Rain
*
Ninja Rage
**
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy nine or any of it's characters or contents.
This story is just by a crazed fan, who has an overactive imagination. Thank you.
Author's note:
Hello! Please forgive me for not being here in forever. Tornado damage has screwed up my computer and so I was forced to help rebuild my grandma's
house and we had to pull trees out of everyone's lawn and crap like that. The computer wasn't working because power lines were torn down and such.
Finally it's working again and I'm going to continue as fast as I can before more damage is done.
If your actually reading this you must have a lot of time on your hands but still I must be respective not to waste it so I'll finish my rambling and let you read the chapter.
So thanks if you read about my problems. I'll get along now. Thanks again and keep reviewing!
-Ninja Rage
~~****~~
Chapter IV
Conscience
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why
We met, we laughed, we held on fast and then we said goodbye.
And who'll hear the echoes of the stories never told?
Let them ring out loud 'til they unfold
Nuiki let out a breath she had been holding. She couldn't believe how rough the journey to Alexandria was on foot. She bit her lip and stumbled on forward. Zidane, she knew was still alive because he kept mumbling about how he would save her…who was her?
Nuiki sighed and gritted her teeth as she made it up the last rocky edge of the first hill.
She leaned Zidane against the smoothest rock she could find. Then she took a seat herself.
"Oh, boy. What are we going to do? We'll probably starve before we reach Alexandria. Either that or you'll die of a loss of blood. Jeez, I'm talking to myself. You can't be listening your dreaming about…about..hey! Princess Garnet you said something about that on the ship! Hunh? PRINCESS GARNET!! Never mind. I don't want to know what your dreaming about." Nuiki 's stomach growled. "sooo.. hungry"
She sighed again and squirmed around until her butt was comfy. She stretched her neck to look around and see if there was any food in sight. "Nothing but rocky mountains."
Zidane coughed and stirred. Nuiki leaned forward in excitement. He 's finally getting up! That means he 's recovered right? She thought. But his head just flopped over again.
Nuiki flopped back against the rock, " humph. Oh well." Nuiki reached for her pocket to find a small bag of nuts. " WHAT!? I had this the whole time! I guess I slipped it in when I was counting the stock." Nuiki opened the bag and smelled the nuts. "ewww! Oh, yeah, these were the stale ones." Nuiki growled and threw them out into the ocean.
"Let's get going." Nuiki stood patting the dirt from her butt and the back of her legs. She crouched and tossed Zidane over her shoulder again, only this time he was heavier.
"Jeez! Are you stuffing yourself in your sleep or something?" Nuiki gained her balance.
She knew he was heavy because she was hungry. "I need more strength." She said to herself as she began to trudge up the mountainous path again.
Garnet stared out her balcony, Leaned up against her elbow. Dried tears rested on her cheeks as new ones began to form. "Where are you? Please come. Please. I need you.." She pressed her palms against her eyes and rubbed them so that they'd stop watering.
She sniffled as she listened to the shower of rain silently patter against the ever sorrowed Alexandria.
"I'm so alone." She choked up. She flopped to her knees and held the bars of the balcony. Staring through them she saw a large city, isolated from everything. She saw scared children who didn't dare go outside. Sad storeowners stared out their windows wondering if it would ever stop and people, themselves hopelessly stayed at home and awaited the time for the sun to shine.
A knock echoed through the corridor. "yes?!" Garnet chirped standing slowly and brushing herself off. Beatrix stepped past the door, "My queen." She bowed slightly and walked up the Garnet. "What did I tell you about being out there in the rain. Your going to catch a cold." She shut the balcony doors behind Garnet and walked her over to the bed.
"Well? Is there any news?" Garnet spoke silently. Beatrix looked worriedly at Garnet who's head was staring at the ground as if concentrating on making it move.. Beatrix pulled Garnet's chin up to look at her. "Are you alright? Are you sick?" Beatrix moved her chin this way and that searching her face as if looking for something.
"I'm fine. It's only the rain. Please just tell me what is going on." Beatrix dropped her hand and sighed. "Well, we've gained contact with an airship that seems to have made it past the outline of Alexandria and they're making their way here at the moment. That's the good news." Beatrix stood and tucked a sliver of hair behind her ears.
Garnet's mind burst into a field of excitement. ' Has Zidane come for me? Thank you gods!'
Garnet shook her head a little happier, "and the bad news?"
Beatrix put her hands on her hips, "well, it's possible they could not make it. They haven't passed any of the main storms so they could easily be wiped out or forced to turn around and for the other half it's official that the one who has come is not Zidane.. I'm sorry but it seems to be another person. The message he sent us was very blurred and scratchy so we couldn't figure out what he was saying most of the time but he got the point through. From the way the message was sent I'm guessing he's from Lindblum or at least somewhere around that area." Beatrix turned to see a distressed Garnet.
"Thank you for telling me, Beatrix. Is there anything else?" Garnet looked up at her and began to fiddle with her fingers in her lap.
Beatrix smiled, "Nothing more. That was all there was. But that is a lot compared to what we've had. Don't worry about anything Garnet. Have you ever heard that saying 'worry about nothing, pray about everything?' that is what we need now. Rest for now. Leave this up to us. Well, I'll be leaving you now. I'll come up if anything else is found out." And with that she was out the door. A faint shout came from the hallway,
"Remember Garnet! ' Worry about nothing! Pray about everything!!'" Beatrix smiled and rushed back down to the docks.
Garnet sighed and lay on her bed, "Worry about nothing.. pray about everything.. maybe she's right." Garnet closed her eyes filling her head with prayers for the safety of the stock ship and Zidane.
" How long did you say it normally takes to get to Alexandria?" the Master leader was standing beside the pilot with his arms crossed. He had beaten this Zidane everyone was in a huffle about. And he would be the first to Alexandria.. hehheh.. He would be the 'hero'.
"Usually about two or three days! Cap'n!" Saki answered loudly concentrating on steering.
The master smirked and chuckled, "hmm.. and why is that?"
Saki was silent for a moment but then spoke, "Well sir usually you'd want to go slow in a storm. That's why. And we're going a little too fast thanks to that guy. I'm still trying to slow us down but it's hard when you've got it going so fast." Saki was right. It was hard to make such a low powered ship to supposedly stop when it's going so fast.
The master narrowed his eyes, "Are you steering fine while going this fast?"
"Well, yes, I guess. Maybe if it were a little slower I could-"
The master interrupted her, "Keep going this fast if you can handle it. We must hurry to Alexandria. We don't want to keep her majesty waiting would we?" The Master blew hair from his face. Saki sighed. "Yes sir!" Saki kicked up the notch and sped up. The master's hands moved to his hips as he let out an uncontrolled laughter.
"Sir! You might want to sit down!" Saki shouted kicking the notch up more , 'I can prove I'm a better pilot then that boy with the tail. Perhaps I can catch the master's eye.'
Just as she requested him sitting he laughed saying he could handle it but when the ship jerked forward he flew back! Grabbing the chair arm that he fell on he pulled himself back up and dusted himself off. "phew..jeez.." He straightened his hair, shoulder harnesses, and cape then swooped his cape behind him and he was proud again.
"Told you." Saki smirked. The master narrowed his eyes at her, "What was that?!"
"Oh nothing sir! I said you sure told me! You handled that greatly!" Saki stuttered then sighed with relief when she saw him let off. He smiled and walked back up to her, "Can 'you' handle such speed? We are going very fast. We'll be heading for the worst of the storms soon."
The master gripped the rail that circled around the pilot's booth to keep steady and when he heard moans and groans outside the doorway he thought the other sailors got caught on the sudden boost forward as well.
"Yes sir. I can handle this speed and yes we are going very fast but very smoothly." Just as she said that there was a sudden jerk! The master flipped forward and pounded into the wood wall of the ship.
He bounced back up and rubbed his head, "Grrr!! You really need pilot lessons girl!!!!" Saki gritted her teeth pulling the ship back on course.
When the master turned he shouted, "The storms! How do you signal a red alert on this ship?! Tell everyone to prepare for the worst! It's going to get dangerous from here on out!"
The master ran to his chair and sat down. "Now! Listen to my instructions and we'll get out perfectly!" the master roared to Saki who was signaling the red alert and shouting into the mega phone to everyone. The master stood. " At this rate we'll be there in no time!!"
Nuiki screeched in delight when she saw a cool spring just ahead of her. She sat Zidane right next to it and threw her face in the fresh cool water. She took in as much as she could and then she took off Zidane 's straps, which were covering his wound. She did her best to clean it out and then washed the rags. Nuiki couldn't help thinking about the bullet in his chest. "How is he surviving? He's different from other people. And not only because of the tail." This made her laugh, she didn't know why because she had seen so many other akward creatures like hippo children and rat people…she couldn't exactly place the name of them though.
Nuiki retied the straps and gazed at Zidane 's baby face. He was such a sweet, gentle, and playful looking man. The strangest yet most beautiful looking locks of hair she'd ever seen. Sighing she patted his chest identifying that she was finished and she stared up at the sky. She could already see the moon. Or should she have said moons. Suddenly a bright light flashed far in the distance in the direction of Alexandria.
Shielding her eyes she quickly glanced down to a resting Zidane and quickly rushed to the next rock.
"What is that?!!" Nuiki couldn't imagine what it could've been… exhaust maybe, from the ship? No way! They couldn't use THAT must power.. How could Saki drive that fast.. Especially with a new person aboar-.. That man.. Master Leader, It's got to be him. She rushed back to Zidane and tossed him over her shoulder.
"We've got to hurry! I saw something!! Eerr ugh! All right, all settled!! Let 's hurry!" and with that she took off running! Her boots clomped on the rocky surface as she kept her balance running along faster and faster. Zidane 's head bumped along Nuiki 's back and even though he made only small clomped breathing noises. Nuiki had no time to think of that though, that man was up to something and she would figure it out.
Late into the night the light had faded. The only thing left was a thick black cloud hovering above them. Nuiki shivered and said, " That's a gigantic cloud.. Maybe I should stop. I still don't see Alexandria. It's probably behind that cloud… But it's to far away I can't tell." Nuiki took to more steps then looked back to Zidane.. Nuiki looked forward again and shook in the frigid air. She then sighed and walked over the to rock just at the base of the next hill. It was perfect for a resting place especially to hide under in a storm.
She leaned Zidane against a rock and then cuddled in her own jacket…
"It's really..c-c-cold. We'll freeze if we don't hurry." Nuiki's breath carried up in a fluffed ball of white, as did Zidane 's small breaths. It suddenly began to rain. Being under the rock made Nuiki feel better. If she were out there she'd be wet and even colder. Under the rock she was dry and only minorly cold.
Zidane 's mouth twitched and he let out a dry hack cough. Nuiki shot her eyes over to him , "Zidane? Are you awake? Helloo.." Nuiki gently leaned over and nudged him.
Zidane 's eyes slowly opened to a squint and he tried to focus them on a brighter reality instead of closed lids in his dreams.
The sound of rain filled Zidane 's ears making him think he was in his dream. So he shot up quickly and jerked his arms forward, "GARNET!!" then he suddenly fell back again and began to breath heavily. Nuiki, who was in shock at his shout was against the rock with wide eyes. " Zidane? Are..are you okay?"
Zidane opened his eyes and looked to his left, "Who are y--? Where's Garnet?" Zidane looked puzzled. Nuiki was even more shocked at this , "You mean you.. don't remember me? From the ship? Zidane.. it's me Nuiki!!" Nuiki took Zidane 's shoulders and shook him.
Zidane 's eyes narrowed, The stock ship. You're from the stock ship… what happened? Where are we?" A sharp pain surged through his chest. "UGH!" He crouched over and held his chest with his hands. Nuiki reached out but he gently knocked her hand away.
Drawing his hand in front of his face he was surprised to see blood. "What?!"
Nuiki sighed, "I guess I should change the bandages again.. The blood is bleeding through." Nuiki began to untie his straps as she leaned him carefully against the rock.
Zidane still stared at his hand, "Why am I bleeding?" Nuiki took off the last strap.
"You mean you don't remember?" Nuiki laid his straps out in the rain.
Zidane laid his head back and closed his eyes in hope of decreasing his increasing headache. "What is there to remember? I can't think. My head is killing me. And my dreams trouble me."
Nuiki sighed, " You must have slight amnesia. You were shot.. it was an attempted murder. I saved you. And now I'm going to take you to Alexandria if.. you don't mind. I need to find out what is going on." Nuiki crawled over to the straps laying outside and she squeezed out the blood.Zidane's mind seemed at a loss at the moment.He was completely focused on the sliding and flushing blood that gushed from the stripped pieces of cloth. Returning to Zidane to tie them back on,she saw from the corner of her eye that he nodded in confirmination.
"Yes. We have to go there. Garnet…" Zidane sighed and relaxed letting Nuiki 's hands fold around him and back tying his bandages on. Nuiki frowned when she was done, "I forgot about you not having a shirt before I tore up yours. You'll be cold."
"I'll be fine." Zidane shivered swiftly and coughed, "When do we leave?"
"As soon as you're better." Nuiki smiled and looked out at the worsening sky.Zidane sighed and looked toward the side watching as the rain fell and the breeze flowing through the branches of the trees.Then to himself he thought,"That is not soon enough..My Garnet..Whereever she may be in that kingdom..is in trouble.I can feel it.I worry for what may happen.I don't remember much but an evil cackle in my mind..That cackle that..annoying laughter...It will cause her trouble..My dreams..my nightmares..my nightmare..it must be real..Nothing i've ever dreamed was so realistic."
Nuiki glanced at Zidane watching his eyes wonder.An emotionless face is what he held.But inside he must be worried..Zidane blinked and looked back at her,"We have got to go.I can't wait.It's driving me mad.My head hurts and my chest hurts but my heart hurts..I feel like i've witnessed something horrible and I cant remember!Please lets go now Miss Nuiki."
Nuiki looked worried at him,"But.But you are injured.I ...I cant allow this."
Zidane narrowed his eyes,"I don't have to stay with you,you know.Besides it'd be best to leave.My wound will not heal here..Is the bullet still in my chest?! That's not going to heal very well!"
Nuiki looked at him surprised,"I..I guess you are right..we should go."
Zidane stood up hurriedly and knocked his head on the rock,"AAH!ouch!ooo!"He threw himself back down rubbing his head,small tears forming in his eyes,"oooo."
Nuiki giggled,"well.If you can't even stand cautously then you really shouldn't be running off to save your girlfriend.."
Zidane growled at Nuiki and stood up slowly this time.He made his first attempt to step out from under to large protruding stone.
Rain clattered on the stones of the Alexanderia hills,the sound was a vibrant chitter.The water fell from the sky hard and with big fat rain droplets making his head a sudden water fall of small droplets rushing off the stringy strands of his head.
His eyes felt a slight sting as he glanced out at the cloudy night.
When he stood completely out from the rock and was used to his surrounding area he turned back to Nuiki taking in a deep breath engulfing his senses with every ficture of rain,"Well I'm ready now.Are you?"
Nuiki smiled and shook her head,"You are certainly different than any man i've ever seen that had only been shot in the chest earlier in the day."She said with humor ducking to be out of the slight shadow of the rock and out into the rainy open area.
Zidane flinched as he remembered the pain in his chest,"well.I guess.I'm not excactly what you'd call your average guy.."
Nuiki laughed at this,"According to you have a tail.." Zidane laughed with her but then became serious again,"Let us go now.We cannot keep stalling."
Garnet breathed in while dreaming about the final peace of her land..
"Mmm..ye-s final peace...has..been restored.."She smiled and breathed in heavily taking in a mouthful of her comforter.Her eyes shot open and she quickly sat herself up looking down at her bed.A small puddle of drool was left where her mouth was once,
"I..I.drooled..was it just a dream?All of it?A dream?"
Garnet threw herself off the bed and ran to her balcony throwing the curtens back and pushing the doors open,"Was it all a dream?!" She shouted and rushed outside in such a hurry that she had to catch herself on the railing of the balcony.She stared out at the pouring rain and now a darker blue sky with black clouds.She bit her lip and glanced down at the two gaurds standing under the balcony below to keep out of the rain.
"It was just a dream.How silly of me to actually believe that Zidane had returned and peace from these storms was recovered..but this all makes me come back to the thought that I must marry soon.Zidane had returned in my dream and we..we married.But Zidane has not returned yet.I am so worried.Why hasn't he returned.Why do I long for him even more now than before?It's like something is going to happen.Something is going to..no!I will not believe it!This rain will go away and he will come back and..and!"Garnet gulped and breathed in slowly regaining her sanity.
Just then a bright light flashed across the sky and then wandered around the kingdom.Faint voices could be heard shouting amongst the docks.Garnet couldn't make out what they were saying so she ran back into her room and shut the doors.
Making her way down the stairs she ran into many soldiers who were on their way up the stairs.After being knocked by so many she decided to ask one for news about what was going on.As a girl soldier passed her,Garnet reached out and grabbed the soldier's arm,"Excuse me,Miss, but what is happening?"
The soldier soluted and excitedly,"We are preparing the dock of the first stock ship to make it passed the storms!"She smiled broadly as she bowed and took off up the stairs.
Just then Garnet completely forgot everything about what Beatrix had told her about it not being Zidane.She felt a sudden burst of happiness overflow her body as she ran faster down the steps stumbling on her gown with a brilliant imagery of how Zidane would make an entrance on the stockship acting like he was a great hero..Oh how he would be leaning out of the ramp door with half of himself out and half in with his hand spread out wide followed by his leg.His broad smile of victory brightning his face and his clothing and hair blowing in the storm's winds.She couldn't wait to feel the warmth of his arms fold around her knowing he was safe and everyone could breathe their first breath of relief...
*End of chapter 4*
*
Ninja Rage
**
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy nine or any of it's characters or contents.
This story is just by a crazed fan, who has an overactive imagination. Thank you.
Author's note:
Hello! Please forgive me for not being here in forever. Tornado damage has screwed up my computer and so I was forced to help rebuild my grandma's
house and we had to pull trees out of everyone's lawn and crap like that. The computer wasn't working because power lines were torn down and such.
Finally it's working again and I'm going to continue as fast as I can before more damage is done.
If your actually reading this you must have a lot of time on your hands but still I must be respective not to waste it so I'll finish my rambling and let you read the chapter.
So thanks if you read about my problems. I'll get along now. Thanks again and keep reviewing!
-Ninja Rage
~~****~~
Chapter IV
Conscience
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why
We met, we laughed, we held on fast and then we said goodbye.
And who'll hear the echoes of the stories never told?
Let them ring out loud 'til they unfold
Nuiki let out a breath she had been holding. She couldn't believe how rough the journey to Alexandria was on foot. She bit her lip and stumbled on forward. Zidane, she knew was still alive because he kept mumbling about how he would save her…who was her?
Nuiki sighed and gritted her teeth as she made it up the last rocky edge of the first hill.
She leaned Zidane against the smoothest rock she could find. Then she took a seat herself.
"Oh, boy. What are we going to do? We'll probably starve before we reach Alexandria. Either that or you'll die of a loss of blood. Jeez, I'm talking to myself. You can't be listening your dreaming about…about..hey! Princess Garnet you said something about that on the ship! Hunh? PRINCESS GARNET!! Never mind. I don't want to know what your dreaming about." Nuiki 's stomach growled. "sooo.. hungry"
She sighed again and squirmed around until her butt was comfy. She stretched her neck to look around and see if there was any food in sight. "Nothing but rocky mountains."
Zidane coughed and stirred. Nuiki leaned forward in excitement. He 's finally getting up! That means he 's recovered right? She thought. But his head just flopped over again.
Nuiki flopped back against the rock, " humph. Oh well." Nuiki reached for her pocket to find a small bag of nuts. " WHAT!? I had this the whole time! I guess I slipped it in when I was counting the stock." Nuiki opened the bag and smelled the nuts. "ewww! Oh, yeah, these were the stale ones." Nuiki growled and threw them out into the ocean.
"Let's get going." Nuiki stood patting the dirt from her butt and the back of her legs. She crouched and tossed Zidane over her shoulder again, only this time he was heavier.
"Jeez! Are you stuffing yourself in your sleep or something?" Nuiki gained her balance.
She knew he was heavy because she was hungry. "I need more strength." She said to herself as she began to trudge up the mountainous path again.
Garnet stared out her balcony, Leaned up against her elbow. Dried tears rested on her cheeks as new ones began to form. "Where are you? Please come. Please. I need you.." She pressed her palms against her eyes and rubbed them so that they'd stop watering.
She sniffled as she listened to the shower of rain silently patter against the ever sorrowed Alexandria.
"I'm so alone." She choked up. She flopped to her knees and held the bars of the balcony. Staring through them she saw a large city, isolated from everything. She saw scared children who didn't dare go outside. Sad storeowners stared out their windows wondering if it would ever stop and people, themselves hopelessly stayed at home and awaited the time for the sun to shine.
A knock echoed through the corridor. "yes?!" Garnet chirped standing slowly and brushing herself off. Beatrix stepped past the door, "My queen." She bowed slightly and walked up the Garnet. "What did I tell you about being out there in the rain. Your going to catch a cold." She shut the balcony doors behind Garnet and walked her over to the bed.
"Well? Is there any news?" Garnet spoke silently. Beatrix looked worriedly at Garnet who's head was staring at the ground as if concentrating on making it move.. Beatrix pulled Garnet's chin up to look at her. "Are you alright? Are you sick?" Beatrix moved her chin this way and that searching her face as if looking for something.
"I'm fine. It's only the rain. Please just tell me what is going on." Beatrix dropped her hand and sighed. "Well, we've gained contact with an airship that seems to have made it past the outline of Alexandria and they're making their way here at the moment. That's the good news." Beatrix stood and tucked a sliver of hair behind her ears.
Garnet's mind burst into a field of excitement. ' Has Zidane come for me? Thank you gods!'
Garnet shook her head a little happier, "and the bad news?"
Beatrix put her hands on her hips, "well, it's possible they could not make it. They haven't passed any of the main storms so they could easily be wiped out or forced to turn around and for the other half it's official that the one who has come is not Zidane.. I'm sorry but it seems to be another person. The message he sent us was very blurred and scratchy so we couldn't figure out what he was saying most of the time but he got the point through. From the way the message was sent I'm guessing he's from Lindblum or at least somewhere around that area." Beatrix turned to see a distressed Garnet.
"Thank you for telling me, Beatrix. Is there anything else?" Garnet looked up at her and began to fiddle with her fingers in her lap.
Beatrix smiled, "Nothing more. That was all there was. But that is a lot compared to what we've had. Don't worry about anything Garnet. Have you ever heard that saying 'worry about nothing, pray about everything?' that is what we need now. Rest for now. Leave this up to us. Well, I'll be leaving you now. I'll come up if anything else is found out." And with that she was out the door. A faint shout came from the hallway,
"Remember Garnet! ' Worry about nothing! Pray about everything!!'" Beatrix smiled and rushed back down to the docks.
Garnet sighed and lay on her bed, "Worry about nothing.. pray about everything.. maybe she's right." Garnet closed her eyes filling her head with prayers for the safety of the stock ship and Zidane.
" How long did you say it normally takes to get to Alexandria?" the Master leader was standing beside the pilot with his arms crossed. He had beaten this Zidane everyone was in a huffle about. And he would be the first to Alexandria.. hehheh.. He would be the 'hero'.
"Usually about two or three days! Cap'n!" Saki answered loudly concentrating on steering.
The master smirked and chuckled, "hmm.. and why is that?"
Saki was silent for a moment but then spoke, "Well sir usually you'd want to go slow in a storm. That's why. And we're going a little too fast thanks to that guy. I'm still trying to slow us down but it's hard when you've got it going so fast." Saki was right. It was hard to make such a low powered ship to supposedly stop when it's going so fast.
The master narrowed his eyes, "Are you steering fine while going this fast?"
"Well, yes, I guess. Maybe if it were a little slower I could-"
The master interrupted her, "Keep going this fast if you can handle it. We must hurry to Alexandria. We don't want to keep her majesty waiting would we?" The Master blew hair from his face. Saki sighed. "Yes sir!" Saki kicked up the notch and sped up. The master's hands moved to his hips as he let out an uncontrolled laughter.
"Sir! You might want to sit down!" Saki shouted kicking the notch up more , 'I can prove I'm a better pilot then that boy with the tail. Perhaps I can catch the master's eye.'
Just as she requested him sitting he laughed saying he could handle it but when the ship jerked forward he flew back! Grabbing the chair arm that he fell on he pulled himself back up and dusted himself off. "phew..jeez.." He straightened his hair, shoulder harnesses, and cape then swooped his cape behind him and he was proud again.
"Told you." Saki smirked. The master narrowed his eyes at her, "What was that?!"
"Oh nothing sir! I said you sure told me! You handled that greatly!" Saki stuttered then sighed with relief when she saw him let off. He smiled and walked back up to her, "Can 'you' handle such speed? We are going very fast. We'll be heading for the worst of the storms soon."
The master gripped the rail that circled around the pilot's booth to keep steady and when he heard moans and groans outside the doorway he thought the other sailors got caught on the sudden boost forward as well.
"Yes sir. I can handle this speed and yes we are going very fast but very smoothly." Just as she said that there was a sudden jerk! The master flipped forward and pounded into the wood wall of the ship.
He bounced back up and rubbed his head, "Grrr!! You really need pilot lessons girl!!!!" Saki gritted her teeth pulling the ship back on course.
When the master turned he shouted, "The storms! How do you signal a red alert on this ship?! Tell everyone to prepare for the worst! It's going to get dangerous from here on out!"
The master ran to his chair and sat down. "Now! Listen to my instructions and we'll get out perfectly!" the master roared to Saki who was signaling the red alert and shouting into the mega phone to everyone. The master stood. " At this rate we'll be there in no time!!"
Nuiki screeched in delight when she saw a cool spring just ahead of her. She sat Zidane right next to it and threw her face in the fresh cool water. She took in as much as she could and then she took off Zidane 's straps, which were covering his wound. She did her best to clean it out and then washed the rags. Nuiki couldn't help thinking about the bullet in his chest. "How is he surviving? He's different from other people. And not only because of the tail." This made her laugh, she didn't know why because she had seen so many other akward creatures like hippo children and rat people…she couldn't exactly place the name of them though.
Nuiki retied the straps and gazed at Zidane 's baby face. He was such a sweet, gentle, and playful looking man. The strangest yet most beautiful looking locks of hair she'd ever seen. Sighing she patted his chest identifying that she was finished and she stared up at the sky. She could already see the moon. Or should she have said moons. Suddenly a bright light flashed far in the distance in the direction of Alexandria.
Shielding her eyes she quickly glanced down to a resting Zidane and quickly rushed to the next rock.
"What is that?!!" Nuiki couldn't imagine what it could've been… exhaust maybe, from the ship? No way! They couldn't use THAT must power.. How could Saki drive that fast.. Especially with a new person aboar-.. That man.. Master Leader, It's got to be him. She rushed back to Zidane and tossed him over her shoulder.
"We've got to hurry! I saw something!! Eerr ugh! All right, all settled!! Let 's hurry!" and with that she took off running! Her boots clomped on the rocky surface as she kept her balance running along faster and faster. Zidane 's head bumped along Nuiki 's back and even though he made only small clomped breathing noises. Nuiki had no time to think of that though, that man was up to something and she would figure it out.
Late into the night the light had faded. The only thing left was a thick black cloud hovering above them. Nuiki shivered and said, " That's a gigantic cloud.. Maybe I should stop. I still don't see Alexandria. It's probably behind that cloud… But it's to far away I can't tell." Nuiki took to more steps then looked back to Zidane.. Nuiki looked forward again and shook in the frigid air. She then sighed and walked over the to rock just at the base of the next hill. It was perfect for a resting place especially to hide under in a storm.
She leaned Zidane against a rock and then cuddled in her own jacket…
"It's really..c-c-cold. We'll freeze if we don't hurry." Nuiki's breath carried up in a fluffed ball of white, as did Zidane 's small breaths. It suddenly began to rain. Being under the rock made Nuiki feel better. If she were out there she'd be wet and even colder. Under the rock she was dry and only minorly cold.
Zidane 's mouth twitched and he let out a dry hack cough. Nuiki shot her eyes over to him , "Zidane? Are you awake? Helloo.." Nuiki gently leaned over and nudged him.
Zidane 's eyes slowly opened to a squint and he tried to focus them on a brighter reality instead of closed lids in his dreams.
The sound of rain filled Zidane 's ears making him think he was in his dream. So he shot up quickly and jerked his arms forward, "GARNET!!" then he suddenly fell back again and began to breath heavily. Nuiki, who was in shock at his shout was against the rock with wide eyes. " Zidane? Are..are you okay?"
Zidane opened his eyes and looked to his left, "Who are y--? Where's Garnet?" Zidane looked puzzled. Nuiki was even more shocked at this , "You mean you.. don't remember me? From the ship? Zidane.. it's me Nuiki!!" Nuiki took Zidane 's shoulders and shook him.
Zidane 's eyes narrowed, The stock ship. You're from the stock ship… what happened? Where are we?" A sharp pain surged through his chest. "UGH!" He crouched over and held his chest with his hands. Nuiki reached out but he gently knocked her hand away.
Drawing his hand in front of his face he was surprised to see blood. "What?!"
Nuiki sighed, "I guess I should change the bandages again.. The blood is bleeding through." Nuiki began to untie his straps as she leaned him carefully against the rock.
Zidane still stared at his hand, "Why am I bleeding?" Nuiki took off the last strap.
"You mean you don't remember?" Nuiki laid his straps out in the rain.
Zidane laid his head back and closed his eyes in hope of decreasing his increasing headache. "What is there to remember? I can't think. My head is killing me. And my dreams trouble me."
Nuiki sighed, " You must have slight amnesia. You were shot.. it was an attempted murder. I saved you. And now I'm going to take you to Alexandria if.. you don't mind. I need to find out what is going on." Nuiki crawled over to the straps laying outside and she squeezed out the blood.Zidane's mind seemed at a loss at the moment.He was completely focused on the sliding and flushing blood that gushed from the stripped pieces of cloth. Returning to Zidane to tie them back on,she saw from the corner of her eye that he nodded in confirmination.
"Yes. We have to go there. Garnet…" Zidane sighed and relaxed letting Nuiki 's hands fold around him and back tying his bandages on. Nuiki frowned when she was done, "I forgot about you not having a shirt before I tore up yours. You'll be cold."
"I'll be fine." Zidane shivered swiftly and coughed, "When do we leave?"
"As soon as you're better." Nuiki smiled and looked out at the worsening sky.Zidane sighed and looked toward the side watching as the rain fell and the breeze flowing through the branches of the trees.Then to himself he thought,"That is not soon enough..My Garnet..Whereever she may be in that kingdom..is in trouble.I can feel it.I worry for what may happen.I don't remember much but an evil cackle in my mind..That cackle that..annoying laughter...It will cause her trouble..My dreams..my nightmares..my nightmare..it must be real..Nothing i've ever dreamed was so realistic."
Nuiki glanced at Zidane watching his eyes wonder.An emotionless face is what he held.But inside he must be worried..Zidane blinked and looked back at her,"We have got to go.I can't wait.It's driving me mad.My head hurts and my chest hurts but my heart hurts..I feel like i've witnessed something horrible and I cant remember!Please lets go now Miss Nuiki."
Nuiki looked worried at him,"But.But you are injured.I ...I cant allow this."
Zidane narrowed his eyes,"I don't have to stay with you,you know.Besides it'd be best to leave.My wound will not heal here..Is the bullet still in my chest?! That's not going to heal very well!"
Nuiki looked at him surprised,"I..I guess you are right..we should go."
Zidane stood up hurriedly and knocked his head on the rock,"AAH!ouch!ooo!"He threw himself back down rubbing his head,small tears forming in his eyes,"oooo."
Nuiki giggled,"well.If you can't even stand cautously then you really shouldn't be running off to save your girlfriend.."
Zidane growled at Nuiki and stood up slowly this time.He made his first attempt to step out from under to large protruding stone.
Rain clattered on the stones of the Alexanderia hills,the sound was a vibrant chitter.The water fell from the sky hard and with big fat rain droplets making his head a sudden water fall of small droplets rushing off the stringy strands of his head.
His eyes felt a slight sting as he glanced out at the cloudy night.
When he stood completely out from the rock and was used to his surrounding area he turned back to Nuiki taking in a deep breath engulfing his senses with every ficture of rain,"Well I'm ready now.Are you?"
Nuiki smiled and shook her head,"You are certainly different than any man i've ever seen that had only been shot in the chest earlier in the day."She said with humor ducking to be out of the slight shadow of the rock and out into the rainy open area.
Zidane flinched as he remembered the pain in his chest,"well.I guess.I'm not excactly what you'd call your average guy.."
Nuiki laughed at this,"According to you have a tail.." Zidane laughed with her but then became serious again,"Let us go now.We cannot keep stalling."
Garnet breathed in while dreaming about the final peace of her land..
"Mmm..ye-s final peace...has..been restored.."She smiled and breathed in heavily taking in a mouthful of her comforter.Her eyes shot open and she quickly sat herself up looking down at her bed.A small puddle of drool was left where her mouth was once,
"I..I.drooled..was it just a dream?All of it?A dream?"
Garnet threw herself off the bed and ran to her balcony throwing the curtens back and pushing the doors open,"Was it all a dream?!" She shouted and rushed outside in such a hurry that she had to catch herself on the railing of the balcony.She stared out at the pouring rain and now a darker blue sky with black clouds.She bit her lip and glanced down at the two gaurds standing under the balcony below to keep out of the rain.
"It was just a dream.How silly of me to actually believe that Zidane had returned and peace from these storms was recovered..but this all makes me come back to the thought that I must marry soon.Zidane had returned in my dream and we..we married.But Zidane has not returned yet.I am so worried.Why hasn't he returned.Why do I long for him even more now than before?It's like something is going to happen.Something is going to..no!I will not believe it!This rain will go away and he will come back and..and!"Garnet gulped and breathed in slowly regaining her sanity.
Just then a bright light flashed across the sky and then wandered around the kingdom.Faint voices could be heard shouting amongst the docks.Garnet couldn't make out what they were saying so she ran back into her room and shut the doors.
Making her way down the stairs she ran into many soldiers who were on their way up the stairs.After being knocked by so many she decided to ask one for news about what was going on.As a girl soldier passed her,Garnet reached out and grabbed the soldier's arm,"Excuse me,Miss, but what is happening?"
The soldier soluted and excitedly,"We are preparing the dock of the first stock ship to make it passed the storms!"She smiled broadly as she bowed and took off up the stairs.
Just then Garnet completely forgot everything about what Beatrix had told her about it not being Zidane.She felt a sudden burst of happiness overflow her body as she ran faster down the steps stumbling on her gown with a brilliant imagery of how Zidane would make an entrance on the stockship acting like he was a great hero..Oh how he would be leaning out of the ramp door with half of himself out and half in with his hand spread out wide followed by his leg.His broad smile of victory brightning his face and his clothing and hair blowing in the storm's winds.She couldn't wait to feel the warmth of his arms fold around her knowing he was safe and everyone could breathe their first breath of relief...
*End of chapter 4*