I'll Always Be There
(Part 2)
By Alria
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the FF 9 characters (sniff) or settings (double sniff).
Author's Note: I must say I was quite surprised with the number of reviews I received. * sniff * I feel so loved! Thank you all sooooo much!!! By the way, I want to give a special thanks to Sachiko, Tiger5913, and anyone else who has reviewed more then one of my fics. It's people like you who keep my glued to this computer. Oh, and one more thing. IN case you're wondering how Vivi turned humanwell, that's a major secret in the book. So don't worry, you'll find out. Okaythat's about it. Just remember I luv reviews, and any are appreciated ^.~ Enjoy!
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Eiko watched, stunned, as the young man slowly turned his golden eyes away from hers and began walking down the dusty road, his long cape billowing out behind him in the wind. Why had he gone so suddenly? Eiko bowed her head. He probably thought she was ugly, like so many other men did. It was all because of her summoner's hornEiko felt her eyes begin to water. Ever since she had come to Lindblum, people had teased her about it. She it really so hideous that now no one even wanted to even talk to her now?
Eiko kicked a small rock out of the way and began walking. Fine. If he didn't want to talk to her, that was just FINE. If that was the case, she didn't want to talk to him, either! The fact that he was the most handsome man she had ever met didn't matterthat muchEiko sighed. Thinking of his warm, deep eyes, she couldn't help but feel her anger subsiding. What was WRONG with her? She had never had so much trouble being angry with someone beforenot even Zidane! Even HE hadn't had the same calming effect on her as this stranger did.
Eiko sighed. It was happening again. She was falling in love with someone she couldn't have. If he wouldn't even TALK to herthere was no chance at all. Why, she didn't even know his nameEiko bit her tongue as she tried to keep the tears back. God, she would have given anything to know his name
"HHey! Let go of me!"
Eiko's head popped up as if it had been jerked by a string. That voice! There was no mistaking who it wasnot after she had been thinking about him none-stop for the past five minutes. The golden-eyed stranger. Eiko turned abruptly and began running in the direction of the voice. He was in trouble! Oh, this was perfect! She would burst into the scene, summon and eidolon or two, and save the day! Then what would he have to say about her horn? Ha! This was too wonderful! It was a sure-fire way to win him over!
Eiko came tearing around and corner, and sure enough, there was the stranger. But instead of the villainous band of cutthroats she was expecting, the young man was being held captive by two armed Lindblumian soldiers! What was going on? Eiko stormed up to the scene, eyes blazing.
"What in the name of the gods is going on!?" she demanded. At once the eyes of all three of the men were on her.
"Nothing, your highness. We were just arresting this hooligan," one of the guards answered. Eiko stomped her foot.
"Arresting him! What for!?" she shouted. The guard shook his head.
"Princess, this is a soldier's businessdon't worry yourself," he muttered. Eiko snorted. He obviously didn't think she was capable of understanding military tactics. Soldiers were SO pompous now a days.
"I demand to know what gives you the right to pluck an innocent traveler from the streets and arrest him!" she roared. The guards quickly shot each other and easy glance, and then turned back to the fuming princess.
"WellWe have it on a very reliable source thatthis man isa black mage," he said. Eiko stared at the guards, dumbfounded.
"What are you talking about? How can he be a black mage? That man is clearly human! Who was your 'reliable source'a raving drunk?" she joked. The guard rolled his eyes, obviously annoyed with the teenage princess.
"Our source was a young man, a noble, who was passing through this town. He said a dangerous black mage had found the means to turn himself human but still maintain his magical abilities. The traveler pointed the monster out to us, and it's our duty to lock it up before it kills anyone else," he explained. Eiko scowled and looked the tall guard straight in the eye.
"If he's so dangerous, why didn't he use his powers on you rather then be captured?" she asked. At this, the guards exchanged confused glances.
"Uhyou seeyou, boy! Why didn't you attack us?" demanded one of the guards, giving the young man a firm shake. The handsome stranger said nothing, only bowed his to the ground. The guard scowled.
"Answer me, monster!" he growled. When his captive didn't answer, the guard gave him a strong kick in the stomach. He gasped and hunched over in pain. Eiko scowled at the guards.
"Stop this! He's not the monster, YOU are! Release this man at once!" she ordered. The guards did nothing at first, but then they looked at each other with sly expressions on their faces.
"She's not the real princess, is she?" asked one of the guards. The other shook his head.
"No, she's not. And she's being such a nuisance" he sneered. Eiko's heart leapt into her throat as she became suddenly aware of the fact that she was in a dark alley. There was nothing to stop themoh, this was not good.
The two guards released the tall youth and began to advance on Eiko, swords drawn. Eiko's let out a quick scream and flung her arms across her face as she squinted her eyes shut. So much for being the heroine
"FLARE!" cried a mellow voice from behind the two guards. Suddenly, there was a bright, red flash of light blazed for an instant, and then suddenly shot forward. One of the guards screamed and duckedbut the other was hit square in the chest with the huge burst of power. He flew backwards and slammed into the rock wall with a thud. And then, the tall stranger was visible. His eyes were blazing golden as he slowly lowered his glowing hand. Eiko's eyes widened. Was the guard dead? And who WAS this mysterious man, anyway?
One of her questions was answered when the battered guard leapt up from the wall and grabbed the young man's arm, forcing it behind his back. The second guard quickly unsheathed a small knife and held its point to the youth's throat, forcing his head up. Then, with a sneer, he turned to look at Eiko.
"I knew he would be foolish enough to use magic to help you. He's nothing more then a bloodthirsty puppet without a brain or feelings. Don't worry, your highness, we'll personally see to it that he doesn't try to hurt anyone else," the guard turned to the young man, grinning wickedly.
"You can't kill without a head."
Eiko's eyes widened as pale hand rose to her lips. They were going to kill him! Eiko felt her eyes begin to water. But why? Why was she acting this way? She didn't even know this mannot reallyand yet she was crying? She should just walk awaybut something held her back. Those golden eyes looking at her with such compassionthey were so familiar. And yet, as the two guards led the stranger away, what could she do? He had used magic that no human could have possibly done, and she still didn't believe he was truly a black magebut was there any other explanation? How was that possible, though? All of the black mages were dead!
Suddenly, a thought popped into Eiko's head. A thought that was too horrific to be trueand yet too wonderful not to consider. One little black mage might still be alivehe had never been pronounced dead. The more she rolled the idea around in her mind, the more it seemed likely to be possible Sure, there were a few loose ends, like how in the world did he BECOME human, and why he had left in such a hurry, but those could be explained. Somehow. As the realization sunk in, Eiko was overcome with emotion. Her little black mage was alive!
Vivi was back!
Eiko was surprised at how extremely happy she was. Sure, she was glad he was alive, but she was nearly ready to explode from joy. For some reason, her heart longed to be near his. She wanted to be with himtalk to himsavor his very being. Eiko shook her head. Was it possible she was falling in love with Vivi?
The thought sent a delightful shudder down her spine, and she almost laughed at loud with happiness. She was in love with Vivi! Exactly when she had fallen for the shy littlewell, he wasn't that little now, was he? Exactly when she had fallen for the rather tall black mage, she wasn't surebut now that she thought about it, she realized she had had these feelings for quite some time. That's why she had been so affected by his "death." Eiko was bubbling with joy. Imagine, a summoner and a black mage. It was so differentand yet so perfect!
Eiko smirked as the two guards disappeared in the distance. There was no way she was going to let them behead her Vivi. Somehow, she would break him out of the prison before the fateful day arrived. And then they could be together forever! Eiko began to walk down the dusty streets back to her home, the castle. Once there, she could plan Vivi's escape. Once she proved he had never even DREAMED about hurting anyone, why, they were sure to let him go. Stillit would be best to hide him for awhile until she could prove his innocence. Eiko chuckled as she though of something. Eiko Orunita had a nice ring, didn't it?
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Finally finished part two. YEAH! I hope you liked it, and don't forget to review!!! Thanks a bunch!