DISCLAIMER: Once again, I don't own Final Fantasy IX

Tsuki: I seem to have a fascination of angst don't I?

Zidane: Obviously

Dagger: *crosses arms* You're telling me

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Beatrix entered the main hall from the adjoining room, and immediately took off after Zidane. She caught up to him, urging him to stop.

"Master Zidane! Master Zidane please stop!" She grabbed Zidane by the arm, who only shrugged it off.

"Leave me alone General! That's and order!" He continued down the hall, shoving Steiner out of his way and pushing open the castle doors. Steiner stood back up as Beatrix joined him at his side.

"What's going on?"

"They had a fight."

"Master Zidane and the Queen? She must be very upset."

"Yes she is. Steiner would you please watch the Prince and Princess for a while? I think I should talk to the Queen."

"Of course honey."

Beatrix walked back to the main hall where Dagger sat on the floor, still hugging her daughter. "Majesty…"

"Go away."

Steiner walked over to them picking Brianna up, who didn't complain, taking her to the nursery as Beatrix sat down next to her Queen.

"He'll never come back. I've lost him forever."

"No you haven't my Queen. He'll come back, he loves you and knows that you love him too."

"I can't believe I said those things to him. I didn't even let him explain why he was late. He hates me now. I just know it!"

"Come now your Highness, don't be so hard on yourself. You're just frustrated. Give him time to cool off."

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Zidane mumbled to himself as he left the safety of Alexandria City. He stopped, calling for Choco when he felt a tug at his tail. He looked down to see his son staring up at him with tears streaming down his face.

"Dad…come home…don't go."

"Go back to the castle Thobias."

The boy latched onto his father's leg. "No! I wanna be with you! I don't want you to go away forever!"

Zidane reached down, ruffling his son's hair, giving him a forced reassuring smile as he chocked back his own tears. "Go back inside, you don't want your mother to worry."

"If I let you go you won't come back!"

Zidane laughed. "Don't worry, I'll come back, I'm just going to stay with your Uncle Kuja for a while, okay?"

"Alright dad."

Zidane kneeled down in front of Thobias. "You know what buddy?"

"What?"

Zidane reached into his back pocket, pulling out a switchblade. "You hold onto this for me and when I get home, you give it back to me."

"Alright Dad! I'll keep it safe!"

"Good, but don't tell your mother."

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In Black Mage Village...

"Zidane! Zidane wake up!"

"Go away Mikoto, I'm trying to sleep."

Mikoto sighed as she walked back into the kitchen.

"I told you that you wouldn't be able to get him out of that room."

"Shut up Kuja."

"Just stating facts dear sister."

"He's been sulking here for a week now."

"What? Can't handle both of your big brothers being around?"

"He could at least eat with us."

"Fine, I'll get him." Kuja stood up and walked down the hall to the guestroom. "Come on freeloader it's breakfast time."

"Not interested."

Kuja opened the door, grabbing Zidane's vest and shirt off a chair tossing them and the younger brother's head."

"Hey can't I get any privacy around here?"

"Not in this house, believe you me. Now get dressed and come eat."

"Fine." Zidane come out a few minutes later and sat down at the table as Mikoto pushed a plate of food in front of him.

"So when you going back?"

"I think I'm going to go back today. Besides I promised my son I'd come back. Can't hide from Dagger forever."

"Good because we can't afford to feed you forever."

"Kuja." Mikoto poked at him with her fork.

"Stop that, I was only kidding."

"I plan on leaving after breakfast then."

"Okay, I'll pack you a lunch."

"Thanks sis."

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Tsuki: Gomen if the chapters are a little short...I have things to get done and they need to be split up some.

Zidane: So this is going to get better isn't it?

Tsuki: Maybe.

Dagger: *holding one of her rods menacingly* It will won't is Tsuki?

Tsuki: *nervous look* Uhhh, of course, why wouldn't it? ^_^;

Dagger: That's what I thought.

Zidane: Damn you're persuasive.