Edonil: I was thinking (which I don't seem to do very often), and I thought of a great idea. I thought maybe I'd update sooner if somebody were to go read my original fiction and comment. If somebody doesn't, I might lose my love of writing because I don't feel wanted…

Disclaimer/Claimer: FFIX isn't mine, Crims, Sarah, Avylonn, and Saniiro are.

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To Change

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"Avylonn! Come here!" Avylonn leaned over, and turned up the volume. "Turn down the music!" Avylonn ignored her father. "COME HERE NOW!" Avylonn rolled over onto her stomach. "AVYLONN!"

Stupid man. Doesn't he know by now that I'm not going to comply?

"AVYLONN!!!" Sighing, Avylonn turned the volume up to maximum. Then she watched her doorknob rattle. It was a good thing she'd locked her door; her father clearly wanted to get in.

---

"Kuja, stop that. It's not going to work." Kuja turned to face Crims.

"I need to talk to her!"

"About what?"

"She was… She was kissing!"

"Yes."

"But… Saniiro…"

"Kuja, does she need your permission to kiss?"

"Well… I don't like the sound of him."

"It could be worse. He could have destroyed a planet." Kuja flinched.

"Point taken. But really, do you think he's the sort she should be hanging out with?"

"I really don't care. I don't think it matters anyway; we're moving in a month. As far as I'm concerned, she is allowed to flirt with whomever her heart desires. Now why don't you let me talk to her?"

"You… You won't get in."

"We'll see…" Crims walked over to the door and knocked on it. "Avylonn! May I come in? I want to hear about this Saniiro. He seems like a nice young fellow…" The music grew quieter. There was a click, and Avylonn opened the door. She peered out for a moment, and, upon seeing Kuja, began to close it.

"Kuja! Go!" ordered Crims. Kuja slowly turned away. It wasn't fair…

---

Saniiro glanced around nervously. He really didn't want to run into Steiner. That would be a bad thing. A very bad thing.

"Saniiro!" Saniiro spun around.

"Avylonn?" he asked, astonished. What was she doing here? He would have thought her parents would have forbid her from ever leaving the Castle again.

"I came to see you."

"What? But… Your parents… Steiner…"

"My mother says I'm welcome to do as I please. Steiner has no control over me."

"Oh." Saniiro didn't know what to say. Evidently, neither did Avylonn. "So, um… Wanna go for a walk?"

"Sure." Saniiro offered her his arm, which she took, smiling nervously.

They strolled through the streets, being careful to avoid the Knights of Pluto. Around noon, they stopped for lunch at a small café. During lunch, Saniiro tried to get Avylonn to tell him something about herself.

"So… You said you used to live on a small island?"

"Yes."

"Was it nice there?"

"Not exactly…" From the way her expression suddenly became miserable, Saniiro got the impression it had been horrible.

"That's too bad… So, what are your parents like?"

"Uh… Nice enough, I guess. I don't know them too well."

"Why not?"

"I lived with… someone else, before."

"So… Were you adopted?"

"Not exactly…"

Try as he might, Saniiro couldn't get any more out of her. She probably had her reasons. Maybe her past hadn't been very enjoyable or something.

---

Garland stormed around the room. Why? Why had he let her escape? And how had she done it? She didn't know how to activate the transporters! She shouldn't be able to get out! He didn't understand…

He'd have to ask her next time he saw her.

"Master!" Garland looked at his underling. A foolish man. High ambitions. Too high. But he managed his current job. And as for his next one…

The Third Angel would be brought to heel.

---

Kuja scowled as a large flock of doves flew in front of his telescope. His daughter didn't want to talk to him, and Crims refused to talk about Avylonn, so Kuja had been left with only one option: spying.

It was working pretty well, actually. Avylonn and Saniiro both seemed to enjoy being outdoors. And from what Kuja could see, Saniiro seemed to be fairly nice… But what were they talking about? And what were they doing when they were out of Kuja's sight? He hated not knowing… And what was this Saniiro like, anyway?

Kuja would have to meet the lad.

---

"Saniiro!" Avylonn glared at her father. He was walking so slowly! "Saniiro?"

"Avylonn!" Saniiro stepped out of an alley, smiling. "You're late."

"I know. I was… delayed. Saniiro, I would like you to meet… my father. Kuja."

---

Saniiro's stomach dropped. Her father?! Oh dear… Oh dear oh dear oh dear… What would he say? Could he have a civil conversation with the man who had destroyed Terra, tried to destroy Gaia, and had…

Mom… Dad… What do I do?

But of course, they didn't answer. They would never again answer one of Saniiro's questions…

"Hello, Mr. Kuja." His voice hadn't shaken too much. Splendid.

"Hello, Saniiro."

Neither said anything more. They just stood there, looking at each other.

---

What was with this child? He was nervous, unsure of himself… Kuja didn't like him. He didn't like him at all.

The boy looked familiar, though. Why…? Shrugging mentally, Kuja ignored it. He didn't really care why he recognized Saniiro.

Is he going to say something? Or is he always this quiet? No, he talks to Avylonn a great deal. Perhaps it's me. I don't think he likes me. I suppose that's understandable… Why doesn't anyone like me? I've changed, goshdanggit! Changed! Why doesn't anyone understand?

"Why don't I leave you two alone? I'm sure I'm not very exciting. I have a few errands to run, anyway. It was nice meeting you, Saniiro."

---

Saniiro sighed. He'd survived. Kuja had every reason to dislike him, but Saniiro was fine. Not like his parents…

"Are you alright?" Avylonn asked. He nodded.

"Fine. So, shall we explore?" Avylonn smiled. She was so beautiful when she smiled…

"Hey kids!" a mean old lady yelled. "Stop that! This is a public area!" Saniiro looked at Avylonn. She just laughed.

Edonil: What did you think? Please R&R! And be sure to check out all of my wonderful original fiction!