Disclaimer: Still don't own…

Anonymous: Sorry!  Just like everyone else I love the clumsy little Black Mage, but even in the game it says that he would stop anytime soon.  At least he lived a longer life than most Mages!  And there wont be any deaths for a while.  I promise you that.

FF9 Zidane: Yay!  ::does a victory dance:: that was my goal for this fic!  I wanted to make someone cry!  ^_^ Do you have any idea how happy you've made me?  I was at a party checking my reviews (because remember, I have no life) and I saw that and I started jumping up and down like a crazed maniac.  I got many strange looks, oh well.  People have come to expect these things from me.

The Dream Reaper

The day was bleak, just like most days in winter.  Snow fell slowly to the ground, some resting on the branches of trees, the roofs of houses, and atop tombstones.

            Wind rustled Zidane's hair as he looked out over the cemetery, concentrating on the newest grave.

Vivi Ornitier

Beloved Leader and Friend

Died age 15

            After Mr. 288 stopped, the Black Mages were leaderless.  However, they knew that Vivi had been a part of the group that saved Gaia, so almost immediately they elected him leader.  He was ten at the time, and didn't quite know what to do.  But as time went by, Vivi's skills improved and he became a great leader.

            Being the early Black Mage prototype, Vivi was meant to last longer than normal ones.  While most stopped after a year of production, he lived for fifteen.  There was no doubt that the Mages were fond of him.

            When they heard about the tragedy, they wanted him buried in their cemetery, next to Mr. 288.  Now, Vivi was nothing more than a memory.

            As Zidane looked out over the cemetery, he felt a hand on his shoulder.  He knew who it was, and reached up with his other hand and grasped it.

            "You've been standing here for an awful long time.  Why don't you come over here with me and Amy?" Dagger asked.  For a while, Zidane didn't speak, just continued to stare at the grave.

            "No, I'm alright," he finally replied, managing a weak smile.  "I was just thinking."

            Dagger nodded, she knew what was bothering him.  It was the same thing that had been bothering him for the last few weeks.

            Not speaking and still holding onto his shoulder, she looked over at the tombstones as well. The wind blew, kicking up some loose snow.  Trees swayed as if dancing to silent music.  The air was getting colder, and Dagger hadn't worn a coat.  Instead she wore a plain black dress with the only adornment being fur around the neck and sleeves.  She shivered, but the frigid weather wasn't the only reason.

            Noticing this, Zidane wrapped his coat around her.  "Well, it's getting cold.  Let's go in."

            Smiling thankfully, she nodded and took his arm.  The two walked into the Inn, where the service for the late Black Mage was being held.  Small as it was, the place was crowded.

            In the far corner of the room sat Eiko.  Her face was hidden in her hands as she wept softly to herself.  Several random Black Mages stood around as well.

            Though they understood the concept of death (or rather 'stopping'), and though they knew Vivi wasn't coming back they all seemed confused.  It wasn't in their programming to be emotional, and Zidane knew that.  Only a few of them had actually been able to tap into actually having feelings, Vivi being one.

            "Hey man." Blank greeted Zidane dully from across the room.  The normally upbeat man sounded grim and tired as he stood hand-in-hand with Ruby.

            "Hey, how's it goin'?" Zidane said in the most cheerful voice he could muster.  Smiling at the attempt, Blank shrugged.

            "Ya know, maybe you can come to the hideout later," he suggested.

            "Well…" Zidane started to turn down the offer.  All he wanted was to go home and be with his family, but Dagger interrupted.

            "That would be great!"

            Not bothering to argue, Zidane just nodded.  "That's wonderful!" Ruby exclaimed.

            For the rest of the ceremonies, Dagger walked around with Zidane, talking and socializing with everyone.  However, Dagger did most of the speaking, Zidane just zoned out most of the time.

            Over in the far corner of the room, Amy sat in Baku's lap.  Amy had long since fallen asleep, and Baku was starting to nod off.  Nearby, Cinna and Marcus were talking to each other in whispers.

            Slowly, people started leaving.  It took Hilda and Cid awhile to get Eiko out but they finally got her to go home, despite her begging to stay longer.  Freya and Fratley had to get back to their kids who they had left with a babysitter in Burmecia.  Amarant had taken a break from an important bounty-hunting mission, and he had to get back to work.

            Beatrix had come with Zak, but she didn't stay long.  Two funerals so close together were too much for her.

            The very last to leave was Tantalus.

            "So, ya comin' to pay us a visit?" Cinna asked as he lifted Amy off of Baku's stomach.  Taking the sleeping toddler from him, Zidane nodded.

            "That's great!" Baku yawned.  "Ya know, after you became royalty, ya had no time fer yer ol' man," he winked.

            "Sorry Boss," Zidane chuckled.  Even as depressed as he was, Baku's sarcasm could always make Zidane laugh.

~ ~

            It wasn't much later when Zidane was sitting around the circular table in the small hideout in the Theatre District.  Amy was sleeping in one of the beds on the top loft.

            Dagger and Ruby sat in some chairs gossiping and laughing, and Ruby was showing off the engagement ring that Blank had just given her.

            As for all the guys, they were all talking over a game of poker.  Or it started out that way, after a while the game had been forgotten and they just talked.

            Just like everyone else, the boys knew about Zidane's problem and their goal was to get his mind off of it.  Even if just for a night.

            "So, I proposed to Ruby last week." Blank said pompously.

            "I noticed the ring," Zidane said, "I'm happy for you!  When is the wedding?"

            "We haven't thought that far ahead!" Blank laughed.  "You know me!" the table erupted with laughter.

            "Have you thought about kids?" Marcus asked looking up from his mug of beer.

            Blank's eyes widened.

            "Don't worry 'bout it!" Zidane patted his back.  "You're great with Amy!"

            "But Amy isn't my kid!" everyone laughed again.

            "Boy or girl?" Cinna asked.

            "Well, of course I want a boy!"

            "That's what I thought at first," Zidane started, "But you'll love them not matter what.  I mean, once I held her, all I could think was…wow."

            Blank thought for a moment, "Well…I still want a boy." Again everyone laughed, but Zidane's was cut short.

            Help!  It was Amy's voice, but it sounded faint.  Hardly there at all.  She must be dreaming.  It wasn't the first time he could hear her thoughts while she slept.

            Daddy!  Save me! 

            Zidane jumped up from the table.  "What the hell?" Baku asked.  Instead of answering, Zidane held his forefinger to his mouth.

            Ahhhh!  Help!  Pwease!  Her thoughts were getting clearer, and the screaming in his head was getting louder and shriller. 

            He fell to the floor clutching his ears.  "What's happening?" Cinna asked out loud. 

            "Wake her up!" Zidane pleaded. 

            Hearing the commotion, Dagger and Ruby ran over to them.  Seeing Zidane, Dagger gasped and held her hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming.  What was happening?  This never happened before!

            Help Daddy!  Don't let him take me!  Ahhhhh!

            Everyone looked confused back and forth between Zidane and each other.

            The screaming continued, "Blank!  Please!  Wake her up!"

            Still, no one knew what was going on.  Then, the screaming Zidane had been hearing telepathically became verbal.

            At once, Blank understood.  As fast as he could go, he climbed up the ladder to the loft.  Amy tossed and turned, flailing her arms helplessly when Blank picked her up.

            "DADDY!" she screamed.

            "Shhh!  Shhh!" Blank tried to calm her, but the child wasn't waking up.  Stuck in her nightmare.

            Below, Zidane still lay helpless on the floor.  As much as he wanted to help Amy, he couldn't move.

            Without knowing it, Amy was forcing him into viewing her dream as well.

            Zidane found himself standing in the middle of a graveyard.  Fog hovered over the ground giving the already spooky place an eerier look.  There was a figure standing not to far from Zidane, he wore all black.

            Black robes, boots and a hood that covered his face.  In his right hand he held a scythe.  In his left he held…Amy?  Noticing that the creature had his daughter, Zidane ran, trying to get her away from him.  The grim reaper just glided backwards.  No matter how hard Zidane ran he couldn't catch up with him.

            Amy flailed, trying to escape the creature's grasp.  "Help!" tears streamed down her face as she struggled.

            The thing's hood lowered, exposing a pale, bald face.  Wrinkled and distorted, yet Zidane could tell who it was.  Garland.  "It's all your fault." He simply stated, smiling wickedly.  Then, he disappeared, taking Amy with him.

            "No!" Zidane yelled and then woke up.  At the same time on the loft, Amy had opened her eyes.  Her tiny fists grabbed onto Blank's shirt as he held her close trying to get her to stop crying.  Strange looks came from all around the room, but Zidane didn't care. 

            He scrambled up and ran up the ladder as well.  Blank looked helplessly at the child.

            "Give her to me." Zidane said.  Carefully, Blank handed the tiny girl to her dad.  "It's alright Amy, I'll never let anyone take you away.  You hear me?" he asked as tears formed in his own eyes.

            Amy, her voice faint and unsteady replied, "But you did."

            "It was just a dream.  A very bad dream!  I will never let anyone take you away from me."  Amy nodded into his shoulder.

            "Sorry 'bout all this.  But I think it's time we left." Zidane said to Blank.  Holding Amy tightly to his shoulder, Zidane climbed down the ladder one-handed and stood next to Dagger.

            "What happened?" she asked, her voice quavering. 

            "I'll explain it all later.  Let's go home now." Zidane said hurriedly.  Giving him a worried look, she nodded and followed him out the door.

            As they left, everyone in the hideout couldn't help but watch them.  Sighing, Blank sat down and threw his legs over the side of the loft and leaned forward.

            "Whut happened, hun?" Ruby asked him.  Everyone around looked at him, waiting for his answer.

            "I have no idea." He finally replied.

~ ~

Wow, that one took a lot longer than we expected.  (Sorry everyone, I had a major case of writer's block!  Thanks to Alyssa!  I almost didn't believe her!  She told me, 'Don't worry, inspiration will come when it does.' Well, it didn't come for me until 10:30 last night!)  So we hope everyone liked it, and please review away, we'll keep you all hanging until the next chapter!  Luv and kisses –The Cutemooglez 

(And just so you people don't think I'm schizophrenic, there are two of us.  BreeAnne and Anna, but this story is mine (Anna).  So if you question the occasional 'we' in the authors notes, it's because I'm referring to us both) ^_^  Now, review!