Chapter 2
They were just exiting the Theater Ship when their friends caught up with them, mobbing Zidane. The returned hero found himself caught up in one excited hug after another. It was lucky, he thought, that Garnet had already released him, or else she would have been trampled.
"Zidane!" squealed Aiko, "You're back! Oh, I'm so happy! I missed you so much!" Zidane smiled as she jumped up and grabbed onto his arm long enough to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, I knew you'd come back! I just knew it! I knew you wouldn't abandon us!"
Zidane continued to grin as he received similar greetings from the rest of his friends. They practically had to pry Vivi off of his legs before he would let Zidane go.
When the silence came, it started at the back of the group, with those who were far enough away from Zidane to see behind him. It spread from person to person, until finally Freya felt it too and stepped back from her embrace with Zidane to glance behind him at the object of the group's scrutiny.
Kuja stepped hesitantly out from behind Zidane, and because he was the only one close enough, Zidane heard him gulp. He watched as his brother bowed low to the group, an incredibly humble gesture that he would never have made in his earlier life.
The group stared dumbfoundedly at Kuja; Zidane could tell that they had no idea how to react. He tensed slightly, hoping that it wouldn't come to an argument.
It was Vivi who first broke the stare-down, walking up to Kuja with his odd, almost waddling gait that Zidane had missed so much, and proffering his hand.
"It's nice to have you with us, Kuja," Vivi said, and Zidane could see from his eyes that the little black mage was smiling.
Kuja took the hand and shook it lightly, not without hesitation. But Zidane, who had spent months alone with the man, could tell that his reticence was due not to an unwillingness to shake hands, but out of a fear of rejection by these people. For some reason it seemed to be very important to Kuja that he be forgiven by the members of this specific group. Zidane supposed he could see why.
"Come on," said Garnet. "Why don't we all go to the palace, and Zidane can relate for us his great escape from the Iifa tree!"
There was a murmur of agreement from the group, and they all began to move for the backstage exit. The subject of Kuja's reappearance seemed to have been put on hold for the moment, but Zidane was sure he'd catch an earful the second they all got him alone. He smiled, too happy to be back with Garnet and his friends to worry about it.
He held out his hand to Garnet, and she took it smiling a glorious, sunny smile that made Zidane's heart swell. As they walked back towards the castle, Zidane felt Kuja's presence as his brother followed close behind him.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.