Chapter Two:

Three days later Nami was sitting at the window. She had taken half an hour here and there out of her daily routine to sit by the rain-drenched window to watch for any arriving carriages. Kie had also taken to sitting with her by the pane, just so she had someone to talk to. Nami lit up whenever he did so.

Finally, while the two were having a rather competitive thumb wrestle, there was movement outside. Nami's glance darted down to the courtyard to see a horse gallop up to the main doors of the household. A man wearing a dripping wet, black cloak dismounted and gave his horse over to the servant who was posted out the door.

Nami stood, holding face as close to the glass as possible. Suddenly she jumped and exclaimed, "It's him!" Without waiting for Kie she tore herself from the room and darted down the stairs. Kie too, peered out the window at the man who was approaching the door. The hooded figure stopped and looked up, it seemed, right at him. Kie raised his eyebrows as the man went on his way through the door.

Kie followed Nami's wake down to the main room where the visitor was certain to be. Sure enough, upon reaching the hallway before the main room, Kie saw Nami with her arms wrapped around Zidane with her feet flying though the air. She yelped when he let her down and her bare feet touched the freezing cold pool of water that had dripped off him since walking through the door.

Zidane laughed as Nami said, "Father, you've gotten me all wet." She inspected her front, which was damp from the hug.

"I'm sorry, but you didn't think I wouldn't hug my little girl, did you?"

"I'm not little father, I'm fifteen!" she said stomping her foot.

"That's what they all say," Zidane said with a laugh. "My goodness, you've grown!"

"Do you like my hair? It looks like yours."

Zidane pulled the ponytail from her hand and examined its blondish red color. "Yea it is. But you have your mother's eyes."

"Do I?" she asked excitedly.

"You do," he said with smile.

Nami glanced his way and smiled. "Kie! Look who's here!"

"Hello Kie," Zidane said. He gripped Kie's hand and asked, "I trust you got back from your last delivery without any trouble."

"None at all sir," Kie replied.

Zidane scratched his head. "So I guess you're still going to be formal with me."

Kie glanced at Nami who was frowning and shaking her head. "Oh, uh, no. Sorry about that."

"It's alright. It's just hard to get used to ya' know. No one ever called me 'Your Highness' or 'Majesty' before I was married to Dagger," he said using his pet name for Garnet.

"So how long are you going to stay father?" Nami asked taking his hand and shaking it excitedly.

"For a few days. I don't have long but your mom wanted me to stay a while and see how things are going. She really misses you, ya know. She wished she could have come, but under the circumstances-Oh! I almost forgot! You're mother gave this to me, to give to you." Zidane reached his hand inside his pocked and fished something out. He held it in front of Nami and she gasped. It was a hairpin. Made of gold and jewels, it twinkled brightly in Zidane's gloved palm.

"Oh! Father it's beautiful!" Nami said carefully taking it in her own hand. She ran her fingers over its gold pick and small, white jeweled flowers.

"Your mom wore that when we got married. She said it's time you had some nice things. I know it's been hard, staying hidden for all this time. But we'll take you home soon-hopefully."

"Father, there was something I wanted to ask you-"

Zidane looked at his daughter carefully and said, "Not now. Later, maybe. But not now."

"Zidane!" came Freya's voice from across the room. "Long time no see!"

"Time to catch up. I'll come find you soon as I can. There's much I have to say to Freya." With that Zidane went to greet his friend, but not before rusting Kie's shaggy hair whispering, "Take care of her."

Nami and Kie spent the rest of their time alone in Nami's room. Kie could tell there was something on Nami's mind, but whatever it was she didn't speak of it, which was a first. Usually when she had something to think she told Kie. The change slightly worried him.

"So how was seeing him for the first time in so long?" Kie asked, trying to make her speak of it. "Was it everything you'd hoped."

"Yes," she said still peering at the trinket he had brought with him. "It's always good to see your parents." Nami glance up at Kie uneasily and said, "I'm sorry if that sounded rude. I didn't mean anything-I mean, about your parents."

"I know," Kie said quietly. He had never known his parents. They had died when he was but a child and he had been in Zidane's care ever since. Though he was sure Zidane knew his father, he never spoke of him. But Kie learned long ago that Zidane said things when he thought it best, not when you wanted to know.

"I wish my mother could have come. I miss her."

"I know."

"Kie do you think it's selfish of me to want to know why I'm here?" she suddenly asked. "Not that I don't like staying here with Freya and Fratley, it's just that, I want to know why?"

Kie sighed. "Zidane will tell you when he thinks it's the right time. Maybe it's for the best that you don't know."

This didn't seem to be the answer Nami had wanted because she slouched down and said quietly, "I know."

They sat in silence while Kie finished up a game of chess and Nami sat by the window, staring out its water-streaked panes. Before long there was a knock at the door and Zidane entered.

"Kie, I didn't think you would be here."

"Father," Nami exclaimed.

"I just finished speaking with the whole of Burmecia it feels like. Freya has a busy house here. Actually we were finished a few minutes ago. It took me a while to find your room. Kie I was wondering if Nami and I could possibly-"

"I'll leave you two to catch up," Kie said getting to his feet.

"Thank you. From what Freya tells me you two are practically inseparable. I'm glad you're such good friends." Kie smiled at Zidane awkwardly before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. He might as well go about his own business until dinner when he was sure he would see them. Most likely they would be closed in Nami's room all day, covering everything new.

Kie sighed and looked back at the door. Why was Nami here? What could possible be so bad that she had to remain in hiding for so long? Kie shook his head and left.

So there it is, Chapter Two. I did both One and Two in one day so if there are alot of mistakes sorry. Hope you like it so far!