Princess of The Thieves

Chapter 9

Zidane hissed angrily at the breakfast table, the morning light searing his tired eyes. After a night of drinking and returning early in the morning, he was barely able to sleep off the alcohol in his system before Dagger got him up for breakfast. Now he suffered, every noise feeling like a stab to his temples and the light threatened to burn his eyes out. The twins took the opportunity to torture him, purposly scratching their plates with their knives and clanking glasses, giggling every time he flinched or twitched in pain. Zane watched with curious eyes while he ate his eggs. He did not quite understand why his father was in so much pain from lack of sleep.

Finally, after a long scratch on a plate, Zidane had enough, "Diamond, Emerald, do that again and I will make your life miserable when Daddy can think straight again."

"Serves you right." Dagger grunted from next to him. "You drank yourself silly when all you've had has been wine for the last few years."

"I've been through some scotch and gin." He covered his face with his hands.

"Yes, but in moderation."

"Daddy? Mother?" They heard Diane enter the dining hall. She was dressed in a light blue sun dress, her hair tied up in a bun.

"Some one finally rolled out of bed. I had the guards call you an hour a go." Dagger scolded gently. She watched as Diane scurried over, excitement and worry on her face. She got excited herself, Diane actually showing emotion and looking happy. "What were you doing?"

"I'm sorry mother. My mind was preoccupied this morning. What's wrong with Daddy?" Diane slid into her chair. Stabbing her food with her fork in an unladylike manner, she began shoveling food into her mouth. "He have too much fun with his friends last night?"

"It was amazing!" Zidane whimpered, partly from pain, "Until now!"

"You're eating a little hastily there my love. Are you okay?" Dagger asked as Diane choked on a pancake.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Diane answered her when she finally got the food down. "No time to sit and chat. I have lots to do today."

"Oh? Do tell."

"After my handwriting class, I have to go straight to the training field. I've become rusty with my daggers and I need to regrease them." Dagger couldn't help but look at her daughter with her mouth a jar. Zidane even stopped rubbing his temples to stare at her. She noticed their looks and glanced between them nervously, "What? I say something weird?"

"Oh no! What happened to our proper sister?!" Diamond cried out, Emerald sobbing into her shoulder.

"She broke out of her bonds!" Zane shouted happily.

"By golly, he succeeded." Zidane whispered to Dagger.

Dagger gave Diane a pleasant smile. "Are we dueling this evening?"

"Tonight? You're not prepared after a year of not training to take on Jupiter." Zidane tried to reason. "Well unless, he truly focused on just singing for the past few years."

"My speed should best him anyways. That was his main enemy three years a go."

"Honey, even your endurance is-"

Diane stood up, cutting off her father, "That's not the point, Dad! Jupiter and I are long over due for this! Whether I win or lose means nothing!"

Zidane and Dagger exchanged glances. Nodding after a minute, they smiled at their daughter. "Want me to go get your daggers sharpened?" Zidane asked standing up as well.

"And for me to send the challenge letter?" Dagger winked evilly. "I haven't written one in a long time. I can trash talk him down."

"When did you need to write challenge letters?"

Zidane chuckled then and eyed Dagger, leaning in towards her, "Yes, do tell our daughter what your challenges were. They did eventually involve her."

Dagger blushed and hit Zidane, "Not important honey. Do you want me to or not? It will give you more time to warm up."

Diane stared at her parents, confused at their behavior. "If you would please, the best parents in the world!"

"It is done. Anything for our children." Dagger smiled. She chuckled as Diane squealed in happiness and ran off to grab her daggers.

Jupiter pinned Cole to the ground playfully. A bout of boredom brought upon a tap to the side which caused a shove, then caused chaos as Cole tackled Jupiter to the ground. The girls jumped in as well as Fang playfully protected his owner by nipping at Jupiters arms and legs. The older men looked on while they sat at their bar table, wishing they were that young again.

"Give up, you rat bastard!" Jupiter yelled as Cole began to fight back, his face ground into the floor.

"Never!" He shouted back as he freed his back legs from under Jupiter. Using his flexible spine, he curled his legs up and got a foot on Jupiters face. He began to push Jupiter back, succeeding with considerable ease.

"Dude! Get your foot off my face!" Jupiter demanded trying to fight the clawed paw.

"Get your face off my foot!" Cole hissed as he concentrated.

"Well, that's a new way to use that leg strength." Zidane suddenly appeared over them.

Cole screamed in surprise and kicked Jupiter away, scrambling to his feet. Jupiter fell down next to Zidane, three claw marks scoring his cheek. Blood flowed down from them with considerable speed. He glanced up at Zidane before joining Cole. The girls soon flanked them, looking nervous.

"That's why you don't mess with a Bermecians feet." Zidane laughed watching Jupiter's cheek bleed onto his chest.

"It's nothing. I will dab it with a potion in a minute." Jupiter shrugged.

"What brings you out into the streets, Zidane?" Cinna asked leaning back from the table to look around the teenagers.

Zidane smiled and shrugged, "Nothing much. Picked up some black smith items, visited a jewelry maker, hit the weapons shop."

"Black smith?" Cole pointed out looking at Jupiter excitedly.

Jupiter thought he was hearing wrong, "Don't you guys have your own black smith?"

"Yes, but Diane doesn't like using him cause he gives her a hard time about being a princess and how princess' shouldn't wield weaponry. She wanted her daggers sharpened, so I obliged."

Jupiter smiled happily, "So she's back?"

"If you mean my true daughter, then yes!" Zidane smiled with relief. "She wanted them sharpened for practice. She's been feeling a little rusty as of last night."

"Does she want a challenge?" Claire smiled evilly.

"They are overdue." Autumn added grabbing onto Coles arm.

Zidane shook his head, "I wouldn't know her plans. She has been running around like a mad man all morning."

Jupiter sighed, "I'm glad to hear that last push was what she needed."

"Yes." Zidane side glanced. "Speaking of that, a deal is a deal. Now I had this specialty made. You lose it, you lose your head."

Blank and Marcus leaned back as well, Baku standing up. "You're not serious?" Jupiter stood with his mouth open, unable to say a word while his friends stared wide eyed as Zidane pulled a small black box from his pocket. "He's not worth her time."

"Apparantly, he is! My daughter was a puppet for the longest time." Zidane argued with their logic. Jupiter may not have been a great thief, but he had other qualities that Diane valued. And if he could help it, no noble raised boy was touching his daughter. "As much as I hate of having the thought of giving my daughter away to any guy, I have to settle for the best we can get."

"Aw! He's settling for you." Cole whimpered jokingly putting his head on Jupiter's shoulder. Jupiter angrily glanced at him for a second before returning his gaze onto the ring box.

Zidane glanced among them all, a michivious smile upon his face. After seeing the girls get anxious and begin to fret, he flipped the box open to show a gold ring with a fairly large sapphire stone set in the middle with tiny, tiny diamonds surrounding it. Sapphire was her favorite stone, a proper stone to get on her marriage band if she was to cherish it forever. Jupiter was mystified at it. He had never seen something so beautiful given to him to give to someone he cared about. Slowly, he reached out for the box, Zidane snapping it closed and pulling back like a tease.

"Wait, wait. There are some rules to come with this ring." Zidane pointed out walking past them. Pulling up a chair to the table where his friends sat, he made himself comfortable and stole Cinnas drink. "One, again, do not lose it. I just paid a pretty Gil to have this made. Lose it. Deal's off. Two, she must be asked and she must agree. Three, you have a week's time."

"A week!" Jupiter found his voice. How does one guy propose to a girl he hadn't seen in years in just a week! He hadn't even told her all of his adventures yet. Nor had she to him.

"Yes, a week. Dagger and I are giving Diane a present she's been begging for for several years. Now that she's of age, she can properly enjoy it."

"What's that?" Baku asked, his interest peaked.

"What has been her dream since she was little?" Zidane asked sipping whatever Cinna had hestitantly. The group looked at him in confusion.

"Oh! Oh! Jupiter we know!" Cole excitedly barked looking at Jupiter.

"Huh? We do?"

"Yes! She always talks about how she wants to…" Cole began to hint slowly.

Jupiter thought for a second as Cole made circling motions towards himself, like he was trying to get the thought to come to him. It then dawned on him, "She has always said she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and see the things he had."

"Minus the war, of course!" Cole clapped.

"Bingo! You are true Jupiter." Zidane smiled, "In secrecy, we have been preparing for the trip. We were going to ask you to come with anyways, but now this challenge will make it easier. Two surprises for my eldest. But you are to keep your mouth shut about that. Dagger and I will tell her ourselves."

"You hear that?" Blank reitinerated, "Just focus on your proposal."

"You're not going to fight this?" Marcus curiously asked Blank as Jupiter was handed the ring box.

Blank shrugged, "I gave up awhile a go."

"We have lots to plan!" Claire squeaked, the group dragging a dumbfounded Jupiter away from the table. "There's the wording!"

"The right moment!"

"The feeling!"

"I bet you we're going to have to corner him to do it." Cole chuckled. Fang whined happily beside him, laughing his own way. "He gets so gummed up when something serious is brought up about her."

"I-I don't know how to propose to a girl!" Jupiter was finally able to muster up when forcefully sat at a table in the corner of the bar. "We haven't even caught up yet!"

"I don't think that's important!" Cole dismissed before rethinking, "Maybe the end of the week could be good. That way you two become comfortable with each other. Proposing might chase her away."

"Put it in a song?" Charles asked as he joined them at their table. He carried a carcass for the dogs, his turn for feeding them. Fang eyed him hungrily, knowing this full well. Fang whined loudly, attracting the dogs in the surrounding area. They rushed to Charles side. "Thanks Fang!" Charles sighed chucking the carcass away from him, the dogs rushing it.

Claire wagged her finger at the idea, "That sounds amazing!"

Jupiter shot it down, "It's not her."

"Then, what is her?"

"Straight forward most likely." Jupiter whispered. "She loves simple things. She says it's always so complicated in the castle."

"So straight forward it is, but that requires the right moment." Autumn thought out loud to herself. "Pick a time that feels right then. That will be probably last minute!"

"I still have to get her a birthday present." Jupiter changed the subject.

"Make it the proposal." Cole snorted.

"With a ring I didn't buy?" Jupiter glared. "That will make me look cheap."

"What do you want to get her then?"

"I have no idea." Jupiter looked down.

"Kupo! I have a letter for Mr. Jupiter from Princess Diane! Read immediately, kupo, she told me!" Kupo came running in excitedly. He glanced around quickly, noticed Jupiter and jumped excitedly before running towards him. "Kupopopopopo!"

"Kupo, calm down! It can't be that exciting!" Jupiter stood up to get the letter.

"I wonder what it is? It's got our friend all upset and excited!"

"Kupo! I haven't seen the princess in forever and then she gives me such an important task! Kupopopopopo!" Kupo gushed, dancing in place. "And she was smiling!"

"Thanks for delivering it, Kupo! Can you tell me what it is?" Jupiter spoke calmly as he was handed the letter.

"Yes, kupo!" Kupo twirled around happily, "It's a challenge letter! She wants to duel you tonight!"

"That's too soon! She's out of practice, I will have the advantage." Jupiter shook his head as he read the note. Reading an insult at the bottom that made him smile, he nodded at Kupo, "Tell her I will be there when the moons are over our heads. The time the night belongs to the thieves."

Kupo danced in place again before running out of the door to deliver the message. Jupiter handed the note to Cole, who read it and laughed before passing it on. "Hey, uncle Zi-?" Jupiter began to ask before turning and noticing Zidane was gone, his father shrugging at him.

"He left when the moogle came in." Cinna told him with a chuckle.

Jupiter gave them a confused look before it dawned on him, "He knew of this!"

The two moons shone brightly over the courtyard. Zidane had the outline of the yard dotted with laterns to illuminate the area so the group could see the two battle. He also had benches and various items that could be lifted taken away to reduce accidents and interruptions. Diane stood on one side, flanked by her mother and father, twirling her daggers in anticipation as Jupiter and his group approached from the docks. She was back in her thief outfit, a welcoming change from her dresses. She couldn't believe why she gave it up. She forgot how light and flexible it was. She especially loved that it didn't give her a back ache.

Jupiter withdrew his sword from its sheath on his back, "So we are back to our normal selves I heard?"

Diane chuckled, "Oh, yes and how dare I not meet you with my daggers upon our reunion. They are thirsty for your defeat."

"I feel you are underestimating me, Prin~cess!" Jupiter snided as his group stepped to the side. "I've gotten way better since you last saw!"

"Let our blades talk for us then." Diane crouched.

"Don't hurt each other too much!" Zidane shouted along with Dagger as they side stepped.

"Remember your instincts Diane." Zidane reminded her as she ran past them. "And don't get pinned!"

The screech of metal clashing together rang out as Diane tackled Jupiter. It was soon followed by sparks as Diane attacked him with a flurry of blows, allowing him only to block. She jumped around him, avoiding kicks as he tried to unsteady her. He pushed back and swung, Diane jumping out of the way and flipped backwards. She bolted towards the courts wall before Jupiter could swing at her again. Her arms ached, they were used to the simple life after a year and Jupiter had gotten stronger and had a larger sword then before. She needed to rest and some how use an advantage. Height was a good one! Told by many schlors and army personal that it was a foolproof tactic that had an eighty percent success rate. She hoped her body remembered how to scale a wall. As she thought her tactic over, Jupiter gave chase. Diane heard his sword scrap the ground as he caught up to her.

"Why are you running?!" Jupiter demanded swinging his sword against her open back. He was relieved when she rolled forward just in time for him to miss. "You're not scared of losing are you?"

"Ofcourse not. I just want to try something!" Diane laughed while she launched forward and scurried up the wall as fast as she could. She slipped a little at the top, but regained her footing hoping no one saw her floundering. She was hoping he was still too clumsy to follow her as she ran the length of the wall to one of the towers for it's shade. Disappearing into the darkness, she turned to see where Jupiter stood. He was running at her at full speed, his sword in his sheath. She was confused at first until she noticed she had taken shelter by the tower that was conventintly located right behind a corner. He was going to ricochet up the corner to her.

"You live here, honey!" Jupiter laughed as he did just what she thought. "Don't bolt this this-"

Diane cut him off with a kick across the face when he jumped up onto the wall. He was flung off the ledge and landed shoulder first into the dirt. He gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. He opened his eyes to see where Diane had gone. She was just above him and falling quickly, a knee jutted in his direction. He screamed in horror right before she landed, the scream turning into squeak as she forced the rest out of his lungs. She scurried away seconds later, crouching in the middle of the field to wait for him to regain his footing.

She didn't like she had failed to notice all the towers she could hide in were on each corner. Corners were much easier to climb then a flat one, anyone could do it. Even Jupiter. She did like watching him cough and struggle to get back up after her last assault. It was a bonus when he threw up. Her tail swung back and forth in happiness at her success until she saw the look of pure hatred on Jupiters face when he stood back up.

She had thrown the proverbal gauntlet down it seemed, Jupiter drawing his sword silently as he glared. He shrugged his shoulders as he pointed the sword at her. He then smiled challengingly and motioned for her to come at him. She snorted playfully and did as he wanted, charging at him straight on. He smirked back and dodged last minute, Dianes slash only going through air as he side stepped her. Diane was caught off guard as he kicked her with his shin and sent her flying backwards. She skirted across the ground, rolling in ways she never thought she could before. Her daggers disappeared out of her hands when she started rolling side ways, the blades stuck in the ground. She finally came to a stop on her face, her body protesting and pulsing angrily as it slammed the ground. She was seeing stars from one kick! She cursed herself. She could barely move except to turn her head to watch Jupiter approach her, a look of concern in his eyes. She gave a light hearted laugh and balled her fists.

"Are you okay, Diane?" Jupiter asked quietly when he kneeled next to her. "I didn't mean to kick you that hard."

As Diane went to answer she was surrounded by a greenlight, her pains alleviatly as it worked. Her mother had cast curaga on her. When the light faded, Diane tiredly got her knees and smiled at him. "It seems I lost..."

"I'm sorry."

"Jupiter finally has a notch in his favor." Diane giggled lightly. She gave him a sly look, "It seems the roles are reverse."

"Roles?" Jupiter cocked his head in confusion.

Diane snickered as she suddenly planted a kiss on Jupiter. He tensed, confusion filling his eyes. Diane pulled back a second later. He looked at her in shock. She chuckled, "It's your revenge kiss, if you don't mind me using it that is." Diane winked and stood up.

"No, no! You can do that anytime!" Jupiter stood up as well. "You should lose a lot more Diane!" Jupiter heard his friends snicker, causing him to blush. Diane smiled proudly and walked calmly to her parents, Dagger checking her over for any additional healing.

Diane stayed out for another hour before the fight caught up to her and she was falling asleep in the middle of her sentences. Zidane called it a night, carrying his daughter inside to take her to bed. Jupiter was hesitant to leave, but was dragged home by his father.

Thinking Diane's crushing defeat would change the way she acted, Jupiter treaded lightly around her the next day. To his surprise it didn't change anything! She acted like her jovial self and even invited him to have tea and lunch with her and her mother, Zidane suddenly having to leave to play judge in the Village of Dali, where a murder had occurred over a land dispute. The day after that, they played bandits unofficially with Lirian, who along with her father, was upset that Diane and him were running around like three year olds. Zane joined in on the fun until his lungs couldn't take the excitement and began to fight him for air. Queen Garnet then stepped in and ended the game, snapping at her daughter for allowing Zane to get so worked up. Diane lowered her head and apologized. Jupiter then hid along with Diane in the gardens playing hide and seek.

Today, Jupiter found her once again on the training grounds, but this time with her father. He had a beautifully crafted blue and gold Theif blade. Diane had her -what had she called it?- butterfly sword. Together they practiced swinging it a certain way, then stepping forward to do a special move. Zidane then added another step and threw the blade down, a swirl of fire erupting from the ground where it touched. Jupiter jumped at the magic, but Diane didn't even flinch. They must have been doing it all morning.

"Tidal flame is the easiest to learn! I wonder what I am doing wrong in teaching you?" Zidane stomped his foot when Diane tried it and just got a wisp of dirt.

"Maybe I'm just unable to conjure magic Father?" Diane wondered as she hugged her blade, her eyes glued to the ground.

Zidane didn't think so, he knew she had it in her. She was just exhausted from trying all morning. "We'll call it quits for now. Lunch is about to be served and you have your date with Jupiter. We will reconvene after with Beatrix. Maybe she will see what I don't."

"But Daddy, I don't think-"

"You're just saying that cause your exhausted. Go relax." Zidane interrupted her. "There he is now!"

Diane whirled around, a look of fear on her face. "How long were you there?"

Jupiter decided to play it cool, "Just long enough to walk into "it's lunch time, go relax."

She visually relaxed, Zidane smiling at his obvious lie. "Good! I've been having a horrible morning! Let's enjoy our lunch." Diane tried to pep herself up. "I hope you don't mind a sweaty princess. Daddy was teaching me sword moves now that I've proven I can wield Butterfly with ease."

"I don't mind." Jupiter smiled offering his arm. "Are wee going to the gardens?"

Diane nodded in response and slid her hand through his offered arm. Handing her sword to her father, the two began to walk off.

Noticing the stress on her face, Jupiter dared not ask what Zidane was teaching her for fear of upsetting her further. Though the conversation went stale after a few seconds, he still didn't want to bring it up.

Instead she did, "Why is it so hard to do sword art?"

"I don't know. I know my father knows nothing of it or he would have taught it to me." Jupiter shrugged trying to stay neutral in tone.

"Daddy knows it and he came from your troupe." Diane whined, "and he was younger then me when he learned!"

"He is made of different stuff, came from different planet or something."

"Are you saying it's cause of my mothers-"

"No! Your mother is a summoner! Therefore very magical! You can do the Tidal Flame move. I agree with your father that you were tired and you need to relax first."

"How do you know the name of-?" Diane glared angrily at him. Jupiter avoided her gaze, knowing he slipped. "You were there to see me fail!"

"You didn't fail. The flame just wasn't there." Jupiter defended poorly.

Diane flew out of her chair and began to walk briskly to the castle. Jupiter ran after her.

"Diane! I'm sorry! I know it's frustrating to fail a new move but it's nothing to be embarrassed about it." Jupiter tried to calm her. "You will get it."

Diane stopped and sobbed, "This isn't the first time he tried to teach me this move! This is the third time!"

"Third?"

"Dad thinks I have to trance to get it. The surge of emotions making the magic easier to cast in desperation."

"Trance does help, but there is no reason to be desperate." Jupiter argued. "How is he able to do it then?"

"He said he was able to master it when he was alone for that year before I was conceived. He doesn't want me to to have to resort to trance though."

"It would be a crutch." Jupiter agreed looking around. There had to be away for her to conjure the flames in the attack. Seeing a flame flicker on the corner of his eye, he turned toward a torch that was ever burning on a statue of an old queen. Grabbing Diane, he dragged her towards it.

"To do magic one must have imagination." Jupiter told her as she stared at him in confusion. "Why is that?"

"I don't know?"

"Maybe that's what's going wrong." Jupiter pointed out. "We are all familiar with fire. It burns, its hot, it destroys."

"All right so what does this do with imagination?"

"I'm guessing your father learned this move in trance cause he was so angry, he wanted the enemy to burn. That in turn, brought upon the magic. Overtime, he got used to doing it and had no longer needed the crutch of using his anger, worry, and fear as a catalyst."

"That sounds plausible." Diane thought for a second.

"And it probably doesn't help you have been told you can't cast magic. So your disabled from that to. You need to picture something burning and allow yourself to believe you can cast it." Jupiter advised gently.

"I can try?" Diane looked at him apprehensively. She then glanced at the flames, watching them dance in their oil filled pot. Closing her eyes, she imagined something burning in it, her notebook full of notes on how to be a proper lady at all times. She smiled at the image and tried to fight the urge to put her sisters in it as well. "I think I got the imagery down. Do you really think I can cast magic?"

"I believe you can. It's in your blood." Jupiter smiled. He gently shoved her, "You put your sisters in there right?"

She shoved him harder and barked, "No! A notebook telling me how to wear my dresses."

"Ew! We need to find the real one then." Jupiter stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"Nah, giving it to the hellions. They will appreciate it."

"Why help them?"

"They did let me borrow some of their dresses for the class."

Jupiter clicked his tongue, "Fine. Would have looked pretty."

"Diane! Lunch is over! Let's try this again!" Diane heard her father shout from a balconey.

"Do you wanna watch?" Diane asked with a nervous smile.

"I have all day. I wish I could train with you, but my swords at home."

"That's fine, you don't have to." Diane smiled grabbing his hand. "I will give you the best seat in the house! Hopefully, Lirian doesn't take it."

Zidane was elated to see his daughter was happier to be back on the training field along with Jupiter. Lirian stood next to her mother, a smile on her face as Diane was handed her sword back. Beatrix looked Diane over calmly and then had her watch as her daughter performed a magic spell as well. It was her signature move, Chimmihazard. Lirian performed it well and proudly stood next to her mother. Jupiter couldn't hear them, but watched as Beatrix began to lecture Diane, posing and swinging her sword. Zidane stood behind her twirling his blade out of anxiousness.

Finally, Diane got to try it again. Zidane went first, once again to demonstrate how to do it. Diane mimicked him perfectly and this time was rewarded with a spark and a small fire ball. Jupiter laughed as Diane screamed in excitement and happily jumped around. Beatrix and Lirian clapped and looked pleased with their princess while Zidane kissed her forehead. Jupiter clapped as well and shouted, "I told you, it took imagination!"

Diane nodded at him and blew a kiss his way, "That's why your my best friend!"

Jupiter tried to hide the chuckle Lirian caused when she looked at Diane with a hurt puppy expression. Lirian always considered herself Dianes best friend, but she annoyed the hell outta Diane on most days. She was a good friend at best, but Diane couldn't help think of her as an overprotective guard. Diane quickly hugged her upon seeing the face and bounced around with her. It instantly cheered her up and the two turned back to Zidane.

Jupiter watched as they began to do the move over and over again, refining it and making it bigger. He also watched as Diane added her own move, a spin kick, before hitting the ground with the blade. Zidane looked pleased at the difference and clapped happily everytime she succeeded.

"You smell like burning wood!" Jupiter sniffed at Diane as they walked to the boat to take him home.

"Well that's all the dummies fault. He didn't have to burst into flames like he did!" Diane snapped, trying to keep a smile off her face. She gave up and laughed.

"A girl friend who smells like a pit grill is a girl for me. Though you would keep me hungry." Jupiter laughed as well.

"Girlfriend?" Jupiter's eyes went wide. "How long have we been together?" Diane asked looking into his face. He couldn't read what she was thinking and was unsure of she was happy or not.

"I would say since I took that first kiss from you." Jupiter smiled at her.

Diane smiled back at him, "I don't know about that. I think it was when we were 12. When you allowed me into the "cave" for that first time."

"That was a pride thing. That was my man cave, no one but Cole, Fang, and I should be in it."

Diane nodded in mock understanding, "I was the exception to the rule?"

"You're allowed in any man cave. You understand us."

"Interesting. So it was our first kiss?" Diane glanced at the two moons. "It doesn't feel that long ago."

Jupiter looked up at the moons as well, "We grew old quick. Eighteen years have just flown right by."

"My parents are probably not ready. They saw so much when they were younger then us. The peace has been making everything go so fast."

"Time flies when you are having fun." Jupiter giggled. "Speaking of fun. I brought you a present."

Diane looked at him in surprise, "A present? You didn't have to!"

Jupiter chuckled, "No, I had to! It means a lot to me to give it to you."

Diane shook her head as Jupiter reached into his pocket, "Jupiter, you know my feelings on gifts. I feel bad cause you torture yourself to get me something-!" Diane argued, tears starting to form in her eyes. She felt him grab her hand as she wiped away her tears with the other and put something in it.

"It was no trouble at all." Jupiter smiled as she looked at her hand.

"A red ribbon?!" Diane gasped as she extended the ribbon across both her hands. It had a silky feel to it and shined in the moon light. "Its beautiful!"

Jupiter blushed and scratched his head, "I tried to look at the blue ones, but this one kept calling out my name. Reds not usually your favorite color, but I figured it could be a symbol of our friendship. I thought it would look good in your ponytail."

Diane began to cry again, this time happily, "I love it! Can you put it on for me for the first time? I don't want my hand maids to touch it first."

"Of course! Lets see how well I fit in." Jupiter joked grabbing the ribbon from her and turning her around. He gently tied the ribbon on, and stepped back after giving her a large bow on top of the ponytail. Diane then turned around to face him. "Oh I did good! You're gorgeous!"

Diane blushed and looked down, "Thank you again Jupiter. I will have to see it in a mirror when I get in. I'm happy you gave it to me."

"I love you Diane." Jupiter kissed her cheek. He glanced down the walkway to find Zidane approaching. "Your dads on the way."

"Oh well then. It must be dinner time." Diane quickly kissed his cheek back. "Good night! I will see you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrows the dinner party so heck yeah I will be here." Jupiter smiled.

Diane smiled back before reluctantly stepping away from him to walk to her father, who stood just a couple feet away, giving them room to say their goodnights. Jupiter watched as they hugged and as Diane pointed out the ribbon. Zidane looked at it and even touched it before glancing at Jupiter. Jupiter didn't expect the smirk on his face, but figured he counted it as a step towards their proposal which would have to be tomorrow. There was no more wiggle room. He checked his pocket once more for the ring box and sighed happily when he felt it. He watched as they began to walk to the castle hand in hand, leaving him in the dark awaiting his boat to go home.

"Daddy?" Diane whispered as they walked down the stairs to the dining room. She had noticed her family had been acting weird all day and dodging her. Finally, she cornered her father after she got on her new dress to impress Jupiter. It was fashioned like her usual powder blue dress that she wore to dinner parties, but instead was a deep red. Dotted into her hair were red gems while her hair was braided, Jupiter's ribbon weaved through the braid. Even her sandals were red to complete the ensemble. Zidane thought it was strange at first but then realized she was just trying to get the most out of Jupiter's attention before she feared the worse and went on their separate ways. Zidane wanted to tell her about his plans, but kept them to himself. He just hoped Jupiter grew a set and would actually pop the question tonight.

"Yes, honey, it looks good on you." He replied with a smirk.

"Stop it! I know I look good! I'm asking about something else."

"Well ask away darling."

"How was Mom able to marry you?" Diane glanced at Zidanes face. She looked surprised as he froze. "Daddy?"

"It was a unanimous decision by our friends and your mother. She's queen. No one questioned her logic though it hurt her social life with the rich lords and ladies." He answered true.

"Then can't I persuade her to allow me to marry Jupiter."

Oh he hated lying to her, "Its not going to fly. Our predictament was different. Everyone was scared with out a complete monarch and heirs so they eventually settled for what we did. You, they aren't so desperate. Our people want to see you go to a successful and well bred man."

"But I don't like any of them! Neither do you!"

"Diane, don't be that way. When your queen you can do whatever you want." Zidane shrugged, internally sick with himself with the words coming out of his mouth. He walked past her, ending the conversation. "Our friends await my love. Try to enjoy the night."

"Wow, she's getting a little desperate. Look at that red dress!" Coles mouth dropped when Diane entered the garden. Jupiter's mouth dropped open as well, but unlike Cole, he dropped his wine glass, butlers swooping in to clean up the mess before it even registered what just occurred.

"She's beautiful." He complimented, a starry look in his eyes. "She's even wearing the ribbon."

"She's begging to be engaged to you. You have to go dance with her." Cole urged pushing on his friend. Jupiter jerked forward from the shoves and began his walk towards Diane.

Diane held her breath as Jupiter approached. She was in love with his outfit. He wore a deep red dress coat, a lighter red vest underneath it, a white undershirt tucked in under that. His pants matched his coat in shade and fabric. He wore fine black shoes and wore a red top hat complete with a white band and a red rose on the rim. The twins must have made him that outfit just for the dinner. They were required to dress nicely, the party also holding several of Alexandrias richest for a final dance to celebrate peace and Diane's birth.

The party was well on its way, Diane arriving late due to a wardrobe malfunction. Jupiter drank white wine nervously as he had waited, the stress of the whole group on him to ask for her hand by midnight or the trip was off.

"You look amazing Diane!" Jupiter finally approached. Diane sat next to her mother, her gaze glued to the ground. Dagger immediately left her chair then, not wanting them to feel more watched then they already were. Jupiter noticed Diane didn't look happy.

Diane's face lifted and she greeted him with a small smile. "Thank you Jupiter. I thought your gift needed a matching outfit."

"You look upset. Are you alright? I noticed you were late." Jupiter touched the subject gently.

Diane shook her head, "Its nothing! I'm late because my shoes fell apart when I put them on. Had the cobbler come and bring another pair."

"That sucks. The new ones look nice. Want to dance?" Jupiter offered his hand and bowed.

"Of course I do! Take me to the dance floor!" Diane graciously accepted and pushed her woes aside. She was happy to be in his arms and twirling with his help. She could feel the jealously emitting off the other young bachelors. They also felt the whole groups eyes on them as they danced as well, Jupiter more so from his own father and from Zidane.

Finally, Diane claimed she needed to rest after an hour of dancing, Jupiter leading her back to her chair before heading to the drink table.

Cole decended upon him like pestering seagull. "Two hours left."

Jupiter quickly turned towards the grandfather clock located on the other side of the garden. It said it was ten in the evening. "How did that happen?"

"She got here at nine and you've been dancing with her since." Cole informed him while he watched Jupiter throw back three glasses of wine in nervousness. "Stop doing that! You're going to get sick!"

"I think I'm going to have to split her from here. Too many eyes and I've never done something like that before."

"You're not meant to!" Cole laughed before ducking in close. "Also, I don't mean to be so excited, but look who is on the dance floor with a guy!"

Jupiter gave him a questioning look before turning to the dance floor. Nothing was out of the ordinary until he found Autumn dancing slowly with a young noble. Jupiter was surprised to see her there when she usually stuck to one of her adoptive uncles or Cole so she wouldn't be bothered. She had a fear of men, especially men she didn't know due to a traumatic experience she had before joining the group. It took the guys in the group at least a month for her to talk to them and then months more to touch her. He was glad to see she was facing her fears like a champ.

"How the hell...?" Jupiter looked to Cole for answers.

"I don't know! She was parked next to Baku when he approached and asked her to dance. She refused, but he didn't go away. Instead, he got her a drink and began chatting with her. Next thing I knew, she's on the dance floor."

"Odd. He must be a smooth talker. Watch him!" Jupiter got protective of his friend.

"Will do." Cole growled. "Next person to send her home crying gets a beat down!"

"Hell yeah!" Jupiter clapped Coles shoulder excitedly. Picking up two more glasses of wine, Jupiter walked away, "Wish me luck!"

"Will do!" Cole acknowledged again but this time with a salute. "Try to really sneak her away or they will follow."

"Wanna take a walk with me? I'm feeling queasy and I think some fresh air might help." Jupiter asked as Diane sipped her wine after he gave it to her.

"Are you ok? You've been anxious all night." Diane asked looking at him in worry.

"I'm fine. Stomachs acting up." Jupiter shook his head. "So will you walk with me?"

Diane stood up and took his hand, "I would rather see you with a happy stomach, so let's go before it's too late and others miss the chance to ask me to dance."

Jupiter pulled her close and double checked his pocket for the ring. Feeling the box, he glanced to see if anyone was looking at them. Seeing no one, Jupiter and Diane melded into the background and disappeared from the crowd.

"Its a nice night. Clear skies." Jupiter began as they walked arm in arm through her garden.

"You can see both moons so well! And look how close the red one is to the blue one!" Diane pointed up to the sky. The moons were indeed side by side, the red one seemingly closer to Gaia than the white one.

"Maybe fate is teasing us." Jupiter sighed. "So close yet so far like the moons."

Diane quickly changed the subject, "Are you feeling better?"

Jupiter frowned, "Yeah, a bit."

"Let's sit down and enjoy the night sky." Diane lead him to flower covered arch with a bench underneath it and sat him down.

Jupiter watched nervously while she sat next to him. After a few tense minutes, he spoke, "Diane, I have something to say."

Diane shifted her eyes to the ground and nodded, "I thought you would."

"We're best of friends, right?"

"Right."

"If we had different lives we could lovers right?"

"Jupiter, are you about to say what I think your about to?" Diane asked lowly.

"What do you think I'm going to say?" Jupiter asked her.

"That you think we need to stop before we get too attached?"

Jupiter shook his head, "The funny thing is, I ran across this girl and she had the greatest parents in the world. They had been through a lot and they fell in love improperly. They were able to get married, but it was at a cost. Everyone knew their histories and they wouldn't accept the groom as one of them."

Diane's eyes widened. "Jupiter! What are you saying?"

Jupiter smiled and kneeled in front of Diane. "If you guessed your parents, you are correct! But like them, the groom is yet again not one of them. I'm just a small time theater act with a great singing talent. And lets not say anything about what we do in the night! We will be hated and some people may judge us." Jupiter spoke hastily searching for the ring, "Diane Tribal til Alexandros XVIII , will you still stand beside me? A prince to your princess? And maybe, one day, the King to your Queen?"

Diane was in shock. Was it true that Jupiter kneeled in front of her, asking for her hand when her father previously shut her down on the way to the party? She watched him search his pockets nervously, looking for something. "Jupiter, I was told that-"

"Forget what they told you!" Jupiter snapped finding the box and pulling it. He opened the little velvet box and showed her the ring. "I know what they told you and I know it was a ploy to keep this a secret. So, Diane. Will you marry me and make me the luckiest guy in all of the Mist Conteninent?"

Diane began to cry, "Ofcourse! Jupiter, of course I accept! I would rather have you off the streets then any of these stuffy guys any day!" She embraced him, crying into his shoulder. "This the best thing that could ever happen to us! I thought we were going to lose each other after this week!"

"Is it over?!" Dianes mother came running into her garden. She saw how the two were embracing and cursed her luck. "Damnit Zidane! Why didn't you notice earlier?!"

Zidane ran up behind her, "They're done?! Already! Aw, I wanted to see her face of relief when what I said wasn't true!"

"Mother!" Diane cried noticing her. Her daughter ran to her and jumped into her arms. "You can't not be the most awesome mother ever!"

Dagger laughed and hugged her daughter back. "I couldn't stand to see you sad anymore! Jupiter made you so happy!"

"You've made me the happiest daughter;" Diane jumped over to Zidane.

"Well, we do have one more surprise, but you have to answer a series of questions." Dagger smiled.

Diane blinked at her, "What questions?"

"One, do you promise not stray from your fathers side?"

"Yes."

"Two, will you take good care of your brother?"

"Ofcourse!"

"Third and final question, what did you always say you wanted to do when you grew up."

"I wanted to see the world in the same pat...tern that you and dad did! Oh my goodness! Are you telling me, that we are going on a road trip?!" Diane could barely contain her excitement as both her parents nodded at her. She screamed and ran back to Jupiter, kissing him full force on the lips and stealing the ring from him. Slipping the ring over her glove, she ran back to the party screaming her excitement to the others. Cheers filled the air seconds later as Diane ran through the castle still filled with joy.