Shana: Mmm, Samoas cookies….Thanks Tania—I mean, Lerena Sage. I'm not mad anymore…
Kuja: Before everyone can talk forever, I'll just say it. To the fic!
Two years had passed since I first Mikane. She was my everything. My whole world. She and I did everything together. I was an eight-year-old and, I protected her from the village boys by hurting them when they threatened her. I could get them back by using magic. It was something new I had learned. But there was someone who not even I could protect her from. Garland. After the success of his second Angel, he became strangely violent. Now I didn't get beatings from other boys, who had learned to leave my sister and me alone, I got them from Garland. It still didn't matter to me. All I cared about was what he did to Mikane when he summoned her to his office. In fact, that was where she was now.
I continued leaning against the wall outside his door. He wouldn't keep her in there much longer…I hoped. She refused to tell me what happened in there. I always tried to contact her, but she blocked me off.
Mikane? Mikane? Answer me. I pleaded.
Kuja, don't worry, I'm coming out. She responded.
I sighed in relief. Once we had found out we could converse mentally, we always kept in touch. I was just glad she was okay. The door slowly creaked open. Mikane stumbled out, shutting it behind her. She was very pale and damp with sweat. She wearily looked over at me.
Too tired to say it physically, she said mentally, See…I'm fine…don't worry…
Mikane collapsed. I jumped forward and caught her before she hit the floor.
"Shh, shh," I whispered, "I've got you, Mika."
I carried her back to our room. It wasn't too much of a strain considering she was half my height. She also didn't weigh much. I kicked opened the door and gently set her on her bed. Then I closed the door to give us more privacy. I looked back at her. Poor Mikane. She deserved better then this. I stepped into the small bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. I turned on the sink and let the towel soak up water. I walked back to the bed and started sponging off her forehead. A whine made me pause. I glanced out the window. Tor, the silver dragon, was at the window. A year ago, Mikane had found the fledgling, hurt and alone. We nursed him back to health and he had stayed with us ever since. What amazed me most was that he came from Gaia. At a certain time in the year, Terra and Gaia came close enough together that you could travel between them. Somehow, the little dragon had made the trip. Little. I smiled. In the one year since we had found him, Tor had become enormous. He was so big; I could ride with Mikane on him comfortably. Tor whined again. I understood. He was concerned about Mikane, as was I.
"Kuja?" murmured Mikane.
"Yes, Mika?" I asked.
"Could you hold me?" I smiled at her request.
"Of course."
I hugged her tight to me. She shifted until she could hug me back. A loud whine interrupted. Mikane laughed.
"I think Tor doesn't like being left out," she giggled.
Mikane got out of my grasp and started towards Tor. She wobbled.
"Cure." I quickly muttered.
Her steps straightened, but she was disgruntled. I could tell.
If I needed that, I would of done it myself. She commented.
You wouldn't have done it, even if you were bleeding to death! I joked.
Her melodious laughter echoed in my head, causing my grin to widen.
True. She agreed.
Mikane climbed out the window. She skipped over to Tor and proceeded to stroke his head. She gestured for me to join her. I followed. After I added my strokes to the mix, Tor started to purr.
"Dragons purr, who would've known?" Mikane tittered.
"Probably only us," I chuckled.
Tor's purring increased. Now he rolled over for us to rub his belly. Mikane and I laughed; we were enjoying ourselves. I knew I could share anything with Mikane and she'd understand. She was a very intelligent for a four-year-old. Then again, we were both supposed to be advanced for our age. Suddenly Mikane froze.
"What's wrong, Mika?" I asked, using my nickname for her.
"I forgot my cloak in Master Garland's room," she explained.
"So?" I was puzzled.
"My diary was in it!" Worried, she whisked her tail from side to side.
"Oh! I'll go get it for you, Mika."
"Thank you so much, Kuja!"
I got up and trotted out of our room. Then I jogged down to Garland's chamber. I was about to enter but I heard a voice. Curious, I listened. It was Garland, recording his day's data.
"—the Angel of Destruction is not showing the results I wish. She has not turned out as planned. I will have to terminate her and start anew."
I was horrified. Kill Mikane? H-He couldn't! I wouldn't let him! As quietly as I could, I ran back to where Mikane and Tor relaxed.
Mikane! I shouted before I got there. Pack up all your things!
Why?
Just do it! Grab whatever's important! Then get on Tor; we need to leave!
O-Okay!
I dashed into the room. Mikane was waiting for me. All she had was her other pearly white cloak, and the magic crystal pendant I had made for her. I snatched up my black cloak.
"Let's go!" I exclaimed.
Mikane nodded and followed me to Tor. I sensed I was scaring her, but didn't have time to explain. About to mount, I realized she couldn't reach. I lifted her onto his back and climbed on after.
"Yah!" I kneed Tor.
He took off. I held on tightly, so did Mikane. I wondered where we would go. Anyone who saw us would know right away we belonged to Garland. Looking up into the sky, I had an idea. Tor had done it once before…
"Tor! Go to Gaia!" I yelled.
Mikane glanced back at me.
Why? Why are we doing this? The inquiry came.
It is no longer safe with Garland. The man is mad. I don't want you to get hurt. We'll make a new life on Gaia, together. I told her. Mika, I can't lose you.
I don't wanna lose you either. I love you, brother.
I love you, sister.
Meanwhile, Tor was leaving Terra. There was a channel of air that currently connected the planets. It was amazing. I could see the stars, so clearly. Soon, we had entered Gaia's sky. Everything…was so colorful. It was beautiful.
"Kuja, why is there so much water?" Mikane asked in awe.
"I think it's called an ocean," I answered.
"What's that dark stuff?" she asked.
"It's a—"
Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind hit Tor. Mikane whimpered in fear. A storm was setting in fast. Rain fell. I handed my cloak to Mikane.
"Mine is thicker than yours! It'll keep you warm!" I shouted over the wind.
"Okay!" I could barely hear her.
Another gust slammed into Tor. I was nearly knocked askew. It was getting too tough for Tor to handle. But…I didn't see any land. Lightning ripped through the sky. The answering thunder was deafening. I looked down. The overwhelming sea was raging fifty-feet below. I gripped Mikane tighter.
Kuja, I'm scared. She cried.
Don't worry. It'll be okay. I won't fail you. I told her firmly.
Before she could reply, the strongest gust yet rammed into Tor. He almost crashed into the sea, but pulled up sharply. That wrenching jolt caused Mikane to slip out of my grasp. Shocked, I seized her white cloak. It slipped over her head, her gripping my black one.
"NO!!" I yelled.
She toppled off Tor. I reached to catch her hand but I wasn't fast enough. She fell, screaming. Down into the crushing ocean, she disappeared. The last thing I saw of her was her hand reaching for mine. I kneed Tor into long broad circles.
"Mikane!! Mikane!!" I called desperately.
MIKANE!!! ANSWER ME!! YOU HAVE TO!! I yelled as loud as I could.
I kept looking. Trying so to find her. I searched and searched until the storm cleared. I didn't find her. I was numb. So numb I barely registered Tor headed back to Terra. I didn't care. She was gone…
Shana: I've depressed myself writing this chapter. (sobs) Poor Kuja!
Kuja: (is now the eight-year-old from the chapter) She's…gone…
Shana: Wah! I'm sorry! (hugs young Kuja)
Kuja: (doesn't move at all)
Shana: E-Emotional breakdown!! (cries)
Saint: (gives Shana a hug) (sad smile)
Demon: (notices young Kuja) (hands him a beer) This'll make it better.
Shana: (snatches it away) Bad Demon!! He's underage and so are you!!
Demon: (rolls eyes) So? I'm sixteen, that's close enough.
Shana: I'm even younger and I still say it's wrong! (throws beer away)
Demon: You don't give Zidane any problem and he drinks! He's seventeen!
(flashes to Bobo's Bar, Zidane is drunk, passed out on the floor) (flashes back)
Shana: ……He's cooler then you and is the main character in FFIX!! He deserves it after what he's been through!
Demon: (is really offended)
Shana: (mutters) I don't even have ten reviews and this is the fifth installment...yet I keep posting! I must be mental. Maybe I should wait longer inbetween postings...nah, can't do that to the people who actually read this sorry excuse for a story. (sighs)
Saint: (to the reader) REVIEW! Please?