Once upon a time, there was a Godly valley with mountains that could touch the sky and trees that cast long shadows. The people who live in the small mountain town are hardworking and happy, so long as they never stray into the forest where the wolves lurk in the darkness. Adults brave the trees in groups to hunt the vicious pack as they have for decades, the conflict is deep with no sign of victory for either side. But wolves are not the only threat, nor the village's only secret - and the link connecting them is a simple cloak of Red ...

Every night, from the highest peak of the uninhabited mountains, a single Wolf howls to the good folk of the valley – as a warning, as a message, and as a reminder of what they did:
"Beware, beware, the Path where the Witch once stood. Beware, beware, of the Wolf in the Wood."

"Goodness, girl! What are you wearing?"

Scared out of her wits and nearly toppling down the last few steps of the stairs, Aerith gasped and froze like a terrified deer when Elmyra exclaimed at her, close to angrily. The maid's eyes were wide and her hand was at her mouth as if Aerith had just run downstairs naked.

Aerith glanced down at her state of dress and wondered what was wrong. She wore her favourite pink dress and her sturdy shoes, her hair was tied into a braid with a slip of black ribbon and she had the red cloak draping over her shoulders.

Uncertain as to what had upset her maid so, Aerith held her arms out "My clothes?"

Elmyra, dressed in a dark grey, once black, a dress that Aerith recognised as one of her smartest outfits, stood by the door looking utterly scandalised by Aerith's appearance. She had her hair tied neatly up and her apron was, for once, neatly folded before a warm hearth.

The older woman said at last "That red! How could you wear such a colour today?"

Aerith touched the gift at the button and as she stepped off the last step, it swept forwards around her shoulders and body like a reassuring hug, the weight making her feel like she was walking with a train of jewels behind her. "What is wrong with red? What's today?"

"Sunday! Aerith …" Elmyra sighed "You cannot wear such a disrespectful colour to Church."

Aerith caught the corner of her cloak "Elmyra, I don't go to Church," she hesitantly pointed out, aware that her older friend knew this, and had known it for a few years …

The maid touched her shoulders "It's part of small town rituals to attend religious gatherings. It's high time you were brought to a Church too," she spoke as if Aerith had no choice.

Not one for anger, Aerith objected with logic, "It would make little sense for me to go to a gathering of people not of my religion. I'd feel so stupid."

"You listen here, girl," Elmyra began, her voice steady and slow and her expression stern but kind "Those who don't join the masses are quickly left to rot in their own vices. Come, the Vicar was very welcoming of you, I'm sure he'll help you find peace in the true faith." At Aerith's lack of agreement she continued "I'm just looking out for you, dear, townsfolk who can't keep their standing are turned on. Everyone goes to Church, here, it is expected of you." She cast the cloak another look and wrinkled her nose, "and you can't wear that in the house of the Lord."

Aerith hugged it "It was a gift!" she protested in earnest "A nice lady gave it to me, and I must return it to her today." She stepped around Elmyra "I must, I'm sorry, Elmyra, maybe another time."

"Aerith!"

The younger girl dashed through the streets away from her angered guardian and only paused to catch her breath when she was sure she wouldn't be caught. She breathed deeply and rested against a shop window.

"Lady Aerith?"

Aerith jumped and looked behind her to see a familiar face "Oh, Tseng."

Beside Tseng were several other people, possibly peers or perhaps friends. They were all dressed in dark clothing and looked very smart, much like Elmyra had been. Aerith smiled at him and bestowed a wave to the curious passers-by, "It's good to see you again," she offered.

"And to you," Tseng took her hand and kissed it again, Aerith put her hand behind her back with a hesitant smile and blush, unsure how to respond and trying not to overreact and stare or scratch at her knuckles. Tseng's peers looked at her as if they had never seen a woman before, they started at Tseng with admiration and at Aerith with curiosity.

The man with minimal expressions asked, "Where are you going dressed so fine?"

Without thinking, Aerith said, "To the forest, I met a wonderful woman who lives there, and I must return a gift that was too good for me," she confided with her hands once again holding the sturdy red material to her arms and shoulders. To her, it felt like a kind of armour, a type of protection already.

Tseng, however, looked surprised and shocked at her declaration. His eyes narrowed "You mustn't go to the Forest."

"Why? It's so beautiful," Aerith objected.

Tseng crossed his arms "I've been in the woods, on hunts and for everyday lumber work, but going there alone is not a good idea. They're cursed, and it's not a lie. There're demons in the trees, you haven't grown up with the stories …"

"I was told that wolves attacked the old village," the brunette offered her knowledge "Everyone I spoke to said it was unlikely to happen again."

The woodcutter shook his head slowly "That is the least of my concerns. I too doubt that wolves would be stupid enough to come to the forest's edge," he agreed, his eyes narrowing at the mountains in the distance. "But that doesn't matter, so long as they're in the trees they will continue to haunt and curse us, that blasted wolf howling every night is proof enough. It has howled, every single night, without fail, from the day of the attack to now. Any man can see that it is just biding its time, and waiting."

Aerith shook her head, she looked at the mountains too and said: "That can't be right, that wolf sounded so sad, why would it threaten anyone?"

"Witchcraft, Aerith. Those wolves are not ordinary, believe me," Tseng insisted. He touched her arm with a gentleman's authority and respect "Please, if you would let me escort you into the woods, I would feel much better to know that you are safe."

Aerith shook her head "I couldn't ask you that, you have Church, right?"

Tseng blinked "You're … you're really not going?" Aerith winced a little, Elmyra was right, apparently it was a shocking decision. "Why?"

"I'm not Catholic," she answered quickly "My Mother's people worshipped the Earth around them," she offered a small bow "I apologise for not being ideal, but I love my family traditions and cannot give them up for any one being."

Tseng looked fascinated and thoughtful "Well … though it won't be the popular opinion of you, I think that you are honourable for staying traditional to your heritage," he smiled at her with sincerity and a little ignorance, and Aerith was delighted.

"Really?" she gasped "That makes me so relieved, Elmyra said that many would be angry with me."

Tseng shrugged "Old thinking doesn't agree with outsider's ideas, but have no fear," he took her hand gently "I'll defend your honour. A list of prayers isn't all that defines us."

Aerith smiled, her blush coming back "That's very considerate of you."

"Think nothing of it, Aerith, I …" he cleared his throat and changed the subject "If you would like to wait in the tavern until Mass is over I'll escort you -"

Aerith laughed and patted the hand he held "Tseng, please, I am going for a walk, I will not find danger on my way to the house of a Healer." She stepped out of his reach, tugging the tips of her fingers out of his grip, and kept walking as the Church bells sounded. She turned to say goodbye and saw that Tseng was hesitant, torn between the bells and being a gentleman, and she waved him off without breaking pace.

"I'll be back later, have a pleasant morning."

After crossing the little bridge to the original part of the town, she became aware of the other Church bell tolling. The single bell wasn't nearly as appealing as the four multi-toned ones in Grimoire's tower, but she saw the townspeople gravitating towards it and knew that it still served its purpose no matter how basic.

As she approached the square before the church she spotted a familiar couple walking by "Selphie, Irvine, good morning!" she greeted.

Selphie, dressed similarly to yesterday but now wearing her hair neatly in a single braid and a clean apron, returned her broad smile with one of her own. She stopped to talk, reaching out to welcome her younger friend with enthusiasm, "Miss Aerith, back so soon?"

Aerith explained solemnly "I didn't have a chance to return the gift yesterday, so I will right now."

Irvine was blinking with a pale face "That's …"

Selphie rubbed his shoulders "Matron insisted that she take it, she thought it was fitting."

Aerith saw the pain in his eyes and murmured "But I can see that it means so much more to you and your family, I'm going to return it," she promised.

Irvine adjusted his hat absently "Well it's Matron's decision actually, if she wanted you to have it then I won't argue. It's a good colour on you," he said at last.

"Who's is it?" Aerith asked. She touched the corner of the cloak "It … it feels like it belongs to someone."

"It does."

"It did."

Selphie looked horrified "Irvine!"

He sighed heavily "It's been ten years, Selphie. He's not coming back, he's dead-"

Selphie shoved him "You!" she breathed out heavily "We're not talking about this." With a calmer face, she looked at Aerith "Ignore him. He's just accustomed to preparing for the worst, farmer's habit."

Aerith was quiet. Oh no … does this cloak belong to someone who died? How awful. I can't possibly take this away from them. She pulled the cloak from her shoulders and folded it neatly over her arms, stuttering, "I'm sorry …"

The older woman shook her head at once, "Don't listen to him. We don't know for sure."

Aerith held the thick fabric to her chest like she was trying to comfort or find comfort to prepare for this unfortunate story "What was his name?"

Her smile turned slightly sad "Matron named him Squall. But after his name caught too many negative stories he changed it to Leon, I think Matron inspired him after some of her favourite Bible stories. But he was always Squall to us, our brother."

Aerith looked down at her gift and murmured "Squall …"

The cloak seemed more like a stranger to her now she knew the name of its original owner.

A hand reached out to rest against the Red bundle "I think he'd want you to have it. Matron knew him best, she wouldn't have given it away unless she was sure." Irvine caught her eyes when she looked up, his expression was kind but distant. "This was a personal item of his, he was hardly seen without it."

His words made the object much heavier in Aerith's arms "I shouldn't have taken it …"

Selphie chuckled, she plucked the item from her arms and pulled it around her shoulders "Here now, whose brother was he? Who knew him best?" she patted Aerith's shoulder "Keep it." her next words were for Irvine, "Let's go." and they stepped away quickly to go to Church, leaving Aerith with a cloak that had more value than she had ever imagined.

She held the edges and sighed softly "Squall … I hope you don't mind."

"What!"

Aerith looked over her shoulder as she finished smoothing the wrinkles in the cloak down across her shoulders, "Pardon?" she asked, seeing a man watching her with wide eyes and a pale face.

He shook his head briefly and walked a little closer to her, Aerith thought she recognised him. Curiously she asked him "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you part of the groups who wear the bright scarfs? Hunters?" she checked.

The man nodded "I am. I was the most experienced hunter here until I gave the position to my best student," he had been glancing her over again and again with confusion growing "Are you new here, girl?"

Aerith nodded "My family moved to the town," she pointed though the man didn't take his eyes off her. No, Aerith followed his eyes and saw that he was looking at the cloak. She cleared her throat after an awkward silence began "I-it was a gift," she stammered.

The man shook his head vigorously and plastered on a polite smile "I see … sorry, it looks like one that belonged to a … a troublemaker," he held out a hand "I'm Genesis, excuse the irony of meeting on a Sunday."

Aerith shook his hand, he held her hand like air, barely any effort put into the grip, unlike herself. "Why would your name be ironic?"

"Genesis, the first chapter of the Bible … you haven't been to Church in a while young lady," he shook his head "If I were your Father I'd be scolding you for your dress and your tardiness."

Aerith sighed, having to explain it again "I'm not Catholic sir, I don't attend your Church."

No sooner had she spoken did he drop her hand like a hot coal. His polite exterior had hardened "Really? You might want to consider fixing that, girl. This village is only strong if it is united, any change brings the wolves' curse back to us, and we don't need any little witches bringing misfortune!"

Aerith held her cloak for comfort "I … I won't make trouble, sir, but I love my Mother's traditions and I don't believe that they require fixing, forgive the fact that I can't apologise for my ways," she explained with only a little fear at the redhead's darkening frown. She bowed her head a little "Have a good day, sir."

As she walked away, he called out to her "Where are you headed? There's only the forest ahead and that's no place for any civilised company."

Aerith turned and forced a polite smile "I'm going to see the Lady Edea. Good day."

Her steps were hurried until he and his other hunting friends who had begun to mutter, were far behind her and out of sight. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the woods, so much trouble just to see a little old woman, she felt tired already. Maybe I should have brought some lunch …

She stepped into the trail with slight apprehension, recalling the stranger who had made to grab her with a tiny chill down her spine. She knew he would not be there, and he wasn't, but the memory was so vivid now she stood at the location. She stopped in the spot he had been looking out from and saw that she had a clear view of the village, a view that cut right through several streets to the central square. She saw that it was empty now, all members of the community had filtered into the little stone building and there was only a stray dot that might have been a hen or dog at this distance, causing any movement.

I wonder what he was watching, she thought, recalling the resolute glare in his sky blue eyes.

She turned away and walked up the small curve in the path to Edea's clearing when a thought struck her; Oh! What if she is Catholic too? Oh, she'll be in the Church all day. Scolding herself for being so foolish, she walked on and hoped that her wait wouldn't be too long should her thoughts be a reality.

She knocked at the door cautiously and her eyes lit up with relief when Edea opened it. The older woman gave her a sincerely delighted smile and said, "I did not expect to see you so soon." She gestured for Aerith to enter and the young girl did.

Aerith smiled, "I was worried that you would be in the Church."

Edea chuckled, "I can see that you are not either, not Catholic?" at her nod Edea smiled again "It must be hard being excluded."

Aerith shook her head "I'm fine … are you Catholic?"

Edea nodded "Indeed I am." She pointed behind her and Aerith saw a small cross and three little candles in the corner of the room on top of an upturned barrel. "I prefer to worship in private nowadays, the village sermons are no long to my taste," her face was strained. "My presence can be a source of discomfort during the Father's speeches so I only visit on festival days and the major holy days."

She pressed her hands together gently "I speak with the Father in private often, we agreed that so long as I pray on Sundays that my absence is welcome for the peace elsewhere."

Edea appeared such a lovely woman to Aerith, "How on earth would the village have an issue with you, Lady Edea?" her voice edging on outrage.

"It is, on the whole, a matter of opinion that divides us." She pulled up a chair and sat in it with a small wince as her old bones protested. She sighed once she had settled "After the wolf attack on the village ten years ago every villager, save for myself and a few of my family, were content and eager to forget it, and to forget why." She relaxed into her chair and looked sad "They let newcomers rename the town, abandoned every reminder that they could. They don't speak of what happened, and now more than ever the Forest is a force of evil – the wolf that howls is often all the proof a man would need to believe it."

With a shake of her head, she continued "I cannot abide by that. They should take responsibility for what they did, not hide it, how could anyone forget that …"

Aerith heard her voice break and saw her shaking with eyes full of pain. She knelt hesitantly by her side "What did they do?"

Edea's eyes closed with her shudder "I've … I've never been able to speak of it, but it's always on my mind." One of her hands caught the tip of the hooded cloak Aerith wore and she looked sad "Their misunderstanding, their anger and their intolerance took my son from me. That's not the least of it … oh Squall," her eyes filled with tears.

Aerith caught her hand "I'm so sorry. Irvine said he … that Squall was dead."

Edea's eyes widened suddenly "No!" she rubbed her eyes free of moisture and shook her head "No, he's not dead. How could he say that?" the older woman looked staggered, she spoke more to the air than to Aerith "He's not dead, they would have told me …"

Aerith, confused, but acutely aware of the horrible memories this poor woman must be relieving, pulled the cloak off her shoulders and draped it around Edea's instead. She hovered, uncertain if she should say anything when Edea's hand covered her own. "Miss Aerith, I insist that you keep this. I can see that you think you are unworthy, but that's not true. This colour, this cloak should only be worn by those who love the forest as much as you and he did."

Aerith looked outside at the trees "He … he loved the woods?"

Edea smiled with melancholy, "He told me that he felt more at peace out there than in a Godly Church. He said he could truly breathe, and that his mind was clear of all the noise that kept him so tense around other people." She looked at the tree tops with Aerith "Though I live out here, I've never achieved that same peace."

Aerith smiled "I … I guess I understand him then."

"I believe you do. A Heart's calling, something that you can't explain but feel, you and Squall can hear the same call," she patted Aerith's hands again. They both stood and admired the wind in the trees and the birds flying to and fro for several long minutes before Edea suggested what Aerith had secretly been wanting; "Would you like to help me in my Garden?"

"Yes, please!"

Aerith stopped in the middle of the path with a startled gasp as she reached the bend in the trail back to the village. Clad in the red cloak, she was once again facing the man from yesterday.

His blue eyes rose to hers and she tensed to run. However, he spoke up in a gentle voice that caught her attention, "I'm glad to see you again," he bowed at the waist and produced a flower "I wanted to apologise for yesterday, I didn't mean to scare you."

Aerith blinked a few times unsure of what to do, she reached out at last and took the flower, fascinated that a pink rose had continued to bloom so late in the autumn. She smiled at the flower and cautiously looked up at the man who had backed away to give her space. The girl saw his friendly face and smile and the hope in his eyes and quietly said, "It … I mean, I forgive you."

His smile was radiant. Aerith wondered, with a small amount of awe, how she could have ever found him scary. "That's great!" he punched the air with childish glee and then held it out to Aerith, "I'm Zack, Zack Fair."

Aerith introduced herself with a smile "Aerith Ifalna, or Aerith Faremis if you go by my Father's name."

He took her hand, his hand was larger and warmer than hers, the tips of his fingers were rough but his lips were soft when he kissed the back of her hand. "I'll go by whichever the lady prefers," he said with a wink.

Aerith blushed "O-Oh …" she glanced away, feeling her heart beating fast "I prefer Aerith, just Aerith."

Zack bowed with his eyes dancing playfully "Then, Aerith, what brings you out in the woods all by yourself?"

Aerith glanced back the clearing "I was visiting someone who, I hope, will become a dear friend of mine. She's been very kind to me," she touched the cloak that hung from her shoulders, after hearing the story and realising how seeing the cloak being loved again made Edea smile Aerith had accepted it as her own. "She gave me this to keep me safe from the hunts."

Zack smiled "I saw that the last time, forgive me again, I haven't seen this for what feels like forever and it caught me off guard. I never thought Edea could part with it until I saw you," he grinned "I was so shocked I forgot my manners, I must have appeared a beast to you."

Aerith giggled "I was surprised," she admitted "By you, and by Edea's generosity … did you know the previous owner?"

Zack's smile lessened a little "Yes, not as well as I maybe should have, but I did know him. He was a good man." He reached out, hesitating until Aerith gave permission, and touched the corner of the fabric with an unreadable but sad expression. "I'm not one for predictions, but maybe this is a sign," he shrugged and gave her space again.

Aerith noticed how careful he was being and giggled "You don't have to be so cautious, I said I forgive you," she reminded him.

Zack looked bashful "Yeah …" he scratched at his cheek "But I still feel awful about it." he gave her a new smile, one that threatened to dazzle her "Where are you from?"

Aerith pointed "I recently moved into the newer parts of town with my family, do you live there too?"

Zack snorted "Nope, not me. I'm," he caught her wrist and turned her on the spot until she was pointing at the mountains "in that direction, roughly. It's also a bit this way too," he pulled her arm above her head and Aerith laughed.

"You live up in the mountains?" she realised admiring the peaks where the blue touched the snow and where the rocks were rich and strong against the wind, overlooking a sea of green. She dreamily imagined the scene, "It must look wonderful from up there."

Zack shrugged "It is a great place to live," he gave her a look like a child about to tell a secret and he even whispered. "My village is thinking of relocating, though, it's getting a bit crowded with that town expanding like a molehill over an ants' nest." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the town and his eyes were troubled.

Aerith heard the slight hostility in his voice and looked worried "Your people don't get along with the town?"

Zack shook his head, anger settling over his handsome face and his eyes darkening like the oncoming night, "Itis difficult to get along with aggressive neighbours. Ever since the village became a town, and even before they've been hunting more and more game, they're staging more and more hunts against the wolves and they've hurting the Forest." His expression went from absentmindedly hostile to furious "They've killed one of our own …"

With a shake of his head, his mood returned to upbeat "I guess what I'm trying to say is,' no we don't get along'. But individuals, like Edea, we like. I see her quite often nowadays on patrols," he spoke of her fondly and his expression lost the undertone of hostility.

Aerith smiled "She's lovely."

The blue-eyed man agreed enthusiastically and offered an arm, "May I walk you to the end of the trail, 'just Aerith'." His eyes were twinkling as he leaned forwards to speak to her face to face.

Aerith giggled "Oh you," she pushed at him a little but accepted his arm "Of course, how Princely of you, sir." Zack looked pleased as punch.

The end of the trail was only two minutes of walking, but Aerith enjoyed it immensely and her heart had continued to leap and thump loudly in her chest. Zack bowed as she stepped out of the trees, "Farewell until the next time, just Aerith."

Aerith laughed again and pulled the hood of the cloak up to hide her blushing cheeks. "I hope there will be a next time," she replied with honesty, her heart jumping wildly but her voice speaking her mind as normal.

Zack beamed "Great! I still have to make up for that bad first encounter."

Aerith shook her head, utterly charmed by the young man and she felt that there were no further needs necessary for him to earn her forgiveness. "Not really."

Zack wasn't listening and instead appeared deeply thoughtful, he paced from side to side in deep concentration before a mischievous smile lit up his face, he held up one finger and suggested, "I've got it! How about one date?"

Aerith laughed, blushing and her hood fell back as her shoulders shook. "Don't be so silly," she turned to leave, still giggling almost uncontrollably but not out of spite or humiliation, the suggestion had been so naïvely sweet that she was acting like a heroine in a romance tale.

"Is that a no?"

Hearing his persistent voice, Aerith rolled her eyes and waved behind her "Goodbye Zack."

"That's a yes?"

The smile in his voice was unmistakable and Aerith turned to capture it, the hopeful grin and restless energy, excitement and eagerness won her over, and she shyly nodded.

"Yes!" Zack jumped into the air with both hands above his head and a smile bright enough to eclipse the sun, he waved at her "See you for our date soon!"

Aerith waved too, unable to resist his rascal's charm "I'll be waiting."

If I get 5 comments before today (Sunday) is finished - If I get 5 I will post the next chapter of Cloud and Leon's story TODAY. Otherwise, you'll have to wait till next week.

Story is also available on Ao3 for those who prefer it there.