Chapter 4: QA
By the time Cloud and Barret finally drove into Cosmo Canyon the sun was setting behind them. Both of the men looked around in awe as the canyon walls started lighting up as if they were catching on fire. As they continued driving deeper into the canyon, they noticed what looked like several, small, moving flames rapidly approaching them from all sides. Before either of them could react, seven enormous cats leaped onto their car. Unlike normal cats, these had thick, red fur, huge claws and teeth, and, most surprising of all, flames at the end of their tails.
To Cloud and Barret's shock, the largest of the cats growled, "Stop the car now humans. Your kind are not welcome here. Unfortunately for you, humans who wander in here end up as our dinner," the cat finished, barring its razor sharp teeth.
Seeing as how they weren't really in a position to argue, Barret stopped the car and stepped out along with Cloud, the two men desperately thinking of a way to get out of this predicament. The cats made a circle around the two men and started slowly pacing around them. Before things got out of control Cloud spoke up.
"We mean you no harm," he said, raising his hands over his head as he spoke, "We are just seeking someone who looks like you, his name is Nanaki."
Upon hearing that name, the circle immediately stopped spinning and all the cats whipped their heads around to stare at Cloud.
"I don't know how you know the name of our father, human, but if what you say is true then he will know you as well. We will take you to our home and see if our father actually knows you. Or, if you will be tonight's dinner," the largest one finished, grinning and revealing all of his teeth.
The nine of them continued walking in the direction Barret had been driving, the car left behind where they had been ambushed. As it slowly became darker and the red light faded from the cliffside, the flames of the animal's tails became brighter. Soon, Cloud and Barret were forced to use them to see the rocky ground and prevent themselves from tripping.
After an hour, the party reached the small observatory where Cloud and Barret knew Nanaki and his grandfather lived. The largest of their captors entered the building, while the others sat down and stared hungrily at the two captives.
Shortly after the largest cat left, a much larger one leaped out the door and collided right into Cloud, knocking him to the ground. Fearing that he was about to be eaten alive, Cloud started punching the cat before he realized that it was just licking his face.
"Cloud! My old friend how have you been?" Nanaki roared. "It has been so long since we've seen each other, you must meet my wife and kids!"
"I think we've already met your kids Nanaki," Cloud gasped, "Now could you please get off me so I can breathe?"
As Cloud stood up he saw the eldest of Nanaki's sons walk out of the door, lashing his tail and glaring hatefully at Cloud. "I guess this means we don't get to eat them," he snarled.
"Kianan! How dare you speak to the ones who freed me from the cage Hojo imprisoned me in! You will apologize this instant and go tell your mother what you have done," Nanaki scolded his eldest son. "Come my friends, enter my dwelling and be welcome, I am sorry for the rudeness my son showed you. Sometimes he reminds me of myself at that age," Nanaki said lightly before continuing. "We don't appreciate most humans entering our canyon since most of them desire out fur, not our voices. I am eager to learn why you are here."
The three of them left the children outside and climbed up to where Nanaki lived. They settled down, Cloud in a plush armchair, Barret on a wooden stool, and Nanaki sprawled on the couch. The three old friends shared their stories of what had over the past six months before Cloud brought up why they were there.
"You need to ask my grandfather questions, and about bringing Aeris back to life at that! It is a very noble idea Cloud, I wish you luck in your quest. While I wish I could accompany you, my children are still very young and they must grow up to continue the survival of our species. I am very sorry but I hope you understand," Nanaki said to Cloud, bowing his head. "Currently Bugenhagen is asleep and I would hate to wake him. I must ask that you speak to him in the morning when he wakes up. For now please allow me to show you to your rooms."
Nanaki led his friends to individual rooms of their own, made sure they were comfortable, and returned to his own room. Cloud was too excited to sleep by the prospect of finally getting answers to his questions, so he walked outside and sat down in a chair on the balcony. He tilted his head back and gazed out at the stars.
"Where are you Aeris?" Cloud thought. "Which star is yours? Why aren't you here beside me? Barret and Tifa have found happiness together. Nanaki has found a wife and has seven children! Will we ever find happiness together? Will we have children? Where are you! It's time for your star to come home!"
As he slowly passed into the realm of dreams, Cloud thought he heard a woman's voice say, "I am in your heart, love."
That night Cloud did not have the same nightmare as he had the past six months. That night Cloud had the happiest dream he had ever had in his life.
Cloud woke to a gentle tap on his shoulder and leaped to his feet, "Aeris!" he shouted.
"Uh… no Cloud, its me Barret. Sorry if I woke you from a nice dream, but it's really close to lunchtime and Bugenhagen is getting tired of waiting for you to wake up," Barret replied.
"I could have sworn I heard I heard Aeris' voice," Cloud thought. "Sorry Barret, lead me to him."
Cloud followed Barret all the way to the top of the building where he saw Nanaki curled up on a rug and Bugenhagen floating in a circle.
"There you are my boy, "Bugenhagen said, "Don't you know it's rude to keep an old man waiting! Once Nanaki told me about your plan I couldn't wait to hear the exact details! So what questions do you need answered?" he said eagerly, bouncing up and down in the air.
"I need to know if using the White materia will bring Aeris back to life," Cloud responded.
Bugenhagen stopped circling and stared at Cloud, Nanaki tilted his head and looked at Cloud in shock as well.
"I hope you know that the White materia is the strongest materia known to mankind Cloud. Messing around with it could have serious repercussions! Besides, only an Ancient or someone with vast strength can control the power that resides inside. I'm not saying you aren't strong, I just feel that you might not be strong enough," Bugenhagen said.
"I understand your concerns and am grateful. I will not be swayed from my decision, however, and I need you to answer if what I ask is even possible," Cloud said firmly.
Bugenhagen lowered his head and started slowly scratching his chin as he thought. After a few minutes he raised his head and looked at Cloud with sadness in his eyes.
"To the best of my knowledge it would be possible to bring Aeris back using the White materia. However, I once again caution you to be careful! The spell might bring back only her but it also might bring back others. Others whom we most certainly don't want back! There is no way to be fully sure that this is safe but I cannot lie to you Cloud. Go and bring your loved one back into this world, I wish you luck," Bugenhagen said solemnly.
"Thank you very much Bugenhagen, you have given me the hope I needed to continue my journey," Cloud said, his voice full of sincerity. "I promise that I will be careful and that I will return with Aeris once she is back. Farewell."
Cloud and Barret said goodbye to Nanaki, his wife, and his children before they began the long walk back to Barret's jeep.
"What now Cloud?" Barret inquired as they walked through the beautiful canyon.
"Well, we need to get to where Aeris died so we can retrieve the White materia. The only way I can think of getting to the northern continent is flying, so we're off to find Cid!" Cloud exclaimed as they hopped into the jeep and drove off.
Authors Note: WOW! That was long! I hope you liked it and just so you know the rest of the chapters are probably going to be as long as this one. Kianan is a name I made myself by mixing the letters in Nanaki, if you want to use it in your own story just send me an e-mail. Thanks for reading and please respond to tell me if you like it!
Editing Notes: Along with other changes I fixed Bugenhagen, I forgot he floats and doesn't walk.