Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue.

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A/N: Hey all please make sure to drop off a review, thank you! By the way, I just got a Deviant Art account and a new digital camera, so I will probably be putting up a few pictures of my fan fic characters, namely Ipsen and Spark. The address for my gallery is http://kikinak.deviantart.com. Please visit! I have a few pictures up already; one is an icon of a heartless from Kingdom Hearts! Tis fun!

~NeoNaoNeo

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Chapter 3: Coming to Terms

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"So....Kuja is still alive," Freya muttered contemptuously. All eight, Zidane, Garnet, Eiko, Steiner, Vivi, Freya, Ipsen and Robin, were standing outside the church in a huddle, discussing their plans of action. Zidane nodded and put his hands on his hips, a commanding tone entering his voice as he explained a plan he had concocted.

"What Kuja's done was unacceptable," he started off. "After I saved his life...."

"YOU saved him!?" Eiko scowled. "How could you!?"

"I would have done the same thing in his situation," Zidane shrugged. "But this...we're stopping him once and for all."

"Okay, so what's our plan?" Robin put in.

"Well, we know Kuja doesn't have the four crystals," Garnet started. "So I say Robin, Eiko, Freya and I go off to find them."

"But what are we going to do about Kuja?" Ipsen asked.

"Me, Steiner, you and Vivi will go to the Ice Cavern and make sure he doesn't come out alive," Zidane continued, picking up on his wife's plan. Vivi and Steiner nodded in agreement.

"But what are we going to do when we get the crystals?" Robin pointed out.

"We'll bring them back to the castle and keep them under surveillance," Garnet answered. "Freya? Do you think your king has an airship we can borrow?"

Freya nodded. "I will see." she said and walked off.

"What are we going to do about the black mages?" Vivi said, looking to the church.

"The clerics already agreed to take care of them until we get back," Eiko answered, patting him on the back, nearly knocking him over.

"Ow! That hurt," Vivi muttered, rubbing his shoulder. Eiko laughed and hugged him.

"Oh, you know I didn't mean it!" Eiko said with a chuckle. Vivi blushed as Eiko set him down. Freya came back, spear at hand and called to the group.

"He said it was alright, but we can only use one," Freya said. "We can depart immediately."

She began walking back toward the castle, the group started following after her in a disjointed fashion. Vivi tugged on Ipsen's coat. "Ipsen, hold on. I-I need to talk to you."

The waltz stopped and looked to the ground in an ashamed fashion. "Look, dad. I-I'm sorry. I don't hate you, I was just mad. You were right."

"I hate it when I'm right," Vivi muttered. "You wouldn't have gone off if I hadn't yelled. I know I haven't....haven't been the best dad..."

Ipsen couldn't say anything. He had always felt Vivi had held somewhat of a silent, masked disdain for him, but he could tell Vivi was being honest. He was truly sorry and had come to accept terms. Ipsen smiled and, in a quick swipe, lifted Vivi off the ground in a hug, the goofy smile apparent in his eyes. "Aw! I love you too dad!"

Vivi laughed and struggled slightly. "Why is everyone doing this to me today?" Vivi muttered as Ipsen set him down.

"I dunno, but if we wanna go with everyone, we had better hurry up," Ipsen said and shook out his wings, the feathers starting to get damp in the rain.

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The airship was very small and cramped, the steam engine had to be one of the first invented, being so old and unstable. The wooden frame was rickety and creaked loudly at the smallest disturbance. The eight huddled together in the storage room, a very cramped and uncomfortable fit.

"Ow! That's my wing!" Ipsen complained, trying to shift his appendages in a more accommodating position.

"And THAT'S my tail!" Robin grumbled to Eiko.

"No, I think that's mine..." Zidane said, rolling his shoulders uncomfortably. Freya opened the door to go up on deck and motioned to the rest of the group. Everyone followed, except Vivi and Eiko.

"I-I'll stay down here..." Vivi murmured and sat down on a crate. Eiko looked to everyone else.

"Me too, I'll keep Vivi company," Eiko said with a smile and sat beside him.

"Suit yourself," Zidane shrugged and headed up on deck.

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Ipsen sighed and watched the scenery creep below them. His wings were too damp at this point for him to fly beside the airship, so this was the next best thing. The air smelled heavily of the moisture and dew, a calming smell that made him feel unusually tranquil. Robin walked up behind him.

"Hey Ipsen," she greeted.

"Oh, hi," he replied and looked up. There was a large plume of smoke billowing on the horizon, growing from the flames in Lindblum. "What the...? What happened!? W-we have to go..."

"You attacked Lindblum, with the black mages," Robin said. "Vivi told me about it."

"B-but how? I don't remember! I-I couldn't have...." Ipsen stammered.

Robin bit her lip and nodded. "You did."

"No..." Ipsen muttered.

Robin eased her hand into his. "You were being controlled, you didn't mean to." she coaxed.

"That still doesn't make it right," Ipsen murmured.

Robin sighed and put her head on Ipsen's arm, still holding his hand gently. She smiled. "Well, you're gonna go kick his ass, right?"

"That's the plan," Ipsen chuckled.

"Give him hell for me, alright?" Robin requested.

"Alright," Ipsen agreed.

"You promise?"

"You know I can't keep promises," Ipsen chuckled and looked in her beautiful brown eyes, running his knuckle on her cheek affectionately.

"What do you mean?" Robin asked.

"Remember when we were younger, about six?" Ipsen said and looked at the horizon. Robin nodded.

"Yeah, you said you would tell me as soon as you got a girlfriend," Robin shrugged.

"And that if I loved a girl, I would tell her right away," Ipsen continued. Robin was watching him curiously, wondering who he was talking about. Ipsen turned back, meeting Robin's expectant gaze. "I love you."

"I love you too." Robin returned. Ipsen wrapped his arm around her waist, spreading a wing slightly behind her. Robin smiled and continued to lean on his arm. The dark, billowing smoke was dyed purple by the rosy sunset, making a beautiful and harmonious contrast. The waltz sighed; wanting to hold Robin in his arms forever, but knew they would have to be leaving one another soon. "So, I guess you're not gonna give Kuja hell for me then, huh?"

"Well....I suppose I will," Ipsen chuckled.

"Just don't get yourself killed, okay?" Robin muttered.

"Oh come on, you're just saying that now because..."

"Hey, I would have said that anyways Ipsen," Robin scolded playfully and yanked the brim of Ipsen's hat down over his eyes. The airship began to descend towards Ice Cavern. Robin smiled and gave Ipsen a peck on the cheek, causing him to go red. The waltz pushed him hat up and looked at Robin. Both were caught in one another's eyes as they leaned toward each other slowly, lips pursed for another, more intimate, kiss.

Just then, the airship jerked forward, nearly throwing Ipsen off board. Robin had fallen face flat on the deck, as had many of the other passengers. Ipsen laughed and helped her up.

"I guess we're here," Ipsen said. "Well, I see you later."

Robin giggled. "Okay, be careful," she told him. Ipsen raised his staff slightly.

"Don't worry about me," he chuckled and returned Robin's small kiss.

"Yo lovebirds!" Zidane called from the ground, waving to his daughter and Ipsen. "Get a room, eh?"

Steiner shook his head and muttered, "I can't believe he's the king of Alexandria."

"Dad!" Robin shouted, her tail's fur bristling like a cat's. Ipsen laughed as he flapped off the deck, holding the moon adorned staff in one hand.

"Bye Robin!" he called with a wave.

"Bye! Give Kuja a kick in the nuts for me!" she requested with a chuckle.

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A/N: AW COME ON!!! I HAVE to have some kind of kissy face thing in here! I think its cute ((yes, cute!)) how Ipsen is finally confessing his true feelings for Robin.

~NeoNaoNeo