A/N: I have been extra nice to write both of these and post them at the same time. Thanks to the people who reviewed previously, you rule! Have more time on my hands no that it's the September weekend, although I really should be doing homework. Oops...

Chapter 3-Trapped

Zidane was taken aback. He knew he should have expected it, but his heart thudded dully inside his chest, his head hurt and his eyes stung. What was more, his one true love was going to be married to a past enemies son.

Dagger fell to her knees again, but Zidane couldn't go to her this time. He felt dead inside, his emotions no longer there. He knew the distance he had come to be with her again, the speed at which he had ran, the time it had taken. Yet fate had a plan for him, and it wasn't a good one. He would have to live his life knowing that he had ruined his chances because of his loyalty to Kuja in his final moments. He regretted ever going back, if he had only known what it would have cost him later on...

"Garnet!" a voice called from outside. Dagger sprang up from her crouched position, wiping her tears away hastily as she looked around to the direction where the voice had come from. "Garnet!" the voice called, louder and with more authority.

A man with lank short silver hair and bright green eyes came into view, and stared coldly at Dagger. She nodded to him and looked sorrowfully at Zidane, who looked back at her blankly.

"Uhm...Z-Zidane, this is...him," she finished lamely, raising her hand to Kadaj slightly. Her lack of enthusiasm did not go unnoticed by Kadaj, who sneered and turned his attention to Zidane, who could not look him in the eye. Kadaj cleared his throat, feeling he was owed an introduction to this stranger.

"Uh, Kadaj, this is-" Dagger began. Kadaj placed his hands behind his back with pride, and circled Zidane rudely.

"You...are you not the man who killed my father but four years ago?" he snarled gruffly, making Zidane sigh.

"Nice to meet you too." Zidane said angrily, clenching his fists. Dagger faintly smiled and took Kadajs arm lightly, pulling him away from Zidane.

"You can't treat my friends like that Kadaj..." she muttered, trying to spare Zidanes feelings, who stared at her with obvious hurt.

Kadaj pulled his arm away from her s if her touch was hot, he recoiled and stood upright, his tall figure towering over her. He put his face close to hers, his eyes burning into hers.

"I can do whatever I like, Garnet, it is after all, my own land now."

"Not yet it isn't! And I have a say too, it's my own castle!" Dagger exclaimed, her eyebrows furrowed as her anger boiled her blood. "What are you here for, anyway? I told you to leave me alone today..."

"Your soldier, Steiner, told me that was a man named Zidane had returned to the castle. I want to know his purpose here, that's all."

Zidane stood against the wall, as he felt hot tears brimming over. How could his fate be so cruel that he didn't even see a point in it?

Dagger felt her face burn with fury. She hated him, and couldn't believe her stupidity to marry him of all people. Then she remembered why it was him she agreed to. He was the only one, she reminded herself, that had not wished to force things such as children upon her, and for that she had been rather grateful.

"Zidane came back...to see me." Dagger said with shame. "He came back for me, Kadaj. I have missed him." her voice trailed off as she looked to Zidanes poor face, full of remorse. Zidane looked up suddenly, and he managed a faint smile. Dagger, however, could not smile, for his eyes said how much hurt he was feeling. She felt like hugging him, kissing him, anything to make it all go away. But the presence of Kadaj prevented her from doing so, although her body made to move towards him when Kadaj grabbed her by the shoulders.

"This man," he glared at the thief, "killed my own father. He shall not return to this castle again. I am never to hear his name again, and neither shall you, Garnet. You are my wife, and will do as I say!" he commanded. He threw his arm around Daggers waist and made to pull her from the wings and out. Dagger struggled against his heavy hold, and Zidane attempted to move.

Kadaj turned to him, holding Dagger by her waist and keeping her steady. She tried to throw his large arms off of her, but he was too strong. "Take a last look at her, Zidane, this is the last time you will ever see her face again!" he scorned with obvious delight, and Dagger began to shout in protest. "GUARDS!" Kadaj yelled over her voice, and immediately four men appeared by his side. "Arrest this man; he tried to kill the Princess!"

"No!" Zidane screamed, as Dagger was pulled away from him. The guards threw themselves on top of Zidane, pinning him down and handcuffing him. The guards hauled him against the wall, his body slammed into the hard wood, as his breath was knocked out of him.

He felt a hard bang on his head, his mind slowed, and Zidanes world went blank as Dagger shouted for him, he drifted into unconsciousness as the guards held him down. Kadaj grinned to himself as the crowd parted in silence for their new king.

Zidane heard the rain battering on the street, and he felt his clothes stick to him. He turned over on his side, his head still banging from the attack. He opened his eyes and found to his surprise, he was outside. He saw a blurry vision of people staring at him from further away, but he couldn't get his eyes to focus.

"Zidane?" a female voice said. Suddenly Zidane saw his old friend, Freya, standing over him. Tears filled her eyes, as she covered Zidane with a warm blanket and gently brought him to his feet. She pulled him into a tight embrace, no words were exchanged.

"Freya...how you been?" he muttered as he pulled away from her, not looking in her eyes. Freya sighed unhappily.

"I'm really sorry, Zidane." she whispered. She led him slowly out of the rain and into the inn, where she paid for a room. "Are you ok?"

Zidane shook his head. "I don't know what to do. I thought, once I got back here...I don't know how this happened...at all."

"None of us thought this would happen. Dagger was close to going crazy, they've been so hard on her these past few months. I understand why she did what she did."

Zidane bit his lip, and rubbed his aching head. "I think I understand too...I don't blame her, but...Freya, this wasn't supposed to be the ending."

"The ending...?"

"I always thought when I came back...it would be our happy ending. You know, happily ever after. This, this idiot she's going to marry. God, Freya, I wish I could do something..."

Freya nodded. "I know...but this world works in mysterious ways...maybe, for some reason, this guy was supposed to come along...it makes the happy ending that much sweeter..." she said hopefully, hugging Zidane again. He shrugged.

"I just don't know...but thanks, Freya. It's...good to be back, huh?" he said sadly.

Freya couldn't think of a way to cheer him up. She decided to drop this depressing subject. "A lot's happened, Zidane. Eiko was adopted by Cid and his wife, Vivi has sons, Amarant is still the same arrogant guy though...Zidane?"

"Thanks, Freya, I appreciate this." he gestured to the room they were sitting in. "But if you don't mind, I kinda wanna be alone..."

"S-Sure...I'll see you tomorrow, I guess. God night." she said simply, squeezing his shoulder. He smiled weakly.

"Yeah. Tomorrows another day." he said, trying desperately to sound positive. Freya left with a nod, and closed the door. Zidane sighed and jumped onto the bed. He felt for his pillow and shoved it against his face, wishing he could leave this world. Without Dagger nothing mattered. His sobs were drowned out by the sound of the rain, as it clashed against his window, he cried into the night.

Dagger leapt out of Kadajs grip as soon as she reached the castle. He flew for her and brought her round to face him, his face full of triumph.

"I hate you..." she murmured, her tears flowing once more. He glared at her and held her tighter, making her wince. "You can't stop me seeing him, Kadaj...he's my...friend...I want to see him..."

"I can do what I please. You forget, garnet, you are mine as of now. Well, officially once the wedding is over, but it is so soon...I think tomorrow would be perfect."

Daggers eyes widened. "T-Tomorrow? Kadaj, wait-"

"My mind is made up. The wedding is tomorrow. BEATRIX!" Kadaj yelled. A sulking Beatrix rushed over immediately, her hate for him on her face was so apparent he did not look at her. "Have the preparations made for the wedding. We shall be wed at noon tomorrow. Go!" he ordered, and Beatrix nodded directly. She shot Dagger a anguished look, and Dagger began to sob again.

"Garnet! Come with me..." Kadaj charged, leading her with a strong hand up the staircase and into her own room. He slammed her small body against a wall, and she cried out in pain. He held a hand against her mouth and looked into her eyes.

"Now listen carefully to me, dearest," his voice dripped with sarcasm as she tried to move, but her body was firmly restrained against his. "You will marry me tomorrow at noon. You will obey me and do as I please, and once I have control over this land, you can say goodbye to all these pathetic soldiers and those commoners you call your friends. All will be gone before you can blink, especially your friend Zidane. He will regret ever meeting you, my canary, and do not think you can ever defy me like you did today! I can make you regret these things..." he said furiously. He punched Dagger hard in the stomach, making her drop to the floor; he loosened his grip and calmly walked to the door. "Good night, my soon to be wife. Sweet dreams." he snickered. He slammed the door behind him, leaving Dagger alone.

She felt like screaming, the pain unbearable in her body and mind. The tears had stopped as if her body could produce no more, but sobs took her body as she slumped against the wall, unsure she would ever see her friends again. She pictured each one, desperate to see them and warn them. Zidane came into her mind, his hurt look, tears in his stunning eyes, that cheeky smile, his gentle hold, most of all, his entire beautiful kiss...would she ever experience any of it again?

Eiko had been on her way to Daggers room when she heard Kadajs commanding voice. She heard ever word he had said, tears filled her eyes as he spoke, she could imagine Dagger in there, trying to fight him. When the door opened, she flung back and ran as fast as she could. She needed to help Dagger, but her time was limited, as it was already late at night and she had to come up with a plan. Fast.

A/N: So...any thoughts? I don't know if this is enough...review please, I need some help. A few more chapters to go, I think, I just need to plan it out properly. What do you think of Kadaj? Bastard, ain't he? Lol...please comment, good or bad, I don't mind! I need some encouragement...