Don't Close Your Eyes
Chapter Four
'I am weary of this travel,' Nanaki proclaimed to Leah as they climbed the wooden spiral stairs of Shinra mansion. 'I think I'll return to the Canyon immediately, the elders shall grow worried.'
'But…I thought you said…why?' She asked angrily. Why had he come all this way just to return home empty handed because of some weird, but devilishly handsome, freak!
'He's right, there's nothing here. I'm merely grasping at straws and I daren't climb those mountains alone anyhow. I shall return to my home and remain there for some time, I think. I promised to protect it and thus far my efforts have been pretty weak.'
This infuriated her even more. It was like he was directly insulting her.
'Why can't I accompany you? I have the skills; I want to see what's up there, you can't just leave it here. What if it's something dangerous for the town?'
Nanaki let out a low-pitched laugh and then sighed as they reached the top of the stairway.
'I wouldn't risk the life of Tifa Lockharts only granddaughter. She wouldn't want that, and I doubt your mother would exactly warm to the idea. You haven't seen what's up there, its dangerous for a person like you.'
'You can't just go like that. Please, take me with you! You've seen the world, seen things I can't possibly imagine. You've been from one corner to another. And me, just look at me, I can't even leave this dusty old town. We're the same, there's nothing for me here either. Please take me too!'
'What do you expect from me child? Answers? I can't take you anywhere, I can't teach you what I've learned. I'm not looking for passengers or pupils. I can't give you the answers you're looking for; I can't teach you what it is to live. I know nothing but death. Death is all I know, all I am. Follow me and it'll soon consume you too. Leave me be.'
They were standing outside the mansion near the wide, stony track that led to the mountains. Night had descended swiftly on the village and even the town's tavern was shut for the night. Not a creature could be seen or even heard save the constant noise of clattering crickets. Nanaki's tail bathed the two in a warm orange glow.
'I can't leave you. I won't. All my life I've heard stories, legends. Grandma used to tell me everything. She always had a new one, never repeated the same tale twice. I started to think she was making them up, but now, after meeting you, I'm not so sure.'
Nanaki started to talk but she sharply cut him off.
'I can't stay here. Grandma kept me here but now she's gone. I couldn't bear to stay here any longer. I can't imagine spending my entire life locked in this backwater prison. You're all I have to escape now, please…'
Nanaki stood there, silently pondering to himself. He sighed time and again.
'Tomorrow. I shall spend the night here, meet me here tomorrow at midday and we shall see. Don't expect anything, I despise passengers.'
Before she could reply he had darted off into the night, leaving her alone to contemplate her thoughts.
The night wore on slowly for Leah. Her small alarm clock seemed to be ticking backwards. She had locked the materia away in her drawer and hadn't laid a finger on it since that first night. She began to breathe deeply, her eyelids like lead. Her body sunk into the bed as if carved of stone. She fell slowly into a dreamless sleep, sleeping as if she were dead.
The faint sound of her alarm clock pulled her slowly out of her slumber.
'Have you thought it over?' She asked the scarlet furred sapient in front of her.
'I've considered your offer and, unlikely as it seems, I've decided to let you come along.'
'Yes!' She screamed at the top of her lungs. She fell to her knees and started hugging the overgrown cat ferociously. 'Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!' She whispered into his ear.
'Wait, don't celebrate yet. I have a few conditions.'
She frowned and then nodded.
'Firstly, you won't be following me anywhere until you prove you can handle yourself in a fight. I'm not looking for any liabilities. Secondly, you must have the full support of your mother first. If she agrees and you have some ability to defend yourself, you can come.'
'So how can I prove I can handle myself in a fight?' Nanaki smiled.
'You're going to accompany me up Nibelhiem mountain. We're going to investigate the strange reports and then neutralise any potential threats. You have one hour to prepare yourself. I suggest you pack food and water, as well as some recovery items and whatever else you think you'll need. Of course you'll supply all your own materia. However, I doubt you have any weapon up to scratch?'
'Well…maybe…ok no.'
'Very well. Follow me.'
'Where are we going?'
'I'm going to buy you a weapon worthy of yourself.'
Leah was like a kid in a candy store. Except she was a kid in a deadly weapons shop. The shop was still completely empty, as usual; you don't get many soldiers around these parts. On the walls swords and similar weapons were hung triumphantly. Guns and such were kept in the glass counter.
Leah was surprised to learn that Old Man Victors, the weapon store owner, was still alive. He must be about two hundred by now she thought as he smiled at her from under his old half moon glasses. He was bald and incredibly wrinkled and Leah could never imagine him holding a butter knife to anyone.
'So,' Nanaki began 'what's your preference?'
'I received basic training at school for most hand-to-hand and long range weapons but my favourite always was the Wutian katana.' She smiled apprehensively. Nanaki turned to the old storeowner.
'Have you any katanas of Wutian origin? Preferably from the war period.'
'Hmmm…don't get many lookin' for a sword as rare as one of those these days. I think that perhaps I have one in the back. They're extremely rare mind and if I do it'll probably be quite pricey.'
Nanaki nodded at him and the old man slowly made his way into the back room.
'I remember back in the old days,' Nanaki said to Leah. 'Yuffie never used to shut up about the metal smiths of Wutai. Their weapons were forged of flawless mithril by the heat of the inner earth under the Wutian Mountains. They were thought unbreakable. Indestructible as they were blessed by the divine god Leviathan.'
At that moment the old man reappeared holding a long narrow sheathed blade.
'Your in luck, I've only the one. Very old and worth quite a lot I'd imagine.' He held it up for them to see before handing it to Leah.
The sheath was hard black leather with designs carved in real gold as decoration. The hand guard was circular and forged of deep silverish mithril. Designs of a giant snake seemingly commanding waterfalls were etched into the strange metal. The hilt was covered in reddish leather and was comfortable and practical. A blue ribbon-like cloth was tied near the bottom of the hilt and seemed to add a finish to the superbly crafted blade.
'A Wutian general sold that to me a great many years ago, desperate for money he was. Hmm…he said it was called…something like… 'Cataro sen Leviathan'…yes that was it, it meant, I think 'The Fang of Leviathan.' Take off that scabbard, young lady, take a look at the blade.'
Leah unsheathed the sword in quiet anticipation. It was longer than it had looked in the scabbard. The metal was a dark blue hue and was polished and sharpened to perfection. Eight linked materia slots were carved near the hilt. These traditionally signified the importance of the warrior in Wutai.
'Five hundred thousand gil,' the old man said finally.
Nanaki quickly paid for the weapon and they left as Leah tied the sheath to her black leather belt. The tip fell at her ankles. She turned to Nanaki:
'Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me.'
He nodded. 'You have one hour.'
'Hey Rick! Get down here!' she said pelting another pebble at the old cracked window. He finally poked his head out the small window, dodging another bullet-like pebble.
'Leah! What's with you?'
'C'mon!' She shouted kneeling to pick up another stone.
'Ok, ok. Gimme a minute.' He disappeared back through the window and reappeared through the front door of the dilapidated old house.
'Jeez, Leah you better watch it. Dad can't afford to fix another window like last time. So what's up anyway?' His hair was black and spiked at the fringe. He was incredibly
tall and stout for his age and he tired above Leah's slight figure. He wore an old blue shirt thrown over his white vest and old faded black jeans. It seemed like everything he wore was old.
'You are never gonna believe what happened to me yesterday. It's gonna blow your mind!' She started to tell him everything, from the damp cave under the Shinra mansion to the Wutian Katana she had just bought. They were sitting under the old blossom tree near the stream and Rick was carefully examining the magnificent katana.
'You can't be serious, c'mon where'd you really get this?' He said holding up the blade.
'I swear, everything's true. If you don't believe me you can come and meet him with me.'
'Really?'
'Yeah sure, what time is it anyway?'
'1.05. Aren't you late?'
'Damn! Why didn't you say anything?'
'I thought it was all bull,' he said grinning.
'C'mon we're late, let's go!' She said dragging him along by the arm as the raced back to the town.
'You're late,' Nanaki said softly. 'This does not bode well for our success.'
'Sorry, what's five minutes anyway?'
'It could mean life or death in the right situations. Who's your friend?'
'Oh him, this is Rick. He comes from the town too. He just wanted to meet you.'
'Hi!' Rick said extending his arm and then awkwardly drew it back realising that the creature didn't have hands. 'I'm Rick Cleaver.' This was getting more awkward by the second.
'Nanaki. Pleased to make your acquaintance.' He said before turning to Leah. 'We should leave if you wish to return before nightfall.'
'Yes, of course. Let's go. See ya later Rick.' She said to him giggling. The two turned to go up the rocky old pathway.
'Wait!' Rick shouted at them, Nanaki turned swiftly in surprise. 'Please, take me with you. I can help you. It'd be safer to travel in a group of three. Please?' He wasn't gonna let an opportunity like this pass him by. Leah smiled at him. That beautiful smile. Her face was flawless. Perfect.
'He's got a point,' Leah said to Nanaki. 'It'd be far safer for all of us.'
'Hmmh,' Nanaki sighed. 'Very well,' he said eventually 'but remember, no liabilities. Can you defend yourself?'
'Rick reached at his back and pulled out a pair of old silver handguns. He pulled the safety and nodded to the feline. 'Double pistols. We couldn't be safer.' Leah and Rick giggled.
'Shall we leave?'
'Finally, let's go.'
Authors note:
I know I promised action for this chapter but I couldn't find anywhere to fit it in without ruining the atmosphere of the chapter. Next chapter will be full of action scenes as they discover what's up with that Mako reactor. I promise. Please review! I worked hard to get this chapter up and would appreciate any feedback. Thanx
Thank yous:
Ann: Aahh! I only got one review last time! You're my one faithful reader! Thank you! It means a lot! I hope you're reading this chapter and please review this chapter too! PS: our Pseudo-Villian will be revealed in full glory next chapter. Thanks again!