Chapter Eleven: Conversation Around the Cosmo candle

Cloud, Calvin, and Hobbes returned to the bottom of the canyon to see that all of their friends were sitting around what looked like a campfire. They decided that it would be best to join them.

Upon approaching the flames, they looked around to find some empty seats. Cloud found one next to Cait Sith and Aeris, Calvin found one next to Aeris and Tifa, and Hobbes found one next to Barret and Red XIII. Soon, conversations were brought about from the people around the fire that was known to many as "The Cosmo Candle".

"So, did you and Hobbes do anything interesting while we went off exploring?" Aeris asked Calvin.

"Well, nothing really," Calvin replied. "Hobbes and I just had a little secret meeting."

"What did you two talk about?" Aeris asked in interest.

"None of your business," Calvin replied in a snooty voice.

"That was kind of rude," Aeris said in a more serious voice.

"Rude? HA! The way I see it, women talking to men is a sign of rudeness! Women should be used to colonize Pluto!"

Aeris felt disgusted with these words she was hearing, but she then started laughing at them. It wasn't a hysterical laugh, but more of a hard giggle.

"You think that's funny?" Calvin demanded, now standing up and looking at Aeris in a dirty way.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Aeris said in a heart-warming way.

This confused Calvin. He was used to having to argue his thoughts to girls that thought they were smarter than him. There was something in her voice, though, that said she didn't want to argue, but that there was something that Calvin was missing.

"What is it?" Calvin asked, sitting down and staying calm.

"Nothing," Aeris replied. Calvin couldn't tell, but Aeris was teasing him.

"What is it?" Calvin asked again in a more whiny voice than before.

This time, Aeris decided to give in. "Well, it's just...you remind me a lot of him when we were younger."

"Who?"

"Oh, someone I grew up with," Aeris replied. "When I was about your age, I was being tortured by this boy with hair that looks like yours, except it was black. He would always think of ways to harass me and embarrass me in front of all the other boys I lived near. As time went on, he and I became close friends. Later on, we started dating. We had some good times."

She chuckled to herself for a second before continuing. "I remember our first date. We had a picnic. It was a beautiful day. After lunch, we just lay next to each other, enjoying the breeze and beautiful day it was. Then, he threw some grass at me. I threw some back, and he threw even more grass at me. I tackled him and we both went rolling down the hill. When we got to the bottom, I found myself on top of him, looking into his precious eyes. It was then...we shared our first kiss. The only thing I could think at that point was...I've never felt so happy in my life."

Calvin seemed a little grossed out at this memory. "How could anyone stand that?" Calvin asked himself, gagging at the thought of being with a girl on a picnic. "How can anyone go for that mushy stuff?"

"For a while," Aeris continued, "I thought we might have gotten married and started a life together someday. But..." her voice started to trail off. Calvin could tell she was holding back some tears. "...he got shipped out the next day. There was a war or something going on at Neibelheim. He was sent to go as a member of SOLDER. After that, I never saw him again...I thought I was never going to stop crying." With those words, tears began to stroll down her face.

Calvin started to feel sorry for Aeris. It was a tough thing to go through, even if it was sissy. Calvin thought of Hobbes and tried to imagine if Hobbes were to leave him tomorrow and never come back. Calvin stopped after a few seconds. He didn't want to think about it. Instead, he put his hand on Aeris' shoulder and said, "I'm sorry...for everything."

Aeris wiped her eyes and said, "It's all right. At least he doesn't have to feel pain anymore. Plus, I know that he's still with me...he'll always be with me...no matter what."

Meanwhile, Hobbes was talking to Barret and Hobbes about what Bugenhagen had told him.

"...and them my parents fought off the tribe that was attacking our tribe. And guess what...they used the powers I had when I was a cub! To think, I helped save this land in a way! I've never felt so proud in my life! I wonder what powers I had. Do you think my life would be different if mom and dad never took my powers? Do you?"

"Woah, calm down," Barret said, putting his hand on Hobbes' shoulder. "You'll jump out of your skin if you keep it up."

"No I won't," Hobbes replied. "Tigers don't have skin...we have fur. Our fur is so strong, that it can handle any level of excitement."

"That was a figure of speech," Barret replied. "You know," he continued, "You and that Calvin...yer better fighters than I thought. Plus, you've got warrior's blood running through yer veins. I think both of ya would make fine additions to AVALANCHE."

"AVALANCHE?" Hobbes asked with enthusiasm.

"A group dedicated to wiping out Shinra. We've been doing it fer years now. Right now, it's just me, Tifa, Cloud, Aeris, and Red here. I'm thinking of asking Cait Sith to join soon, but right now, I would like you and Calvin to join. What do you say?"

"Sounds great!" Hobbes said right away. By now, he was so excited that his tail was wagging faster than a racecar. "WHAT A DAY! First, I find out that my parents were great warriors and now, I get to help save the world! Doesn't that sound great Red XIII?"

Red XIII, however, was quiet. In fact, he looked as if he wasn't really paying any attention whatsoever.

"Red? You okay?" Hobbes asked.

"...no..." Red XIII mumbled.

"What's up?"

"It's when I hear you talking about how brave your parents were in the fight. You see, my mother was fighting for this tribe as well."

"That's great to hear!" Hobbes said enthusiastically.

"But my father..." Red stopped and hung his head in shame. "...he ran. He left my tribe...your parents...mother to fight while he ran. He's an embarrassment to this tribe...I'm ashamed to be his son!" he shouted with anger.

Everyone around the Cosmo candle stopped talking about whatever it was they were talking about and looked at Red XIII who was hiding his face in shame.

"...my cowardly father ran...he ran" he continued to say to himself.

"How could you say that about your father Nanaki?" Bugenhagen asked as he approached. He had heard Red XIII screaming and thought he should check it out.

"Well, he did, grandpa. You know it and I know it. Everyone knows it."

Bugenhagen stayed silent for a few seconds before saying..."Nanaki, you should come with me. There is something you should have seen a long time ago."