This is a fanfic set after the ending of the game, so if you don't wish to
have spoilers, please don't read any further. ^^;

C&C is welcome. I have more chapters and some side stories written, and
posted online, if you wish to read further into the story. *^^* This is my
first posting, so be gentle.

The first two parts of the fanfiction are written in two different styles.
The main storyline is presented by RED XIII as a story to his 
grandchildren. Things that didn't involve RED XIII, I wrote as 
side-stories that are helpful in understanding the story a bit better, as
well as adding some spice.

And now, withouth further spam...


	"I thought Grandpa told us not to go in here, Masuki..." A dark green 
bush rustles, as a crimson blur leaps past, onto a rusted sheet of metal.
Soft padding is soon heard from behind the greenery.

	"Then why did he bring us through the Sacred Path to Midgar's Point to
look at the ruins, Ifalna? Besides, you don't want to have people back in
Cosmo thinking you're ... chicken... do you?" The cub looks back with a
brow raised at his sister. The other cub sits her rump down next to the
bottom ramp of the metal supporting her brother, and gently lifts a paw to lick.

	"What I don't want... is to get in trouble again." Ifalna sighs 
and blinks her eyes, "How can we be protectors of the Planet if we don't
behave responsibly?" Masuki rolls his own eyes and smirks.

	"How can we be protectors if we don't grow strong and look for danger 
that could attack at any time?! Don't be boring, Iffie!" He growls in
frustration as he looks around the ruins for anything out of the ordinary.

	"I'm NOT boring, and don't call me Iffie! You know I hate that
more than anythin--" A creaky roar is heard and something falls from the
Shinra tower high above and makes a loud crash a mile away. Suddenly,
Ifalna is behind Masuki, with her tail lashing back and forth. "Eeeee.... what
_was_ that..?"

	"You're a wuss," Masuki hmphs and Ifalna looks down to see Masuki's 
hind knees knocking. She sighs with exhasperation. The two cubs look up at
the old tower, blinking. The monolith looms before them, the old 'Shin-Ra'
logo, rusted in it's wear and age, still visible. "That's it! There's
gotta be cool stuff up there!" Masuki leaps off the metal sheet and prances 
towards the middle of the city ruins.

	"Maaasukiiiii! Come on! We better go home! Hey! Don't just... leave 
me here..." The female cub curls her mouth and shudders as she looks
around. She runs hurriedly to her brother's side. "Well... I can't let you
wander off on your own, I suppose..."

	"That's the spirit!" Victorious, the boy climbs a tree to a window
opening of the old tower. "Gee... Grandpa was right. They did get
pummelled pretty bad by the red moon. This metal got ripped to shreds."
The other cub, meanwhile, looks around herself with disdain, remembering the 
haunted tales of the phantom city of Midgar, that ran on the energy of those 
past on.

	"Masuki... Do... do you think there's... ghosts... here?" The girl
gulps, and her brother lets out a loud gafaw.

	"Ghosts?! Hahaha! Hahaha! You actually believe Grandpa and the old
warrior's tales of his? There's no such thing as ghosts. You, with your
sense of rationality, could honestly believe that..." He starts snickering, 
letting into a roaring laugh.

	"Masuki! Grandpa himself fought ghosts! By Cosmo even! How could
you--" The male cub stops laughing and sighs, looking up at his sister.

	"Well, I think Grandpa tends to stretch the truth about his early
days. I mean, you and I both have seen materia and tried to work magic
from it, but it doesn't work." He shrugs and looks around boredly.

	"That's cause the Planet used up alot of power fighting the red
moon... that and the humans with the ghost power. It left the planet weak
and so the Lifestream can't be used to power the materia anymore. You know 
that. It's simple."

	"Yeah, I dunno... maybe. Hey, I'm bored, Ifalna. Do you see a way
up to the next floor?" By this time, the two had reached the elevator shafts, 
the area's only lighting by their tails.

	Just as the cub was about to answer Musaki, a graveled voice spoke
from behind the two. "Humans used elevators to travel up and down through
buildings like this. They don't work now, though." Both cubs' eyes widen, 
followed by heavy gulping.

	"G-Grandpa...ha..ha.... Funny seeing you here... eheh..." Masuki
turns around and smiles aprehensively. A yellow eye peers back through the
dark room, as it's face shows itself slowly, the greying fur flowing from 
the old one's muzzle.

	"Strange... I was about to say the same thing, Masuki... You'd
think I'd be the forgetful one, being old as I am." Nanaki stops walking,
his snout stopping but an inch away from his grandson's. His tail swishes
smoothly, letting soft sparks flicker, like an old campfire eased in it's use.

	"Forgetful? ...um..eheh..." However... Nanaki's grandson's tail is
twitching about nervously, sending sparks about like missiles from Diamond
Weapon. Blinking, his sister perks her head up and smiles.

	"I didn't forget!" A little too late thinking the meaning of those
words, she looks about, almost as nervously as her brother, now. "That
is... um..." Nanaki moves his muzzle to his granddaughter's tiny one, and
mm-hmms with a questioning tone. "Grandpa, I asked him to stop, but he
wouldn't listen and you know how he never ever listens to me like he should 
and he didn't and well, I couldn't let him go alone now could--" Nanaki
groans, and closes his eye. "..I? ...sorry, Grandpa..."

	Ifalna looks to the ground, as Masuki looks to her and peers up
with a solemn face to his grandfather. "Me too, Grandpa... I'm sorry...
It's not her fault..." A soft smile comes to Nanaki's face, and the cubs
look at him, in bewilderment. 

	"Do you know why this place has been forbidden?" Nanaki looks at
the two with a gleam in his eye. The two blink, then look at each other,
paws kneeding the ground in silence. "Well, I'm sure your parents told you
something... didn't they?" Nanaki leans his head forward again in
anticipation of an answer from one of the children. 

	"They said..." Ifalna looks up. "They said that it's cause alot of
people died here, and that the Planet was wounded here so we should leave
it to lick it's wound... but.." She hears another hmming sound from her
grandfather. "But this place is full of life, even though..." The old one
nods and motions the two cubs over to a soft area, what looks to be old
furniture. 

	"Actually.. that's not the main reason... Now, remember where we
left off, at Midgar point?  As you know, Meteor did not strike into the
Planet, because the Lifeforce itself pushed it into orbit... becoming the
moon." Nanaki turns his head, looking out the window at the evening sky, a
pale moon eclipsed in part by a smaller red moon. "What followed after was
a false calm. We had no idea what was next in our lives... we had no idea
that the war was only to be replaced by another." 

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VVVV  VVVV IIII IIII	Red Moon Rising: Part I: Reconstruction 
 VV    VV   II   II		Chapter 1: Recall 
  VV  VV    II   II	Final Fantasy VII and characters copyright Squaresoft. 
   VVVV     II   II	Original characters based on FF7 in this fiction 
    VV     IIII IIII   	copyright respective owners. RMR by: RED Stafford,1999

*******************************************************************************

	It was an amazing sight to see, even after all we had been
through. All of us stared at the heavenly light of the Lifestream as it
pushed Meteor up, away from Midgar, until it was far enough to stay in
orbit. The tornadoes died away, but Reeve said that many of the people in
the slums had died, being sucked up into the sky from the force, or
crushed by parts of the upper plate that collapsed when the difference in
air pressure weakened the structure. After it was over, Cait Sith had
stopped moving. 

	That's when Barret lost control, thinking Marlene to have died
alongside Reeve, the Shinra employee who controlled the toy cat. I looked
on at the new moon, feeling as I do now, that it would be a reminder to us
all of this time, and that we should return to the ways of the Ancients if
we were to survive. I then thought of Aerith, the last of the Cetra... and
all she made possible. Looking at Cloud, I knew he was thinking about her.
He had a certain look when he thought about that girl. That look was hard
to take in for any of us, after she had been cut down by Sephiroth...
hardest of all, on poor Tifa. "Thank you, Aerith..," he had whispered. He
blinked, then corrected himself, "Thank you.. Planet." 

	Cid soon landed the Highwind... well, what was left of it, outside
of Kalm town. We all looked in disbelief. A riot had begun, now that
Meteor had been dealt with. A stormfront moved in, due to the changes in
the wind patterns. Fires had broken out, and young humans were looting the
armor and materia stores. That's when we saw Reeve. He was armed, standing
in front of the house that Marlene and Aerith's mother... (Elmyra, not the
one you're named after, Ifalna... "I know, Grandpa...")... lived in. 

	With materia still working at this time, we cast sleep upon the
rioteers, and met up with Reeve. We all had our beliefs as to who may have
been behind Cait Sith, but it was still a shock to see someone so high in
ranks to have been the pilot. The town under control, for the moment, we
stayed at the cottage. Marlene rushed up to Barret, who had tears in his
eyes, which he later claimed were from the fires. He set her down after a
long hug, then looked to Reeve, who looked back in silence. 

	Barret walked up to him and shook his gunarm at the ex-Shin-Ra
employee. "I don't know how many times I've wanted to punch your lights
out, for taking Marlene away from me!" He stared back at Reeve, whose face
was unmoving, yet soft, clearly sad to have had to do what he did, but
obviously not sorry for it. Barret gritted his teeth, and pulled back his
fist, turning his head at an angle. His eyes narrowed in hesitation, and
his lips moved into a line as his fist connected with Reeve's jaw, sending
the smaller man into the wall. 

	Marlene rushed to Reeve's side, yelling, "Daddy! Don't hurt Uncle
Reeve, please!! He kept us safe while you fought for the Planet!!" Barret
waved his arms around and circled the table. 

	"UNCLE Reeve?! Uncle Reeve?!" Barret waved his arm at Reeve, who
was getting up, wiping blood from his lip. "How can you dare go by #$%#%#%
UNLCE to Marlene, HUH?!" Cloud walked forward then. I... really didn't
want to deal with Barret myself, and Cait had pulled enough things before
that complicated our task, so I didn't move a paw... But Cloud... well, he
had a strange way about him. He was more forgiving of Cait, perhaps
understanding the man a bit more... Whatever the reason, he tried to
settle the incident. Barret was not to be stopped by Cloud, however.
"Don't you get your pointy-headed butt into this, Cloud. This is between
ME and Cat-boy, awright?!" Tifa opened her mouth to say something, paused,
then stated: 

	"Barret, whatever his reasons, Cai...um... I mean...Reeve. He did
what he had to do. He cares about the same people you do... that we all
do. If he was as bad as Shinra, Marlene wouldn't warm up to him... you
know that... You might not trust Cait...er... Reeve... but you trust
Marlene... right? Right, Barret?" Barret pursed his lips and frowned, then
let his head and arms drop. Tifa put her hand on his arm reassuringly and
looked down to Marlene and Reeve.  "I think we all need to put this behind
us..." Tifa looked back at Cloud sadly, his own look gazed toward the
outside of the house. "Aerith gave us another chance at life... We
shouldn't waste it squabbling over past grievances." Cloud looked back at
Tifa with that mixed feeling look. He always looked apologetic to her when
it came to Aerith. 

	The rest of us took the speech as it was: a lecture ("Kinda like
yours, Grandpa!" "Hush, Masuki... Go on, Grandpa!")--as I was saying...
The rest of the night passed on quietly, and in the morning, we found our
next assignment... Reconstruction. Reeve had said we should use the
Highwind as much as possible in the next few weeks, as it would soon lose
power. It really didn't hit us right then, what he meant exactly. For
Cloud and Tifa, the next step was to go to Shell Village. We split into
groups, then... because the need for strong people was so great.  You've
seen the damage to Midgar... not all of it was done by age. 

	*** Author's note. Side-Story One: Return takes place at this
point. If you wish to, please read it now to have the storyline be
continuous. (Available at URL at the bottom of this mail.)***

	Amazingly enough, people had heard Reeve's name, and being the
only executive officer from Shinra, he was suddenly thrust to head the
corporation. His first act as President was to re-establish the company
for the people. Reeve had saved the brain of the mainframe that stored all
of Shinra's data. As mako power was draining at this point, he ran it off
an old wind generator at the Chocobo farm. We didn't see much of him then,
but he helped us out still, through Cait Sith. We had gotten a new Shinra
to start the rebuilding of people's lives. Camps were set, like a path,
from Midgar to Kalm. It was amazing to see how many people lived in
Midgar... and to know they were the few who survived the onslaught of the
war. 

	Cloud and Tifa soon returned, Aerith with them. We were all so
shocked. It was like seeing a ghost--("G-ghost, Grandpa?" "Shh! Ifalna!
He's getting to the good part!"). Aerith was her old cheery self, and she
pet me on the head, like the old days. I hated that before... but now,
from her, it was the greatest thing in the world. We hadn't greeted her
five minutes and Shera showed up. She had taken the time to fix the Tiny
Bronco and flew it here after contacting Cid. It was a wonderful reunion,
though we wouldn't dare call it that, Jenova still lingering in the back
of our minds. 

	"Aerith! We thought you were dead!" Aerith blinked as Shera hugged
her. For a scientist, she was very caring, and it always surprised us...
All except Cid and Vincent, that is. 

	"No, I'm not dead. Where'd you get that funny idea?" Cloud waved a
hand. 

	"She doesn't remember much, right now. Let's sit down and enjoy
the peace before we go to Nibelheim." Going to Nibelheim was new plans to
the rest of us. Cait Sith blinked. 

	"Cloud, why don't you ride Topaz to Nibelheim. We really need the
Highwind to carry cargo from Wutai to the refugee camps." Tifa rubs her
chin with a hand. 

	"What happened to all those Gelnikas Shinra had?" Cait Sith shook
its head and sighed. 

	"When Scarlett and Heidegger died in Proud Clod, they had a virus
set out into all the military ships that made them not usable. We haven't
figured how to react the coding yet. I have a team working on it though.
We're running out of food for Midgar citizens. Food merchants have been
doing all they can to bring in some food from neighboring towns, but
there's so many people that it's not making much of a dent. Good thing is,
Chocobo Bill and Billy are teaching alot of the people how to raise
gardens. Kalm'll probably shift to an agricultural town, at this rate." 

	Tifa took Cloud to oneside while Cait was rambling on about the
reconstruction plans. Cloud had blinked as Tifa was talking to him,
glacing back at Aerith. He rubbed his head and then nodded. The two had
been back in the main group by the time Cait had finished speaking. Cloud
looked around and blinked. "By the way, anyone know where Barret is?" 

	"He's being refitted for a constructor's arm. He's been really
enthusiastic with helping out the people. He also is wanting to stay
nearby Marlene. I'm glad to see him so happy." Cait Sith laughed a bit and
reclined on Mallow's head. 

	It was strange. After the punch delievered to Reeve, the two were
actually getting along fairly well. I guess they realized how much they
both care about the citizens of Midgar.  Everyone, though, had been
staring at Aerith... and she could feel the weight of our gaze. She
remained quiet through everything, utterly confused, having missed most of
our war against Sephiroth and ShinRa. Cloud came to the middle of the
group and nodded. 

	"Very well, then. We'll take Topaz to Nibelheim, and--" Vincent
stood from the shadows and came forward. 

	"Cloud, I'd like to go, too, if it's not a problem." Cloud
shrugged and nodded, much to Tifa's dismay. I guess she had hoped to go
back with him alone. She was always on the verge of telling him how she
felt, we could all see that, but she hesitated, like many times before,
and kept her feelings to herself. The three left to the chocobo farm.
Aerith frowned. It seemed before she died, Cloud had brought her along
most times. I sensed how she felt and walked to her side. Always treating
me like a pet, she brushed back my mane and sighed. 

	Cid saluted and waved a hand, "Hey, Red XIII, wanna come with me
to Wutai? I know you like the food there." The seasoned captain grinned,
teeth clutched on a cigarette, the butt glowing red as Vincent's eyes.
Yuffie, at this point, shook an arm at Cid, then at me and Aerith. 

	"Hey! Why didnya ask me?! That's _my_ hometown, you know!!!" Cid
clapped her on the back and laughed heartily. Yuffie smirked and looked
about. "Anyways, I'll be going too." Cid looked at me and perked a brow. I
shook my head. 

	"I'm going to bring Aerith to Cosmo Canyon, so she can look at the
planetary system again."  At that, the Cetra beamed a smile. She had
always loved Cosmo, so I knew it would cheer her up.  I hadn't been back
since my Grandpa died, and I knew that I had many years left to live, so I
had better go back. I was Cosmo's protector, afterall. We went to the
chocobo farm and took Slate, one of the black chocobos. Aerith was
impressed by Chole's tales of Cloud winning the races many times at the
Gold Saucer, looking forward to the ride that much more. 

	"Red," she had said.. "I want to ride a chocobo in the races.
Think we can do that?" I chuckled as I ran alongside the fine animal, then
hopping to it's rear. With Slate, I could do that. He was an inteligent
chocobo. I tried that once with Amber, one of the two gold chocobos bred
from him. She was a feisty one, and I had been lucky enough to be carrying
a mastered Repair materia, at the time. 

	"I'm sure Cloud would love to take you there. You've never had to
race a chocobo before, though. Let me tell you some of the secrets..." We
talked along the way, but finally made it to Cosmo Canyon, by way of Junon
ship and mountain crossing. Everyone was glad to see us, and eager to hear
me tell about seeing Meteor up close. Aerith never asked about Bugenhagen.
After awhile at the fire, she hugged me close. I guess she had figured out
what happened, since we didn't see him in the laboratory. "Aerith, do you
remember what the Lifestream was like?" 

	"Why does everyone act as though I was dead, Red...?" I told her
then, what happened. She had put her hand over her mouth then, and closed
her eyes, which filled with tears. 

	"But you're fine, now. The Planet brought you back to us... Aerith?"

	"Cloud saw me die.. right before... his eyes... Sephiroth..." She
narrowed her brow and sniffled. I decided then, to tell her the rest of
the story, up until her return. After many hours, we got up, and stayed
the night at the laboratory. 

	In the morning, we got a PHS from Reeve, asking to meet back at
Kalm in two days. Aerith clasped her hands together and nudged me. "Let's
go meet Cloud at Nibelheim!" I didn't know how to say no to that girl, so
that's what we ended up doing. I had a bad feeling about the whole thing,
wishing I had stayed back... to protect Cosmo, of course. ("Yeah, right,
Grandpa!"  "Masuuuki, hush!") 

	*** Author's note. Side-Story Two: Reminiscence takes place at
this point. If you wish to, please read it now to have the storyline be
continuous.***

	We reached Nibelheim fairly soon, that morning. The villagers were
gathered around a house on the far side of town. As we moved closer, we
could see it was Tifa's house they were mobbing about, and many of the
children were gawking at Topaz, one of two gold chocobos in the world, at
that time. We rode Slate up to the house, and Topaz gave out a friendly
'Waaraark!" upon seeing his father. Aerith hopped off the chocobo, and it
ran over to the other feathered beast, knocking me off a distance. I could
see Aerith went to the door, and Tifa had answered. I saw Tifa smile, and
let her in. I thought that perhaps I was wrong about Tifa, and that she
might have just been a close friend to Cloud. 

	Gathering myself together, I gave a look to the chocobos, and then
to the people around the house. Everyone eventually cleared away, and I
was about to go into Tifa's house, when she opened the door. She stepped
out quietly, closed it behind her and leaned back to it, sighing.  She had
tears running down her face, and she was wiping them as her eyes darted
back and forth.  She then closed her eyes shut tight and slid down on the
door, gritting her teeth to choke back the sobs that were apparantly
trying to escape her. I knew it was a bad idea to bring Aerith here... But
I didn't think she'd let me stop her from coming, either. I figured it was
better if I accompanied her. I figured wrong, however. 

	Tifa opened her eyes, then wiped them, and our eyes met. She
blinked, then stood up and ran at me. I was quite astonished when she
slapped my muzzle. That, I had not been expecting. In fact, it angered me
alot. "What'd you do that for! Grrrr...." 

	"How could you bring her here?! You... you -know_ how I feel.
Yo-You're just a traitor, Red!" She collapsed to her knees and I frowned.
As much as I was upset over being whacked, I couldn't stand to see a woman
cry. I nudged her with my muzzle and sat down. 

	"You know, as well as I do, she would have come here on her own,
if I hadn't. I'm sorry, Tifa. You'll just have to trust Cloud." She sobbed
and hugged me close. I don't know what it is about human women, but they
always see our kind as plush toys. Quite disturbing, really. I didn't mind
too much, though. They were my friends, after all. 

	"Trust... Cloud... To do what? Even when she was.. 'dead'... she
had a hold over him. I can trust him to hold her? What good does that do
me?" Through her sobs, I saw her fears. She had already accepted defeat
when it came to the triangle they had. Even though she knew he would
choose Aerith, she had to keep on hoping that he wouldn't. That was how
she thought. Now that I think about it, I think he loved them both. It
trully tore at him to decide between the two. He had been confused most of
his life, so it was something he could live with. If you had asked me
then, I would have said it could not have gotten more complicated... I
would have been wrong about that, too. 

	"Trust him to be true to his heart, Tifa. If he feels the same way
you do, it will come out, despite Aerith being there. If not, then it's
something you will have to get over." Tifa pushed me away then and looked
at me sternly. 

	"That was cold, Red." I looked up and stared back at her.

	"That's how life is, sometimes. You have to accept some things. I
had to accept I was the last of my kind, Tifa. At least you'd have a
chance with another human male." She blinked and gave the most peculiar
face I had ever seen from her. 

	"Oh, Red... I never thought of that.. I'm so sorry... It must hurt
you to see us squabble like this..." What could I say? She was right.
There were many times I wished I was human, just to have someone around
like me. I smiled and shook my head, then licked her tears away. She
giggled, so I scuffled, pouncing on her playfully. I had to do something
to ease the moment for her... actually, I guess I did it for the both of
us. We ended up laughing and got to our feet.  Tifa sighed and looked at
her house. 

	"You ready to go back?" She nodded silently and we both entered
the house. Cloud and Aerith were no where to be seen. Vincent had resumed
eating breakfast and sipping his tea. Tifa blinked, and looked to me
worriedly. She looked at Vincent. 

	"Where are they?" Tifa questioned in a rushed voice. Vincent
looked up and set his ricebowl down. He looked at me, then Tifa, then
bowed his head. Tifa blinked, "?" 

	"Gone." We both blinked at that, then had our own set of matching
sweatdrops. 

	"I can see that. Where?" Vincent looked up to Tifa, as if to
answer, then folded his hands in his lap. 

	"I have no idea." Her eyes widened, and I thought she would pummel
Vincent, at that point. I think her thoughts took a turn for the worse,
then, because she looked upstairs, and her face paled. Immediately, she
rushed upstairs. I really didn't want to see Aerith dead again, so I
followed behind. 

	Tifa stopped at the stairs, and we could hear sounds from the 2nd
floor. There was grunting and gasping... Tifa's face twitched as she
muttered to herself, "They... wouldn't... dare!" I could almost feel her
limit break peak then, and she started off toward the noises. 

	"Tifa!!!" Both Cloud and Aerith gasped as she rushed into the
room, myself behind. What we found there was not quite what we had
expected. They were moving boxes out of Tifa's parents' closet. Tifa
blinked in momentary confusion, then furrowed her brow. 

	"What the heck are you two up to?!" She tapped her foot and glared
at the two companions.  Cloud put a hand behind his head as Aerith shyly
thrust a picture into Tifa's face. "Huh? What's this?" 

	"It's a picture from your birthday, Tifa. Aerith and I saw the
rocking horse you got that year, in it, and we thought we'd go find it for
you, to cheer you up. You seemed pretty down this morning." Tifa blinked,
and looked at them, then started to cry. "Tifa... We're sorry.. We didn't
think this would upset you." Tifa pulled Cloud and Aerith to her and cried
on their shoulders. They both were quite confused, I'd say. 

	"No...no.. I'm the one who needs to apologize." Tifa looked up to
them, and I felt like I was intruding, at that point, so I left to go
downstairs. Vincent came out from the kitchen, after putting his breakfast
away and looked up. 

	"Want to go for a walk?" I nodded to him and we left. I've always
had a comradery with Vincent. Perhaps it's because we both felt alone and
unique from the others. Heh... at the very least, we looked cool together.
He never said anything about it, but I think times when he saw Cloud and
the two girls together, he'd ponder about Lucrecia, and the life and love
that was taken from him. It must have been worse for him. I had never
known what it was like to be with others like me.. but Vincent was changed
from one who had everything around him to the monstrocity he saw himself
as. 

	Our walks were usually quiet, and this one was no exception. I
felt the gaze of villagers upon us as we strolled the cobblestone streets.
I did break the silence, eventually. "Aerith wants to ride in a chocobo
race." Vincent nodded solemnly. "I think it will be good for her. I caught
her up on all that's happened too. She's not as confused now." Again,
Vincent nodded. "I told her to enjoy the gift of life she's been given."
Vincent stopped. 

	"He shouldn't hesitate with them. It's hurting them all. Fools."
Vincent narrowed his eyes and walked on. I really didn't know what to say.
He was bitter most times, especially when it came to matters of the heart.
Our walk ended, just as Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith left Tifa's house.  I
should have known what was to happen next. 

	"Cloud, can I ride with you?" Aerith held her hands together at her waist and asked
politely. Cloud shrugged and nodded. Tifa's face went blank.

	"I was going to ride with Cloud." Cloud and Aerith looked back at
her, both a bit confused at the statement. Cloud smiled and shrugged,
offering Tifa a boost up after settling Aerith in the front. Aerith looked
down, and Tifa looked up. Both sets of eyes met. Tifa smirked and smacked
Vincent on the back. "Nah, I'll ride with Vinny." Vincent didn't look too
happy. In fact I could have sworn he mumbled something profane. Tifa did
give me an eye, though. 

	"Well, I think, maybe I'll ride with Cloud, he's so popular." I
winked my eye at Cloud, who rolled his eyes and mounted Topaz. I hopped on
Topaz with a grin, and we were on our way. As I thought, Aerith didn't try
anything fast with Cloud. She was much to polite, but she did lean her
head on his shoulder once. Tifa trusted me to ensure nothing happened...
but if it had, I don't know what I would have done. 

	We met up with Vincent and Tifa at the Gold Saucer, and headed for
the races. Aerith was extatic about getting her chance to ride a chocobo
in the race. She had a hard time deciding between all our stock, before
deciding to ride Topaz. Cloud instructed her, along with Ester, about
different techniques to guide the chocobo along the path. Finally ready,
Aerith mounted and headed out the gate with the other racers. 

	The race was going fantastically well. Only Joe had a chance to
beat Aerith and Topaz, but really, Teioh was still no match for the gold
chocobo. It's something Joe was always upset over.  He had been champion
so long, that it stumped him when Cloud beat him time after time. Cloud
cheered Aerith on from the sidelines, and Tifa nudged me to come with her.
"What is it?" 

	"Oh, just wanted some company while I got some refreshments." Tifa
smiled at me, and for once, I was very confused. 

	"The race will be over by the time we get them, though." She
winked at me and held two fingers up in a V. 

	"Precisely!" I shook my head. She and Aerith were becoming love
rivals more and more each day. It's a shame too, because they were
friends, as well. Well, they seemed to handle it pretty fine. Tifa
giggled, then stared at someone across the room. "I don't believe it..."
She looked absolutely dumbfounded. I turned to see who she was looking at.
He was a tall man, in a worker's uniform. One of Joe's team, it looked
like, from the black chocobo patch on his arm. He had a similar cut to his
hair as Cloud's, but it was longer and black. 

	"Hm... Do you know him, Tifa?" She nodded and walked over to the man.

	"Yo! Zack!" Tifa waved as she walked over, and Zack peered at her.

	"Hey, I know you from somewhere... Wait a minute..." He pointed in the air at her and
shouted, "Tifa!? Wow! It's been... forever! What? Seven years?!" She nodded and smiled.

	"Good to see you. Hey... We thought you were dead. Good to see you
still alive and kicking!"  He laughed and nodded, then blinked... 

	"We?" Tifa blinked back, as Aerith arrived from the Jockey's
lounge. Zack's eyes widened.  It's about then, that I put pieces of the
puzzle together. This was the Zack Cloud mentioned, his old buddy from
SOLDIER... this was the same Zack that had been Aerith's old boyfriend...
I saw the puzzle, and felt things get that much more complicated. No
wonder Tifa was so happy to see him. 

	"Aerith..." Aerith saw Tifa first and waved to her, then blinked.
She stood in place, as Zack ran up to her and hugged her tight. That's
when Cloud and Vincent came in from the stands.  Cloud stopped as soon as
he saw them. Zack looked back at Cloud, and his eyes widened, "Cloud?!" 

	Both Cloud and Aerith said it at the same time, "Zack..." Everyone
was shocked to see him alive, most of all Cloud, who saw him riddled with
bullets just before they were to get to Midgar. Zack looked back and
forth. That's when Zack and Aerith looked at each other and spoke in
unison: 

	"You know each other?" Cloud stared at Zack, who stared back. In a
way, they were like mirror images of each other. Blue mako eyes met, one
set stumped and confused, the other set starting to anger. 

	"Cloud, you took my sword, man. How could you leave your buddy
like that? I didn't leave you!" Cloud blinked, wide-eyed. 

	"I thought you were dead." Zack frowned... then blinked.

	"Anyways, I'm so glad you know Aerith! Isn't she a doll?" He
smiled and hugged Aerith close again, who was looking quite a bit
embarrassed. Cloud nodded, unsure how to react to the situation. "Imagine
the luck! Me meeting up with my best pal and my best gal at the same time! 
And they know each other! This is so great!" The rest of us were feeling
quite awkward.  "Saaaaay, Cloud! I shoulda known it was you racing against
Joe. No one else could beat him...  'cept maybe me, and we won't tell him,
now, will we?" He winked at that. 

	That's when I noticed Vincent. I looked at them again. Aerith,
looking down and away from everyone. Cloud, looking over at Aerith with a
sad and confused face. Zack, happy as can be to find those who meant so
much to him... and Tifa, looking at Cloud as he looked at Aerith. She had
thought it would fix things... that was her hope, I think. It was just
another pebble thrown into the pond, however. The waves it was making was
not to Tifa's wishing. I looked back at Vincent, and he grumbled, walking
away. "Maybe we should go back early, don't you think?"  Zack peered at me
then. 

	"Oh wow! It talked! Hey, cat! You're pretty cool!" I should have
kept my muzzle shut. 

	"I'm not a cat." Zack blinked and peered at me more.

	"You're a dog?" I shook my head. "Then what are you?"

	"I am what I am." Zack grinned and patpatted me on the head.
Well... He had one thing in common with Aerith, at least. 

	Tifa tapped her arm. "Yeah, we should go back early." Zack placed
his hand over my head, so I had a hard time seeing much of anything. I
really didn't like the treatment, but he was Cloud's old buddy and
Aerith's boyfriend... well... ex-boyfriend, though I don't think Zack
thought so. 

	"Go where, Tifa?" That was Zack's voice.

	"Kalm Town." Aerith.

	"Oh. Why?" Zack again.

	"We're helping Midgar citizens out." Cloud.

	"Oh. I'm coming with you?" Zack again, and it's debatable if that
was a question or a statement. Whichever it was intended as, it became
fact that he did travel back with us. It made for a very awkward trip
back, though. I was riding with Zack and Aerith. Vincent rode with Cloud
and Tifa. Both girls had a faraway look, as though things were not going
quite how they expected. Cloud didn't know what to say to his old friend.
Vincent and I were bystanders as always with these things. It made for an
interesting stew of attitudes. I'd like to say the trip went well, but I
blocked it from memory. 

	*** Author's note. Side-Story Three: Rations and Robbery takes
place at this point. If you wish to, please read it now to have the
storyline be continuous.***

	Slate and Topaz were eagerly grazing on some Reagan greens as we
ran past Chocobo Billy and his sister, Chole to meet Reeve. "Reeve!" The
head of ShinRa smiled and waved to all of us. 

	"You're early, Cloud." Cloud nodded and stretched. "Long trip, I
see. Aerith. It's good to see you in person, you know." Aerith blinked.
"You may know me as Cait Sith." She blinked and smiled. 

	"I wouldn't have guessed it." He had an odd look in his eye.
Something was up, I could smell it. Suddenly, Elmyra emerged from the barn
entrance, and upon seeing Aerith, she ran to her adopted daughter. 

	"Aerith!!! My baby!" She hugged Aerith tight, who hugged back.
Both wiped happy tears from their eyes as they looked at each other. They
might have had their differences, which were many, but they still were a
family. 

	"I missed you, too, Mom." Aerith smiled, and I couldn't help
smiling myself. 

	"Hi, Mom!" Elmyra blinked at Zack. "Remember me?"

	"I thought I told you I never wanted to see your face again,
Zachariah." Aerith bit her lip and moved to oneside as her mother furrowed
a brow and poked Zack in the chest with a forefinger. "Leaving my daughter
like that!" 

	"I was assigned!"

	"That's no excuse!"

	"But Mom!"

	"Don't call me that, your mother is in Gongaga!" Zack was on the
verge of tears. I had no idea a man from SOLDIER could be so pathetic. He
was almost the exact opposite of Cloud. 

	"Oh, Mother. Let it be, okay. It's been a long time since then. By
the way, Mother... why are you here, and not in Kalm with Marlene." Elmyra
startled and blushed. "Mom? Are you okay?"  Reeve loosened his collar with
a finger. 

	"Well, remember what I told you about getting back in a couple of
days?" Aerith blinked and looked to Reeve with a question on her face.
"Well, your mother and I..." Elmyra nodded. 

	"We're getting married." Everyone dropped their jaws, and for
once, even the chocobos were silent. 

	*** Author's note. Side-Story Four: Ripe For the Plucking takes
place at this point. If you wish to, please read it now to have the
storyline be continuous.***

______________________________________________________________________________
Well, there's chapter one. Um, yes I know I brought back Aerith and Zack.
I have my reasons, though. ^_~ One thing I'd like to ask, though.. Since I
have a website up for the fic, should I post anymore of it to the FFML, or
not? Also, if you have any suggestions as to how I might post the
sidestories (if I post more to the ML, that is.. ) or grammatical
suggestions, please tell me. And most of all, I hope you enjoyed the
story. ^^; Thanks.
______________________________________________________________________________

RED Stafford/Komadori	"Have you ever danced with a moogle in the pale
komadori@otaking.org	moonlight?"
chuki@airmail.net
ICQ #17470568		http://web2.airmail.net/chuki/rmr/