Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ For Love of a Parent ( Chapter 31 )

Chapter 31: For Love of a Parent

 

Nanaki ran into the town of Cosmo Canyon, a mixture of happiness and sadness evident in his eyes. He was eager to see his grandfather again but also a bit apprehensive towards Yuffie. He wondered if their relationship would ever be the same since… he kissed her. The demi-human wasn't even sure why he did so either. It was just a moment and then a feeling and then he was pressing his lips to her.

 

He had always felt a connection with the ninja girl, there was no doubt about that. However, it wasn't until he obtained his human-like form that he started viewing her in a human sense. He noticed that she had wonderfully expressive eyes and shining soft hair. He began to understand her cheerfulness and saucy attitude. When he changed, he looked at her in a whole new light.

 

As he walked up the stairs towards his home, he still pondered. What would she think of him now? Would she hate him… or worse… would she feel the same? He wasn't sure if he could handle that possibility. After all, it was not going to happen. She was Yuffie, princess in her own rights of Wutai, and he was Nanaki, demi-human… wait a minute… wasn't he a prince or something like that as well?

 

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Nanaki pushed open the door to his house and called out for Bugenhagen.

 

“Grandfather?”

 

“Here, in the observatory,” returned the answer.

 

Nanaki instantly headed for the ladder, climbing up to find his grandfather looking interested at a particular star in the sky.

 

“Why are you home, not that I mind?” asked Bugenhagen, greeting the demi-human with a smile.

 

“Cloud told us to go home and find our reasons for fighting. Of course, I came here. Three days, he gave us.”

 

“Hmm, interesting.”

 

“What are you looking at?” asked Nanaki as he moved to stand beside him. He too looked at the interesting star but couldn't discern what was so special about it.

 

“Did you know that each person on this planet has their own representative star? Or that is what the Ancients believed.”

 

Nanaki shook his head. “You taught me once, but I am afraid I had forgotten.”

 

Bugenhagen chuckled. “That is quite all right. This star here is called Akinan, and it is yours. It seems to have shifted out of alignment though.”

 

“Interesting,” Nanaki mused aloud.

 

“Very.” The old sage nodded. “Your life is changing, child,” His voice took on a serious tone. “You are going to have to understand that. The world has become a new experience for you now that you see through different eyes.”

 

“I want to protect Cosmo Canyon… just like my father,” Nanaki said. “I think it is part of my reason… but I still feel… lost. Like there is something missing.”

“It is around that time in your life,” the elderly man stated with a sigh. He shook his head. “They grow up so fast.”

 

“Heh?” Nanaki questioned.

 

“Never mind. I assume you want to see your father once more?”

 

“How did you-“

 

“It is my business to know such things. Come.” Bugenhagen floated out the door way and down the ladder to take Nanaki to the Gi Nattak cave.

 

The demi-human gave his grandfather a confused look but followed after him. How did Bugenhagen seem to know everything? He continued to ponder on this even after he followed him into the cave.

 

The old sage opened the door, and the two of them entered the cave, on the lookout for the monsters that might be brave enough to attack.

 

They made it through the cave relatively unharmed. Nanaki slipped on the oil spill because he wasn't paying attention to where he was going. Yet, a well timed protect prevented him from getting hurt.

 

He was too busy thinking to really pay heed to where he was placing his feet. He wondered about his reason for fighting. Hojo was dead… ShinRa was finished… but he personally had no grudge against Sephiroth… well, except for the fact that the ex-general killed someone very dear to him. So maybe he did have a grudge. Yet, was revenge enough? And even wanting to save the planet… it brought to mind the question of why it was they who turned out to be the heroes.

 

Was it destiny or fate? Was all living kind doomed to live out their prescribed destinies? Did living kind even have a choice in their path… was freedom a part of life?

 

It was such questions that haunted Nanaki as he walked.

 

He wondered why he had changed. Why was he a demi-human now? Why had he reverted to his lupine form earlier in the week? To what purpose was it for him to become human? He still had hopes of finding a female of his kind to revive his clan… or perhaps his transformation was a sign that it was his destiny to be the last of his king. The thought depressed him.

 

“Thinking darkly again?” Bugenhagen's voice cut into his musings.

 

“Hm?” Nanaki asked, looking up.

 

“Your face is pointed inwards and is shadowed. You are thinking unhappy thoughts, no?” his grandfather questioned.

 

The demi-human sighed. “Things are changing faster than I can adapt. There are so many questions, and I feel like someone is dangling the answers in front of me but I'm only grasping at straws.”

 

Which brought to mind… Yuffie. Energetic, fearless, and friendly ninja that she was… Yuffie was also his best friend, and he had kissed her! Inwardly, Nanaki groaned. He would be lucky if he had a friend when he came back, too many emotions… too many human problems for him to deal with. In his lupine form… he never had to worry about kissing the human females… but now… Nanaki couldn't help the sigh that escaped him.

 

Bugenhagen looked over at his adopted grandson, trying to understand whether or not he could be of any help to the young man. He seemed so torn with indecision. The wise man felt bad that he could not find out the purpose behind the amulet… or why Nanaki kept transforming. Seto had never had such a thing happen to him. It was a perplexing mystery…. then again, the amulet had been lost for a long time. Why was it in the Temple of the Ancients in the first place?

 

Before long the two men found themselves standing just outside the entrance to where Seto stood protecting Cosmo Canyon in his grave of everlasting stone. Bugenhagen gestured that Nanaki should go in alone. The wise man didn't feel like his presence was required.

 

Nanaki took a deep breath, grabbed the amulet and went inside; recently he had begun to take comfort in the cool metal. It filled him with inner peace. Although he didn't know why, he accepted the mental tranquility.

 

Nanaki moved into the area and looked up at the forlorn figure of his father. He felt humbled by being in the great lion wolf's presence. He clutched the amulet tighter and sat down on the ground cross-legged. He gazed up at the stoic form of the lion that had given him life and began to talk quietly to the father he could hardly remember.

 

“I know I don't look it, but it's me father, Nanaki. I can't explain why I am in this form because I really don't know. To be honest, I am not even sure why I came. It is not like I am seeking guidance or anything… I guess I just wanted someone to listen without offering comments.” The demi-human paused taking a deep breath.

 

“I am off to save the world, just like you protected Cosmo Canyon from the enemy; I am going to try and protect the planet from Sephiroth and Meteor. Cloud told us that we all have to find a reason, something that will make us fight.” Nanaki stopped speaking for a moment, hands clenching as he thought out his next words.

 

“I used to think I didn't need a reason because I already had one in protecting my homeland and my planet. Yet, now I realize that I am not sure that is enough. It seems everyone has another purpose and sometimes I feel so… alone. Barret… he loves his daughter very much. Cloud has recently had Aeris returned to him, and he has his own personal vendetta, to become his own person without the parasite's influence. I won't even begin to hypothesize about Cid and Vincent. I only hope that they realize what they have in each other. Reeve and Reno have made it clear that they are in love… isn't it a wonderful emotion… love?” Nanaki couldn't help the sarcastic smile that broke out over his face. His golden eyes seemed to be tinged with sadness.

 

“I wouldn't know, of course… not like there is someone out there waiting for me to come home. I'm the last of my kind and what human could love a demi-human. Certainly none that I know, and to make matters worse… I have probably estranged my best friend… I can't believe that I kissed her. Why in hell did I do that?” Nanaki sighed as he shook his head.

 

“Love would be something worth fighting for. I may not have someone to come home to, but perhaps there is someone out there that can love me. That hope could be enough of a reason, meeting my soul mate one day, feeling complete.”

 

“It is one of the most powerful emotions of the human soul,” Bugenhagen commented, stepping out of the shadows from where he had been watching his adopted grandson.

 

Nanaki startled and jumped a bit, not thinking that he was being observed. He swiveled his head to face the wiser man.

 

“I didn't realize you were there,” Nanaki said quietly.

 

“You haven't realized it yet,” the old man continued, coming to hover next to the red-haired male. “But you are becoming more and more `human' every day. I think the phrase; `love is blind' is accurate in this case.”

 

“Perhaps,” the grandson answered, standing to his feet. He brushed the dirt and small rocks off of his hand as he looked up at his father, standing stoic, proud, and encased in stone.

 

“He would be proud of you,” the wise man said quietly.

 

“You think?”

 

Bugenhagen nodded.

 

Nanaki sighed. He turned his golden gaze on his grandfather and allowed a slight smile to slip onto his face. “I will honor him by defending Cosmo Canyon… and learning to love as well.”

 

“Sounds like a good enough reason to me.” Bugenhagen smiled. He started floating towards the exit, Nanaki turning to follow him. “How long did you say you had again?”

 

“Three days, give or take,” the red-haired demi-human answered.

 

“I suppose I can fit a lesson in then. No need to waste your trip here.”

 

“Grandfather,” the demi-human protested. “Shouldn't I be… I don't know… enjoying myself or something rather than learning.”

 

Bugenhagen laughed as they made their way back through the Gi Nattak caverns. “Nonsense. I have some good War Tactics textbooks that would be quite useful… and educative I think, as well.”

 

Nanaki groaned and grumbled. “That is not fair.”

 

“Ho, ho, ho,” smirked the wiser man. “Who said life was?”

 

* * *

 

Yuffie exited the airship rather quickly… almost too quickly. It wasn't her fault that Cloud was missing his materia. Why would she want his old, crummy Bolt anyways? It wasn't even Level 3, yet! The ninja stuck her tongue out at the crew member and walked off in the direction of Wutai. After all, she had a reason to fight to find, right?

 

The ninja still didn't quite understand why she had joined the group in the first place… but then, they did have the best materia selection around. The strongest, fastest, most powerful materia in all Gaia had been collected and distributed among their group. And hadn't Cloud promised she could have it all at the very end? It would be a great help for Wutai, that's for sure.

 

Yuffie made her way quickly into town, heading for the pagoda where she knew her father would be. She had easy access ever since she beat the hell out of everyone the first time they all came to Wutai, and that was also the time that nasty Don Corneo put his dirty fat hands on her, too. She shuddered involuntarily at the thought. Disgusting fat bastard had nearly drooled all over her. Last thing she had wanted was to do anything with him.

 

Then the memory hit her like a ton of bricks. A pair of soft, warm lips pressed against hers in the cargo bay of the airship. Nanaki… the demi-human had kissed her… then ran away as if scared. Sure she was terrifying, but it was just a kiss… and a nice one at that, too. She put her hand to her lips as if recalling it again and giggled girlishly. The dark-haired ninja could feel her cheeks burning in embarrassment as she remembered the incident.

 

“Yuffie!” She heard her father yell her name and jumped about five feet in the air, lost to her daydreaming. A hard and heavy weight struck her in the side and she crumpled to the ground with an “oof”!

 

Acting instinctively, the ninja kicked up and out, connecting with something solid. The weight shifted off of her and she scrambled away to get a better grasp on the situation, already reaching for her shuriken. Her eyes scanned the area looking for her attacker. There was no one around.

 

She heard the slight crunching of gravel behind her and knew without a doubt, the enemy's position. She got to her feet slowly, pretending as if she didn't know she was being stalked. The ninja put her hands on her hips as if trying to find out who had attacked her. Then she heard the crunch of stone again and a whoosh of air. Grinning evilly, the ninja ducked and her assailant went sailing over her. Yuffie whipped out her shuriken and slashed at the blur, managing to cut into the fabric.

 

The attacker hit the ground but sprang to his feet with quick movements. Yuffie recognized him and an even slyer smile broke out on her face. They always greeted each other in such a way. Suddenly, a great cloud of grey smoke arose around the man, and he disappeared from her eyes. Laughter echoed through the air.

 

The ninja swung her head around trying to locate him, finally spotting Godo standing near the huge golden gong.

 

“Old man!” she called cheerfully as she bounded up to meet him. It had ended in a stalemate. “You're getting slower.”

 

“Why the hell are you here, daydreaming off into space and not out getting their materia?” Godo demanded. There was a smile on his face. He was glad to see his daughter but couldn't resist scolding her.

 

“Spiky wants us to `find a reason',” the little ninja answered, imitating Cloud.

 

Father and daughter broke into laughter. There was something about her blond leader that was always amusing. Godo even managed to imitate Cloud's look of confusion perfectly.

 

“So, why were you so distracted?” her father asked, changing the subject.

 

Yuffie's cheeks instantly reddened as the memory hit her again. But there was no way she was going to explain to her father now. “I… I was remembering how many materia my friends have.”

 

Godo clapped her on the back. “That's my girl.” He started to lead her to the temple, hearing her stomach growl almost immediately. “Let's get something to eat, and you can tell me what your `leader' has ordered.”

 

The little ninja nodded. “Can we have boiled octopus?”

 

Her father couldn't help but laugh at her. “I don't know how you eat that slimy food.”

 

“It's good,” she insisted. However, she knew there was no convincing her father. They entered the temple and went straight to the dining room where the servants rushed to get them some food.

 

“Bring us some rice and fish, and of course Yuffie wants boiled octopus,” ordered Godo, sitting down comfortably at the low table with thick pillows for chairs.

 

“Ah,” the dark-haired ninja began, smiling broadly. “I haven't had it in so lo~ng.”

 

Godo shook his head in disbelief. Boiled octopus was not exactly his idea of a treat. “So, what is it that Cloud said that made you come home empty-handed?”

 

Yuffie shrugged. “He started spouting some psychological nonsense about us finding our true selves and a purpose for fighting. We have to return in three days or he will fight Sephiroth without us. I figured I'd just hang out here until I have to go back.”

 

Her father appeared to be thinking as he considered her words. “Well, do you?”

 

Yuffie looked up startled as she fiddled with the cloth napkin on the table in front of her. “What?”

 

“Do you have a reason?”

 

“I… I suppose so…” the ninja answered thoughtfully, trailing off. Then again, now that he mentioned it… “Or maybe not.” She frowned, slouching down in her seat.

 

Godo looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face. “You know, you are my daughter, Yuffie. I will be proud no matter what you do. I love you.”

 

“I'm not going to run!” she declared, looking up angrily.

 

“I didn't say that you would,” her father said softly, thanking the servants as they brought the steaming food to the two of them. After bowing, they left their masters on their own and disappeared, affording them some privacy.

 

Godo continued. “I merely meant to say that I understand. You shouldn't fight for me or even Wutai… but for yourself. Otherwise your strength will be diminished. What was the first lesson you were taught in training?”

 

Yuffie sighed. “Fight with your heart.”

 

Her father nodded. “Exactly.”

 

“I still don't see how that has anything to do with it.” The younger ninja shrugged.

 

Godo regarded her thoughtfully, seemingly trying to come up with a solution. He reached for the food and served himself up some white rice and boiled meats. Godo tried not to look as Yuffie dove into her boiled octopus with vigor.

 

The young ninja disappeared into her mind as she ate, enjoying the silence that was given to her. At first she was only traveling with Cloud and his friends for their materia… but then she became very good friends with Nanaki. After all, they were the youngest of the entire group and often thought of as a hindrance rather than a help. Never mind that Nanaki was one of the strongest people she knew.

 

Again, Yuffie couldn't help the blush that broke across her cheeks. Why was it ever time she thought about the fire wolf turned demi-human she couldn't control her embarrassment? He was a great friend… but when had she started thinking of him as something more?

And getting materia for Wutai… that wasn't enough of a reason to fight either. In fact, it was rather selfish of her to think in only those terms. To go into a deadly battle with only materia on the brain? Her father was right; it would be the death of her. So what else could she fight for? What else did she have to protect? What reason could she have to fight?

 

“Yuffie?” Her father's voice interrupted her thoughts.

 

“Hm?” she asked.

 

He looked at her, brown eyes soft. They shared the same eye color, Godo and Yuffie. It was in her facial features, the turn of her nose, the shape of her face, that Godo truly saw her mother.

 

“I think that we should go see your mother.”

 

“Mom?” Yuffie asked quizzically. She put down her chop sticks. “Why?”

 

Godo stood up from the table, food forgotten. “I think it will help. It is far time that you learned what truly happened in the war.”

 

The ninja looked up at him mutely as she laid down her own utensils and stood up from the table. She nodded and followed her father as he led them from the temple into the back where the cemetery was kept and maintained.

 

They didn't speak as they wove their way through the many tombstones until they reached the Kisaragi family crypt. Godo unlocked the entrance and the two stepped into the cool confines of the memorial room whose far door led into the deeper recesses of the crypt.

 

Soundlessly, they knelt before the altar and lit a candle for her mother, praying quietly.

 

After a few minutes of silence between the two, the sweet, smoky incense filling up the crypt, Godo spoke.

 

“Mihari loved you from the moment you were born. She considered you an angel sent by Leviathan-sama. She would be proud of you, if she could see you now.”

 

There was the slightest of sniffs before Yuffie responded. “I don't remember her very much… almost not at all.”

 

“She was one of the greatest ninjas this country had seen in a long time, and when war arrived… she was one of the first to go into battle. I couldn't convince her not to fight.” Godo smiled as he looked over at his daughter. “You remind me of her in that aspect. Never one to stand down from a fight.”

 

Yuffie returned his smile, encouraged by his words. She waited for him to continue.

 

Her father sighed and continued to gaze at the altar. “We almost thought that Wutai was going to win the war. However, the enemy's general… he was a madman. Nothing it seemed, could bring him down. Mihari took it upon herself to destroy him. She didn't want to see anymore of her people throwing their lives away.” Godo stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm down. Still, all these years later and her loss pained him.

 

Yuffie moved closer to her father and took his hand in her own, offering him comfort.

 

“She was killed… by their general… a man with long silver hair dressed in thick black leather. You know him as… Sephiroth.”

 

Yuffie stiffened almost immediately at the name. Her mother… the woman who never got to watch her grow up… will never see her become a lady… will never get to see her get married… had been stolen from her by that foul man Sephiroth!

 

She sucked in a deep breath, responding in a low and even tone. “I will kill him.”

 

Surprised the murderous sound to his daughter's voice, Godo looked over at her. “Yuffie, I didn't mean that you should immediately seek revenge but-“

 

The dark-haired ninja shook her head violently, standing abruptly to her feet. “He is killing my planet, trying to destroy my home; he killed my mother. Sephiroth deserves nothing less than death.”

 

Godo stood up, grabbing his daughter by her shoulders and looking her deep in the eyes. “Mihari would not have wanted you to fight only for revenge. She would have wanted you to live happily… to love. She died with no regrets. Wouldn't you have some if you lost the battle… to have never experienced the joys of the heart?”

 

Yuffie looked away, some of the fire dying behind her eyes. “If Sephiroth isn't destroyed, I won't even have the chance to live. Meteor's gonna fall in six days. I won't even see my seventeenth birthday.”

 

“I'm not saying you shouldn't fight,” insisted Godo. “I am just saying that you should have something stronger than vengeance… something more encouraging like the future you won't have if he wins. Your mother always fought with her heart, wanting to protect those she loved.”

 

“Then I will fight… for mother… and for the future she wanted me to have,” vowed Yuffie, hands tightening into fists. Her eyes gleamed as she looked at her father. “Yet, I must be stronger… more powerful than I am now.”

 

Godo nodded. “I think I know just the way. Come.” He patted her on the shoulder and turned away from the altar heading out of the crypt.

Casting a thankful glance at the altar and nodding her head once, Yuffie hurried to follow after her father.

 

She would defeat Sephiroth… avenge her mother… and learn everything she had yet to experience. She was still young… she still had a chance. Yuffie set a grim, determined look on her face as she held onto her shuriken tightly.

 

* * *