A/N: well, this is my first FF9 story and I've put a lot of thought and planning into it, this is the first story of three, and hopefully the readers will enjoy the story. There are a few OC's in the story- though each characters either OC or the original characters each have a part. Also the story may get a little weird- but trust me I know what I'm doing.
Disclaimer: wish I owned Final fantasy- but I don't! enough said.
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Two cloaked figures walked through the small village of Conde Petie, both of their faces hidden in shadow. Though it was obvious one was a small woman and the other a man- just a little taller, the woman was holding a small bundle securely in her arms. Normally two cloaked people would have caused people to stare in curiosity, but not in this town. No one seemed neither curious nor suspicious they greeted the two people pleasantly and went about their business,
" I hate this town!" the man muttered, his voice dripping with distasted.
" I know, I know! But we're only passing through" the young woman said her voice calm, and a little amused.
They walked passed the small market and made there way towards the town entrance, where a pair of twins greeted them, both looking cheery as they let the two people past.
" Are you happy now, we're out of that 'retched' town, as you call It." the young woman said, pulling her hood down revealing: shoulder length ebony hair streaked with honey brown, and sparkling amber eyes, her face was a round-dish shape and pale, save for her rosy cheeks.
" It's okay, you can pull you're hood down now, there's no one around." she said fixing her eyes upon her companion.
He did so, his silver hair blowing in the wind and his blue eyes observing his surroundings. Kuja breathed a small sigh of weariness, and raked a hand through his silvery hair.
" I don't see why you won't let us go on an air cab, it would be less tiresome," he said fixing his blue eyes upon the young woman; she looked at him as if he were crazy.
" I hate Airship's and anything to do with 'em," she stated calmly, securing her hold on the small sleeping bundle. (You would two if what happened to me, happened to you) she though turning her eyes to the mass of landscape before them, true it would be faster of they caught an Air cab- but she really didn't want to ride one again, in her life.
" You have to be awkward don't you, Kazumi."
" Sure. Whatever, lets just go… I don't wonna miss this for the world" Kazumi said mapping out there course in her mind, by tomorrow they'd reach Lindblum- if they hurried and then the fun would start. The carnival was the perfect place to find some action, if only she knew how right she was.
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" Hey, happy birthday Eiko!" Zidane cheered walking in the room, behind the queen of Alexandria. The whole gang had reunited to celebrate Eiko's tenth birthday. Quina had baked her a big cake- though Amarant had wondered if it was in fact edible and didn't have frog's inside. Vivi had travelled from Black mage village with Mikoto (Mr 31 and 41 were looking after his kids.) Freya and Fratley were there too both looking very happy (though Fratley was still having trouble remembering things from his past.) And Steiner and Betrix were present both escorting the queen and her fiancé Zidane. And finally Lani was somewhere in town, though what she was doing no one really knew.
Hilda and Cid had arranged a big carnival to celebrate there adopted daughter's birthday, though the carnival wasn't to start until the next day. The entertainment was being arranged by Baku and his boys- Zidane had also heard two of his Tantalus sisters were in town helping Baku- he hadn't seen them in so long, even Ruby was in town that left only one girl missing, though she had left Tantalus nearly six or seven years ago, she and the other two (Akira and Raina) made headquarters in Treno, where Baku and the other guys often visited.
" Zidane! Garnet! Oh it's so good to see you" Eiko exclaimed smiling brightly, she looked happy living with the regent and Hilda and for that Garnet and Zidane were both glad- she'd lived alone for so long, but now she finally had a place to call home.
" So how have ya all been?" Zidane asked scratching the back of his head.
" Busy, the reconstruction of Bermicia is finally finished, though it'll never been the same" Freya said a dark look crossing her face, as she remembered three years ago.
Fratley gave her hand a gentle squeeze of comfort and her expression softened.
" We're very well" Fratley said with a small nod.
" Not too bad, though life's quite boring these days." Amarant grunted, as usual.
" How bout you guys?" Zidane asked looking over at Vivi and his younger sister.
"I'm doing good, so are my kids they wanted to come but they have lessons to attend" Vivi answered sounding more confidant, than before.
" I'm finding this world very strange, but I'm okay." Mikoto said calmly, gazing out of the open window.
" Enough about how we're doing, how are the soon to be wed couple doing?" Hilda asked. Garnet blushed deeply at her words.
" Very well thank you," she said politely.
The door opened quietly and Quina walked in, looking very pleased with himself, he opened his mouth to speak, but never had the chance as a loud voice suddenly yelled out.
" Aaaah! Geez watch out!" the warning came to late, and Quina was knocked onto the floor followed by a blur of strawberry blond hair, the strawberry blond landed on the floor in a heap next to the poor Qu and she groaned rubbing her lower back.
" Gee, I'm really sorry…are ya okay?" she asked peering into Quina's dazed face, looking concerned.
" Quina is fine, really! See" he stood up and chuckled " Quina is okay." he helped the young woman up and then walked over to the table and sat down next to Vivi.
" Damn that hurt! That was so not cool!" she shot turning to the doorway, where blank walked in followed by Marcus and a pale haired girl, they were all howling with laughter. Making the strawberry blond pout and stick out her tongue.
" You're all mean, stop laughing at me!" she said glaring at them, in what she though was a menacing glare, however it looked more like puppy dog eyes and sent the others into more howls of laughter.
" Just face it Raina you're too clumsy for your own good." the pale haired young woman laughed playfully. Her bright green eyes shining with tears of mirth.
" Hey guys!" Zidane chirped, chuckling at his friend's antics.
" Oh, hi Zidane didn't see ya there." Raina smiled rubbing her head.
" Hiya, long time not see eh! And you're gonna be king soon…erm wait that's kinda scary" the pale haired girl teased wiggling a finger at him.
" Akira's right it's scary, but really cool." Blank laughed agreeing with his girlfreind.
" Hey! Stop poking fun at him, I think he'll be a good king." Raina said trying her best to glare, and thus sending the group of thiefs into more howls of laughter.
" Hey, Raina how you doing?" Eiko pipped up, walking over to her friend and helping her up from the floor.
" Not too bad, so birthday girl what do ya wonna do today?"
" Not sure, how about we go look around town." Eiko suggested, pulling the strawberry blond out of the room before she could even open her mouth to speak.
" Be careful dear, and don't be too late home" Hilda called after the two,
" Bye mother, bye father…. I'll be back soon okay guys." came the distant reply from the ten year old.
" They seem to get on well." Fraya observed.
" Yes Raina, Akira and the boys have been like brothers and sisters to Eiko, if she's not in the casle she's at Baku's place, we were worried at first but we know they'll look out for her." Hilda said smiling fondly at the three newcomers.
" Without you guys here, Eiko began to get lonely. Though I know she's happy you're all here." Cid explained softly.
Blank, Marcus and Akira pulled out some packages and handed them to Hilda.
" These are Eiko's presents from us, there's one from Baku and Raina, but just becaful with Riana's" Akira said, and the large pakage gave a small shudder.
" Oh, what is it dear." Hilda asked shakily, looking worried.
" Nothing dangerous!" Marcus assured.
" She'll love it, for two weeks now all she's been doing is cooing to them, so Raina decided to get her one." Blank said taking hold of Akira's hand.
" Right how about we get down to some serious planing." Cid clapped, brining everyone's attention. " We'll make this carnival one Eiko will remember."
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" Damn it, it just had to rain. Didn't it." Kazumi burst out angrily, her hair and clothes dripping wet. The two companions stood under a large cluster of trees for shelter. Hoping the downpour would end soon. Kazumi held the small bundle close to her chest, gently shielding it from the droplets of rain- it moved slowly and gave a tiny yawn before settling down once again.
" Let's just head for the nearest town." Kuja offered, pushing his feathers from his face. He glared at the dark rain clouds and pulled his cloak tighter around his body for warmth. His tail swished at his feet in irritation.
" That would be Treno…oh man," Kazumi groaned, memories flooding their way back into her head, damn it had sure been a long time- nearly six years…did they still live there, oh course they did! Where else would they live? Besides Lindblum.
" Hey, do you still own that auction house?" Kazumi quired, eyeing Kuja curiously.
" Of course, but we can't go there. I don't want people knowing I'm alive…yet," he said softly, sounding unlike his usual narcissistic self, he sounded nervous and a little scared. Kazumi had never heard him sound so unlike his self, though they'd known each other about four years, after all she had lived near his desert palace, and when they had first met- well let's just say Kuja hadn't been in good shape.
After his escape from the Ifa tree, he'd left Zidane when the second angle of death was sleeping, and somehow, by a miracle made his way to desert palace. He wondered how Zidane was doing, and he wasn't looking forward to the carnival- Kazumi had practically made him go, and she was scary when angry. Even Kuja felt a little fear.
" Don't worry I know just the place, where we can crash. I just hope the girls are home" Kazumi muttered, wipping her hair from her eyes. " C'mon let's get going," she said grabbing his hand.
As they both walked into the open the bundle gave a small cry, tiny little hands clutched to Kazumi's cloak, holding tightly for comfort. Kazumi peered down at her sons face a soft smile titling her lips, teary blue eyes gazed up at her curiously and the child's head tilted to the side, his cry's stopped and were replaced by a small giggle.
" You find this funny, don't you?" Kazumi smiled; in response the child gave another giggle of glee.
" We should hurry, before it rains harder- we don't want him to catch a cold." Kuja said peering down at the child.
The ebony haired woman looked up at her companion and nodded. " Yeah let's go." and with that they hurriedly made their way to the dark city Treno.
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Right, well that's the first chapter done. So please let me know what you think, most characters have a part, and this is the first story of three. I'd also like to say that because of the lack of reviews from my other stories, I wouldn't update until I have at least three reviews.
~Lady Leah~
