Chapter Three:

That night, Kie saw Nami and Zidane at dinner, but they were surrounded by so many people he thought it best if he just ate by himself. Something he hadn't done with Nami for five years. Suddenly he didn't feel so hungry.

Walking along the empty corridors he listened to his footsteps echo through the stony walls. If he wasn't hungry there didn't seem to be a point to staying in the dinning room. No one would miss him. Maybe he would do some sketching while he waited for Nami to become more available. He liked to draw, he didn't do it much, but he liked it. Nami usually took up most of his time and without her it seemed to be the only thing to do. He wasn't very good and his pictures not that intricate, but he liked them all the same. They seemed to say something he couldn't.

Suddenly, when Kie turned the corner, he found himself with company.

"Fratley," he said surprised. Frately, Freya's husband, was reclining against a windowsill with the pane swung wide open. The sound of falling rain was loud and a cold draft came through the opening.

"Kie," he said when he saw the boy approach him. "Why aren't you at dinner?"

"Why aren't you?" Kie shot back.

"That's fair," Fratley said with a nod. "Sitting by the window, listening to the rain fall calms me down. I thought I could use a few minutes with it today. Now what's your excuse?"

"I wasn't hungry," Kie explained simply, propping his elbows upon the wet stone by Fratley's foot.

"Hm," Fratley said. "Nami has been rather engaged since her father came to visit hasn't she?"

"Yes, I suppose."

"You know Kie, I don't have all my memory back even today. There are still large gaps of my past I cannot recall. But I do know one thing. I was in love. With the same woman I am in love with now as a matter of fact. The point is, I may not be a qualified expert on everything, but I know love. You, my friend, also long for someone's heart."

Kie stared up at him astonished. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Nami. I see it in your eyes when you look at her. You love her."

"She's my best friend. Of coarse I care for her, but I don't love her."

"Perhaps not. But perhaps you do and you just don't know it yet. All I'm saying is that whatever is to come, I'm glad she has someone like you to look after her. Take care, Kie." With that Fratley hopped off the sill and made his way down the hall to the dinning room.

Kie was speechless. In love? Him? And with Nami of all people. "How would he know?" Kie asked himself.

Again Kie resumed his way to his room and before long he was busily drawing.

The next few days, Nami was unavailable. Kie hardly saw her at all and when he did, she was with Zidane. They always seemed to be having a talk that only family should hear so he left them alone. Most of the time he tried to stay out of sight, as he knew Nami might try to call him over and join the conversation.

During the long hours of seclusion, Kie tried to amuse himself with work. He helped the smithy with some metal work, cleaned in the kitchens from time to time and ran errands into the market to deliver notes or buy food (though always with a heavy cloak, and always drenched afterwards). But for some reason he couldn't shake a strange feeling. He felt incomplete. He always expected Nami to be there to make even the biggest jobs seem easy or to flash her one of her famous beaming smiles. But she never was. It was like a second part of him was missing.

On the third night of Zidane's visits, Kie was refilling wine glasses, as he usually helped out with the chores of the household. Suddenly Zidane's voice wafted over to him above the din of the crowd.

"-someone might be getting suspicious. I've stayed far too long."

"I agree," Freya said in what she tried to make a whisper, but it got to Kie all the same. "It's best that you be on your way. We don't need anyone looking our way."

"Kie!" Zidane said when he saw him near by. "How are you doing? I haven't seen you in a while." Freya shot Kie a nervous glance before busying herself with her food.

"I've been working around the manner. It's a time consuming job," Kie said simply refilling their cups.

"I completely understand. I'm just sorry we didn't get a chance to spend that much time together. Ya know, you, me and Nami. You're all she talks about."

Kie smiled. "I'm sorry too."

"Listen Kie," Zidane said in a strangely quiet and serious voice. "I need to speak with you, alone. Tonight if it's at all possible. Meet me in the West Hall at midnight. Don't be late." Kie nodded. "I won't keep you from your duties," Zidane said and Kie took the hint. He left him and Freya to speak, but he was pretty sure they weren't about to speak of their earlier conversation.

At midnight Kie saw Zidane standing by a large window, out looking the courtyard. His arms were folded in a business like manner and he stood with his back to Kie. When he heard him approach he spoke.

"I'm glad you came," was all he said.

"What's going on?" Kie wanted to know. "Has something happened?"

"I just wanted to speak with you. You know how important you are to Nami, as well as Dagger and I. You've been a great help through this."

"It's nothing sir," Kie said automatically. For once Zidane didn't react.

"We have a very good reason for hiding her away, Dagger and I. Something's come up."

"Anything I can do?"

"No. All you need to know is that it's vital that Nami remains concealed, not just for us, but for all of Gaia," he said, his eyes fixed out the window. This was a different side of Zidane Kie had never seen. His brow was furrowed and he seemed tense. "All I need to know is that you'll be there for her. We're in a very dark time right now Kie. Nami needs as many friends as she can get."

"Zidane, this sounds serious. I think you owe it to her to tell her what's going on," Kie said boldly.

Zidane shot him a look and said, "I know, but not now. When it's over. When it's over I'll tell you both." Looking back at the window he sighed. "Something is going to happen Kie, I can feel it. I'm worried."

There was a moment of silence but before Kie could say anything Zidane said, "I'm leaving tomorrow. I've stayed too long. Look after my little girl Kie! I'm trusting her with you and I'll never forgive you if anything happens to her. Get some sleep." With that Zidane left Kie by the window alone. Kie listened to his receding footsteps, thinking.

What could possible be going on that would make Zidane act like this? Nothing good, that was for sure.

Three chapters in one day! I hope it doesn't show, lol.