Okay this is the chapter where you learn the girl's name (if your still reading that is). Oh and for anyone who hasn't figured it out yet anything in between these: ~text~ means that that's what the character is thinking and anything below these: ~*~*~ is what someone is dreaming.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Final Fantasy IX characters but my characters are my own creations and I do own the rights to them.

Chapter Three: Waking to Nightmares

"Uhn."

She woke up with a pounding headache. The last thing she could remember was falling. She wasn't really sure what had happened in the last moments of the battle. Groaning she sat up and slowly opened her eyes. She let out a startled gasp as she laid her emerald eyes on her surroundings.

The bed she was sitting on was huge! The down comforter was soft, navy blue and reached to the floor. It was obviously quite heavy for the cold winter nights. There were four dark wooden posts that held up a small roof over the bed. Lace curtains hung from the top so that they could be drawn and conceal anything inside. The carpet was shaggy and an emerald green color that matched her eyes. Across from the bed was a vanity made with the same wood as the bed. There was even a little stool with a navy blue cushion. Next to the vanity was a bookshelf filled to the brim. To the left side of the bed was a window with a seat underneath it. Next to that, there was a door that opened to a large and spacious bathroom. To the right of the bed there was a large closet also made of the same wood as the bed and the vanity. The walls were a couple shades lighter than the carpet but it gave the room a very cozy look.

She looked around trying to spot the exit. It was located to the left of the huge bed on the same wall. She hurled herself off the bed but instantly regretted it. She fell to the floor as a flood of pain washed through her head. Crumpled in a heap on the floor, she threw her hands to her head, causing another moment of pain.

~I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't cry.~ she repeated to herself over and over again. She barely managed to bite back a whimper but she was determined not to show weakness. Even if there was no one there to hear it. She carefully groped her head and finally found a large bump. She touched it gingerly and more pain ensued. Taking her hands off her head she rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. Where was she? Why was she here? And what had happened to the handsome man she had been fighting?

She gritted her teeth. Yes, she did have to admit she found him very attractive but she knew she shouldn't make assumptions. He would never see anything in the street rat that she was. She lay there for a while and soon fell back asleep.

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She was so happy. The man with the red hair and blue eyes was holding her again. She gripped him tighter in an attempt to gather every last ounce of warmth from that hug. He spoke to her though she couldn't hear it. She laughed. He put her down and patted her on the head saying more. Again she couldn't make out the words he was saying. Again she laughed. Her took her hand and led her back to the village that was their home. Her sky blue dress had sunflowers on it and made her feel like a princess when she walked.

The sky grew dark, overshadowed with clouds. A woman came running up with a little girl next to her. The woman had eyes like hers but her hair was black as night; as was the younger girl's beside her. They too had horns, though the little girl's was smaller than her own, obviously showing that she was younger. The woman started to yell at the man, pointing in the process. He talked to the woman, and then turning to the little girl next to him, he shoved her towards the woman and the other girl.

Turning he ran from her. The woman grabbed her hand and started to pull her in the other direction. She turned screaming and tried to pull away from the woman who had the same nose and eyes as her own. The little girl next to her also started to scream reaching for the man who had just left.

They screamed together. In unison. Screaming. Screaming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~

She was being shaken awake. Her eyes snapped opened and saw the young man she had met earlier.

"Shhhh," he whispered harshly, still shaking her from her nightmare. She suddenly realized that she was screaming, just like in the dream. She closed her mouth and her eyes started to water.

Suddenly, she grabbed the man in front of her and started to sob into his shirt. She didn't know why she could cry in front of him, but him just being there made her feel safe.

After Zidane had recovered from the shock of being grabbed by the young woman he wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that for several moments until her breathing had returned to normal and she was no longer crying.

"You okay?" he asked gently trying not to scare her. She nodded looking at the ground. He gently hoisted her up and held on to her shoulders in an attempt to get a good look at her.

"Okay. First things first. What's your name?" He said, dropping his hands from her shoulders. He started to circle her making her feel like she was being interrogated by the police.

"Phina," she stated simply.

"Phina, huh? Well Phina, my name's Zidane. I'd say it's nice to meet you but considering our last encounter, I think I'll save that for when I'm sure you're not going to kill me."

Phina's face grew red from anger. How dare he blame her for what happened! "I wouldn't have tried to kill if you hadn't chased after me!" she yelled heatedly.

"I wouldn't have chased after you if you hadn't stolen my money," he replied with a calm smirk on his face. Phina opened her mouth to yell back an insult when she realized it had been her fault. She quickly closed her mouth and was content to just glare at him.

"So how old are you? And where did you get the name Phina? And where is your family?"

"Why do you care?" she snapped back. This guy was really starting to get on her nerves.

"Now is that any way to treat the guy who saved you?" Zidane replied, still circling her. Phina uttered a low growl before answering his question.

"I'm 18 and I don't have any family. As for my name, that's not any of your concern." She crossed her arms over her chest and continued to glare at him.

"So you live all by your-." Zidane was interrupted when Steiner walked in ready to throw a hissy fit.



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There you have it! Chapter 3. I know it's starting kind of slow but I'm doing my best.