Chapter 6: The Search

It was still raining the next day. Nonetheless, the group prepared for the search of the sword and Democlese. Beatrix and Steiner had supplied Miranda with a sword from the armory to use until she got her own. They discussed the plan over breakfast. Kristin glanced at the two empty seats at the head of the table.

"I hope Garnet will be okay," she said sadly.

"We'll make that Democlese pay for what he did," Miranda said with a look of determination in her eyes. "He made a big mistake. And that was to hurt one my friends."

Freya smiled across the table. "There's more than meets the eye about you, Miranda. Who would suspect that a quiet girl like you would have a fighter's spirit."

"What can she do?" Amarant asked. "She's just a kid."

Miranda ignored the comment. "So who all is coming?"

"Steiner and Beatrix are staying to protect the castle," Mikoto said. "I think Quina is, too."

"That's a relief!" Chris said relieved. "We'd have problems if that thing came with us!"

"Well, it would be useful in eating the enemies you know," Kuja said and took a sip of his drink.

"Well, that makes me, Chris, Kristin, Eiko, Vivi, Freya, Fratley, Kuja, Mikoto, and Amarant," Miranda said. "Ten in all. That's good I think."

"How are we going to get to the Evil Forest?" Eiko asked.

"The North Gate should take us near there," Fratley said.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Miranda said, standing up. "Lets get goin'! Meet you at the front of the castle."

Everyone left the table and went to get whatever they needed to bring for the journey. Miranda unsheathed her sword and tried a few moves. It seemed familiar to her.

"Seems like you once used a sword before."

Miranda whirled around to face the speaker and relaxed when she saw it was just Beatrix. "I've never used a sword before, really. This is the first time."

Beatrix walked around her. "Is that so? Well lets see what you can do. You'll need to know how to defend yourself with a sword."

She suddenly swung out at Miranda in a blink of an eye. Miranda quickly got out of the way and her sword clashed with Beatrix's. Steel clashed upon steel as the mock battle continued. Miranda had backed Beatrix up to a wall, but Beatrix rolled and stood up behind her. Miranda whirled around and locked her sword with hers. Beatrix smiled at her and dropped her sword to her side.

"Whew! I haven't had a fight like that in ages! You sure you haven't used a sword before?"

Miranda stood amazed as she realized what she had gone through. "I'm positive! I've never even really seen an actual sword!"

Beatrix shook her head in disbelief. "Well, I don't know what it is, but I think you don't need anymore practice!"

Miranda sheathed the sword behind her back and then noticed that a crowd had gathered. They all stood gaping at her, not believing what they had seen.

Kristin was the first one to say something. "Well, ahem, that was, er, very, uh, breathtaking!"

Miranda smiled at them. "Yea. And when I encounter a monster, I'll take their breath away. But they won't be able to take another one. Especially Democlese."

Chris and Kristin looked at each other worriedly. They've never seen this side of Miranda before and wondered if she was still the same person. The stared at her.

Miranda shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, hehe, ahem, well, lets going shall we?" She hastily left and leaned against a wall outside the castle. She took out the sword and gazed at her reflection from the razor sharp, double edged blade. She saw herself as a regular girl, not a warrior. But when she was fighting Beatrix, she instinctively knew what to do. She shook her head and sheathed the sword as her friends came out. She smiled at them and bounded ahead, stopping by the fountain.

"Well, she's energetic as ever," Amarant commented. "I think what she said was a kind of bluff."

Mikoto shook her head. "I don't think so. I saw her eyes. She meant what she said."

They boarded the awaiting boat and crossed over to the city of Alexandria. They stocked up on potions, phoenix downs, a couple of tents, eye drops, remedies, etc. Then they went to see if they needed any new armor. They dropped by Ruby's mini theatre to find it empty.

"Must be in Lindblum," Fratley mused.

They left Alexandria and passed through North Gate (don't ask where it is, they just did. Had to find some way…). They had reached the base of the mountains in the evening, and decided to camp in a wooded area near the evil forest. Vivi cast a small fire spell to create a fire (duh…) and they made some dinner.

Chris stretched and sat against a tree. "Nothin' happenin' yet. Guess we'd better enjoy the peace while it lasts."

"We always encounter so many monsters in the game," Kristin grumbled. "Good thing we haven't here." She swatted a fly that was buzzing around her. "Dumb bugs…"

Miranda assembled the tent. "Ah, quit complaining," she teased. "You're supposed to be tough."

Chris smirked. "You don't see dainty Kuja over there complaining do you?"

"I am not dainty!" Kuja said haughtily. "I can blast you into smithereens you know." He sipped some tea.

Miranda shook her head at both of them. "Can't we all just get along?"

"Sssh! Quiet everyone," Freya said suddenly. Immediately everyone froze. They heard a rustling in the bushes not far from them. Freya silently jumped up to a branch and peered down on the spot. She skillfully threw her lance.

"KUPO!!!" A moogle shot out from the bushes and plunged into Eiko. "Kupo!!!!"

"Mog!!! You're back!!" Eiko cried with joy as she hugged Mog.

Freya retrieved her lance and walked back to the group. "Good thing I wasn't aiming at her."

Mog turned and glared at Freya. "Kupo!!! Ku popo kup!!" ( . don't ask.)

"Now Mog, Freya didn't know it was you," Eiko said, trying to comfort the highly upset moogle. "Anyway, why and how did you come back?"

Mog waved her arms wildly in the air as she told her story. "Kupo, ku popo kup kupopoku kup kupo kupo!" ( . again don't ask.)

Everyone stared at the moogle, everyone but Eiko not understanding a single word she was saying. Eiko just nodded understandingly as Mog continued.

"Well I'm you came back Mog. I missed you so much!"

Mog hugged Eiko. "Kupo popo kup!"

Miranda smiled. "We all know what Mog said that time. 'Me too!'"

"Takes a lot of words to say that," Amarant said.

"Who asked you?" Eiko retorted. She gazed fondly at Mog. "Wait until they see you as Madeen, Mog!"

Mog jumped up excitedly. "Kupo!"

Vivi yawned. "I'm tired…"

"Lets get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us," Kristin said as she picked a spot inside the tent.

"Amazing that ten people can fit in here," Chris said.

"Well, actually twelve people," Miranda corrected him. "I made sure there was more than enough room so you can move around."

"I'll take first watch," Fratley volunteered. "We'd best keep our guard up."

"Good idea," Freya said. "I'll watch with you. Then Chris and Miranda, Kuja and Kristin, Amarant and…Eiko, Mikoto and Vivi." She looked at them. "Sound good?"

"Why do I have to be with him?!" Eiko wailed pointing at Amarant.

"You think I like it any better?" Amarant snorted.

Freya smiled wickedly at them. "You two need to learn to get along. Anyway, Mikoto, Vivi, you might not do watch tonight, but if you do, most likely it'll be morning soon. So you can go ahead an make breakfast. That goes for everyone that has watch duty last. We'll keep rotating."

"Alright. Sounds good." Chris laid down. "Since Miranda and I got second watch, might as well get some shut eye."

The night went by uneventful and everyone felt cheerful and refreshed in the morning. They doused the fire and headed toward the Evil Forest. What they noticed first was the eerie silence around them. Freya and Fratley scouted ahead.

"Something's up," Fratley said under his breath to Freya. "It's never been this quiet."

"I agree," she murmured back. (murmured…interesting word ) "Better tell the others to keep their guard up."

At the precise moment, they heard a scream behind them and ran back to the direction of the group. They hid behind some trees and tried to figure out what to do. The group was surrounded by a pack of Fangs, twenty in all. Everyone had their weapons out, ready to strike, but were unsure on what to do.

"Well, you guys have been in battles before, what should we do?" Kristin asked.

"I'm not sure…," Eiko said reluctantly. "I've never been in a battle where we're surrounded!"

"Well, we're not that much outnumbered," Miranda said. "Each of us could take out at least two apiece."

"Couldn't Vivi cast a spell or something?" Chris asked.

"I can't do it on all though," Vivi said. "The way they are positioned, I'd be lucky to get a couple."

"Well, it's better than nothing," Miranda said. "And Freya and Fratley are up there somewhere," she whispered. "They can take out two. Go for it Vivi!"

"O-okay…uh…FIRA!" He cast out the Fira spell and five Fangs were killed. They vanished into thin air.

"Well, I guess they do vanish in real life," Chris commented.

The Fangs charged at the group from all sides and the group retaliated. Freya and Fratley killed off two others. Soon, none of the monsters were left.

Miranda wiped her blade on the grass. "Good thing those Fangs have a low HP," she commented. "Only takes one swipe and poof!"

Chris twirled the Ultima Weapon, mimicking Zidane's stance. "This thing is awesome! I could kill off two at a time."

Kristin shuddered. "Okay, enough with the killing. Can we continue?"

Freya nodded. "That would be wise. Night seems to come earlier in here."

They continued trekking through the forest, continually stopping at the sound of a rustling in the foliage around them. Freya lead them through, with Fratley in the rear. They talked in hushed tones, not wanting to attract monsters. They were careful to walk quietly, taking care not to tread on dry twigs or leaves. Vivi stumbled on a root and Kristin helped him up. After an hour or so, they reached the small spring and drank it's health replenishing water.

"Where should we camp, Freya?" Miranda asked after she had taken a sip from the spring.

Freya leaned on her spear thoughtfully. "Hm, I'd say an hour more. There's an overhang by the waterfall. We'd be safer there."

Eiko jumped to her feet. "Waterfall? Miranda, repeat that riddle thingy again!"

"Okay," she said puzzled and repeated it. (not going to bother typing it again.)

Eiko jumped up and down excitedly. "Of course!! Behind a wall of water!" (I'm sure everyone would have figured that out by now…)

Miranda eyes lighted up, the answer dawning on her. "The waterfall!! It's behind the waterfall!!" She grabbed Eiko's hands and jumped up and down excitedly as they kept saying, "The waterfall!!"

Amarant snorted. "Hmph. Can't even act their own age."

The two girls ignored him and ran, following the stream. "Come on!!"

Kristin sighed. "Well, lets follow them before we lose them."

The group ran and caught up with them. Fueled with excitement, the group continued running and reach the overhang in less than an hour. The leaned against each other gasping for breath. They could see the stars clearly now.

Mikoto unpacked the tent. "Whew! The day seemed to go by fast! I'm going to set up the tent while the rest of you get dinner ready."

A few minutes later, the group sat around a smile fire and ate some dinner. They could hear the waterfall nearby and Miranda quivered with excitement.

"I can't wait 'til dawn!" she exclaimed. "I'll have my very own sword!"

"Tch," Kristin snorted. "Remember, it's not a toy but a lethal weapon."

Miranda gave her a withering glance. "I know. I'm not like some kid."

"You sure act like one a lot," Amarant retorted then went back to eating.

"Who asked you anyway?" Miranda said and sat on a boulder a little away from them, facing the waterfall.

Chris joined her. "Ah, they're just joking with you."

Miranda gave him a small smile. "Yea I know." She turned back to the waterfall.

They sat back to back, each thinking their own thoughts.

"Hey, Chris," Miranda said suddenly.

"What?"

"How come you wanted to come to my house to help me on my FF7 game?"

"Hm, well, I wanted you to hurry up and finish it."

She looked at him. "That it?"

Chris looked away. "I guess."

"I see."

Eiko, Vivi, and Kristin were spying on them behind some bushes. Eiko turned angrily at them. "That's it??? That's it???? I can't believe that!"

Vivi and Kristin covered her mouth. "Ssshh!!!" Kristin whispered. "Keep it down!"

"We don't want them to know we're spying on them," Vivi whispered. "Though I don't know why I'm even doing this…"

They looked back at the two, who were back to sitting back to back thinking their own thoughts. Kristin sighed impatiently. "Is that all they're going to do?? Just sit and think???"

Eiko shrugged. "Looks like it."

Vivi tugged their sleeves. "Look! Miranda's getting up!"

They quickly returned to their spying and watched to see what was going to happen, if anything at all.

Miranda turned to Chris. "Soooo…what would you be doing now if you were back home?" she asked as she twirled her blade.

Chris leaned back on the boulder and gazed up at the stars. "I dunno. Probably replaying my game or homework or something. You?"

Miranda sat on the bank, gazing into the water. "I dunno. Probably the same."

Eiko was getting really aggravated. "Gaaah!! This is hopeless! They're getting nowhere fast!"

Kristin put a staying hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure they'll grow to like each other again soon."

Eiko looked at her quizzically. "Again?"

Kristin nodded. "They liked each other last year, but they didn't really keep in touch during the summer, so they don't know what's going on. But they seem to be still friends."

"Just friends? I think there's something more," Eiko said. "I mean, they're together a lot whether they know it or not."

"I think Chris isn't telling the whole truth," Vivi said hesitantly.

"I agree," Kristin said. "But lets get back to the group. I don't think anything is going to be happening."

Eiko stifled a yawn. "And I'm getting tired. I'm exhausted from all that running."

The trio quietly left their spot and went to the tent to settle for the night. Miranda and Chris were still in the same position they were before.

Miranda cleared her throat and stood up. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to get back to camp. We got first watch." She glanced at her watch. "It would be 9 at home right now."

"You go on ahead. I'll be there a little later."

"Alright," she replied and slowly walked back to camp.

When she was gone, Chris got up and walked around some, thinking. Was it really that reason I wanted to help her? Chris asked himself. He shook his head. Do I like her? Or do I like her as a friend? He groaned. Man! She probably thinks I hate or something after that answer I gave her. He looked toward the camp. He saw her stirring the firewood around, deeply gazing into the flames. She was so close, he thought her hair might catch on fire. Remembering that they were on first watch, he walked back to camp and sat across from her. He unbuckled the double scabbard thing (don't know what it's called so…don't get mad ;;;) and laid it down beside him.

"Pretty quiet out, huh?" he asked as he began oiling the leather straps.

"Yea."

"So do you see something in the fire or something?"

She continued gazing into the flames. "Sometimes I think I do. But maybe I'm just imagining things."

"Like what?"

She shrugged. "Not sure. Shapes fighting. And then I see this evil face and I lose my concentration." She turned to Chris. "What do you think? D'you think I'm just imagining this stuff?"
Chris looked undecided. "Well, it wouldn't be that hard to believe. But flames can play tricks on you, so I don't know."

She gave him a small smile. "That's one reason why I like you, Chris. You're honest." She got up and walked into the woods.

Chris stared after her, puzzled. Okay, was that like in like like or like as in friend like? he asked himself. He shrugged and continued oiling the leather. "Zidane should take better care of this," he grumbled. "Thing is cracked and hard."

Miranda suddenly came behind him and pushed him forward, sending him sprawling on the ground bewildered. She looked at him, a grin on her face as she shook her head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk! You should have been on your guard there. What if I was a monster instead? You'd be dead meat."

Chris shook off the dirt off him as stood up. "I knew you were there all the time."

"Uh huh…sure…" She glanced at her watch. "Well, our shift is over. It's Kuja's and Kristin's turn now."

"Hm, I wonder what those two would do…"

"Ah, quit it!" she said as she headed toward the tent. "I don't think those two could do anything."

"You got a point. Kristin just sits there stares at Kuja while he talks his fancy smancy talk."

Miranda laughed. "Well, lets get them up. I'm tired."

They entered the tent and roughly woke the two up. They glared at them and sauntered out grumbling.

Chris chuckled. "They're alike, unbelievably."

They said good night and snuggled in the sleeping bags, Kuja's nonsense talking lulling them to sleep.

Author's Note: I'm not sure if this is going the way I planned…this is going to be my longest fic yet, and it's only my second one! well, I hope you guys are enjoying it, cuz I'm having difficulty here! . ::grumbles:: My friend is making doing this all over again! Doesn't appreciate an author's hard work…wants me to take out some people…changing her mind on things…::continues on grumbling:: j/k luv ya my friend! (shall remain anonymous) Well review, and if you'd like me to do something different on how I'm doing this, PLEASE TELL ME::bows:: well, I'm off to Chapter 7, and hopefully will not have to change anything in the near future. ::walks off grumbling::