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crimsoncobwebs, thzerosystem, strawberry story dreamer, da deltadasherdemon, ash-mer, kita1, drkbth, litwolf689, rose mage, nahrali...

And anyone else who will maybe comment, thank you all for your reviews! Because you all were so nice I was inspired to write up a short follow up to 'Trials'

Yet again: I don't own these characters, they belong to Square...

Little Extra Blah Blah: ok, incase you haven't guessed... Kuja is in this... but he's not exactly the terrible fearsome bishonen we all know and love... oh sure he has moments of evil here and there, but I wanted to open up something about him... I feel that he is not all evil, but yet another tortured soul that is making poor decisions. So I hope you like this usually unseen side of Kuja-kun. Oh, yes... this little chapter is a bridge to another fic I'm starting to write called "Feather" it's a long running joke that I have all backed up with doujinshi's and fan art I've done... you'll understand when you read this... ok? I will let you go now... please enjoy!

Trials of Love

The Inner Trial and the Little Bird's Words

by dragonnova

It was dark outside, yet the sun hung behind the hills slowly sending out it's golden gleam into the darkness and casting the sky into cascading tones of violets, blues, and then finally a yellow shine hung along the mountain ridges. It was dawn, early morning with stars still twinkling as though it was midnight. As the light chased them away one by one it finally reached into the window of the Inn. There it found a young man sleeping soundly on a cushy couch with a blanket that had been lovingly tucked around him. Of course it's light could not leave him in this peaceful state. He squinted his eyes, but still kept them closed when he felt the rays begin to caress his face. It was such a strange feeling. So warm; so peaceful, and there was a gentle sound coming from the other end of the room. It comforted him in his half dreamy state. Soft breathing, then a squeak and the shifting of covers filled his ears. His ears perked and he found himself listening, wondering what it was he was hearing. His eyelids fluttered and he finally pulled from the dream realm and became completely aware of his surroundings. He didn't move though, he felt strange suddenly because he wasn't in his bed. This strange situation threw him. Then his mind rewound back to the night, he had come to Garnet's room after some terrible mistakes and trails. He came to finally confess his feelings for her.

Did I? No... I didn't... I fell asleep... STUPID! How could you be such a MORON! she was talking... such kindness... what did she say? He racked his brain to remember her words, but nothing came and he mentally beat himself again.

His thoughts where cut off when he heard the sound of sheets shifting and a mattress creaking again, he then realized he really was still in her room. He felt strangely cold and hot all at once. I shouldn't be in here... What's this going to look like... WHAT IF RUSTY COMES IN HERE! You're going to die a slow and horribly painful death, Zidane... that's what...

He glanced out of the corner of his eye, his blond bangs where hanging over them, so he figured he could still pretend to be asleep and unaware. Then he caught sight of her.

Garnet was sitting on the side of her bed now, lazily rubbing the sleep bubbles away and yawning, very politely. Her dark hair had a little cow lick in the back, and she was wearing a white lacy nightgown. It was such a cute picture, so different than waking up to Cinna yawning. He shuddered at the sudden vision of the guys waking up in the morning. Pure beauty to pure disgusting. His troupe really was a bunch of pigs like Ruby had said.

Garnet jerked her gaze in his direction, she had seen his shudder. He snapped his eyes shut and tried to steady his breathing, pretending to still be asleep. He heard the light patter of her bare feet against the hardwood floors. And then it stopped. He dared not open his eyes, and he forced himself breathed slowly and calmly. He wondered inwardly where she had gone and then he felt it. Her warm touch as she gently brushed away a lock of his hair, letting her fingers caress his cheek slightly as she did so.

He involuntarily shuddered again, but this time it wasn't from a horrible image. He mentally beat himself again, he knew she had to have seen it. And indeed she had, but she mistook it for something else. She reached down to the blanket that had fallen from his shoulder and pulled it up and tucked it behind him a little more.

He then heard the gentle sound of her bare feet walking away, he opened one eye slightly and caught a glimpse of her white gown disappearing through the doorway. He sat up, letting the blanket fall. "I gotta get out of here... I gotta get out of here RIGHT NOW! Before somebody catches me... then I'll never hear the end of it... actually I would... I'd die... by the hands of a very angry knight... " he stumbled across the room, the blanket catching his feet and causing him to stumble and almost crawl to the door way... he paused in his one sided worries to no one, "He'd have to catch me first... of course." even in his personal conversations he had to convince himself he was great.

He stumbled out into the hallway and looked down toward the stairway, nobody was in sight. His tail twitched from one side to the other as he contemplated his escape route. But soon the reality of Garnet's actions caught up with him in his mad rush. He paused and touched his cheek where she had brushed back his hair. Was that my imagination... or did that seem almost.. his thoughts froze suddenly as his heart jumped into his throat when he heard the sudden clank of armor behind him.

"ZzzzZi...dane! Uncouth, per...vert..." a gruff voice slurred behind him.

He didn't have to look around, he was caught for sure, by the last person he wanted to let know he had come from Garnet's room. "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" he rolled out of the way and curled up into a little ball along the side of the wall, his tail wrapped up over his legs and across his shoulders defensively. He waited for the coming onslaught of verbal abuse.

Nothing, but the clanking of armor heading toward the bathroom near the stairs. Zidane peeked through his fingers, quickly pulling his hands away from his face he watched Steiner disappear into the restroom. "Wha..." he tilted his head slightly in confusion.

"He sleep walks in the morning..." a feminine voice said softly.

Zidane jumped and then stared up at Beatrix in confusion, "What?"

"He's sort of awake.. But not really, more like sleep auto pilot..." she flicked a long brown curl behind her shoulder.

"So he didn't see me?"

"Not really. Actually, I've walked by his room and heard him talking in his sleep before. If he isn't yelling about saving the princess, or sweet talking me..." she smirked, "he's yelling something about miscreants and uncouth perverts," she winked at zidane, "Most likely strangling the life out of you..."

"Like that would happen..." Zidane snorted.

"Who's the one cowering on the floor?" she smirked again and turned to go back to her room.

"I was caught by surprise.. I wasn't cowering... I was lulling him into a false sense of security... then I was going to kick his tin can of a butt..." Zidane shot up and hollered at her down the hallway.

"Uh, huh..." then she shut the door.

Zidane grumbled a little more and then walked to his room, peeking inside. He had to stifle a laugh. His two guests where still sound asleep, but how they could possibly be comfortable was beyond him.

Eiko was sprawled across most of the bed, limbs spread in every direction, she had turned circles, the covers where the proof. Her head was hanging over the side of the bed and her violet hair was ruffled and sticking in every direction. Her right foot was firmly planted in Vivi's face, but he didn't seem to mind. Snoring was heard from both of them. After taking in the image Zidane chuckled and closed the door back quietly.

"Don't have to worry about them for a while." he whispered as he slowly turned to walk away. Then a thought struck him.

I can still tell her... I still have time... If I can find her before everyone wakes up.

He ran the rest down the hallway to the stairs almost jumping the first flight and falling down the other. He stopped in the lobby and spun circles looking all around trying to think of where she might have gone. He caught sight of the book keeper, "Did you see Kodachi come through here? Dark hair... cute... " he started to describe her, but the words just weren't right.

"No, sir, nobody's come in here this morning." He said never looking up from his book.

"Uh, huh... like you even saw anything... " Zidane mumbled as he walked to the middle of the room and stared out the open front doors.

There was a strange gust of wind that blew forcefully through the doors of the lobby brushing his blond hair back, just for a second, and then it was gone. And then he noticed there was a sweet sort of cologne sent in that moment. It was terribly bright outside, he couldn't make a thing out from the inside the dim room, so he shrugged and walked back to the stairs. Of course he'd loose sight of her again, any chance he got was shot down. Any moment he was alone with her was quickly taken away. With each step up the stairs his feet seemed heavier, and his heart seemed to ache. It's not meant to be... how could she love me anyway... even if I told her, she couldn't love me... she's a queen. I'm a thief... It was the same thoughts that often invaded his mind, ever since that time it first hit him in Alexandria, right after she became queen. It was there lurking in the back of his mind, every time he felt the courage to finally talk to her about his feelings, they would return and zap any hope he had in his heart. Sometimes your worst enemy can be yourself, after all.

He shut his eyes tightly trying to force his thoughts to the back of his mind and walked slowly toward his own room. However he was stopped suddenly by a hard metal surface, slamming into it he fell back a little but skillfully caught himself before falling completely to the ground..

"You really are a low one aren't you..." Steiner growled after Zidane had finally regained his senses.

"What! What did I do? NOTHING! That's what! So, beat it Rusty I'm not in the mood for your sick accusations today." For once it was Zidane that was starting to turn red with anger.

"NOTHING! THEN WHY ARE YOU LURKING OUTSIDE THE WOMEN"S BATHROOM!" He pointed at the door they were standing next to.

Zidane blinked and stared at the door until it came into focus, his thoughts and anger was getting the best of him today. Sure enough it was the women's bathroom. He shook his head and then shot a scowl at the knight, "I'm only standing in front of the door because YOU RAN INTO ME!"

"THAT IS NO EXCUSE!" He yelled back.

"AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! I COULD CALL YOU A PERVERT!" Zidane pointed an accusing finger in Steiner's face.

"WHAT! It is my job to know where my Queen is at ALL times in order to protect her... from perverts like YOU!

"ME? I WAS GOING BACK TO MY... Kodachi's in there?" Zidane stopped and stared back at the door. "No wonder I couldn't find her..."

"AH HA! ADMITTED IT FINALLY!" Steiner seemed overly pleased with himself.

Zidane started to open his mouth to fight back but was cut off by Beatrix who had walked up beside them. "Ok.. Boys... enough with the fighting. Move it..." she swished her hands at them until they parted a little. Then she opened the restroom door and stepped inside leaning her head back out and glancing from one to the other. "What? Are you going to stand out here the hole time? MOVE ALONG! YOU'RE BOTH A COUPLE OF PERVERTS!" and with that she slammed the door.

Steiner turned a shade of brilliant red, but not from anger, then quickly retreated to his room. Zidane simply stood in awe of her mighty power, "She really has him wrapped around her finger..."

"Yes I do... now move along..." she called through the door.

Zidane quickly turned around and went back down stairs, it was no use now looking for Garnet. Everyone was a wake, they'd be moving on their way again. And the chance was lost, there was only the hope that he could find her alone sometime again soon. But his tortured thoughts began to slowly return.

How could she love him...

How could she love a thief...

Zidane stormed through the lobby and into the dinning room where Eiko had dragged him the night before. This time he made his way over to the row of stools that lined the bar counter and plopped down completely ignoring the hooded figure sitting a seat away. He laid his head down finally and tried to block out the thoughts that were beginning to haunt him. He had it so well planned, he went through so much and felt like nothing could get in his way. But now he sat there, defeated by his own mind. He closed his eyes and sighed into the counter top. There was a squeak from the seat next to him, but he ignored it, he no longer cared about anything. Nothing really mattered except her. "Garnet..." he whispered her real name this time.

"Pathetic... It really is too early for this sort of thing." a calm male voice broke the silence in the room.

"Shut up, and mind your own business, Buddy! I'll do what I want." Zidane growled muffled by his arm that he had wrapped around his head, forehead resting on the other.

"Whatever you wish... I just would have expected at least a little shred of dignity from you of all people. Where is that courage, that cocky little rooster attitude you so love to flaunt."

The voice still nagged at him with almost a musical sort of tone. "Makes me rather sick... Seeing you act like and even bigger fool than you already are..."

That was all Zidane could take right now, especially from some nobody that had nothing better to do than to taunt him early in the morning, "Look , I don't need any of your stupidity, and who do you think you are, talking like you know..." he snapped back his head and glared at the man next to him. "...me..."

It took only a second for recognition to set in and Zidane became so startled he slipped and fell off the stood he had been slouching on. Sitting next to him the man had finally pulled back the white hood he was wearing, revealing long silvery violet hair that spiked at the bangs into a soft feather. His expression was serious, not even a smile cracked his lips, but his amusement shined through his blue eyes. "And that, dear brother, was about as graceful a move as a one-legged chocobo on ice. I can't imagine why she isn't head of heels for you. Such a catch..." only after that comment did the wicked smile tug at his lips.

Zidane jumped to his feet, ignoring the pain at the back of his head where it had connected with the counter, he was crouched and ready to pull his daggers on his worst enemy. "What are you doing here, Kuja!"

Kuja looked him over, and sighed, "It's too early for that as well." and then he swivelled in his seat to face the counter once again.

Zidane held the stance, but his eyes began to dart around the room, wondering if there was a trap. Then his thoughts went back to Garnet suddenly, he wondered if she was alright. He started to take a step toward the lobby, he had to find her, to keep her safe.

"You're wondering if I've set a trap? Is she alright? Could she be in danger, for surely if I'm here there must be an army of black mages ready to attack the Inn at any moment." Kuja sighed, halting Zidane in his tracks.

Zidane stared at the back of Kuja's head and then the beautiful man continued his little speech, "No, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Zidane, but the world does not revolve around you and the little canary." Kuja paused turning his head and staring into the corner of the room, as if he was trying to grasp some thought right out of the air, "hmmm, actually quite a bit revolves around her.." He glanced at Zidane out of the corner of his eye, "but not you."

"Then why are you here?" Zidane hissed.

"Coffee." Kuja smiled closing his eyes dreamily.

"Coffee?" Zidane repeated the word.

"Best coffee in all the worlds... " a glazed look came over his face, "what am I saying... there IS NO coffee in Terra... evil place... they can rot..."

"What?" zidane was confused now.

"Nothing, you'll understand in time... and be sure to get your fill of... everything... before you ever visit there." Kuja flipped his hand back and waived the air around to dismiss the whole thing.

Zidane stood, still staring in disbelief at the villain that sat before him. Could this really be the same evil man they had been fighting, could such a terrible person be sitting there, ordering coffee like he didn't have a single care in the world. Would he really turn his back to his enemy like that?

Kuja patted the counter top and motioned for the waiter, "Come, come, Man... What IS taking so long... I must be out of here before the riff-raff begin to stir... even more so..."

"Just another minute..." he did a sort of double take at Kuja, "s...sir."

Zidane snorted and stifled the laughter that was trying to fight it's way free. Kuja shot them both a rather evil glare. Which made the waiter hurry to the kitchen.

"You can't really be here for coffee." Zidane finally sat down again, strangely he was begining to let his guard down.

"Yes, I am. I have a business arrangement not to far from here, so I decided to stop by."

"Buisness? You mean you're stirring up more trouble, causing more wars!"

"I am not the one that is starting the wars, Greed, Hatred, Envy... It's the depravity of human kind; that is what starts wars. I merely supply the means to achieve their wishes." Kuja's lip curled slightly, but Zidane thought he caught the slightest trace of sadness in his eyes, this confused him.

"You're sick. And we'll find a way to stop you." Zidane said, but he didn't have the harsh tone he had earlier.

"...maybe..." Kuja whispered, but Zidane couldn't have heard, "but why not now, you have the perfect opportunity to stop me right now... and yet you haven't." he finally said louder.

"It's too early for that." Zidane mocked, then his eyes fell and he looked away. He still felt the depressed weight that laid so heavy on his heart.

Kuja watched him for a moment, as the waiter walked up and set a large cappuccino before the bishonen. He nodded at the waiter in thanks and then turned back to Zidane "Don't wait any longer." He said softly and then quickly looked down into his cup.

Zidane turned and looked at him for the longest time before he spoke, "What? What are you talking about?" he wondered if Kuja wanted to be stopped, was that what he was saying not to wait any longer to put a stop to things.

"Don't wait any longer to tell her. Life is too short to wait for things, time is an enemy that creeps up on you in the dark, it waits there in the shadows to devour you. You never know when the hourglass will run out, so you shouldn't hold on to bottled up feelings any longer. If you have something to say to her then you should hurry and say it." it was a rare moment, strange words coming from someone who seemed bent on ending the world as soon as possible.

Zidane opened his mouth, starting to speak, but nothing came out, he had no idea what to say to this. He couldn't understand this strange man that sat next to him at all. It was sad in a way, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him in a way.

Kuja caught the pity that was beginning to show in the other Genome's eyes and he quickly decided to squash it. "Tch, what am I saying... the world will end VERY soon... so hurry up, brother. Or maybe you could buy yourself a little more time by defeating me." Kuja smirked and then stood to leave with his little styrofoam cup of caffeinated goodness.

"And here you were starting to sound like a reasonable, nice person..." Zidane sighed.

"Eh, people make mistakes." Kuja threw his hands up, a swift movement with graceful flaunting, yet never spilling a drop of coffee.

He took a few steps and stopped, hesitating, yet another unusual movement for this master of war "I had a dream..." he said sofly.

Zidane had laid his head back down on his arm atop the counter, but lifted it slightly when he saw Kuja stop and say that. "Dream?"

"A..About... us... It sounded like fun actually..." he was hesitant, but soon found his usual finesse, "say, sometime down the road, what if we happen to get along..." he spun back around, beaming.

Zidane's eye twitched as he listened to the rest of Kuja's plan. "What would you say to forming a pop group... we could wear matching feathery sequenced outfits and call ourselves Feather!"

A horrified expression was plastered across Zidane's stark white face, he finally found his words after an excruciating silence, "The day I start dressing like you and form a J-pop band is the day I..." He paused, grasping for a great unlikely event, "Is the day I sit in some tree and sing to you!"

Kuja swayed a little, thinking and smiling "Ah! When that happens I'll hold you to your word." and with that he flitted away out the door.

Zidane stared at the empty doorway, what kind of freak is that man. And yet, for all his strange ways; for all the wrong he was doing, for a second there he sensed something else in Kuja. As though the events that were taking place were from some great misunderstanding. Kuja almost seemed scared and cornered, he was lashing out in a blind way and grasping at any means to save himself, but what could scare such a powerful man. Zidane then ran over Kuja's words again, once again how could their enemy actually sound so... wise, even for just a split second, Kuja had made sense.

"Is there still hope..." words that could have been taken many ways. Hope for him, for Kuja, for the party, for Garnet... for their love... many meanings all in a couple words, "there is still hope. I won't ever give up hope again."

Zidane stood with a new determination, he started to head for the door way and stopped when he looked up and saw Garnet waiting there for him, and smiling. A sheepish grin formed across his face. She was always so beautiful, even more so when she stood before him, smiling sweetly at nobody but him. "Hey..." this time he didn't beat himself for not saying any more, for sometimes silence can speak more than words.

She smiled wider, her brown eyes sparkled. "We're ready to move on now." she took a few steps closer and her smile faded just a little, "Are you ok, now? You seemed so... worried last night."

Zidane was soon beside her and smiled again, his usual cocky little smile, this seemed to relieve the worry that was sneaking into her eyes, "I'm fine..." he took hold of her hand lacing his fingers with hers, a shocked look flashed across her face, but was soon replaced by a tender smile "I think everything will be fine now." he whispered

Together they walked away, the adventure was moving again, now with a new determination and a new hope...