A/N: Yikes! Sorry about the delay, everyone! I kind of wrote myself into a corner there for a while, and had a heck of a time getting out of it. Anyway, I hope this chapter makes up for my hiatus, in some small way. Lots of thanks to everyone who reviewed, as well as everyone who has commented on my drawings on my DeviantArt gallery. Anyway, without further blathering, here's chapter thirteen!

Disclaimer: Must we still do this? I don't own Final Fantasy IX. Please don't sue me, Square Enix, for borrowing your wonderful characters.

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Requiem for an Angel

a Final Fantasy IX fanfiction

by Wakizashi

Chapter Thirteen: A Day for Farewells

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"Your Highness, I really must protest," said Captain Steiner, his booming voice echoing in the airship hangar.

Queen Garnet stood calmly beside him, overseeing the preparations for her royal airship, the Red Rose. Scores of Alexandrian soldiers loaded stores of food and water for the journey, as well as medicinal items, into the hold of the enormous ship. They were scheduled to leave in three hours.

"Agreeing to help Kuja on this ridiculous mission is exceedingly unwise," Steiner continued heatedly. "He has given us no reason to trust him in the past. Why should we help him when he has done nothing but deceive us?"

"Your objections are duly noted, Captain Steiner," Garnet replied evenly.

The knight stamped his feet furiously, his armor clanking. "He's nothing but a lying snake!" he bellowed. "He is treacherous and manipulative! I shall say nothing of his lawless bunch of companions--"

"Steiner," the queen interrupted, her patience finally wearing thin, "I know how you feel. I know how everyone feels; you're not the first to come to me in protest, you know. And I'll admit, at first I felt just as you do." She sighed and shook her head. "But I truly believe Kuja has had a change of heart. It's been difficult to accept, but I can't avoid it."

"But, your Highness, how can you be certain?" he persisted. "What if it is all an act to gain our cooperation? He may have something horrible planned for us! We cannot simply--"

Garnet put her hand on the big knight's arm. "Steiner, please," she said softly. "This isn't just about Kuja. It's about the lives of billions of people. It's about the fate of an entire planet."

"We have only the word of Kuja, two thieves, and a young woman who may well be out of her head," he answered dubiously. "How do we know that it's not an elaborate farce?"

In response, the queen held out a piece of paper, which Steiner took uncertainly. "I wrote to Doctor Tot, asking him if he knew anything about Claire and Kuja's mission," she said. "That letter is his reply. Not only does he support their story, but he sends his regards to the both of them and hopes they reach Earth safely." She looked up at Steiner. "If Doctor Tot can trust Kuja, then so can we."

Steiner cast about desperately for more objections. "But... But even if Kuja is sincere, this expedition is madness, your Highness!" he exclaimed. The queen rolled her brown eyes wearily. "Surely you cannot have forgotten what happened the last and only time we went to Vile Island! We were attacked by a group of yans! Master Vivi was nearly killed!" He stepped in front of her and looked down at her sternly. "You may be my queen, but it is my duty to protect you, and I would hold myself personally responsible if anything were to happen to you."

"Steiner--"

"No; I will not hear it," he said stubbornly. "I simply cannot allow you to go on this mission. And if I am charged with insubordination, then so be it."

"Steiner..." Garnet closed her eyes and shook her head, and when she opened them she was smiling affectionately at him. "Whoever said I was going on this mission?"

Steiner blinked. "What?"

----

"Okay, listen up," said Zidane as he paced back and forth in the conference hall, his sandy blond tail lashing about. "I'm not gonna force any of you guys into this. If you don't want to come, I understand completely. But I'd like to think I can count on you to say yes."

Before him, watching Zidane guardedly, stood Garnet, Steiner, Beatrix, Vivi, Freya, Amarant, Quina, and Eiko. Steiner was visibly fuming, as well as Vivi and Eiko, but the rest of them were impassive. It was clear that none of them were particularly excited about what Zidane was proposing.

On the other side of the room, Felina leaned against the wall, with Kuja and Claire on either side. Felina could swear that they looked distinctly uncomfortable. Jack was nowhere to be seen. She sighed in disappointment; somehow she had hoped that he would come bursting through the doors at the last minute and demand to come along. But she should have expected as much.

"Claire's planet is about to be totally destroyed," Zidane continued, directing his gaze toward his friends. "If we don't do something to stop it, everyone will die. Now there's only one way back to Earth that we know of. Doctor Tot believes there's a portal on Vile Island that might take us there.

"I know what you're thinking," he said quickly as there were general gasps and exclamations of horror. "And you're right. Vile Island is probably the most dangerous place on Gaia. But we've faced bigger things in the past, and we managed to get through them. We're a team, and as long as we're together, we can take on anything, right?"

Felina had to smile. A movin' speech, to be sure, she thought. It hadn't had much effect on Vivi and Eiko, but some of the others looked a little less peeved. She wondered how many of them Zidane would be able to recruit.

"Now I'm not gonna beat around the bush," he was saying, his hands behind his back. "I know most of you, if not all of you, aren't feeling too great about Kuja being here." Felina cast a sidelong glance at Kuja beside her, but his face was impassive. "I can assure you, without any shadow of a doubt, that you don't have to worry about him. But, in case you think someone should keep an eye on him, that's why I'm coming." Zidane looked at Garnet, and when he spoke again, his voice was quieter. "The queen, however, is staying here."

"What?" cried Eiko in surprise. "You're not going, Dagger?"

"No, Eiko," Garnet replied, kneeling down beside the little girl. "I have to stay and protect Alexandria. We still have a long way to go with the reconstruction, and my people need me right now. I just can't pick up and leave my kingdom for every adventure that comes along. Don't worry, I'll have Captain Steiner and General Beatrix to keep me company."

Beatrix cleared her throat. "That is not entirely accurate, your Highness," she said hesitantly. "I wish to be present on this mission also."

"You would?" Zidane and Steiner said simultaneously. They glanced at each other, and Zidane stammered hastily, "I mean, that's great, Beatrix. But can I ask why?"

The tall general stepped forward, her sword clinking on her belt. "During your many exploits, I have remained behind to look after matters in Alexandria," she answered slowly. "But now that her Highness has decided to stay, I would very much like to be included on this one. I cannot think of a better cause than saving an entire world. That is," she added with a glance toward the queen, "if it please her Highness."

"Yes, of course, Beatrix," Garnet said quickly.

"I am coming!" Steiner shouted adamantly. When Zidane raised his eyebrows, he colored and explained, "I said I would follow you to kingdom come, Zidane, and I hold to that. If that means following you to yet another planet, then I shall."

Zidane smiled and shook his head. "Rusty..."

"Well then, who's going to stay here with Dagger?" Eiko demanded, her fists on her hips. "I'm staying! With those two knuckleheads leaving, someone has to look after the queen!"

"I-I'm staying, too," said Vivi, so quietly that Felina, from her position, could barely hear him. He looked up at Zidane. "I'm sorry, Zidane, but... It's Kuja. I... I just can't..."

Zidane put his hand on the little mage's shoulder. "I understand, Vivi," he said kindly.

"Well, I'll come," Amarant said suddenly. When everyone stared at him, he shrugged casually. "Why the hell not? I was looking for something reckless and stupid to do. This came just in time."

"I shall come as well," put in Freya with a good-humored smile. "Without someone to look after Zidane, he might do something rash and foolhardy."

"I come too!" Quina said. "Is maybe many good food on Earth!"

"Uhhhh, yeah, about that," Claire suddenly said tentatively, speaking for the first time. Felina watched as the brunette stepped forward to face the group of comrades. "I'm really grateful to all of you for your support," she continued slowly, "and I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. But the fact is... all of the people on Earth look like me. I mean, they're all humans. And if anyone on Earth were to see Quina, or Freya..." She trailed off, fumbling for the right words.

"It'd cause widespread terror?" Zidane suggested, grinning. Claire nodded, biting her lip. "Well then, we'll just have to thin out our ranks a little. Freya, Quina, I'm sorry. But it looks like you'll have to stay behind this time." They nodded their acknowledgement, visibly disappointed. "So I guess that leaves me, Steiner, Beatrix, Amarant, Kuja, and Claire."

"Oi, I'm comin' too!" Felina cried, her hand shooting up in the air.

"So am I," came a sudden raspy voice. Felina whipped her head around, her heart in her throat. Standing in the doorway, two of his four arms folded over his chest, was Jack. She grinned wildly with delight.

"Jack," said Claire, "you don't have to come if you don't want to. No one's forcing you."

The thief rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you, Claire," he replied cynically. "You're lettin' two guys with tails come with you, and you don't want me around? If you're worried about my extra arms, they're easy enough to hide." She opened her mouth to protest, but he came forward and put his hands on her shoulders. "You're not forcin' me into anything here," he said, smiling. "Face it, sweetheart, you're stuck with me."

Claire smiled back. "Thanks, Jack."

"And Kuj," he added, turning toward the tall Genome, "looks like you're stuck with me, too."

The merest hint of a smile touched Kuja's lips. "Don't worry, I'll manage somehow," he replied.

Jack chuckled, then abruptly stopped. "Felina." She felt her cheeks grow warm as he stepped up to her, took her hand, and placed something in it. It was a small leather sack. "Your ill-gotten gains," he explained with a smirk, his golden eyes flashing with mischief. "It wasn't my place to confiscate it."

Felina could hardly believe it. "Th-Thank you," she managed to stutter, her eyes wide.

"All right then," said Zidane, smiling as if at some secret joke. "That makes eight of us. The Red Rose is almost prepared for the journey, so uhh... I'll see you all in the airship hangar in an hour!"

The group began to disperse, and Jack pulled a face. "An hour?" he repeated unhappily. "Sheesh, I'm glad I got here when I did. I'd better go get ready."

He turned to leave, but Felina detained one of his arms. "Jack?" she asked, embarrassed at how hesitant she sounded.

He frowned. "Yeah, kitten?"

She cleared her throat. "I were just wonderin'," she said, as casually as she could manage, "why the sudden change of heart?"

Jack shrugged and stuck two of his hands in his pockets. "I dunno," he replied in a low voice, looking at the floor. "I guess I finally realized... what good is money when you don't have friends?"

Felina smiled. "I'm glad," she said softly.

He met her eyes and smiled back.

----

Striding swiftly through the vast entrance to Alexandria Castle's airship hangar, Kuja kept his eyes forward, deliberately ignoring the burning glares from the people who watched him pass. He had no belongings to load onto the Red Rose save the clothes on his back, but that was not the purpose of his visit, or the reason for his haste. He had a different matter to attend to.

As he found himself in the main loading docks, Kuja briefly took in the few others who were already there. Steiner and Amarant were carrying crates of medicinal items onto the airship, to be stowed below in her cavernous storeroom. A slight smile came to his face as he saw Jack and Felina talking animatedly to General Beatrix, who simply stood and nodded patiently. Then the smile faded, and he felt his cheeks grow hot as his gaze zeroed in on Claire, who stood to one side with Queen Garnet, her bow slung over her shoulder.

He closed his eyes and replayed the events of the night before for the millionth time in his head: the confessions, the revelations, the strange notion that his heart would burst if he couldn't hold Claire in his arms. And most of all, the kiss. He hadn't meant to kiss her; indeed, he hadn't meant to say many of the things that had come out of his mouth that night. But his fixation with her lips, so soft and inviting, had overtaken any logic he possessed, so that he couldn't stop himself. If it weren't for the fact that she had pulled away, Kuja doubted that he would have let it end with just one kiss.

But she had pulled away. And he wanted to know why.

Suddenly to his horror, he felt a burning, tingling sensation deep in his throat; a cough was building. No, please, not here, he thought desperately. He tried to hold it back, but it was too late. It tore free from his throat with the force of Ultima, echoing and reechoing in the enormous hangar. Seven heads whipped around and stared at him as he hastily clapped a hand over his mouth.

Making a supreme effort to maintain his dignity, Kuja stepped up to Claire, whose eyes held a sad sympathy which was irritating to look at. "Claire," he said in an even tone, purposely paying no attention to the queen's surprised expression, "may I have a word with you in private?"

Claire's cheeks flushed bright pink, but she nodded. "Yeah, sure," she replied woodenly. "Actually, I was hoping to talk to you, too." She turned to Queen Garnet, who had watched this exchange with unhidden curiosity. "Will you excuse us for a moment, please?"

Garnet blinked. "Oh, yes, of course," she said, nodding rapidly. And she walked quickly off, to rescue Beatrix from the two young delinquents who were accosting her.

Taking Claire discreetly by the elbow, Kuja led her aside, seeking the protective shelter of a tall stack of crates. Once they were alone, he began to speak in a low, rapid voice, giving her no opportunity to interrupt. What he was about to say was difficult enough. "Claire, before you say anything, I want to apologize for my behavior last night. It was totally unwarranted, and I'm sorry. But you must understand, I meant every word I said to you. I know," he continued as she opened her mouth to speak, "I know you have no reason to believe me, but it's true." Reaching out with unsteady fingers, he lightly touched her cheek. "Claire, I--"

She took his hand firmly and pulled it back down. "Please don't," she whispered.

Kuja began to feel a dull pain in his chest, but he ignored it. "Why?" he demanded, starting to grow annoyed. "Why do you keep pushing me away? Why do you insist on playing this ridiculous game?"

"Kuja..."

"Is it because I'm dying, my little bird?" he asked scathingly. "Is that why you've distanced yourself from me? Or is it because we're from different worlds?" He pushed his silver hair out of his face in exasperation. "I can't believe this. After all that's happened, I would never have expected this from you."

Claire stared at him steadily. "Are you done?" she asked quietly.

He blew a breath out through his nose. "For now, yes."

"Then let me talk for a second." She shook her head, hugging her arms to herself. As he looked at her more carefully, he was alarmed to see dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept an hour the night before. She seemed so tired and defenseless to him. "Kuja, let's get real here," she said. "We're two completely different people. We're from completely different backgrounds. Let's face it, we don't even know each other."

"Are you joking?" Kuja blurted in disbelief. "You know all there is to know about me, Claire; more than I've ever wanted anyone to know."

"Maybe so, but do you know me?" Claire raised her eyebrows. "What's my favorite color? My favorite food, my favorite book?" He sighed in annoyance. "What's my middle name, Kuja? Did you even know I had a middle name?"

"All right, maybe we don't know each other all that well," he said impatiently. "But there's no reason why we can't get to know each other better."

"Other than the fact that you're going to be dead soon?" she asked sarcastically. "You're trying not to cough right now, aren't you?"

Kuja felt his tail bristle. "No," he lied.

"Yeah, right." She shook her head wearily. "Look, this isn't even about that. Even if you weren't dying, this could never work. I belong on Earth, Kuja. And you belong here."

"I don't 'belong' anywhere, Claire!" he shouted, forgetting in his anger and frustration to keep his voice down. "Not anywhere," he continued in a quieter tone. "Never have, never will. And I don't need to." He took her hand firmly in his. "I'm a dead man, Claire. My days are numbered. So why must you make my last moments miserable and awkward for the both of us?"

Claire looked down at their clasped hands, her brown eyes filling with tears. As Kuja watched her lip tremble, he felt that unfamiliar sensation again: regret. He regretted his bitter words.

"Oh, little bird," he said softly, closing his other hand over hers. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." He was peripherally aware that he had never apologized this much in his life. "If this is what you want, then I... I won't bring it up again." He slowly released her hand and turned away. "You'd best get ready. We'll be leaving soon."

"Kuja, wait." He stopped, his heart in his throat. "You... You don't have to come with us."

Abruptly, his heart plummeted to his stomach, along with his hopes. "I beg your pardon?" he asked stiffly.

He heard her take a deep breath. "I said you don't have to come with us on this mission, Kuja," she said. "That's why I wanted to talk to you. You've already done so much for me, and I can't thank you enough. But I could never ask this much of you." There was a long pause. "In your... condition, it'd be too dangerous for you. I don't want you wearing yourself out when you should be resting."

Kuja felt himself shaking. For a long minute he didn't respond. Finally he cleared his throat. "I do so appreciate your concern," he said frostily. "But I promised that I would protect you. And I have no intention of breaking that promise."

He heard Claire sigh. "Why, Kuja?" she asked. "Why are you so bent on protecting me?"

Suddenly he spun around and faced her, causing her to jump. "Because you're everything to me, damn it!" he shouted.

Claire stared at him in silent shock. Kuja could scarcely believe what he had just said, and that look of shock in the girl's eyes was more than he could take. "I have to go," he muttered, stalking quickly away and leaving her alone.

----

"Zidane, don't leeeeave!" Eiko pleaded, trying to hold the Genome by the tail as he made his way toward the airship hangar. She only succeeded in being dragged along with him. "If you say we don't have anything to worry about with Kuja, then I believe you, just don't go!"

Zidane sighed. "Eiko, it's not Kuja I don't trust," he replied, never lessening his pace. "It's everyone else. If I'm not there to keep an eye on the others, one of them - or all of them - might decide to take revenge on Kuja. And with him in the condition he is, and getting worse every day..." A saddened look crossed his features, looking out of place on his usually cheerful face. "I'm not sure he could defend himself."

"It's no more than he deserves!" Eiko shouted furiously. "Zidane, I know he's your brother and you care about him, but think of everything he's done to you! To all of us! Besides," she added desperately, and, giving up on his tail, she ran ahead of him and blocked his path. "Besides, you can't protect him forever! If what you say is true, he's just going to die anyway!"

Kneeling in front of the little girl, Zidane placed a gloved hand on her shoulder. "Eiko," he said softly, "you're giving me every excuse not to go, but you're not telling me the truth. What's this really about?"

Her bright green eyes filled with tears, which she angrily blinked back. "If you go to Vile Island, you might not come back," she said in a quavering voice. She sniffed hard. "For two years I thought you were dead. I don't want to lose you all over again."

Zidane felt a stab of affection for the little summoner. She really was old beyond her years. "Kiddo, come here," he said, pulling her into a hug. She buried her face in his shirt. "Now don't you worry about me," he told her firmly. "This is different than last time. I've got the bravest people on Gaia with me. There's nothing we can't handle."

Eiko sniffed again. "Except Amarant's a big meanie," she said, her voice muffled.

"Yeah, I know," he replied. Then he pulled away from her and grinned rakishly. "But I beat him once, remember? If he gets out of line, whap!"

She giggled, and he picked her up and hoisted her onto his shoulders. As he resumed his pace, she asked, "So what does Dagger think about you leaving on this crazy mission?"

He sighed. "She's not happy," he said quietly. "And I'm not happy about leaving her. But she understands why I have to go, and I understand why she has to stay." He paused for a moment. "Sometimes, for the greater good, things just have to... well, suck."

"Classic Zidane," Eiko remarked, and he laughed.

When they reached the airship hangar, a large group had already gathered there. Steiner, Beatrix, and Amarant were waiting dutifully by the Red Rose. Kuja, Claire, Jack, and Felina were there, the former two looking extremely awkward, like they had had a falling-out. And though they would not be present on the voyage, Vivi, Freya, and Quina had come to say their goodbyes. Baku, Blank, Cinna, Marcus, Ruby, and the Nero brothers were also there to wish them good luck. And, standing off to one side, was Queen Garnet.

Zidane set Eiko on the ground and stood still for a moment, scratching his head. "Well," he said at last, "if everyone's here, I guess we'll be going."

One by one, each of them came forward and bade him farewell, most of them with embraces and few of them without tears. He understood perfectly why everyone was so emotional. He had just returned to them after a two-year absence, and now he had to leave them again. If circumstances were different, he would gladly stay. But Kuja didn't have a lot of time left, and Zidane wanted to be with his brother until the end.

Finally everyone had said their goodbyes, save for one. Zidane walked straight up to Garnet and took her hands in his. "Dagger," he said, gazing earnestly into her eyes, "I'm marrying you." Her large brown eyes widened further, but he leaned forward and kissed her, hard. "I promise you, when I get home, I'm marrying you."

She stepped forward and hugged him, clutching him fiercely. "You'd better," she replied, her voice tight.

Zidane held her a moment longer, then reluctantly pulled away. He gave her cheek one last, lingering caress, and then he turned to Kuja. "Let's go."

His brother nodded. The small band of travelers filed onto the Red Rose, who stood gallantly by herself inside the giant hangar. The royal airship had recently been modified to run without Mist, and her banners began to flutter as the propellers whirred into life. Zidane boarded the deck and took one last look at Garnet, who gave him a watery smile. Then he gave the signal. The Red Rose nosed slowly forward, and the cheers and farewells of his friends were drowned out by the rumbling of her engines as the great ship took to the air.

----

Standing at the bow of the airship, Claire placed her hands on the railing and leaned forward, feeling the wind on her face. As she looked down, she saw the ground whizzing by beneath her, a blurry Impressionist landscape of greens and browns. She had to admit, this was a far more comfortable mode of transportation that riding Silver Dragon. Safer, as well, no doubt.

As she thought about Silver Dragon, her mind inevitably drifted to Kuja, and their conversation earlier that morning. She didn't know what to do about him. She had promised herself that she wouldn't get attached to him, but far in the back of her mind, she knew she had broken that promise a long time ago. She was already attached to him; deeply, irreversibly attached to him. But now that she knew he was dying, she just couldn't let herself get too close to him. It would be too painful in the end.

"Enjoying the ride?"

Claire yelped in surprise and whirled around to see Zidane standing behind her. He put up his hands, laughing. "Sorry, didn't mean to freak you out," he said, smiling apologetically.

She smiled back, trying to calm her pounding heart. "That's okay," she replied. "And yes, I'm enjoying it very much. The last time I was up this high, I was on the back of a giant dragon. And no offense to Kuja, but I like to have a solid floor under me when I'm flying."

Zidane raised his eyebrows. "You rode Silver Dragon? Man, you're brave."

"Nah, it was all right," she said with a shrug. "It's really just an oversized dog with wings."

He nodded. Stepping up to the railing, he stood beside her for a moment, watching the passing landscape. "So Claire," he finally said, his voice deliberately even. "What do you know about Kuja?"

Claire glanced at him, but his blue-green eyes were still directed forward. She swallowed and looked down at her hands, unsure how she should answer. "Well, I guess," she began slowly, "I guess I know pretty much everything."

"And how much is everything?"

She sighed. Apparently he wasn't going to let her be vague about it. "Everything as in, everything," she replied, quite nonsensically. "I know where he's from, I know what he did, I know why everyone hates him. And..." She swallowed, then took a deep breath. "I know about his 'condition'."

Zidane turned to her. "You do?" he asked in a low voice.

She tightened her jaw and nodded slightly.

He nodded in return. "Me, too."

They stood in silence.

----

A/N: And we end on a downer once again. Sorry about that. But Zidane and Claire are pretty much the only people who care about Kuja at this point, and I wanted them both to find that out. Anyway, it took only thirteen chapters, but they're finally going to Vile Island! Yay! Actually, not yay, it's a horrible place. And they're going to find that out. So stay tuned for an update, and please review!

-Waki