I'm Like a Bird – Nelly Furtado

Kuja lay in bed, propped up on one elbow, gently stroking Beatrix's hair as she slept. The light of the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, illuminating the room with the softest of light. He couldn't help but smile at her beauty, the way the sheets contoured her naked form, the peaceful rise and fall of her chest, the look of contentment on her face as she rested next to him. She was his...for a few moments more.

From the very beginning of their relationship, he knew he would eventually have to leave her. He had known this the whole time. His plans and goals were non-negotiable. It was the only way for him to secure his own destiny. He had known that any attachments would only have to be severed later, and yet he had made them anyway. One. Her. Perhaps it was foolish...

His plans were moving on to the next stage of development. He had just about spent his usefulness now that he had fulfilled his end of the bargain with the queen, and he knew that she would soon turn on him. Now was the time to strike back and take the precious Eidolons which he had promised her. He must now shed his façade of allegiance with Alexandria and reveal his true intentions. He and the general would now be on opposing sides. He hoped they wouldn't meet again.

He wondered what Beatrix would think if she had really known him. She thought she did know him, even claimed to love him, but in reality, their entire relationship was a deception. It amazed him how much trust she had put in him. Even as the general of Alexandria, even after he had basically stolen her place as the queen's advisor, even though they argued frequently about ethics and morals, even after everything that had happened to her in the past... Just thinking about it made him...sick. The stupid woman; she should know better... How could she have put such baseless faith in him? She didn't know anything.

She would be devastated when she found out.

He must have acted differently the night before in anticipation of this moment, because she had questioned him with mild concern in the afterglow of their love-making. He had told her it was because he loved her. And what if it wasn't the truth? It was easier this way. He would be missing from her side when she awoke this morning. Perhaps she would consider their time together a pleasant and fleeting dream.

Quietly, he leaned over to brush his lips softly against hers, lingering against her mouth for a moment with eyes closed.

Farewell, sweet rose...

Slowly, he pulled away and stood from the edge of the bed with his back to her.

"... Kuja...? What's the matter...?"

He paused when he heard her voice.

"It's early..." she sounded tired.

He hesitated a moment, before turning back around, a wistful smile on his face. "It is." He crawled back on top of the bed to cup her face gently in his hands and kiss her tenderly. "Go back to sleep..." he whispered against her lips.

"Mmph..." She laid her hand on top of his. "Where are you going...?"

"I'm right here..."

His assurance seemed to satisfy her concern, and her hand slid away from his as she closed her eyes again. "I love you, Kuja..."

"I love you, too..." He placed a final warm kiss against her lips and stood to quietly get dressed.

Kuja left the castle quickly without looking back. He was never to see her again.