Disclaimer: -sigh- No. I don't own FF IX or it's characters. Square Enix and Hironobu Sakaguchi do…-sigh-
Garnet alexandros: Errrm…yeah…thanks?…I think…Was that a good thing?
n/a: Pshh. How can you tell? In the game, l's and I's look exactly the same…but I'll spell it Iifa if you insist…;
Rushi-chan- Do I really scare you that much? …….Oh well. At least you reviewed. Again, come up to me and say "Tell me about Dagger and Zidane's relationship before I slaughter you!" (notice I said "slaughter" instead of "kill" this time…adds to the demanding-ness) XD
Ripitupgenki: Thanks! I'll be sure to: )
A/N: What can I say about the most recent reviews…? ; Not much…Except is it really spelled Iifa or lifa? (not you Rushi-chan)-sigh-
Anyways, I'm sure you want to read more about our dear Dagger so…
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Iifa had come into view. I watched its twisted form grow larger as we neared.
Zidane…tell me you're not trapped in that god forsaken tree…please…tell me you're not alone in there!
I stepped from the airship onto Iifa's roots and stared angrily at the "tree".
"If you killed Zidane" I muttered, "I'll make sure that you are burned beyond recognition…or existence…"
I immediately began crawling into the crushed remains of the tree. I had to find Zidane…no matter the cost…
"Your Highness!" called Beatrix, "Please wait for me!"
I glanced back for a fraction of a second, then continued into the tree. I didn't have time to wait for someone to catch up…Zidane had been down there for more than 24 hours…and I would make sure he stayed no longer!
As I went deeper and deeper into the demolished tree, the light began to diminish. I simply lit a match and hurried onward.
Finally, I reached the center of the trunk. Looking around, I noticed that only a thin pathway leading to a small platform remained…around which was a steep drop into a cold, dark abyss.
With my anxiety level reaching critical, I slowly headed for the platform.
I jumped as the match burned down to my finger. I hurriedly lit another. I paused as I heard Beatrix running behind me.
"Your Highness, please!" she shouted, "At least take this torch!"
I turned to see her waving a flaming stick in her hand. I sighed. That would be helpful…
She handed me the torch and nodded for me to continue.
In the new light, something white on the platform caught my eye, though I dared not look away from the path.
The closer I got to the platform, the more I came to realize that it was covered in fallen roots. As if the roots had chosen to fall there…
When, finally, we reached the platform, I began frantically searching for a way through the roots to the center.
Zidane…could you be in here…smothered by roots and darkness…?
I shuddered at the thought until I finally found a small opening…just large enough for a person to fit through…
As I crawled in, I felt the outside of the roots. The were covered in scratches…ones that might be caused by a…dagger…
As my foot touched the floor of the small room, I felt something soft against my foot. Horrified at what it might be, I slowly lowered the light so that it gently slid over a limp figure…in white armor…
"K-Kuja?" I gasped terror.
I slid against the wall and watched him for any signs of movement. Seeing none, I ventured to check his pulse.
"Still breathing…" I muttered.
I stared at him a moment before deciding upon what to do.
"This is more than you deserve." I whispered in his ear.
I leaned over him and placed a hand on his chest, over his heart…if he had one…
"Full-Life."
I watched indifferently as his eyes slid open.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded weakly, "And why did you bring me back to this cursed life? I was almost there…"
I grabbed the collar of his shirt in anger, "Shut up!"
"I-Is that Kuja?" cried Beatrix.
"What happened here?" I hissed, ignoring my general.
Instead of responding, the man merely looked down at his shirt. Following his gaze, I realized that his white armor was stained red…blood red…
I dropped him in horror and disgust.
"Alas," he said simply, "I have no way of knowing to whom it belongs, me or my brother."
"Can't you feel if you have any wounds?" I asked cautiously.
"Not anymore." he said with a weak smiled, "I gave up 'pain' when I accepted the position of 'Angel of Death'."
I examined him in silence finding that the roots had managed to pierce through him multiple times, "I believe that most of this is yours…at least I hope."
"Such kind words…"
I scanned the floor with the light and found what I'd been afraid of…a dry blood trail.
I sighed heavily, "We've got to find him before he lets his wounds kill him…"
"We? I wish only to remain here and receive the death I almost had before you came in here with your magic." Kuja said with a touch of annoyance.
I grabbed his shirt again and held the flame close to his eyes, "You are the only one who can find him. That's reason enough to let you live..."
He sighed, "I'm not getting out of this am I?"
I shook my head, "No, you're not."
He paused an turned away, "He's alive. That much I know for sure."
"Then I assure you, we will find him."
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A/N: Heehee! I finally updated! Sorry about the wait, holiday season etc...That sorta thing. Anyway, I updated so be grateful. ; )
UPDATE OR ELSE...or else...ummmm...you'll be sorry! (I'm running out of ways to say "review" ; )