By a Fraction of a Degree

A FFVII Fanfiction work by findthetiger129

Rated T for Violence and Language.

I do not own Final Fantasy VII, or any of the characters, trademarks or likenesses from Final Fantasy VII or its spin-offs That honor goes to Square-Enix.

SOLDIER 2nd Class Eli is an original character.

On the Way to a New Future (Interlude)

Chapter 48, Envoys of a New Path (Case of Nanaki, Phase 1)

March 18th [ ν ] – εуλ 0008

Nanaki was resting on a ledge just below where the statue that used to be Seto stood. He had volunteered to stand guard on this end of the caves while the humans of Cosmo Canyon and Vincent's detachment of snipers and riflemen were camped out in various spots around the area outside the front end of the main settlement. The last month or so since the loss of Fort Condor had been brutal. It had allowed Rufus to redouble his efforts on attempting to take the canyon outright, and many of Nanaki's friends in the canyon had fallen in defending their home. Here was the last bastion protecting the supply lines headed around the southern end of the continent. Without the Canyon, the iron door that had already halfway closed at Fort Condor would be locked shut, unless Yuffie came through for them soon.

Imagining the faces of those who had fallen made him aware of a void that had taken root within his heart. It had been growing with each loss, and now, not only did he find it frustrating, it was also a little frightening. He knew very well his own lifespan would continue well after that of the others, unless he fell in battle, but even so, thinking about what might happen if more of his own people fell, or if Kunsel, Zack, or Cloud, or Barret or one of the others ended up leaving him, if they went back to the Planet forever… the loneliness made him want to curl up in a ball at his father's feet and not get back up. It was even worse because he knew one day all of these things would be inevitable. The void rose to prominence in his mind and he struggled to fight it back down as he continued keeping watch over the paths by which the Gi had once invaded. But even so, he growled slightly, raising his hackles as though acting ferocious might chase the void away. "Begone Gilligan." He thought. That was the name he had given it. It had a presence, and naming it was how he had acknowledged it. He hadn't quite figured out how to deal with it, but it seemed most prominent when he was alone with his own thoughts. Therefore, he had reasoned, he would eventually have to fight it on his own time.

The whir of an engine interrupted his thoughts, and upon seeing Cid's airship approaching, all thought of Gilligan vanished. Cid and Cloud must have returned from their errand to see Yuffie in Wutai. Apparently Cloud had also gone to find a sword smith there. To place an order perhaps?

It didn't matter. The Highwind drew closer to a large cavern nearby. It couldn't be allowed to stay visible around here as it was all too likely someone might call an anti-aircraft unit in to attack it. It would be a while before he was relieved of guard duty, but at least he'd get to see them soon.

When Nanaki finally leapt up through the Gi caverns to the area where his people had relocated after the air strikes had begun, he found his friends standing near one of the tunnels. To his surprise, he saw that Zack, Aerith, and Cissnei had come along for the ride. "Hello everyone! It's good to see you!"

Zack looked up and grinned. "Hey! There he is!"

"Sorry I wasn't able to greet you right away. We've been watching the rear of the caverns in case anyone tries to sneak in." Nanaki explained.

Zack nodded. "It's all right. We understand." Nanaki took a moment to look his friends over. Zack was still wearing his SOLDIER shoulder guards, and combat boots, but he'd traded out the uniform itself for a pair of dark blue jeans and a slightly paler blue sleeveless shirt with a red line running down one side of it. It seemed he'd ditched all but two belts, neither of which bore the SOLDIER logo at all. This was definitely a new look for him.

Cloud also seemed to have foregone the SOLDIER belt, along with one of his shoulder guards. Perhaps it had been damaged in a fight, Nanaki mused, though he had yet to shed the uniform as completely as Zack had. "So how was the visit to Wutai?" He asked.

"We finally found that sword smith Cloud was looking for," Zack said. "He looked at the designs and says he can have it ready by the middle of June."

"I'm glad to hear it," Nanaki said. "Though I suppose Godo hasn't decided anything?"

"Unfortunately not," Cissnei said. "We could definitely have used some of his ninjas for backup."

"They would have been helpful," Nanaki agreed. "I have some news on that front. It's quite possible Heidegger's troops may have found an old Gi stronghold that contained information detailing how to get to the rear entrance of the caves."

"You mean where your dad is?" Zack asked.

"Yes. Our scouts have noticed a lot more trooper activity in the area and since they seem to be a lot more knowledgeable than they should be, it's highly likely. We've set several sentries along that route to be on the safe side," Nanaki explained.

"Sounds like a hell of a problem," Cid said. "Is there anything you need us to do before the next assault?"

"Aside from support us here, I don't think there is. I feel if we can hold out against this one we may be able to break their push and drive them out of the canyons for good. After the information campaign that was spread through Corel and Gongaga last month, I think there's more momentum to cause trouble and if the rest of the villages in the area take up arms, the contingent Heidegger has on our doorstep might be cut off from ground based supplies and our spies seem to think the sentiment is in our favor."

"Nice to hear some good news at least." Nanaki had been present when Zack had received the word that Rufus's troops had set up a garrison in Gongaga and he definitely hadn't been happy about it, but he seemed relieved at this. His home town was not taking martial law lying down even if removing the troops was not likely in the near future.

"In the meantime," Nanaki gestured towards the tunnel they stood in front of. "My grandfather's been resting in here. Please, come in. He walked down the tunnel a ways and pushed aside a small curtain that was allowing his grandfather privacy and brought them into the small cave where Bugenhagen lay. The older man's health had been failing over the last few weeks and he did not lift himself up from the soft mattress the other canyon residents had brought down here for him. "Nanaki?" He called.

Nanaki felt the emptiness within him grow a little at the sight of it, but refused to show his weakness in front of the others. "Grandfather, we have visitors."

Bugenhagen turned his head and looked over, blinking and on recognizing them, he spoke softly. "I see, yes… Cid and Cloud came back, and they brought Zack and the ladies this time… How's the… shoulder, boy?"

"Better than ever," Zack replied. "And how about you? Are they taking care of you?"

The old man nodded. "I'm afraid I can't quite… get around like I used to… but it comes with growing old… I suppose… more than anything, I just sleep…" Nanaki saw the corners of his grandfather's mustache curl up a little in a smile. "It's all right though…"

Aerith sat down near the mattress. "Is there anything we can get for you?" she asked.

Bugenhagen shook his head. "Not right now… I might like to talk a little before it gets too late… But I think you'll… have time to get some supper at least…"

"Grandfather?" Nanaki asked. "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it…" Bugenhagen answered him. "Everyone's come a long way… And I'll be here when you get back. I'm sure you young folks have things to do…"

After dinner that evening, everyone was seated around a battery operated lantern in one of the larger caves. The tunnel leading out to the canyon where Nanaki's father stood watch was not that far off and though the natural bridge over the boiling water was still a ways between them and the exit, it was close enough that the noises it made could still be heard echoing through the cavern.

"So what do you think the old geezer wants to talk about?" Cid wondered aloud.

"No idea," Zack said. He stretched his left arm, leaning back against a stalagmite and Nanaki noticed a blade at his hip that was about the size of Cloud's Butterfly Edge, except the steel was slightly darker.

"He thinks he's going to die soon…" Nanaki said softly and he pulled himself up as he spoke. "It's not just what he says either… he's been sleeping more than usual and eating less, and making him aware of it doesn't help."

An uncomfortable silence permeated the area and Nanaki hated it. Even though his grandfather was human, he'd always seemed ageless to the Guardian's mind. Immortal even. It made the emptiness he'd noticed seem all the larger within him.

"Well then," Aerith said at last, giving him a kind smile. "We'll do what we can for him. All right?"

Nanaki nodded. "Thank you."

"Nanaki!" Everyone looked up to see one of the other villagers running up to the circle.

He looked in the man's direction. "What's the matter?" he asked.

"The spies report there's a contingent of troopers coming near the entrance to the canyon! But that's not the only news. One 2nd Class and several 3rd Class SOLDIERs are attempting one of the rear passes."

Zack stood, gripping his sword with his left hand, and Cloud did the same across the cavern. Cid lit himself a cigarette and dusted himself off as he shouldered his spear. "This sounds too easy," he turned to Nanaki. "If I take Cissnei, we oughta be able to handle a few troopers. You think you and the rest of the guys can take the back way?"

"It won't be any trouble. Obviously they think they can trap us in here," Nanaki said. "They will be sadly mistaken. Though I don't think they were aware that Cloud and Zack are here, otherwise they might have sent more."

"You're probably right," Cissnei agreed.

"Tell the children and the elderly to shelter near Bugenhagen's cave," Nanaki instructed the other man.

The villager nodded and then proceeded to guide Cid and Cissnei to the front of the cave.

"This could be your first battle since the Crater, isn't it," Cloud observed looking at Zack.

"Since before. I didn't actually fight at the Crater, remember?" He answered, giving the light sword in his hand a couple of practice swings as the three of them began walking towards the exit to the caves. "But I've had you as a sparring partner. I may not be back up to your level yet, but a 2nd and some 3rds should be a piece of cake… if we have to fight them."

"Just be careful, all right?" Aerith said. "I'll back you up, but don't do anything too crazy."

Nanaki couldn't blame her for wanting him to be cautious and he silently promised himself he'd keep a close eye on his friend. Cloud would probably be doing the same.

"I'll be fine," Zack said, sheathing his sword again. "Besides, I'm tired of sitting around."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I won't worry." Aerith answered. She'd fallen in step behind the guardian and the two swordsmen, her staff touching the ground every so often as she walked.

They continued the trek across the natural bridge in silence as they listened through the bubbling of the water beneath them for any sounds of approaching combat boots, but there were none. It wasn't long before they were walking out into the moonlight that illuminated the pass below Seto's resting place. Once they passed the current watch, Nanaki signaled to the sentries with his tail that they were going out before dimming the flame so it wouldn't attract attention and then, with Cloud carrying Aerith so they could move more quickly, they slipped into the evening twilight. For several minutes, Nanaki led them through thickets and ravines until they were on the top of one of the lower canyon walls. Flitting along like ghosts in and out of the shadows they traveled along until they reached the furthest sentry point.

The sentry that waited for them hailed them as he spotted their approach.

"What's the news?" Nanaki asked.

"The efforts we made to conceal the path haven't all been seen through yet, but I definitely think they're getting close. It's good you made it," The man reported.

While Cloud placed Aerith solidly on the ground, Zack knelt by the sentry station and after borrowing a pair of binoculars with night-vision capability from one of the watchman, he looked in the direction the man indicated. After a moment he seemed to have zeroed in on the targets and started counting them off. "Two… three… yup definitely four of them, and definitely a 2nd Class in there. I can't tell if they were anyone I knew since they're wearing helmets, but if we get in close…"

"What does it matter if you knew them or not?" Nanaki asked.

"Because we've been kicking around some ideas, and I was thinking we might at least be able to talk to them…" Zack suggested. "Kunsel couldn't do that at Fort Condor because Heideggers troops were all around, but wouldn't it be great, if we could get a few more guys on our side?"

"It could be except if they go back empty handed, they might be punished for not following through on the mission," Nanaki mused aloud.

"Except they won't be going back empty-handed," Zack said decisively. "Because they'll know we were here. Rufus is far from at his best right now, even if he does seem to be winning. Fort Condor was a big blow. I doubt he's looking to go up against us unprepared."

"Heidegger might," Cloud said quietly.

"And we've seen how that worked out for him last time. He lost most of his forces to a skeleton crew even if he did eventually win. We're well prepared here." Zack was quiet for a second before he pointed out a small gully about halfway between their current location and that of the SOLDIERs. "We'll meet them there," He decided, before indicating to a small plateau a few yards from the center of the area. "Nanaki, could you take up a postion there? I've got an idea."

"What did you have in mind?" Nanaki asked.

Zack took a couple of minutes to explain…

Nanaki was crouched at the summit of the plateau as Zack sat relaxed at its base, the light sword unsheathed in his left hand. The ex-SOLDIER was ready to fight if he had to and Cloud stood at his right hand, ready to go in case he needed help, Buster Sword secured on his back. Aerith stood at his left, gripping her staff firmly. She too had been training with the guys a little, and while by no means could she fight a fully-fledged SOLDIER alone, she was hardly a pushover. From what Nanaki had heard of her training sessions, she had actually managed to score a hit on Cloud once just recently. It hadn't harmed him, and he'd still been going extremely easy on her, but the fact she was even able to do it at all stood as a testament to her dedication once it came about that the home they had all built together was threatened.

Nanaki's attention was drawn by the sound of twigs breaking and as he looked up, he spotted several pairs of glowing eyes approaching them in the darkness. As their owners finally set foot in the clearing where they waited, Zack gave the signal, and Nanaki brought up his tail, willing the tip to burn brightly, illuminating the clearing in its radiance.

The four SOLDIERs paused, clearly surprised at this new turn of events and were going for their weapons when Zack called out to them standing up and walking to the front of their group, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. After all, I'm pretty sure you know by now who we are."

The 2nd Class at the head of the group paused as he was reaching for his sword, and Nanaki could see his face slack with recognition. "Zack… Fair…! So Bradley was telling the truth?"

"If it's the part about me being alive, that's kind of old news," Zack said. "If it's the part about us being in charge of this outfit, well, those rumors would be correct."

The ranking SOLDIER took a step forward, cautiously. "So what's going on then? I was still a rookie when you were reported dead but the whole unit took it pretty hard, since we'd also lost Sephiroth. When Kunsel disappeared, none of us knew what to think, especially when the word got around that you were still kicking."

"You could say we're making you an offer," Zack said.

The SOLDIERs looked at each other, considering this turn of events and then their leader spoke again. "What kind?"

"The truth, in exchange for a couple of favors," Zack supplied. "And a proposition. And here's the thing. You get the truth first before you even make the decision. If you decide not to play, well, you can just say you got to hear a campfire story from a real live ghost for free." Nanaki saw the evidence of a grin on their leader's face as he cracked the joke.

The SOLDIERs looked at each other again, conferring amongst themselves, and then the leader answered, "All right, you have ten minutes."

Zack shrugged. "That's fair. By the way, I don't think I caught your name."

"Eli. 2nd Class."

"Nice to meetcha."

Nanaki could hardly believe his ears. Just minutes ago, these men had been more than willing to destroy the canyon, and just like that, Zack was able to get them to listen? He felt the sense of wonder bordering on disbelief at Zack's ability to diffuse situations again, even as he also felt Gilligan stir within him, the emptiness and worry drawing his thoughts back to Bugenhagen. The disparity between the two was jarring. But as Zack began telling a condensed and much less personal version of the true story behind what had happened to Sephiroth, and by extension, him and Cloud, Nanaki remained still as a statue, the turmoil of his own concerns un-betrayed by his steadfast vigil over the men talking in the canyon gully.

"We didn't find out the truth about what Jenova was until much later, but you, me, and everyone else in SOLDIER has her cells, and while the Mako keeps them under control, they really are a lot scarier than you could ever imagine. Shinra used us, just like they're using you now. You don't have to believe me, if you don't want to, but if you want to save some lives, and do some good…"

Zack stopped as the other SOLDIER's PHS buzzed and Eli paused to answer it. "Yes?"

"Are you in position?" Nanaki heard the man on the other end.

"We've encountered sentries. Engage?"

"Proceed."

Eli hung up his PHS and got out his sword. Faster than Nanaki could blink, Cloud was in front of Zack, and Zack himself was hefting his own sword in his left hand, his right arm tucked in close to avoid injuring it further. Aerith was at his flank, all ready to charge up a cure if anyone needed one.

"What's your call?" Zack asked as Eli and Cloud crossed swords.

Eli remained in parry with Cloud, though Nanaki could see the man straining under Cloud's raw strength. He was obviously a trained fighter, but faced with the man who had actually killed Sephiroth, twice, he was a lit match to Cloud's pillar of fire and Cloud was obviously still holding back. Eli's blue eyes glared across their blades, not diverting from his opponent. "So we've heard your ghost story, what's your proposal?"

"All I ask, is that you go back to Shinra and tell SOLDIER what happened. They might believe it, they might not. But it's terrible to have to just kill you when you don't even know what you're up against or why. That's what happened to Ramius, and Kunsel hated doing it. If you decide to leave Shinra, not only will we give you somewhere safe but we'll let you fight back if you want. We're not just Shinra's toys, we're people, and I want to give you the chance to get back what they took away. That's what GUARDIAN has to offer. If any of you are game, you know where our turf is, and you can come back after you've delivered our message, if not, well, we'll take this back to square one. I'd really hate to do that, but, we've kind of taken it upon ourselves to protect those who can't defend themselves. That's what heroes do."

In the light from Nanaki's tail, and the moonbeams, the SOLDIER's eyes gleamed as he focused, both in concentration on his opponent and on the decision he was being asked to make. Finally he said "This isn't something I can decide on my own. He glanced back at the 3rd Class SOLDIERs behind him. "What about you?"

The 3rds had all drawn their swords by now, but seemed unwilling to test their mettle against Cloud. Finally one of them spoke. "I think he's telling the truth."

"But what about what happens if we get caught?" One of the other SOLDIERs asked. "It would mean treason, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah," said a third one. "I don't know if it's worth the risk."

"I don't know. Killed fighting this guy or dead for trying to fight Shinra. It doesn't sound great either way," a fourth 3rd Class said.

"Not really," Zack agreed, "But at least if you join us, you have zero chance of getting shipped off to some lab on the whims of a crazy scientist, and while I can't promise I won't ask you to fight former comrades, I will say that if SOLDIER does defect in whole, or even in part, it will make this fight that much shorter, with that many fewer casualties."

The 3rds whispered among themselves again and then another stepped up next to Eli and as the man's muscles slacked under his blade, Cloud eased up and their swords parted. The 3rd who had approached said "We'll take your message. Though, I can't say what'll happen afterward."

"I guess we'll know if we see you again," Zack said calmly.

"That being said, we can't be driven off without it looking believable," Eli said.

"Well, then, help us set some things on fire," Zack said. "We'll take care of the rest."

Eli nodded, and gestured that the other SOLDIERs draw their blades. For several moments, Cloud held his own against several of them while Zack easily bested his remaining opponents even left handed, and Eli called his commanding officer over the din of the swords to call a retreat. Soon they were left alone in a clearing surrounded by smoldering trees and Zack called after them "And don't you dare try sneaking around here again you cowards!"

He turned his attention back to the others. "I think that went well, don't you?"

"How do you do it Zack?" Nanaki said, hopping down into the gully.

"It's the only way we can," Zack answered, sheathing his sword. "We should probably head back to Bugenhagen."

Nanaki grunted in affirmation and they were already hurrying back as Zack used one of their radios to notify the sentries their visitors had been dealt with.

They had almost reached the cave where his grandfather rested when Cissnei ran up to them, still slightly dirty from the skirmish she and Cid had just driven off. But even so, she looked saddened. "Nanaki, it's Bugenhagen. He's asking for you."

Nanaki padded away from the group and headed past his people, the women, the children, and the elders and past the curtain drawn across the tunnel leading to the old man. As he approached, he found one of the older women kneeling by his side and he sat next to her. "I'm here grandfather."

"I'm glad to see… you made it back…" Bugenhagen answered. "I think now's the time…"

"For what?" Nanaki asked.

"To make my last request…" Bugenhagen drew a breath and began. "There is so much… In this world that I want you to see… and understand... look at the withering mountain grass... listen to the warble of newborn chocobos… Nanaki… Life is an incredible gift… And I want you to see it… not as the protector of this canyon… but as the Guardian of the Planet… you need to see it… and remember it… I won't be around too much longer… But after I am gone… and this war for the Planet and its people… ends… I want you to travel a while… and see what you can learn… Maybe it will teach you… everything I could not…"

"Grandfather. Don't speak like that… you still have many years yet… don't you?" Nanaki leaned in, placing a paw on the mattress as he spoke.

Bugenhagen simply smiled. "Just humor… an old man… and promise me… will you…?"

Nanaki finally relented and lowered his head. "I promise…"

Bugenhagen simply smiled, and shut his eyes, allowing sleep to overtake him for the evening, and Nanaki spent the rest of the evening curled up next to him.

March 21st [ ν ] – εуλ 0008

Bugenhagen would sleep through to the next day, and then the next, before on the third night, just after dusk, he finally passed away. His body was brought out of the caves to the ashes of the Cosmo Candle, and it was lit once more, even though none of the houses were currently occupied. Even so, Zack and the others had remained to be there for him, and Cid had gone to bring Tifa and Freya to also be present for his funeral. Some people cried, but mostly, they spent that night around the candle telling stories about their deceased friend. How he loved the Planet, and loved the stars, and most of all, how he loved sharing his knowledge with those around him. It was a comfort to Nanaki that all through remembering his grandfather, even though Gilligan still lurked in his heart, the people around him helped to remind him that he was not alone. For the majority of the night as villagers told stories around the Candle, the faceless monster remained still until later in the evening after he climbed up to visit his father alone. That was when he howled out his grief to the stars.

I didn't realize this until about ten minutes ago, but apparently, by not having him ride with the party to the City of the Ancients, I actually extended Bugenhagen's life by a couple of months. It's kind of obscure but you do actually get to hear his last words in the original game if you go back to Cosmo Canyon after defeating Diamond Weapon. And here I thought I was being thorough! ^^;

Tune in next week as we check out what Barret's up to. See ya soon!