Pouring rain engulfed the small city. Rain drops patted against windows. Behind the glass, small disappointed faces peered out. The rain had not stopped for nearly a week. The ground was saturated and the small stream that had bordered the village, had become a roaring rapid.

A lonely house on the outskirts, it's roof damp and shining in the dim evening sun, drooped piteously. At the window of this house, was not a young child. A suit of armor, 'Ershin' instead, sat there. Gazing out at the rain, Ershin turned her robot-like head as a strange vibration rumbled the floor. She strode to a small room in the back to see who Fou-Lou had brought back. About two dozen people lay, sat and stumbled in the small enclosure, at the head of them, was Fou Lou, who lead them out and directed them, " All right everyone. Cloud, take Tifa through the first door on thy left. Garr, thou wilst share a room with Bleu, Katt and Teepo. And R-"

" Not to be a bother sir…" Garr said quietly, " But who are you, and how did Ryu, Teepo and Nina2, get here?"

" That, will all be explained tomorrow. Thou are in the room, down this hall, third on thy right. Everyone else, Nina2, Ryu3, thou are in this room. Rei, Momo, would thee share the room at the end of the hall?"

Rei looked at Momo on edge, " Yes," She said, " Not a problem."

As everyone entered there rooms and made themselves comfortable, Fou Lou changed back into a human. He looked down at Ershin, who had just pulled on his sleeve and smiled slightly, " What is it, Master?"

She pulled her cape over her eyes and kicked her feet shyly, " Fou Lou, sir, what exactly, Ershin asks, have you brought them for?"

He crossed his arms and his eyes grew dim, " One among them is about to face a major ordeal which will lead to a war…"

" And Ershin asks, which one?"

" That is something you will have to wait till tomorrow for." He said kindly, and strode away.

***

Tifa's cold body had been spread out across the bed, and the sheets of the four poster had become crimson. Cloud knelt by her side, his hands clasped together and prayed to the planet for her recovery. He slowly opened his eyes, un clenched his hands and began to stroke her hair, " Tifa… If you leave me, I will have nothing to live for.. I will have no life, or home. I- you… You can't just leave me here." He whispered croakily. She did not stir, " Tifa, what happened to you? I don't understand… how did you get these gashes and…" A creak followed by slow foot steps caused Cloud to turn. Fou Lou saw the glistening stream of tears running down Clouds cheeks, " Move aside Cloud."

Cloud did as he was bidden and moved, silently.

Fou Lou leaned over her beautiful face staring into her blank un-closing eyes and slowly stroked the wounds with a gentle hand. Cloud watched amazed as the bruises and gashes healed before his eyes. Then Fou Lou bent low over her until their lips almost touched. Cloud was close to protest until he saw that Fou Lous breath on her face caused a pink tinge to twinkle on her cheeks. She slowly blinked her eyes and stirred.

Cloud stared up at him in awe, " How did you do that?"

" Cloud, my powers are vast. Even the most serious of wounds are no match. But there are some things, that even I cannot do…"

Questioningly, Cloud looked up, " Do you know… What happened to her?"

" That is a question you will have to find the answer to yourself." And he turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

***

As a morning sun rose over the hill, and shone into the small valley town, the house on the outskirts was vibrant with life and noise. The rain had died down in the night and now was an irregular drizzle. This seemed as a reason for celebration and now several children play outside in the slight rain.

The house was filled with melee. The small din and living room was packed with babbling people and there was a great sound of frying Kewne eggs, clanking plates and excited chatter. A strong and important looking man stood up in front of everyone and called out, " Now now, quiet down there, no need for a big fuss! I say, quiet!" As the tumult died down, the muscular striped woran looked around at them, " Guests and long time companions, something has happened that Fou Lou left in the night. He has instructed, me, to explain instead. I am Cray, woran chief and warrior. To all of you who are confused. You were sommoned here by the First Emperor Fou Lou. He has forseen great danger and you are to assist in the destruction of it. I will direct you and assign you missions until Fou Lou returns. Any questions."

Ryu looked around and Cray pointed to him, " Me?"

" Yes."

" Me? Are you calling on-"

" Yes!"

" Uhm… If Teepo and Nina2 are here… Then where is Nina3?"

" Ah, that is part of your mission." Cray took out a scroll and opened it, " Here are lord Fou Lou's orders,

Momo, Cray, Rei, Ershin and I art in a group. Thou wilst follow Cray to the training ground tomorrow at noontide.

Ursula, Scias, Cloud, Tifa and Bleu, thou art together. Thou wilst go to training ground with Ursula at noontide.

Ryu3, Garr, Katt, Teepo and Nina4. Thou art on stand by until further noti-"

" Hey, who do you think you are anyway?! Who says I hafta. I don't wanna be in no stinkin' arm-"

" You will hold your tongue! I am the captain and I say, you will!"

Teepo saw his forociouis manner and shrunk back into the shadows.

" Ryu4 and Fou Lou will see us later, as they are out right now. It is 11 now, so you had better get your breakfast down." Cray pushed through them to the door, " I'm goin' down to the training grounds." He caught Momo's eye before slipping out.

Rei stretched and then looked at Momo, " Do you need to take a shower?"

" Uhm… No, you go ahead." She said distractedly, " I'm going out for a bit. Guess I'll be early to the grounds."

His eyes scanned her face, " I'll see you at training later, then."

***

Momo slowly looked down the road. Cray's large figure was moving along the horizon and into a huge field. She ran after him, feeling oddly drawn. When she finally reached the edge of the plains she called out to him, " Cray! Wait!" He turned slightly in surprise and then waited in silence for her to reach him. Once she finally reached his side, panting, Cray turned and ran. She forced herself to follow him and when she felt she could not go any farther, he stopped, " Momo…? Is your name?"

She sunk to the grassy ground and nodded, gasping for air.

" Why are you out so early. It is not a quarter after." He said, and saw the guilty admiration in her face.

" I just wanted-to talk to you…" She said, and taking his strong hand, rose to her feet.

" What about? About training, the mission, weapons? Or-"

" No, it isn't that. It's… Cray, I… Are there many worans?"

Cray simply looked confused, " Why?"

Momo breathed hard, " Because… Where I am from, worans are nearly extinct. And there was only one male woran left and-"

Cray still looked puzzled, " What are you talking about? Why does that matter?"

She opened her mouth and then shut it again, shaking her head.

" No really, I want to know."

" I was just wondering… If you don't know the-"

" I understand. There is a book of woran history that belonged to my mother. You may look through it after training." His tone sounded final.

" Thank you…" She watched him stretch and then lift the wooden club (which was about the same size and shape as a totem pole) over his head. He looked over at her, and she quickly overted her eyes , " So… Tell me about where you come from."

She blushed ever so slightly and then smiled at him innocently, " Well, I'm the daughter of a great scientist. He worked on discovering the truths of Chrysm Theory and his whole life simply wanted to find the science in every thing."

" He sounds like a good father. I mean such a great man mu-"

" A great man? My father a great man? He left my mother for his work, and I he was gone before I was born. A great man, indeed!" She said. There was an awkward silence in which Cray stared at her apologetically, " I'm sorry Cray, I didn't mean to, I mean, you didn't know."

" It's perfectly understandable, I mean my father… Well lets get started. Draw your weapon."

Momo gasped, " Oh no, I forgot my bazoo-"

" Oh that's right." He walked slowly toward a red target board, full of holes and reached into a bin behind it, " Is this it?" He presented a well polished black bazooka in front of her. She smiled and took it from him, " How did you get it?"

" Fou Lou told me all your weapons were to be stored until your first training session."

" Right."

He stretched and yawned and then got into a fighting stance, " Well, show me what you can do."

" I don't want to kill you, your on my side."

Cray considered and then went back to the bin. He returned with two simple looking rapier's. Tossing her one he smiled, " How's this?"

" But I don't fence."

" Then this is a good chance to learn."

***

Momo closed her diary slowly. She sat on the bed next to Rei, who was asleep. A quiet knock at the doorcaused her to rise again, " Who is it?"

" Momo, it's me."

" Cray?!" She opened the door quickly and peered out. Cray stood in the dim light of the hall, " Here is that book you wanted."

" Thank you." She said.

Momo quickly shut the door and took the book over to the bed. She looked at the title and saw that it was a foreign script. She strode over to the bookshelf and looked at the titles. She spotted a book; Translating and she pulled it off the shelf. Fou-Lou kept a good library. She flipped to the section on ancient woran script and began to translate it. The title read: Woran History. She gazed at the table of contents, selected the chapter concerning Woran Ancestry and flipped to the page.

Momo gulped and flipped to the end of Worans Assist in Saving the World, and saw the small message.

Momos eyes were watering from reading, she probably would've finished the book by then if she hadn't had to translate it. But she turned another page and started on the next chapter.

Flipping to the page with tired fingers, Momo skimmed and scanned until she saw something that caught her eye.

She slammed the book shut and her eyes filling with tears turned away as Rei made a small noise.

" Momo…? What are you doing up so late? Or should I say early. It's nearly dawn, " He said, sitting up and stretching.

Momo wanted to look into his face, she wanted to tell him everything, and mostly she just wanted to be held, "It isn't anything." She said, in a choked voice. His firm hands turned her wet face towards him and then moved to draw her in.

" I know something is bothering you." He said, " I can always tell."

She stared into the soft fur of his chest, her mind wandering to thoughts of St. Eva and she flinched.

" What's wrong? Why won't you tell me."

She desperately felt like screaming; Because I love you, you big striped idiot! But then a mental image of his confused and hurt face stayed her tongue. He hugged her tighter and whispered, " You shouldn't cry Momo, I have a big surprise for you when we get to Chedo."

She sniffed and closed her eyes. Thoughts of him returning with a mysterious child plagued Momos mind. Then the image of Rei crying over an undiscribably wounded woman casued her to call out. Her eyes snapped open and she saw Rei looking down at her.

" What is it? What happened?!"

" It's it's, you-"

She was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Momo sat up and glancing at the door, stood to answer it, " Yes?"

It was a metal suit of armor, round like a large metal garbage can and short, " Ershin it is. She says, that Cray tells Rei and Momo to come out to the din, she does."

" Uhm… Could you repeat that?" Rei said confused.

" She said that Cray wants us out in the din." She said back to Rei, " Thank you, Ershin."

" You are welcome, says Ershin."

Momo shut the door and quickly began to change and pack up her things. Rei watched her intently and then changed and got ready.

***

The din was so vibrant with life that Momo almost immediately forgot her worries over Rei. Several people smiled at her and a few waved.

Cray again stood up before all of them and spoke, " Today we travel to Chedo. Ursula, your group is going to the township outside of the capital. Tifa, you will be changing groups and traveling with me."

There was a sudden outburst, " No, please… She's still hurt, someone needs to watch over her!" Cloud said.

" I can watch her."

" But please-!"

Cray surveyed her and then looked at Cloud, " Very well."

Suddenly Tifa closed her eyes and swayed on the spot. Everyone backed up, " Tifa? Are you going to be okay?" Cloud said stepping forward and grasping her shoulder.

" Yes, I just… I'm just not feeling like myself."

Cray watched as Cloud dragged her away and then looked around again, " We're leaving in ten minutes, if you aren't ready, you'll be left behind!"

The effect of this caused the crowd to spill into a excited hubub. People danced about in the kitchen trying to wrap the rations and pack them into the travellers packs. Nina2, quick with fluster rushed back and forth between rooms. It was a scene of chaos, and yet it was warm is joy and kinship. Finally, Cray strode to the door and called, " All who are ready, we leave at once!"

A hush filled the crowd as people hugged goodbye and others grabbed their packs and hurried to the door. Bleu kissed Teepo and hurried through the door and Cloud shook Garrs hand and departed.

***

The going was quick and Momo found that she was glad when they stopped to rest at noon. They ate a quick meal and then pressed on. The whole way Ershin was speaking excitedly in her strange way to Momo and laughing animatedly. Through this Momo learned much of how she and Cray had met. It was evening when they arrived in Chedo, and Cray led them into a hotel, " We're on business regarding the emperor Fou-Lou."

" Your name," Said a round red cheeked woman at the counter, " And your reservation number."

" Cray chief of Worent. 316." He said and she led them to a group of rooms on the top floor."

As Cray directed the people to their rightful places, Ershin babbled to Momo about a land Momo had never visited. Momo didn't mind Ershin and in fact felt intrigued with her stories. But, it was hard to tell if they were fictional.

When everyone had already gone to bed Momo slipped in to her room. There was Rei, curled up on the bed, looking like an adorable kitten. She smiled at him, shut the door softly and sat near his head. She stroked the soft fur on the nape of his neck as she took up the book and flipped to the chapter Theories and Unsolved Mysteries. She dreaded what she would find but proceeded in reading it.

" Hello honey." At this Momo started upright causing the pages to wrinkle and dropped the book. It bounced from the bed to the floor, she turned to Rei, and tried to act normal, " Hey, you ought to, you know go back to sleep."

He looked up into her nervous eyes and sat up, " But I want to talk to y-"

She stood looking very troubled and strode to the door, " I'm going out for a breath of air."

She snuck down to the lobby to find Cray and Ershin speaking with the plump woman.

" Ershin says the best road to PabPab is through the swamp. She thinks that it would be too hard to go around."

" Is there a faster way?" Cray asked the inn-keeper.

" It depends, if you don't mind being eaten than yes."

" Being eaten, Ershin wonders, what would be hungry?"

" There are giant snakes through those swamps, People say they eat harmless travelers."

Cray and Ershin turned at Momo's entrance, " Hello Momo, says Ershin."

" Why are you up so late?"

" Couldn't sleep, going out for a walk."

" Ershin wants to come, can she come?"

" I suppose."

The plump woman smiled, " Be careful out there, there've been some iffy characters about these days."

Cray smiled at Momo and then walked to the stairs, " Well, you'd better not stay out too long you'll need yer sleep for tomorrow."

***

When they stepped out into the cool night air, Momo could not help shiver but pushed out to look up at the stars. Ershin offered to show her the city, " This is the merchant sqaure, says she. And here is the Hex Cannon- Momo." She said turning to look at her, " Ershin senses trouble in your heart."

" It is nothing."

" It is something, she senses. What is it."

Momo felt a great heaviness in her heart and longed to ease it, " Can I really trust you Ershin?"

" Ershin is trustworthy, she is." Ershin turned to bow at her.

" I… Ershin I'm not sure you'll understand but- I have been reading this book, Woran History, and… Do you know who Rei is?"

" Yes, he is the woran that Momo adores, isn't he? Ershin presumes."

Momo developed a faint tint of pink in her cheeks but continued, " Yes. In the book it speakes of his dissapearance on Valentines Day and his return a month later with a baby. It mentions all of the other people here, but… not me. It talks about how he acted like he had lost someone and-." By the look on Ershin's face or rather metal helmet, Momo knew something was wrong, "What?"

" Ershin has not wanted to tell you this, but now she sees she must. The book you engaged in reading is nearly a decade old. And the truth is, you are the one, Ershin says, that Rei had lost." At this a shock of horror went through Momo and she shook her head. Ershin continued, " You are the one that was killed." Momos eyed grew wide as tea saucers and her mouth gaped. Her hand hovered over her open mouth and she fell to her knees. Ershin patted her mechanically on the back but continued, " That is why Momo, you have retourned to our world. So we can set things right. Nina was destined to die not you. You saved her life by offering your own. But this time around you will not go, Fou-Lou has seen to that, Ershin says. We are working to change history." Momo sobbed uncontrollably. Ershin turned her head to the sound of her name, " Ershin!" It was Crays voice, " Sorry Momo, but Ershin must return to the hotel. Return as soon as possible."

Momo dropped into a sitting position and pulled her thighs to her chest. Burrying her face into her legs she stouted the dripping tears with the cloth from her robes. She was so busy warded off this terrible thought that she did not notice a voice above her call, and then again. She jumped when she felt a hand on her should and heard a whisper in her ear. There was a man hovering at her side, his boyish face framed with fluffy shoulder length blond hair. She lept back from him, or rather fumbled, as she was still sitting, " Please, I don't want any trouble." She said, standing and backing away from him.

He stepped back but did not turn to leave, " I mean you no harm. I just saw you crying here alone, and figured I'd be rude to leave you there." He looked fight into her eyes, with his clear blue ones. She noticed that he had a wide smile on that behind him poking out of his trousers was a long brown tail like a monkeys.

" Who are you?"

" The names Zidane Tribal. And you?"

" Momo..."

" You aren't from around here are you?" He said looking intelligently at her.

" Ehm, actually no I'm not. I don't live on this planet at all. Though you may not understand that."

He breathed a sigh, " You don't… To tell you the truth neither am I. You just look out of place here. Everyone around these parts where the weirdest cloths. And I've seen men with tigers tails and all sorts."

A rush of pain hit Momo once again as she remembered her troubles with Rei and she began to cry again.

" Whats wrong?! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." He said growing unconfortably.

" You didn't, it's me… Sir, why did you come and talk to me?"

He chuckled to himself and shrugged, " You looked lonely." He put a gloved hand on her cheek. Amazingly Momo didn't withdraw as she normally might but excepted and thrived on the attention, " Zidane, I have a problem."

" Oh?" He said, and moved to sit on the ledge of a nearby tree, " Do tell."

Momo found herself explaining to this strange main all that had happened and in an instant was starting to fell that it was a lot less serious.

Rei stretched nonchalantly and sat up. Where was Momo? He thought. I want somebody to snuggle. He swung his feet over the side of the bed and noticed that his foot caught on something hard on the floor. He picked it up, and saw the cover. It was a book on woran history. Then Rei remembered what had happened with Momo and felt compelled to read it. The book was in a well known woran language that Rei, coincidentally knew. He opened it and saw that the page was bent. He couldn't help but read. He saw his name and felt his heart jump but what he read next made it stop…

As Momo explained to Zidane what was going on he listened knowingly, and nodded at her. She felt so much better when he told her that he would help the best he could. It reminded her that there were people who cared for her. He mentioned to her at one point that he was lost, and she agreed to ask Cray to bring him along.