A/N~ Here I am again, on my computer, because I have nothing else to do. I wish I could actually go somewhere fun for Spring Break, but nope. So to occupy myself I'm gonna work on the next chapter. So here it is, in all its glory, clap your hands for the next chapter:
More than She ExpectedStanding on the cliff outside the Ice Cavern they looked down upon a small village.
"I think I've been there before. If I remember right the name of the village is Dali," Zidane said.
"Do you think they have an inn? Sleeping on that stone floor killed my back," Marcus said.
"I hope they have an inn," Cinna added.
"They'll have an inn," Blank said.
"Zidane, what if they recognize me?" Garnet asked, worriedly. She had come this far; she did not want to be dragged back to the palace before her adventure even truly began.
"Take off that circlet and you won't be as noticeable."
"I tried taking it off while we were still in Alexandria, but it wouldn't come off," she told him.
Zidane walked up to her and held the circlet, gently trying pulling it off, but it wouldn't budge.
"What the hell?" He muttered to himself as he pulled a little harder.
"Ow!" Garnet winced, it seemed to be glued to her head.
"Where did you get this?" Zidane asked, dropping his hands to his side and looking confused.
"My mother gave it to Beatrix for me to wear to the wedding," Garnet told him.
Zidane thought for a moment, "I guess you're just going to have to keep it on for now. Maybe we could find something in Dali to cut it off with. But we can't go around calling you Garnet. That's not a common name around here, and once word reaches places outside Alexandria that you're missing, they're going to become suspicious. We should go back to calling you Dagger. Is that okay?"
Garnet nodded, it was the name he had chosen for her in Alexandria. She smiled, "I like that name."
"Alright, this is really sweet and all, but we should get going to Dali now. It's going to be getting dark pretty soon, and I don't know about you, but I don't feel like fighting monsters in the dark," Cinna complained.
The moment broken they made their way down the cliff and toward the village. For Dagger it was as if she had walked into paradise. For the first time her new found freedom hit her. Sure she had been free in Evil Forest and the Ice Caverns but she hadn't walked among people that were ignorant of her disappearance. They looked at her as if she was nothing but the commoner she appeared to be, and that was the best feeling in the world—besides kissing Zidane that is.
On the other end of the village there was a windmill. She had heard of them, but had never actually seen one before. From the look on Vivi's face he had never seen one either.
"There's the inn," Zidane said, "C'mon, let's get some rest."
No one had enough energy to argue with him. Instead they followed him into the inn. The man sitting at the desk had his head in his arms and appeared to be sleeping. Zidane walked up and poked him, "Wake up."
The man snapped his head up in surprise and looked around his eyes falling on Vivi, "What?"
"We need a room," Zidane said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, right over there," the man said pointing at the door to the right.
"Um. Thanks," Zidane replied, then he opened the door and turned to Dagger, "After you."
"I'm sleeping in there…with all of you?" she asked tentatively.
"Where else would you sleep?" he asked, puzzled.
"But it's not proper!" she cried, her face burning. It was one thing sleeping in the same room with one man, but five?
"These smaller inns only have one room, so there's nowhere else for you to stay," Zidane explained.
"Don't worry Dagger you can sleep with me," Blank joked, but it lost the effect he had hoped for when he yawned.
"You'll have your own bed, don't worry about that," Zidane said.
Realizing that she really had no choice in the matter, she walked slowly into the room. The sound of booted feet followed her.
The room was rather large with four beds set around it. Plants decorated the room. Otherwise it was quite plain. Zidane shut the door behind them.
"Some of us are going to have to double up. I'm thinking Vivi and Cinna since they're the smallest, and Marcus and Blank," He said, walking over to stand by Dagger.
"So you and the princess get your own beds. Why don't you just share one? We all know you want to," Marcus teased, laughing when their faces turned red. If they were alone and there was only one bed, everyone knew they would be sleeping together.
Dagger walked over to one of the beds and sat down on it, withdrawing from the halfhearted teasing going on about her. She pulled off the soft leather boots that had been given to her by the lady at the inn in Alexandria and laid back on the bed, exhausted. She wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep, but she was undisturbed by the voices of her companions as they fought playfully.
***
Cool sea mist hit her in the face, awaking her from her doze. How could she have fallen asleep? She must have been knocked unconscious. What was happening? The last thing she remembered…on second thought she couldn't remember all that much.
A great red eye had opened in the sky above her home. Of that she could be certain. But everything else was a blur of echoing screams of panic. Thunder crashed around them, blocking everything else out with it rumbling. Lightning pierced the sky, but seemed like nothing at all compared to that great red eye. What was it? And why was everyone so scared?
She turned in her seat. When had she gotten in the boat? She was being pelted by rain. When had it started raining? She hated the feeling of not knowing. Confusion was always her undoing. Staring back at the village as the small boat fought the great waves of the sea she could almost make out the buildings. The great red eye loomed above the village, and the air stank of impending death.
The eye glowed brighter, she screamed as everything exploding, engulfing in flames. She could almost hear the screams of the people she had grown up with as they died.
NO!And still the small boat battled the great waves, taking her farther and farther away from the only place she had known. From the people she loved and would always cherish. From everything…
***
She awoke with a scream, looking around half expecting to be on a boat staring back at the burning inferno of her village. But just like every other time, it proved to be only a dream. Only a dream… Why did she even have that dream?
For a moment she thought she was alone. Wrapping her arms around her knees she buried her head and cried. She never heard him come over to her, but she knew it was him when he wrapped his arms around her and held her in silence until her tears subsided.
"What's wrong?" he asked, after a giving few moments while she collected herself.
"Everything…" she said, "It's all my fault that Baku died, if you hadn't offered to take me to Lindblum it never would have happened. If I had just stayed at the palace and married Kuja I would have never ruined your life."
He moved so that he was in front of her, gripping her arms he made her look into his eyes, "Don't blame yourself, Garnet. None of that was your fault. And you didn't ruin my life."
"But…" she started, but he stopped her.
"Baku once told me that everything happens for a reason. That no matter how small, nothing is irrelevant in this life. There was a reason that you got the urge to run from your wedding, maybe you don't see it now, but there is," he said.
All at once she couldn't look him in the eyes anymore. Her gaze dropped to her lap and stayed there.
What was it about him that attracted her to him? And what had ever happened to her feelings for Kuja? How could she care so much about one person, and then the next feel even stronger for another?
What was her mother planning to do about her disappearance? Surely she wasn't just going to let it go. Garnet was her only heir. Something told her she hadn't seen the last of her mother or Kuja.
"Zidane, I want to apologize in advance for anything that may happen in the future. I don't mean to drag you into my mess," she said, dragging her eyes back to meet his.
"Don't worry about it Princess, I love adventure. I have a feeling that this is going to be one interesting journey we have ahead of us," he told her, she caught a spark of the light in his eyes she had seen the first time she had met him on the docks of Alexandria. Somehow that seemed so long ago.
She smiled, adrenaline coursing through her veins at the thought of finally being able to achieve her dream of seeing the world. Yes, it would be a very interesting adventure indeed. And she felt honored to have such a handsome companion. If only I wasn't a princess…
He must have caught the way her thoughts had turned because before she could blink his lips were on hers. His soft lips and gentle tongue sent thrills of pleasure through her body. Now was not the time for if only's. Now was the time for them.
His hands wandered along her body, cupping her breasts, as she pressed harder against him. One need pressured her, and she'd dammed if this time that need wasn't fulfilled. She wasn't only a princess. She was a human being, and she had needs that mattered too. This just happened to be one of them.
She should have stopped him, should have told him that it wasn't right. But she wasn't thinking about what her mother would say if she found out, she wasn't thinking about her kingdom, or whether or not it was proper. It was about her this time.
But instead he let her touch her in ways that she had only let one other man. Allowing him to go even further.
She didn't remember when the clothes came off, but soon he was on top of her, exposed to her wandering eyes and hands. His skin was so soft but his body was hard. He was strong, and that was a major turn on for her. They contrasted so much. Her body was soft and delicate. But it just seemed right that way. They fit together so well.
His hands reached lower and lower, his mouth burning trails of blazing kisses. She was drowning in the ecstasy of it all. She wanted him like she had never wanted anything in her life. She wanted him more than she wanted to be free from the castle. She wouldn't mind being imprisoned there forever as long as he was with her. As long as he could make her feel like this.
And just when she thought she couldn't go another second without him pushing inside her, he slowly slid into her. At first it was nothing but pure ecstasy, but that changed as he pushed further, ripping her virginity away from her. It felt like she was being torn apart. She dug her nails into his back and screamed. She could feel hot tears running down her cheeks. He had been slow and gentle, but still it hurt like nothing she had ever felt before.
He stopped still inside of her, "Gods Garnet, I'm sorry. I tried to be gentle."
"I know. It'll pass." She said.
Already she could the pain slowly ebbing away. To pass the time he teased her breasts, taking it in his mouth, flicking her nipple with his warm, wet tongue, until once again she could feel the heat of wanting him coursing through her veins.
Slowly at first, but with rising urgency, he thrust deeply within her. All she seemed capable of doing was moaning and calling his name as she arched her hips and rose higher and higher into paradise.
All at once she reached a point where she exploded. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. Her nails dug deep half-moons into his back as she raised her hips one last time to capture his hot seed. It felt so good to have it burning inside of her.
He pulled out and rolled over to lie next to her. He pulled her against him, with her head against his chest she could feel his jagged breathing.
"Damn. I never thought it'd feel like that," he said, trying to slow his racing heart. For some reason he felt an odd completeness that he had never felt before.
She couldn't reply, she was still gasping for breath. As she lay there she slowly began to realize what she had done. She had slept with a man she wasn't married to.
What would her mother say? What if his friends caught them? What if…? Stop it! There's nothing I can do about it now! What's done is done; I will leave it at that, she thought, pressing herself closer to him.
***
He stood outside the inn, looking in un-noticed through the window. She was there; he could see her. He didn't know who the man was with her, nor did he care. All that mattered to him was that she was there. And that she didn't see him watching her.
"Vivi? What are you looking at?" a voice asked.
Damn! His mind cried, he'd let his guard down and been noticed, though thankfully not by the princess. With a quick mutter under his breath he vanished.
"That boy is so weird," the man said to himself before turning and wandering away.
***
Footsteps outside the door stopped anything that might have ensued before it began. They both lunged for their discarded clothing, even though no one entered. They were better off not taking any chances.
When they were dressed Zidane turned to her and held out his hand, "Let's go check out Dali!"
She took his hand with a smile and he led her out of the inn. Looking around at the seemingly empty street she wondered aloud, "I wonder where everyone is… It's so quiet here."
"I noticed that when we arrived here yesterday. The last time I was here the streets were busy, though not to Alexandria's extent. But now it looks deserted," Zidane replied.
That's so strange… I wonder where everyone could be… This village isn't that large, so there wouldn't be many people normally, but to be completely deserted… Not even the owner of the inn is around, she thought to herself. She may not have had much experience with the world outside Alexandria Palace, but seeing a whole village nearly empty was improbable. Even Vivi and the group from Tantalus were nowhere to be found.
"Let's ask the people in this shop here if they know where everyone is," Zidane suggested, leading her into a building across the cobblestone street from the inn.
Inside were a bunch of objects that Dagger had never seen before. While she looked around Zidane walked up to the counter to talk to the owner. To his surprise, standing behind the counter staring up at him was a young girl no older than 13.
"Hi, we're looking for the adults in this village," he said with a smile.
"They aren't here," she said vaguely.
"Can you tell me where I can find them?" he asked.
"They're working."
"Where?"
To that she merely smiled and shrugged. Something about her ambiguous behavior sent warning bells of in his mind. Something here wasn't as it seemed.
"Zidane…" Dagger said, coming up to him and sliding her arm through his. Biting her lip she led him from the shop without another look at the girl standing behind the counter.
As soon as they stepped outside he turned to her, "What's wrong?"
"I think something happened to Vivi…" She said, a look of confusion on her face.
"Why would you think that?" Whatever he had thought she was going to say it wasn't that.
"When we were in the shop I was looking out the window. I saw him standing by the well. At first I didn't think anything of it, but then someone grabbed him and dragged him away," she explained nervously.
"C'mon!" he said, turning and walking quickly over to the well. She followed without another word.
The well stood near the center of the village. Not far was the other edge of town where a small garden stood. Dagger could see an old woman wandering among the crops. They both stood by the well listening intently.
Kweh!
"What was that?" she asked anxiously.
"Chocobo," he replied.
"A Chocobo? What's it doing in a well?"
Zidane shrugged, "Which way did they drag him?"
She pointed towards a building to their left. Zidane led the way and was just about to open the door when they heard a sniffling sound.
On the ground near the building was a small pipe sticking out of the ground. "Vivi?"
"Zidane…" came a muffled voice.
"Vivi! Where are you?" Dagger asked.
"I dunno…" he said, nearly hysterical.
"Don't worry Vivi, we'll get you out."
He opened the door to the building, waiting for her to enter.
"Hang on Vivi!" She said encouragingly.
To the left of the door there was a trapdoor leading underground, "I think that's what we want," Zidane said, opening it. He grabbed the ladder and started heading down. Once again she followed him.
Standing once again on solid ground she looked around and saw that they were now in interconnected tunnels underneath the city, "This is probably where everyone is."
"I think I hear some voices coming from over here," he said, indicating the tunnel in front of them. Grabbing her hand they started walking down the stonewalled tunnel.
It wasn't long before the tunnel opened up into a cavern. A wooden building was to their left, the source of the voices they heard. Three men were having a conversation in there. Ducking behind a couple barrels they were able to listen in un-noticed. Dagger hoped that Zidane was paying attention, because she was distracted by the design on the outside of the barrels.
"…how did this one get out there?" A man asked, scratching his head. Surely one of them would have noticed it functioning. They only manufactured them; they didn't activate them.
"I don't know, let's just stick it in today's shipment," came the reply.
"It's a good thing the Mayor's brother saw it before it got away," the third man said, which was met with heartfelt agreement. They walked out of the building, Vivi in tow. Zidane prepared to spring after them, but Dagger stopped him.
"What?" he asked, once the group was out of earshot.
"These barrels…I've seen them at the palace…" she muttered. Why would mother be having barrels delivered from here? I have to find out!
Something didn't seem right about this place. She had a feeling that whatever she found out here she wasn't going to like. But she had to know what it was. Maybe it would give her the answer she was looking for. Maybe she would finally find out why her mother was acting so weird.
"Let's go," she said, following the group of men, who were now out of sight.
Once again the tunnel opened into a cavern. This one was full of boxes and barrels, all with the same design as the barrels in the other room. For the most part everything was silent. Except for the snuffling coming from the box on their right.
"Vivi?" they both cried.
"Zidane? Dagger?" came the reply.
"Hang on, we'll get you out," Zidane said, hurrying over to the box. In a matter of moments the lid was off and Vivi was standing before them.
"I didn't think you would find me."
"We couldn't leave without you," Dagger said with a smile.
"What did they do to you?" Zidane asked.
"Nothing much, they just were talking and then they shoved me in the box. Zidane, I want to check this place out more," he said.
"So do I," Dagger added.
Zidane nodded, "Let's go."
They continued through the tunnels until once again it opened into a large Cavern. Coming from the depths of the machine was a conveyer belt carrying—
"Eggs?" Zidane asked, scratching his head.
Dagger shrugged. If they followed the machine they were bound to get the answer they were looking for. A tunnel ran alongside the machine, which disappeared into the wall. Walking along the tunnel they watched the conveyer belt until it ran back into the machine.
Once again the path in front of them opened into the cavern, and the conveyer belt came back out of the machine. Instead of eggs however, there were dolls… dolls with a striking resemblance to Vivi.
Zidane and Dagger exchanged glances while Vivi stared unmoving at the conveyer belt. Only the sound of voices heading towards them made Zidane grab him and beckon for Dagger to follow him behind a couple of barrels.
***
Marcus opened to door to the inn's room. He, Blank, and Cinna had been looking all over the place for Zidane, Dagger, and Vivi, but they were nowhere to be found.
"Zidane?" Marcus called for the heck of it, but received no answer.
Dammit, where were they. There was no way they could have left them behind. Zidane was his bro; he wouldn't do that. They had be somewhere in the village. And the children weren't helping. Every time he, Blank, or Cinna asked them if they had seen Zidane, Dagger, or Vivi, they just smiled and shrugged. The same went when they were asked about the adults in the village.
"Where are you, Zidane?"
***
The man looked around, standing exactly where they had stood just seconds before. "I thought I heard something…." He muttered before turning and heading back to the other side of the room.
Zidane poked his head around the barrel, "They're not paying attention, let's go."
He led them back over to the machine.
"What do you think they're doing?" Vivi asked.
"I don't know. But I have a feeling this is all connected to my mother," Dagger said.
Footsteps approached them followed by a man's voice, "I'm telling you, there is someone over here."
Zidane cursed realizing there was no time to dive behind the safety of barrels and boxes. There was only one choice. Picking up Vivi and Dagger he jumped onto the conveyer belt. Laying flat on their stomachs they wouldn't be noticed.
Unfortunately the conveyer belt ran back into the machine, which was putting the dolls into boxes. And it was looming closer and closer…
A/N~ Alright, it's there in all it's glory. And let me tell you this chapter was a pain in my royal ass. ^^ But it's done now. So keep checking back for the next chappy!