Author's notes: I don't own any of the characters from Final Fantasy 9 but I do own Shadow and Ember. Have fun reading! ^_^



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After a few minutes and a couple of Firaga and Thundaga spells from Vivi and Shadow, the monster, like the rest, vanished as soon as its entire HP had been removed.

'Well, that was interesting,' sighed Shadow sitting on the floor, still yawning.

'It was horrible! I never want to see another Fang again in my life!' Ember said sounding very shook up after the encounter.

'Oh well, no rest for the wicked, time for breakfast!' Said Zidane grabbing Shadow by the arm, ' I'm guessing Ember doesn't want to go hunting and I'm sure Vivi can stay here and protect her. Come on I'm starving!'

'Zidane!' Exclaimed Shadow. 'You do know I can walk fine on my own without help!'

'Sorry,' he said releasing her arm, 'I'm just hungry. Awww, now I'm sounding just like Quina!'

'It's because of all that time you have spent with her!' Laughed Vivi.

'Who's Quina?'

'I'll tell you while we're out hunting!' Said Zidane marching off in the opposite direction of Evil Forest.

'Hey, that way leads to the Ice Cavern!' Shouted Shadow running after him.

'Yeah, I know.'

* * * *

'Excellent, everything is going according to plan.' Chortled the mysterious voice.

'Master, they have even brought the Genome with them!'

'Genome?'

'Yes master, the one you have been searching for! Leading it right into a trap without even realising it sir!' The voice now seeming to be relaxing a little, 'everything is working out in accordance with the plan, shouldn't be too soon yet Master.'

'Not long,' replied the Master as he walked into a large chamber full of empty, cylindrical machines, that is, they all appeared to be empty with the exception of one. 'Not long indeed.'

* * * *

'Do you ever get the feeling we're being watched?'

'What do you mean by that Zidane?'

'Dunno, just thought I'd get you all talking. You guys are acting so quiet today…' Replied Zidane passing some fruit to Ember.

'Where'd did you two go to get all this lot?' Asked Vivi, admiring the spread of fruits and bread place on a blanket on the grass.

'Yeah! What took you so long any way?' Chimed in Ember, placing a large piece of apple in to her mouth. 'There's absolutely no chance of you two to find these in the forest….' She continued with her mouth full of food.

'Could you be any more disgusting?' Shadow, sounding very annoyed at her friends eating habit. If she carries on like that I think I'm going to be sick thought Shadow.

'Okay, okay! I'll tell you! We didn't go hunting because we couldn't find anything so we went through the Ice-Cavern and up to Dahli. Is that all right with you two?' Replied Zidane pretending to be annoyed.

'SOOORRRYYYY!' replied Ember sarcastically, 'just wanted to make sure you too weren't up to naughty things, hahaha.' Laughed Ember.

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Some time later, after much arguing between Shadow and Ember over her comment, the four of them had packed up and were ready to set off on their adventure again.

'Remind me one more time as to why the hell I'm doing this?'

'Oh come on Shadow! You owed me a couple of favours and I wasn't prepared to go on my own…' Answered Ember. 'Come on you can't leave me yet! You still owe me!'

'Yes and who's fault was it in the first place when I told you….'

'Girls, girls, girls! Calm down! We don't want to bring up that argument again, please calm down, for me?' Grinned Zidane.

'Be careful Zidane, you might make it worse,' giggled Vivi.

'If u tell miss…'

'HEY!!!! WATCH OUT KUPO!!'

'Huh?' they all said in unison, turning around to see what was happening. But it was too late….

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Please review and let me know how to improve it and where I'm getting it right ^_^



*~Mikoto~*