Edonil: Uh… This isn't late, it's just not… on time. I really did mean to write sooner! I swear! But I'm lazy…

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To Change

Chapter Forty-Four

Kuja stalked around the house, glowering. Avylonn was nowhere to be found. What was more, Crims was very calm about the whole matter, which meant she knew Avylonn's whereabouts, but didn't want to tell him. And since she didn't want to tell him, that meant Avylonn was probably somewhere where Kuja didn't want her.

They were all conspiring against him. Drat.

"Crims, darling-"

"What do you want?" Crims interrupted.

"What makes you think I want something?" She'd caught him.

"You aren't usually so romantic."

"Oh. Right. Uh… Do you know where our daughter is?"

"I've already told you; no idea."

"And why are you so calm? She could be hurt!"

"S- Uh, Avylonn can take care of herself."

S? Who was S?

"Who is S, Crims?"

"Who is who?"

"You said 'S- Uh', which suggests that you were going to speak of someone else. Who is it?"

"Uh…" Crims looked rather guilty. "A friend."

"Named?"

"You wouldn't know him," Crims mumbled.

"HIM!" Kuja grabbed Crims. "Our daughter is alone with a male!" Crims smiled.

"Yes."

"Who is it? That Van der Veen kid? Or someone else? When I get my hands on him…"

"Kuja Dearest, she's fine. I trust the lad completely."

"Who is it?" Crims sighed.

"Saniiro. Remember him? He was dating Crims. He came to visit. Now calm down, Kuja… Kuja?"

Kuja had already raced out the door.

-

Avylonn giggled. "Saniiro, my father would have hysterics if he could see you." Saniiro grinned.

"Of course. That's why he doesn't know I'm here." He kissed her again.

"He doesn't?"

"No."

"My parents might get worried…"

"Your mother is aware of my presence. Don't worry. She knows I'll take care of you."

-

Garland drummed his fingers impatiently. What was taking his minion so long? Stupid lackey, so sure that the Third Angel was in his grasp… Garland sighed. He hated waiting.

If only that dratted lackey would hurry up!

-

Kuja dashed out the door of his manor and into a crowd. His pulse quickened, but he did his best to ignore it. He had, after all, mostly conquered his fear of crowds.

Where would Avylonn and Saniiro- Saniiro! Wretched lad- go? Somewhere private, no doubt, but where? Treno was a big city…

He searched. He asked some street guards who were patrolling about. He asked a couple of other nobles. Some had seen the two miscreants and some hadn't. Avylonn and Saniiro had apparently gone for a long walk.

"Sir," a cultured voice said from behind him. Kuja turned to see the Auctioneer, who also happened to collect information for Kuja.

"What is it?" Kuja snapped. He was in a rather snappish mood.

"I hear you are looking for your daughter and a young man by the name of Saniiro?" Kuja nodded. "I happen to have some knowledge of their whereabouts."

"Yes?" The Auctioneer said nothing, merely holding out his hand instead. Kuja sighed and forked over some gil. "Where are they?"

"They are currently in the more destitute areas of Treno. Kissing, if my informants are correct."

"Care to tell me where in the 'more destitute areas of Treno' they are?" Kuja snarled, only to be answered with an open palm. Cursing, Kuja handed over more gil.

"Near the entrance of Treno, behind a small market shop." Kuja turned to go. "And Sir, I have some other information you might find useful. It's about your current standing with the Treno nobles."

"Here's some gil. Write it all down, and deliver it to my house. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Kuja hurried off, his pockets considerably lighter but his brain filled with plenty to think of.

Kissing!

-

"Saniiro, do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"I hear someone…" Saniiro listened for a moment.

"You're right. I thought Berta said nobody ever came here at this hour…" Saniiro and Avylonn got up and cautiously peered around the market stand.

"Oh! Uh… Father! How… nice… to see you. Uh… Saniiro… Er… Saniiro came to visit, Father. I believe Mother knew our whereabouts…"

"Go home. I'll deal with you later." Avylonn nodded, gave Saniiro one last look, and hurried off. "And as for you…" Kuja glared at Saniiro. Saniiro gave a squeak.

"Hello… So nice to see you again, Sir."

"Why are you here?"

"I came to visit Avylonn…"

"And why did you feel the need to visit Avylonn? Don't you have people to protect in Alexandria?"

"I… Er… We're friends-"

"Just friends?"

"Well… That's not important. The point is, I thought she might like to see an old friend, and crime has been rather lax in Alexandria lately, and I wanted to see my old house-"

"Your old house?"

"Er… Yeah, I used to live here…"

Kuja frowned. I knew I recognized him! I knew it! Now where do I know him from… I'll have to think about it; it's probably important.

"Now Saniiro, I want you to listen very carefully." Kuja spoke with excruciating slowness. "I do not want you to see my daughter ever again. I want you to go back to Alexandria, and stay there. I forbid you to see my daughter again. Understand?" Saniiro gulped and nodded. "Excellent."

Kuja then hurried home to scold Avylonn. What was she thinking, wandering off with a male?

-

"Saniiro!" Avylonn hurried over to him and flung her arms around his neck.

"Avylonn? Didn't you go home?"

"No."

"You'd better. Your father will be furious-"

"He's welcome to be as furious as he pleases. He can't force me not to date."

"But Avylonn… He killed my parents! He can do whatever he darn well pleases!"

"No he can't."

"But-"

"Shh…" She kissed him. "Stop arguing. Kiss me."

Saniiro complied.

-

Garland sighed. His stupid lackey really wasn't going to help him. The Third Angel was lost. Definitely lost. But Garland had an idea that would definitely help his sore pride.

It wouldn't take much to put his new, better plan in play.

Edonil: I got another chapter written! Aren't you proud of me? I hope you are… Please R&R! And if I ever go on long non-posting spurts again, just email me a lot, reminding me. I believe my email is in my bio.