Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 9 belongs to Squaresoft.

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Something's Scaring Eiko

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Eiko stared at the twin moons as she sat by the window. She was thinking of Zidane. She thought about the time when Zidane rescued her from being eaten by Quina. She didn't want to think about Zidane and Dagger getting married. Then she sighed, "Maybe this is destined by fate," she said, "maybe Zidane and Dagger are really meant for each other." She stood up and went out of her room. She sneaked out of the castle and went to town. The whole place was quiet and peaceful. Everybody was sleeping soundly. Then she heard some footsteps; she hid behind one of the empty fruit carts in the corner. The footsteps were getting louder. Eiko decided to see who it was and saw a young boy about her age carrying a bag trying to sneak out of the city.

"And where do you think you're going?" asked Eiko as she went out from her hiding place. The boy dropped the bag that he was carrying and bottles of potions, antidotes, echo screen, and eye drops fell out. A few apples also rolled at the ground. "Here," Eiko said as she picked up one of the apples from the ground and gave it to him. The boy stared at her for a while before he took the apple from her hand. "What? Is there something on my face?" asked Eiko.

"No, it's cause that I kinda saw your face before," said the boy.

"Must be your imagination," said Eiko.

"Yeah, must be," said the boy.

"Anyway, with the looks of the things that you carry, you must be trying to run away from home," said Eiko. The boy sat down at one of the doorsteps of the house beside him. Eiko followed him and sat down beside him.

"It's none of your business," said the boy.

"I know, but do you have any money with you?" asked Eiko.

"Well, I have 290 gil with me," said the boy.

"What?! You're going to run away from home with only 290 gil! How do you think you can survive out there with only that small amount of money? Do you even think that you can handle those monsters out there?" Eiko asked.

"M-monsters?! Nobody told me that there are monsters out there," said the boy surprised.

"Never mind. Just tell me the reason why you wanna run away," said Eiko.

"I don't know. Maybe cause I want to make my parents worried. They're meanies you know cause they made me cry," said the boy. "I also took most of the things that they sell so that I can sell them and make money for myself."

Eiko shook her head and said, "You're very lucky you know. You have parents who care for you. I don't have any parents cause they died when I was very young. My grandpa took care of me but he also died, that's why my only friends are the moogles," said Eiko.

"Was it hard living on your own?" asked the boy.

"A little," said Eiko, "but I have parents now since I was adopted and I really love them, that's why I'm not going to run away like you. Your parents love you that's why they do some things that make us cry," said Eiko.

"They do? So that's what sis keep on telling me 'bout," said the boy. "To yell you the truth, I don't really wanna run away now, I'm going home," said the boy as he stood up and started to head back home.

"How rude! Not even a single goodnight," said Eiko. She walked at the dark streets again. "I wish I could escape reality so that I won't know anything about Zidane and Dagger's wedding," Eiko told herself. Suddenly, she heard a voice.

"I can help you if you want."

"Who's there," Eiko asked. She turned around but saw nothing. Eiko began to run as fast as she could.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. I just want to grant your wish."

"No, I don't need your help," Eiko said as she continued to run. She kept on running until she reached the castle and entered her room. She locked the door of her room. Then, she saw something glitter at her table. She went near it and saw a flute. But it was different, it was longer than most of the flute she owned. Both ends of the flute were shaped like a star and were very sharp. Eiko admired it. She wondered who left it there.

"Like it? You can have it if you want. It can do a heavy amount of damage unlike an ordinary flute."

Eiko dropped the flute. "I don't want it," she said even if she knew that deep inside she wanted it. "I just want you to show yourself," said Eiko.

"Stubborn little girl! …Fine!"

Suddenly, the whole place was full of smoke. Eiko couldn't see a thing.

Author's Note: Why didn't anyone answer my question? So, was it good? This is also a mother's day special (I think). Eiko isn't totally the villain here; the evil spirit'll possess her. So don't think of her as the true villain. Peace to those Eiko lovers out there. I don't hate her! Honest. It's just that she's a bit like my younger sister, that's all.