A/N: Ah… at long last… the final chapter is out. I sort of… rushed through the end. I really wanted to change it, but I decided… you know? Why not? A lot of questions may form in your head after reading this chapter… but… I'm sorry to say that the not-existing-chapter-18 won't answer them. But, I'll be happy to answer them. Jus' IM moi or e-mail me. (points to profile)

Thankies for reviewing! I'm so sorry it's late… again. (loud sigh) School… meh.

Disclaimer: FF7 doesn't belong to me! Eh… I know someone else was supposed to do this… but… I sort of miss doing the lil disclaimer! (big thumbs up)

Back To Those Human Years

Chapter Seventeen

(Final Chapter)

And So It Goes

"I see… so she has been waiting for this day to come so she can give you her orb?"

"Yeah."

Shougu gave one of his rare smiles. I smiled also. He didn't tell me specifically what happened when Kimara visited him, but I had a hunch that it turned out all right. With that smile, he felt fine with the situation as well.

"Thanks, kid," Shougu added, patting my head. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Kimara. Who knows what might have happened."

"It's no problem. Glad I could help."

Shougu grinned and stood up. "Well, guess you better catch up to Yuffie. She headed to the Pagoda, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but she told me to stay here."

"Eh?"

"Said it was a surprise…"

"Surprise, aye? You lucky ass."

"Reeeeedd!"

My tail perked up at that. I stood up from the ground as Tifa quickly ran up to me. I watched as her new kimono was practically dragging in the back. She stopped in front of me and gestured to Shougu and me.

"Come on! It's safe for you guys to come up now!"

"Why me?" Shougu wondered, pointing at himself. "I don't have any business with Yuffie anymore."

"It's not about thaaat! Just come!"

As we made our way up the stairs to the Pagoda, I noticed that there wasn't a single sound coming from above. I wondered about that. Tifa quickly made her way up the stairs and vanished in the darkness. Shougu and I both shrugged then continued our walk.

Once we arrived at the top, it was completely dark. Nothing could be seen… heck, I couldn't even see my own two hands! I cautiously examined the area, waving my brightly lit tail around. Suddenly, a small torch lit up in front of me, revealing the face of Yuffie. I gasped and stepped back. She giggled at that.

"It's just me, silly!"

I sighed. "What's going on? Why is it so dark?"

"You'll see!"

After she blew out the fire on her torch, she pulled me and… I believe that was Shougu who kept bumping into me. Yuffie's grip suddenly released me, leaving me out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by darkness. I perked my tail and rocked it back and forth, hoping to reveal what was around me. Unfortunately, it didn't have enough light to reveal more area around me.

Just then, torches suddenly lit up one after the other, finally revealing the whole Pagoda. Shougu had been right next to me… strange that I couldn't even hear him. We were in the center of the Pagoda, surrounded by a huge crowd. They had smiles on their faces and had paper fans in each hand. They brought it up in unison and flapped them side-to-side, creating a small gust of wind. I smiled as the cool breeze cooled down my body.

A path was created as Godo made an appearance. He was accompanied by Yuffie, who was hiding behind him. Godo stopped in front of Shougu and I with an expressionless face on. He looked down at me and lifted his hand. I closed my eyes tightly. I hope he still wasn't upset about… before.

After a few seconds, I felt Shougu nudge my arm. I slowly opened my eye, only to come face-to-face with a very beautiful necklace with a metal symbol tied to it. I blinked then stared up at Godo, who now had a smile on his face.

"Take it," he said. "You deserve it."

"What… is it?"

"This… means a lot to the Kisaragi family. This necklace, which has the symbol for strength, has been passed down from generation to generation. It is said that it possesses an unknown power deep within the owner. Those who prove their courage and determination deserve this. And you, my friend… deserve this."

"…I-I…"

"Don't worry… I realized what I have done wrong. I was foolish to think I could get away with my so-called plans. I learned my lesson… and I will try to listen to my daughter… especially if it deals with… you know."

Yuffie patted her father's shoulder. "And, you'll be able to hang around with me more during the festival next year, right?"

Godo nodded at that. "Yes… I will do my best."

I smiled. Ah… at last they were getting along. "Thank you, Sir Godo." As I bowed my head down, Yuffie tied the necklace around my neck. I smiled and clutched the symbol, 'strength', tightly in my hands.

Godo shifted Yuffie around so that he was face-to-face with her. He then pulled out another necklace, which had the symbol 'love' on it. I tilted my head, trying to figure out what he was saying.

"Yuffie… this belonged to your mother. I was going to give this to you when you were ready… and I believe that you are ready."

Yuffie remained silent at that then responded with a whisper, "…mom…"

"It too has an unknown power deep within…"

Godo gently pushed back Yuffie's hair as he tied the necklace around her neck. She bowed then faced me with a slight blush on her face. I patted her shoulder and smiled. Yuffie smiled also then wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Finally…" she said in my ear.

"…hm?"

"…finally… you got to see… the end of a ritual…"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I had a peaceful night after the festival had finally ended. Shougu and Godo seemed to understand each other now. I didn't exactly know what they did, but they seemed to exchange friendly smiles to each other. I'm glad that everything turned out well in the end… for Yuffie and her father also.

Except… for one thing…

…what was I going to do with my tail dragging behind me? Nothing else happened to me during the festival… I didn't grow any fur. (at least I hope not… ) I wondered what was happening…

The next morning, I woke up with a soar throat. I never really had one of those before… perhaps… a human thing? As I walked out of my room I made my way outside to the deck. No one was awake at the time… maybe because I've only slept for two hours. I watched as the puffy white clouds slowly moved across the sky… revealing the bright sun. I squinted and looked away… spotting Yuffie making her way up the rope ladder.

"Yuffie?" I said, surprising the ninja.

"N-Nanaki! What are you doing out here so early?"

I shrugged. "I'm not really tired."

She smiled. "O-Oh, okay!"

I paused. "… if you don't mind me asking… what are you doing out here so early?"

That made her head perk up. "Oh! I just hung out with my dad overnight. He asked if… I wanted to stay here."

"…stay?"

"Yeah… he wanted to catch up on things that we couldn't do together…"

I tilted my head. I understood that Godo really wanted to catch up on things but… this was really sudden. "And… are you?"

"…I'm… not sure. I mean, I really want to… but then… I'll miss you guys so much!"

"You should stay… I can understand how Godo will feel if he sees you leave him behind again. He must feel… lonely without you."

Yuffie slightly turned her head away from me with a sad look on her face. "I know… but… I would miss you more…"

"Yuffie!"

She turned and spotted her father just below the rope ladder. He gestured for her to come down. Yuffie hesitated for a moment then climbed down the ladder. I couldn't help but follow her. It didn't really matter what decision she made… as long as she was happy with it.

"Did you make up your mind, Yuffie?" Godo asked, placing his hands behind his back.

"…"

Godo tilted his head. "I don't want to pressure you…"

"Yuffie," I started, "I don't care what decision you make… as long as y-"

"I'll go with Nanaki, then!"

I paused. "…eh?"

"…Yuffie," Godo said under his breath.

Yuffie ran up to her father and hugged him. "Honestly, I would really love it if we could hang out more… but… I have a job to do…"

"Huh?"

"Yeah… I have to help save the world. I'm not comfortable when I'm living in my peaceful Wutai… knowing that the world's in danger." She stepped away and smiled at her father. "I promise… after everything is done… we'll be able to hang out together… no matter what."

"…Yuffie…"

Godo embraced Yuffie once again, burying his head in her soft hair. I smiled at this nice picture. I really hoped… that she would be able to be with her father after everything is done. We were determined to save the world… and bring peace once again.

"Yuffie," I finally said, causing the two to release their embrace. "Let's go."

With one final hug, Yuffie made her way up to the Highwind.

I bowed to Godo. "I'll take care of her, count on that."

Godo lifted an eyebrow at me then turned away. "…thank you."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Uuurrggghh… I'm gonna baaarrrffff…."

"H-Hey! Not on meeee!"

As soon as everyone woke up… after a good four hours, the Highwind finally left it's resting spot and we were off! Not quite sure where our destination was, but soon… it will be the Northern Crater.

I decided to take Yuffie outside on the deck… didn't want her… throw-up to mess the inside of poor Cid's airship. I stared down at the tiny Wutai and waved, hoping the best for Godo, Shougu, and everyone else.

"I-It's okay… I'll be alright…" Yuffie gagged, her head practically hanging over the edge of the railing.

I smiled nervously. "Okay… I'll be in my room if you need me."

I decided to take a short rest… since I've only slept for two hours. And it was really early in the morning. As I passed Vincent's room I spotted him staring at the potion I took. He seemed really deep in thought.

"Vincent," I said, making his head snap up to me. "…is everything alright?"

He stared at the bottle again. "…you only took half of this potion."

I blinked then entered his room. "Yeah… why? Is that bad?"

"I thought that taking the whole potion would cause you to behave like before. Perhaps… you did it on your own?"

I shrugged at that. "I'm not quite sure myself. Maybe… it would have been worse if I took the whole thing."

"…"

I turned and made my way out of the room. Now it got me wondering… was it really me… doing all that? Or… was it the potion…?

After I closed the door to my room, I leaped onto my bed, stretched out, then tried wagging my tail around. "…eh?" I turned around… and found nothing. My tail… had disappeared!

"WHOA!" I jumped back and fell off my bed. "H-Huh? W-What's going on?"

I widened my eyes as a bright light suddenly appeared. I closed my eye and bowed my head. For some reason… I felt something different…

After the light disappeared, I opened my eye and spotted my tail again. "…this is strange… I thought…" I tried to stand up, but I ended up falling on my stomach. I widened my eyes after I noticed that my hands… were paws!

"WHOA!" I yelled again, getting back on my feet. "Okay… this is strange…"

"NAAANAAAKKIIIIIII!"

I gasped as I heard a loud thud hit against my door. As I made my way to the door, it suddenly flung open and something hit against me. I shook my head and looked at what just hit me.

"………………eh?"

A creature… that looked exactly like me… stared up with two brown eyes that looked like it was going to release a river of tears. I blinked in shock and backed against a wall.

"Y…Yuffie…?"

A/N: End of chapter 17! Ah! I am so… evil. I left you a frickin' cliffhanger… when there's not even gonna be a chapter 18. BUT! You know what that means? Dumdumdum dduuuuum! More sequels! Oh… what now? Heh. Yes. I'll be working on yet another Yuffie and Nanaki story… sometime after all my final exams are el finito and I don't have to worry about anything anymore! Ah!

I thank everyone who has reviewed my story since chapter 1… and for those who have read Human Years! I'm glad you enjoyed that and it's sequel! So! Stay tuned for yet another continuation! Coming to a… eh… fan fiction near you!