A/N: Aaanddd~ This is my sequel for Final Fantasy IX. The story is pinpointing on Mikoto - the younger 'sister' of Zidane. I..don't have much to say. R&R please! C:

Final Fantasy IX (Sequel-Doujinshi)

The Ultimate Trance

"Is he going to be okay?"

"It depends on his vitality, Zidane," the younger genome answered, turning her head slightly to look at the anxious genome pacing around the room. "Calm down, you're giving me a headache."

He stopped walking and sat on the floor, crossing his arms looking displeased.

"It's been one freaking week and he's not moving! Please tell me he's going to live!"

"He is, Zidane... He is going to live. Calm down," she assured him as she got up from the edge of the bed and advance towards him. She bent down slightly and patted him on the shoulder. "Do me a favour and go get some fresh air, Zidane."

"I'm perfectly fine, Mi."

"Go. Now," She ordered in a compelling tone.

The blonde young man shot her a repulsive glare before getting on his feet and stormed out the room.

Mikoto smiled faintly back as Zidane left them alone. She clearly did not want him to worry. Turning her attention back to the man resting on the bed, she let out a weak exclamation.

"Kuja... You're stronger than that. I know it."

Mikoto brushed her fingers lightly on his forehead, tucking his fringe to the side of his face.

Suddenly, he twitched a brow, startling the young mage.

"K-Kuja? Are you awake?"

"unghhh..." He moaned as he opened his eyes slowly. "Wha...what...?" His eyes adjusted to the light and slowly and a person came into vision.

"How are you feeling, Kuja? Are you alright?"

"I'm...miraculously... alive?" He choked.

"Not as miraculous when Zidane shielded you from all the roots of the Iifa Tree,"she snorted. "How are you feeling?"

Kuja chuckled weakly, "so I'm supposed to thank him now? He should have left me dead."

"You know Zidane well, Kuja. He came all the way back for you. It isn't him to leave someone behind, not even his enemy."

Kuja kept silent. He kicked the sheets of the bed and struggled to sit up. The young genome helped him, holding his arm tight as the injured genome shifted his rump up.

"I'm going to die anyway, Mikoto... You know better than that," he said softly as he winced in pain.

"Wrong, Kuja. Not exactly."

"What?"

"You are going to die like anyone else here on Gaia... Because you are mortal. That is what Master Garland meant when he said he placed a limit on your life, Kuja," she answered as she sat down beside him.

"Are you saying Zidane is immortal? Hah. That foolish old man."

Mikoto snickered, turning away from the injured genome. "You're the fool, Kuja."

"I beg your pardon, Mikoto?"

"Zidane is not immortal, but he will surely live longer than you, that is all I can say."

"I'm going to apologize, Mikoto but that statement you clarified was simply improbable. Or -you're not making any logical sense."

She stared deep into his eyes, as if she was looking for a sign.

Kuja, likewise, stared back. And soon, their eyes were locking one another.

As Mikoto was about to speak, someone else broke their trance.

"KUJA! You're awake!"

It was Zidane.

Mikoto got up and invited Zidane to take her place.

"Man! I'm so glad!"

Kuja flushed. "Z...Zidane..." He muttered his name softly, looking away in embarrassment.

"I'll leave you two alone," the young genome told as she exited the room.

"I'm sorry...for everything, Zidane. You shouldn't have come back for me."

The blonde laughed and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, "nay! I won't leave you behind. You saved all of us, Kuja. You deserve a second chance to live."

"You're a fool, Zidane... Aren't you afraid if I ever tried to kill you again?" he asked as he quirked an eyebrow looking unimpressed.

"Then let me ask you, Kuja," Zidane began as he placed a hand on top of his. "Why would you kill me again?"

Kuja turned away and retracted his hand back and slid them under the sheets. "I don't need to answer you that…. Circumstances, perhaps. I might go on a rage and start my madness over again, you may never know."

Zidane snorted in amusement, "yeah, tell me about it, Kuja."

"Even if you were to accept me as an ally, Zidane…" he paused, turning to stare at him and darted his eyes away quickly. "No one else will…"

"They will, Kuja. Trust me!" He assured as he pounded his chest lightly with his fist.

"You're being too optimistic, Zidane."

"That's how we all are supposed to be!"

"It isn't good."

"Tell me how bad it will get then."

"ZIDANE!"

Both of them stopped. Kuja's face was hard with his lips pursed into a hard line. Zidane on the other hand stared back, grimacing as he crossed his arms.

"I saved you. You're alive. You're going to live here in Gaia like everyone else. That is all."

Zidane stood up and left the room swiftly, slamming the door behind him.

"I was wrong when I said that you were optimistic. You just force people to agree to your thoughts, Zidane. But... thank you for believing in me."

...

The skies grew dark as the Sun sank down into the horizon, painting the clouds copper. Light from the rays of the Sun faded away and slowly covered the room in darkness.

Kuja was still sitting up on his bed, staring blankly at nothing. However, thoughts were rummaging his mind. There were many questions he would ask himself over and over again, and still yield no answer. He shouldn't have stayed alive. He was supposed to die.

The door of his room creaked open, distracting his pointless thoughts as his eyes followed to the source of distraction.

"You're not asleep yet?"

Mikoto.

"No," he answered bluntly. "Please do come in…"

Mikoto stepped inside the room and shut the door gently behind her. She approached the injured genome and sat beside him.

"Are you okay now?"

"I am doing alright. Thank you for your concern."

"I'm sorry that you cannot help but feel guilty for still being alive, Kuja. But, if this is what fate decides, then let alone fate make a path for your future," she said with a smile.

"Is that what you came here to talk about, Mikoto?"

The young genome turned away to bore her eyes into something else.

"Perhaps…"

"What is it do you want to ask, Mikoto."

"Tell me what is in your mind now, Kuja. Your plans, your thoughts… What will you do now?"

"Is that a question out of curiosity, Mikoto?"

Mikoto smiled faintly back, "and your thoughts on that?"

"Unlikely," he answered with a grin.

The young genome didn't answer. She crossed her legs and placed both hands on top of her lap, waiting for Kuja to continue-like a young child waiting for a story to be told.

"I've actually decided nothing, Mikoto. For once, I cannot think of a solution to my current situation," he sighed.

"What came to your mind first...When you knew you heard from Master Garland-that you were a defect and you have a limit on your life, Kuja."

"Are you trying to remind me about how a fool I was? Is the question supposed to be... Sarcastic?"

"No. It's a solemn question, Kuja. Please do answer."

"I repudiate the fact that I was a failure to him... So the first and only thing that came to mind, was to destroy everything along with me."

Mikoto's eyes soften as she gazed at the man before her. "Destroy everything?"

"I thought it was inequitable for everyone else to live when I have to die... I couldn't accept the fact that-"

"You were given a limit on your life, is that it?" She interjected.

Kuja nodded slowly in reply.

"Nothing lasts forever, Kuja... Remember that."

"My stupidity does not reach a level as low as that, Mikoto," Kuja scoffed as he rolled his eyes.

"So does hatred."

He flinched. What was she trying to imply to him?

"If you don't ever give yourself another chance... No one else will. No one will acknowledge your apology and repentance... If you don't first learn to forgive yourself."

Who was this girl before him? Why was she speaking like someone far more wiser and far more experienced in life than him?

"Mikoto, you-"

"Then, will you forgive yourself and give yourself a second chance at living?" She asked as she extended a hand out to him.

Kuja stared blankly at the genome before him. No, he did not understand what was going on right before his eyes. Why was she able to speak that way? More importantly-how.

He took her hand slowly and pulled it in and he kissed her at the back of her hand politely.

"I will."

A/N: I've written this a few months ago. But i didn't publish it then because I was waiting for the betareader to reply me (apparently no one was interested in betareading it =w=)