Edonil: Again, it's still Friday night. I am such a loser… So far, I've written 2182 words today. But I'm on a roll, and I don't want to stop.

Disclaimer/Claimer:
I do not own Final Fantasy 9,
But Crims, on the other hand, is definitely mine.
Sarah also belongs to me,
'Though she is annoying as can be.
But I do not own F F I X.
(What disclaimer is coming next?)

Again, lameness. But funness, and nice, long word counts.

To Change

Chapter Sixteen

"Excuse me, Sir, but you're not allowed in here." Kuja turned to look at the man who had addressed him. "Oh! Sorry, Sir. I hadn't realized you were back. I was wondering where you'd disappeared to."

"Just a little vacation," Kuja assured the auctioneer. "I trust everything had been running smoothly?"

"Everything here is running wonderfully, Sir. But at your mansion… I'm afraid many of your servants have disappeared."

"I was afraid that might happen. See to it they're replaced."

"Of course, Sir." The man bowed, and departed.

Kuja looked around the room. The auction house wasn't open at this time of day, so it was quite empty. But everything was just as he had left it. Clean, organized, elegant… It was nice to know no one had taken over his auction house.

Treno was his final stop. Crims hadn't come into the auction house with him; she was shopping. Hopefully she'd be done by now. Kuja wanted to return to Alexandria. He'd sent Zidane a note, but there were people who would see his extended absence as an attempt to do something not entirely legal…

---

"Kuja! There you are! Is Crims ok?"

"Of course she is. I wouldn't be here if she weren't."

"There you are Kuja!" Queen Garnet hurried over. "Zidane told me your girlfriend was sick. Is she feeling better?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Splendid! I would love to meet her some time."

"I'm sure it can be arranged, Your Highness." The three walked into the palace. "How was your trip?" Kuja asked.

"It was awesome!" Zidane exclaimed. "Especially when we told everyone you were back. You should have seen their expressions! It was priceless!" He started laughing. So did Queen Garnet. She must feel more comfortable around him.

"They want to talk to you," Queen Garnet added. "Uncle Cid was certain that you were some sort of monster at first, but we convinced him otherwise. He said he wants to meet you, and draw his own conclusions."

"I would be happy to meet with him."

"There were some emissaries there from Burmecia, who also want to meet you," Zidane added.

"I would… be delighted to meet them." Lindblum was fine with Kuja; he hadn't destroyed it. Burmecia, on the other hand… He would just have to make himself seem really nice.

"That's wonderful. Perhaps we should invite them over some time."

"Of course, Your Highness…"

---

Kuja had always liked these parties. Talking with cultured people who were in many ways just as horrible as him… But now everything hated him. He wasn't the most popular person. He no longer was enjoying himself.

Queen Garnet had arranged for the rulers of the neighbouring kingdoms to come for a party, to meet Kuja. That was fine with him. Queen Garnet had also arranged for the people who had beaten him to come. Kuja was a little less fine with that.

The first of these "heroes" was the black mage, Vivi. He'd just looked at Kuja for a while. Then he turned and walked away without saying anything. Given that Kuja had created him, Kuja supposed it was only fair.

Then had been Freya. She'd glared at him. He had bowed politely. She'd walked up to him, said, "Don't come near me, or I'll kill you!" and walked away. Kuja had destroyed Burmecia, so that was understandable…

Next was Eiko, who had not been so controlled. She run full-throttle at him, and only a quick side-step had saved him. Luckily, Zidane had been nearby, and he had been able to grab Eiko and keep her from killing Kuja.

Then there was Quina. It had ignored him, instead walking straight to the buffet table. Kuja really couldn't care less. He'd never liked the Qus anyway.

Lastly had been Amarant. He'd looked at Kuja for a moment, then said, "You don't look like you've changed." Then he just walked away. Kuja hadn't really been expecting anything more from Amarant.

Then there were the rulers. They hated him. It was obvious. Regent Cid hadn't said anything, but he'd watched Kuja all evening. Lady Hilda had blatantly ignored Kuja. The King of Burmecia hadn't said anything at all. The various nobles of Treno exclaimed their delight at seeing Kuja alive and well, all the while smiling incredibly fake smiles.

As soon as he could, Kuja had left.

He didn't like those people. He didn't fit in with Gaians any more. Only Crims liked him. It wasn't a very pleasant feeling.

"Kuja?" There was a knock on the door. "It's Zidane. Can I come in?" Kuja got up and opened his door. "Hi. I guess… You weren't very popular, were you?"

"No, I wasn't. Zidane, I really don't think people will forgive me right now. Perhaps they will some day, but not now."

"I suppose… What are you gonna do?"

"I was thinking of going to live in the Desert Palace for a while. Perhaps in a year or so, I'll come back, and maybe by that time people will be used to the idea of my existence."

"You want to leave? Why? Can't you stay here? Is there something wrong with staying in Alexandria?"

"Yes, there is. Zidane, I can't stay somewhere where people will hate me. You and Crims are the only two people who forgive me. I'm leaving."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"… Ok. Come say bye to me before you leave, 'k?"

"Very well."

Edonil: I'm running on empty, which is the reason for the incredibly poor chapter. But I do have some good news! Now that Kuja is going to the Desert Palace, exciting stuff can happen! The plot can develop! Isn't it wonderful? Please R&R!