Um . . . Third Fanfic that was inspired by ripitupgenki. I created it in Alg/Trig class as they were going through the test, but you know how it is. I finally squeezed the first chapter out. Yeah . . . No, this is not a mary sue. Just so you know. Thanx for reading and please reveiw. Thankies!

Chapter 1: Rainy Day

A white dove flew above Alexandria, the city bursting with energy. The winter moths were just passing, spring was on its way. And there was a celebration of life all about the city. There were plays that depicted the romance of the wonderful King Zidane and Queen Garnet. Today was afterall, the birthday of their twins.

The legendary King and Queen had ruled magnificently over the past five years, and two years ago, on that day, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros birthed twins; a girl and a boy. They were named after stones from the summoners.

As Zidane watched them play, he smiled, unaware of any danger that could ever touch his wonderful children. He had worked so hard at becoming the best king and husband, but he know had something else to strive for—the best father in the world. Garnet touched his arm gently her soft smile.

The son, who was actually born latest, had jet black hair like his mother's as well as the eyes. His gurgles were turning to words, though his twin sister had spoken before him. Topaz, the Prince of Alexandria, had a summoner's horn. Garnet was already coddling the boy before Zidane could reach his son. They were so proud of him, so proud of what he was going to become.

Blond hair as bright as the sun topped the head of their daughter, who's eyes were a brilliant shade of turquoise just as her father's. Her tail twitched as she played with it, even chewed on it lovingly. Garnet had wondered whether or not to remove the tail off of the girl, but Zidane had contradicted her. Besides, there were a few Genomes in the city already. And since the King and Queen were basically idols, there were a few people with fake tails.

Garnet let the matter alone. It was a good thing because the bright happy child found her balance only with the tail. Her name was Opal, a bit simple, but so true. She was beautiful and strong, even as a baby. Zidane picked up his child and the royal family made their way out to the balcony where the city of Alexandria waited.

There were yells and shouts as the King and Queen appeared before their people, friends and strangers, all hoping for the best for this family of legend. The sun shone high in the sky, the clouds masking the true ambitions of the day.

- - - - -

"I can't stand kids," said a red head Amarant, his blue skin dripping with sweat. The woman next to him merely brushed him off. Even as Opal and Topaz played beneath his feet, Amarant could not keep himself from grinning. But he continue to deny his partiality to children.

A young woman, tall and slender with dark blue hair, a summoner's horn entered the room. Eiko had grown up a lot in the past five years, though she still had more room to grow. Amarant looked at the girl he had once traveled with in Treno. He hadn't seen her since their last encounter in Alexandria when Zidane made his rather flamboyant reappearance.

She picked up the baby Opal and looked to her adoptive parents Cid and Hilda of Lindblum. They grinned and cooed the babies so much, that Amarant thought he was going to be sick. Not really, that was just what he told everyone. But he did have a soft spot for the two brats. They were going to grow up so spoiled.

And then Amarant remembered his reason for coming to the castle. It wasn't for warm "Oh nice to see you again"'s. He had a purpose.

Amarant gave Zidane a look that even an ex-thief could recognize. It was time to talk. Zidane excused himself from the room, Amarant following. Garnet looked after them and followed unnoticed by the males.

"I have heard rumors, Zidane," said the bandit. Zidane nodded his head.

"About what exactly? Dagger and my sex life?" Zidane asked, folding his arms, a familiar cocky smile coming to his lips. Amarant gave Zidane the regular "What the hell are you talking about?" look. Zidane threw his hands in the air.

"So this is serious?" Zidane asked. Amarant nodded. "So what is the problem?"

Amarant took a breath before continuing. "There is a plot for your children to be kidnapped."

Zidane's eye brows shot up. "Amarant, my children are royal heirs to the throne. Of course there are kidnapping plots. But we have the best security force that has ever been in Alexandria."

Amarant shook his head. The fact that someone like Amarant was bringing this kind of information to Zidane was slightly unnerving. Amarant would not have come without a good reason. This kidnapping plan must have been the real deal.

"Do you know by who?" Zidane asked. Amarant shook his head. Zidane sighed and patted the tall, red headed man on his shoulder.

"Okay, I will have Steiner and Beatrix beef up the security. I really appreciate this. I understand about honor amongst thieves. This can really turn to bite you in your ass," Zidane responded.

Amarant nodded. "I am glad that you understand. I just wanted you to know. I'll be going now, I actually have a bounty head here in the city."

Zidane nodded. As soon as Amarant passed the unnoticed queen. Garnet crossed the ivory balcony to Zidane and grabbed his arm.

"Zidane do you have something you would like to tell me?" Garnet asked. But when she saw her husband's face, she felt the worry set in. He had been putting up a front as usual. He hugged her, bringing her within the strong hug, a fortress of his arms, trying to block out what would ever hurt his family.

The night came and the security was thick. The castle was apparently asleep, all except for the King and his Queen as they sat watch over their two children. A few of the Knights were falling into a stupor with their weariness. Zidane held Garnet's hand. They had stayed awake for days at a time before. But they were older and much more troubled now. And it was impossible for them to stay awake especially under his spell.

The ghost of a man walked up to the crib, his form slipping through space and time, his age apparent and weariness of spirit. Time had frozen just for him. He looked to the son of the King and waved his hand over his face.

No, he would leave Alexandria its heir to the throne. Instead, he took Opal. She was the one who resisted his spell. Her spirit was so much like her father's, yet her magic capabilities resembled something of a dark mage.

He lifted her into his arms, yet she did not yell or shriek. She knew her own significance. As the ghost of a man moved out of the castle, there was a great commotion behind him. People were resuming their time and Zidane and Garnet's yells were echoing. He tried to ignore their screeching, but he kept walking.

Places faded into each other, the span between space and time overlapping. The old man with silver hair reached his master. Her eyes were not hers, she was being controlled as well, but the necromancer spirit was sucking her dry.

The baby reached the woman's arm and both ghosts disappeared. The necromancer spirit had gone back into dormancy after using so much magic.

Quite confused, Lani looked at the baby girl in her hands as she slept peacefully. It had happened again. She had been blacking out more and more frequently, yet she remembered where she was. The Ice Cavern was stealing all of her warmth as well as the child's. Lani wrapped the girl to her body as she cried for her weakness and confusion.

Lani was scared, yet much too proud to ask for help. She looked at the babe and wondered where she came from, so she continued her march to her destination to Treno.

The King and Queen were distraught.

The Princess was lost for what seemed forever.

The search went on for days, days turned into months, months into years. Through some strange twist of fate, the King and Queen did not find their daughter. Genomes all around were inspected to find the Princess, but to no avail.

Lani had heard of the missing daughter and the thought had passed her mind, but she was always held back from returning the girl she had called Arrow. The girl was about five by this time, her beauty coming out even in her young age.

For once, Lani felt a sense of accomplishment with the child there by her side, as if she were her own daughter. The only detail that threw off the wonderful life of bounty hunter and daughter, was the tail. Arrow had begun to decorate the tail with jewels and bracelets with such glee, Lani found herself smiling too. It was the third year since Lani had received the mysterious child when the girl started to ask about her father.

Lani was just outside of Burmecia, hunting a crazed Qu who ate humans. She remembered the look on the girl's face just before Lani blacked out.

The darkness took over and Lani was thrown into a sleep that lasted and lasted. She could barely hear the remnants of Arrow's voice, the light to her world. She had been thinking of taking her to Alexandria. But when she awoke, Lani was sitting in the branches of a misty tree, who knows how much later.