Chapter 36: Prologue to Foreshadow a Love.

When the airship landed, Garnet ran out. They had to land far from the village because of the size of the airship. Garnet saw Zidane's Jet and ran to it. Her mind echoed warnings: You're too far ahead of the group, you're a healer not a fighter, you should summon something, you cannot see your target.

As she got closer to the jet, she could hear spells being cast.

"Duck," a casual voice warned in a bored but amused tone.

Garnet ducked as a Fira spell flew past her. Zidane trotted over and helped her up.

"What's going on?" Garnet asked hurriedly, not understanding how Zidane could be so calm. "Who's attacking?"

"That would be Vivi." Zidane explained, motioning to the little mage who was spinning about casting random spells.

"What's wrong with him?" Garnet asked, fearing the worst.

"Well, you see, he's apparently very weak in the stomach and, at the moment, the mind."

"You mean somethings controlling him?" Garnet asked.

Zidane smirked slightly, "Yeah."

"By the gods… we must do something, we can't let him turn against us!"

"… What? No! Haha! You don't get it," Zidane laughed and pulled her down slightly to avoid another spell.

"What do you mean?" Garnet asked. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's drunk!"

Zidane had a way with emotions. He could make those around him feel instantly calmed. Happy, excited, safe— whatever he wanted. His smile took the worried thoughts out of Garnet's mind. "… What?"

"Yup!"

Garnet watched Zidane laugh for a moment and then crossed her arms. "And, might I ask, how did that happen?"

Zidane stopped laughing. "… Um… well… I'm not all that sure, because I gave him one can and he took one gulp and then dropped it, and now he's learning to do a very dangerous dance."

"Why did you bring beer with you? How did you get it?"

"Ah. The young princess has apparently never been to a pub. But I didn't buy it— or steal it. It was in the Chariot when I got it." Zidane explained.

"What kind of irresponsible fool would give alcohol to a pilot, let alone put it in the jet?"

"Baku."

"… That does explain it."

"Yyyyyup!" Zidane grinned.

Garnet shifter her weight a bit, her worry retuning, though she was just so glad Zidane was safe, the rest was more of a side note than anything. "So… what happened? There was an attack?"

"Yeah, when I got here everyone thought it was over… then it started up again and let me tell you, it's something much different than what we've ever fought. Lightning spells I guess, everywhere. Maybe Holy? I don't know, but it was bright. It stopped when we hit one back the way it had come, so it must have hit whoever started it."

"That is strange…" Garnet's mind raced, trying to figure out who could have done such a thing. Who would dare attack Gaia now?

Kuja…

Kuja would. Garnet was very sure that Kuja would. She was positive! It was him! That murderer, that fiend, that vile demon! He had done it!

Only ONE flaw in that logic.

Kuja was dead.

Which… put a slight damper on her plans to go kill him…

"Is everyone alright?"

"Vivi said everyone seems to be fine," Zidane nodded. "But… I'm going to check in a minute."

"You don't have to, I'm sure Vivi would tell you if something were wrong."

Zidane rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah… he would. But still, it might make the Genomes feel better to see me."

Garnet gave a nod and then they both froze ad they heard the heavy clanking of armor.

"That's Steiner," Garnet said.

"And Vivi's drunk!" Zidane laughed.

"You're going to be in trouble, love."

"I'm always in trouble, babe. I am trouble."

"You take care of Vivi, I'll distract Steiner." Garnet decided, pushing Zidane toward Vivi.

"Oh yes… I'm the right influence. Come on, pal, let's get you some help."

"Everthing iz spunning!"

"It's all in your mind, Vivi." Zidane took his arm and pulled him to the village, slowly.

"Wha we doin?" Vivi asked as he tripped for the eighth time in thirty seconds.

"I'm gonna teach you a song."

"O a!"

"Hahaha! You're so trashed."

"Steiner! Hi!" Garnet chirped as she ran over to Steiner.

Steiner gave her a confused look. "Hello, Princess." He tried to step past her, but she blocked him. "We should hurry, Princess!"

"No, the attack is over. Zidane told me what happened and it's going to take a while to explain. Let's go back to the ship and sit down," Garnet suggested.

"Princess, we have been called here because of a threat, just because the danger isn't evident does not mean it is gone." Beatrix said, stepping forward. "I know how relieved you must feel knowing Zidane is not hurt, but we have some serious issues here that we need to investigate."

Garnet stared at Beatrix a moment. "I… I know that, Beatrix."

"Good, then we should hurry." Beatrix gave a slight bow and then ran to the village, Steiner close behind her.

Feeling the rush of urgency yet again, Garnet ran after them. Zidane's easy tone and calm attitude had left her feeling as if everything was okay; she'd forgotten why they had come. They needed to check on the village, they needed to find who had done this.

After a few minutes, Garnet saw Zidane running over and rushed out to meet him. He looked very pale, and very worried.

"What wrong?" Garnet asked.

"It's Mikoto," he panted.

"Is she hurt?" Garnet worried.

Zidane shook his head then shrugged, "She's gone."

"… What do you mean?"

"I dropped off Vivi at the Inn... One of the Black Mages told me. No one can find her, none of the Genomes know where she is and they're worried. I have to find her."

Garnet nodded. "Alright, we'll all help."

"Thanks." Zidane looked into the forest as Garnet hurried and found Steiner and Beatrix. The five of them ran, together, out of the village.

They didn't stop to ask anyone to go with them, or help, they just went. They were a team and that was how it worked. They knew each other well enough not to need to ask 'will you follow me?' because the answer would always be 'yes'.

Once they were out of the village, they went up the other path, and through the forest. It had grown, new areas had been discovered… and there was a split in the road. Two paths.

"Has either way been searched?" Steiner asked.

"No, no one has... You guys go right; me and Dagger will go left." Zidane decided, motioning to the paths.

Steiner nodded, already knowing that Zidane had made up his mind. Beatrix seemed like she was about to protest, but Garnet and Zidane had already taken off and Steiner had turned toward the right path.

Reluctantly, Beatrix followed. She still wasn't completely used to Zidane being in charge; giving all the orders… but she trusted him.

Zidane and Garnet ran down the path, fighting a few monsters that dared to block the two heroes' path. It was fast. Zidane struck and Garnet healed him when he needed it. That was how it went. He watched her back, she watched his.

They were a team. The perfect team— always were, always would be. The White Mage and the Hero fit like 'Happily Ever After' fits the end of a fairy tale. Zidane had thought long and hard about why he loved Garnet so much… and it wasn't a question on just 'love', but something more.

She completed him.

He completed her.

She, the gentle dove and he was the wild cat. Opposites? No. They both knew there was something more in the world then what was seen. They both knew that the right thing had to be done.

He stole her from the palace, but she stole his heart, and he returned her love. She was rich in money, he was rich in friends; she had power in her regal status, he had leadership in his very being. On the outside, they might have been different… she was dark while he was light. His light hair shadowed her perfect darkness, her brown eyes polar to his bright turquoise, but her smile lit her darkness up and her beauty cast shadows over his light.

Their essence was the same. Their souls matched— they had just needed to show it. She had been preppy. Putting her desires ahead of everything else, but then she had broken free and put her own desires aside… even now, the fact that one was faster than the other was hidden. Their strides matched perfectly. The limit on speed made Zidane take time to look around, the erratic pace he would normally follow had to change when Garnet was there, but she had become fast as well. They had both adapted to fit the other.

The two rushed forward once more before they skidded to a stop.

The path split in two.

"Now what?" Garnet asked. "We can't both go one way and hope we're right.

"We split up," Zidane decided, taking Garnet's hint.

Garnet nodded. "Which way?"

"I'll go this way, the path closest to me." Zidane motioned, "You take the path on your side."

"You go your way, I go mine," Garnet agreed.

"Exactly," Zidane looked at both paths.

"Unless… it might be better for us both to go one way." Garnet started down hers, "Choose."

Zidane took yet another look at both paths… but going Garnet's way just wasn't an option. He had to go his way or risk losing time and that could mean losing Mikoto forever.

Zidane turned and ran down his path.

Our brains scream at all the symbolism and double meanings…

I know, I know. Reviewers Review.