FSE

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The buggy that held Cloud Strife and the gang drove through the bare lands after they all left Cosmo Canyon, after it'd gotten broke down a few days ago. But thanks to a mechanic living there, the buggy has been fixed and now their journey to stop Sephiroth continues. The sun was setting in the sky as the buggy drove on. Red XIII, also known as Nanaki, and also the only feral creature in the group, had his thoughts on the home, and his grandpa Bugenhagen, he'd left behind to help protect the planet with his companions....Including what he learned while all of them stayed there. That he found out that his father, Seto, wasn't a coward at all. He had thought wrongly about his father for years. Now he sees Seto as a hero.

And Red internally was proud of him for it.

He was sitting in between Cloud and Yuffie Kisaragi when his one eyed face, reason why he has one eye is because his other eye was actually scarred, was drawn to Aerith Gainsborough sitting right across from Yuffie, The last known Cetra who didn't notice that Red was looking at her. Her beautiful green eyes were looking out at the window Yuffie's sitting under. Red knew what she was thinking about. He can feel it in his bright red-orange colored fur. During the night when they spent the night at his home, Aerith accepted her heritage and she was feeling alone cause there aren't a lot of others like her. He can feel her pain and that made him feel sorry for her.

For the most part, she's acting like her normal self when she's with Red and the others. But Red is probably the only one who feels that is what's on her mind.

When his eye was on her pink dress, right on her chest, he was picturing what she looked like under it and that was making him feel a bit aroused. Red mentally wiped that lewd thought out of his mind. Knowing that he shouldn't think like that. That was Aerith he's thinking about. A two legger and a friend!

In order to help further himself from the situation, he sharply turned his head with a quiet growl in his throat, his eye now on Tifa Lockhart sitting in the passenger seat and Barret Wallace in the driver's seat, driving the buggy around.

Tifa shouted at Barret in fear of him driving into a big rock seen through the windshield, "Watch the damn road!"

But luckily the man with a gun arm turned the wheel before he would hit it headfirst, making the dirt and grass fly behind the vehicle. Barret sighed and looked at her, "Relax, I'm doing fine."

Red stated, "Didn't look that way."

Barret looked behind his seat to shoot a glare at him, "Shush it, kitty cat. I AM doing fine." Tifa smacked his arm, telling him with a demanding finger to keep an eye on the road. Barret just grumbled and turned his eyes ahead.

Red growled at him, flicking his tail against the wall, "I'm not a cat."

Yuffie teased the feral creature when she poked his side, "Yeah, then what are you? A dog?"

The small cat creature called Cait Sith sat on top of his massive toy moogle beside Aerith, brought up with his little arms crossed across his chest, "I don't know why you're not a cat. Cuz you look like one to me."

Yuffie frowned, "I think he's a dog. Are you a dog?"

Red rolled his eyes in full irritancy and sighed as Cait Sith impatiently asked, "Well, what are you? A dog or a cat?"

Red just laid down on his stomach, his head resting on his forepaws, "I'm not getting into this."

The small cat creature grumbled, "Really? You're not gonna tell us?"

"Nope."

Yuffie grinned, practically came up an answer for herself, "You're a dog."

He said, "Think what you want about me, two leggers."

Red felt Cloud's eyes cast onto him as he asked, "What's the matter with you? You seem moody right now."

Red XIII found himself smirking, "Not the only one."

His ears flicked as he heard Aerith's cute giggle, "Who can be grumpy in a beautiful afternoon like this?"

Tifa thumbed to Barret still driving, "Him."

Barret's jaw dropped and he was fuming, "I'm not grumpy! I'm just trying to drive while all of you are arguing how I freakin do it."

Tifa shoved her finger three times in Barret's arm, her eyes shone fire in them, "That's because you're acting like a retard when you do. Maybe it's because of your gun arm." She grinned, "Told ya you shouldn't drive."

Yuffie chuckled and playfully shot at him, "Yeah, Barry, she told ya."

Barret shot back over his shoulder, "Don't call me Barry."

The ninja thief laughed, "Maybe you should let Cloud drive."

Barret waved her off with his gun hand, "Screw that. I can do it."

Cloud turned his head to his friend, "Maybe you should before you crash us. You barely hit that rock. You're probably tired."

Yuffie stated, "Yep, that's why you and Red are grumpy."

Red let out a tongue curled yawn and admitted after it, "I do feel tired."

He felt Yuffie's hand rubbing across his back, "Then take a nap, puppy dog. We got a long journey ahead." Then she pointed her finger at Barret and made a teasing grin, "You should too, Barry."

Barret shot his eyes at the rearview mirror and yelled, "Hey! My name is not fucking Barry! I'm Barret Wallace to you, Y-.....Yuffalna!"

Yuffie was falling on her side, laughing hard at that. Aerith was too, but only a bit before her eyes were staring at the window again. Yuffie asked as she'd caught her breath, "Yuffalna?"

Barret showed a smile through the mirror, "Yep. You call me Barry, I'll call YOU Yuffalna."

Tifa turned around in her seat and joked as her eyes locked on Yuffie, "I thinks it fits you."

Yuffie tilted her head with a quizzical brow and replied, "What about Barry? Does Barry suit for Barret?"

Barret rolled up his eyes and groaned, "No, Yuffalna, it does not."

Yuffie remarked when she shoved a thumb at her own chest proudly, "Then I'll stick with Yuffalna....Until I get tired of it."

Cait Sith's little body shifted around on the moogle's head and asked, "You tired of it now?"

The ninja girl closed her eyes and flashed her teeth at them in a big grin, "Yep, I am! Call me Yuffie now!"

Barret asked with narrowed eyes right at the rearview mirror, "You gonna call mwah Barret now, girly?"

She opened her eyes and saluted him with two fingers, "No promises.....Barry!" She clutched her ribs when she was laughing hard again, along with everyone else, except Cloud who was giggling lightly. Their laughter was cut short when the vehicle hit a sharp bump and it shook everyone in it, all crying out in surprise.

Tifa slugged Barret's arm, scolding him, "Watch where you're driving!"

He groaned out in frustration, shooting daggers right at Tifa, "You try driving when you're laughing." He softened his look and took a deep breath, eyes drawn ahead to watch where he's driving to, "Besides, it was just a tiny bump."

Cloud stated in a flat voice, "You still could've crashed us. Remember, if we crash, we're nowhere near a mechanic."

"Don't have to remind me, spikey. I don't want the buggy to get broke down again."

That's when the former EX-SOLDIER from Shinra said, "And guys, can we not screw around right now? We have to keep our focus on finding Sephiroth."

Aerith removed her eyes off the window and looked at the leader in the whole group, "I wonder where we are now?"

He shook his spikey blonde head, letting out a sigh, "Don't know. But we'll end up somewhere sooner or later." He actually formed a small smile, "Just as long as Barret stays awake and drives well, we'll be fine."

Red chuckled, his eye on the back of Barret's seat, "That sort of problem will come very soon."

Barret honked the horn in anger, "Shiiit! Maybe the reason why I'm feeling a bit tired is because it's getting late right now!"

Cait Sith suggested in a shout, "So pull over and we'll spend the night out here!"

Barret was waving the little creature off, pressing his foot on the brake pedal, "Alright, alright, damn it, I'll pull this baby over." When all the wheels of the buggy stopped rolling, they all heard Barret grumbling as he shoved the door open on his side, "Next time, I'll let Cloud deal with the driving bullshit."

As all of them got up to their feet inside the car, Cloud asked with a frown, "Did you say something?"

Barret hollered when he stepped outside on the grass, "Nope, spikey!"

Red moaned with tight jaws as he stretched around on the buggy, his claws clicking on the floor and he trotted with the others through the side door to head outside. His paws crashing on the smooth, green grass on the ground. He looked up at the sky, the sun about to go out over the horizon. The buggy has parked near a beach close to the ocean that stretched on for miles. Nearby was a large land of trees.

Red along with his friends all paced a bit away from their vehicle to stare out at the beautiful sunset. Aerith was standing beside him. Her eyes shined by the lowering sun when she asked the feral one, "Doesn't this look beautiful?"

While everyone including Red stopped where they were at, about 20 feet away from the sand, he turned his muzzle and smiled at her, "Yes, it does."

Tifa who was with Cloud, actually wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him close to her, "I agree with them. Don't you, Cloud?"

Cloud just shrugged his shoulders, "Hmmm....It's ok." Tifa just rolled up her eyes and sighed in amusement. Aerith and Red watched them from nearby. The way they looked seemed like they were being a bit romantic with each other....Well mostly Tifa. Cloud just seems to be in deep thought. Possibly thinking about Sephiroth right now. That's what Red thought about those two. That fondness in Tifa's eyes when she looks at him. She seems to really care about him, but Cloud is just focused on the journey at hand. Red thinks that he should just relax a bit.

And that was when....Red imagined doing that to Aerith. The two of them in Cloud and Tifa's places. Only he was standing on two feet like everyone else, like a two legger. His arm around the flower girl. Watching the sun go down. And then for a moment that'd passed, those beautiful eyes that were on the beautiful scene in the sky were on Red....And they were the same fondness Tifa had. It was love staring right at him. And that was making his stomach flutter and his heart pounding from the thought. Red's eye went wide in surprise at his own imagination. He was doing it again. That wasn't the first time he imagined him and Aerith like that. Other than wondering what she looks like out of her dress.

Red closed his eye real tight, shaking his head to himself. He needs to quit that! Why does he keep imagining things like that with her?

That question had swirled around in his brain for days....Ever since he and her escaped with their companions from the Shinra building and Midgar to pursue Sephiroth. When he's travelling with her, his imagination just comes and goes.

Why? What's with him?

Red probably should've asked grandpa that before he left. But he didn't have a chance.

Now he's left to figure it out on his own.

Aerith dropped to her knee and stroked his side, concern in her eyes, "Something wrong?"

He honestly wanted to tell Aerith what he just pictured, but was against doing so. He didn't want her to find it odd. Red looked at the eyes that he had imagined, showing her a smile on his muzzle, "I'm fine."

Red actually thought she wouldn't believe him, but she was smiling back and nodded, "Ok."

She and him brought their eyes back on back the sun shining a bit on the ocean as it was almost gone. Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie and Cait Sith just watched like they were. Except for Barret, who had crossed his gun arm and normal hand across his chest, interrupted the moment with a loud grumble, "Alright, I'm heading off to bed."

*****

Red sat on the beach with his tail curled around him, patting lightly on the sand, looking up at the stars and the moon shining over the ocean in the dark night. He couldn't sleep very well in the buggy along with everyone else, since he was just rolling around, lying on his side, lying on his back. He couldn't take it anymore. So he got up while everyone else was sleeping and snuck out of there to sit outside for a while.

He thinks that the only cause for not sleeping very well was he kept thinking about Aerith. He was dreaming about the girl. How those green eyes stared right at him, how she was giving him that cute chuckle, how long her brown hair was when it was tied in that ponytail, along with that body of hers.

To him....She looked beautiful.

And that makes him feel shameful of his thoughts. His father would've stared at him in disappointment if he was around, watching his son thinking about a two legger in some way. Some way that only you should think about towards your own species. If Seto was standing right beside his son, Red wouldn't like the discussion they'd be talking about.

Red groaned and shook his head in frustration. He couldn't help not thinking about her in that way. He came to the conclusion why he was thinking and dreaming about her more times than he'd want.

For some reason....He was having feelings towards Aerith.

His eye looked at the roman numeral XIII tattoo on his left front leg. Perhaps he knows when he started to have them...Perhaps it was when he'd first laid his eyes on her when they were both captured and taken in by Hojo. To be taken to that same containment tube to...To have him breed her. Red didn't want that to happen to her. Which was good that he came up with the idea to help them escape from that bastard. He didn't ever want to hurt that poor human. But now when he thinks about it, a few days after laying his gaze on her that night, with the small thought of breeding her....He was starting to like her.

And maybe that seems a little too fast for him, but he knows why he likes her....Because she seems so special to him...Also mysterious. They're both wise of things about the planet. He likes her kind, soothing personality, pretty brave as well. He really loves her eyes.

Other than that, he feels bad that she's the last ancient on the planet. He can relate to that a little bit. When he was locked up in Hojo's lab for his twisted experiments, he felt like he was the only creature left in the world. He imagined that he would've spend a lot of time alone with her in that scary lab alone. When she cries, he would comfort her....Tell her that he would protect her from that....Monster who works for Shinra.

Red XIII wished that Hojo was dead. And if Hojo had hurt Aerith, that would make Red have a reason to kill him.

Red's one eye had a look filled with sorrow. How could Aerith fall for a thing like him? She wouldn't think like him. She probably thinks Cloud in that way. Yes, he can see the looks she gives him. She probably has a crush on him. Both Tifa and Aerith have a crush on him, that's for sure. But Cloud doesn't seem to be interested in pursuing that kind of relationship. Maybe Cloud just wants to be their friend.

Red wishes that he was Cloud. He has the very big intelligence of a two legger, like all of them are. He's not some mindless creature that roams outside Cosmo Canyon and Midgar. He's not like that. Even his grandpa calls him intelligent. But....Only he has the feral body that looks like a mindless creature, and that makes him feel uneasy thinking that way about Aerith.

But it doesn't stop him from feeling that way about her though.

Red a few times had wondered what would it be like if he....Was breeding her like Hojo had wanted.

He lowered his head and sighed in a depressed state. Aerith wouldn't let him do it. She would've found it wrong. But he wants to do it.

He....He cares for her.

He wants to mate her, but he doesn't want to hurt her, either. He couldn't do that. He could never hurt her. He should probably forget about it.

How can he forget about it?

Red heard the sweet voice that belonged to Aerith right behind him, "You can't sleep?" His head perked up at it and she giggled, "Didn't expect to hear me, huh?" He twisted his neck and looked at her. Her green eyes locked onto him. With her hands on her knees, she bent down a bit to him with that smile he always liked, "Sorry bout that. I can't sleep either. You just....Disappeared from the buggy."

Red was grinning at her now, his tail flicked on the ground, "You're forgiven." He looked ahead at the ocean, "I was just....Sitting and watching the ocean...Till I was tired." Now his eye was filled with curiosity and he looked to her again, "How come you can't sleep?"

Aerith shook her head, "I just can't." Then she rose one of her brows, "How come you can't?"

Those dreams about him and her were floating around in his head, but he denied his reason by answering her this, "Same thing. I just can't."

She giggled, "Well then....I guess there's nothing to worry about." The flower girl stood up straight and tilted her head when she put her hands to her hips, "I sorta thought that it had something to do with how you looked earlier."

That time he cocked his head, "What're you talking about?"

"That while all of us were standing here watching the sun go down, you gave Tifa and Cloud that....Weird look. Then you were shaking your head like something was bothering you." She gave him a comforting smile, "I'm your friend, so if that's the reason why you couldn't sleep, at least tell me what bothered you."

He really wanted to tell her the truth, but held it back. She said she's his friend, so that tells him she's not thinking like he is. Red adamantly denied it, "No, I was fine. I just...." He tried to think of a good excuse and came up with it, "I was just....Thinking about my mother and father in Cloud and Tifa's place." Aerith looked confused, and he chuckled lightly, "I was imagining them before I'd shown up in the world by birth....How they loved each other. Seeing Cloud and Tifa made me-"

She formed a sweet smile on her face, "You think of them as a couple, right?"

That question caught him off guard a bit, before he giggled and nodded, "Sometimes, yeah."

She teased him, "And what about me? Do you think that I would be with Cloud?"

He softly shook his head, "Honestly....No."

Aerith's face widened up, "Oh....Well thank you, I guess."

Red formed an apologetic look, "Look, if it offends you, then-"

She let out another giggle and waved him off, "No, it's okay." Aerith slowly sat down on the sand beside him on his right and let out a breath, "By the way....Nanaki."

He rose a curious brow when she said his real name, "Mmmm?"

She brought her knees to her chest, her gaze only ahead on the water, "I'm sorry about your father....Seto."

That surprised him and he asked, "What are you sorry for? I'm the one who's sorry." He lowered his half scarred gaze, guilt tugged at his heart, "I'm the one who hated my father for years and accused him of being a coward to my tribe and my mother....I thought he abandoned us....But he never did. He left to protect us." He took a breath and let it out, "So why're you sorry, Aerith?"

"For your loss. For finding out that your dad died."

Red paused a bit before he nodded to her in gratitude for the condolence, "Thank you." His body went stiff when she wrapped an arm around his red-orange furred body. But he slowly relaxed himself when he smiled at the gesture. He leaned in to nuzzle her side in return with the side of his face that's scarred, earning him a giggle from her.

Both of them just looked at the dark water, enjoying each other's company. Red was liking this moment with her. He hardly ever spent time with Aerith alone. On a night like this, he always sits around with everyone in the group. Now he's loving this chance with the sweet human.

And that was when a lewd idea came when he thought about proclaiming that he loved her and rut her in the beach right about now. He was feeling a bit aroused from the thought, but he was holding himself back. The fear that she wouldn't return that love back and everyone else from the buggy would hear them making love, got to him.

To try to forget about what he was thinking about, he started to bring a past subject up, "Hey Aerith?"

She turned her eyes to him, legs straight out in front of her, "Yes?"

"Do you remember....How we first met?"

Aerith giggled at the memory, "I did....It was a bit scary at first. I thought you were....Well...Gonna hurt me."

Red giggled with her, "Hey, I know I've looked aggressive, but someone had to throw Hojo off guard."

She pulled him close, he can feel her clothes being pressed against his fur, "Nice job doing that." She let the air out of her lungs, "But I really was afraid of you. I....Thought you were some monster that Hojo kept to hurt anyone who's stuck with you."

That thought made him feel bad for her, that she would've thought about him at first sight. He slightly shook his muzzle and stated flatly, "I wouldn't do that. If Hojo wanted to hurt you....I would protect you." He shrugged his shoulders, "Like I would protect you from....This Sephiroth."

Aerith admitted in a murmur, "I'm kinda afraid to face him....But, someone has to protect the planet and it's us. To be honest.....I think I'm the only one who should do that. All of you guys shouldn't get involved. I'm the Ancient, remember?"

Red nuzzled her again with his cheek, "And let you face the one who threatens the planet alone? I'm doing this because I'm inspired by my father's courage and he would want me to. And so does grandpa."

"You could've stayed home."

"But I didn't, Aerith. I came with you because I have a duty to protect our homes....I'm a warrior....Red XIII."

She let out a sigh and leaned her head on his shoulder, from there he can smell her hair close to his nose, "You're also the sweet Nanaki." Then she giggled, "By the way, do you mind that I call you Nanaki?"

He smiled and replied, "Not at all. I told you once when I met you and your friends that you can call me whatever you wish."

"I'll call you Nanaki then....Nanaki."

Then he made a crack, "Just not when we're in battle."

Aerith giggled, "Why not? Afraid that our enemies would give you a new name to tease you with? Afraid you'll end up like Barry?"

"That came to mind, but I'm surprised Yuffie didn't make one up when she calls me Red XIII."

She shrugged her shoulders, "Probably couldn't come up with one, I guess." They both shared a giggle and Aerith promised, "Don't worry...I won't say anything when we're fighting. Especially towards The Turks."

Red made a nod, "Yeah."

She made a smile, "Nanaki....I'm glad you didn't hurt me back at Midgar and I'm glad that you were just another friend I've made."

"You're welcome."

"Heh....This seems amazing to me. All the friends I've made....This journey. This is like a story that I'd be telling all the children back at home....Maybe even my own."

His ears went up at those words, "You're....Thinking about having one of them? With whom, I wonder?"

Aerith was giggling deeply, "Goodness, I'm not with anyone now. But....I do think about it sometimes."

Nanaki said this before he could stop himself, "Perhaps your little one might have the same colored eyes like you."

Hearing that surprised her and she asked, "Do you think so?"

"Sure, I think so. I was born with the strength of my father, so perhaps your children may be born with your eyes."

Aerith smiled warmly, "When I tell my story to my child....I'll talk about you."

Red was nodding, "That is rather sweet of you. Thanks."

She planted his cheek a kiss and that was lucky for him that his fur was hiding his blush. Did she just do that to him? Red never received a kiss from her before. Aerith winked when he looked at her eyes, "You're welcome, Nanaki."

He felt warmth in his heart from the kiss and from that comment. Then that was when he saw a sad look in her eyes when she turned away and sighed deeply. Red squinted his one eye and asked, "Aerith, what's wrong?"

Her shoulders slumped as she explained, "Well....I was just thinking about....Someone. Someone....That would've make a good father to our child."

"Who'd it be?"

"....Zack." Her frame trembled at the name, like it pained her when she said it.

Red felt a twinge of pain for her. Before they came to Cosmo Canyon, they found this village called Gongaga that Zack used to live in. Aerith told everyone about him.

Zack is....WAS her boyfriend. She hasn't seen him in years. His parents never knew what happened to him and neither does she. He was her first boyfriend.

Aerith let out a trembling sigh, "I...I miss him. I just don't understand what could've happened to him. Sometimes....Sometimes, I think he's dead and I hear his voice....Like I hear others. I....I...." She closed her eyes and let out a quiet sob like she was gonna cry.

Red shook his head trying to console her, "Maybe you're wrong. You don't know that."

She looked straight at his gaze, "Nanaki.....I HEAR him. It is Zack. I...I know it is. And he's....." She was trying not to break down and cry as she deeply held her breath.

Red got up off the sand to stand on all fours and nuzzled her cheek, "Shh....It's alright." Aerith pressed her own into his scarred face and he went on, "Let me put at it this way....If he's gone and went into the planet....Then he probably knows you still....Love him."

Aerith sighed, "Well....Even I can't keep thinking about him forever. I need to move on. But....With whom? Cloud?" She shook her head a bit, feeling her skin rubbing against his fur as she did so, "I know he reminds me of Zack, but I don't think that's the REAL him."

Red somewhat twitched at that statement and drew his face back to frown, "What do you mean by that?"

She was waving her hand in front of his muzzle, "Never mind that. Besides....He's probably not thinking about me that way. He's probably just thinking of me as his friend."

His frown went away and now his face showed pity, "Aerith....Don't be sad." He had a hopeful look and affectionately brushed some hair off her forehead with a paw, "Don't give that up. You'll find a mate that'll be the father of your child. You'll see." Honestly, as odd as it sounds, part of him was hoping that she'd picked HIM to be her mate.

Aerith smiled and nodded a bit, "Y-....You're right." Then she wrapped his neck for a hug, his eye bugged out of his skull, "Thank you."

Slowly, he relished that hug and began to smile. Till she let him go and said, "You really aren't some monster for Hojo. You really are my friend."

Hearing her call him friend again struck his heart. And at that very moment, he wanted to tell her how he'd felt about her right now. But...His fear of making her think he was a monster was getting to him and he couldn't do it. Aerith was getting up from the ground and said, "I think we're ready for bed now. C'mon, we need to rest before morning. Who knows what we'll come across."

When her form spun around and started walking to the buggy several feet away, Red's heart was pounding fast that his only chance to tell her was walking away. He made a low growl to himself. He can't take it anymore! He's doing this, now! He called out, not loud enough for the others in the buggy to hear, "Wait."

Aerith stopped in her tracks and whirled around to face him with a furrowed brow, "What? You're not tired yet?"

Red stuttered, "Um....There's something I want to tell you."

She grinned at his reluctance, "What's the matter with you? You really are acting weird."

He didn't tell her how he'd felt, but he actually came up with a plan on how to show those feelings. That plan came like lightning. It was a BIT of a crazy plan, but he was willing to try it. Red took several steps toward her and said in a bit of a timid voice, "Aerith....Earlier....When I was looking at Cloud and Tifa together....I've been thinking of having a....Girlfriend of my own."

She made a gesture to him, "What are you getting at?"

He was shifting around shyly on his paws, "Well....I never did anything like that before. You know....Be with a girl that would go far with me and have children together." He took a deep breath and let it out, "What I mean is....I never mated before."

Aerith was nodding, "Uh huh?"

Red gestured to her, "You might find this odd but....I need you to teach me how to...Do that." Her eyes went wide at the suggestion and he was waving his forepaw, "I know, but I want you to teach me all the exact details. Like...Literally....In a physical sense. I wasn't taught this by my grandpa, and I know that my parents weren't alive to even teach me so. And since you're my friend....I trust that you would teach me how to mate properly." He shook his head, "I don't want Tifa or Yuffie to do this....Only you."

She held her fingers to her lips as those words were sinking in, "I....I don't think-"

"Aerith....Before I met you, there was someone that I really liked and....I don't know how to do those things with her. Her name's Denah." That was true. He did like someone who's the same species like him. But ever since he'd gotten captured, he hasn't thought about her for a long time. Now Aerith was all he could think about. He lowered his gaze like he was in shame of himself, "I just want somebody to teach me how to mate. Look, when our journey to protect the planet's over, and someday....When the time comes....I wouldn't know how. I want a teacher. Please, Aerith....I want your help. I'm only asking you once, I won't do this again. But...Please help me."

One part in mind was true, he never mated before. But of course, a couple things he said weren't exactly true also. He was taught how to do that by his grandpa. Well....Just not like what Red had in mind with her now. Not physically. But the plan he'd made was the best way to come up with. Now he's hoping that she'll accept his crazy proposal. Aerith had eyes that were full of pity and asked, "There's....Someone for you?"

He made a lie, "I have thought about her for a long time. I...I love her."

"Aw....You poor thing." Her green eyes showed fire as they've lit up in anger, "Get taken away by Shinra for a long time and you haven't been with someone that you love...." She smiled afterward, "I think you deserve her. She must be beautiful."

He nodded, "She is."

Aerith was thinking about it, that Red can tell. Then she was slowly nodding at him, much to his surprise, "Alright....I'll teach you."

He reared back his head, his voice was almost loud when he said it, "What?"

She waved her hands to him, keeping him quiet, "Shh, yes I'll teach you." She brushed her ponytail off her shoulder and said, "I know that you won't hurt me." She raised a finger, "Besides....It's only a one time thing." She gave him a wink.

Red frowned curiously, "Uh...."

Aerith was trying not to laugh loudly when she said, "No, I haven't done anything like THAT before. But Elmyra taught me how. Plus....Me and Zack have kissed before, so I do have a basic idea how to teach you. I'm only doing this once, ok?"

He can't believe what she's saying. Just agreeing to help him like that, even though what's coming out of his muzzle was a lie. Then there was something he had just forgotten about, through the moment of weakness of his feelings towards her. The fact that Hojo was about to use him to breed Aerith to...Probably have a child with him for his experiments. Now he's wondering, what if Aerith DOES get pregnant by him? Is that even possible? Hojo probably had thought so and Nanaki's believing it could happen too. Does Aerith even want that? Now his idea was making him feel a bit apprehensive, but his feelings for her were trying to block that out. That's when he asked, "But....You do know what I'll probably do to you, right? I mean, what was about to happen back in Hojo's lab....I mean-"

She trotted up, dropped to her knee and softly stroked his neck. Her hand smacked against the beads hanging on his head when she did that and looking deeply in his eye, "Nanaki....I know what Hojo was trying to use you for, but this is different. This time we both have a choice in the matter. Well, I'm choosing that I'll teach you."

"Even if there's a tiny or big risk of....Having my child?"

"Yes." She didn't show any apprehension like he did. Perhaps Aerith herself wouldn't think it was possible. But there might still be a risk.

To his surprise....She was willing to take that risk and teach him that lesson.

He asked, "....You wouldn't care about....What we are?"

Aerith giggled, "I did tell you I'm only doing this once. And besides....You seem sentient enough. It'll be the end of our first times and at least we'll have some experience at it. I might even learn from it, too. Like maybe I'll find someone for me one day, right? I kinda know what Cloud and the others would think of this, so as long as we don't tell them we're fine. Nanaki....You're my friend and I trust you."

Red was stiff as he still couldn't believe what he heard and actually agreed to his offer! He thought she wouldn't say yes. Now there was no turning back from this idea and his apprehension was replaced by excitement as he wagged his tail a bit behind him. He's going to mate the two legger he likes, and she'll believe that she was just 'teaching' him! He actually thinks he's still dreaming in the buggy right now, but he realized a second later that he isn't. His time to show, AND tell, Aerith how he feels is about to come.

Aerith withdrew her hand and was concerned when he hasn't said anything for a long time, "Did you....Change your mind?" She placed that same hand over her heart, flashing him a comforting smile, "I mean it, I trust you."

Red was smiling at her and finally spoke, "No...I didn't change my mind."

Her eyes lit up, "Good. When I'm thinking about it....This type of lesson probably won't come by again. Tonight is the best night for it."

He trotted till he was standing right beside her, "So...Are you still up for it?"

She stood herself up and replied, "Yes, I am." Aerith pointed to the forest away from the beach, "Let's find someplace private. The woods over there seem to be the place." He nodded and Aerith started leading the way. Strolling past the buggy, making sure that no one else is awake and was watching this. Nobody was. So they kept their pace till they both went in the small forest. After walking on a trail for only a minute, they've found a small round clearing that seems perfect for this 'lesson' Aerith's about to teach him.

With thoughts of having his first time with her were running through his mind, his body felt like it was stirring, even around his loins, and he can feel his maleness was gonna come out of him....Only a bit so far. As both Red and Aerith stopped in the middle of the clearing, the last known Cetra turned to him with a grin, "This outa do it."

Red held up his head with a grin, flicking his tail happily, "Great." Then he cocked his head, pretending to not have any idea, "So uh....How do we start the lesson?"

Aerith giggled and stated, "Sounds like you are acting eager to do....What you want to me. Is there more to this?"

He was about to say 'I love you', but didn't. He just went along with it, "Nope. I'm just...Feeling eager to learn something new that'll impress Denah."

She remarked, "It might impress ME."

Red shrugged his shoulders, "Well if it'll impress YOU, then it'll impress Denah."

Aerith gave him a nod in agreement, "That's true." Then she clasped her hands together, "Ok, let's begin the lesson." She rose a finger, "Here's the first part of the lesson. If you and Denah really like each other and want to do this, then you must start off slow. Build up what's about to happen."

"So how do the pair of mates build it up?"

She got on her knees about a few inches from his face with a sly grin, "Well, like this." She cupped his cheeks, grabbed the fur on them, then pulled his muzzle to her mouth and kissed him. His eye went wide in surprise as she could feel her tongue poking at his teeth. With his heart blossoming at this, he tilted his head and kissed her back. Both their tongues caressing and licking each other's saliva. Aerith moaned in his mouth, chuckling deeply as they shared that kiss. It felt unbelievable to him. He hadn't really thought about kissing her, but now when he did, he loved her tongue entering his mouth.

From the kiss they're sharing, his girth slowly started coming out more and dangled between his legs. When Aerith broke it and Red opened his eye to look at her. He saw her decide to take a peek down there and saw it. Her face widened up and her cheeks turned red, "That looks....Amazing." She let out a small laugh and remarked, "Denah'd be impressed to see that."

Red laughed too and replied in a bit of smugness, "I'm sure."

She let out a breath and shot off the ground, beginning to back slowly away from him as he stared at her in confusion, "Well....Since it came out, I think there's only another thing I have to do." She giggled shyly, her hands raised to take off her red jacket and threw it away. With her one foot, she pressed the heel of the shoe off her feet and kicked it away, doing the same with the other shoe. That was when she started unbuttoning her pink dress and it slid off her body, now showing her wearing the bra and panties.

Red was wagging his tail, as he was watching the scene before him. He saw that the human girl brought her hands to the strap of her bra, but her hands froze before they were at it. Red saw that and asked in worry, "You ok?"

Aerith giggled and nodded, her fingertips real close to the strap, "I'm fine. I told you I've never....Done this before."

Red was afraid she would stop this at first, but glad that she didn't. He said it to comfort her, "You know I haven't either." He flashed her a grin, "Do you trust me?"

She nodded again, "I do." She took a breath, reminding herself out loud, "This is just a lesson for a friend. You can do this." She huffed when her fingers unstrapped the bra and with a giggle took it off to show off her breasts. Red laid his eyes on them. He hasn't seen what a human body was without something covering over them, but with Aerith, he did picture it. Now he really gets to see it and his thoughts were right about the boobs so far. But....What about without the panties?

After throwing that bra towards her shoes, her hands lowered down to them, a big grin shown on her face and her eyes were showing excitement. His eye was showing the same as she looked right at him. Aerith nodded like she'd read his mind and pulled them down her legs until they were out of them. Now her body was bare in front of her four legged friend.

Now the realization came when all parts of her body on the outside was what he'd imagined. And he was grinning at this. Aerith giggled at his expression and asked, "I wonder how easy it is to be on four legs, like you. You don't wear clothes like me."

That was when he remembered the one time he had to dress like a Shinra solider in disguise on a ship to Costa Del Sol, "Did you remember I had to wear clothes that belong to one of the Shinra's guards? Only my tail revealed myself."

She laughed at the memory, "Well, you were trying to stand on two legs, but couldn't forever. I'm surprised the guards didn't notice one of their own was walking on FOUR legs."

Red rolled his eyes at that, "The people working for Shinra are full of idiots."

Aerith replied, "I know." Now she went on with her hand raising a finger again, "Alright, so the next part of the lesson comes forth."

He walked up to her naked self, "Alright, what's next?"

As he stood right in front of the girl, she explained the next part, "After the buildup ends, that's when you and a girl have the confidence to do what you guys always wanted." Her finger pointed at his pink cock still dangled a bit under him, "And it involves that."

He gave her a proud nod, knowing where this is going, "I kinda knew that."

She said it a bit stern like, "BUUUT, you can't just stick it in there just like that."

That sorta made his heart drop to his stomach, "Huh? Why?"

"Because it would probably hurt a girl, including me, really bad, if you start shoving yourself in her all dried up. You have to..." Aerith pointed at her sex, "Lick that part to get her, or in this case, me wet." Then she pointed at her behind, "Or at this spot there. Then that's when the next part shall commence."

Honestly, he never heard of that part from his grandpa before. And knowing that he would do anything to not hurt her he nodded, "I understand."

That was when she started asking this question, "So...Which one do you-" She let out a sharp gasp as Red swiftly got his muzzle between her legs and started lapping at her entrance. His tongue was entering inside her walls and with that alien sensation in her, she was moaning and trembling in delight. His ears twitched at her sounds and they were music to his ears. Gosh, now he's licking her!

While he was concentrating getting her sex wet, he felt his erection and his arousal for her painfully eating away at him. But he's doing this to not hurt her and knows that part he wants to do with her will come soon. Maybe with another kiss with her, he hopes. As the feral creature drove his tongue deeper in her, making her muscles twitch in response, she moaned so loud it probably rang over the canopy of the woods. Red was sure it wasn't totally loud enough for Cloud and the others to hear. What's more, they were sleeping in the buggy together which that helped Aerith and Nanaki out a lot too.

His hot breath was warm to her privates and her muscles clenched around on the organ from his mouth. Aerith reached down to pet the top of his head affectionately, while rubbing the underside of his head with the other one. Her hips bucked against his nose and she moaned out his real name, "Nanaki....Oh...." His tongue gave her pleasure again and he felt her body shudder. He growled deeply in the back of his throat as he was still coating her muscles with saliva.

Aerith started gasping in bliss as she was trying to say, "Nanaki....I'm getting warm." She continued to rub his head in circles, cooing him, "Good dog." Red didn't care if she called him a cat or a dog, that didn't matter to him. What mattered was he was making her happy from this.

Then Aerith gave a sharp buck against his muzzle and screamed as his slick organ drove her to her peak, "Mwargh.....I'M CUMMING!!!" That was when she let out a high pitch scream and then he can feel his tongue getting clenched around by her tunnel and it was getting wetter when she came. He didn't pull his muzzle off her thighs when she came hard on him. He still held his mouth right where it was at. Some of the stuff dripped down his mouth and to his nose. He continued to lick those sensitive muscles until he finally pulled his face off of her sex. He saw Aerith's legs were shaking by the pleasure that washed up over her, but she didn't fall down. Red would've caught her if she had.

As the human was taking in several deep breaths, she calmed down and brushed that ponytail over her shoulder, "Phew....Wow."

Red licked some of the leftover juices off his muzzle after seeing her recover on her feet, "I'm certain we're on the next part of the lesson now?"

Aerith nodded as some of her juices leaked out of her hole a bit, then gestured to that spot right there after letting out a huff, "Alright, since you got there wet and all, we'll move onto the final part of the lesson now. And it'll include your...Mating organ."

Red responded, "Good."

"So the only thing you have to do....Look, I'm going by what my adoptive mother told me. She said that once a guy has begun to push himself into....In there. He just has to be very gentle with the girl at first, not so rough, alright? And when she feels ready for him to go faster....Then she'll tell him. You just have to be confident and listen to what she wants, understand Nanaki?"

He made a nod, "Yes."

She looked down at herself, at her own spot, "I'm getting a feeling that you didn't want to get on my back and do it, right?"

Red answered, "Yeah. I was....I know that the male of my species usually mounts on the female, but....I was thinking that you could...." He pointed at the ground with a claw, "Lie down on your back. I think it's easier for you."

Aerith smiled at the idea, "I think, that's a good idea." She let out a breath as she went ahead to sit down and lay on her back on the grass. When Red watched her lie there in front of him, she started spreading out her legs. When he looked at the spot that's about to be mated, his one eyed gaze was on hers as her green eyes showed only invite, "Come here."

Red wasn't gonna deny this opportunity, "Coming." His frame strolled over hers, his hot breath washed down on her face when he lowered it and gave her lips a small kiss. Then he sensually gave her neck a long lick, making her clutch his body with her legs. When he felt her legs after giving her that lick, he pressed his mouth harder against hers, pushing his tongue in there. Aerith didn't hesitate to grab his cheeks and kiss back. During their intimacy, his erection barely grazed over her folds. Aerith gasped in Red's mouth as she felt it and broke the kiss. When she looked at what she saw, she giggled and peered at his eyes again, making him chuckle as she knew what they were both thinking.

He thought he was literally gonna do it, but then he started to get apprehensive again about doing what was the final part of this supposed lesson...Because of the possibility that she'll have a child from a feral creature like him. He thought about stopping this complete lie he's about to put her through and just walk off away from her. He shook his head and solemnly said, "Aerith....What if you have my child? I...I think we should stop." He internally hated himself for backing out on what would be the only chance to show her how he feels. But if it does happen, she won't want a child that would...Probably looked disgusting to her.

Or maybe it wouldn't be disgusting at all. He doesn't know what it would look like. Still....Would she want his baby?

The flower girl shook her head in response, "No." She placed her hand on top of his paw beside her, "Nanaki...I'm standing by on my choice. I'm doing this for you."

Those words and eyes didn't share the feeling like he had like before. She still isn't gonna back down from this. A small twinge of trepidation went away as he saw her eyes. But then he asked her another question, wanting to be sure of doing that to her, "Aerith....Are you sure you want to do this?" Then added, "Look, if I hurt you, I'll stop."

Aerith's fingers were placed on the spot on his leg where his tattoo's at as she gave him a confident look, "I know you will, and yes I'm sure of this." She shifted her hips, feeling the tip of his organ prodded against her entrance of the cavern, "Remember what I said. Listen to the girl and be confident." That made him smile and he licked her chin before starting to position himself, ready to take her with no worry of her having a child stopping him. He didn't want to walk away anymore either. If Aerith wants to do this, believing that she's helping him, then he won't leave her. Plus this was beginning to be a nice 'lesson' for the red-orange creature, only this is actually the real thing.

He'll be mating someone for the first time.

With his tool beginning to push through that entrance, Aerith seemed to be feeling it when she gasped. As he was pushing another inch in the flower girl, she hadn't cried out in pain, and that made him go in more further.

Red groaned when her muscles were tightening around his girth, making him close his eye tightly as well. His prick can feel the walls slick from the last part of the lesson he gave to her, but it still felt tight to him. He moved his hips to go deeper, until it was almost to the hilt. Finally after pushing all of his cock in there, he looked down, his eye asking her if she was alright. Aerith knew what he was silently asking and replied with a nod, her eyes urged him on.

He nodded down at her and started to pull his breeding tool out of there, only the tip was barely visible. Aerith braced herself with her arms around his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his hips, and with a second passed, he sheathed himself back inside her. Aerith cried out in a bit of pain, but pleasure as well. Red looked down at her with worry and she was shaking her head, shouting out, "I'm fine, just keep doing it!"

Red took her word for it and when he pulled out, he shoved himself in there again, taking her softly. He repeated the motion of his mating again and again, eliciting soft moans from the Cetra he loves. The way her muscles clenched around him every time he went back in that tunnel felt good. Like he was giving pleasure to Aerith, he was earning pleasure from her.

He opened his mouth to voice out that pleasure as he plowed back into her. With his forepaws stood at both sides of her, his claws were digging right into the dirt. Leaving deep marks as they were holding him to not fall over. Aerith cried out in bliss and curled her leg alongside his belly, her fingers dug in his fur, but not hard enough for him to feel it. He kept on giving it to her.

Aerith moaned his name, "Nanaki....Go faster...Please!" Red sheathed his pole back in there, harder, and that was when he was speeding up his thrusts, fur rubbing against skin. She let out a glee and hollered, "Nanaki! Yes! Right there you dog!"

Calling him that brought a smug grin to his face. Part of him wondered if anyone else would feel great as her. Like Denah. Probably not, he suppose. It didn't matter to him. He was enjoying this! This was even better than the dreams he had about her!

Bucking his hips harder and faster in and out was bringing some stimulation up his prick. He growled lustfully for her, lifting his paws a moment off the ground to her shoulders, holding her in place when he went back to giving it to her again. Shutting his eye tight as he rolled his hips again. Aerith was closing her eyes as pleasure took over her and he held onto her, "Nanaki....Don't you stop!"

Nanaki groaned sharply when he started to pant, "I won't!" He wanted to confess his feelings to her right now, but the pleasure coming from her was making him feel lost in it.

His lips made a snarl as he can feel a pressure building in his loins, his cock starting to get bigger and a knot formed. The feral creature was getting closer to his climax. Red was getting erratic with his thrusts, getting faster with them on the final throes of their mating. Aerith gasped out loud as she can feel that ball of flesh smacking her pussy repeatedly. Red knows what the knot is for from his grandpa, since he knows about his species, and also feels from his instincts telling him to get that thing in her. Aerith hugged herself tight to his chest. The claws on her shoulders gripped her tightly, they didn't dug in too deep to draw blood, he was being careful with that. They were both moaning in satisfaction as he was roughly mating her, Red's mind telling him to finish it.

When Red gave the human one hard final thrust, the human's entrance finally accepted that knot, tying them up together, and she screamed in mixed pain and pleasure as she felt that huge thing in her muscles. Her orgasm came and her walls were tightened around that swelled up meat, causing Nanaki to let out a roar to the night sky above them. He felt something rising to the tip of his organ and started coming out of there. His seed came rushing out in spurts and he panted on her face as Aerith held onto him. She moaned when his hips only gave light thrusts as he was giving her something that would claim her as his mate.

With his seed still shooting inside her, he let go of her shoulders and collapsed on top of her, feeling worn out by the 'lesson' he just gave her. Aerith's chest rose a bit while his a bit heavy body still laid on hers. She could still breathe, which Red found that a good thing. Both of them laid there for about a few minutes, then she started laughing beneath him and said right in his ear, "....You passed the lesson, Nanaki. Denah would love this."

He chuckled as he found some strength in his limbs and stood a bit over her. Knot still in her and sent another shot of his essence in her tunnel. He was panting still when he spoke, "I...Think...So." As he took a deep breath, he asked with concern evident in his one eye, "Were you hurt?" His mind clicked at all the moans came out of her mouth, "You...Didn't sound like it."

She confirmed with a shake of her head and a giggle, "I was a bit surprised that I felt something big going in me, but I'm doing fine."

Nanaki gave her a pleased smile and nuzzled between her breasts, "Glad to hear it." Aerith gave him an affectionate pet on the neck in return. He tried to pull himself out of her a second later, but he was still tied to her bred pussy. That made his eye go wide and he giggled shyly, kinda forgot about the knot, "Uhhh....Think we're gonna be stuck together for a bit."

Aerith frowned, "For how long?"

Red figured she was worried that if they were stuck together all night, the others might find them gone in the morning and go look for them, finding them in this state. He shook his head reassuringly, "Don't worry, I don't think we'll be stuck together forever. Let's give this some time, ok?" Aerith smiled in relief and nodded in agreement. Relaxing herself beneath him. He actually did like the idea of being stuck together with her just a bit more longer. He'll just bask in all the minutes he has before that flesh deflates. When he looked down at her face, she actually wrinkled it, like she was in some form of thought. Red tilted his head confusingly, "What is it?"

As she looked up into his eye, she said with a bit of suspicion in her voice, "You know...It's funny...I would think that you didn't know how to do this, but....You seem to know how."

Red made a bit of a guilty look. A part of him thought she would figure it out and he'd be caught. So now, when she was figuring it out, now he just had to tell her the truth, "Aerith....I need to be honest with you...I did tell you the truth that I've never mated before, but the thing was I did have an idea HOW to mate. I was....Already taught how. Just not like....THIS."

Her green eyes went wide and she asked, "What? ....Why? Why did you-"

He shut his eye as his guilt for lying to her got to him, "Oh gods....You were right. There was more to it than this."

Aerith said in a calm tone, "Nanaki....Look at me." He was hesitant to open his eye, feeling so ashamed at himself to even look at her. But he did a second later. When he's done so, she reached up to softly pet his cheek in a comforting sense, "Now....Tell me why. I won't get mad, I promise. I really am your friend."

When he heard her call herself 'friend' AGAIN tonight, he bared his teeth when he growled, "You still don't understand it. After what I did, you still don't get it. I've mated you!"

Aerith's frame twitched from his shout and defended herself, "Understand what? I thought I was teaching you."

He softly placed his paw between her breasts and looked right into her eyes, melting that glare off his face, "I wanted you to understand....Aerith, I'm sorry about all this. I didn't want to...Frighten or hurt you."

She shook her head, "You didn't."

He sighed, "I'm glad that I didn't, but...I'm afraid when I tell you the truth, you will."

Aerith said in a pity tone, "Nanaki...."

"Aerith....For some time....I was starting to like you...In this way. See, that was why I wanted to mate with you. You...Certainly taught me some new tricks in a way. And...Earlier today, I was picturing me and you in Cloud and Tifa's place. Nobody else, but us. I didn't think about my parents....Only us." He let out a guilty sigh, as a tear came from his only working eye and fell down his face, "Aerith....I'm sorry that I lied to you. I didn't know how else to tell you this. I wanted you to be mine." Another part deep inside of him showed up and now....He didn't care if she would get pregnant by him, he wants her to have his child, "I....I felt like I wanted to be the father of your child. I don't want it to be just you telling your child stories, I want to do it with you. Aerith....I love you. I've loved you for a long time." He was giving her a pleading face, "Please, don't hate me. I'm sorry, I-"

She pressed her finger to his mouth, shutting him up, "You....You loved me? ....Why?"

When her finger's off him, he told her, "Why wouldn't I? You're very kind, you're beautiful, and....I even feel terrible for you too. Cause you're the last of your race and....Zack is not around anymore. I did wish that I was a two legger like you. But....We're together tonight. And it's because of a lie."

Aerith blew some air out of her lungs and replied, "Wow....I didn't think that you were....Nanaki, you should've told me. I would've understood."

He glanced away, "I probably should've, but...I guess I didn't want to pass up for my....'Lesson'."

She practically giggled, "Well, now I have some experience in this...For the first time in my life."

Red gazed down with a narrowed look, "This isn't funny. I lied to you."

"But I don't hate you. Yes, you did lie, but you were afraid how I'd reacted if you did just tell me, right?"

He paused a bit before he nodded, "Yes."

"Then I understand why. Nanaki....I'm not angry."

He tilted his head, "You're not?"

"No, I'm not." She pressed her hand against his strong chest and rubbed it consolingly up and down, "You didn't hurt me and you didn't frighten me. You didn't know how to tell me how you feel, but you had the courage to show it. I believe in a way, I was helping you come out of your shy shell. I mean....We're travelling together, did you just want to drive yourself crazy cuz of this? You lied, but you were doing the right thing."

His ears flattened against his head, "I...I guess you're right." He really was driving himself crazy before tonight. Now when he told her and when he had sex with her....He was starting to feel better. More calmer, actually. Like he was glad he had the time to show her his love before....Something would've happened.

Aerith smiled, "And in a way, you taught me how mating feels. I remember a few times when Zack and I were kissing, and we were....Thinking about it. But I was just younger and I was pretty scared....I think I was a bit scared of doing something like this with you. But with my mother's words, when I've gotten a bit older, and knowing you're my friend and I trust you....You helped me come out of MY shell."

That made him feel better about things and he responded, "Huh.....I'm happy that I did."

She poked his nose and chuckled, "Me too. And do you feel confident? Not feeling nervous about trying something like this?"

He nodded, "I was, but I'm not nervous now." He licked her cheek lovingly, "Thanks to you."

Aerith reached down to her stomach and rubbed it in circles, "Hmmm, Hojo said that he wanted you to breed me back in Midgar, and you were...Kinda worried about it." She chuckled lightly, "Since we did it...Now I'm wondering if my body took your seed. Could it really happen?"

Red hummed in thought and shook his head slowly, "I don't know really.....Perhaps."

She giggled, "Well, I do love kids anyways. Especially little girls. Maybe I'll do a good job being a mother if....Something happened. Let's just hope that our journey's over before it happens."

The feral creature on top of her cocked his head, "You...Really wouldn't mind having MY child?"

"No, Nanaki. Maybe...It would be a four legger, like you, only it'll have my eyes. It'd be beautiful."

With the thought of a possibility of having a cub with her came, and the image of what their cub would look like, his chest was feeling warm and he nuzzled her face with his, "Oh, Aerith....You'd be a great mother and....I'll be a good father. I won't leave you two like my father had. I'll stay with you guys." His tongue caressed her forehead, "I feel better about this. We're together now." He giggled and looked off at the distance away from them, "Maybe when we would go on this...'Date' two leggers call it. Maybe one day, we'll go back to the Gold Saucer and watch the chocobo races for a date. Just better hope I won't get hungry when I'm looking at them. Or...Maybe we'll watch a show together there. Maybe-"

Aerith's voice sounded apprehensive when she cut him off, "Nanaki." Red looked down at her with concern and she let out a breath as she said, "I....I don't think this will work out."

He asked with eyes of confusion, "What're you talking about? We're finally together."

"But Nanaki....I don't love you." Hearing that out of her mouth actually broke his heart, "I thought I was teaching to help you out, but now I realize I was just helping you show your feelings, so you wouldn't go crazy. You needed it."

Red stuttered, "But....But....I love you, Aerith. I really love you."

"But look at us....I know you're sentient, but we're still too different. I...I still see you as my friend." His eyes showed pain and he looked away, feeling hurt. Now her green eyes showed pity and cooed, "Aw, Nanaki, don't be that way."

"I'm....Hurt."

"I know." She tenderly grabbed his cheek and made him look down at her, "Nanaki, I told you a few times that I'm only doing this just this once. I know I don't love you, but we can still be friends." She was having a hopeful look now, "You told me that there's someone out there for me, well there's someone out there for you. Maybe that Denah? I mean, we both have experience in sex and we shouldn't feel nervous when that kind of moment comes. If I find someone for me and when we're ready to have a child....I'll be ready. You'll feel the same way about her."

With her hands holding his cheeks, Red softly shook his head in sadness, "But...I don't feel that way about Denah...Or another girl of my species....I love you."

"That's because you haven't gave it time to get to know her. You know about my life, that's why you like me. But you outa try to get to know another girl." Then she wrinkled her face, "And no, I don't mean Tifa and Yuffie. Someone else who's on four legs."

"....What about our child? If you have my child then it'll never know its father."

She was putting thought in it and came up with an answer, "If I do....Then I'll come to Cosmo Canyon and live there. Our child will see its father. And maybe while living there....I'll find someone about my age that I'll like. I think it'll work."

A tear fell down his face, fell right onto hers and he let out a trembling sigh, "But I wish....That it would work out between us."

"Nanaki, at least try. Think about it. Do you know what would really happen if anyone else knew?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Our friends, and my grandpa, probably would understand. And if anyone else doesn't....I don't care."

"But there's something else that bothers me now."

Red looked confused, "What is it?"

She looked hesitant to say it, but she did, "....What if I die when we're together like this forever? On the journey? What if I don't come back home alive?"

He didn't believe it by shaking his head, "No. You won't die. I'll make sure of it."

"Ok, if not from that....What about by age?" He reared back his head at the word and she explained it, "What I mean is....I know that you'll live longer than me. I'll age faster and you'll age slower. That's what your kind does, that I am sure. How long do you think this will last with that problem? That's why we should both each be with someone of the same species. Me with a two legger and you with a four legger. That's how it'll work out for both of us. Do you want to go through that?"

He let out a sigh, "....No."

"And what if I won't get pregnant by you? What if it won't be possible? Do you still want to stay with me?"

"But....I love you, Aerith."

"Nanaki please....Don't do this to yourself or to me. If you love me, then you have to understand how I feel. Look...I did appreciate tonight. Don't think that I don't. At least....Share this with someone else. I feel ready to try this again with someone else. Are you?"

Red sniffed his nose and replied in a low tone, "....I wish I could feel towards someone else....Like I feel about you."

Aerith made a comforting smile, "You will. When our journey's over, you try talking to Denah or another girl of your species and get to know her. You told me tonight not to give up looking for my own man, well I'm telling you not to give up on that. And about our child, IF I have your child, I promise I'll live close to you. You'll see it."

Red does love her so much....But what she's trying to tell him. About their bodies ageing differently, about what if she was dead, about that she probably won't have a kid because of him, about what she feels towards him....She's right about everything. He shouldn't do is to himself or to her. He wants her to be happy.

He wants her to be happy.

And he'll try not to think about her in that way anymore....He'll accept her as a friend from now on....And move onto another female.

He'll do it for her.

Red brought his muzzle to her mouth and gave her one last kiss. When he locked his eye with her eyes, he lovingly said this to her, "Alright...I'll do it....For you." It was hard for him to say that, but he knows it's for Aerith's feelings.

Aerith said, "You will?"

"Yes. I'll move on for you. There is one thing though."

"What's that?"

He smiled at her, "I'll never forget this....And I'll never forget you."

She giggled and brought her lips to his muzzle, giving him one last kiss from her, "I won't either. And...Can I be honest, Nanaki?" He cocked his head, "If I was not human....I would be with you forever. You really are sweet."

Despite he felt sad, he felt happy to hear that from her, "And I would be with you too.....I love you."

Aerith asked, "As a friend?"

Red replied, "Yes...As a friend."

"Good....I love you too, Nanaki."

After lying on the ground and talking for a long time, his knot deflated, and he finally tugged himself out of her. Some of his essence leaked out of her pussy as he did it. Nanaki offered to clean up the mess and she let him do it. Using his tongue to lick all his sperm off her still dripping tunnel entrance. When he was done the human got off the ground and on her feet, stretching out her legs when she felt stiff. Red stood by while Aerith put all her clothes back on. Soon after, they both trotted back to the buggy before Cloud and the others would somehow notice they were gone. With Aerith walking alongside him, Red turned his eye to her with a smile.

Although he knows he won't be with her forever....He's happy they were sharing their first times together. When he was thinking about what would be ahead....He was actually feeling confident and calm, probably because of all the advice she gave him. Now he's not driving himself crazy about his love for Aerith anymore.

*****

Five Hundred Years Later

Nanaki watched the sun go down while standing outside his home of Cosmo Canyon. His fur showed a bit of grey on it as time has already went by for a long time. Now the feral creature feels old, but in his mind it's always the same. He does feel like the same Nanaki from back then. But he has matured a lot throughout the years too. His tail tapped on the ground as he sighed as the sun almost went down below the horizon. It has been such a long time since Red XIII went with Cloud and the others to stop Sephiroth and prevent meteor from destroying the planet. He was afraid that they've failed....Midgar was destroyed and the whole planet was almost destroyed with it. But by luck...The lifestream stopped it.

In Red's heart, he was avenging someone. Only one person in the group wasn't with them to confront the evil Sephiroth and there was a reason why....Because HE killed her. Red showed some pain and sadness in his eye and gazed down to his paws. Some memories from the past do haunt him. Not every night....Just sometimes.

Red still thinks about his grandpa who sadly passed away before the time to save the planet came. But that wasn't what haunts him the most. Red still carries on for his grandfather and his death doesn't get to him.

It was Aerith's death that haunts him up to this day. The one he'd loved before has been murdered....Murdered by Sephiroth.

Red can remember that day. That Aerith went to the Forgotten City to use the White Materia to summon Holy to counter Meteor and he along with Cloud went there to find her. And....When Red saw Aerith at where she was and when he let Cloud go up to her...That was when it happened. As she prayed, Sephiroth showed up and that monster's sword went right through her body....That was how he killed her.

Red closed his eye and that memory was getting to him...It had more than once, so it wasn't all new. A single tear fell down his furred cheek as his heart felt a lot of misery. Red had good hearing and he heard Cloud mourning for her. He remember those words straight from Cloud's heart. That she was gone. That she will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry or get angry. And Cloud was right. Aerith was dead and she wouldn't come back. Red can remember the next part most of all....Watching Cloud carry Aerith's body to the water for her own burial and lowered her below the surface and it sank....Never to be seen again. Red was howling in pain and sorrow nearby, howling to the sky, just like he had done when he found out what happened to his father. He had thoughts if Aerith would actually bear his child, but when she died....He knows it wouldn't happen.

She wasn't exactly pregnant, but to him, it did felt like Sephiroth killed TWO beings.

Aerith was such an innocent, beautiful girl and she didn't deserve it. She was still young and it was too early for her to go.

Red growled as he thought of Sephiroth. After that day, he swore that he would kill him. Swore to avenge Aerith's life. He would avenge the one he cared about the most.

He looked up at the sky and let out a deep sigh. Aerith would've been a great mother. He sometimes imagined her playing with a little one. HIS little one. But in reality, it'll never happen. He wished that something had changed. He wished that she didn't die.

Hundreds of years passed by and all his friends died from being old. Cloud....Tifa....Yuffie....Barret....Cait Sith.....also with Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind, whom he and the others had met during their journey, have all passed on. Red XIII is the last known survivor of the group who stopped Sephiroth. He remembers all the battles he had with them. But other than that....He can still remember that night with Aerith. The night they both sat down and talked alone on the beach. That Aerith was teaching him this 'lesson' in the woods nearby. That he told her he loved her.

He sometimes cried in private when he was alone, but always kept his strong stature in front of everyone. To him, Cloud and everyone else had a different way of grieving their loss of a friend. To Red, it was more than that.

He lost the first female he mated and wanted to stay being his friend. Red didn't care which she was to him. Friend or mate. He was happy that he told her how he'd felt before she was unexpectedly murdered by a monster with no emotions. But he still wished it didn't happen to her.

That was when he remembers all the words of encouragement he got from her on that night and that brought him a smile across his muzzle. He did what she told him. Despite being sad about her death and it still haunts him...He didn't give up. Other than he remembers those words, another comforting thought sometimes crosses his mind. Sometimes when he thinks that if...Zack was dead, then those two would have reunited. That brings a smile on his face as well. That Aerith's with her first boyfriend in death.

Red heard a female voice near him, "Father?" He jumped a bit and twisted his neck to see his daughter behind him. She was the most beautiful thing he made years ago and that always brings him a smile when he looks at her. She had red-orange fur like him, only she has both eyes on her face and doesn't have a tattoo saying 'Red XIII' on her like her father. She was still young, but she was growing up into an adult....Like he was about the same age when he first met Cloud and the others. His daughter giggled and asked, "It's getting late, dad. Mom's wondering where you are."

He chuckled and shook his head in apology, "Sorry, I'm just-"

His daughter playfully rolled her eyes, "Watching the sun go down....I know, I know, it's not the first time you've done that."

Red nodded in agreement, "That's right."

That was when she cocked her head in concern for him, "Father...Are you okay? You look...Kinda sad."

He shook his head, "No, I'm fine. Don't worry."

His cub bought it when she smiled, "Well alright." She shot her head back to their home, the very tall telescope that towers over Cosmo Canyon was visible behind her, "C'mon. Mom's waiting."

He waved his paw at her, "Give me a few more minutes."

His daughter nodded, "Ok." Then she went up and nuzzled him lovingly, telling him this, "You have a good night....I love you."

He nuzzled her back, "I love you too." She had pulled back and without a glance or another word, she dashed back to where they both came from, leaving him alone to stare up at the orange sky from the sunset again. His beautiful daughter still on his mind. He did all the things later on in his life for Aerith. Red carried on in his life for her. And found a female of his own species to love. And with that love, he has two cubs with her, including his daughter. For such a long time, he has loved his mate, never left her and his children, slept close to her, told his cubs stories about his adventures. About his friends....About Aerith. His family are the ones that make him most happy.

And thanks to those words from Aerith....He can never repay her. But it was alright. He didn't have to.

And his daughter who just left him....He gave her a beautiful name only he came up with, upon the day she was born.

He named his beautiful daughter....Aerith.