Red XIII's tale made him even more intriguing to his companions, so much so that they had already walked another couple of miles just within the beginning of his story. Not one vehicle had passed them by on the road, only the ocassional hawk flying above, or a hare crossing the road.

"You really are a very mysterious one, but considering we just defeated the arbitors of fate, anything can be possible" Tifa commented but smiled noticing the vegetation of sparse brush and weeds begin to get more plentiful the further away they got from Midgar.

"Not really mysterious, just reclusive and quiet" Red XIII corrected.

"So you were out site seeing in the valley when the Turks arrived, so what happened once you returned" Barret asked wanting Red XIII to return to the story.

"You could say that"

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Nanaki had a lot to think about, he wasn't a warrior or of any help to the village. He felt this pressure on him to perform was too much and just decided not to do it. A run through the crags or a good hunt always put his mind at ease. This time however, he couldn't shake a premonition that he felt and decided to quickly return to the village. He expediently made his way back, but upon his return he sensed the unease and could detect the scent of outsiders. He made his way to the center of the village and saw a group of Avalanche soldiers in pursuit of something or someone as they ran towards the mountain path.

"What was that all about?" Nanaki wondered quickly deciding to go and find out. When he got further down the mountain path he could hear sounds of a struggle ahead.

"Now who would this be and why?" Nanaki thought sniffing the air trying to discern who the adversaries may be.

"Nanaki!" a familiar feminine voice broke his line of thought. He spun around to see a light brown furred beautiful creature, like himself.

"What are you doing out here?" she demanded.

"Deneh! I..." Nanaki responded caught off guard.

"I've been looking all over for you!" Deneh said a bit exasperated. "It's almost time for the ritual of the tradition to appease the planet to take place. So I thought we would get together and prepare for it" she explained.

"I-I don't want to do it" Nanaki couldn't take the pressure anymore.

"What are you saying!? Everyone in the village is looking forward to it and expects it!" Deneh exclaimed in disbelief.

"But... you'll have to be confined to the altar for the next three years!"

"It's to pray for the appeasement of the planet, to keep the planet from unleashing its anger. While I pray, you will protect the village as the warrior you are"

"Ugh..." this stung Nanaki a bit.

"It's the duty of our race, it's our destiny"

"Aren't you scared?"

"You mean you are" Deneh sat with her tail swinging back and forth behind her accusingly. "Scared of becoming a warrior and protecting the Canyon" she finished looking Nanaki in his eyes.

"N-No! That's not it at all! You just don't understand how I feel!" Nanaki answered getting emotional. He sighed in frustration and darted past Deneh.

"Nanaki! Wait! We're the only ones who can perform the rite, it's important to everyone, not just us!"

"But-" Nanaki slowed emotionally conflicted. "There's no way I'm taking part in it!" Nanaki dashed away unable to face Deneh anymore.

"But why!? Nanaki! You coward!" Deneh shouted as her voice echoed down the path stinging Nanaki right in the gut.

Nanaki ran faster than he ever had in his life climbing further and further up the cliff until he reached a point where he would be well concealed and would not be disturbed. The breeze began to cool a little as the sun was beginning to diminish in the west.

"I will not take part in this ritual, Deneh just doesn't understand me at all" Nanaki sighed as he sat with his flaming tail swinging back and forth.

"I don't even know how I feel..." Nanaki sat quietly as the cool breeze passed. He could see across the canyon through the valley, the view was always relaxing, but it didn't help this time. Then he suddenly caught that scent again and below he saw Deneh come barreling out of one of the caves below running down a path. Shortly after that foreign scent became stronger and was confirmed. Three suited humans, one male and two female came sprinting with their weapons at the ready chasing after Deneh.

"Those suspicious people are chasing Deneh! I wonder if she will be alright!? Wh-Wh-What should I do?" Nanaki said nervous and indecisively. A couple minutes passed as he paced back and forth on the ledge and then Deneh came racing out once again back around to the other cave entrance still being tracked by the three suited people.

"B-But there's nothing I can do... What will happen to Deneh if they catch her? I may not ever see her again!" the thought made Nanaki's heart heavier than any boulder on the cliffside. "NO! I don't want that to happen!" Nanaki could feel the anguish and anger building in him.

A third round of Deneh being chased by the trio of Turks right under him continued to play out. Nanaki knew he was going to have to intervene, there was no way out of that.
"We have to surround it or we are going to keep going round in circles" Shotgun complained.

"That would be a good idea, but this place is crawling with Ravens!" Gun disagreed.

"I can take on a Raven myself- just like Reno!" Rod bragged.

"Come on! We're going to lose it!" Shotgun led the others as they disappeared back into the other entrance.

"I don't want to be separated from Deneh! That's why I don't want to complete the ritual!" Nanaki finally realized his true fear. "But-Deneh is in danger and she can't defeat all three of them. If something were to happen to Deneh I could never forgive myself!" he declared as his separation anxiety reached its peak. Immediately he leaped from the ledge from one boulder to another gracefully and dashed after the trio pursuing someone of great importance to him. He could hear them up ahead as he chased them all the way to the summit.

"We've got her now!" Shotgun declared.

"Exactly, no where to run but down" Rod smiled.

"Yes, then we can leave this desolate area" Gun complained.

Deneh realized her error and knew she had no where else to run, it was either be taken or fight which she was no weakling.

"We're not going to hurt you" Shotgun said pointing her weapon away from her.

"There there, come over to us and let's end this charade" Gun said reaching into a small leather pouch she had hanging on her belt.

"What do you want with me!?" Deneh growled baring her teeth as the flame at the end of her tail began to glow brighter.

"Whoa there catlady, we don't want any violence, let's do this the easy way" Rod said cautiously brandishing his weapon.

"We're going to take a trip to Shinra company" Shotgun informed.

"I owe Shinra no visit" Deneh said defiantly.

"Wow! She really can talk!" Gun was more than a bit amazed as she prepared the tranquilizer.

"Come now, let's not make this anymore difficult than it has to be" Shotgun reasoned.

"Stay back!" Deneh growled now raising her front paw with its claws drawn.

Nanaki was almost at the summit as he sprinted furiously.

"Can I really do this? If we do the rite, then I won't be able to see Deneh for three years! But if I allow them to take her away, then I'll never see her again" Nanaki finally reached the exit and was about to witness the trio of Turks attempt to capture his Deneh. The anger was reaching its limit within him. He realized that showing fear now would be true cowardice and his anger would not allow it.

"I'll prove that I'm NOT a coward!" Nanaki stood up as a cat would recoil warning anything not to get any closer baring his teeth as he let out a loud savage primal growl.