Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX© or anyone from it.... SquareSoft owns it all. I'm just a normal person like you... who has a talent that needs A lot of work on....hehe ~.^

Dedication: To everyone... -^_^-

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Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever

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~~Prologue~~

~The Unknown Visitors~

His long black flowing cape that was draped over his wide, broad shoulder swayed lightly to the left in the gentle movement of the wind. The hood that was hiding his identity from the world blew back to rest on his shoulders. He looked out at the people playing by a river from his castle window, on the top floor.

He then grinned evilly as he crossed his arms over his chest. " Soon monkey-boy, you will be mine. Along with all of Gaia. "

His long silver and red hair slowly unravelled itself from the braid that trailed down his back to fly around his head in strands. He reached up and brushed it back behind his ear. " The new Queen of Alexandria will not be as easy to persuade like Brahne was. I think I'll have to plan this with more caution. A lot more caution then my brother had..."

He turned and walked away from the window. He found himself looking at the beautiful bounty hunter, Lani, who was leaning up against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest.

He lifted an eyebrow as he noticed a certain twinkle in her dark eyes. "I thought you were dead. How did you manage to survive? "

Lani pushed herself off the doorframe and gracefully walked towards him. " That's what Kuja wanted everyone to think. That's what I wanted everyone to think. After that... that brat with the tail took off with his posse, I got up and began to wander aimlessly around the area. Kuja found me staggering around like a damn drunken whore. He helped me get better and now I'm out to get revenge for what they did to him. "

Anomen nodded and then frowned. " So what exactly happened? How did he beat you? "

" He got lucky. That's all. "

" Uh huh. I'm so sure, Lani. You can stop lying now, because if you want to start working with me, then you'll have to stop lying. I won't be as caring and loving as my brother was. "

Lani snorted. " Tch! Who ever said that I'd work for you? "

Anomen cocked his head to the side and examined her face. " Think of what I could give you in return. That's one thing that my dear brother never did. I could fulfill your deepest desires, I could grant your most intimate wishes. Whatever you ask for, it shall be done. All I ask for in return is that you work for me. "

Lani scratched her head as she narrowed her dark eyes. "Anomen... I'll get back to you about your offer. I have a couple of hunts to go on. In the meantime, I hope you can find something better to do with your life and not end up like your brother... "

She waved a hand through the air as she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. Anomen sighed loudly to the emtpy room as he walked over to the window. He looked outside and spotted a girl with dark brown hair running towards a boy with shoulder length dark honey hair. He lifted an eyebrow as he watched the pair embrace tightly...

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' It's him, he's here! B-But how? How did he survive? ' Garnet thought to herself as she ran, pushing through the crowd that was beginning to gather.

She felt her lower lip tremble. Warm, wet tears slowly brimmed her soft chocolate brown eyes. Garnet closed them and shook her head as the tears silently slid down her cheeks. She reached up and ripped her crystal tiara from her dark brown hair and threw it to the ground. She kept running, as fast as her heels and gown would allow her to, tears streaming down her cheeks and disappearing with the wind that rushed past her face.

Garnet couldn't take it anymore....

Garnet had to think of something and quick. " Zidane! " the cry escaped her lips, and echoed throughout the air.

Zidane quickly turned around. His dark, deep forest green eyes scanned the sea of people for the source of the cry. His eyes then came to rest upon a young girl, his age, running towards him. She was dressed in a low-cut, strapless gown that flared out around her when she ran or walked. He held his arms out and she threw herself into them, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zidane stumbled back from the impact, but he quickly regained his balance. He wrapped his arms around her slender figure and pulled her hard and close against his body.

" Oh, Dagger! " he groaned lightly as he buried his face into the crook of her neck and shoulder, inhaling her light floral scent.

Garnet pressed her tear stained face into his chest and held onto him. He reached up and ran his fingers through her long silky dark hair. As he ran his fingers through her hair, he brushed it back and placed it behind her ear. Zidane then traced her jawline gently until he had two fingers tucked neatly underneath her chin. He then lifted her face up so he could look into her watery brown eyes. He smiled lightly and slowly lowered his face to hers.

Her mouth was tantalisingly close to his. Zidane sucked in a sharp breath as he drew her closer, moulding her slender body to his, as his hungry, seeking lips settled into a kiss of deep passion with hers. The crowd around them went silent as they watched for the Queen's reaction.

Zidane and Garnet both pulled away breathless after their first kiss. Zidane cocked his head to the side as he examined her beauty. Garnet looked back at him with anger, confusion, and loved etched clearly in her eyes. She stepped back towards him and began to pound on his muscular, toned chest with all her might.

" How could you, Zidane? How dare you! You left me, and then you don't show up til now? You have nerve, you know that! " she yelled.

Zidane smiled lightly and didn't flinch from her blows. He only grabbed her wrists gently and held them. " I did what I had to do. I'm sorry if I scared you..." he replied softly, his gentle words a tender murmur.

Garnet looked up into his smiling face and she felt the corners of her full pink lips curve upwards. " Is that so, Zidane? "

Zidane nodded. His hands left her wrists and he slid them up her bare arms. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him once again. Garnet sighed lightly in content as she snuggled up against his chest. Zidane gently stroked her hair and the crowd around them errupted into cheers of happiness.

Garnet bit her lip and whispered against his chest. " Zidane? H-How did you ever manage to survive? "

Zidane bent his head and place his mouth to her ear, whispering tenderly. " It was all thanks to you, Dagger. It was you, and only you. I thought of you. Your beautiful voice, your smile that made my heart skip beats, the twinkle in your dark mysterious eyes. It was my thoughts of you that gave me the will to go on. To come back to you... I had to come back to you... "

To Be Continued...

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Author's Note: Well... the prologue and it's all revised too! *jumps for joy* It's all purtied up and everything. I've edited it, added some things on, fixed mistakes that some people pointed out and I thank you sincerely for doing that! I hope you enjoy... *chuckles* I'm also adding a little surprise... *giggles*

Leia Avenrose or Leia Avenrose

C.O.U.R.A.G.E. or C.O.U.R.A.G.E.