A Man and His Cat

Fang woke to the sound of something tapping on her window. Careful to keep her breathing slow and deep and even, she reached for the gun on her bedside table and then quickly rolled out of the bed. She brought the gun up level with the window and then sighed. There was nothing there except for the moon and the jagged, twisting shadows of tree branches. The tapping must have come from the wind blowing the branches into the window.

Relaxing slightly, she shifted her gaze over to Vanille. The red head still asleep on a bed across the room and she had her whole body curled around one of her pillows. It looked mighty adorable, but Fang knew from experience that looks could be deceiving. The last time Vanille had crawled into bed with her after a nightmare, the younger woman had almost strangled Fang in her sleep, she'd been hugging her that tight.

Still, Vanille was sleeping pretty easily now and Fang couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could just keep dragging Vanille around with her. It wasn't that Vanille couldn't pull her weight – she definitely could and then some. It was just that Vanille deserved better. She deserved a proper bed with proper sheets and the chance to live a life without always looking over her shoulder. But the last time Fang had tried to go off on her own, Vanille had come after her and given her the biggest tongue lashing of her life. She'd also given Fang an almighty kick in the shins too, followed by a pretty solid whack over the head just for good measure.

Lips curved into a grin at the memory, Fang was about to go back to bed when she heard something tapping on the window again. Just to be sure, she turned around, but instead of seeing just the tree branches brushed up against the window, she saw something else. Her pistol was up in a flash and for a split-second she almost fired before the thing by the window moved and she saw it fully in the moonlight.

It was a cat outside the window, a small black cat with a red collar. What was more, she knew that cat, although it had been nothing more than a kitten the last time she'd seen it. With a quiet chuckle, she walked over to the window and opened it. The cat hopped in and pawed lightly at her leg. Reaching down to pet the small animal, Fang smirked.

"I always figured your owner for a lazy fellow," Fang said as she shook her head slowly, still smiling. "But, really, sending a cat to come get me? That's a new one, all right."

The cat, of course, said nothing, merely continued to rub itself against her leg, purring softly as she ran her fingers through its fur.

"Well, I suppose I shouldn't keep him waiting any longer." Fang went over to her bedside table for her wig. It took her a few seconds to get it on straight and a couple of minutes more to get dressed for a trip outside. "All right then, lead the way."

The cat meowed and then jumped onto the windowsill and out onto the tree. Fang followed, closing the window behind her and very glad that she'd chosen to wear pants, since climbing down a tree in a dress wasn't exactly easy. The cat made it out of the tree in a couple of seconds and was good mannered enough to wait for Fang to get down too, although she wasn't all that far behind, even if it had been a while since she'd indulged in a bit of tree climbing.

At the base of the tree, Fang took a look back at the building she'd just climbed out of. It was the boarding house that they were staying in while they were in Eden City. It was a pretty decent looking place, with white walls on the outside and a roof painted a cheerful sort of green. However, the inside was where the place really looked best. Inside it was all polished wooden floors, plush carpets, and antique furniture.

Strangely enough though, it didn't cost all that much to rent a couple of rooms, even if it was right in the centre of Eden City. That was probably Lahna's doing, she figured. The older woman was right scary when she wanted to be and could bargain the price down on just about anything. And that wasn't even counting the way Vanille could widen those eyes of hers and pout and have people doing anything she wanted in a second or two.

A small paw tapped her on the leg and Fang looked down to find the cat looking up at her. Somehow, she got the impression that it was less than pleased with her dawdling.

"Well, you're the one who knows the way," Fang said. "So if you want to pick up the pace, then get moving."

The cat sort of glowered at her, which was funny because it didn't look the least bit threatening. In fact, now that she looked, the cat didn't even come up to her knees. Waving its tail lazily at her, the cat turned and began to pad quickly down the path toward the fence at the front of the boarding house and from there out onto the street.

Out on the street, Fang lengthened her stride to keep up with the little cat. For all its small size, it could keep up a pretty decent pace. It was strange, but she liked Eden City much better at night. During the day it was all so busy, with people rushing around all over the place. Just getting out of the train station had been a hassle, and she'd been bumped into by a fair number of people. Not one of them had apologised and it had taken a stern look from Lahna and more restraint than she thought she'd had to not grab them and whack them over the head. Hell, out West bumping into somebody and not apologising would likely have led to at least a fist fight and, depending on the moods of the people involved, a good old fashioned shoot out.

At night, though it was a different story. The streets were pretty quiet and not too crowded. There was also something sort of pretty about the fuzzy glow cast by all the gas lit streetlights that lined the sidewalk. With a cool breeze blowing and the occasional clatter of a carriage or wagon, it wasn't all that different from out West.

As she followed the cat out onto one of the busier main streets, Fang bit back a grin. It was just a good thing that Vanille hadn't woken up to see her talking to the cat. The younger girl had called her crazy more than a few times, and talking to a cat certainly wouldn't help with that. In fact, she was starting to get a couple of weird looks from people who had noticed her following the little animal around. Apparently, people weren't too used to seeing someone being led around by a cat.

Rather than say anything, Fang chose to just give the whole lot of them a crazy grin, one that had all but the bravest of them backing up. The cat seemed to find it funny too, because it glanced back at her and sort of nodded in a way that seemed approving. Well, it was nice to know she still got along with animals.

The cat took a turn and suddenly they were walking along a street that ran right alongside the river that cut through the middle of Eden City. It was a beautiful sight in the moonlight, the water lit up by the streetlights and the stars, and Fang took a moment to just stop and stare. The river murmured gently, just barely audible over the noise of the street, and she leaned over the side of the railing and looked down.

Her reflection looked back at her, a little strange looking because of the wig, and she chuckled as the cat hopped up onto the railing and peered down into the water beside her. She ran one hand along the soft fur of its back.

"We make a funny pair, don't we?" Fang said as she patted the cat on the head. It wasn't often that she had a chance to just stop and think like this. Life with Vanille was many things, but quiet it was not. Being a bandit didn't make for a quiet life either, for that matter, and she had a feeling that things wouldn't be quiet for a long time, at least, not if everything went the way she thought it would. Yep, if things went the way she wanted them too, there would be a whole lot of shooting to do, and a fair number of explosions too. She could only hope that all of them would come through things okay. Certainly, she'd do her best to make sure of that.

The cat turned away from the water and batted her lightly on the arm. She smiled. "I know, I know, I'll get going." She looked back at the water for a moment. "Besides, I'm no good at moping anyway. I'll leave that to someone else." She grinned. "Those folks at Cocoon would be a good choice, because once I'm done with them, they'll definitely be moping."

The cat got going again, leading her off the main streets and back into the dimly lit alleys that marked the shadier part of the city. Most people would have been uncomfortable with all the shadows, but she was right at home. She was a hunter at heart and shadows were just the thing to put her at ease. A couple of folks looked at her, sizing her up, most likely, but it only took a quick look at the steel in her gaze and the easy way she let her hand drop to the pistol at her waist to scare them off.

Eventually the cat stopped in front of the entrance to a small, dirty looking sort of saloon. It was pretty dimly lit inside and she took a quick look around to make sure that no one was thinking of following her before she stepped inside. There were a couple of people there, most of them drunks, and all of them pretty subdued. No one bothered to look up at her and she nodded once to the bartender before she swept past and followed the cat down to a table right near the back corner of the saloon.

A grin crossed her face as she took in the man sitting there. As always, he was dressed in a suit, and she couldn't help but wonder if he ever wore anything else. The cat hopped onto the table and the man was quick to scoop the animal up, stroking its back as he glanced up at Fang.

"It's been a while, Fang."

She nodded and took the seat opposite him. There was a plate of sandwiches set out on the table and she helped herself to one. "It sure has, Reeve."

Reeve Tuesti grinned and broke off a little bit of his sandwich, offering it to the cat in his arms. "I must say blonde doesn't really suit you."

Fang tugged at the wig on her head and chuckled. "Maybe, but brown is just a little too close for comfort and can you imagine me with red hair?" She grimaced. "That's definitely more Vanille's thing." She glanced at the cat. "Honestly, couldn't you have come up with a better way to reach me than your cat?"

"I'll have you know, Cait Sith is really quite intelligent for a cat," Reeve replied. In his arms, the cat nodded and batted one paw at Fang. "In any case, you're here aren't you?" The teasing glint in his dark eyes faded for a moment. "It's safer too. There's a good chance that I'm being watched and while I'm pretty sure I lost anyone who might be following me before I got here, sending a messenger or someone else to get you would have been a little too suspicious."

"I suppose that's true." Fang's eyes narrowed. "But still, how'd you even know I was in town?"

"Well…" Reeve tugged at his moustache. "I did get your letter and I figured that you'd be here sooner rather than later. It was just a matter of looking out from that mentor of yours. You and Vanille might be good at hiding yourselves, but Katzroy is pretty noticeable."

That was a good point, Fang realised. But if Reeve had thought of that, there was no guarantee that someone else hadn't and the last thing she wanted was to get Sazh into too much trouble. "That's some pretty good thinking, Reeve."

He chuckled. "Don't worry, there's not too many people who know about you and Katzroy being old friends and I haven't exactly been spreading it around." He smiled. "In my line of work, keeping secrets is pretty much habit. Besides, if I did go spreading it around, I'm pretty sure you'd come after me, guns blazing and everything."

Fang smirked. "Damn straight." She took another sandwich and winced. She was feeling pretty hungry, but the last one hadn't exactly been great. "What did you think of that stuff I put in my letter?"

Reeve bit his lip and rubbed under Cait Sith's chin. The cat seemed to sense some of his worry, because it nuzzled back. "You said some mighty interesting things, Fang, the kind of things that Cocoon would probably kill over." He sighed. "You know I've been working in Cocoon's office here for a couple of years now, trying to puzzle things out, and while I haven't come across anything quite so dangerous, I've come across some things that are pretty similar."

Fang nodded. "And?"

"Well, Cocoon's been hiding money all over the place, even though I still can't tell why. I can tell you, it's got Shinra mighty nervous. The folks above me have been pushing me for a while now, asking me to get something concrete, but you know how it is. I can't just waltz in there and grab anything I please, not if I want to get out of this alive." Reeve shook his head. "Money is all well and good, but a dead man can't spend a dime."

A grimace crossed Fang's face. She'd almost forgotten how tough Reeve had it. He had to tread a fine line, spying on Cocoon for Shinra, but at the same time keeping just enough back from Shinra to keep himself useful. Fellows like Rufus Shinra didn't bother keeping people around unless they were useful and people like Reeve knew just a little too much to just be sent on their way in anything but a coffin.

"So, what do you think, Reeve? Can I expect to get any help from Shinra on this?" Fang asked. She might not like Shinra, but they were just about the only company big enough to stand up to Cocoon and she was smart enough to know she'd need every bit of help she could get.

The black haired man took a moment to reply. "Look, I'll lay it out straight for you. Shinra would be pretty interested in those documents you've got. They'd be solid enough for us to go to court with, maybe try and tie up Cocoon for a spell, but you've got to be careful. Shinra's a dangerous company to be dealing with Fang."

"Funny you should say that, Reeve, since you work for them and all." Fang paused. "Are you threatening me?"

Reeve made a face. "No, just warning you." He leaned back and Cait Sith followed, curling up in his lap. "Fact is, Fang, I like you. You've done right be me, what with the information you've passed to me about Cocoon and all that." He sighed. "But Shinra means business Fang. They might help you if they think it'll help them, but you've got to be careful. When you get right down to it, they're probably just as bad as Cocoon, and if you get in their way, they'll take you right out of the picture."

"I'd like to see them try." Fang smirked. "It's not like Cocoon has had much luck."

"Maybe not yet," Reeve shot back. "But that's because they still don't think that much of you. Sure, you've been a thorn in their side, and they've got that reward on you, but you're forgetting that they've got money to burn. The fact is, once they cotton on to how dangerous you are, they'll come after you and it won't be head on in a straight up fight. They'll come at you sideways, gunning not just for you but the people you care about, as well, like that red head friend of yours and Katzroy. And it won't be cowboys they send after you, the kind who shoot wild and think poorly, it'll be killers, the quiet kind, the kind you don't even see coming until it's too late. If you bring what you've got to Shinra, there's a good chance Cocoon will find out where it's come from and then they'll come after you." He took a steadying drink of whiskey from the bottle on the table. "And Shinra is the same. You might be useful to them for a spell, but once you aren't they'll look to tie up loose ends and by that I mean you."

Fang reached for the whiskey. After a talk like that, she could use a sip or two. "I guess I should thank you for the warning, but you know what I want. I can't take Cocoon down on my own, and if Shinara's willing to help, I'll take what I can get." She closed her eyes. "Why do you think I didn't bring Vanille here? I want her kept out of this and if you know what's good for you Reeve, you'll make sure Shinra knows that it was me who found those things, and me who brought it to you."

Reeve nodded and reached down to pet Cait Sith. "Sure, sure, if that's how you want it. Just make sure you think things through, okay?" His expression softened. "Look, if things do go bad, I'll try to let you know, see if I can't maybe get you a few day's warning in advance, you know, for everything."

"You're a pretty decent man when you put your mind to it, Reeve," Fang said with a small smile as Reeve made a show of looking grateful. "Now about the other thing I wanted you to look into…"

"I'll get to that in a second, but I thought I might tell you something interesting I happened across the other day." Reeve leaned forward. "I heard that someone else stumbled onto the same thing you did, so it looks like there could be some other people out there gunning for Cocoon."

"Oh?" Fang raised one eyebrow.

"Even better, I've got some information saying they might be dropping into Eden City in a few days. If you want I can get in touch with them, maybe see if they're interested with working with you," Reeve said.

Fang pursed her lips and then nodded. "Seems like a plan. Do it." She folded her hands together on the table. "Now about that thing I wanted you to look at, did you find anything?"

Reeve grimaced. "You know I haven't got access to everything in Cocoon, even though I'm working there. However, I can say with a fair bit of confidence that just about everything related to what happened in Oerba was either destroyed or is being kept someplace that even someone like me can't find. I'd bet that only Barthandelus knows where those records are."

Fang cursed and reached for the whiskey. "Damn. Is that all?"

Reeve shook his head. "Not quite. I couldn't find any of the records, but I did a lot of asking around." He scowled. "It cost me a lot, and not just money either, but I was able to get a name. It seems that Barthandelus wasn't the one who came up with the plan, someone else did."

Fang's grip on the bottle of whiskey tightened though her voice remained deceptively calm. "That sounds interesting."

"How about you give me that before you break it," Reeve said as he pried the bottle of whiskey out of Fang's grip. "Now, I can give you that name Fang, but you've got to promise me you won't do anything stupid. He's rich, Fang, and well connected, and it'll be a few days before he's back in town."

Fang swallowed thickly. "Give me the name, Reeve."

"Fang, you have to promise me you won't just rush out there guns blazing," Reeve said. There was a gleam in Fang's eyes that had him thinking that maybe he should have kept his mouth shut.

Even though she knew that he was only speaking reason, Fang wanted nothing more than to grab Reeve and haul him over the table for the name. He hadn't been there when Oerba burned. He hadn't seen all the bodies piled up and heard all the screaming and crying. "The name, Reeve." Her voice came out hoarse. "Tell me that name right now or so help me I'll make you."

"You've got to promise me first, Fang," Reeve insisted, not quite sure where he got the courage from.

"Fine." Fang forced the word out. "I won't do anything stupid. Now tell me the name."

Reeve sighed. "According to what I heard it was a guy named Hojo who planned the whole thing out. He works for Shinra now, but back then, he used to work for Cocoon."

"Hojo?" The name was acid in Fang's mouth. "Where does he live?"

"There's a big mansion over by the Eden City Gardens, right near the south bridge over the river." Reeve pushed a piece of paper across the table. "That there is the address. Hojo isn't in town now, but he should be back before the end of the week."

Fang took the piece of paper and tucked it into her coat. "Thanks for this, Reeve. I mean it." If this Hojo bastard really was the one who'd come up with the plan that had left her and Vanille on their own and the only place they'd ever called home in ashes, then she'd be paying him a visit. It would be a long, painful, visit.

"Be careful, Fang," Reeve warned. "Everyone I asked about Hojo said he isn't the kind of man you mess with. There's something wrong with him, something rotten inside him." He ran one hand through his hair. "If you do see him, make sure not to take Vanille with you. He's a real piece of work and I have a feeling that what you've got planned for him isn't something you want Vanille to see."

"I know." Fang pushed away from the table and stood. "Look, Reeve, talk to your people at Shinra. Let me know what they can offer me for the information that I've got and the originals of the documents I picked up about Cocoon." She turned and took a few steps, but then stopped and looked back at him. "And by the way, Reeve, make sure you keep and eye out for trouble, I'd hate for you to end up dead in a ditch somewhere."

Reeve chuckled mirthlessly. "That's funny, Fang, because I'd hate to be dead in a ditch somewhere." He lifted Cait Sith back onto the table and the cat ambled over to take a bite out of one of the sandwiches. "Can you find your way back, or should I send Cait Sith to guide you?"

Fang laughed. "Don't worry, I can find my way back." She glanced down at the cat. "Am I right in thinking you'll be sending Cait Sith next time you want to meet?"

"Of course." Reeve looked serious for a second. "But just in case anything does happen to me, you'll take Cait Sith in, won't you?"

"I suppose I could." Fang smirked. "But I'd rather you didn't go off and do anything silly. Vanille might like pets, but I think she'd spoil Cait Sith rotten."

Reeve smiled. "Well, I can't have that now can I, so I suppose I better stay alive a while longer."

X X X

Author's Notes

First of all, I neither own Final Fantasy, nor am I making any money off this.

I've been hinting for a while now that Fang knows somebody on the inside at Cocoon and who better for that than Reeve? He played both sides in FF VII and I think it's only fair that he goes one better and plays three sides here (Cocoon, Shinra, and team Fang). Once I had Reeve in the chapter, I just had to have Cait Sith, as well, and since this is a Western, I couldn't exactly have Cait Sith as a robotic cat riding on top of a moogle. Having Hojo as a bad guy of sorts was just icing on the cake (because Hojo really is that evil).

As for what happened to Oerba, I'll be revealing more about that in the coming chapters, although it should be clear from what I've mentioned in this chapter that it was not the least bit pleasant and that Cocoon was somehow involved. For those of you wondering where Lightning has gone, don't worry, you'll be seeing more of her, especially since she and her own group are headed toward Eden City, as well.

Interestingly, this is one of the few chapters in which no one is shot, punched in the face, or otherwise injured or killed. I'm not sure what that says about me…

As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.