
"Well it's no good for anything though you can use it to help your search. It only blooms at night time it's the perfect time to pick it. The Blossom is what you really need from it, that's what you need to make an antidote. The root is what it used for the poison, it taste sweet, that's why Levine ate it instead of the blossom. You'll find in a cave North East of town," Jake added.
"Thanks," Cloud replied and walked out along with Vincent.
"Thank you Jake, I hope to see you again soon," Red XIII said as he soon followed.
…OOO…
Cloud, Vincent, and Red XIII made there ways North, the monsters there weren't tough and wondering about was easy except for the fact it was dark. Soon they started looking east searching for a cave. It was hard to see, Red XIII and Vincent did most of the climbing and searching. Three hours later they found a cave.
"Thank Goodness, I feared we may never find it in time," Red XIII spoke as the entered the cave. They crept slowly about looking for the herb.
"We need to find light," Vincent spoke up. "The blossoms wouldn't know if it was a full moon otherwise," Vincent spoke up. The cave had it's creepy crawly residence but nothing threating. Finally rays of moonlight can be seen.
"Look there," Red XIII said and ran up towards a patch of Sweet Levine.
"Good Job," Cloud said as he bent low to take a closer look. He took out his shriveled up version of the herb to compare it. "It seems to be it, though... do we take the blossom or the whole herb?" Cloud asked out loud. Red XIII looked up confused and then he looked up at Vincent who said nothing.
"Herbalism, I studied nothing about it, though I would advice in taking the whole thing," Cloud nodded as he and Red XIII dig up a few Sweet Levine, they filled a small pouch full.
"I hope this is enough," Cloud said as he stood up. "Alright let's start making our way back," he said. Cloud and the other made there way back towards the entrance of the cave until Red XIII started to growl.
"Wait... I sense we're not alone," Red XIII spoke up. Cloud readied his sword and Vincent his gun. They slowly crept towards the entrance when suddenly a voice spoke.
"Hmmm, look at this three rats caught inside a cave," a female voice spoke.
"More like Cage," the male voice laughed.
"Shut-UP, I'm the one in charge so I talk, Ahem, anyways we figured you might be rushing over here to aid your friend," she continued on. Vincent knew their voices it was the ninjas who were on the Highwind.
"Yeah, so we set up a surprise," Kyo said.
"Yes... so have fun!" with that there was a loud bang. Then the cave started to shake rocks were falling everywhere. Cloud and the other scattered trying there best to dodge the falling rocks. Minutes later Cloud recovered with the help of Red XIII.
"I can't believe this, we're trapped," he said as he dust himself off.
"Yes," Red XIII said.
"Where's Vincent?" Cloud asked Red XIII.
"Somewhere here, I believe he's okay let's look for him," Red XIII with his lighted tail led the way back in the cave. They continued to search for Vincent then finally they found him he was balancing on a rock near the patch of Sweet Levine, though it was covered with rubble and no moonlight.
"The Sweet Levine," Red XIII said in shock.
"Yes, it's ruined and without moonlight, they'll be no more of the herb if nothing is done," he said quaintly.
"What are you doing here could of mentioned you were okay," Cloud said as he looked around.
"Wondering if there was a way out but it seems there isn't anymore, we have to go deeper in the cave," Vincent said as he followed Cloud and Red XIII in the cave. They traveled close to Red XIII, though Vincent and Red had keen senses and was easier to for them not to trip or fall. Cloud had a harder time and kept near Red XIII.
"Didn't I already did this with you once?" Cloud said jokingly. Red XIII laughed.
"Yes it seems we always get stuck in a cave around here," he paused. "Do you hear that?" Red XIII said out of no where startling Cloud. Vincent pulled out his gun again.
"Hear what?" Cloud said as he tried his best to regain balance.
"It sounds like Kupo?" Red XIII said in disbelief.
"Are you pulling my leg? Kupos?" Cloud said with a laugh.
"No... he's right I hear it too," Vincent said as well. Cloud stayed quiet trying his best to listen for the Kupos.
"It's as if they're behind some rock somewhere Red XIII said as he continued to look around," they continued on with there path and soon they found another way out of the cave. They were far up North quite far from Cosmo Canyon. "Fresh Air!" Red XIII said as he ran down the side of the mountain. Vincent and Cloud followed down as well. "One day I want to return to this cave," Red XIII said as he waited for Cloud and Vincent.
"Do you think those two ninjas got away already?" Cloud spoke out of casual conversation.
"Yes," Vincent replied, simply. Cloud shook his head and was starting to wonder who was most annoyed Vincent or Yuffie. They soon made there way back towards the Highwind, it was nearly dawn when they arrived. Cid and his crew was still asleep.
"Man you guys had me worried, I was going to go look for you guys if you didn't call or return soon," Cid as he started to stretch with his spear.
"We had a detour," Cloud said simply.
"A detour?" Cid asked surprised.
"Yes, two ninjas caused a cave in," Red XIII added as he searched for a spot to rest.
"Hmmm, sounds like that clan doesn't know how to give up," Cid said as he walked inside the ship closing the ramp.
"Why shouldn't they, they have the upper hand," Cloud said as he genuinely sounded tired.
Soon Cid and his crew awoke, they made their way back to Wutai. Cloud, Red XIII, Cid, Shera, and Vincent disembarked the Highwind and made their way towards the Pagoda. Godo seemed exhausted he had bags under his eyes and seemed he didn't leave Yuffie's side all night. Yuffie was now dressed in a white Kimono and her hair was down fan out around her. She looked paler than usual and her breath seemed weaker than day before.
"Thank the Gods you have returned," Godo said as he stood up and bowed. Cloud took out the pouch filled with the herb. Godo bent low, "How can I ever repay you," he said humbly.
"You don't have, too Yuffie is our friend, there's no payment necessary," Cloud said trying to muffle a yawn.
"Call the doctor immediately!" he yelled at Kaorin who bowed and ran off. "You must be tired please get some rest you have done enough," Godo said.
"I want to see if the herb works," Cloud spoke and Red XIII nodded. Soon the doctor with his sleeping gown appeared he took the pouch, and examined the herb.
"Yes, this is it you must of gone through a lot of trouble to get this," the doctor said. He began to work immediately. "All of you must leave me in peace now, except for Godo he may stay. I need concentration, so for now please leave so I can do my work," the doctor said and shooed Cloud and the others out of the room.
-Author's Note- Another chapter down... I hope you enjoyed it, it had a lot Red XIII he's so cute, it was a small side adventure just like all Final Fantasys.... please review Thanks!