Wanderer

By Peorth Undead

(I do not own Dissidia, but do own this plot please read and review.)

Kuja knew he was possessive, obsessive, and violent. He never questioned that ever. So it didn't surprise him, when he was wandering trying not to implode due to that old crone time witch Ultimacia, he grew enraged when he heard what that idiot mimic was doing to his Zidane. He sneered at Bartz from his place up high, deep in the shadows. A plan was already forming. And it would hurt Zidane, and it would take care of that stupid Bartz, and maybe it would annoy Exdeath too.

***

Bartz stretched the next morning, glancing at Zidane who was still sleeping. He got up and put his armor and shoes on. At least the little he had of it. He then went outside and started to jog a bit, just to keep the blood going so he could possibly get warm. After running into a few Manikins and defeating them, he figured then if any was a good time to go back.

"Well, well, why a little mouse has scurried out of it's home and is now in danger of getting eaten by the cat that's near it."

Bartz's sword was in his hand right away, that voice, it was one of Chaos' minions. But he couldn't place which one. He turned around his hazel eyes scanning the area. "That's not nice, I'm not a mouse."

"And the excellent thing about mouses, is they always fall for traps." It came from above, little white circles of light. "There, there..."

The first few hit him and he rolled out of the way for the rest, by then he noticed Kuja. "You? What do you want?"

"I want Zidane's undivided attention, and since you seem to be distracting him, so I can not get what I want, I'll have to take you to get it." Kuja said his eyes burning into Bartz's.

"Uh....right...." Bartz looked around a bit, "I think I'll be going now."

He lashed out with another round of attacks, hitting the wanderer as he was trying to exit. "I don't think so mouse, I know a good cage for you."

"If I have to," Bartz said, getting up. Attacking with Firion's Lance combination.

Kuja dodged and hit him with a flare star. As the fire ball exploded he felt his head spin and he fell backwards. "See I always get what I want in the end." The mimic heard as everything faded...

***

When Zidane woke up, Bartz was gone. 'Good,' he thought as he went to clean himself, 'last night was really weird.' He stripped and walked into the cold water, shivering slightly he bathed, then tried to dry himself off as quickly as possible. He dressed, and looked around. Bartz should be back by now. So they wouldn't loose any more time, Zidane packed up. He then sat down and waited.

Seconds turned to minutes, which became hours. "Hey Zidane? What's going on?" Zidane looked up to see Tidus, Cloud, and Firion.

Zidane stood up and tried not to look worried, "Bartz went missing..."

"How long ago?" Cloud asked in that steady tone of his.

"This morning." Zidane answered glancing back. "Some times he'll go out just to move around before we leave, but this time he just seemed to vanish."

"We'll help you look for him," Firion answered before glancing at Tidus and Cloud, "right?"

"Sure thingཀ" Tidus said pumping his fist in the air. Cloud simply nodded.

"Thanks." Zidane said grabbing his gear.

They walked for the better part of the day, and when dusk started to fall, they found themselves still not finding a trace of him.

"We should probably camp for the night, we won't be able to fend off Manikins or any one else if we're tired," Cloud said as he dropped his pack.

"I'll start a fire," Firion said grabbing some wood out.

"Um, I'll pitch the tents?" Tidus half asked half announced.

Zidane got up, "I'll help you." They started to pitch them, two of them only though, because it was easier to take down the next morning. Also because Tidus said that none of them were really morning people.

They ate what ever rations they had, and Zidane told them what had happened the day before, except for the part where Bartz jacked him off.

"Is it possible he got himself in trouble?" Firion asked concerned.

Cloud shook his head, "no it's probable. None of us stays lost for that long unless one of Chaos' minions come around."

"But what if he just wandered and forgot his way back?" Tidus asked trying to keep some hope up.

"Doubtful," Cloud answered bleakly. "It couldn't have been Sephiroth, he would toy with then kill, we'd see Bartz's body."

"Way to kill the mood Cloud," Tidus muttered.

"No, he's right, it's not Exdeath either, nor could it be Cloud of Darkness..." Firion continued.

"Or Kefka, man that clown is one massive head case," Tidus interjected.

"Golbez is out..." Cloud answered, "it isn't his style."

"The emperor could do something like that, so could..."

"Kuja." Zidane said flatly narrowing his eyes a bit.

"Well I was going to say Ultimacia...but yes," Firion answered frowning.

Zidane shook his head, "if any one did anything with Bartz it was Kuja."

"Why are you so sure?" Cloud asked trying to detect reason in the sixteen year-old.

Zidane sighed, "because Kuja easily get's jealous of things he thinks belongs to him," he answered, "and I know that freak has an obsession about me."

Tidus whistled, "that's uh, that's kind of creepy."

Zidane shrugged, "it is what it is."

"We should probably rest..." Firion said standing up, "we have a lot of things to do tomorrow."

Zidane frowned going into the tent with Tidus. If this was the case, then Bartz could be in some serious trouble.