Nanaki looked at the flower, nose twitching in cautious curiosity. Carefully, eyes screwed in almost comical concentration, he sniffed the delicate white petals. They ruffled under his breath, and a little puff of pollen settled on his whiskers. Nanaki ignored it. He was more interested in the scent of the flower, gentle and sweet and tantalizing. Now quite certain that it was not poisonous, as he felt no ill, he sniffed it more generously, enjoying its heady aroma as it made him lightheaded.

He was burning. It was a heat that came from within, that sent him in convulsive shivers that would not let him rest. Pain was running in his veins instead of blood, and his heart beat frantically, as if trying to pump it all out of his body. Nanaki felt something hot and wrong slither wet on his tongue.

Fascinated by the little white flower, Nanaki settled comfortably before it, lying gracefully on his stomach. Gently, afraid that he might break it, he edged his nose closer, snuffling at the leaves that smelled just as good, if more bitterly. On a sudden impulse he did not quite comprehend, he bit into the tender green leaf. His mouth filled with a bittersweet taste, and Nanaki found it quite good.

He was dimly aware, in between raving nightmares and painful convulsions, that his muscles were cramping, his spine arching so far back he might break it. His claws were shot, paws trembling at the end of limbs tensed tighter than a bowstring. He was breathing with difficulty, and even now he was aware enough to know that the gurgle emitting from his throat was a very bad sign.

He found himself eating a few leaves, so absorbed into the addicting taste and smell that he only realized a bit late that he was feeling odd in the stomach and dizzy in the head. He drew back slowly, reluctant even then, unable to feel alarmed that he might have eaten poison after all. Despite those uncomfortable feelings, he still felt incredibly content, floating in a bubble of peace. Wobbly on his young legs, he decided to lie down in a nearby patch of sun; it could only do him good.

Above the sound of the blood rushing in his ears, Nanaki thought he heard voices talking close. Hands were suddenly in his fur, feeling like white hot coals burning his flesh, gripping hard against the muscles that tightened hard enough to break joints and bones. He would've fought them, for they pained him, but he was caught in the haze of pain. His breath was near impossible now, and he chocked, trying to clear his throat of the slime blocking it.

He found himself falling asleep in a most uncomfortable manner, his blood beating painfully against his temples and his stomach growling furiously, but he would not have been able to remain awake even if he'd tried. His sleep was troubled, with dreams that were at first peaceful, but always they turned strange and unsettling. He thought he might have grasped some profound knowledge from some, imagined whispers at the edge of his mind ushering secrets to him, but he could not hold on to any one of them.

The wave of cold that washed over his body was a miracle to his fevered mind. The burning was smothered, and with it gone, his limbs slowly relaxed, aching yet unharmed. The hands that had been on him relaxed, stroked his head once, and soothing words were spoken into his ear as he spit the last of the slimy substance that had come near to choking him. He breathed a heavy sigh, profound weariness carved down to his bones.

Nanaki woke to a thick tongue and an uneasy stomach, with his head still beating uncomfortably. It was no longer daytime, with the sky overhead now draped in dark blue sprinkled with the pinprick shine of the stars, and something warm and comforting was curled around him. Nanaki recognized the scent of his mother.

"Welcome back," she spoke softly, giving his rumpled fur a few gentle licks.

"What happened?"

"I know but half of the story, but you have undergone a dangerous experience. Had you eaten a little more, your mind would have been lost."

"Really? I—I'm sorry. You know what that flower is?"

"Hush, not now. Come with me, there is a clear stream nearby. It will clear your head."

Nanaki followed, mind still swirling with the remains of his dreams and strange thoughts. It was only later that he learned of the plant his tribe called catmint, the one that compelled the spirit to the skies and beyond.

It was with a heavy groan that Nanaki forced himself to remain conscious. His mind was becoming clear again, and his eyes finally saw the people assembled around him with various expressions of relief and lingering worry. Aerith sat close by, tending to an angry gash in his flank. She looked at him with a wide, warm smile.

"Welcome back."

Nanaki raised his head, and the gesture was more painful than he'd anticipated. His muscles would be aching for a long time.

"Thank you," he said simply. No doubt it was she who had purged the poison from his veins, as she was the most skilled with healing materia. The monster had caught him unawares, striking him with its poison-tipped tail faster than he could blink.

"No need for that," she said, and a dim green glow spread from her hands to envelop his side. The injury slowly became a tender scar. "Here, I bet you're thirsty; Cloud found a spring nearby to refill our water bottles."

Smiling despite himself, Nanaki thanked Cloud and Aerith warmly and clutched the neck of the water bottle between his teeth, tilting his head back so that the liquid ran cool and soothing down his throat. Some things never changed.