REDG: Hey! Y'know what? I love writing stuff in this Author's Note's section. I wonder if anyone actually reads it? Lalalalalalalalalalala (starts singing Stronger by the Suga Babes). Lol Anyways...

Yukina-chan: Thankies for the ideas! I don't plan ahead much when I write, so I think its neat! Lol

RefugeofSouls: Meep...sorry about not updating! Lol Yeah, I love chocolate as well! drools.

Kyoko : Lol glad ya like the story so far. I don't think it'll turn really serious later! I'm gonna keep updating though! I've just been a little lazy about writing recently!

AGH! They took Kiki the Black Witch off ! Nooooo! pouts

Chapter 17
Runaway

#At Lindblum Castle#

Later on that day, after the Burmecian soldier had been taken out of the castle for burial, everyone was gathered around a table that was piled sky-high with food.

"One of the traditions of the Festival of the Hunt, is to have a feast afterwards" Cid explained to everyone, who was looking hungrily at the steaming food.

Aiko looked down at the table, confused, and asked, "How come there's no forks or anything? How're you supposed to eat?"

"Ah...that's another tradition," Cid said, "You eat with your hands"

"Oh..." She said, and sat down next to X.

On the other side of the table, Tori and Steiner were...having problems.

"Hey!!!!" Steiner yelled as Tori stole a piece of chicken from his plate, "THAT WAS MINE!"

She glared at him, " Oh? And I care why?"

"Because I am Captain of-"

"-Yeah yeah yeah..." Tori muttered, cutting him off, "'captain of the Knights of Pluto, blah blah blah..."

Dagger got a worried look on her face, and said, "U-u-ummm...Tori, why don't you just give him the piece of chicken. He's going to bother you about it all day"

"True" Tori agreed and picked out something else from the stack of food. The worried look on Dagger's face eased up a little.

Freya pushed back her plate and leaned back in her chair, "I'm so full..."

X yawned, "You probably ate too fast"

Freya yawned as well, and said angrily, "Don't do that. Yawns are contagious"

"I can't help it...I think the Hunt wore me out..."

"Funny...I feel kinda sleepy too..." Aiko said, and put her head on the table.

They were all asleep within five minutes, except Dagger and Steiner, who was running around screaming, "POISON!!!!!!"

Dagger covered her ears and yelled, "Its not poison! Its only sleeping-weed, and there shouldn't have been any in your food!"

He immediately stopped, and looked embarrassed. "But why Princess?"

"I had no other choice, Zidane would never let me go" She said quietly, "we must go back to Alexandria at once to talk with Mother!"

"So you're really going to Alexandria?" Steiner asked happily.

"yes, Rusty." She said, and started to walk out of the castle.

#hours later#

Zidane was the first one to wake up. Once he found out that Dagger and Steiner were gone, he started yelling and kicking the table angrily, causing everyone else to wake up.

"Aiiiiiehhhh! Dagger's gone!" Aiko screamed.

Freya got up slowly and asked, "Do you think she might have gone to Burmecia?"

"I hope not!"

"well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Cid said sadly, "The Dragon Gate is open. From there, it's a straight shot to Gizamaluk's Grotto. From there, you can reach Burmecia".

"Well? What're we waiting for?" Aiko asked, "We gotta go find her, so might as well get going now!" Everyone ran to catch up with her.

"She's really upset, isn't she?" X asked worriedly.

Tori nodded, "I think we all are"

REDG: Okay, I know this was a SUPER SHORT chapter, but I wanted to just break it off here. I should have an update by Monday or Tuesday. Really, I will! Lol until next time!
Red-chan