The Lady in Red Fur

Chapter 5

Aerith awoke with a soft moan. Her eyelids fluttered open as she found herself lying in her own bed. She wondered how she had arrived here. Last she could recall was speaking with Angeal. She sat up and the blanket fell from around her to her lap. She searched around her room when the door to the room opened and in stepped a nursemaid.

Aerith smiled weakly as the woman noticed her awake. The woman had dark hair and was much older than the princess. She looked surprised to see Aerith awake.

"Oh you have finally awoken, my lady." she said.

"Elmyra" Aerith spoke softly, "How long have I been asleep?"

"Oh, two days my lady" she hurried to her side. She placed a well meaning hand on Aerith's forehead. Aerith pulled back slightly. Elmya was very friendly but also tended to treat Aerith as if she were a child, which sometimes annoyed the princess. "You gave us all a terrible fright. Your mother has been in stupor from worry."

Elmyra clasped the princess's hand happily. Her smile was so wide that Aerith had to return it.

"Are you hungry? I can have the servants send you something to eat. Oh, your mother will be pleased that you are well. King Weiss will be too."

Aerith's eyebrows furrowed. A part of her wished that the king would have gone. How long would he remain a guest? How could her mother not have thrown him out yet? Questions swirled in her mind when she noticed Elmyra fussing about something near her. Aerith cast her eyes downward and saw the woman picking something up from her side table.

"Every morning, noon and night I find these things," Elmyra cried. "Is this some sort of trick on me?"

"Leave it!" Aerith said immediately as the woman went to take it away. She realized what it was but not the nursemaid.

"My princess?" Elmyra questioned.

"Please, I am hungry. Fetch me something to eat."

Elmyra left the item on the side table. She bowed to Aerith.

"I shall inform your mother and then see to it that a meal is brought to you."

"Very well," Aerith said leaning against her pillow.

Elmyra rushed from the room, shutting the door behind her. When she was gone, Aerith reached over to the side table to retrieve the item. She held it in her palm and her eyes softened. Resting in her hand was a small brown nut. The sight of it brought a warmth in her heart and smile to her lips.

She slipped out of her bed and went to her window. Although she stumbled she managed to opened the window. Despite being in a nightdress, she did not care. Instead, she cupped her hands to her mouth and called out to the heavens.

"KUPO!"

She tilted her head up to the sky, the sun shining to her face. She closed her eyes from the blinding light. She only opened them again when a shadow formed over her face and she saw the distinct figures of Mog, Moglin, and Cosmog flying towards her. They flew toward her with immense speed. Aerith opened her arms up and one by one they fell into her embrace.

"Princess!" they chorused, their voices tinging with worry.

"We were so worried," Mog said.

"When we saw the guard carrying you into the palace we thought something terrible happened?" Moglin cried.

Cosmog held up a kupo nut to her. "I kept leaving you one so you would get better but someone kept taking it away."

Aerith's smile grew more and she hugged them tightly to her. "Thank you for your concern I am sorry I frightened you. However, we will have to speak more later. I am sure my mother will be arriving shortly to see me."

The moogles looked glum.

"Don't worry, I shall visit you all later. I... when I saw the kupo nut I knew it was you who left it. I am sorry to have worried you."

Mog inched closer to the princess, his yellow pom pom touching her forehead. Aerith smirked and poked it.

"I'm just glad you are safe," Mog said.

"Me too!" Cosmog and Moglin chimed in.

"We'll see you soon then," Mog finished as he flew out the window.

Moglin bowed her head and followed Mog. Cosmog who was holding another kupo nut, held it up to her. He turned away, feeling his own cheeks burn. Aerith took the nut and placed a gentle kiss on the moogle's cheek. Startled, Cosmog nearly plopped to the ground. He held his cheek and quickly flew out the window from sheer embarrassment.

Aerith looked out the window and saw their tiny figures disappear into the sky. She sighed softly as she rested her elbows on the stone windowsill, gazing out into distance. She was so preoccupied that she did not hear the door to her room open.

Queen Ifalna entered. She looked every bit as regal as she always did. Wearing, a gown and robes of purple, and a coronet on her head. She scanned the room, her breath coming out in quick spurts. When she spotted her daughter at the window, a sense of relief washed over her.

"Aerith..." she called out.

Aerith's head snapped to see her mother. She smiled weakly at her mother and got up from her spot. Ifalna would have scolded her daughter for walking around barefoot and in a nightdress but she was too happy to see her daughter awake to care at the moment. Ifalna moved to her daughter and gathered her up in her arms.

"I am so glad you are awake," she said into her hair.

"I did not mean to worry you," Aerith said.

"You should be resting!" Ifalna gasped. "You have been asleep with a fever for two days."

"I am fine... really I am just hungry is all."

"Then I shall summon..."

Aerith interrupted, "Elmyra has already promised to send a meal up to me."

The queen let out a breath. She smoothed back her daughter's hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear.

"I am glad you are well." Ifalna said. "Angeal had spoken to me of the events three days ago. I assure you King Weiss's brother acted on his own accord."

Aerith pulled away. "It is no excuse. He harmed one of the fire creatures. It could have died had I not begged for Angeal to help."

"Aerith..." Ifalna began.

"Why do you protect him?" Aerith asked suddenly. "King Weiss has done terrible things these past days."

Ifalna held up her hand. "No, Aerith... Prince Nero and Rosso, and Azul acted on their own. Yes, King Weiss admitted that his actions were wrong at the marketplace but the other..."

"Mother! He could have very well ordered them to stop!"

Ifalna sighed. "Aerith, I don't wish to upset you when you only have just woken. Please, eat and rest more. We can speak later."

Aerith resigned herself from arguing. Ifalna leaned forward and kissed her daughter's forehead. The queen left her daughter be. Aerith sat on her bed and hugged herself. The Tsviets may as well been uninvited guests in her opinion. They were cruel and uncaring in their actions. If only her mother could see that an allegiance with them was a bad idea.

Aerith remained in her room for the rest of the day. She did not want to see or speak to anyone, especially King Weiss and his companions. She had meals brought up to her but it was her dinner that she had extra food placed on her plate. She felt bad for worrying the moogles so she decided to bring them a meal from the castle. Even though kupo nuts were beyond anything in taste to the palace cooks' repertoire, it would be the nice thing to do.

Late in the evening, Aerith slipped from her room after Elmyra came in to check on her. She gathered up leftovers in her basket. She crept from the palace with ease. She approached the tree where her friends hid and found shells of nuts littered across the ground.

"Are you guys full or do you have room for more food?" Aerith asked, looking at the tree.

Cosmog was the first to burst from his hiding spot among the leaves and branches. He crashed to the ground from the excitement. His nose sniffed through the air before finding her carrying something delicious. Moglin and Mog floated down and they too were sniffing the air.

"What is this delightful aroma?" Moglin asked.

Aerith pulled out several items of food. Each was one looked like a pancake rolled up into a tube. Cosmog instantly grabbed it, with it mouth and stuffed it in his mouth.

"OH MY GOODNESS!" he squealed in delight. "It has strawberries in it and cream... oh my oh my!"

Mog and Moglin each took one and ate and soon they two began gobbling up the delicious pastry.

"These are my mother's favorite." Aerith said, sitting on the ground and handing out more to her friends. "I am sorry for worrying you."

"Don't be sorry," Mog said. "We worry because we care."

"But," Cosmog said slyly, "if you feel bad you can bring us more of these."

Aerith let out a laugh flicking his little pompom playfully. Moglin rolled her eyes and continued to enjoy the rest of her food. Mog curled up closer to Aerith and the group of friends began to enjoy the evening together.

"I'm glad you're better," Mog said, leaning his head on her lap.

Aerith petted him and the moogle relaxed, becoming mush to her gentle touch. Cosmog rolled onto his back so his round tummy was sticking up. He rubbed it, feeling incredibly full. Aerith rubbed it affectionately.

Lingering above the castle wall a shadowy figure was watching them. It's tail whipped forward, illuminating the darkness looming over them. The light fell on the four, startling them. The moogles flew into the air and Aerith jumped up from her spot.

The creature jumped to the ground. Moglin hid behind Aerith frightened along with Cosmog. Mog, however, flew in front of Aerith, throwing his little arms out as if he could protect her from the beast. The beast let out a noise and his fierce stance relaxed and he tilted his head up to her.

"The woman with the scent of flowers..." the creature whispered. "I owe you my thanks."

Aerith blinked. The tail with a tip of fire moved forward, illuminating the creature so that Aerith could see it. It was the fire beast from a few days ago.

"It's you... you..." she stuttered.

"What do you want with the princess?" Mog asked, without a hint of fear.

The beast moved forward, Mog's shoulder began to shake, his bravery wavering.

"I have come to thank this woman for saving me."

Aerith slumped to the ground in shock. "But... you... can talk?"

"Is my ability to speak causing you such distress?" he asked.

"I didn't know you could."

The creature snorted. "It's because you humans are to busy to listen."

Aerith stared at the beast. He still had bandages wrapped around him. She wondered if he was still in pain. She could see spots of blood on them. They desperately needed changing.

"Are you... all right?" she asked.

"I am still recovering from my injuries." he responded. "However, I needed to thank you for saving my life."

He neared her and took in her scent. He breathed out and sighed.

"Your scent reminds me of another... a woman like you with the scent of flowers clinging to her. It was many years ago. She was a queen before she passed."

"You mean my great grandmother?"

He nodded. "Who knew such kindness would pass on to you?"

Aerith shook her head. "I am sorry I have been rude to you. I am Aerith, Princess of the Cetra."

"You may call me Red XIII." he said. "That is the name you humans gave me."

"What is your real name?"

The beast let out a low growl and Aerith knew he was not going to give it to her.

The beast turned from her. "I came to thank you now I shall take my leave."

He began to move when Aerith called out to him.

"Wait! You are still injured. You should be resting."

The beast growled, however, Aerith continued. "You also need your dressings changed or you could get an infection. Please, allow me to help."

Aerith coaxed the beast and eventually he complied. Aerith instructed the moogles to take him to the stables where her chocobo was kept. Her mount and her mother's were an esteemed class of birds and bred to be the best. Therefore, they were also kept away from other chocobos. It would be a safe place for her to hide him. After all, she did not any of Weiss's companions to see him. She was sure they would slaughter the poor animal with no mercy.

When, her friends and Red XIII left, Aerith crept back into the castle. Sneaking around the castle was easy for Aerith. She memorized their routine as a child that way she sneak past them and join her friends outside at night. Aerith gathered bandages and medicines from the castle physicians room before making her way to the stables.

Inside she found Red XIII lying on the ground. The moogles were hovering over him, concerned looks on their face. Aerith rushed over, falling to her knees when she reached him.

"What happened?" she asked, noticing the beast's face etched with pain.

The two chocobos watched them with curiosity. They made low squawking noises. Aerith ignored the birds and placed a gentle hand on the beast's head, stroking him.

"My body is just tired," Red XIII explained.

"Let's use one of the empty stalls for a bed." Mog suggested.

They led the beast to one of the empty stalls in the back of the stable for a room. The red beast laid on a bed of hay and allowed the young princess to remove the wraps around him. The wounds made the princess cringe. The moogles looked uncomfortable to say the least. Aerith looked at the medicine bottles she acquired but was unsure what to use. It had been Angeal who did most of the work last time. Seeing her hesitance, Mog took a bottle from her hand.

"I know something that can work better than this." he said brightly.

Aerith tilted her head to the side. "Oh?"

"These healing herbs will make him good as new, promise!"

Aerith nodded and with that Mog flew from the stables. The princess looked over at the other two moogles. The concern on her face was evident.

"Don't worry, Mog is good at a lot of things." Moglin insisted. "Finding things, building things, and first aid, he is good at all those."

"But all moogles are good at finding things," Cosmog pointed out, causing Moglin to roll her eyes.

No sooner than he left, Mog returned with his fists full of a herb. He quickly went to work, mashing the herbs with a makeshift motor and pestle using items he found in the stables. Once they became a pasty like substance he moved over to Red XIII and began to smear it all over the wound.

"That smells better than the other medicine," he grunted.

Aerith smiled at her companion and watched him as he carefully bandaged the wound. He admired his work for a moment before turning up toward Aerith and nodded.

"All done," Mog said. "He just needs to rest."

"Easier said then done when I have those men hunting me." the beast snapped.

Aerith frowned. "Then stay here. It will be safe as no one is allowed to come in here other than our head stable boy. He won't see you back here and you can recover safely. I'll visit you in the morning."

The beast looked reluctant but his injury made him lay his head down. Aerith looked at her companions and without even saying a word the three understood. They would remain in the stables and watch over him. Aerith looked back at him with a sad look on her face before slipping out to return to her room for the night.

XXX

The smell of kupo nut soup wafted in the air. The moogles hovered behind Aerith taking in the delicious nutty aroma. Aerith stirred the contents of the pot carefully. She stopped and brought a spoon to her lips and gently puffed air at the soup to cool it. The moogles watched with baited breath as she placed it in her mouth and swallowed. Then for a second they waited before she relaxed and let out a "mmm" sound.

A small rush of excitement spread through the moogles as they moved closer to the pot wanting their own taste. Aerith poked each of their pompoms. Each moogle looked up at her and she shook her head. Their ears drooped and frowns formed on their face.

"It's almost done," Aerith said.

A collective "awe" went out from the three moogles as they fell to the floor. Cosmog dramatically fell back and held onto his stomach.

"I'm so famished," he cried. "Look I am wasting away!"

"You're the last one to waste away," Moglin said.

"Don't worry," Aerith stated. "It won't be long until it is done."

The moogles continued to chatter as Aerith minded the soup. However, in the room adjacent to this one, Aerith's room, the man laying in the bed began to stir. He let out a soft groan, feeling pain flowing through him. His eyes opened slowly and closed just the same. Each time he opened them, the haze his vision was giving him was slowly disappearing until he could see clearly. Once realization hit him that he was in an unfamiliar place, he sat straight up in bed. Unfortunately, it brought a wave of dizziness and he fell back into bed. His hands found the bandages on him. He wondered how bad his injuries were and how long was he past out for.

Another groan escaped him as he brought his hands up to his head. He felt terrible and wanted to go back to sleep. That is, until the scent of a certain nutty aroma filled his nose with its delicious scent. The man opened his eyes and took in several deep breaths of the smell. Never in his life did he ever smell something so... delicious. He would know too, he had cooks prepare spectacular meals for him all the time but this... this was incredible.

He had to find out what it was. Once he did he was sure he would find out whom this bed he was using belonged to. Then he could properly thank the person who rescued him. After all, this person was his savior. He managed to swing his legs over to the side before carefully lifting himself up to a sitting position. The dizziness returned but he waited for it to leave before trying to stand. He took a breath and stood and he wobbled a bit, causing him to crash into the wall with a loud thump. He groaned.

The man heard the sound of rustling from the other room. He wondered if the person who owned this place heard his clumsiness. Finding his balance, he limped toward the bedroom door. Grasping the knob, he turned it and pulled it open. He stepped into the new room and looked around to see a cozy looking kitchen and a single figure draped in red fur standing pressed against the wall near the fireplace, with a large wooden spoon clutched in their hand.

The man's face was full of shock. A creature clad in red fur? Was it even human? Whatever it was, it was just as shocked to see him awake as he was to see it. He swallowed hard and brought his hand up to a nervous wave. The creature waved it's hand clutching the spoon before realizing what it was doing.

The man laughed, his eyes crinkling. "Hello!"

To the man's amazement a soft and gentle voice came out from beneath the fur, "Good morning."

It was a she! Was this some kind of new species of beast? The man was unsure. However, from beneath the red fur Aerith was in utter amazement. She was not afraid of this person as she initially was. To be honest, working with her moogles to make the soup, she all but forgot the man lying in her bed. She peered from beneath her hood at him as he carefully approached.

His hair was flaxen and now dried was a mass spiky locks. He had pale skin, smooth and blemish free asides from the few scratches he received before she found him.

"You're the one who saved me, correct?" he asked, standing only a few steps away.

Aerith nodded and squeaked out a small, "Yes."

"Then I owe you all my thanks." he responded.

Aerith felt no uneasiness with him. Unlike when she first met King Weiss and his entourage, this man made her feel at ease. She should have been scared of him and suspicious but something about him made her feel safe.

"No thanks is required..." she whispered.

"You're humble." he responded.

"I only did what anyone would do."

The man shook his head. "Not everyone, some people would have left me to die."

Aerith frowned from beneath the hood. "That's terrible."

"The world can be pretty terrible at times."

Aerith nodded, knowing just how terrible people could be. She shook the thoughts of her past out of her head and looked at the man.

"A-are your injuries... are they..." she stumbled with her words.

"You're the doctor," he chuckled, "you tell me how bad they are."

Aerith let out a small laugh. "I am no doctor but your injuries were bad. What happened to you?"

The man laughed, almost embarrassed to answer. "Not one of my most... err... graceful moments to be honest. However, before I tell you that story will you tell me what smells so good?"

Aerith tilted her head wondering what he meant. When she realized she brought head to forehead. "Oh! The soup... I made kupo nut soup."

The man looked confused. "Kupo... nuts? People actually eat those?"

"Moogles eat them..." Aerith said.

"Moogles don't exist." the man responded. "I've never seen one."

Aerith laughed, "If you have a kupo nut then maybe you will someday."

The man did not know if she was teasing him or being serious. Either way, he found this mysterious person easy to talk to, kind and gentle. He held out his hand to her regardless.

"My name is Cloud Strife."

Aerith blinked. That name sounded familiar. She pondered it for a second and then said softly, "Do... I know you?"

The man, Cloud, chuckled. He placed his hand down. "You should. You live in my kingdom."

"K-kingdom?" Aerith looked puzzled for a second but then immediately fell to a low curtsy. "I am sorry forgive me your highness I had no idea that this was your kingdom... I-I have only lived here for short time..."

"It's quite all right." Cloud said. "You saved my life. If anyone who deserved to be bowed to it is you."

Cloud gave her a graceful bow at the waist. Aerith felt her cheeks flush. It had been so long since the formalities of the court were before her. Cloud looked up at her but could not see her face. However, Aerith could see the deep blue orbs that were his eyes and her cheeks burned.

"Please," Aerith felt nervous. "excuse me... for a second... I must gather some water..."

Without hesitating she grabbed a bucket and headed for the door. "Please have a seat I shall return soon..."

With that she was gone out the door. Cloud watched slightly confused before taking a seat. He then had to laugh. This person must not have had much contact with people.

Outside, Aerith ran a distance away from her cabin. She was breathing hard, leaning against a tree for support. Above her in the tree, were her moogle friends.

"Are you okay?" Mog asked.

"He is royalty!" Aerith gasped. "He was bowing to me..."

"Aerith, he doesn't know you are princess, relax!" Mog said.

Aerith gripped the bucket tightly, "I don't know what to do... what to say... if he finds out who I am he will definitely tell my mother and I'll be dragged back home and have to... to..."

Tears began to fill her eyes when Mog flew down and took her face in his paws.

"It will be okay!" he said firmly. Moglin and Cosmog nodded from above.

"We won't let anyone hurt you, okay?" Mog asked.

Aerith looked at the moogle and instantly hugged him. "Thank you..."

Mog smiled and hugged her back.

Aerith let go and asked, "What do I say to him? He will want to know my name and who knows what else!"

"Just tell him you have no name," Cosmog said.

"As if he'll believe that!" Moglin snorted.

"Why not?" Mog asked. "He probably thinks she is a hermit and not having a name can't be that uncommon. If anything tell him you're... uh... red fur!"

Aerith laughed. "Red fur? Are you being serious?"

"So, it could work." Cosmog insisted.

Moglin sighed, "I guess it couldn't hurt."

"What else do I say to him?" she asked.

Mog thought briefly. "Just say you travel around and are looking for a permanent place to live and this cabin is it. Just don't tell him anything about being a princess and you should be fine."

"What if he asks why I wear this cloak?"

"Tell him you're cold." Cosmog said.

The group all looked at the portly moogle skeptically.

"Hey it could work!" he defended.

"You should get back before he comes out to look for you."

Aerith nodded and headed back to the cabin. The moogles flew with her, landing gently on the roof of the house. The would be listening in on their conversation in case some went awry.

"I hope she saves us some soup," Cosmog whispered softly. The other two nodded.

Inside, Aerith nervously waved back to Cloud. Cloud tilted his head curiously at her.

"Where's the water?" he asked indicating the empty bucket.

"Oh! Uh... I remembered I brought water back already." she dropped the bucket on the floor and it landed with a thump.

Cloud nodded, believing her. Aerith nervously went to the soup, knowing very well it was done now. She moved it from the fire and ladled some into two bowls. She placed on bowl in front of Cloud and the other on the opposite side of the table.

"I hope you're hungry," Aerith said, going to retrieve some spoons.

"Very," Cloud answered. "But I am curious you haven't introduced yourself."

Aerith swallowed hard. "I would love to but... I have no name. People just call me.. me... uh..."

"Call you?" Cloud echoed.

Aerith blurted out the only thing she could think of. "Red Fur!"

Cloud looked bewildered.

Aerith gulped, "Is something wrong?"

"I don't think I could call you that." he said. "You saved my life. Perhaps I should call you My Heroine."

Aerith blushed. "No, please, I did not do anything special."

"You deserve a more respectable title." Cloud insisted.

Aerith handed him a spoon before taking her seat across the table. "I am just a peasant."

"Anyone with a kind heart to rescue me, give me first aid, share their bed and food with me is not just a simple peasant. You are a kind person. Even if you cover yourself in fur. Just curious but why are you covered in fur?"

"I'm..." Aerith thought quickly, "COLD!"

"In this heat?"

Aerith nodded furiously. Cloud nodded excepting the answer. He dipped his spoon into the soup. Before he placed the soup in his mouth he looked up at the lady clad in red fur.

"Then, may I call you My Lady?" he asked.

"Um..." Aerith was unsure. She was sure though that Cloud would not let go giving her a proper title over her "name" red fur.

"You know, it would be offensive to reject the prince of this kingdom's request," he joked.

Aerith could see the humor in his eyes. Something that vanished quickly but was there. Yet, it would be rude to not follow the rules or requests of a prince from a kingdom. She knew that all too well.

"Then, my prince," she bowed her head. "You may call me whatever you wish."

"Then, My Lady, it shall be."

Aerith blushed beneath her hood before indicating the soup. "Please eat."

Prince Cloud nodded and took the soup to his mouth. The moment the warm liquid spread through his mouth and down his throat his eyes widened.

"This-is-amazing!" he said before downing the soup as if he had never eaten before.

On top of the house the moogles could hear the entire conversation with their ears pressed to the rather thin roof. Cosmog sat up with tears streaming down his cheeks. The other two looked at him with concern.

"I want some soup..." he cried, biting onto his fist.

Mog and Moglin rolled their eyes.