Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. The Thanksgiving Holidays have slowed my updating schedule down. So…tomorrow Dream Weaver's final chapter will be up. Oh and Chapter 9 is affected by the vote. Before I get started, let me tell you what the situation is: Kuja's well…halfway drunk, Kirika's unaware and jealousy runs rampant among the young female Treno nobles.
Sosei, Reincarnation's Sequel
Chapter 8-Weird Jealousy
Treno, City of Nobles
Kirika:
When I walked into Totetsumonari Kyuuden, I noticed that it was intact and peaceful. Miracles do exist. Garnet poked her head around the corner curiously. I smiled softly and pulled my cloak off.
"It's too quiet in here. Where's Zidane and Kuja?" I asked.
"Out drinking, I guess."
I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. It didn't take much for Kuja to get drunk and it didn't take long for him to become a mean drunk either.
"Ah, so where is everyone else?" I asked.
"Kirei's out for a walk and Myou's back at his office."
Hmm…his office? I knew where that was. I was feeling much better now that the sickness had passed. I had so many things to do now: walk Amaranthine, take care of Kuja, find literature and talk to Myou. I slipped my cloak back on and opened the door.
"I'm going out for a while, Garnet. Call me if you need me."
And with that, I ventured outside. It was snowing lightly again and the wind was nearly still but lightly blowing. I headed back to the dragon pens and opened the gates. Silver was curled up under the shelter dead asleep. Amaranthine was halfway awake and curled up on a patch of ground the snow didn't touch.
"Come on, Amaranthine," I whispered.
The dragon shook herself lightly and got up to her feet. She yawned for a moment or two and padded out of the pen. I swung up on her back and motioned for her to continue on. I was pretty sure the governing house of Treno was somewhere in the center of Treno. I steered Amaranthine down onto the main street, ignoring the stares of the public. At last, I swung down onto the ground just a few yards away from the office.
"Go find Kuja and Zidane," I muttered, patting her side roughly.
My pet dragon growled and padded away, snorting at every noble that went past. Score: Amaranthine: 1, Nobles: 0. Dragons truly are wonderful creatures, I thought as I walked inside the building. It was brightly lit inside the front foyer and there was a circle of women inside of it. Funny…now I felt uncomfortable.
"Are you here for Myou?"
I blinked.
"I'm here to see him, yes," I answered timidly. One of the women motioned to an empty seat in front of me. I sat down gingerly, content to rest for a little while. But there was one thing still bothered me: the claims about Myou.
"So, what are you here for?" I asked.
"To see Myou, of course. He's the only man in Treno that's single and rich."
Like hell he was.
"He's not single. He has a soul mate already, your too late," I said carefully.
If these girls were smart, they would detect the hint in my sentence.
"You've got to be lying. But if it is true, who's the lucky girl?"
Sharp, indeed.
"It's me."
I smirked, knowing what was coming next: insults.
"You? Are you serious? You're Sir Kuja's daughter and that does not make you a noble."
"Jealousy eats at your hearts," I hissed, pointing at each and every one of them.
The looks they gave me would have killed half of Lindblum off, but I didn't care. I was tired of the noble's attitude, but before I could say something, the door on the other side of the room open. Myou poked his head out, blinking in confusion.
"Kirika, there you are. I was just about to get one of these lazy girls out to send for you."
It was hard to keep the smirk off of my face after that entire conversation. Nevertheless, I got up from the chair and crossed the room quickly.
"Are you feeling much better?" Myou asked.
"For now. Nothing a little rest and warmth couldn't heal."
"I'll return to Totetsumonari Kyuuden soon, but in the meantime relax and rest."
Heh…you didn't have to tell me twice.
Kuja:
If Zidane actually expected me to drink with him, then he was surely mistaken. However, I did want to drink at least one thing. (Just for the effect of being stoned.) There were too many things going on in Treno that concerned us. I sat down at the bar next to Zidane, being extremely careful not to reveal anymore of my appearance than necessary. Not everyone liked my presence in Treno, especially as a result of two years ago. Kirika had definitely atoned for her mistakes now, but people often less than forgiving.
"Red wine," I whispered in Zidane's ear.
He nodded and motioned to the barkeep. I leaned back and focused on the sounds around me.
Kirika:
I found myself on Terra once again, only this time it was filled with trees and animals. It was starting to look just like Gaia. I couldn't believe it! So this is what my heart could cultivate on my own.
"Terra is growing full with energy Kirika! Soon the Shimmering Island will open again and the souls will flow!"
I smiled at the little girl softly and stretched out along the ground. Instead of hard metallic ground, there was a thin layer of grass underneath me.
"Does this mean everything's ok?" I asked.
The girl shook her head.
"My warning still stands. You have a child growing inside you, Kirika. Because you are a genome and because you possess the Life Crystal, it will grow quickly just giving you two months of pregnancy. Keep it safe…please."
Just two months…that could put me in danger. But still…it wouldn't 'hurt'.
"You have my word as an expectant mother."
The girl smiled.
"Till me meet again, Kirika."
I snapped awake, lazily rubbing my eyes. My vision blurred and then straightened up altogether, giving me a nice image of Myou. He pulled the screen from around my bed and kissed me softly.
"Good evening, dear," He whispered.
I smiled.
"Glad to see your name."
"So you think you're well enough to go out for a formal affair?"
A formal affair? Hmm…maybe.
"But I don't have the dress for it. Most of my clothes are in Alexandria," I protested.
Myou kissed me again and pulled me out of bed.
"Don't worry, Garnet and I have it handled. Just go see her."
I couldn't resist him. Besides, it wouldn't kill me to go out properly dressed.
"Ok."
I walked out of the room and down the main hallway of Totetsumonari Kyuuden. Garnet was waiting for me at the end of the hallway with a big smile on her face.
"Come on, we've got to get you ready.'
"What about Kuja, Zidane and Kirei?" I asked.
"They will be there."
I wasn't sure about that. Zidane + Kuja + alcoholic beverages = Trouble, always. Nevertheless, I walked inside the room and gazed at the most beautiful dress on Gaia. It was sort of like a bedroom dress with little diamonds all over it. The sleeves were kimono-like in length and they were also studded with little diamonds as well. Not only that, the dress itself was a pale shade of red.
"Wow."
"Come on, go put it on."
I rolled my eyes at Garnet and went behind the changing screen. After five minutes, I had it on, remarking at how light it felt. I stepped out from behind the screen and slipped into the shoes Garnet had waiting out for me. Perfect. Garnet handed me a brush and two star shaped earrings. I took them and sighed. One quick brush set my hair straight and down my shoulder and it didn't take much to put the earrings in. As I walked out of Garnet's room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. This reminded me of the Neo Lindblum Ball: how I was pampered before I showed myself on the ballroom floor. Ah…good memories. Good memories.
"Kirika."
I blinked and looked at Myou, who was dressed in a red suit.
"Hmm…you look good," I purred, edging close enough to plant a small kiss on his lips.
"Ah, but you aren't finished dressing yet."
Huh? Not finished? But I had everything on.
"Everything but this."
Myou turned me around and put a diamond necklace around my neck.
"It's beautiful," I gasped.
"I overheard the girls talking about you earlier. I hope they didn't insult you."
I snorted.
"They are just jealous, that's all. I don't worry about things like that."
"Let's make them even more jealous."
Treno, City of Nobles
Kuja:
I was glad to leave the tavern Treno was so known for. I admit, the wine was excellent, but I much rather see my daughter with Myou. They made a great couple, but I could see that Kirika was a little unsure about something. I had learned how to predict and uncover her moods so perfectly that she couldn't hide much from me.
"Are they here yet?" Zidane asked.
"No, not yet, but I doubt they'll be late."
"Late? Who's late?"
I whipped around only to glance in astonishment at my daughter, Kirika Tribal and Myou. Together they looked perfect, absolutely perfect.
"I'm jealous," I whispered.
Kirika laughed lightly and hugged me.
"There's no need for jealousy, just for pride."
Myou led her away slowly, giving her time for waves and greetings. My daughter had truly grown wise beyond her years and this proved it. I wasn't sure if I had taught her most of what she learned. Or maybe life took care of the holes I left behind. In the years that Kirika's been around me, I knew her main goal was love. And Iifa has answered her prayers. I couldn't help but notice that she was swaying a lot.
"Something's wrong," Zidane whispered.
I'm not stupid, Zidane. But the fact that he could notice it alarmed me. She was just speaking normally just a few moments anyway. So what could have issued such a change?
Mikoto:
I dropped the pouch and breathed sigh of relief. For a moment, I thought this mission would fail. My children were good, but not that good. They had tried their best to lace Kirika's food, but the confusion and activity frightened them. I watched with a smile as Kirika began to stumble in the middle of the floor.
"Go down, dear child. Fall."
And she did. Rather roughly I might add. As the crowd gathered around the fallen genome, I made my exit.
"Enjoy your gift, Kirika."