----Chapter V: Reunion----------------------
Eiko grinned as Zidane and Dagger walked into the dining hall. The little summoner jumped from her seat and ran to the couple she grabbed hold of Dagger's hand and began tugging her along.
"C'mon Dagger I've got the whole seating arrangement figured out you sit there," the nine-year-old said, pointing at the chair just to the right of were Eiko had stationed herself.
"Eiko that's were I always sit," Dagger said.
"I know that," Eiko spouted, continuing to drag Dagger around the table.
"Zidane, you sit there," Eiko said, jumping onto her chair and plopping down, pointing at the chair to the left of Dagger's. The Genome sat were he was told, looked around, and smiled.
"Been a long time," he said, smiling. Eiko just smiled back, she had decided to let Dagger have Zidane. Eiko swung her legs back and forth watching Zidane; he was right across from her so it wasn't too hard.
"What?" Zidane asked, realizing that Eiko had been staring at him.
"Soooo," she said, looking shyly at her feet under the table.
"So what?" Zidane provoked. Should I ask him? Aww I'll just say it, Eiko thought. The little pre-teen looked up at Zidane's waiting face and grinned.
"So have you guys kissed yet?" she asked. Both Dagger and Zidane were taken aback by this question; Zidane almost fell out of his chair.
"What kinda question is that?" Zidane asked steadying himself.
"He-he, well have you?" Eiko giggled. Dagger frowned at Eiko.
"I don't see how that's-," Dagger was abruptly cut off by Quina's boisterous entrance.
"Food ready! Very good!" s/he cried, carrying a large platter along with about twelve of those rude little chefy things walking into the room. The Qu set the platter down and began barking out orders to the little chefs as s/he settled it's swollen form into the only empty chair around the table.
Poor chair, Eiko thought watching the Gourmand settle. The little mini Quina's, as Eiko had started to think of the tiny chefs, began to place the large plates upon the table. When the chefs pulled the covers off the food Eiko's mouth began to water there was so much food!
Wowie, Quina must've cooked everything that's ever been invented, Eiko thought. From her limited view she could see foods from each place they had ever visited, she didn't know most of the dishes since she had joined the adventure late but she reconised one thing, Rock Fisted Stew and Barbequed fish.
"Oh, oh! Quina you made it! My recipe!" the summoner cried, her green eyes widening in excitement. The Qu just smiled as s/he began to spoon out food on to his/her plate.
"Eat! Is good! I test myself! Fools not screw up my food!" the round creature urged, as s/he scooped another spoonful of food onto his/her plate. Eiko didn't need to be told twice, she stood on her chair and grabbed the closest spoon she carefully started to toss food on her plate.
After the pile was almost as large as the girl she sat back down, partly because she couldn't fit anything else on her plate, partly because she didn't want anyone to think of her as a pig.
Eiko looked at the pile of food before her and grinned.
"I'm not gonna be able to walk for a week!" she giggled, sticking her fork into a piece of meat.
"I'm not gonna be able to walk for a week just watching you eat all that," Dagger laughed. Eiko smiled again and noticed that Dagger wasn't looking at her anymore. Eiko followed the Queen's eyes to Zidane, aww why's she lookin' at Zidane like that? The summoner thought, staring at the young man. Then she realized why.
"Zidane why are you smelling your food?" Eiko blurted out, yet again not thinking before she spoke. Dagger looked at the genome too, seeming interested in his explanation. Zidane just shrugged and grinned.
"Just checking," he said popping a potato into his mouth.
"For what?" The horned girl asked.
"Well.. Sleeping weed has a very faint odor when cooked, I was just making sure there wasn't any it this food," he said winking at Dagger a silly grin splayed across his face.
"Oo, Zidane!" Dagger said, obviously offended, she dropped her fork and hit Zidane on the arm. The Genome grabbed his arm acting as if in pain.
"Oww.. Dagger, don't do that! I think I still have bruises from the Lifa tree," he mock whined, leaning back in his chair. The Queen just shook her head and laughed. Eiko smiled and looked around the table. All of us, she thought. We're all here even Vivi, he may not be here physically but I can feel him, just like Mog. Even though we can't see them doesn't mean that they aren't there. The last of the Summoners smiled to herself and resumed her eating.
******************************
Zidane sat with his back against the mural wall silently listening to the chatter of all his friends. This evening couldn't be more perfect, The genome thought, pulling Dagger closer to him.
"And Burmecia is well on it's way to recovery, we have cleared out most of the monsters, and since Fratley has returned to us security is much higher," Freya told Zidane, when she spoke of Fratley she got this tone in her voice that seemed dream-like, different from the Freya Zidane knew.
The Genome smiled at that, most of us have paired off haven't we? He thought looking at the small crowd. Beatrix and Steiner, Freya got her Fratley back, and even though he'd probably deny it, it seems like Amarant has gotten pretty close to Lani since I left. Then he smiled and looked at Dagger, half asleep leaning against his shoulder. Zidane would have been happy if that moment had lasted forever.
The former thief sighed and leaned his head against the wall, he let his eyes drop closed as a warm breeze wafted past. Vivi…, he remembered the mage. Wait a minute, Zidane thought. The letter!
The Genome abruptly sat up, trying not to upset Dagger's light doze, which she had drifted into. Failing, the Queen sat up as Zidane fished into his pocket.
"What's wrong?" Dagger asked.
"Here it is," Zidane said, withdrawing the sealed letter from his pocket.
"What is it?" Eiko asked wandering from were she had been sitting. The rest of the gang was curious as of what had made Zidane spring into action so abruptly.
"It's a letter," Zidane said cracking the small, red wax seal.
"Vivi gave it to me right before he stopped… he said he wanted us to read it together," Zidane said looking up at the anxious faces of his friends.
"Well hurry up and read it!" Eiko cried sitting down right in front of the others.
"Okay," Zidane answered, he took a deep breath and began to read the mage's words.
"I always talked about you, Zidane.
How you were a very special person to us, because you taught us all how important life is.
You taught me that life doesn't last forever. That's why we have to help each other, and live life to the fullest.
Even if you say goodbye, you'll always be in our hearts. So, I know were not alone anymore.
Why I was born… How I wanted to live… Thanks for giving me time to think.
To keep doing what you set your heart on… It's a very hard thing to do. We were all so courageous…
What to do when I felt lonely… That was the only thing you couldn't teach me. But we need to figure out the answer for ourselves…
I'm so happy I met everyone.. I wish we could have gone on more adventures. But, I guess we all have to say good-bye someday.
Everyone… Thank you… Farewell.
My memories will be part of the sky…" After Zidane finished reading he lowered the paper to his lap, he felt the sadness radiating off of everyone.
"Vivi…" he whispered, salty tears leaking from his clear blue eyes.
Zidane was so upset he didn't notice Dagger moving. Before he knew it she was kneeling in front of him. She gently grabbed his chin in her hands and pulled his face level with hers, her eyes were filled with tears; much like his own. But to his surprise she smiled at him.
"Hey, if ya need a shoulder to cry on mine's always available," she said, her brown eyes sparkling. Zidane smiled and pulled her close.
"Thanks," he whispered, as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Anytime," she whispered back, gently kissing him on the cheek then leaning her head against his shoulder. Zidane heard Eiko say something along the lines of, 'they finally did it!' but he couldn't tell, all he could hear was Dagger's heart beating in time with his own.
------------------------
Author's note: heeee alright I couldn't wait here's chapter five because I am such a dope for writing uhh I got some tear jerkers with this one. I hope ya all liked it and well if I'm really bezerk I'll have more soon!!