I finally wrote another chapter, but I don't know if I should continue. You all need to R&R! Well if you've made it this far, you must like it so far.

Notice: I do not own any of these characters! Nor do I own Final Fantasy 9. Therefore, don't try to sue, me 'cause I have no money, and all you will receive is a very evil, and old dog!




Chapter One: (Another Day, Another Request)

Leaving "Ruby's Mini-Theater" three hours after midnight, Zidane Tribal, headed in the direction of the newly rebuilt Tantalus Ship, known as Tantalus Hideout. Walking the mile and a half walk in silence, he finally came upon the big, dark oak ship. Hearing the laughter from within, he smiled, and continued to walk towards to huge side door, which hung open to let the warm night air in. Upon entering the cramped kitchen Zidane could see his friends, Vivi, Admarant, Cinna, Marcus, Blank, and his boss, Baku sitting at the table talking and laughing.
"Hey guys!" Zidane quipped.
"Well look who it is?" laughed Baku, " sit down here and have a drink!"
Blank pulled up a chair between him and Vivi, while Baku fixed him a drink, and slid it over in front of the chair. Zidane straddled the chair, and took a much need drink of beer from the mug.
"Anyone for a game of poker?" Blank said while pulling out a new box of cards, "Snatched them from some old lady's shopping bag."
No one was surprised that Blank stole them, that was from they did! Zidane was a thief. Almost everyone in the Tantalus Gang, exception of Vivi and Admarant, stole things for a living. Yeah they worked and all by putting on plays for people's entertainment, but you don't do all that work and still live the good life, as Baku would put it!
Every one agreed to play except Vivi, who was content to just sit there and watch. Even after living with the Zidane and the gang, Vivi was still as timid as ever. After playing a few games of cards, Zidane called it quits and headed towards to room he shared with Blank and Vivi. Stepping into the room, Zidane looked around him at the once messy room. The bunk beds were made, and Vivi's small bed was made. But that was unusual. Vivi was the one that had to ask Blank and Zidane repeatedly to clean up after themselves.
"Guess Vivi got tired of the mess, and cleaned it up for us," Zidane said to himself as he climbed onto the top bunk. There was no ladder, since Zidane was strong enough to get up there without it.
After a while of lying there, he heard Vivi tell everyone 'goodnight' and come into the room and climb into his small bed on the other side of the room. Shortly after, Zidane fell asleep, not hearing Blank come in and climb onto the bed below him.
~Morning~
Waking up around three in the afternoon, Zidane quietly exited the room, as to not wake up Blank, and made his way to the kitchen.
"Lo'," Zidane said to Vivi while stifling a yawn. Zidane was used to waking up to find Vivi wandering around while everyone else slept. Grabbing a pop tart from the pantry, and pouring himself some milk, Zidane plopped down in a chair at the table. After finishing his small breakfast, he decided that he might as well go get some more of the materials needed for his custom, before Ruby gets pissed.
Tantalus was scheduled to perform the play 'I Want To Be Your Canary' at Alexandria Castle. Zidane was to play his usual role. He liked acting! 'He was a born natural' is Baku would say. Plus, he liked having the sword fight with Blank to show off.
"I am going into town," Zidane said, breaking the silence, as he headed towards their room to change, "need anything?"
"N-No, I fine," replied Vivi startled at Zidane's sudden announcement.
After changing into a pair of faded jeans and a forest green tank top, much to everyone's agreement, brought out his dark, forest green eyes. Waving bye to Vivi, Zidane took the familiar path that headed towards town.
Upon reaching town, Zidane headed towards "Clothes For Any Occasions", ignoring the few girls that were outside that were flirting with him, and a few catcalls from some guys. Zidane didn't know if the men were serious, or were just playing, but he really didn't want to know... Buying the materials he needed he then headed down the alley that would take him to "Ruby's Mini-Theater."
"Ruby!" Zidane called to the light blue-headed girl behind the counter, "Here's the materials you wanted!"
"Thanks Hun!" Ruby said in her usual cheery voice, taking the clothes from his out stretched hand, "I didn't expect ya to actually get 'em!"
Zidane laughed and waved goodbye as he left the theater. Walking up the three stairs that lead into the street, he began to walk towards the main road that would eventually take him to the small path that lead to Tantalus Hideout. Zidane took three steps before he heard the clanking of metal, which for some reason sounded familiar, and nearly lost his balance as he collided with a man in armor!
"What the Hell!" Zidane yelled as he caught himself.
"Why don't you watch where your..."
"Steiner?" Zidane said disbelievingly as he stared into the face of his fellow comrade that helped him to defeat Kuja.
"Z-Zidane... Zidane!!!" Steiner almost screamed, "Finally! I have been looking everywhere for you!"
"Didn't know you wanted to see me that much," Zidane quipped.
"No time for jokes! I am on an important errand for Her Majesty."
"What's it gotta do with me?" Zidane raised his eyebrows questionably.
"We cannot discuss this here," Steiner whispered while looking around to make sure no one had heard them, "This is strictly confidential."
"Okay man? Whatever you say." Zidane shrugged.
At seeing Zidane shrug like he didn't care made Steiner mad.
"J-Just meet me here at midnight tonight okay?!" Steiner said harshly, not bothering to keep the anger out of his voice.
"O-Okay okay, gosh keep you armor on, which by the way, I happen to see you got the rust off."
Before Steiner could realize what Zidane had said, he began to walk home, briefly calling behind him, "See ya at midnight!"
Zidane took his time walking home.
"Probably around six-o-clock," Zidane muttered to himself
Arriving home, he spotted everyone outside rehearsing his or her parts for the play.
"Don't see why ya all practice still, we've performed this play so many times I know it by heart!" Zidane quipped.
"Ha ha ha! Very funny! But you need to practice too if ya wanna beat me in our sword fight!" Blank sarcastically shot back.
"Your on!" Zidane retorted while grabbing his sword.
"And they're off!" Baku shouted while acting as the commentary as Zidane and Blank ducked it out.
"Ah quit showing off you two, and come inside! I got food!" Marcus called from the door just as Zidane did one off his back flips to dodge Blank's blade.
"Until next time!" Blank quipped as he dropped his sword and jogged towards the boat, "But food calls!"
Zidane laughed, and propped his sword against the side of the ship and ran after Blank and the others. After eating a good supper of roast, macaroni and cheese, and bread, compliments of Marcus himself, every sat around and talked and joked.
Fifteen minutes to midnight, Zidane decided to head out to Ruby's to meet up with Steiner.
"I am beginning to regret my agreeing to meet him already," mumbled Zidane as he came upon the alleyway where Steiner would be waiting.
"Where have you been?" Steiner almost yelled as he spotted Zidane walking casually towards him.
"Sorry! I have to walk a long ways to get here!" snapped Zidane
Steiner grabbed Zidane's upper arm, and dragged him into "Ruby's Mini-Theater" to a secluded spot in the far left corner.
"Her Majesty is in terrible danger!" Steiner whispered, which made Zidane have to lean closer to hear well. Zidane remained silent taking in what he was just told.
Steiner taking the silence as a cue for him to go on added in a forced voice to show his disagreement, "Her Majesty has requested a personal protector to stay by her and keep her alive and safe, that person she wants just happens to be you."
"Thanks! I can see the support from you!" Zidane glared, "Just what am I going to be protecting her from, if I take this job?"
"Not a what, a who! Someone is leaving death threats for Queen Garnet in certain places," Steiner stated, trying to keep the shaking from his voice and failing miserably.
"Just where are they putting them, if their being sent by mail, then there is nothing to..." Zidane cut off his sentence and the frightened look Steiner gave him.
"The first one we found was laying on her bad with a butcher knife bedside it on the pillow, the second was on top of her throne, the third... You get the point! Will you take the job or not?" snapped Steiner impatiently.
"...Yeah sure, why not? What do I get out of this though?"
"You will be paid, and you will receive a room in the castle, which includes free dinners."
"Okay, I'll take the job," Zidane stated, "then when it is all over I am outta there ya here?"
"Here you loud and clear," Steiner stated without hesitation, "We shall expect you at the castle tomorrow around seven-o-clock."
With that, Steiner walked off, leaving Zidane looking stomped. After a few minutes, Zidane collected his thoughts and whined,
"Why me?"

TBC