Chapter Eight:

The next morning Kie rose with sun. He had slept soundly and deeply, most likely from all his running the day before. He sat up, groaning because of his sore muscles. There was nothing for it however. With a quick stretch and a little breakfast, Kie ran down to the boat. It was still there, laying on it's side on the sand. Looking left, he saw that Nami's footprints were still there. Strange, he thought, they should have disappeared by now.

He set his pack in the boat and pulled it to the water's edge. He sighed heavily, looking out at the wide blue ocean. He knew nothing of the sea. Nor did he know anything about navigating. He gripped the wooden edge of the boat until his knuckles turned white before rushing into the water. It's waves of icy freshness washed over his boots as he pushed it further out, beyond the shore.

Finally he jumped in and picked up the oar that lay within the boat. The waves weren't big, but they proved difficult to get over. When he was past them at last, he was able to figure out the small sail that rested in the middle. It worked well enough, though it was very rough and inexpertly made. Lucky for him the wind was in his favor and blowing northwest. He hoped Nami was still in that direction.

For now, though, all he could do was hope and follow his gut.

Meanwhile back at Alexandria Freya and Fratley had gone to Zidane and Garnet with the news. Zidane was pacing the main room while Garnet sat with her hands twisting nervously.

"I can't believe this has happened!" Zidane stormed, slamming his fist into a wall. "I thought she would be safe!"

"We all did Zidane," Garnet said tensely.

"The good news is, Kie has gone after her," Fratley put in.

"Kie! What can Kie possibly do to help? Even if he finds her, he'll never be able to win against Him!"

"You under estimate him," Fratley said.

"Do I?"

"Yes. He has very strong feelings for your daughter. They will guide him to her, and save her when the time comes for it."

"Are you so sure?" Zidane asked, finally halting his pace to glare at Fratley.

"Yes," was all he replied.

"But what if he doesn't succeed. All will be lost," Garnet said.

"True, but there is more to that boy then meets the eye," Fratley said.

"Meaning?" Zidane said, continuing his pace.

"What I would like to know is details," Freya said annoyed. "You two have kept it secret till the breaking point. I'd say it's time we knew more."

Zidane and Garnet exchanged anxious looks. With a sigh Zidane turned back to them and began his tale…

Far away Kie was still sitting in the boat. Many hours had passed, with no end to the seemingly endless sea. His skin was dry and burning from the always-shinning sun, that seemed to be intensified at sea. His lips were dry and he wasn't all that comfortable with his smell either, but there was nothing for it.

Ever once in a while he would row, and his hands had become raw and full of splinters, which he was no attempting to pull out. When he had gotten most of them out, he dunked his hands in the salty seawater and felt the sting it caused on his untreated hands. It would heal, that's all that mattered.

After that, he took a quick swig of water and ate a piece of bread. The wind still carried him in the right direction, and he wondered if it was fate that had led him to have such good luck.

Looking up he saw the sun lowering to the western horizon. It would be nightfall soon and what would he do then. Continue sailing. He guesses that was all he could do really, but would he be able to last the night?

Later he arranged himself so that he would be able to get a little bit of shuteye, without the danger of tipping over the boat. He put his hand underneath his head and sighed, looking up at the stars. He hoped he hadn't done something completely stupid by leaving Cleyra. He also hopped he would be able to find Nami and save her from whatever loomed ahead.

You will, came a small voice into his mind as he was seconds away from sleep. You will. With that Kie drifted off to sleep, to dream of a mysterious little girl, and one he loved, both just out of his reach.

Sorry this one is so short but yea. I really hope you guys are reviewing because it just makes my day when I hear from you!