Chapter 4

Selphie was back in the driving seat. After obtaining Squall's permission (they roughly translated his gibbering into 'yes of course you may use the Ragnorak to find out how to care for Peep properly'), they had set off to find Chocoboy, codename 'the kid' as Seifer seemed to dissolve into laughter whenever anyone said 'chocoboy'. They had unanimously agreed not to ask.

"I'm landing!" called Selphie cheerily.

Zell and Irvine automatically clung to a fixed point on the ship, and then sent a quick prayer up to Hyne.

Some say that when people are desperate they find religion again.

This was certainly true for Zell and Irvine.

The ship jolted.

"!#$£!!!!!"

"Language Zell!!" Selphie called back.

But the ship landed without (much) mishap.

The two men breathed a synchronised sigh of relief.

Selphie leapt up out of the seat "Come on guys!" she called enthusiastically.

Evidently Peep (who had eventually been placated with some apple- though not before keeping them up half the night) shared Selphie's view on life and jumped out of Zell's shaking hands to follow the girl.

Zell passed a hand over his brow, clutching the side of the ship, he made his tremulous way outside.

Irvine followed behind him and shut his eyes as the bright Trabian sunshine hit his eyes.

"So," he started, shading his eyes with his hand "Are you sure the kid will be here? There are a lot of these forest-y things"

Selphie looked contemplative for a moment "Yeah, sure!" she gave a beaming smile to Irvine.

He smiled back with Sexy Kinneas look #069.

Selphie looked at him curiously "You ill, Irvy?"

Disappointed Irvine look #01.

Zell was already making his way to the forest with Peep dancing around at his heels.

Irvine sighed and motioned to Selphie "Comin' Sephy?"

She skipped over to him and took his arm "Escort me?" her emerald eyes twinkled merrily.

Irvine's disappointed face changed into a relaxed grin. "Of course, m'lady."

"Will you guys hurry up?? Or at least get a room!"

Zell's shout floated back to them and they flushed. They broke apart and walked towards the blonde martial artist, keeping a respectful distance between them.

Zell was tapping his feet impatiently when they finally reached him and Peep was chasing a beetle around the snowy ground.

They began to walk into the forest. The dark evergreen trees rose up around them, clustering together so only a pale greenish light filtered through.

The group walked in mostly silence, with only a vague passing comment.

The forest seemed to exude a sleepy kind of peace that made a person want to just find the nearest comfortable leaf patch.

Well, some people.

After a few minutes walking, they reached a small clearing.

"Well, this is it." Sighed Irvine walking into the empty clearing.

Zell frowned "Um, shouldn't there be more- chocobos and chocoboys?"

"Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep."

Irvine felt a slight weight land on his hat.

"Uh guys??" he questioned anxiously.

Zell and Selphie looked at him, then started laughing.

Looking grumpy, Irvine took off his cowboy hat to see a chicobo. It chirped at him cheerily then hopped off to investigate Peep.

"Hi."

A kid had appeared in front of them.

He looked at them "What ya doin' here?" he questioned, watching Peep and mysterious chicobo frisked around Zell's ankles.

Irvine smiled "We're here to find out how to look after a chicobo."

The kid looked them over impartially "1500 gil please." He said finally, holding a grubby hand.

"Whaaaaat??" cried Zell springing forward, almost tripping over the frisking chicobos in the process.

"I gotta eat." Stated the boy sadly, looking at Selphie with big eyes.

Her effort was credible; she did last a few minutes.

"Aw! Poor boy!" she walked over to him and he gave a small sad smile.

"Thank you." He said, his pupils dilating once more to normal size.

Zell and Irvine exchanged amazed glances.

After a beseeching look from Selphie, Irvine heaved a sigh and dug in his pocket for money.

"You owe me," he directed to Zell as he handed it over.

"Its not MY fault I forgot my wallet!"

"You forget your wallet all the time." Irvine shot back and retreated, grumbling.

The boy pocketed the cash with an oddly mercenary smirk.

"So you want to know how to look after a chicobo?"

Zell resisted the urge to go 'duuuuh' and merely nodded.

"They kinda look after themselves really, or their mothers do." The boy said.

The group stood in silence for a while.

"….And?" prompted Irvine.

The boy was silent and then held out his hand, but on seeing the dangerous look in Zell's eyes, he withdrew it. "I'll take care of it."

Zell stood still, emotions warring within him. On one hand, he would be rid of the responsibility of a small bird but…

Zell, indecision on his face, mumbled "Let's go."

He walked to the edge of the clearing.

Peep caught sight of him and waddled up to him, peeping lovingly.

Zell looked down "You'll be better here." He said as if trying to convince himself.

The plump little bird looked up at him, uncomprehending.

"Bye." He began to walk away, forcing his feet to move.

Selphie stood on her toes and whispered in Irvine's ear "He won't last…You'll see."

He managed a few metres and one heart-rending peep.

Money covertly changed hands.

Zell stormed back "Fine! I won't leave!" then proceeded to stand glaring at them all.

Selphie thanked the boy politely and then bought some gyshal greens.

They left for the Ragnorak.

Squall assumed that Peep was trying to maybe make a nest out of his paperwork. He gingerly took a sip of tea. Some caffienne was better than none.

"Zell," he said carefully, keeping an eye on Peep cheerfully ripping an important letter from a Galbadian dignitary and tucking it delicately into the corner of her makeshift nest.

"You know we can't keep animals in Garden." He finished gravely.

Zell who had been watching Peep fondly, like an indulgent parent, jerked his head up at this. He stared at Squall in disbelief. He had just returned from his visit to Trabia.

But the brunette man was staring out of the window, maybe at the same Balamb seagull that Zell had looked at.

There was a quiet ripping sound as a letter from Timber requesting SeeD was added to the floor of the nest.

Squall cast a slightly panicked look at nest building.

"Squall?" asked Zell warningly.

"It's the rules Zell." Said Squall almost pleadingly, which meant monotone.

"But Peep isn't messy! Or destructive!" Zell had either conveniently ignored the fact that Peep was destroying important paperwork, or was just plain oblivious.

"Yes but," Squall paused "It's the rules."

"Bah," snorted Zell contemptuously "Watch this."

He swung off his seat and marched out of the door and slammed it behind him.

Peep looked up and cheeped in alarm, she leapt off the desk, her motion whirling the ripped pieces of paper around like a snow storm. She peeped loudly and ran into the door

Squall winced and Zell shot back in the room, "Peep!" he cried, his voice full of anxiety.

"PEEP TO ME!!!" he continued, holding the small bird in his hands.

Peep cheeped weakly and her eyes fluttered open.

Squall leant back in his chair, feeling slightly relieved.

"PEEP." Said Peep indignantly and pecked Zell.

"Owie!" he exclaimed, holding his thumb with a wounded expression. He gave a sheepish laugh "I guess I deserved that."

He stood up with Peep in his hand and set her gently on the table.

"See what I mean?" said Zell with an air of helplessness.

Squall sighed and laid a hand on his forehead. Sighing again, he picked out a piece of important letter and deposited it on the table.

Peep, obviously feeling dandy, had decided to start on the next pile of paperwork.

Riiiiiiiiiiiip, rip, rustle.

Squall quietly pushed the pile away from the small bird.

Suddenly seeing the enmity in those little eyes, he realised he may have made a mistake.

With a quick swallow, he pushed them back.

This, the man who had boldly faced down Ultimecia the evil sorceress who had threatened to destroy the world in Time Compression, Squall sighed.

Small cute birds had their own very special brand of evil.

Peep continued blithely ripping up his next six months worth of paperwork.

Squall looked desperate and so scribbled a quick note and shoved it towards Zell.

"Here! Permission!" he resisted the urge to shot 'JUST GO!!'.

Zell grinned "Thanks man." He stood up.

Peep, being suspicious, took a flying leap into Zell's pocket.

Zell waved amicably "I'm going to the library for some info. Later!"

He walked out the office.

The sound of the door gently closing coincided with the sound of Squall's head hitting the desk.

Poor Squall! I seem to be being very mean to him….I'll be nicer later…

I'm also going to have to try and put Rinoa into the story more too…

I hope this wasn't crap, it was written over a while.

::STRESSES::

Please help by reviewing :)